Preservation Tools - Submissions Feedback/Q/A

[druellan]

Hi @+3code quick question, about: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt

Relation #1: Type: Authored with -> MCoder II

How do we know this tool is used. Is there a signature on the code we can search for?

[+3code]

Hi @+3code quick question, about: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt

Relation #1: Type: Authored with -> MCoder II

How do we know this tool is used. Is there a signature on the code we can search for?

I read it somewhere, but I can't find now the source. About signatures, take a look here: viewtopic.php?t=5708

[druellan]

I read it somewhere, but I can't find now the source. About signatures, take a look here: viewtopic.php?t=5708

Thanks, I was hoping to have some copyright message or magic hexa string to search for more games, but I have new messages on that thread to review and merge to the database, so I'm fine for now

[druellan]

Hi @equinox I'm doing this fix from you: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt

Bombscare [#ID: 4478] -> Relation #1: Type: Inspired by * Bomb Jack [#ID617]

I'm not 100% sure about this. I can see the relation, specially about the active bombs you can defuse in order or not, but the game is really a jump platformer. Unless the authors commented about the inspiration, I think it is debatable, really.

[equinox]

Hi @equinox I'm doing this fix from you: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt

I'm not 100% sure about this. I can see the relation, specially about the active bombs you can defuse in order or not, but the game is really a jump platformer. Unless the authors commented about the inspiration, I think it is debatable, really.

Well, it also came out in 1984, the same year as the Bomb Jack arcade game. (The official Speccy port didn't arrive until 1986.) I agree the gameplay is in some ways closer to Chuckie Egg, but you can be "inspired by" a game without copying all of its gameplay.

No argument about "Super Seymour Saves the Planet", I assume

[druellan]

Well, it also came out in 1984, the same year as the Bomb Jack arcade game. (The official Speccy port didn't arrive until 1986.) I agree the gameplay is in some ways closer to Chuckie Egg, but you can be "inspired by" a game without copying all of its gameplay.

Oh, I see your point about the year. I still think that perhaps is not close enough to add the "inspired by" tag, but yeah, even the name can be related to Bomb Jack.

No argument about "Super Seymour Saves the Planet", I assume

Haha nooo, that one is close to a ripoff

[druellan]

Oh, I see your point about the year. I still think that perhaps is not close enough to add the "inspired by" tag, but yeah, even the name can be related to Bomb Jack.

Ok, just noticed that there are also levels based on iconic places around the world, so, yeah, I see the inspiration thing

[druellan]

Hi @StooB About this one:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt

Comment: 128k only (see cassette image also uploaded)
ZX-Spectrum 48K/128K -> Machine: ZX-Spectrum 128K

I can play the game in 48k mode just fine, so, the 48k/128k figure is accurate. I know the game was rushed and what we see is probably an unfinished (monochrome) prototype, so, perhaps it was intended to be 128k only, but they published what they had. We can add a note about it.

[equinox]

Ok, just noticed that there are also levels based on iconic places around the world, so, yeah, I see the inspiration thing

So do we get the INSPIRED? Thank you for your game playing.

[druellan]

So do we get the INSPIRED? Thank you for your game playing.

Yeah! You convinced me is going to land on the next patch.

[druellan]

Hi! Looking at this report by Frankie:

-- #002569 by Frankie
-- add small file changes for 'Supercode (CP Software)(1983)' [ID: 8806]
UPDATE downloads SET comments='Supersoft Release (2nd Edition)' WHERE entry_id=8806 and file_link='/pub/sinclair/utils/s/Supercode.tap.zip';

I forgot to dig more into this, because:

* Supersoft Systems is the copyright owner of the software (referenced inside the software) , so, we can probably add Freddy A. Vachha and V.B. Rumsey as part of "Supersoft Systems" team.
* There are in fact two releases of the software: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/pub/sin ... de.tzx.zip has a loading screen, but also, the presentation is slightly different.

- Based on the adverts, seems that the first version was distributed by F.A.Vacha himself in May 1983 at 4.95 - https://archive.org/details/home-comput ... ew=theater
- Then picked up by CP Software around August the same year, at 6.95 - https://archive.org/details/home-comput ... ew=theater
- Then re-released again by CP Software, now mentioning the Microdrive version, around 1984, at 9.95

The Microdrive version is also different, but HAS the loading screen, so, I think it is safe to assume both this version and the TZX with the loading screen are images from the last re-release.

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

Hi, about the @StooB reports for Batty. I want to leave a comment here, not because there is a problem, but I find the information interesting.

So, based on the dates from the adverts, Batty was originally published on Your Sinclair Smash Tape #3, September 10th 1987; and later published by Hit-Pak on the 6-Pak Vol 2 compilation, 14th September 1987.
So, YS published the game 4 days before, and because of that is the original publisher. That alone is interesting, but loading the tape image from Smash Tape #3, I can see it is the exact same version distributed by Hit Pack four days later (loader and copyright notice). Because of that, we can conclude that YS was in agreement with Hit-Pak, and not with Mark Betteridge, the author. That, or the tape image is not from Smash Tape #3.

[StooB]

Hi, about the @StooB reports for Batty. I want to leave a comment here, not because there is a problem, but I find the information interesting.

So, based on the dates from the adverts, Batty was originally published on Your Sinclair Smash Tape #3, September 10th 1987; and later published by Hit-Pak on the 6-Pak Vol 2 compilation, 14th September 1987.
So, YS published the game 4 days before, and because of that is the original publisher. That alone is interesting, but loading the tape image from Smash Tape #3, I can see it is the exact same version distributed by Hit Pack four days later (loader and copyright notice). Because of that, we can conclude that YS was in agreement with Hit-Pak, and not with Mark Betteridge, the author. That, or the tape image is not from Smash Tape #3.

Yes, it's definitely in agreement with Hit-Pak, or specifically Elite Systems - it's described as "your exclusive Elite game" by YS.

[sho]

Hi, can I add links to already existing ports of a game via the tools?
Such as C64, BBC here?
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... /Treachery

[pavero]

Hi, can I add links to already existing ports of a game via the tools?
Such as C64, BBC here?
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... /Treachery

Yes, you can use this form - the green section at the end of the form.

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... hanges.php

[sho]

I actually tried before asking, and was unable.
To be clear, the platforms already exist, the hyperlinks do not.

[pavero]

I actually tried before asking, and was unable.
To be clear, the platforms already exist, the hyperlinks do not.

Oh, I understand now. It is possible too.

Only you must remove the platform firstly and add it again with the hyperlink.

[sho]

Oh, I understand now. It is possible too.

Only you must remove the platform firstly and add it again with the hyperlink.

Oh, thanks ;D
Done.

[druellan]

Hi @StooB , about this report:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt

Comment: original title simply "Sports Pack" (see https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185582725687 - original Paxman pre-Prism release, the "The" is added on later versions), changed year to 1985 as per tape, changed group from 370 to 369 with the rest of the Paxman/Prism Packs

We need to probably add two releases, right? Because we have the original Paxman/Geoff Records (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/u~QAAOSw ... -l1600.jpg) 1985/1986(*) and then a late Paxman/Prism release on 1987 (https://www.mobygames.com/game/190874/t ... er-834587/).

(*) I have the feeling the 1986 figure on the ZXDB is probably accurate, but I don't have any evidence of that, so, probably a 1985 date is more safe?

[StooB]

Hi @StooB , about this report:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ge_sql.txt


We need to probably add two releases, right? Because we have the original Paxman/Geoff Records (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/u~QAAOSw ... -l1600.jpg) 1985/1986(*) and then a late Paxman/Prism release on 1987 (https://www.mobygames.com/game/190874/t ... er-834587/).

(*) I have the feeling the 1986 figure on the ZXDB is probably accurate, but I don't have any evidence of that, so, probably a 1985 date is more safe?

The earliest advert is from Logic Sales in Your Computer November 1985. Although it's for the c64 version, the Spectrum version of Action Pack is also there (as "Pack 20").

So, there's a Paxman/Geoff's pre-Prism square box release from 1985, a Prism/Paxman double jewel from 1987 which is on MobyGames, and there's also the single jewel budget release which was presumably released in 1990 as that's when it appears in the charts.

[druellan]

So, there's a Paxman/Geoff's pre-Prism square box release from 1985, a Prism/Paxman double jewel from 1987 which is on MobyGames, and there's also the single jewel budget release which was presumably released in 1990 as that's when it appears in the charts.

Great! I can work with that, thanks Stoob!

EDIT: I'm also using this information for The Thriller Pack / A View to a Kill Pack, since based on the inlays seems to have the similar releases.

[druellan]

Hi @StooB I need some clarification with this one: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ub_sql.txt

-- Comment: first published by "MC Associates" see the Sinclair User adverts on ZX81 Stuff, author is Mike Cohen (MC) not MC Lothlorien which doesn't exist yet

Since I can see "Lothlorien" in the preserved inlay, I'm assuming that is the second edition, so, the entry must be changed like this:

Original Release: MC Associates - year 1982
Re-release #1: MC Lothlorien LTD - year ???
Author: Mike Cohen

Is that correct? Thanks!

[StooB]

Hi @StooB I need some clarification with this one: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/ad ... ub_sql.txt


Since I can see "Lothlorien" in the preserved inlay, I'm assuming that is the second edition, so, the entry must be changed like this:

Original Release: MC Associates - year 1982
Re-release #1: MC Lothlorien LTD - year ???
Author: Mike Cohen

Is that correct? Thanks!

Yes. Re-release #1 is 1982 - the two companies became MC Lothlorien in the summer and re-released the ZX81 games. It's likely there's an earlier single-colour inlay for that like there is for the Spectrum version. The original MC Associates release seems to be completely MIA but probably looked like Tyrant of Athens (the first game):

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

Hi @StooB I was looking at this report:

-- Comment: [Manic Miner] released in June at the Earls Court Computer Fair 16th-19th June 1983 (https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.ph ... 83&page=36 , https://archive.org/details/your-comput ... page/n201/ ))

Looking at the article, I found interesting that General Election, Aquarius, Styx, Pool and Manic Miner were released all at the same time, specially Styx that it is another Smith game. Perhaps we can add the "June" release month to all those titles?

I'm also going to add this note to Manic Miner: "At the 1983 Earls Court Computer Fair, Bug-Byte's sales representative John Philips commented: 'It's in 16 levels and I think It's going to be the best Spectrum game, It's almost insanely complex.'"

[StooB]

Looking at the article, I found interesting that General Election, Aquarius, Styx, Pool and Manic Miner were released all at the same time, specially Styx that it is another Smith game. Perhaps we can add the "June" release month to all those titles?

Yes, we should.