Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!agate!e260-3b.berkeley.edu!labc-3dc From: labc-3dc@e260-3b.berkeley.edu (Andy McFadden) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Software publishers & the //gs Message-ID: <21110@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> Date: 3 Mar 89 05:35:54 GMT Sender: usenet@agate.BERKELEY.EDU Reply-To: labc-3dc@e260-3b.berkeley.edu (Andy McFadden) Organization: University of California, Berkeley Lines: 56 From a local BBS: ***** Date ->02/24/88 01:20:00 PM About two weeks ago, the major game producing companies got together for a little meeting...They discussed the VERY poor sales all of them were getting on Apple ][gs products. They went over sales figures for other lines and came to a very interesting conclusion. The Apple ][gs machine is to be killed from their lines of development. All the companies 'agreed' that it was a dieing machine and that it would be futile to continue to support it. So, most of them stopped all plans for the Apple ][gs immediately, a few are still going ahead with current plans and then stopping development. What does this mean? All of the loyal Apple ][gs owners are going to get the shaft... I am currently a Certified Developer for Apple and I have heard even worse news from that end. Rumors are flying as to the Apple ][gs+ (Or more commonly known in the developer comunity, the 'Universe' or '][gsx'. A VAST MAJORITY of the rumors that are around are TOTALLY unfounded and pathetic in content. Without a COMPLETE overhaul of the machine (IE, not a ][gs anymore) there will be NONE of the following: 128K sound ram, speed exceeding 5.6mhz, more graphics modes of higher resolution or more colors. There are practical reasons for the above, and if you have ANY knowledge of the machines design and chips you will see what I mean. I have talked to a few people that I know have machines (They will not be named seeing as Apple has one of the stricktest policies concerning new machines and non-disclosures). All I have heard is "It's a BIG disappointment" Furthermore, I have witnessed the slow release and vaporware tendencies of the companies concerning the Apple ][gs. It is becomming painfully recognisable that the 65xx line of computers from Apple are going to die pathetically unless the Apple ][gsx has undergone total redesign. Incindentally, the companies killing the machine from the software support standpoint are as follows (These are the ones I have verified, there were more at the meeting): Electronic Arts (5 more games and then their though), Epyx (12 games layed out, all killed) and Cinemaware (2 more to come then it dies). So what are we to do? I thing the computer community should talk back like what happened with Telenet/PCP...LET THE COMPANIES AND APPLE KNOW! Send letters, call, or do what may be necessary to get things back on track...or start learning 68000 assembly, because that is going to be the only thing left. I hope this post has reaced out and helped to explain this situation, and I hope SOME people out there DO take action, I know I am from my standpoint... -Mike/The Blue Dragon ***** -- fadden@cory.berkeley.edu (Andy McFadden) labc-3dc@widow.berkeley.edu