This file contains the archives of the rec.games.vectrex NetNews group for the month of May-1994 (This date range is approximate as article dates are determined based on arrival time and not the date in the article header). The Vextrex archives, which include game code, technical specifications, the rec.games.vectrex archive and a host of additional information, is available at: ftp://ftp.csus.edu/pub/vectrex/ + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!csn!roper.uwyo.edu!roper.uwyo.edu!nntp Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Interviews for Intelligent Gamer Article Message-ID: <1994May3.111749.2072@roper.uwyo.edu> From: almo@UWYO.EDU Date: 3 May 94 11:17:48 MDT Reply-To: almo@UWYO.EDU Distribution: world Organization: University of Wyoming, Laramie Nntp-Posting-Host: plain.uwyo.edu Lines: 19 Yo! I'm writing a piece on the classic games, and why they could hold player's interest for so long without the fancy graphics of today. I'm posting here, because the vectrex has such games as space war and Rip Off. Send me your ideas and comments concerning these classic games, and any comments on modern games, and if they have what the classics did, or not, and why. almo@plains.uwyo.edu Also fell free to e-mail me with questions about what it is i want to write about. Almo! DDD U U H H !! Atari Jaguar : T.B.A.V.G.S.I.T.W.! O - D D U U H H !! (The Baddest-Ass Video Game System In The World!) \|/ D D U U HHHH !! Amiga 4000 : T.B.A.C.S.I.T.W.! | D D U U H H Opinions are my own, until / \ DDD UU H H !! the subliminal takes effect... + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Atari7800/2600 From: shain.klammer@canrem.com (Shain Klammer) Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!torn!uunet.ca!uunet.ca!portnoy!canrem.com!shain.klammer Distribution: world Message-ID: <60.1903.4196.0N19CF5B@canrem.com> References: <2psism$pf7@sundog.tiac.net> Date: Tue, 3 May 94 18:43:00 -0400 Organization: CRS Online (Toronto, Ontario) Lines: 2 Sorry for the non-relavance (I do have a Vectrex), but does the 7800 play 2600? Shain... + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.cs.columbia.edu!news.cs.columbia.edu!reid From: reid@dsm.fordham.edu (Darin Reid) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Possible Vectrex Trade/Sale Date: 04 May 1994 10:56:52 GMT Organization: Fordham University/CLC, Division of Science and Math Lines: 10 Distribution: world Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: dsm.fordham.edu I'm looking for Some Duo and SMS games. I'm willing to trade my Vectrex and Multicart for them, but, it must be a *great* deal. If you want to buy it make an offer, but I really want a trade... -Darin -- Unix/AIX: Reid@Dsm.Fordham.Edu Vax/VMS : Areid@Mary.Fordham.Edu Bitnet : Areid@Fordmulc Freenet : Bz809@Cleveland.Freenet.Edu + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!decwrl!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!nigel.msen.com!zib-berlin.de!news.rrz.uni-hamburg.de!news.dkrz.de!news.dfn.de!news.belwue.de!news.uni-ulm.de!felix!odenthal From: odenthal@felix.RZ.FH-Ulm.DE (TI1 Christof Odenthal) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Searching Vectrex... Date: 4 May 1994 10:44:52 GMT Organization: Fachhochschule Ulm, Germany Lines: 13 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2q7ub4$lio@wega.rz.uni-ulm.de> Reply-To: odenthal@felix.rz.fh-ulm.de NNTP-Posting-Host: felix.rz.fh-ulm.de X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Hello ! I recently saw a Vectrex from a fellow-student and was *very* impressed. It's got a very unusual way of screen-display - show me another computer with such a high resolution of the graphics ! Now i want to have my own Vectrex and this Newsgroup could be the only way to get one - since it was sold in germany only for a few months. If somebody has a Vectrex and wants to sell it - or knows somebody who wants - it would be fine if he (or she) would send me a mail (adress see header). - Christof - + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!decwrl!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail From: STUBRADFOWC@MERCUR.USAO.EDU (Bill Bradford) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Is $34 a good price? Date: 4 May 1994 10:50:29 -0500 Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway Lines: 12 Sender: daemon@cs.utexas.edu Distribution: inet Message-ID: <940504104950.b34@MERCUR.USAO.EDU> NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu I found a Vectrex in a local pawn shop, buried back in the corner with a VIC-20. 8-) The guy wants $34 for it - is that a decent price? It's got one joystick/controller, and one game stuck in the side. No overlays or anything.. If it's a good price, I'll pick it up and go through this group to find some more games... It looks like it's been sitting there for a year or so. Bill (please reply directly) stubradfowc@mercur.usao.edu + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!crchh75b.bnr.ca!woodcock From: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.video.classic Subject: [Vectrex] FAQ; late again! Date: 4 May 1994 18:04:11 GMT Organization: Bell-Northern Research; Richardson, Texas, USA Lines: 725 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2q8o2r$aia@crchh327.bnr.ca> Reply-To: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) NNTP-Posting-Host: crchh75b.bnr.ca X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1679 rec.games.video.classic:6689 I bumped into an Vectrex designer and there is some new information in the history section at the end. Sorry about being late again this month. +-----------+ |Vectrex====| | +-------+ | Vectrex "Frequently Asked Questions" List! Created: 9/1/92 | | # + *| | version 2.1 Copyright worldwide (c) 1994 | | : X | | Created and maintained by Gregg Woodcock (woodcock@bnr.ca) | | : . .| | | | A <=>| | This list will be reposted on the first day of every month. | | . | | | | X + | | @@@ | | * x | | @@ @@@ | +-------+ @@@ +---@----+ | ### # Q@@ / ! oooo / | ### OO | +--------+ +-----------+ This file is copyrighted (c) 1994 by Gregg Woodcock but may be distributed in part or in whole by anyone for any purpose (commercial or otherwise) provided proper credit is given to me and the individual contributors. If you do use the FAQ, I would appreciate it if you send me a copy of whatever you are doing with it. My plan is to have a 'newbie' part and a 'techie' part. I still need some more information about the following questions for it: Can a pause switch be built? (YES) Can the overlays be reproduced (MAYBE) Can a 3D color disk be made? (MAYBE; I am going to try with "shrinky-dinks") How do the control panels work and can one be built? (YES) How does the light pen work and can one be built? (YES) How does the 3D imager work and can a Sega imager be converted? (MAYBE) ================================================================================ Q. What is Vectrex? Here it is in layman's terms: Vectrex is one of the most inspired video game machines ever produced (but similar things were said about the Edsel and Titanic). Its point of distinction is the fact that it uses vector "line" graphics (as opposed to raster "pixel" graphics). This is the same type of screen used in such arcade classics as Space Wars, Asteroids, Battlezone and Tempest. The machine has a 9 x 11 inch black and white screen and comes with a built-in Asteroids clone called Minestorm. The games come with plastic overlays that slide over the screen to cut down on flicker and give some illusion of color. It uses one of the most advanced 8 bit processors, the 68A09 (6809 with 1.5MHz clock speed), and a popular and excellent sound chip, General Instruments AY-3-8192, which can produce a wide range of noises. Also included is a 1.5 inch, self-centering, joystick with 4 buttons on the right. It uses an analog/potentiometer system allowing differing degrees of directional input. The machine's footprint takes up a little less than a square foot of a desk (in fact, it quite resembles a jet black Macintosh SE sans mouse and keyboard), and can be operated easily in that area. The joystick is connected via a springy telephone-like cord and can be folded into the base of the machine for portability. The machine is moderately transportable and very well constructed but, alas, very much extinct. It made its debut late in 1982 and was quite scarce by the end of 1984 due to the Great Video Game Depression of '82 which forced Milton Bradley (who bought the rights to the Vectrex from General Consumer Electronics (GCE)) to discontinue production due to to poor sales. After this, the rights to the Vectrex and all related materials were returned to the original developers, Smith Engineering. Smith Engineering has graciously condoned the not-for-profit circulation of any duplicatable materials including games and manuals and is happy to see it is still 'alive' in certain circles. Here are some more detailed snippets from the service manual: As a general description, the HP3OOO is a self-contained video game system intended for home use. The system includes its own 9" B&W monitor screen and 3" permanent magnet speaker. Plug-in ROM type cartridges are available offering arcade type video and sound game play. No external TV receiver hookup is needed or provided for. A front panel storable controller allows control over the game via joystick and push button action switches. For two player operation a second controller identical to the single player controller is available as an accessory product. Both controllers attach to the main game console through nine wire coiled telephone style cables. There is a consumer power switch/volume control on the front panel as well as a game reset button. A consumer adjustable brightness control is located on the main console rear housing. For the technical description which follows, the reader is encouraged to refer to the block diagram and schematic [not included here]. The HP3OOO is a microprocessor based, vector scan system using a standard 9" black & white CRT as its video display device. The microprocessor (MPU) is the Motorola 68A09 device. The MPU operates at 1.6 MHz from a 6 MHz external Xtal. An internal divide by 4 circuit generates the MPU 1.6 MHz "E" clock signal used in the system. Program memory is stored in the 8K x 8 bit 2363 type ROM. This ROM contains common subroutines, the "executive" or assembler instructions plus one complete game. Two 1K x 4 bit 2114 type static RAMS provide storage locations for data indicative of locations of objects, game status, and various other information needed by the microprocessor during game operation. Peripheral Interface Adaptor (PIA) Chip, has two 8 bit peripheral ports which interfaces the MPU with peripheral devices and external signals. One of the PIA ports interfaces the General Instrument AY-3-8912 sound-I.O. chip with the MPU and also drives the digital to analog converter chip MC1408. The other PIA port is used as control lines for the sound chip, selector control for the multiplex chip and as a means to read the A/D comparator that's used in the joystick successive approximation circuitry. Sound is either MPU generated directly or by use of the AY-3-8912 sound chip. The AY-3-8912 sound chip is a programmable sound generator containing 3 tone generators and wave shaping circuitry. This chip also has a single 8 bit I.O. port used to read the status of each of the hand controller's 4 action switches. The standard TTL device types 74LS00 and 74LS32 are used as control line decoders to allow the MPU to select the appropriate circuit element to be addressed at any particular time. The analog processing section includes digital to analog converter (DAC) chip type MC1408, dual 4 channel multiplexer/demultiplexer chip type CD4052, and dual channel op-amps types LF353 and LF347. DAC chip MC1408 receives an 8 bit word at data terminals D0-D7. DAC output (pin 4) is current source. One section of IC LF353 is used to change this current to a voltage representative of the 8 bit digital word received by the DAC chip. The LF353 voltage is applied to an input of the dual 4 channel multiplexer (MUX) chip CD4052. This same voltage (designated "DAC" on the schematic) is the X-axis drive signal. The CD4052 MUX chip serves two purposes: it selectively couples, under MPU control, the output of the DAC current/voltage converter to one of 4 places and is used to selectively couple the inputs from the joystick pots to the voltage comparator IC LF353. ================================================================================ Q. What games were released or on the drawing board before Vectrex died? Production # Name (Notes) [Size or NR=Not Released] ------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- VT 3000 Minestorm (built-in game; Asteroids clone) [4K] VT 3101 Cosmic Chasm (1st home game ported to arcade) [4K] VT 3102 Rip Off (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3103 Scramble (Konami arcade port) [4K] VT 3104 Solar Quest (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3105 Space Wars (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3106 Starhawk (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3107 Star Trek (AKA Star Ship in Europe) [4K] VT 3108 Web Wars (AKA Web Warp in ?????) (best game?) [8K] VT 3109 Star Castle (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3201 Hyperchase (very bad driving game) [4K] VT 3202 Blitz! Action Football [8K] VT 3203 Heads-Up Action Soccer (AKA Soccer in Europe) [8K] VT 3204 Spinball (AKA Flipper in Europe) (has PAUSE!) [8K] VT 3205 Pitcher's Duel -OR- Batter Up Action Baseball [NR] VT 3206 Pole Position (Atari/Namco arcade port) [8K] VT 3301 Armor Attack (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3302 Berzerk (Stern arcade port; high levels crash)[4K] VT 3303 Clean Sweep (PacMan clone) [4K] VT 3304 Fortress of Narzod (great shooter) [8K] VT 3305 Bedlam (Tempest clone) [4K] VT 3306 Spike (It talks! Originally called Buster?) [8K] VT 3307 Dark Tower (does anybody have this?) [??] VT 3308 Polar Rescue (Good subhunt game) (has PAUSE!) [8K] VT 3600 Light Pen (Hardware; required for 360X games) VT 3601 Art Master (light pen) (pack-in game) [4K] VT 3602 Melody Master (light pen) [8K] VT 3603 Mail Plane (light pen) (completed???) [NR] VT 3604 Animaction (light pen) [8K+2K RAM] VT 3630 3-D Imager (Hardware; required for 363X games) VT 3631 3-D Pole Position (3-D) (completed?) [NR] VT 3632 3D Minestorm (3-D) (pack-in game) [8K] VT 3633 Narrow Escape (3-D) (same color disk as CC) [8K] VT 3634 Crazy Coaster (3-D) (same color disk as NE) [8K] VT ???? Test Cartridge (issued to repair centers only)[??] The following games and accessories were planned but never released: Cartridges: Art Master II Art Master III Art Master IV Basic Science Create-A-Game/Maze Exploring the Solar System Flipout Mail Plane Pitcher's Duel Pole Position (for 3D imager) Power Trip Sock It Tour de France Accessories: Touch-Sensitive Screen Computer Adaptor with BASIC (prototypes rumored to exist) Computer Keyboard Printer Disk Driver/Wafer Tape Drive Modem Computer Software: Create Your Own Video Game Music Maestro Art Program in LOGO Basic Science Solar System Word Processing ================================================================================ Q. Where is the Vectrex ftp archive and what is there? The ftp Vectrex information archive is at ftp.csus.edu (130.86.90.1) and is maintained by John F. Sandhoff (sandhoff@csus.edu). There are binary listings (2 flavors; pure binary from the ROMs, and Intel "S-format" dumps) for most of the games along with instructions on how to burn Eproms. There are several commented examples of code demonstrating how to write both music and graphics. There is also a copy of the service manual and much more. Almost all of the stuff is bundled into a compressed file called "vectrex.tar.Z". There are plenty of experiments to keep an eager hacker busy. Recently, some GIF/JPEG files were added showing some of the screen overlays (there are also GIFs of the 2 color wheels). Also, text files of the manuals for most, if not all, of the games are there. David Wright (davewt@NCoast.ORG) will be putting the vectrex stuff up his email server. If you don't have FTP access, this may work for you. If you want to try and get at it, the email server is at "impinfo@Prism1.COM". If your site doesn't like that, try "prism1!impinfo@NCoast.ORG". To receive a list of the files available place "send vect.index" in the message body. You can also add "send help" to get a complete set of instructions. Be aware that some of these files are huge and may push you over your mailbox or disk space quota immediately. ================================================================================ Q. Isn't copying the games by burning EPROMs stealing or violating a copyright? If the system is "dead" then no money is lost by making copies of something which otherwise would never be available. Even so, it is a fuzzy matter and technically the answer should probably be, "YES." Fortunately, Smith Engineering has given Usenetters permission to make copies of all Vectrex related materials (manuals, games, overlays, etc.) as long as it is for distribution to members of the group and as long as it is not for profit. ================================================================================ Q. Do I have to make my own multi-cart; can't I just buy one from somebody? No; I mean, Yes, err... There are at least 5 people making multi-carts for resale on the net but the best ones (by far) are being made by Mark Woodward (woodward@Newbridge.com). If you do not have email, you can reach him by phone at 613/591-3600 during the day time (EDT zone).. He is making multi-carts which don't require an old cart to be cannibalized since he is getting PCBs made up for the job. His carts allow you to select the games via a menu on the Vectrex screen instead of by flipping dip switches as all the others do. The carts support the RAM for Animaction and include a 'pause' button allowing you to pause any of the games (my idea; thank you :). They contain all the released games plus the Test Cart and 2 hacked versions of Minestorm (infinite lives and more shots). The price breakdown is as follows... $30 PCB + S/W selection $20 EPROM (unless you can send me one) $5 RAM (Optional) If he builds it for you then there is $5 charge for miscellaneous parts and you are obligated donate $10 to a local charity to cover his time. This is in the spirit of the Smith Engineering agreement for 'not-for-profit' duplication. The only 'profit' he get is from the s/w selection code which he deserves and is entitled to because he wrote (owns) it. The games have been generously donated by Smith Engineering and the parts are sold at cost (with a little to cover shipping). To 1 complete, ready-to-play multicart costs $60. The PCBs are made at a professional manufacturer and include plated through holes, etc. No hack and slash job here :> If you want to build it yourself he can provide you with the PCB, a programmed EPROM (or disk if you can blast your own) and a parts list. ================================================================================ Q. How do I play ? Simple, read the manual. WHAT; you don't have a manual? OK then, read the screen overlay (it lists the functions of all the buttons). You don't have the screen overlay either? In that case most (maybe all by now) of the manuals have been transcribed into text files and made available via ftp. YOU DON'T HAVE FTP EITHER? OK, I'll tell you what; in the spirit of Smith Engineering's generosity, I will volunteer my services as Vectrex copy shop. I have all of the overlays and manuals (as well as some extra stuff like the service manual, "Passport" magazine, the "Triton" and "Passport" catalog pamphlets, and the "High Performance Machine" pamphlet) and am willing to make copies for free to anybody that is willing to play by my "rules". You must send a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) along with a listing of everything that you want photocopies of (black and white copies only; if you want color overlay copies, send $2.50 for each one since color copies cost $$$). You will receive double sided copies unless you specifically request single sided ones. I will fill the orders only about once a month so don't hold your breath for a quick return. Please note that these will not be replicas in any particular sense. I will be copying them as you would a book (I WILL NOT REMOVE THE STAPLES TO REPLICATE THE SHEETS TO FACILITATE MAKING EXACT DUPLICATES). If you want exact duplicates, you will need to modify the copies I send you (I am trying to keep my effort to a minimum). If I need to fold something to fit it in your SASE, then I will, so keep that in mind if you want unfolded stuff. The amount of postage is left up to you to figure out; I am just going to copy, stuff, and send; I will not verify sufficient postage. Tips are appreciated (particularly if you are asking for a *lot* of copying) but not neccesary nor required; this is a free service. Send SASE to: Gregg Woodcock 2930 Dukeswood Drive Garland, TX 75040-8770 U.S.A P.S. If you take advantage of either of these services, it would be nice if you would "pay the community back" by transcribing at least one document that is not currently at the ftp site and uploading it (or emailing it to me and I will get it there). I am pretty sure none of the "extra" stuff I have has been transcribed yet. P.P.S. If you have an original service manual, please contact me so I can get an copy of it (or buy it from you). The copy I have is Nth generation and is very hard to read... ================================================================================ Q. How can I make a copy of a screen overlay? With the advances made in the past 2 years in color scanners, copiers and priners, it is now possible to make a near exact duplicate with the push of a (few) button(s). 0. First you need an original overlay, prefereably one with little fading. 1. If you want a "rough" copy, simply get a good high end color photocopy onto acetate (those overhead projector plastic sheets). 2. If you want a better copy, you scan the image, preferably in color. I think 150 dpi is okay though some people may want to go for maximum resolution. 3. Then you need a good paint program, I used Adobe Photoshop to do some preliminary clean-up work, but I have a feeling it would take quite a bit of work to make a perfect overlay. 4. Prining--the critical part. You need a color printer that can do acetate (animation cel) printouts. Unfortunately, no color printer can work on thick sheets, which brings us to 5. 5. You need go to to a hobby shop and get a piece of .045 thick clear sheet of [poly]styrene. Its prtty cheap. 6. The only part I haven't worked out, bonding the acetate overlay to the styrene. It is probable that there are some mucho expensive color printers that professional print shops use that can print onto any thickness sheets but I haven't done much looking. Thanks to Noel for this info. ================================================================================ Q. My Vectrex is very noisy; is there anything I can do to make it any quieter? Here is what Daniel A Muntz (dmuntz@quip.eecs.umich.edu) said helped him: The noise isn't digital in nature and it closely follows the video. It also isn't a power supply problem; isolating the audio input of the amplifier from the sound circuit revealed no noise at all. It seems the noise is generated in two ways: 1: By induction; Moving the audio cable around makes the noise less or more prominent. It is at minimum when the cable is placed in its original manufactured groove. Good design since that's farthest from the CRT yoke. 2: By ground impedance; Although all supplies are clean the hum is still present in the modulated dc difference between the two boards. A definite improvement can be achieved by doing the following: 1: Rewiring the ground between the digital and video board. 2: Shielding audio circuit and changing cable to volume pot to a better shielded one. ================================================================================ Q. My joystick wont auto-center anymore; can I fix it? You can't make it "good-as-new", but you can repair it so that is is usable again. You must first mangle the sticker on the back of the joystick to get at the 2 screws that hold it together. Just feel around and you should be able to see where the holes are. You can either try to peel back the sticker (very bad idea) or simply punch 2 holes in it so you can remove the screws (leaving most of the sticker intact). Now that you have the joystick open, remove the broken spring that used to center the joystick. Use the core from the largest available guitar string to replace the spring you just removed. If you snip off one end you can remove the (usually gold) wire wrapped around a core wire by pulling on the gold wire. Credit goes to Dan Muntz once again for this clever solution. ================================================================================ Q. Are there tricks or cheats for any Vectrex games? YES! (Vectrex had cheats back when they were still known as bugs): ARMOR ATTACK: If you crank the brightness all the way up, you are able to see the helicopter's position as soon as you hear it (even thought it is off the screen). Blitz!: If you get a 1st and inches (1 and 0 to go), as long as you stay on the 0 yd line, you keep getting first downs. - adamfox@super.org FORTRESS OF NARZOD: If you can somehow manage to kill the gorilla (AKA the "Mystic Hurler") at the same time he kills you, your lives remaining will turn into the infinity sign (oo) and you will have 255 lives. It is not known for sure if your lives in reserve value has to be zero for this to work (probably so). MINESTORM: The brightness trick allows you to see the "invisible" mines. SPACE WARS: Either ship is invincible after being hit, while pieces are in the air. This may not sound like much, or maybe this was intentional, but I've played against people who make this their entire strategy. They skim the edge of the Star in the middle, just to knock off a tail section or something, and then while they are invincible, they fly right into you. Not nice, but it works very well. The time window is surprisingly long. SCRAMBLE: A quote from Paul Allen Newell, developer of the game: I remember going thru long discussions with management about giving the programmers credit on the games. Western Technologies and/or GCE didn't approve it and most of the programmers hide their names somewhere in the games. My "Easter Egg" can be located in "Scramble" by doing the following. If you have two controllers with joystick and buttons, put them both in; otherwise, use the single one in the usual position. While "Scramble" is displaying its "game # player #" section, move the joystick so it is "down". When "Scramble" starts, keep it in this down position so your plane crashes on the floor BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS START. Do this for all you ships, DO NOT PUSH ANY BUTTONS TO FIRE BOMBS OR BULLETS. When it is over, the display "end" will come up. WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY BUTTONS, unplug the main controller and move it to the "player two" plug (if you have two controllers, this step is not necessary). Then, with the "player two" controller, PUSH ALL FOUR BUTTONS SIMULTANEOUSLY. They must all go down at the same time. Repeat until you get all four down at the same time. You'll know when you see the word "end" change into something else. This is the first time I have documented the method, having only mentioned it to friends or hinted to others. Enjoy! (Thanks a LOT to Stefan Herr for digging up this one-of-a-kind jem!) SPIKE: If you position the door ALMOST all the way to the right of the screen, then jump into it, so as to be jammed between the door, and the little space that is left; the game freaks out, you will be pushed forward about 47,000 points, and the difficulty will be increased proportionally. ================================================================================ Q. What is the history of the Vectrex? A. Thanks a lot to Stefan Herr (steve@lioness.okapi.sub.org) for the following information he dug up while researching an article for a European gaming magazine. If you have any additions or corrections, please contact both of us. Thanks also to Chris King who sent me personal email to fill some gaps. VECTREX TIMETABLE ----------------- End 1980/Spring 1981: The development of Vectrex starts with an idea by Jay Smith, head of Western Technologies/Smith Engineering, and his talented staff for a small, vector scan table top game they call "Mini Arcade". It is possible that the real inspiration for the product may have actually come from Gerry Karr and/or John Ross. Spring 1981: The Vectrex idea is optioned to Kenner (known for their "Star Wars", "Care Bears", "Batman" and "Batman Returns" figures). Vectrex planned to have a 5" black and white tube. 06/1981: Paul A. Newell is hired by Western Technologies to join the "Atari reverse engineering project" group (aim: be able to write games for the VCS 2600) which at that point consisted of Mark Indictor and John Hall. 07/1981: Kenner declines to pursue the Vectrex. 08 or 09/1981: The Vectrex concept is licensed by GCE (General Consumer Electronics). GCE's president Ed Krakauer had the vision to see the great potential of the system. To enhance its appeal, GCE asks that the screen be increased to 9-inches. Autumn 1981: The Atari project is cancelled and the three Atari people (M.I., P.N., J.H.) start work on the Vectrex project. John Ross designs the hardware, Gerry Karr works together with John Hall on the system ROM (called "The Executive"). In the beginning it is planned to use a 6502 processor which turns out to be too slow. For this reason the 6809 is used finally. Jan 1982: Bill Hawkins and Chris King join the Western Tech. They were both students at Georgia Tech at the time and are hired by Ed Smith as "Cooperative Education" students. They are supposed to work for three months and then go back to school. Duncan Muirhead joins a week or two afterwards. He had just dropped out of a Physics PHD program at UCLA. ??: A strict timetable demands that the first 12 games and the hardware should be ready in June 1982. ??: John Hall later exclusively works on "Mine Storm" while Gerry Karr works on The Executive alone. Gerry starts over from scratch and changes the name to the RUM (Run Time Monitor). In the end, a number of people contribe to the RUM, most notably Duncan Muirhead who handled most of the heavy trig stuff. 04/1982: Paul Newell finishes "Scramble". Mine Storm, Bezerk, Scamble, Rip Off, and Star Trek were all completed at the same time. 06/1982: The Vectrex is introduced to the public on the Summer-CES in Chicago. Summer 1982: Mark Indictor, John Hall and others are directly hired by GCE to write more games. Paul Newell and Duncan Muirhead leave Western Technologies to join Simutrek, a company developing arcade laser disc games ("Cube Quest"). Chris King leaves 6 months later. Noah Anglin (former vice president of Atari) was hired by GCE as a consultant to watch over the development of Vectrex. It was a good deal for him since he recruited the core of the software guys for his new company, Simutrek, from Western Technologies. Unfortunatly, this wasn't enough. Simutrek died on the vine. ??: Mark Indictor and his family move about two hours out of Los Angeles and he writes games in the seclusion of a pine forest at 5,000 ft. He even has an NBC news crew come up and interview him for a news show on weird computer hackers and their life styles. Late summer 82: Start of mass production. 11/1982: Vectrex is available in the USA for $199. Very positive reviews in the magazines. Paul Newell's "Scramble" gets the "Arcade Award" of the "Electronic Games" magazine for the best "Mini-Arcade game" (a category which is founded exclusively for the Vectrex). Spring 1983: GCE is acquired by Milton Bradley (MB). 03/1983: Vectrex is announced in the German "Telematch" magazine for the first time in Germany. Summer 1983: Distribution begins in Germany and many other west European countries by Milton BradleyB (German office located in Fuerth). 1983: Several efforts fail in developing a color Vectrex. One obvious project is to use a color TV tube; however, this is always too expensive. Another is to use a projection TV with three vector scan tubes. It works well but is commercially impractical. Yet another effort is to use two layers of color phosphor on a black and white type TV tube. By varying the high voltage level, the electron beam would excite the bottom layer or the top layer. However the high voltage cannot be changed rapidly enough to keep up with the scan. 02/1984: "Artmaster Lightpen", "Star Castle", "Polar Rescue", "Animaction" and "Pole Position" presented on the "Nuernberger Spielwarenmesse" (Germany's most important show for the toy industry). around 02/84: 3D-Imager is presented at the Winter-CES in Las Vegas. 31/03/1984: End of Vectrex in Germany: MB in Fuerth announces stop of sales on this date. Rest of 1984: Vectrex is phased out as Hasbro buys Milton Bradley and video game fever comes crashing down (probable reason: home computer fever). Rummage sales in Germany (mainly in stores of the METRO-chain, which had bought the rest of MB's stock) close out Vectrex equipment at bargain prices. 1988: Western Technologie/Smith Enginerring tries to resurrect Vectrex as a handheld unit. It is to be based on the Sinclair flat TV tube, which has fast static deflection at low power consumption and low cost. However, the impending introduction of GameBoy causes the idea to be scrapped. 10/1993: A feature about the 10th anniversary of the Vectrex is published in the German "Video Games" magazine. Contains technical descriptions, pictures of Jay Smith and Mark Indictor, a Vectrex history and a list of games and accessories. The article is based on information collected by the author (Stefan Herr) from the Usenet Vectrex newsgroup, various FTP archives, many emails from several former Vectrex developers and a historical overiew about the development by Jay Smith. There are not very many evidences of the existance of a computer keyboard with a BASIC cartridge (or something similar) for the Vectrex. The only hint known is an article in an old issue of "Creative Computing" magazine. In the first couple of pages they do a ranking of computers' speed based on some simple benchmark. There is an entry for the vectrex in it using Vectrex basic. It is the issue that reviewed the original Macintosh (1984?). LIST OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE VECTREX DEVELOPMENT --------------------------------------------------- Jeff Corseglia Main game desginer (titles unknown) John Hall (*) Worked on The Executive Author of Mine Storm Bill Hawkins Author of Cosmic Chasm Author of Rip Off Author of at least 3 other (later) titles. Mark Indictor (*) First duties during development: Software for communication with the ICE (In-Circuit-Emulator) Star Trek Games: for Western Technologies: Star Trek for GCE Spinball Polar Rescue Mail Plane (not published, for use with Lightpen) Tour de France (not published) Gerry Karr Took over The Executive project, after John Hall concentrated on Mine Storm Chris King Author of Berzerk Author of Hyperchase Ronald J. Logsdon Author of Melody Master for the Lightpen Kim Martin Digitized the Scramble landscapes Beta-tester (mainly for Scramble) Richard "the mouse" Moskowski Programmed games (titles unkonwn) Designed game watches prior to Vectrex Duncan Muirhead Joined WT at the end of 1981 (or beginning of 82) Author of Armor...Attack Walter Nakano Model builder; co-designed the external case 1-2 years before the Macintosh. Paul Allen Newell (*) Sole author of Scramble Gary Niles Executive Officer of some kind Mike Purvis "Hardware Tech" (responsibilities unknown) John Ross Developer of the hardware Tom Sloper Main game desginer (titles unknown) Went on to work high up at Activision but has left for now. Ed Smith (Jay's brother) Manager of enginerring during early development Before Vectrex, he worked at Harris in Orlando and frequently used GA Tech Co-ops Hired a bunch of ex-Harris guys to work at a new Wester Technologies branch office in Orlando where a number of games were written Jay Smith Founder and president of Western Technologies/Smith Engineering Colin Vowels Model builder; co-designed the external case 1-2 years before the Macintosh. (*): These persons worked on the "Atari reverse engineering" project. Only one of the three games that were created by that group was released (the one written by Paul Newell). Anyway, the whole project was cancelled later because the competition (e.g. Activision) was too big. Other people involved (this list does not claim to be complete) were David Blair, Alan Cobb, Jeff Corsiglia, Ed Faris, Joel Hassell, Don Herndon, Ed Horton, Bill Hudson, Kevin Hudson, Nolan Johnson, Patrick King, Steve Marking, Lori Pearsall, and Bob Rutowski. Sources: Electronic mails from Mark Indictor, Paul Newell, Chris King, Ronald J. Logsdon, personal letter from Jay Smith, several articles from "Electronic Games" magazine (provided by Paul Newell), article from "Creative Computing" magazine (provided by Dion Dock). ================================================================================ Send corrections, suggestions, additions, ect. to woodcock@bnr.ca -- THANX...Gregg ESN 444.7380 Cube=S1-258 Col=S30 MailStop=D0112 woodcock@bnr.ca or woodcock@nt.com or bn202@cleveland.freenet.edu "If you quote me on this I'll have to deny it; I won't remember because I have such a bad memory. Not only that, but my memory is *terrible*." + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!psgrain!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!unixg.ubc.ca!quartz.ucs.ualberta.ca!tribune.usask.ca!canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca!newsflash.concordia.ca!CC.UMontreal.CA!IRO.UMontreal.CA!clouso.crim.ca!comback!vectrex!drzob From: drzob@vectrex.login.qc.ca (Denis Solaro) Subject: Re: Is $34 a good price? Distribution: inet Message-ID: <1994May5.100002.22128@vectrex.login.qc.ca> Organization: Compjutr Syntax Error Date: Thu, 5 May 1994 10:00:02 GMT References: <940504104950.b34@MERCUR.USAO.EDU> X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Lines: 18 Bill Bradford (STUBRADFOWC@MERCUR.USAO.EDU) wrote: : I found a Vectrex in a local pawn shop, buried back in the corner : with a VIC-20. 8-) The guy wants $34 for it - is that a decent price? : It's got one joystick/controller, and one game stuck in the side. No : overlays or anything.. If it's a good price, I'll pick it up and go through : this group to find some more games... : : It looks like it's been sitting there for a year or so. It's been sitting there Years waiting for you to pick it up. Go for it, or I'll drive down there to pick it up before you. You have now 48 hours to do so... :> -- Denis Solaro -- drzob@vectrex.login.qc.ca "Winners don't use DOS.", William Csh Session, FBI. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!chpc.utexas.edu!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!crchh75b.bnr.ca!woodcock From: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: NHL 94: Is this game rigged? Date: 6 May 1994 05:48:04 GMT Organization: Bell-Northern Research; Richardson, Texas, USA Lines: 43 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2qclmk$n04@crchh327.bnr.ca> Reply-To: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) NNTP-Posting-Host: crchh75b.bnr.ca X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] [ Article crossposted from rec.games.video.sega ] [ Author was kent frechette ] [ Posted on 5 May 1994 17:36:59 GMT ] In article <28APR199409002126@lmsmgr.lerc.nasa.gov> djd7889@lmsmgr.lerc.nasa.gov (Douglas Deutsch) writes: >[justification for fighting in NHL '94 deleted] > >> >>Blood is hockey. If Sega is willing to put out the full-blood version of >>Mortal Kombat, why does EA shy away from it in the place where it REALLY >>happens.... >> > >I agree that fighting is part of hockey, and should be included in EA's NHL >'94. However, I don't think EA had much of a choice. I was under the >impression that it was the NHLPA that forced EA to remove fighting, >otherwise they weren't going to let EA use player names, team logos, etc. >I could be wrong, though. > >Doug Where exactly in the rule book does it justify fighting? By this logic we should expect fighting in all future basketball and baseball sims as well as crowd violence in future incarnations of FIFA. Fighting is not a part of the game, but it is an unfortunate side-effect of male machismo run amok. Personally I loved when the guys got nailed to the ice and blood spilled from their heads...they should put that back in and allow for flying helmets, teeth and broken sticks. Kent Frechette -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ \ The above does not represent OIT, UNC-CH, laUNChpad, or its other users. / ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- THANX...Gregg ESN 444.7380 Cube=S1-258 Col=S30 MailStop=D0112 woodcock@bnr.ca or woodcock@nt.com or bn202@cleveland.freenet.edu "If you quote me on this I'll have to deny it; I won't remember because I have such a bad memory. Not only that, but my memory is *terrible*." + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!wdao From: wdao@netcom.com (Walter DAO) Subject: Multicart Announcement. Message-ID: Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest) Date: Sat, 7 May 1994 04:29:49 GMT Lines: 9 Mark Woodward the maker of the software selectable Multicart asked me to to tell you all who ordered one : -The fixed Multicart are on the way, they have been tested on various machines and seem to work without any apparent problem. In any case, it is a very nice product. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!bushwick From: bushwick@netcom.com (Pete Rittwage) Subject: Possible Easter Egg in Berzerk! Message-ID: Summary: Blah Blah Blah... Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest) Date: Sat, 7 May 1994 22:59:39 GMT Lines: 33 I have no idea if anyone knows this or not, so pardon me if it is well known... I had read about the easter egg or rather, the way to get the programmers initials in Scramble, so I decided to try it in a few other games. Anyway, I was playing Berzerk when I thought of it, so here's what happened. I played my usual game and got up to eh, 10 minutes worth of scoring. (I'm not that great, I can't play up to the bug) So, I decided to search for eggs. I started a new game (reset) and walked immediately to the left (going into the other room) then immediately to the right (killing me) with all three men. When "Got you humanoid" appeared. I pressed all four buttons simultaneously. The initials "CMK" appeared in the bottom corner. The funny thing is I was unable to reproduce it again, so it may be that it wasn't all four buttons, or that you must have a certain score, or who knows? I tried to do the same routine again and it just immediately starts the game again instead of showing the initials. Anyway, if someone wants to pinpoint this or if they already know, let me know. It was with only one controller, pluged into the first player port, with the original Berzerk cartridge. Pete -- ########################################################## # Pete Rittwage # EMail: bushwick@netcom.com # # Atlanta, Georgia, USA ############################## # Amiga 3000/25/18M/Retina # "Is that the best you've # # Collector of 80's video # got?!" # # game "junk" # -Shao Kahn # ########################################################## + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!darwin.sura.net!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!murdoch!poe.acc.Virginia.EDU!sjb5q From: sjb5q@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Sol Joseph Bermann) Subject: Re: Is $34 a good price? Message-ID: Sender: usenet@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU Organization: uva References: <940504104950.b34@MERCUR. Distribution: inet Date: Thu, 5 May 1994 19:23:59 GMT Lines: 4 Sol Bermann -- TREAD LIGHTLY IN YOUR DREAMS THEY MIGHT COME TRUE FOR YOU TOMORROW + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.service.uci.edu!cafws2.eng.uci.edu!dan From: dan@cafws2.eng.uci.edu (Dan Harkless) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Possible Easter Egg in Berzerk! Date: 7 May 1994 23:26:37 GMT Organization: University of California, Irvine Lines: 19 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2qh83d$ngr@news.service.uci.edu> References: NNTP-Posting-Host: cafws2.eng.uci.edu Pete Rittwage writes: > >Anyway, I was playing Berzerk when I thought of it, so >here's what happened. [...] >When "Got you humanoid" appeared. I pressed >all four buttons simultaneously. The initials >"CMK" appeared in the bottom corner. The funny thing is >I was unable to reproduce it again Can't help you on how to get the egg, but why don't you ask Chris King (king@pixar.com). He wrote the game, and perhaps he'll remember what the trick was. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Dan Harkless | "The sore in my soul | | dan@cafws1.eng.uci.edu | The mark in my heart -> Front 242, | | dharkles@bonnie.ics.uci.edu | Her acid reign..." Tragedy >For You< | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!EU.net!uunet!newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail From: davidlhsl@aol.com (DavidLHsl) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Interviews for IG article Date: 7 May 1994 20:00:10 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Lines: 28 Sender: news@search01.news.aol.com Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2qha2a$lev@search01.news.aol.com> References: <1994May7.125312.2115@roper.uwyo.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: search01.news.aol.com In article <1994May7.125312.2115@roper.uwyo.edu>, almo@UWYO.EDU writes: <> During the classic era, there wasn't much RAM to play around with and there wasn't a lot of variety in the graphics and sound. So suppose you come up with a racing game. Well, you make your car out of the "blocks" available to you, mark the track with some more "blocks," and drive the car around with your joystick. Someone else wanting to program a racing game would have a nearly impossible time creating a different game, since you couldn't really add a lot of extra features or give the game a look that would make it seem different than the original. As a result, each game designer was practically forced to be creative and make something unique. Now, you can have 1000 racing games. One might have a lot of tracks, another might sport more realism, another may emphasize arcade action. In other words, you can easily copy and modify someone else's idea. As a result, most of the games today are simply the same thing we've all played in thousands of other games, and finding a game that is truly unique is indeed a sad rarity. The games of the classic era emphasized skill and point scoring. They were repetitious, but got increasingly difficult until you couldn't keep up with it. Nowadays, games are designed to be played to completion. Scoring has become irrelevant. I find that many games today sadly rely on hidden tricks, codes, and other cheats rather than honest skill. While players of the past kept practicing in order to better their own personal best scores, today's gamers get impatient and beg for hidden tricks to get them through their games. -David Hassell "Don't push the RED button!!!" + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!bnr.co.uk!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!crchh75b.bnr.ca!woodcock From: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Possible Easter Egg in Berzerk! Date: 8 May 1994 20:17:10 GMT Organization: Bell-Northern Research; Richardson, Texas, USA Lines: 25 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2qjhc6$24e@crchh327.bnr.ca> References: <2qh83d$ngr@news.service.uci.edu> Reply-To: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) NNTP-Posting-Host: crchh75b.bnr.ca X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Dan Harkless (dan@cafws2.eng.uci.edu) wrote: > >When "Got you humanoid" appeared. I pressed > >all four buttons simultaneously. The initials > >"CMK" appeared in the bottom corner. The funny thing is > >I was unable to reproduce it again > Can't help you on how to get the egg, but why don't you ask Chris King > (king@pixar.com). He wrote the game, and perhaps he'll remember what the > trick was. Please do not everybody email Chris. I was *just* talking to him about the Vectrex (he contacted me) a couple of days before I posted the latest FAQ (that is where all the new information came from) and he mentioned that he was going to be out of town on business and that he couldn't chat with me any more but that we could talk when he gets back. I think he would be *extremely* annoyed with us if when he did he had a gig of messages in his mailbox. I will discuss it with him after he gets back into town and contacts me. If this pans out, I'll add it to the FAQ (and give credit to whever it was that started this thread). -- THANX...Gregg ESN 444.7380 Cube=S1-258 Col=S30 MailStop=D0112 woodcock@bnr.ca or woodcock@nt.com or bn202@cleveland.freenet.edu "If you quote me on this I'll have to deny it; I won't remember because I have such a bad memory. Not only that, but my memory is *terrible*." + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu!ah499 From: ah499@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (John Daniels) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Multicart Announcement. Date: 9 May 1994 10:27:13 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA) Lines: 21 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2ql361$eho@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: piglet.ins.cwru.edu >Mark Woodward the maker of the software selectable Multicart asked me >to to tell you all who ordered one : > >-The fixed Multicart are on the way, they have been tested on various >machines and seem to work without any apparent problem. > >In any case, it is a very nice product. HOORAY!!! I was just thinking of sending some email this month to see how it was going. I'm sure that this is going to have been worth the wait. I wonder what the lead time is going to be on the second batch... John Daniels ah499@cleveland.freenet.edu + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!EU.net!uunet!utcsri!newsflash.concordia.ca!CC.UMontreal.CA!IRO.UMontreal.CA!clouso.crim.ca!comback!vectrex!drzob From: drzob@vectrex.login.qc.ca (Denis Solaro) Subject: Re: Is $34 a good price? Distribution: inet Message-ID: <1994May9.200557.5208@vectrex.login.qc.ca> Organization: Compjutr Syntax Error Date: Mon, 9 May 1994 20:05:57 GMT References: <940504104950.b34@MERCUR. X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Lines: 15 Sol Joseph Bermann (sjb5q@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU) wrote: : Sol Bermann : -- : TREAD LIGHTLY IN YOUR DREAMS : THEY MIGHT COME TRUE FOR YOU TOMORROW ^ | +--------------- Yes, that's exactly how I felt too.. :> -- Denis Solaro -- drzob@vectrex.login.qc.ca "Winners don't use DOS.", William Csh Session, FBI. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Wed, 11 May 94 16:30:59 EST Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!gatech!newsfeed.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!iat.holonet.net!tsf.com!gossamer From: gossamer@tsf.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: The Second Foundation BBS Message-ID: <16515OHJLKSGOSAMHMV@tsf.com> Subject: Vectrex games forsale Lines: 38 IM>I have the following carts to sell off. They include the cart, the IM>overlay and instructions (typed not originals). IM>Make me an offer. IM>Spike IM>Ripoff IM>Bezerk IM>Cleansweep IM>Cosmic Chasm IM>Cheers IM>Marc IM>---------------------------------------------------------------------------- IM> ** ** * ****** *** * | On the net, IM> ** * ** *** ** ** * * | no-one can hear you scream! IM> ** * ** *** **** ** * * IM>|------------------------------------ IM> ** * ** *** ** ** * * | email marc@comp.lancs.ac.uk IM> ** * ****** * ****** ** ** | IM>marc@computing.lancaster.ac.uk IM>---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How much each? If the price is right, I'll take Berzerk and Spike. I've got an extra copy of Star Trek I can trade, if you'd like it too. Gossamer@tsf.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Second Foundation BBS - Located at Terminus (Upstate New York) ------------------------------------------------------------------- + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Wed, 11 May 94 16:31:01 EST Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!gatech!newsfeed.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!iat.holonet.net!tsf.com!gossamer From: gossamer@tsf.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: The Second Foundation BBS Message-ID: <16517YLSYKNATCCWDYW@tsf.com> Subject: For Sale or Trade Lines: 36 Hey Folks! I've got an extra copy of "STAR TREK" for Vectrex, if anyone is interested. It's still in it's original packaging with the overlay and instructions. Will sell to the highest bidder. Also, found out while digging through my stuff that I have an --==EXTRA==-- (can you believe it) color wheel for the 3D Imager. It says on it that it's the one for use with 3D Minestorm, Narrow Escape, and Crazy Coaster. Looks like it's never been used. Will part with this, if the price is right. I am willing to trade either of the above, for any of these listed below. Blitz! Action Football Berzerk Fortress of Narzod Spike Polar Rescue Dark Tower (if it --really-- exists) If you have any of the stuff I want, or want any of the stuff I've listed above - just reply back to me. Also, If anyone has an extra (haha) overlay for Solar Quest - --==I WANT IT!!!!!==-- Let me know how much you want, and I'll take it! Thanks Gossamer@tsf.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Second Foundation BBS - Located at Terminus (Upstate New York) ------------------------------------------------------------------- + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!pic747 From: pic747@netcom.com (Patrick Canada) Subject: Serial-Vectrex Interface Message-ID: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] Date: Thu, 12 May 1994 05:25:34 GMT Lines: 4 Does anyone have information about a serial interface for the vectrex and/or any software not on cartrige media? Especially any Amiga suggestions! Thanks + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!haven.umd.edu!purdue!lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!ucbeh!admin.xu.edu!estes Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Vectrex System and Games For Sale Message-ID: <1994May11.091654.582@admin.xu.edu> From: estes@admin.xu.edu Date: 11 May 94 09:16:54 EDT Distribution: world Organization: Xavier University - Cincinnati, OH Lines: 20 I have a Vectrex Game in good condition with a good control panel. I have these games and in a few cases I have 2 copies of the same game: 1. Blitz! Action Football 2. Heads-up Action Soccer 3. Star Trek (I know I have 2 of these) 4. Spinball 5. Pole Position 6. Clean Sweep 7. Solar Quest 8. Polar Rescue 9. Spike 10. Hyper Chase (This is a bad driving game!) 11. Minestorm (Built in of course) I am willing to sell all if the price is right! Frank Estes ESTES@ADMIN.XU.EDU + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!syscube.ccs.csus.edu!sandhoff From: sandhoff@csus.edu (John F. Sandhoff) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Clarification on 3D color wheels, please Date: 12 May 1994 16:41:44 GMT Organization: California State University Sacramento Lines: 16 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2qtm88$q6r@news.csus.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: syscube.ccs.csus.edu Keywords: 3D, goggles, color wheels Originator: sandhoff@syscube.ccs.csus.edu Gossamer@tsf.com says: > ...color wheel for the 3D Imager. It says on it that it's the one for > use with 3D Minestorm, Narrow Escape, and Crazy Coaster. Okay, now I'm confused. Jeff Nelson provided .gif images of a couple of the wheels (they're in the archives at ftp.csus.edu:/pub/vectrex/goggles). According to these images, there is one wheel for 3D Mine Storm, and a *different* wheel for 3D Crazy Coaster and 3D Narrow Escape. The differences are in the color sequence and the proportion of each color. Anyone able to clarify this discrepancy? John F. Sandhoff, University Network Support California State University Sacramento - USA sandhoff@csus.edu + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.kei.com!babbage.ece.uc.edu!ucbeh!admin.xu.edu!estes Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: RE: Vectrex and an Offer. Message-ID: <1994May12.185527.589@admin.xu.edu> From: estes@admin.xu.edu Date: 12 May 94 18:55:26 EDT Distribution: world Organization: Xavier University - Cincinnati, OH Lines: 32 Keith, Here is the breakdown of what I have: Game Box Instuctions Overlay --------------- --- ----------- ------- Blitz! yes yes yes Clean Sweep yes yes yes Heads-Up yes yes (2) yes (2) HyperChase no yes yes (It is in a paper sleeve) Minestorm no yes yes (2) (In with Solar Quest Box) Polar Rescue yes yes yes Pole Position no yes yes (It is in a paper sleeve) Solar Quest yes no yes Spike no yes yes (It is in a paper sleeve) Spinball yes yes yes Star Trek yes yes (2) yes (2) Also, the Owner's Manual for the system itself. All overlays are in great shape except for Blitz which is cracked in one corner. It is still very usable. I will accept your $200 offer and you pay the shipping. Well Folks, this was my response to one interested party. If he agrees, then it is a done deal. If there are any counter offers, then you better hurry! Frank Estes ESTES@ADMIN.XU.EDU + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uknet!EU.net!uunet!dziuxsolim.rutgers.edu!er1.rutgers.edu!rcwal From: rcwal@er1.rutgers.edu (Richard Walter) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Overlays and Controller wanted! Summary: Looking for overlays and a second controller Keywords: VECTREX Message-ID: Date: 16 May 94 01:20:20 GMT Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 8 Hello, I'm looking for overlays (good condition - no rips) for all carts EXCEPT Blitz and Star Trek. I also am in need of a second controller. Thanks. - rcwal@eden.rutgers.edu + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!news.claremont.edu!kaiwan.com!not-for-mail From: lordgen@kaiwan.com (Michael Packard) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: I need carts!!! Date: 15 May 1994 21:38:19 -0700 Organization: KAIWAN Internet (310/527-4279,818/756-0180,714/741-2920) Lines: 8 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2r6tbr$mfn@kaiwan.kaiwan.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: kaiwan.kaiwan.com X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Hi, I have no carts for my poor Vectrex and have to wait until MW's next run of multicarts to get mine 8(. If anyone has an extra cart or two kicking around, I'll pay $10 each. I'd like Star trek or Pole position ideally, but any cart will do. Michael Packard lordgen@kaiwan.com + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!EU.net!uknet!cf-cm!thor.cf.ac.uk!wdrdsw From: wdrdsw@thor.cf.ac.uk (David Wooding) Subject: Screen problems Message-ID: <17284.9405160953@thor.cf.ac.uk> Sender: wooding@cf.ac.uk Organization: University of Wales College at Cardiff Distribution: inet Date: Mon, 16 May 94 10:53:44 +0100 X-Mailer: Cardiff Computing Maths PP Mail Open News Gateway Lines: 30 I found a Vectrex in a rubbish skip :-) However :-( a) the sound was extremely faint - opening it up and removing and then replacing the speaker leads fixed that. b) there is video related interference on the sound - the FAQ has fixes for this. c) the biggest problem: I don't know much about the way the screen display is handled, but it looks to me as though lines are written in a frame of two scans of the screen. The reason for this is that some of the lines of the objects in MineStorm don't meet up, and only some of the writing is on a slant. Before spending money on carts, I would like to know if the unit has had it, or whether it's easily fixable. If people want to email me, I could maintain a technical faq.....or post it on to the current faq holder. By the way, I have tried to access vect.index as the faq suggests, but the message times out, so presumably the machine is off-line....any suggestions? Cheers, David. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Mon, 16 May 94 07:01:56 EST Path: csus.edu!decwrl!get.hooked.net!news.sprintlink.net!hookup!news.kei.com!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!iat.holonet.net!ibbs.com!rabies From: rabies@ibbs.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: Infinity BBS - 714-898-3236 Message-ID: <21156CTWGDMRPQLCBAP@ibbs.com> Subject: yeh yeh yeh Vectrex Lines: 12 Hey, here's a question for whoever has the answer! When Milton Bradley took over the Vectrex, were the console's logos changed in any way? For example, mine says "Vectrex" on the left side, and GCE on the right side. Did this remain the same? (trivial question... but my enquiring mind wants to know!) rabies! bite me? no, Ill bite YOU! + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!crcnis1.unl.edu!ace.mid.net!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!falcon.ccs.uwo.ca!gaul.csd.uwo.ca!magundi From: magundi@gaul.csd.uwo.ca (john macdonald) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.video.classic,rec.games.video.marketplace,rec.games.video.arcade,rec.games.video.misc,alt.games.video.classic,misc.forsale Subject: Vectrex cartridges for sale or trade Date: 16 May 1994 15:53:06 GMT Organization: Computer Science Dept., Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Canada Lines: 76 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2r84t2$94d@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: asterix.gaul.csd.uwo.ca Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1704 rec.games.video.classic:6988 rec.games.video.marketplace:9991 rec.games.video.arcade:38321 rec.games.video.misc:16621 alt.games.video.classic:4395 misc.forsale:113171 I have these vectrex cartridges for sale. All are brand new in boxes with overlays and instructions. Armor..Attack $15 Berzerk $12 Blitz! $12 Clean Sweep $15 Cosmic Chasm $12 Rip Off $25 Scramble $12 Star Trek $12 I also have a few cartridges that are used, without overlays or manuals. Armor..Attack $6 Berzerk $6 Blitz $6 Clean Sweep $6 $4 damaged label Cosmic Chasm $6 Hyperchase $6 Star Trek $6 Solar Quest $10 Rip Off $15 w/ overlay in poor condition Shipping ( Post Office ) includes insurance. 1-2 $5 3+ $6 I am open to trades of all kinds. I am currently looking for the following vectrex stuff Space Wars manual, overlay, box Star Castle overlay Heads up soccer everything Bedlam box in perfect condition Melody Master box in perfect condition Web Warp box ( not web wars ) 3D Narrow box 3D Crazy manual, box 3D minestorm manual, box, cart 3D imager box Polar Rescue everything Multi cartridge Joystick I am also interested in amiga, mac and ibm hard/software as trades 1.4M internal or external Mac Drive 2" 1M floppies SIMM's ( 1 meg x 9, 4 meg x8 or 9) SIMM's 72 pin Amiga 2.04 ROM and manual, ECS Denise, 2.0 RKM's, amax hardware Amiga cards of all kinds Amiga software. Not interested in games. Music software in particular. MAC music software, midi interface Hard drives 3.5" SCSI john macdonald magundi@uwo.ca (519) 432-9697 feel free to leave a message on the machine, but I can't really afford to call back long distance. PS If you responded to a previous posting in the last few months and did not get a reply it was mostly like due to account and mail problems. Sorry. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!decwrl!parc!biosci!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!news.moneng.mei.com!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!falcon.ccs.uwo.ca!gaul.csd.uwo.ca!magundi From: magundi@gaul.csd.uwo.ca (john macdonald) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.video.classic,rec.games.video.marketplace,rec.games.video.arcade,rec.games.video.misc,alt.games.video.classic,misc.forsale Subject: Vectrex cartridges for sale or trade Supersedes: <2r84t2$94d@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca> Date: 16 May 1994 21:00:11 GMT Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Lines: 74 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2r8msr$h02@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: asterix.gaul.csd.uwo.ca Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1705 rec.games.video.classic:7000 rec.games.video.marketplace:10005 rec.games.video.arcade:38333 rec.games.video.misc:16625 alt.games.video.classic:4401 misc.forsale:113236 I have these vectrex cartridges for sale. All are brand new in boxes with overlays and instructions. Armor..Attack $15 Berzerk $12 Blitz! $12 Cosmic Chasm $12 Rip Off $35 Scramble $12 Star Trek $12 I also have a few cartridges that are used, without overlays or manuals. Armor..Attack $6 Blitz $6 Clean Sweep $6 $4 damaged label Cosmic Chasm $6 Hyperchase $6 Star Trek $6 Scramble $6 Solar Quest $10 Shipping ( Post Office ) includes insurance. 1-2 $5 3+ $6 I am open to trades of all kinds. I am currently looking for the following vectrex stuff Space Wars manual, overlay, box Star Castle overlay Heads up soccer everything Bedlam box in perfect condition Melody Master box in perfect condition Web Warp box ( not web wars ) 3D Narrow box 3D Crazy manual, box 3D minestorm manual, box, cart 3D imager box Polar Rescue everything Multi cartridge Joystick I am also interested in amiga, mac and ibm hard/software as trades 1.4M internal or external Mac Drive 2" 1M floppies SIMM's ( 1 meg x 9, 4 meg x8 or 9) SIMM's 72 pin Amiga 2.04 ROM and manual, ECS Denise, 2.0 RKM's, amax hardware Amiga cards of all kinds Amiga software. Not interested in games. Music software in particular. MAC music software, midi interface Hard drives 3.5" SCSI john macdonald magundi@uwo.ca (519) 432-9697 feel free to leave a message on the machine, but I can't really afford to call back long distance. PS If you responded to a previous posting in the last few months and did not get a reply it was mostly like due to account and mail problems. Sorry. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!news.unb.ca!UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA From: BURNS J Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Vectrex & Carts.. Want it? Date: 16 MAY 94 20:18:10 AST Organization: The University of New Brunswick Lines: 44 Sender: usenet@UNB.CA Distribution: inet Message-ID: <16MAY94.21927202.0031@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA> NNTP-Posting-Host: unbvm1.csd.unb.ca For Sale! To The Highest Bidder! --------------------------------- (Will take bids on individual items, but would prefer to sell everything together) (This was posted about 2 months ago, Sorry I didn't have time to follow-up. School is over now, I have LOTS of time) The following is being offered For Sale; 3000-C1 Vectrex Arcade System Serial # 1015195 All documentation included... Manual, Warranty Registration Card Overlay for Mine Storm Game. In VERY GOOD (mint) condition. HP-3050 Control Panel EXTRA Controller - NEW in the box. Games - All NEW/MINT in boxes with overlays & documentation. HS-4010 Armor...Attack HS-4020 Berzerk HS-4120 Blitz! HS-4030 Clean Sweep HS-4050 Cosmic Chasm HS-4040 Hyperchase HS-4060 Rip Off HS-4070 Scramble HS-4080 Solar Quest HS-4100 Star Hawk HS-4110 Star Trek That's it! The System, Extra Controller & 11 Games. Send FAIR offers to my E-Mail Address for part of or the entire lot. Like I said earlier, I prefer to sell together. I'll let this go till the end of the month, with updates every few days. J. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!spool.mu.edu!torn!falcon.ccs.uwo.ca!gaul.csd.uwo.ca!magundi From: magundi@gaul.csd.uwo.ca (john macdonald) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.video.classic,rec.games.video.marketplace,rec.games.video.arcade,rec.games.video.misc,alt.games.video.classic,misc.forsale Subject: Vectrex Light Pen & ArtMaster Cartridge Date: 17 May 1994 05:27:30 GMT Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Lines: 27 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2r9kk2$hsg@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: asterix.gaul.csd.uwo.ca Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1707 rec.games.video.classic:7014 rec.games.video.marketplace:10021 rec.games.video.arcade:38358 rec.games.video.misc:16630 alt.games.video.classic:4406 misc.forsale:113309 Vectrex Light Pen and ArtMaster cartridge and Manual for sale or trade. I do not have the box for this. I haven't decided on a firm price for this but I know of one that went for $100 on the net recently. I would prefer to trade for vectrex stuff that I do not have. Please see my vectrex cartridge for sale or trade post for the vectrex stuff I am looking for. I will consider trades for Mac/IBM/Amiga hardware. Feel free to make an offer. John MacDonald magundi@Uwo.ca (519) 432-9697 john macdonald magundi@uwo.ca (519) 432-9697 + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!falcon.ccs.uwo.ca!gaul.csd.uwo.ca!magundi From: magundi@gaul.csd.uwo.ca (john macdonald) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.video.classic,rec.games.video.marketplace,rec.games.video.arcade,rec.games.video.misc,alt.games.video.classic,misc.forsale Subject: Vectrex Light Pen & ArtMaster Cartridge Supersedes: <2r9l2e$i2i@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca> Date: 17 May 1994 05:36:02 GMT Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Lines: 28 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2r9l42$i2o@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: asterix.gaul.csd.uwo.ca Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1708 rec.games.video.classic:7015 rec.games.video.marketplace:10022 rec.games.video.arcade:38359 rec.games.video.misc:16632 alt.games.video.classic:4407 misc.forsale:113310 Vectrex Light Pen and ArtMaster cartridge and Manual for sale or trade. I do not have the box for this. I haven't decided on a firm price for this but I know of one that went for $100 on the net recently. I would prefer to trade for vectrex stuff that I do not have. Please see my vectrex cartridge for sale or trade post for the vectrex stuff I am looking for. I will consider trades for Mac/IBM/Amiga hardware and mac music software. I am also looking for musical instruments and Midi equipment. I am also looking for vinyl by Don Shirley. This could be your lucky day. Go down to your local used record store and get me a bunch of Don Shirley records for a couple of bucks each and I will gladly trade you the light pen. ( jazz section 1957-1972 ) Feel free to make an offer. john macdonald magundi@uwo.ca (519) 432-9697 + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!ns.mcs.kent.edu!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!ucbeh!admin.xu.edu!estes Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: RE: Vectrex For Sale - SOLD! Message-ID: <1994May16.162747.613@admin.xu.edu> From: estes@admin.xu.edu Date: 16 May 94 16:27:47 EDT Distribution: world Organization: Xavier University - Cincinnati, OH Lines: 7 Sorry all, My Vectex unit and all my games have been sold to Keith in CA. Thanks anyway, Frank + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!bwright From: bwright@netcom.com (Bruce Wright) Subject: Looking to buy Message-ID: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] Date: Wed, 18 May 1994 18:08:07 GMT Lines: 5 I'm looking to buy a Vectrex system, where can I go, and what's a fair price? I live in L.A> Bruce + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Wed, 18 May 94 19:03:18 EST Path: csus.edu!wupost!darwin.sura.net!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!trane.uninett.no!eunet.no!nuug!EU.net!uunet!iat.holonet.net!tsf.com!gossamer From: gossamer@tsf.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: The Second Foundation BBS Message-ID: <024906DPPYBPHICXKMDA@tsf.com> Subject: Clarification on 3D color Lines: 30 IS>Gossamer@tsf.com says: IS>> ...color wheel for the 3D Imager. It says on it that it's the one for IS>> use with 3D Minestorm, Narrow Escape, and Crazy Coaster. IS>Okay, now I'm confused. Jeff Nelson provided .gif images of a couple of IS>the wheels (they're in the archives at ftp.csus.edu:/pub/vectrex/goggles). IS>According to these images, there is one wheel for 3D Mine Storm, and a IS>*different* wheel for 3D Crazy Coaster and 3D Narrow Escape. The differences IS>are in the color sequence and the proportion of each color. IS>Anyone able to clarify this discrepancy? Yeah - I can. I goofed. There --ARE-- two different wheels, and the extra one I have is for NE & CC. Ever since I posted that message, people have been filling my mail box with "THAT CAN'T BE" letters..... I'm sorry folks - I screwed up..... Gossamer@tsf.com --- þ OLX 2.1 þ This tagline stolen by Off-Line Xpress! ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Second Foundation BBS - Located at Terminus (Upstate New York) ------------------------------------------------------------------- + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Wed, 18 May 94 21:55:08 EST Path: csus.edu!wupost!uwm.edu!daffy!uwvax!uchinews!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news.cac.psu.edu!news.pop.psu.edu!psuvax1!news.cc.swarthmore.edu!netnews.upenn.edu!iat.holonet.net!ibbs.com!leper From: leper@ibbs.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: Infinity BBS - 714-898-3236 Message-ID: <014596PMFEROMEVLCRKN@ibbs.com> Subject: God... Lines: 4 I remember when I had a Vectrex. I wish I had never sold that thing, it was a great little machine. Electronic games were so much fun those days + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!umbc2.umbc.edu!noel From: noel@umbc2.umbc.edu (NOEL TOMINACK, ACS 24-HOUR LAB) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: RE: God... Date: 20 MAY 94 07:04:46 GMT Organization: University of Maryland Baltimore County Lines: 17 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <20MAY94.07044635@umbc2.umbc.edu> References: <014596PMFEROMEVLCRKN@ibbs.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: umbc2.umbc.edu In a previous article, leper@ibbs.com wrote: > >I remember when I had a Vectrex. >I wish I had never sold that thing, it was a great little machine. >Electronic games were so much fun those days [Doing my Wayne Campbell impression] "Garth, that was a Haiku" __________________________________________ * Noel J. Tominack (noel@umbc2.umbc.edu) | * University of Maryland Baltimore County | * All opinions are mine mine mine! | * ________________________________________| + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!psgrain!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!unixg.ubc.ca!quartz.ucs.ualberta.ca!tribune.usask.ca!canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca!yoshida From: yoshida@access.mbnet.mb.ca (Blair Yoshida) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: controllers Date: 20 May 1994 13:04:06 GMT Organization: The University of Manitoba Lines: 6 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2ricg6$2og@canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: access.mbnet.mb.ca Summary: how to open controller Keywords: joystick This probably a fairly common question, but how do you open a controller without mutilating the case? Are there some hidden screws or snaps that I need to get at? Blair + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!cis.ksu.edu!mac From: mac@cis.ksu.edu (Myron A. Calhoun) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: controllers Date: 20 May 94 18:59:00 GMT Organization: Kansas State University Lines: 18 Distribution: inet Message-ID: References: <2ricg6$2og@canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: depot.cis.ksu.edu Keywords: joystick X-Newsreader: NN version 6.5.0 #5 (NOV) yoshida@access.mbnet.mb.ca (Blair Yoshida) writes: >This probably a fairly common question, but how do you open a controller >without mutilating the case? Are there some hidden screws or snaps that I >need to get at? Yes. But I don't remember where! Was it under the feet or under some laber(s) that is(are) glued-on? --Myron. -- # Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, jury, witness, and cartridge. # Myron A. Calhoun, PhD EE; Assoc. Professor (913) 539-4448 home # INTERNET: mac@cis.ksu.edu 532-6350 work, 532-7353 fax # UUCP: ...rutgers!depot!mac Packet radio: W0PBV@N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Sat, 21 May 94 01:17:08 EST Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!iat.holonet.net!ibbs.com!rabies From: rabies@ibbs.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: Infinity BBS - 714-898-3236 Message-ID: <026284AFWJWSHDEOSUKQ@ibbs.com> Subject: Looking to buy Lines: 42 IB>I'm looking to buy a Vectrex system, where can I go, and what's IB>a fair price? I live in L.A> IB>Bruce Doesn't look like anyone else is answering yer questions so I'll try my best, though I'm sure I don't quite know enough to be 100% accurate. The only way *I* see you could get a Vectrex is to visit every thrift/2nd hand goods store you can find, as well as swapmeets. And as you can guess, this method might take a long time before a Vectrex finally pops up. I myself, in all my swapmeet/ thrift store searches found only 1. (then again, I don't go early enough. You have to go to swapmeets very early if you want to be the one to get the rare goods!) This one i found I did not buy because the price tag was too high. You will encounter two types of people; A. the ones who think the Vectrex is just another old piece of obsolete electronics, and B. the ones who KNOW it's rare and will try to milk you for all they can! The one person selling one at a swapmeet wanted MORE than $125. This was for a Vectrex and about 5 games (no overlays). I fought my temptations and instead tried asking everyone I could think of (friends, acquaintances) if they owned one. I was lucky and found one person who had one stored in a closet since the mid 80's. I offered 50$ for the unit and 6 games WITH overlays. I know people who have found some at swapmeets for 20$, which is a VERY reasonable price. This should probably be yer first bid, then up it if they don't seem willing to part with it at that price. Just remember, if you REALLY want one you will have to persist! Rabies ps: Im surprised by the lack of activity in this forum!? I expected it to be busier! + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!netline-fddi.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!news.claremont.edu!kaiwan.com!not-for-mail From: lordgen@kaiwan.com (Michael Packard) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Looking to buy Date: 21 May 1994 13:06:46 -0700 Organization: KAIWAN Internet (310/527-4279,818/756-0180,714/741-2920) Lines: 31 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2rlpkm$b3d@kaiwan.kaiwan.com> References: <026284AFWJWSHDEOSUKQ@ibbs.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: kaiwan.kaiwan.com X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] rabies@ibbs.com wrote: : IB>I'm looking to buy a Vectrex system, where can I go, and what's : IB>a fair price? I live in L.A> : IB>Bruce : Doesn't look like anyone else is answering yer questions so I'll try my : best, though I'm sure I don't quite know enough to be 100% accurate. : The only way *I* see you could get a Vectrex is to visit every : thrift/2nd hand goods store you can find, as well as swapmeets. And as : you can guess, this method might take a long time before a Vectrex : finally pops up. : unit and 6 games WITH overlays. : I know people who have found some at swapmeets for 20$, which is a VERY : reasonable price. This should probably be yer first bid, then up it if : they don't seem willing to part with it at that price. : Just remember, if you REALLY want one you will have to persist! : Rabies I got mine at a swap meet for $10! (no carts 1 controller) I was Looking for one (my only reason to go to the swapmeets) for almost 2 years! Good deal though...now If I can just get that multicart... + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu!xx125 From: xx125@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Video Game Sig) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: CLEVELAND FREENET VIDEO GAME SIG! Date: 24 May 1994 03:09:57 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA) Lines: 52 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2rrr65$5up@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> Reply-To: xx125@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Video Game Sig) NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu ********************************* CLEVELAND FREENET VIDEO GAME SIG! ********************************* WHAT: A special interest group dedicated to -every- aspect of the video game industry. -Nintendo -Sega -Atari -MultiMedia Systems (3DO, CD-I) -Computer Games -Arcade Games -Classic Game Systems -Pinball Machines -PLUS OTHER STUFF (Turbo-Grafx, Neo Geo...) General discussion, Questions & Answers, Game Reviews, Game Tips, ALL the USENET video game groups organized -with- the SIG-only areas, and MORE soon to come! WHERE: On Cleveland Freenet...the largest and best FREE community computer system in the world! Over 200 users online at one time. Approx. 130,000 registered users. Dozens of other special interest groups. Users from all over the world. HOW: Simply telnet to: freenet-in-a freenet-in-b freenet-in-c Log on as a guest and read all you like. Apply for a free account and start posting to one of the most comprehensive electronic video game forums found anywhere! WHEN: NOW! We need -you- to help us grow! We need new users to boost the action on the SIG. We are always looking for game experts to help run and create new areas! -- --------/ The Cleveland Freenet Video Game SIG [xx125] \-------- =======] SIG-OPS: [======= =======] (Bob Nekic - aa561) [======= =======] (Nick Poulos - aa792) [======= + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Tue, 24 May 94 01:17:09 EST Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!iat.holonet.net!ibbs.com!rabies From: rabies@ibbs.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: Infinity BBS - 714-898-3236 Message-ID: <029227IOXEBPIMOOUONK@ibbs.com> Subject: #D Imager Lines: 26 err 3D imager! I've never seen one of these devices. I assumed that they must be yer basic LCD "shutter" type goggles, but I keep hearing about color wheels!? What are these wheels. How do they work? I'm imagining here a pair of goggles with little motor s whirring and spinning the disks. Sounds primitive!! HOw are they really? and don't they break down easily? Does the 3D effect work without the color wheels? Lastly, I would imagine that flickering must probably be doubled when using the 3D imager (or even tripled, based on how I assume the color wheels work).?! WOODCOCK---> Your FAQ states that Sega 3D imagers can MAYBE be converted for Vectrex YET no where in the FAQ have you addressed this! LORDGEN--> I predict you may be getting mail from a "SKELLY" soon. That is if he sees your previous message. He's got multicarts! ok out... rabies + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!decwrl!ames!lll-winken.llnl.gov!uwm.edu!cs.uwp.edu!cs.uwp.edu!not-for-mail From: bilotta@cs.uwp.edu (Frank Bilotta) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: quotes, anyone? Date: 24 May 1994 14:40:02 -0500 Organization: University of Wisconsin - Parkside Lines: 18 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2rtl6i$cj3@cs.uwp.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.uwp.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] a local radio station's morning show has a trivia game called "you cant win!" the premise is simple. there are a total of five questions, each one being asked until it is guessed and then they move on. the problem is that they only have one contestant per day, and they have been stuck on question #2 now for over a month. i want to know if anyone has the answer to this question: who said, "for excercise, i wind my watch." these clues are known: 1) the answer has an "x" in the name. 2) the person who said it is not in show biz or sports (it is not, for example: groucho marx, red foxx, malcom x, or jimmie foxx. people have been answering the same ones over and over!) i know this sounds simple, but i have been unable to find it in any book. any help would be appreciated. frank + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!news.duke.edu!solaris.cc.vt.edu!news.ans.net!news.nynexst.com!troyer From: troyer@nynexst.com (Tom Royer) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Anyone used Vectrex monitor with arcade XY game? Date: 25 May 1994 17:28:36 GMT Organization: NYNEX Science & Technology Center Lines: 12 Distribution: world Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: finmark.nynexst.com Hello, Has anyone used the Vectrex monitor as the display for an arcade XY game (like Asteroids or the like)? For that matter, has anyone put the guts of the Vectrex into an Asteroids cabinet? I have a few project ideas that could benefit from such a combo, and would love to hear the technical details from anyone who might have done this before. Thanks, -Tom Royer troyer@nynexst.com + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!news.unb.ca!UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA From: BURNS J Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Vectrex System - Update (FINALLY!) Date: 25 MAY 94 18:21:55 AST Organization: The University of New Brunswick Lines: 31 Sender: usenet@UNB.CA Distribution: inet Message-ID: <25MAY94.19834783.0060@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA> NNTP-Posting-Host: unbvm1.csd.unb.ca Here are the bids on the Vectrex system I posted on May 16th... zbytes@interacess $ 100.00 yau@husc $ 50.00 keith@tcs $ 25.00 (Star Hawk Cartridge ONLY) ty@clark $ 220.00 dillera@cygnus $ 170.00 I have your complete addresses but only posted bart of it for privacy. I have received some trade offers of SIMMs, Amiga System, other video game hardware, etc. I'm waiting for more details on some of these offers. My original posting should still be on most systems... If you're interested in buying a great Vectrex system, go back and read it! I plan to wrap this up at the end of the month. Get your bids in! J. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!crchh75b.bnr.ca!woodcock From: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: #D Imager Date: 26 May 1994 01:47:37 GMT Organization: Bell-Northern Research; Richardson, Texas, USA Lines: 51 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2s0v3p$647@crchh327.bnr.ca> References: <029227IOXEBPIMOOUONK@ibbs.com> Reply-To: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) NNTP-Posting-Host: crchh75b.bnr.ca X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] rabies@ibbs.com wrote: > I've never seen one of these devices. I assumed that they must be yer > basic LCD "shutter" type goggles, but I keep hearing about color > wheels!? What are these wheels. How do they work? I'm imagining here a > pair of goggles with little motor s whirring and spinning the disks. > Sounds primitive!! HOw are they really? and don't they break down > easily? Instead of a physical shutter, there is a color wheel which is is black for a 180 degrees and the other 180 degrees is split into colored sectors. This will obviously keep 1 eye "blind" while the other eye is seeing. On top of that, by drawing certain objects when certain sectors are in front of the viewing eye, you can have true color! I have never seen one that was broken other than from deliberate canablization or carelessness (frayed cord). > Does the 3D effect work without the color wheels? Absolutely not; you see a blurry or double image of every object. In fact, the 3D games will not even run if they do not detect that the 3D unit is plugged in; the games just hang (a warning would have been nice :). > Lastly, I would imagine that flickering must probably be doubled when > using the 3D imager (or even tripled, based on how I assume the color > wheels work).?! Actually, I find the flicker to be completely gone (i.e. better) on the 3D games. I also *very* much enjoy the color. The bad news is that the 3D effect is not very good. While the color synching is *PERFECT*, the 3D effect is very poor. Objects that are too divergent (far away) are not perceived properly and the 3D effect is pretty much useless. It doesn't help much that only Narrow Escape uses the 3D effect to add to the game (in the other 2 games it is an annoying distraction). > WOODCOCK---> Your FAQ states that Sega 3D imagers can MAYBE be converted > for Vectrex YET no where in the FAQ have you addressed this! Ack! I have been trying (not too hard) to find the Sega 3D glasses and have yet to get my hands on a pair! When I do, I will add some new stuff. For now, I am relying on 3rd party reports that it might be possible. To tell you the truth, the 3D glasses are EXTREMELY primitive and would not be difficult to clone (certainly easier than the wheels would be). -- THANX...Gregg day 214.684.7380 night UNLIST/PUBL TEXAS NOT CANADA! woodcock@bnr.ca or woodcock@nt.com or bn202@cleveland.freenet.edu *CLASSIC VIDEOGAME COLLECTOR BUY/SELL/TRADE PRE-NINTENDO (ARCADE/HOME)* "If you quote me on this I'll have to deny it; I won't remember because I have such a bad memory. Not only that, but my memory is *terrible*." + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail From: kevinp@Vdospk.COM (Kevin Phillips) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: cartirdges & misc. Date: 25 May 1994 21:04:00 -0500 Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway Lines: 15 Sender: nobody@cs.utexas.edu Distribution: inet Message-ID: <9405260204.AA02356@ubd1.Vdospk.COM> NNTP-Posting-Host: news.cs.utexas.edu Well, I just got me a Vectrex. It came with only 2 cartridges though! I want more.. more.. more.. Say, is there a Vectrex version of Star Castle? I know there is a Rip-Off, and I really would like that one. If anyone has any Vectrex carts. or other misc stuff for sale, like goggles overlays, etc.. please mail me. kevinp@vdospk.com Kevin Phillips + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Date: Thu, 26 May 94 07:34:25 EST Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!pipex!uknet!EU.net!uunet!iat.holonet.net!tsf.com!gossamer From: gossamer@tsf.com Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Organization: The Second Foundation BBS Message-ID: <030399MKQEVIEJOEDHRR@tsf.com> Subject: God... Lines: 27 IL>I remember when I had a Vectrex. IL>I wish I had never sold that thing, it was a great little machine. IL>Electronic games were so much fun those days Vectrex is --==STILL==-- fun! I keep mine on my desk at work in my office. Granted, I run a movie theater and there isn't much to do while the movies are going. I could play STAR CASTLE all day..... I like Solar Quest too, but that's because I used to own a full sized arcade version of it by Cinematronics. What is everone else's favorite games?? Gossamer@tsf.com --- þ OLX 2.1 þ --T-A+G-L-I+N-E--+M-E-A+S-U-R+I-N-G+--G-A+U-G-E-- ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Second Foundation BBS - Located at Terminus (Upstate New York) ------------------------------------------------------------------- + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail From: kevinp@Vdospk.COM (Kevin Phillips) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: --> CARTS. WANTED !! <-- Date: 26 May 1994 19:04:28 -0500 Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway Lines: 7 Sender: nobody@cs.utexas.edu Distribution: inet Message-ID: <9405270004.AA18652@ubd1.Vdospk.COM> NNTP-Posting-Host: news.cs.utexas.edu I sure would like come into posession of Rip Off, Star Castle, Space War, and Armor Attack. Anyone help? Thanks + - - - - End of Archive File - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +