GAMING LIKE IT USED TO BE! - Proclaims the slogan on the website
Cronosoft. Label, which brings us back to the days when
gaming industry has not been captured by multinational
corporations that make money instead of really exciting
games. Days when individuals are exploring the unknown territory
newly emerged phenomenon - computer games. This is so
Unusually for a modern world, enslaved by high
technologies that I could not resist and learn more about the
label and about the man behind him.
elfh> Please introduce yourself. When you have got the first
Spectrum?
simon> My name is Simon Ullyatt, I live in Boston, United
Kingdom. My first computer (ZX81) appeared in 1982, and was
then in the Spectrum 1984, at the peak of his popularity here
in England.
elfh> How did Cronosoft? I mean, that you made?
simon> Earlier this year, ended my participation in the latter
in British computer magazine from Oric / Atmos called
'Rhetoric'. The magazine was closed, and I wanted to start a
new project. I noticed that there were several groups and
individuals trying to promote the eight-bit (or retro), the
scene in all possible ways, although only some of the "release"
program cassettes, as it once was, many years ago, when these
computers are considered mainstream.
I thought that I could try the idea of advertising, packaging
and dissemination programs for all who is interested in it,
Of course, ideally, to pay the developers for each sold
copy. After all, if developers can receive additional though
little money for their efforts, they can write more
New Software!
elfh> What do you think about the place retrogeyminga in the
modern world? What is the future of this activity?
simon> I think retrogeyming will always exist. Even with
today's modern systems like PS2, Xbox, Gamecube
sooner or later that they cease to be
profitable for mainstream corporate and sink into oblivion.
The sad thing is that when it happens, stays, thousands of
people who still love their old cars and, if possible
ready to buy new software.
Well, that the Internet is helping these people get together
and do something new:)
elfh> What criteria do you follow, when selecting games
to implement?
simon> It is important to make it fun to play. The game should
not be original or exciting graphics, but more importantly,
that the It was a pleasure to play. For example, I have not
cast the game written in Basic or with 'THE QUILL' or 'GRAPHIC
ADVENTURE CREATOR '. Gaming interest is much more important.
elfh> You are playing yourself in these games? How much time do
you spend on Cronosoft? (I know, you yourself kopiruesh all the
tapes - no Is it boring? How about advertising?)
simon> Yes! Of course! I love to play and it's really an honor
to play a new game one of the first:)
At Cronosoft I spend as much time as may
need ... This is very interesting, especially
when someone bought the game and wrote to you that she's
gorgeous! This actually pays for all their efforts. Yes, I'll
write all the tapes, print and cut out all the inserts, it can
be really tedious, but the possibility of providing people with
games and thus please them worth it!
Advertise soft fun, just like yesterday (1st November) we went
on the computer show in Norwich advance release of a new game
and met a lot of interesting fans Spectrum.
elfh> Which release do you think was the most successful?
simon> Hard to say ... All items are sold about
the same, although EGGHEAD IN SPACE, is probably
bestseller. I have great hopes for our new game ROUGH
JUSTICE:)
elfh> Is Spectrum a major platform for Cronosoft or
do you feel about equivalent to all eight-bit machines?
simon> Yes, currently the Spectrum - our main platform,
here
We have 5 releases. We still have 4 projects for the future
Spectrum. Also there is one game for the Commodore 64 and
another scheduled under the Acorn Electron / BBC. I am pleased
to release software under all systems - Spectrum, ZX81, C64,
Vic 20, Oric, Sord M5, Dragon32, and many others ...! The
reason that we have now more releases on the Spectrum that
personally I'm interested :) Spectrum was my first computer and
so I have a special interest in this format.
elfh> What makes you move on? What are your plans for the future
development? What are your dreams?
simon> I'd like to label became more known to release
there were more and more on all platforms. I actually
I hope that we can have a high enough sales to
finally do the production of games on the cartridges, for such
systems such as the ATARI 2600, GAMEBOY, Nintendo NES, etc. I
would also wanted to support some of the lesser-known systems
like SORD M5, TI99 and SHARP MZ. Even if we have quite a bit
sales, it's still going to cost to maintain these
platform, let us sell only 5 copies of the game!
elfh> Do you know about the Russian non-gaming
releases on the Speccy? For example, this summer there have
been several new titles, most of the arcades: 'Lethargy', 'Milos
Kasmus', 'Fire And Ice', 'Death Valley', etc.
simon> No, I did not know anything, but I know how popular
Spectrum in Russia and Eastern Europe, and I saw a great
examples of craftsmanship that show Russian coders, squeezing
Spectrum of the best! I would like to hear from anyone
of these releases offer something through our label.
elfh> Do you want to use floppy disks as the medium along with
cassettes (for the Speccy, I mean) or a question
ideology / spirit?
simon> In the end, I hope we will broaden our scope and use
disc. There is a slight problem in that there are so many
disc formats as well as the fact that many in the UK
who have to use a three-inch discs, just not
can get them. While the tape is not ideal, it allows all
Spectrum owners have access to the software. I can also
supply .TAP / .TZX files via email, if someone wants to
use of an emulator.
elfh> What you mean Cronosoft (work, Nostalgia, withdrawal from
everyday reality?)
simon> I do not think of it as work! It's definitely for fun,
and for In order to help the scene. I'm tired of the latest
games for PC and other gaming consoles - the spirit of the 80's
and 90's has disappeared from modern games. This is an attempt
to awaken in all the good things that were in times when you
were the owner of Spectrum, a computer. It's very entertaining,
and I'm very excited to be part scene, to communicate with the
same enthusiastic, keen and interesting people.
elfh> How do you explain the phenomenon of "merging" the man
with the machine? He works well with the old classic games,
even without any these high-tech achievements. Human imagination
- The key to everything?
simon> I'm not quite sure what you mean here ... Human
imagination is the key to all good games. High technology is not
Need to create a good game. The best games make one,
or several people, inspired by one idea. In creating
today's games for SONY / XBOX involved hundreds of people, with
great the amount of money, simply participating in a project
some label. And there is imagination, and there is no incentive
for programmers to make good games, because they can not
use their own ideas. And the old computer you
can do anything! No limits, no time limits
no rules ...!
elfh> Well, after a few words to our readers.
simon> I would like to welcome all of Russian friends, I hope
you bydete continue to show the world what sposoboen
Spectrum! We would like to communicate with everyone:) My email:
chaosmongers@yahoo.com
Also, thank you for this interview:)
Regards, Simon (CHAOSMONGERS)
www.cronosoft.co.uk
