Triad (c64)
From ExoticA
Triad (3AD, http://www.triad.nu)
SWE> Iopop (Henrik Jansson, code crack gfx, new 11/94-01/04), Jerry (Gunnar Kålbäck, mainorg swap sysop 'THE STUDIO', new 88-08/02), King Fisher (Linus Walleij, code crack, ex Rebels, new 08/90-08/02), Logger (Alex, code, 08/98), Mindflow (music), Quorthon (Lenny Jonasson, crack, 04/00-10/03), Sailor (Jani Tahvanainen, code crack, 03-10/03), Taper (Daniel Smurf, sysop 'ANTIDOTE' WHQ, 08/02-10/03), Twoflower (Mikael Backlund, gfx music, ex Twilight, new 08/93-10/03), Wiggen (Mikael, gfx, 08/98-07/00). UK > Ne7 (Andy, music, ex Creators) GER> Dalezy (Ronny, music, ex Creators), Linus (Sascha Zeidler, music, ex Hokuto Force) PREVIOUS MEMBERS - SWE> 801 DC (code, 12/90-04/91), Arrow (Fredrik Pihl), Cash (Mika Silanpää, swap, 09/94), Chorus (Olli Mikkonen, gfx swap, ex Flash Inc, new early-05/91), Dane (Stellan Andersson, gfx music, ex Twilight, later Crest, new 08-12/93), Daw (David Fahlander, re Censor Design, new early91), Dynamic (Jonas Strandell, gfx, ex Rebels, new 08/90-01/91), Janitor (Pär Winzell, crack, ex Relax, 10-12/87), Johan (ex Twilight, new 08/93), Lucifer (John Lundberg), Pentaloon (Magnus Sjöberg), Rave (Henrik Andersson, swap, new 05/91-09/94), Sergeant Pepper (code, new 88-02/89), Shadow (Andreas Gustafsson, old handle Megamaster), Skydive (supply? 12/86), Skyie (Bonny Åkesson), Tango (ex Twilight, new 08/93), Tao (David Weinehall, code, new 09/94), The Dungeon Master (Hans Axelsson, music, aka TDM, ex Rebels, new 08/90-05/91), Tracer (Fredrik Nordlund, crack, 12/90-04/91), Twilight (Mathias Sarri), Tycoon (crack, ex Light, new 12/89), Wilson (Henrik Bergström, gfx, ex Level 11, new 06/90-03/91), Wingo (Stefan Karlsson, swap, early93). NOR> Ibanez (Trond), JFK (Karl Bjørnar Øie, early93-01/99), Killsquad (Geir Ytterdahl), The Meatball (Øyvind Antonsen). GER> Acidchild (Wolfram Hess), Alfatech (Che Lalic, code crack music, ex Hitmen, new 05/91-06/93), Brego (swap, 02/92), Curlin (Marcus, crack, ex Hitmen, later Hitmen new, new 05/91), Racoon (ex Hitmen, new 05/91), Thunder (gfx, ex Hitmen, new 05/91). HOL> Mr.Ammo (Rolf Greven, ex Blaze, new 01/93). ???> Con (Konrad), Cozmo (swe? Lennart), Kravin (code, new 05/91), Mawkish (swe? 01/91), Scope (ex Vision, new 05/93), Slicer (rejoin 09/94), SMD (early93), Vain (new 09/94). Boards; KINETIC DREAMS WHQ (usa, new 05/93), VIRTUAL LIGHT (new 01/96). Triad are a Swedish demo and cracking group, famous for their cracking in the early days. They have existed since at least 1986. Among their legendary crackers were Mr.Z and Janitor. 1987 - A crack intro released in august mentions new swedish members joining. Legendary cracker Mr.Z (Zoltan Kelemen, 10/86-06/87) left the scene this year. However, the group received a serious boost in september, when the entire group Relax joined them, including talented cracker Janitor to take over the void left by Mr.Z! At the end of december, they coarranged a three-day copyparty in Huddinge with Fairlight. 1988 - Jeff Smart released the music rip "Traz Music" [01/88] in january. The group's leader and supplier Ixion (Dan, 08/87) went to university this summer, and could therefore no longer control Triad. As a result, the group nearly died, but thanks to a few members like 801DC they managed to keep it going until they could find a new general manager. After about a month they recruited Jerry (and his son, Sergeant Pepper!) to the group for this purpose, and he has been the leader ever since. Swedish cracker Rowdy left for Heptagon 09/88. German editor Jeff Smart ("Illegal") left for Scouse Cracking Group 10/88, after 8 1/2 months in Triad, since he felt that they were losing their power. German coder T'Kay left for Scouse Cracking Group in december. 1989 - Two small demos were released at the Horizon and Equinox party in may, "Raster Blast" (Bob) and "Vinter Mums" (801DC). The group suffered the loss of a lot of members when swedes Euzkera (02/89), Bob (02-05/89), Taito, Sensei, Psycho, Contring (02/89), Swallow, Guran (02/89), Shark, CRT and Dragon left to form a new group, Censor Design. Things went from bad to worse when also Squelch, Codex, Slaygon and Darklord decided to join a little later. In november the co-hosted a party in Balsta, Sweden with Light. And in december they were reinforced when swedish cracker Tycoon joined them from Light. 1990 - Swedish graphician Wilson joined from Level 11 around june. In august, swedes Tycoon (crack) and Injun Inc. (crack) both left to rejoin Light. News in Amok's "Sex'n'Crime #16" [06/90] that they both left for Oneway would seem to be false then. Swede Stanz was kicked in september, and rejoined Dynamix. Swedish cracker Watchman left for Fairlight around november. The first issue of the "Gamers Guide" diskmag was released in late november or early december, and announced swedish Goldenchild (code crack, ex Rebels, aka Goldie, new 08/90) left the scene around november to concentrate on school and real life. 1991 - Issues 2, 3 and possibly 4 of "Gamers Guide" were released in january, the latest of them in conjunction with the demo "Utopia". Issue #5 announced editor William Goodwin's cut-back on swapping, in order to have more time for the guide. His old contacts were given to their new swedish megswapper Cleric, who joined from Chaos Ind. It also announced that there is no longer any Triad amiga section, that Daw had left Censor to rejoin, and that Chorus had left Flash Inc to rejoin. Issue #6 (march) in turn announced that the group had recruited another swapper, Dutch. The board 'FUTURE ZONE' (sysop Spirou) had also been recruited, while swedish coder and cracker Hero (ex Rebels, new 08/90) had left for Light. Then came easter, and every group in Sweden travelled to the Horizon Easter Party. Shortly after came the release of Gamers Guide #7 [04/91], which brought sad news. Main editor William Goodwin (Daniel) had been killed in a car accident with Hero/Light, and was replaced by Bismarck. It also announced Verdun (David Fahlander, code, 01/91-) and Metal Maniac (Mattias Pihlström) had left the scene. Recently joined swapper Cleric (Rickard Sjogren, ex Chaos Ind.) failed to make good on his promise of supplying hot originals, and was therefore kicked in april. In response to this, he spread a harsh note accusing Triad of cheating in the Gamers Guide. They adressed his accusations within Gamers Guide #8 [04/91]. This issue also announced swedish swapper and sysop Pimpernell ('TERMINAL STATE', ex Triumph, new 02/91-) leaving the group for Science 451 after only two months. Rumours were going around that Bismarck and Tracer had also joined, but these were false. After a small delay, for once, Gamers Guide #9 [05?/91] was out, finally with a new intro and outfit! The reasons for the delay were some reoganizing within the group, and naturally the new code for the mag. Lots of news about Triad since last time; their american board 'FABULOUS DISASTER' finally left them, since noone in Triad called it. The board is now in F4CG. God alone knows what happened to 'WARES DOMINE', by the way, that joined from Paramount in the very first months of the year? Also Swedish sysop Spirou (FUTURE ZONE) left after two months, teaming up with Light, and leaving the group without a single board! Instead of recruiting new ones, Jerry started working on 'THE STUDIO' with an eye to having it up as soon as possible. The final blow was dealt when swedish graphicians (and brothers) Akay and Skywize (06/87) left the group for Science 451 after a short membership. But all was far from black, since the group was also seriously reinforced in may - Swedish swappers Tranziie and Raven joined, as well as coder Kravin (who did the intro for the new Gamers Guide). As if this was not enough, they also recruited four Germans from Hitmen; Curlin, Thunder, Racoon and Alfatech - and as a bonus got their diskmag "ViNews". Issue #8 was already released under the Triad label by the time GG #9 was out. Alfatech joined the army in october. 1992 - Cracker and supplier Ream joined from Hotline (who had just died) in january. He eventually left to form Accuse and finally wound up in Alpha Flight 1970. Stiff and Mercy joined Epic, likely in december (or possibly january next year). 1993 - Mr.Ammo joined from Blaze in january. Swedes Bismarck (Daniel Johansson, aka Otto von Bismarck, gfx crack, 12/90-) and Aktie (Linus, 90-) both quit early this year. Scope and Midnight Mover (sysop ILLUSION OF REALITY) both joined from Vision in may. Scope moved on to Genesis Project, while swedish swapper Tech (David Annergran) left the scene for his newfound girlfriend. Swedish swapper Dutch (new 03/91) joined Dual Crew early this year. Sailor rejoined, and the board KINETIC DREAMS was recruited to be the new WHQ in may. Swedish swapper Incubus (Robin Forsberg, ex Antic, new early93) left the c64 for the amiga scene around june - Incubus was likely sweden's biggest swapper at the time. Swedes Dane, Johan, Tango and Twoflower were all recruited from Twilight in august with their mag "Arise". This meant that Triad now had two mags, "Arise" and "Gamers Guide". Over time, Dane developed his skills so that he was now also a musician. He released his first tune at the Tribute 94 party in november. 1994 - September brought about a quick reorganizing; Vain (swap) and Tao (code crack) joined, Slice rejoined, while Trident (Adam Dunkels, later to resurface in Active) and Achilles (Jonas Almqvist) left the scene; Owen (gfx) joined Agony; swedish swapper Tranziie (Peter Jonsson, new 05/91) left the active memberstatus and finally Midnight Mover reopened ILLUSION OF REALITY. At the Tribute Party in november, Iopop joined from JAM. The idea was that he would make a new diskmag (he had previously released 12 issues of "Jamaica" for his previous group) for Triad, but those plans eventually fell through. 1996 - VIRTUAL LIGHT opened in january in sweden. 2002 - Swedish coder and graphician Hollowman (Johan Bengtsson, 08/98- 02/01) is no longer a member. 2003 - Sailor returned to active status in the early months of this year. 2004 - Iopop contributed an intro (in cooperation with Dane/Crest) for Oxyron's diskmag "Attitude #7" [01/04] in january. Swedish graphician The Sarge left for Fairlight, probably around 88-89. Swedish swapper Mr.Pinge (Stefan, 12/87) left the scene. Mr.Pinge was Triads main spreader, and was said by many to have been the best in the business. Illegal #30 wrote a lot about how sad his departure was. Traz Music (1988, 29.01, Intro). code/gfx: Jeff Smart, music: "Traz" by The Judges. review: Well, this is really nothing but a simple music rip, with the music from "Traz" (Cascade Software) by The Judges being the victim. It is fronted by the traditional Triad logo before the actual rip. The release date is assuming 'Janitory' equals january =] [glenn] Cocktail (1989, 25.02, Multifile Demo). code: Sergeant Pepper, Bob, Contring, gfx: Unitrax/Shape (logos), music: various. 6th in the Rawhead, Bros, Suppliers Party demo competition. review: Wow, this was a depressing experience. This demo just pretty much sucks. It reeks of immaturity (especially pepper!), unprofessionality and just plain doesn't manage to hold anyone's interest. One part - and one part alone - has some redeeming quality. namely 80 rastersplits, but that's about it =( Ugly graphics and ripped music closes the deal. Avoid. [glenn] Raster Blast (1989, 14.05, File). code: Bob, gfx: n/a, music: n/a. Released at the Horizon and Equinox party. review: Utterly charmless all-raster demo, with uninteresting variations on the theme. Fullscreen rasters, rasterbars, we've seen it all before, and much better than this. [glenn] Vinter Mums (1989, 14.05, File). code: 801DC, gfx: n/a, music: n/a. Released at the Horizon and Equinox party. Gamers Guide #1 (1990, late, Diskmag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Dynamic, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, Rico/Pretzel Logic (editor), gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: William Goodwin. review: The intro that opens the very first issue of the Gamers Guide is pretty basic, though functional we suppose. There is nothing to set it apart from the myriad of other intros I've seen or even remember how it looks for long. So we press space, and enter the mag proper. The tune is the first thing that strikes me; it has a melody that is immediately attractive, but the theme is so distinct that it unfortunately doesn't work as a background melody for long, and after the first five minutes you'll be reaching for your volume control. It's a fun little tune, but it would be infinitely more wellplaced in a crack intro or demo part than in this mag. And Triad's choice to use it for the magpart becomes even more difficult to understand when we see that they would continue to use it for many, many issues... The reading part itself is far from fancy, but clean and readable, and that is perhaps their intention. The design is extremely basic; a GAMERS GUIDE logo scrolls from side to side on the very top of the screen, and the rest is taken up by grey-on-black text. The navigation method is simple; joystick left and right to change pages. I would have chosen to reverse the routine however, as it just doesn't seem logical to me the way it is now, but this is a minor gripe. It WORKS, and that's what is important. This mag caused SERIOUS waves when it first appeared, and though it became wildly popular (and a definite inspiration to the crackers out there to improve) it was equally controversial - not least for Triad's decision to include their own cracks in their comparisons. The actual release date for this mag is as yet uncertain, but it is most likely late 1990 - most of the reviewed cracks date to october and november 90, and it mentions upcoming parties in december - so late november or early december is our best guess. The mag comes in a single, 80-block file, and has no article selection screen - just flip the pages to read the entire mag. Apart from the game-related discussion, the mag contains no articles as such. Games covered in this issue are (number of versions in parenthesis); Aidon the Apocalypse (3), Atomic Robo Kid (4), Blazing Thunder (3), Dragons Breed (4), Dragons Kingdom (11), Eswat (4), Golden Axe (2), Ironman Super Offroad (10), Monty Python's Flying Circus (12), Puzznic (6), Skatin' USA (11), The Spy Who Loved Me (14), Strider II (4), Summer Camp (2), UN Squadron (2), Yogi Bear And Friends (13) - a total of 16 games and 105 versions. [glenn] Gamers Guide #2 (1991, early.01, Filemag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Dynamic, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, Rico/Pretzel Logic (editor), gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: William Goodwin (main), Jerry. review: Audiovisually, nothing changed from the first issue of GG - even the music is identical ;) Editorially, you know what you're getting. The release date is educated guesswork, as nothing appears about it in the mag itself. Most of the games mentioned here have a late december 1990 release date, though. That, plus other circumstancial evidence leads us to believe this is the correct date. The mag is a single file of 124 blocks. They say the next issue will be out in '2 weeks'. Games covered in this issue are (number of versions in parenthesis); Badlands (1), Bigfoot (2), Blazing Thunder (6), Days of Thunder (3), Dragons Breed (6), Dragons Kingdom (12), Eswat (9), Magic World Dizzy (1), Narc (3), Puzzlenoid (3), Puzznic (12), Sarakon (1), Scumm (1), The Spy Who Loved Me (11), Strider II (10), Stunrunner (6), Summer Camp (8), Tilt (4), Total Recall (2), U.N. Squadron (4), Wraith of the Demon (1) - a total of 21 games and 106 versions. Quality-wise, Light is the big winner this issue, with 4 first places. [glenn] Gamers Guide #3 (1991, late.01, Filemag). review: ...and again everything is the same, including credits. There's an 'interview' with Shade/Light, though, that had me half-convinced that he was the missing third of Beavis, Butthead and Shade. :\ Games covered in this issue are (number of versions in parenthesis); Blazing Thunder (10), Creatures (2), Crime Time (3), Days of Thunder (6), Dino Wars (2), Dragons Breed (10), Edd the Duck (9), Eswat (12), European Soccer Challenge (1), Exterminator (2), Gazza II (3), I Play 3D Soccer (2), Invest (3), Kwik Snax (5), Lettrix (3), Magic World Dizzy (1), Narc (10), Never Ending Story 2 (2), Puzzlenoid (18!!), Puzznic (14), Scumm (3), Strider II (13), STUN Runner (15), Summer Camp (10), Superted (1), Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles euro (2), Tilt (10), Total Recall (2), Turbo Kart Racer (12), Twin World (2), UN Squadron (6), Welltris (1), Wraith of Demon (2). [glenn] Gamers Guide #4 (1991, early, Filemag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Dynamic, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: William Godwin, Jerry. review: The fourth issue, and still everything is the same audiovisually. The news this time is perhaps that Jerry is now co-editor with William Godwin. Other than that, this is not especially remarkable in any way. Apart from the standard game-stuff and news, there is a small discussion on IFFL routines, the latest BIG THING in the cracking world ;] Probably released simultaneously with the demo "Utopia", since the mag mentions it should 'be on the disk'. A good guess on the release date of this mag, based on some of the news and game reviews, would be late january or early february. News about Weasel and DJ joining Crest are slightly incorrect; it is just one person, DJ Weasel, that joined. The mag also announced the c64 comeback of Triad's own Dynamic. Games covered this issue are (number of versions in parenthesis); Breathalyzer (3), Bundesliga Manager (2), Combat Zone (1), Creatures (7), Crime Time (3), Cyrus (1), Double Sphere (6), Edd The Duck (10), European Soccer Challenge (3), Exterminator (6), Hugo (1), I Play 3D Soccer (9), Invest (3), Judge Dredd (4), Kick Box Vigilante (3), Labyrinth (4), Lettrix (4), Moove Out (3), Never Ending Story II (11), Project S.O.L. (1), Robocop II (4), Sarakon (2), Scumm (10), Top Cat In Beverly Hills Cats (1), Total Recall (5), Tough Guys (6), Twin World (5), Wacky Dart (1), Welltris (10), Western Contest (5). The mag comes in a single, 107- block file. [glenn] Utopia (1991, early, Demo). code: King Fisher, Verdun, gfx: Wilson, King Fisher, music: TDM. review: "Utopia" starts off pretty bad, but quickly improves with some quite impressive parts. (part 1) The first thing we see in this demo is an utterly lame screen with a bad Utopia logo and jerky scroller in yellow over a red background, accompanied by sampled riffs from Metallica's "Seek And Destroy" from their "Kill 'Em All" album. Wow, you can operate a sampler. I'm impressed now. Not. So we press space, (part 2) and are in a loader part. This part reappears between every part from now on, in much the same way the old Megademos on the amiga worked. The loader was coded by King Fisher with music by TDM, and is totally unimpressive. The scroller can be controlled with the joystick, and loading can be paused with the fire button. Finally the next part is loaded, and automatically starts (part 3). And suddenly this demo just comes alive! This is a very nice (if not exceptional) part, mostly thanks to the a very good logo by Wilson. Code is again by King Fisher, with music by TDM. The screen is divided such: The top part contains the aforementioned Wilson logo, while the middle is occupied by a scroller. The middle of the bottom contains the graphical representation of a candle (done by KF), flickering. To the right and left of this appears small pieces of graphics ripped out of the game Slaine, and jumping up and down. So we press space again, return to the loader, and ultimately the next part. (part 4). This is another VERY cool part, perhaps the most technically advanced in this demo. It features a LARGE bunch of rastersplits, waving in the middle of the screen! A blue TRIAD logo occupies the top of the screen, with what is seemingly 'bullets' flying over it, from left to right. Code once again by King Fisher, logo by Wilson, no musician credited. Space. (part 5) This part is really just a note preceding the final part, called "Illusionary View". It contains a GREAT blue Triad logo occupying the entire top half of the screen, done by Wilson, and the rest is just text explaining the part to come. Code for both this and the endpart by Verdun, music by TDM. What this last part contains is the first (we believe) instance of a raytraced animation on the c64, and that makes this a wholly remarkable production. (part 6) The part itself has a red Triad logo by Wilson (not as good as his others in this demo), a scroller and the aforementioned animation. It was made in Verdun's own work-in-progress raytracer, and that makes it a quite interesting development. This type of animation was becoming widespread on the amiga around this time, and it is interesting that it found its way to the c64 so soon after. No certain release date for this demo, but it was probably around january, and almost certainly not at a party. The demo comes in 4 files, totalling 399 blocks. [glenn] Gamers Guide #5 (1991, early, Filemag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Dynamic, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: William Godwin, Jerry. review: Nothing is new audio-visually. No big news this month, just the normal games, and the only extra content this time is an interview with Jihad/Hitmen. Release date is naturally uncertain, but it is atleast prior to Horizon's easter party, which starts at the end of march. Early march is perhaps a good guess. This issue announces editor William Goodwin's cut-back on swapping, in order to have more time for the guide. His old contacts were given to new member Cleric. It also announced that there is no longer any Triad amiga section, and that Daw had left Censor to rejoin. Games covered this issue are (number of versions in paranthesis, *=new); Breathalyzer (11; 8 new), Cavemania (6*), Chips Challenge (5*), Creatures (9; 2 new), Death In Effect (1*), Deri Colors (9*), Diplomacy (3*), Double Sphere (11; 5 new), Duotris (3*), Elephant Antic (1*), Exterminator (9; 3 new), Judge Dredd (7; 3 new), Kick Box Vigilante (6; 3 new), Labyrinth (5; 1 new), Loopz (1*), Move Out (9; 6 new), Project S.O.L (7; 6 new), Quick Draw McGraw (2*), Robocop II (4; 0 new), Scumm (13; 3 new), Soccer Challenge (13*), Solitair (3*), Splat (1*), Stuemp (3*), Supercars (12*), Tanks II (9*), Titbit (2*), Total Recall (5; 0 new), Tough Guys (13; 7 new; 2 double entries from DDT and Weird removed), Turn It II (1*), Twin Worlds (12; 7 new), Wacky Darts (2; 1 new), Welltris (17; 6 new; 1 double entry for Light ignored), Western Contest (8; 3 new) - a total of 34 games and 223 versions! The mag comes in a single, 106-block file. [glenn] Gamers Guide #6 (1991, .03, Filemag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Wilson, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: William Godwin, Jerry. review: It was a little easier to pinpoint the release date on this one, since it says inside that it's only a 'few days' until the Horizon Easter Party, which begins on the 29th of march. Nothing extra to read at all this time, just the usual game charts. This issue announces the joining of swapper Dutch, board 'FUTURE ZONE' (sysop Spirou), and the leaving of Hero for Light. They spell Polonus/Padua's handle wrong in the news (Polonius). The intro gfx has been slightly redone by Wilson. [glenn] Gamers Guide #7 (1991, .04, Filemag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Wilson, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: Bismarck, Jerry. review: Since issue #6, William Goodwin was killed in a car accident with Hero/Light. An event like this would most probably have made any other publication stop, but GG managed to make Bismarck take over the main responsibility. Disappointingly, no real report from the HZ party, just a brief mention of some things that occured; specifically Dr.Cool/Censor's behaviour =[ They also mention the ongoing quarrel with Censor members; a group that seemingly got on everyone's nerves once in a while (remember their 'war' with Fairlight one year earlier). [glenn] Gamers Guide #8 (1991, .04, Filemag). INT - code: 801DC, gfx: Wilson, music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: Hero, gfx: Otto von Bismarck, music: The Dungeon Master, editor: Bismarck, Jerry. review: Well, 8 issues in and they're STILL using the same music! Hmmm... I dug it the first time (the tune in the main mag, that is), but now it's getting ever so slightly on my nerves... =] Oh well, on with it. Apart from the usual news and games, this issue brings an interesting interview with norwegian cracker Rocky/Illusion. It also announces that Cleric, who joined not long ago, was kicked. He spread a note with apparent lies, talking about Triad cheating in the Gamers Guide. They defend themselves inside this issue. [glenn] Gamers Guide #9 (1991, .05?, Multifile Diskmag). INT - code: Kravin, gfx: Chorus, Kravin (font), music: The Dungeon Master. MAG - code: King Fisher, gfx: Chorus, music: The Dungeon Master, editors: Bismarck, Jerry. review: Halleluja! =] The ninth issue of GG finally comes with a new code. It opens with a ravishing little intro coded by Kravin, and with good graphics done by Chorus. There is mention several places that this issue was delayed, for the first time ever, due to some reorganizing within the group and the new outfit for the mag. The release date is, as always, a guess. Hey guys, how about some proper release dates eh? Would make my job a hell of a lot easier at least... The main mag also has new code, and is now in multiple files, allowing for more reading material each time. Having said that, there is not much more than usual this time. It contains some details about a minor disagreement with Antichrist/Genesis Project, as well as an interview with austrian cracker extraordinaire Antitrack/ Legend. [glenn] Backtracking - The Complete TDM Music Collection (Multifile Musicdisk). code: King Fisher, gfx: M, Bismarck, music: TDM. review: Well, this is nothing more than it aspires to be - a selector for TDM's music. Some of his pieces are actually very good, while others leave a little to be desired. But then again, this is everything the guy ever produced, so a few glitches in quality are to be expected! Overall though, I must say I liked more than I disliked. =) The design is based (as admitted in the intro) on Mahoney & Kaktus' anything-goes design from their amiga musicdisk "The Sounds of Gnome". It is hard to date this musicdisk exactly, since it does not feature a date of release anywhere :( It's released sometime after the Game Guides, as well as after the demos "Red Storm" and "Red October" at least... [glenn] Spice Up Your Life (1998, 01.08, Multifile Demo). code: Logger, Mystic/Plush (irq loader), gfx: Wiggen, Hollowman, music: Goto80/Hack'n'Trade (see review for details). Released for the Little Computer People 98 demo competition. review: SUYL life is a pretty short demo, that overall left me slightly unimpressed, but with a few good bits worth mentioning. The demo, though irq-loaded completely through without any user interaction, is still divided up into four separate 'parts', each with their own music soundtrack. The demo has a general Spice Girls theme, which is reflected both in the visuals and in the music - every single tune in this demo is a spice girls coversong. With varying degrees of success, we might add ;) Part 1 (music title: 'Stop') has the opening credits (SUYL logo with magnification) and a rubber female-symbol as its main attraction. The second, and best, part (music title: 'Bethere/Mama') opens with a good Triad logo coupled with a dot-landscape routine, all very cool! The third part's (music title: 'Toomuch') main point of interest is a vector routine, while the fourth and final part (music title: 'Wannabeeee') features a really ugly picture of Geri (we think). The demo is sprinkled with a few of Hollowman's portraits of the girls, as well as a few other incidental parts, but that's the main bulk of it. The relatively short demo spans an amazing 13 files and 531 blocks, really a lot for such a 'small' demo. In addition comes a 45-block own- coded notefile, totalling almost a full diskside. The note was coded by Logger, with graphics by Hollowman and music by Goto80/Hack'n'Trade (titled 'Honolulu'). 26kg (2000, 29.07, Multifile Demo). code: Hollowman, gfx: Hollowman, Wiggen, Vodka/Fairlight, music: Goto80/Hack'n'Trade, Con/Ideal/Leader. Split winner of the LCP 2000 demo competition! review: 26kg is a very graphical demo, with phrases and illustrations trying to convey a message, and very little to offer in the way of normal demoscene effects. There are some, but usually integrated in the bigger whole of the demo, and never standing on their own. This is not really a criticism of the demo, since it clearly does not attempt to be technically outstanding. For a demo that covers an entire diskside, I feel that perhaps "26kg" doesn't quite live up to its promise, but if you're looking for a slightly different demo exercise, then perhaps this is for you. The demo uses Krill/Plush' loadersystem. Goto80 does two tunes for this demo, Con does one. The demo is 14 files, totalling 648 blocks. [glenn] Feedback (2001, early, Multifile Demo). code/gfx: Iopop, Hollowman, music: "Rotar Nut Pop" by Ed/Wrath Designs. Winner of the Floppy 2001 demo competition! review: This demo is officially a travesty. It's an odyssey in garish colour and bad taste, without even the slightest sense of style or design. It tries to relate a story, or an opinion, but comes across as just plain dribble. I'm sorry to the makers of this demo if I've offended any of them, but seriously... Everyone else, avoid. [glenn] Oppression (2001, 06.07, Intro). code: Tao, gfx: Tao, Taper (design, spriteanim), Dane/Crest (logo), music: "A Shot In Your Vein" by Tao. review: A really basic one-screen production, made for fun over a weekend visit from Tao to Taper's place. Not an essential production in any sense of the word, and actually slightly unnecessary even. Why make something that is so basic, and so bland? And with such an ugly logo? I guess it was just the spirit to wanna release something, but IMHO they should perhaps have waited until they had SOMETHING TO RELEASE. Oh well, just my two cents. :) Quote from the Triad mailinglist, "Today we bring you a very tiny meeting demo/intro, TRIAD/OPPRESSION, put together when Tao visited me this weekend. It was 6 years ago we met last, so it was about time with a new get-together... :-)". Not released at any party. [glenn] Harmonius (2003, 22.02, Demo). code: King Fisher, gfx: Twoflower, music: Moppe. 5th in the Floppy 2003 demo competition.