Timex-Sinclair Survival Column

It has been a while since we looked at games for the Timex/Sinclair computers. Since games are almost a universal pastime among computer owners, this month we will look at a few games available for your computer.

Arcade games are the oldest form of games available for the micro-computer. The T/S 1000/1500 leaves a lot to be desired displaying games because the display is low resolution, and the graphics are a bit primitive. However, that has not stopped the development of many ingenious games which make the most of the abilities of Timex/Sinclair computers. Games written in machine code are actually quite fast and compensate somewhat for the display of the T/S 1000/1500. Unfortunately 1000/1500 for (and T/S ZX-81) owners, no new software seems to be developing for these computers in this country. This, of course, can be traced to Timex’s abandonment. However, in the United Kingdom and other countries, the ZX-81 is still very popular, and development continues. I recently received two tapes from Cascade Games, Ltd. (Suite 4; 1-3 Haywra Crescent; Harrogate; N. Yorkshire, HG15BG; England; Telex: 57453), both named Cassette 50. One is the ZX-81 version, and the other is the ZX Spectrum version. Most of the games are written for the unexpanded ZX-81 (IK) and will work on the unexpanded T/S 1000(2K). Eleven of the 50 games on this tape are marked (16K) and will require at least a 16K expansion on a ZX-81 or T/S 1000. They will all, of course, work on an unexpanded T/S 1500 containing 16K of onboard memory. The ZX Spectrum mostly contains programs that are written in BASIC, and will LOAD and RUN on a standard T/S 2068, which is almost identical to a 48K ZX Spectrum. Actually, most games will run in just 16K (making them compatible with 16K X Spectrums) but that shouldn’t affect any U.S. user. There are a few programs, however, which contain some machine code routines which won’t run on the standard T/S 2068, but does work on a T/S 2068 equipped with a Spectrum Emulator, ROMSWITCH, or Spectrum ROM. Both tapes are excellent, and will keep you busy for hours on end. The games on both versions are quite well-done, and contain adaptations of some very well known arcade games. Versions are also available for VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari, Apple and other home computers.

Another British company still developing quality software for the ZX-81 is Software Farm (155 Whiteladies Road; Clifton; Bristol, BS8 2RF; England; Telex: 444742 AF-MADV G). They have games for the ZX-81 which produce high resolution graphics on a 16K machine. The amazing thing about these programs is that they do not require any additional hardware! The Software Farm has two titles utilizing this feature: Forty Niner (which has become a British classic), and Rocket Man. I must admit, however, that I have not yet been able to LOAD either of these into my ZX-81, but since I modified it to display white letters on a black background, that is not an uncommon problem. I will try again on another computer and let you know the results I get. In the meantime, you may want to write to the U.K. for details and Software Farm’s catalog of software for the ZX-81 and Spectrum.

Of course, T/S 2068 owners can buy arcade games which will run directly on their computer. Many games from Quicksilva (426 West Nakoma; San Antonio, TX 78216; (512) 340-3684, have been translated from their original ZX Spectrum versions. One such program is Bugaboo. The story is simple, your pet flea, Bugaboo, has fallen down a pit, and you have to help him hop (fleas do hop, don’t they?) from overhang to overhang to the top of the pit and out. Easy? Guess again! Many of the plants and overhangs are situated so that only an exact combination of timing, strength and angle can overcome the obstacle. Oh, I forgot to mention the Pterodactyl which flies around and loves to eat fleas.

This program is quite addicting due to the excellent graphics and the smoothness of the animation. Although it is easy to play, it is another thing to master. I myself have not been able to get Bugaboo out of the pit, although I keep trying. This game really shows off the graphics capabilities of the T/S 2068.

A second type of computer game is the traditional board game. Chess is the classic board game to be played on a computer. More than a dozen or so years ago, when I took a programming course in college, I discovered a three-foot stack of punch cards which, when fed into our IBM mainframe computer, would allow the user to sit at a typewriter and play a game of chess against the computer. No graphics, but it played a strong game. Today, there are quite a few chess games available for every popular home computer, and the Sinclair computers are no exception. In fact, by checking the companies which are selling-out the existing T/S 1000 software, you can probably find a number of different versions for your T/S 1000/1500. If, however, you have a T/S 2068, and really want to show it off, Softsync (14 East 34th Street; New York, NY 10016; (212) 685-2080) has a chess program called Voice Chess. Voice Chess allows for six different levels of difficulty, so that you can choose the level which gives you the best challenge. In ANALYZE mode, you can set up the board in any manner you like, and continue to move pieces, or return to PLAY mode and see how things progress. You may enter (or re- enter) ANALYZE mode at any time. You also have the option of switching sides at any point in the game. This program, like all good game programs, allows you to SAVE any game in progress, and then reLOAD it at a future time. At any time during the playing of a game, you can see all the prior moves, and make a copy of them along with a copy of the chessboard.

When you choose the PLAY mode, you will be asked to choose your level of play, and the color you want to play. Moves are typed in using grid coordinates rather than the traditional chess notation, which simplifies the entry of moves but makes entering the traditional game more difficult. As the name denotes, there is a routine which causes the computer to actually talk to you during the game. It states your move, often accompanied by a witty(?) remark, after you type it in. It also speaks its moves as well as suggestions. You may turn the voice feature off if it bothers you. The voice is produced through the T/S 2068’s sound synthesizer. In all but the easiest level, you may request that the computer suggest a move which you may, or may not accept. The time between moves is determined by the level of play you have chosen. On the most difficult level, I have seen moves take an hour or more. The lower levels, however, take less time between moves, and are more suitable for a “real time” game. Levels five and six are best used for correspondence chess games.

If you have been reading this column since the beginning. you know that Timex had originally informed me that Scrabble, published by Sinclair in the U.K., and demonstrated by Dan Ross at the BCS Timex celebration, would work on T/S 2068. After trying to order directly from Sinclair and being told that I could not due to distribution agreements with Timex, I finally obtained a copy when a friend was in England. I was disappointed to discover that it was in machine code, and did not work on my T/S 2068. Happily, though, the Spectrum Emulator made its appearance very shortly thereafter, and I was finally able to play Scrabble on my T/S 2068. It was worth the wait. The entire Scrabble board, including colored double and triple score spaces. (If you are using a black and white T.V. or monochrome monitor, an option is available which creates a board designed just for you.) The computer will play up to four positions, or up to four human players may compete. You are asked how many players are playing. if any are to be played by the computer (which can play at one of four levels of difficulty, and if you want to see the computer think. This last option is quite interesting since you can see the computer try to find the best possible word. The computer has a vocabulary of over 11,000 words which places it on the level of any average college student. It will even challenge you if you place a word it does not recognize.

With the Spectrum emulation devices available, Scrabble can now run on your T/S 2068. You can even order it with very little difficulty from Software Supermarket (87 Howards Lane; London, SW15 6NU). They have a large catalog of Spectrum software, and accept orders placed on Visa or MasterCard which makes the exchange of currency simple. With the strength of the dollar against the British pound you can get some very inexpensive software of all types. Best of all is the fact that they get your order to you faster than most American based companies. You can expect your package to arrive in about a week after you mail (airmail) your order to them.

Another superb adaptation of a popular board game, also available from Software Supermarket, is “Go To Jail” from Automata U.K., Ltd. As you probably can guess, this is based on Monopoly. In fact, it is an exact reproduction of that famous game, complete with a scrolling board. The first thing you will notice is that the familiar properties such as Boardwalk and Park Place are nowhere to be found. Keep in mind that this is British software, and this game is based on the version of Monopoly which is sold in England, and shows English properties. Go To Jail allows up to five layers, and one of them may be your computer. All the rule and features of Monopoly have been incorporated in this program, including a set of Chance and Community Chest cards which the computer holds and reads to you at the proper times. The computer spins the dice for you and shows you the board as you move around. You buy, sell, swap, mortgage, unmortgage and improve properties (by building houses and hotels) as you would in the board game. The computer automatically keeps track of the bank and possessions, which you may check at any time. It will even offer for auction the properties of any player who goes bankrupt. Of course you may SAVE any game in progress and reLOAD and continue later. Never again will you be at a loss for a willing partner. Written for a 48K ZX Spectrum, it requires one of the emulation devices to work on a T/S 2068.

We move along now to the adventure game, which has become so very popular on computers. Once again we have to look to England to find the adventure that all others are being compared to, The Hobbit, from Melbourne House. Since I have long been a fan of that classic fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkein, I purchased this program (also available from Software Supermarket) and was not disappointed at all. This adventure generally follows the book, so instead of the usual cheat sheet, this program comes with a copy of Tolkein’s novel. All of your clues can be found within its covers. Small modifications have been made to make it more challenging, but having read the book you are well prepared for this adventure in which you are Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit.

In addition to the novel, you also receive a sixteen page instruction manual which explains the workings of the Inglish language (which is remarkably similar to English) that is used to instruct the computer. This program also incorporates features Melbourne House calls Animaction and Animtalk.

Animaction is the feature which causes the adventure to be different each time you play it. In most adventures everything that can happen is predetermined, and occurs identically each time the game is played. The Hobbit is different in that each character has a personality of its own, and goes about its business whether they are involved with you or not, while most adventures are frozen until you type in a response. Characters interact with each other even if they are not in your current position. While you wait, the adventure continues.

Animtalk allows you to actually talk to the other creatures in the adventure. Because they have a personality of their own, however, they may or may not listen to what you have to say.

When you ask for your score in The Hobbit it responds by telling you what percentage of the adventure you have mastered. So far I have gotten as far as 57.5 percent. This one will keep you hooked. The Hobbit requires an emulation device.

The final game we will look at this month is of the database type. Trivia Machine from Curry Computer 5344 W Banff Ln., Glendale, AZ 85306, (602) 978-2902, capitalizes on the current trend towards games specializing in trivial facts. This game is for two to four players, and presents one of over 800 questions in a random order. The first player to reach 100 points is the winner. Questions cover a vast assortment of topics and really test your knowledge of trivia. Beware though, this game can be addicting. Written on and for the T/S 2068, it does not require any add-on devices.