Talk:J.K. Greye Software

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[edit] The Sinclair Programs viewer ftp ref

I was unable to read it --- apparently the daily quota of the WoS kicked in after several pages click-throughs in the embedded page GUI. (I was going to extract the necessery info to a proper {{cite journal}} or maybe {{Web reference}} along with a Harvard reference/note pair :-( ). If you succeed ahead of me, please put a note near the reference mentioning the d/l quota. --BACbKA 21:36, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

I was not aware that there is a DL quota. The only reference I've found is this on [1], which does not state the exact amount. I have never experienced this though, and I have DL quite a lot. :) --Frodet 21:57, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

Luckily, today it works again for me. Thanks for exacting the link! --BACbKA 19:48, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] List of releases by Tape Number?

Is it worth mentioning J.K. Greye released their games by tape number?
Tape 1.
10 games for 1k zx81 (no details for the games?)
Tape 2.
Starfighter, Pyramid, Artist for 16k
Tape 3.
Catacombs for 16k (this was an excellent game for it's time, the randomly generated mazes perhaps influenced the mazes in 3d monster maze?)
Tape 4.
3D Monster maze for 16k
Tape 5.
3D Defender for 16k
Tape 6.
Breakout for 1k

I don't think they released anything after this? 3D defender had probably the best (non-hi res) graphics for the ZX81, and definitely advanced on the 3d monster maze graphics, the speed effect from travelling over the planet was great.
Was breakout a final afterthought? it seems strange to release a basic arcade ripoff for 1k after 3 great 16k games in a row. born against 13:41, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

This might be notable info for this article. Perhaps in a nice table format with the tape numbers? Where does one learn the tape numbers from? I didn't see these on the WoS softography page. --BACbKA 13:55, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

P.S. I didn't answer the other questions out of the lack of knowledge :-) --BACbKA 13:56, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/magazines/SinclairPrograms/Issue8303/Pages/SinclairPrograms830300004.jpg
From this advert, the releases are shown as 'Gamestape 5' etc, and the images i've seen of the cassette inlays clearly show that each tape had a 'Gamestape x' label
http://m.m.nu/nostalgi/zx81u-5.jpg
The company was probably trying to create some kind of brand awareness and customer loyalty, the cassette inlays all seemed to use a similar layout and logo.
born against 14:06, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

Regarding your suggestion the randomly generated mazes perhaps influenced the mazes in 3d monster maze?, I think this is unlikely, as the sources we cite over at the 3DMAZE claim that 3D Monster Maze was developed by Malcolm Evans alone, and that he had it published via the JKGS only once it was working. --BACbKA 15:48, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Release Dates

I'm not sure if this could ever be cleared up, but sometimes 3DMM is shown as released in 1981, sometimes 1982. I have a feeling it was 1982 myself, it would have been an incredible programming achievment to code 3DMM - as well as 3 other 'Gamestapes' between the release of the zx81 in 1981 and the end of the year. The Sinclair Programs advert is from March 1983, and I'd be surprised if they'd still be advertising a game from 1981 by then? If only my memory was better!

On investigation - it looks like simply awesome coding! - 1981 on the cassette itself! http://www.rosemeyer.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/1981.JPG

It also looks like they spent quite sometime coding 3D defender after 3DMM. This review is from August 1982. http://www.sincuser.f9.co.uk/005/softwre.htm

born against 14:16, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

It's indeed an amazing achievement, although AFAIU it's by different programmers. Malcolm Evans wasn't involved with the JKGS coding before the 3DMAZE... --BACbKA 15:50, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

ah oh course, i'd somehow got it into my head that they were all coded by the same person, haha. all very interesting! born against 17:25, 17 February 2006 (UTC)