Xref: utzoo rec.games.video:993 rec.games.programmer:291 comp.sys.atari.8bit:1710
Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!husc6!rutgers!sunybcs!fredonia!sale5312
From: sale5312@fredonia.UUCP (Marty Saletta)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video,rec.games.programmer,comp.sys.atari.8bit
Subject: Re: Game Design Books
Summary: Excalibur,Balance of Power
Keywords: Crawford's Book Excalibur Legionnaire Gossip
Message-ID: <1045@fredonia.UUCP>
Date: 16 Aug 88 08:52:50 GMT
References: <249@madnix.UUCP>
Sender: nobody@cs.Buffalo.EDU
Lines: 77


  Ray P. Hill writes:
> 
> After just reading a second hand copy of "The Art of Computer Game Design,
> Reflections of a Game Designer" by Chris Crawford, I wonder are there any
> other books of this type out there?

  Yes,and by Crawford himself.  You might want to check out his book called
 "Balance of Power" (from Microsoft Press).  This is mainly about the
 game for the Macintosh and Atari ST,but I found the book interesting about
 learning how he designed the game and other "background information".
 Crawford has made many games I've enjoyed and I miss them since I don't
 have a disk drive anymore.


> Throughout the book he discusses his greatest software releases. I purchased
> and play "Eastern Front", but what is this "Excalibur", "Legionnaire" and 
> "Gossip"? Are these titles something I should look for or weren't they worth a
> look?


  I also have Easter Front and find that a very enjoyable game.  So much so
 that after I sold my 8-bit system two years ago (130XE),I got a 600XL just
 so I could play that game soon after.

  Excalibur is the only game I've played from the list above,and let me say 
 that it took me over two years to find that one.  I finally found it when
 Atari was sold to Jack Tramiel when he ran those "Atari Extravaganza" ads
 in the Explorer magazine for $9.95.  This game is fantastic!  I just wish
 I could play it!  I haven't been able to play it in two years,since all I've
 got is that 16K 600.  I just waiting for the "right price" when I can get
 another 8-bit again.  
 
   Excalibur is the most complex game I've seen for the 8-bit Atari.  It 
 comes with a novel to help the user understand the background of the game.
 The object is to have you (King Arthur) rule Camelot and keep the peace
 while expanding your nation.  I wish I could do this game justice with a
 better review,but since I haven't played it in over two years,I cannot.
 If role playing games are your style,this one's a goodie.  
 
  For a sample of the game,here's the different rooms involved with game play:

  (from the manual :-} )

  1) Round Table Room - where each knight is shown and ranked as to loyalty
     to see who's on "your side".
  2) Throne Room - get news about Britain,Attack another king,or pay a
     tribute to a King.
  3) Treasury Room - see the levels of Wealth,Tax,Army,Tithes,and average
     military experience of your men.
  4) Merlin's Room - used to cast spells,and "See" (Merlin puts you in disguise
     as another King to see their castle as you would see yours- handy to
     see their strength).  Plague,Pestilence (kill the crops of another King),
     and Change (make another King like you more- only temporarily).  Each
     spell or action makes Merlin weak,and he goes away for a while to 
     recooperate.
  5) Trap Room - You are put here when another King attacks you-has the info
     you need to fight.
  6) Britain (map of Kingdoms) - Battle Kings,see other territories,and place
     spells here.
  7) Battle - Much like Eastern Front.


  The graphics were the best I'd seen for the 8-bit (Old English text too),and I
 don't think they've been topped yet (overall- not just a good title screen).
 The game reminded me of the movie of the same name,which I also liked.  Good
 luck in finding this one! 

   BTW,It was originally published by the Atari Program Exchange (APX). 
 Remember them??


-- 
 /    /  |\ |  /    / |  /   :   Marty Saletta @ Fredonia,NY----------
/ __ /__ | \| /__  /  | /    :   Atari ST,vegetarian,New York Yankees,
\  / \   |  | \    \  | \    :   Toronto Maple Leafs,Pink Floyd,Fripp,
 \/   \  |  |  \   /  | /    :   ELP,Yes,CZ-1,Mad Max,and hi Lorie!!!