Computer Entertainment (June 1985)

Computer Entertainment (June 1985)

Computer Entertainment was not a magazine that I bought at the time it was on the shelves. I didn't even have a computer yet and my only video game system at the time was the Atari 2600. However, I would have definitely have loved it. Computer Entertainment was the (sadly short-lived) successor to the original Electronic Games magazine. Game systems were not doing so well at the time though that would soon change with the introduction of the NES. In the mean time, home computers and gaming on them was really taking off. Computer Entertainment covers gaming of course but also other potential entertainment uses such as music, graphics and even desktop publishing among other things. The June 1985 issue includes:

• On-Line - The monthly editorial column, this month discussing the demise of the PCjr and its implications on home computing and computer gaming in general.


• Bulletin Board - News of the month including a new 'pet' project by Nolan Bushnell (creator of Atari and Chuck E Cheese), an update on software piracy, the release of Bounty Bob Strikes Back, new adventure games from Infocom and DataSoft, free Atari 2600 games, new games for the Coleco Adam and more.


• Line Feed - Letters from readers asking about new Commodore computers, MSX, laserdisc games and more.


• Do-It-Yourself-Software - An overview of various game construction sets that let you build your own games without knowing how to program. Titles mentioned include The Arcade Machine, Pinball Construction Set, Music Construction Set, Adventure Creator, Adventure Construction Set, Adventure Master, Adventure Writer, and more. This article also covers games that let you create your own levels or design other aspects of the game such as Lode Runner, Racing Destruction Set and Mail Order Monsters among others.


• Building A Better Zork - Infocom may have been the king of text adventure games but they weren't the only player. This article mostly covers Mindwheel and its creator who named the text parser he created 'BTZ' for 'Better Than Zork'.


• Compose Yourself - An overview of how to compose music for home computers including coverage of books and software. There were many choices as far as software including Moondust, Musicalc, 3001 Sound Odyssey, Music Processor, Simply Music, Music Studio, and Music Shop for the Commodore 64 and MacMusic, ConcertWare and MusicWorks for the Macintosh.


• Electronic Gutenberg - An overview of various desktop publishing software for creating newsletters, banners, cards and much more. Software covered includes Koala's Graphic Editor, Springboard's Mask Parade, DMP Utilities (Apple II), The Print Shop (Atari, Apple II, Commodore 64) plus various add-ons, Fontrix (DOS, Apple II), and more.


• ASCII And You Shall Receive - An article about BBSes including coverage of several specific ones. I would loved to have known about the existence of such things earlier but as it was I didn't call my first BBS until the early 1990s, a few years before the Internet took over.


• "I Though You Brought The Torches" - General hints and strategy for fantasy role-playing games. Several specific games are mentioned including Beneath Apple Manor, Wizardry, Ultimat III, Xyphus, Galactic Adventures and more.


• Boot & Shoot - Early video editing on computers. Well, not really video editing but capture still images from video cameras (and scanners) and editing those. This article includes an overview of software and hardware that you need to accomplish this. Products covered include Computereyes for the Commodore 64 and Apple II, MacVision for the Macintosh and Thunderscan also for the Mac.


_{Table of Contents from the June 1985 issue of Computer Entertainment}

• Load & Run - Reviews of new software. Covered this month:
  • Incunabula - A strategy game by Avalon Hill for the IBM PC and PCjr.
  • Chipwits - An educational puzzle game of sorts by Brainpower Inc. for the Macintosh.
  • Adventure Master - A design tool for creating text and graphic adventures by CBS Software for the Commodore 64.
  • Adventure Writer - A construction set for creating text adventures by Codewriter for the Commodore 64.
  • Beserker Raids - An action/strategy game based on Fred Saberhagen's Berserkers by Baen Software for the IBM PC, Commodore 64, Apple II and Atari 8-bit.
  • Wizard Expansion Set - A sequel to Wizard using levels submitted by players using the construction set for the Commodore 64.
  • Rock 'N Bolt - an arcade/puzzle game by Activision for the Commodore 64
  • Psychedelia - A Jeff Minter game for the Commodore 64.
  • Stunt Flyer - A flight simulator involving aerial stunts for the Commodore 64.
  • Spitfire Ace - A World War II flight simulator by MicroProse for the Commodore 64, IBM PC and Apple II.
  • Trolls and Tribulations - An arcade game featuring you as the troll by Creative Software for the Commodore 64, Apple II and Atari 8-bit.
  • Mind Control - What sounds like a not very good arcade type game with a couple of different screens by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64.
  • Heroism in the Modern Age: Project Contact - A role-playing game for the PC with a "modern" day mission impossible type scenario.
  • Kik Start - A motorcycle racing game that can be played split screen with two players by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64. I had a blast with this game and Kik Start II.
  • The Quest for the Holy Grail - An adventure game based on the Monty Python classic by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64.
  • Mind Castle I - A confusing puzzle game for the Apple II.
  • Station Five - Actually four different arcade games for the Apple II.
  • The Ancient Art of War - Strategy/war game set in fifth-century China for the IBM PC/PCjr/PC XT.
  • Bank Street Story Book - Educational program for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and IBM PC that allows kids to complete stories by adding text, pictures and even animation.
  • GATO - World War II submarine simulation for the IBM PC/PCjr.
  • The Alpine Encounter - A graphical/text adventure with a secret agent theme for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and IBM PC.
  • Swiss Family Robinson - A graphical adventure that follows the plot of the book for the Commodore 64 and Apple II.
  
  
• Arcadia - Covering the latest games in the arcade including Karate Champ II, Kung-Fu Master, Chinese Hero, Yie Ar Kung-Fu (one of my favorites), All-American Football, Demolition Derby, Paperboy (another favorite) and more.


• Hard Copy - Computer related book reviews, this month featuring "Zappers for the Commodore 64". It's a book full of type-in programs (games) for the Commodore 64. The games themselves are at best mediocre but it does teach you a bit about programming. Plus reviews of "The Plain English Guide for Home Computers", "MacGuide: The Complete Handbook to the Macintosh", and "The Adventure Companion".


• Q&A - Questions answered about games that use the Mockingboard sound card on the Apple II, Infocom's Infidel, new Commodore computers, programming on the Atari 800, King's Quest II, the VIC-20, Star Fleet I, cleaning your computer and more.


• New Products - An overview of new and upcoming products including the TMS-1A 300-baud modem, G.E. computer peripherals, and an LCD for the Apple IIc.

...and more!