Snider-man

Sorry Chris. If "Tar Ship" doesn't come in a retro-design box reminiscent of the old Atari releases - complete with instructions, mind you - it's not worth my $40.

The story of Snow White is in the public domain, true. But "*Disney's* Snow White" (see opening screenshot) is a viable, trademarked, copyrighted, legally-owned creation of Der Mouse. 'Fraid your point just took a shot to the kidneys. The ROM has "Disney" physically in there, making it a Disney property.

I've been thinking about this. You know what *I'd* do? I'd release EVERY TITLE AT ONCE. My theory is that, if they all go on sale at the same time, people would be forced to get into lines for the games THEY WANT, rather than just trying to get everything that's for sale. You'd never be able to get *everything* if they all went up at the same time, so everyone would have to make some choices and show a little "selectivity." The collector's market would be dented and you'd walk out with games you wanted to PLAY rather than just resell. Also, future releases would be of better quality. As is, many new releases sell out because "it was one of only two releases available." If there was more competition - say, 12 or 13 new titles - the crappy stuff would be ignored in leau of the cooler, more-well-programmed/designed stuff. Anyway, just a little rant I've been pondering recently.

Hmmm...the poster-catalog *would be cool. If I didn't have a zillion irons in the fire already, I'd think about tackling it myself. Chris, you raise a good point/question, and I'll answer ya to the best of my ability/experience. I, too, consider myself a game-player - not a collector. Label condition means nothing to me. I will pick up a rare cart if it's a game I consider "fun." If something sits on my shelf unplayed too long, onto eBay it goes or it gets traded for something "better." (And my definition of "better" changes daily.) However, I like the new "repackaged" classics that have been surfacing recently. Combat II was very cool, though the ROM was easily available online. Bugs Bunny was a cool re-release. If LOTR was ever packaged/sold this way, you'd bet I'd be there to pick up a copy. Now, Snow White is, as stated, incomplete and barely playable. Well, so was CGE 2001's release of Elevator Action (buggy and without sound). But I picked up a copy because: 1. it was an arcade game I loved and to have a 2600 version - though incomplete - is still pretty cool. 2. the packaging was a true kick to "what might have been." 3. the game itself was still "playable" enough to be very enjoyable. Snow White is one of those games that was only heard-of in hushed proto rumors in darkened backalleys until it surfaced. The ROM may or may not be released because Disney may squelch the "general release" of such a thing. So this may be the only chance someone has to see/play/judge how good/bad/incomplete the game is. Frankly, for me, it's worth $30-$40 just for the chance to tinker with a previously-unreleased proto. Let's not even get into the Atari/Disney collector mentality that some folks may have. So, though it may seem silly to purchase a 30% complete game just for the "purty box," I can say that I don't mind shelling out that kind of $$$ just for the chance to own something that was never out in the public before. It's not a "collector" mentality for me. It's a "really goddamn curious as to what this thing really looks/plays like" mentality. That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

What sucks is that a guy with the macho moniker "PITBULL" is disappointed that the girly-sissy-game "Snow White" may be unavailable. All joking aside, there are a TON of CGE releases other than just SW's release. Off the top of my head is Pick-Up, Save the Whales, and Crack'd for the 2600; an as-of-yet-unidentified new Vextrex game and Vectrex Boxing; 4 CD-I games; Atari 7800 Missing in Action...Whew! Plus, I know of three or four other 2600 games that should be released at CGE (I'm not at liberty to say anything else). So, there's *plenty* of new stuff for ya, Pitbull! Plus, I'll buy ya a beer if you show up, so there's yet another reason to attend! "Snider-man" P.S. I plan to pick up SW too, if available. It's for my....daughter. yeah, that's it...

Well, this is a hornet's nest of a topic, to be sure. People usually spilt into one of two camps. 1. If that's all the creator wants to make, more power to him/her. It's their effort, their money, their time, and their project. If they want to make 10 and that's it, then that's it. Those who can't get one of these should just lump it. Life isn't fair and no one's going to get one of everything. 2. It's unfair to those who will never get ahold of one to only make a limited amount. As long as there's a demand, you can make more. just dump the money you make into the manufacture of more carts to meet demand. Also, a "limited run" gives thesse a false sense of rarity, which in turn bumps up the price amongst collectors. Needless to say, small wars have broken out over this topic. (Watch the upcoming "CGE exclusives" threads that will erupt any day now as CGE climbs closer...) My own opinion is well-known and documented and will not be written down here. Can't tell you what is best, but be prepared to catch some flak regardless of what decision you make. Good luck with your project.

I wouldn't worry about Disney. They're not too terribly protective of their characters. Now, *Fox* is a different matter!

Two more Atari 2600 releases have been announced. From the CGE website: Retrodesign - The folks who brought you Combat II for the Atari 2600 last year at CGE will have a very early version of Snow White and a nearly complete RealSports Basketball. Both will come complete with professionally printed boxes and instructions. If you're hemming and hawing about going, now's the time to commit. More CGE exclusives are pending....

www.atariage.com/software_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=1136 Link above to Venture II info here on AA

Hey Andrew! Sad to see you auctioning this off, but sometimes "you gotta do what you gotta do." You'll want to clarify in your eBay ad that this is the Treasure Chest Edition sold only collector-to-collector at Classic Gaming Expo 2001. The reason you'll want to specify is that I've been liquidating the Venture IIs that didn't sell from the recent Ohio convention (CCAG) on eBay too. People may assume that it's one of the CCAG editions and not the much-sought-after Treasure Chest Edition. Just want to make sure you get the fair asking price rather than the much, much, much lower price the CCAG editions are going for. Good luck. Sniderman

Well, I was there last year and it ROCKED. I'm not going to sit here and fill up a thread with everything there was to see or do, but here is a link to photos and reviews of the event last year: [link]www.cgexpo.com/recap.html[/link] And, at the bottom of the linked-to page is about *12* other pages of reviews and photos of last year's event. Go to it.

No confusion, General. The "Fine then" thread named above has a bazillion links on where to go for 2600 programming info. As heated as it got, it's a great one-stop location for info. Have at it.

Yeah, I know I've been taking my sweet time and dragging my feet with The Ravenous Dead, but that's because I've been working on a new game: "Java: The Light Blue Chopper."

OK, Revolutions. I'll once again treat you seriously as you posted seriously. If you want to promote the Atari, there are a ton of things you can do. - A simple web page would be a good start and it don't cost nothing for free webspace (just have to contend with pop-ups and such). Maybe a listing of your cart collection, observations and reviews of Atari games, "What if" columns speculating what certain games would look like had they been ported over, etc. A list of links to other Atari web pages would be nice. Scans of carts or original art would be cool. Anything new and unusual you could contribute to the community would go a long way. - Maybe you could start a webzine or newsletter ala Digital Press or 2600 Connection. If you wanted to focus on ALL Atari systems and not just the 2600, that'd be a new focus. I don't think anyone's doing an Atari 26/52/7800/Lynx/Jaguar/home computers publication. - Start attending conventions or organize and hold one of your own if none in your area. Little classic conventions are popping up nationwide and worldwide. If you attend, set up a booth focussing on the Atari. Maybe have some games for sale or at least on display. - Talk up the systems with folks who are grounded in today's "PlayCubeBox" systems. Invite friends over for a Warlords tournament. That's a great way to induct new folks. Many will remember their own Ataris and will rush out to find one of their own. I'm sure you have ideas too. Just contribute any way that you can and want to. the Atari Community would be grateful. I hope this gives you the positive direction and encouragement needed.

Well, that explains everything. I'm using Netscape (get this) 4.79. However, I'm at work, so I dare don't just upgrade my system. God knows what it'll do to our buggy-than-Hell network. Looks like I just have to deal with the way it looks 8-5 M-F.

Hey Als, Don't know if its my settings or not, but I've seen similar posts here. When I read/post a message, the body of the message doesn't "break." Each paragraph is one LOOOOONG sentance that I must scroll horizontally to read. When the paragraph ends and a carriage return is cuaght, I have to scroll alllll the way back to the left to begin the next looooong sentence. Is this merely a setting problem on my part? I've been trying to find where on my board settings and vcomputer settings where this may be, to no avail. Little help?

YOU: "Hi! We're Atari Acts or whatever! We're a new game-making company! Lots of Atari games are about to come pouring forth from us!" US: "You might not want to use the name 'Atari'.' It's a trademark." YOU: "Hi! We're Idea Revolutions or whatever! We have tons of great ideas for games! Make one for us and we'll slap our name on it! We have no experience whatsoever, but you'd be stupid to use your own ideas when we're sloppin' over with money-making concepts!" US: "Uh...no one is interested in programming for you. Perhaps you might want to learn programing yourself?" YOU: "You guys are mean and suck! We're new guys who just want to make games and you're being all poopy and non-supportive! We'll make games on our own! Nyahhh!" US: "OK, if you're serious about programming, here are a bunch of links to 2600 programming sites. You'll want to pick up the following books on assembly programming. The Stella List and The Dig are also good resourses. Good luck." ((TIME PASSES)) YOU: "I give up! You guys win! You've beaten my dewy-eyed, fresh-faced newbie face into the ground with your utter lack of support! Wave your hands and cheer, you big meanies!" US: (waving) "Yay."

www.cgexpo.com A list is beginning that will be updated as announcements are made. Look under "New Releases".

First two nights of your honeymoon, Cass? How did you talk her into *that*? (Although me and the mizzus spent our first 48 hours as husband and wife messing with The Mouse in Orlando.) Seriously, introduce yourself while there and I'll buy you and your new bride a drink. To answer the question, I have my plane tickets and hotel reservations at The Plaza. (Embarrassingly, I haven't registered for CGE yet!) Really looking forward to this year's events, seminars, CGE exclusives, getting my hands on Colecovision carts (my new obsession), and assisting with some "surprises" that only I'm privvy to. And, no, I'm not saying anything until much, much later. Hopefully, I may even have a working demo of The Ravenous Dead with me. I will *definately* have the label/box art on display and it'll be sweeter 'n' Hell.

If you haven't picked up a copy of Warring Worms yet, you really need to do so. Wow, what a great game. And, best of all, you can even play solo!

Yeah, I gave them both a bit of a cleaning before sending them out and I tested them too, so I knew they worked. But - as I said - they weren't pretty! Glad you got them and thanks for letting me know they arrived. "Your Friendly Neighborhood Snider-man"

For what it's worth and for what I know: There will only be (I think I heard) 200 of each cart produced with box/instructions/etc. That's not many considering the numbers of folks that will be there (1,500 attendees expected this year). CGE is also planning a special way of distributing carts so there won't be any of the "cattle calls" that occurred last year (people were lining up *2* hours before the carts were due to go on sale so they wouldn't miss out). My best guess is a lottery system of some type and a strict "One per person" rule, but I could be wrong. Lastly, the carts will be sold for $40-$50 and that price is confirmed and is concrete. My point being (and I do have one), I don't believe there will be anyone buying extras "for someone else." Remember last year? Folks would buy two or three Combat IIs or Elevator Actions, then these message boards went NUTS when those extras wound up on eBay. ("Profiteer! Profiteer! Citizen's Arrayst! Citizen's Arrayst!") Sorry Matty, I hate to bring bad news, but it looks like some of these carts will only be gotten by attendees - and not by all of them either, I'm afraid.

Thanks Ben. I'm a puzzle-meister myself, though not nearly on the level of *your* current giveaway. I wanted to give this to someone, but thought I'd make it fun in the process. Perhaps, one day, I'll put something together as elaborate as Harry's current adVENTURE TOO!

Ta-da. We have a winner. It is indeed my own Venture II - The CCAG release from a week or so ago. Here were the clues: * Smiley faces were everywhere - just like Winky. * "Winky" faces were also there. * In the first message was "...venture too" followed by a Winky face. Secret Quest was oh-so-close with his post as I said in a follow-up message. In fact, I said there was a near-miss or *TWO*" followed by a Winky. I was pointing you to the sequel, not the original. * In another message, I said I prefer the frowning face rather than the smiley face - yet another clue about the frowning Winky in Venture II rather than the happy one in the original. * The biggest clue: Every one of my messages has "Scowl of Determination Winky" from Venture II as my icon. I thought someone would've seen and picked up on that. James, e-mail your address for your Venture II-CCAG edition prize. Thanks for playing everyone! Keep your eyes posted for another Sniderman giveaway in the near future! [ 06-07-2002: Message edited by: Snider-man ]

Which do you like better? This: Or this: I think I prefer the latter icon. Guesses are cleared once more. All previous guessers may take another guess. Sorry Debro, I increased the post-count once and won't do it again. Though, e-mail me seperately with your guess. I may have a "consolation prize" if your guess is correct.