GAMING LIKE IT USED TO BE! - proclaims a slogan at the
Cronosoft site. The label that returns us to the days, when
game industry was not conquered by multinational corporations,
making money on titles instead of playability. The days, when
individuals explored unknown territories of just born computer
gaming. This is so unusual in the modern world, dominated by
high tech, that I couldn't resist the desire to know more about
the label and the man behind it.
elfh> Introduce yourself, please. When did you get your first
Speccy?
simon> My name is Simon Ullyatt, and I live in Boston, U.K. I got my
first computer (a ZX81) in 1982, and moves on to the Speccy in
1984, at the height of it's popularity here in England.
elfh> How did you start Cronosoft? I mean, what initiated the
process?
simon> Earlier this year, I finished my involvement with the last UK
Oric/Atmos computer magazine 'Rhetoric' when the magazine
closed down, so I wanted a new project to work on. I noticed
that there was several groups and people working hard to
promote the 8-bit (or retro) scene in all sorts of ways, though
very few groups actually 'release' the software on cassette, in
the way that it was many years ago, when these computers were
mainstream.
simon> I thought I would try the idea of promoting, packaging, and
distributing software for anyone who may be interested, with
the ideal goal of providing the programmers with a payment for
every copy sold.
Ideally, if programmers can receive a little extra money for
their efforts, they may write even more new software!
elfh> What is your opinion about the place retrogaming handles in the
modern world? What could be the future of this passion?
simon> I think that retrogaming will always exist. Even with today's
more modern systems, like the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, eventually
there will come a time, when the systems are no longer
profitable for the mainstream corporations, and they will
disappear into history.
Sadly, when that happens, there are thousands of people who
still love their old machines, and would love to buy more
software (if it was available).
Happily, the power of the internet, enables these people to get
together, and make something new :)
elfh> What criteria do you adhere, while selecting games to be
released?
simon> It is important, that the gameplay is good. The game doesn't
have to be original, or to have great graphics, but it is
important that the game would be enjoyable to play. I would
not, for example, reject a game if it was written using a BASIC
Compiler, or a tool such as 'THE QUILL' or 'GRAPHIC ADVENTURE
CREATOR'. Gameplay and 'Lasting Enjoyment' is more important.
elfh> Do you play those games yourself? How much time you devote
Cronosoft? (as I know, you copy all the tapes personally -
isn't it a tedious work? What about the stuff promoting?)
simon> Yes! Definately! I love playing the games, and it is a real
honour to be one of the first people to play a new game :)
I devote however much time is needed to Cronosoft... I can
'make' time if necessary, as it's really a very enjoyable thing
- especially when someone who has bought a game writes back to
say how great it is! It really makes it all worth the effort. I
do copy all of the tapes myself, and print and cut out all of
the inlays, which can be tedious work, but to be able to supply
the games and make people happy, is great!
Promoting the software is fun, as yesterday (1st November) we
travelled to a computer show in Norwich to promote the release
of a new game, and met lots of interesting Spectrum fans there.
elfh> What was the most successful release to your opinion?
simon> It's hard to say... all of the titles have sales around the
same amount, though EGGHEAD IN SPACE is probably the best
seller. I have high hopes for our new game ROUGH JUSTICE :)
elfh> Is spectrum a leading platform for Cronosoft, or you appreciate
all eight-bit machines equally?
simon> Yes, at the moment, the Spectrum is our main platform, with 5
titles. We have 4 more titles due on the Spectrum for the
future too. We also have 1 game for the Commodore 64, and
another planned for the Acorn Electron/BBC format. I am happy
to release software on all systems - Spectrum, ZX81, C64, Vic
20, Oric, Sord M5, Dragon 32, and many others...! The reason we
have so many Spectrum releases so far, is that is what has been
submitted to me :) With the Spectrum being my first computer, I
will always have a special interest in that format though!
elfh> What pushes you forward? What are the future plans of label
evolution? What are you dreaming about?
simon> I would love the label to become more well known, with more and
more releases, on all formats. I really hope that we can make
enough sales to eventually start manufacturing cartridge based
games too, for systems such as the ATARI 2600, GAMEBOY,
Nintendo NES and others. Also, I'd love to support some more
obscure systems like the SORD M5, TI99, and SHARP MZ range. As
we have very few costs, then it is still worthwhile to support
these formats, even if we only sold 5 copies of a game!
elfh> Do you know about russian individuals releasing the games for
the speccy on non profit basis? For example last summer brought
us some new titles - most of it are arcade ones: 'Lethargy',
'Milos Kasmus', 'Fire And Ice', 'Death Valley', etc.
simon> No, I wasn't aware of this, but I know how popular the Spectrum
is in Russia and Eastern Europe, and I have seen the amazing
talent and skill that Russian coders have shown, pushing the
Spectrum to it's absolute limits! I would love to hear from any
Russian programmers that would like to release software through
our label.
elfh> Don't you want to use a diskette as a medium along with the
tape (for the speccy, I mean) or it is the matter of
ideology/spirit?
simon> Eventually, I hope to expand the range, to include disk. There
is a small problem, in that there are so many disk formats, and
also with a large number of Spectrum users in the UK having to
use the now obselte 3 inch disks, which are hard to find.
Although tape isn't perfect, it allows EVERY Spectrum owner to
be able to access the software. I can also supply .TAP/.TZX
files by email, if they would like to use the software on an
emulator.
elfh> What means Cronosoft for you (work, hobby, nostalgy, escape
from our days reality)?
simon> I don't think of it as work - ! It's definately for fun, and to
do something to help the scene. I get very bored with the
latest PC and console games - the spirit of the 1980's and
1990's has gone from today's software. It's an attempt to
recapture what was good about being a Spectrum (or other)
computer owner. It is very enjoyable, and I'm really happy to
be a part of the scene, and to communicate with such
enthusiastic, dedicated, and interesting people.
elfh> How do you explain a phenomenon of 'man in the machine'
integrity? It works great in the old classic games, even
without all those high-tech inventions. Human imagination is
the key?
simon> I'm not quite sure what you mean here... Human imagination is
the key to all great games. High Technology is unimportant to
make a good game. The best games come from 1, or a few people
working together on a great idea. Today's SONY/XBOX console
games, involve hundreds of people, with a large amount of
money, all writing games to a 'set project' arranged under the
licensed name of a movie, or character. There's no imagination
in that, and there's no incentive for the programmers of these
games to be able to make the games great, as they are not free
to use their own ideas. With an old computer, you are free to
make whatever you want! No restrictions, no deadlines, no
rules...!
elfh> Maybe some final words to the readers?
simon> I'd like to say 'greetings' to all of our Russian friends, and
I hope that you continue to show the world what the Spectrum
can do! I'd very much like to hear from anyone :) My email
address is: chaosmongers@yahoo.com
elfh> Thanks also to you, for the interview :)
simon> Best wishes, Simon (CHAOSMONGERS) www.cronosoft.co.uk
