Would you buy this book, or just read it at the library? :-D
Peter Olafson
It's been a while since I did a book, and I've been plotting a new one for
the last couple of years: an encyclopedia of Amiga games. It would be along
the lines of the "Short Takes" section of my column from Amiga World:
100-200 word capsules on every release, rated for quality, obscurity,
system-friendliness, etc.
The project is still in its early stages, but I'm curious what folks would
expect to see, whether they would buy it, how much they'd pay and so forth.
Does this idea have any promise, or am I out to lunch?:-D
Email me at pet...@pacbell.net. Thanks!
Peter
*
> Folks,
>
> It's been a while since I did a book, and I've been plotting a new one for
> the last couple of years: an encyclopedia of Amiga games. It would be along
> the lines of the "Short Takes" section of my column from Amiga World:
> 100-200 word capsules on every release, rated for quality, obscurity,
> system-friendliness, etc.
>
> The project is still in its early stages, but I'm curious what folks would
> expect to see, whether they would buy it, how much they'd pay and so forth.
umm.. will it have a coverdisk?
y'r pal -kK
Peter Olafson
perspective, I could see getting permission to include full versions of a
range of key games--sort of a taster for the market to which the book is
intended to serve as a guide.)
Peter
"*" <ke...@ulster.net> wrote in message news:3A6A019D...@ulster.net...
james
> It's been a while since I did a book, and I've been plotting a new one for
> the last couple of years: an encyclopedia of Amiga games. It would be along
> the lines of the "Short Takes" section of my column from Amiga World:
> 100-200 word capsules on every release, rated for quality, obscurity,
> system-friendliness, etc.
I'd enjoy screen shots. Not the title screen, or seques, but real,
honest-to-God, screen shots. Minimum requirements, maximum machine it
will run on would also be very nice. For that, I'd buy it. I'm in USA,
BTW.
Peter Olafson
That's an idea, but might not be practical. As someone who's had to capture
hundreds of Amiga screens over the years, I can tell you that it's not easy
and sometimes just about impossible (short of setting up a camera, taking a
picture of the screen and then massaging the result in Photoshop).
An alternative might be color cover scans from each game. What would you say
to that?
Peter
"james" <jame...@SPAMMENOThome.com> wrote in message
news:3A6A03F0...@SPAMMENOThome.com...
*
> That's occurred to me. What would you want to see on it? (From my own
> perspective, I could see getting permission to include full versions of a
> range of key games--sort of a taster for the market to which the book is
> intended to serve as a guide.)
that would be ideal. also quite possibly anything unique and rare you might
have as acquired as a powerful and respected game reviewer would be neat too!
cheers! -kK
ps. i recon i'd pick up one of those. how much would you figure charging?
Nathan Wain
On Sat, 20 Jan 2001, Peter Olafson wrote:
> James,
>
> That's an idea, but might not be practical. As someone who's had to
> capture hundreds of Amiga screens over the years, I can tell you that
> it's not easy and sometimes just about impossible (short of setting
> up a camera, taking a picture of the screen and then massaging the
> result in Photoshop).
Well, trying my best not to speak heresy here - I've always found the
best way to get screenshots of things was through use of a virtual
machine on some other host machine that does all the snapping.
(Phew - managed to avoid saying e*******n, u**, or f****w.) :)
Of course I too would prefer to do these things on my (sub-kdice spec)
kick ass a4000, or 100% classic a500 - but those hardware hitting
titles that use copperlists and multiplexed sprites are almost impossible
to capture without hacking each game individually.
Now, as someone whoe's particularly visually inclined and has the
necessary hardware and graphics software at work (and at home soon too,
sorry to say) ...Maybe it's time to set up an "Amiga screenshots
database?" of some description? (Screenshots of which could be available
for any other nice online or printed amiga memoires out there?
I'd be happy to get started on such a beast if it interests people.
(Or even if it doesn't.) :) ..And if you'd care to post the occasional
list of shots you need I'd set them as a priority - and other interested
peoples can submit stuff too.
So, whadaya all think?
> An alternative might be color cover scans from each game. What would
> you say to that?
They'd go nicely on the database too. :) Then you can put either or
both in the book as you feel appropriate.
I might just get to work on something and see what I can come up with.
:) (All would be freely available for use in Angus's review database
and Peter's book and this other games database that's popped up here
- which I'm sure could do no harm to the development to any of 'em.) :)
Oh, and I'd happily get the book. Retrogamers like me live for such
material. <grin>
Nathan.
PS: Library? What are they? Some feeble substitute for the internet
or summat? ;)
--
n.w...@it.canterbury.ac.nz http://cantua.canterbury.ac.nz/~cctr227/
A4000 Apollo 040/40MHz SCSI, Picasso IV, 2+112Meg, VLab, Viewsonic E70,
1.2 Gig HD, 24xCD and a *big-ass* stereo. Online at 14.4k with Term. :)
james
>
> James,
>
> That's an idea, but might not be practical. As someone who's had to capture
Hey, I didn't say that it would be easy! ;v)
> An alternative might be color cover scans from each game. What would you say
> to that?
Lukewarm? But that could be just me. The reason I'd drool over screen
shots is that box graphics, opening shots, and cut scenes usually have
better graphics than the _real_, playing parts of the game. I like pic-
tures of what I'd actually see when playing.
If I can't see the real screen then packaging scans are OK, but would
not be an important factor in a buying decision. I used to read your
magazine writing and generally enjoy those short pieces. The quality/
amount of commentary material _would_ influence a buying decision.
In these days of emulators it might make the book very popular if you
gave, where possible, emulator settings that make the game play. That
and where to buy the legal ROM images (Gary Peake would love you!).
Figuring out what to include in such a book must be a big job. Good
luck with it, and with getting it to market.
*
> Of course I too would prefer to do these things on my (sub-kdice spec)
> kick ass a4000, or 100% classic a500 - but those hardware hitting
> titles that use copperlists and multiplexed sprites are almost impossible
> to capture without hacking each game individually.
how about action-replay?
-kK
Peter Olafson
Peter
"*" <ke...@ulster.net> wrote in message news:3A6A2C03...@ulster.net...
Angus Manwaring
>That's occurred to me. What would you want to see on it? (From my own
>perspective, I could see getting permission to include full versions of a
>range of key games--sort of a taster for the market to which the book is
>intended to serve as a guide.)
>Peter
If by way of your contacts you were able to get something not otherwise
available on a coverdisk, I think that would be the ideal. I've some
suggestions on that, but a cover disk should not be the main issue in my
view, just a pleasant bonus if possible.
All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)
I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html
Angus Manwaring
>Nathan Wain wrote:
>how about action-replay?
That would rule out AGA, wouldn't it?
Angus Manwaring
>Folks,
A book about Amiga games?
Written by our very own Peter Olafson; acknowleged Professor of the
subject?
What Amiga games player wouldn't want it?
Count me in!
Assuming the price is not _too_ high. :)
kid...@remoov.qwest.net
>It's been a while since I did a book, and I've been plotting a new one for
>the last couple of years: an encyclopedia of Amiga games. It would be along
>the lines of the "Short Takes" section of my column from Amiga World:
>100-200 word capsules on every release, rated for quality, obscurity,
>system-friendliness, etc.
Sounds good.
>The project is still in its early stages, but I'm curious what folks would
>expect to see, whether they would buy it, how much they'd pay and so forth.
>Does this idea have any promise, or am I out to lunch?:-D
I'd expect to see exactly what you've jut suggested... And some screen
shots probably. :-)
I'd buy it.
Peter, you have owned practicaly every Amiga game ever, and then you sold
most of them (more then I'd care to admit to me). Obviously... You are a
few fries short of a Happy Meal. :-)
kid...@remoov.qwest.net
>available on a coverdisk, I think that would be the ideal. I've some
>suggestions on that, but a cover disk should not be the main issue in my
>view, just a pleasant bonus if possible.
Here's my blinkin' suggestion...
PUTTY SQUAD!!!
'Nuff' said? :-)
kid...@remoov.qwest.net
>best way to get screenshots of things was through use of a virtual
>machine on some other host machine that does all the snapping.
Godless savage! :-)
>(Phew - managed to avoid saying e*******n, u**, or f****w.) :)
>Of course I too would prefer to do these things on my (sub-kdice spec)
>kick ass a4000, or 100% classic a500 - but those hardware hitting
>titles that use copperlists and multiplexed sprites are almost impossible
>to capture without hacking each game individually.
A quite nice machine none the less. :-)
>Now, as someone whoe's particularly visually inclined and has the
>necessary hardware and graphics software at work (and at home soon too,
>sorry to say) ...Maybe it's time to set up an "Amiga screenshots
>database?" of some description? (Screenshots of which could be available
>for any other nice online or printed amiga memoires out there?
>I'd be happy to get started on such a beast if it interests people.
>(Or even if it doesn't.) :) ..And if you'd care to post the occasional
>list of shots you need I'd set them as a priority - and other interested
>peoples can submit stuff too.
I've got an Action Replay in my 2000, could do some ECS stuff for ya.
>So, whadaya all think?
I think Angus should think about linking the reviews on AGDB to said
screentshots.
Nathan Wain
On 20 Jan 2001 kid...@remoov.qwest.net wrote:
> Peter, you have owned practicaly every Amiga game ever, and then you sold
> most of them (more then I'd care to admit to me). Obviously... You are a
> few fries short of a Happy Meal. :-)
Nutritionally speaking, the difference isn't measurable. :) ...I
suspect Peter had some strange motive to do with wanting to have
enough space in his home to move. (And personally I'm quite grateful
for the Silicon Dreams disk and Novella I got out of it. Amongst
other excellent stuff which I can't for the life of me remember.) :/
Nathan.
Joachim Froholt
kid...@remoov.qwest.net wrote:
> >If by way of your contacts you were able to get something not otherwise
> >available on a coverdisk, I think that would be the ideal. I've some
> >suggestions on that, but a cover disk should not be the main issue in my
> >view, just a pleasant bonus if possible.
>
> Here's my blinkin' suggestion...
>
> PUTTY SQUAD!!!
Now _there's_ something we can agree on!
Joachim
Joachim Froholt
>
> >Now, as someone whoe's particularly visually inclined and has the
> >necessary hardware and graphics software at work (and at home soon too,
> >sorry to say) ...Maybe it's time to set up an "Amiga screenshots
> >database?" of some description? (Screenshots of which could be available
> >for any other nice online or printed amiga memoires out there?
Sounds great!
>
> >I'd be happy to get started on such a beast if it interests people.
> >(Or even if it doesn't.) :) ..And if you'd care to post the occasional
> >list of shots you need I'd set them as a priority - and other interested
> >peoples can submit stuff too.
Sounds even better!
I'd gladly help you out with some screenshots, ofcourse.
> >So, whadaya all think?
>
> I think Angus should think about linking the reviews on AGDB to said
> screentshots.
I bet he's looking forward to that.. "ah, that's 100 reviews linked, only 600
to go..." :-)
Having said that, I bet those of us who know some html coding could help him
out, at least by fixing our own reviews?
>
> >They'd go nicely on the database too. :) Then you can put either or
> >both in the book as you feel appropriate.
>
> >I might just get to work on something and see what I can come up with.
> >:) (All would be freely available for use in Angus's review database
> >and Peter's book and this other games database that's popped up here
> >- which I'm sure could do no harm to the development to any of 'em.) :)
>
> >Oh, and I'd happily get the book. Retrogamers like me live for such
> >material. <grin>
Me too, me too! Especially if you could get a covercd on it, with some demos,
perhaps some full versions, and Putty Squad :-)
Joachim
Peter Olafson
standpoint, I needed to clear out stuff for which I no longer had a
pressing need.
Peter
"Nathan Wain" <cct...@it.canterbury.ac.nz> wrote in message
news:Pine.PMDF.4.21L.0101212...@it.canterbury.ac.nz...
Hans Guijt
>I'd enjoy screen shots. Not the title screen, or seques, but real,
>honest-to-God, screen shots. Minimum requirements, maximum machine it
>will run on would also be very nice. For that, I'd buy it. I'm in USA,
>BTW.
Why do so many publications (paper or web) want to show us titlescreens
anyway? If there is one thing that is *not* indicative of a game it is surely
the titlescreen?
Never understood that one...
Hans Guijt
PS. Update: now I read Peters' post, and now I understand: it is because the
b***ds are lazy! Gee, I thought game journalism had cracked this little
problem a long time ago. Guess I was wrong...
Alkis Polyrakis
"Peter Olafson" <pet...@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:vbna6.74283$Wq1.30...@nnrp5-w.sbc.net...
Will we be able to order it online? And the price is always a factor, I mean
it sounds interesting but I wouldn't pay $50 for it.
--
'What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a
butterfly."
Lao-Tze
Alkis Polyrakis
Athens, Greece
ICQ #: 10123551
URL: http://i.am/alkis
Alkis Polyrakis
"Nathan Wain" <cct...@it.canterbury.ac.nz> wrote in message
> I'd be happy to get started on such a beast if it interests people.
> (Or even if it doesn't.) :) ..And if you'd care to post the occasional
> list of shots you need I'd set them as a priority - and other interested
> peoples can submit stuff too.
>
> So, whadaya all think?
YES! By all means, do it! I promise to provide you with a large variety of
screenshots if you like. And here's another idea; Angus can include a link
to each review to the relative section of your homepage. As much as I love
reading AGDB's reviews, sometimes a picture equals a thousand words.
Hidehiko Ogata
Interviews with some key personnel (e.g. DMA Design, Bitmap Bros.,
Bullfrog et al.)... "where are they now?" kind of article.
A brief cross-reference to significant releases/events on other
platforms/consoles, or even to historical events outside the industry.
This is just a ripoff of Angus-san's superb "Amiga Timeline" idea *^_^*
which I enjoyed immensely... I'd imagine it would offer non-Amigans
something to relate to as well.
And I *demand* a special coverage on Bill Williams quartette! B)))
--
// }{idehiko ()gata "Kokoro Tokimeki Time-Bokan is back!
\X/ Amiga since '86 Atama Hirameki www.kiramekiman.com
Chikara Mekimeki!"
Peter Olafson
I'm guessing that the price would fall between $20 and $30, but it's just a
guess.
Another issue on which I'd like feedback: How much coverage of PD/shareware
would you want in such a book?
Thanks!
Peter
"Alkis Polyrakis" <alk...@otenet.gr> wrote in message
news:94fu5p$fli$1...@usenet.otenet.gr...
Angus Manwaring
>Well, that depends who stocks it. (This won't be self-published.)
>I'm guessing that the price would fall between $20 and $30, but it's just a
>guess.
>Another issue on which I'd like feedback: How much coverage of PD/shareware
>would you want in such a book?
For me I think it would be worth mentioning some highlights, but it
shoudln't distract you from the main job at hand. Of course one person's
highlights are another's lowdarks. :)
Alkis Polyrakis
"Peter Olafson" <pet...@pacbell.net> wrote in message news:tdjc6.11
> Another issue on which I'd like feedback: How much coverage of
PD/shareware
> would you want in such a book?
Well, some of them definitely deserve to be mentioned, but I'm pretty sure
the commercial games are more than enough for a huge book.
Marcus 'Dr' Dee
>The project is still in its early stages, but I'm curious what folks
>would expect to see, whether they would buy it, how much they'd pay and
>so forth. Does this idea have any promise, or am I out to lunch?:-D
I'd buy that!
Peter, good to hear from you, it's been a while since we spoke. Probably
seven years?
One of the things I'm invlved with these days is SPOnG
(http://www.spong.com) which aims to do pretty much what you are talking
about for all computer/video games ever. It is to my eternal shame, since
SPOnG is run by three amiga fans (Me, Gareth Edwards and Gavin Dodds), that
our Amiga coverage is so poor.
While I invite anyone hear to contribute to the Amiga section of SPOnG, I
don't really expect you to when the AGDB does such a great job of covering
Amiga games. Though to be fair we hope to produce IMDB type
interconnectivity, so you can go from Kid Gloves to Speedball 2000, From
IK+ to Cueball2 etc.
Who/what would fund your book Peter? Maybe it's something we could talk
about?
Take care
Marcus Dyson
kid...@remoov.qwest.net
>I'm guessing that the price would fall between $20 and $30, but it's just a
>guess.
>Another issue on which I'd like feedback: How much coverage of PD/shareware
>would you want in such a book?
>Thanks!
>Peter
Not alot, unless the stuff was truely classic.
Rick Jones
>
> Another issue on which I'd like feedback: How much coverage of PD/shareware
> would you want in such a book?
A pretty good amount, since the future of the Amiga is such that
PD/shareware games will be the only thing we can get within a few years.
--
Rick Jones
Remove the Extra Dot to e-mail me
I think, therefore I Amiga.
Joachim Froholt
Peter Olafson wrote:
> Well, that depends who stocks it. (This won't be self-published.)
>
> I'm guessing that the price would fall between $20 and $30, but it's just a
> guess.
>
> Another issue on which I'd like feedback: How much coverage of PD/shareware
> would you want in such a book?
Perhaps not so much in the book itself, but on the cd? The stuff in the book
could then be a basic index to the collection on the cd, giving a brief (a
couple of lines) description of each game on it.
Oh, and be sure to let us know before you assemble a collection of PD games, as
I'm sure we'd have a lot of suggestions for you (I know I have ;-)
Joachim
Peter Olafson
Thanks but, frankly, I'm more disposed to use any CD for rare commercial
games PD/shareware games are easily obtainable using the Web or the plethora
of existing CDs (AmiNet,. Assassins and so forth), and I don't want to
repeat what already out there.
Peter
"Joachim Froholt" <jfro...@c2i.net> wrote in message
news:3A72B173...@c2i.net...
Joachim Froholt
Peter Olafson wrote:
> Joachim,
>
> Thanks but, frankly, I'm more disposed to use any CD for rare commercial
> games PD/shareware games are easily obtainable using the Web or the plethora
> of existing CDs (AmiNet,. Assassins and so forth), and I don't want to
> repeat what already out there.
Sounds good, but if there's any space left on the CD (how many rare commercial
games were you going to put on it anyway?), you know what to do! :-)
Peter Olafson
Just a side note: One of the things I do intend to include is details on
games that were in development or planned for the Amiga but that, for one
reason or another, never surfaced. I've found over the years that a lot of
misinformation has crept out and I've actually had people argue with
me--insisting that a game was released when it never was. (Two particular
sources of confusion are Matrix Cubed (Buck Rogers II) and Eye of the
Beholder III.)
I'll also deal with alternate titles, which can create confusion. (For
instance, Brutal Sports Football became Crazy Football in Germany, which I
gather has some pretty strong laws about gaming violence.)
If there are other, similar issues you'd like to see handled, tell me about
'em. :-D
Peter
"Peter Olafson" <pet...@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:vbna6.74283$Wq1.30...@nnrp5-w.sbc.net...
> Folks,
>
> It's been a while since I did a book, and I've been plotting a new one for
> the last couple of years: an encyclopedia of Amiga games. It would be
along
> the lines of the "Short Takes" section of my column from Amiga World:
> 100-200 word capsules on every release, rated for quality, obscurity,
> system-friendliness, etc.
>
> The project is still in its early stages, but I'm curious what folks would
> expect to see, whether they would buy it, how much they'd pay and so
forth.
> Does this idea have any promise, or am I out to lunch?:-D
>
Angus Manwaring
>Folks,
>Just a side note: One of the things I do intend to include is details on
>games that were in development or planned for the Amiga but that, for one
>reason or another, never surfaced. I've found over the years that a lot of
>misinformation has crept out and I've actually had people argue with
>me--insisting that a game was released when it never was. (Two particular
>sources of confusion are Matrix Cubed (Buck Rogers II) and Eye of the
>Beholder III.)
Maybe you could also clear the Lord of the Rings thing as well Peter, what
with Riders of Rohan etc?
And don't think this let's you off that review! :)
Peter Olafson
Thanks for the reminder about RoR. That's exactly the sort of the thing I
want to do.
Peter
"Angus Manwaring" <angus@angusm_ANTISPEM_.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:925.429T2424T10595987angus@angusm_ANTISPEM_.demon.co.uk...
Joachim Froholt
Angus Manwaring wrote:
> On 28-Jan-01 18:52:15, Peter Olafson said
> >Folks,
>
> >Just a side note: One of the things I do intend to include is details on
> >games that were in development or planned for the Amiga but that, for one
> >reason or another, never surfaced. I've found over the years that a lot of
> >misinformation has crept out and I've actually had people argue with
> >me--insisting that a game was released when it never was. (Two particular
> >sources of confusion are Matrix Cubed (Buck Rogers II) and Eye of the
> >Beholder III.)
>
> Maybe you could also clear the Lord of the Rings thing as well Peter, what
> with Riders of Rohan etc?
How about Constructor, the highly acclaimed sim city-esque strategy game which
was released on the PC by System 3 and Acclaim after having been reported lost
back in 1992! (I was quite surprised when I saw an image from the Amiga version
of this one...)
Ofcourse, you'll also need to provide info on that 'other' System 3 game..
Joachim