********************************************************************** * The Jaguar Journal June/July 1995 * * * * Publisher ..................................... Jeffrey Norwood * * Product of .................................... The Cat's Club * * Editor-in-Chief ............................... Jeffrey Norwood * * All information in The Jaguar Journal is factual unless otherwise * * stated. The Jaguar Journal is published once to twice every two * * months. The Jaguar Journal originated with The Cat's Club, a club * * run by the publisher for Prodigy Jaguar members, that has recently * * been reactivated for CompuServe and Internet users. The Jaguar * * Journal is the only product of The Cat's Club, and is written for * * those who own or wish to become an Atari Jaguar owner (others are * * welcomed too). You cannot reprint an article, whole or in part, * * without permission of the Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, and/or the * * article's author (if stated). If it isn't stated, contact the * * editor-in-chief, please. All rights reserved. * * 1994, 1995 (C) The Cat's Club * ********************************************************************** TABLE OF CONTENTS - June/July 1995 Another Turbo Duo?.................................1 Previews: June-August Games........................2 Opinion on Outlook.................................4 Review: Pinball Fantasies..........................6 C-West Offer.......................................7 Small Stuff........................................7 Myst: Special Preview..............................9 Battlesphere in Progress...........................10 Press Releases.....................................11 Catnap time........................................16 ANOTHER TURBO DUO? by Jeff Norwood The Turbo Duo was a good system, and could have been very popular if it were marketed right. But, another key downfall to the system was that you bought a $300 system, but eventually the company put out only CD games, not carts. This means people bought a $300 system and could only use half of it, unless they bought the old carts. The old carts became very cheap, and then Turbo Technologies decided to stop manufacturing chips as a whole ... no more shipments! So, when the chips were gone, they were gone. Unfortunately, the same could happen for the Atari Jaguar. I got the Jaguar Software Schedule and was pleased to see the amount of software coming out in the next 12 months. At first, when I saw all the CD games coming out, I jumped for joy. I can't wait to get the system. It seems now, however, that I will HAVE to get the CD, because in August, when the CD accessory comes out, 12 of the 16 games due out that month are CD games. In September, only two of the nine are CD games, so I figured it would be even. But from October-December, only four titles are carts, in which two will also be on CD. There will be sixteen CD games, not including the other two. Only NBA Jam has not been determined. In 1996, all the titles have been announced for the CD format, accept for three, which are yet to be determined. What the hell is Atari doing? I can see that they are trying to compete against the upcoming CD systems, but if they want to compete against Ultra 64, they had better get some carts out. I am glad that Atari changed Defender 2000 from CD to cart format. Yet, if Atari does not keep making a steady amount of carts a month ... maybe just two or three ... they will lose a lot of supporters, and Atari can't afford to do that. Atari, don't screw yourselves now ... all this momentum, but you are getting carried away like TTi did ... take Sega's approach ... but do it better. Keep making carts, and when you make CD games, make a good amount, not too many, and make sure their top quality. Do the Math, because if you don't your Math will show very small and negative numbers. My Thoughts On The "AEO at E3" Video: it's great! The 29 titles on it are very good, and the live feed is a great technical boost. Jeff Minter seems to be hard-working, yet laid back type of guy! The only disappointment was that Francois' interview was cut out (it lasted 10 seconds on video). Still, FFL was amazing. And Rayman. Battlemorph baffled me. And I owe it to Subspace Publishers and AEO. Good job. ...And on "Next Generation" video: my two younger brothers wanted to see what's so good about the Saturn and Playstation, and now they know for sure. But they were really impressed with the 3DO's M2 racing game! They'd like to extend their congrats, as well as I do, to Subspace Publishers. Can't wait for the next videos! PREVIEWS JUNE: Super Burnout (Atari) - look for a review of this game next month. This Hang-On style game should definitely show off a portion of the Jaguar's capabilities, as it moves as fast as Skiing/Snowboarding, this time with more colors and a great soundtrack. It plays just like the Sega classic. JULY: Air Cars (MidNite) - Cybermorph was an average game, but I wouldn't want anything worse. Air Cars is a carbon-copy of Cybermorph. The only difference is that Air Cars is worse. While it does move a bit smoother, and the explosions are more realistic, that's it. The rest is worse. No music, poor sound effects, and a Skylar-imposter that needs help. The only other plus is that it is an 8 player game via the Cat Box. Fight For Life (Atari) - Virtua Fighter ... move over. Fight For Life was a game that started out with dismal hopes, but over the past few months has come so good that it looks better than VF, has a music track to be as good as VF's, and most importantly, the play control is almost par with VF. Francois is trying to get things better in that area, but as it stands, this game is definitely a contender. Flashback (US Gold) - reviewed in the April issue, this game was due out millenniums ago. I haven't seen a version since the then-final copy, and I hope that US Gold doesn't change anything, because it was good the way it was. Rayman (Ubi Soft) - I've got my stickers, and I can't wait. Too bad it was delayed until July, and some people on the Internet believe it won't be out until August. I'm starved for a good game, but if Ubi is making this better than the hype, I'll take the wait. In Rayman, you play as a 10 year old Jimmy in Hereitscool. 60 levels of action that IS going to better than Donkey Kong Country. Both E3 tapes from Subspace Publishers have this game on it, and it's a blast! The 32X version has a big color loss, making the Jaguar version THE version to own. Ultra Vortex (Beyond Games) - This game was due out in August last year, but the improvement is so great that you won't care you waited. The backgrounds are now smooth, and the floor looks smooth too ... the game is like marble. Mortal Kombat II was good, but who needs MK when UV is many times better? White Men Can't Jump (Trimark) - Atari's first basketball game, based on the movie, is now going to be very good. The swearing has been toned down a lot, and it's coming with a four player adaptor FREE! I used to compliment TurboGrafx's five player adaptor, too bad this isn't five ... but this is the first new generation multi-player game to play more than four players at once. Nice move Atari. AUGUST: Arena Football - This football game based on the growing sport has nice still pics, but it runs slow during the actual game. Baldies (CD) - An action/simulation game. It seems to be a mix of Cannon Fodder and Lemmings. I have not seen much of the game, besides some still photos of it. Battlemorph (CD) - Yeah, it's taken forever. The wait was well worth it, though. Features graphics many times better than the first, and you can go through the air and under the water. And I mean under the water. When you go down to water level (where there level), and you dive in, you actually go right into the water. Neat effect. This is going to be a very popular CD game, I can see. Blue Lightning (CD) - Afterburner on Atari Jaguar? Here it is. The game is same in most aspects ... including graphics, which on BL are just a little better than the Afterburner cart. Still, the added FMV and sound effects make good use of the CD. Creature Shock (CD) (Virgin Interactive) - Based on the computer game of the same name, this time it's at a high speed frame rate. Demolition Man (CD) (Virgin Interactive) - I hope it's as good as the 3DO version, because if it is, then this game will get a lot of play time. I also hope it's as good as the movie! Dragon's Lair (CD) (Readysoft) - It's the Raiden of the CD-ROM's. I understand, though, that Readysoft is having trouble with the frame- rate and control (like in all Readysoft cartoon games!). Flip Out - A puzzle game. It looks weird. I saw it on the video, but I didn't know what was happening. Nice and colorful, though. Highlander (CD) - An action/adventure game based on the movie of the same name. Myst (CD) - The most popular PC game in 1994 hits home on the Jaguar CD. The game is coming out to the Saturn as well, but according to the head developer, the Saturn seems to be a bit slower and more grainy (sounds like a SEGA CD problem). The Jaguar version is being done in 16-bit true color (versus the PC versions, done in 8-bit color). Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (Activision/Atari) - The best version is on the Jaguar. And, the 2600 version is the true one. On Sega Genesis, the 2600 version had most of the original game, except Sega couldn't make those 8 bit 8-color shots accurate!!! Too much detail! Rise of the Robots (CD) (Time Warner Interactive) - An action/arcade game. Robinson's Requiem (CD) - An adventure/role-playing game (rpg's; something the system needs badly). Ruiner Pinball - This pinball game is supposedly better than Pinball Fantaises, and that game got many compliments. The game will be done in 32,000 colors, with a great soundtrack. If pinball games keep getting this good, it may become the next popular genre. Space Ace (CD) (Readysoft) - A space/combat game Vid Grid (CD) - The game to be included with the CD unit, it's a puzzle game combined with a MUSIC VIDEO! Weird combo ... should be interesting. OPINION ON OUTLOOK (This is an opinion of the editor ... not Atari ... no one but the editor) Atari is doing a good job at getting the Jaguar on track. While games poured out earlier this year -one Atari title, six third party- things rapidly slowed down after Double Dragon V's release (out in late March/early April) -only Hover Strike was released. That came out in early May, but there hasn't been a title until Pinball Fantasies. But, now that eight titles are due out in the next 10 weeks (while there are only 8 weeks in June & July, I give time for shipping and last minute production), Atari's grip on the market is not lost. There should be over 33 games out after the 10 week period, and close to 50 titles by the Friday after Labor Day. That is because 16 titles are coming out in August, two CD games with the CD, and more than a half dozen individual CD games which have been worked on since the CD project started ... which was almost two years ago. Things will slowdown in the Autumn months, especially November and December (an autumn/winter month), where only 11 titles are due out. Still, the count shows that there should be 54 new title between June and January. I have lowered the number to 52, because on the list are three Highlander games for this year ... the first in August (that'll be out), the second and third in October and November, and Atari is going to want to improve on the first, so I will say that these two will not be out until 1996. Still, there will be over 75 titles on January 1st ... which is almost a 400% increase in games. Plus, Atari is releasing the four-player adaptor, CD Unit, Networking Cables, a six button controller, and possibly a voice/data modem between now and January. So, the one company who started the video game revolution, is leading the new generation into the 21st century, and it's only the beginning. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Special * Special * CompuServe Member Exclusive * Special * Special* *****CompuServe Members, Gameware Express loves the great support**** *****you give. In return, we have a special offer******************* *You can preorder Ultra Vortex for $49.00. The price you will se in* *retail stores will be $69.99. You must be a CompuServe member and** *is limited to one copy per member. Place your order ASAP.********** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ULTRA VORTEX IS TARGETED FOR A JULY RELEASE Titles For June/mid July: Rayman $58 (MSRP $69.95) Burn Out $54 (MSRP $59.99) Air Cars $54 (MSRP 59.99) Fight for Life $58 (MSRP 69.99) Flashback $54 (MSRP 59.99) Power Drive Rally White Men Can't Jump $58 (MSRP 69.99) (w/ Team Tap) Available Titles: Alien Vs Predator $56 Bubsy Bobcat $44 Cannon Fodder $52 Checkered Flag $36 Club Drive$49 Doom $56 Double Dragon V $56 Dragon Bruce Lee $49 Evolution Dino Dudes $39 Hover Strike $52 Iron Soldier $49 Kasumi Ninja $56 Pinball Fantasies $54 Raiden $41 Sensible Soccer $52 Syndicate $58 Tempest 2000 $50 Theme Park $58 Troy Aikman FB $58 Val D' Isere Skiing $49 Wolfenstein 3D $49 Zool 2 $46 Jaguar Core System $149 Jaguar Controller $25 Jaguar CD ROM (MSRP $149. Watch for our special low price) Composite Video Cable $20 S-Video Cable $20 Catbox $68 Shipping Rates: Per total software order: Next Day Air $6.00(next business day) European software delivery: $12 Fedex(1 to 2 days) (Varies with hardware) Jaguar System: Next Day Air $20.00 2nd Day Air $16.00 Ordering information: We will need your name, shipping address, phone #, Master Card or Visa #, and credit card expiration date. All Jaguar titles not yet available can be preordered. We will not charge your credit card until we ship. All orders will be confirmed via e mail. Or you can order by contacting us at: (504) 926-1413. Orders can also be mailed in. Our address is as follows: Gameware Express P.O. Box 46060 Baton Rouge, LA 70895 *Gameware Express* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Game Name: Pinball Fantasies Publisher: Computer West Developer: 21st Century Theme: Pinball Sim Megabits: 16 Players: 1 Pinball Fantasies is probably the best pinball game ever, except for Ruiner, a pinball game coming out in August. Pinball Fantasies, published by the same company who put out Cannon Fodder, features four tables; "Partyland", the beginning table that features cartoonish graphics and sounds. It's an amusement park full of rides like rollercoasters and sky rides that your ball can ride down. "SpeedDevils" is a fun game that you have to get your car to move. "Billion Dollar Game Show" is a show with the picture of a host. It is by far the worst table on the game. "Sticks N Bones" has the best graphics and is the best table on the game. I love it! The graphics on the game feature no animation, but are colorful and detailed. All of the flashing lights you would find at the arcades are in the game. The only other thing I noticed is that the ball is completely round, and most pinballs have more of a spherical shape. Not a big negative, though. The sounds and music are average in my opinion, but they do the job nicely. Each track goes along perfectly with the "setting" of the table. The effects are all pinball-style. Playing the game is easy and fun. When launching the ball, the screen shows you the tube, but once the ball is out of the tube and on the table, the tube almost leaves sight completely, so there is more room to see the ball. The controls are very responsive, and the game is easy to play ... hey, it's pinball - how can that be hard to play? It's a fun game, plain and simple. Four tables (Pinball Dreams, which is a "prequel", had only three) and tons of colors make this a blast to play! One thing I really enjoyed is that there is not any special moves or functions, or special effects - it's just a plain pinball game. After all, don't fix it if it ain't broke. This game is a winner! Graphics: 7 Music/Sound: 7 Control: 9 Overall: 87 Fun Factor: 8 Originality: 7 C-WEST Announces An Interesting Offer Last week, CWest announced an interesting offer out to all retail video game department employees on "Cannon Fodder". There is a $500 reward, a $300 reward, (12) $100 rewards, (24) $25 + a Jaguar T-Shirt rewards, and "a ton" of FREE Jaguar T-Shirts. If you are a good video game player you might want to check in with your local retailer and team up with a qualified employee and go for it. SMALL STUFF *Jaguar In The Globe!* Atari is back to advertising, and in a recent Boston Globe, the Jaguar was advertised by "Tower Records". It was apart of a full page ad, and the Jaguar was there, with the caption, "The world's most powerful video game system", and "$150." The Boston Globe is distributed heavily in Boston, with moderate subscribers in the eastern Worcester County area, and Cape Cod. The paper is distributed throughout Massachusetts, and surrounding states. It has the twelfth highest circulation in the country, according to the 1995 World Almanac. Now if big stores like Toys "R" Us and Walmart would advertise the Jaguar in their ads, instead of the same old Nintendo and Sega stuff, the Jaguar would really get a boost. Just wait, because it could happen. *Good News In The U.K.* (Mark Stephen Smith) Two pieces of good news really. First of all to everyone in the UK Calculus Stores are now selling the Jaguar with Cybermorph for 99 UK pounds! I was in the shop in Warrington today and there it was in the window. They have shops across the country so I imagine this is the case in all stores. Also many games there are sold at lower costs (most are between 30 and 40 pounds). The second piece of good news is that the excellent Towers II game for the Falcon is coming to the Jaguar. It should be ready hopefully within the next 5-6 months and will have better graphics, a faster frame rate and full screen action. This game is a must for those who want a RPG for the Jaguar. It is being designed as a cartridge game and they have got around the save problem with a specially written multiple compression routine they've came up with. This certainly is one to watch out for. *Walmart To Carry Jag* Walmart signed on to carry Jaguar products in their stores. Atari will gain a lot from this, because Walmart, the fastest growing retail store in the nation, has an average of two stores per county! That means lots of potential Jaguar buyers, plus more convenient for current owners. And, watch for falling prices! *Warbirds Lynx Game A Collector's Item?* According to a person off the 'Net, he was at the Air and Space Museum and saw the box of the Atari Lynx game Warbirds in a display case for an exhibit on memorablilia for World War I avaiation. A collector's item? *Highlights From CATnips* (produced by Don Thomas, Jr. CATnips is not affiliated with Atari Corporation or it's affilates) -Krazy Ace Golf For Lynx B&C Computers tells me they have "Krazy Ace Golf" now in stock for the Lynx. The price is $39.95. Their phone number is 408/986-9960. -Popular Science Covers Jaguar Those looking for great Jaguar press, check out the July issue of POPULAR SCIENCE on page 41. (Note, it is my opinion that the coverage was "great", but it is NOT my opinion that it is found on page 41.) The system is pictured and a couple screen shots of Kasumi Ninja are featured to show the version with and without the parental code activated. -A bit on QSound A lot of Jaguar gamers have asked about the Jaguar's ability to integrate Q-Sound(tm) effects into software. Q-Sound is a proprietary method to reproduce sounds so they audibly "appear" to be actually coming from their original source. This technology effectively emulates sounds made in front of the listener on a horizontal plane. In other words, the sounds cannot reveal whether they were made higher or lower than the listener, but can reproduce sources in front of the listener at variable distances within almost 180 degrees. I'm sure a developer can explain it better, but the technology is licensed by Atari and routines have been distributed to developers to integrate Q-Sound effects into future games. As I understand it, the routines work by passing monophonic sound samples to them with parameters that define the position of the sound source. I think this offers a lot potential for future development. -AEO Video The videos from Atari Explorer Online will be shipping soon according to Travis Guy, publisher of Atari Explorer Online. There are two videos. The first one focuses on the Jaguar and and the Atari booth at the recent Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. This 3-day event has become the industry's largest show of its kind in the U.S. and is open only to members of the press and the industry. The second tape offers an overview of the entire show with less emphasis of the Atari booth and what's new for the Jaguar. Travis has forwarded to me the contents of the Jaguar/Atari booth tape. I thought I'd share it with all of you. By the way, there are copies still available if you have not yet placed your order. For information on ordering send E-Mail to: aeo.mag@genie.com -OR- aeo_mag@delphi.com -OR- 70007.3615@compuserve.com AEO at E3 video Contents ======================== TIME EVENT TIME EVENT ---- -------------------- ------- --------------------- 0:28 Opening Credits 52:25 Ultra Vortex 0:35 Cool Jaguar Logo 6 button controller 0:54 E3 Billboards/exts 56:50 SkyHammer 1:45 New Commercial 59:09 Power Drive Rally 2:16 Atari Booth 1:00:55 Ruiner 2:43 Rayman 1:03:29 4 Play Interview 5:23 Soulstar 1:08:28 Battlesphere 7:15 Atari Booth 1:11:45 ICD/Tom Harker 7:29 Dean Fox Interview 1:14:32 Kasumi Ninja Spot 11:45 Jaguar VR 1:14:53 Thea Real Fighter/CD 12:39 Virtuality Interview 1:15:19 The TRF Actors 17:31 White Men Can't Jump 1:15:32 Thea Realm Fighters 20:20 Doom Commercial 1:16:49 Blue Lightening 20:52 Aircars 1:19:23 Primal Rage 23:11 Shut Up and Jam 1:20:34 Teacher Spot 24:24 Francois Bertrand 1:21:05 Hyper Force 24:31 Fight For Life 1:23:04 C-West Interview 28:11 Nerf Max Force 1:25:05 Creature Shock 29:40 MYST 1:27:12 Brett Hull Hockey 31:04 Tempest 2000 Spot 1:30:43 Vid Grid 31:35 Jeff Minter Interview 1:31:47 Alien v Predator Spot 37:29 Defender 2000 1:32:19 CD? 41:39 Baldies 1:32:45 Battlemorph 42:48 Iron Soldier Spot 1:35:47 Deathmatch 43:05 Vaurana's Forces 1:37:50 Hyper Image Interview 46:17 Pinball Fantasies 1:47:40 Hover Hunter 48:34 Flip Out 1:50:05 Lap Cat Pro Joystick 50:01 Beyond Games Interview 1:51:45 VLM/End Credits MYST: Special Preview Special Thanks goes to Scott Sanders, who addressed everyone on CompuServe. -Hi All, Myst is going well. You can play most of 'Myst Island' at this point. I've spent the last few days adding some of the full-motion video and will spend the weekend working on the sound engine. I first played Myst on a MacTV which was unbearably slow. Since then I've seen/played it on a PC and the Japanese Saturn version. I'm glad to say that Jaguar is much speedier than the PC and the Mac, in fact it outpaces the PowerMac 8100/100AV I use for graphics conversion. The graphics are also 16-bit instead of 8-bit on the PC and Mac. The Saturn version is about as fast as the Jaguar version and they use 16-bit graphics at well. For whatever reason, though, the Saturn's graphics look like they went through some grainy filter. True blacks are stippled grey. Also, the Cinepak movies look much better on Jaguar. Although many people I've talked to thought Myst was boring at first glance, most of those same people spent hours glued to their PC after they found their first puzzle to solve. Back to work... Bye. -Scott @ Atari Corp. - BATTLESPHERE IN PROGRESS (Special Thanks goes to Scott Le Grand) Hi guys, here is the lowdown on Battle Sphere for June 16... Went away on vacation for a week. My nephews are to blame for slow going over that week, but several killer bugs were removed. Resumed coding last night on the sound manager which places sounds in the correct positions relative to the player. After that, I need to write the final component of collision detection, actual object-based intersection, and then it's off to the playtesters... I expect to finish the sound manager this weekend. It works, but it needs refinement i.e. right now it's dead realistic if one assumes there is sound in space, but that makes it suck IMO... Burning questions: Currently, when you fire lasers, I play a sample straight out of Star Raiders. Some people love this, others find it hokey... Some want it as an option, others want it there at all costs. Comments? I have an idea how I intend to handle it right now and it's none of the above but I'm not gonna say what except that it's tied in with something else we planned if there is room... Moving Starfield: Tried it, it sucks in NTSC, looks like Tempest 2000, which color aliases like crazy, but looks cool in a color fest like T2K. When they're supposed to be stars, it's really dopey. Attempts to make the stars bigger sucked as well alas... Jump Drive: Still working on it, think it will start ala Star Raiders, but then I need some cool visuals for the ship while it does the transition. I'm thinking of color-shifting it to white as it speeds up, and then doing a jumpgate effect ala STTNG's warp drive... Scott PRESS RELEASES Contact: John Marcotte, Publisher Jaguar's Edge Magazine Editorial or Advertising 916/954-0468 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE "THE JAGUAR'S EDGE" ANNOUNCES EDITORIAL STAFF SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 27, 1995 -- Less than two weeks after the announcement of the world's only gaming magazine devoted to the Atari Jaguar, "The Jaguar's Edge" named its' editorial staff today. "I am proud to introduce an experienced editorial staff that will make our magazine the leader in Jaguar news and information," said John Marcotte, publisher and managing editor of "The Jaguar's Edge". Assuming the position of news editor, will be Travis Guy. Atari fans will recognize Mr. Guy as current editor of "Atari Explorer Online", and a leader in the world of Atari publishing for over a decade. Using his extensive industry connections, Mr. Guy will keep readers informed of important news and events that impact the Jaguar enthusiast. Taking on the role of features editor is Pat Solomon. Mr. Solomon is currently developing a computer column for the "Des Moines Register", and was the managing editor of the alternative newspaper, "The Pundit". Under his direction, readers can look forward to in-depth interviews with developers and Atari personnel, strategy guides to their favorite games, and much more! Retaining his position as managing editor is John Marcotte. Mr. Marcotte was the editor of "The Catalyst", and currently writes freelance for various publications. "I am excited to work with two professionals like Travis and Pat," said Mr. Marcotte. "I know that with their help we will achieve our goal of being the number one source for Jaguar news and information." "The Jaguar's Edge" will premiere as a bi-monthly publication in July. The first issues will be 32 pages and printed on high-gloss stock. Distribution will be direct to paid subscribers through the mail. By special arrangement select Atari Dealers will have copies as soon as they are rolled off the presses. Early subscribers of _The Jaguar's Edge_ will find a $20 discount coupon on Telegames' "Brutal Sports Football" or "International Sensible Soccer" as a bonus. A one year subscription is just $15. For more information, contact the publisher through the internet: or call 916/954-0468. Power Drive Rally by TWI CONTACT: Tracy Egan Time Warner Interactive Games 408-232-3213 New Atari(TM) Jaguar(TM) Title From Time Warner Interactive Shows Its Stuff LOS ANGELES, May 11 -- Time Warner Interactive Inc., Consumer Games Division announced the preview of "Power Drive Rally(TM)" for the Atari(TM) Jaguar(TM) today at the E3 tradeshow in suite 309. Flying gravel, spraying mud, squealing tires announce the arrival of your all-terrain vehicle with opponents in hot pursuit -- better not look back! Based on the official World Rally Championships, players jockey for competitive times, major prize money, and sleek racing machines on the international touring circuit. This high speed, strategic driving game utilizes the power of the Atari Jaguar to project graphics so detailed you'll feel the challenge of long distance racing in 38 international road rally courses. "Power Drive Rally" is expected to ship in June, 1995 for an anticipated retail price of $54.95. "Power Drive Rally(TM)" is the classic road rally, a two-member team endurance race that makes regular speedway tracks look like a Sunday drive. Your computerized driving partner is in charge of the map and barks out directions to you as you negotiate fallen logs, snow drifts and river beds making maneuvers around hazardous bends all the more gripping. The quality of tracks and terrain are vivid with details such as water pools reflecting the sky and clouds, tires creating skid marks, shadows, dust clouds, brake lights, and exhaust plumes. The Race Is On "Power Drive Rally" is a one or two-player game, where racers go head to head on three different types of courses: road rallies over mixed terrain including mud, gravel, and asphalt; time trials for flat out speed challenges; and obstacle courses with cones, curves and a sinister slalom. Cross the start line with a fairly basic vehicle and a small wad of cash in your pocket. You must tear across a range of terrain, from the break of day to the dead of night to beat your opponents, win prize money, and move onto more challenging vehicles and races. You'll find each vehicle has its own handling nuances with differences in cornering and road holding abilities as well as acceleration and deceleration. You're responsible for repairing and maintaining your cars. Fail to heed excessive damage and you may be penalized with disqualification. On the other hand as you accumulate prize money, you can tirade your car in for a higher spec model and gain automatic entry to higher levels of competition. "Power Drive Rally" lets you really drive -- on and off track. Head off-road and you'll feel the tight turns of doing a donut in the dirt, or loss of traction as you slide over ice or grass. Lose control and you might experience a gut wrenching barrel roll or spectacular wipe out. This is skill-driving for those with endurance and a sense of competitive adventure. Rest up! Time Warner Interactive, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), develops and publishes interactive consumer entertainment products that span across platforms from location-based and video arcade games, to video game cartridges and computer platforms including: Sega(TM) Genesis(TM), Sega (TM) 32X(TM), Sega (TM) Game Gear (TM), Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R), Game Boy(TM), Sony Playstation(TM), Atari(R) Jaguar(TM), 3DO(TM), CD-ROM for IBM(R) and compatible computers and Macintosh(R) and interactive TV applications for entertainment and gaming markets. NOTE: All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. //// Wayne Gretzky & NHLPA All-Stars CONTACT: Tracy Egan Time Warner Interactive Games 408-232-3213 LOS ANGELES, May 11 -- Today at the E3 Tradeshow, Time Warner Interactive, Consumer Games Division (TWi) demonstrated their new "Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars(TM)" title on four systems at the Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall, in Suite 309. Viewed for the first time were versions for the PC CD-ROM, Atari(R) Jaguar(TM), and Super NES(TM). A final version for the Sega(TM) Genesis(TM) was available and will ship May 26, 1995. "Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars" is a result of TWi's dual license: an exclusive three-year contract with Wayne Gretzky, all-time NHL scoring leader and four time Stanley Cup winner, and a license with The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) that brings professional hockey players' names, profiles and statistics to the game. "The sports market is very competitive -- we're going for winners, by pulling together the best technology, licenses, and talent," commented Mark Beaumont, Senior Vice President Product Development and Marketing at TWi. "We have a lot of experience creating sports titles and we're going out strong with 'Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars.'" Beaumont noted, "With two years of research and development on top of our three-year Gretzky exclusive, we've set the foundation for a winning line-up." "Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars" looks and plays realistically because professional gameplay was captured on video and in 3D rendered animations. To capture the real movements and character of Wayne Gretzky, Gretzky himself was filmed for use in the CD versions skating, passing, blocking, and scoring. The title features digitized film footage of NHLPA players to accentuate critical moments like face-offs, blocks and goal scoring. Video footage was taken, digitized and imported into a computer software package where character outlines or animated "skeletons" were constructed to recreate true movements and actions. The title features over 600 professional hockey players including 26 North American teams and six International All-Star teams. Battery back-up lets you track wins and stats, trade players, edit team line-ups and names, and go for a full 84 game season with playoffs. Designed so that with just three pushes of the button you're on the ice, "Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars" puts you at center-rink for a unique close-to-the-action perspective. Video clips of referees appear to keep order during play and digitized audio announces penalties and goals. Player animations are 20% larger than images in competitive hockey games and details such as backwards skating action and the sounds of puck slaps and stadium music add to the realism. Time Warner Interactive, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), develops and publishes interactive consumer entertainment products that span across platforms from location-based and video arcade games, to video game consoles and computer platforms, compatible computers, and interactive TV applications for entertainment and gaming markets. NOTE: All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. //// Primal Rage CONTACT: Tracy Egan Time Warner Interactive Games 408-232-3213 Head-To-Head Fighting Action At E3 Tradeshow With 'Primal Rage' Dominating Home Platforms LOS ANGELES, May 11 -- Building off the success of their hit arcade game, "Primal Rage"(TM), Time Warner Interactive, Inc., Consumer Games Division (TWi) today previewed "Primal Rage" on eight home gaming and computer platforms at the E3 Tradeshow in their suite 308, in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. International distribution for all eight versions demonstrated, as well as software for three more versions, are scheduled for release on two dedicated launch dates this Fall, 1995. On August 25, the company will release the Sega Genesis(TM), Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R), Sega Game Gear(TM), Nintendo(R) Game Boy(TM) and PC CD-ROM versions. November 14 is the date for the second wave of software on new gaming systems including the Sega Saturn(TM), Sega 32X(TM), 3DO(R), Sony(R) PlayStation(TM), and Atari(R) Jaguar(TM), as well as the Macintosh(R) CD-ROM. "For a company to support a game on so many platforms is unprecedented," commented Mark Beaumont, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Product Development at TWi. "We chose to take an aggressive stance following the reception the game received at the arcades last summer. We know we have a mega-hit on our hands and will support the launch with extensive TV and print advertising campaigns as well as special events and on-line activities." Hit Arcade Title Moves Home "Primal Rage" is a head-to-head fighting game with an original look that features seven fantasy, pre-historic characters in a battle for supremacy. In creating "Primal Rage," TWi went back to the classics to invent something entirely brand new. Stop-frame animation, the process long used in Hollywood for movies such as "King Kong" and employed today for feature film special effects, was key in creating the game's look. The result is life-like prehistoric characters that move with unmatched fluidity, in a game loaded with detail and personality. The popularity of "Primal Rage" goes far beyond the appeal of the characters. The nearly unlimited fighting engine makes "Primal Rage" a game with more combination potential than practically any other fighting game to date. Each character has an individualized fighting style, and set of more than 70 moves including: fighting moves, powerful "secret" moves, masterful combo hits, graphic finishing sequences, punches, reactions to being punched, death sequences, victory sequences, and ready poses. The originality of the characters, the sheer number and ingenuity of their actions, taken in combination with the precision of the fighting collision-matrix, come together in an innovative, and addictive fighting game. TWi's goal is to have all versions look and play like the arcade experience. To that end, the original source code is being used to create software for the home versions and will be re-worked to take advantage of each gaming console and computer system's strengths. Fans of "Primal Rage" at the arcade will find home play to not only stay true to the original, but most versions will also include additional options such as a dinosaur tug-of-war and four-on-four battles. Time Warner Interactive, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), develops and publishes interactive consumer entertainment products that span across platforms from location-based and video arcade games, to video game consoles and computer platforms including: Sega Saturn(TM), Sega Genesis(TM), Sega(TM) 32X(TM), Sega(TM) CD, Sega Game Gear(TM), Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R), Game Boy(TM), Atari(R) Jaguar(TM), Sony(R) PlayStation(TM), CD-ROM for IBM(R) and compatible computers, Macintosh(R), and interactive TV applications for entertainment and gaming markets. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. GamePro Knocks Ultra Vortex GamePro's latest issue gives UV some poor, undeserved ratings. Why? The game isn't even done yet. The game is due out in July/Aug, yet they figure by jumping ahead and reviewing a "close to final" copy that they will get some kind of reward. Well, GamePro needs help. The Jaguar Journal insures that the game isn't reviewed until the game hits the shelves, so that we may give the game a fair judgement. CAT NAP TIME! Despite the wonderful issue this was, it's time to get out of here. I'm mad that Atari did not release Super Burnout in time for this issue, but as the policy goes, no review until the 100% copy is out. Our next issue should be out before August 12th. See you then! DEBUTING NEXT ISSUE: Cross Fire. Don't miss this one! Atari and Jaguar are trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Corporation. Other trademarks are owned by their respective companies. Special Thanks To: Gameware Express Atari Corp The Jaguar Journal (c) 1995 - The Cat's Club