lay via the system?

Just the price of electricity and a lot of time keeping it updated and backed-up. I don't recoup anything monetarily unless you're readers are offering to send me cash...

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Why do you run the system?

Probably for the same reason why I collect old hardware and hang out on
classic computer forums. I enjoy letting other people experience my little part of the world, and I also enjoy meeting other people who are interested
in the same hobbies as me.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. What enhancements do you plan for the system?

I might customize Centipede some, but for the most part, I'm pretty maxxed
out on what I can add to the system hardware-wise. I'll continue expanding
the file areas to include more systems, and add more online games as I find time. There's been some talk about linking all the BBSes together through
some sort of network, but that's in future quite a ways.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Do you plan to keep the system just running on Commodore hardware, and
how long (realistically) do you think the system can remain up?

Well I haven't any plans to emulate the system, though it would be
infinitely easier if I did. I always like the feel of 'real' hardware.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. How long will this stay up or can remain up?

As long as people are interested, I'll keep it online. As it stands right
now, we're fairly busy as far as boards go in 2014 and more new people are calling all the time. As for as long as it can stay up, I think it's
fairly safe to say I'm in good shape hardware-wise. I have 3 Commodore
128Ds, a couple of C128s, 3 Commodore hard drives, and lots of parts. I haven't had a Commodore system die on me yet and I don't imagine that it
will happen any time soon.

- - - - - - - - - -

Q. Do you have any final comments?

Thanks for the interview and I hope people will give it a try! If anyone
has any questions, you can reach me via the BBS or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/particlesbbs

=====================================

*************************************
REVIEW: ALTER EGO
By Commodore Free
*************************************

www.retrosouls.net/c64/aec64_source.zip
www.retrosouls.net/

RetroSouls is a small team based in Altay (Russia). Apparently the term
"Team" is overstated as this is actually just one person - Denis Grachev.
This game was first released on the Spectrum (by this developer) and then ported over to the C64. Other than that, I know very little history about
the game; however, what I do know is that there's a mobile version from the same developer for Android and Windows mobile phones or tablets.

Alter Ego is an addictive puzzle-platform game, and is a first release from this developer on the C64. It's exciting to see what else this developer
will release, especially with an initial release of such quality. To play
the game you need a joystick plugged into port 2. No instructions are
supplied (the game is simple to pick up).

The game looks like a standard old-school, 8-bit "collect items"
platformer. However, looks can be deceiving, and the clever part to this
game is that you also control a phantom version of yourself on the opposite side of the screen. When the hero moves, the alter ego moves too, but in a mirrored fashion. In some levels the movements are mirrored horizontally;
in others they are mirrored vertically. You can switch at anytime between
the hero and his alter ego by pressing the Fire button. You are limited on
the number of swaps on each level, and this number of swaps is shown on the bottom-right of the screen. There are evil skulls around, and you don't
want to touch them or its life over, and do not fall into the water or
outside of the level, or you'll also lose a life.

To complete a level, you need to collect all the pixel squares. Usually
you can take them only with the hero, but on some levels there are pixels
of another color; these can only be collected by the alter ego.

The game is simple but frustrating - you also need to avoiding the
marauding skulls. The swap of characters between yourself and the phantom transforms the game into something more unusual than a standard platform
game. Some of the levels require some extensive forward planning
(remember, you only have a limited number of swaps). From a user the
game's difficulty curve is just right, it nicely guides you in and slowly
gets more difficult, with the hook to come back for more being intense.
You will find hours "rolling by", unable to pull yourself from the
immersion into the game.

Simple, but perfectly executed, sound could do with a techno or even arty-styled new age SID soundtrack. This would lift the game further, as
would a password system to start on further levels without having to start
from Stage 1 each time. I would have preferred more of the screen real
estate taken over on the Commodore 64 version, as it looks a little small on-screen. I do like the shadow effects on the platforms, and everything
looks so cutesy.

SCORES

Graphics: 6/10
a bit small on-screen
Sounds: 3/10
some clicks and blips
Gameplay: 7/10
frustrating but in a nice way
Overall: 7/10
lovely platform game, with a great
hook

=====================================


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