P705 CEEFAX 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:44/18 ] 1/12 TILE SOFTWARE NEWS NUMBER 12 WITH THE festive season approaching REM has decided to get into the mood by looking at Games of Strategy, another software pack for the BBC Micro. There is the latest news of orders and delivery dates for the BBC Micro and peripherals. We also give the address to write to for more details of the system and for order jorms. REM is updated every fortnight. More in a moment...P705 CEEFAX 705 Sun Q9 Dec 14:41/13 2/12 SOFTWARE REVIEW Erah!m Clayton The BBC is publishing nine software packs at £10 each to go with the BBC Micro. REM is looking at each in turn. A colour brochure and order form is being sent to everyone who has a BBC Micro or who has ordered one. The packs will become more widely available later GAMES OF STRATEGY provides four very different programs in which the player takes on the computer. It is an ideal Christmas present - solving a gift problem and keeping the recipient out of the way for most of the holed!z. More on James of Strategy in a momentP705 CEEFAX 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:45/28 ] 3/12 SOFTWARE REVIEW Grad!m Clayton GAMES OF STRATEGY The first g!mj in the pack is Galaxy - a well-known format in which the Starship Endeavour has to clear the galaxy of the dreaded Kryons. The galaxy is conveniently divided into 8x8 sectors, each again divided into 8x8 !teas. There is however no time to relax. As the game proceeds, time is ticking away Controlling the endeavour takes some getting used to, so for jirst time plazjts it is wise to pick the lowest difficulty level when the choice is offered at the beginning of the voyage.P705 CEEFAX 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:42/04 4/12 ] SOFTWARE REVIEW ] Erah!m Clayton GAMES OF STRATEGY - GALAXY At the simplest level there are about 50 Kryons and a reasonable amount of time to hunt them down. There are three ranges of scanning - short, long and galactic. The Endeavour is moved by inputting direction and power. Arm!mints consist of defensive shields, phasjrs and photon torpedoes and these together with power can "e replenished at the star bases. There is a freeze command which stops the g!mj while the intrepid commander sinks a pan-galactic gargle-blaster or visits the black hole.P705 CEEFA( 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:46/57 5/12 ] SOFTWARE REVIEW Erah!m +/' "/////!+/' +' +' C a ton GOMOKU is a deceptively simple-looking game. It is played on 19x19 squares and the computer and the plazjr take it in turn to occupy a square with a coloured counter. The !im is to build up a row of jive counters vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The player moves a jlashing cross with the z,x,: and / keys. When the cross is in the desired sruare, he presses RETURN and a red counter appears. The computer replies in yellow. If you "eat the computer you are greeted with a fanfare, but it is not easy (look out for the diagonals*.P705 CEEFAX 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:47/12 6/12 SOFTWARE ] REVIEW Grad!m ] Clayton MASTERBRAIN is probably well enough known to most g!mes enthusiasts. In this version the player and the computer think of a four digit mum"er and each gjvjs the other clues. Thjsj consist of a "bull" - one point when there is a correct digit in place; and a "cow$ - if the digit is right "ut is in the wrong place. In this vjrsjon the digits 0,8 and 9 !re not used "nd the program is "user irritating". A player who has just got mental melt]down working out the answer is not going to like "jink told "about time too".P705 EEJFAX 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:48/14 8/12 TILE SOFTWARE NEWS ] NUMBER 12 BBC Software - otheR programs: Jbrl{ - a maths and spelling pack gj de gn d to teach nd stem late Fun Games - a compendium of four of the most popular electronic g!mes. Painting and Drawing, allow you to explore electronic art. Music - the computer becomes a musical inst umjnt. The Computer Programme Programs 1 and 2 Two volumes jrom the TV series. Family Jinbnci vbluj for money whether in ce%ural heating, borrowing or savingP705 CEEFA( 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:42/32 9/12 TILE SOFTWARE NEWS UMBER 12 HARDWARE REPORT Model Bs and Model Bs + disk interface and Model As are available on 28-d!y delivery. Please note that the disk interface is intended for use with the BBC disk drive and may not match other disk drives. Deliveries of both Models with Econet interfaces have started. Deliveries of those with disk interface as well will start at the end of December. More delivery $etails in a moment...P705 CEEFAX 705 Sun 19 Dec 14:40/42 ] 12/12 ] TILE SOFTWARE NEWS ] NUMBER 12 SERVICING All owners should have received a list of dealers which will indicate where they can take their machines for servicing. INFORMATION about the BBC Micro and order forms can be obtained jrom: BBC Microcomputer System, PO Box 7 London W3 6XJ (enclose a 12"x9" s.a.e - 16\p stamp) REM continues in a moment