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!!!