[{"TitleName":"HardBall!","Publisher":"Advance Software Promotions Ltd","Author":"Bob Whitehead, Sean Pearce","YearOfRelease":"1986","ZxDbId":"0002236","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 34, Nov 1986","Price":"£1","ReleaseDate":"1986-10-23","Editor":"Graeme Kidd","TotalPages":164,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Publishers: Roger Kean, Oliver Frey, Franco Frey\r\nPublishing Executive/Editor: Graeme Kidd\r\nStaff Writers: Lee Paddon, Lloyd Mangram, Hannah Smith\r\nAdventure Editor: Derek Brewster\r\nStrategy Editor: Sean Masterson\r\nTech Tipster: Simon Goodwin\r\nContributing Writers: Jon Bates, Brendon Kavanagh, Rosetta McLeod, John Minson\r\nProduction Controller: David Western\r\nArt Director: Dick Shiner\r\nIllustrators: Ian Craig, Oliver Frey\r\nProduction: Gordon Druce, Tony Lorton, Cameron Pound, Jonathan Rignall, Matthew Uffindell\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Roger Bennett\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Nick Wild\r\nSubscriptions: Denise Roberts\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\nEditorial and Production: [redacted]\r\n\r\nMail Order and Subscriptions: [redacted]\r\n\r\nADVERTISING\r\nBookings [redacted]\r\n\r\nPrinted in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistributed by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\n©1986 Newsfield Limited\r\n\r\nCRASH ABC FIGURE:\r\n101,483 Total\r\n97,992 UK and EIRE"},"MainText":"Producer: Advance Software Promotions\r\nRetail Price: £8.95\r\nAuthor: Sean Pearce\r\n\r\nWell, golly gee, it's good to see all you folks out there in limey land taking to our fabulous game of baseball. After all, this cricket you play - what kinda game is that, for gosh sakes? A bunch of guys standing around in white pants all day - or some times for a whole week. You're never going to get peak time programming to swallow that.\r\n\r\nSo now you'll all be wanting to know how to play this li'l ol' game. Well, first, the manager picks the squad. Nine guys are out on the ball park, and another 16 are back on the bench. You get plenty of dope on the guys in the team. The list gives you their normal fielding position, which way they bat, and their averages. A lot of these guys got silly names - like there's some guy called Einstein, and this guy Asimov, whoever he is.\r\n\r\nOnce you've sorted your line up, it's out to the ball park, to face either the computer or a buddy. The screen shows just the pitcher, hitter, backstop and umpire, with a small insert showing which bases are occupied.\r\n\r\nMost of the control in this game is accomplished by moving the joystick and pressing fire. At most stages, there are four possible choices. If you're pitching, then you've got to choose what kind of ball to pitch. There are four choices available out of eight types - and the choice depends on the pitcher you've got. Red hot guys get nifty balls like Fastball!, or a real Joe Demaggio type can throw a curve that'll really blow the batter's mind. Then there's a further choice of whereabouts the ball is aimed: up, down, left, right and centre. Then the pitcher winds up and throws.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, down at the plate, the batter has picked his shot and chooses his moment to strike at the ball. If he misses, then the backstop moves to catch the ball, and the umpire delivers his verdict: was the ball a strike? A hitter gets three strikes in which to hit the ball, after that he's out. If the pitcher throws four balls (what you cricket, types would call a no ball, I guess), the hitter gets to walk to first base.\r\n\r\nIf the hitter connects, the game moves to a view of the whole pitch, with the ball bouncing harmlessly out of bounds, or straight into the arms of a fielder, or, as you hope, streaking for the boundary. Then the fielders have to collect the ball and get it back to the bases. During this time, the fielding player gets to move the fielders around and choose where the ball gets thrown, again by using a menu and moving the joystick and pressing fire. The hitter from a menu to stay where he is, or run on to the next base.\r\n\r\nOne or two players can participate in Hardball. After three men are out, the teams change over. After both sides have been in nine times, the match is over. Each time a man gets round the bases, a point is scored. If the scores are level after nine innings, the game continues until one side wins.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: definable\r\nJoystick: Kempston, Cursor, Interface 2\r\nKeyboard play: responsive\r\nUse of colour: better than average\r\nGraphics: technically accomplished\r\nSound: spot effects and tune\r\nSkill levels: one\r\nScreens: two","ReviewerComments":["This game has some of the slickest presentation I've ever seen on a Spectrum. The animation on the pitching screen is really nice, coupled with the use of some very pretty shading. And all through the game, there are plenty of decisions to keep your Interest up. Only two things mar an otherwise neat game: it's really hard to play, and it hangs around too long on the fielding screen. That coupled with the fact that I don't find baseball the world's most exciting game make this one a near miss for me, although I can see that a lot of hard work went into making it this good.\r\r\nUnknown","It's strange to see yet another Baseball simulation on the Speccy as it is a sport that has a relatively small following in the UK. This is more pleasing to play than IMAGINE's International Baseball as it has captured more of the spirit of the game. The graphics are a bit of a mixed bag. The pitching screen is very well drawn, there are some nice large characters and lots of colour. The playing field, however, leaves a little to be desired. The sound is adequate but not brilliant, the effects are fairly extensive but the tune is poor. The only thing that I really disliked about Hardball is that it takes a lot of practice to get anywhere, though once you do, it becomes very addictive and playable too.\r\r\nUnknown","With my limited knowledge of baseball and the fact I find the sport rather tedious to watch, I entered this game with a certain air of scepticism. To my surprise, I totally enjoyed playing it and as far as I can tell it covered all aspects of the sport, with the bonus of being able to change players as required. The graphics and animation of the pitcher and the batter are superb, some of the best I've seen on the Spectrum. I preferred pitching as I found I could do no end of fastballs and curves. On the other hand, I could never hit the ball when batting. All in all, a very impressive baseball simulation and I'm sure it will do wonders for promoting the sport.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: A good simulation of a minority sport.","Page":"32","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Every pitcher tells a story. Strike three, and the batter's out."},{"Text":"The ball's streaking towards the boundary, none of the bases are covered, and Casey's trying for a home run."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"78%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"83%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"84%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 67, Aug 1989","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1989-07-27","Editor":"Oliver Frey","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Oliver Frey\r\nFeatures Editor: Richard Eddy\r\nEditorial Assistants: Viv Vickress, Caroline Blake\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Nick Roberts, Mike 'Skippy' Dunn, Robin Hogg\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION DEPARTMENT\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics Supervisor: Matthew Uffindell (Supervisor), Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Robert (the Rev) Hamilton, Jenny Reddard\r\n\r\nDESIGN\r\nRoger Kean, Mark Kendrick, Melvin Fisher\r\n\r\nSystems Operator: Ian Chubb\r\nPublisher: Geoff Grimes\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executives: Lee Watkins, Wynne Morgan\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Promotions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\n\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\nSubscriptions\r\n[redacted].\r\n\r\nDesigned and typeset on Apple Macintosh II computers using Quark Express and Adobe Illustrator '88, output at MBI [redacted] with systems support from Digital Reprographics [redacted]. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of CRASH. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop the Viv Vickress a line at the [redacted] address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for either Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions. No material may be reproduced whole or in part without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into CRASH - including written and photographic material, software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. We regret that readers' postal enquiries cannot always be answered. Unsolicited written or photo material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Colour photographic material should be 35mm transparencies wherever possible. The views expressed in CRASH are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nCopyright CRASH Ltd 1989 A Newsfield Publication. ISSN 0954-8661. Cover Design by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"HARDBALL\r\nKixx\r\n£2.99 (rerelease)\r\n\r\nHardball is simply a brilliant baseball simulation for one or two players. If you don't know how baseball plays, well, tough. It's too long to go into all the rules here. Basically, you have a pitcher (who throws the ball), a batter (who hits the ball as far as possible) and an umpire (who makes decisions you probably won't agree with!).\r\n\r\nWhether you're batting or pitching, you determine your stroke from a menu of options at the top of the screen, and the ball flies off accordingly. If it flies far enough the batter dashes around the bases of the field to score as many runs as possible. The team with the most runs wins.\r\n\r\nThe presentation of Hardball is wonderful, and graphics are neat throughout (especially oh the pitching scene). Though a little tricky to begin with, Hardball is worth perservering with as it's a decent and realistic simulation.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"43","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Richard Eddy","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Nick Roberts","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 12, Dec 1986","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1986-11-13","Editor":"Kevin Cox","TotalPages":122,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Kevin Cox\r\nArt Editors: Martin Dixon, Caroline Clayton\r\nDeputy Editor: Teresa Maughan\r\nProduction Editor: Sara Biggs\r\nStaff Writer: Phil South\r\nTechnical Consultant: Peter Shaw\r\nContributors: Stephen Adams, Mike Gerrard, Ian Hoare, Gwyn Hughes, ZZKJ, Steve Marsden, Tommy Nash, Chris Palmer, Max Phillips, Rick Robson, Rachael Smith\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Mark Salmon\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Julian Harriott\r\nProduction Managers: Sonia Hunt, Judith Middleton\r\nPublishing Manager: Roger Munford\r\nPublishing Director: Stephen England\r\n\r\nPublished by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1986 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"Advance\n£7.95\nReviewer: Rick Robson\n\nYee-hah! The American sporting invasion continues with Advance's simulation of the all American baseball. I wouldn't know a silly bunt from a good screwball and my idea of baseball is mega rounders played by hunky chaps in pyjamas, Schulz headgear and radar dishes on their hands. A pitcher's what you hang on the wall and Hardball - well, I hope there's a cure!\n\nBaseball's unfamiliarity to the average gamer is this game's main drawback - it just hasn't received the same publicity that's made Pro-Football popular and understood. And since Hardball, like Football Manager is essentially a management game where players have to be pre-selected and substituted according to their abilities you're going to end up in difficulties if you think Home Base is a Sainsbury's sideline.\n\nYou have the option of playing against the computer or another player. Many of the pre-game selections are purely cosmetic - home or away, Champ or All Star. Screen two is make your mind up time where you have to decide who you're going to pick from your squads with the player information provided.\n\nGet on to screen 3 and you'll see the pitch simulation that gives you a choice of delivery, whilst a Sub-screen shows the base positions of your team mates. Like many cricket simulations this looks a hell of a lot better than it plays which is a pity since the graphics are truly amazing. The amount of control you have seems questionable since it's more of a case of wind it up and let it go. But as each game lasts nine innings you'll have plenty of time to work it out and suss the variations. Better than watching Arsenal. Just.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"48","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Rick Robson","Score":"6","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"6/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"5/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"6/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"5/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"6/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 43, Jul 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-06-16","Editor":"Matt Bielby","TotalPages":92,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Matt Bielby\r\nArt Editor: Catherine Higgs\r\nDeputy Editor: Jackie Ryan\r\nProduction Editor: Andy Ide\r\nSenior Staff Writer: Duncan MacDonald\r\nEditorial Assistant: David Wilson\r\nDesigner: Thor Goodall\r\nTechnical Consultant: David McCandless\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Richard Blaine, Jonathan Davies, Phoebe Evans, Mike Gerrard, Sean Kelly, Peter Shaw, Rachael Smith, Phil South, Wag\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Alison Morton\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Stephen Bloy\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nAdvertisement Production: Claire Baker\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nCirculation Manager: June Smith\r\nAssociate Producer: Teresa Maughan\r\nPublisher: Terry Grimwood\r\nFinance Director: Colin Crawford\r\nManaging Director: Stephen England\r\nChairman: Felix Dennis\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinted By: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1989 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"HARDBALL!\r\nKixx\r\n£2.99\r\nReviewer: Marcus Berkmann\r\n\r\nSplendid Accolade baseball sim deservedly re-released for a new audience, and a bargain at £2.99. As with most of those US games, it's high on detail and atmosphere, and not exactly the easiest game to get into straight away - but that's no bad thing from time to time. When this originally appeared three years ago, we Brits were a touch less potty on baseball than we are now, and as a result it didn't create much of a splash. Viewed again, it clearly falls into the same sort of category as Leader Board and the earlier US Gold multi-game compilations - professional, detailed programming of a standard that we don't see too much of in these islands. Games in the US, of course, retail for much more than the ten measly quid we lucky oiks pay, but as a result their games are often that much more complex and well thought out. Hardball! is no exception, and this Speccy conversion does the original proud. Fun gaming, different from the rest and extremely addictive.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"50,51","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Marcus Berkmann","Score":"78","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"78%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 56, Nov 1986","Price":"£1","ReleaseDate":"1986-10-18","Editor":"David Kelly","TotalPages":124,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: David Kelly\r\nDeputy Editor: John Gilbert\r\nSenior Staff Writer: Graham Taylor\r\nStaff Writer: Jim Douglas\r\nDesigner: Gareth Jones\r\nEditorial Secretary: Norisah Fenn\r\nAdventure Writers: Gordo Greatbelly\r\nZapchat: Jon Riglar\r\nHelpline: Andrew Hewson\r\nHardware Correspondent: John Lambert\r\nContributors: Brendon Gore, Richard Price, Rupert Goodwins, Andy Moss, Gary Rook, John Pope\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Louise Fanthorpe\r\nSenior Sales Executive: Jacqui Pope\r\nProduction Assistant: Alison Morton\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Linda Everest\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\nPublisher: Terry Pratt\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\nCover Illustration: Stewart Hughes\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles to:\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nOriginal programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. Please write Program Printout on the envelopes of all cassettes submitted. We cannot undertake to return cassettes unless an SAE is enclosed. We pay £20 for each program printed and £50 for star programs.\r\n\r\nTypeset by Saffron Graphics Ltd, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Nene River Press, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1986 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458\r\n\r\nABC 90,215 July-Dec 1985"},"MainText":"Label: Advance\r\nAuthor: B Whitehead\r\nPrice: £9.95\r\nJoystick: various\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nReviewer: John Gilbert\r\n\r\nBaseball in the US is a good deal tougher than its UK equivalent - as the C4 screenings this autumn will prove!\r\n\r\nBig bucks, fast action and battling bravado both on and off the pitch. Sponsorship, hot dogs and hype. It's the American way of sport.\r\n\r\nAnd now its all being brought to life in Hardball a sports simulation from a new company, Advance. Judging from a first look, Advance is hoping to find a gap between the poorly animated Ocean-style sports simulations and menu-driven programs like those from CCS.\r\n\r\nHardball manages to be a very neat combination of animated perspective graphics - covering the main action - and clever joystick controlled menus giving the strategy.\r\n\r\nThe two teams - Champs and All Stars are already set when the game begins. Unless you want a two-player game the Spectrum takes the All Stars. They're favoured as the home team but if you're not confident of a win, you can change the venue in your favour.\r\n\r\nThe only other setting you need to worry about, before you can start the game is something strange that goes under the term 'Intentional Walk'. This turns out to be to do with deciding if your hitters standing on first, second or third bases run only if your batsman runs or if they can take it into their own heads to run, even if the current batsman hits and chooses not to. It doesn't crucially affect the proceedings if you're just getting started.\r\n\r\nThe great strength of Hardball is you can switch between all three parts of the game - team selection, batting and running - by using the Break key whenever you choose. It doesn't matter if you're about to bat - you could still press Break to take a look at your team and bring on a substitute.\r\n\r\nThe team lists initially show the name of a player - Cram, Tramiel and Lineker to name but a few - quite what any of them are doing here is beyond me, but there you go. The selection board shows a player's position in the team, type of batter or fielder - whether he's left- or right-handed - and his game details.\r\n\r\nThe performance data isn't just there for decoration. It tells you how well a player's done during the season while his position and the way in which he holds his bat or catches a ball will determine how you play him.\r\n\r\nIf you select to bowl, your bowler has four speeds at which he can pitch, selected by menu from the top of the screen. Then there's the pitch angle menu. Here again, four types of pitch including Outside and High Pitch. Once you've chosen your bowling attack the ball will shoot towards the batsman. If he misses the catcher might catch the ball in his glove. The umpire will shout 'strike!'. If the throw was legal the batsman will then have one strike against him. Three strikes and he's out.\r\n\r\nWhen you're into bat the batsman has only one menu to control - whether he uses the bat to take high, low or body shots. Selection is part guessing game and part skill, watching the bowler in front of you for the slightest move. In the real thing the batsman shouldn't look behind him but here you can tell where the bowler is about to pitch by the way in which the catcher moves his glove.\r\n\r\nSmash the ball as hard as you can and pelt for the first base. All nicely shown in animated close-up.\r\n\r\nWhen you run the screen view switches to an overhead one with tiny dots representing the players and fielders. If you get to first base you bat again with your next team member..\r\n\r\nThe action is fast and as each player comes home your score-board at the top of the screen racks up the runs for the team while keeping a log of your innings, the balls pitched and the number of batsmen who have struck out.\r\n\r\nAdvance has got itself a winner here with Hardball its conversion may not be as colourful as the original Commodore 64 game - published by Accolade in the US - but the animation is fast and there's little hint of attribute clash.\r\n\r\nActually it turned out to be the most addictive sports simulation I've yet played. It's mainly the variety of graphics screens - close-up, birds-eyeview, and the menus - combined with easy-to-operate joystick-selected options which makes programs like Football Manager look dated and very primitive.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"An on-the-ball sports program. Clever use of graphics and the thought given to gameplay make it a superior simulation.","Page":"36","Denied":false,"Award":"Sinclair User Classic","Reviewers":[{"Name":"John Gilbert","Score":"5","ScoreSuffix":"/5"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"An overview of the field. The layer on first base decides to run for second."},{"Text":"The umpire prepares to call it a 'Strike'. Only if the catcher grabs the ball in his gauntlet though."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"5/5","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 62, Dec 1986","Price":"£98","ReleaseDate":"1986-11-16","Editor":"Tim Metcalfe","TotalPages":164,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Tim Metcalfe\r\nDeputy Editor: Paul Boughton\r\nEditorial Assistant: Lesley Walker\r\nSub-Editor: Seamus St. John\r\nDesign: Craig Kennedy\r\nAdventure Writers: Keith Campbell, Paul Coppins, Steve Donoghue\r\nAmerican Correspondent: Marshall M. Rosenthal\r\nArcades: Clare Edgeley\r\nSoftware Consultant: Tony Takoushi\r\nPublicity: Marcus Rich\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Garry Williams\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Katherine Lee\r\nAd Production: Debbie Pearson\r\nPublisher: Rita Lewis\r\nCover: Steve Gibbs\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nJuly-December 98,258"},"MainText":"MACHINE: Spectrum\r\nSUPPLIER: Advance\r\nPRICE: £7.95\r\n\r\nIs this a Spectrum? That's what I said when I first saw the amazing graphics in this new conversion of Accolade's brilliant baseball game. Apart from a few colour changes the screen display looks a lot like the 64 original. Incredible, but true - just look at the screen shots.\r\n\r\nHardball is the computer version of America's favourite game - baseball_ it's a game where the word strike doesn't mean all the players have walked off the field and formed a picket line. It's also a game which I American football has some complex rules.\r\n\r\nLike all simulations this isn't an arcade game. It's a mixture of strategy and action so you'll have to be prepared to do a bit of thinking if you want to get to grips with it.\r\n\r\nBasically you play the part of a team manager, selecting your team, working out your game plan and making on the spot decisions on pitchers and batters if things start going wrong! Four screens appear during Hardball. You kick off with the manager's decision screen, a sort of menu in which you set up your team and check out the opposition's strength.\r\n\r\nThen there's the graphic representation of the batter/pitcher screens and two others whch show left field and right field. Here you set up your fielding positions if your team isn't batting.\r\n\r\nBatting and pitching are controlled by a series of options which appear at the top of the screen and which are selected by using the joystick or keyboard.\r\n\r\nFor example, if your team is pitching, you can tell your pitcher to throw a fastball, a screwball or a sinker! just watch the action and you'll soon get to grips with it.\r\n\r\nThe same menu system applies to batting - and if you decide to play with a friend you'll have to ask them not to watch while you make your choices! The basic idea of the game is to score more runs than the opposition. There are several ways to achieve thisbut the most satisfying is to hit a home run. The batsman blasts the ball out of the park at least into the crowd! if you've ever played softball or rounders, you'll know the drill.\r\n\r\nThe - a I \" e a l animated and it's just as hard to give the ball a good clout as it is in real life. But when you DO get it right. Wow! You also have to be quick off the mark if you're fielding, Once the ball is hit the screen display switches to the field view where you have to control the fielders and return the ball as quickly as possible to the pitcher or throw to the bases if the opposition looks like scoring a run.\r\n\r\nHardball on the Spectrum has appeared just in time to coincide with Channel 4's coverage of the World Series.\r\n\r\nSo if you really want to know more about the game you should watch.\r\n\r\nThe game loads all in one go so there's no fiddling about with the tape, surprising for such a complex program.\r\n\r\nThe game comes with a set of comprehensive instructions which MUST be studied before you begin to play.\r\n\r\nHardball won't be to everyone's tastes. It is a complex simulation of a sport unknown to most English games players.\r\n\r\nIt takes a bit of time and trouble to get to grips with the rules and the layout of the game it's well worth it, Sports fans won't find many simulations as slick and well put together as Hardball - especially on the Spectrum.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"54","Denied":false,"Award":"C+VG Hit","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Tim Metcalfe","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Yes, it really is the Spectrum version."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"9/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"ZX Computing Issue 32, Dec 1986","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1986-11-20","Editor":"Bryan Ralph","TotalPages":92,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Bryan Ralph\r\nAssistant Editor: Cliff Joseph\r\nConsultant Editor: Ray Elder\r\nAdvertising Manager: John McGarry\r\nDesign: Argus Design\r\nA.S.P. Advertising and Editorial [redacted]\r\n\r\nPrinted by Chase Web\r\n\r\nAdvertisement Copy Controller: Andy Selwood\r\n\r\nDistributed by: Argus Press Sales and Distribution Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nZX Computing Monthly is published on the fourth Friday of each month. Subscription rates can be obtained from ZX Subscriptions, [redacted]\r\n\r\nThe contents of this publication, including all articles, designs plans, drawings and other intellectual property rights herein belong to Argus Specialist Publications Limited. All rights conferred by the law of Copyright and other intellectual property rights and by virtue of international copyright conventions are specifically reserved to Argus Specialist Publications Limited and any reproduction requires the prior written consent of the company.\r\n\r\nArgus Specialist Publications Limited. ©1986"},"MainText":"HARD HITTING ACTION ON THE BASEBALL DIAMOND\r\n\r\nAdvance Software\r\n£8.95\r\n\r\nWith Channel 4 hoping to turn the nation into baseball fanatics by showing the World Series for the first time this is a timely release for those who want a taste of the simulated action.\r\n\r\nOriginally marketed on the Commodore 64 by US Gold, Hardball was considered too complex for conversion to the Spectrum and the rights passed to a new company, Advance Software, who have proved it could be done successfully.\r\n\r\nHardball can be played against the computer or as a two player game (keyboard v joystick) and Kempston, Interface II and Protek joysticks are supported. There are three screens and the first to confront you is the Manager's Decision Screen which allows you to choose a well balanced team.\r\n\r\nYou can make changes and substitutions throughout the match too. Perhaps realising that baseball players who are legends in the States are unknown in Britain you can pick a team of colourful names such as Einstein, Lineker and Asimov.\r\n\r\nAlternatively you can hold off from tinkering with the team and get straight on with the game. Pressing the Play Ball option transfers you to the pitcher/batter screen. A state of play display hangs over the batsman and both he and the pitcher are large, impressively animated figures. In the right hand bottom corner of the screen is a small map of the diamond which indicates how many batting players are on the bases.\r\n\r\nPitching offers plenty of variation. You select from no less than eight types of delivery, from the Fastball (straight and very fast) to the Slider (a curving ball that veers at the last moment). The actual target area you select is cleverly indicated by the backstop's moving glove.\r\n\r\nBatting success relies entirely on liming and in general it seems that a good clout is made by hitting the ball a split second after you think you should.\r\n\r\nOnce a ball is hit the outfield screen comes up. This shows the diamond and outfielders. The batter has the option to get his players running round the bases while the fielder can move his receiving fielder (the one who is flashing on and off) to catch or retrieve the ball. He can then throw it to any of the bases and get a running batter out.\r\n\r\nThe flurry of activity as batter and fielder take appropriate action is exciting but unfortunately a lot of hits are set pieces, either being homers where the ball is knocked out of the ground or going straight to fielders for an easy catch. It's a small point but the game would have benefited from a greater proportion of action dealing with fielding and running decisions.\r\n\r\nDespite this Hardball offers sports simulation fans a whole new ballgame - it's addictive, well presented, contains a lot of variation and is an excellent two-player game. Playing against the computer is fun too. I lost the first series by an embarrassing margin but now I can give it a competitive game. The computer sometimes even takes pity on you and does something irrational like send a player on a run to a base with no chance of making it.\r\n\r\nOverall Hardball can be highly recommended as good value entertainment and will undoubtedly convince a lot more people that Baseball is not just a game of rounders played on the other side of the Atlantic.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"48","Denied":false,"Award":"ZX Monster Hit","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Computer Issue 11, Nov 1986","Price":"£1","ReleaseDate":"1986-10-16","Editor":"Gary Evans","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Gary Evans\r\nDeputy Editor: Francis Jago\r\nStaff Writer: John Barnes, Anthony Thompson\r\nSub Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nProduction Editor: Jim McClure\r\nProduction Assistants: Nick Fry, Isabelle Risner\r\nEditorial Secretary: Sheila Baker\r\nDesigner: Chris Winch\r\nDesign Assistant: Neil Tookey\r\nEditorial: [redacted]\r\nHead Of Advertising Sales: Dory Mackay\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: David Lake\r\nAdvertisement Executives: Amber Russell, Bal Dillon\r\nClassified: Paul Monaf\r\nPublisher: Paul Coster\r\nAdvertising: [redacted]\r\nFinancial Director: Brendan McGrath\r\nManaging Director: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nYour Computer, [redacted]\r\nISS 0263 0885\r\n\r\n©1986 Focus Investments Ltd\r\nPrinted by The Riverside Press Ltd, England.\r\nTypeset by Time Graphics Ltd, [redacted]\r\nMember of the Audit Bureau of Circulation.\r\n\r\nDistributed by Business Press International, [redacted].\r\n\r\nReasonable care is taken to avoid errors in this magazine but no liability is accepted for any errors which may occur. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publishers. The publishers will not accept responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, listings, data tapes or discs.\r\n\r\nWe will assume permission to publish all unsolicited material unless otherwise stated. We cannot be held responsible for the safe return of any material submitted for publication. Please keep a copy of all your work and do not send us original artwork.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately we are unable to answer lengthy enquiries by telephone. Any written query requiring a personal answer MUST be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope; please allow up to 28 days for a reply.\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: UK £15 for 12 issues. Overseas (surface mail) £25 - airmail rates on request. Please make a cheque/postal orders payable to Focus Investments (allow 5 weeks from order receipt of first subscription copy). Send orders to Your Computer Subscriptions, [redacted].\r\n\r\nBack issues of the magazine from January onwards are available for £1.50 (UK), £3 (Overseas) from the Back Issues Department, [redacted].\r\n\r\nDistributed by Business Press International, [redacted]."},"MainText":"Advance Software\r\r\nStrategy\r\r\n£8.95\r\r\n\r\r\nWhen US Gold, in all its wisdom, decided not to convert Hardball from the Commodore 64. most people felt it was because it could not be done. It has taken a new software house, Advance Software Promotions, to attempt the conversion and a very creditable job it has done, too.\r\r\n\r\r\nWhen the first screen shots arrived at the Your Computer offices, everyone believed that the pictures were of the original 64 version and that Advance had probably made a legitimate mistake. Eating my words has never been a favourite pastime but when Hardball was loaded on the office Spectrum I chewed for five minutes.\r\r\n\r\r\nThe game follows the rules of baseball closely, with excellent depiction of the three main characters of importance - the batter, pitcher and catcher. Playability, too, has not been sacrificed and once perfect timing, in both pitching and batting, has been achieved, it is possible to give the computer a good run for its money.\r\r\n\r\r\nSo far as sports simulations go, it is one of the best of the arcade type. What makes the game more interesting than most of this genre is the ability to manage the whole team.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"45","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Francis Jago","Score":"4","ScoreSuffix":"/5"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"5/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"3/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"3/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"4/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"4/5","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]