Author
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Topic: Qb Special Edition - Announcement
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Andrew Davie
Atari Pro
 
Member # 214
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posted 01-16-2002 09:17 AM
Now that the contest for the Qb labels is over, I have everything needed to start shipping the Special Edition. Consequently I have emailed all those on the preorder list (who are guaranteed a copy) with an offer to purchase.The offer includes the following specification... Contents of the special edition are
1) A custom-made wooden box. This box was produced for me, to my specification, by a local sheltered workshop (at great expense, I might add). I decided that it would be A GOOD THING (tm) to support these guys by giving them some work. They've done a fine job - and although not terribly sophisticated in design/style, I'm quite pleased with the results. Each box is hand made, and comes with squares of Tasmanian woods affixed to the top (Huon Pine, King William, etc) representing the tableaux of the game during play. Boxes are individually numbered from 1 to 100. 2) A CD-ROM containing a) Multiple binaries of QB during development b) Archive of emails/messages related to the deveopment of the game c) Multiple source-code snapshots of the game d) Actual final source code, in buildable form, of the game as used for the special edition (not available elsewhere) e) Archives of the [stella] list, related to the game production f) Tools required for Atari 2600 development (pending approval by copyright owners) g) Copy of Z26 Atari 2600 emulator and full source code - allows binaries to be played on PC h) Images of all the labels from the Qb competition 3) A manual containing a) Fully commented hardcopy printout of the game code b) Retro-style game-blurb done by an 'industry veteran' (not me!) who actually did this stuff professionally back in the early '80s! c) Post-mortem of the game development, and a personal history of the game. 4) Hand-numbered and signed cartridge containing an individually serial-numbered binary of Qb. This binary is a special release, having some minor visual improvements and refinements which are not present in the regular edition. Each cartridge binary has the serial number as part of the ROM image, so all 100 are unique. The cartridge comes with a label as shown in the competition, and each label is hand-numbered (1-100). I will sign the label if you request it (though I think it would look better without my signature). If you'd like me to sign the box/manual, that's fine - just ask. If you have previously been told you are in the top 100, then you should have received an emiail from me. If you have NOT, then your position is in danger, and you should contact me (adavie@taswegian.com) as soon as possible.
Cheers A
Posts: 108 | From: Tasmania | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged
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Andrew Davie
Atari Pro
 
Member # 214
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posted 01-20-2002 11:33 PM
quote: Originally posted by Blackjax: I know it's -way- too late to try to get one of these now, but can you post some pictures for us to drool over? Great game btw, didn't play it until the label contest and got hooked instantly!
Producing the Special Edition has been an interesting experience for me. The logistics of arranging 100 cartridges, boxes, a label competition, manual artwork and writeup, etc., CD production and communicating with people on the preorder list has kept me really busy. Really busy. Just handling emails alone is taking hours per day.
There are few things I've learned, and a few things I'd have done differently. But overall, things have gone pretty smoothly. The dropout rate (people who preordered but declined to purchase when the time came) has been very low (just 4), but the number of people responding AT ALL has probably only been about 70%. This is good for those who are on the preorder list, but haven't been made an offer yet. I haven't tallied the numbers exactly, but it appears to me that there will be 10 or so additional positions freed up (after accounting for all current orders), so if you thought it was too late - it's not! I am offering the Special Edition at a flat-rate $60 (that includes insured economy-air delivery to anywhere in the world), for those curious as to the price. The cartridges all arrived this morning (all 100!) from Randy Chihfield of Hozer Video Games. I wholeheartedly recommend Randy - his build quality appears excellent, he was most accomodating with regard to my requests, and the cartridges arrived on-time and safely. I've taken a snapshot - this is the last time that all 100 special edition cartridges will be seen in the same spot! Note the small sticker on each - this is because each is individually serial-numbered in the ROM itself, so they have to be identified for insertion into the correct box. David Exton (the label genius) is doing a bit of line-art for the manual, too, so once that is ready the boxes will start rolling out the door. That should be at the end of this week. I am staggering delivery (in the order of payment received) as materials and funds roll in. 
Cheers A [ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: Andrew Davie ]
Posts: 108 | From: Tasmania | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged
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MattyXB
High Atarian
    
Member # 15
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posted 01-24-2002 05:42 AM
Now I am very happy, I have reserved my QB Special Edition. Yes, yes, yes, I get one too. I will send the money as fast as I can. The number is first not so importend for me. If the 78 is free I will it, but if not, the best is I get a Special Edition. As others say, my was birth 78. But only the game is importend, not the number. Thanks to all who don't want it anymore, or don't reply to the E-Mail. Now I get one. 100 times thanks too all. 
Matthias My Atari 2600 VCS Website! Have fun.
Posts: 1060 | From: Berlin, Germany | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged
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