This message is sent out to JUNK, not just ENGINEERING 'cuz I figured
several people not on the ENGINEERING distribution may be interested in some
competitor information.  If you do not want to read about some new games due
from our competitors you can stop reading right here.


It's definitely football season out there...


After reading in the October RePlay that Sente will debut a new game at the
AMOA called "Street Football," we figured further research was warranted.
According to a (reliable) source, the game is 1- or 2-player simultaneous
with track ball controllers.  Players can select a receiver who runs his own
pattern, dodging cars and trucks, etc.  It will be a kit for their SAC I
system and sell for $395.

Sente says that they are now testing "out of state" and that is why we have
not seen their football game around here.  Not that I doubt the word of this
reputable source, but its more likely that the game has not been out on
field test yet.  Keep your eyes and ears open, you may hear of this game out
on test locally before the show; if you do, let me know 'cuz we'd like to
see it.

The contact at Sente also said that Cinematronics will also be be showing a
football game at the show.  Considering the great job they did with their
baseball game, World Series, this could be the one to watch out for.

Sega has another expensive simulator game game, "Out Run," which they will
show in Japan next week and at the AMOA (operators could buy two real cars
for the price of this one!).  Atari may end up building this game for Sega
in Europe, but then again, maybe not.  It's a Hang On-type driving simulator
with the player sitting in a scale model fiberglass Ferrari car that moves
according to the action on the screen (as you steer left the back end of the
car move right, etc.).  The game is supposed to have a feedback steering
control...but not having actually played it, we don't know how "feedback" it
really is; we're sure to get a full report after the Japan show.  (For the
price...$8,000+...where's the feedback clutch and shifter?)  The game puts
the player up against other hot cars (Corvettes, Porsches, etc.) that must
be out-run (thus the name of the game).  It is supposed to have a few nifty
features...like being able to tune in the background music you want by
dialing the radio.  Another (great) idea is that the player sees a good-
looking blonde get into the car beside him as he coins up (personally, this
really doesn't turn me on, unless the blonde is about 6' 2" and otherwise
looks like Tom Cruise).

And speaking of Tom...Konami is advertising their new "Top Gunner" kit: A
two-player simultaneous tank game with a buy-in feature.

There are also ads and hints about all sorts of new games and kits from
other manufacturers in the October RePlay.  One thing that is interesting to
me this year is that several manufacturers are releasing (or planning to
release) their new games now, just before the show.  There may be a few
surprises at the AMOA, but probably not many (e.g. Tradewest supposedly has
a hot sequel to their Ikari Warriors).  Getting samples of a good game out
to stir interest before the show is a good sales technique...it worked with
Gauntlet!

If you have any fun facts about what's going on in the field, let me know.
I plan on doing an update on this info. after the Japan show and befor the
AMOA.

That's all for now!
                                             --Linda