♦ Livestream of the ZZT world "DarkMage Software Magazine 1-14" by DarkMage [https://museumofzzt.com/file/view/dmage/] ♦
♦ Stream Contents ♦
• (3:18) Issue #5
• (31:44) Issue #6
• (53:27) Issue #7
• (1:15:18) Issue #8
An unexpected magazine stream. Last minute checks of the planned game revealed some unsavory content for streaming. As we all know, when in doubt, read a magazine. This continues going through the considerable DarkMage Software catalog, where the drama of ZZT sends things in unexpected directions.
Issue #5 focuses on "scenery", with some extra emphasis added to the presentation of boards that are otherwise just menus. A nice tropical beach hosts the news , and the fiery pits of hell lead you to demos and a fixed version of that broken maze game from a previous issue. The previews are the highlights here, thanks to a pretty darn solid title screen for an unreleased Nightmare on Elm Street game that promises players can play as the victims, Freddy (Freedy), or Jason.
Alternatively, there's a two-board screed about ZZT games that ask for money by Nivek, which leads me to suspect he registered something and was not satisfied with what he got in return. "Sometimes those freakin' games just make me want to quit ZZT and MZX and start playing normal games like Doom".
Issue #6 has some more examples of good looking title screens and whatever is supposed to be happening on Adventures in Jaconia's. The reviews cover a mix of known hits, known flops, and describes clysm's Kudzu as "the '12 Monkeys' of ZZT". It also marks the start of some drama as a member of the group has been _fired_ for not contributing enough. This member described not just as a former member but also a former _friend_ becomes a punching bag for the magazine. I think an offline friendship was damaged when one child fired another. Tragic.
Issue #7 features a discussion on whether or not DarkMage Inc. counts as a "respected" ZZT company. The fired member threatens to kill everyone. The rest of the company is doing well at least, with a number of titles in the works, a number of which were actually released at some point, including Booth joining the company just in time for Bizanloo.
Issue #8 changes the format and ramps up the effort. It includes a short minigame "Dark Mage's Tower" which is mostly just shooting lions and ruffians, but is miles ahead of the maze games seen before. Plus it has a fantastic looking throne. There are some ads covering Bizanloo, Space Fighter Mercenary, and non-DMSoft release Duke Nukem ZZT. Sivion finally gets its obligatory Game of the Month Award as anyone can predict. Joining other bold takes like Mission: Enigma and Code Red. The fired member is still there at the exit making BAD ZZT BOARDS. Getting fired does a number on you I suppose.
♦ Play this world directly in your browser ♦
• https://museumofzzt.com/file/play/dmage/
♦ Originally streamed on November 8th, 2024 ♦
