Issue 108 - Issue 108 suggestions
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2003 2:09 pm
I have followed the debate on this discussion board about the proposed issue #108 of Zzap64 and I would now like to add my proverbial two cents.
Many of you feel that a new Zzap64, to mark the magazine?s 20th anniversary in April 2005, is a good idea. I agree, it is ? but then that would have to be it! Any discussion of an issue #109 will need to be actively discouraged.
For the sake of those involved in its production, #108 should contain no more than the 36 pages found in #107. This will not only keep costs down, but a tighter content will reward us with a better quality product. Items such as News, Reviews, Zzapback, Contents and Editorial, Scorelord, Hall of Fame and Tips will absorb half of those pages and as for the rest may I suggest that consideration be given to the following features:
1. I would like to see Q&A piece with Per Hakan Sundell, the creator of CCS64 and an idiot?s guide on how to configure and run games on that emulator.
2. It might be worth to doing an article on how to convert your old C64 software into a T64/D64/Tap image for use with an emulator. The reverse of this process would also be worth investigating for anyone who picks up an old C64 at a boot sale, or on EBay. No doubt a legal disclaimer will needed to be included with this piece.
3. A spread on prominent ex-Zzap64 staff would be desirable. If they are unable to provide a review for the farewell issue, they might be persuaded to contribute a short piece (250 ? 500 words) about their time on the magazine and scan any behind the scenes photos they may still have.
4. For old time sake the issue could contain a small supplement on the Commodore Amiga ? yes, okay - sorry about that.
5. A Zzap Challenge Masters tournament could be reported on.
6. A 20 years of Zzap64 timeline might be worth including. This could compare life and technology between 1985 and 2005 and possibly follow up any predictions in Zzap64 as to the future of C64 gaming.
It will come as no surprise if many of these suggestions do not make it into the final issue, but I feel one or two have legs and they may well last the course. Also, I suggest that, initially, #108 be only available in print. Iain Black has served the Zzap64 community well over the years and I would not like to see him out of pocket on this venture. Only when every printed copy has been sold, and all costs have been recovered, should the PDFs be made publicly available.
Some believe that #107 should be Zzap64?s swan song, but I disagree. I feel that #107 was a dry run - an attempt to see if such a thing could be done. We know that it can, so now let us combine forces and ensure that this once great publication goes out in a blaze of glory.
Many of you feel that a new Zzap64, to mark the magazine?s 20th anniversary in April 2005, is a good idea. I agree, it is ? but then that would have to be it! Any discussion of an issue #109 will need to be actively discouraged.
For the sake of those involved in its production, #108 should contain no more than the 36 pages found in #107. This will not only keep costs down, but a tighter content will reward us with a better quality product. Items such as News, Reviews, Zzapback, Contents and Editorial, Scorelord, Hall of Fame and Tips will absorb half of those pages and as for the rest may I suggest that consideration be given to the following features:
1. I would like to see Q&A piece with Per Hakan Sundell, the creator of CCS64 and an idiot?s guide on how to configure and run games on that emulator.
2. It might be worth to doing an article on how to convert your old C64 software into a T64/D64/Tap image for use with an emulator. The reverse of this process would also be worth investigating for anyone who picks up an old C64 at a boot sale, or on EBay. No doubt a legal disclaimer will needed to be included with this piece.
3. A spread on prominent ex-Zzap64 staff would be desirable. If they are unable to provide a review for the farewell issue, they might be persuaded to contribute a short piece (250 ? 500 words) about their time on the magazine and scan any behind the scenes photos they may still have.
4. For old time sake the issue could contain a small supplement on the Commodore Amiga ? yes, okay - sorry about that.
5. A Zzap Challenge Masters tournament could be reported on.
6. A 20 years of Zzap64 timeline might be worth including. This could compare life and technology between 1985 and 2005 and possibly follow up any predictions in Zzap64 as to the future of C64 gaming.
It will come as no surprise if many of these suggestions do not make it into the final issue, but I feel one or two have legs and they may well last the course. Also, I suggest that, initially, #108 be only available in print. Iain Black has served the Zzap64 community well over the years and I would not like to see him out of pocket on this venture. Only when every printed copy has been sold, and all costs have been recovered, should the PDFs be made publicly available.
Some believe that #107 should be Zzap64?s swan song, but I disagree. I feel that #107 was a dry run - an attempt to see if such a thing could be done. We know that it can, so now let us combine forces and ensure that this once great publication goes out in a blaze of glory.