RISCWorld Volume 8: Issue 6

## Description

_RISCWorld Volume 8: Issue 6_ was the sixth issue of the eighth volume of UK
RISCWorld magazine and the last one before the magazine merged with
_Foundation RISCUser_ and became Foundation _RISCWorld_. It contains:

* All the latest PD, shareware and freeware releases from the PD column
* Ancestor+ (updated release)
* Backup utilities
* Firefox browser (latest release)
* Iyonix software
* Software covered in the letters column
* Support software for the magazine’s series on installing software into VirtualRPC
* Two toolbox modules

Most notably it contains the game _Starfighter 3000: Next Generation_ , not
available separately. It is a new release of the game for RISC OS, different
from the original 1994 Starfighter 3000 that was patched over time. This
version of the game is a port of the 1996 3DO version by the software group
FlaYmz (formerly Visions of the Impossible), headed by Nathan Atkinson.
Originally it was to be included with every Omega PC in 2003, but the deal
with Microdigital fell through eventually. Code was sourced from one of the
original coders Andrew P. Hutchings but the most problematic task was to deal
with the many graphical routines which the 3DO used its hardware for.
Documentation on the 3DO was difficult to find so the programming effort was
massive, being entirely done by Lee Noar. Other people involved were Paul
Thomson, Lee Johnston and Ramuh who were all involved in the bolt on
introduction sequence.

It uses a different game engine and has enhanced graphics compared to the
original version, turning the game world into 3D instead of 2D. There are more
colours and special effects such as transparency halo effects around
thrusters. Ground textures are now far more detailed. It is fully 32bit
compatible and runs on Iyonix, A9 and on VirtualRPC. This version has higher
quality audio and cut-scene sequences of cinematic quality animation to
introduce each mission. Other enhancements are the sound of large ships at
close proximity, the movement of the water and the ability to level mountains
with sustained firing. It is also possible to now play the game from a first-
person cockpit view instead of through third-person. In the original game ship
upgrades where bought at the mothership shop through bonuses and cash-
convertible points. This version uses ship upgrades through bonuses directly.
Unlike the original version of the game, passwords are not supported and all
missions of a level need to be completed in one go.