"Astrocade's Extended Play"
By Mark Brownstein
"Video Games," March 1984: 68-69.


Over the last year we've reported quite a bit on Astrocade, this in spite of 
the fact that the firm went belly up more than a year ago. In a recent issue, 
we presented reviews of Astrocade games-- some of which were available before 
Astrocade's bankruptcy, and others which became available after the system's 
most recent demise.

That article prompted a great deal of interest from "Video Games" readers. So 
first, in response to your letters, the attached sidebar lists many of the 
major manufacturers of Astrocade software. Since we last reported, L&M Software 
has come out with a new cartridge game-- Ms. Candyman. Mercifully, the game is 
a lot like Candy Man, with enough features to fully stand on its own.

Although the title (and advertising graphic) makes one expect an Astrocade 
version of Ms. Pac-Man, the expectation is misleading. In Ms. Candyman, your 
heroine must travel through a "candy factory" gridwork, which is littered with 
Life Savers. Along the way, she must avoid the gremlins who are always after 
her. Ms. Candyman is a good game, well-worth the $29.95 (plus two dollars 
postage and handling) to an Astrocade junkie. The game has more than 20 
progressively difficult game screens, three levels of difficulty, one or two 
player mode, a radar screen and a pause option.

As an L&M Software spokesman said: "We've got a great deal of money invested in 
this game. If it doesn't make it, we'll quit the business." Ms. Candyman would 
be a fine addition to any Astrocade library.

But the mere fact that there's another game for the Astrocade isn't the whole 
story. Jim Curran of Esoterica, Ltd., longtime Astrocade software house and 
distributor finally announced that (if you can believe this) the Z-Grass 
computer is available for the Astrocade. The computer will be pretty much as 
specified in earlier articles--a total of 100K memory, built-in speech, the Z-
Grass language resident in ROM, and a full line of features to keep it right up 
there with the competition. Z-Grass is a special graphic programming language 
which makes it easy to develop exceptional video games.

In fact, special courses in the language have been held for video game 
designers, and Bally has most likely used the language to design many of its 
earlier arcade titles.

Since the Z-Grass unit was designed for the Astrocade, the unit is restricted 
to a low-resolution programming. The scheduled price for the computer addition 
should be around $600-700. Realistically, Esoterica doesn't expect to set any 
sales records with this product, partly because of its price, and partly 
because of the low-resolution (relative to other computers) that the Astrocade 
component limits it to. However, there is still a lot of interest in getting 
good games for the Astrocade. Perhaps buying the Z-Grass computer will pay for 
itself with the first game you sell. Who knows?

Esoterica will also be marketing a high-resolution, state-of-the-art Z-Grass 
computer. This computer will presumably be capable of designing high-resolution 
games for other systems. Lest you get the wrong impression of what the computer 
will do, let us say that the computer will be CP/M compatible, making it 
capable of performing business and entertainment computing, will have the 
interfaces necessary for connection to other computers and peripherals, and 
will also be able to perform just about any function of other computers. 
According to Esoterica, the computers are expensive but worth every penny.

Finally, we get to look at Astrocade itself. At the time of this writing, the 
rumors were running pretty fast and furious. True to form, Ray George, 
Astrocade's vice president and invisible man, was not available for a telephone 
interview. Without an Astrocade confirmation or denial, we present the 
following for what they are-- just hearsay (we have them on good authority, but 
so far nothing has been confirmed).

Rumor 1: Astrocade is about to go out of Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) and get back 
into business.

Rumor 2: A new company is about to invest a sizable amount into the company.

Rumor 3: Some of the major Astrocade software developers have been approached 
by interested parties to develop software for the now rejuvenated Astrocade.

This is what I guess may happen: Some third party (possibly a major creditor or 
two) will pay off Astrocade's other creditors at a bargain rate (nickels on the 
dollar for actual debts). This new company will take over some percentage of 
control of the company.

The thousands of units that were either not shipped or returned to Astrocade 
(and were, in effect bought back by Astrocade or the third party) can now be 
sold at a rock bottom price (probably less than $50-60). This should reduce all 
existing stock (Astrocade fans around the country will probably welcome the 
opportunity to get a discount spare unit and sales will be brisk). The system 
will be marketed as a bargain super system (aside from the low-res graphics, it 
really was years ahead of its time).

Meantime, with the sudden rush of money from sales of the sold units, Astrocade 
will be able to manufacture the already redesigned Astrocade unit, which is 
much less costly to manufacture; or may develop a high-resolution unit of their 
own at a price comparable to the Atari VCS. This new unit may provide the 
option of play in either a high or low-resolution mode-- a feature which none 
of the other dedicated units will have. A keyboard may also be added (not the 
Z-Grass), allowing easier game programming, and true computing capabilities.

At the same time, Astrocade may possibly break into Europe with relatively 
inexpensive European units. The sales of bargain hardware will generate the 
interest in software. Astrocade will liquidate its existing software at similar 
bargain rates, while encouraging third parties to continue to develop new games 
for the system. Astrocade will also exercise its options on a number of 
Bally/Midway arcade titles.

Although it's only speculation (many people have been burnt by poor support of 
the units, many dealers have been burnt by poor sales or slowly moving stock), 
some or all of the above may occur. The Astrocade is still a good system with 
an unbelievably strong following. And it may stay around for some time to come.


Bally Professional Arcade (Astrocade)
Software and Information Sources


The companies listed below are primary sources of information, or manufacturers 
of cassette-loaded (and a few ROM cartridge) games and activities for the Bally 
Professional Arcade (Astrocade). This information carries no endorsement from 
Video Games Magazine.


Documentation:

"The Arcadian" published since 1978, provides tutorials, programs, news of 
hardware/software developments for the Arcade; reviews of current software and 
special exclusive offers. Published 11 times a year, subscription rate is 
$12.50/year. To order write: Robert Fabris, 3636 Morrie Dr., San Jose, CA 
95127.

"Astrocade Sourcebook" published twice yearly, provides listings of available 
programs, descriptions of products available for Arcade, catalog pages for 
hardware/software manufacturers, and other valuable information for Arcade 
users. $8.00 per issue. Order from RMH Enterprises, 635 Los Alamos Ave., 
Livermore, CA 94550.


Software:

Esoterica Ltd.
P.O. Box 614
Warren, OH 44485

Anderson Research and Design
2206 West 21st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55118

George Moses, Co.
P.O. Box 686
Brighton, Ml 48116

L&M Software
8599 Framewood Dr.
Newburgh, IN 47630

New Image
59420 Nine Mile Road
South Lyon, MI 48178

Super Software
Box 702
Plainfield, NJ 07061

The Tiny Arcade
Box 1043
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223

Wavemakers
Box 94801
Schaumburg, IL 60192