Star Tech Journal

Issue: 1981-September - Vol 3 Issue 7

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,
"VENTURE"
Ex I DY PROGRAM
1
The first "Venture" games manufactured by
Exidy contained a "Version 1" program.
Later games, now being shipped, have a
CHANGE
"Version 4" program.
The new program speeds up selected areas of game play. Also,
beginning play is uneffected but the later stages are now more
difficult.
To identify which program is in your game, turn on the unit and
after 5-6 seconds (audio self-test) a message will appear; "Please
Stand By - Version 4", or in the case of version 1, random characters
will appear. The game will then proceed into the attract mode.
To identify the memory version while inspecting the logic board,
the proms will have this identification;
VEL 6A-1
The "VE" stands for Venture, the "L" for logic prom, "6A" is the
location, and "-1" is the version level.
The memory change kit consists of 8 logic proms and 5 audio
proms. Contact your Exidy distributor for exchange of the Version 1
set for the new Version 4 set.
Gremlin has just released their
new X-Y color game, "Space Fury."
From early income reports, this
CABINET
NOTES appears to be their best game to
by Todd Erickson
' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ date.
This game is housed in their new cabinet. Earlier games were
difficult to service, so a bit of thought was given to service. The
front panel that houses the coin rejectors drops down with the
lower edge hinged. The control panel then unsnaps and two pins
will remove it. This leaves the complete mid-front open. The
electronics are mounted on a drawer with 2 bolts holding it in
place. The glass for the screen can be removed with the control
panel open. The lower panel is the coin area.
All this sounds very nice, but there are a few new problems. Starting
from the bottom, the front and back of the cabinet are cut off at a
45° angle. This makes it difficult to pick it up from the back. I really
don't care for the cheap wood money door. This game should be a
good money maker, but also would be an easy mark to pry open.
Not all the money goes into the plastic coin jar. Some stays in the
coin area and some spills on the sides of the jar. I was able to pry
open the front door with my hands. This would let others play the
• game free. The Coinco rejector used on the game has too shallow a
ramp, which may cause the coins to jam. When the game is open, I
feel the sides are weak and may be damaged by prying. Cross bar
points would be nice to see on later games produced. I would also
like to add that this is an early game and many of these problems
may be ironed out in the future.
GREMLIN . ::~~~
S•TJ SEPTEMBER 1981 11
GOTTLIEB SYSTEM
8 OsouND/SPEECH
THE SYSTEM 80 SOUND SYSTEM HAS
BEEN REDESIGNED AND IS NOW CAPABLE
OF PRODUCING SYNTHESIZED SPEECH.
AS A RESULT, THE ORIGINAL SYSTEM 80
SOUND BOARD HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A
NEW SOUND/SPEECH BOARD. THE SOUND/
SPEECH BOARD WAS FIRST USED IN
GOTTLIEB'S "MARS, GOD OF WAR" GAME,
AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED IN
ALL GOTTLIEB'S FUTURE PRODUCTS.
NOTE: THE SYSTEM 80 SOUND BOARD
WILL STILL BE MADE AVAILABLE BY GOTT-
LIEB'S DISTRIBUTORS.
THE COMPONENT WHICH PROVIDES THE
NEW BOARD WITH ITS SPEECH CAPA-
BILITY IS THE VOLTRAX SC-01 SPEECH
SYNTHESIZER. THE SC-01 IS A 22-PIN
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WHICH, WHEN USED
WITH ITS SUPPORT CIRCUITRY, WILL PHO-
BOARD
NETICALLY SYNTHESIZE CONTINUOUS
SPEECH WITH UNLIMITED VOCABULARY.
WARNING: THE SOUND BOARD AND THE
SOUND/SPEECH BOARD ARE NOT INTER-
CHANGEABLE. INSTALLING EITHER OF
THESE TWO BOARDS INTO A GAME FOR
WHICH IT WAS NOT DESIGNED WILL
SEVERELY DAMAGE THAT BOARD!
BENCH TESTER MODIFICATION KIT:
THE BENCH TESTER THAT IS CURRENTLY
IN USE WAS NOT ORIGINALLY DESIGNED
TO CALIBRATE OR TEST THE SOUND/-
SPEECH BOARD. HOWEVER, A MODIFICA-
TION KIT IS NOW AVAILABLE WHICH WILL
GIVE IT THESE CAPABILITIES. THE KIT IS
EASILY INSTALLED AND CAN BE ORDERED
FROM ANY AUTHORrZED GOTTLIEB DIS-
TRIBUTOR.
REPRINTED COURTEST OF GOTTLIEB'S "ON TARGET' TECHNICAL NEWSLETTER.
MICRO SYSTEMS
393 EAST 198 STREET, BRONX, NY 10458
212-220-3644
''All Kits Are Unconditionally Guaranteed For 30 Days After Shipment"
PACK-MAN TO POP-MAN CONVERSION
Update your Pack-Man to Pop-Man with this new disappearing maze featuring "Popeye" and 6 warp
tunnels. A completely new challenge. Easy installation • Revitalize player interest and collections
POP-MAN KIT - $200.00
SUPER MOONCRESTA KIT
This new memory kit will convert your original "Mooncresta" to the new hit SUPER MOONCRESTA. A
much faster and superior game. Complete, easy installation instructions.
SUPER MOONCRESTA KIT - $175.00 - While supplies last.
PLEIADS FROM PHOENIX KIT
Convert your "Phoenix" to PLEIADS with this new memory kit. Get a brand new game at a fraction of the
cost. Easy installation • Kit includes new memory chips and instruction card.
PLEIADS CONVERSION KIT - $175.00
EAGLE UPDATE KIT
This inexpensive plug-in memory chip will make the docking portion of the game very difficult and
create a new challenge for your players.
EAGLE UPDATE KIT - $20.00
SUPER GALAXIANS KIT - SPECIAL - $90.00 ASTEROIDS UPDATE KIT - 02 version -
01 version -
STAR CASTLE SPEED-UP KIT-New Memory Chips , Plug-in Installation . $55 PER KIT.
$40.00
$75.00
MICRO-SYSTEMS HAS MANY OTHER CONVERSION KITS ANDA FULL LINE OF IC'S, POWER SUPPLIES
AND COMPONENTS. CALL FOR PRICES AND INFO OR SEND YOUR ORDER TODAY TO:
E. 198TH STREET, BRONX, NEW YORK 10458
MICRO • SYSTEMS 393
PHONE (212) 220-3644
SPECIAL PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PRE-PAID ORDERS
S•TJ SEPTEMBER 1981 12

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