From The Archives: Digital Integration Article Extras Part 2

This month's Retro Gamer features my From The Archives piece on legendary publisher and developer Digital Integration.  Dave Marshall had a box-full of material that I photographed when I interviewed him at his house, 90% of which didn't make it into the final article.  So here is the second batch.  I hope to find the time to also publish the full interviews of the DI employees I spoke to for the article.

Issue 108 of Retro Gamer is still available in shops or from the Imagine shop, click here

A press release for the Action 16 game Falcon.  Action 16 was a sub label DI used for 3rd party games, in this case a game from their great rivals, Spectrum Holobyte.

From Dave's scrapbook:  a chart from Computer Answers showing Fighter Pilot holding off such luminaries as "Atic Attack" and Manic Miner

And this one from The Daily Mirror with only the legendary Jet Set Willy keeping Fighter Pilot off the top spot

After their initial success, Dave and Rod contacted their local paper with pleasing results

A prestigious Designer of the Month piece which wrongly attributes Death Chase to Dave in addition to Fighter Pilot

Another Daily Mirror chart in league with Computer and Video Games.

Like many 80's software houses, competitions were the order of the day.  The prize in the Tomahawk competition was predictably a ride in a helicopter;  Noel Edmonds' helicopter to be precise.

DI's publicist insisted they publish their own newsletter.  This is the second, containing an interview with Suzuki biker Paul "Angry Ant" Lewis to tie in with TT Racer.

Distributor Micro Dealer's chart was closely monitored by the whole industry.  Fighter Pilot sits proudly at number one.

As this flier shows, the original title for TT Racer was the somewhat less snappier TT Grand Prix.

Tomahawk was astoundingly popular on Amstrad's business machine the PCW8256.  "It was two colours, green and dark green" joked Dave when he discovered this pic.  The success of the game led DI to realise that the PC could be a viable platform for their flight sims.

A brace of pics containing a Tornado and the team that made the game come alive.  From left to right:  Kevin Bezant, Dave Marshall, Matt Smith, Nick Mascall, Tony Hosier and Robin Heydon

Rod Swift at a very early ZX Microfair.  DI are showing off the ZX81 version of Night Gunner along with its expansion pack.  The artwork above Rod was designed by his brother, Tim.

 

From The Archives: Alternative Software Extras Part 1

Last month Retro Gamer magazines published my account of the life of veteran software house Alternative.  There wasn't much additional written material this time but quite a few images left over so here they are for your perusal with a sliver of info on each one.

If you want to read the full Alternative story, issue 107 is still available from the Imagine shop, click here

A similar screenshot to this actually appeared in the article.  It's of a game called BMX Ninja which was a "high concept" title by Alternative.  Curiously, the game was original banned by WH Smith (or they refused to stock it) because of some risque sprites in the background.  Alternative were shocked, re-submitted the game unchanged and it was accepted and subsequently stocked.







This is a screenshot from Charles Bystram's Cannibals from Outer Space.  Despite its intriguing title, it was unfortunately just a bog standard isometric game.

One of Alternative's early multi-media efforts on the PC, this time based around the mystifyingly popular wartime comedy Allo Allo.

An exceedingly green screenshot from the BBC version of Dead or Alive, a shooter in the mould of Gunsmoke and Who Dares Wins.

 

Like many, Alternative tried to take advantage of the C64's excellent abilities in the scrolling shoot 'em up genre.  This game, Gladiators, was a moderate success and scored 64% in Commodore Force magazine along with some favourable comparisons to SWIV.  The magazine wasn't so kind on author Steve Metcalf's other Alternative game, Magic Rufus, which got just 36%.

Another beeb screenshot, this time Indoor Soccer.  With those players and that pallette scheme, it looks more like Weird Nightmare Soccer!

Roger Hulley, complete with cheesy grin, shakes hands with Santa in November of 1989 as part of a promotion for Postman Pat 2.  Nope, me neither.

This is a screenshot from the game Suburban Commando.  It was a kinda fun platformer on the Amiga with colourful graphics and some nice gameplay.  It was Alternative's first movie license.

The card game by Frederick Hulley that inspired the name of Alternative's sub-label, Summit.

Roger is surrounded by some strapping lads in a promo shot for the release of Super League Pro Rugby in 1995.

 See kids, he does exist!

 Here's a couple of examples of how Alternative changed covers when they re-released games.  They were often obligated to do so and ensure the covers were sufficiently different from the original release.  Here, the Who Dares Wins 2 cover features three SAS-type figures in front of what looks like an Embassy of some sort and bears little reflection of the actual game.

More interestingly, Microsphere's original grim artwork for Skool Daze was replaced by this very Bash Street Kids-esque depiction for the Alternative budget re-release, no doubt to entice younger gamers.









Thanks to Rhodesvibes for some of these images.

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Eight: The Top Ten

The fantastic Laser Squad

So here's my top ten for 2012 - with a new entry at number 1!  But first...


10.Laser Squad (Spectrum) (down 2)
Julian Gollop's amazing strategy title is still an intense and challenging tactical combat game.  Think it's easy?  Well, maybe it is a piece of piss to assassinate ol' Sterner Regnix - but try taking on the Cyber Hordes and see how you get on trooper.

9.Academy (Spectrum) (up 2)
Pete Cooke's fantastic space shooter saw a bit of action last year thanks to my article on CRL;  I've carried on playing it into 2012 and still spend ages just tinkering with the skimmer's interface.  Shame Pete has not surfaced - if you're reading this Mr. Cooke, thanks for one of the greatest Speccy games ever!

8.Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (Megadrive) (up 4)
Admittedly my experience of Megadrive RPGs is far from extensive (a dash of Phantasy Star, a dot of D&D), yet BR:CTD has always captivated me thanks to its smart graphics, compulsive battles and oddly ethereal music.

The Plasma Cutter, the best Dead Space weapon by miles!

7.Dead Space (Xbox 360) (up 13)
Isaac's original encounter on the Ishimura rises 13 this year and remains the highest placed 360 game.  Less frenetic than the sequel, the sense of encroaching doom is palpable, the gameplay is as smooth and nicely balanced as its taciturn protagonist makes his way through the cursed ship.



6.Half-Life 2 (PC) (down 4)
The Half Life games have lost their lustre somewhat for me;  maybe it's the mass of FPS on the 360 that has diluted the classics of the genre.  Or maybe they're just beginning to play a bit clunkily.  In any case, HL2 does enough to comfortably remain in the top ten, although its position is far from secure.  Better hold on to that crowbar, Gordon.

5.Command & Conquer:  Red Alert (PC) (no move)
Standing by, Commander.


4.Resident Evil REmake (Gamecube) (up 2)
I'm still amazed by this game; the graphics are lovely, but the real treat is the effort that has gone into adding extra rooms and gameplay elements.  A real treat for any Resi fan.

Gulp!  Taking on a Dragon in Baldur's Gate 2

3.Baldur's Gate 2 (PC) (up 1)
Bioware's excellent game is still a wonderful example of a story-driven RPG.  As much as I loved the original, the sequel's loosening up of D&D rules and thrilling plot always trumps it for me.  Plus, when I played the original it came on 5 cds!  Disc-swapping hijinks!

2.Streets of Rage 2 (Megadrive) (up 1)
SOR2 replaces Half Life 2 at number 2....not the biggest beneficiary of my recent Megadrive gaming run, but it doesn't have as far to go as the others!  SOR2 remains a scrolling brawler of high pedigree thanks its damn near violent perfection.

And the number one for 2012 is...

1.Resident Evil 4 (Wii) (new entry - sort of)

OK, I've cheated a bit, it's not really a new number 1.  The Wii version of the-already-brilliant Resident Evil 4 is essentially the same game - with new controls.  But as any game player will tell you, controls can make or ruin a game and fortunately the Wii makes good use of both its remote and nunchuck, turning Resi 4 into an even more exciting and spooky adventure.

So that's it for 2012.  Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet.  The fun begins now for Jdanddiet's top 100 games 2013.

Until then, stay safe and keep gaming...

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Seven: 30-11

Classy shooter Ranger X

30.Ranger X (Megadrive) (up 26)
I think I underrated this game in my list last year, hence a hefty rise in 2012.  I've had another go recently and it really is a polished little shooter.

29.Crysis 2 (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
Many decried its bland stereotypical war-torn city;  personally I found the game tough to get into (for a FPS) but once I got hang of all the upgrades and stealth options, had a blast. The way you could choose different methods to approach each scene really appealed to me.


28.Flashback (Megadrive) (down 18)
Flashback is a great platformer in the mould of Prince of Persia, but the cranky gameplay is starting to creak a bit.  Maybe it's because of that annoying section on the alien planet...

27.Desert Strike (Megadrive) (up 8)
Mike Posehn's classic shooter remains one of my favourite games on the Megadrive and one I'm still happy to play through.  The controversial (for the time) helicopter movement suits it perfectly and kudos should go to Mike for insisting on it.


26.Metal Gear Solid (Playstation) (down 9)
Snake slips a few positions.  He ain't looking as good as he used to.


25.Jet Pac (Spectrum) (New Entry)
Oh how did I miss this one last year!  The XBLA remake reignited my love of Jetpac, and as good as it was, it misses out whilst the original (also included when you bought the XBLA game) shoots into the chart at number 25.

The Great Escape

24.The Great Escape (Spectrum) (down 5)
The Spectrum's limiting colour pallette suited it perfectly;  it's open world structure was rarely seen in those days and the atmosphere was superb.

23.Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
As much as I loved the original, it's breadth of options and upgrades left you feeling exceedingly overwhelmed.  ME2 simplified all that and concentrated on an intriguing plot and quite stunning opening scene.  A modern day classic.


22.Jedi Knight: Outcast (PC) (up 6)
Still my favourite of all Star Wars games...except for one.

21.PGA European Tour Golf (Megadrive) (up 38)
A massive rise for this immensely playable Megadrive sports game.  I bought it from a Crack Converters recently and discovered all over again how wonderful it is.

20.Bombjack (Spectrum) (down 6)
Like Flying Shark, it's a bit much to suggest it could be better than the arcade original, but it's still pretty damn perfect.  The terrible C64 version is another reason to have Bombjack flying the flag for the Spectrum in the top 20.

19.Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (Xbox) (up 38)
I completed this amazing game last year and have since played it a couple of more times.  Boasting an extremely tense and odd atmosphere, some compelling (and difficult) gameplay, the stealth elements and lack of, well, action, deterred many.  Me, I think it's a classic.


18.Unreal Tournament (PC) (up 40)

Unfriendly locals in Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

The original and still the best imo.  The thrill of m-m-m-m-m-monster kills never dies.

17.Match Day 2 (Spectrum) (down 8)
Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond's Speccy football masterpiece slips a few this year as it begins to tarnish slightly in the face of superior competition.  I still give it a whirl every now and then.

 16.Duke Nukem 3D (PC) (up 11)
I bought this 3D Realms FPS on XBLA recently so have been enjoying it all over again!  Inventive, funny and action-packed, I've always preferred it (certainly in single player) to Quake.

15.Chaos (Spectrum) (up 8)
Another Spectrum game that just never seems to lose its patina.  Neverending variations of spells and an excellent multiplayer game.

The Joker was masterfully voice-acted by Mark Hamill

14.Batman: Arkham Ayslum (Xbox 360) (New Entry)
I completed Batman: AA about a month ago.  At last, fans of the Dark Knight, the coolest comic book hero ever, had a video game to really do him justice.  It took me some time to get used to all the various controls (like most modern games) but it's testament to the thought that has gone into Arkham Asylum that it soon becomes second nature.  A modern classic of gaming and storytelling.

13.Star Wars Battlefront (PC) (up 3)
Battlefront hangs on in there and even manages a slight rise.  It's still huge fun and the abundance of fan maps means you're likely to be entertained for a long time.  With the threat of more 360 games looming, however, it's position could begin to look shaky next year...

12.Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (Playstation) (down 4)
Tenchu is a hard game to like;  awkward controls, dodgy camera float, terrible dialogue.  Yet it still manages to create an eerie, deadly atmosphere that captures me every time I play it.
 
11.Jungle Strike (Megadrive) (up 7)
Less nostalgic than its predecessor, but superior in every other way.  Multiple vehicles, more varied missions, hugely different objectives and locations.  A shooter marvel.

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Six: 50-31

50.Warcraft (PC-DOS) (up 4)
Yes?  Yes?  My Lord?  The humans are approaching! Oh jeez, I love Warcraft.  It's so...corny, yet fun.  Whether directing little human soldiers to their doom or working orc peons to the bone cutting down trees and mining gold, it's a game I can't resist spending a few hours with every time I play it.  A recent interview with one of its creators has rekindled my love of Warcraft once more and seen the game gently rise up the chart.

Taking on Medusa in Myth: History in the Making

49.Myth: History in the Making (Spectrum) (up 37)
Bar a forthcoming new entry, Myth is the highest Speccy riser in this year's chart, pipping Cobra by 8.  I've recently completed not only the Spectrum but also the C64 version for another article and actually thoroughly enjoyed both, despite their differences.  I couldn't however, bring myself to put a Commodore 64 game on this list.  Sorry!


48.Flying Shark (Spectrum) (down 5)
OK, it's not as good as the arcade version, but Speccy Flying Shark is still a pretty damned good shooter.

Jim Bagley's colourful Midnight Resistance

47.Midnight Resistance (Spectrum) (down 18)
A brilliant late-era run and gunner for the Spectrum;  yet its lovely graphics and some thrilling gameplay can't stop it slipping 18 places. 

46.Tracksuit Manager (Spectrum) (down 8)
Time has not been kind to this classic football management game;  even the earlier iterations of Championship Manager blow it out of the water.  I'm surprised it hasn't dropped more than 8 places.  (What are you talking about?  You wrote the damn list! - ED)

45.Micro Machines (Megadrive) (no move)
Codies super little racer manages to cling on to 45th place.

Use the Force!

44.Star Wars (Arcade) (down 20)
I fear this game is destined to slip down the chart;  let's be honest, I'm not likely any time soon to replicate that wonderful feeling you got sitting in that cab in an arcade...

43.Fifa 95 (Megadrive) (down 2)
Still one of my favourite footie games thanks to its simplicity.

 42.Revenge of Shinobi (Megadrive) (up 6)
This year's Megadrive resurgence continues with the fantastic Revenge of Shinobi.  Tough as old nails, yet always fair, it's a top game, although I don't think I should be letting my son play it.  (No mate, you stab that guy with your sword.  Well done, that's my boy!)

41.Die Hard Trilogy (Playstation) (up 8)
I was never a huge investor of the Playstation and only a small selection of games ever saw action in the Jdanddiet household.  A lot of that was probably due to the fact I played an awful lot of this, which boasted not one, not two, but three great games for your money.  Ho-ho-ho indeed.
 

Tron Deadly Discs: Oh no! It's the Recognizer!

40.Tron:Deadly Discs (Intellivision) (down 15)
My favourite Intellivision game slips this year as I've not had time to play it for quite a while.
 
39.Rebelstar (Spectrum) (down 7)
This Julian Gollop classic strategy game really came into its own with the two player option which was guaranteed to invoke a fascinating cat and mouse chase through the deviously-designed Moonbase.
 
38.Deathchase (Spectrum) (down 1)
Down 1?!  The bestest, quickest, wonderfulest Speccy game ever?  Alright, I'm still a bit sore Mervyn wouldn't let me interview him - but if he ever changes his mind, watch this one shoot up!

37.Rebelstar 2 (Spectrum) (down 15)
Rebelstar's sequel expands on the original by introducing a time limit and some nasty aliens, as well as a more convoluted task to perform (steal alien eggs and escape, rather than just destroy the computer).  It can be a bit frustrating however, so this and new entries see it drop 15 places this year.

36.Resident Evil: Director's Cut (Playstation) (down 15)
...As does this Playstation survival horror.  Essentially my "killer-app" for the PS, I happened upon the Director's Cut edition back in 1997 so here it is.  Boy, a lot of PS games look really nasty on an LCD TV!

35.Strider (Megadrive) (up 7)
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaa! (Son, give me the controller, your Mum's home)
 
34.Chuckie Egg (Spectrum) (down 21)
Nigel Alderton's superbly playable platformer is one Spectrum game that never seems to age.  I think I've been a bit harsh knocking down 21 places, but hey-ho...


33.Bubble Bobble (Arcade) (down 18)
Now this is one game that I never thought I'd like as cutesy platformers really aren't my thing.  Ever since endlessly playing a five level Spectrum demo (I think it came with the first issue of ACE magazine) it's been a fave, although as good as the Spectrum version is, the Arcade machine is the best.
 

Negotiating killer rabbits in Braid

32.Braid (XBLA) (New Entry)
Huzzah!  A new entry!  The only XBLA game on this list (I still get hot flushes at the thought of downloading games), it was one of my first purchases upon getting a 360 and I still tinker with the levels today, despite having completed it almost a year ago.  A lovely, quaint game that is also maddeningly devious in places.

31.Cybernoid (Spectrum) (up 22)
A recent article on Cybernoid in Retro Gamer magazine rekindled my love of Raf Cecco's classic.  An arcade game on your Speccy?  Erm, no, but it was pretty damn close!

Jdanddiet's Top 100 Games 2012 Part Four: 70-61

Casual urban violence in the original GTA

70.Grand Theft Auto (PC) (down 6)
The original GTA will always hold a place in my heart thanks to its random, pointless violence and thumping soundtrack.  I've never got on with any of the 3D versions so don't expect to see them in this list.

69.The Curse of Monkey Island (PC) (down 17)
The third in the famous Monkey Island games slips a few places thanks to new entries and the fact I haven't played it for some time.

68.Resident Evil 2 (Playstation) (down 24)
Another big faller...PS games really look awful these days when played on big screens.  Stick 'em on a portable CRT though and they're still tops.

high-kicking action in Kung-Fu Master

67.Kung-Fu Master (Arcade) (down 31)
It's sheer playability ensures KFM doesn't slip too far down the chart.  A 10p classic.

66.Gauntlet IV (Megadrive) (down 19)
Seems like these ten games are all big fallers...Nevertheless, Gauntlet IV is a great-value game for the MD;  the original classic Gauntlet game plus an updated version with RPG knobs on.

65.Silent Hill (Playstation) (down 35)
...And to the biggest faller of all.  I revisited SH recently for an article that didn't materialise past the idea stage and it staggered me how horrible it looked and awkward the gameplay was.  Time has not been kind, although it still has bags of atmosphere.

64.Cobra (Spectrum) (up 29)
Hooray!  A riser!  When I came to the Ocean segment of my Spectrum 30th Anniversary Celebration, I wanted to include some lesser known games.  This reduced my options for the well-known classics, and after a brief play of a few of them, there was only one winner: Cobra.  Joffa Smiff's finest hour.

The brilliant XBLIG game Dead Pixels

63.Dead Pixels (XBLIG) (New Entry)
This XBLIG game has been on my hard drive for months now and it still gets an occasional blast, despite having been completed several times over.  A loving homage to Resident Evil, River City Ransom and Zombie movies, it's a simple, yet ferociously entertaining shooter.  80 msp?  Ridiculous bargain! You can check out my Making of Dead Pixels here: http://jdanddiet.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/making-ofdead-pixels.html

62.Robocop vs Terminator (Megadrive) (up 4)
I played this again recently for another article idea.  Still had great fun, so it rises a handful of places.

61.Dino Crisis (Playstation) (no move)
Dino Crisis holds on to its position despite the PS-era survival horrors above.  Maybe the lower echelons of this list are where these games deserve to be...for now.

Hits, Hidden Classics and Horrors: Beau-Jolly's Computer Hits 4

We spin forward a bit now and Beau-Jolly's 1988 Computer Hits 4. After abandoning the "video-cassette" style case used with 10 Computer Hits, Beau-Jolly adopted the standard plastic double cassette boxes and with it the quality of games dipped. After the mediocre Computer Hits 2 and 3, they were redeemed somewhat with a solid collection of titles on this compilation and what's more they bunged in two free games, hence the dropping of the "10" from the title. So what did you get?

City Slicker - Hewson
A Hewson game generally meant quality, but this was one of their weaker efforts. Graphically fine, and playable enough, its basic platformery was simply a far cry from the majesty of Cybernoid 1 and 2, Rana Rama, Uridium etc etc....
HIT/AVERAGE/MISS: AVERAGE


Starquake - Bubblebus
Steve Crow's classic may have been getting a little long in the tooth by 1988, but it was still a prime example of level design and playability. Colourful, well-defined sprites and graphics, natty sound and tight controls sealed the deal.
HIT!

The Sacred Armour of Antiriad - Palace
This beautiful platform/arcade adventure offered up a novel plot with the original release from Palace games including an exclusive comic. Sadly all extras were absent here, but TSSOA was still a classy, if difficult, game.
HIT!




Bride of Frankenstein - 39 Steps
Without doubt one of the major duffers on this compilation, Bride of Frankenstein was a monochrome side-on flip screen game which offered very little variation or indeed fun.
MISS!

Deactivators - Reaktor
Deactivators is the hidden gem on Computer Hits 4, and indeed on the Spectrum in general. Yes, while you were busy playing awful platform clones and staid shoot 'em ups, there were original and addictive games like this that you should have been playing instead. The player takes control of a team of robots who's job it is to dispose of several bombs within a certain time limit. Various hazards stand in their way as well as some crazy gravity changes. Deactivators was a great game that boasted lovely 3d (ish) graphics and should have sold a lot more copies than it did.
HIT!

Uchi Mata - Martech
The other major clanger to go with Bride of Frankenstein, Uchi Mata boasts such unbelievably poor graphics that it's hard to see past them to ascertain what the game actually plays like. In truth: like a dog.
MISS!

Contact Sam Cruise - Microsphere
With a graphical style along the lines of the famous Skool Daze games, CSS already had a solid pedigree in place. Transplanting the scene to a 50's style gumshoe plot was a stroke of genius as the player tried to solve the mystery of the woman with the big tits. Or am I thinking of another game?
HIT!

Spindizzy - Electric Dreams
The first of the "free" games, and another classic, this time a Marble Madness clone. I spent hours discovering new screens in Spindizzy without coming even close to completing the game (it was tough), but still enjoyed it hugely.
HIT!

Dandy - Electric Dreams
The other free game, and another brilliant one. In spirit a Gauntlet clone, Dandy offered similar gameplay with colourful backdrops and plain black sprites. It was frantic and fun, although you only got to choose between two characters. Naturally, 2 player was included and much more interesting.
HIT!

Pyracurse - Hewson
I was never a particular fan of isometric games, but Hewson's Egyptian-set arcade-adventure was one of the better efforts. Trickier than the Great Escape, yet still an absorbing game.
HIT!

Revolution - Vortex
There was a spate of "ball" games following in the trail of Marble Madness; I liked Gremlin's Trailblazer and Bounder best, but this isometric take on the genre was an addictive game, with smart graphics and a steep difficulty curve.
HIT!

Pulsator - Martech
I never played Pulsator back in the day. Its reputation is of an average maze puzzler that tries hard to emulate the C64 classic Paradroid and comes nowhere near.
AVERAGE!

HITS: 8
AVERAGE: 2
MISSES: 2