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July 1983 Vol. 5, NO.7 

July 1983 Vol. 5, No. 7 

FEATURES 

30 

Constructing Constructing The Ideol Ideal Computer Computer Game, Port PartI I ..... . ..... ..... ... , ........... . " Orson SCott ScottCard Card 

42 

New Products At The Comdex/Spring Comdex/Spring Computer ComputerShow Show ..... Tom R. Halfhill 

Half hill 

98 

Techniques Techniques For Writing Your Own Adventure Game .. ' ..... " .. , , ............ Charles Perkins 

104 

Game POKEr For VIC And 64 .. ,. . ... .............. ... ,...... ......... ............. Don Dan Carmichael 

■EDUCATION i »l IMA i M ifVA AND »1RECREATION •' M -\ MiT77—— 

54 

64 

76 

RATS! .. 

Goblin . 

SpeedSId SpeedSki 

............. ... 

...... ......... 

.... ......... ... ........ . .. ..... .. ' ..................... Mike Steed 

. .................. ........................................ " ..... .. Don DanGoff GoH 

. ................... _ • .. ..................... .. ........ Dub Scroggin 

85 

CasUe Castle Quest ....•..... ,......... ... .............. Timothy Timothy G. Baldwin 

Baldwin 

92 

The Fortress Fortress Of Adnll Adnil .... .............. ......... .. ... .......... . ... George George W. W, Miller 

Miller 

108 

Roadblock Roadblock . ... ..... ... .... ... ... .. ................... . ... .. . .. .... .. .• Brian Holness 

Hoi ness 

116 

Time Bomb.. Bomb . ................ • . ...... . .. .... .. ... ..... .... Doug DougSmoak Smoak 

REVIEWS 

120 

Copy·Writer Copy-Writer Wo Word rd Processor Processor .......... ...................... .. ................................... louis Louis F. F.Sander Sander 

123 

124 

Mastertype ............................ 

Claim Jumper For Atari . ............. 

.. ............................................................. Tina Holcomb 

Halcomb 

........... ......... .. ....... Fred Pinho 

126 

Courseware Courseware Report Report COld Card And And Educational Educational Software Software Directory Directory ..... ............................ ... . Sheila Sheila Cory Cory 

128 

legionnaire Legionnaire For Alari Atari ........................ ........... ....... ................ ...... E. P. McMahon 

COLUMNS COLUMNS AND AND DEPARTMENTS 

DEPARTMENTS 

6 

6 The Editor's No Notes tes ... ...................... . .............. . Robert lock Lock 

10 10 Readers' Readers'Feedback Feedback .............. . ......... The Editors and Readers Readers of COMPUTE! 

18 

22 

28 

136 136 

142 

146 

Computers And Society. Society: The Fifth Generation .. . ............................................ David D. D.Thornburg 

Thornburg 

The Beginner's Page .... ......... . ............................................... Richard Mansfield 

Questions Beginners Ask ...................... . ........................... " .. .... ..... Tom R. Halfhill 

On The Road Rood With Fred D'ignazio D'lgnazio ............. . ............. ...... .. Fred D'ignazio 

D'lgnazio 

Friends Of The Turtle " .... "...... .. .. ... ............... . ......... David D. Thornburg 

learning Learning With Computers: A library Library At Your Fingertips ....... ............................... Glenn M. Kleiman 

150 

The World Inside The Computer: Superbaby Meets The Computer. Computer . ..... Fred Fred D'ignazio 

D'lgnazio 

186 

192 

INSIG INSIGHT: HT: Atari .. .... ....... ........ ... .. .... ........ ...... ..... ........ .. .. .. .. . .. .... ....... . ..... Bill Wilkinson 

Machine Language: Numeric Output, Part III ... ............. ............. .. Jim Butterfield 

196 Programming The TI: Tl: Planning Color Sets .... .... ......... . .. ...... C. C Regena 

196 

THE JOURNAL 

156 

160 160 

How To Create A Dota Data Filing Filing System: System; Pert Port I. Choosing Choosing The The Right File Type ... .... . ... , .. .. Jim Fowler 

How How To Make Make Backup Backup Disks Disks For For VIC VIC And And 64 .............. Harvey Harvey B. Herman Hermon 

165 CCircles ircles .. "............................ .... ... .. .. ....... . ........ Jeffrey Jeffrey S. McArthur 

170 170 PET PET Uncompoctor Uncompactor .... .. .............. .. .. David David Ll. Evans 

172 172 Statistical Statistical Test Of Ot Commodore Commodore And And Radio Shack Shock RND RND .. . ........... Brian Brion Flynn Flynn 

178 178 How How The VIC/64 VlC/64 Serial Serial Bus Bus Works Wo rks . .. ...... ,......... ............. " .. Jim Jim Butterfield Butterfield 

200 200 Atari Alarl Sound Experimenter ..... ................ . ............... Matt Giwer Gi'-Ner 

204 204 Commodore C ommodore REM Revealed Revea led ............... .............. ... John L. l. Darling 

212 VIC Musician Musician ............................................. " ........................ .. ,........ .. Blake Wilson 

216 216 Timex/Sincloir TimexlSinclair Screenscrolls ............... .................................................................. Glen Martin 

218 218 Commodore C ommodore 64 Video Video - A Guided Guided Tour. Tour, Part Part VI ...................................................... Jim Butterfield Butterfield 

221 221 Atari Artifacting Artifac ting ................... .. ..................................................... Judson Judson Pewther 

224 All About About The The Commodore C ommodore USR USR Command Command ................................... , ................. John John L Darling Darling 

230 Commodore Commodore Programmer's Programmer's Alarm Alarm Clock Clock .............. . ......... Bruce Bruce Jaeger Jaeger 

233 Stars Stars .... ................................. ..................... . .. ..... .......................... George George Trepal 

235 Visiting Visiting The VIC-20 VlC·20 Video, Part Port III . ... .. ........ ....................... . .. .. .. Jim Butterfield Butterfield 

239 Atari Atari Laser Laser Gunner Gunner II: A Vertical Vertical Blank Blank Enhancement Enhancement 

242 Tl TI Mailing Moiling List Ust ........ ................ .. .... ........ . 

246 VIC Bitmapping Bitmapping ... ...... ..... ........... 

. .. ............. .. Thomas Thomas A Marshall Marshall 

.. .... " ............. Doug Doug Hapeman Hapeman 

.. .. C. D. Lane l ane 

112 COMPUTED COMPUTE!'s Author Guide 

132 How To Type COMPUTED COMPUTE!'s Programs 

134 A Beginner's Guide To Typing In Programs 

252 CAPUTE! Modifications Modifications Or Corrections Corrections To Previous Articles 

255 News News. & Products 

268 Product Mart 

272 Advertisers Index 

NOTE: See page 132 

before typing in In 

programs. 

COMPUTE! The [ournal Journal for Progressive Computing (USPS: 537250) is published publishtod 12 times each cach year ye.lr by COMPUTE! COMPUTE! 

Publications, Publications. Inc., P.O. P.O . Box 5406, Greensboro, NC 27403 USA. USA . Phone; Phone: (919)275-9809. (919)275·9809. Editori.il Editorial Offices"are Offices arc located at 

505 Edwardia Drive, Greensboro, Greensboro. NC 27409. Domestic Subscriptions: Subscriptions: 12 issues, £20.00. 520.00. Send subscription subscription orders or 

change cha nge of address (P.O. (p.O. form 3579} 3579) to Circulation Dept., COMPUTE! Magazine, P.O. P.O . Box 5406, Greensboro, NC 

27403. Second class postage paid at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27403 and additional mailing mai ling offices. Entire contents copvright copyright 

6C 1983 by COMPUTE! Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 0194-357X. 

GUIDE TO ARTICLES 

AND PROGRAMS 

V/64 

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V/64/AT/TI/AP 

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CBM,VVIC-20,OOSI,C 

CBM. V VlC·20. 0 OSI. C 

Radio Shack Color Com Com· 

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TOLL FREE 

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:.

EDITOR'S EDITOR'S NOTES 

NOTES 

The Magazine Epidemic 

The Magazine Epidemic 

It's mildly distressing to observe 

the rash of of new new computer 

computer 

magazines magazines in preparation or or 

now being launched. launched . While While some some 

appear appear to to be be the the result result of of dedicated, 

sincere sincere efforts efforts at at servi serving ng a 

market niche, niche, and serving serving it it 

well, well, many seem to be efforts to to 

simply simply get get something something on on the the 

shelf. 

It would seem seem that that every 

publisher, large large and and small, small, in 

the country has suddenly discovered 

covered the the personal computer 

computer 

marketplace. We welcome those 

of of you you providing genuine genuine readership; 

we'll reserve comment on 

those of of you who who are are slapping slapping a a 

computer computer label on on inferi inferior or edito 

rial ri al matter as as a a medium medium for fo r 

selli selling ng advertising. advertising. We' We're re firm 

believers believers in the the inherent 

inherent 

decision-making decision-making strength strength of of the the 

free free marketplace. marketplace. Time Time will w ill tell. 

tell. 

The New Computers 

The New Computers 

Wi Willll the the surge surge of of intelligent 

intelligent 

keyboards for game game machines 

machines 

have a a massive impact on on personal 

sonal computer computer sales? sales? We We think 

not. With Atari, Atari, Commodore, 

Commodore, 

and and Tl TI battling it out out in the the price price 

trenches, we expect to see the 

less less than than $100 $100 market market begin begin to to 

ex expand pand in the features area. 

Principal change: change: more memory 

6 COMPUTE! July 1983 

at at less less cost. cost. And we'll we'll just keep keep 

growing growing from there. 

there. 

Random Bits 

Random Bits 

IBM's home home computer computer (code 

(code 

name name Peanut) Peanut) is now rumored 

rumored 

to to appear by August. We We ex expect pect 

this this baby baby PC PC to come come in as a a midmidmarketmarket machine with with superb 

design, design, lots of of support, and a a 

sslightly lightly high high price point point in the the 

$600 range. From a marketing/ 

va value lue added added standpoint, the the 

IBM IBM name and and reputa reputation ti on carri carries es 

clout and and has has consumer consumer impact. 

impact. 

If and when it arri arrives, ves, it will be 

an an interesting interesting competitor competitor for fo r the the 

Commodore 64 and the soon-tobe-introducedbe-introduced 

Atari 600 600 and and 

800X 800XL. L. 

We We hear hear that that John John Wiley, 

Wiley, 

the the book book publishing house, house, is 

hard at at work work setting setting up a a 

magazine staff to launch a a per pe rsonal 

computer Inagazine. magazine. Atari, 

Inc. has has decided decided to to accept accept adver 

tising ti sing in their their users users magazine. 

As As with Commodore Commodore publications, 

expect expect serious serious restraints 

restraints 

on on what w hat type type of of advertisin advertising g is 

allowed. Rumor has it that Atari 

won't be be accepting accepting ga game me soft 

ware wa re ad advertising. vertising. We find Ihal that 

one one hard to to believe. 

CBS CBS is is now looking looking for an an 

entry into the computer magazine 

zine market. Rich Richmond, 

formerly Adventure Adventure Interna lIiternati 

tional onal Ma Marketing rketing Manager, 

prepares prepares to launch launch an an Atari 

magazine (should we say 

magazine (should we say 

"Another one one..."?). ... "?). All of this 

after unsuccessfully tryin trying g to 

raid raid COMPUTE!' COMPUTES'ss staff staff fo forr several 

weeks. 

Commodore, Commodore, now now in the the 

publishing business, business, has become become 

distant with COMPUTE! and 

COMPUTEt's COMPUTE'.'s Gazelle Gazette editors. 

WWe've e've always always maintained maintained that that 

there's there's intrinsic value value in 

independence. 

Next Next month: The The Consumer 

Consumer 

Electronics Show and a a fl flock ock of 

exciting exciting new products. We We just 

returned from the National Com 

returned from the National Com 

puter Conference in Anaheim 

and, as far as the personaUhome 

and, as far as the personal/home 

market goes, it simply makes us 

long long for the the arrival of of CES. CES. One O ne 

point worth noting: several 

point worth noting: several 

hundred exhibitors at this multi 

hundred exhibitors at this multimillionmillion 

dollar dollar show show were were housed 

housed 

in quasi-pe quasi-permanent, rm anent, inflatable 

Quonset Quonset huts. huts. Air conditioning 

conditioning 

failed and by late Monday, May 

16, internal temperatures approached 

115. 115. So So much much for statestateof-the-art 

technology at a state 

of-the-art technology at a stateof-the-artof-the-art 

show. 

show.

READERS'FEEDBACK 

READERS' FEEDBACK 

The Editors and Readers of COMPUTEI 

The Editors and Readers of COMPUTE! 

64 Screen Problems 

warranty, wnrmllty, Commodore COllllllodore says that it will attempt attelllptto to repair repnir 

anything with which the customer is dissatisfied. 

I own a Commodore 64 computer. While Whil e I am allythillg with which the CIIslolller is dissalisfied. 

Concerning units out of warranty, Commodore 

quite pleased with its performance, there the re is a prob COllcel"lling ullits Ollt of wa rmnty, COllllllodore 

had no comment. However, a number of computer 

lem. le m. Any program that uses the BASIC commands had 110 COII III ICllI. However, a 1IIIIIIber of cOlllpuler 

GET or INPUT dealers and repair centers have stated that they will 

causes ca uses severe interference interfe rence in the dealers allli repair celliers have slaled that Ihey will 

install the new or updated character ROMs if they can 

form of many ma ny white w hite (silver) (sil ver) horizontal lines which illstallihe lIew or updnled chamcter ROMs if they ca u 

get them from Commodore. Commodore has said that 

shoot across the color TV screen. 

getthelll frolll COllllllodore. COllllllodore has said Ihal 

they have not yet decided whether or not they will make 

I also purchased some software (namely The they have 1I0t yet decided whether or 1101 they willlllake 

the new character ROMs available to the service centers. 

Word Machine Machille and The Name Nallle Game) Gallle) from Commo the Ilew clwmcler ROMs available 10 Ihe service wllers. 

dore and a nd these programs exhibit exh ibit that same, quite qu ite 

annoying, problem. I might add that three friends fri ends 

A TimeX/Sinclair Tip 

here he re in Albany who also own the C-64 have the 

exact same problem. I have heard that tha t Commodore 

replaced a video chip in the later models (of 

which mine is one) and that there are problems proble ms 

with this new chip. 

My question is: will w ill Commodore solve what 

may be a very large (in number nu mber of computers) problem? My warranty is close to expiration. 

Donald G. Weiser 

has come to be known as "sparkle." 

The problem starts with the 64's chamcter character ROM, ROM , 

and the sparkle is caused by the way the 64 generates its 

characters to put onto the screen. 

However, this problem problelll cnll can be 1II0re more thall than a lIIere mere 

illcollvelliCllce inconvenience in the early machines. IIwchilles. It II can ca cause lise diffi 

diffi 

Cll culties ilies with SOllie some programs, prograllls, especinlly especially gn games. llles. Whell When 

utilizing IItilizillg the advanced advanced. 64 Sprite fea features tllres (llser (user defilled defined, , 

moveable objects), the sparkles call can calise cause the COlllp"ter 

computer 

hardware modifications inside the 64, but this solution 

is isfroiuned frowlled IIpon upon by Comlllodore, Commodore, alld and lIIay may void YOllr your 

warranty. Allother Another is screell screen n!locatioll relocation. . II It is snidllwt said that if 

you relocate the screen memory into another area of 

RAM, the sparkle will disappear. 

As for the II number Ulllber of units plaglled plagued by this problelll, 

problem, 

Commodore's estimate is five percent. It should be noted 

though, that almost all of the early models had sparkle, 

and ns as of this writillg writing the problelll problem is apparelltly apparently stillllot 

still not 

solved. As a lIIaller matter of fact, COMPUTE! recelltly recently pllr pur 

chased two 64s for testing purposes, and one has a very 

severe "sparkle" problem. 

hi In answer to yow' your questioll question all on repnirs, repairs, COllllllodore 

Commodore 

hns has no set policy in this nrea. area. For units tlwt that are IInder under 

10 COMPUTE! Juty July1983 1983 

Donald G. Weiser 

This is probably the qllestioll question we're asked 1II0St most abollt about the 

COllllllodore Commodore 64. The problem problelllllwt that YOIl you nre are referring referrillg to 

has COllie to be known as "sparkle." 

and the sparkle is caused by the way the 64 gellemtes its 

chamcters to put OlltO the screell. 

to register a sprite collisioll collision wi,en when Ilone none has oCCllrred. 

occurred. 

There nre are sOllie some SOllltio solutions. lls. Olle One is to lIIake make a few 

hardware 1II0difications ills ide the 64, bllt this SOllltioll 

YO Il relocnte the screen melllory ill to another area of 

RAM, the sparkle will disnppenr. 

COllllllodore's es tilllnte is five percent. II shollid be 1I0ted 

thollgh, thnt almost all of the early 1II0deis had spa rkle, 

clwsed two 64s for testillg pllrposes, alld olle has a very 

severe "sparkle" problelll. 

A Timex/Sinclair Tip 

I have sometimes sometimes experienced expe ri enced problems problems on on my 

ZX81 ZX81 while while changing changing line numbers. numbers. A line 30 that 

II am a m unable unable to delete, delete, for for instance, ins tance, might appear appear 

after after a line line 2000. 2000. As a solution soluti on of of sorts, sorts, I came ca me up 

with the following fo llowing short routine routine (also (a lso applicable applica ble 

to to the TIS T/S 1000) which wh ich allows allows me to locate locate the line line 

in memory memory and and POKE POKE in a valid line line number. number. 

This This routine routine gives the the location location in in memory me mory of of aa 

program program by by line line number. numbe r. RUN RU it it by by typing typing GOTO GOTO 

9500 . After After IN INPUTing PUTing a particular particular line line number, number, it it 

will tell you the length of that line line and how long 

the the program program is through through the eend nd of that line. line. As As 

you can can see in in the the sample sample run, ru n, the portion portion of the 

program program considered considered he here re is 516 bytes bytes long long (incide 

dentally, ntally, line 1 will will not work work in in this test) test). . 

John B. Swetland 

Swetland 

1 LET LET TEST=9500 

TEST=9500 

10 LIST LIST 

9500 9500 PRINT"ENTER PRINT"ENTER LINE LINE NUMBER" 

9502 9502 PRINT PRINT 

9503 INPUT AQ 

9504 LET N=16509 

9505 LET N=N+2 

9506 LET N=N+( PEEK N)+(PEEK(N+1)*256) 

9507 LET N=N+2 

9505 LET N=N+2 

9506 LET N=N+(PEEK N)+(PEEK(N+l)*256) 

9507 LET N=N+2 

9508 9508 IF (PEEK (PEEK N*256)+(PEEK(N+1 N*256)+{PEEK(N+1))=AQ »=AQ THEN 

PRINT; PRINT;"LINE "LINE " ";AQ;" ;AQ;" STARTS AT ";N 

9509 IF (PEEK N*256)+(PEEK(N+l))=AQ THE 

9509 IF (PEEK N*256)+(PEEK(N+1»=AQ THE 

N GOTO 9511 

9510 GOTO 9505 

9511 PRINT PRINT 

9512 LET I I=(N+50) =( N+50) 

9513 FORR J=N TO I 

9514 IF PEEK J=118 THEN PRINT "LINE ";AQ; " 

9513 FORR J=N TO I 

9514 IF PEEK J=118 THEN PRINT"LINE ";AQ; 

ENDS AT ";J 

9515 IF PEEK J=118 THEN GOTO 9517 

9515 IF PEEK J=118 THEN GOTO 9517 

951 9516 6 NEXT J 

9517 PRI PRINT NT

Look to the future with... 

The "CARD/PRINT" works with all 

of these parallel printers without 

any modification to the printer: 

Epson MX-80 & EPSON MX-100 

(with or without GRAFTRAX+), 

EPSON FX-80, EPSON FX-100, 

STAR MICRONICS DP 8480, 

STAR MICRONICS GEMINI 10, 

STAR MICRONICS GEMINI 15, 

PROWRITER.C-ITOH8510, 

STARWRITER, SMITH CORONATP-1, 

BYTEWRITER, MPI 88, MPI 99, 

DATA IMPACT D-92, OKIDATA 80, 

OKIDATA 82, OKIDATA 83, 

OKIDATA 84, OKIDATA 92, 

OKIDATA 93, TRANSTAR 130, 

TRANSTAR 140, IDS MICROPRISM, 

IDS PRISM (IDS printers require 

IDS cable P/N 603-673-9100), 

MENNESMANN TALLY MT-160, 

MANNESMANN TALLY 1000, 

NEC 8023, AXIOM GP-100, 

TANDY CGP-115 PRINTER/ PLOTTER 

and many more. 

is the #1 selling printer interface for VIC20"1 and 

' Commodore 64 computers because it works. 

INCLUDES ALL NECESSARY PLUGS 

CABLES AND HARDWARE 

REQUIRES NO SOFTWARE DRIVERS 

JUST PLUG IT IN AND PRINT 

ALL FUNCTIONS ARE UNDER USER 

OR PROGRAM SOFTWARE 

CONTROL 

ADDS SEVEN NEW COMMANDS TO 

INCREASE PRINTER FLEXIBILITY 

SOFTWARE SELECTABLE ASCII 

CONVERSION AND GRAPHICS 

MODES 

NOTICE: CARDCO, Inc. is now 

offering the "PRINTER UTILITY 

PACKAGE" tape based program 

for use with our interface, a 

VIC 20* or a Commodore 64 and 

a Star Gemini series, and Epson 

MX or FX-80 or 100, or a 

PROWRITER printer. These 

programs include a machine 

language high-res screen 

dump, facilities to print 

Commodore graphics, and 

several sizes and styles of the 

"BANNER HEADLINE" type printing 

all for $19.95. 

See a complete line of American made Cardco Products at a computer store near you, today. 

313 Mathewson • Wichita, Kansas67214 • (316) 267-6525 

VIC20 is a registered trademark ol Commodore International 

cardco, inc.

of The Hundreds of Reasons 

of The Hundreds of Reasons 

You You Ought Ought To To Be Be A COMPUTE! 

COMPUTE! 

Magazine Subscriber: 

Magaz:in.e Subscriber: 

From From "The "The Editor's Editor's Feedback" Feedback" Card, Card, a monthly monthly part part of of our our continuing 

continuing 

dialogue dialogue with with readers readers of of COMPUTE!. COMPUTE!. These are are responses responses to to the the question, 

question, 

"What do you like best about COMPUTE! ?" 

1. l."It "It is written written so so a beginner beginner can can read read and and understand understand it it... ... it's it's layman layman oriented oriented..." ... " 2. 2. 

"Clear, "Clear, clean clean layout, good good presentation..." presentation ... " 3. 3. "The "The Atari Atari game game programs..." programs ... " 4. 4."Best "Best 

and most information on PET PET..." ... " 5. 5."Cover "Cover to cover, and all in between..." between ... " 6. 6."Reviews "Reviews 

of software and hardware hardware..." ... " 7. "Good balance of application and technical articles articles..." ... " 

8."It 8,"It is is the best best source source of of info info about about various various levels levels ofVICIPET/CBM of VIC/PET/CBM machines machines and and ap 

plications..." plications ... " 9. "The BASIC and machine language programs..." programs ... " 10."1 10."I like hke programs 

that that can can be be typed typed into into a computer, computer, run, run, and and then then used used right right away away (a (a program program without 

without 

bugs!)..." bugs!) ... " 11. 11."That "That it is organized well, and covers a broad range of information concerning 

cerning Atari. Atari. Keep it it up! up! please, please, I'm I'm learning learning..." ... " 12. 12. "Table "Table of of contents listings listings and and 

computer guide to articles is a great idea. Best magazine for personal home computer 

users users..." ... " 13. 13. "Best "Best I have have found for VIC VIC info info..." ... " 14. 14."Informative "Informative articles: articles: 'Secrets 'Secrets of of 

Atari', Atari', Game Game programs, programs, especially especially programs programs that that teach teach the reader reader about about the the Atari..." 

Atari..." 

15. 15. "I "I like like all all the the articles articles and and programs for my my computer, computer, the the PET. PET. I've I've learned and and 

found out out things things about about it it that that I never never even even thought thought existed. Other Other magazines magazines don't 

don't 

have have too too much much material material for the the PET PET and, and, for that that reason, reason, I find COMPUTE! COMPUTE! invaluable invaluable..." ... " 

16. 16."The "The up-to-date hardware reviews reviews..." ... " 17. "Machine language utilities for Atari..." 

18."Articles 18."Axticles are are terse terse but but understandable understandable and and accurate. accurate. Utility Utility and and applications applications program 

listings very helpful helpful..." ... " 19."The April, '82 issue is my first. I am impressed that 

you not only acknowledge the VIC-20, VIC-20,you you even have applications for it it..." ... " 20."1 2O."I really 

enjoy (since I am one) the Beginner's Page Page..." ... " 21. 21."The "The attention it gives to Atari and 

the easy-to-understand language it's written in..." in ... " 22. "It is concerned with explaining 

programs, not just listing them. It is the best VIC magazine I could buy..." buy ... " 

23."The new table of contents 'Guide to Articles and Programs' is excellent, particularly 

larly the the indication indication of of'multiple 'multiple computer' computer' items items..." ... " 24."Broadrange 24."Broad range (sophistication) 

(sophistication) 

of programs..." programs ... " 25."You don't speak over the average user's head head..." ... " 

■HHHHBaHHHHHiîl^^HHIHHBH 

Whether you're just getting started with personal computers, or very advanced, you'll 

find useful, helpful information in every issue of COMPUTE! Magazine. We speCialize specialize in 

supporting the Atari, PET/CBM, VIC·20, VIC-20, and Apple computers. Editorial coverage is 

expanding to include the TI-99/4A, the Sinclair ZX-BI, ZX-81, and the Radio Shack Color Computer. 

Every issue of COMPUTE! brings you user-friendly articles, applications programs, and 

utilities utilities you you can can type type right right into into your your computer computer and and use. To To subscribe subscribe to to COMPUTE!, COMPUTE!, or or to to 

order a sample issue, use the attached reply card or call our toll-free number. COMPUTE!... 

We're We're the the resource resource for thousands thousands and and thousands thousands of of home, home, educational, and and small small business business 

computer users. Shouldn't you be one of them? 

1 year, year, twelve twelve issue issue subscription: subscription: $20.00 $20.00 in in the the US. 

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COMPUTE! Magazine is a publication of Small System Services, Inc. 

COMPUTE! Magazine is a publication of Small System Services, Inc. 

625 Fulton Street. P.O. Box 5406. Greensboro, NC 27403.

Computers And Societ, 

Society 

David David D. Thornburg, Thornburg, Associate Editor 

The Fifth Generation 

I ca can n hardly hardly res.ist resist th thee temptation temptation to point out out that that 

Orwell's vision vision for fo r 1984 1984 is is (thankfully) (thankfully) not going 

going 

to to come come true. It is interesting interesting to note that, as as with 

many many other other futurists, futurists, Orwell Orwell overestimated the the 

amount amount of of social change change that that would would occur occur by by 1984, 

1984, 

and and seriously seriously underestimated underestimated the the amount amount of of tech 

nological nologica l innovation innovati on that that will have have been been developed 

veloped by by then. then. While While it is is true true that offi office ce workers 

in Orwell's novel dictate their letters into a a "speak 

wwrite," rite," an an automated stenographer/printer, much much 

of the remaining technology is neither advanced 

of the remaining technology is neither advanced 

nor nor inspiring. insp iring. 

I was reminded of of the the impact of of technological 

ad advances va nces as I created the first draft of this month's 

column on on my my Brother Brother EP-20 EP-20 battery-operated 

battery-operated 

electronic electronic typewriter. This This marvel of design design is 

quite compact, fits on an airplane tray tabl table, e, and 

is almost silent. silent. Since Since it retails for fo r about about 5200 S200 and and 

allows the user to correct up to 16 characters of 

allows the user to correct up to 16 characters of 

text before it it is printed, I would not be surprised 

to see see this this device device open open up wwhole hole new new markets markets fo forr 

typewriters. I never used a typewriter for rough 

typewri ters. I never used a typewriter fo r rough 

drafts before, simply because they were too bulky. 

Now, this this device device has become my my portable portable worksta 

station ti on (sadly (sadly mi missing ssing the the sto storage ra ge that would would make 

it a a terminal terminal for my my word processor), processor), and and I 1 take it it 

everywhere. 

everywhere. 

Is it it significant that this innovation was developed 

by a a Japanese Japanese company? company? As As we look at at 

the computer industry, it is clear that it is taking 

the computer industry, it is clea r that it is taking 

on a decidedly international flavor. And yet, so 

fa r, the big names in personal computers are definitely 

American (Tl, (TI, Commodore, Atari, Apple, 

IBM, etc.). 

on a decidedly international flavor. And yet, so 

far, the big names in personal computers are defi 

KIPS Super Computer 

KIPS Super Computer 

A recentl recently y published book, book, Tlte The Fifth FiJtlt Genern Generation tion 

(Addison-Wesley, $15.95), suggests that we must 

be be much much more more aware aware of of Japanese Japanese advances advances in 

computer computer technology technology if we are are to to survive survive as as a a 

technologica technologicall nation. Far Far from being being a a "scare" 

book designed to erect protectionist trade trade barriers, 

Tlte The Fifth FiJtlt Gel/erntion Generation is more more a a ca call ll to to arms. Its Its authors 

thors are are Edward Feigenbaum, Feigenbaum, a a pioneer pioneer in the the 

18 18 COMPUTE! July1Q83 

July 1983 

field of artificial artificial intell intelligence, igence, and and Pamela Pamela McCorduck, 

a a science writer who has written extensively 

on computers and and intelligent intelligent behavior in 

machines. The authors say that Japan has embarked 

on on a a ten-year ten-year cra crash sh program to to develop a a 

new new type type of of su super per compu computer-a ter - a " "fifth fifth genera generation" tion" 

machine that is ca called lled a a Knowledge Information 

Processing Processing System System (KlPS). (KIPS). The The KlPS KIPS is expected 

expected 

to to be be marked markedly ly different different in architecture architecture from the the 

computers computers in in use today. today. Furthermore, it is is expected 

that users of the KIPS will interact with it it 

very very differently differently from the the way way people use use computers 

today. 

today. 

What is a a KlPS? KIPS? While While most of of today's com 

puters puters are used used for data data processing and, with with the the 

exception of languages li like ke LISP and Logo, most 

computer computer languages are are geared towards towards data data processing 

cessing tasks, the the KIPS is is an an optimized optimized blend blend of of 

hardware hardware and software, software, tailored tail ored to perform general 

symbol manipulation manipulation and and symbolic inference. 

inference. 

This shift in emphasis recogni recognizes zes that most of our 

work is is non nonmathematical mathematical in nature. Much of of our our 

work involves involves reasoning, reasoning, not calcu calculating. lating. 

A Reasoning Machine? 

A Reasoning Machine? 

Can Can one one build a a " "reasoning" reasoning" machine? machine? According 

According 

to to Feigenbaum and McCorduck, McCorduck, the the Japanese 

Japanese 

lack lack our our preoccupation preoccupation with this this question. question. From From 

their their perspective, perspective, it it is sufficient sufficient to to note note that com 

puter puter systems systems powerful enough enough to to be be fifth generation 

machines will function at a a level far beyond 

that with with which which we are are presently fa familiar. mi lia r. 

Modest projects in the development of systems 

that outperform human "experts" are an 

important result result of research in in artificial intell intellii 

gence. gence. For Fo r exa example, m pie, programs programs that that perform certain 

certain 

types of medical diagnoses, analyze and propose 

syntheti syntheticc pathways in the creation of new chemica chemicall 

compounds, compounds, and and predict the location location of of geological 

deposits deposits have already already been been implemented on on 

existing existing co commercial mmercia l computers using using languages 

languages 

such as LISP. Such programs must operate with wi th 

both a a "knowledge base" and a set of "inference " inference 

procedures." To read a a map, for instance, instance, one 

one

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THE BEGINNER'S PAGE 

THE BEGINNER'S PAGE 

Richard Mansfield, Senior Senior Editor 

Editor 

Writing A Simulation Game 

There are three basic types of computer games: gmnes: arende, 

arcade, 

adventure, adventure, and and simulation silllu lation ga games. llles. Let's briefly briefly look look al at 

the characteristics characteristics of of arcade arcade al'ld and advel'llure adventure gallles games and al'ld 

t!ten then write write a simulation. silllulation. 

Realtime Action 

Realtime Action 

Arcade Arcade ga games mes feature feature what's ca called lled real realtime lillie action action. . 

Unlike chess or bridge, things happen fast. You 

ca can't n't sit sit back back and and plan plan your your next nex t move; move; you you must must 

react immedi immediately ately to to the the space space inva invaders. ders. In other 

other 

words, events events take take place place at the the same same speed as as 

they would in reality: realtime. 

Arcade games games also also have a strong appeal to 

the the eye eye and and ear. There There is is much much animation, color, 

and sound. In fac fact, t, your abili ability ty to respond qquickly uickly 

and effectively effectively depends depends in part part on on aall ll the the cl clues ues 

you you get get fro from m the the graphics graphics and and sound effec effects. ts. 

Strategy, while while often often an an aspect of arcade arcade play, is is 

clearly clearly secondary. These games games are a a new new kind of 

athletics: athletics: the the fun fun of of man man versus versus machine. Like 

auto auto racing, racing, arca arcade de ga games mes are are essentia essentially lly isometric 

isometric 

exercises - you don't run around; you just stay in 

one one place place fl flexing exing and and unflexing your your muscles, 

tensing tensing and and relaxing. 

Story And Strategy 

Story And Strategy 

Strategy, Strategy, however, is is more im important portant in "adventure" 

ture" games. games. The The emphasis emphasis is on on planning ahead 

and solving solving riddles. riddles. It ca can n be be like like living li ving inside inside an an 

adventure adventure novel. There There is is drama, drama, characteri characterization, zation, 

and and plot. You You might might start start out, for example, in a a 

forest forest with a a shovel and a a trusty, trusty, if enigmatic, 

enigmatic, 

companion companion parrot. As you you try try to figure figure out out wwhat hat 

to do next, the parrot keeps saying "piny dells, 

piny piny dells." dells." After After wandering wandering aimlessly aimlessly through 

through 

the the trees, trees, it it suddenly suddenly comes comes to to you that that the the bird 

is is saying saying "pine "pine needles" needles" and and you dig through 

them and and find a a treasure treasure map. 

Your "character" wwill ill travel, meet friends 

and and enemies, enemies, and have have the the opportunity opportunity to pick pick 

up or or ignore potentially potentia lly useful items such such as as food, 

food, 

magic magic wands, wands, and and medicine. It's It's customary customary that that 

you cannot haul tons of provisions. You'd have to 

22 22 COMPUTE! July July 1983 1983 

decide w hether or not to leave the shovel in the 

fo rest. Yet you might be sorry th at you'd d ropped 

it it if you're you're involved involved in a a cave-in later later in in the the game. 

game. 

In any any case, case, ad adventure venture games games are are fundamentally 

verbal. The The computer computer displays displays the the words: 

decide whether or not to leave the shovel in the 

forest. Yet you might be sorry that you'd dropped 

YOU YOU ARE ARE IN IN A A BOAT BOAT ON ON A A LAKE. NIGHT NI G HT IS IS 

FALLING. 

to which you ca can n respond in any any number of of ways. 

You might type: type: 

DIVE DIVE OFF OFF BOAT. 

and and the the co computer mputer would would reply reply that that you you now see see 

an underwater cave or wwhatever. hatever. You move 

through the the scenes the the way a a character character moves 

through a a novel. There is generally no penalty if 

you take ta ke time to plan your next move. It's not 

realtirne. 

realtime. 

Imitations Of Life 

Imitations Of Life 

The third category, simula simulation, tion, is the least commo 

monn kind of computer game. This is because to 

rea really lly imitate imi ta te something, something, to to simulate silllulate it it effecti effectively, vely, 

you need lots of computer memory to hold lots of 

variables. However, memory has recently become 

fa farr less less expensive expensive so so we ca cann expect expect to see see increasingly 

ingly effecti effective ve simulation simulation ga games. mes. Sial' Star Trek Trek and and 

Hammurabi, Ha lllmll rabi, both simula simulations, tions, have have long long been been 

popular popular home computer computer games. Although Although they 

are similar to adventure games, simulations are 

random. That is, there is no secret to ddiscover, iscover, no 

puzzle to solve, no plot. Like Li ke real li life, fe, things hap 

pen pen with with unpredictable, unpredictable, complex complex results. 

Here's a a program which simulates investing. investi ng. 

The The key to to simulating simulating is is to arrange arrange realistic illier 

inter 

actions actions between variables. va riables. Look at line 600. If If there 

there 

is " "international international unrest," the price of gold (PGLD) 

goes goes up and and the the price price of of Bundtfund Bundtfund stock stock (PB) (PB) 

goes down. This relationshi relationship p between gold, stock, 

and an interna international tional crisis is true to li life. fe. Alternatively, 

tively, stock goes goes up and gold gold goes goes down down in in line line 

700 during during a a " "market market ra rally." lly." 

The The ga game me allows allows you you to make make investment 

decisions, and and then then a a " "month" month" passes during 

during 

which the the value of of your your investments investments will go go up up or or 

down. In line 510, three variables va riables are given ran-

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LLI

Queslions Beginners Ask 

Questions Beginners Ask 

Tom R. R Halfhill. Holfhill, Features Feotures Editor 

Are YOll thillkillg abollt bllyillg a comp"ter for the first 

Are you thinking about buying a computer for the first 

time, bllt but dOIl't don't kllow knozv allythillg anything aboll aboutt compl/ters? computers? Or Or 

maybe YOIl you just jllst purchased pl/rchased a compllter computer alld and are still a bit 

baffled. Each /llDl1th month, , COMPUTE! will tackle tackle the qlles ques 

tions most often asked by beginners. 

tiOI1S most Of tell asked by begil1l1ers. 

Q 

QAre Are there any any problems I could could cause cause 

while using a a computer that that could permanently 

damage it? How about any commands 

used in the wrong way? In other words, what are 

the chances that that I could could do real damage damage to the 

computer computer by by not not knowing how how to use use it right? 

right? 

nently damage it? How about any commands 

used in the wrong way? In other words, what are 

A 

There's an old saying in computing that 

goes something like this: 

'The "The o/lly only way yOI/ you call can hl/rt hurt n a compl/ter 

computer 

Iflrough its keyboard is to hit it with 

A There's an old saying in computing that 

goes something like this: 

through its keyboard is to hit it with 

a ham1ller." 

hammer." 

Of course, course, this this isn't completely true; spilling 

liquids into a computer keyboard isn' isn'tt too too healthy hea lthy 

for it, either. But But the general thrust of that adage 

is pretty pretty certain - aside aside from physical physical abuse, abuse, a a 

computer can' can'tt be be damaged by by anything you you can 

type on its its keyboard. 

There's only only one rare rare exception we' we've ve ever ever 

heard hea rd of. A certain POKE POKE command on one one Com Com 

modore modore PET computer computer (PET/CBM's with with 4.0 

BASIC) BASIC) can can ddrastically rastically speed up up the the process process by 

wwhich hich the the computer creates the the screen screen display. display. If 

this this command command is left left running running wild, wild, the the computer computer 

keeps keeps speeding speeding up up until until it eventually eventually selfselfdestructs.destructs. The The chances chances of of this POKE POKE happening happening 

by accident accident are are extremely extremely remote. remote. There are are 65536 65536 

memory memory locations loca tions in in a PET that that can ca n be be POKEd, POKEd, 

and and there there are are 256 256 possible possible numbers numbers that that can ca n be 

POKEd POKEd in in each each location location (0 (0 to to 255). 255). Therefore, Therefore, the the 

chances chances of of accidentally accidentally typing typing in in that that fatal fa tal POKE POKE 

command command are are only only one one in in 16,777,216. 

Other than than this rare example, you you really don't 

have to worry about about damaging damaging the hardware hardware of 

your your computer computer system system by experimenting experimenting with with 

commands commands or or programs. programs. The The same same pretty much much 

holds true for for the devices devices attached attached to the com com 

puter. puter. At worst, you you might cause ca use an an error which 

traps a device device in an endless endless loop - for for example, example, 

the disk drive might keep keep spinning, spinning, or or the printer 

might keep spewing spewing forth forth paper. paper. Conceivably, Conceivably, if 

the system system were left left unattended, unattended, the device device could could 

eventually eventually overheat overheat or suffer suffer excessive excessive wear. But 

if you're you' re there, there, you can always always stop stop such such "run- " run- 

28 COMPUTE! COMPUTfI July1983 July 1983 

away" events by switching off the power. Anytime · 

away" events by switching off the power. Anytime 

you switch off a computer or device and then 

switch it it back on on again, it it resets itself. 

Remember; Remember, thoug though, h, we're talking about 

about 

hardware damage. There are lots of ways you can 

ca cause use permanent software damage. Simply typing 

NEW on the keyboard and pressing RETURN will 

wipe out any BASIC program in memory. If the 

program has not not been saved on disk or tape, it it 

will be lost. Likewise, certain commands can erase 

a program from a a disk or tape, or overwrite it 

with something else. A wrong command, a a program 

bug, bug, or or a a typing typing error when entering a a program 

listing can cause a system crash - your com 

gram listing can cause a system crash - your com 

puter " "locks locks up" (refuses to accept commands). 

Since the only way to recover, usually, is to switch 

the computer off and on again, the program in 

memory will wi ll be lost. But you ca cann rest assured that 

the the computer computer itself is is always always safe safe from permanent 

damage. 

damage. 

Q 

A 

Can Can I do word word processing processing with with aa tape tape 

recorder, or must I have a a disk drive? 

It is quite possible to do word processing 

with a tape recorder. 

Make sure, however, that the word processing 

program you buy or use is designed to 

work with with tape. tape. Some programs are are for disk disk only; 

only; 

still still others others work with both. both. 

The peripheral device which is most essential 

Alt is quite possible to do word processing 

with a tape recorder. 

The peripheral device which is most essential 

for word processing is a a printer. Without a a printer, 

you you won't be be able able to to generate generate a paper printout of 

your writing. And since the whole w hole object of word 

processing is writing, a printer is indispensable. 

processing is writing, a printer is indispensable. 

If you want to do word processing and must 

choose between buying a disk drive first or a 

choose between buying a disk drive first or a 

printer, opt for the printer. 

printer, opt for the printer. 

For casual word processing (average letterwriting, 

etc.) you may find that a tape recorder is 

aa sufficient storage device. However, for more 

serious applications, you'll probably discover that 

serious applications, you' ll probably discover that 

a disk drive is necessary. Tape recorders ca n be 

a disk drive is necessary. Tape recorders can be 

reliable, but they are very slow compared to disk 

drives. Also, a disk drive adds flexibility to word 

drives. Also, a disk drive adds flexibility to word 

processing. Depending on the word processing 

program, a disk drive can make it possible to easily 

program, a disk drive can make it possible to easily 

store frequently used paragraphs on disk d isk for merging 

with other files; fi les; to link several files together 

for very long documents; to merge files of names 

for very long documents; to merge files of names 

and addresses with form letters; and other ad- 

vanced va nced functions. ©

Part PartiI 

Constructing The 

Ideal Computer Game 

Ideal Computer Game 

In this first article of a two-part series, the author 

exmnil7es examines currelltly currently available types of of home home computer 

computer 

games and alld suggests suggests a l7etu new approach: approach: a game game where where the 

player player creates creates his his or her her OWI7 own world. As As al7 an example, he he 

describes the elements of a "gallle-buildil7g "game-building game" called 

" "Railroader." Railroader. " It's something sOlnelhing of ofa a cross cross between between traditio 

tional l7al el7tertail7mel!l entertainment mId and computer computer programming. 

progralllmil7g. 

Next mon month, th, the article concludes with advanced 

applicatiolls applications and and specific techniques for programming 

progra mming 

Railroader all on your your computer. 

computer. 

When I first bought bought an Atari 400, 400, I told my my wife 

all kinds of stories. About how computers were 

the wave of the future. About how our kids had 

to become become computer computer literate. About About how useful 

the computer would be. 

the computer would be. 

I didn't fool her. I didn't even fool myself. I 

knew I was getting the machine because of the 

knew I was getting the machine because of the 

games. 

games. 

And I' I've ve done done my time time. . My My Super Breakout Breakout 

game game regularly regula rly tells tells me me " "Wow!" Wow!" My My Cel7tipede 

Centipede 

scores are respectable, and my wife and I make a 

great team playing playing Ghost Ghost Hunter. Hunter. 

But now, after after a a couple couple of of years years with the the ultimate 

mate game game machine, I've I've discovered a a dreadful 

dreadful 

secret: secret: true true home home computer computer games games are rare. 

rare. 

Look at your games fo r a minute. What are 

Look at your games for a minute. What are 

they actually doing? Most of them are doing what 

pinball pinball machines machines are are designed to to do - enticing 

you to try to beat bea tthe the machine, machine, with the the odds odds 

hopelessly hopelessly stacked stacked against against you. you. That That makes makes sense 

sense 

for arcade arcade games. They They are are supposed supposed to to make make 

money, money, and the the only way to to make make money is to to 

force you to play against the clock, pumping in as 

many quarters per hour as possible. When the 

local wizards started started playing playi ng 30 30 minutes minutes per per quarter 

ter on the the Dig-Dug Dig-Dug machine in the the corner corner Seven 

Seven- 

Eleven, they flipped a switch inside it and sud- 

Eleven, they flipped a switch inside it and sud- 

30 COMPUTE! July1983 

July 1983 

Orson Scoll Scoft Cord. Card, COMPUTEI COMPUTE' Books Editor 

denly denly the the old old patterns patterns stopped stopped working. working. I stopped 

stopped 

getting 250,000 points a game - and the company 

started getting a lot more quarters. That's business. 

started getting a lot more quarters. That's business. 

But why do home games have to play that 

way? way? The The arcade arcade games games are are fun on on the the home home 

machine, at first. But they ca n get frustrating or 

machine, at first. But they can get frustrating or 

boring. After a a wwhile hil e I 1 begin not to care anymore 

whether I get above 70,000 on Celltipede. Centipede. I'm never 

going to "win," and I don' don'tt lose a a quarter wwhen hen I 

don't win. 

There's something worse than boredom. 

Something a little pernicious. Teenagers wwho ho 

come come to to my my house to to play my my games games have have a a grea greatt 

time. But when my four-year-old son and I sit 

down to to a a few few games games of of Salmoll Salmon Run or or Picnic PiCllic 

Paranoia, he almost almost always always ends up up in in tears. Not 

because I always always win win - I'm a a nicer nicer father father than than 

that - but because th the e maclline machine always always wins. He He 

doesn't'stand doesn't stand a a chance. He can never fini finish. sh. He 

can can never never accomplish accomplish anything. 

Why Why should should all all those those wonderful graphics, graphics, all all 

those those fantastic imaginary imaginary worlds, worlds, be be devoted devoted to to 

either frustrating my son or programming him 

either frustrating my son or programming him 

until he learns how to do his part perfectly? 

Because that's w hat all but three computer 

Because that's what all but three computer 

games I've tried end up doin doingg - programming the 

player. Rewarding and punishing me until I learn 

to to display display the the correct behaviors. What What are are the the 

arcade wizards, except human beings wwho ho have 

learned to obey obey the the demands demands of of a a computer 

computer 

program? 

Don't get me wrong. I still still love a a new new arcade 

arcade 

game. I'm in there flapping away at Joust, Jou st, making 

hamburgers hamburgers and and McMuffins with Burgertime, and and 

mastering the art art of swinging swinging on on chains chains and and ropes 

in Donkey DOllkey Kong KOllg Junior. junior. I'm I'm as as eager eager as as anyone anyone to to 

find out out what what the the next screen will look look like, to 

find out what the programmer has created in his 

find out what the programmer has created in his 

or or her her little little world. But it's still the programmer's

Broderbund 

fimERICfl S fflVORUE fftVORlrE 

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rurER 6AmES 

And for tor V1C-20 VIC-20 owners, too. tM. 

A.E.'" A.E. A runaway runaway best-seller best-seller for 

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Apple II II and and the the Atari Atan 400/800, is a 

winner for VIC-20. 

Giant robpt robot stingrays designed to 

fight pollution pollution have have run amok amok and and 

are are attacking attacking in in waves waves from the the sky. 

A.E.'" A.E. ("stingray" in Japanese) is a graphic 

masterpiece, with with screen screen after screen of 

spectacular 3-D effects. The arcade-style action is masterful too, as you launch 

your remotely-triggered missiles and detonate them precisely to coincide 

with with the the swooping, swooping, diving, constantly changing changing flight patterns of the the deadly deadly A.E.'s! 

A.E.'s! 

Ask your your nearest nearest Bl'IIIderbund Broderbund dealer dealer for a sneak preview of A_E_'" A.E. and our our 

other other VIC-20 VIC-20 games: Martian Martian Raider,'" Raider, MultH)ound Multi-Sound Synthesizer,'" Synthesizer, Seafox,'" 

Seafox, 

Shark lI'ap,TII Trap, and Sky Blazer_TIl 

Blazer. 

rbund Software 

Broderbund Software 1938 Fourth Street San Rafael, CA 94901 

Now Now for for the the Commodore Commodore 64 M 

CHOPLIFTER! CHOPLIFTERf'" It's the 

best selling game ever for the 

Apple. Apple. In In its its Atari Atari 400/800 400/800 

version, version, it zoomed zoomed to the top 

of of the the charts. charts. Now Now CHOP- CHOP 

LIFTER! LIFTER!'" is available available for 

the the Commodore Commodore 64. 64. 

Your Your challenge challenge is to to rescue rescue 

peace-conference peace-conference delegates 

held held hostage hostage behind behind enemy enemy 

lines. lines. Amid Amid heavy heavy fire from from 

tanks, tanks, missiles missiles and and planes, planes, you heroically heroically maneu maneu 

ver ver your your daredevil daredevil chopper. chopper. You'll You'll need need all all your your 

courage courage and and skill skill to to survive survive against treacherous 

odds. The The game's game's remarkable remarkable graphics graphics and realistic 

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joystick joystick control control won't won't tet let you you give give up. up. After After ail, world world 

peace peace rests rests in your your hands! 

Ask Ask your nearest Broderbund Brlilderbund dealer 

for a sneak preview of Choplifterl'" Choplifter! and our 

other other Commodore Commodore 64 64 games; David's David's 

Midnight Magic,' Magic," Seafox,'" Seafox, and and 

Serpentine. 

Serpentine.'" 

Alan. Apple. VfC-20. Commodore 64 and IBM PC. are registered 

trademarks ol Alan, Inc.. Apple Computer Inc.. Commodore 

Etecironjcs. Ltd.. arxt international Business Machines Corp. 

(cariridge versions shown

Design the best new MASH 

something money can't buy. 

p 

'

world, not not mine. 

Even the adventure games, both text and 

Even the adventure games, both text and 

graphics, usually boil down to puzzle-solving, 

out-guessing the programmer. 

out-guessing the programmer. 

But in the home, w here the family has un 

But in the home, where the family has un 

limited access access to the the computer, there there ca can n and and 

should be a different type of game. A different 

should be a different type of ga me. A different 

kind kind of play. play. 

What Is Really Fun? 

What Is Really Fun? 

I've I've noticed noticed a couple couple of impo important rtant things things in my my 

fam family. ily. First, about about myself. I al almost most never never stay stay up 

late late playing playing computer computer ga games. mes. But But I have been been 

known known to to stay stay up until until three three 0or1' four or six o'clock 

in the morning working working on a program. program. You mi might ght 

say say that, in a way, way, programming programming is much li like ke 

arcading: arcading: after all, BASIC is fo forcing rcing me me to react in 

certain patterns, and and I'm I'm only just now beginning beginning 

to learn wwhen hen to PEEK and when when to POKE. POKE. I have have 

been been trained, right? 

There There is is a a difference difference - all all the the difference in the the 

world world. . When I program, program, I ca cann save the result on 

something a lot more more permanent permanent than than a vanity 

board. board . And I'm I' m not just just charting charting through through someone 

someone 

else's else's program program - I'm I' m creating creating something something that never 

never 

ex existed isted before, before, at least least not in in th the e exact form form I'm 

giving it. When I'm I' m through, there's a lasting 

result. result. And And I ca cann take all the time in the world. world . I 1 

ca can n take take the time to do do it right. 

A second th thing in g I've I've noticed noti ced is the the way way my my 

chil children dren play play when they aren't nrell't using using the the co computer. mputer. 

They do like like a shoot- em-up em-up ga game me as much much as as 

other kids. kids. But But ga games mes like that are only a minority mino rity 

of the the things things they do. do. 

They also like li ke solving puzzles, puzzles, and spend 

much much more more time time doing doing mazes oorr putting putti ng together together 

picture picture puzzles puzzles than than they they ever ever spend spend on fast-action 

games. 

Most of all, all, though, though, their their playing playing time is spent 

making maki ng things things or pretending pretending things. things. They spend 

hours with wooden wooden or or plastic building building blocks, blocks, 

making making castles castles or spaceships spaceships or houses houses or 0 1' any 

thing thing they they can ca n imagine. imagine. They draw draw and and color, 

write write stories stories or 01' act out out plays, dress dress up up in in costumes costumes 

or 0 1' read aloud aloud from books books - whether w hether they under 

stand stand the the actual actu al words word s on the the page page or 0 1' not. 

In [n fact, they th ey do exactly what w hat I like li ke to do with 

the computer: compute r: create create their their own small world that 

works just the way way they they want it to work. work. They They 

don't want anyone to tell them that that they they can't ca n' t 

make a castle castl e that way, or to insist that six legs 

are are too many for a horse. "You " You made made your your twos 

backward," backward," we tell tell our our son, and and he looks at us 

impatiently and says, "Let " Let me do it my way." 

How many hundreds of dollars have we sunk 

into our home computer? We own it, don't don' t we? 

Why, then, do we have so so many programs that th at 

tell us 115 what w hat to do? Why can't my children childre n - or o r 

my wife and and I, for that matter - play games that 

3d 311 COMPUTE! COMPUTE! July 1983 

let us tell the COli/pli ler w hat to do, that let us create 

let us tell the computer what to do, that let us create 

something that wi will ll last, that let us use the magic 

of the computer to make things we coul could d never 

make before? 

make before? 

The Few Games That Work At Home 

The Few Games That Work At Home 

I've found three ga games mes that approach the sort of 

play that only the home computer can allow - 

games that are neither elaborate puzzles nor 

quarter-stealing pinballs. Gnlnhnd Galahad nlld ami Ihe the Holy Grni!. Grail. At first glance, this 

Ata Atari ri (APX) adventure ga game me looks pretty much 

like other other realtime graphics ad adventures. ventures. Only 

after you've played it awhile do you begin to 

rea realize li ze that this is the first ga game me to give you the 

freedom to play your own game. True, there are 

fast-moving knig knights hts and spiders and a persisten persistent, t, 

maddening maddening moth to kill you you when when your reflexes 

reflexes 

are too slow, and there are puzzles to solve. But 

there are no win conditions. The program never 

congratulates you and says, "That's it, you've 

solved solved it it all all." ." It's It's fun fun simply simply to to explore explore the the dozens 

dozens 

of of di different ffe rent rooms rooms and find out out wwhat hat secrets secrets they 

hold. hold . It's no coincidence that my son loves to play 

it, and has never found it fru frustrating, strating, though it is 

always cha challenging. llenging. 

Eastern Enslerll Front. Frolli. This APX game isn't for children, 

and and there there are are definite definite win conditions, conditions, but but it it 

is a war wa r game that gives you freedom to plan your 

own own moves, to develop your your own own strategy, strategy, and and 

there are hundreds and hundreds of possible possibl e 

ways ways to to play, pl ay, none of them " "wrong." wrong." Your Yo ur decisions 

are arc shaped by events, but the events do not 

control you any more than you control them. 

(AT {ATARI ARI Program Progrnll/ Exchange, Exchnllge, 155 Moffett Park Pnrk Drive, Orive, 

B-l, B-1 , P.O. Box427, Box 427, SlIlIlIyvnle, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.) 

Facemaker. Fncell/nker. It runs slowly, but but I find find that that my my 

son never gets impatient with the th e ga game me from Spinnaker. 

The choice of facial features is very limited, 

but the important important thing is the the way the the program 

and the child interact. It aallows ll ows a a child whose w hose 

drawings are are still very very primitive to make make faces faces 

that actually actually resemble resemble real faces, faces, and and program 

them to perform a series of actions. When my son 

plays with Facemaker, Fncemnker, he is creating crea ting something, 

and and doing things with it that could not possibly 

be done without the computer. (Spinnaker, (Spi ll linker, 215 1st lsi 

St., 51 ., Cambridge, Cnll/bridge, MA 02142.) 02142 .) 

The Five Types 

The Five Types 

There are probably other games ga mes that make use of 

the special advantages of the home computer, but 

the point is that they are distressingly rare. Most 

of the games coming out today are variations on 

the same sa me old themes: 

• Target Tnrget Shoot. The targets move, they dance, 

they are cute or they are menacing, but the game 

always consists of shooting them down. 

• Tag. Tng. The same old targets, but you have to

The Official 

The game that puts space games in 

perspective. Zaxxon "\ one of the most 

popular arcade games of 1982. is now avail 

able for use with your home computer 

system. 

Zaxxon" technology and creativity present 

a 3-dimensional-like playfield which sets 

Zaxxon "* apart from other computer games. 

Zaxxon " looks and sounds like aircraft 

flight, and players can soar to new levels of 

home computer entertainment. From the 

daring attack on the enemy's floating for 

tress and the blazing battle against the en 

emy's fighter fleet to the (inal showdown with 

the deadly armored robot, Zaxxon" chal 

lenges the skill and imagination ol every 

player at every level of skill. 

Imagine yourself the pilot, attacking the 

enemy fortress-climbing, diving, strafing to 

score points and extra fuel. The enemy 

fights back with a barrage of missiles and 

gunfire. Then you face a fleet of enemy fight 

*% 

ers in a gripping dogfight of altitude strategy 

;9V Chatsworth. CA91311 

and flying skill. Survive this battle and the 

enemy's fortress, defended with laser bar 

riers, then you've earned the ultimate chal ah 

lenge; a blazing confrontation with the pow 

erful robot, armed with a lethal homing 

missile. 

Zaxxon'" is the one game that you must see 

to believe. You have to play it to feel its im 

pact. If you're ready to face the challenge, 

check with your local software dealer or 

send check or money order with $2.00 post 

age handling. California residents add 

6Va% sales tax. Available on cassette or 

diskette. Suggested retail price S39.95. 

Available on Atarr 16K cassette, and 16 32K 

disk, Radio Shack' Color 32K cassette and 

disk. Apple' 48Kdisk. 

J X=2/ COMPUTER SOFTWARE 

|nl" 9421 Winnetka Avenue 

! (213)701-5161 

c.1982Datasofi" Inc. 

)W- Daiasofl' is a registered trademark ol Dalasofl Inc.' 

Sega' and Zaxxorr" ate registered trademarks of Sega Enterprises Inc.

catch them instead of shooting at them. 

• COlllil/g Coining al at YOI/. You. Tag, only they're trying to 

catch yOI/ you or shoot shoot yOI/, you, and you spend a lot of 

time time running and dodging. 

• Scralllble. You have to get from here to there, 

and there are things in th e way. 

• Maze. Like scramble, scramble, only only there there are several 

routes routes you you can fo follow, llow, and and you you have have to figure figure out 

the best best one. one. 

Have Have I mi missed ssed anything? anything? Even Even sports sports simulations, 

tions, li like ke the sports that that inspired them, them, are combinations 

binations of these these elements. Football Football is tag plus plus 

scramble - or coming coming at you, you, depending depending on 

whether whether you're you're playing playing offense offense or defense. 

Hockey is target shoot plus scramble. Baseball is 

• Scramble. You have to get from here to there, 

and there are things in the way. 

Hockey is target shoot plus scramble. Baseball is 

scramble, scramble, target shoot, shoot, and and tag. Lots of fun fun, , but but 

all these wonderful new games are just combina 

a ll these wonderful new games are just combinations 

tions of the same old old things. 

things. 

New, New, creative game elements are getting 

getting 

rarer. rarer. An arcade arcade game like Joust Joust, , wwhich hich really 

does introduce a whole new way to move a player 

on a screen, still turns into tag-plus-scramble once 

you master wing-flapping. Donkey Kong Junior Ju nior. 

has that wonderful wonderful swinging swinging motion and the dIf dif 

ference between two-handed two-handed and one-handed 

one-handed 

climbing, but but it's it's still a maze with with things coming 

at you. 

Wha Whatt else is there? 

does introduce a whole new way to move a player 

on a screen, still turns into tag-plus-scramble once 

Games That Let You Create 

Games That Let You Create 

What What I want to see are games that let let the the player player 

create things. BASIC and and LISP LISP and and PASCAL and 

PILOT all fit the bill - but but they they also require require mas mas 

tering tering some pretty pretty sophisticated concepts. They're They're 

fun, but but they they aren't exactly exactly play. What I would 

like like to see see is something as simple simple as as building with 

wooden blocks, while exploiting all all the strengths 

strengths 

of the the home home computer. 

And what w hat are are those those strengths? strengths? 

1. Till1e. Running out of quarters doesn't mean 

1. Time. Running out of quarters doesn't mean 

you you have have to to quit. quit. Nobody's Nobody's rushing rushing you to to finish. fini sh. 

You can think, instead of letting the computer 

Yo u ca n think, instead of letting the computer 

train train your your reflexes. reflexes. 

2. Permanence. Pel'll/al/ellee. You You can ca n save save the result resul t of of 

what you've done, change it, re-use it, limited 

what you've done, change it, re-use it, limited 

only by the number number of cassettes or or diskettes diskettes you 

have on hand. 

have on hand. 

3. World World creation. creatiol/ . You're manipulating manipulating num 

bers, bers, it's it's true; true; but the the result can can be visible visible and and 

audible, and it can move. You ca n create worlds 

audible, and it can move. You can create worlds 

the the way way fiction fi ction writers create create them, and and bring bring 

them to life as, until now, only movie-makers 

them to life as, until now, only movie-makers 

could. could . 

4. Individuality. II/dividuality. It's your computer. computer. Why 

shouldn't shouldn't the results of your your play, and and your your children's 

play, be uniquely your own? Why should 

dren's play, be uniquely your own? Why should 

the only difference difference between you and and any other 

player be your score? 

player be your score? 

36 COMPUTE! COMPUTE! July 1983 

Let's Design A Game 

Let's Design A Game 

It's easy to talk about this kind of ga game. me. It's only 

a li little ttle harder to design it. So I' I'll ll give you a detailed 

game design that you can program. But after after what 

I've said about individuality and creativity, th there's ere's 

no way I could provide you with a complete program 

listing. I' I'll ll just offer detailed documentation 

for the game, then a few hints on how to program 

it, and let you design the way the program works 

yourself. It It ca can n easily be executed in BASIC, 

though at some points you may be happier with 

machi machine ne language subroutines. 

(The documentation that follows is long and 

detailed, but when you're designing a computer 

ga game, me, it's usually a good id idea ea to figure out exactly 

wwhat hat the the player's ex experience perience of playing pl aying the the game 

will be like. This This is is especially true true if you aren't as 

conversant conversant with your programming language as 

you are with English. By writing out the instructions 

and rules first, as I have done here, you can 

save save yourself yourself debugging and revising revising time time later.) 

later.) 

Railroader 

Railroader 

You are building a network of railroads. When 

it's aall ll built, you control the switches and make 

your train run on the tracks wherever you want. 

The game, though simple enough for a preschooler 

to master, is really an introduction to 

programming. Model railroaders were designing 

loops and and branches branches long long before before electronic computers 

computers 

were a a twinkle twinkle in in Sperry-Rand's eye. eye. If the the player 

does not close all the loops and resolve all the 

branches, the program wwill ill provide aa few reminders. 

If the player still refuses to tie up loose 

ends, the program will will do it. it. 

And, for those who have the most fun playing 

cooperatively with someone else, the program 

allows two players to design railroads rail roads on the same 

screen, and and run their their trains at at once once (with some 

times times disastrous disastrous effects) effects). . 

The Track-Laying Stage 

The Track-Laying Stage 

"Railroader" begins begins by by announcing announcing its name and and 

finding out the answers to aa few questions. Do 

you want to to lay track track or or run a train on on an alreadycreated 

track layout? Will there be one or two 

players? Do you want to to lay lay track at the beginner 

or expert expert level? Do you want to save save the track 

layout you create, and if if you plan to save it in a 

disk file, what should the file be named? 

When you have made your selections and 

pressed START, the screen displays a list of 

instructions: 

"Use joystick and joystick button to lay 

track units." 

"Type 1 to go on to the next track unit." 

"Type 2 to choose which w hich railroad spur to 

complete."

"Type 3 when w hen your layout is iscomplete.At complete. At this this 

point, if you haven't brought every every spur spur back back 

to the main line, Railroader Rail roader will will do it for fo r you, 

and if you want wa nt to save the layout, Railroader Railroader 

will w ill save it." it. " 

"Press " Press any key or Or joystick button to begin." begin ." 

When you give the signal, a light light green screen 

appears. If there is one player, a single single orange orange 

square appears about one-quarter one-quarter of the the way in 

from the left on the bottom of the the screen. If there th ere 

are two players, a second square appears a quarter quarter 

of the way in from the right. These squares squares work 

like cursors - they mark the area where you are are 

laying track. 

Laying Simple Track Units 

Laying Simple Track Units 

(The Beginner Level) 

To lay track, track, use your your joystick. joystick. Push Push forward fo rward to to 

make a straight vertical vertica l track unit uni t appear appear in the the 

square. square. Push left for fo r a track track that that curves curves to to the the left, left, 

right ri ght fora for a track that curves curves to the th e right. right. If If you you 

change your mind, push a different d ifferent direction, d irecti on, 

and the track unit changes. changes. However, However, the the first first 

track unit uni t always starts at the th e bottom bottom center center of of the the 

square. 

These simple sim ple track units look like li ke this: 

put on a straight track, your square will appear 

just above it; if you curved left, le ft, your square will 

If you are playing alone, you may immediately 

lay the next unit of track; if there is another player, 

you must wait wa it your turn to lay track again; when w hen 

unit will begin where the old one left off. If you 

curved left before, befo re, your yo ur new track unit will start 

sor, like this: 

Cursor 

38 38 COMPUTE! COMPUTE! July July 1983 1983 

Y/////////////////A 

" 

n 

When you are satisfied with your choice, you 

reach over to the computer and type 1. Your square 

now moves to the blank area just beyond the end 

of the track unit you placed on the screen. If you 

put on a straight track, your square will appear 

appear to the th e left. 

If you are playin g alone, you may immedi ately 

the other player types ty pes 1, it will be your turn. 

The next time you lay track, your new track 

unit will begin w here the old one left off. If you 

in the middle of the right-hand edge of your cursor, 

like this: 

" 

'I 

Again, to to lay lay simple track units you have 

three choices. Let's Let's say that you curved left on 

your first track unit. Now if if yo youu push the joystick 

left, a straight straight horizontal track unit will appear. If 

you pull th the e joysti joystick ck toward you, the track wwill ill 

make another curve, this time downwa downward. rd. If you 

push the the joystick away fro from m you, the track unit 

will curve curve upward. 

With every every simple track unit you lay, the 

track will always begin where the last square left 

off, off, and and will end up up headin heading g in one of the three 

valid directi directions ons you you ca can n push the joystick. 

If you ca cause use the the track track to end end at the edge edge of 

the the screen, your cursor will appear at the opposite 

edge. This mea ns that track that ends on the left 

edge. This means that track that ends on the left 

side side of of the the screen screen is continued on the right side; 

track that ends at the top is continued at the 

track that ends at the top is continued at the 

bottom bottom. . 

Erasing. If If you want to go back and change 

the the last track unit you you completed, completed, push push the joystick 

joystick 

in the directi direction on of that track unit. Any track unit 

you you laid in the the new positio position n wi will ll be erased, and 

your cursor will move to the former square, wwhere here 

you you ca can n either lay a track segment or go still farther 

back, erasing each each track segment segment as you leave it 

behind behind. . Yo Youu may erase as many track units as 

you you like, li ke, or or stop at any pOint point and lay a new track 

segmen segment. t. But remember, remember, if you are playing with 

another another player, player, your turn ends wwhen hen you type l. 1. 

You ca cann erase as many units as you like, but you 

ca cann lay only only olle one track unit. 

Wil When ell Tracks TOllcil. Touch. At the beginner level, if 

you ca cause use the track to touch an existi existing ng track segment, 

either your own or the other player'S, player's, Railroader 

will automati cally crea te th e fo llowing 

roader will automatically create the following 

valid va lid pa patterns: tterns: 

Crossover Curved by-pass 

Crossover Curved by-pass 

At the beginner level, and w henever you are 

At the beginner level, and whenever you are 

touching the other player' player's s track units, you may 

not no t cause ca use the two tracks to join. If you are about 

to cross a curved track, you ca can n choose to curve 

only in the opposite directi direction. on. If you are about to 

cross a straight track, you ca n lay only a straight 

cross a straight track, you can lay only a straight 

track across it, not a curve that would join it. And 

if a new trac track k unit would ca cause use your track to run 

into the end of ano another ther player's spur, you will be 

allowed to lay only curved tracks that turn away 

from the other player's track:

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NEW PRODUCTS 

AT THE COMDEX/SPRING 

COMPUTER SHOW 

New products displayed at the Comdex/Spring confer 

ence, held in ill Atlanta Allania during lale late April, show a trend Ireud 

toward stilllllore still more home home cOIIIPuters, computers, lower-priced home home 

peripherals, and increasing support for the popular 

home computers already on the market. 

least a little) as new programs were introduced 

for for all the the popular popular home computers. computers. Most Most of of these 

these 

products should be on the market by the time this 

article appears. Here's a rundown: 

New Computers 

It's It's hard hard to imagine how how the the low-end home com 

puter puter market ca can n absorb absorb many many more machines, 

especially especially with with such such leadin leading g contenders contenders as as Commodore, 

Texas Instruments, Atari, and Tandy 

engaged in runaway price wars. But the home 

market is expanding expanding so so fast that that no one one wants to to 

be be left out, least of all the Japanese Japanese and and the the 

British British. . 

That's That's wwhy hy you you ca cann expect expect to to see see more more imports 

invading invading the the U.s. U.S. market. market. The The British success 

cess with with the the Timex/Sinciair Timex/Sinclair isn't easily easily ignored ignored. . 

42 A7 COMPUTE! July1Q83 

Ju1y1983 

NEW PRODUCTS 

New producls displayed allhe COllldexlSpriug confer 

home cOl1lputers already on the market. 

This year's Comdex/Spring show was more interesting 

esting than than most for for home compute computerists. rists. Known 

Known 

offi officially ciall y as as the the "National Spring Spring Conference Conference Exposition 

for Independent Sa Sales les OOrganizations," rganiza ti ons," 

Comdex is primarily primaril y a a show for com computer pu ter dealers, 

manufacturers, and businessmen. busi nessmen . Consequently, 

almost almost all all the the wares wares on on display display at this this large large show show 

are are for the th e more more expensive expensive personal and and business busin ess 

systems. 

systems. 

At the the show this this yea year, r, however, there there seemed 

to to be be more more than the the usual number of exhibitors 

displaying displaying products for fo r lower-priced home computers. 

Two Two new home computers were show shownn - 

both imports; several low-cost printers and other 

peripherals peripherals made made im impressive pressive appea appearances; rances; and and 

software software started ca catching tching up up with with ha hardware rdware (a (att 

least a little) as new programs were introduced 

article appears. Here's a rundown: 

New Computers 

Tom Tom R Halfhill, Halfhill, Features Features Editor 

Editor 

The newest British entry is the OOric-1, ric-l, man 

ufactured ufactured by by Oric O ric Products Products International Ltd., Ltd ., of 

Berkshi Berkshire, re, England. England. Reputedly Reputedly the the second second bestselling 

micro in Bri ta in and Europe (next to the 

selling micro in Britain and Europe (next to the 

Sinclair), Sinclair), the the Oric-l Oric-1 appears appears to be a a good computer 

computer 

in search of a good U.S. distributor. An Oric rep 

in search of a.good U.s. distributor. An Oric rep 

resentative resentati ve said the company ex experimented perimented with 

mail order order sales, sales, but but quit in favor favor of setting setting up up a a 

more more conventional distribution distribution network. OOric ri c 

hopes to have one in place by midsummer. 

The standard Oric-l Oric-1 incl includes: udes: 16K of Random 

Access Memory (RAM); a a 57-key keyboard, with 

moving moving keys arra arranged nged typewriter-style; typewriter-style; full repeat 

repeat 

on aall ll keys; keys; standard standard ASCII ASCII character character set with 

upper/lowercase; upperllowercase; 96 96 redefinablc redefinabl e characters; 16 

colors; colors; 40-column by by 28-row 28-row screen screen display display in in text 

mode; and a a 240- by 200-pixe 200-pixell high-resolution 

graphics mode. Fo r sound there is a three-channel 

graphics mode. For sound there is a three-channel 

sound synthesizer with a seven-octave range and 

programmable programmable envelopes, similar similar to the the Commodore 

dore 64, an an in internal ternal speaker, speaker, and and connections connections for for 

external speakers. 

speakers. 

A cassette cassette interface works at 300 baud or or a a 

very fast 2400 baud, and interfaces include a built 

very fast 2400 baud, and interfaces include a builtin 

Centronics-standard parallel para ll el printer interface; in terface; 

an an expansion expansion port fo forr RAM and and Read Read OOnly nly Memory 

(ROM) cartri,dges; and a Red-Green- Blue 

ory (ROM) cartridges; and a Red-Green-Blue 

(RGB) interface fo forr high- high-resolution resolu tion color color video 

video 

monitors. The built-in BASIC programming lan 

guage guage includes includes such such interesting interesting commands commands as as 

INK and PAPER (for color color control), control), DOUBLE, 

FLASH, FLASH, and and INVERSE INVERSE (for (for character character control), 

control), 

DRAW, CIRCLE, and PLOT (for graphics), and 

monitors. The built-in BASIC programming lan 

DRAW, CIRCLE, and PLOT (for graphics), and 

even even SOUND, MUSIC, PLAY, PLAY, PI PING, NG, SHOOT, 

SHOOT, 

EXPLO EXPLODE, DE, and ZAP (for (for sound control). 

control). 

The Central Processing Unit (C PU) is the 

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the 

6502A 6502A microprocessor, microprocessor, basically basica lly the the same same chip chip 

found fo und in Apple, Atari Atari, , and Commodore com 

puters. While this doesn't mea n the Oric-l is 

puters. While this doesn't mean the Oric-l is

compatible with these computers, it does mean mea n 

that machine language programmers could adjust 

to it fairly fairl y easily. 

The standard Oric-1 will sell for about $120 in 

U.S. U.s. funds. For about $240, there's a 64K RAM 

version with 16K of overlaid ROM, similar in arrangement 

to the Commodore 64. 

Oric also makes a full line of peripherals for 

the Oric-1. At Comdex, Oric was showing prototypes 

of a microfloppy mi crofloppy disk drive using the 

Hitachi 3-inch disks. The microfloppy is expected 

to sell for about $240. 

If Oric succeeds in setting up a good U.S. 

distribution network, the Oric-l Oric-1 could prove competitive 

in this country, especially if its overseas 

software base is also brought to America. 

The Japanese Sord 

The Japanese Sord 

Of course, the Japanese aren't aren't standing idly by, 

either. Their newest export to the U.S. U.s. is the Sord 

M5, a $199 computer with impressive graphics graphics 

and three different plug-in BASICs. The M5 is 

made by Sord Computer Systems, the fastestgrowinggrowing 

microcomputer company in Japan. 

Founded in 1970 with $2500 by 26-year-old 

Takayoshi Takayoshi Shiina, Sord now commands about 15 

percent of the the Japanese business microcomputer 

market. Sord Sord is exporting a a line of of high-end personal 

and business computers to the U.S., and 

the M5 is its first home computer. 

The The M5 M5 will wi ll be be sold in two two different different config 

urations: urations: the the M5 M5 Fun Fun Computer and and the the M5 Multi- Multi 

Computer. Computer. The The basic specifications are are the the same: 

20K of RAM expandable to 32K (although 16K is is 

used for the the screen); 8K 8K of of ROM with aa machine machine 

language monitor; 16 colors; a 55-key keyboard 

with moving moving rubber rubber keys; keys; upper/lowercase and and 

graphics graphics characters; characters; a a flip-up top top that that conceals a a 

cartridge slot slot for for games, games, programming languages, 

and and other plug-in plug-in "firmware"; built-in built-in Centronicsstandardstandard 

parallel printer interface; cassette 

interface for standard tape recorders; sound generator; 

Z80A CPU; and a Texas Instruments video 

chip chip which w hich all allows ows up to to 32 sprites sprites (screen objects 

objects 

which which ca cann be crea created ted and and animated animated by your your own 

programs). 

The The two two packages packages do vary, vary, however, in terms 

terms 

of of included accessori accessories. es. The The M5 M5 can accept accept any of of 

three three BASIC language language cartridges cartridges - BASIC-I (Introductory), 

BASIC-G BAS IC-G (Graphics), and BASIC-F 

BASIC-F 

(Floating Point). BASIC-I is for beginners and 

children, children, BASIC-G is for general genera! home home use use and 

graphics programming, and BASIC-F is a fullfledged 

floating-point BASIC for business, business, 

science, and math applications. The M5 Fun Computer 

co comes mes with BASIC-I and a a game cartridge. 

The M5 Multi-Computer comes with BASIC-G, 

an interesting dialect with special commands for 

the graphics and sprites sprites. . The Multi-Computer 

.46 46 COMPUTE! July 1983 

also has a carrying carrying case and the FALC FALC cartridge, ca rtridge, a 

home data base program adapted from Sord's Sord's 

business software. software. 

The M5 will be distributed distributed through local 

dealers dealers by Sord Computer Computer of America, America, New 

York. 

The Gorilla Banana 

The Gorilla Banana 

When personal computers computers cost $1000 or more, it 

seemed seemed reasonable reasonable that printers sold for around around 

$500 or $600. But now that full-featured full -fea tured home 

computers computers are widely available available for under $100, 

the same printers printers can seem disproportionately 

disproportionately 

expensive. That's why manufacturers are rushing 

to produce produce printers (and (and other peripherals) peripherals) that 

are priced for for the hundreds of thousands thousa nds of 

people peopl e who are are buying bllying inexpensive inex pensive mass-market 

mass-market 

computers. computers. 

The Tlte Gorilla Gorilla Banana 8allalla is the tlte first ill in a new lIew line lille of low-cost low-cost 

peripherals periplterals from frolll Leading Leadillg Edge. Edge. 

Several Several new new low-cost low-cost printers printers were were seen at 

Comdex. Comdex. Probably Probably the one which w hich attracted the the 

most most attention attention was was the the Gorilla Gorilla Banana, Banana, the the first first in 

an upcoming upcoming line line of of low-cost peripherals peripherals from from 

Leading Edge Products, Inc., of of Canton, Canton, Massachusetts 

(best-known for for Elephant Elephant Memory Memory 

disks). disks). Due this summer at $249.95, S249.95, the Banana Ba nana is 

an an SO-column, 80-column, tractor-feed, tractor-feed, unidirectional, unidirec tional, dotdotmatrix printer printer ca capable pable of 50 characters per per second. 

It has four character character sets sets (U.s., (U.S., British, Swedish, 

and German), a double-width print print mode, and 

upper/lowercase (although without true descenders). 

ders). There's also a dot-addressabl dot-addressablee graphics 

mode mode with a a density of of 63 63 x 60 60 dots dots per in inch. ch . 

Th", The Ba Banana nana attaches directly to any computer 

with with a Centro Centronics-standard nics-standard parallel parallel printer printer interface. 

Computers Computers without a parallel parallel port port wi will ll need need 

an interface interface at extra cost. cost. An interface interface for Commodore 

64 and and VIC-20 computers wi will ll be be available 

for $29.95, $29.95, and and an optional cartridge for the sa same me 

price price wi will ll allow allow the the Banana to to print the special 

Commodore Commodore graphics graphics characters. 

characters. 

Another interesting SO-column 80-column dot-matrix 

dot-matrix 

printer printer is is the the STX-80 from Star Micronics, Inc. Inc., , of 

Da Dallas, llas, Texas. Texas. Suggested retail retail is $199. Although 

Although 

the the STX-SO STX-80 is a thermal printer printer- - it uses uses a special 

print head and heat-sensi tive paper to form its 

print head and heat-sensitive paper to form its 

type type instead of an inked inked ribbon ribbon - you you wouldn't

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guess guess it it from fro m the printouts. The The thermal paper paper 

looks and and fee feels ls much like li ke standard ty typing ping paper. 

Unlike Unlike most thermal paper, paper, which which is silver, silver, this 

paper is white with crisp black lettering. The STX- 

80 is a a unidirectional unidirec ti onal printer that works at 60 

characters per second, has upper/lowercase with 

true true descenders, descenders, a a double-width double-width text mode, block 

graphics graphics characters, characters, Europea Europeann characters, characters, a dotdotaddressableaddressable graphics graphics mode, and and a a Cenh'onics 

Centronics 

parallel interface. interface . 

Star Star Micronics Miconics also also ooffers ffers a a 40-column, inked 

ribbon, dot-matri dot-matrixx printer printer for $250. The The DP-8240 

DP-8240 

prints prin ts at 50 characters characters per per second, has friction or or 

tractor tractor feed, upper/lowercase upperllowercase without true true 

descenders, graphics characters, scientific and 

descenders, graphics characters, scientific and 

European chara characters, cters, and a a dot-add dot-addressable ressable 

graphics graphics mode. 

The The lowest-priced printer printer exhibited was was the the 

$129.99 $129.99 Impact Impact Printer Printer from Fidelity Electronics, 

Electronics, 

Ltd., of Miami, Florida. The Impact Printer works 

with the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 with no ad 

with the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 with no ad 

ditional interface. Printing at 30 characters per 

second, it it has a a 24-column line line and and uses uses standard 

adding adding machine machine roll roll paper. Other Other features include 

include 

upper/lowercase, upper/lowercase, graphics graphics characters, characters, inverse 

inverse 

characters, characters, and dot-addressable dot-addressable graphics. 

Custom Joysticks 

Custom Joysticks 

Since the " "feel" feel" of a a joystick is highly subjective, 

many inde independent pendent companies companies are are introducing 

"custom" joysticks fo forr those who dislike the standard 

models models (for an an overview of custom ga game me 

controllers, see "The Joy joy Of Joysticks," joysticks," COM COM 

PUTE!, February 1983) 1983). . A few more new joysticks 

surfaced surfaced at at Comdex Comdex. . 

Suncom, Inc., of Norlhbrook, Northbrook, Illinois, makers 

of the the Slik Slik Stik Stik and Starfighter joysticks for for Ataricompatiblecompatible 

computers, computers, came came out out with a a Starfighter 

Starfighter 

model for the the Apple. The The Starfighter Starfighter is about about the the 

sa same me size size and and shape shape as as a a standard Ata Atari ri joystick, 

but but with with comfortably comfortably rounded edges. Overall, Overall, it's 

a luxurious luxurio us controller with right- and left-handed 

fire buttons; an an alternate alternate fire button button for for games 

games 

that require two buttons; a centering adjustment 

to fine-tune fin e-tune the the stick's stick's neutral position position to each 

Apple; Apple; a a switch switch to to select select either either a a long or or short 

throw throw of of the the stick; and and a a high-low high-low sensitivity 

sensitivity 

switch switch to to further tune tune the the stick's stick's response. response. Also, 

Suncom guarantees guarantees the the Starfighter Starfighter for two two years. 

Suggested retail retail is $49.95 for for the the Apple Apple lIe He version 

version 

(a (a $5.95 adapter adapter is needed for for the the Apple Apple lUll II/II +). +). 

Suncom also introduced two new controllers 

for Atari-compatible machines (Atari 400/800/ 

1200XL, 1200XL, Commodore Commodore 64 64 and and VIC-20, VIC-20, Atari Atari VCS VCS 

2600, 2600, Sears Sears Telegame). Telegame). The The most unique unique is is the the 

Joy-Sensor, joy-Sensor, a a sstickless ti ckless joystick. The The Joy-Sensor joy-Sensor is 

a a hand-holdable hand-holdable box box with with a a flat disc disc where the 

stick stick should should be. Instead Instead of flexing flexing a a stick, stick, you 

rock the disc. disc. It It lists for $34.95. 

48 COMPUTE! Ju1y1983 

July 1983 

Suncom's Suncom's other other new joystick joystick is the the TAC-2 

(Totally Accurate Controller). This looks like an 

(Totally Accurate Controller). This looks like an 

adaptation of the Starfighter, with the add addition ition of 

a longer, ball-tipped stick, and both right- and 

a longer, ball-tipped stick, and both right- and 

left-handed fire buttons. The TAC-2 is guaranteed 

for for two two yea years rs and lists lists for for $19.95 $19.95. . 

For users of Texas Instruments computers, 

Suncom introduced a a $12.95 adapter adapter so so that that Ataristylestyle 

joysticks will work on the the TI-99/4A, TI-99/4A, and a a 

$l3.95 $13.95 dual cassette recorder adapter. 

Since Since the the "feel" "feel" of of a joystick joystick 

is is highly highly subjective, subjective, many many 

independent companies are 

independent companies are 

introducing introducing "custom" "custom" joysticks joysticks 

for those who dislike the 

standard models. 

standard models. 

Two Two new new joysticks joysticks were also introduced by 

the the Kraft Kraft Systems Systems Company Company of of Vista, Vista, Ca California. li fo rnia. 

The The Kraft Kraft Joystick joystick is is a a lightweight lightweight Atari-compatible 

controller controller with with an an unusually short, flexible fl exibl e sstick tick 

designed designed for for fi fingertip ngertip acti action. on . It incl includes udes an an extralong 

eight-foot cord, a a one-yea one-yearr warranty, warra nty, and 

retails for $16.95. Another joystick, joys tick, the Switch 

Switch- 

Hitter, has two two fire fire buttons buttons for for use by right- right- or 

left-handed left-handed players. Otherwise Otherwise identical to to the the 

Kraft Joystick, joysti ck, it it retails retails for for $19.95 $19.95. . 

Accessories And Peripherals 

Accessories And Peripherals 

Numerous other add-ons were introduced at 

Comdex/Spring, too. Here are some wwhich hich deserve 

special note: 

• A low-cost modem modem for for the the Apple. The The $119 

Networker Networker modem, by by Zoom Zoom Telephonics, Telephonies, of of 

Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, plugs plugs into into a a single single ex expan pansion 

sion slot slot and and requires requires no other other connecti connections ons or or 

external power source. It's a 300-baud directconnect 

modem modem that hooks hooks up up to to any any modular 

modular 

phone jack. It It has an originate/answer originate/answer switch, a a 

carrier carrier detection detection LED, and and is is compatible compatible with with any any 

standard standard telecommunications software software. . For For$169, $169, 

the Networker comes with Nettnaster, Ne ill/aster, a terminal 

program with with upload/download, upload/download, and and a a 40K 40K text 

buffer buffer (on (on a a 64K 64K system). 

• Plug-in Plug-in boards boards for Commodore Commodore and and Texas 

Texas 

Instruments Instruments computers computers. . Microtek, Microtek, Inc., Inc., of San San 

Diego, Diego, California, California, introduced introduced a a $299 $299 64 64K K memory 

board board fo forr the the TJ-99/4A TI-99/4A which fits fits into the the expansion 

sion box. bo?,. A A 32K board also also is is planned. planned . For For the the 

VIC-20," VIC-20, Microtek introduced VIGOR (VIe's (VIC's Grand

OOld ld RAM-cage). This is a $39.95, three-slot expansion 

board. For both the VIC and Commodore 

64, 64, there's there's the CC-2064, CC-2064, a a $70 interface interface cable cable which which 

aallows llows the computers to drive parallel printers. 

• New disk drive drive for Atari. Ata ri . The The Rana 1000 1000 

Atari-compatible Ata ri-compatible disk disk drive, drive, by Rana Systems, Systems, of 

Carson, Ca California, lifornia, also was shown at the West 

Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco a few 

weeks before Comdex/Spring. Due Due on on the the market 

market 

this summer, the Rana 1000 is switchable single/ 

double double density density and will will retail for for $449 $449 ($49 ($49 ex extra tra 

for the the double-density double-density Disk Operating Operating System) System). . 

Tile The Rana Raila 1000 1000 disk disk drive for Atari offers single sillgle alld mid dOl/ble 

double 

dellsity density for $449. 

$449. 

It It has has some some unique features features not not found on on other 

other 

drives: a a write-protect button, button, a a unit unit 10 ID button 

(which (which tells tells you you th the e drive's drive's position in the the daisy 

daisy 

chain if you you have several), an an error error button (which 

(which 

returns an error code), and a a button wwhich hich lets 

you know wwhich hich track the head is reading or 

writing. What's What's more, more, the drive drive runs runs very quietly 

quietly 

and is onl onlyy about a a third the size of a a standard 

Atari drive. 

• Network letwork systems systems for Atari. These These systems 

systems 

look like they'd be ideal for classrooms, computer 

look like they'd be ideal for classrooms, computer 

camps, and even users groups. With the Quick 

Share, you ca n hook up to four Atari computers 

Share, you can hook up to four Atari computers 

to a a single ddisk isk drive, 850 Interface Module, and 

printer. The Quick Share continuously scans the 

four fo ur computers computers for input/output commands commands and and 

lets them access the devices on aa first-come, firstserved 

basis. Four blinking LEOs LEDs let users know 

when when the the devices devices are are busy. It It costs costs $595 $595 and is is 

available from Wolsten's Computer Devices, Inc., 

of East Orange, New Jersey. The company also 

of East Orange, New Jersey. The company also 

introduced introduced a a similar, but but larger larger system system primarily primarily 

for classroom use. Called the Network 216 and 

for classroom use. Call ed the Network 216 and 

Monitor 16, 16, it it allows allows up up to 16 Ataris Ataris to to connect to 

a single drive and printer. In addition, the master 

a single drive and printer. In addition, the master 

sta station ti on hooks up to a a TV so the operator can see 

what's happening on any one of the 16 computer 

what's happening on anyone of the 16 computer 

monitors. A A headset headset with with a a microphone microphone plugs 

into into the the station station so so the the operator operator ca can n converse converse privately 

with any of the 16 students (the operator's 

vately with any of the 16 students (the operator's 

voice comes through the TV speaker). This looks 

like a great way for teachers to make sure their 

like a great way for teachers to make sure their 

50 50 COMPun! COMPUTE! July July 1983 1983 

students students aren't aren't playing playing Centipedes on on the the sly. sly. It 

wwill ill sell for $1995, cabl cables es extra extra. . 

• Supermother Supermother fo forr VIC-20. What's What's a a Supe Superrmother? 

It It appears appears to to be be the the largest expansion 

expansion 

board board available available for the the VIC. This This huge board boa rd has has 

eight switch-selectable slots for memory and program 

gram cartridges, cartridges, a a system reset button, a a pause 

button button that that freezes freezes games games or or other other programs, programs, and and 

a a switch switch that lets you back up up cartridges cartridges on on ta tape pe 

or or disk. It It retails for $149.95, $149.95, fro from m Compuscope, 

Compuscope, 

Inc., of Tillamook, OOregon. regon. 

Educational Software 

Educational Software 

Now that that more schools schools are are acquiring acquiring computers 

computers 

for their students, and more parents are buying 

home home computers for their their children, the the demand 

demand 

for good educati educational onal software is becoming almost 

unquenchable. Fortunately, some compani companies es 

with with background in other other educa educational ti onal fields are are 

starting to get involved in software. 

Among Among these these is is Scholastic, Inc., Inc., of Englewood 

Englewood 

Cliffs, Cliffs, New New Jersey. Remember Remember the the Weekly Render? Reader? 

Scholastic Scholastic is now introducing Wizware, Wizware, a a line line of 

programs for Apple, VIC-20, Ata Atari, ri , and Texas 

Instruments In struments computers. The first samples are 

entertaining and colorfu colorfull and make good use of 

each each computer's computer's special features. Among Among the the interesting 

teresting programs at at the the show show were were Turtle Tracks, 

Tracks, 

which uses turtle graphics to teach programming 

by by crea creating ting drawings drawings and and songs; songs; Th Thee Sql/are Square Pairs, 

a a memory game; and YOUr Your COlllputer, Computer, a a how-to 

introduction introduction to to computers with a a robot robot narrator. 

narrator. 

Another Another line line of educational educational software software was was 

displayed displayed by by Edu-Ware Edu-Ware Services, Services, Inc., of of Agoura 

Agoura 

Hills, Hills, Califo California. rnia. Most Most were were for the the Apple, with with a a 

few for the the Atari. Ranging from preschool prescbool to college 

lege level, the programs programs cover cover basic math, algebra, 

spelling, spelling, reading, reading, perception, and SA SAT/PSAT TIPSA T 

preparation. One of of the most most interesting packages 

was Hands On BASIC Programming, an introduction 

to Applesoft Applesoft BASIC BASIC with with additional additional instruction 

instruction 

on on more more advanced advanced BASICs. BASICs. It includes a a 185-page 

185-page 

manual and two disks of sample programs. 

Microfloppy Update 

Microfloppy Update 

More More shots were fired fired during during the the show show in in the 

continuing continuing microfloppy microfloppy wars (see (see "Mass " Mass Memory 

Memory 

Now And And In In The The Future," Future," COMPUTE!, March 

1983). 1983). Since Since nobody has agreed yet yet wwhether hether to 

adopt adopt the the 3-inch, 3-inch, 3V4-inch, 3V4-inch, or or 33Vi- inch standard, 

everyone seems to be going their own way. 

Thus Verbatim Corp. of Sunnyvale, Califor 

nia, widely known for its larger diskettes, unveiled 

a prototype of a 3V2-inch microfloppy disk. The 

3V2-inch size is backed by Sony, and Verbatim's 

microfloppy will be manufactured under license 

from Sony. However, Verbatim is varying a bit 

even from Sony's standard in order to conform 

with recommendations of the Microfloppy In- 

1 /2- inch standard, 

everyone seems to be going their own way. 

Thus Verbatim Corp. of Sunnyvale, Ca lifornia, 

widely known for its larger diskettes, unveiled 

a prototype of a 3V2-inch microfloppy disk. The 

3 1 /2-inch size is backed by Sony, and Verbatim's 

microfloppy w ill be manufactured under lice nse 

from Sony. However, Verbatim is varying a bit 

even from Sony's standard in order to conform 

with recommendations of the Microfl oppy In-

1 

I 

1 

- ■ ■ ■:!■■ ■:..-■ \j»^r [ 

w 

SPRITE MASTER" is nor jus: another sprite editor for the Commodore 64' 

computer. 

It's the finest utility available for multicolor sprite animation and eame 

programming. 

It will have you making full color animated objects in just minutes. People running. 

birds flying or tanks rolling are a snap with Spri:cmaster. 

It's a cartoon maker for children. 

It will automatically append your sprites to other programs. 

It's easy to use and understand and comes with a tull 21 pdge instruction manual 

and samples of animated sprites to get wou started. (Suggested retail price....$35.95) 

1 

Push your Commodore 64' to the limit'! 

NEUTRAL ZONE"1 lakes you to the outer edges o! the tsilaxy. to AU'H 

Lofag rang: early warning stanon whose mission is to deKct alien intruders Irom 

other ataxies. You are assigned to one of the perimeter «unnerv pods. 

THIS IS NO-MAN'S LAND THE NEUTRAL ZONE. . 

NEUTRAL ZONE'V :s the ultimate in hiî resolution, thst action, arcade qiulitv 

games. It is written in !&>?• machine bnguage and features smooth JcrolBnjj of the 

360 d«cree p.inorama. All action is in 3-D. high res, faU DdUm graphics with 

fantastic sound ertects. The realism is unbelievable. I Suggested tetail 

price...5 34.95) 

SPR1TEMASTER"* AND NEUTRAL ZONE"- ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL COMMODORE DEALER ON EITHER DISK OR TAPE. 

ACCESS SOFTWARE INC 

925 EAST 900 SOUTH, SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH 84105, TELEPHONE (801) 53M1H 

*Commodi.ire64»1»rrwnereJ trademark at I'onmiivkirefluiineM Machines. Inc.

DYNAMIC PRINTER INTERFACES 

for the VIC 20s and the COMMODORE 64 

UNLIKE ANY OTHERS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE 

Its not quick or easy to do things right!! After 8 long months of research and development; RAKWare, TYMAC CONTROLS COUP, and MICRO-WARE OX have 

brought the world better parallel interfaces. Better because they both have the ability to provide TRUE EMULATION of the Commodore* printer. Thafs right!! 

Graphic Characters, tabbing. Dot Graphics, and the other features. A formidable task that was finally accomplished. 

THE CONNECTION " — The Ultimate Parallel interface for the VIC 20or Commodore 64. This fully intelligent interface plugs into 

the disk (serial) socket just like the standard printer. It can easily he assigned any device number and it will provide virtually 

TOTAL EMULATION of the Commodore printer. Using the latest technology, this interface will display the full GRAPHIC 

CHARACTERS or convert them to their equivalent representations in clear text It supports all of the standard commands (OPEN, 

PRINT#, and CLOSE), Column tabbing, dot tabbing, graphic repeat,^ addressable graphics, and the other features of the 

Commodore® Printer. Software designed to operate with the Commodore - Printer will operate using "THE CONNECTION®." 

Beside this, a 2K buffer has been provided, a full printer self test, LED Status indicators, Printer Reset switch, skip over perf, 

margin set and programmable line length. This interface is printer specific to take advantage off the special features of your 

printer. In the standard mode (non-graphics), it is designed to interface virtually any parallel printer with a standard Centronics 

configuration and connector. Specify your printer when ordering. Additional ROM's may be rchased for other printer 

applications ... All this for $119.00 

DISTRIBUTING INC. 

1342 B Rt. 23, 

Butler, NJ 07405 

201-838-9027 

BUFFERED PARALLEL CABLE & DRIVER - A parallel interface for the 

budget minded. This interface plugs into the USER-port and comes with an 

extensive manual with driver listings for the VIC 20" and the Commodore 

64®. It can be used with virtually any printer that has a standard 

Centronics type configuration and connection. Fully buffered for maximum 

protection of your computer ONLY $24.95 Add "CABLE BRAINS" cartridge 

for the VIC 20 (diskette for the 64) and get a full Graphic Emulation Driver 

With this package you can print all of the Graphic Characters tfc 

computer has plus EMULATE the Commodore" printer. This p 

printer specific to take full advantage of your printer. Availabl 

/ graphic matrix printers

Call Ca II or write 

payments 

by VISA, 

MASTERCARD 

or BANK 

TRANSFER. 

Mail orders 

Mailorders 

also by 

certified 

check, etc. 

check, etc. 

RTC 

Many more 645 

Many more 64s 

, ■.■■■■■.■.■■■■'■wm , . I 

II I I I I I I L J 1 

'j'L'.'.|.rr 

UUUUI 

¥tr 

I, :' 

ffffi 

'.'■''"■ K ' ' 

Spooling 

to to 

Printer 

I 

10610 BAYVIEW (Bayview Plaza) 

RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO, CANADA L4C 3N8 

(416)884-4165 

(416) 884-4165 

C64-LINK© 

Cartridge 

Expansion Slot 

C64-LINK 

C64-LINK 

VL 16 

VL16 

(future) 

Cartridge 

M Mother other Board 

CP/M 

POWER 

And 

PAL® 

Other 

Cartridges 

The Smart 64 RTC 

Audio 

Serial 

I/O 1/0 

Switch RF AF Video Port 

IEEE Disks 

(2031) (4040) 

(8050) (8250) 

(9090) (9090 ) 

IEEE Printers 

IEEE Printers 

(4022) (8023) 

(8300) 

etc . 

IEEE'oParallel 

lEEEtoParallel 

Interface 

Paraliel 

Parallel 

Devices 

Devices 

Serial 

Give These 

Capabilities 

Contact your local Conunodore Dealer or RTC. 

Contact your local Commodore Dealer or RTC. 

Cassette Port 

Tape 

1541 Drive Drive 

And And 

1525 Printer 

or 1515 Printer 

IEEE to to Serial 

Interface 

True Serial 

Devices 

Devices 

Expanded 

To Your 64 

Give These Expanded 

Capabilities To Your 64 

Users Port 

V I C Modem 

or VL3 Cable 

to to Paraliel 

Parallel 

Printer 

or or VL4 VL4 Cable Cable 

to to Standard 

Standard 

Modem 

M odem 

* The ability to transfer data from any type of device to another (I (IEEE, EEE, Serial, 

Parallel) 

* ■*■ BASIC 4.0 which allows you to run mora more PET BASIC programs and gives you 

extended disk and II/O f 0 commands. 

* if The ability to have several 645 64s on line together - sharing co common mmon IEEE 

devices such as disks or printers with Spooling Capability Capability. . 

* ■*• Built-In Built-in machine language monitor 

* if A built-in terminal or modem program which allows the system to communicate 

through a modem to many bulletin board systems and other computer 

mainframes. 

* Compatibility with CP/M. Copyrights C o py r Igh tsand a ndTrademarks T radema r ks 

C64 Is isa a copyright of Commodore Business Machines, 

Inc. C64·LlNK C64-LINK Is is a copyright of of Richvale Telecommunications. 

CP/ CP/M M Is is a registered trademark of of 

Digital Research. POWER Is is a trademark of of Professional 

Software. Software. PAL Is is a copyright of of Brad 

Templeton Templeton. .

In "Goblin" (for the the unexpanded unexpnnded VIC, 64, Atari, Atm'i, TI, 77, 

nlld and Apple) GUstoln custom chamcters characters are used to create a simple sirn ple 

yet enterta entertaining inillg game. The object object is to capture the 

scowling creatures with your goblin w/lile while avoiding the 

many block-shaped obstacles that lie in your path. path . 

After obstacles and sad faces have been 

positioned, positioned, "Goblin" begins begins when the the main main ch char aracter 

acter appears appears at at the the bottom of the the screen. As As the the 

game game progresses, progresses, the gobli'i goblin moves moves continually 

upward and and the the player player controls controls only only its its horizontal 

movement movement. The " "O" 0" and " "P" P" keys, in conjunction 

with the GET GET command in in line line 260, 260, enable enable the the 

player to to move the the goblin left left and and right, right, respectively. 

Children Children especially especially like li ke the the cumulative 

cumulative 

effect effect of of the the GET GET statement; they they make rapid key 

punches and then wait for the delayed effects. 

As As each each sad sad face is captured captured by the the goblin, 

the score score is is updated and and printed printed at at the the upper left. left 

If If the the goblin goblin successfully clears clears the screen of of all 

the the faces, faces, an an entirely entirely new new playfield will be provided. 

vided. A game game lasts lasts as as long long as as you you wish. 

A si ngle round ends when the goblin crashes 

A single round ends when the goblin crashes 

into an obstacle. At this point, the remaining sad 

faces faces smile, smile, and you are are asked if you you wish wish to to play play 

again. If you don't, it is probably best to respond 

again. If you don't, it is probably best to respond 

by by typing typing "N" "N" so so that full memory memory is restored to to 

the VIC VIC. 

On the the other other hand, if you you play play again, again, your your 

previous highest score score wwill ill be be posted as as the new 

game game begins. begins. The The incentive incentive to to exceed a a record 

record 

score score makes makes any any game game more more fun. 

Chasing goblins goblills on the the VIC-20 V1C-20 version of of GoblilL 

Goblin. 

64 COMPUTE! Juty July 1Q83 1983 

GOBLIN 

Don Dan Goff Goff 

64, AfARl, AtAR!, TI-99/4A 

TI-99/4A 

And Apple Version 

Notes 

And Apple Version 

Notes 

The The 64, 64, Atari, Atari, TI-99/4A, TI-99/4A, and Apple Apple versions 

versions 

of of Goblin Goblin are are almost almost identical identical to to the the VIC version. 

Minor differences do exist, however, in 

sion. Minor differences do exist, however, in 

the Atari and Apple versions. 

The Atari version uses the " + " and "*" 

The Atari version uses the " + " and "*" 

keys keys to to control control left and and right right movement movement of of 

the the goblin. goblin. The The Apple Apple uses the the left left and and right 

right 

arrow keys. 

arrow keys. 

The The Apple version requires that that you you 

have a a disk disk drive drive with with the the DOS DOS Tool Kit disk disk 

in the drive when the program is run. This 

version defines certain certain characters using the the 

program program " "Animatrix" Ani matrix" from this disk. disk. As As 

Goblin is run, these custom characters are 

placed in memory as shapes and are later 

drawn on the high-resolution graphics 

drawn on the high-resolution graphics 

screen. When the game begins, they are 

screen. When the game begins, they are 

simultaneously POKEd into the areas of 

memory associated with the text and the 

high-resolution graphics screens. So, al 

high-resolution graphics screens. So, although 

though you you see see these these redefined cJ1aracters 

characters 

on the the high-resolution high-resolution page, collision detection 

is is actually carried carried out out by by PEEKing PEEKing text 

screen memory. 

memory. 

Goblill Goblin all on the Commodore 64.

WE STICK OUR G 

THESUND

RAPHKS WHERE 

"far more graphic than any depiction 

You'll never see Infocom's graphics on 

You'll never see Infocoms graphics on 

any computer screen. Because there's 

never been a computer built by man 

that could handle the images we produce. 

And, there never will be. 

We draw our graphics from the limit 

less imagery of your imagination—a 

imagination-a 

technology so powerful, it makes 

any picture that's ever come 

out out of a screen look like 

graffiti graffiti by comparison. compalison. 

And And nobody knows how 

to unleash your imag 

ination ination like Infocom. [nfocom. 

Through Through our our prose, 

your imagination 

makes you you part of of 

our our stories, in in con 

trol trol of of what what you do 

and where you you goyetyet 

unable to predict 

or control control the the 

course course of of events. 

You're You're confronted 

with with situations and alld 

logical logical puzzles puzzles the like like 

of of which which you you won't find 

elsewhere. elsewtiere. And And you're you're immersed 

mersed in rich rich environments environments alive 

alive 

with personalities personalities as as real as as any any 

you'll meet in the flesh- flesh—yet yet all the 

more more vivid vivid because because they're they're perceived 

directly directly by your your mind's eye, eye, not not 

through your external senses. The 

method to to this this magic? magic? We've We've found 

the way to plug our prose right into 

your psyche, and catapult you into a a 

whole new dimension. 

Take some some tough critics' words 

words 

about about our words. SOFTALK, SOFTALK, for 

example, called ZORK® Ill's prose 

We draw our graphics from the limit 

example, called ZORKI8 III's prose 

"far more graphic than any depiction 

yet achieved by all adventure with 

yet achieved by an adventure with 

graphics!1 graphics:' And the NEW YORK 

TIMES TIMES saw fit to print plint that our OlU' 

■ DEADLINE"1 DEADLI1\1E'" is "an amazing amazing 

• feat of programming." prograJTIming:' Even a 

journal as video-oriented videO-Oliented as ELEC ELEC 

TRONIC GAMES found Infocom [nfocom 

prose to be such an eye-opener eye-opener they they 

named naJTIed one of our ow' games their tlleir Best 

Adventure Adventure of of 1983. 

Better Better still, bring bring an Infocom [nfocom game gaJTIe 

home with \vith you. Discover firsthand fu'Sthand 

why why thousands tllOusands upon thousands thousands of 

discriminating discriminating game galTIe players players keep 

turning twning everything we write into 

instantaneous instantaneous bestsellers. bestsellers. 

Step Step up up to Infocom. Infocom. All words. No 

graffiti. graffiti. The The secret reaches reaches of of your yow' 

mind mind are beckoning. beckoning. A whole whole new 

dimension is in there waiting for you. 

dimension is in there waiting for you. 

AIOCKEDDOORAEEADMAN 

Awcm>.a\.J!fl1lAN 

InFDCDm 

inpoconx 

The next next dimension. 

dimension. 

Infocom. Infocom, lnc Inc., .. 55 Wheeler Wheeler St St.. .. Cambridge. Cambridge, MA 02138 02138 

For Fur Jour: your; Apple II. Atari. Atari, Commodore &I, B-l, CP/M CP/MSrUEC 8: I)EC Rainbow. 

DEC RT·11. RT-11. [8,\1, IBM. SEC NEC APC. APC, :-lEe NECPC8000, pe·8000. Osborne Osbo I. 1. TI Profcssional, 

Professional. 

TR TRS-80 S.SO Model Male] l. I, TR5-80 TRS-80 Model III.

BEGINNING PROGRAMMERS 

If If you're you're new new to to computing, computing, please please read read "How "How 

To To Type Type COMPUTE!'s COMPUTERS Programs" Programs" and " "A A 

Beginner's Beginner's Guide Guide To To Typing Typing In Programs." 

Programs." 

Program 1: Goblin-VIC Version 

100 PRINT"[CLR)":POKE PRINT"[CLR}":POKE 52,28:POKE 56,28 56,28:C : C 

LR:POKE LRrPOKE 36869 36869,255:POKE , 255 :POKE 36879 36879,26 , 26 

i10 110 IFS>HSTHENHS=S 

115 115 RESTORE:B=230:Z=8152:Zl-Z+30720:W=0: 

RESTORE:B=230 :Z=8152:Z1=Z+30720:W=0: 

S=J:G=0 

120 FOR X=lT032:READ X=1TO32:READ A:POKEX+7167,A:NEXT 

: :FORX=1TO8:READA:POKEX+7423,A:NEXT 

FORX=lT08 : READA:POKEX+7423 , A:NEXT 

130 PRINT" PRINT"{CLR}[RVS}[GRN}{5 [CLRJ[RVSJ[GRNJ[ 5 RIGHT)G RIGHTjG 0 8 B 

L I Nit N" 

140 PRINT" PRINT"{HOMEJ{RED}{2 (HOME J[ RED J[ 2 DOWN) DOWN}"SPC(12)" 

"SPC (12) " 

[RVS {RVS}HS="HS:PRINT"{HOME}{RVS}EBLK} 

)HS= "HS: PRINT" [HOME ) [RVS) (BLK) 

[20 {20 DOWN)0=LEFT[9 DOWN}O=LEFT{9 RIGHT)P=RIGHT RIGHT}P=RIGHT" " 

150 FOR I=l 1=1 TO 65 

160 X=INT(RND(1)*330)+7746 

X=INT(RND(l)*330)+7746 

170 IFPEEK(X)=BTHEN 160 

180 POKEX POKEX,B:POKEX+30720,0:NEXTI 

,B:POKEX+30720 , 0 : NEXTI 

190 190 FORI=lT020 

FORI=1TO20 

200 X=INT(RND(1)*330)+7746 

X=INT(RND(l)*330)+7746 

210 IF PEEK(X)=BORPEEK(X)=1ORPEEK(X)=3TH 

PEEK(X)=BORPEEK(X) =10RPEEK(X)=3TH 

EN EN 200 200 

220 IFPEEK(X+21)=BANDPEEK(X+22)=BANDPEEK 

(X+23)=BTHENPOKEX,3 {X+23)=BTHENPOKEX,3:POKEX+30720,0:G= 

:POKEX+30720 , 0:G= 

G+1:GOT0240 

G+1:GOTO240 

230 POKEX POKEX,l:POKEX+30720,0 

, 1 :POKEX+30720 , 0 

240 NEXT I 

250 POKEZ,32:Z=Z-22:Z1=Z1-22:IF POKEZ,32:Z=Z-22:Z1=Zl-22:IF ZHSTHENHS=S 

112 RESTORE:B=4:Z=1964 RESTORE:B=4:Z=1964:Z1=Z+54272:W=0:S= 

: Z1 =Z+54272:W=0:S= 

J J:G=0 : G=0 

115 VS=54296:AD=54277:SR=54278:WF=54276: 

VS=54296:AD=542 77:SR=542 78:WF=542 76: 

LB=54272 LB=54272:HB=54273 

:HB=54273 

120 FOR X=0TO31:READ X=0T031 : READ A: A:POKEX+12288,A:NEX 

POKEX+12 288 , A:NEX 

T 

T 

1123 23 POKE 1,PEEK(1)OR4:POKE56334,PEEK(563 

1,PEEK{1)OR4:POKE56334,PEEK(563 

34 34)OR1 )OR1 

125 POKE 53272,(PEEK(53272)AND240)+12 

125 POKE 53272 , (PEEK(53272)AND240)+12 

130 PRINT"{CLR}[GRN}{14 PRINT"{ CLRJ[GRNJ[14 RIGHTJ[RVS)G RIGHT}{RVSjG 0 B 

L I Nil N" 

140 PR PRINT"{HOME}{RED}{2 I NT " [HOME) [RED) [2 DOWN) DOWN}{RVS}"SPC(1 

[RVS ) "SPC(l 

7) 7)"HS="HS 

145 PRINT"{HOME}{BLK}{22 DOWN}{RVS}O=LEF 

T";SPC(27);"P=RIGHT" 

150 FOR 1=1 TO 118 

160 X=INT(RND(1)*680)+1144 

170 IFPEEK(X)=BTHEN 160 

180 POKEX,B:POKEX+54272,0:NEXTI 

190 FORI=1TO36 

195 G1=0 

200 X=INT(RND(1)*680)+1144 

210 IF PEEK(X)=BORPEEK(X)=1ORPEEK(X)=3TH 

EN 200 

220 IFPEEK(X+39)=BANDPEEK(X+40)=BANDPEEK 

(X+41)=BTHENPOKEX,3:POKEX+542 7 2,0:G1 

= 1 

225 IF Gl=l THEN G=G+1:GOTO 240 

230 POKEX,l:POKEX+54272,0 

240 NEXT I 

250 POKEZ,32:Z=Z-40:Z1=Z1-40:IF Z

We are publishers of the top-selling 

top-selling 

Scott Adams Adventure Series and 

Scott Adams Adventure Series and 

other fine Entertainment and 

Applications Programs. 

Applications Programs. 

And we're publishers of some of 

the the finest microcomputer 

software software programs available. available. 

If you you can can write write a top-quality top-quality 

program, program, or can can convert convert some some of of 

our our best-sellers to other 

computers, computers, we we want want to hear 

from you — - Now. 

We We have the advertising, 

advertising, 

international distribution, 

manufacturing manufacturing and marketing 

know-how to send top-quality 

programs to the top of the 

charts. 

If your program program is top quality -— 

give us a call, or write for for our 

Adventure Adventure International Author 

Information Kit. 

Copyright Copyright © 1983 

dventute 

INTERNATIONAL 

Box Box 3435 3435 

Longwood, Longwood. Florida 32750 32750 

Telephone: (305) 862-6917 

862-6917 

Ask Ask lor for Author Author Assistance 

Assistance

Goblin, Goblill, TI-99/4A version. vcrsioll. 

The The Apple version vefs ioll of Goblin. Goblill. 

Program 5: Goblin-Apple Goblin - Apple Version 

10 REM *THIS 'THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES A DISK D 

RIVE 

20 REM AND THE APPLE 'DOS TOOL KIT PR 

OGRAMMING 

30 REM UTILITIES DISK' TO RUN. 

40 40 REM REM *PLACE 'PLACE THE THE ABOVE ABOVE UTILITY UTILITY DISK DISK II 

N YOUR 

50 REM DRIVE BEFORE RUNNING THIS PROG 

RAM. 

55 GOSUB 1000 

55 GOSUB 1000 

60 DIM XLX(23)i XLX(23) , FOR I = O0 TO 7:XL'/.(I> 7:XLX(I) = c 

1024 + 128 , * IsXLXtl I.XLX(I + 8) = 1064 + 

128 * , I,XLX(I IiXLXCI + 16) = 1104 + 128 * , 

I: I. NEXT NEXT II 

85 HOME HOME: : HGR i• POKE - 16302,0: IF S 5 > 

HS THEN HS = 5 S 

90 ZROW ZROW = 23:ZCOL 23:ZC0L = 19.W 19:W = OiS 0,5 = J1:G JI:G = 

Oo 

100 VTAB I. 1: HTAB 17, 17r PRINT CHR$ CHR* (I)," 

(1);" 

O"; 0"; CHR$ CHR* (9);"6 (9);"G a 0 B L I N°'; N"; 

110 VTAB 2, HTAB 19. PRINT "HS", CHR$ 

110 VTAB 2: HTAB 19: PRINT "HS") CHR* 

(14);": (14) j ": ";HS: II j HS: VTAB 23: PRINT "LEFT 

-", CHR$ (9); "LEFT ARROW " ; CHRS (1 

»"j 

4) 4); ; 

CHR* 39 39 THEN THEN ZCOL ZCOL = 22 

280 280 IF IF PEEK PEEK (XLy.(ZROW (XLX(ZROW - 1) I) + + ZCOL ZCOL - 1I 

OW - Is IF ZROW < 3 THEN ZROW = 21 

260 A = PEEK ( - 16384): POKE - 16368 

) = 164 THEN THEN 410 410 

) = 163 THEN GOSUB 330 

290 IF IF PEEK PEEK (XL5KZR0W (XLX(ZROW - 1) I) + + ZCOL ZCOL - I 1 

) = 163 THEN GOSUB 330 

300 HTAB ZCOL: VTAB ZROW: PRINT CHR* 

300 

310 310 

HTAB ZCOL: VTAB ZROW. PRINT CHR$ 

(165);: (165),. FOR FOR T = I 1 TO 100. 100: NEXT NEXT T 

IF IF W = 36 36 - G THEN THEN J = 5. S: GOSUB GOSUB 35 35 

O: O. GOTO GOTO 85 

320 GOTO GOTO 250 

330 W=W+1:S=S+ W = W + 1.5 = 5 + 25: 25. VTAB VTAB 2: 2. HTAB 

3: 3. PRINT PRINT CHR$ CHR* (1);"O";S; (1),"0",5, CHR$ CHR* (14 (14 

>j ); CHR$ CHR* (1);"1"; 

(1);" 1"; 

340 POKE 768,2. 768,2: POKE POKE 769,230. 769,230: CALL 770 770 

345 RETURN 

345 

350 RETURN 

FOR J = 10 TO 12. 12: VTAB J: J, FOR I I = 

Oo TO 39. 39: HTAB HTAB I. I: PRINT PRINT CHRS CHR* (167) 

,. ;: NEXT NEXT I. It NEXT NEXT J. J: VTAB 17. 17: HTAB I 1 

O: 0: PRINT PRINT CHR$ CHR* (1);"0"."'***** (1)j"0"j"****** ALL 

RIGHT! RIGHT! ........ ******"; j CHRS CHR* (1);"1 d);"l"; 

11 ; 

360 FOR I = I TO 10 

360 FOR I = 1 TO 10 

370 370 POKE POKE 768, 76S, INT ( RND (I) (1) , * 3) 3) + I. 1: POKE POKE 

769, 769, INT INT ( RND (I) (1) , * 15) 15) + 130: 130: CALL CALL 

770 

3BO 380 NEXT NEXT I 

385 385 JI J1 = = 5 S 

390 FOR J = I 1 TO 500. 500: NEXT NEXT J 

400 

410 

RETURN 

HTAB ZCOL. VTAB ZROW. 

(166),.C = 0 

PRINT CHR$ 

400 RETURN 

410 HTAB ZCOL: VTAB ZROW: PRINT CHR* 

(166);:C = 0 

415 X = PEEK ( - 16336).C 16336):C -= C + I. 1: IF 

C < 15 THEN 415 

420 420 FOR FOR ROW ROW = 0 O TO TO 23. 23: FOR FOR COL COL = I 1 TO 

38:X 38: X = XL7.(ROW) XL5UR0W) + COL. CDL: IF PEEK (X 

) < > 163 THEN NEXT COL: NEXT ROW 

) < > 163 THEN NEXT COL. NEXT ROW 

430 IF PEEK PEEK (X) = = 163 THEN THEN 

I. 1: HTAB COL + I. 1: PRINT ,. NEXT COL. NEXT ROW 

VTAB ROW + 

CHRS CHR* (161) (161) 

;: NEXT COL: NEXT ROW 

440 440 JI Jl = O. 0: VTAB VTAB 21. 21: HTAB HTAB 13. 13; PRINT PRINT CHRS CHR* 

(1); (1);"O";"PLAY "011; "PLAY AGAIN (II; ("; CHR$ CHR* (9);"

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of players and also for rejecting bad input. A valu e 

outside the all owed range passes control back to 

line line 70; the the screen is is cleared, cleared, the the instructions are are 

reprinted, and and you you are are asked asked fo forr the the number number of of 

players players again again. . Lin Linee 110 110 accepts accepts the the number of of 

ro rounds unds desired desired and rejects rejects bad bad input input in the the sa same me 

manner manner as as line line 100. 100. 

Line Line 120 initializes initializes the the va values lu es of of R (the (the number 

of the present round) and P (the number of the 

present present player). Lines Lines 130-140 130-140 prompt prompt the the player player 

skill skill levels, and and line line 150 150 accepts accepts the the player choice 

choice 

as as a a string string va variable, riable, A$. Lines Lines 160-200 160-200 assign values va lues 

to 5$ SS based based on on the the skill skill level input, and and line line 210 210 

converts A$ AS to the the numeri numericc va variable riable SK. It It then then 

uses SK SK to establish a a valu valuee for RN, which w hich wwill ill 

control control the the number number of of trees trees printed. 

The The number number of trees trees is ti tied ed to to the the ski skill ll level, 

so that the the higher the skill skill level, level, the the more trees 

trees 

there there will will be. If If you'd like more trees, change change the the 

'"I" '1'' to to a a larger number, but but no no more more than than 5. 5. If If SK 

is is not not an an integer, or or is is outside outside the the range range of 1 to to 5, 

line line 210 210 rejects rejects it. Moving Moving the the cursor up up ten ten spaces 

spaces 

and passing control back to line lin e 130 makes it it appear 

that the the program program does does nothing nothing but sit sit there 

there 

until until a a correct correct input input is given. 

of players and also for rejecting bad input. A value 

outside the allowed range passes control back to 

Speed Versus Obstacles 

Speed Versus Obstacles 

Line 220 220 estabJjshes establishes a a new new va value lue for SK SK to to control 

the the speed speed of of the program - faster for higher higher skill 

skill 

levels. Line 230 POKEs 36869 to 255 and ca causes uses 

the the user-defined user-defined charac character ter set to be be used instead 

instead 

of the normal set. This may ca cause use some problems 

with with debugging. 

If If an error error is present present after after this this step, step, the the program 

will stop, but aall ll you' you'll ll see on the screen 

will be be garbage garbage with with an an occasional skier skier or or tree tree 

thrown thrown in in. . If If this this happens, happens, hit hit the the CTRL and RVS 

keys, then type POKE 36869,240 36869, 240 and RETURN. 

All that garbage will suddenly make sense. Line 

230 also clears the screen, sets the volume, and 

establishes 5 S as the noise generator. 

Line 240 prints the trees on the screen for the 

initial setup. Each time through this loop, a a random 

dom value "L" "L" between 1 and and 19 19 is calculated. 

calculated. 

Then Then a a fence fence section section is is printed on on the the left, a a tree tree 

is printed at at TAB TAB (L), (L), and a a fence section section is printed 

on on the the right. 

The initial value of B is set to 7910 in line 250. 

This This is the the location of of the the skier skier in screen memory. 

memory. 

C is the difference between the screen map position 

and and the the color color code code map map position. F is is the the 

POKE POKE valu valuee for the the skier skier figure; the the POKE POKE value 

will will be be 55 55 when when he's he's going going to to the the left and and 53 53 when 

he's he's going going to the the right. The The last three three statements 

statements 

of of line line 250 250 insure insure that that the the player player is is not faced faced with 

the no-escape situation of having trees directly in 

front of him at the start of a a run. 

Line 260 260 POKEs POKEs the the fl flags ags of of the first gate gate onto onto 

the screen, and line 270 prints the level that was 

78 COMPUTE! July1Q83 

July1983 

determined in lines 160-200. Line 280 puts the 

line line between between the the flags for the the firs firstt gate, gate, and and line line 

290 sounds the warning tones to let you know it's 

290 sounds the warning tones to let you know it's 

time to to start. start. Just after after the the last last tone, line line 300 300 sets sets 

the the timer. timer. Line 310 310 then th en waits for you to press a a 

key. If you you don' don'tt hit hit a a key fo forr a a wwhile, hile, that's that's okay, 

okay, 

but the timer is running. You should use the time 

that the warning tones give you to plan your 

that the warning tones give you to plan your 

course through the first ga gate te and then take off as 

soon soon as as the last tone tone sounds. 

sounds. 

Line Lin e 320 320 starts starts the the main main program program loop. If SK 

is not zero, zero, then then the the computer computer counts counts to to SK SK before before 

proceeding. This time delay, remember, is ti ed to 

proceeding. This time delay, remember, is tied to 

the skill level to start with, but it may be reduced 

by hitting the the jumps. 

Skier Movement 

Skier Movement 

If F is 55 in line 330, the skier is going left, and a a 

track is POKEd in behind him using a a POKE valu valuee 

of 58. If not, he's going right and the track's POKE 

value is 59. The track is handled in line 340. 

Lines 350·and 350 and 360 are the keyboard co control ntrol 

steps. steps. If If PEEK (197) (197)-which -which is is the the memory memory location 

location 

that that contains contains the the current current key pressed - is 29, then then 

the key for going left has been pressed. 0 D wwill ill 

later later be be used to produce movement movement to to the the left; left; F 

is is set set to the fi figure gure for going left; and and 5, S, which which is 

the the noise noise generator, generator, is is set set to to 245. 245. If If any any other other key 

is pressed, or even if no key is pressed, then the 

skier skier wwill ill be be going going to to the the right, right, and and the the values va lu es 

needed for D, 0 , F, and 5 S are set by Jjne line 360. You'll Yo u' ll 

notice this slight change in sound when you 

change directions; it should sound like wind. 

Gates And The Finish Line 

Gates And The Finish Line 

G G is incremented in in line line 370. 370. If If it's it's less less than than 28, 28, 

control passes passes to to line 410, 410, because because no ga gate te or or finish 

line is required. Otherwise, G is reset to 0 in 

line 380, and E, which counts the gates, is incremented. 

1£ If E is 10, a finish line is printed and 

control passes to 460. Line 390, which ca causes uses the 

program to to end, end, is executed only only if if the the skier skier is 

past the finish line. If E is less than 10, then a a 

random value between 2 and 11, inclusive, is calculated. 

culated. A gate gate is then then printed starting starting at TAB(X), 

TAB(X), 

X being being the the random random number number just calculated. Control 

then then passes to line 460. 460. 

If no gate or finish line needs printing, control 

passes passes from line line 370 370 to line line 410, skipping skipping all all the the 

above above to to red reduce uce the time time required required for a a pass pass 

through through the the loop. loop. If If GG is is 10, 10, then then line line 410 410 prints prints a a 

jump jump at TAB(X), TAB(X), X now now being a a random number 

between between 4 4 and and 13, 13, inclusive. Fence Fence sections sections are are 

also also printed at the left left and right right sides sides of of the 

screen. 

Line Line 240 240 decides decides whether a a tree will be be printed 

printed 

using the the value of of RN that that was was established established in in line line 

210. For skill level five, RN will have a value of .6; 

if a random number is more than this, no tree is

printed. This means a tree will be printed roughly 

printed. This means a tree will be printed roughly 

60 percent of the time. For the lower skill levels, 

levels, 

this probability probability is reduced reduced so that the lower the the 

skill level, the fewer trees there wwill ill be. If no tree 

is to be printed, printed, line 440 440 prints only only the the fence 

sections. Otherwise, line 430 prints a tree at 

sections. O therwise, line 430 prints a tree at 

T AB(L), L being a random value between 1 and 

TAB(L), L being a random value between 1 and 

19, inclusive. 

inclusive. 

If If PEEK (B) (B) in line 450 is not 32 (a blank), then 

the skier has run into something and control 

the skier has run into something and control 

passes to line 500 to find out what the skier has 

run into and w hat to do about it. 

passes to line 500 to find out what the skier has 

run into and what to do about it. 

The Illusion Of Motion 

The Illusion Of Motion 

Line 460 460 POKEs the skier's location blank, blank, then 

calculates calculates a new position position by adding adding the value value of 

o D (determined (determined in lines lines 350 and and 360) to to B, the the skier' skier'ss 

location. location. It then then POKEs POKEs the the appropriate figure 

figure 

into that location location. . Essentially, Essentially, the the skier is placed placed 

on a horizontal line on the screen screen and and is all allowed owed 

to move move only only back back and fo forth rth on that line. line. However, 

the screen is is scrolling scrolling upward upward beneath beneath him, him, so so 

the illusion of forward forward motion motion is created. 

The movement taken care care of, control control passes passes 

back back to to line 320 for another pass pass through through the main 

loop loop. . This loop, lines lines 320-470, has has been been kept as 

small as possible possible in order to minimize the the time 

required required for each pass pass through it. it. I have have tried to to 

be be very stingy with with time time in this section, fi figuring guring 

that even one instruction instruction repeated a few hundred 

hundred 

times adds a lot of potentially potentially unnecessary time. 

Flags And Fences 

Flags And Fences 

Line 500 is reached reached wwhen hen line line 450 detects that that 

something has has been been struck. struck. This This entire section 

section 

was was originally a part part of the main loop, but but re 

moving moving it from from the the loop loop and and replacing replacing it it with the the 

single statement statement in line line 450 produced produced a significant 

increase increase in speed. speed . Line Line 500 checks checks to to see if a ga gate te 

was was hit. hit. If If so, it sounds sounds aa high high tone tone to to let you know know 

you you got got credit credit for for the the gate, then increments increments H, 

the number number of gates gates hit, and and passes passes control back back 

into into the main loop. loop. 

Line 510 checks to to see if if a finish line was was 

struck. struck. If so, so, HH is changed to the number of of gates ga tes 

missed, the elapsed time time is placed placed in TM, and and 

control control passes passes to line line 640 to end end the the run. 

If a flag fla g was was hit, line 520 520 sounds sounds aa low low tone tone to 

let you you know you you were were close close but get get no credit credit for fo r 

the gate. gate. Control Control then passes to line 570. 570. 

If a jump jump wasn't hit, line line 530 530 transfers transfe rs control control 

to 570. Lines 540-560 540-560 handle handle the jumps. jumps. The The skier skier 

is moved moved two spaces spaces horizontally horizontally in the direction direction 

(D) (0) that that he was was going, the value value of G is stepped stepped 

up to bring the next gate ga te closer, closer, the the screen screen is skipped 

up ten spaces, and and the value of SK 5K is reduced, 

which results in in a slight slight increase increase in speed. speed . The The 

skier is moved moved down one one line on the screen screen unless 

he is already already three lines below the center. center. Moving Moving 

80 COMPUTE! COMPun! July1983 July 1983 

him further down makes seeing w hat is coming 

very difficult, but if you'd li ke to try it, one way is 

to put a larger negative value here in place of the 

-3. If, If, for instance, you put a -10, -10, the skier will 

move down every time you hit a jump . Another 

him further down makes seeing what is coming 

very difficult, but if you'd like to try it, one way is 

move down every time you hit a jump. Another 

way would be to start the skier at at a lower position 

on the screen. This would require simply changing 

the initial value of B in line 250. 

the initial value of B in line 250. 

Line 570 checks to see if a fence section was 

Line 570 checks to see if a fence section was 

hit. If so, it changes your direction and passes 

control to 610 for the sound eeffect. ffect. Getting out of 

the fence may take a couple of tri tries. es. If a tree was 

struck, then line 580 changes the fi figure gure to a cross 

and passes control to line 600. Line 590 POKEs 

5-3 S-3 to 0 0 in case it it was set by hitting a a flag in line 

520, then passes you back to th the e main loop loop. . 

Shaking The Screen 

Shaking The Screen 

Line 600 600 causes the the screen to shake shake a a bit wwhen hen 

you hit hit a a tree. The The inner inner loop loop here here counts counts from 3 3 

to 7, then from 4 4 to 6, and stops at 5. POKEing 

these va values lues into location 36864, wh which ich controls 

horizontal centering, shifts the screen rapidly 

back and forth around the normal va value lue of 5. Line 

610 increments 0OS, 5, the number of obj objects ects that 

have been struck, and also controls both the sound 

effect and and the the changes changes in in color color of the the cross cross in line line 

580. If a a tree was struck, line 620 moves the skier 

up a a line, adjusts the value of U, and checks to 

see if U has reached its limit of 10. If so, the run is 

aborted aborted and and you you are are given given another another chance. chance. If If not, not, 

line line 630 passes passes control control back back to to the the main loop. loop . 

Line 640, the finish line sound effect, is 

reached only if if the the finish fin ish line line was was detected in in line line 

510. Lines 650-660 print out the statistics on the 

run just completed and finish ooff ff the sound effect. 

Line Line 660 660 also also POKEs POKEs 36869 back to to its normal state state 

so so that that the the scores scores can ca n be be printed. pri nted. 

Line 670 computes the player's cumulative 

score, score, adding adding the the score score for fo r the run just completed completed 

to his total from previous rounds, and also prints 

to his total from previous rounds, and also prints 

DOWllhill racillg ollihe VIC-20 ill Speerl Ski. 

Doumhill wring on the VlC-20 in SpeedSki,

the round number. Line 680 then prints the 

cumulative scores for a ll the players, and line 690 

cumulative scores for all the players, and line 690 

rei reinitializes nitializes for the next run. 

Line 700 increments the player number; if 

Line 700 increments the player number; if 

the last player hasn't hasn' t gone yet, control passes 

back to line 130 to start another run. If the last 

back to line 130 to start another run. If the last 

player has just gone, line 710 increments the round 

number and checks to see if the game is over. If 

number and checks to see if the game is over. If 

not, the the player player number number is is changed to to 1 and and a a new new 

round is is begun. begun. Otherwise, Otherwise, line line 720 720 lets you you know 

the game game is over. over. It then turns turns the the cursor cursor white. 

To To rerun the the program, hit hit RETURN, then then 

type type RUN and and hit RETURN RETURN again again. . The The reason reason for 

this odd procedure: it isn't visibl visible e because it's 

white on a a white background, but some garbage 

has has been been picked up up during during the the run and and lies lies on on the the 

same same line line as as the the cursor. cursor. During the the program this this 

garbage garbage is disposed of by the the loop loop that that rejects bad bad 

input input for for the the skill skill level. level. There There is no no such such loop loop at at 

the the end end of of the the program, though. 

Okay, Okay, time time to get the the program program typed typed in, then then 

hit hit the the slopes. There's There's a a world record waiting waiting to 

be broken. Good Good luck. 

luck. 

Variable Listing 

Variable Listing 

NP NNumber umber of players 

NNRR Numberof Number of rounds 

rounds 

R Present round number 

P Present player player number 

number 

5$ S$ Slope Slope title 

title 

SK Timcdelay Time delay factor in main loop 

RN Con Controls trol s probability of a tree being printed 

5 Noise generator (36877) 

S Noise generator (36877) 

L Random Random va variable riable used used to to position position trees 

trees 

B Skier's Skier's loca location ti on 

C Difference Diffe rence between screen .screen map map and and colo colorr code map map 

F Skier Skier figure 

TI$ TI$ System System clock 

clock 

D Direction (1 or or-1) -1) to to be be added to ski skier's er's loca location tion 

G G Counts Counts spaces spaces between between ga gates tes and and jumps 

E Counts ga tes 

E Counts gates 

XX Random va variable riable used used to position ga'tes gates and jumps 

H H Counts Counts ga gates tes hit hit 

TM Elapsed tim e fo r run 

TM Elapsed time for run 

U Controls vert-ica verticall movement movement of of skier skier on on screen 

screen 

OS OS COLI Counts nLs I1ll111ber number of of trees and and fence fence secti sections ons stru struck ck 

SC Player'S Player's score score for a run 

Z(P) Z(P) Player's cu cumulative mulative score wwhere here P is is the the player player number 

number 

BEG BEGINNING INNING PROGRAMMERS 

If If you're you're new new to to computing, computing, please please read read "How "How 

To To Type Type COMPUTE!'s COMPUTEl's Programs" Programs" and" and "A A 

Beginner's Beginner's Guide Guide To To Typing Typing In In Programs." 

Programs." 

SpeedSki 

SpeedSki 

H' 10 PRINT" PRINT"{CLR}{9 (CLR){ 9 DOWN){ DOWN}{33 SPACES) SPACESJSPEED-SK SPEED-SK 

I":PRINT"( I":PRINT"{99 DOWN) DOWN}" " 

20 POKE56 POKE56/28:POKE5 , 28:POKE55,250 5,250:POKE5 : POKE52 2,28:POKE51 

, 28:POKE51 

, ,250:POKE36879,25 

250 :POKE36879 , 25 

30 READX:IFX=0THEN70 

40 40 FORI=XTOX+7:READY:POKEI,Y:NEXTI:GOT03 

FORI-XTOX+7:READY:POKEI,Y:NEXTI:GOTO3 

0 

° 

82 COMPUTE! July1983 

50 DATA7672 DATA7672,16,56,56,124/124, 

,16 ,56 ,56 ,124,124 , 254,254 ,16 

51 DATA7664,0,0,15,32,64,128,0,0 

DATA7664,0,0,15,32,64,128,0,0 

52 DATA7656,0,0,240,4,2,l,0/0 

DATA7 656 ,0,0,240,4,2,1,0,0 

53 DATA7648,40,40,40,40,104,56,44,40 

54 DATA7640,32,16,136,68,34,17,8,4 

55 DATA7632,4,8,17,34,68,136,16,32 

DATA763 2,4,8,17,34,68,136,16,32 

56 DATA7624,16,28,30,28,16,16,16,56 

57 DATA7616,0,0,0,0,255,85,170,255 

58 DATA7608,16 DATA7608,16,24,126,24,26,44,72,16 

,24,126,24 , 26 ,44,72,16 

59 DATA7424,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 

60 DATA7592,8,24,126 DATA7592,8,24,126,24,88,52,18,8 

,24,88,52 , 18,8 

61 DATA7584,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,0 

62 DATA7576,8,8,28,8,62 DATA7576,8,a,28,8,62,8,127,8 ,8,127, 8 

63 DATA7568,8,8,62, DATA7568,8,8,62,8,8,8,0,0,0 

8 ,8, 8 ,0,0,0 

70 70 PRINT'MCLR}[BLK}{5 PRINT"(CLR) (BLK) (5 SPACES)SPEED-SKI": 

SPACES}SPEED-SKI": 

PRINT"g22 PRINT"i22 T3" Ti" 

80 PRINT"(UP) PRINT"{UP}{BLUjYOUR (BLU)YOUR SCORE IS ELAPSED 

TIME + 5 FOR EACH GATEMISSED. 

(2 {2 SPACES) SPACES}LOWEST LOWEST SCORE SCORE WINS." 

WINS." 

90 PRINT PRINT"{DOWN}PRESS "(DOWN)PRESS ( {RVS}[OFFJtO GO RIG 

HT. " " 

100 INPUT"IDOWN)NO. INPUT"tDOWN}NO. PLAYERS (l-4)";NP:IF 

(1-4)";NP:IF 

NP4THEN70 

NP4THEN70 

110 INPUT"(DOWN)NO. INPUT"(DOWN}NO. ROUNDS(2 ROUNDS{2 SPACES SPACES}(l-5 )(1-5 

) )";NR:IFNR5THEN70 

" ; NR: IFNR 5THEN70 

120 120 R=l:P=l 

R=1:P=1 

130 PRINT"(DOWN) PRINT"{DOWN}[RVS][CYN}SKIER (RVS) ( CYN)SKIER # #";P:PRI ";P:PRI 

NT"{DOWN}{BLUlSLOPE NT"(DOWN) (BLU)SLOPE DESIRED" DESIRED":PRINT"1 :PRINT"l 

=BEGINNER":PRINT"2=J:NTERMEDIATE" 

=BEGINNER":PRINT"2=INTERMEDIATE" 

140 PRINT"3=ADVANCED":PRINT"4=OLYMPIC":P 

RINT"5=PROFES RINT"5=PROFESSIONAL" S IONAL" 

150 A$="" A$="":GETA$:IFA?=""THEN150 

: GETA$: IFA$=" "THEN150 

160 IFA$="1"THENS$="(2 IFA$="1"THENS?="(2 SPACES)BEGINNER" 

SPACES}BEGINNER" 

170 IIFA$="2"THENS$="INTERMEDIATE" FA$="2ItTHENS$=ItINTERMEDIATEIt 

180 180 IFA$="3"THENS$="(2 IFA$="3"THENS?="(2 SPACES)ADVANCED" 

SPACES}ADVANCED" 

190 IFA$="4"THENS$="(2 IFA?="4"THENS$="{2 SPACES)OLYMPI SPACES}OLYMPIC" C" 

200 IFA$="5"THENS$= IFA$="5"THENS$="PROFESSIONAL" 

"PROFESSIONAL" 

210 210 SK=VAL(A$):RN=(SK+l) SK=VAL(A?):RN=(SK+1)/10:IFSK5 

/ 10:IFSK5 

ORSK< ORSKINT(SK)THENPRINT"U0 >INT (SK)THENPRINT" (10 UP)" UP} ":GOTO :GOTO 

130 130 

220 220 SK=35-5*SK 

SK=35-5*SK 

230 2 30 POKE36869 POKE36869,255:PRINT"{CLR}":POKE36878 

, 255 : PRINT"(CLR)":POKE36878 

,15: ,15:S=36877 S=36877 

240 FORI=lT022:L=INT(RND(1)*19)+1:PRINT" 

FORI=1TO22:L=INT(RND(1)*19)+1:PRINT" 

(RED) {RED}

Exterminator Exterminator By By Ken Ken Gr.nt 

Grant 

Just about as action-packed and 

complex as Is nufisically possible in 

your your standard standard 5K 5K VIC VIC 20. 20. This This extremely 

tremely well-written, well·written, machine machine code code 

game Is is Invariably invariably praised by cus cus· 

tamers tomers and and has has been been called called the the second 

ond best best tape tape game game made made for the VIC VIC 

of 1982 (oh, no, not by us, we don't 

agree agree with with that that opinion). opinion). Rapidfire 

Rapidfire 

from the bottom bottom of of the the screen screen at at 

moving insects and creatures creatures... . . . anything 

that moves. moves, and even an anything ything 

that doesn't. Just don't be overrun by 

any any or or all. all. It's It's as as much much fun the the hundredth 

dredth time time you you play play it it as as it it was was the the 

first. This game plays stick or key and 

runs runs In in standard 5K 5K VIC VIC 20. 

3·0 3-D Man Not just another eat-thedots-in-a-maze 

game, this! Though 

you find yourself in an edible dotlitteredlittered 

floor plan plan that that may may seem seem 

vaguely vaguely fam familiar, iliar, we we guarantee guarantee you you 

have have neve neverr looked looked at at it it from this this perspective 

(eye level) before_ before. The dots 

diminish into the distance as you 

race race down a a hallway hallway eating eating them them one one 

after the other_ other. The dot-remaining 

counter on the right clicks downward_ 

downward. 

Race Race through through a a 4-way 4-way intersection 

intersection 

and whoops! Head to head with one 

of the ghosts that haunt these halls! 

Back Back quickly quickly on on the the stick stick puts puts you you 

facing the dotless hall you just 

cleaned out when ... ___ another ghost! 

AA quick quick left left turn turn into into that that junction 

saves saves you, but in in the the confusion 

confusion 

you've lost direction momentarily 

and and must must check check the the miniature miniature radar 

plotting screen to set things straight. 

... __ . Definitely, an ordinary maze game 

this one is not. 3-D Man requires a 

Joystick joystick and and at at least least 3K 3K extra extra memory. 

Racefun Extensive use of multicolor 

color character character graphic capabilities 

capabilities 

of of the VIC VIC make make this this game game very very apappeallnqpealinq to to the the eye. eye. Fast Fast all-machine 

all-machine 

language action, quick response to 

the stick or keyboard-controlled 

throttle, combine with the challenge 

of of driving driving in in ever-faster ever-faster traffic traffic to to 

make make It it appeal appeal to to the the rest of of the the body. 

Plays Plays joystick joystick or or keyboard. 

•• 

Antimatter Splatter! a more 

dastardly dastardly alien alien could could scarcely scarcely be be 

found than than one one who who would would wipe wipe out out 

an an entire entire ccivilization ivi lization by by dropping antimatter 

matter anti-canisters, anti-canisters, right? If If your your 

opinion of this alien troublemaker is 

the same as ours, probably your first 

thought was, get some matter! We 

say say calm calm down! down! All All is is not not lost. AA 

mobile mobile rapid splatter splatter cannon cannon capable 

capable 

of both breaking through his standard 

alien alien moving moving force fields fields and and laying 

laying 

waste to the ever-increasing number 

of anti-canisters is even now hovering 

above us. If only our ccannoneer annoneer 

hadn't called in sick._.say, sick...say, what are 

you you doing doing today? today? Anti-Matter Anti-Matter Sp/at 

Splat 

ter is 100% machine machine language language and and 

runs in standard 5K VIC. 

nUFEKDP 

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Defender on Tri As pilot of the 

Defender on Tri as pilot of the 

experimental experimental Defender-sty Defender-style le ship ship 

" "Skyes Skyes Limited," Limited," you you are the the on only ly 

hope for an advance party ooff scientists 

trapped in ancient alien sphere 

which which suddenly suddenly (heat (heat from from c01lision 

collision 

cou'rse course with with sun sun presumably-G.E.) 

presumably—G.E.) 

came to to life. life. Four Four screens screens worth of of 

unique defenses, on-off shields, fuel 

deposits, alien treasures, running 

timer, energy. energy, score score and and very very nice nice 

graphics display make this one that 

does not quickly wax old. Defender 

on TRI requires at least 3K memory 

expander, but but will will run with with any any 

memory memory add-on add-on (8K, {8K, 16K, 24K, 24K,etc.) etc.) we we 

have come across. 

Alien Panic Standard 5K VIC 

20/c 20/combination ombination stick & keyboard. 

This arcade-type game pits you 

against against time and and an an alien alien on on a a six six 

level construction sight with ladders 

and pitfalls, but not to worry.' You 

and pitfalls, but not to worry! You 

have haveashovel. a shovel. 

And there 's more ... 

And there's more... 

Rescue From Nufon Adventure 'S12.95 12.95 

Collide Crunch _ ..... _ . . . ..... $12.95 

S12.95 

Vikman Vikman Classic .... . ........ s12.95 

s 12.95 

Search Search Challenging. Challenging __ ...... '*12.95 12.95 

VIC is a trademark of Commodore Business Machines, Inc

Stake a, ClaiuMitffffie most 

exciting New Game for your 

Atari H 

Round k pÛne Shaft x> RSuti

The Fortress 

The Fortress 

Of OfAdnil Adnil 

George George W W. Miller 

Miller 

"The Fortress of Adni/" is an adventure game for the 

"The Fortress of Adnil" is an adventure game for the 

TIII/ex/Sine/air Timex/Sinclair 1000 using the graphics mode. The 

program progrnll/ is entirely in BASIC and ine/udes includes several 

. 

routines you'll find useful in other programs. It 

routines you'll find IIseful in other programs. It 

requires the 16K J6K RAM expansionlllodule. 

expansion module. 

Your objective in this ga me is to accumulate points 

Your objective in this game is to accumulate points 

by by gathering energy energy pellets pellets and and recovering recovering the the 

treasure, while avoiding obstacles on the display. 

Each move costs you one unit of energy; using 

the laser sword costs more, depending on the 

range range and the the object object you you use it on. on. 

Each move move you you make make is accompanied accompanied by by random 

placement of "NAWS" (defined as guards) 

on on the the screen. screen. If If this this random placement placement puts a a 

guard in the the space space you you intend to to occupy, occupy, you are are 

captured. captured. If If your your energy energy level is greater greater than than 1000, 

the the computer computer will allow allow you you to pay a a ransom, 

ransom, 

deduct the ransom from your score, and allow 

you to continue. 

You ca n use your laser sword to cut a hole 

You can use your laser sword to cut a hole 

through any any barricade barricade and and to to oppose oppose the the guards. 

guards. 

But be warned: the odds are even in any battle 

with with the the guards, guards, and you you may may lose. 

lose. 

Since this game is written in BASIC, don' don'tt 

expect fast-paced action. The game began as a 

expect fast-paced action. The game began as a 

learning exercise in PEEKing and POKEing into 

the the display display file. 

PEEK And POKE Programming 

PEEK And POKE Programming 

Enter lines 50 to 120 into your computer. They 

will will print a a border border around the display display and and wiJi will 

provide a boundary limiting later POKE commands 

to to the the display display file. 

Now enter lines 220, 250 - 355, 510, and 

this line: lin e: 

520 520 PRINT PRINT AT AT 21 21,0;PEEK ,0;PEEK (PEEK (PEEK 16396 16396 + PEEK 

16397'256+ S) 

16397*256+ S) 

Then Then enter lines lines 530 530 and and 610. 

This will allow you to move a character around 

the the screen screen and and also also find the the CODE CODE of of the the character 

character 

stored stored in in that that address. 

address. 

SAVE SAVE this this before you you try try it, it, because because if if you you 

POKE POKE outside outside the the display display fil file, e, the the program will 

crash. crash. You'll You'll have to to turn off off the the power power and 

92 92 COMPUTE! Ju1y1983 

July 1983 

start over. 

Now add the to print a variety 

Now add the missing lines to print a variety 

of of characters characters on on the the screen, but but don't don't change change line line 

520 yet. Move around the screen and look at the 

codes returned from the different locations. 

Lines 400 to 430 limit the movement to areas 

in the display file file. . Lines 450 to 500 check for the 

code code at at that that address. 

If If this this is new to to you, just remember remember that that 

POKEing is putting a a value into an address, and 

PEEKing is looking at the value in an address. 

Now change line li ne 520 to the line as shown in 

the program listing. Enter the rest of the listing, 

the program listing. Enter the rest of the listing, 

and you'll have the complete game The Fortress 

and you'll have the complete game The Fortress 

of Adnil. 

If If you you find the game game too too cha challenging, llengi ng, you you can 

change change the the level of of difficulty difficulty by by changing changing the the 2000 2000 

in line 525 to some lower value. va lue. 

Line Line 9999 9999 is a a utility utility routine I use to keep 

track of the length of my program. Enter GOTO 

9999, and the screen should say, "LENGTH OF 

9999, and the screen should say, "LENGTH OF 

PROGRAM 7456". Since I'm using a a 16K RAM, 

with with 16,384 16,384 bytes bytes available, available, I'm well we ll within the the 

limits of memory. Note that line 9999 indicates all 

limits of memory. Note that line 9999 indicates all 

memory memory used, used, and includes includes the the memory memory required 

required 

for the variables, the display fi file, le, and the 

program. 

Programming Hints 

Programming Hints 

Now for some some hints hints on on making making your your programs 

look look a a little li ttle more professional. 

The routine starting at line 9991 is selfstarting. 

To SAVE the program, start your tape 

recorder and enter GOTO 9991. When you load 

the the program again, you won't won't get the the usual 0/0 

ddisplay, isplay, but the program will begin to run, 

printing the title title on on the the screen. To To use this this routine, 

routine, 

change the program name in line 9995 to the name 

of your your program, program, and the the line line number number for the the 

GOTO GOTO command command to to the the first line line in your your program. program.

Send us your game and THO 

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want to help you sell it to the world. 

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45!! 450 IF PEEK (PEEK 16396+PEEK 16397*256+S 

)=141 )=141 THEN THEN LET LET T=T+2!!!! 

T=T+200 


)=141 )=141 THEN THEN GOSUB GOSUB 1!!!!!! X000 

465 

IF PEEK (PEEK 16396+PEEK 16397*256+S 

)=141 THEN PRINT AT X,Y,"$" 

X,Y;"£" 


)=151 )=151 THEN THEN LET LET T=T+1!! 

T=T+10 


)=151 THEN LET C=C+1 

485 

IF PEEK (PEEK 16396+PEEK 16397*256+S 

)=151 )=151 THEN THEN LET LET M=l M=l 

490 

IF IF C=15 THEN GOTO GOTO 17!! 170 

5!!!! 500 IF PEEK (PEEK 16396+PEEK 16397*256+S 

)=128 )=128 THEN THEN GOTO GOTO 75!!!! 7500 

51!! 510 POKE POKE PEEK PEEK 16396+PEEK 16396+PEEK 16397*256+P,!! 

16397*256+P,0 

52!! 520 LET LET T=T-1 

525 

IF T>2!!!!!! T>2000 THEN GOTO 850!! 8500 

53!! 530 PRINT AT 21,0; "^^^^mb" 

II 

" 

54!! 540 PRINT PRINT AT AT 21,!!,T 

21,0;T 

55!! 550 IF IF T

TECHNIQUES TECHNIQUES FOR FOR WRITING 

YOUR OWN ADVENTURE GAME 

Adventure games are as intriguing to write as they are 

Adventure games are as intriguing to write as they are 

to play. Here are are a few techn techniques iques to help help you create create ar1 an 

intricate dra drama ma without without rul1l1il1g running out out of memory. These 

suggestions are useful for any computer, but the specific 

suggestions are useful for any computer, but the specific 

examples CO>1Cern concern Commodore computers. 

Remember, you have have other other tools at your your disposal 

beside standard PEEKs, POKEs, and IF IF...THENs ... THENs 

when programming games. One-byte pointers 

when programming games. One-byte pointers 

and ragged tables, for example, ca can n sometimes 

come in handy as techniques to save memory and 

help with complica complicated ted game game logic. 

logic. 

Using Using these these techniques, techniques, I developed developed an adventure 

venture game game entirely in in BASIC BASIC for my 8K 8K Commodore 

PET 2001 (actually 7167 bytes of free 

memory). It It includes includes an an adventure adventure with with 48 rooms, 

576 576 vocabulary vocabulary words, words, 12 12 objects objects (trolls, (trolls, witches, 

witches, 

etc.), and and many many descriptors and and interactive responses. 

The game is table driven, and the entire 

adventure, adventure, including vocabulary, vocabulary, is is stored as as data. 

data. 

Many Many different different adventures adventures ca can n be be developed developed using using 

this this same same program without without change. 

Computer game programs often use numbers 

Computer game programs often use numbers 

which do not exceed the range of 0 0 to 255. Array 

indices and loop variables are common examples. 

indices and loop va riables are common exa mples. 

The The typical typical personal computer computer running running BASIC 

BASIC 

does not permit one-byte variabl es (value range 

does not permit one-byte variables (value range 

0-255). A variable (either fl floating oating point or integer) 

on on my my PET is always always seven seven bytes bytes long. If If your your 

game game program program needs needs a a good amount amount of of memory 

and you you store store lots of of variables variables with with valu values es in the the 

range of of 0-255, 0-255, then then this this unneeded overhead is a a 

problem. 

BASIC BASIC (which causes causes the the problem) also also offers 

offers 

a a solution. solution. String String manipulation manipulation functions functions permit permit 

the the program to address address a a single single character, and and a a 

character is stored in a single byte (plus some 

overhead wwhich hich will be discussed later). With 

these these string string manipulation manipulation functions functions and and simple 

simple 

algorithms algorithms to to convert characters characters to to numbers numbers and 

vice versa, it it is possible possible to efficiently efficiently store store numbers 

numbers 

in one byte. 

This This approach approach is is particularly particularly useful when a a 

game game program makes makes extensive extensive use use of of pointers. pOinters. 

98 COMPUll:! COMPUTE! Juty July 1983 

Charles Perki ns 

Charles Perkins 

Pointers are are stored stored va variables riables which which " "point" point" to to 

specific specific pieces pieces of of data data (i.e., (i.e., the the indices indices of a a table 

table 

entry). entry). The The approach approach is easily easily extended to the the 

creation creation and and use use of of " "ragged" ragged" tables. tables. A A ragged 

table is one in which the number of columns varies 

with with each each row. 

One-Byte Pointers 

One-Byte Pointers 

In its simplest form, a one-byte pointer is a value 

between 0 and 255 stored as a a corresponding 

character character in in a a string string variable. variable. Given Given the the character 

character 

(C$), its va value lue (C) is determined by the equation 

C = ASC(C$). Given the value, the appropriate 

character character is determined by the the function 

C$ C$ = CHR$(C). CHR$(C). Storing Storing individual characters characters as as 

individual strings is not effici efficient ent (it uses up eight 

bytes in the PET), so multiple variables must be 

stored stored together in a a string string (the (the overhead overhead is constant, 

and and each each character character adds adds only only one one additional 

byte of of memory). memory). To To retrieve the the Nth Nth character 

character 

from the the storage storage string string (A$), (A$), the the equation equation is is 

C$ = MID$(A$,N, MID$(A$,N,1). 1). To store a a new va value lu e in the 

string string is a a bit bit more more trouble, but it's still still just string 

string 

manipula manipulation. tion. 

Storing The Variables 

Storing The Variables 

The simple code number approach described 

above works if the one-byte variables are always 

kept internally internally in in the computer. If If you you want to 

store the variables on tape or examine them on 

the the screen, screen, a a problem arises: arises: the the internal character 

character 

codes codes include include special characters characters whi which ch ca cannot nnot be 

saved saved or or printed. In In fact, only only 128 characters 

characters 

(seven bits) ca can n be be saved or or printed, printed, and and one one of of 

these (the (the quote quote mark) has special meaning meani ng to the 

PET PET and and cannot cannot be used. used. The The usable character character set 

in the the PET PET has has code code numbers between 32 32 and 95 95 

and between 160 and 223. The quote mark is 

character character 34. 34. 

In In my adventure adventure game game application, the the storage 

age strings strings are are input input from from tape tape as as data. data. I also also chose 

chose 

to to reserve seven seven characters characters as as special special fl flags ags and and to to 

eliminate eliminate the the quo quote te mark mark from the the allowed allowed character 

acter set set for positive positive numbers. numbers. As a a result, result, I was 

forced to to use use slightly slightly more more complex complex encoding encoding and 

and

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