Hardcore Retrogaming

To: Rick Moncrief
Fr: Jed Margolin
Re: "Video-game makers rush to add 3-D chip"
Dt: 3/7/83

Attached is a copy of an article that appeared in the San Jose Mercury News, March 2, 1983. The chip being touted as a magic chip to do 3-D is the 2516 16*16 multiplier. I talked to Dave Barnet of Weitek last year when it first came out and again this afternoon to update my information.


The 2516 is an NMOS version of a TRW Bipolar Multiplier. Because it is NMOS it dissipates less power and so can be packaged in plastic. It also runs slower than the TRW part.

Last year the 2516 was being offered in a 1 us version for $68. This year it is a 200 ns part and goes for about $40 in quantities of 5,000. (The TRW Bipolar Multiplier does a multiply in about 40 ns and costs twice as much.)


The 2516 was not cost effective last year at $68 and it is not cost effective this year at $40. The multiplier/accumulator  
that I use in Star Wars is made out of MSI and costs about $12 (and does more than just multiply).


The basic operation in doing 3-D transformations is to accumulate products such as in ACC'= ACC + A*B. The 2516 does not accumulate products, it is  only a multiplier. (Weitek has expressed an interest in working with Atari to produce a low power multiplier/accumulator.) My Multiplier/Accumulator also does a presubtract to make calculations more efficient [ ACC'= (A-B)*C + ACC ]. On the other hand, my multiplier is slower (2.7 us vs 200 ns for the Weitek).


Raw multiplier speed is only part of story in doing 3-D transformations. In performing the 3-D math, lots of data has to be fed into the multiplier, and results retrieved, and additions performed (if the multiplier does not also accumulate products). If a device such as the 2516 were put on an 8 bit microcomputer bus, even if the multiplier took zero time it would be several times slower than the current Star Wars hardware. (A 2516 put on a 10 MHz 68000 or 6 MHz 16032 would probably be nice and fast, but a multiplier/accumulator would be better).


The Star Wars hardware deals with the throughput problem by having a simple microprogrammed device keep the multiplier/accumulator fed. The points that define an object are downloaded by a 6809 host processor at the beginning of the game (or wave) into a RAM it shares with the microprogammed machine (the Matrix Processor). When it comes time to display an object, the host processor supplies a pointer which tells the matrix processor where the object's points are stored. The host processor tells the matrix processor which algorithm to use, and each of the object's points is transformed, one at a time.

I resent having to generate this memo, having to defend hardware that I designed THREE YEARS AGO. When the project was Warp Speed it received no support from management. Now that it has become Star Wars and Atari has paid George Lucas one or two million dollars there is more interest in the project. However, the game that is being developed does not take advantage of the real capabilities of either hardware or algorithms. This is very discouraging and makes it very difficult to maintain any enthusiasm in a subject area for which management obviously has so little regard. And I don't want to hear any more crap about Weitek's great 3-D chip.

Driver Main and ADSP Costs 10/16/87 J Margolin

Prices are Stuffed and Tested.
Prices include program ROM but do not include overhead and certain other costs.
System does not include Sound Board.
Does not include extra Zeropower RAM.

==============================================================================
GSP Turbo 48 MP/sec, 32 VRAMs @6.95:    =   $706.10
ADSP Board    =   $255.90
       --------
       $962.00


(Main Board Comes with 16 Program ROMs, 200ns, OTP.)
(ADSP Board comes with 4 Graphics ROMs, 250ns, OTP.)
(Without ROMs, $962.00 - 16*4.80 - 4*4.10 = $868.80)


The big chunks are:
(32) 64Kx4 VRAMs $6.95 $222.40
ADSP-2100 $105.00
(16) 27512 (Main) $4.80 $ 76.80
    34010-40 $50.00 $ 50.00
  34010-50 $88.00 $ 88.00
PC Board  16x16 $0.30 $ 76.80
(20) SRAMs (ADSP) $1.85 $ 37.00
PC Board  15x8 $0.30 $ 36.00
(4) 27512 (ADSP) $4.10 $ 16.40
AD7582 12B A/D $ 15.00
68010 $ 15.00
Timekeeper $ 15.00
-------
$753.40

This represents  78.3% of the cost.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GSP Turbo 24 MP/sec, 16 VRAMs @6.95:    =   $594.90
ADSP Board    =   $255.90
       --------
       $850.80


(Main Board Comes with 16 Program ROMs, 200ns, OTP.)
(ADSP Board comes with 4 Graphics ROMs, 250ns, OTP.)
(Without ROMs, $850.80 - 16*4.80 - 4*4.10 = $757.60)


Driver Main Costs:
(1) 68010 uP $15 (Plastic) $15.00

(1) 68681 DUART     $4.00 $ 4.00

(4) 6264 8k x 8 SRAMs   $2.25 $ 9.00

(16) 27512 64kx8 200ns, OTP   $4.80 $76.80

(1) 48TO2 2k x 8 Timekeeper $15.00 $15.00

(32) 4461 64k x 4 VRAMs   $ 6.95 $222.40

(4) 4464 64k x 4 DRAMs $ 3.00 $12.00

(3) R2R Ladder Networks $ 0.50 $ 1.50

(6) 1Kx4 SRAMs $2.00 $12.00

(1) 34010-40 (MSP) $50.00 $50.00
(1) 34010-50 (GSP) $88.00 $88.00

(1) 32 MHz Oscillator Module $1.50 $ 1.50
(1) 48 MHz Oscillator Module $1.50 $ 1.50
(1) 40 MHz Oscillator Module $1.50 $ 1.50

(26) AS,F $1.00 $26.00
(46) ALS $1.00 $46.00
(30) LSTTL $1.00 $30.00

(1) ADC0809, 8 bit A/D $2.00 $ 2.00

(1) AD7582, 12 Bit A/D $15.00 $15.00

(1) PC Board, 256 sq.in. $.30/sq.in. $76.80
-------

Driver Main 32 VRAMs @6.95: Total $706.10


ADSP Board Parts - Full Data and Program Memory

(1) ADSP-2100 105.00

(1) 32 MHZ CLOCK MODULE      1.50

(20) 4Kx4 SRAM, 45 NS @1.85 37.00

(4) 8Kx8 SRAM @2.25  9.00

(4) 27512-250, OTP @4.10 16.40

(27) LS @1.00 27.00

(17) ALS @1.00 17.00

(7) AS @1.00  7.00

(1) PC Board (8 x 15 = 120 x 0.30) 36.00
-------
$255.90


For ADSP Board with 1/2 Program and
1/2 Data RAM: (10) * $1.85      -$18.50
-------
$237.40

To: Rick Moncrief
Fr: Jed Margolin
Re: Focus Group 6/8/88, Hard Drivin'
Dt: 6/9/88


The Seat
-------
The three groups uniformly seemed to like the seat.


The Graphics
------------
The first two groups liked the graphics. In the third group someone said the
graphics reminded him of I ROBOT. I am not sure if he said he didn't like the
graphics or if Lyle said the guy didn't like it.


The Steering Wheel
------------------
When people were talking about the steering wheel it was not always clear
whether they were talking about the physical effort to move the steering
wheel or about how the car handled. It was clear that the third group did not
like the way the car handled.

Part of the problem may be the speedometer and dash. People did not seem to
use the speedometer much. Several commented that it was hard to see. I expect
that it is also lost in the clutter of guages that are not used, like fuel
and temperature. You should consider making the Tachometer and Speedometer
twice as large, dumping the unused guages, and making the dashboard background
color darker.


Realistic Simulation
--------------------
All three groups seemed to think that the realistic simulation of a car was a
good idea.


Transmission
------------
The third group seemed to have the most trouble with the transmission, mostly
the automatic transmission. It did not help that first gear was usually "out".

I recommend that with the automatic transmission the shifter not be used.

I personally prefer a semi-automatic transmission, using the shifter to select
the gears, but not using the clutch.


Tracks
------
Most people seemed to think the long track was too boring.

The stunt track was too hard for almost everybody. The stunt track has too
many stunts.

There needs to be more tracks, with the number and difficulty of stunts
properly apportioned.


Traffic Cars
-----------
The third group wanted more interaction with the traffic cars. The first two
groups seemed content with the existing traffic. (They probably had enough
to do just to drive.)


Instant Replay
--------------
A clear winner with all three groups.


Sound Effects
-------------
People generally liked the sound effects but,

Someone in the third group noted that at 7000 RPM the engine did not
sound like an engine at 7000 RMS.

Although they generally appreciated the voice help, they would have
preferred a different speaker. I think they would have liked an
appropriate female voice.

Several people expressed their desire for music. Several wanted to
be able to choose from a selection of tunes.


Rear View Mirror
----------------
Several people expressed their interest in having the rear view mirror work,
although one guy in the third group said he didn't need it.


Other
----
One gentleman was consistently able to drive over the rainbow, leading to
suggestions that the hardware was at fault.

The brake is too close to the gas, and the clutch is too close to the brake.

Game Idea - BattleZone II
Jed Margolin 8/8/88



Perspective: 3D with Polygons


Hardware: Driver System or MultiSync


Cabinet: 1. Driver Sitdown
2. Upright


Controls: Star Wars Control,
Footpedal for Gas,
Lever to select Forward or Reverse
Switch to select Magnification factor,
Switches to select Weapons.


Screen: The lower part of the screen has a control panel which
contains:

  Fuel Guage,
Speedometer,
Radar Display,
Weapons Display,
Message Screen.


Weapons: 25mm machine gun (coaxial with the main gun)
Armour piercing shells
High Energy Shells
TOW Missiles


Situation: The player is inside his tank, able to drive it, change
the angle of the main gun, select weapons, and fire them.


Game Play: The player drives around and is confronted by other vehicles:
American and Russian Tanks, American and Russian Helicopters,
and American and Russian Personnel Carriers.

The player must identify the targets. Destroying an American
vehicle loses a player's life, but a Russian vehicle that is
not destroyed in time will fire on the player.

Destroying a Russian vehicle earns the player big points.

The player starts with appropriate supplies of fuel and
ammunition.

Machine gun and main gun rounds follow ballistic trajectories.
TOW Misiles are guided by the player to the target.

Some targets can be destroyed with machine gun fire (There is
a lot of 25mm ammo.) Some require High Energy or Armour
Piercing. (There are fewer rounds of this ammo). Some targets
can only be destroyed with TOW Missiles. (There are not many
TOW Missiles.)

If the player reaches a resupply depot he can replenish his
supplies. However, resupply depots are considered prime
targets by the enemy.


Game Link: Up to six of these units can be linked together in the
Atari Battle Network, accommodating BattleZone II (Tank),
the Helicopter Game, and the Jet Aircraft Game.


Game Over: The game ends when the player loses the requisite number
of lives. A player who runs out fuel and ammunition will
not long survive.












Game Idea - Helicopter Game
Jed Margolin 8/8/88


Perspective: 3D with Polygons


Hardware: Driver System or MultiSync


Cabinet: Driver Sitdown


Controls: Floor mounted joystick,
Throttle/Collective Pitch,
Footpedals for Tail Rotor,
Switches to select Weapons.

Mode 1: Extensive computer assist in flying the craft.
Mode 2: Mostly Manual (No Engine Torque correction required).
Mode 3: Full Manual (Engine Torque correction required).


Screen: The lower part of the screen has a control panel which
contains:

Altitude Indicator,
Airspeed Indicator,
  Fuel Guage,
Engine RPM,
Radar Display,
Weapons Display,
Message Screen.


Weapons: 25mm machine gun
Heat Seeking Missiles
TOW Missiles


Situation: The player is inside his helicopter, able to fly it, select
weapons, and fire them.


Game Play: The player flies around and is confronted by other vehicles
and aircraft: American and Russian Tanks, American and Russian
Helicopters, and American and Russian Personnel Carriers.

The player must identify the targets. Destroying an American
vehicle loses a player's life, but a Russian vehicle that is
not destroyed in time will fire on the player.

Destroying a Russian vehicle earns the player big points.

The player starts with appropriate supplies of fuel and
ammunition.

Machine gun rounds follow ballistic trajectories.
Heat Seeking Missiles will seek heat sources; if fired at an
appropriate target at an appropriate range it will hit the
target. TOW Misiles are guided by the player to the target.

Some targets can be destroyed with machine gun fire (There is
a lot of 25mm ammo.) Some are best handled with Heat Seeking
Missiles; others with TOW Missiles. (If the target is in front
of the sun, do not use a Heat Seeking Missile.)

If the player reaches a resupply depot he can replenish his
supplies. However, resupply depots are considered prime
targets by the enemy.


Game Link: Up to six of these units can be linked together in the
Atari Battle Network, accommodating BattleZone II (Tank),
the Helicopter Game, and the Jet Aircraft Game.


Game Over: The game ends when the player loses the requisite number
of lives. A player who runs out fuel and ammunition will
not long survive.













Game Description - TomCat GSP Jed Margolin 12/14/87
----------------------------------------------------------------


The following is the description for the updated TomCat game using the latest
GSP raster hardware.

************************ Flying Game - Jet Fighter ************************

The player is flying a jet fighter on various missions. In completing these
missions the player will encounter computer generated opponents. Opponents
may be in the air (other aircraft) or on the ground (anti-aircraft fire,
missiles, tanks, tanks firing missiles, etc.)

In linked games the other player could be an opponent or the two (or more)
players can fight as a team.
----------------
TRAINING:

At the beginning of the game the player selects whether he wishes full
control of his aircraft or whether he wants some measure of computer assist.

The player may also choose which mission level to start the game with.

There will be at least two Training Missions:

  1. The computer gives the player a course on how to fly.

2. Training with easy opponents to shoot down.
----------------
COMBAT:

Combat missions start with the player taking off (either under computer control
or by himself) and receiving instructions on his mission and a vector to
fly. (The vector is what direction to fly.) Examples of combat missions are:

1. The target is an oil refinery. Opponents are few (and easy).

2. The target is a railway line. (Extra points for derailing the train.)
  Opponents are few but more aggressive than before.

3. The target is an airfield. More targets enroute. Try to destroy the
  enemy aircraft while they are still on the ground.

4. The target is a radar station.

5. The target is an oil tanker.

6. The target is an aircraft carrier. (Opposition can be expected to
  be fierce.)

7. The target is an enemy missile base. The player must destroy the
  base before it can launch its missiles. A countdown timer will
  be provided.

Game Description - TomCat GSP Jed Margolin Page 2
----------------------------------------------------------------
 
A High-Score table will be kept for each mission, with the time and date the
high score occurred.

The Time-Keeper RAM can be used to periodically introduce additional missions
and mission elements. For example: On a certain date the opponent will receive
a new kind of aircraft. All the games in the country will change on the same
day, WITHOUT THE OPERATOR DOING ANYTHING.
----------------
Hardware: The GSP hardware provides a 3D display with the objects made up
of polygons. The Full Turbo can do about 500 polygons with an
update rate of 20 Hz. It is able to change the memory display
buffer on the fly which makes the instrument panel easier.
It also does PIXBLTs.

    MultiSync Turbo (or Full Turbo for increased performance)
    ADSP Board (For Math)
    A/R Sound Board

Monitor: The hardware will support standard or medium speed, high or
low resolution.

Top Of The Line Game: A sitdown with three 25" Medium Speed Monitors.
Economy Model: An upright with a single low resolution monitor.

Display Format:  512 x 384.  The bottom 128 will be used for the instrument
panel, leaving 512 x 256 for the cockpit window.

The instrument panel will display airspeed, altitude, heading,
fuel remaining, ammunition and missiles remaining, etc.

It will have an area for messages from the aircraft's
computer.

It will have a Radar.


************************ Flying Game - Helicopter ************************

It is remarkably similar to the "Flying Game - Jet Fighter" except the player
flies a helicopter. A helicopter is more effective for dogfights because it
can turn faster than a fixed-wing aircraft.

To: Pat Brosnan
Fr: Jed Margolin
Dt: 21 March 1989
Re: Problem with Hard Drivin' board set in France



"ADDRESS ERROR" indicates a software bug, possibly because it is trying to
report a hardware problem with the ADSP board that was not simulated in
testing that software version.


Please find out:

1. Was this one of the games at ATE that was sold?

2. What version of software is it? The software version appears on the
  Main Test Menu on all production software.

3. Does the ADSP Test in Automated Self-Test report bad ADSP Memory?

4. Does it do it at the start of the ADSP Test or at the end?

5. Does the game run?



If I know what software release it is I can simulate an ADSP memory error
and determine if the problem is software.
_____________________________________________________________________________

To: Pat Brosnan
Fr: Jed Margolin
Dt: 22 March 1989
Re: Problem with Hard Drivin' board set in France


It sounds like a problem with the ADSP Board.

There are actually two problems:
  1. The game doesn't run.
  2. Self-Test gets an Address Error when it tests the ADSP Memory.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 1 (In order to be rigorous about this thing):

1. The most recent software available in English Language, Left Hand Drive
  is Version 8.1  . Please confirm this is what they have. (The software
  version appears on the Main Test Menu.)

2. Does the Driver Main PC Board have the mod to the GSPWAIT circuit?
  This is shown on Drawing No. A044425-01 "ASSEMBLY, SUB, DRIVER MAIN PCB"
  The mod to the GSPWAIT circuit is the mod that starts:

  MODIFICATIONS TO ASSEMBLIES USING 044426-01 REV A,B and C PC BDS:
1. COMPONENT SIDE OF PC BOARD:
  FOLLOW THE TRACE FROM 190E PIN 1 TO THE FEEDTHROUGH.

and so on.

3. Did the game ever run?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 2:

4. This sounds like a problem on the ADSP Board.

  Could you give them a new ADSP Board and send the old one to me?
  (Sending me the whole board set would be better.)
 
  The reason is that I don't think I have seen this problem before. When I
  test the memory routines I usually pull out the RAMs, one at a time. (I have
  a board set with all the RAMs in sockets.)  This may be a problem that only
  causes this software reporting problem when the RAM errors are at certain
  addresses.

5. Rick has told me it is a chore to be sending boards through Customs and has
  suggested that the main Distributor in each country where we sell these
  games have a spare board set so that individual boards can be more easily
  swapped.  What do you think?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 3:

6. We will probably do a flying game on Hard Drivin' hardware but it won't be
  much like the TomCat game you saw. And it certainly won't be called TomCat.
  I was really unpopular with management for insisting on doing the game and
  as a result now I only do hardware (and some test programs).


Regards,
_____________________________________________________________________________

To: Pat Brosnan
Fr: Jed Margolin
Dt: 23 March 1989
Re: Problem with Hard Drivin' board set in France


3. Audio problem:

   A. It is possible that in working on the ADSP board the Interconnect Cable
      has become flakey. Try a new one.

   B. If the Interconnect Cable is not the problem:
      If the Sound Wave ROM checksums are bad it could be because the ROM is
      bad or because there are circuit problems. One way to find out is to
      plug the ROMs into an empty socket on the Main Board and do ROM
      checksums in 'Special Functions'.

      Location 200 V is ROM 4 H and 210 V is ROM 4 L. Do not unplug existing
      ROMs. Also, the ROM 7 pair will not work because they are connected
      through Slapstic which is not loaded.

      This only works with 27512s. The Sound Program ROMs are 27256s which
      cannot be checked this way.

4. Spare Board Sets at Distributors: Rick suggests one board set per Customs
  boundary.

5. I am sending you some block diagrams.

6. Erik says he wants his case back first.



Regards,
_____________________________________________________________________________

To: Rick Moncrief 1 of 1
Fr: Jed Margolin
Re: Hardware Status
Dt: 23 March 1989



Driver Main - Color RAM Problem
-------------------------------

I have given Art the real fix for the Color RAM problem, to update the
board.



MultiSync
---------
We have signed off Film and Fab for MultiSync Rev A.

We need to add the Color RAM fix to it; it looks like we will be
able to do it before Purchasing buys boards.

We need to decide on the 40 MHz oscillator module before releasing
the parts list.


Driver Compact
--------------
We have received the boards for the Single Optical Steering Wheel Reader
and for the Dual Optical Steering Wheel Reader. Karen has built some up.
We should test them electrically.



Jed
_____________________________________________________________________________

To: Rick Moncrief 1 of 1
Fr: Jed Margolin
Re: Hardware Status
Dt: 27 March 1989



Driver Main - Color RAM Problem
-------------------------------
We have gone out for Film for the new boards with the real fix for
the Color RAM problem.


MultiSync
---------
Art had Gary do the board even though Joe had been scheduled to do it.

I have received plots and schematics for the MultiSync board and sent the
schematic back with several part value corrections.


Driver Compact
--------------
We have received the boards for the Single Optical Steering Wheel Reader
and for the Dual Optical Steering Wheel Reader. Karen has built some up.
We should test them electrically before they are released.


Pat Brosnan
-----------
I responded to several faxes from Pat Brosnan. It appears that there was a
Hard Drivin' in France that:

Was a production game;
Had Software release 8.1 (English, Left Hand Drive)
The game did not run, it said 'ADSP Timeout' in Attract Mode;
The ADSP Test in Automatic Self-Test said the ADSP RAM was ok;
In 'Special Functions ADSP' the RAM Test terminated in an address
error at 810003 and did not display the board picture.

Not all the information is consistent. Although I explained that I had not
seen that failure before and that it would be really useful if they returned
the board to me, they elected to replace some (all?) the 6264s on the ADSP
Board, thus solving the problem. Now we will never know.

His last fax was that now the Sound Board didn't work, that there were ROM
checksum errors. He didn't say if the checksum errors were Sound Program ROM or
Sound Wave ROM. I relayed Erik's suggestion that the Interface Cable may have
been damaged while they were playing with the ADSP Board. I also suggested
that if the ROM errors were Sound Wave ROMs, he could check them by putting
them in ROM 4 sockets on the Main Board and running the ROM Checksum test.
This would identify whether the ROMs were really bad or if there was a circuit
problem on the Sound Board.

He asked for information about how the hardware worked. I sent him a block
diagram.

I have not received a response.


Jed

From: ERNIE::RICE         19-AUG-1988 13:00:40.99
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: New test pieces from Sega


Two new test pieces are testing at this very moment down at Emerald
Hills Golfland.  Both are from Sega.

1)  Dynamite Dux- looks like a potential kit.  Joystick and two buttons.
                 One button jump and the other is punch.  Gameplay is
                 a Woody Woodpecker character that roams the streets
                 picking up treasures, bombs, guns, and other items
                 using these for fire power against oncoming so-called
                 enemies.  These enemies are believe it or not, moose
                 heads and dog heads.  At the end of the first wave, there
                 is a big Mr. Fire Blaze that he character must put out
                 with the water guns he picks up.  

                 The game is a two player on 25 cents per play.  Not
                 one person played the game while I was there.


2)  Power Drift-  Another expensive looking driving game from Sega.
                 This one is an Outrun perspective dune buggy type
                 driving game.  Has the same graphics as Galaxy Force.
                 These graphics make the game very difficult to play
                 because they are so washed out and it is hard to
                 get a good feel for the track.

                 The player chooses from 5 categories of tracks and
                 starts on one of five tracks within that category.
                 Player must place in what appeared to be a predetermined
                 finish before he can continue.

                 The game has steering wheel, shifter, gas and brake pedals.
                 Coinage is set on 50 cents per play.

If you all have a chance to go out and see these games please do so.  Capcom
is also testing Rough Ranger at Emerald Hills.  This is the Rolling Thunder
rip-off.







From: KIM::RAINS         7-OCT-1987 17:48:42.99
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Report from JAA show, Tokyo


FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH

  Late report from our man, Dan Van, in the heart of enemy territory, Tokyo,
Japan.  He reports that the JAA show is pretty busy, and there are plenty of
new products being shown.  A quick rundown:

SEGA:  showing AFTERBURNER in 4 or 5 different cabinet configurations,
including a new intermediate cost sit-down.  The program has been updated
slightly, but remains basically the same.  They were also showing a Baseball
game in the same cabinet and on the same hardware as DUNK SHOT.  Excitement
on afterburner is still high in Japan, and among the international visitors
at the show.

NAMCO:  is getting a lot of interest by American and European visitors in
their PACMANIA game.  Dan feels confident that we will have to show this
product at the AMOA and make it available before Christmas.  Namco is also
showing their new linkable cabinet multiplayer driving game, FINAL LAP.
They have four 2-player cabinets linked into an 8-player Pole Position type
game.  Dan isn't sure how significant the product will be, though the game
gets a lot of play at the show.

DATA EAST:  is showing their 3-player Gauntlet-style REAL GHOST BUSTERS game,
but Dan claims it's a bust.  Not to worry....

TATSUMI:  is showing a new first person, 3-D flying game which Dan claims is
graphically superior to Lock-on or Afterburner.  He's not sure if the game is
better than afterburner,  but it looks like someone else is starting to do
some real 3-D stuff.

TAITO:  showed a video machine gun game, OPERATION WOLF, which was apparently
receiving some attention.  Dan says the compact cabinet design was highly
favored as a good concept.

KONAMI:  is showing their 2-player Gauntlet-style game, DARK WARRIOR.  Dan
says the graphics are good, and the view is zoomed in much closer, so the
characters and monsters are more than twice as big as Gauntlet.

KASCO:  has a genuine shooting game.  The player gets 5 shots from a rifle
with pneumatically fired plastic pellets.  He shoots at a moving paper
target, and the machine vends the target at the end of play.  The rifle is
secured to the cabinet by a cable and retaining bar arrangement, but is
probably not safe enough.  The cabinet is about 4' x 8'.


  There were a few other odds 'n ends, but that's the bulk of his report.  
I'll let him fill in the details when he get's back.