Editorial

Welcome to Issue 62 of SynTax. We are now officially a
PC-oriented magazine as last issue the final few readers
transferred from ST or Amiga disk to either PC disk or paper. It's
amazing to think that back in 1989, SynTax was launched as an
ST-only magazine, and now, ten years on, it's still going strong
but with a different look and content, especially now with the
recent introduction of 'paper' SynTax. The whole idea in '89 was
that a disk-based mag would be completely under my control to
duplicate, with no reliance on printers or photocopy shops. But
technology has changed and with the advent of desktop publishing,
creating a paper-based mag is now much easier - and looks better
too, than early cut-and-paste efforts or ones created on a word
processor alone.

When I think back to the games I was playing in '89 as well, I
realise how much games technology has progressed too. I couldn't
have imagined the likes of the graphics in Rollercoaster Tycoon -
I thought King's Quest looked realistic! I recently finished RCT
and have given my final views in this issue. Now I'm back to
Settlers 2 which I started ages ago and didn't finish.  Loading it
up again, and restarting because I'd lost all my saves, despite
the fact that I'd really like to be playing Settlers 3, brought up
the topic for this issue's musings on the psychology of gaming.
Thanks to everyone who has said they enjoy those articles, by the
way. I've also started Legend's oldie, Mission Critical, and am
thoroughly enjoying it.

The bonus program of 'Excuse Me' was enthusiastically received
last issue so I'm going to continue to provide games or utilities
which I've found useful or interesting or which have been
mentioned in the current issue eg Spilt File Extension, two Inform
games and a bonus level for RCT are among those given this time. 
Book subscribers will get a separate recycled disk. If anyone 
has any recommendations, please let me know.

Finally an late bit of news. As you know, Zenobi are bringing out
more CD compilations all the time. There is a short article giving
details of some of their new releases in this issue but they later
contacted me to say they also have five new CDs at œ2.99 each,
inclusive of P&P. Four of them cover different RPG collections and
the fifth CD contains screensavers and themes with fantasy
settings. All have bonus programs in the form of arcade and puzzle
games. Contact Zenobi at 26 Spotland Tops, Cutgate, Rochdale,
Lancs OL12 7NX for more into or to order.

That's it! See you next issue.

                                                    Sue









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