Relax 08
Contents |
Editorial
* Editorial *
Atleast we are very proud to welcome you to the 8th issue of the Relax Magazine and the first issue in '95 brought to you with a short but detectable delay.
We decided to release the Relax all six to eight weeks in the future due to massive sparetime problems of the various staff members seeing the sense of life not only infront of the computer like other may do.
Seeing the mass of magazines released these days our main intention is to release a reliable and objec- tive magazine in order to guarantee believable facts and fair charts, to be more exactly mega-charts. When "The Pulse Magazine" died a big gap was left behind. We decided to try our best and to fill this gap, recruited some members of the old staff and released the Relax again.
We got very positive reactions for our very own production and this was a success we never expec- ted while having the huge market of magazines these days in mind. We would like to thank all our readers who have encouraged us to continue, who sent in constructive critism, who filled the votesheets or voted t the Relax supporting boards worldwide.
For sure not all the reactions have been positive and some (fake-) magazines tried everything letting look our magazine quite average but those kind of jealous editors who can not accept that there better or to be more precise much better competitors won't be mentioned were. We are not acting like "The Pulse" as we have been publishing our texts years before anyone has ever dreamt of "The Pulse" and we are definately not interested to do advertisement for low quality magazines edited by persons who have never been standing in the public interest.
Our intention is to edit some kind of journal. We pick up interesting topics and news to work with them. We definately do not need to print non-scene concerned stuff to fill up the disk so we discussed our work and came to the following conclusion: INFOTAINMENT is exactly what we are doing, a proper combination of informative texts with entertaining stories. We think that our readers deserve to be informed about the truth based on facts as we aren't interested to influ- ence our beloved, but dying, scene with unqualified or useless raggings ending in endless hassels. The job of a magazine is to inform the public, not to slag down the concurence. That is our very own philosophy.
Most of the critism concerned our outfit, mainly the slow text display routine. Unfortunately the coder of the main routines, Skid Row, has left the scene once again. There is no problem without a solution and our very own Leeway, the coder of the editor, had a look on the sources and improved them a little bit. He will continue to optimize the routines within the next days and weeks to guarantee a more userfriendly outfit and to get another step closer to perfection.
Just compare our text with the competiting concu- rence contributions, make your very own opinion and choose your favourite number one.
If you are interested in seeing your address in our advertisement chapter(s) or you've some interesting news, stories or atleast a reaction to be shared with the public do not hesitate to contact us using the of- ficial contact addresses of the Relax magazine. To come up to your wishes we offer both, mail and board addresses to send us your submissions to. Relax Magazine, c/o Timo Buschmann, Pierenkemper Str. 13, 45891 Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Holiday Inn Cambodia ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX account: 37 The Evil Island ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX account: 4 Escapade ++XX/XXXX-XXXXXX account: 63 Mystical Paradize ++XX/XXXX-XXXXX account: 17
Please keep in mind that the RELAX magazine is not an Alpha Flight 1970 production. It is a trademark of Bad Bytes Entertainment Software, european division with some kind help from Alpha Flight, Oxyron, Avantgarde and all the readers and friends who reacted in any way to encourage us keeping this ma- gazine alive. This issue's content looks like:
NEWS AND RUMOURS devided into two seperate chap- ters due to the mass of activity and the daily chan- ges with the last few weeks. CHARTS devided into three different topics: release charts, board charts and mail charts. INTERVIEW with Deff/Avantgarde, who delivered it after the original interview we planned for this issue did not arrive in time (sarcasm?). DEMO REVIEWS reporting about some demoes relea- sed at THE PARTY 1994. PARTY REPORT with a critical look back to THE PAR- TY 1994 and the inofficial invitation for the SCS&TRC and FOCUS party in Utrecht/Holland. ADVERTISEMENTS for those who are searching for new contacts or anything else what seems to be scene related.
Credits for this issue must be given to:
Programming, Linking LEEWAY, SKID ROW Magazine Artwork SKID ROW, RRR Magazine Soundtrack ARNE Magazine Main Editors MARC, MAX and RRR Magazine Co-Editor DEFF
Like said before we will try to release the RELAX all six to eight months so we are looking forward to see you reading the next issue in August 1995 :=). Last but not least some regards to those who contri- buted when we had a comeback with this magazine:
Skinhead (too bad that you did not manage it to con- tinue your job. All the best for your future in AVT!) Skid Row (you did a fine job with the outfit, in both coding and graphics. Unfortunately you have sold your equipment. All the best for your future, too.) Max (hopefully you will be able to finish your article for the next issue in time, old RAVERMEISTER)
Have fun while reading this magazine.
Best regards,
RRR/Oxyron
Global Report I
* Global Report *
Again we have been returning to publish the latest CBM 64 scene gossip here.
We have checked up most of the news and rumours very carefully in order to avoid false information for our dear readers so we accepted only reliable per- sons as worthy informers for this chapter. Since we are only human creatures aswell it might be possible that we did some mistakes even we tried our best to avoid them. If you have found some we really would appreciate it to see you informing us about our failu- res at the well known address stated somewhere else in this magazine.
* Avantgarde *
According to Avantgarde they are still preparing for the Judgement Day Part 2. Rumours are reporting that Avantgarde and F4CG might start a cooperation for first-releases only. Furthermore the latest gos- sip told that Cyborg will return with his board "Dream- park" which is supposed to become both Avantgarde and F4CG headquarter. I
Fact is that Steve who is also in Laser left the United Kingdom to search his fortune in the United States. He considered about buying a NTSC CBM 64 and to start fixing overthere. Due to moving houses his board "Straylight" went down. To guarantee a massive consumption of their warez Avantgarde added two new mailtraders to their fleet, namely Intruder/ex-Excess and Nastiness Inc who got removed later on. Suicide joined as program- mer and NTSC fixer while Eleminator got recruited as a cardhacker and importer. Last but not least Skinhead/ex-Afl joined as cracker to complete the status.
Current Avantgarde memberstatus looks like: A-Man, Darklord, Deff, Derbyshire Ram, Eleminator, Freestyle, HOK, Intruder, Jack Alien, Jack Daniels, Magic Man, Nevis, Peter, Richie, Skinhead, Skywolf, Steve, Suicide, Thorn and Tricom.
Avantgarde Worldheadquarters/boards: Dreampark: ++1/???/???-????
* Fantastic Four Cracking Group *
F4CG is today one of the leading groups releasewise and with a little bit more effort on the releases to im- prove the quality they easily could be the only worthy competitor for the number one spot these days.
The headline of the last few weeks is that F4CG was able to recruit some well respected and experienced members called Newscopy, Motley, Scope and Walker, all ex-members of Genesis Sweden. Unfortunately their first action for F4CG was to manipulate the release charts in the Propaganda, edited by Marc and Deff, while adding some releases spread after the official chart deadline. No comment from our side! Last but not least they have recruited Druid/Agony, who left later on, and H-Bloxx, who returned from TRSI and being a member of The Remembers, too. Moloch left to concentrate on Threshold Productions,s a company selling games per mail order.
Current F4CG memberlist looks like: Antitrack, Bitman, Fen 1, Hain, H-Bloxx, Idol, King, Maja, Morris, Motley, Mr. Alpha, Neotec, Newscopy, Playboy, Scope, Sneaper, Solar, Spark, Therion, Walker and Zirco.
F4CG worldheadquarters/boards: Tunnel of Warez: ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX (down!) The Lost Paradize: ++XX/XXXX-XXXX
* Success & The Ruling Company *
It was a very busy month for the ruling success com- pany. SCS & TRC were able to convince the famous swapper and original supplier Splatterhead/ex-<C> to join their forces and some more Chromance folks followed the trend like Lord Crucifier, Sailor/Taboo/ Agony and Titanic/Chromance/Agony who already supplied some first releases within the last weeks/ months to prove that they are worthy members. Last bu t not least the polish artist Sliver, who is a member of Agony Design aswell.
Their australian section, to be more precise Morbid and Vengeance left for a new group called Onslaught. Current SCS & TRC memberlist looks like: Action Jackson, Alive, Burglar, B-Wyze, Case, Cavron, CBA, Coolhand, Dannie, Defbeat, Jity, JRC, Lord Cru- cifier, Micron, Moren, Mystery, Nightshade, Rebel MC, Sailor, Scarabee, Shocker, Sliver, Spectator, Splatterhead, Titanic and Trax.
SCS & TRC worldheadquarters/boards: The Dungeon: ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX The Lost Empire: ++XX/XXXX-XXXXX State of the Art: ++XX/XXXX-XXXXX
* Oxyron *
A lot of rumours have been spread to announce that Oxyron is dead on the CBM 64 and that their active part has left the CBM 64 for the Amiga. Fact is that Oxyron has released their first demo on the Amiga and it remembered the masses back to the old demoes from Oxyron, outstanding routines combi- ned with a lack of design. Furthermore Oxyron mana- ged to release a short demo at "The Party IV" just to prove that they are still alive on the CBM 64.
The rumours about TTS and Axis leaving the scene are partly true as they decided to expand their work on the Amiga, which offers them a lot of new possibi- lities, but TTS added at the party-place that they will continue their work on the CBM 64 in a little bit redu- ced way. Upcoming Oxyron demoes will contain the la- test inventions only, not any lame re-coded effects. Biz-Kid decided to leave the group and to look out r for a new and more active demo group. Against a all rumours he was never the leader of Oxyron as it was his very own interpretation of the fact that TTS once asked him for some support in organising the group. According to Biz-Kid he already teamed up with the well known danish demo group Camelot.
Scrapper stopped editing the charts for Skyhigh and RRR quitted the Skyhigh staff to work exclusively for the Relax only. Furthermore Scrapper decided to con- centrate on the PC but he promised to send out when he feels like doing that.
Current Oxyron (CBM 64) memberstatus looks like: Asmodis, Axis, Graham, PRI, RRR, Scrapper and TTS
* Agony Design *
Agony is one of the many promising demo groups from Poland and seems to be one of the most active crews around. Unfortunately most of the members are ac- tive in two groups or even more what looks, accor- ding to the majority of the scene, very strange.
They proudly announce a lot of new members starting with Owen/Triad, Stone/Charged (Cruise's brother), Compod/Charged and Spy/Sun Designs who left the scene later on while Scarlett got kicked out. Their member Trooper got kicked out of his second group Atlantis having his lazyness as the main rea- son for that step. Current Agony Design memberlist looks like: Astaroth, Comanche, Compod, Digger, Dr. Kaos, Druid, Explorer, Glut, Moog, Morris, Owen, Pat, Roder, Sailor Shogoon, Skyle, Sliver, Stone, Titanic, Trooper and Viper
* Dynamic Technologies *
With the more or less sudden death of Talent Dytec was able to recruit two well reputated crackers cal- led The Ignorance and Chrysagon. Both left Dytec after some promising releases to join the new group Onslaught while the artist Rooster re- named into Andreas and left for Shape.
Current Dytec status looks like: Creb, Dodger, Fatman, Little Big Man, One Dollar, Proton, Stereo, Stone and Suzuki
* Genesis Project *
The ancient group seems to be dead when their last active members teamed up with the concurence in F4CG, to be exactly Newscopy, Walker, Scope and Motley performed this step. Jucke is said to work independent these days while the latest gossip reports that Ministry decided to team up with Hardcore.
It is really sad to see another legend dying within one one month only.
* Talent *
Talent is said to be dead, too. Chrysagon and The Ig- norance have left the wrecking ship for Dytec while they left Dytec some days later to seek their fortune in Onslaught, like Majesty, Morrision and Count Zero aswell. Since there are only three members left in Talent who are not that active these days, namely Bod, Green- frog and Rockstar, their future looks rather dark on the CBM 64.
* Chromance *
There might come a hard time for this crew seeing a lot of members leaving to team up with other groups.
Mr. Wax and Jazzy D had the pleasure to join the hungarian army so Splatterhead became the new main organiser in Chromance. Some days later he left for SCS & TRC along with Sailor, Lord Crucifier and Titanic. Druid left for F4CG and left them when he found out that they have released on of his unsold games without his knowledge. More bad luck for Chromance was a high phone bill for their cracker and current leader Stake. The la- test gossip reports about $500.000. The last infor- mation is that the bill might be cancelled so the future of Stake looks more promising again. Fresh blood came into the group with Chotaire, who joined the Chromance posse as second group. Later on he left Chromance for the new group Onslaught with Sphere and Homeboy, who remains in <C> as 2nd group, follow to team up with Onslaught, too. Furthermore Shuze/Lazer has joined.
Current Chromance status looks like: AMC, Griff,Homeboy, Jazzy D, Jinx, Joyride, Lion, Mr. Wax, Painkiller, Rough, Rug Rat, Shuze, Stake, Syco, Unholy, Will, Wozio, X-Radical and Zar.
Chromance worldheadquarters/boards: Egde of Midnight: ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX (down!) The Highway: ++XX/XX/XXXXX
* Hardcore *
The new comet in the cracking spheres was mainly found by old german Success members. Ramirez/ex-Talent, Marcus and Jayce/ex-Genesis already joined forces to enlarge their memberstatus A certain Raver called the german boards. He seems to be a very suspicious person as no one has ever recognized him being a part of the scene while he is refering to a long scene career.
Current Hardcore status looks like: B-Wyze, Blockbuster, Communist, God, Jayce, Marcus, Ramirez, Rap, Raver, Raze, Shocker, Shuriken, Skeleton and Steel.
You finally reached the end of the News chapter 1, but definately not the end of information we have prepared for you so please load in the News chapter 2 for further information.
Global Report II
* Global Report 2 *
Again we have been returning to publish the latest CBM 64 scene gossip here, to be more precise for the second time in this issue.
A lot of action has been recognized by our infor- mers and the last two months brought a lot of new competitors for the cracking scene, consisting of well known of reputated guys.
The legal scene is running more smoothly but we have been able to detect those few changes which seem to be informative. Let's wait for more information out of this part of the scene in the next few weeks.
* Alpha Flight 1970 *
No month without a steady come and go in the ancient group Alpha Flight, a group proving their activity on the different stages in an impressing way.
Starkiller, Honesty, Skid Row and Curlin have quitted the CBM 64 scene. Starkiller will run an Amiga-board for an unknown Amiga group while Skid Row has sold his equipment. The fate of Curlin and Honesty is un- known, it is possible to see them returning when they feel like doing that. Furthermore Skinhead decided to join the forces of Avantgarde while Pha Q left the scene for PC since he was bored spending his time infront of the CBM 64. Peacemaker had to join the german army so he had to decrease most of his computer activities. He actually tries to leave the army for the public (national) ser- vice. Lemming is having a break from the scene in order to return in early march 1995 in full effect to continue his swapping activities.
Calypso/Amnesia joined in to guarantee the mass consumption of Afl warez and started to NTSC fix ga- games what seems to be quite successful so far.
Current Alpha Flight memberstatus looks like: Agressor, Ancient Mariner, Arne, Calypso, Leeway, Lemming, Marc, Max, Murphy, Mutant X, Peacemaker, Pol Pot, Racoon, Ream, Secret Man, Stash, Styx, Vor- tex and Xenox.
Alpha Flight Worldheadquarters/boards: Holiday Inn Camodia ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX The Evil Island ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX Escapade ++XX/XXXX-XXXXXX Mystical Paradize ++XX/XXXX-XXXXX
* Shazam! *
The best australian group these days seems to split up after Grize left to built up Darkside, Gop followed to team up with the new group and the same goes for Jolz. Jim Morrison has left the scene for PC. Shades, Insane and Xerez, who renamed into Upbeat, decided to team up with their friends in Onslaught, so the group seems to be dead as we do not expect too to much action from the remaining Thorin and Thrain.
* Amorphis *
Amorphis is a new promising music label located in Poland. Actually they develope a new stunning music routine which seems to be more advanced in compa- rison with the public DMC player versions.
Current Amophis memberstatus looks like: Booker, Compod, Druid, Moog and Olsen
* Legend *
Their last remaining active member Jazzcat decided to team up with the new group Onslaught. The future of Legend is unknown due to their lack of activity.
* Onslaught *
Another new group came from the ashes to return as a phoenix, Onslaught is the name. Jazzcat left Legend for them, Vengeance and Morbid left Success, Ma- jesty, Count Zero and Morrisey left Talent, Chrysa- gon and Ignorance left Dytec, Choitaire, Sphere and Homeboy, remaining in his old group as second one, left Chromance, Heavyhead joined in and remains in Camelot as second group, Bizarre left Trance, SMD left Atlantis, Deekay from Crest, Shades, Insane and Upbeat left Shazam, Deathlok left Padua and two eng- lish hackers called Protheus and Xentor are said to have unioned their skills and power in order to work under the Onslaught label, a promising mixture to co- ver most subjects of the scene in a pleasant way.
Count Zero already stated that he is still a member of Talent (demo section) and Fairlight on SNES but he agreed to fix for Onslaught (CZ's official statement).
Current Onslaught status looks like: Bizarre, Chotaire, Chrysagon, (Count Zero), Deathlok, Deekay, Heavyhead, Homeboy, Ignorance, Insane, Jazzcat, Majesty, Morbid, Morrisey, Protheus, Shades SMD, Sphere, Upbeat, Vengeance and Xentor.
Onslaught Worldheadquarters/boards: Down by Law: ++X/XXX/XXX-XXXX Pirate Island: ++XX/XXX/XXXXX Westpoint: ++XX/XXX/XXXX
After those more detailed reports we collected some
very interesting single news aswell. 1995 is growing
full of activity and we hope to see that the scene and
the software developers/distributors will follow this
example in order to get more active, too, in order to
keep the scene alive.
* Single news & rumours *
- Thomas Detert, musician of X-ample Architectures,
can be spotted in the videoclip of "Save Me" from
his dancefloor act ACTIVATE. He is the guy in the
red shirt!
- Unifier left the group Spirit in order to work inde-
pendent at the moment. He already released the la-
test update of the Unipacker (V3.0) and codes de-
moes on PC under the SUBSYSTEM label.
- The Fairlight magazine "Reformation" and the Equi-
noxe magazine "Ingenious Brain" merged into one
big magazine called "Shout!".
The latest gossip reports about a steady coopera-
tion between both groups, not only on the magazine
activities.
- The PC section of WOW (Pussyfooter, Einstein, etc.)
is planning to release a CD ROM filled with CBM 64
quality software. If you are interested to see your
demo, magazine, music and graphic collection on the
CD please contact WOW directly or via the Relax
staff.
The CD is able to hold the data of 2700 5.25" disks,
(170 KB/disk) so you can be sure about supporting
the biggest CBM 64 compilation ever. Ofcause the
authors do not think about making profit with your
work as it is ment as a TRIBUTE for the CBM 64,
running on all actual PC configurations making your
creations immortal, even on 16/32 bit systems.
The project is going to be executed in cooperation
with Mika Peternel, the coder of the CBM 64 emula-
tor on PC. Send your submissions now.
- Noice and Fairlight are arranging a small party in
the countryside outside of Stockholm/Sweden. Ori-
ginally it was supposed to be a Noice, Fairlight and
Triad meeting only but in order to come up to the
interest of other sceners it was converted into an
official CBM 64 party. The party date is from march
3rd to 5th, the place is able to hold 60-70 freaks
so reserve a table via telephone, fax or mail (mem-
bers of Noice, Fairlight and Triad have priority):
Philippe (Stasi/Noice) ++XX/(X)X/XXXXXXXX
Thomas (Sledge/Fairlight) ++XX/(X)X/XXXXXX
Fax ++XX/(X)X/XXXXXXXX
Philippe Henry, Sidensvansv. 11b, SWE-17 839 Ekero
- Commodore Format, the last remaining CBM 64 sup-
porting magazine in UK, is said to be released till
April 1996. Do not hesitate to order the magazine
and to guarantee its existance:
COMMODORE FORMAT, Future Publishing LTD.,
30 Monmouth Street, Bath, Avon BA21 2BW, England
React now!
- Tyree/ex-Arcade has been sent to prison for
smuggling drugs. All in all he will spent his next
eight years there.
You already have reached the end of both News and Rumours chapters we have prepared for you.
Support us in sharing your latest information with staff and contact us under the well known addresses which can be found in the EDITORIAL.
Best regards,
RRR/Oxyron
Release Charts
The Official Release Charts for the Relax
Performed by the Masters of Law...
Marc and Deff
Introducing the point-system...
Fullprice Games 7.0 - 8.0 points Budget Games 5.0 - 6.0 points Low Budget 3.0 - 4.0 points PD/Shareware 1.0 - 2.0 points Previews 0.0 - 1.0 points
One bonus point can be reached be releasing the wares 100% (!) Pal/Ntsc. If another group is involved on the Pal/Ntsc version, points will be shared.
Games that got released PAL only have to be fixed within half a year, else no points will be given.
Minus points will be given for...
Re-releases -7.0 No levelpacking -0.5/-1.0 No trainer(s) -0.5/-1.0 No translation -1.0/-2.0 Unlike most other mags we won't give points for tools. Those releases will get mentioned but that's it.
SEUCK GAMES, BASIC GAMES, COMPILED BASIC GAMES and such games that were done using a GAME MAKER will be ignored.
hen ever we think somebody did somet ing special
Whenever we think somebody did something special or something outstanding we will add one point to the normal amount of points. It's also possible to get one extra point for some- thing that normally doesn't deserve any points.
The following boards have been taken in to
consideration whilst creating these charts...
Holiday Inn Cambodia XXX-XXX-XXXX The Evil Island XXX-XXX-XXXX Dream Park XXX-XXX-XXXX The Dungeon XXX-XXX-XXXX Down by Law XXX-XXX-XXXX
To avoid misunderstandings the following boards will be observed as well...
Dead Zone 215-637-0823 Fortress of Doom 909-354-0896
Active (4.0 points)
They released the pal version of FUNBALL (4.0 p.) from Octabits.
Accept (0.1 points)
They released the unplayable preview of EARTH 3. This preview normally doesn't deserve 0.1 pts but as it was their premier.
Alpha Flight 1970 (56.1 points)
They started with the fixed version of TWO-TRIS (c) Magna Media. As their version was only 99.99%, minus 1.0 pts were given (4.5 pts). Next were 3 pre- views called SUPER BALL (0.3 pts), B-BALL (0.4 pt) and CRAZY (0.0 pts) which didn't even deserve 0.1 points. Then they released the fixed version of EUROPEAN SOCCER CHALLENGE (1.4 pts). Infact this game already got released (PAL only) by Ikari+Talent back in 1991, AFL only gets the fix points for it. Once again they striked back with the fixed version of KITRON (4.3 pts) (c) CP-Verlag. Their next targets were two fixed CP-Verlag games called GEOMETRIC (5.2 pts) and BRONX MEDAL (5.5 pts). Next they come with the fixed version of IMPEROID (4.3 pts) (c) by Magna Media. After this they upped the fixed Budget Game SUPER MARIOS REVENGE (6.5 pts) (c) by Para- dize Software. Then they released the fixed version of IKETA (4.8 pts) from CP-Verlag and 3 previews called CROSSES & CIRCLES (0.4 pts), SWIRL (0.4 pts) and TRAILRUNNER (0.1 pts). Then they upped the fixed version of MASTERMIND (4.3 pts) (c) CP-Verlag and another fixed Budget Game SUPER MARIOS ES- CAPE (6.0 pts) from Paradize Software. After this they released the Pal version of PRA-SE (3.6 pts) (c) CP-Verlag and TIMTRIS (4.1 pts) from Timsoft. TRC+SCS released only a 90% version, so AFL gets the points. And last but not least they released a little tool called DESTRUCTION FORMAT (0.0 pts).
Atlantis (1.4 pts)
They released a TRANSLATED version of KAMPF DER GENIES (=BATTLE OF THE GIANTS) (1.0 pts) and a little preview called BLACK HEART (0.4 pts).
Avantgarde (41.4 pts)
They started with REACTOR 2 (5.5 pts) (c) by CP- Verlag, followed by two previews... PLOPP (0.4 pts) and MINESWEEPER (0.5 pts). Then they released THE TIME CRYSTAL (5.0 pts) from Parallel Logic that doesn't need a Ntsc fix. Next were 3 previews in a row... HIDDEN DOORS (0.5 pts), TETRIS'94 (0.4 pts) & DEADLINE (0.7 pts). They upped AMORPHOUS (4.4 pts) fixed by Byronic. Due using a wrong cruncher which fucked up something Byronic had to put out a fix-file (-1.0 pts). Then they released an UK Budget Game called BLITZ 2000 (6.6 pts) (c) by Visualize. Points won't be shared between AVT/TAL as Talent will get only the fixing points. The next targets were the pal version of MOTLEY TETRIS (3.7 pts) (c) by Talentebank and TRONIC FORCE (4.5 pts) (c) CP-Verlaw, Pal/Ntsc fixed by Empire. Then they upped a cool tool called COLOR PACK 2 (0.0 pts) and KITRON V.2 (2.0 pts) fixed by Demonix. It's NOT Kitron 2, it's just a better version than the official sales version. That should explain why AVT won't get the full points for it. After this they uploaded the Budget Game HEAVENBOUND (6.0 pts) (c) by Talente- bank. TRC+SCS released a version of the game too, but their version didn't include THE STORY file. A re- lease has to be 100% so AVT gets the points. Last but not least they released 2 previews called SPHEREBRAIN (0.8 pts) and BODY BLOW (0.4 pts).
Chromance (17.8 pts)
They started with MINDMAZE (0.0 pts), but this game got released by Troep & Garbage weeks before. We didn't give them -7 pts as T+G never spread their version well enough. Their next ware was TURN CHANGE preview (0.5 pts) followed by the fixed ver- sion of KILLER 100% (4.4 pts). Then they released the fixed version of SPEED RUNNER (4.1 pts) (c) by Com- modore Format and 2 previews XERMAID (0.5 pts) & AVOIDITIC (0.3 pts). After this they released AM0BA (3.9 pts) fixed by Demonix, but infact DMX removed a raster (without mention it) to make it working on Ntsc. So we'll count it as a Pal ware. Then they upped 2 previews GO (0.1 pts) and SPACE BALL (0.6 pts) and BACK & WHITE (3.0 pts) already working Pal/Ntsc Last but not least they released 2 previews called MEMORY 2 (0.3 pts) and EARTH 3 (0.1 pts). The same preview got released by Accept before, but the (C) version included a nice title-pic, so we'll give 0.1 pts.
F4CG (58.5 pts)
They started with 2 american Full-Price games from Mnemonic Productions, Inc. called CASTLE OF KRAIZ- AR (7.0 pts) and GUNRUNNER (7.0 pts). Both games didn't need a pal fix. Gunrunner got 7.5 pts but we gave -0.5 pts as they linked a pal intro infront of the game which made it impossible to play the game on Ntsc. Later on they released a fix-file. Next they re- lease$ the pal version of another polish Budget Game called ETERNAL (5.5 pts) (c) by Tim Soft, followed by 2 pre6iews named BOMBI (0.5 pts) and MAGAZINE (0.4 pts). Later on they released the pal version of MINEFIELD (3.7 pts) and SLATERMAN (3.5 pts) (c) by Tim Soft and WHEEL OF FORTUNE (4.2 pts) fixed by Demonix. Then their PAL ONLY ware rush started with ORBITS (3.0 pts) (c) by CP-Verlag. Normally such a version wouldn't count but as nobody else re- leased a proper version of this game, we'll give the points to F4CG. Then they upped MELEE-THE BATTLE BOARDGAME (0.0 pts). no points will be given because it's compiled basic. Their next steps were AGENT UOP (4.0 pts) (c) L.K. Avalon, FLUMMI'S WORLD preview (0.8 pts), a Budget Game called MEAN CAR (5.2 pts) (c) by Cherry Sodtware, then the full version of the PD Game DINOX (1.5 pts) from APS and 3 previews named LEPPARD (0.5 pts), Pacific (0.4 pts) and BOUNCY BALLS (0.9 pts). Troep and Garbage re- leased nearly the same preview at the same time. Then the pal versions of MEMOLOGIE (3.0 pts) and 3 previews called SHAMAN (0.7 pts), DOOM (0.6 pts) and DEADLINE (0.2 pts) hits the boards. Last but not least was the pal release ARCADE PILOT (5.9 pts) a Budget Game from Cherry Software.
Hardcore (12.9 pts)
They started with 2 average previews name HARRY V.2 (0.7 pts) from M.D.G. and Mizmo Te?ran (0.7 pts) from Human Research. After this they uploaded 2 german Budget Games called FLUMMI'S WORLD (6.0pt) from Substance and RIDDLES & STONES (5.5 pts).
Motiv 8 (7.8 pts)
After a little break they are back in business with SPEED preview (0.0 pts), SYSTEM 3 - THE FINAL STONE (3.3 pts) from Sebastian Garbe. They claimed their version is fixed, but the loader doesn't work on Ntsc. After this they upped SPEED BALL (3.0 pts) from Stardesign (the game works Pal/Ntsc), CYCLIA preview (0.0 pts), COMPARE 2 preview (0.2 pts) and FIELDRUNNER preview (0.3 pts). Then they released INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF SOCCER (1.0 pts). It's a basic game, but we will give them 1 extra point.
Onlaught (6.8 pts)
This new group started with a nice previeqw of the game MISFORTUNE (0.9 pts) from Bad Bytes. Then they uploaded the fixed version of CASTOR (4.4 pts) (c) by CP-Verlag and a PD game called MODEM FLAG- HUNT (1.5 pts) from Loadstar and Softdisk Publishing. The game works on Pal too.
Palace (- 3.5 pts)
Their first game on the boards was a re-release. LATENT FUSION (-7.0 pts) (c) CP Verlag got rel- eased Pal/Ntsc by AVT weeks before. They wrote that the AVT version was not 100% because the dox- file is missing. But this dox-file is not necessary be- cause the official sales version didn't include a dox- file. Furthermore their version was not 100% as their version has graphic bugs in form of a cursor in the top of the screen in level 1. You can't write your name on the number 1 spot in the top 5 even when you gained enough points for rank 1. Palace's version is not 100%, they released it PAL only and the dox-file didn't belong to the official sales version. Everybody could make a dox-file like that. So we will give -7 points. Then they released a so called 'FIXED' ver- sion of POZITRONIC (3.5 pts) (c) by CP Verlag. But this version is not worth shit.
Please load the second chapter to see the rest!
Rel. Cha. 2 & Back to the roots
Welcome to the second part of the release charts...
SCS+TRC (52.3 pts)
They started their wares rush with the fixed version of COLOURED (4.3 pts), BLUBRIA (5.3 pts) (c) by CP- Verlag, NOCTURNO (5.0 pts) (c) by L.K. Avalon and RUNNING BALLS (4.0 pts) from Thunders. Then they upped the preview of GEOMTERIC 2 (1.0 pts) from APS the pal version of METALLIC LEGEND (3.4 pts) and a preview named FUSSBALL (0.3 pts). After this they released SHATTERLANDS (4.6 pts) (c) CP-Verlag and finally the pal version of COMPLEX (4.0 pts) (c) by CP Verlag followed by the fixed versions of MEGA FORCE (4.0 pts) (c) by Commodore Format, DUEL (4.0 pts) from Skyle, COMBINATION (4.1 pts) (c) by CP Verlag and Coldarius (4.4 pts) from Agony De- sign. At the end they released the pal version of PAYDAY (3.0 pts) (c) by Cp Verlag and fixed HYS- TERIA (1.0 pts) for Xenon.
Talent (8.4 pts)
They returned with 2 previews called VOICE (0.2 pts) and JUICY TYPE (0.2 pts). At the same time they re- leased a fixed game (?) named ICEBLASTER (4.0 pts) from Development coded by good old Yon of MTX. This game reminds us of an old playbale demo part of Man- tronix but we have to give it points anyway as nobody could show up with that old demo. And finally ENERGY MANAGER (4.0 pts) found its way to the US boards. Talent gets 3,0 pts for their Pal/Ntsc version and a extra point for their outstanding version.
Tristar/Red Sector Inc (02. pts)
After some months they are back with a little preview named COLA QUEST (0.2 pts) from Paralyze.
Xenon (4.4 pts)
After the previeq of HYSTERIA (0.1 pts) they releas- ed the full version of HYSTERIA (4.0 pts). Pal/Ntsc fixed by SCS+TRC, so the points won't be shared. And their last release was the preview of LINGO (0.3 pts) from Miracle.
European release charts
Rank Group Points
0 1. (01) F4CG 58.5 02. (03) Alpha Flight 1970 56.1 03. (09) SCS+TRC 52.3 04. (05) < Avantgarde 41.4< 05. (02) Chromance 17.8 06. (04) Hardcore 12.9 07. (./.) < Talent 8.4 Rank Groups Points
08. (./.) Motiv 8 7.8 09. (./.) Onslaught 6.8 10. (./.) Xenon 4.4 11. (./.) Active 4.0 12. (08) Atlantis 1.4 13. (./.) TRSI 0.2 14. (./.) Accept 0.1
US Fix/Import charts
Rank Group Releases
0 1. (02) Alpha Flight 11 02. (./.) SCS+TRC 10 03. (./.) Demonix 3 04. (./.) Talent 2 05. (./.) Byronic 1
(./.) Chromance 1
(./.) Empire 1
(./.) Onslaught 1
That's all for this issue...
Yours, Marc & Deff
Back to the roots!
Back to the roots - this message is used by so many
people these days, that I was inspired to have a
closer look to understand the ain meaning.
Back to the roots - when you hear this, you should think about gods like Dynamic Duo, Headbanger, German Cracking Service, Berlin Cracking Service and lots of more of our forefathers!
People who were the first to realize the idea of
cracking programs and make them copyable for
everyone. There are propably some of you who
remember that time. I personally look back to that
age with a smile on my face. The time when the good
old 64 history started with datasettes, these small
cassette-players making it possible to save about
60 games on a normal 90 minutes tape.
Ridicilous but true!
Do you remember this old Turbo Tape Loader ? < < <- L ruled for many years! Heheh!
The first of the so-called cracks were no cracks at
all, because at that point of time the software-
market was just in its beginning phase. Furthermore
groups didn't link intros in front of the games yet.
The group names or should I better say the handles
only appeared in the basic-lines.
And then somebody had the idea to code something like a presentation in front of the cracks. These intros had more similarities with text-pages not with intros. Even todays trainer-menues are more effect- full, but that didn't count.
With these intros the era of the 64-piracy really started!
Soon the first scrolltext showed up in intros. The basic idea of informing and greeting people in a very effective way. The idea of scrolltext was content of every computer generation. Routines were im- proved, scrolltexts were varied into upscreen- scrollers etc. But untill now the simple bottom scroller has come to stay.
The scene growed and growed. In the beginning phase there were only a few ones practising our hobby. More and more joined us. Whether for fun or just for fun and business. Today we can say that the 64-pirates were the pioneers of commodores success story. Nobody would have bought a computer without the assurance to get a great amount of software for free.
In fact without the 64-cracking scene there wouldn't be any other scene at all!
We from the 64 were the first who used the possibil- ities to spread datas by phone with modems. Not that the usual mailtrading wasn't fast enough, it was just a real prove to for a group that they got a game first all over the world!
Sometimes it was just a matter of hours to be # 1 worldwide or to be nothing. Only the releases counted (of course only fixed ones!).
Soon there was a specialising of computer groups. Some concentrated on importing and some put all their power in their cracking abilities. The develop- ment on the european software-market was the reason why there were more cracks eurowise than statewise. This fact forced the us-scene to change dramatic.
The us-importers tried to get as many major- cracking groups for an exclusive deal as possible. The more more real good groups they were exclusive with, the more releases the importers had
You can imagine that they had a concern to keep in good relation with the european elite. I can't remember any european cracker who had card problems at that time. Even alliance PBXes were as usual as Calling Cards and nothing special at all.
If you compare the present scene situation with the older days, you'll notice that it totally changed into the difference. All that is left is the love for our 8-bit brother.
It's just like the love for oldtimers.
They're old and slow, but you still have to love them! They're the base for every produced sportscar!
Do not disappoint your 64!!!
Oldtimers never grow out of fashion!!!
Unfortunately I have to stop know because of a lack of memory (Yeah, we love our 64!)
Yours faithfully MAX of Alpha Flight........
Next issue: The legendary VENLO-MEETING!
Board Charts
* THE BOARD CHARTS *
Welcome to your probably most favourite chapter, the charts. The Relax is the only magazine so far offering seperate board and mail charts in order to show the charts from two different worlds in the be- loved CBM 64 scene since modem traders do not have the time or possibility to fill votesheets.
In order to guarantee those charts we already in- stalled a vote booth at THE EVIL ISLAND, the RELAX WHQ. Furthermore we have planned to install a similar system on THE ESCAPADE, RELAX EHQ. Just continue to call the boards in order to influence those charts and to see your favourite charts in here.
Top Ten Demo Charts
Rank Last Group Points
0 1. (2) Oxyron 85 02. ( 1) Camelot 84 03. (4) Fairlight 79 04. (5) Censor Design 76 05. (6) Byterapers 75 06. (3) Triad 69 07. (7) Antic 6 1 08. (8) Elysium 57 09. (10) Focus 43
10. (9) Style 22
Top Ten Single Coder
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) Mr. Sex/Byterapers 87 02. (2) Slammer/Camelot 86 03. (4) TTS/Oxyron 85 04. (3) Crossbow/Crest 76 05. (6) Brush/Elysium 70 06. (5) Glasnost/Camelot 69 07. (9) MMS/Taboo 63 08. (7) Depeh/Antic 59 09. (10) Sat/Camelot 33
10. (9) Thunder 2 1
Top Ten Cracking Groups
Rank Last Group Points
0 1. (3) F4CG 82 02. ( 1) Avantgarde 79 03. (2) Alpha Flight 77 04. (5) SCS & TRC 75 05. (4) Chromance 72 06. (6) Talent 66 07. (7) Legend 59 08. (9) Motiv 8 43 09. (10) Fairlight 22
10. (/) Onslaught 12
Top Ten Single Cracker
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) Burglar/SCS 82 02. (2) Powerplant/Legend 79 03. (4) Antitrack/F4CG 76 04. (3) Rockstar/Talent 72 05. (8) Jack Alien/Avt 68 06. (5) Bacchus/Fairlight 65 07. (6) DOC/Legend 54 08. (7) Skinhead/Avt 32 09. (9) Moren/SCS 26 1 0. (/) Kirby/Atlantis 20
Top Ten Graphic Artists
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) Electric/Extend 86 02. (2) Cruise/Elysium 82 03. (3) Ogami/Fairlight 78 04. (6) Rob/Camelot 73 05. (5) RRR/Oxyron 65 06. (10) Mirage/Focus 63 07. (9) Scope/F4CG 54 08. (8) Carrion/Elysium 49 08. (4) Dragon/Censor 38 1 0. (7) Biz-Kid/Camelot 23
Top Ten Music Composer
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) PRI/TIA/Oxyron 82 02. (4) Danko/Censor 80 03. (5) EVS/20CC 75 04. (2) Jeroen Tel 73 05. (3) Syndrom/TIA/Crest 70 06. (8) Jeff/CZP/Camelot 63 07. (6) Shogoon/Taboo/Agony 59 08. (7) Reyn Ouwehand 48 09. (9) Arne/Afl 32
10. (10) A-Man/Avt 27
- Top Ten Fixing Groups
Rank Last Magazine Points
0 1. (2) Empire 82 02. (5) Alpha Flight 76 03. ( 1) Demonix 73 04. (3) Avantgarde 69 05. (6) SCS & TRC 52 06. (8) Glory 49 07. (4) Aristocracy 32 08. (/) Byronic 28 09. (7) TSM 13 1 0. (/) ./. ./.
Top Ten Single Fixers
Rank Last Magazine Points
0 1. ( 1) Booze/Empire 8 1 02. (5) Peacemaker/Afl 79 03. (6) CBA/TRC 72 04. (2) Pudwerx/ex-Avt 68 05. (4) Sidekick/Demonix 65 06. (3) Vizz/Empire 56 07. (7) Mercenary/Empire 38 08. (8) Rockstar/Talent 33 09. (9) Massive Onslaught 23 1 0. (/) Count Zero/Talent 20
Oxyron took over the top position from Camelot but we expect Byterapers climbing a lot in the next weeks while Focus seems to raise, too.
Not much news in the coder charts as Mr. Sex is still leading with Slammer on his neck. TTS jumped to the third position.
F4CG took over the leadership in the cracking busi- ness after the mass of releases being spread board- wise. Avantgarde and Alpha Flight are fighthing for the following position and Onslaught entered the top ten for the first time who replaced the dead group GP in the charts.
The top protection remover are still Burglar, Power- plant and Antitrack who changed the position with Rockstar. Jack Alien jumped from eight to five and Kirby entered the charts for the first time. It seems that the modem scene has detected some of his brilli- ant versions yet.
There have been some decent changes in the graphic charts. Still top artists are Electric, Cruise and of- cause Ogami. Biz-Kid and Dragon lost some places while Mirage, Rob and Scope climbed the charts.
Most liked composers are still PRI, who defended his position, Danko and Edvin van Santen. Jeff and Syn- drom are steady climbers while A-Man felt down some places.
Empire took over the top position from Demonix who have fallen down to three. Alpha Flight deserve their second position due to the mass of well working NTSC versions. A new entry has been observed with Byro- nic, an european fixer group.
Booze still can be stopped at the top with two new fa- ces hunting for the top spot, namely Peacemaker and CBA. Skid Row left the charts (he left the scene) and got replaced by Count Zero, who seems to get active again.
If you are not satisfied with these results do not even think about starting to complain. Just call the boards and start voting on the voting booth on your favourite board THE EVIL ISLAND. Furthermore it is possible to vote on Holiday Inn Cambodia, Escapade and Mystical Paradize, too. Just leave an E-Mail with your personal votes to Marc/Afl and it is going to be taken into consideration while creating these original board charts.
Best regards,
Marc/Afl & RRR/Oxyron
Mail Charts
* THE MAIL CHARTS *
Welcome to your probably most favourite chapter, the charts. It is the area to find out who is TOP and who is NOT. These charts do not reflect only the vo- tes collected from the Relax votesheets but aswell the official charts from the following magazines com- piled to become the official MEGACHARTS:
DOMINATION 03 (spread in January 1995) VANDALISM NEWS 19 (spread in February 1995) MENDIP 07 (spread in February 1995) INSIDER 05 (spread in January 1995)
These actual issues have been taken into considera- in order to guarantee new charts that even reflect the latest opinions from those who fill the votesheets in order to support this chapter.
If you do not agree with the content of this chapter do not start complain but grab a pen and a votesheet (or a piece of paper to note your votes on it) and send it to its' destination.
Remember to vote for ACTIVE which are indeed still a part of this scene and try to vote objective. It does not make any sense to vote for guys who have defi- nately left the scene years ago as i.e. the actual mu- sic charts are filled with actual interpretes and titles aswell in order not to become too boring.
Top Ten Demo Charts
Rank Last Group Points
0 1. (2) Oxyron 4 90 02. ( 1) Camelot 440 03. (5) Crest 350 04. (3) Fairlight 330 05. (4) Censor Design 270 06. (6) Triad 2 10 07. (7) Antic 190 08. (8) Taboo 140 09. (/) Agony 100
10. (/) Byterapers 80
Top Ten Single Coder
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) TTS/Oxyron 480 02. (2) Slammer/Camelot 430 03. (3) Crossbow/Crest 4 10 04. (4) Tron/Fairlight 330 05. (5) MMS/Taboo 240 06. (6) Bob/Censor 230 07. (7) Zodiac/Flash Inc. 150 08. (/) Mr. Sex/Byterapers 140 09. (/) Axis/Oxyron 100
10. (9) Glasnost/Camelot 80
Top Ten Cracking Groups
Rank Last Group Points
0 1. ( 1) SCS+TRC 470 02. (2) Avantgarde 440 03. (3) Alpha Flight 390 04. (4) Chromance 380 05. (6) Talent 220 06. (9) Excess 170 07. (8) F4CG 140 08. (5) Dytec 130 09. (7) Motiv8 100
10. (10) Triad 90
Top Ten Single Cracker
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) Burglar/Scs 480 02. (2) Jack Alien/Avt 450 03. (3) Hain/F4CG 390 04. (6) Derbyshire Ram/Avt 280 05. (4) Powerplant/Legend 250 06. (7) Count Zero/Talent 2 10 07. (5) Bacchus/Fairlight 180 08. (/) Mr. Wax/Chromance 120 09. (9) Skinhead/Avt 70 1 0. (8) Crossfire/Motiv8 50
Top Ten Graphic Artists
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. (2) Creeper/Antic 480 02. (1 ) Electric/Extend 470 03. (3) Ogami/Fairlight 380 04. (4) Joe/Wrath D. 330 05. (5) Cruise/Elysium 320 06. (8) Rob/Camelot 180 07. (9) Fazee/Taboo 120 08. (6) Carrion/Elysium 90 08. (7) Hein Holt/Focus 90 1 0. (8) Mirage/Focus 60
Top Ten Music Composer
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) Syndrom/TIA/Crest 490 02. (4) PRI/TIA/Oxyron 420 03. (5) Jeff/CZP/Camelot 360 04. (2) Jeroen Tel 3 10 04. (3) Drax/Vibrants/Crest 3 10 06. (8) Zyron/Antic/SWE/TR 240 07. (6) Red Devil/FLT/SWE 230 08. (7) Shogoon/Taboo/Agony 130 09. (9) Danko/Censor 60 09. (10) Compod/Agony/AMP 60
Top Ten Single Swapper
Rank Last Alias Points
0 1. ( 1) Calypso/Afl 480 02. (3) Spermbird/Excess 360 03. (2) Tabasco/Fairlight 330 04. (6) Derbyshire Ram/Avt 3 10 05. (4) Splatterhead/Trc 290 06. (/) Intruder/Avt 230 07. (5) Nightshade/Scs 200 08. (7) Sebaloz/KA/Lepsi 180 09. (10) Styx/Afl 150
10. (/) Starlight/XTC/TPY 90
Top Ten Magazines
Rank Last Magazine Points
0 1. (2) Nitro 470 02. (4) Skyhigh 440 03. (5) Ingenious Brain (+) 370 04. (4) Reformation (+) 320 05. (3) Revealed 290 06. (6) Jamaica 240 07. (9) Splash 130 08. (8) Insider 100 09. (7) Update 70 1 0. (10) Newspress 60
Oxyron took over the top shot again but it seems to become a steady competitor with Camelot at the mo- ment. Agony and Byterapers have entered the top ten and will raise again in the future. Spirit and the dutch pride Focus had to leave the charts.
The coder charts did not move too much since the top seven remains unchanged! Mr. Sex and Axis entered and are supposed to continue climbing the charts.
SCS&TRC still leads the bunch of cracking group with Avantgarde as a steady competitor on their neck. Excess climbed from nine to six!
The best protection killer seems to be Burglar in the eyes of the voters while Jack Alien is still waiting for his chance to take over the top position. New entry this time is Mr. Wax who is actually in the army and does not have too much time left for computers. Just curious. Kirby/Atlantis, one of the best crackers these days, is still missing here while Chrysagon/(O) had to leave the top ten.
Creeper and Electric changed their positions at the top. Fazee climbed from nine to six and we expect the Focus artists climbing after releasing "Visual Delight 2".
Syndrom was voted once again as the best composer these days and PRI climbed from position four up to the second place. A-Man is close to the top ten with- out having released a tune for ages. Furthemore Fanta and Doxx are claimbing the charts by storm so be prepared to find them here in the near future, too
Calypso, Tabasco and Spermbird are still leading the swapper charts. Acidchild and Sailor had to leave the charts in order to replaced with Intruder, who re- started his computer activities in early 1994. With Starlight, for the first time in the history of the Relax a girl entered the scene and would like to see more females to follow her example.
Nitro is still a step ahead in comparison with Skyhigh. Ingenious Brain and Reformation merged into SHOUT. Vandalism is very close to the top ten after their great "comeback". We personally miss Domination in here, too.
In order to "manipulate" the charts just grap a pen and fill the votesheets spread around. It is up to you to become a part of the control medium and to be re- sponsible for the chart positions published here and in the concurence magazines. Remember to vote for active persons in the present and not for old legends being not active for ages.
Load in the second chart chapter in order to see the results from the board related scene, which is of- cause more interested in illegal activities.
Interview
In interview:
Deff of Avaltgarde
- Hello Mario! Please introduce yourself to our
readers.
- ) Well, my real name is Mario but friends always call
me Pito which is an abbreviation for my surname. I'm 22 years old, I'm half italien and half german. I've got a girl-friend called Beate since over 5 (!) years and I fear we'll marry one day, have a child etc. Right now I'm still some kind of trainee at an ensur- ance company. I'll have my final and last exams in a couple(of months but after that I'll continue with something completly different. I've got 2 choices... I'll either start to work for Roadrunner Records (the music lable of e.g. Biohazard, Sepultura, Dog Eat Doo etc.) or I'll join some special university for television (promotion, organisation etc.)! As you probably figured out by yourself I don't like the en- surance business too much.
- You have been in the scene for a long time now. In
that time you've been in some of the biggest and best groups ever. Please tell us about your scene history from the beginning to the end, include how you got your handle.
- ) In the very beginning i used to call myself
Strangmr but after a short time I disliked this handle First I wanted to change it to Def Jam but then again I didn't want to call myself after a music lable. Def was too short, Jam too stupid so I just added one F to Def! That's it, no big background story or some- thing. My first group was called The Future Team (TFT). At that time groups such as Fantasy0Crack- ing Service, Flash Cracking Service (Mario van Zeist) and German Cracking Service etc. were still around. Then i got busted for the first time and build up a new group after some time...Gods of War! G.O.W. was born and joined Powerrun as a sub group after 2 weeks. Later G.O.W. split up but I stayed in PWR as a 'normal' member. Now I got busted for the 2nd time and again after a short break I build up my own legal group called Alabama. ALB has had e.g. a coop- release with Agile and groups like Abnormal and Asia wanted to release a coop-demo with us but we were too lazy at that time. One day I got busted for the 3rd time and ALB split up. Frank (Shine) and me joined Crazy, Kwon renamed to Cyco and teamed up with Action and the others joined Beastie Boys and World of Wonders (Amiga). In Crazy I used to be one of the editors for Mamba. Pyle left Legend and joined Crzy and we both got good friends at that time... if not the best friends at all. After 1.5 years we both got asked to join Illusion and so we did. ILS then died for the 1st time after half a year and mostly Crazy and Illusion build up Enigma. I stayed in ENI for another half a year when Dominators asked me to join. I teamed up with DOM and did Cor- ruption along with Jack Daniels. One day JD and me left DOM as we didn't get any support from DOM denmark anymore. it were JD and me only who kept DOM going at that time. With our help BBSes like Dream Park and Divine Ultimatum made it to the top 5 boards in the states out of nothing. Well, I stayed out o? the scene for nearly one year when all of a sudden an old friend of mine (Amiga) supplied me with some ?alling cards again. I just wanted to call some old BBSes again and what did I see? Red Sector was the major group these day. 'Wow, good old RSI is back',(I thought, leeched some of their wares and what did I see? Hysteric changed their group-name to RSI) I couldn't believe it and JD, Freestyle and me build up Avantgarde. It's all Hysteric's fault. Hahaha
- Give us some further information about your job in
Avantgarde.
- ) I'm the main organisator of AVT. I guess that
speaks for itself! I'm also responsible for a small Avantgarde Intern paper magazine. By now I also provided a lot of originals for AVT and that's what I would call my 2nd main job in AVT. If you have a look at what I provided for AVT by now I even could call myself germany's best original supplier these days. Besides I also try to help all AVT members in every possible way.
- What do you enjoy in real-life. as it would be im-
possible for only computer to be running your life?
- ) In real life I mostly enjoy hanging out with my girl-
friend and my friends. I like to have a beer or two or even more, to smoke some weed from time to time, to go to a hell of concerts and all that stuff. Beate forces me to go to the movies at least once a month I had to stop playing soccer due to my knees but after nearly 2 years I'm about to start again. What I enjoy most is parachute jumping. Christ, I do a lot of weird stuff, too much to tell you.
- What are your favourite...
Cracking groups! past: Eagle Soft Inc, Triad, Hotline
Illusion, 711, Fusion
present: Avantgarde
Demo-groups! past: Ash+Dave, Ian+Mic, Scoop,
Blackmail
present: Byterapers, Focus
Coder! past: Bob, Mario van Zeist
present: Bob, Mr. Sex
Graphicians! past: Gotcha, The Sarge, Hobbit, Orc
present: Mirage, Hein Design
Musicians! past: Tim & Geoff Follin, Metal
present: Metal
Swappers! past: Derbyshire Ram
present: Derbyshire Ram, Intruder,
NSA
Crackers! past: Mr. Zeropage, Doc, Antirtrack,
Mr. Lee
present: Jack Alien, Burglar
Magazine! past: Mamba, Corruption, Shock, Pulse
present: Propaganda, The Pulse
- If you had to make the perfect group and you
could choose from anyone in the active scene, who would you choose to join? Why?
- ) Coder: Bob (simply have a look at the Wonderland
series!)
Gfx'ers: Mirage & Hein Design (they both got their
own great style!)
Musician : Metal (if he is still active! I love his tunes)
Crackers: Jack Alien and Burglar (today's best
crackers!)
Swappers: Derbyshire Ram & Intruder (simply mega!)
Ntsc fixer: Peacemaker (the best Ntsc fixer left
these days!)
Mag Editor: Peter (ex-Mamba), Newscopy (Propag.)
Solar (Pirates)
Boards : Terminal Obsession (best UCBBS board
beside s The Forum) and Dream Park
(the name Cyborg speaks for itself!)
- In your opinion, who would you class as the true
elite in the scene, past and present? Why is this your answer?
- ) In my opinion the true elite of this scene are those
people who started everything. For example Steve/ ex-Zenith/ex-AVT is true elite in my eyes as he was one of the very first 64 dudes to start calling ameri- can boards for free. True elite is for example also a group such as M.O.N. as they earned a hell of money with something they did anyway. First they did tunes for demos and later on for games and got money for it. In my eyes everybody who contributed something decent to this scene is elite. Today there's nearly nobody left who can contribute something outstand- ing/new to this scene (besides the demo scene).
- What is your honest opinion of this magazine? Why
do you hold this opinion?
- ) I like Relax a lot, well, I liked the last issue a lot. I
wish you guys would release it a bit more regular, without such major delays!
- If you had to re-enter the scene again and you
could become anything, what would you become?
- ) I would become a Ntsc-fixer! That's what the scene
needs most these days. I know so many games that never got released Pal/Ntsc. If Pudwerz would call me today and would tell me he wants to start fixing again I easily could give him 15-20 games.
- What have been the best and the worst times for
you in the scene and why?
- ) The worst times were those when I got busted by
the cops. But I always got out of it very easy. No- thing [eriously happend to me as they never could prove me wrong. The best times I have ever had were e^ents like the ETCS show in London last year and the Tribute party 1994. It's great to sit there with scene people you know since years but never met before. You meet them for the first time in your life, have some beers with them, smoke some weed and all of a sudden e.g. Newscopy and me grab 2 guitars and start playing some weird stuff. The others sing along and create own texts. It's very hard to explain a situation like this... it's so strange.. you know those people for years and years and now you mets them for the first time in your life. Lately Motley called the BBSes again after a short break and posted something like this..'Hi Deff.. Hi Freestyle I love you!' I know it sounds stupid but thtat's the way it(is. It's great to have real friends in this scene and not only group mates or contacts. That's maybe one of the big secrets (?) of Avantgarde. AVT is a group of friends and not only a group of computer addicts.
- What parties have you made your presence felt
at?
- ) The very first real party I attended was the
Powerrun and Xades Society party where the police showed up. No, I guess it must have been the Fant- asy Cracking Service party. Whatever... later on I showed up at the monthly Venlo meeting from time to time. Most likely to spread the new issue of Mamba. Well, I also have been to a Radwar party and a lame G*P party. Last year I went to London to the ECTS show in London and to Sweden to Tribute 1994. This year you can meet me at the TRC+SCS+Focus party and if money allows me I will also travel to London again in September 1995.
- What is next on the table of contents for AVT and
what can we expect from you personally?
- ) Avantgarde won't improve much. At least we don't
plan somehting special right now. We already order- ed a Ntsc commie for Jack Alien and Suicide of AVT which we maybe already received when you read this. We are also planning to release one demo but till now never had the time for it. One day you'll see an AVT demo, I'm sure.
End of part1! Please load the 2nd chapter!!
Interview Part 2
Part 2 of the interview with Deff af Avantgarde
- How could the Relax be improved as a magazine?
- ) You could at least release it every 3 months!
- Do you own any other computer system? What do
you think about other computer systems?
- ) When you read this I already should have recieved
the Super NES I ordered. I don't know if that's my future. We will see... but for sure I will stick to the good old 64 till its bitter end.
- Did you ever have remarkable quarrels in your
64 career?
- ) I once had some small quarrels with Syndicate. I
got interviewed in german TV along with Mario van Zeist and we both spoke against Nazi software. Syndicate surely didn't like what I said, called me up and wanted to beat me up. Well, that was the first and last time he ever spoke to me.
- Well, thanks for your time Mario and I know you
are busy so I will let you go now, any last words?
- ) Well, nope. I just want to greet all my friends in
this scene. You know who you are...
- Thanks for the interesting interview, thanks.
Interview by Marc of Alpha Flight
Demo Reviews
* Demo Reviews *
Atleast we would like to present the reviews from the demoes released at "The Party IV", held once again in the cold Denmark and to be more precise, once again in the Messecentre of Herning.
The pBM 64 demo scene seems to slow down rapidly, more rapidly as we like to see that. Furthermore a lot of people seem to prefer fake productions instead of trying their best to present a remarkable demo. Hopefully the spirits of innovation and inspiration will return to the major programmers of the currently top ranked teams. Atleast it is up to you if there will be another competition for the CBM 64 at "The Party IV" or only for the 16/32 bit machines like the Amiga or the PC (Intel outside!). Both systems seems to be cool, but the best scene can be still offered to the CBM 64 owners, evenHif it is not that cool like in th good old past and lost of lot of its magic.
Anyway, let us start over with the reviews instead of wasting more bytes with useless small talk:
Access denied/Reflex
Last year the jury did not accept Reflex's contribu- tion for "The Party III" called "Cafe Odd". This year they returned to get their well deserved revenge, a demonstration called "Access denied". The programming got preformed by Guru, Quiss and Zorc while Mistadobalina wrote the load-routine for the demo. They presented everything that has to be a part of an upper quality demo like Cursor mutation, realtime grid, morphing vectorbobs, rotating interlace zoomer complex plasma, 1001 bobchars, metamorphosis, gra- vity bobs, complex fullscreen vector, textured vec- tor, rotating landscape and exoterristic plotter rou- tines in order to impress the audience at the party! Rating: 90%
The graphics were drawn by Felidae, Warp and PVT using all the current graphic formats (modes) avail- able these days. The most impressing picture can be found in the end part with an excellent graffitystyled Reflex logo and some dolphins. Rating: 85%
The soundtrack was composed by PVCF, who has shown all his variations while using a lot of different modes. The digitized introduction music remembered me on the marvellous Cycleburner tracks. Rating: 82%
Summary: Reflex provided another nice trackmo com- bined with great coding and nice graphics and musics Without any doubts this demonstration is one of the highlights of 1994, together with the "World of Code" series from Byterapers and "Coma Light 12" from Oxyron.
Year of the Ankh/Focus
The dutch pride returned with a small graphic-show to remember the audience that they are still alive and to make some advertisement for their soon cooming and mega-delayed demo called Visual Delight II.
The programming got performed by X-Byte. There is nothing special shown so there is nothing to be talked about. Rating: 70%
The graphics were drawn by Compyx, the absolute no one in the logo and charset business in my opinion. Just have a look at his art. Rating: 85%
The music was composed by MCA as an audial support for the slideshow using a normal player. Rating: 74%
Summary: Focus is still alive and kicking. There is something to expect from this talented team. Be sure to visit their party in April 1995, held in Utrecht. My regards must be sent to Mirage as I had the pleasure to see some paper art from him. He is definately the best artist I have met so far, and I have present at the major conventions for the CBM 64 the last two years.
Bla Bla/Censor
There is no need to introduce Censor. Censor always stands for cool demoes, nice effects, cool graphics and excellent musics.
The coding got performed by (moi) BOB. He presented the third varification of his bitmap manipulation rou- tine. It looks quite nice but Tough presented a similar scene some months ago while Bob's routine looks de- finately more smooth. Rating: 87%
The soundtrack was composed by Swallow and is, like usual, an 8-bit digi sample. After having heard it for some minutes it is getting more and more boring. Rating: 78%
Summary: Censor used this file as a kind of preview for their upcoming demo called "Spasmolytic No. 02". Releasing that part as a kind of preview makes me getting more and more nervous as there must come something outstanding in the future.
Brutal Comeback/Light
After the success from Brutality there was nothing but silence from the swedish legend. Light surprised the audience with some old, but still stunning parts.
The programming got performed by Flamingo, Waco and Yabba. They presented, next to the standart intro, a raytraced scroller with a moving chessboard which looked quite impressing for the fact that the routine (part) is said tp be two years old. Further- more they have shown that they are able to handle transforming vector routines and the highlight of the demonstration was for sure their Doom-clone. It was for sure the best version I have seen so far. Rating: 89%
The graphics were drawn by Goblin, Scooby and Yab- ba. To be honest, none of the graphics came up to the actual standart but look quite nice for 1992. Rating: 67%
The soundtrack was arranged by Bappalander, Danko M. Galway and R. Hubbard. There was no exclusive tu- nes used, most of the are ancient but still cool! Rating: 81%
Summary: It is nice to see them returning to the CBM 64. The proved that their coders are still able to com pete with today's top programmers while their artists (and composers) should improve a little bit when they are still around because most of the graphics have been used in previous demoes some years ago.
Dein Zycrex/Antic
Antic improved a lot in their latest productions. This is another example for their risen standart after the demo "Lunacy 6 - the lost sequal".
The programming was performed, as usual, by Depeh, containing an intro and the main part, the Doom-clone The Doom-clone was realised in FLI using 16 colours and it, according to the authors, realtime. Rating: 85%
The graphics were drawn by Creeper and he deser- ves it to be called one of the best artists around these days. There was only one picture in standart bitmap format, but what to you see is high quality. Rating: 83%
The soundtrack was arranged by Zyron. It is nice to see how he improved all over the years and the pro- gress can be heard in this production, too. Rating: 82%
Summary: The intr< and the main routine looks quite promising, unfortunately the movement in the Doom- clone is getting very boring after some seconds as everything looks equal and the audience might get the feeling that they are watching always the same. All in all I prefer the Light routine while this one offers for sure much more colours. Courtesy of Soviet/Wrath
Wrath Design are well known for nice demoes with nice effects, graphics and musics. This demo proves it once again in an impressing way.
The coding was performed by Ed, the twin brother of Joe. There are only a few remarkable effects worth being mentioned, like Landscape fractals, big balls, fractal generated flowers, lightsource/shade effects and the picture rotator routine. Rating: 75%
The graphics were drawn or manufactured from Joe, Black Droid and TMT. The graphics are responsible for this demo being something special. Just have a look on the dozens of quality graphics, even if there are sometimes some really weird colour combinations used. Rating: 91%
The soundtrack was arranged by PRI/Tia/Oxyron. It has the very own PRI-style and you have to love or to hate it. The majority loves it, we do , and hope to hear a lot of outstanding tunes from him in 1995 again. Rating: 89%
Summary: It is a demo with some nice graphics or is it a slideshow with coding elements? Nevertheless WD calls their production a Chill-mo, something to re- lax and to enjoy.
The Masque/Oxyron
Some magazines reported about the death of this top demo group but Oxyron proved them to be wrong again.
The coding was performed by Graham. He impressed the audience with another fire-effect, the best rea- lised so far on the CBM 64. Further an impressive rotzoomer and the fast linevector routine on the CBM 64 was shown. Rating: 78% The graphics were drawn by Biz-Kid, Cruise and RRR Biz-Kid did a standart logo, Cruise an average logo an outstanding interlace picture and a big font while RRR was responsible for the 1x2 charset in the intro and the expanded 1x1 charset in the interlace picture part. Rating: 72%
The soundtrack was, unusual for Oxyron, not arran- ged by PRI but from Lords of Sonic and A-Man/Avt. Both tracks are old but still cool. Rating: 71%
Summary: The only reason for the release of the demo was to show that Oxyron is still alive. They pro- duced once again some impressing routines even if the length of the demo and the missing own sound- track could be improved in the upcoming productions
Last but not least I would like to present the results of the competition of "The Party IV" here:
1. Reflex "Access denied" 2. Light "Brutal Comeback" 3. Wrath "Courtesy of Soviet"
Be sure to reload this chapter in the next issue, too.
Best regards,
RRR/Oxyron
Party Report
* Partyreport *
Every year's highlight is ofcause the traditional christmas party held in Herning/Denmark. Each year around 2.500 computer and mainly scene freaks fol- lowed the invitation and travelled to the partyplace, packed their computer equipment and other useful things to guarantee another successful convention.
We decided to review the party from the sight of a normal CBM 64 user and decided to cover our sym- pathy for the Amiga. We have to report that there is a lack of support for the little Commodore these days not only from the organisers' side but aswell from the small amount of CBM 64 Another disappointing result, comparable with the amount of visitors of THE TRIBUTE in Sweden, let us count around 174 more or less well known sceners. Having the lack of visitors in mind one question has to come up - will there be another CBM 64 supported christmas party next year? We hope the best as it is always a big fun and a chance to communicate with your friends, contacts, idols or enemies.
* The Organisation *
Once again Camelot accepted the challenge and was the official CBM 64 arranger of The Party IV. Origi- nally there was an independent CBM 64 and PC party planned but due to the fact that the sponsors deci- ded to skip their plans and to invest their money somewhere else Camelot and Bonzai (PC) teamed up with the Amiga arrangers to guarantee another huge party.
Camelot has not put much effort into the organisation based on last year's bad experiences with the Amiga organisers. This caused that most of the CBM 64 re- servations were not accepted nor archived at the party registration so most of the commodore sup- porting visitors had to search a place on their own risk to argue with the guys having reservations or had to accept a table in the second hall, far away from the party action and the big screen.
The washing facilities (showers) and toilets had an acceptable standart and the clean-up service did always a very good job. Furthermore no detectable electricy problems have been discovered. The prices for food were alright but the prices for softdrinks like i.e. Coca Cola have been definately much too high as $5,00 for 1.5 litres is not what we understand as cheap.
The competitions for the 16/32 bit machines had a lot of interferences based on technical failures. The PC demo competition and an Amiga competition had to be shown twice to guarantee working contributions while the CBM 64 demoes were recorded onto a VHS video tape what destroyed i.e. the sound in the Padua demo All in all the organisation was average and no one started to wear stickers like "Shoot the organisers" like in 1992. The Messecenter Herning is a very confortable and new building, so there is no doubt that it is a perfect place and the biggest center in Skandinavia. When the organisers are able to guarantee cheaper softdrink prices and to fix their equipment there is nothing left to blame.
* The Competitions (CBM 64) *
Officially there was only a demo competition for the CBM 64 but Genesis (the remaining rest?) arranged both, a music and graphic competition. The demo competition was at an acceptable standart but last year's competition was much better in my opinion, even if some glory names like Padua, Censor, Reflex, Antic, Light and Wrath put in their contribu- tions. It was sad to see some fakedemoes competing there once again. Big parties that show all demoes on the big screen offer the possibility to impress other computer system fans but those kind of demoes make them laughing about this old but still beloved machine.
Reflex was a worthy winner presenting the best demo over there (for more details please read the review chapter) and Light had a successful comeback. The results of the competition looks like:
* Demo Competition *
1. Reflex "Access denied"
2. Light "Brutal Comback" 3. Wrath "Courtesy of Soviet"
- Graphic Competition * * Music Competition *
1. PVT/Reflex 1. Fanta/Plush/Bass
2. Scope/F4CG 2. PVCF/Reflex 3. Sinister/Extacy 3. Zyron/Antic/TR
Hopefully next time more well known demo groups will compete, otherwise there is no hope left for the CBM 64 in our opinion.
* The Audience *
Even if the quantity was not so big the quality of the visitors have meet the approval. We have meet Trap/ Bonzai there, Mirage and TDJ/Focus, CBA, Night- shade, Specatator and Splatterhead/Scs&TRC, Syco/ Chromance, Lemming, Styx and Ream/Alpha Flight, Jack Alien and Intruder/Avantgarde, Jeff, Kring, Neptune and Slammer/Camelot, Flamingo and Goblin/ Light, Syndrom/TIA/Crest, Asmodis, Graham, RRR, Slide and TTS/Oxyron, Ramirez/Hardcore, Mr. Friese and Stan/Equinoxe, Caprice Design and Fanta/Plush, Anonym and Creat/Padua, BOB and Swallow/Censor, Ed/Wrath, Fatman/Dytec, Avanlance/Atlantis, Acid- child/Taboo, Felidae, PVCF, PVT and Quiss/Reflex, Newscopy and Scope/F4CG, Calypso (in Alpha Flight, too) and Seal/Amnesia aswell as Airwolf, Aslive and Mr. Mister who got kicked out of the party from the organisers as boozing was stricly forbidden at the party. For sure a lot of other folks has been present there but these few are the most important persons and to be honest, the only ones we remember to have meet there. -------
* Summary *
Well, discussing the positive and negative aspects we came to the result that it was a cool party. We have meet some of our best friends and had a lot of fun while we have filled our floppy disks and harddisk with really great productions from the major compu- ter systems these days (Amiga, PC and CBM 64). Be sure to visit this party in 1995 to guarantee some more support for the CBM 64.
The next promising party is going to be held in the Netherlands by Success & TRC and Focus in April'95 to be more exactly the date was setted on 22nd and 23rd in Utrecht. Following please find the digital version of the actual flyer being spread by SCS&TRC and Focus.
Since it is a CBM 64 and PC party only we expect a major commodore party.
* X-95 *
A party by Success, TRC and Focus
PC and C64
Another party brought to you by the organisers of the first Silicon parties. W have the same place to our exposal so you know what to expect. The entrance fee will amount 25 guilders (Dutch money only). We are opened from Saturday 13.00 (01.00 p.m.) to 17.00 (05.00 p.m.) Sunday hours. This flyer is not the final version of the note since some things have not been arranged yet. That's also the reason why we can't tell you how high the demo prices will be. The best thing to do is wait for the official party invitation which will be released on both PC and C64 soon.
This party will feature: a demo competition for PC and C64 a performance by Jeroen Tel a lot of C64 celebrities from the past a cosy partyplace a place to watch video a sleeping area and a lot more
Competition rules A demo for the PC and C64 may not exceed 5 minutes Every group can participate with as many demos as they want but only one per coder. This demo must not be released yet.
Reservations You must make reservations as the party place will gives room to about 300 persons. You must send (or upload) your name, handle, group, place and country to the following addresses:
E-Mail cba*xs4all.nl (* = $00, alphazero sign)
v9225302si.hhs.nl
Boards Kaoz Landz (PC): XXXXX-XXXXX
The Lost Empire (C64): XXXXX-XXXXX
or send a letter to: XXX
XXXXXXXX XX
XXXX XX XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
Or call the partyplace itself on friday from 20.00 (08.00 p.m.) till 24.00 (12.00 p.m.) CET on
+XX/(X)XX-XXXXXX
for more information (do NOT call on any other day or time specified!). More info will be found in X-95.zip and the C64 note which will be released soon.
Best regards,
RRR/Oxyron
