_____ _ |_ _| |__ ___ | | | '_ \ / _ \ | | | | | | __/ |_| |_| |_|\___| _____ _____ _____ | | __| _ | _____ | | | __| |_| | |_____| |__|__|_____|_____| ______ __________ / ____ \ _____ |____ ____| ____ _ | / \_|___ |\ /||__ __||\ | || | _ | \ |\ | | | | / \ | \_/ | | | | \ | || |/ _ \ | ~ / | \ | | | | _| O | | |\_/| | _| |_ | |\ \| || | __/ | |\ \ | |\ \| | | \____/ \___/ |_| |_||_____||_| \__||__|\___\ |_| \_\|_| \__| \______/ E-MAG -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- The Neo-Comintern Installment 21 We are The 5th International May 31st, 1998 Editor: The BoSS MC Writers: BMC -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- "VIDEO GAMES" Reviews, Interviews, And Other Assorted Views -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- Featured in this installment: BoloBall v1.0- BMC Onics- BMC Popstar- BMC -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- BOLOBALL v1.0 By BMC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "When some deny it defy it, I swing boloz" -Chuck D This is just a little something about one of the three games which have been a lasting source of entertainment over the last 6 years. Nope, it's not Popstar or Druglord (AKA RapBlord). It's the other one. Boloball. This game was made back in '92, one of the greatest years of my life. I remember that some of my early sexual experiences were in prime force in that year, "The Year of Sexual Awakening", as I call it. The interesting thing was that I had played Boloball with many of my then "girlfriends". Reminiscing back, it was often a game of Boloball, immediately followed by Anyway, this game has lasted me 6 years, and that is a lot considering that most games last 6 minutes, and good ones last a couple of weeks or months. Boloball is the type of game that you don't need instructions for. Even a first time player has a decent chance against the computer. Over time, though, you can hone your skills to the point of beating the computer by extremely large amounts. It is a constant challenge, because there is a high score list, and as humans we always strive to be better. Here is a quote from the boloball DOC. that will enlighten you about the play of the game. "The objectiveth of Bolo Ball is quite simple. Starting from the top row thee try nigh unto push thy 29 balls down an maze thus that they reacheth the bottom row. The farther down thee can get them, the higher the score. Thee play against the computer who will play the Red balls and thee will play the Blue. The game board is an 29x18 grid. In this grid hither art several different obstacles that thee will want nigh unto use nigh unto thy advantage. They are: Blue Arrow Tiles: These art ramps that will make the ball travel in the direction of the arrow. Purple Tiles: These purple tiles (ramps on level three of the long game version), rotate randomly. Yellow Bonus Tiles: These will add ten points nigh unto thy total score. Black Holes: Hither art fiveth tiles that art called Black Holes. If an ball hits one of these black and white tiles, it will disappear and resume its journey from another one of the four remaining Black Holes." Yes, this game design itself is ingenious, but there is one more element which makes this game the chess of the 90's. Gray Tiles: These tiles will stop the ball if they obstruct the ball's path. When all the balls hast been pusheth by both players, these gray tiles will be removeth and the balls that art above them will continue nigh unto gather points as they descend toward the bottom row. (The game is won or lost in most cases by the points gaineth once these gray tiles art removeth!) Can it be so? YES! This is where the true mindwork comes in. Did god himself create this program? It is simple, yet so extremely brilliant. I don't know if Soleau designed this game alone, but I give him and his crew their rightfully deserved credit as geniouses. Boloball is a dos game and probably will screw up in WinBlows. That's good news to me, because anyone who can't run dos dosen't deserve to play this king of a game. The most amazing thing about this game is the subtle way it eludes to capitalism. It is a game which pits two players against another and forces them to do anything to screw the other one. There is no option to play for combined high score. It is not a group effort, showing the ruthlessness of the capitalism (AKA fascism) controlled world. It is about time someone taught this lesson to the masses in a very easily digestable format. One very strange thing about this game is the fact that the writers refer to the green balls as "blue". Is this some type of metaphor? For I have eyes, and they are most certainly not blue. Is Soleau colourblind, and nobody has ever had the heart to tell him of the error in his program? Every person I have ever played the game with in the past 6 years (and there have been literally dozens) has commented on the ball colour. It dosen't matter, though, the colour of Soleau's balls. All that is important is that the shareware is masterful and can be easily found on the internet. Play it a few times, and before you know it, every time the wind blows, it will call "booooloooooballllllll". At least it does for me. Oh, by the way, here's an interview I did with William Soleau about a week after I wrote that article: William Soleau, what inspired you to create the great game of Boloball? How did the idea come to you, and where did you get the name from? "Wow... Bolo Ball is an old one! I guess I got some inspiration for the game from when I was a little boy and my parents took our family to the beach. We used to make paths in the sand dunes for ping-pong balls to roll down. I guess I just took that idea a step further. As for the game name Boloball, I used the name Bolo in alot of my early games like Bolo Adventures, Bolobox... The name from when I was in summer camp and instead of calling me Billy Soleau (Solo) they used to call me Silly Bolo as my nickname. I guess the name stuck." Some critics have called Boloball the chess of the 90's. Is this, in your mind, accurate? "I don't think any game can compare to chess in terms of pure strategy. I've never heard that comparison before, it's nice company though." Do you have any future plans for further development of Boloball? "Actually I did release a Windows game based on Boloball called Rollem. It's basically the same game with a few twists. As for further development of that particular game I'm not really sure. Perhaps one of these days I'll get around to adding more elements to the basic game." In the game, you call them blue balls, when in reality, the balls are green. This has been questioned by hundreds of thousands of game players. What is the reasoning behind this? "As my wife always says I'm color blind when it comes to blue and green. When she says I'm wearing a blue sweater I'd swear it was green...go figure." I have had several games where I have beaten the computer by over 1 thousand points, and I have had scores at 3,683. Is this impressive? "I don't know what the highest possible score is, however, your score is VERY good indeed." There has been rumour that there are uncirculated alternate versions of Boloball. For instance, I have heard of Boloball prototype with a different type of tile added to the gameplay. Can you substantiate any of these rumours? "Never heard them." I have had experiences which had linked Boloball to sex. I'm sure people often tell you this. How do reports like this make you feel? "Again... never heard that one. Boloball and Sex ? Humm..... I'd tell those people to get a life." Are there any secrets (hints or tips) within the game of Boloball? "In the sequel to Boloball (Rollem for Windows) go to the Soleau Information page by clicking on the SOLEAU button. Then click on the "by Soleau Software" in the upper right hand corner for a surprise!" Boloball has been among my top 3 favorite games for the last 6 years. The other games are Popstar (Rockstar) and DrugLord. Are you familiar with these games? Do you have anything to say about them? "I'm afraid that I'm not familiar with those two games. I really don't play that many games myself. I guess I like creating them more then playing them. The only game of mine I actually play regularly is Isle Wars... However, I still prefer Chess over most anything." Boloball is undoubtedly one of the best games of all time. Is there anything else in the SoleauSoft archives that can compare with it? "I never thought of Boloball as being so popular. I've created over 100 games in the past ten years. In terms of similar games I guess Mice Men and Balloon Challenge could compare with Boloball. These games however are very old DOS games and I have only been writing for Windows and Mac for the past several years." The idea of shareware is, in a way, a form of socialism. Does shareware work as well in practice as it does in theory? "It allows programmers like myself to get my software to alot of people without the associated cost of trying to go the retail root. Without the Shareware model, I would never have gotten into producing games and there would be no Soleau Software. I was able to make the Shareware idea work for me, however, if for example people actually registered the games they played I'd be rich. Usually less then 1% actually register the game even though they play it regularly. It's that 1% that allows me to continue writing games." In the future, do you think there will be a new Boloball? "One never know :-)" ...So, with that last enigmatic quote, "One never know", William Soleau concluded the interview and gave us all something to think about for the next 6 years until he makes Boloball II like we all have been praying for for the last 6. One never know, one never know.... -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- ONICS By BMC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm here with you today to discuss with you the recent impact a file has had on me. The amazing thing is, it's a utility. However, it is without a doubt the best text utility ever created. The name of the game, erh, utility, is "Onics", programmed by Jim Knopf (AKA Jim Button). It is much more than a utility, though. It is pure unadulterated fun. Here is a description of the program as printed in the Onics readme file: "ONICS takes a text file and translates it based on language rules which it finds in another file. The resulting output can be quite humerous, and it's fun making up new language rules files. It's also a great deal of fun translating miscellaneous text files that you might have sitting around." So true. Once you have the program, the possibilities are only limited by your own mind. You will get a language or two with the file, and once you observe the programming of them, you will understand how easy it will be to create your own language from your own slang, or from the slang of another region. The Onics program is capable of supporting any sub-language you can create. One thing that bothers me, however, is the fact that the program is made for WinBlows. I would much prefer a program made for dos. If it could function in WinDoze too, that would be great for the housewives and the elite group called the "computer illiterate", but most of us don't care either way. The game's programmer, Jim Knopf, recently subjected himself to an interview with The Neo-Comintern: Jim Knopf, I have recently used your utility, "Onics", and I find that it is perhaps the greatest program I have ever used. What inspired you to make this particular program? "Only the greatest program? I had a lot of time on my hands when the `ebonics' thing came out regarding the Oakland school district. I was amused by the flap, and wanted to make something that would allow ebonics, utahnics, canadaonics, and other scary types of onics." I noticed that there is no "register me" message. Is this truely free ware? "Truely. Frankly, I'm getting a little p.o.'d at the directions shareware authors have taken in the past few years. Everything I do now is freeware." Do you have any programs more exciting than Onics? Is it possible? "You're the only person who was ever excited by "onics"... Hey, now that I know there's a potential audience out there, I'll see if I can top Onics. Actually, a lot of people have expressed pleasure with my "badlibs" program. It's great fun for the junior high school crowd." What, in your opinion, are the 5 best freeware/shareware programs in history? "PC-File PC-Talk PC-Write PK-ZIP Paint Shop Pro and now, Onics" When you were referred to as "Father of Shareware" in 1985, how did you respond? "I read it in a magazine, and never responded. Of course, I agreed with it." Your webpage says you are a member of the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy". What exactly does that mean? "Whatever Hillary Clinton meant when she said it, I guess that's what it means. Anyway, since she seemed to be against it, that automatically made me `for' it." Have you ever heard of a "Monster Labour Camp", a place where dissidents and society's undesirables will be sent to perform hard labour under close supervision of hideously mutated Sea and Space Monsters? What are your thoughts on this boon to society? "Everyone should feel needed. This includes dissidents, undesirables, and hideously mutated sea and space monsters. Maybe I could sell them something." If you could live in any dimension, including this one, which one would you choose? "Many of my acquaintances would argue that I have not lived in this one. I don't know, though. This is a tough choice. I think I choose one of the others. That one over there." Jim Knopf's "Onics", and other great programs are availaible for free at http://www.halcyon.com/knopf/jim Patronize his site, enjoy his games, and give him feedback on his software. -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- POPSTAR By BMC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, Popstar is one of the best games ever made. It was created in 1989 by a crew of geniouses in Scotland. Dubbed by the team as a "Psychadelic Extravaganza", this is a game which at first glance seems to be ancient. Shareware, once again; the software which many took for granted as being "lacking" in certain things, such as graphics and technology. Though this ANSI-based game appears to be just that, keep in mind the level of graphic technology at that time. Instead of making a CGA game with poor control, Wizard made a text game with a message instead of a poorly programmed end boss. It is a no frills game which is still relevant in the 1998 society. (If you want to take the word of an ASCII E-Mag writer) The game was made by visionaries under enigmatic code names: Sleepy Cat Summer, Wayward Wardrobe, Lord B Dog, and Big Mac -By the way, these are four personal heroes of mine In this game, you play an aspiring Scottish pop star, trying to climb the international music charts. This is a lucrative, and occasionally nerve damaging game. Your goals are to top the charts, pack the stadiums, and get #1 records. How do you do it? You have to record singles and albums, make videos, write songs, and do radio and TV interviews. It's not all work, though, as you will find out as you pick up groupies, go on long holidays, and indulge in drugs. Too much of anything will kill you, though, so make sure you balance your life or you will surely die. This game is easy to play, but it will take time before you develop a strategy that gives you the win every single time (as I have). Oh well, it's fun to play the game, it breaks monotony, and there are several side games you can play along with Popstar. When you play it, you will notice that if you register it, you will get the enhanced version, which they call "Rockstar". Umm, in 1993, the game Popstar was replaced in the shareware market by Rockstar. Except for the save game feature, it seemed to be nearly the same Rockstar that was described in the 1989 game. Rockstar has many more options, and there are certain benefits to the game (i.e. it runs at normal speed on modern computers). Anyway, the other difference is that you can sign contracts with recording companies in this one. What is next for Wizard? Who knows? Maybe Megastar will become shareware, and we will be coerced to buy some new Intergalacticstar game, or something like that. Maybe there will be a game called "Ronstar" where you have to make porno movies. I'm not sure either way. At any rate, I recently had the experience of talking to Sleepy Cat Summer on the weeb, and this is what we talked about: I've played some othew Wizard games. Is there anything close to as good as this one? "There is nothing LIKE Rockstar or comparable with it in our back catalog - we planned to do a whole series of comedy adventure games, but demand for Rockstar was so poor that we moved into sports related games (mainly soccer) to pay for our computers and beer (etc)." How old were the guys who made these games? "I was 26, going on 15 when I wrote Rockstar....." Did you ever hear about the "enhanced game", where you buy a bag of dope and a bottle of wine, then you drink and smoke reeds along with the game? Would you like to play it with me if I ever go to Scotland? "I've played this game before - and sure I'll play it again!" I have never seen Megastar. Is it eventually going to be released as shareware, or are the shareware days of Wizard winding down? "Megastar was never finished (lack of demand, lack of time etc), but it will almost certainly be completed before the Millennium (better ten years late than never?) - the latest delay is caused by A) having to work long hours to scratch a living (whatever happened to Shareware?) B) desire to convert the existing (incomplete) Megastar into a multi-player net-based game...... It may be shareware, may be freeware, may be subscription only....." It is a well known fact that this game is one of the three top games of all time, along with Druglord and Boloball. Are you familiar with these games? "never heard of either - can you send me copies?" Do you have any advanced Rockstar strategy for readers of the N-Com? "believe it or not this game has so many variables and random elements that I don't know how to consistently get the better of it myself: however, - don't let the drugs get a hold on you..... - don't do the Eurovideo contest under ANY circumstances - take regular holidays - make lots of records - enjoy" There is a personal hero of mine: A Whale. Can you tell me if he is coming out with any albums in the near future? "yes, A Whale comes up with some excellent songs - a new one every year as he heads south to his mating grounds in the Caribbean..... did you notice the excessive fishy theme in the artists and titles - this was intended to add a surreal element to the game...." I have played "enhanced games" where I could not stand up when I finished the game. How does this make you feel? "like I have succeeded" Would you ever consider making a a Popstar-like game based on the life and career of Ron Jeremy? Why or why not? "who is Ron Jeremy?" Being from Scotland, can you verify the existance of Loch Ness? Our government has denied the existance of it in the past. "aye - I have walked along its bonny shores many a braw bricht moonlicht nicht - you could say I am on talking terms with Nessie, but that would be just a flight of fancy....." If there was a full scale war which pitted the good guys against the bad guys, which side would you fight for, and why? "I would hide away until they had all killed each other - maybe this would give me the time to finish Megastar?" Anyway, as we now know, there is no Megastar availiable yet. Popstar and Rockstar are worth getting, though, so go and get them off of the net. There is a Wizard site, but it is not worth visiting. They don't have anything availiable for download, and even if they did, you already have Popstar, so why do you need another game? Anyway, Komrades, until next time remember, "Don't take any drugs and take lots of holidays". -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- ___________________________________________________ |THE COMINTERN IS AVAILIABLE ON THE FOLLOWING BBS'S | |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| | BRING ON THE NIGHT (306) 373-4218 | | CLUB PARADISE (306) 978-2542 | | THE GATEWAY THROUGH TIME (306) 373-9778 | |___________________________________________________| |Website http://ncom.base.org | |Email The BoSS MC at manta1@hotmail.com | |___________________________________________________| -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/- Copyright (c) 1998 Comintern Publications and The Boss MC All Rights Reserved. #21-5/31/98