[{"TitleName":"The Snowman","Publisher":"Quicksilva Ltd","Author":"David Shea","YearOfRelease":"1984","ZxDbId":"0004609","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 3, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-16","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":128,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Ltd.\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nTelephone numbers\r\nEditorial [redacted]\r\nSubscriptions [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\nHot Line [redacted]\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nColour origination by Scan Studio, [redacted]\r\nPrinted in England by Plymouth Web Offset Ltd, [redacted].\r\nDistribution by Comag, [redacted]\r\nAdditional setting and process work by The Tortoise Shell Press, [redacted].\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £9.00 UK Mainland (post free)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £15 (post free).\r\n\r\nWe cannot undertake to return any written or photographic material sent to CRASH MICRO unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Quicksilva\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £6.95\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\nAuthor: David Shea\r\n\r\nThe Snowman is based on episodes from Raymond Briggs' book of the same name - a very gentle comic strip story which uses absolutely no words, and conveys the story entirely in its pictures.\r\n\r\nThe game comprises four stages, each with its own screen layout. It falls into the category of a platform game. In stage one you must collect six pieces of snow and drop them in the correct place, which results in the snowman being gradually built. There are gas flames darting about which will melt the snow if you touch one after picking it up and replace it elsewhere on the screen. Collecting an ice lolly earns a bonus and at the same time enables you to freeze a flame while the bonus is being counted up. Other objects award points - Christmas crackers, presents, stockings and a tree.\r\n\r\nStage two has you trying to collect the snowman's scarf, hat, nose, buttons, eyes and smile, but there are sleep monsters trying to put you to sleep - an alarm clock will freeze one temporarily. Stage three, and it's the snowman's tie, glasses, trousers, torch, skateboard and balloons, and again the sleep, monsters are on the rampage.\r\n\r\nIn stage four you must collect six ice cubes to stop the snowman from melting, but the gas flames are back again. In all four stages your energy is depleted and must be replaced by eating food which appears randomly for a few moments. That gets you going, but the next part of the game has a different screen layout.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: second row = up, third row = down, alternate keys on bottom = left and right\r\nJoystick: Kempston, AGF, Protek, cursor clip on\r\nKeyboard play: better than joystick, responsive, but finicky control because of pixel movement\r\nUse of colour: very good\r\nGraphics: very good, pixel moving\r\nSound: useful rather than exciting\r\nSkill levels: 1\r\nLives: 3\r\nScreens: 4","ReviewerComments":["The Snowman is an arcade game, although from its packaging you could be forgiven for thinking of it as a children's game, in fact it is a good arcade game, fun to play and has attractive graphics. The frosty blue colour adds to the effect too. My main criticism is that you have to be lined up exactly to climb or descend and the same can be said of moving off onto a ledge.\r\r\nUnknown","With fourteen ledges and twenty 'ladders ' in the first screen this turns out to be no namby-pamby game at all. It's true that the monsters aren't actually chasing you, at least the gas flames don't try and 'get you', but once you have that snow, it's a fraught business getting is safely to the dropping point, especially when energy is falling and there isn't a christmas pud or turkey to eat in sight. Accuracy is essential when changing direction and it's very easy to fall off a ledge, which results in 'you' falling all the way into your bed at the base of the screen. Surprisingly addictive.\r\r\nUnknown","This is a very original game idea, although the basic format is quite a familiar one. I found it a little irritating at first that it's so hard to line your man up to change direction - you are forced to keep the change of direction key pressed while still moving in the first direction, so that the change is made automatically at an intersection. This, all too often, results in falling off a ledge! On the other hand it does increase the skill required. I soon found that the keyboard is best - the finickiness of control seems even worse with a joystick. Despite the control problems, The Snowman turns out to be a frustratingly addictive game. Good!\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: Very good, addictive.","Page":"82","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"There's no business like snow business..."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"68%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"83%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"70%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"78%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"78%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 25, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-15","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":148,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: Nicole Segre\r\nConsultant Editor: Mike Johnston\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nSoftware Editor: John Gilbert\r\nProgram Reviewer: June Mortimer\r\nIllustrator/Designer: Brian King\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: John Ross\r\nSales Executive: Annette Burrows\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nAssistant Managing Director: Barry Hazel\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone\r\nAll departments\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs, articles or ideas for hardware projects to:\r\nSinclair User and Programs\r\nECC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe will pay £10 for the copyright of each program published and £50 per 1,000 words for each article used.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984\r\nSinclair User\r\nISSN NO. 0262-5458\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]"},"MainText":"SNOWMAN ALL SET TO MELT THE ICE\r\n\r\nMemory: 48K\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\nJoystick: Kempston, Cursor\r\n\r\nThe Snowman, for the 48K Spectrum, is a game based on the best selling book of the same name by Raymond Briggs. It is based loosely on some of the action in the book but it centres on the building of the snowman. It should appeal to young children because of its non-violent nature.\r\n\r\nTo build the snowman you have to collect snow and avoid the flames which will chase you so that you can turn it back into water.\r\n\r\nIn some ways the game is like Jet-Pac, from Ultimate, as there is a drop site on the left of the screen which you must reach to mould the snowman's body and dress him.\r\n\r\nThere are four stages to each round. The first is to collect the snow, the second to put on the features, the third to dress the snowman and the fourth to collect ice cubes to prevent him melting. Once all of those phases have been completed you will move to round two and a different screen Layout.\r\n\r\nThere are two ways of winning points. You could forget about building the snowman at the first stage and collect objects such as crackers, stockings and Christmas trees. That will boost your score considerably, so long as you do not fall from the ice structure. If you do, or your energy level is depleted too much, you will fall back into bed.\r\n\r\nThe alternative is to build the snowman but risk the wrath of the sleep monsters, which can only be combatted using the special alarm clocks.\r\n\r\nThe game is attractive and is a change from the violence of Space invaders and the like.\r\n\r\nThe Snowman, from Quicksilva, combines the best of many games already on the market.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"39","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Gilbert Factor","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 30, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-16","Editor":"Tim Metcalfe","TotalPages":180,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Tim Metcalfe\r\nAssistant Editor: Eugene Lacey\r\nEditorial Assistant: Clare Edgeley\r\nReader Services: Robert Schifreen\r\nArt Editor: Linda Freeman\r\nDesigner: Lynda Skerry\r\nSub Editor: Mary Morton\r\nStaff Writer: Seamus St. John\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Rob Cameron\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Louise Matthews\r\nAdvertising Executives: Bernard Dugdale, Sean Brennan\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Melanie Paulo\r\nProduction Assistant: Roy Stephens\r\nPublisher: Tom Moloney\r\nAssistant Publisher: Rita Lewis\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. By using the special Postal Subscription Service, copies of COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES can be mailed direct from our offices each month to any address throughout the world. All subscription applications should be sent for processing to COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES (Subscription Department), [redacted]. All orders should include the appropriate remittance made payable to COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES. Annual subscription rates (12 issues): UK and Eire: £14. Additional service information including individual overseas airmail rates available upon request. Circulation Department: EMAP National Publications. Published and distributed by EMAP National Publications Ltd. Printed by Eden Fisher (Southend) Ltd.\r\n\r\nCover Illustration: Mickey Finn\r\nNext Issue: April 16th"},"MainText":"A GAME TO MELT YOUR HEART\r\n\r\nYou've seen the cartoon on Channel Four. You've read the book. Now play the game!\r\n\r\nThe Snowman, a book without words by Raymond Briggs and a beautifully animated film, has been turned into an arcade-style game for the Spectrum. There are also plans to computerise Raymond's other books - including children's favourite Fungus the Bogeyman and the extremely depressing picture version of the aftermath of nuclear war called When the Wind Blows.\r\n\r\nGetting back to happier things, The Snowman is set at Christmas time. You are the young hero and have first to build the snowman.\r\n\r\nTo do this, you must travel round a Manic Miner-type of screen collecting little heaps of snow. You then drop them over a certain spot where they will pile up and gradually take the shape of the snowman.\r\n\r\nOnce the snowman is completed, your next task is to collect his clothes like tie, trousers and braces. The third level will ask you to equip him with balloons and a skateboard.\r\n\r\nTravelling around the screen with you are some flickering flames, just like that character from the gas adverts. Running into one will do you no harm at all, but if you happen to be carrying some snow then it will melt and you'll have to find some more.\r\n\r\nYou can get round this problem by finding an iced lolly which will freeze the flame and gain you extra points.\r\n\r\nYou'll also need to find regular supplies of food, as your energy level ticks away at the bottom just like Manic Miner. As the game is set at Christmas there are plentiful supplies of turkey and pud.\r\n\r\nI liked this game a lot. The graphics are great - and the title screen's got a wonderful picture of the snowman to look at while the game loads. It's very playable, although I often found control quite difficult. The character has to be perfectly central in the columns before he can move.\r\n\r\nIf, like me, you're one of those who can't stop singing \"We're walking in the air...\", the theme tune from the film, all day then you'll love this.\r\n\r\nThe Snowman is produced by Quicksilva and runs on a 48k Spectrum. It costs £6.95.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"32","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer Games Issue 6, May 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-04-19","Editor":"Chris Anderson","TotalPages":168,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Chris Anderson\r\nProduction Editor: Roderick George\r\nArt Editor: Ian Findlay\r\nTechnical Editor: Stuart Cooke\r\nStaff Writers: Steve Cooke, Peter Connor\r\nEditorial Assistant: Samantha Hemens\r\nSoftware Consultant: Tony Takoushi\r\nCartoons: Kipper Williams\r\nProgram Control Guardians: Jeff Riddle\r\nScreenshots: Chris Bell\r\nCover Illustration: Pat Weedon\r\nGroup Editor: Cyndy Miles\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nGroup Publisher: John Cade\r\nPublisher: Mark Eisen\r\nAssistant Publishing Manager: Sue Clements\r\nPublishing Secretary: Jenny Dunne\r\nAdvertising Manager: Herbert Wright\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Jan Martin\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Mike Caroll\r\nAdvertisement Production: Simon Carter\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Coraline Turner\r\nSales Executives: Joey Davies, Marion O'Neill\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]. Typesetting by Spectrum Typesetting, [redacted] Origination by Fourmost Colour [redacted]. Printed and bound by Chase Web Offset [redacted]. © VNU Business Publications 1984."},"MainText":"MACHINE: Spectrum 48K\r\nJOYSTICK: Optional\r\nSUPPLIER: Quicksilva\r\nPRICE: £6.95\r\n\r\nI've always found that eating lots of Christmas pudding puts me to sleep, but in this game you eat it to stay awake.\r\n\r\nThe game is based loosely on the book of the same title by Raymond Briggs. Your aim is to build a snowman and to do this you have to move round a maze of inter-connected platforms collecting objects while avoiding dozing off.\r\n\r\nThere are four different stages. In stage one you must collect six piles of snow and carry them back to the snowman site.\r\n\r\nThis part is pretty easy. You won't fall asleep unless you stupidly walk off the end of a platform or run out of energy. And you can avoid the latter by collecting Christmas puddings and dinners which materialize from time to time.\r\n\r\nAt the same time you're being chased by four 'gas-timers' who will melt any snow you happen to be carrying. But this doesn't matter too much since another pile instantly appears.\r\n\r\nOnce your snowman is at full size, stage two starts - much more difficult. The gas flames have been replaced by sleep monsters who put you into the land of dreams at a touch.\r\n\r\nThe idea in this stage is to collect the snowman's scarf, hat, nose, eyes, buttons and smile, followed in stage three by various items of clothing, and in stage four by six ice-cubes to stop him melting. Complete all four stages and you have to start again with a different maze to get used to.\r\n\r\nYou have a good choice of control keys, but it's still very hard to move around the screen as fast as you need to.\r\n\r\nNever mind. If you buy it now, you'll have all summer to practice.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"70,71","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Chris Anderson","Score":"6","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"6/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"5/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Originality","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Lasting Interest","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"6/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair Programs Issue 18, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-15","Editor":"Rebecca Ferguson","TotalPages":60,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Rebecca Ferguson\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nStaff Writer: June Mortimer\r\nDesign: Elaine Bishop\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Gary Price\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Frank Humphrey-Gaskin\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nAssistant Managing Director: Barry Hazel\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nU.S. Press representative Mr J. Eisenberg, JE Publishers' representative, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair Programs is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like your original programs to be published in Sinclair Programs, please send your contributions, which must not have appeared elsewhere, to\r\nSinclair Programs\r\nEEC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. We pay £10 for the copyright of each program published.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984 Sinclair Programs\r\nISSN No. 0263-0265\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by: Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCover Design/Illustrations: Ivan Hissey"},"MainText":"WELL-WORN THEMES RE-APPEAR\r\n\r\nThe trend in software production appears to be to take stock, build on successful ideas and await new developments. New games tend to be new variations on well-worn themes rather than startlingly original concepts. The number of games based on the premise that all computer owners love shooting as many things as possible is decreasing and giving way to games which need thought and strategy as well as fast reactions.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately for ZX-81 owners, although their computer has remained consistently among the top five bestselling computers, new software for the ZX-81 is almost non-existent and W H Smith is not intending to accept any new ZX-81 software for sale in its shops. Due to the shortage of new software, no ZX-81 programs have been received for review this month.\r\n\r\nTHE SNOWMAN\r\n\r\nThe Snowman - Quicksilva, 48K Spectrum - is based loosely on the book of the same name by Raymond Briggs. The aim is to collect snow and build a snowman. The wandering flames must be avoided, as they melt your snow and turn it to water.\r\n\r\nFalling off the ice structure of pathways and ladders will result in the player being sent back to bed, as will running out of energy. On the higher levels, sleep monsters must also be avoided or confronted with alarm clocks. The Snowman combines the best of many games already on the market and should become a best-seller.\r\n\r\nThe latest sequel to Pimania, Pi-Eyed and other Automata productions is Pi-Balled - 48K Spectrum. Once again the Pi-man is the hero of the game, this time accompanied by two bouncing balls and Sid the Snake.\r\n\r\nIt is a fairly straightforward arcade game. The mystical pyramid of Pi must be changed in colour by jumping from square to square. Sid the Snake must be avoided, as must the bouncing balls, which can also change the colour of the pyramid but not necessarily in a way which is helpful.\r\n\r\nPi-balled has lively graphics; the bouncing balls and spinning discs are particularly convincing and the degree of difficulty is well-judged to suit beginners and experienced players. Shades of Manic Miner are apparent in Loony Zoo - Phipps Associates, 48K Spectrum. The storyline is that, while surveying another planet, you have been captured by its vastly superior inhabitants and placed in one of their zoos, together with various other alien specimens.\r\n\r\nIt is possible to escape by jumping from ledge to ledge to reach the door pressure-pad at the top of the screen. Needless to say, you escape only into other cages from which it is more difficult to escape. Despite its simple graphics and slow pace, Loony Zoo is a difficult and addictive game.\r\n\r\nKiller Knight - Phipps Associates, 48K Spectrum - thinly disguises a Kong-type game with medieval trappings. The player must climb from platform to platform, using ladders and avoiding rolling objects. Beginners will find it difficult to progress very far, while experienced players will soon realise that a high score can be obtained simply by running back and forth along the bottom level.\r\n\r\nMONKEY BIZNESS\r\n\r\nIn a very similar vein is Monkey Bizness - Artic, 48K Spectrum. The monkey mentioned in the title is King Kong and the object is to rush up the scaffolding, dodging or destroying the barrels which Kong rolls at you, to rescue the woman at the top of the scaffolding.\r\n\r\nMonkey Bizness is an amusing and colourful game, although many Spectrum owners will find they already possess similar games.\r\n\r\nLike Donkey Kong, Pac-man is a game which spawned a multitude of imitations. Dinky Digger - Postern, 48K Spectrum - has a distinctly Pac-man-like air to it. The object is to clear the screen of cherries and grab the cake in the middle, while avoiding the monsters which are trying to eat you.\r\n\r\nOne monster is followed quickly by another and the game is so difficult that it should be attempted only by the experienced or very nimble-fingered user.\r\n\r\n3D Star Wars - Addon Electronics, 48K Spectrum - is one of the less worthwhile pieces of software on the market. The graphics are lifeless and confusing, the three-dimensional effect is jumbled, and the number of keys to be used complicates the game still further.\r\n\r\nTHE GUARDIAN\r\n\r\nThe Guardian - PSS, 48K Spectrum - is the first version of the arcade game The Tempest to appear for the Spectrum. The site is a spaceship on the edge of a vortex to another universe. Aliens appear through the doorway and must be destroyed by the use of laser bolt gun or star smasher weapons. The game has had to be simplified for micro-computer use but it is easy and fun to play.\r\n\r\nCCS has begun its Games for Girls series with three games for the 48K Spectrum. Hicksted, a simulation of a show jumping event; Diamond Quest, which is a straightforward adventure; and Jungle Maze, in which prizes are won with a Mastermind-style guessing game which is fun, although unoriginal. Apart from a tenuous link with show jumping in one game and a heroine rather than a hero in another, it is difficult to see in what way CCS has changed its strategy to aim it at females rather than males.\r\n\r\nComputers are bound to affect everyone's future in some way, so encouraging more people to use and understand them is a worthwhile project.\r\n\r\nTo attempt to increase a software company's market vastly by selling to women is unlikely to succeed unless the software market is changed substantially.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"9","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"June Mortimer","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair Programs Issue 21, Jul 1984","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1984-06-21","Editor":"Rebecca Ferguson","TotalPages":60,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Rebecca Ferguson\r\nConsultant Editor: John Campbell\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nStaff Writer: June Mortimer\r\nDesign: Elaine Bishop\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Holly Fleming\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nAssistant Managing Director: Barry Hazel\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nU.S. Press representative Mr J. Eisenberg, JE Publishers' representative, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair Programs is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like your original programs to be published in Sinclair Programs, please send your contributions, which must not have appeared elsewhere, to\r\nSinclair Programs\r\nEEC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. We pay £10 for the copyright of each program published.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984 Sinclair Programs\r\nISSN No. 0263-0265\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by: Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCover Design: Ivan Hissey"},"MainText":"The Snowman - 48K Spectrum, £5.95 - is not a new concept in computer games. It is, though, a brilliant example of a fusion of the best elements from some games already on the market, with several new ideas. The result is an attractive, gentle game which will appeal to all kinds of computer owner.\r\n\r\nThe central character must be moved round an ice structure, made up of several levels linked by ladders. On the first level the aim is to build a snowman by collecting snow from the ice structure and carrying it to the appropriate site. The main difficulty is to move the wandering flames, which will melt any snow which is being carried. If you fall from the ice structure or run out of energy you simply drift down to bed at the bottom of the screen.\r\n\r\nAn easy way of amassing points is to remain on the first level and not collect snow but instead collect the food and gifts which appear at intervals. The food supplies energy, the gifts supply points, and the only way of losing is to fall off the ice structure .\r\n\r\nMore daring players will prefer to complete their snowman as soon as possible to move to the next level. There are four levels with the same layout and they are then repeated with a different layout. The second level involves collecting the snowman's features, the third his clothes, and the fourth ice cubes to prevent him melting. Those levels are made more difficult by the sleep monsters which send you to sleep on contact and which can be defeated only by collecting alarm clocks. Quicksilva, [redacted].","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"32","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"June Mortimer","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Computer Issue 4, Apr 1984","Price":"£0.8","ReleaseDate":"1984-03-15","Editor":"Toby Wolpe","TotalPages":236,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Toby Wolpe\r\nAssistant Editor: Meirion Jones\r\nStaff Writer: Simon Beesley\r\nProduction Editor: Ian Vallely\r\nSub-Editor: Paul Bond\r\nEditorial Secretary: Lynn Dawson\r\nEditorial: [redacted]\r\nSubscriptions: U.K. £10.50 for 12 issues.\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Shobhan Gajjar\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Nicholas Ratnieks\r\nAdvertisement Executives: Nigel Borrell, Julian Bidlake, Kay Filbin\r\nNorthern Office: Ron Southall\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Jeanette Mackrell\r\nClassified: Claire Notley\r\nPublishing Director: Chris Hipwell\r\n\r\nYour Computer, [redacted]\r\n©Business Press International Ltd 1984\r\n\r\nPrinted in Great Britain for the proprietors of Business Press International Ltd, [redacted].\r\nISSN 0263-0885\r\nPrinted by Riverside Press Ltd, [redacted], and typeset by Instep Ltd, [redacted]"},"MainText":"Spectrum 48K\r\n£6.95\r\nQuicksilva\r\n\r\nThere's no people like snow people, and the Snowman, based on the book by Fungus the Bogeyman creator Raymond Briggs, is already nosed abroad as unique among computer games for its non-violence.\r\n\r\nAt last a game that parents can buy for Junior secure in the knowledge that they will not awake next morning to find their lovable offspring transformed into a blood-crazed twitching freak.\r\n\r\nInstead of dying in the Snowman, you go to sleep. The screen display is a frosty blue, ladders and levels display. You have to collect six pieces of snow in order to build the snowman. Watch out for roving gas flames - these melt the snow you are carrying, and it reappears elsewhere on the screen. This game will appeal to perverse people who insist on celebrating Christmas in the middle of the summer, since you gain extra points for collecting various Christmas crackers, presents, stockings and trees. If you collect an ice lolly you can ward off the gas flames. Your energy is replenished by eating a turkey or Christmas pudding.\r\n\r\nIr. stages two and three you have to kit out :he snowman with scarf, hat.\r\n\r\nIn stages two and three you have to kit out the snowman with scarf, hat, nose etc while avoiding the Sleep Monsters. These can be neutralised with an alarm clock. In the final stage you try to collect ice cubes to stop your snowman from melting. The gas flames make their comeback here. Attractive graphics, well thought-out idea, perhaps a little too much dexterity required to position your man at the bottom of ladders.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"57","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"3/5","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer News Issue 65, Jun 1984","Price":"","ReleaseDate":"1984-06-16","Editor":"Cyndy Miles","TotalPages":58,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editorial\r\nEditor: Cyndy Miles\r\nManaging Editor: Peter Worlock\r\nSub-Editors: Harriet Arnold, Leah Batham\r\nNews Editor: David Guest\r\nNews Writer: Ralph Bancroft\r\nFeatures Editor: John Lettice\r\nSoftware Editor: Bryan Skinner\r\nPeripherals Editor: Ken Garroch\r\nListings Editor: Wendie Pearson\r\nPrograms Editor: Nickie Robinson\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nArt Editor: David Robinson\r\nAssistant Art Editor: Floyd Sayers\r\nPublisher: Mark Eisen\r\nPublishing Assistant: Jenny Dunne\r\nGroup Publisher: John Cade\r\nPublishing Admin: Jackie Searle\r\n\r\nAdvertising\r\nGroup Advertising Manager: Duncan Brown\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Bettina Williams\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Sarah Barron\r\nSales Executives: Christian McCarthy, John Bryan, Laura Cade, Paul Evans, Debbie Quinn, Yvonne Charatynowicz\r\nProduction: Nikki Payne\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Karen Isaac\r\nSubscription Enquiries: Gill Stevens\r\nSubscription Address: [redacted]\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Address: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]\r\n© VNU 1983. No material maybe reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\nPhotoset by Quickset, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Chase Web Offset, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Seymour Press, [redacted]\r\nRegistered at the PO as a newspaper"},"MainText":"The Snowman; Fred £6.95 each, Quicksilva [redacted], mail order/retail.\r\n\r\nTHE SNOWMAN\r\n\r\nBased on the delightful story by the artist and author Raymond Briggs, this arcade game from Quicksilva gets you building a large snowman. Although there are plenty of hazards to thwart your innocent pursuit, the worst that can befall you is a gentle fall into comfortable bed. In keeping with the seasonal motif of the game, there's nothing more violent than a quick trip to the land of nod.\r\n\r\nThe basic game screen is not unfamiliar. A running animated character gathers various objects lying about on multi-level platforms connected by ladders. In this case, the platforms are covered in snow, the ladders are ice chutes and you guide the Gingerbread Man-type figure through four stages of the game.\r\n\r\nFirst, you must collect clumps of snow, dropping them one by one at the appointed place so that they build into a snowman. Animated gas flames toddle around the screen - they won't hurt you but will melt any snow you are carrying. A flame can be immobilised by collecting and carrying an ice lolly. An indicator shows your energy source dwindling - grabbing a roast turkey or Christmas pudding replenishes it. Bonus points if you also find time to collect Christmas crackers, presents stockings or trees.\r\n\r\nStages two and three have you equipping your snowman with clothes, glasses, and nose and a smile while sleep monsters try to knock you into bed but an alarm clock keeps them at bay. Preserving your completed snowman with ice cubes is the last stage, then it's on to a different layout and through the cycle again.\r\n\r\nSnowman's quite challenging action is smooth - although moving from a chute to a platform can be tricky since your man's feet must be exactly level with the platform otherwise he won't co-operate. The graphically charming snowman is faithful to Briggs' original drawing.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"42","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Bob Chappell","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]