 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 :: Volume 2 - Issue 20      ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE      23 November 1993 ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::  ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI  ::
 ::    EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER    ::
 ::       ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE       ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::        Published and Copyright  1993 by Subspace Publishers         ::
 ::         """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""          ::
 ::  Publisher ........................... Michael Lindsay   EXPLORER    ::
 ::   Editor .................................. Travis Guy   AEO.MAG     ::
 ::    Assistant Editor GEnie................ Ron Robinson   EXPLORER.1  ::
 ::     Assistant Editor CompuServe.......... Albert Dayes   AEO.1       ::
 ::      Assistant Editor Delphi......... Andreas Barbiero   AEO.2       ::
 ::       Assistant Editor Internet........ Timothy Wilson   AEO.8       ::
 ::        Atari Asylum ................... Gregg Anderson   AEO.7       ::
 ::         Unabashed Atariophile ..... Michael R. Burkley   AEO.4       ::
 ::          Atari Artist ................... Peter Donoso   EXPLORER.2  ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                              Contributors:                           ::
 ::                              """""""""""""                           ::
 ::                         Al Fasoldt   Tom McComb                      ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                      Telecommunicated to you via:                    ::
 ::                      """"""""""""""""""""""""""""                    ::
 ::                             GEnie: AEO.MAG                           ::
 ::                         CompuServe: 70007,3615                       ::
 ::                             Delphi: AEO_MAG                          ::
 ::                      Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319                  ::
 ::                  AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10              ::
 ::                     Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com                 ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::   Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu    ::
 ::                 (Internet subscription requests ONLY!)               ::
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 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


                              Table of Contents


* From the Editors ................. Jaguars are selling - Warp 9 outlawed!

* Four Days With A Jaguar ............ Hands-on previews of several Jaguar
                                        games including Cybermorph and AvP.

* COMDEX Reacts to the Jaguar .................. What the crowd was saying.

* Fall COMDEX 1993 .................. Albert takes a stroll through COMDEX.

* The Man in the Mall .................. Tom McComb goes Jaguar hunting in
                                                    the (New) Jersey wilds.

* First Buyers' Reactions .......... Jaguars were being sold today. Here's
                                         online reaction to Atari's latest
                                           (and hottest ever) game machine.

* 10 Frequently Asked Questions About the Jaguar ....... Answered by Atari.

* Jaguar Tackboard ...................... Developers' Quotes on the system
                                            Blood and Gore in Kasumi Ninja
                                                  15 new Jaguar developers
                                                           Accolade titles

* A New Cat from Atari ............ Getting the word out in his syndicated
                                       newspaper column, Al Fasoldt covers
                                                        where Atari's been.

* Jaguar ASCII Art .................. Two examples of ASCII art I've found.

* The Unabashed Atariophile ................... New PD and Shareware files
                                                 for _your_ Atari computer.

* GEnie News ........................... New files & happenings on Atari's
                                                  Official Online Resource.

* Developing News ................................. Flash II 2.2 Available
                                                         Toad Holiday Fest
                                                        HACKS Jaguar Party
                                                    OVER/Drive for Falcons
                                                            New Recipe Box
                                                       Studio Photo is out
                                                       ATARI UNITED! & FOG
                                                        New Grocery Lister
                                                           BraSoft Support

* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||  From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
 |||  Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG   Delphi: AEO_MAG   Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
      -------------------------------------------------------------------

(Have you played Atari today?)

Atari's stock was being shredded by short selling on the AMEX; a whole
week had gone by since the 15th, and nobody saw a Jaguar for sale;
rumor-driven, short-tempered messages were flying about on the onlines
saying, "Atari's blown it. I knew it was too good to be true...."

4th-and-long, time to punt, right? Wrong. Time for the Puntrooski.

Atari showed up in IBM's OEM COMDEX area last week showing the Jaguar.
(If all Atari did was to sell Jaguars to IBM employees, they'd still
have a minor hit on their hands!) Jaguars are in retailers' warehouses,
and have started hitting the stores. (ATC's price started skyrocketing
again today, hmmm.) New commercials are airing in NY and SF (and
grabbing a lot of nonbelievers' attention). Atari is being spoken of
again in the mass media and gaming magazines, and the mall show that
Atari's sponsored is drawing the curious aside to scope out the Jag.

While there's no Jaguar tucked away inside AEO for you this week, and
though we'd love to convert a commercial to an animation file to show
you, we do have articles on everything else current in the World Atari.

First up is Albert Dayes' COMDEX reports. Albert doesn't live too far
from Las Vegas, and decided to pop over to see what was going on. Not
your average videogame junkie, Albert was amazed by the Jaguar. He sat
down with one, and over four days "work" he got lots of game time in.
While it's not enough to qualify as a full blown review, I asked
Albert to jot down everything he saw and heard in the Atari area. He
was really psyched up when we were discussing things on Saturday, and
I told him to let his enthusiasm show.

There's also a "10 Frequently Asked Questions" file about the Jaguar.
They're interesting, and _are_ the official word from Atari. So when
someone tries to pull the "It's only two 32-bit processors" bit, you
can correct them.

There's lots more inside - a report from Tom McComb on last weekend's
mall show in New Jersey, user reactions to their shiny new Jags, Al
Fasoldt's column on the rebirth of Atari, Michael Burkley's Unabashed
Atariophile (how _does_ he find time to look at everything?), John
Hartman's GEnie ST RT News, the first half of the Lynx Cheat file (for
you to practice with while waiting for your Jaguar) and last but not
least, general Atari press releases. For things Atari, if it's not in
AEO, it probably doesn't matter. Veronica can just sit back and sigh
for now.

(Have you played Atari today?)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// So Where Do We Go?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Atari has already "sold out" of Jaguars for 1993 - what is meant by
that is, all of the 1993 production runs have been allocated to the
retailers. Now the question is, can Atari meet its 1994 targets
without any significant delays? Bob Brodie says they can. Everything
to date has gone as smooth as can be expected, and the 1994 Jaguar
vintage only awaits any possible fine-tuning that any company
typically applies to a new product.

There's blue skies in Sunnyvale. That means blue skies for the entire
World Atari. See you in two.

Have you played Atari today?

                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Four Days With A Jaguar
 |||   By: Albert Dayes
/ | \  CIS 70007,3615    GEnie: AEO.1
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

  JJJJJJJJJJ     AA      GGGGGGGGG  UU     UU      AA     RRRRRRRR
      JJ       AA  AA    GG         UU     UU    AA  AA   RR     RR
      JJ      AAAAAAAA   GG  GGGGG  UU     UU   AAAAAAAA  RRRRRRRR
  JJ  JJ      AA    AA   GG     GG  UU     UU   AA    AA  RR   RR
  JJJJJJ      AA    AA   GGGGGGGGG  UUUUUUUUU   AA    AA  RR     RR

             64-bit Interactive Multimedia System

After hearing about the Jaguar I was skeptical about the system. After
hearing the phrase "It's just like the arcade!" I became even more
skeptical. (I've heard that ever since the Atari 2600 (Video Computer
System, 1977) days.) Especially when someone talks about a Missile
Command being "just like the arcade" I just laugh. Owning the real
arcade game version of Missile Command, I know nothing will ever come
close to being the real thing. For one thing, a trak-ball of that size
has never been duplicated in the home video game environment and the
game play always suffers tremendously because of it.

One thing I always enjoyed about Atari's arcade games were the
military simulations. Games like like Missile Command (1980),
BattleZone (tank simulation, 1981), Red Barron (World War I style
bi-plane, 1981), and my current favorite Steel Talons (a one or two
player helicopter simulation with rockets, 20mm cannon and Hellfire
missiles) are just some of great ones. They key point across all of
Atari games is the game play. They always did an excellent job with
the design of the controllers and how they interface with the game
itself. That is something I can always count on with Atari coin-ops.
Their outstanding graphics is just another reason to play.

NOTE: These games were/are from Atari's Coin-op division which is now
      Atari Games corporation. Atari Games corporation is a private
      company and is not related to Atari Corp (which manufacturers
      computers and home video game systems).

After looking around Comdex I found the Jaguar in the IBM OEM
(original equipment manufacturers) section. There was a crowd around
the machine so I had to squeeze in and get a good look...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Evolution Dino-Dudes
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

   This version of the popular caveman survial game combines 50 of the
   best levels from the previous version with all new 3D true-color
   background graphics and CD-quality music. In this multi-platform
   puzzle, caveman must survive by avoiding man-eating dinosaurs,
   discover the spear, making fire and physically running, jumping and
   climing their way up the evolutionary ladder.

The background is a partly darkened cave that has reddish color walls.
It's amazingly detailed and is definitely awe inspiring. One can see
that the texture mappping capabilities of the Jaguar are very
impressive. Basically, the game takes place in the beginning of time
and one has to discover a spear, fire and a few other things. This was
the one game I did not try hands on. This game is a platform puzzle
type and it's supposed to have a man-eating dinosaur. This game was
not in the console long enough to even come close to seeing all the
levels. This was created by Imagitec Design and is available now.

As one looks at all Jaguar games one is impressed by the brillance of
the colors. In most home video games the color has a washed out look
compared to their arcade counter parts.


=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Raiden
=-=-=-=-=-=

    The player pilots the aircraft over enemy territory, shooting
    realistic military tanks and other aircraft while avoiding enemy
    gunfire and hidden missiles. This is the ultimate arcade game
    conversion, allowiing the player to use a vertical scrolling
    motion to simulate aircraft flying.

This is a game that really shows off the brillance of the colors
involved. This is a one or two player game similar to Xevious
(Namco-Atari, 1983). An arcade conversion from a 1990 game of the same
name, this is a very fast action game and it's great with two players.
In most arcade games if too many objects are on the screen at one time
they slow down. These arcade slowdowns are very annoying since the
screen can jerk by 1/4 screen increments. On the Jaguar version, there
is no slow down at any point even with two players blasting away.

In this game one can fly all over the screen while the landscape
scrolls downward. As one looks at the game one can see how much
colorful detail is on every object. To notice this one can not be
playing the game. <grin> With all of the colors the depth perception
of the different objects is very, very clear. This one should be great
game for those who love shoot-em up style games. This was also created
by Imagitec Design and is available now.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Crescent Galaxy
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

   The player, Trevor McFur, and his sidekick, Cutter Lynx blast
   through five worlds filled with asteroids, horrific creatures and
   digitized protagonists. The game features full textured 3D
   rendering of creatures and planets with nine levels reflecting five
   different worlds.

This game is a sideways shoot-em up style game. If anyone remembers
Space Duel (a one or two player asteroids style game with color vector
graphics and 3D rotating rocks, Atari 1982) this has similar features.
The rocks are really outstanding texture map creations. Some of them
look like polished marble while others look just like black lava. They
tumble so gracefully through space - its really incredible. The
background looks just like the Great Nebula, in the constellation
Orion. I wonder if they digitized that picture from an astronomy book?

The monsters look very well done and it's amazing how many different
ways one can modify an object. For example there is a dinosaur like
creature with wings (in a dull blue-grey color) while the bottom is
that of a snake. The tail snake like section looks just like a normal
snake on a coil. (Editor: This was what shown on a monitor in the CBS
This Morning segment in October that many people asked about) The
amount of colors and texture mapping gives one a very good idea of
what the Jaguar is capable of. This one is created by Atari and is
available now.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Cybermorph
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

   Cybermorph, which is bundled with Jaguar, makes the player a One
   Man Rescue Probe sent into an interplanetary battlefield to rescue
   stranded survivors of a dying war. As the player files into a
   real-time, light shaded, polygon-based world, his craft, the
   Cybermorph assumes differnet forms to blend into the landscape
   below. A Holographic face speaks to the player, giving him
   information as he races toward all 50 moons to save final
   survivors.

I spent more time with this one title than all of the others put
together. With this game I will also illustrate the different features
of the Jaguar itself. It was created by Attention To Detail and is
available with every Jaguar system.

//// Boot Up

When the Jaguar is turned on with a game cartidge installed, the
screen turns jet black and the blood red Jaguar name appears on the
screen. This is also accompanied by an audio roar. An interesting
feature about the Jaguar is if the cartidge is not inserted properly,
the machine boots but the entire screen is a dull red. This is great
so one has a visual clue immediately when there is a problem.

In continuing with the normal bootup sequence the white letters
"A t a r i" fall from the top of the screen to the bottom. A short
tune plays... I think it's "Have you played Atari today?" The red
Jaguar name moves from the center of the screen to the top. Then a
rotating, texture mapped cube of the Jaguar appears in the middle of
the screen.

After this the Cybermorph game starts. A craft appears on the screen
and then it morphs into the word Cybermorph. One then chooses which
planet he/she wishes to visit. The planets are arranged around the
outside of the screen. Moving the joypad controller to the appropriate
planet selects it. This selection is signalled by red square brackets
around the planet. By pressing the fire button one jumps immediately
to the planet itself.

//// The Controller

Before the game itself is discussed, let's look at the controller. At
first glance the controller seems very big and bulky. But after
picking it up, one realizes how light it really is. It seems like it
should be very hard to adjust to, but it's very easy.

        ___
        | |                                       XXX
      --   --                                     XXX
      | JOY |                                XXX
      --   --            P     O             XXX
        | |             P     O         XXX
        ---            P     O          XXX



                   KPAD   KPAD   KPAD

                   KPAD   KPAD   KPAD

                   KPAD   KPAD   KPAD

                   KPAD   KPAD   KPAD



The cross in the upper left is the joypad controller. The three Ps are
the pause button. The three Os are the option button. The three groups
of X's represent the three fire buttons. And lastly the 12 KPADs
represent the 12 keys on the keypad. The feel of the controller is
supposed to be similar to the Lynx, when held. Since I have never used
an Atari Lynx myself, I can not make a judgement on that point. The 12
keys of the key pad can handle overlays. This will be most useful in
sport simulations, but I'm sure its not limited only to that.

One nice feature about the Jaguar is that one can remap the keys to
their own preferences. For example in the game Cybermorph the three
group of X's represent a forward thrust, fire button, and reverse
thrust. One can change this to any possible combination that he/she
feels comfortable with. The combination I used was the top, outer
right button signifies the fire button, the middle for forward thrust
and the bottom for reverse thrust.

The game starts out with a large polyhedron flying out of the top left
corner of the screen and unfolding, unveiling the ship, Cybermorph.
(This is difficult to describe - you have to actually see it.) One can
think of a clenched fist unfolding, and then opening to display an
object.

Then the SKYLAR apprears and says "Good Luck." SKYLAR is a green,
bald, female face that speaks to you during your mission. The phrases
she speaks are crystal clear too.

One of the first things most people who played that game at Comdex
wanted to do was to fly at top speed. This is accomplished by pressing
your forward thrust button, and flying into your "virtual" world. It's
amazing that you are not stuck in a rails-style game with only one
direction. Everything moves very fast and very smooth - its really an
incredible experience. It's great to be able to over fly a target and
then just swing all the way around to make another pass. As one flies
into the turn, one can notice how the light sources change on the
wings of your craft. The shading goes from light to dark to light
again.

As one flies around searching for pods the terrain moves by very
smoothly. The shape of the craft changes as one speeds up, slows down,
flies backwards or turns. The shading of the terrain changes are
subtle and very fluid. There is no jerking or slowdown at any time
during the game due to objects being created on the fly.

//// What you see....

Before we get more into the game the screen needs to be defined. At
the bottom of the screen is the cockpit console. It indicates the
status of the following:

A) Shields
B) Weapon Systems
C) Energy
D) Pods remaining

When one loses all of the energy the craft crashes and even the
console looks smashed. The screen is defined below.


                                                         R    G
     SKYLAR's               Radar -------------------->  R  G
      FACE                  (transparent)                R
    (your best friend,                               RRRRRRRRR
     only on screen when                                 R
     speaking )                                          R  /\
                                                         R


                                                         A
                                                         A
                   ALTITUDE indicator --------------->   A
                    (transparent)                        A
                                                         A

 CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC                CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
                     C             C
   E   S              C           C
   N   H               CCCCCCCCCCC
   E   I
   R   E           The console area which indicates the status of the
   G   L           different weapon systems, energy, shields, etc.
   Y   D
       S


The face in the upper left corner is SKYLAR's (she is your best friend).
One can not really turn her off completely since she does give important
messages like:

"Portal Open"
"Only one more"

The radar and altitude display are transparent so one can still see
the game beneath it. It similar to a HUD (Heads Up Display) found in
many of today's modern aircraft. When pods are in range they are
indicated on the radar screen as yellow V's. When one gets very close
they change to diamonds. Enemies are indicated by different colors.
Cargo carriers are green while fighters are red. Also some enemies do
not show up on the radar screen at all.

//// Keeping SKYLAR silent?

As one attempts to fly around at top speed a lot, one will hit the
ground at some time. When you do hit the ground you lose part of your
shield (indicated by a yellow bar). To the immediate left of this bar
is a green one that indicates the entire craft's energy level. These
items are on the console which lies across the bottom of your screen.
In addition to losing part of your shields, SKYLAR starts nagging you.
At first, she says. "Avoid the ground." If you hit the ground more
than a few times consecutively SKYLAR gets sarcastic. "Where did you
learn to fly?" There is a solution to the problem of this pesky face
however and its a great feature I hope a lot of developers can copy.

To turn off SKYLAR, first press the pause button on the controller. At
this point, one is given the option of adjusting several different
things, the first being SKYLAR's voice. By moving the joypad up or
down the loudness of the voice changes. The next option is to change
the loudness of the engine and finally the loudness of the effects.
The best part is these options (in addition to the top 10 scores) are
saved to the cartridge. So the next time you play the game these
options are still the same. There is some SRAM in the cartridge itself
to accomplish this feat.

There are several things you can do in this game:

A) Fly around avoiding all contact with the "bad guys".
B) Fly around collecting pods and advance to the next planet.
C) Fly in very agressive manner and destroy anything in your path.
D) B and C.

One can mix and match any of these options at any time. The D option is
one of the most exciting!

The planet itself is a very exciting "virtual" world. It's a complete
sphere and one can fly in any possible combination of directions. Each
planet has a complete different combination of terrain. The following
is a short list of some of the non moving objects you will see. These
are my own names and may be termed differently in the manual.

//// "The Virtual World contains...."

1) Mountains (too high to fly over)
2) Rivers
3) Trees
4) Canyons
5) Bridges
6) Small towns
7) Plains (a great expanse of flat land)
8) Energy Rings

The moving objects differ from "virtual" world to world.

1) Cargo Carriers
2) Defense Fighters
3) Harrassing Scout Fighters
4) Pods (a golden, dual tetrahedron shaped object similar to a solid
         3D diamond )
5) Kidnappers
6) Fixed Weapon emplacements
7) Flying Worms
8) Ground Poisoners
9) ??????

//// "Cargo Carriers"

In the default planet the cargo carriers can go over any of the
mountains. On this planet Cybermorph can not obtain that altitude.
When a cargo carrier starts up a steep mountain, one can fly around it
at full speed and attack the cargo carrier as it comes down the other
side. If one fails to destroy it, then one can either go backwards and
make another attempt. Or one can make a half circle and take another
shot. Unlike other games your shots do not follow where your craft
flies. Each shot once it leaves your craft is completely independent
of you.

Cargo carriers contain special items such as speed boosters, missiles,
or energy. After one is destroyed the contents are left floating in
the air. Running into these objects will add them to your current
inventory. When one runs into any of these particular objects a "gulp"
like sound is heard. These objects do not last forever when exposed
(floating in the air) and will disappear after a given length of time.
The Cybermorph is very fast already, and I have never found a speed
booster to see how much faster one can go. There is no method to
determine what is in a cargo carrier before destroying it. Also, cargo
carriers do not carry any weapons for defense against your attacks.
Cargo carriers change in shape and size depending on which world one
is currently on.

//// "Fighters"

There are two types of fighters in Cybermorph. Scout types and
Defender types. Scout types fly all over the world and just show up in
the most difficult times. They fire shots and leave but may turn
around and attack your or continue on their predestined path. These
craft vary in shape and size as well. Some look like low sillouette
style triangles, while others look similar to X-wing craft from Star
Wars. The defense against these is to change altitude often. These
craft fly at the altitude that you fly at the most. So if you are
flying low most of the time to gather pods when they attack they will
be at the same level. When you're stuck in a dead-end canyon, picking
up a pod, one of these scouts always seems to fly into the area.

The other type are defender type of fighters. When large groups of
pods are gathered in one place, these defender fighters can also be
present. These fighters just fly around in a circle guarding their
bait. It's possible to fly in at high speeds and snatch a pod or two
before the defenders even notice. Also one can hover (or fly) at a
great stand off distance and fire into these fighters without a
counterattack. Once within range however, they will all open fire and
a retreat is the best option. The shots that these defender fighters
shoot look like a long, barbed tetrahedrons. These shots come fast and
furious so be careful.

The problem with using only stand off techniques to attack defender
type fighters is scouts always seems to end up behind you. Since
scouts can fly anywhere one has to be very careful not to get stuck in
the crossfire. Fighters (scout and defender) are present on all
planets in Cybermorph.

//// "Pods"

Finding a pod is usually straightforward, using your radar as your
guide. But when flying at high speeds (around mountains, over rivers,
under bridges, and through mountain passes) one can easily overshoot a
pod. There are several options to choose in this case. One can make a
180 degree turn and make another pass, or they can go backwards and
then make another attempt, to rescue the pod.

To control the speed of Cybermorph the one uses a combination of
forward and reverse thurst. To go backwards one presses the reverse
thurst until the desired backward movement is achieved. To pick up a
pod one just runs into with the craft. A single clink is heard when
this is successfully accomplished. SKYLAR sometimes appears and says
"Well done."

//// "Kidnappers and Poisoners"

These are present on some planets and take completely different forms
depending on the planet. One one planet they looked like a crab with
three or four long legs. The legs are about twice as long as the body
and the unit moves erratically across the planet surface. Actually
they remind me of Jellyfish or Portuguese Man-O-War in their looks.
These kidnappers grab pods and carry them to different locations on
the planet.

One of the locations is where the "Ground Poisoner" lives. It looks
like 7 or 8 solid, 3D triangles or rather tetrahedrons piled on top of
one another. The area that is poisoned looks like a very jet black oil
slick. To reduce its activity one fires at it until it disappears back
into the ground. With each hit it changes color until it descends back
into the ground. It reminds me of a morey eel in some ways.

One strategy is to wait for the kidnappers to bring all the pods to
this place and pick them up as they are dropped. It's more exciting to
race over the planet's surface looking for kidnappers. Also in some
locations, kidnappers have pods tied down on the ground and these must
be liberated. Unfortunately I do not recall if these imprisioned pods
show up on the radar or not. Probably not.

//// "Fixed Weapon Emplacements"

These are standard AA (anti-aircraft) style weapons that either alone
on the ground or in groups. High speed passes are the best way to deal
with these. These can unleash a huge volume of firepower very quickly.

//// "Flying Worms"

Flying worms stay in their specific areas or so it appears. These are
very difficult to destroy, if they can be damaged at all. My best
solution was to avoid them. The Worms look like a large string of
cubes and are very unpredictable. Beware, these are very dangerous and
are not intimidated.

//// "Energy Rings"

There are several type of "energy" rings. Some replenish lost energy
to your craft while others provide some sort of transport. The solid
ring versions provide energy and can be found by flying around the
planet (or "virtual" world).

The second type are transport types. The type of different colors are
portal to leave the planet. These appear on your radar screen as a pod
when you have completed your mission. SKYLAR also informs you that a
portal is open as well. This are made up of rotating triangles of red
and blue usually. After one flies into this a polyhedron envelops your
craft and it goes off the top of the screen. Then the player chooses
another planet to rescue more pods from.

The other transport types are of the same color (usually red or blue
rotating trangles), and take you instantly to different parts of the
planet. In many cases this is the only way to get to a pod, which is
completely surrounded by mountains (which are too high to fly over).
Scout fighters always seem to be in these areas as well, so watch out.

//// Cybermorph weapon systems

The available weapon systems include bombs and missiles. To switch
from your normal cannon to a different weapon, one uses the option key.
Several types of items can only be destroyed by such weapons.
Buildings which contain pods are the best candidates for these weapon
types. Many times there are groups of buildings with many pods
scattered around them. It takes a skillful hand to navigate between to
reach them all but it's not too difficult.

In many games in the past, I've noticed that sometimes when one
attempts to perform such an operation it's near impossible. The
software's collision detection of where the game (computer) sees an
edge is way off. (Compared against what a player sees on the screen.)
Cybermorph DOES NOT have this flawed characteristic. One can fly full
speed out of a mountain place, gracefully glide in between the
buildings to rescue pods, and come out the other side completely
unscathed.

The best weapon system is just being to handle the craft speed and
direction. This makes a big difference between "players" and
"outstanding players." One such outstanding player is Jay Patton
(Projects Manager) at Atari. He was watching over the Atari exhibit in
the IBM OEM section most of the time, but when he was demonstrating
Cybermorph it was awe inspiring. He could make the most incredible
moves to accomplish the necessary goal. The reason this is important
is that players are not hindered by the controls when playing the
game. With the right touch, one can really do some incredible things.
Everyone gets turned off by a game if the controls do not allow you to
perform what you need to. Cybermorph has excellent handling
characteristics and no one will be hindered in what he/she can do.

//// "????????"

According to the literature there are 50 planets (moons) to "fly" on.
There are about nine different planets to choose when one first starts
out. After these planets are cleared then another group will appear.
On one planet I was flying around and suddenly, this brillant red
laser beam just destroyed my ship. Unfortunately I never saw the
source of this beam so I do not have any idea what it was. And I do
not remember which planet it was on either. So as SKYLAR would say
"GOOD LUCK!"

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Alien vs Predator
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

This game IS NOT FINISHED yet. So this is just a preview of what will
be coming in first quarter 1994.

   This tunnel/maze game has texture-mapped walls and striking
   renderings of monsters. The player selects to be the Alien, the
   Predator or the Marine Corporal. The Alien, complete with a tail
   that whips around and nasty jaws, smoothly scales walls to pounce
   upon his unsuspecting prey; the Predator uses sophisticated
   weaponry and superior infrared night vision to seek out his victims
   and the Marine Corporal depends on his piles of ammunitions and
   sophisticated military combat computer skills to hunt and defend.
   Camera speed races at a high frame rate to create the ultimate in
   chase sequences.

The amount of time I had with this game was limited but it was very
impressive nonetheless. The speed of going through the maze is
incredible with the hallway getting lighter and lighter as one
approaches the end of the hallway. The walls differ in different parts
of the maze with a very strong green metalic look. In other places it
a brownish tan look. The real-time scaling and texture mapping
capabilities of the Jaguar really come to life in AvP. In addition to
the texture mapping, there is a transparancy overlay that show
weapons, ammunition and other important status indicators. As one goes
through the ship at full speed, it feels just like running. And run
you should once you (as a Marine) see either Predator or Alien.

Imagine this: as you round a corner there stands the Predator: a
large menacing monster, and as soon as you turn to run it is on your
tail. As you turn around to see how close it is behind you you can see
him running at full screen after you. You suddenly turn around and
realize that Predator took a short cut and cut you off completely.
Turning around you face the evil looking Predator. Firing your weapon,
the Predator disappears into thin air.

After you catch your breath, you continue down the different halls.
Past the elevator, into the armory, and then... lost. The scheme of
the ship lightens up as you run into the medical lab and there you
find a Predator again. He is behind some glass and follows you as you
move around within the medical lab. By going to the exit, Predator
jumps through the door and starts chasing you again. Turning, you fire
your weapon and Predator disappears for a season.

Upon entering a dark, green metalic room you notice dark, large oval
shaped objects. They appear to be hatching eggs (that bring forth
Aliens). You wander aimlessly throughout the ship, cautiously looking
this way and that. You open one door and reload your weapon looking
for the second door. The second door opens and Alien surprises you. As
you run backwards down the hall you see Alien coming full speed after
you. Its gleaming white teeth increase in intensity as it closes in.

While its tail whips from side to side, you fire your weapon with no
effect. The fire belches from your weapon as you attempt to at least
slow down the monster. Finally you run into a wall and see that you
are trapped. Alien slows down and stops in front of you. You muster
your courage and charge directly at Alien, firing your weapon. You go
right through Alien unscathed... sorry, collision detection was not
completed yet! Neither was the sound, so you'll have to look for this
completed title in first quarter 1994. This one is going to be hot!
Written by Rebellion Software.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Checkered Flag II
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

  Jaguar Formula Racing hits its peak using real-time 3D generated
  action that allows the game player to customize racing cars. Cars,
  buildings and roads are rendered in real-time 3D. Racing speed is
  intensified by 100 percent-true sound effects; crashes are realistic
  in both sound and imagery, with parts flying and tires screeching.
  With this sweaty-palms racing racing game, players will practicallly
  feel the wind in their hair.

This one still has some work to do like collision detection and sound
effects also. Also the graphics needs to be improved in some places.
Since this is a work in progress, it was expected to be in this
format. Look for this in early 1994, from Rebellion Software.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   COMDEX reacts to the Jaguar
 |||   By: Albert Dayes
/ | \  CIS: 70007,3615     GEnie: AEO.1
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

Most people were quite impressed with the Jaguar and with good reason.
The speed of texture mapped graphics really drew quite a crowd. There
were also several IBM employees from the different divisions that were
very interested in the Jaguar. Some from the PowerPC division were
more interested in discussing the technical merits of the chip set.
There were others from Motorola and other IBM divisions that were also
very impressed with the chip set.

The second question after the technical questions were answered was
"Where can I can get it?" Several IBM reps walking through the IBM OEM
booth stopped and looked at the Jaguar for a long time. Then they
asked. "Where can I can get one?"

Several people who had read different gaming magazines also came
through the booth and asked to see it in action. Crescent Galaxy,
Cybermorph and Alien vs Predator were always on the list of must see
games.

Most people were surprised to hear that Atari Games was going to be
using the Jaguar chipset in their arcade games. That made several
people pause in silence before asking where they could get a copy.

The other questions were related to what the Nintendo-SGI alliance
would produce. If they were using the MIPs 4x00 family of 64-bit RISC
chips the price on the chip alone was at least $200. If Atari can sell
the Jaguar for $249 retail the Jaguar chip set must be very
inexpensive. The Nintendo-SGI will make the market a very exciting
place for consumers for sure.

A certain businessman walking through the booth asked why this game
machine was present. After hearing that IBM was doing component
sourcing, assembly and distribution he looked at the Jaguar a while
longer, picked up a brochure and left without another word.

Several different reps from game software producing companies also
came through the booth. Most were interested in getting more
information on how to develop for the Jaguar. Since they were not
facing me, I could not read their badges and see what company they
were from. Several 3DO developers wanted to know the price and
availability of the CD-ROM drive for the Jaguar too.

When exhibitors came through the booth it was much easier to tell from
what company they were from. This was due to the fact that each
company had a dress code. IBM employees and guests were wearing tan
pants and purple shirts with IBM OEM written on the shirts. Borland
had green shirts and black pants. And this list goes on.

Two representives from the Microsoft Advanced Projects Group were very
interested in getting Jaguar development units. They already had 3DO
units in the lab and wanted to the get Jaguar units right away.

When there was a slight lull in the crowds and I got some hands on
time with the Jaguar someone would always stand right next to me. When
I asked them if they would like to try, most said sure and happily
took the controller in their hands. When playing Cybermorph most had
no problem getting used to the controls. All loved the speed and
clarity of the graphics. They loved how fluid the motion was and being
able to fly all over the planet was a real treat.

J. Patton handled most of the technical questions non stop during the
time I was present at Comdex. Technical discussions of the chip set,
block diagram and object processor were almost always being discussed.
It was quite amazing the amount of interest in the Jaguar.

IBM's Charlotte plant is also an interesting place. This the only IBM
facility that has everything in one place. Manufacturing, assembly,
software development, hardware development, CD-ROM disc duplication,
etc, etc, and it's duty free as well.

Everyone wanted to feel the Jaguar controller, and since there were
two at the booth this was quite trivial. Most like me were surprised
at how light it was. Most after playing a game had no complaints about
the controller either.

There were many comments about what 3DO had to offer and its high
price. Some expressed concern about the number of developers Atari had
on board versus 3DO as well. There were many questions about past
history and how this would impact the future. But regardless of these
questions everyone wanted a copy or wanted information on how develop
software for it.

After getting to spend quality time with the Jaguar at Comdex I am
very impressed. When one has a computer for such a long period of time
one can hardly think of spending $49 to $79 for a single cartridge.
But after seeing and most importantly, playing with the Jaguar, it
will be a very easy step.

Jaguar 64-bit Interactive Multimedia System (includes Cybermorph).
$249.95
Shipping New York and San Francisco areas currently
US National/European Rollout in 1994


                            --==--==--==--==--


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            --==--==--==--==--



 |||   Man In The Mall
 |||   By: Tom McComb
/ | \  GEnie: T.MCCOMB
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

My fiancee Michele and I trekked out to the Newport Center Mall in NJ
on November 14th and saw the Jaguar/Lynx exposition. It was a hit.
LOTS of public interest and about a dozen Jags to play with.

Yes - they are real. We saw. We touched. We played. We want one.

Impressions: The unit itelf is bigger than it looks in the digitized
pictures that have been available online. It's longer and wider. It's
nice. Looks fast while it's standing still. Grrrrr. It's hot.

The controller is very nice. If you like the LYNX controls (I do!)
you'll LOVE the Jag controller. Light and form fitting. It takes two
hands to hold but is very comfortable and intuitive.

Games: Only two were available for display and _play_. I played
CyberMorph for about 15 minutes. Michele got a real kick out of
watching my head, arms, body sway to the motions of my spacecraft as I
flew at incredible speeds through varied terrain. It's _fast_, it's
_very_ fluid, very smooth. It was fun. I was sweating by the time my
three ships were destroyed.

I need to see more of it, but the graphics probably could have been a
bit more detailed, at least in comparison to the game playing next to
it: Crescent Galaxy. Very nice graphics, much of it looks photographic.
I didn't get a chance to play it (darn!). There are three levels of
parallax: Foreground, midground (playing area) and backdrop. Each
scroll along at a different speed.

There were about a dozen reps there, each outfitted in a black Jag
T-Shirt and Jag hat. They were knowledgeable and helpful. The display
area consisted of two groups of 4 kiosks each and a raised stage with
another six jags hooked up to 20" or 25" monitors. The stage also had
stereo speakers blasting away!

The host was named Ira and he would periodically get onstage and give
a short talk about the Jaguar. First he would remind everyone of
Atari's history (Pong to 2600) and then boast about the Jaguar's
specs. During the talk Sega, Nintendo and especially 3D0 would get
trashed. All during the talk, he would stop and ask questions of the
crowd - first one with the correct answer would get a Jag T-Shirt or
Cap tossed at them.

People were encouraged to sign-up for a chance to win a free Jaguar (a
total of 4 were given away over the four days). They didn't need much
encouragement to sign up. At any one time, I'd say there were about
50-75 people gathered around the display area.

To whet peoples appetites, Ira kept reminding people of what games
originally shipped with other systems (Sega/Nintendo/NEC) and what
programmers were eventually able to do with the systems once they
became adept at it. Just wait till they really master it!

Later in the day a local DJ from HOT97 came and helped Ira pump up the
crowd and toss out T-Shirts. Full color Jag brochures were also
available for people to bring home. People seemed very interested in
the machine and it was a big hit with the kids.

Most frequently asked questions that I could overhear were:

 1) How Much?
 2) Where can I buy it?
    and
 3) When will they have them for sale?

Oh yeah, people kept asking for the Jag shirts and hats too!

Best moment: When Michele caught a Jaguar T-Shirt for me! Yes folks,
_I_ have my very own Jaguar T-Shirt. Nyahhhh! Eat your heart out! It's
black, it's beautiful! Front: "Atari (and Fuji)" in small white
lettering, and the Jaguar name/logo in larger red printing. Back:
Large yellow Jag eyes above the big red Jag logo, underneath which is
the "64-BIT" & "Interactive Multimedia System" tag line.

Guess what Michele's going to get me for Christmas? The future's so
bright, I gotta wear shades.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   First buyers' reactions
 |||   Courtesy: GEnie
/ | \  ------------------------------------------------------------------
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

From the ST RoundTable on GEnie:

Category 14,  Topic 45
Message 187       Tue Nov 23, 1993
M.SCHEFFEL                   at 21:16 EST
 
It's about time!
 About three o'clock today I got a call at work. One of my  employees
reserved Jafuar's were in. Against my better judgement I relayed the
message. Sure enough he dropped what he was doing and left. He showed
up an hour later with the Holy Grail. It is out in the New York area!
 Afetr work I got my first taste, Cybermorph is great. The morphing is
smooth and combination of scrolling and rendering is more than
impressive. This machine must be a winner,
 Only two complaints, they are already sold out (Electronics
Boutique), and we want more games.
 Let me again repeat: someone went to a mainstream store and bought
Atari!
      Yes I've played Atari today!!!!!
 ------------


From SCORPIA'S Games RoundTable on GEnie:

Category 8,  Topic 35
Message 24        Tue Nov 23, 1993
ERIDDLE                      at 21:14 EST

Well the Jaguar finally hit Asheville, NC today (Special order from
our local software store) and M.CARTER14 and myself got to pick ours
up!  The machine is very sleek, although a bit bigger than the
pictures led to believe.

The controller is awsome!  And CyberMorph comes with an overlay for
the keypad similar to the old 2600 Star Raiders.

The box has to been seen... Atari has outdone themselves!!!  Oh well,
more later...

ed @ home

 ------------
Category 8,  Topic 35
Message 25        Tue Nov 23, 1993
CARBON.14                    at 21:37 EST

 Some comments from people who picked up their Jags today!

 Article 199 (129 more) in rec.games.video.misc:
 From: todd@hal.com (Todd Nix)
 Subject: Re: Jaguars are IN!!!
 Date: 23 Nov 93 19:21:11 GMT

 In <todd.754075248@xymox> todd@hal.com (Todd Nix) writes:
 >I'll be heading over there at lunch to pick it up, and
 >try to get a review out later.

 Well I picked it up, took it home, plugged it in.
 Unfortunately the controller was DOA. One of the buttons is
 shorted or something, because where B should fire, Pause fires instead.
 I'm going back to the store to pick another one up this evening.

 More bad news. The only connector packed in is an RF cable. Maybe
 it was just my unit, we already know it was bad, but the first
 third of the screen was clear, while the right 2/3s was a little
 jittery. I tried using a different channel, socket in the power strip,
 as well as disconnecting the CATV cable from the RF box. Called ATARI
 and they said the composite and SVHS connectors would be out in 1/94.
 They connect to a little card slot in the back, so it would be pretty
 hard to roll your own.

 Good news. Cybermorph looks pretty cool from the demo. Fast, smooth,
 good sounds. The landscape isn't texture mapped, but there is a good
 deal of shading and shadows. Everything moves very very smoothly. Pretty
 impressive.  The landscape doesn't look real blocky either, nice and
 smoothed. You can see some edges, but they aren't very sharp. Not a
 system seller, but I think it will be pretty fun.

 The controller is nice. It would nicer if mine worked, but oh well.
 Fits nicely in the hands. Good feel on the buttons. Not too heavy.
 Cybermorph comes with an overlay that fits over the buttons. You can
 change views to look at your ship from outside in 4 directions, or from
 inside the cockpit. There are buttons to turn off the sound, toggle the
 targetting view, and 3 buttons for "super weapons".

 That's all for now. Hopefully the unit I pick up tonight will be fully
 functional.

 Todd Nix               (512)794-2855           todd@halaus.hal.com



 Article 220 (128 more) in rec.games.video.misc:
 From: tpp@cbnews.cb.att.com (Grue)
 Subject: Jag stuff
 Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 21:45:51 GMT

 Ok, I'm a little more calm now... B)

 Anyhow, I've been playing Cybermorph.  Just got it from the Electronics
 Boutique in Woodbridge, NJ.  They didn't have any games (Boo!), but
 Cybermorph is very nice indeed.  Is it texture mapped?  No.  Is it very
 fast and very smooth?  You bet your ass it is!  Is the sound any good?
 Damn right!  And I'm used to a Roland on an IBM PC.  And it's fun.  And
 addictive.  And I think I'm a-gonna go play it again.  Quick mechanics
 breakdown:  A accelerates, B fires, C brakes, keypad does lots of neat
 things, from firing special weapons to changing cockpit views and turning
 off the music.

 The game saves 100,000 updates to the high score list, btw.

 Gotta run!
 Tom

                         -----end-----

 ------------
Category 8,  Topic 35
Message 26        Tue Nov 23, 1993
M.CARTER14 [Mac]             at 22:13 EST

We'll as of today I am one of the proud owners of a ATARI Jaguar!!!.
I leave in Asheville, N.C.  I finally got a call from my friends at
Babbage's. I flew over to the store and picked it up and then had to
wait three hours before I got my lunch break before I got to play it.
The base unit itself is much larger than I thought it would be, not
that it was bad or anything, I like the bigger unit.  You can tell
that there is some quality in the machine.  The controler is the best
one of any machine I have. (And I have them all!)  It feels like it is
a part of your natural hand.  The control pad and button are all in
perfect finger reach.  The full keypad is very easy to select.  The
opening screen is just like someone said.  The Jaguar logo scales in
and you hear the jaguar growl, the individual ATARI letters fall in
from different directions and the little ATARI theme song plays. The
they split apart and the cube with the photographic image of the
jaguar animals rotates around.  The box and all the manuals have the
same cover with the logo and the cateyes.  It also come with a poster
that looks like the box with some screen shots along the bottom.  The
back of the poster and manual just show you how to hook the unit of
about a million different ways. The carts are curved just a little so
that they are easy to get in and out. Now about Cybermorph.  I only
got to play it for a couple of minutes and I thought it was more of a
game to show off what the machine had in "horsepoer" than a "gameplay"
cart.  After getting home and playing it for about 15 minutes, I
think it is very fun.  The landscape is killer with all of the colors
and shading.  There is NO slowdown at all.  The gameplay is not as
fast paced as say Starfox.  It's more like Stellar 7 than Starfox.  I
got past the first couple of planets and was wondering if that was all
eight levels there was to play.  Then after reading the book I found
out there was eight planets per stage and there were five
stages.(IE:40 levels)  The voices are crystal clear and the opening
music was good.  There is no music during game play.  There are a lot
of different options during play like controling the volume of all the
different sounds. (IE: Skylar, Engine, sounds.)  Over all it is a very
good game for the first cart and pack in.  It's not the best game ever
made but I like it a lot.  I also ordered Cresent Galaxy but I'm not
sure when it will get here.  Now the wait for Aliens Vs. Predator.

Mac Carter @ Home playing Jaguar. (With a big GRIN)

 ------------


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Ten Questions About Jaguar's 64-Bit Technology
 |||   Courtesy: Atari Corp.
/ | \  -----------------------------------------------------------------
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

1. What does 64-bit mean?

"64-bit" refers to the amount of data Jaguar can process at one time.
Because Jaguar processes data 64 bits at a time - versus 8, 16 and 32
bits for other video game systems - Jaguar delivers unprecedented
animation speed, true-color graphics and stereo CD-quality sound.
Jaguar is the world's first 64-bit interactive multimedia home
entertainment system.


2. What are the main differences players will notice when using 64-bit
systems as compared to conventional machines and newer 32-bit systems?

The biggest difference players will notice is an enormous increase in
the overall speed and smoothness of objects in motion in their video
games. Game players will be able to manipulate and respond to game
action much more quickly and objects will travel at high animation
speed. In addition, players will notice a significant improvement in
the appearance of their video games; colors will be brighter and more
numerous, graphics will appear clearer and extremely realistic, 3D
objects will feature multi-textured surfaces, special effects will be
much more sophisticated and games will include true-to-life lighting
and shadows. Game realism will also be enhanced by sound effects
generated in CD-quality audio.


3. How does Jaguar achieve its 64-bit processing power?

Jaguar achieves its processing power through an advanced architecture
that features a 64-bit data bus. This bus acts like a 64-lane freeway,
permitting data "traffic" to flow 64-bits at a time. Five processors
work together to move data through the bus including:

 The Atari-proprietary 64-bit Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) with
  RISC technology - responsible for delivering Jaguar's complex 3D
  graphics at high animation speed

 The Atari-developed 32-bit Digital Signal Processor - delivers
  Jaguar's CD and stereo sound capabilities

 The Object Processor - provides an advanced video environment

 The Blitter Graphics Accelerator - rapidly manipulates and copies
  images

 The 68000 16-bit processor - manages secondary processing functions


4. If Jaguar includes a 16-bit processor, how can it be a true 64-bit
system?

Jaguar is a true 64-bit system because it moves data through a 64-bit
data bus. While it includes a 16-bit processor, this processor plays
only a minor role in system performance. This processor acts as a
necessary, but less important stage hand - managing minor processing
functions, including reading joystick commands and distributing
workloads to system components.


5. In video game systems, what is the relationship between processing
speed and video graphics?

The processing speed of a video game platform has a direct
relationship to the quality of video graphics it is capable of
generating. When graphics are complex and include many colors, the
system needs more power to maintain high-quality animation speeds from
cartridge to screen without degradation.

Atari Jaguar's 64-bit processing speed allows the system to display
more than 16 million colors with an animation speed greater than 850
million pixels per second. This means Jaguar's 3D graphics are very
realistic, with bright colors and fast moving action.

This performance is significantly better than that of 32-bit machines,
which display 16.7 million colors, but are only able to move 64
million pixels per second. In other words, 32-bit systems have just as
much traffic as Jaguar, but they are trying to squeeze the same number
of colors onto a 32-lane highway instead of a 64-lane freeway. This
can result in grainier graphics, fewer colors used and slower
animation speed.


6. How has Atari been able to leapfrog 32-bit systems?

Atari Corporation has been able to leapfrog 32-bit systems because the
company made a commitment to meet the needs of the industry by making
a quantum leap to the 64-bit architecture. Atari backed this
commitment with resources, including the world's finest engineers and
the industry's most experienced management team. This combination of
vision, dedication and talent allowed Atari to build Jaguar's
proprietary 64-bit hardware and deliver Jaguar to customers while the
company's competitors were still struggling to develop and market less
powerful products.


7. How is Atari able to offer advanced 64-bit technology at such a
competitive price?

Jaguar retails for $249 (bundled with one video game), when much less
powerful systems are selling for $700 and up. Atari is able to offer
the world's most advanced video game system to consumers at such an
affordable price because:

 Atari hires and retains the world's best engineers. This allowed
  Atari to reduce Jaguar's time-to-market by ensuring the development
  cycle was efficient and the design was high quality.

 Atari is the sole investor in Jaguar and thus, operating overhead is
  much lower than it is for competitive systems in which multiple
  investors receive a portion of the profits.

 Atari founded the video game industry and was able to apply more
  than 20 years of expertise to the cost-efficient development of
  Jaguar.


8. How do developers benefit from Jaguar's 64-bit processing power?

With Jaguar, developers enjoy unsurpassed ease in creating real-time
3D worlds. Because developing games for Jaguar is easier and less time
consuming than it is for conventional platforms, developers are able
to spend much more time on the creative process. Creatively, Jaguar's
64-bit processing power gives developers the flexibility to create
revolutionary video games that are much richer in color, animation,
texture and sound than traditional game systems.


9. What will be the industry standard for interactive multimedia
performance?

Atari's Jaguar has moved ahead of the competition to set the industry
standard for interactive multimedia performance. Jaguar's 64-bit
technology gives players the features and functionality they need
today while also supplying the power and components, such as virtual
reality and CD-ROM, to ensure they can move successfully into the
future. It will be years before players and developers exhaust
Jaguar's potential and competitive systems catch up to Jaguar in terms
of price and performance.


10. What lies ahead for Jaguar users?

Jaguar's advanced 64-bit technology will allow users to expand the
system's capabilities by adding peripherals without decreasing system
performance. For example, in 1994, users can look forward to the
release of Jaguar's CD-ROM peripheral. Atari also plans to develop and
market a Jaguar virtual reality helmet.


                            --==--==--==--==--

 |||   Jaguar Tackboard
 |||   Items collected by: Travis Guy
/ | \  GEnie: AEO.MAG   Delphi: AEO_MAG   Internet aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope to make this a semi-regular feature of AEO, a place to post
various comments found online, press releases that make it in, and
bits of conversations about upcoming Jaguar games (and about the cat
itself!) This time, we've got some conversation about Kasumi Ninja,
an Atari new developer PR, a PR on the Accolade titles, the list of
New York and San Francisco chains carrying the Jaguar this season, as
well as some developer comments about programming on the Jaguar.


//// First, Rob Nicholson of Hand Made Software
     <100060.154@compuserve.com> posts on CIS about the martial arts
     game Kasumi Ninja:

The number of characters isn't yet finalised but 20 [is] probably too
many. We're limited by cart space and RAM as to how many
frames/characters will fit. Our aim is at least ten. Most of the
planned characters are human (e.g. Ninjas, UK fist fighter, Bronx
female, Eskimo) but there are a some mythical characters (e.g. Yeti).
Each character has a special move.

//// Then Ted Tahquechi, Kasumi Ninja's producer at Atari
     <72662.1314@compuserve.com> joins in the CIS discussion:

Well, I just thought I'd take a second to throw in my two cents for
Kasumi Ninja. First, a comment was made about the fact thqt the game
might be 'watered down' NO WAY! I have it on good authority that
Kasumi Ninja will have a Ton of Blood and Gore. (I know, I'm the
Producer of the game at Atari.) I'm shooting for a ton of special
moves, as well as Never Before seen Fatality moves. The game will
carry a 'Mature Audiences' Warning sticker.

The cart size is and is not a relative issue. We have very good
compression routines, so we can fit a lot of data into a very small
space. The cart size is currently set at 16 Megabits. As far as sound
goes, before I started working at Atari, I was a Sound Engineer and DJ
For a Local Radio Station. I also run a recording studio. I did most
of the sample work in Cybermorph, and the Soon to be released Dino
Dudes. So, yes sound is a key part of the game to me as well.
...Kasumi Ninja is going to have a fair amount of Blood....

Weapons...Weapons...I love them. Yes, there will be weapons in the
game. I will keep you posted as to what types as the development of
the game winds down, which should be rather soon.


//// From Accolade's press release, announcing their games for the
     Atari Jaguar:

Atari Corp. together with Accolade Inc. of San Jose, Calif., a notable
publisher and developer of Sega and Nintendo video games, Thursday
jointly announced a licensing agreement that will enable Atari to
bring five proven, hot titles from Accolade to consumers on the new
64-bit Jaguar Interactive Multimedia System by Fall 1994.

The new approach with the Jaguar by Atari brings faster, smoother
animation and enhanced sound and graphics to these hit titles.

Commenting on the company's decision to work with Atari, Accolade's
chairman, Alan R. Miller stated, "That Atari Jaguar is definitely
cool, new technology that is being introduced at a price point
attractive to consumers.  We think Atari has a real shot at
establishing Jaguar as a successful system, and we want be part of
that effort." The Accolade titles for Jaguar include:

 Al Michaels Announces HardBall III - Built on the reputation of the
best selling HardBall series of computer and video games, Al Michaels
Announces HardBall III features a full 162 game season, 26 accurately
rendered stadiums and the Emmy award winning commentary of Al Michaels.

 Brett Hull Hockey - This action-packed simulation features input
from and the digitized skating of the NHL's most popular All-Star
player, Brett Hull. Several modes of play are offered including
exhibition game, 11 game short season, 42 game half season and an 84
game full season offered by no other hockey simulation game.

 Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind - The world's supply
of yarnballs is seriously threatened in one of the year's most popular
video games, and it is up to Bubsy Bobcat, "a hero for cryin' out
loud!" to put a stop to the yarnball plundering Woolies.

 Charles Barkley Basketball - With a jump start, court-time
integrates Barkley's fast-breaking, intimidating, whatever-it-takes-
to-win playing style into an intense basketball game.

 Jack Nicklaus' Power Challenge Golf - The Golfer of the Century is
just one of four fully-digitized golfers in this award winning game
that features two Nicklaus designed golf courses, English Turn Golf
Club in New Orleans and Sherwood Country Club in California.

"Accolade's list of titles adds significantly to the Jaguar product
line," said Sam Tramiel, president and chief executive officer of
Atari.

"Accolade's proven titles enhanced by the 64-bit power of Jaguar will
enrich the Jaguar player's library of video games with life-like
sports adventures and real-time 3D animated characters that speak. The
Accolade titles help us to attain our goal of delivering a high
quality selection of Jaguar titles that will entertain all age
groups."


//// Atari announces more developers - a press release from Atari.

ATARI SIGNS 15 MORE NEW SOFTWARE COMPANIES
Jaguar Momentum Accelerates; Total of 35 Agreements Signed

Atari Corporation has announced that 15 additional leading software
companies have signed agreements with Atari for Jaguar. The Jaguar is
available now in the New York and San Francisco markets at a
suggested retail price of $249.95.

Bringing the total number of Jaguar licensees to 35, the following
new companies have inked agreements with Atari:

Accolade                    21st Century Software
Activision                  UBI Soft International
id Software                 UBI Soft Inc
Microprose Ltd              Interplay
Microprose Ltd (US)         Millennium Interactive Ltd
Phalanx Software            Brainstorm
Gremlin Graphics Ltd.       Virgin Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
3D Games

"We're pleased to add more of the top software companies to the
Jaguar family," said Sam Tramiel, president of Atari. "With Jaguar,
developers enjoy unsurpassed ease in creating real-time, 3D virtual
worlds. They are not bound by the technological limitations of
antiquated systems or stringent programming requirements. Jaguar gives
developers the freedom to spend more time on the creative process,
producing games for Jaguar players that are rich in color, animation,
texture and sound.

Some of the hot, new titles for Jaguar include:

 Activision's current IBM PC hit, Return to Zork will soon become
available to Jaguar game players. Return to Zork challenges players to
solve numerous puzzles as they try to save humanity from the evil
spirit, Morphius. Motion picture quality production values and
technological innovations make Return to Zork a challenging
interactive entertainment experience.

 Accolade's titles promise fast, hard hitting sports action with Al
Michaels Announces Hardball, Brett Hull Hockey, Charles Barkley
Basketball and Jack Nicklaus Power Challenge Golf. Also available will
be 'Bubsy, in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind'.

 id Software, well known for the hit Wolfenstein 3D, is developing a
Jaguar version of the much awaited first person perspective 3D game,
Doom: Evil Unleashed. In Doom, the player is a space marine that has
been suddenly flung into hell and the safest place is behind the
pistol. Atari will be the publisher and distributor of the Jaguar
version of this title.

 Known for Wing Commander and Tank Platoon, Microprose, a leading
simulation company, has teamed with Atari to develop superior military
games for Jaguar. Most immediately, Microprose plans to create a
Jaguar version of its simulation helicopter game, 3D Gunship 2000.

 Gremlin, one of the top publishers in the UK, will develop a number
of its proven titles for Jaguar including, Zool 2, based on the
exploits of the Ninja for the Nth Dimension.

 UBI Soft International plans a number of games for Jaguar, including
the famous Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis. UBI Soft represents more than 80
per cent of the entertainment software publishers in the French
market, with distribution rights to more than 30 labels worldwide,
including LucasArts.


//// The list (from Atari) of the retail chains that are carrying the
     Jaguar in 1993.

Initial stores in these markets that are carrying the new system
include Babbages, Electronics Boutique, FAO Schwarz, J & R Music
World, Nobody Beats the Wiz, Play World Toys, Toys 'R Us, Trans World
Music and Waldensoftware in New York; and in San Francisco, Babbages,
Electronics Boutique, FAO Schwarz, G & G Software, The Good Guys and
Waldensoftware. A complete roll-out in the United States and Europe is
slated for early 1994.


//// In the press kit for the November 4th rollout in New York, there
     were a few pages listing comments from developers about their
     general feelings about the Jaguar. I thought everyone might be
     interested:

//// From Attention to Detail, developer of Cybermorph:

    "Every developer wants to create a game that makes the player
     experience the intensity of the adventure. Getting the
     Cybermorph craft to 'morph' into different forms that appear to
     mold with the landscape it flies over achieves this goal.
     Players will find that the speed and the motion of the craft
     causes their own bodies to rise and fall in their chairs. Their
     heads will jerk in reflex reaction to oncoming obstacles and
     their hands must react quickly in order to bring the craft and
     survivors safely through the mission."

    "Our development team had tons of fun challenging the 64-bit
     platform to add more and more detail to Cybermorph. In fact, the
     platform challenged them because it presented so many
     possibilities."

    "Atari understands what true-blue video adventure is all about.
     Jaguar's 64-bit processing power enabled us to develop Cybermorph
     with elaborately detailed light-shaded 3D polygons."

    "When creative ideas pop into our minds, Jaguar's flexibility
     lets us take advantage of more sound, more color, more images,
     more layers of texture, smoke, fog - everything we need to make
     it happen."

    "Game players will notice that Jaguar's video games look less
     computery or digitized - the Gourand shading makes them look more
     realistic."

    "Jaguar's strength is that the player feels the action - he can
     enjoy the exhilarating speed and energy as he flies the ship
     straight down into a cannon."

    "We took advantage of the CD quality sound and stereo capabilities
     to enhance the player's experience. If game players wear headphones
     while they play Cybermorph, they will actually hear shots coming
     from the left before they see them. Also, the holographic face
     uses the audio capabilities in its eerie speaking voice."


//// From Rebellion Software Ltd., developers of Alien vs. Predator
     and Checkerd Flag II:

    "Jaguar is 100 percent faster than anything else in the market...
     with Jaguar there are no limits. The 64-bit power gives you
     complete freedom."

    "The question is no longer what we can or cannot put on the
     screen. With Jaguar, the speed and tools are available. Now we
     are faced with the wonderful challenge of getting our great ideas
     implemented."

    "The first thing players will notice is Jaguar's spectacular
     colors and 3D images. Jaguar allows developers to overcome all
     previous video boundaries to deliver realistic, high-speed 3D
     worlds."

    "The video possibilites we thought were merely science fiction
     are becoming science fact. Jaguar has permitted developers to
     turn their wildest ideas into reality - to introduce a virtual
     video dreamland"

    "As for the future, Jaguar will continue to challenge developers
     and players. A CD peripheral further expands stroage space -
     opening up even more creative avenues. And, Jaguar's virtual
     reality helmet will put even more motion in the game. Players
     will find it difficult to distinguish reality from game fiction."


//// From Imagitec Design Inc., developers of Evolution Dino-Dudes
     and Raiden:

    "Jaguar's programming and graphic manipulation capabilities are
     extremely diverse and yet very flexible."

    "With Jaguar, developers are able to actually create what other
     platforms will not support. What was once a mere fantasy in the
     developer's mind can come to life with Jaguar's 64-bit animation
     speed, true-color graphics, and CD sound. Jaguar blurs the fine
     line between reality and fiction."

    "The main benefit of developing video games for a 64-bit
     architecture is that it opens up new avenues for art work. This
     gives developers the ability to express complex ideas in video
     form."

    "Creating on platforms with less processing power would be like
     stepping backward - stunting the developer's creativity with old
     boundaries. There's no turning back now."


//// From Atari Corporation, developer of Crescent Galaxy:

    "Jaguar is an extremely flexible system. With the Jaguar
     Development Environment, developers are no longer forced to
     handle programming tasks one way. in fact, Jaguar allows you to
     program many different ways, depending on your specific needs.
     The flexibility is great."

    "Developers benefit greatly from Jaguar's high processing speed -
     it allows them to push the limit of 3D graphics. They can use up
     to 16 million colors as well as endless textures and display them
     all on the screen at one time. Working with 3D true-color images
     allows developers to ensure games look real."

    "Jaguar allows for wonderful game play. Ultimately, this is what
     the consumer is looking for."

    "We work very hard to make sure that every game we create is
     entertaining. Some products in the market look pretty without
     being entertaining or sound nice without offering lasting-play
     value. We fine-tune every product we make before releasing it to
     manufacturing to ensure all of the play elements are in place
     that make the game a lasting and enjoyable experience."


                            --==--==--==--==--


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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--  [Return] once or twice, and type IP26 [Return] at Password:          --
--                                                                       --
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   A New Cat From Atari
 |||   By: Al Fasoldt
/ | \  GEnie: A.FASOLDT
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

//// Editor: This article comes from Al Fasoldt's syndicated
////         newspaper column, and may not be reprinted without the
////         written permission of Mr. Fasoldt. It is reprinted here
////         (with Mr. Fasoldt's permission) as an example of how
////         Atari is starting to become a household name in America
////         again.

Copyright (C) 1993, the Syracuse Newspapers and Newhouse News Service

Wall Street is the last place you'd expect video games to make
headlines, but that's just what is happening this fall. The new
darling of investors is Atari, whose stock has tripled and then
tripled again in recent months as the company geared up for the
introduction of a revolutionary video-game machine called the Jaguar.

Atari's once-lonesome common stock soared from about $2 a share to a
recent close of $12 a share. Some analysts are predicting a rise to
$20, a 10-fold increase.

Hot tips have been floating around the financial markets ever since
Atari's executives set up private previews of the Jaguar this summer.
A recent boomlet was touched off by radio commentator Paul Harvey, who
raved about the Jaguar and mentioned Atari stock in a noontime
broadcast.

Atari's stock had been all but forgotten in the company's
post-Nintendo years, after Nintendo of Japan took over most of the
game market that Atari had created with its invention of the first
home video games in the 1970s.

Despite its name, which means ``go'' in Japanese, Atari is an American
company, once owned by media giant Warner Communications. In the
mid-1980s, computer tycoon Jack Tramiel and his sons took over Atari
and began producing a succession of unusual computers. These have
earned a cult following, but have sold well only in parts of Europe.

With the Jaguar, Atari is returning to the source of its initial
success on a large scale.

Unlike all previous video game devices, the Jaguar is actually an
advanced computer with far greater data-processing power than any
IBM-compatible PC or Apple Macintosh computer, the two common types in
use today. In its blazingly fast display of moving images and its use
of stereo digital sound, the Jaguar even surpasses the megabuck
graphics computers used for special effects in the movie industry.

The Jaguar is being manufactured for Atari by IBM at one of the large
factories in the United States that IBM had idled during its recent
cutbacks. The deal was worth $500 million for IBM, and assured Atari
of a reliable source of Jaguars.

Because of its close relationship to Atari in the manufacturing
phase, IBM has reportedly begun work on a way of incorporating the
Jaguar's graphics power in an add-on device that could be used either
in its standard personal computers or in the Power PCs that IBM, Apple
and Motorola are creating.

The Jaguar will retail for $250, and is likely to sell for about $200
in discount stores. For the first few months, the Jaguar will only be
available in a couple of major cities, with nationwide distribution
expected after Christmas.

The only competitor for the Jaguar is the so-called 3DO game system,
which is appearing under the Panasonic name and other brand names. It
costs three times as much as the Jaguar and cannot match the Jaguar's
performance, although it is expected to sell widely because of its
connection with Panasonic.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Jaguar ASCII Art
 |||   Compiled by: Travis Guy
/ | \  Collected online
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

No, the two pieces of ASCII art that follow are not mine, I found
them online in various places, and I thought I'd share them with
everyone. If you've seen an example of good ASCII art (clean too!)
send it to me at <aeo.mag@genie.geis.com>.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Jaguar Logo
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I first noticed this on a post I saw from Usenet from Lea Anthony
<lea@uk.ac.bham.cs>. I EMailed Lea about it, only to find out that
Lea got it from a file posted by Robert Jung <r.jung@   >. Deadline
time prevents me from carrying the search any further now, but as
soon as I can trace this to the source, I'll do a follow up. In the
meantime, I'm sure the artist won't mind Jaguar enthusiasts including
this everywhere!

               _    _  ____  _   _    _ ____
  |||   Atari | |  / |/ ___\| | | |  / |  _ \
  |||         | | /  | |  __| | | | /  | |_| |
 / | \     /| | |/ / | | |_ | | | |/ / |  _ <
          | |_| / _  | |__| | |_| / _  | | \\\
           \___/_/ |_|\____/ \___/_/ |_|_|  \\\
        64-Bit Interactive Multimedia System \\\


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar Block Diagram
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

This originated as a vector graphic I obtained from Atari Corp. and
distributed with the First Jaguar Special Edition of AEO in
September. Steve Johnson from GEnie <steve-j@genie.geis.com> spent
some time making it into ASCII art, and posted it on GEnie. I thought
Steve did an excellent job.

(NOTE: Each line in the bus connections counts as 8 bits - '|'
equals 8 bits and '=' equals 16 bits!)


                              64-bit
 JERRY                        System
 +--------------------+        Bus
 |       +-----------+|      ||||||||                   TOM
 |+-----+|           ||      ||||||||      +--------------+
 ||Sound||    DSP    +|======++||||||      |+------------+|    +--------+
 |+-----+|           +|========++||||      ||            ||    |        |
 |   |   +-----------+|      ||||||++======|+    DRAM    +|====+        |
 |   |   |  8K SRAM  ||      ||||++========|+   MEMORY   +|====+  DRAM  |
 |   |   +-----------+|      ||++==========|+ CONTROLLER +|====+        |
 |   |   +-----------+|      ++============|+            +|====+        |
 |   |   |Timers/UART||      ||||||||      ||            ||    |        |
 |   |   |Joysticks  ||      ||||||||      |+------------+|    +--------+
 |   |   |Clock Ctrl.||      ||||||||      |              |
 |   |   +-----------+|      ||||||||      |+------------+|
 |   |      |         |      ||||||||      ||            ||
 +--------------------+      ||||||++======|+            ||
     |      |                ||||++========|+   OBJECT   +|---> Video Out
     |      +-> Joystick     ||++==========|+  PROCESSOR ||
     |          Controller   ++============|+            ||
     |                       ||||||||      ||            ||
     +---> Sound             ||||||||      |+------------+|
                             ||||||||      |              |
        +-------------+      ||||||||      |+------------+|
        |             |      ||||||||      ||            ||
        |    68000    +======++||||++======|+            ||
        |             |      ||||++========|+    GPU     ||
        +-------------+      ||++==========|+            ||
                             ++============|+    +-------+|
        +-------------+      ||||||||      ||    |4K SRAM||
        |             |      ||||||||      |+----+-------+|
        |  CARTRIDGE  +======++||||||      |              |
        |   CD-ROM    +========++||||      |+------------+|
        |             |      ||||||||      ||            ||
        +-------------+      ||||||++======|+            ||
                             ||||++========|+  BLITTER   ||
                             ||++==========|+            ||
                             ++============|+            ||
                             ||||||||      ||            ||
                             ||||||||      |+------------+|
                                           +--------------+


                            --==--==--==--==--
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 :: Volume 2 - Issue 21      ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE       7 December 1993 ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::  ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI  ::
 ::    EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER    ::
 ::       ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE       ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::        Published and Copyright  1993 by Subspace Publishers         ::
 ::         """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""          ::
 ::  Publisher ........................... Michael Lindsay   EXPLORER    ::
 ::   Editor .................................. Travis Guy   AEO.MAG     ::
 ::    Assistant Editor GEnie................ Ron Robinson   EXPLORER.1  ::
 ::     Assistant Editor CompuServe.......... Albert Dayes   AEO.1       ::
 ::      Assistant Editor Delphi......... Andreas Barbiero   AEO.2       ::
 ::       Assistant Editor Internet........ Timothy Wilson   AEO.8       ::
 ::        Atari Asylum ................... Gregg Anderson   AEO.7       ::
 ::         Unabashed Atariophile ..... Michael R. Burkley   AEO.4       ::
 ::          Atari Artist ................... Peter Donoso   EXPLORER.2  ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                             Contributors:                            ::
 ::                             """""""""""""                            ::
 ::                              Peter Smith                             ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                      Telecommunicated to you via:                    ::
 ::                      """"""""""""""""""""""""""""                    ::
 ::                             GEnie: AEO.MAG                           ::
 ::                         CompuServe: 70007,3615                       ::
 ::                             Delphi: AEO_MAG                          ::
 ::                      Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319                  ::
 ::                  AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10              ::
 ::                     Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com                 ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::   Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu    ::
 ::                 (Internet subscription requests ONLY!)               ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


                              Table of Contents


* From the Editors ....................... This is not your father's Atari.

* Dateline: Atari ............... Bob Brodie tells all in this information
                                         packed GEnie Real Time Conference.

* Jaguar Tackboard ....................   San Bruno mall show this weekend
                                        Atari replaces defective R/F boxes

* Stalking the Elusive Jaguar ........... Can an anti-Atari gamer fall for
                                              Atari's new Jaguar? One such
                                                  Jaded Gamer shows us how.

* Andreas' Den ...................... Andreas makes up for lost time as he
                                               visits Atari for us. TT030s
                                                    are back in production!

* Atari Asylum ........................ Reopened and ready for new inmates.

* Battlewheels for the Lynx ...................... Crash'em, smash'em cars.

* The Unabashed Atariophile ................... New PD and Shareware files
                                                 for _your_ Atari computer.

* The Lynx Cheat File: Part 1 ............. From [APB] to [Lemmings], Lynx
                                                   hints and cheats galore!

* GEnie ST RT News ..................... New files & happenings on Atari's
                                                  Official Online Resource.

* Developing News ........................... Computer Musicians Coalition
                                              New IAAD Board
                                              Photo Show Professional
                                              Technation's sonavista
                                              Cyberdrome 1.2

* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||  From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
 |||  Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG   Delphi: AEO_MAG   Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
      -------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to this issue of Atari Explorer Online, your window to events
happening in the World Atari.

The Atari Jaguar is still the main point of interest - as well as
Atari's reaction to customer problems. It seems that the RF
switchboxes that Atari bought to include with the first shipments of
Jags were causing horrific amounts of interference on the video
displays. Jaguar nay-sayers immediately pounced on the problem, saying
things like "Atari's dumping old 2600 switchboxes" and "Is this 64-bit
power?"

The very next day at Atari Corp., steps were began to isolate and
correct the problem. The result is Atari held up shipments of Jaguars
until they could secure new autoswitching RF boxes. Atari also has
indicated that they will replace the defective RF boxes for current
customers and that if a customer had taken it upon his/herself to
replace their own box, Atari would "make good" to them by offering a
S-Video or composite A/V cable!

This won't quiet the nay-sayers, but I feel it is a clear indication
that Atari Corp. is serious about customer satisfaction, and that they
will do what they have to to make the Jaguar's introduction a success.

For more Jaguar information, please read the Dateline: Atari
transcript (heck, read it two, three times!), as well as Andreas'
articles in this issue. (Welcome back, Andreas!)


A name that hasn't graced an Atari publication in many, many years is
back as well. Peter Smith, better known of late to GEnie gamers as
"The Jaded Gamer," succumbed to the lure of the Jaguar. Peter had left
the Atari community years ago, vowing to never buy Atari again. His
article shows that the Jaguar has the appeal to almost mystically draw
attention. (Not to mention that he finds Cybermorph to be an
outstanding game.) Peter represents the type of crowd Atari needs to
attract. It's good to have you "back in the fold" Peter.


Jaguars are HOT! Atari is making good, and working on making it
better. TT030s are coming off the production line. Let's keep our cool
out there, and we'll see you back in two weeks. Happy Holidays!

Have you played Atari today?


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Dateline: Atari
 |||   Captured and Edited by: Travis Guy
/ | \  Courtesy: GEnie Atari ST RoundTable
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

<[Host] ST.LOU>  Before getting started, some business about how an
RTC works. While the RTC room is in Listen-Only mode, you can only
address our guest when I let you talk. To get my attention, just
/RAIse your hand. Just enter this from your keyboard: /rai

<[Host] ST.LOU>  I'll acknowledge your raised hand as soon as I can,
but please be patient. I will let you know when your turn is coming
up.

<[Host] ST.LOU>  Some other RTC commands are:

 /hel - Lists all RTC commands.
 /sta - Status (list) of everyone in the RTC room.
 /exi - Exit the RTC, but you remain logged onto GEnie.
 /bye - Log off of GEnie directly from the RTC.
 /rai - Raise your hand. Lets me know you wish to address our guest.
 /nam - Lets you change your nickname.


<[Host] ST.LOU>  Welcome to the December edition of Dateline Atari
with Bob Brodie. I am going to keep my introductory comments REAL
short because the last time Bob joined us - so did over 100 people!
With that many people, some were disappointed that we ran out of time
and could not answer their questions. No doubt the focus of tonight's
Real Time Conference will be the Jaguar's outstanding rollout in New
York and San Francisco. I am sure Bob will talk about Atari's
fantastic success with this incredible product. Before beginning, I
would also encourage you 'gamers' to check out the new Jaguar CATegory
in the Bulletin Board. May I suggest you begin by downloading the
fast-accumulating archive files! Now, heeeeeeeeeeere's BOB!!!!

<BOB-BRODIE> It's great to be on GEnie for our monthly Dateline:
Atari! Session. I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my
wishes for Happy Holidays to all Atarians. May this holiday season be
full of joy for you and those that you hold dear!!

<BOB-BRODIE> We've got a lot to talk about as we head for the
holidays, and some of the much sought after Jaguar T-Shirts to give
away tonight, so let's get started!!

<BOB-BRODIE> Tonight, I'm once again coming to you from the East
Coast. This session of Dateline: Atari finds me as guest of Ron
Kovacs of Z*Net News Service. Atari has sent me to the New Jersey/New
York area to visit the retailers that are presently carrying the
Jaguar. I'll be here for five days, returning to Sunnyvale late
Friday night. I'm grateful that Ron has opened his home to me for
dinner this evening, and to do tonight's RTC. This also marks the
first time we've had a Dateline: Atari

<BOB-BRODIE> Following the roll out event in New York last month, we
began shipping the Atari Jaguar, our new 64 bit multimedia
entertainment system. Consumer acceptance has been outstanding, and
we are working to accelerate shipments to meet demand as quickly as
possible. Virtually every retailer that is carrying the Jaguar has
sold out their present allocation!! We will be shipping additional
quantities of Jaguars today, and next week. Our roll out hasn't gone
entirely smoothly, though. We have had some consumers report that
they had problems with poor image quality on the screen. Upon
investigation, we discovered that some of the RF switchboxes, which
were supplied by an outside vendor, did not meet our specifications.
We stopped shipping Jaguars briefly in order to remove the defective
switchboxes, while we acquired an acceptable replacement unit. The
new RF switch box is upgraded from the initial RF box, in that it is
an auto switching unit. In the event that there are people that still
have the defective switch box, they can call our 800 service number,
1-800-GO-ATARI. We will be happy to send them a new switch box at no
charge. For those customers that have already obtained another
switchbox, or do not wish to wait for Atari to replace their defective
switch box, Atari will send them free of charge their choice of an
S-Video or Composite Video cable. These customers should call
1-800-GO-ATARI, and return their defective switchbox. Please remember
that this 800 number is strictly a service number.

<BOB-BRODIE> Atari regrets any inconvenience that this might have
caused our customers. On a personal note, I read a number of posts
on-line speculating that Atari might have utilized old RF boxes from
the Atari 2600, XE Game System, or other products. That's simply not
true. Ironically enough, if we had been as cheap as some of our
critics would have you believe, there probably wouldn't be any problem
with the RF boxes in the Jaguars! <grin> While this has been an
unfortunate happenstance, it does underscore the value of doing a test
market to discover any problems before going national with a new
product.

<BOB-BRODIE> The weekend following the New York launch event, Atari
conducted a promotional event at the Newport Mall in New Jersey.
We're pleased to report that the event was a tremendous success!
Thousands of youngsters participated, and enjoyed a hands on
experience with the Jaguar!! Atari is pleased to announce tonight
that there will be another mall presentation of the Jaguar, this time
at the Tanforan Mall in San Bruno , CA. This mall is located off of
Interstate-380 and El Camino Real, not too far from San Francisco
International Airport. We'll be at the mall on this coming weekend,
December 11-12. Those of you in the Bay Area that haven't had a first
hand look at the Jaguar should stop by this event. We'll be giving
away Jaguar T-shirts, and Jaguar caps at this event as well.

<BOB-BRODIE> I've been swamped with requests for Jaguar units for
reviewers, the amount of attention that Atari is garnering for the
Jaguar is simply _HUGE_. Atari has had the Jaguar showcased on the
CBS Morning News, The Today Show, we're going to be on "Good Morning
America!" during their hot Christmas gift giving segment the holidays.
The Jaguar will also be featured in "Hi-Tech Toys for the Holidays"
segment of the "Next Step" program produced by The Discovery Channel
and KRON-TV, Channel 4 in San Francisco. Those of you in the Bay Area
will be able to see this segment of "Next Step" on Friday, December
17th at 8:00 PM on Channel 4. Nationally, the show will be available
on The Discovery Channel, which airs on Tuesdays at 9:30 PM. Show
host Richard Hart is also the high technology reporter for KRON-TVs
NewsCenter 4. KRON-TV is the San Francisco NBC affiliate.

<BOB-BRODIE> The latest edition of "Die Hard Game Fan" is hitting the
streets now, with Cybermorph on the cover of their current issue. Die
Hard Game Fan reviewers made Cybermorph their Game of the Month,
rating it 99, 98, 98, and 96!!! Be sure to check out this issue of
Die Hard Game Fan, it has close to 8 full color pages of Jaguar
coverage. They also review the next game due out for the Jaguar;
Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy, and a terrific poster of
Cybermorph that their staff artist created!! The current issue of
Electronic Gaming Monthly also has a "Future Wave" coverage of the
Jaguar version of Raiden!! Trevor McFur in The Crescent Galaxy is due
at Atari next week, with Raiden due in Christmas week. Evolution:
Dino Dudes was the last of our titles to be released by our game
testers, and should be in the stores shortly after Christmas. Be on
the lookout for other Jaguar coverage in Game Pro, Video Games, ST
Format, and ST Informer Magazines!!

<BOB-BRODIE> On the review front, I'm doing the best I can to keep up
with the demand for review units, but there are bound to be a few
people that will be upset if they don't receive a Jaguar for review.
If you have a particular publication that you feel would be useful for
Atari to have the Jaguar reviewed in, please feel free to send me a
note in GEnie mail with your suggestion. I've been amazed at some of
the publications that are excited about the Jaguar, including
publications that normally just review video products, rather than
video games. Atari has also been contacted by a number of more
"mainstream" publications that are very interested in the Jaguar.
Sometimes it feels like anyone that has ever written an article is
queueing up to request a Jaguar review unit. We're being a little bit
careful about where the units go right now. As our supply of Jaguar
units increases, we'll be getting out even more units for review. For
the time being, I'm concentrating on the magazines, with the
newspapers and free lance writers taking a back seat.

<BOB-BRODIE> On the Lynx front, this week will mark the beginning of
the Lynx TV ads that we're going to begin running. These ads will be
in the same markets (NY and San Francisco) where we are presently
doing our Jaguar TV ads. The print ads for the Lynx have been running
concurrently with the Jaguar ads. The Lynx print ads will be changing
to reflect a new promotion that we're running for the Lynx - Buy a
Lynx between now and Super Bowl Sunday (January 24th, 1994), and we'll
send you a FREE Lynx NFL Football Game Cartridge! There are coupon
pads being mailed to all of our retail partners now for this
promotion. Your cost for the game is just $3.50 for shipping and
handling. Be sure to check the next issue of Atari Explorer Online
Magazine for all the details on this special purchase promotion. By
the way, Atari Explorer Online Magazine is also preparing some very
nice GIF pics of the pin outs for the S-Video and Composite cables for
those of you that just can't wait for them to get to the stores! AEO
will also have some GIFs of the Jaguar roll out event in New York very
soon as well. They used a Migraph Color Scanner with a Falcon030 to
scan some 35mm photos from the event. I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing
them!

<BOB-BRODIE> On the computer front, we continue to have an excellent
supply of Falcon030s in stock. The new Migraph Color Scanner for the
Falcon is really terrific, and Cubase Audio for Falcon is getting rave
reviews in the Music field!! According to one of our rep firms,
Cubase Audio has capabilities that would cost a Mac or PC owner over
$7,000 more to obtain!

<BOB-BRODIE> With that...<whew!> I'm ready to conclude my remarks and
take any questions, Lou. Let's get started!!

<[Host] ST.LOU> Before taking questions, a reminder that the Jaguar
T-shirts will be given away to the 4 persons who answer the skill
testing question. HINT: The answer is in that massive text file that
Bob just uploaded :-) <Too bad for you folks scrolling at 9600> :-)
OK, here we go with Hydraxxus.

<[Hydraxxus] J.GERMAN3> Bob, as you may have seen I posted a question
about other nets getting news about Atari before GEnie And complained
that I thought this was THE place for Atari news....what's the scoop?
GA

<[Host] ST.LOU> By the way, folks... just one question tonight.

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Jim. Well I think what you're really referring to is
Sam's postings. He's been playing around with Aladdin, but not with a
lot of success. On the other hand, he was really impressed with how
easy CIM was to set up. I'm trying out some of the new things like
Oracle for GEnie to see if I can make it easier for him to get on
GEnie. He's using a Falcon, and an IBM laptop. He doesn't care for
Aladdin on either one. I'm in constant contact with AEO, and am
online as much as possible.  But as I indicated in my opening
remarks, I'm out of the office now visiting retailers. That doesn't
leave very much time for being online. I'm trying to get here more
often, but it's tought. oops, that's tough. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Thanks, Bob. Give me a sec to record all the /RAI :-)
Swamped at the moment :-) Next we have Shadow.

<[Shadow] D.VANTREASE> What's the tentative release date of the CD
unit, and price? And will there be software bundled with it? (CD unit
for Jaguar, that is!) GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Shadow, the CD is set for mid 94. At this point, we
envision a price of approx $200. No plans re the CDs at this point.
ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> On to Travis at Atari Explorer Online.

<[Noles #1!] AEO.MAG> Hi Bob, Ron. Bob, AEO thanks you for you
dedication to online users. You do a terrific job that many just can
realize. First, congratulations to Atari. The way it looks, the Jaguar
is already a winner with consumers. Bob, I suppose you have had time
to read the response to your letter to Electronic Gaming Monthly in
which they make some pretty interesting claims. Would you care to
respond to them tonight? ga

<BOB-BRODIE> I thought some one might want to ask about that
tonight... When I wrote the letter to Electronic Gaming Monthly, I
was truly surprised that they told their readers that we were
responsible for the lack of Lynx coverage in their magazine. When I
saw the response to my letter that they printed, I was really upset!

<BOB-BRODIE> First of all, you have to understand that prior to my
taking over the relationships with the game mags, they were handled by
Juli Wade. She had been asking EGM to return the Black Box that they
had for a couple of years. Every time she asked them to return it,
they denied having a Black Box. (We knew that they had one...our
staff in our Chicago office gave them one.) It wasn't until she
resorted to asking them to return it so it could be modified to work
with the Jaguar that they finally returned the box that they had
denied having for YEARS! And they have the gall to say honesty is the
best policy?!?!?!?

<BOB-BRODIE> While they bemoan our supposed lack of support, we
agreed to meet with EGM Editor Ed Semrad the day after our initial
Jaguar press conference in Sunnyvale because he couldn't make it to
the "real" press conference. Ed was given hours of exclusive, hand on
time to question myself and Bill Rehbock, all without the hassle of
the crowd that the other media had to contend with at the press
conference. Ed makes regular trips monthly to the Silicon Valley to
visit Electronic Arts, Sega, Capcom, 3DO, and other companies. I
invited him to visit us on his next trip, but he chose not to.
Instead, he returned to our office two months later, complaining about
the fact that other mags had screen shots that he didn't.  So even
though other publications had obtained the shots that AEO had uploaded
for us, I modemed all of the screen shots (close to 14 megs) to EGMs
offices so Ed wouldn't have to mess around with a Syquest.

<BOB-BRODIE> When EGM called to ask for a Jaguar unit so they could
have coverage in their issue for CES, I personally got the unit
shippped out from a Fed Ex office that accepts shipments past the
normal cut off times. I sent them out a unit that had literally just
come back in to the office from the Newport Mall event in New Jersey.

<BOB-BRODIE> I'm very sorry that EGM seems to think they aren't
getting proper support. The fact is that the support we've been
giving EGM _IS_ what they need, but it is not what _they want_! Other
magazines print reviews of Lynx games with the very same support from
Atari. For EGM to say that they can't write about the Lynx simply
isn't true. If they were really honest, they would have said that
they WON'T write about the Lynx.

<BOB-BRODIE> But then again, if they were really honest, they would
have returned our Black Box when we asked for it. Instead, they
denied having one for YEARS!

<BOB-BRODIE> Mind you, this is the same magazine that constantly
insults Atari in print. In one publication, they ran a column telling
people what to do to get on the cover of EGM. One of the suggestions
was new hardware always gets on the cover...unless it's from Atari.
Another column ran the top ten reasons that the Jaguar will fail.
There were two versions of that column. One of them ran in a sister
publication of theirs called "HERO Illustrated". According to them,
the number one reason that the Jaguar will fail was Sam Tramiel. I
was shocked to see that they were so very personal, so nasty, in their
attack on Atari.

<BOB-BRODIE> The last time Ed was in our building, we discussed all
of these things with him. Ed assured us that he just wanted to run a
quality magazine from an editorial standpoint. Sam Tramiel personally
spoke to Ed, and simply told Ed that he didn't know what the problem
was between EGM and Atari. Sam asked Ed for a better relationship,
and for all the nasty commentary to stop. We have even started
advertising with EGM, like the other game magazines.

<BOB-BRODIE> After everything Atari has gone out of our way to do, I'm
shocked that Ed would be so arrogant, so very nasty in his reply to my
letter. If they choose to ignore the needs of their readers, that's
they're choice. We've seen what happens to other publications that
ignore their readers needs, and continually insult and belittle people
in their publication, like STR. They burn _all_ of their bridges,
alienating consumers and industry people alike, and then wonder why
they don't get any information. I hope that EGM won't be foolhardy
enough to continue down that path.

<BOB-BRODIE> At this point, I recommend that you read Game Pro, Die
Hard Game Fan, or Video Games to get the best Atari coverage.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Wow... were you expecting that question? :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> Or of course, AtariUser Magazine. ga

<[Noles #1!] AEO.MAG> I think we all should give Bob a round of
applause for the job he does. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Thanks Travis. Bob, let's welcome Nate to the RTC>

<[Nate] L.JESSE> Bob, first, what is Atari doing about third party
licensees such as electronic arts and Capcom, etc.? Secondly, what
options do i have, I'm from Illinois, to get a Jaguar before X-Mas? GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Nate, we've signed up over 35 licensees at this
point. EA is not on the list yet, which is no surprise considering
Trip Hawkins close involvement with 3DO.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Folks, there are 14 in queue. I will get to you ASAP.
Thanks for being patient. GA, Bob

<BOB-BRODIE> However, EA is really much more of a publisher, than a
developer. We've gotten a number of licensees that have been
published by EA, like Park Place. Re Capcom, they have requested a
development unit, and we're expecting to have a meeting with their
staff in Japan at some point.

<[Host] ST.LOU> REMINDER... the answer to our T-Shirt Draw question
is in Bob's opening remarks.

<BOB-BRODIE> Being from Illinois is tough right now. I was reading
in the BB earlier tonight about a number of people being told by
Babbages that we had dropped the ball. I'm certain that this is just a
misunderstanding by the personnel in the store. We've been very clear
with their corporate management that we would prefer they restrict
their shipments into just SF and New York. If they go out of those
areas, they are diluting the product availability to the target areas.
ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Thanks. Now Sam RAPP!

<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> Bob... When will you be shipping Jags to those
of us that ordered from Atari Direct? It has been almost a month
since you charged my credit card! I figured you were waiting for the
next batch of T-shirts, so you could send one along! Would it help if
I had only ordered the console, instead of an extra controller and two
other games? Thanks! GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Sam, the Jaguars will be shipped to you so that they
will arrive before Christmas. I wish I could be more specific, but I
cannot give you a more accurate statement at this time. Remember that
the units are really being shipped by IBM. So for the orders that are
sent out from Sunnyvale, we have to get a shipment from IBM before we
can ship, too. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Ooops, I missed Hal. Here he is now. GA Hal.

<[Hal] H.SCHEIE> I have a Jag on order from J&R, I'll get it in their
next shipment .Any chance it will be this week?

<BOB-BRODIE> I don't have the exact allocations on hand, Hal. I
believe so, but can't guarantee that. Please, remember that I'm NOT
in the office right now. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Sean from Processor Direct

<[Sean@TWP] P-DIRECT> Good evening Bob, easy question for you
tonight: Are any developers are making an indepth flight sim for the
Jaguar, and if not could you pass the hint on to them? <grin> GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Can you say Microprose? ga

<[Sean@TWP] P-DIRECT> Not chopper.. GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Fighter sims, jet sims, etc.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Sounds good to me. Next we have Ken.

<[Ken] K.STEVENS1> Hey Bob, still waiting for my direct order Jag
(hint, hint). Question, how many titles are being developed/ready for
the Jag CD? (By the way,how do you give a round of applause on a
computer?) ga

<BOB-BRODIE> <Clap, Clap, Clap> Ken, I know of several titles being
developed, but I'd rather not get into specifics right now. They are
just getting up to speed on the system. Remember, CD games take
around 500+ megabytes of data. That's a lot of stuff to develop. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Moving along to Kid Metal.

<[Kid Metal] M.MURPHY31> Howdy from Texas, Bob. Will the INcredible
Universe in Dallas get any Jags to sell before the national roll-out?
GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Yes ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Oh..... Mark Warner is next. GA Mark. Welcome

<[Mark Warner] M.WARNER8> Bob, can you tell me what other games beside
Alien v Predator are due out in January? I also want to comment on
how impressed I have been with way Atari has  handled the RF problem.
(whoops thats "with THE way") ga

<BOB-BRODIE> Thanks Mark. I've been really tied up getting out and
dealing with the review unit issues, so I'm about a week behind in
that info. Maybe more. At this point, I know that we're hard at work
on Tiny Toons, AvP, and Club Drive. But after AvP, I'm not sure about
release dates. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Charles Smeton of NewSTar is our next guest, Bob.

<C.S.SMETON> Hi Bob. Thanks for sending Crescent Galaxy, an extra game
controller, and the Jaguar T-Shirts and Hats to the ToadFest. Toad
Computers donated a Jaguar that was raffled off and which raised over
$500 for Habitat for Humanity. The Jaguar was the main attraction at
the show. With the Jaguar being the main focus at Atari, I have heard
numerous rumors that the outside of TT's for Jaguar Development Kits,
there is little to no activity on the computer end of things at Atari.
As a developer with a vested interest in the computer end, do you have
any encouraging words? GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Charles, we're still very interested in the computer
business. We're looking for applications that will give people a
reason to select an Atari over the competition. Programs like Cubase
Audio do just that. We don't have any intention of giving up on the
computer business. But in order to do the Jaguar properly, it's
requiring just about all of our resources. At least in the manpower
segment. ga

<C.S.SMETON> Thanks Bob, I just hope that we can hang in there until
the resource allocation shifts a bit ;-) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Thanks Charles.

<BOB-BRODIE> Charles, me too. Me too. Please keep... in mind that
we've also publically talked about using the Jag as a CPU at some
point.
<[Host] ST.LOU> Next we have Hydraxxus... then Hassen

<[Hydraxxus] J.GERMAN3> Earlier you mentioned MP. Did you mean to say
you would pass the word or that they were working on titles? (Clap,
clap, clap {for the Jaguar, it's a great machine, I like mine}) (nice
tie)

<BOB-BRODIE> Jim, they are working on titles. Glad you like your
Jaguar...I wish I had more time to play!! ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Now Hassen

<[Hassen] H.HAMMOUD> Hello Bob. I was in Toys R us on Friday here in
Indiana. They had no Lynx carts at all, nor did they expect to be
getting any. What's up? Also, will there be an Asteriods port to the
Jag???(I still love that game.) GA

<[Hydraxxus] J.GERMAN3> Gee, free question?

<BOB-BRODIE> Hassen, we've had a problem with the Lynx in Toys R Us
for quite awhile. However, that has been resolved, and they will be
getting them, along with some promotional material regarding the Lynx
NFL Football game. ga Re Asteroids, we're talking abouti t. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> OK On to Matt Rivman.

<[Matt] M.RIVMAN1> Hi Bob, and thanks yet again, for being here! The
question is just a bit off the Jaguar topic... Any ideas about the
late financial statement from Atari? I'm a somewhat new investor and
would like to keep up! GA

<[Host] ST.LOU> You folks are being terrific... and patient. Still 15
in the queue.

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Matt. We've been so busy with the press of business
for the Jaguar that we asked the SEC for an extension to file. We
should be releasing the numbers very soon. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> OK, now we have J.Hardie.

<J.HARDIE> Bob, does Atari have any plans to attend the January CES in
Vegas? Also, how about filling us in on the Crescent Galaxy cheat? ga

<BOB-BRODIE> Yes, we will be at CES in January in our own booth.
Because the booth allocation occurs so early, we didn't get a prime
space. So our booth will be small, but we'll probably have at least
one suite, too. Re Crescent Galaxy...if I told you now, it'd ruin all
the fun for everyone else! :) Suffice it to say that it requires an
extra controller, and there are some specific codes you input for
things. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Time out, Bob. If you folks have already /RAI but
were not acknowledged by me, please /RAI again now. I think I have
everyone in queue.... On we go to Jungle Jim.

<[Dave] D.SMITH200> Bob, are there any plans to interface the Jaguar
with existing Atari computers to handle I/O processing for advanced
graphics applications? If not, it might be something to consider... ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> What just happened? hmmmm.....

<BOB-BRODIE> Dave, we're certainly interested in using the Jaguar
technology across all of our product lines.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Dave, what is your Job #

<BOB-BRODIE> And we've had a lot of "feelers" from other people
looking to use it on their systems as well. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Oh oh... Jungle Jim was 51. JJ... please /RAI now to
get your question There he is....!

<[Jaguar Jim] J.THORNHILL> Bob, while in N.Y. did you happen to stop
by ACCLAIM's offices for a little 3rd party chat? Yes, sorry!

<[Host] ST.LOU> GA Bob

<BOB-BRODIE> Actually, their R & D office is in Chicago I think. :)
I've got a pretty full schedule, Jim. Mostly with retailers and the
press. Bill Rehbock will handle the developers. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Here's Travis!

<[Noles #1!] AEO.MAG> Bob, I'm sure that the "make good" policy on the
switchboxes and the extra A/V cables will go a long way to showing
people that Atari Corp. is deadly serious about satisfying its
customers. Are you having to visit all the dealers in the NY area, or
just the regional offices? (If you weren't so busy, I'd ask you for a
report for the next AEO. <big, winky grin!>) ga

<BOB-BRODIE> Well there are over 150 dealers in the NY area. And I'm
only here for 5 days, so I won't get to all of them. But I am
visiting the stores, not the regional offices. We have a rep that is
doing that. Thanks for the kind comment about the switch
boxes/cables. We're upset about it, too! Heck, we paid for the bad
stuff just like our customers did!!! ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> T. Lipsky. Step up to the mic GA T.Lipsky

<T.LIPSKY> Bob, Microsoft has expressed intrest in the home market
including Childrens software, has Atari been approached by Microsoft
regarding the JAguar. ga

<BOB-BRODIE> No comment. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> OK... then we have L.GRACE next

<L.GRACE2> Hi Bob. will the success of the Jag help fund marketing
for TOS machines? i.e. Falcons. Thanks GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Yes, in fact we have talked about at some point using the
Jaguar chipset for a TOS machine. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> On to Harj Nagra from Toronto!

<[Harj] H.NAGRA1> When is that Kasumi Ninja game due out? And how
does it compare to Mortal Kombat?

<BOB-BRODIE> Again, I'm a little bit behind on the software release
schedule right now. I suspect that it might be the late 2nd quarter.
It's designed to be a competitor to Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter
II, with lots of blood and gore. :)


<[Host] ST.LOU> GA, Bob?

<BOB-BRODIE> Nope..just clearing the capture buffer. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Steve Johnson is here....

<[DrHfuhruhurr] STEVE-J> Have any new retailers (and developers)
signed on that you'd care to mention? There is talk that Sears,
Montgomery Ward, and even the vehemently anti-Atari Software Etc. are
getting a bit of an itch to carry the Jaguar. GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Sears and Montgomery Ward are coming on board during the
national rollout. Software Etc. is not on the list at this point. We
have a few other developers that we signed on, but I want to hold off
on the announcements so we can coordinate everything properly with
their PR firm. One of the other retailers that I think is very
interesting is Blockbuster Video. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Apollo is next.

<[Apollo] N.CHANDLER> Modem? Head to Head? Multi-Player Network(s)
(Like here on GEnie)? Any plans for this type of gaming? :)

<[Host] ST.LOU> GA Apollo.

<BOB-BRODIE> Yes, yes, yes!!! In fact, we think that some of the
multiplayer networks espoused like the Sega Channel might be better
served by a cartridge that allowed you to dial into GEnie to play
online games here! The keypad on the controller is perfect for that
kind of stuff!!! ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> We're going to Shadow, then our draw question.

<[Shadow] D.VANTREASE> Bob, when will the S-Video/composite 'adapter'
be available, and can I order it directly from Atari? Every time I
call, they say they have stopped taking orders! Know a price on the
adapter? Also, any _longer_ cables coming? (AvP date? :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> It really isn't an adapter. It's a cable that plugs on
to the A/V connector on the back of the Jaguar. The S-Video and the
Composite units are not the same. They are separate cables. You will
be able to order it, but we're not taking any more orders on Jaguar
product at this point until we have fulfilled the orders that we have
in hand. I'd guess (emphasis on guess) that the cables will go for
around $15-20. The pricing hasn't been set yet. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> After the contest we have K.Swift, Rob Anisko,
P.Irwin, Nate, Chris C., Steve-J, Hassen, T.Hebel and C.Oates. Did I
miss anyone? use the /RAI now! OK

<BOB-BRODIE> ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> I added jobs 33, 10, 25, and 23 to the queue. That
will be it for tonight.

Now for the contest.

The Rules:
Only paying members are eligible! No free accounts :-)
Bob will post the question.
Type your answer and don't hit RETURN until
you see that the room is in TALK-MODE.
The first four correct answers judged by Bob and Ron
will win a FREE Jaguar T-Shirt!
OK Bob.... the question please!

<BOB-BRODIE> In my opening remarks, I mentioned that Atari is now
doing a special offer to people that purchase a Lynx between now and
January 24, 1994. What is the FREE game that you get when you
purchase the Lynx?

<[Host] ST.LOU> 60 seconds.

30 seconds
15 seconds
10,
** <[Host] ST.LOU> Room is now in the talk mode.

<[Sean@TWP] P-DIRECT> Lynx NFL Football
<[Phil] P.HANZE> NFL football
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL
<[Stargazer] L.HINSLEY> NFL Football
<J.HARDIE> nfl football
<[Sean@TWP] P-DIRECT> Lynx NFL Football
<[=Tom=] T.MCCOMB> NFL FOOTBALL
<[Hassen] H.HAMMOUD> NFL Football
<[Hydraxxus] J.GERMAN3> NFL football   !!!!!
<[Harj] H.NAGRA1> NFL Football!
<L.GRACE2> NFL Foorball
<[Nate] L.JESSE> nfl football
<A.SZILAGYI> nfl football
<C.S.SMETON> NFL Football Game Cartridge for the Lynx
<[Dave] D.SMITH200> NFL Football
<[Tim] T.OSBORNE> NFL Football
<[Iver] I.POSSEHL1> Iver Possehl: NFL Football
<T.LIPSKY> red baron
<E.BAIZ> nfl football
<[Rick] R.RIMKEVICUS> Pit Fighter
<[Apollo] N.CHANDLER> NFL Football
<K.ANDERSON41> NFL football
<[Zombie] R.ANISKO> Lynx NFL?
<P.IRWIN> nfl football
<[Kim] K.SWIFT> Chips Challenge?  Just a guess!
<JOHN.KING.T> In 'N Out Burger, the game.
<[Ted] J.PATTERSON3> Batman Returns
<[Dave] D.SHORR> Lynx NFL Football Game cartridge
<[Doug] D.ASHTON1> NFL Football
<[Parrot Head] C.CASSADAY> Nfl Football
<[Ken] K.STEVENS1> NFL Football
<[Spud Boy] T.HEBEL> NFL Football for the Lynx
<R.BINGHAM2> Summer Games?
<D.ENGEL> Lemmings!
<[Moe] R.MOORE12> NFL Football NFL Football
<[Shadow] D.VANTREASE> NFL Football ('94) !!!!!!
<[DrHfuhruhurr] STEVE-J> NFL Football
<[Matt] M.RIVMAN1> NFL Football
<[Sir Fransis] K.DRAKE> Warbirds
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL
<[James] J.VOGH> Lynx NFL Football Game
<J.HARDIE>
<[Jaguar Jim] J.THORNHILL> nfl football,
<D.FRANCOEUR> NFL FOOTBALL
<[Hal] H.SCHEIE> NFL FOOTBALL
<T.LIPSKY> nfl foodtball
<[Zombie] R.ANISKO>
<[Noles #1!] AEO.MAG> "Crash & Burn"?
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL
<[Zombie] R.ANISKO>
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL NFL FOOTBALL NFL FOOTBALL
<R.BINGHAM2> Do!
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL
<[Ron] EXPLORER.1> Ralph's World
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL NFL FOOTBALL NFL FOOTBALL
<D.ENGEL> Sonic The RoadKill?
<[Hydraxxus] J.GERMAN3> Hawaii time lag!!!!!!!!
<MIKE-ALLEN> tramiel vs. predator.
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL NFL FOOTBALL NFL FOOTBALL
<[Hassen] H.HAMMOUD> Super Asteroids
<[Sam_030] SAM-RAPP> NFL FOOTBALL
<[DrHfuhruhurr] STEVE-J> Gee, Sam!
<[Sean@TWP] P-DIRECT> Kill Sam! Please!
<[Matt] M.RIVMAN1> NFL FOOTBALL

** <[Host] ST.LOU> Room is now listen-only.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Ralph's World??? :-) OK Bob.... check your buffer and
declare the winners. after I let you talk.... :-) GA Bob :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> The winning answer was NOT Flaming UPS Trucks in
Jacksonville.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Hahahaha

<BOB-BRODIE> The correct answer is NFL Football.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Jacksonville Jaguars? OK... looks like Sean D.

<BOB-BRODIE> The winners are: P-Direct, P.Hanze, Sam-Rapp, L.Hinsley

<[Host] ST.LOU> Phil Hanze, Stargazer and Sam! Congratulations.
Please send your mailing addresses to ST.LOU and I will forward
everything to Bob. OK? Bob is NOT in Sunnyvale right now.

<BOB-BRODIE> Sam really doesn't want the shirt. He just wanted to
win.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Not much! :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> :) <ducking>

<[Host] ST.LOU> Oh... and send your sizes!!!! with your addresses.
King, what size for you? :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> Congratulations, gang! You're gonna love 'em. Very high
quality Hanes T-Shirts. If you're an XXL, don't be shy about it.
I've got 'em.

<JOHN.KING.T> Mine is an XXL and it fits all 320 pounds of me.

<[Host] ST.LOU>a I am getting some very funny /sends :-)

<[Host] ST.LOU> OK....

<BOB-BRODIE> Yeah, but you gotta dry clean it, King.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Now to finish off the queue. NO MORE /Raises please.
K.SWift

<[Kim] K.SWIFT> Is Atari planning a computer based on the PowerPC chip
set? I want to buy a computer in summer 1994 and that's when the
PowerPC is coming out. To be honest, I'm very tempted. I'd like to
see an AtariPOWER system for s/w compatibility.

<[Kim] K.SWIFT> ga

<BOB-BRODIE> We've talked about it a lot, Kim. We're longtime
partners with Motorola, and now with IBM, the Power PC becomes very
tempting. However, the Jag chipset is VERY appealing, too. At this
point, we haven't decided. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Rob Anisko is next.

<[Zombie] R.ANISKO> Bob, just curious about the origins of Microsoft
Arcade, or that is, how 5 classic Atari games landed up on the old
Windows platform? just hearing about this made me go "hmmm" :-)

<[Zombie] R.ANISKO>

<[Zombie] R.ANISKO> ga

<BOB-BRODIE> We did a licensing deal with Microsoft so they could do
the arcade stuff. :) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> On to P.IRWIN

<[Host] ST.LOU>

<P.IRWIN> Hi Bob got my jag. today and it was defective :(

<[Host] ST.LOU> How so?

<P.IRWIN> Butto my question When can we expect everything to hit the
stores... (controllers, CD drive, Cables and such..) (Left Bob e-mail
on how the sound goes beserk) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Thanks.

<BOB-BRODIE> I'm sorry to hear that you're unit was defective.
Unfortunately, that does happen from time to time to all
manufacturers. How was the unit defective? The second controllers
will be available in just a couple of weeks, the CD ROM is due out the
mid part of 94, and the cables will be in the stores the end of
January. I'll look for the email on the unit. Thanks! GA

<[Host] ST.LOU> On to Nate

<[Nate] L.JESSE> Hey again Bob, first of all, 'kudos' on the GEnie
online idea, I love it. Secondly, is Atari planning any character to
represent them? Such as Nintendo's plumber, or Sega's Sonic? How
about Jinx the Jaguar? ga

<BOB-BRODIE> At this point, we're just sticking with the black Jaguar,
Nate. Once you see the box, you'll have a good vision for how it will
look. All of our marketing efforts are using the black background
with the cat eyes logo. as well as the red JAGUAR logo with the
slashed R on it.

I think it would be neat to see a Jaguar game a la Sonic or Mario. We
do have a Lynx (Cutter) in Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy. Glad
you like our modem idea...some of the phone companies/cable companies
are not as pleased! :) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Chris Cassaday... NOT a winner tonight :-)

<[Parrot Head] C.CASSADAY> Bob, with the test market shipments
reaching full capacity in late December, does that push the national
roll-out back any? It would seem that it would take a few weeks
before a 'true' nation-wide tendoroll-out was in force. BTW, I second
Charles Smeton's remarks about 'sending out Crescent Galaxy and the
shirts and hats to the TOAD fest. I had a really great time, and have
a "way-cool" Jaguar hat to show for it. ga...

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Chris, glad to hear you got a hat...they're rarer
than the T-Shirts!! Boy, am I getting /sends about the hats now!

<[Host] ST.LOU> Did you get my /send ? :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> :) I don't expect it to cause a delay. We're actually
getting more up to speed. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Steve Johnson is back with another question.

<[DrHfuhruhurr] STEVE-J> NINJA GAIDEN III is the next game to be
released for the Lynx, but do you have a date for it (and others
forthcoming -- hopefully SUPER ASTEROIDS/MISSILE COMMAND and ULTRA
STAR RAIDERS (???), among several others)? By the way, I'd like to
pass on the suggestion to air a few 'well- placed' teaser ads
nationwide this Xmas to maybe take some of the OTHER system sales
away!

<BOB-BRODIE> Ninja Gaiden III _should_ be here already, I'll check on
it when I get back to the office. I haven't heard of Ultra Star
Raiders and the other titles you mentioned as ones that are going to
be ready any time soon, Steve. Thanks for your suggestion about the
ads, but that would just compound the frustration of people that want
Jags that can't get them at this point, Steve. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Hassen returns....

<[Hassen] H.HAMMOUD> Bob, just exactly _when_ is the National Rollout?
Also, anyway one could purchase a Jaguar T-shirt or cap? I bought an
old Atari jacket from Telegames and my nephew loves it!

<BOB-BRODIE> It will begin toward the end of January, and we'll have
T-shirt, caps, and OTHER GOODIES available for sale then. :) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> T.HEBEL

<[Spud Boy] T.HEBEL> How many Jags have been made so far... In round
numbers. Also I have heard rumors that you could use the Lynx with a
Jaguar somehow, is this true?

<[Host] ST.LOU> C.OATES ans Sir Fransis follow

<BOB-BRODIE> Spud Boy, again...I'm not in the office. I do know that
IBM released a bunch of machines today for delivery, but the numbers
aren't on hand. Yes, you will be able to use the Lynx with the
Jaguar. The ports for the Comlynx port are on the expansion bus of
the Jaguar. You will have a special cable to connect from the Jaguar
to the Lynx. We forsee you using the Lynx as a controller for Jaguar
games. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Bob, I am told that there were no Comlynx ports on
the Jags at Toad. Can you confirm that? The expansion bus is inside?

<BOB-BRODIE> The Comlynx signals are on the expansion bus, Lou. Every
Jaguar has one. There isn't a Comlynx port per se on the Jaguar, but
just as you have a S-Video or a Composite cable, you will have a cable
from the expansion bus. It's on the rear of the unit, clearly
accessible from the outside, not internally.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Oh, now I get it! Back to hosting.... :-) Chris Oates

<[Chris] C.OATES2> 1) You mentioned Blockbuster as a retailer. Does
this mean Jaguar games for rent? 2) Any chance of eventually using
Jag + CD as a CD rom for my Falcon? I don't want to have to purchase
two CD Rom drives. GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Chris, yes...It does mean that you will be able to
rent Jags. They'll also be selling them, too. Re the Jag CD, I don't
think so. The Jag CD is intended to be plugged into the cartridge
port of the Jaguar, and then pass thru for another cartridge to go
into. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> On to Sir Fransis

<[Sir Fransis] K.DRAKE> My ship pulled into port late! :) Do you
know if Atari plans to offer a special deal next year and pack the
Jaguar with a CD ROM unit at a lower-than- separate price? GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Oooooh, have you been talking to one of my
co-workers???? :) Well, we have a couple of ideas for the CD. :) I
want to point out that these are just ideas, we haven't decided on
anything in particular yet. Nah, better not.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Go for it!

<BOB-BRODIE> Ok, what the heck...

<[Host] ST.LOU> :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> As you know, the Jaguar CD is also capable of playing
Music videos. We're working with some of the musicians we know well
to do music on the game, and include a music video with the cd. But
that's not cast in stone. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Mike wants to know if these are RAP artists. He LOVES
RAP music! <ducking>

<BOB-BRODIE> All of em.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Next we have J.HARDIE

<J.HARDIE> Bob, I've heard rumours of special controllers being
packaged with some games, most notably TEMPEST 2000, what can you tell
us about this? ga

<BOB-BRODIE> Wow, a lotta ANTI-Rappers here tonight!

<[Host] ST.LOU> Four more question, Bob! Mike, calm down :-) Hmmm,
/RAP Mike.

<BOB-BRODIE> Hi J.Hardie, Tempest is still a way out, but we're
certainly looking at special controllers. We've also have a few
people that are talking about separate controllers to do other things
like fighting games. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Back to Jungle Jim.

<[Jaguar Jim] J.THORNHILL> 1) Dpo you know why Babbages is telling
some people that the CD unit will be $400.00 and 2) Does the Jaguar
fit into SGI and Warner's plans for a cable TV bix of some sort they
are working on? GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Jim, I don't know, but I will talk with our people that
are working with Babbages. We haven't set the price firmly on it. So
there really isn't any concrete info, just speculation on their part.

<[Host] ST.LOU> Three more questions, folks.

<BOB-BRODIE> Re the Cable thing...well it's this way. If you follow
the San Jose Mercury News (which is the hot paper in the silicon
valley), one day the cable multimedia thing is the hotest thing going,
the next day it's over-rated. We're talking with a number of people
about it. But so far it's just talk. ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Ken Stevens is here. Welcome, Ken.

<[Ken] K.STEVENS1> [A[A[D[DBob, one more question on the Jag CD.
With the potential release of the Sega Saturn (64 bit with built in CD
Rom) in late 94, how will that affect the release of the Jag CD?
Thanx....GGGGGAAAAA!!!

<[Host] ST.LOU> Bob, ignore those /sends for now :-)

<BOB-BRODIE> Ken, it depends on what version of Saturn they release.
:) At first they said that it was a 32 bit machine, now they are
saying 64 bit. Actually, it really isn't going to impact Jag CD at
all. We're of the opinion that the Jaguar offers the best of both
worlds. The Jaguar carts are faster than CDs, and hold the most data
of any cart system in the world!! ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> G.SAUNDERS is next.

<G.SAUNDERS4> 3DO Crash and Burn has "CD-ROM lag"; how will the Jag
avoid this problem?

<[Host] ST.LOU> Then Matt Rivman will wrap it up for us.

<BOB-BRODIE> I played that at a "Nobody beats The Wiz" today and
noticed the same thing. Two ways, #1 Double speed, #2 Cache. There
won't be much noticeable slowdown. If you have seen other CD games,
you've seen the "LOADING" message on the screen. We don't need that.
:) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> OK, my buddy Matt Rivman has the last question for
tonight.

<[Matt] M.RIVMAN1> Bob, I just wanted to know what I can go back to my
local Babbages and tell them in reply to their statement that Atari
short-shipped their distributor?? And will Atari be sending 'pro's'
to the stores to demo like 3DO did? (oops! thats2)

<BOB-BRODIE> Great to have friends, eh Matt? First of all, Babbages
doesn't have a distributor. They deal directly with us. Second of
all, it appears that they are shipping around the country, not just to
NY and San Francisco. That's not what they were supposed to do. And
I guess you missed my opening remarks, I'm in NY visiting retailers
all this week. I guess that makes me a pro like 3DO. :) ga

<[Host] ST.LOU> Whew! A record number of questions _and_ we managed
to hold a contest in the middle! Bob, thanks for taking the time, once
again, to bring the latest Atari news to GEnie's ST RoundTable. I hope
our guests enjoyed the evening. I sure did! I look forward to the
January edition which will likely be moved off the long weekend (I
hope). Actually, it will be on the 7th, right? Anyway, it was great
to have Bob and Ron online with us tonight. Have a great holiday
season with your families. GA

<BOB-BRODIE> Once again, I have enjoyed our time together here on our
official online service, GEnie. These Dateline: Atari! Sessions have
become a monthly event that I truly look forward to each and every
month. It's been wonderful to see the high level of interest in the
RTC each month! That's a tremendous source of encouragement to me as
I prepare for it!!! Thank you once again for attending, and may you
all have the most wonderful holidays ever! Goodnight, and thank
you!!!


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Jaguar Tackboard
 |||   By: Andreas Barbiero
/ | \  Delphi: A.BARBIERO       GEnie: AEO.2
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

Continuing with AEO's promise to deliver the straight news right from
Atari, before you have to read it elsewhere, a couple of informative
memos were passed to me to pass to you!

//// Jaguar Promo Tour Continues!!

Well, Mr. Terry Valeski is at it again! Following on the heels of the
widely successful November mall presentation, the weekend of Dec.
11-12 will see a showing of the Jaguar and its software at the
Tanforan Mall in San Bruno, CA. The great thing about these mall expos
is that they are cooperative. They are usually linked in with a radio
station and with the promotion company for the mall itself. This means
that there is a huge amount of free publicity for the event - in this
case, two weeks of radio promotion, as well as being in one of the
largest malls in the San Francisco area.

San Bruno is about 5 miles from Candlestick Park, and about 10 miles
from downtown San Francisco. It is on a short, but highly travelled
part of highway, connecting 101 to 280 about 2 miles north of San
Francisco International Airport. The high profile show-off of the
Jaguar in the mall not only hits up Christmas shoppers, but also makes
an impression on the stores in the mall, changing any bad opinions
about Atari to the better. Now all they need is to hit up the malls in
Northern New Jersey where hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers come to
shop (there is no sales tax on clothes in NJ) and the malls in Los
Angeles, followed by a whirlwind tour of Houston, Atlanta, Miami....

//// Customer Service? Atari redresses a minor error.

A few RF switchboxes shipped in the Jaguar boxes were defective, some
Atari detractors even claimed that they were old switchboxes from the
2600! This is not the case as the Jaguar RF boxes have a little
Jaguar logo on them, as well as having a 300 Ohm connector. Remaining
and future Jaguars are being shipped with fully functional and
upgraded switchboxes. Know someone with a bad switchbox? Call Atari
at 1-800-GO ATARI to receive a new one FREE.

Don't want to wait? Buy a standard switchbox at any electronics
retailer, which will solve the problem immediately. Then call Atari at
1-800-GO ATARI, and Atari will send you, free of charge, your choice
of an S-Video or composite cable for enhanced game playing! Yes, you
read it correctly! Of course, your TV needs to have these inputs, but
either way the problem will be quickly solved.


                            --==--==--==--==--


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                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Stalking the Elusive Jaguar
 |||   By: Peter Smith
/ | \  GEnie: PAS.JPD
       ---------------------------------------------------------------

First, to get it all out in the open, let me take a moment to tell you
that I am not a fan of Atari Corp. In fact, I like to think that I'm not
a fan of any company. I've been burned by the giants of the industry,
and by the little guys. I'm a confirmed skeptic, and a very Jaded Gamer.

Now, not being an Atari fan, and having sold my ST long ago, I don't
have cause to keep track of Atari's plans aside from what I read in the
magazines. I'd heard rumors about a videogame system called the Jaguar
but wasn't privy to any inside information.

I love electronic gaming though, so I kept reading about the system. The
Jaguar sounded really intriguing but I couldn't help but think that
Atari would blow it. It has been my opinion (as an Atari 400, 800XL,
520ST, Mega ST, and Lynx owner) that Atari couldn't sell a glass of
water to a desert nomad. They've always come out with hardware that
pushes the state of the art, and then never marketed it properly to get
the word out. I firmly believed that this would once again be the case,
and I decided that I wouldn't buy a Jaguar and be stuck with an orphaned
system.

Time passed, and I learned more and more about the Jaguar, and it kept
sounding better and better. Folks on the nets started talking about
massive marketing budgets, and I, frankly, scoffed at them. "Atari and
marketing just don't mix." I told them. Then the ads started to
appear... in the magazines and on TV. I quietly ate my words. Still,
though to me, Atari would have to prove its on-going commitment to
marketing the unit before I'd be suckered into buying one.

There was, however, a growing group of online enthusiasts who just could
not wait for the Jaguar to hit the stores. Atari announced its test
markets would be in NY and CA. Since I happen to live in NY, an online
friend from outside the test market area asked me if I could help him to
get a Jaguar. As an incentive, he offered to let me "test" the unit for
him for a day or two. I readily agreed, and called a few stores and
found there was already a waiting list. I put my name on two, just to be
sure.

As the release date grew near, I was drawn into the thrill of the
hunt. Even though the Jag wasn't for me, I was still anxious to get it
as soon as possible. I was hoping to be the first one online to get
one, and pass it on to my friend as quickly as possible. Every day,
I'd call 3 or 4 stores, asking if they'd gotten Jaguars in. I was
surprised to find that I never came across a salesperson that replied,
"A what?" when I asked about a Jaguar. Obviously, the word was out.
Finally, the day came. I called a store, and was answered with "Yes,
we got three in.  Sadly, you are number seven on the list." Arrgghh! I
called the other store, where I had actually prepaid for the Jaguar.
"We'll have them tomorrow."

At this time, I had my name on two lists. I now realize that I was,
somewhere in the greedy recesses of my mind, hoping both would come in
so I'd be forced to buy a 2nd Jaguar - for myself. I still couldn't
reasonably and logically justify buying a machine this young from a
company with a track record like Atari's.

The next day came and sure enough the store where I had prepaid for the
Jaguar got a shipment. I grabbed my old money spending buddy (let's call
him Brian, just because I've always wanted the chance to "change
someone's name to protect the innocent"), and we rushed to the mall and
picked up the Jaguar. We got the last one. I felt a strange pang of loss
in the pit of my stomach, and couldn't understand it. I mean, I didn't
really need a Jaguar so why the sense of disappointment? Brian was
disappointed, too. He wanted a Jaguar in the same vague "gotta have the
new toy" way I did.

We stopped to quench our thirsts at the bar in the mall. While sipping
soft drinks (actually we were swilling beer, but this is a family
magazine) and watching the staff hang Christmas ornaments, we discussed
the Jaguar.

"Well, the hardware is certainly impressive, but can Atari market it
properly?"

"If we wait a year, the price will probably drop and there'll be a wider
assortment of software for it."  "There is no software now, aside from
the pack-in, VyperMoth is it? What? Oh! Cybermorph!"  "Yup, I'm happy to
play what I've got until the Jaguar establishes itself. I'll wait a
while to see how it does before -I- buy one."

"Me too!" <clink of glasses as we toasted our own wisdom and restraint>

Soon enough it was time to go, but "Brian" wanted to stop in at an
electronics store across the street. He -said- it was to buy an audio
CD, but in retrospect I have my doubts. We were walking past the video
game section, when we both stopped and swiveled on our heels. Two Jaguar
boxes. Two of us. No one inbetween.

"Probably just empty, 'Coming Soon' boxes." Brian ventured.

"Yeah, I called here yesterday and they said they'd no idea when they'd
be getting Jaguars in."

Tingling from head to toe, we crept closed. I picked up one box, Brian
grabbed the other. "This one is full." I whispered. "This one is too."
replied Brian. We looked at each other, and both knew what the other was
thinking but neither wanted to say anything.

"Really, the smart move is to wait." I said. "On the other hand, I do
have a store credit card for here... it's only credit, right? I'll just
pay it off a little each month..."

Brian's reply? "Do you have enough room on your card to buy this one,
too?"

At about this moment an unaware clerk strolled by. We grabbed him by the
collar and threatened to end his life if he didn't take our money RIGHT
NOW and let us run off with these Jags. He led us around a corner to a
register to ring us up and we interrupted a second salesman in the midst
of a lengthy pro-Jaguar spiel to Joe Yuppie and his kids, Bill and
Hillary. Crestfallen, the second salesman quickly trailed off with "...
and those are our last two...." Joe Yuppie looked at me, and I sneered
at him and sorta growled deep in my throat. He looked at Brian, who
answered with a feral grin. "I'll give you $300 for one of those." Joe
Yuppie said, as Bill and Hillary started to whine. Looking at his
demented offspring as they started to really wind up into fits, Joe
looked like he was gonna panic. "Make that $400!" he shouted.

"You'll get my Jag from me when you pry its controller from my cold,
dead fingers." I said, as I signed on the dotted line. Backing away from
the Yuppie family, we made a break for the door. We didn't feel safe
until we were headed for home, three Jaguars safely stowed away.

//// Life With My Jaguar

My fingers trembled a bit as I unpacked my Jaguar. "Not bad" I murmured
as I gazed for the first time on its sleek contours. Appearances are of
course a subjective thing, but I'd rate the Jaguar just under the
TurboDuo in sex appeal, which puts it way ahead of the Genesis and Super
Nintendo. Still, no one is going to mistake it for a piece of audio
equipment.

The controller is bigger than I thought it would be, but fits very
comfortably in the hands - as long as you hold your controller in the
traditional way (holding it with your fingers and working the controls
with your thumbs). I sometimes like to reverse my right hand, hitting
the buttons with my fingers while supporting the controller with my
thumb. This is going to be difficult with the Jag controller due to its
size.

The controller has three "fire" buttons on the right, a directional pad
on the left, and a pause and option button in the middle. This part of
the controller looks like a hybrid of the SNES and Genesis controllers.
But the Jaguar controller adds a numeric keypad below the traditional
buttons. These are arranged just like a phone's keypad, right down to
the * and # signs. Slots on either side of the keypad help to secure a
plastic overlay which sits on top of the keys and describes their
function. Presumably, many games will come with their own overlays.

This keypad may become extremely significant if computer game developers
start flocking to the Jaguar. More buttons means the potential for more
complex controls and games. Ah! Before I forget it, one very neat
function that I've only seen on the TurboDuo before now is the ability
(with the Cybermorph cart, at least) to reset the machine from the
controller. This can come in handy when you're in a really lazy mode and
want to restart a game.

The one real gripe I have with the controller is that the cord is just
too short (4 feet). No doubt either Atari itself will lengthen this, or
a third party will come out with either extenders or a complete
replacement for the controller with a longer cord.

So at any rate, enough looking at the bloody thing, let's plug it in and
play something! I quickly toss aside the cheap looking R/F cable and dig
for the A/V cable. And dig. And dig. Don't you bother making the same
mistake 'cause there ain't one in there! All Atari supplies with the
Jaguar is an R/F cable with a manual switch box. Well, I have numerous
A/V cables lying about the house so I turn the Jag around to see where
to plug them in...! Curses, foiled again! There are no standard output
ports on the Jaguar except for the R/F port! There is an edge connector
which will accept Atari's own composite, RGB or S-Video cable.

Muttering under my breath, I resign myself to using the R/F cable. I
plug everything in and turn the Jag on for the first time. I hear a
decent sounding Jaguar's roar, some very cheesy music, and see a screen
full of snow. I turn the unit off again, still muttering, and check my
connections. Turning it on again yields the same results. The leftmost
edge of the screen looks pretty good but the rest has horizontal bars of
snow on it, moving in time to the music. I pick up the controller and
hit thrust. I fly at high speed, seeing mountains pop into existence in
front of my eyes and quickly crash. Disgusted that I'd been so excited
over such a lame piece of equipment, I go to bed, wondering what the
store's exchange policy is.

The next day, the nets are abuzz with Jaguar gossip. Seems I'm not the
only one with reception problems using the R/F setup. Word is, if you
have another game system, you can use the cable from that. I try it. The
picture gets much, much better. The sound is still feeble and
monophonic. Still, at least I can see what I'm doing. Atari makes a
statement that some people have had problems with the included R/F
cable, but most do not. Maybe so, but then the people who haven't had
trouble are a silent majority because just about everyone I've heard
from on the nets ran into exactly the same interference I had.

At any rate, Atari promises to rectify the problem and this is where
the situation stands as I write this. Atari has a chance to show it
really means business this time out. The low quality R/F cable is a
problem that can readily be fixed. If they take care of it promptly it
will show a dedication to the customer that will install confidence in
this skeptic. (Editor: Already done!)

I call Atari to buy a S-Video cable since that is what I want, anyway.
I am told that these won't be out until the end of January.  Harumph!
Later, the grapevine reports 1) that the cable will be ready by the
beginning of January, and 2) that one of the Tramiels has ordered to
have the cables ready in 10 days. Again, if this were to occur it
would really send a message that Atari is trying its best to do right
for its customers.

To sort of add insult to injury, within a few days of the Jag's
release some kind-hearted souls on GEnie post the pinouts for the
Jaguar's edge connector. Following their directions and with the help
of some friends with good soldering skills, I build myself an A/V
cable. The picture improves even more (less artifacting and bleeding
of colors, and overall brighter, more vibrant colors), and the sound
is now in full glorious stereo. THIS is more like it! THIS is what I
paid for.

You really owe it to yourself to hook your Jaguar up to your stereo
system or to a stereo TV. Cybermorph uses the aural abilities to good
effect (for instance, if there is an enemy off screen shooting at you,
you can clearly tell from the sound which direction he is shooting
from) and I can only expect that future titles will sound even better
- as the programmers and musicians get comfortable with the system.

This seems like the perfect time to take a closer look at the pack-in
game.

//// Cybermorph

As I mentioned earlier, my first look at Cybermorph was less than awe
inspiring. And in fact, my opinion didn't really change until I
realized I was coming at it all wrong. Cybermorph is not what's
generally called a video game. Cybermorph is a computer game that
happens to be on a console system.

For those who haven't seen it let's start with a brief description of
the game. In Cybermorph you control a vessel, call it a hovercraft or
a plane, in a fully 3D world. You can roam about the world at will,
with your only limitation being one of height. Your craft has a very
definite ceiling and many mountains jut far above it, creating a maze
in some areas. Your object is to collect pods, which within the
fiction of the game contain data, equipment, or even cryogenically
suspended people.  There are myriad enemies out to stop you from
accomplishing your goal, and many of the pods are hidden.

On the plus side, you have several different weapons at your disposal.
Your basic cannon has unlimited ammunition, but all your other weapons
must be powered-up by picking up tokens which are sometimes left
behind when you destroy an enemy. Picking up the tokens adds a limited
amount of ammunition to one particular weapon. The standard weapons
are: the Cannon (with Rapid Fire, Twin Shot, and Three-Way Shot
power-ups); Cruise Bombs, which hug the ground as they travel and are
thus excellent for taking out buildings and non-flying enemies; Mines,
which excel at taking out pesky enemies on your tail; and
Incinerators, a stream of flame which will travel up a mountainside,
and thus can be used to destroy enemies above your maximum height.

Additionally, there are three SuperWeapons, only one type of which can
be carried at a time. These are: Nitros, which give a burst of super
speed and make you invulnerable to your enemies (but not to
mountainsides, so be careful where you're aiming before you fire a
Nitro); ThunderQuakes, which act as a smart bomb and destroy all
nearby enemies; and Detonators, which act as a smart bomb for
buildings, crumbling any in the area to the ground.

So basic gameplay goes something like this - you are deposited on a
planet (I'm told there are 50 planets total) and you must fly around
and collect a certain number of pods. While doing so, you destroy
enemies and buildings for defense, points, and power-ups. Once you've
collected the pods, a portal will open up and take you off the planet.
Once your mission is accomplished, you move onto the next planet.
There are 10 planets per level, (8 normal planets as just described, 1
boss planet where the basic goal is to kill off an ultimate badthing,
and 1 bonus planet which is an opportunity to rack up points and
powerups with no enemies to harass you) and you are given a password
whenever you leave a level.

While I am grateful for this password feature, I would have been even
more grateful for an in-level save game feature, since conquering all
the planets of a given level can take hours if you're going after
maximum points.

Cybermorph is, however, more than the sum of its parts. The basic
premise is simple but the designers have put enough twists and
surprises in the game to really keep your attention. For instance,
often you will find mountain ranges that you just can't get over, even
though your radar tells you that a pod is on the other side. Sometimes
you will discover a transporter portal which will whisk you to the
other side instantaneously. Then later in the game when confronted
with the same situation, you'll find that rather than trying to find
another teleporter, there is a twisty little passageway that you can
just fit through to get you past the mountains.

And then there are the Vortex towers. These innocent looking fixtures
generate a field of anti-matter that will destroy any pod it touches.
They can't be destroyed, although shooting them will halt the spread
of anti-matter for a while. In cahoots with the Vortex towers are
enemies called Snatchers. These flying pests will scour the planet
searching for pods. If a Snatcher finds a pod, it will pick it up and
carry it somewhere - usually to a Vortex tower and its nefarious
anti-matter field! (Although not always. There are times in the game
when the Snatchers actually provide a service to the player.) An
additional feature of the anti-matter field is that they are very hard
to navigate, as they are completely black. There are no visual clues
to help you navigate by - you'll have to rely on your scanner to grope
your way out of a large anti-matter field.

Writing a review of a game like this is a little like walking a
tightrope. I want to convey to the reader just how much I am loving
this game (yes, I'm still playing it after a week straight!) but on
the other hand, I don't want to give away any of the surprises that
have so delighted me. Suffice it to say that as you progress through
the game, you'll encounter more and more different enemies. Each of
them has its own strengths and weaknesses. Learning about the enemies
is a big part of the game. Exploration is an even bigger part, as
collecting pods can become quite a challenge, involving the discovery
of teleporter portals hidden inside buildings, or even pods hidden
inside... ah, but that would be telling.

There are radar dishes which, when destroyed, will cause certain
hostile enemies to freeze in place, making them easy pickings. There
are guns which are indestructible but which do nothing but reflect
your own shots back at you. There are mysterious ships floating
overhead, and to be honest I'm still not sure what, if anything, they
actually do. There are force fields which are impenetrable, until you
find and destroy their source of power at which time they fall. There
are things that look just like pods until you try to pick them up, at
which time they attach themselves to your ship. Hey! I didn't tell you
about Skylar!

Skylar is your on-board computer. She pops up in one corner of your
screen to commend you on a job well done, or state such obvious things
such as "Avoid contact with the ground" when you fly into the side of
a mountain. In good American SF tradition, Skylar's voice is that of a
woman with a British accent. Skylar is usually just neat (or annoying,
depending on your point of view) background, but she does occasionally
come in handy. For instance, if an anti-matter field is approaching a
pod, she'll announce, "Pod in trouble."

Cybermorph is quite customizable. If in fact you detest hearing Skylar
ask you "Where did you learn to fly?" you can turn down her volume,
independent of other sounds. In fact engine noise, sound effects, and
Skylar volumes are all controlled individually. As far as flying goes,
you can choose to see the Cybermorph ship from above and behind, or
you can choose an "in-cockpit" view, which is really just the same
view but without the ship being visible. You have a view behind the
ship, and from the left or right (the keypad on the controller is used
to control these). Lastly, you can toggle a targeting crosshair on or
off, as the mood suits you.

In all, Cybermorph is without a doubt the best game of its kind ever
to grace a console system. This is the opinion of a hybrid gamer, who
normally prefers computer gaming but also plays a lot of video games.
Whether it finds as enthusiastic a reception among the younger gamers
weaned on Street Fighter remains to be seen. Cybermorph is not a
fast-paced, adrenaline pumping, arcade blastathon. It requires some
thought, some planning, and some patience. And it takes a bit of
playing time before you start to really appreciate its nuances. Still
and all, this Jaded Gamer gives it a whole-hearted thumbs up. If
Cybermorph is any indication of the kinds of games we'll be seeing for
the Jaguar, then I'm going to have to change my handle.

//// So, Was It Worth The Wait?

I'm still not convinced that Atari Corp. and I are ever going to be
friends. A lot depends on how they handle the cable issue, and how
fast they get product on the store shelves. But I'm really happy to be
a Jaguar owner, and if I get a half-dozen more games of the caliber of
Cybermorph the system will be worth having, even if aliens come and
abduct all the Jag developers after that.

The national roll-out is in January. Atari has a month to iron out its
R/F hookup difficulties, and get a selection of games on the store
shelves. While they're getting that together, if they keep up the
media blitz, I think the machine will do really well. Nintendo and
Sega are going to be pushing the development of their next generation
machines, but Atari has a headstart. If it keeps up the pressure, the
Jaguar could be THE system to have for the next few years. I can say
from personal experience that none of my SNES or Genesis games seem to
be as interesting as they were before this cat came to live with me.

What matters now is getting a good solid base of machines into the
hands of the gamers. Once that happens, third party support will
follow and we all know it is the support which really makes or breaks
a machine. The list of Jag developers is getting more and more
impressive, and I for one can't wait to see what some of them come up
with. The name Atari may become a household word once again. I've paid
for my ticket, and I'm ready for the ride of my life.

//// Author's Bio:

My name is Peter Smith, also known as The Jaded Gamer. I've been
playing computer and video games basically since there have been such
creatures. Like so many others, I first got really hooked on home
systems when I saw Star Raiders playing on an Atari 400. I've never
regretted the decision to buy that system. I got my start reviewing
games back in the days of ST Log and later, ANALOG Computing. Back in
those days I used a 520ST and Mega ST for my gaming hobby.

As the software support for the ST declined, I looked for something to
supplement it. This led to the purchase of a TurboGrafx-16 game
console, and later, a Genesis. While I enjoyed the arcade games on
these machines, I really wanted games with a bit more depth.
Eventually, I bit the bullet and bought an MS-DOS machine - something
I didn't think I'd ever do. In the years since, I've added to my
hardware collection. I now play on a TurboDuo, a Genesis with CD, a
Super Nintendo, a 486/66, a Lynx, a 3DO, and now, of course, a Jaguar.
I look forward to the day when I don't need a PC to play a game with
some real depth to it. I think the 3DO and the Jaguar may provide that
experience for me. In any event, I'm confident the future holds some
seriously intense gaming experiences for all of us!


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Andreas' Den
 |||   By: Andreas Barbiero
/ | \  Delphi: ABARBIERO     GEnie: AEO.2
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

//// Inside Atari

News on the computer front at Atari is looking good. TT030's, rumored to
be out of production, are finally rolling off the assembly lines. These
machines are overdue not because of lack of demand, but due to a
"unimaginable string of production nightmares." Hopefully, they will
become available soon. Where? We don't know where the production units
will be going to, but in Germany or the USA - wherever they land - they
will be welcome. These units are not just going to be sold for Jaguar
development either, but as units available for sale to computer users!
Don't beat up on your Atari dealer too quickly about all this though,
the Jaguar is eating up every extra hour at Atari, and just as soon as
they can get going with them, they will! TT RAM boards are available
also, in limited quantities, but all sizes are in stock as of last week.

The Lynx has not been forgotten! In the next issue of Die Hard Game Fan
magazine (not yet on the shelves) there is a brand new two page spread
advertising the features of the hand-held machine, boldly comparing it
directly to the competition. There should be a big promotion in the
wings for the Lynx, pared up with NFL football, and a game giveaway.
Watch AEO for more information on this as it is released. Also included
in this issue is a objective review of the Jaguar and Cybermorph.
Cybermorph may not be the immediate "eye candy" of Crash & Burn on the
3DO, but Cybermorph is more varied and challenging than some detractors
would have us believe. Cybermorph received the accolade "Best Game of
the Month" from Die Hard, and for all the details you need to read the
magazine because there is some awesome 3rd party reviewing of the Jaguar
in this magazine! Speaking of the Jaguar, Atari held direct sales of the
Jaguar via a 1-800 line, but due to the fact that there was only a
limited percentage of units available for direct sales, the demand far
outstripped the supply, so if you REALLY want a Jaguar, there are
dealers who can sell you one via their own mail order channel!

Upon my return, I managed to get in to Atari to speak with Bob Brodie.
We talked about the happenings of the past six months, and the increased
health of Atari Corp. The rise in stock and the huge interest in the
Jaguar has placed Atari in a position where it can now hope to wedge its
way into the general computer marketplace. Pushing the Falcon030 heavily
in the past year, while appealing to Atari users, would have drained
resources that could have been used to earn money from the stock
rocketing in price, or in pushing the successful roll-out of the Jaguar.

 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 :: Volume 2 - Issue 22      ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE      18 December 1993 ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 ::        Published and Copyright  1993 by Subspace Publishers         ::
 ::         """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""          ::
 ::  Publisher ........................... Michael Lindsay   EXPLORER    ::
 ::   Editor .................................. Travis Guy   AEO.MAG     ::
 ::    Assistant Editor GEnie................ Ron Robinson   EXPLORER.1  ::
 ::     Assistant Editor CompuServe.......... Albert Dayes   AEO.1       ::
 ::      Assistant Editor Delphi......... Andreas Barbiero   AEO.2       ::
 ::       Assistant Editor Internet........ Timothy Wilson   AEO.8       ::
 ::        Atari Asylum ................... Gregg Anderson   AEO.7       ::
 ::         Unabashed Atariophile ..... Michael R. Burkley   AEO.4       ::
 ::          Atari Artist ................... Peter Donoso   EXPLORER.2  ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                              Contributor:                            ::
 ::                              """"""""""""                            ::
 ::                              Keith Gerdes                            ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                      Telecommunicated to you via:                    ::
 ::                      """"""""""""""""""""""""""""                    ::
 ::                             GEnie: AEO.MAG                           ::
 ::                         CompuServe: 70007,3615                       ::
 ::                             Delphi: AEO_MAG                          ::
 ::                      Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319                  ::
 ::                  AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10              ::
 ::                     Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com                 ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::   Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu    ::
 ::                 (Internet subscription requests ONLY!)               ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||  From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
 |||  Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG   Delphi: AEO_MAG   Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
      -------------------------------------------------------------------

(I'll confine the lookback to two paragraphs.) 1993 marked a sea-change
at Atari Corp. First, the introduction of the Falcon030 computer signalled 
the end of the ST line of computers, the Falcon is truly a hot little
multimedia machine that more and more people around the world are
finding out. The third party products that are starting to show up
more and more often are clearly showing the power behind the price.
For those of you who are looking to purchase a new computer, the
Falcon is well worth your consideration.

But 1993 will be long remembered as the year the pendulum bounced
back - the reintroduction of Atari into the videogame business. (The
same business it would do well to remember that Atari invented.) The
Atari Jaguar has many developers fascinated, many other videogame
manufacturers busy changing their plans, and many customers
satisfied. That Atari got the Jaguar out on time, and in such a
professional manner, bodes well for the Friends of the Fuji.

Welcome to this, the last issue of AEO for this year. Your window on
events in the World Atari has a touch of frost on it this time, I'm
afraid. Over the past week, what my doctor tells me is good old
fashioned arthritis, has slowed my already snail-like typing almost to
a halt. Add this to the ulcer that popped up two months ago, the patch
of gray that won't quit my beard, and the... thinning away in my
northernmost forest region tells me one thing: I'm glad I can still
act like a kid!

I'll forego the usual, "Here's what's in the issue" banter... with
the exception of my drawing your attention to the fairly extensive
Jaguar Development List on the Jaguar Tackboard. You'll spot a couple
of new developers there, and my contacts inside Atari point at a few
more on the verge of coming aboard. No doubt, the Jag's here to stay.

Recently, there's been a public outcry in the United States over
violence and adult themes present in videogames. (With an emphasis on
videogames used by minors.) While I had planned to spend a lot of
your time here giving you my opinion on "what should be done," the
pressures of the holiday season (and the terrible feeling I get when
I realize that I don't want to break deadline yet again!) have
compelled me to postpone my ramblings until the next issue. Be
afraid, I have a lot to say.

Atari will be at CES this coming January 5-9th. If you can make it
there, do so. There could be some earthshaking news to come from
there... but that's for another time, and our next issue. Take care
everybody. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New
Year, and Have A Nice Day, all from the staff of Atari Explorer
Online. I want to see each and every one of you back here safe and
sound, hale and hearty, in three weeks. Bring a friend or two.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Jaguar Tackboard
 |||   The final word for 1993
/ | \  Collected from: Jaguar developers and Atari officials
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer / Game List
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Editor: The following developers and game titles have been
confirmed to the best of AEO's ability as of December 17, 1993. While
no dates are tied to any of the games, they are hoped to be out by the
end of 1994.

Developer                     Titles under development
"""""""""                     """"""""""""""""""""""""
21st Century Software
3D Games
Accolade                    - Charles Barkley Basketball, Al Michaels
                              Announces Hardball, Busby, Jack Nicholas
                              Golf, Brett Hull Hockey
Activision                  - Beyond Zork CD-ROM
All Systems Go              - Boogers and Snotnose
Anco Software Ltd.          - Kick Off, World Cup
Argonaut Software (Jez San) - UNKNOWN CD-ROM
Atari Corp.                 - Battlezone 2000, Crescent Galaxy, Club
                              Drive, MPEG 1 and 2 carts, Tiny Toons
                              Adventures, VR Helmet
Atari Games Corp.
Attention to Detail         - (For Atari Corp.) Cybermorph,
                              Battlemorph: Cybermorph 2, Blue Lightning
Beyond Games Inc.           - Battlewheels
Brainstorm
Dimension Technologies
Eurosoft
Gremlin Graphics Ltd.       - Zool 2 - MORE
Hand Made Software          - (For Atari Corp.) Kasumi Ninja
High Voltage Software
id Software                 - Doom: Evil Unleashed
Imagitec Design Inc.        - Evolution Dino-Dudes, Raiden
Interplay                   - UNKNOWN CD-ROM
Krisalis Software Ltd.      - Soccer Kid
LlamaSoft (Jeff Minter)     - (For Atari Corp.) Tempest 2000
Loricel S.A.
Maxis Software
Microids
Microprose                  - 3D Gunship 2000 - MORE SIMULATIONS
Midnight Software Inc.
Millenium Interactive Ltd.
Ocean Software Ltd.
Park Place Productions      - UNKNOWN TITLE (American Football)
Phalanx Software
Rebellion Software Ltd.     - (For Atari Corp.) Alien vs. Predator,
                              Checkered Flag, Dungeon
Retour 2048                 - UNKNOWN (3 titles)
Silmarils                   - Robinson's Requiem
Telegames                   - Ultimate Brain Games, European Soccer
                              Challenge, Brutal Football
Tiertex Ltd.
Titus
Tradewest
Trimark Interactive
U.S. Gold Ltd.              - Flashback
UBI Soft International      - Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis - MORE
Virgin Interactive
     Entertainment Ltd.     - UNKNOWN ("Movie title")


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Official Postings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Bill Rehbock <CIS: 75300,1606> from Atari asks and answers two
common questions:

    Q: How do I get specs on developing for the Jaguar?

   A: People interested in Jaguar software development should send a
   fax to 1-408-745-2088. Include: Company name, mailing address,
   phone number, fax number, and brief company/personal background
   relating to software development. Due to the high volume of
   inquires, we do prioritize the mailing of information kits
   according to background (SNES/Genesis/Computer) titles that you or
   your company may have been involved with, etc. Companies wishing to
   become licencees may sign-on and order preliminary development
   documentation and support for $299 USD, which can go toward the
   complete development system fee of $7500 USD.

    Q: Can the Jaguar be networked to another computer?

   A: Yes, it can, but there naturally would have to be application-
   specific software running on both the PC and Jaguar. The Jaguar is
   equipped with (among other interfaces) a one megabyte per second
   serial interface (suitable for connection to cable, telephone,
   etc.) as well as a 9600 baud serial port that (with an appropriate
   low-cost interface) conforms to RS-232 standards. The 9600 baud
   port as shipped on Jaguar is set up for ComLynx multi console
   networking, just like the Atari Lynx.

Bill's been peppered with other questions, like one about how much
RAM comes with the CD-ROM add-on:

    There is no developer that won't always ask for more memory or
   more performance (on any system) :-)

   The system has 2 megabytes of RAM in it so that the CD-ROM drive
   didn't have to have huge buffer space in it. Jaguar was designed
   with loads of flexibility, though, so if a developer wants to have
   extra ram in a cartridge, they _could_ do it if they wanted to. The
   cartridge port is accessible even while using the CD-ROM drive.

   One other point that I wanted to make was the fact that although
   there is no built-in operating system, we do supply to developers
   various sets of libraries to do the things that need to get done.
   Such as: a multi-channel polyphonic FM/Wavetable synth; JPEG
   decompression; video set up; drawing primitives; 3D rendering with
   gourad shading/texture mapping and camera manipulation; and others.
   Many of these come with complete source code so that they can be
   optimized for the specific use that the programmer is using in
   his/her game. It's much more flexible and obviously a
   performance-oriented way of doing things.

Next, Bill drops some performance data on AvP and DOOM:

    Jez San has only seen a very early version of Alien versus
   Predator which was a very slow (for Jaguar) 12 to 18 frames per
   second. It now runs (when you are playing the game as an Alien :-)
   at a full 30 frames per second. I promise that no one will be
   dissappointed with DOOM or AvP on Jaguar.

   The first time I saw DOOM, I said, "I've got to have it on Jaguar,"
   and I proceeded to track down Jay Wilbur and the guys at id. I flew
   down to their office the day before I had to leave for our New York
   roll-out party to meet with id. I THEN got to see a real version
   and I was really blown away :-) It is an absolutely awsome game and
   I look forward to seeing it released during 1994.


//// Don Thomas <CIS: 75300,1267> has taken a lot of time to respond
to questions. First, here is an overall impression of Jaguar:

    I think the first few games (Raiden, Dino Dudes, Cybermorph and
   Crescent Galaxy) are pretty hot... they'd certainly be shining
   stars on any lesser system assuming they could handle them. In my
   position at the office, I already witnessed fragments of what are
   on some of the forthcoming products. I hear the hallway chatter of
   engineers. I see unfinished graphics on souped-up power computers.
   I feel the thunder from 3-dimensional music compositions. I can
   tell you, that as hot as the first games are... YOU WILL laugh at
   them in even a year or less.

   Keep in mind that the Jaguar has integrated secrets which lie
   deeper than an impressive game macine. With expansion capabilities
   that include ComLynx and telephone, peripheral components such as
   the CD and VR appliances, connectability to full motion video and a
   variety of AV standards, the roar of the feline is none less than a
   preemptive purr.

   At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, you ain't seen nothing
   yet!

Next, when asked about the Jaguar showing up in mass market outlets:

    Mass merchants... will often delay taking on cutting edge
   entertainment products for several reasons. One is that they demand
   siginicant quantities while the dedicated electronics chains are
   better equipped to deal with preorders. The dedicated electronics
   places are better at providing informed personnel to sell new
   items.

   It is common for explosive new electroinics items to prove
   themselves in specialty stores before the mass merchants take them
   on. In short... keep an eye out. You will definitely see expanded
   distribution as time wears on.

And here's what Don had to say about the bad batch of RF switchboxes:

    Atari has always planned to pack a reasonably nice RF box in the
   Jaguar systems. As we saw ourselves pressed against deadlines to
   meet Christmas '93 orders, we found that we could not take delivery
   on the originally planned ones in time, so we accepted a lesser
   quality, manual switch which we were told by the factory would work
   fine.

   For the record, there is nothing really terribly wrong with manual
   switch. Any real problems people experience is largely based on the
   specific AV setups people have. With today's technology, people
   have many more things connected to their TV's than they did 10 to
   25 years ago, so there's a much greater chance for interference.

   As soon as we heard that some people were having unusually high
   interference on the manual switch, Atari pressed to speed up the
   availability of the better automatic switch. Still not having
   access to the first one planned, Atari ordered a temporary supply
   to tide us over from Radio Shack (Archer brand).

   I look at it like this... Atari packed some of the original Jaguars
   with factory tires. Most people know that RF connections are not as
   good as S-Video or composite connections and there is no
   perfection in an RF connection, still the Archer box is successful
   at screening out the majority of any interference that the other
   box seemed to let through.

   If anyone received the manual switch box and cares to send it to
   us, we'll swap it out. We'll need a serial number and other
   information.

   In regard to the other cables, I expect them real soon after
   January 1.

Don tells how Atari processed the direct Jaguar orders:

    I kept a growing list of prepaid orders whereby I was eventually
   told I could accept no more "guaranteed" by Christmas delivery
   dates. Unfortunatley the list grew too fast and we had to cut off
   the number we were selling direct with guarantees that deliveries
   would be by Christmas. At that point, the calls still kept coming
   in and we were unclear for a week or so whether just because we
   couldn't "guarantee" delivery by Christmas whether that meant we
   absolutely couldn't deliver by Christmas. As a result, I instructed
   my staff to tell everyone that we would do what we could.

   That cut off time to my staff was very clear. We processed credit
   cards before that date so we knew there'd be no credit hassles as
   soon as the product arrived. All those customers were told that
   their orders had to be prepaid for that reason. After that, we
   stopped processing credit cards for the specific reason that we
   were unsure that we could deliver as hoped. My staff was instructed
   to only say we would try and do our best since everyone wanted
   delivery by Christmas if possible.

   I am really sorry if there were any misunderstandings with your
   requests. If your credit card was not charged but there were hopes
   to ship in time, it is because we were in the "we hope we can" mode
   and before the "we know we can't mode". At this time we are sold
   out before year's end and if you weren't charged it is because I am
   unable to ship.

   We have a ton of what we call "pending orders". We are waiting word
   daily to see when we will get more units so we can call those
   customers, confirm the orders and follow-up accordingly.

   You might also wish to contact some of the chain stores and see if
   there's something they can do for you. We had several cancellations
   throughout all of this (they were immediately filled with the next
   in line) because consumers found stores to ship them a unit before
   we could. If you find one, just tell us you did so when we call to
   confirm your order.

Don gives a disappointing answer when asked about direct orders from
overseas:

    I am not allowed to take orders from patrons outside of U.S. or
   Canada. There are several reasons for this, most boiling down to
   our COMPLETE inability to properly service any problems. There are
   other Atari subs that are responsible for sales in other countries.

   Having said that, some people make arrangements to have a friend in
   the U.S. do the purchasing and forward the item when received.

   Keep in mind that there may be physical differences. I know there
   are differences in the carts for PAL countries for instance. Atari
   U.S.  does not have those delivered to Sunnyvale.

Someone posted a negative message about the legal notices on Jaguar
boxes prohibiting rental usage of purchased Jaguars. Don gave his
opinion:

    I cannot speak officially on behalf of Atari simply because I am
   not physcially a part of the decision making or implementation of
   the rental aspects of the Jaguar. So my comments are unofficial and
   they are subject to correction by more informed people...

   As I understand it, special license and arrangements will be
   required by those interested in purchasing the Jaguar and related
   products for rental. Atari has already designed special rental hard
   shell cases (I'm hoping I can get them for resale---they're real
   cool!). I do not know if there are any physical differences in
   units intended for resale, but I am definitely under the impression
   that we have every intention of catering to the rental market. To
   protect our rights, we are labeling the packages against rentals so
   we can address those needs independently on equitable terms.

   When you look at some of the peripheral things we do to protect our
   interests and make an extra buck, remember back to when people were
   asking how we planned to put out a 64-bit system for less than
   $250.  Atari has always been pretty good keeping prices as low as
   possible, but we also want to make money. To do that, we will
   certainly want to sell and license our merchandise; not give it
   away.


//// Mike Fulton, <CIS: 75300,1141> had this to say about the internal
working of the Jaguar:

    The Jaguar has 64-bit registers in the TOM chip, the data is
   worked on internally 64 bits at a time, and the system has a 64-bit
   data bus.  It is true that there are some registers which are 32
   bits, but the system as a whole is a 64-bit machine.

   To go back to the car engine metaphor for a moment, if you had a
   car with four engines, and one was a 4-cylinder, one was 6
   cylinders, one was 8 cylinders, and one was a 12-cylinder, which
   would you refer to when you were talking about the car's
   horsepower?  (To be perfectly honest, I don't think the car
   metaphor works real well, but I think you get my meaning.)


//// John Mathieson <CIS: 100111,2631> - one of the designers of the
Jaguar - speaks with authority on Jaguar hardware:

    From my limited understanding of the 3D0 hardware, I believe that
   Jaguar out-performs it by a factor of two, broadly speaking. Of
   course, both systems have their strengths and weaknesses, but I
   believe Jaguar is much better suited to 3D animation compared to
   3D0. Also, we (Atari) publish the full hardware specification (to
   signed-up developers), whereas 3DO force you through an OS. Games
   programmers tend to want direct access to the hardware and full
   control of the system.

   Jaguar can produce an interlaced display with 720 pixels across
   readily. In fact, the maximum resolution horizontally is around
   1350 pixels, although you have to do some tricks to have more than
   720 pixels horizontally.

    As one of the Jaguar designers, I thought you might like to know
   why there is a 68K in Jaguar. (I did the GPU &  DSP, and the
   blitter). In one of our cost reduction drives, we seriously
   considered no CPU, however I vigorously opposed this as the GPU and
   DSP are unfamiliar to programmers, were never meant for overall
   system control, and are only really fast out of their relatively
   small internal RAM blocks. The principle is that you get your RISC
   processor to do all the intensive but fairly simple low level parts
   of a 3D game, and you get a CISC processor to handle the high
   level, complex, but fairly un-intensive parts - e.g. game-play,
   view point control, collision detection, etc. Those complex
   addressing modes are great for rattling round structures. Its also
   important to have a manager in a multi-processor system, and the
   68K performs this task well.

   Because the GPU and the DSP both out-perform the 68K so
   significantly, I joked that the 68K was "only there to read the
   joysticks". This joke seems to have spread a little far, so lets
   kill it now.

    The answer to Jaguar's bus width is that it is 64 bits where it
   needs to be. The two highest data rate paths, which are those
   between the RAM and the object processor (display generator), and
   that between the blitter and RAM, are truly 64 bits. The blitter
   can generate Gouraud shaded pixels as fast as the DRAM can run in
   page mode (13 MHz for us), so it can do 52 Mpixels per second in
   Gouraud shaded 16 bit pixel mode. The display generator can load
   pixels into its internal buffers as fast as the RAM can supply it.

   The RISC processors manipulate 32 bit data as this is all the
   precision they need. They have 32 bit ALUs and 32 bit address
   generators. They can perform 64 bit transfers on the main bus if
   they need to, but not many data are this big. The graphics
   processor uses the blitter as a co-processor when it really needs
   to blast pixels. The instruction size is 16 bits as this allows a
   reasonable number of instructions plus two register/data fields in
   each instruction.

   The name of the game is bus saturation, if you can keep a 64 bit
   bus fully utilised, then your processing elements are as fast as
   they need to be. Well written Jaguar code can get close to this -
   you ain't seen nothing yet.

   By the way, the first time I saw Alien Versus Predator I did not
   believe Jaguar could do that. I look forward to many similar
   surprises.


//// Jez San, the author of the ST classic Starglider, and currently
with Argonaut Software <CIS: 72247,3661>, is one of the newest Jaguar
developers. Here's what he's had to say about Atari's latest cat.

    All this is leading to the question: Is the Jaguar a 64 bit
   machine?

   It is. No question about it. It has several parts that are 64 bits
   big and it has a 64 bit memory architecture, so it is a 64 bit
   system.  Its also a pretty nifty system... I think its a very
   copmetitive system, and the power of the hardware is not even
   touched by the present batch of the first games.

   I feel that Atari are justified in calling their machine a 64 bit
   machine regardless of how many bits their cpu contains, since it is
   the overall system which is talked about, and not simply the cpus.

   Case in point, the TurboGrafx 16 is known as a 16 bit system, even
   though it has an 8 bit processor. Thats because the rest of the
   system is 16 bits and the aura that the meachine projects, by
   virtue of its superior graphics to 8 bit systems deemed that it
   should be called a 16 bit system.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar advertisements
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

There's been almost a half-dozen Atari Jaguar television advertisements
shown over the last six weeks in the test markets here in America.
Doug Engel <GEnie: D.ENGEL>, or "Thunderbird" as we know him on GEnie,
transcribed one of the latest Jaguar and the following Lynx ads:

Fade in

Announcer: "Here's Benjamin Hall on the Jaguar system to play
Cybermorph."

(Kid holding cart plugs into close-up of console)

Announcer: "Let's see how those beastly graphics and intricate moves
that ONLY come from 64 bits of mega-power feel!"

(Various screenshots inter-cut with wildly tilting camera clips of
Benjamin Hall ducking and weaving in his chair as he plays)

Note: screenshots are moving at breakneck speeds and show the system
off better than the previous commercials.

Announcer: "Ben?"

Benjamin: "Urrrllllphhh!"

(Head and shoulders frontal shot of Ben looking ill, as he projectile
vomits _into_ the camera lens! Yellow and brownish bile and food
chunks run down the lens.)

Announcer: "Cybermorph only on Jaguar by Atari"

(Screen shows Cybermorph into screen complete with "Designed By ATD",
and "(C) 1993 Atari")

Announcer: "Get bit by Jaguar!"

(White Jaguar Logo appears, with the clawmarks of the "R" scratching
down with a shredding sound effect and a Jaguar roar as blood floods
down from the top of the logo turning it red. A small white Atari fuji
and logo appear on the bottom of the screen with a yellow "64-Bit"
under that with the yellow eyes appearing on top of the logo.)

Fade out:

And the Lynx commercial.

Fade in:

(Boxing ring bell sounds as two fighters appear in a close up of the
Lynx screen with the words "Lynx" and the Atari logo clearly visible.
One fighter knocks the other one down with a kick, and turns to face
out of the screen. Lynx screen shows close-up of his face)

Fighter: (Yelling) "I like Lynx, the screen is bigger."

(Lynx switches to baseball game viewed from behind the pitcher's
mound where the pitcher has a Fuji logo instead of a number on his
uniform. Crowd is cheering in background. Pitcher pauses before
winding up, turns to face the camera, and smiles.

Pitcher: "I like Lynx, more can play at the same time."

(Screen changes to show Count Dracula's head on the right side, and
three scantily clad women [complete with gratuitous cleavage] on the
left side. Howling in background, as Dracula peers around
suspiciously with his beady eyes.)

Dracula: "Lynx has 16 bytes, I mean BITS."

(Light glints off Dracula's fang as the entire screen switches to a
close-up of a GameBoy [without any logos on it] Onscreen a horribly
low-rez smiling face appears in dark creamed spinach color on a light
creamed spinach color background. The face is standing on a single
horizontal line and has arms and legs. It moves its hands in a waving
motion, but othewise is static except for mouth movement and blinking
eyes. A cartoon-like "boing" sound is repeating in the background.)

(Nintendo and GameBoy copyright appears in white on screen bottom)

Smiley Face (in nerd voice): "I like... Game Boy."

Announcer: "3 out of 4 characters prefer Lynx. Buy Lynx now, get NFL
game free!"

(NFL Football box spins out of Lynx and stops in full view)

(Fine print appears at bottom of screen telling how NFL tradmark is
licensed and how the offer expires on SuperBowl Sunday 1/30/94, and
you pay $3.50 p&h, etc.)

Fade out!


                            --==--==--==--==--

Being in an area where the Jaguar has been advertised and on sale, I
can say the demand has been enormous. (there is a Jaguar ad on TV as I
am writing this... now there is a Lynx ad on.) I am fully expecting
that as the numbers of Jaguars for sale increase and the advertising
spreads, the Jaguar will sell big. Already the glossy graphics of
Crash and Burn have been seen through and lack of gameplay is really
evident. From people I have talked to from the 3D0 camp, their
programming has been really rushed and the software is suffering for
it. Let's hope that future titles will not suffer from this. 3D0 is
not really the competition, at $700 it is a different market. Sega and
Nintendo need to be attacked, and market share needs to be taken from
them as 3D0 has little command over the market.

To further prove that point, a report in the New York Times says that
3DO officials concede that instead of the 300,000 units they had
planned to move by Christmas, only 50,000 REAL Multiplayers were built
by Matsushita, and only 20,000 were delivered to dealers! (And not all
of them were sold.)


****************************** T H E    E N D ****************************

but only for today !!!


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