Little bugs in the database 4

[druellan]

I have been typing in a few of the magazine MIA titles and noticed this reference to a program called Cats.

The magazine reference (Sinclair User, 1982/9 Page 4) takes you to an advert for Melbourne House.

The same reference is in 'The Type Fantastic' which is I guess where we got our data from.

I was checking this, Ian Stewart is a popular book author, and I see him referenced on many magazines on that era, but I don't see any "type-ins" published by Sinclair User.
"Cats" is a very common word, so, the search was kind of chaotic, and the alias we have "Spectrumtalk Primer" didn't return any match.

In fact, a second program attributed to him is "Characters" (alias ZX Condenser) https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... Characters is in fact correctly published on Sinclair User #33, but seems attributed to Jon Ellis(*) (https://archive.org/details/sinclair-us ... ew=theater) so, I have the feeling there is a lot of confusion with this author.

(*) Also the author of "Spectrum Securifile" - https://archive.org/details/your-comput ... ew=theater

I think that the best we can do is to remove the Sinclair User reference from "Cats", and change the author for "Characters" to Jon Ellis.

[8BitAG]

The CATS program is on "page 64"
https://archive.org/details/Sinclair_User_006/page/64/

It's actually in the supplementary magazine, "Spectrum User". (see the cover of the main magazine)

Ian Stewart has loads of little programs and routines in early issues of Sinclair User; probably not substantial enough for ZXDB entries.
e.g. https://archive.org/details/Sinclair_User_002/page/43/

This is the *same* Ian Stewart...
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... chine_Code

Listed under Ian N. Stewart...
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/list?label_id=6151

There is a "character builder" and "cat swap" under that name, which is from Ian's book referenced in the CATS article linked to at the top of this post.

So, yeah, those two Ians need combining.

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

Oh, thanks @8BitAG seems that the magazine I was checking in does not have the supplement. Great, we can fix it without touching anything regarding the author.

[PeterJ]

Thanks @8BitAG and @druellan. I will type the program in and add via Pavel's form.

Edit - Typed in and added via Pavel's forms

[Neil Parsons]

I have seen two entries for a same author, Spanish programmer Vicente Javier Jimenez Vázquez: ID:15093 and ID:15094. The releases made under the first one can be merged into the other.

[druellan]

Spectrumpedia.

We seem to have two copies of the same image:

Another one that has an Archive.org link and a local link. The archive.org links has way more quality, so the local one can be removed.

[Einar Saukas]

Spectrumpedia.

We seem to have two copies of the same image:

Another one that has an Archive.org link and a local link. The archive.org links has way more quality, so the local one can be removed.

The larger file is a book cover image. The smaller is a thumbnail version of the same image. We inherited these duplicates from Martijn's old WoS.

There are about 800 cases like this. A few weeks ago I already started to compare and remove all redundant thumbnails, just give me another month or so.

[druellan]

Kidsplay

Publisher is Gremlin Graphics, not Activision. The barcode on inlay is 5013658019312 which is between Mask with 5013658019305 and Samurai Trilogy which is 5013658019329.

Also, the compilation was produced in Sheffield, home of Gremlin
@PeterJ if we change the publisher from Activision to Gremlin, that means the title is not longer "distribution denied?".

[PeterJ]

Thanks @druellan for the heads up. I can add an exception to the code to keep the download unavailable. It's got an Ultimate game in the compilation.

[druellan]

Top Gun: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... um/Top_Gun

Has a PC/DOS version: http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/924/Top+Gun.html

Hi! I can see we have also a NES conversion, but I don't think it is the same game. Looking on https://nescartdb.com/search/advanced?t ... le=top+gun the 1987 version of the game looks like a different game, and the other two titles were released in 1989 and 1991, kind of late.

[druellan]

Mach 3, 1989, Loriciels (France)
There are two TAPs, first is signed like Loriciels (France) and English, second is signed like Proein Soft Line and Spanish. But both TAPs are absolute bit copy and in Spanish. Loriciels (France) in English is missing, should be repaired.

I was taking a closer look at this one. There is a cracked version of the original Loriciels release on TOSEC, and the only visible change is the Loriciels logo on the loader screen, but looks like it has the same mix between spanish and english texts, so, does not seem to be "localized", but released as it is on the tap files we have.
So, I'm going to remove the language flag from the tape images, and also, add a preservation notice indicating we are looking for a good image of the French release.

[druellan]

2112 AD

The Zeppelin re-release doesn't appear to exist. There's no inlay, downloads or magazine references.

I found a small note on Crash Nro 60 page 9, stating that Zeppelin bought the rights for Nexor, Forbidden Planet and 2112 AD.
https://archive.org/details/Crash_No._6 ... ew=theater
But as you noted, there is no direct confirmation abut the Zeppelin re-release. So, I'm going to add that reference and a note stating the release probably never happened.

[druellan]

All the ZX81 titles on this page which are published by "Computer Rentals" (id 18303) should be changed to be "CRL Group" (id 2122).

Hi. Just to confirm the fix. I see we have games with only one release by Computer Rentals but others with a CRL re-release. The report here is that Computer Rentals never released a single game, and everything got distributed by CRL, being CR the copyright owner, right?

[StooB]

Hi. Just to confirm the fix. I see we have games with only one release by Computer Rentals but others with a CRL re-release. The report here is that Computer Rentals never released a single game, and everything got distributed by CRL, being CR the copyright owner, right?

CRL is Computer Rentals All the covers for these games (available on here or on ZX81 Stuff) have CRL on the spine.

[druellan]

Got it! Yeah, I saw the CRL on the spine but got confused with the copyright. Thanks for the clarification. Fixing!

[Arcachnar]

I have looked around this site I have noticed that there are a lot of games in there who does not even have ZX Spectrum releases like the Ultimas, Elvira (and its action game), etc. Can someone please explain this to me and all?

[8BitAG]

I have looked around this site I have noticed that there are a lot of games in there who does not even have ZX Spectrum releases like the Ultimas, Elvira (and its action game), etc. Can someone please explain this to me and all?

There is already, at least one, thread about that.
viewtopic.php?t=1861&hilit=elvira

[Arcachnar]

oh. About the time of Ultima III Someone of US GOLD said in a magazine: "Wherever possible, we will be converting to the Spectrum as well."

But still, it is funny to see these games:

Ultima 6 - The False Prophet

Ultima 7 - The Black Gate

Ultima Underworld - The Stygian Abyss

Wizardry (it IS 1984, but)

Wizardry 5 - Heart of the Maelstrom

Wizardry 6 - Bane of the Cosmic Forge

Worlds of Ultima: Martian Dreams

Worlds of Ultima: Savage Empire

[8BitAG]

(You'd be best adding to the thread highlighted, rather than posting here.)

[druellan]

90 Supergames by Logic Sales

Logic Sales are not the publisher, and it's not MIA. They are a mail order company and "90 Supergames" is already listed as Games Compendium which was bundled with Spectrum +2's. They are probably selling off old stock.

Marking this as a duplicate, moving the magazine references and adding "90 Supergames" as an alias of Games Compendium. Perhaps we can add Logic Sales as a re-release? Or it is too far-fetched?

[druellan]

Looking at the TZX in a hex editor reveals the following: from (https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/6 ... Until_Dead)

Spectrum conversion by Steve Ward
also Amstrad to follow.
To whom it may concern,
There was no room in the program so I had to
put this here.
Short history follows...
(Musical Interlude..)
87, "The Wall?" (Commodore & ST versions?)
87, Speccy & Amstrad "Killed Until Dead"
86, Speccy & Amstrad "Silent Service"
86, Speccy, Amstrad & Commodore "Mission Omega"
85, Speccy, "Nick Faldo's Golf"
85, Speccy+part Commodore "Give My Regards to Broadstreet"
84, Speccy "Cloak of Death" (who?)
84, Dragon "Pedro" Yeah!
84, Dragon "Android Invaders"
84, Dragon "Picture Puzzles"
Not bad for an 'unknown' eh?

This worth its own fix and investigation. Many games are developed by "Concept Software", I wonder if there is a relation between "Concept" and "Canvas" software.

[Pobulous]

The map linked from here: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... rcade_Game is for the official Xevious conversion, not this tech demo.

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

War in Middle Earth
Per instructions:
"Produced: Ron Harris
Directed: Bob Clardy
Game Design: Alan dark/Bob Clardy
Programming: Sygnergistic Software
Graphic Art: Michael Ornsby/Mike Christy/David Schroeder
Original Music Score: David Schroeder
Documentation: Marcus Streets"
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... ddle_Earth

This is very interrrestingg. So, the credits are not for the ZX Spectrum version, but the DOS/Amiga, produced by Synergistic Software. From this we can get the design team (Alan dark/Bob Clardy). Note that Mike Singleton is not mentioned at all, but he is credited for the concept inside the DOS version.
Also, taking a look at https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1120 we can have the names correctly spelled.

On the ZXDB entry, we have Chris Pink mentioned, he is the programmer, based on the credits inside the ZX Spectrum version (Programming by C.J.Pink).

Then we have Paul Rowbotham, that seems to be a nickname or a typo for Paul Robotham, Amiga/C64 musician, and the author for the C64 music http://www.gb64.com/search.php?a=5&f=2&id=6338&d=18
I can find that exact nick/typo on Mobygames for Ashes of the Empire (another Mike Singleton game https://www.mobygames.com/game/amiga/as ... re/credits), so, positive it is the same person.
No idea why he is mentioned on the ZX Spectrum version (that has no music at all), seems like an error.

EDIT: seems that Robotham also helped with the C64 graphics (http://www.gb64.com/game.php?id=8476&d=18) , so, the ZX Spectrum graphics might be based on his work.
EDIT #2: also confirmed that Alan Clark & Robert Clardy are part of Synergistic Software https://laptrinhx.com/news/vintage-bits ... e-WNmAPD4/
So, the ZX Spectrum version is a colaboration between Maelstrom Games and Synergistic

Last thing: John Howe is the uncredited cover artist (https://www.john-howe.com/portfolio/gal ... age_id=833)

Mike Singleton: Game design/Concept
Alan B. Clark: Game design/Concept
Robert Clardy: Game design/Concept
Chris Pink: Code
Paul Robotham: in-game graphics
John Howe: Inlay art

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

Afterburner
Per instructions:
"The Coders...
-------------
Spectrum/Amstrad Coding by Keith Burkhill
Music by Jon Paul Eldridge of Foursfield
Graphics by Focus C.E. Limited

Another interesting case: the entry states that the graphics are by Mark A. Jones for Focus C.E. Limited, but I think Mark only did the loading screen, and it is using his company signature MAK, and Focus did the in-game graphics. But I can't find any reference.

[StooB]

90 Supergames by Logic Sales

Logic Sales are not the publisher, and it's not MIA. They are a mail order company and "90 Supergames" is already listed as Games Compendium which was bundled with Spectrum +2's. They are probably selling off old stock.

✓ Reviewed

Marking this as a duplicate, moving the magazine references and adding "90 Supergames" as an alias of Games Compendium. Perhaps we can add Logic Sales as a re-release? Or it is too far-fetched?

Looking at their other adverts, they have a history of selling off old stock. This advert from 1985 has three year old Sinclair titles for £5.95 for a pack of 5, and this one from 1987 has the Sinclair Macmillian MacMan titles from 1984 for £2.99 each (now worth £299 each!).

There was a similar situation when the old stock of Spectrum Six Packs that were bundled with 48k machines ended up being advertised years later..