Letters

Any letters or e-mails received on an adventuring-related
topic may be reprinted in here unless marked 'not for
publication'.
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Two letters this issue, the first from
Vic Horsley, Haverfordwest

I read with much regret of the shortage of members and the lack of
input from those said members and its effect on the magazine.

I'm sure like myself, it will gee us up to do something although
at a loss to other things. In my case it has meant leaving my
family genealogy, to a lot of people this will not mean a big
sacrifice but it is to me as I wish to leave it for my future
generations when I'm gone and as I'm senior in age, time counts.
Anyway I felt compelled to act.

I had not looked at a game since last year although I do have a
couple not yet played. So I've chosen Ultima Ascension, played a
little, lost my way, started again, more mistakes, start again,
now I've mastered it, I like it. I've decided to do hints and tips
as I go along, that will be my effort to the magazine. I do hope
it helps.

I'm sure, Sue, that you will be losing financially with all the
members dropping out, may I suggest a rise in the subs. A little
will not hurt anyone but it may save the magazine. It's only a
suggestion and one you have probably already thought of, I'd hate
it to go under because we didn't try.

     Thanks for your contributions, Vic, and for your suggestion.
     But I think putting up the subs would risk more people
     dropping out and losing one reader at this stage could make a
     difference. I'll be honest, I currently have 57 readers,
     having lost 3 more since last issue and I am planning to keep
     going with the magazine until I get below 40 readers, all
     other things being equal. Once it gets below that, I would
     find it hard to justify the time putting the mag together.
     But I will be very sorry to see SynTax go if/when the time
     comes as it has been a big part of my life since 1989 and
     I've made some great friends through it ... Sue
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The second letter has some news from South Africa.

From Laurence Creighton by email

I am playing Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine. It is an
arcade-ish adventure, with no text to type or choose from.  There
are a thousand-something times one has to run and jump, or just
jump, and sometimes you have to pull levers and or press buttons.
It is truly a great game, even if some of the puzzles are somewhat
difficult at times, due mainly that the action required is only
carried out if one is on exactly the right pixel.

At one point I couldn't get further due to a total crash. I think
your readers should know that this game has problems, if played on

a "high-end" computer, running under Windows 98.  I emailed Lucas
Arts, and they responded at once with that info.

This is a known problem with very high-end computers running
Windows 98.

In the interim I looked at the website where, lo and behold, there
is a patch.  But... you cannot use the saves from the pre-patched
game.  Duh.  After much defying and denial, I conceded they're
right and restarted the game.  Duh.  I feel that there should be a
leaflet in the box to warn people to patch the game before
playing.

btw:  I have decided to stop writing. I just don't have the time
to focus on writing, working, and playing games on the PC.  You
may publish that, if you wish.

     Unfortunately it's worth checking on the net with any new game
     as invariably there's a patch out and it's frustrating when
     you have to replay 'cos your saves won't work.

     I'm sorry to hear that you won't be writing any more games,
     Laurence, you've written so many excellent ones over the
     years.















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