wee doors banging

The latest issue of games™ magazine hits the shelves today. Up until now it’s not a magazine that I would normally have read, so normally the publication of another issue wouldn’t be much call for remark. But issue 89 contains an in depth feature looking back at one of the all time great – and personal favourite – Amiga games: Team17′s Alien Breed 3D.

games™ Issue 89 - get your copy now

There’s other stuff about games in there too, but I know you’re only buying it for the Alien Breed 3D feature.

“Andy Clitheroe is a genius” is the opening line, quoting a Team17 staffer speaking about the lead programmer behind Alien Breed 3D. That’s funny, after seeing the source code that’s an opinion I hold myself. It would take a special mind to keep track of that mess. Special enough to name source files after cheeses, for example.

RAWWRRR!

The three page feature is primarily an interview with Mr. “Genius” Clitheroe himself, who still works as a programmer at Team 17 and is now married to the girl he tried to impress by writing Alien Breed 3D (mission complete, I’d say). In it, he recalls some of the motivations, triumphs, difficulties and disappointments in creating the game and its sequel The Killing Grounds, as well as some of the technical achievements that put both games ahead of their contemporaries both on the Amiga and rival platforms. I was around the Amiga scene and read some of this on Usenet (remember that?) at the time but it’s interesting now to hear the official versions from the source.

I also get a mention, for my personal Alien Breed 3D projects.

games™ Issue 89 is in the shops now. Check your ammo, and run, don’t walk.