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1 of 1 file hawkeye magazine

1997 January 12

1996 The Best Courier Game And Utility Scene Groups In Review, Interview with Lester and David and Goliath of Drink or Die (DOD), Interview with Hoson founder of Hybrid, Interview with Orion of Lengends Never Die (LND) and founder of Pirates With Attitude (PWA), Interview with Shadow Master of Prestige (just before he quit), Interview with Met founder of Rebels, Interview with The Krazy Little Punk (tklp) of Reflux, Interview with The Punisher leader of Razor 1911.
[+] Configuration Copy text
____ ___ _______ _______ ________ ________ ___ ____________ | |__| | ____| | _____| ____ | \/ | _____| | | | | __|__ | | | | | ___|_ |___ | |____ |___ |___ |___ | |___|| |___ | |_____/ |____/ |_____| |_____| |______| |___/ |____/ __ __| |__ _____ |_ ____ _ | | | | | | |___ | | |__| |____/ ___ __ ____ _______ ________ ____ ________ |__ ______ __ | | ___| | ____| _____| \ | ____/ __| ___ | | || | | __ | ____|_ ___| | \| | |__ | | | || | | | |____ |____ |_____ \__ |__ |___ | | ||__| |_______/ |____/ |__/ |____/ |____/ \__| |____/ |__| -+ JANUARY +- Hello everyone, --------------- Let me introduce myself, my handle is Saint Tok (use to be Tok). Well, I want to say few words about this new emag(1). De facto was started in the middle of 1996, and after 9 issues(2), we decide to shut it down. It contained nice coding, articles and I'm sure you all saw it a while ago. De facto was weekly emag, and every week we brought you new articles and so on. Defacto 2 will be a little bit different. Let me explain. First of all, it's warez magazine. We will tell you what is going on in the scene and we will voice our opinions about stuff. DF2(3) will be released every month, so there will be a lot of material for you to read. There is a totally new interface(4) for DF2, but it's still run by some the original De facto members including Ipggi and myself. As you all know RCN died not so long ago, and to be honest, I'm glad to see that is it dead. No, not because we are restarting our magazine, it's because I'm sick, of lies, lots of lies, about people and groups. One thing about DF2, all material will be 100% pure TRUTH. Saint Tok. Welcome to the new Defacto. --------------------------- What can I say, after collecting all the interviews for this issue I realized that this issue is just plain brilliant. Which magazine gives you interviews with Hoson, Shadow Master, The Punisher, The Krazy Little Punk, Lester Ramierz, Marbz, Orion, Mason, Winterhawk, Hawkeye and M:et all in their first issue, Defacto2 does. Lets get into Defacto2, if you remember the old De facto we where a magazine that target the mass warez market, including all the lamers, kids, and people with no clue. Defacto2 has changed, we are not here for fame or popularity like Reality Check Network was, we are here to bring you the best quality electronic magazine for the scene, not for the kids, lamers, clueless, but for the people who truly contribute to the scene. If you want a magazine where you don't have to go through pages of articles about people with no clue, unknown kid groups, irc offer channels, and high school stories you are reading the right magazine, if you want to read about these things go and read Affinity or Anemia. Defacto2 in the future will be available to read using three different mediums. - There will be a coded PC version supporting SVGA graphics, digital music and all that other jazz. - A plain ascii / text version for all you unix users or people who feel the coded edition is too big to download. - And finally each issue will be viewable on our web page at www.defacto2.com. Unfortunately for this issue their is no coded version available due to unforeseen difficulties. Every month we will hope to release a issue, exactly when during the month we will release will not be decided until we have enough quality content to warrant a release. Each issue will be released on the day of release on most major ftp sites and on the web page. We don't have and are not planing on having an irc channel, irc offer bots or anonymous ftp sites. Well I hope you enjoy this issue and watch out for us in the future. If just two people can do all this, think what we can do once we are a lot most established. If you wish to contact Defacto2 please email us at [email protected] (1) Emag is a abbreviation of "electronic magazine". (2) These issues can be downloaded from http://www.defacto2.com (3) DF2 is the abbreviated term for Defacto 2. (4) Coding will be implemented in next months issue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ____ _________ __________ ____________\___|_______ ______________ | _____/ ___ | | | _____/ | _____| _____/ ____/ | | | | | | | | ___|_ |____ | |___ |___ | |___ |___ |___ |____ |___ |___ | |____/ |_____/ |_____/ |___/ |____/ |____/ |___/ |____/ -+ OF 1996 +- I'll start off with 1996 as a whole. There where many new faces this year, lots of new budding couriers ready to take on the best sites in the world and they did. But there was also a lot of group jumping with these new faces, people felt they could get what they wanted by joining a bigger name group. But 1996 also saw many new groups forming and many of these same groups dying or merging with in a matter of weeks. There was the final transition from BBS to Internet which by the end of the year, left BBS's a thing of the past. And how could we not talk about 1996 without mentioning #fatefiles. A channel that single handily helped turn a excellent group into a quiet kiddy group. In January of 1996 Rise in Superior Couriering, Malice, Fate and Request 2 Send where the top groups, by the end of the year two of these groups would vanish, one of these groups would turn into a kiddy group and the other would end up being number one through out the year. So what happened to Malice? Well Malice had some internal conflicts and after some in-house fighting, half the group would end up leaving to a new group called Amnesia, a group that would end up dominating the early and middle parts of the year (Rapier also found it's beginnings because of this split). Malice never recovered from that split and eventually died while Amnesia and Digital merged to reformed Guild of Distributors (Digital being a once successful group that was formed by some ex-MindCrash members). GODS shortly afterwards changed their name to Amnesia and the leftovers ended up forming Damaged, a group that ended up having very little success. Why did GODS die before it really got off the ground? My theory is that they had to many leaders, and these leaders had different ideas and opinions that let to a lot of in-house fighting and caused disorganization within the group. Fate after engulfing some great groups such as Hardwire earned it's self an excellent reputation during 1995. But in 1996 that reputation faded and now it's non existent. Where did they go wrong? I think Fate made it's self too public, especially with #fatefiles a channel where any Joe, Dick or Harry could come in an download 0-1 day software for nothing. Of cause now days with no major groups supporting IRC couriers anymore so these channel offer significantly less software which usually arrives a lot slower. But because of #fatefiles a lot of people with no clue applied to join Fate, and Fate accepted them with open arms. With Fate continually growing a lot of good members had enough and left from more reputable groups. Will Fate ever re-live their 1995 success? I truly doubt it. Amnesia.. Est. 1996.. █▄ ▄▄▀ ▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄█▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄ ▄ █▄ ▄ ▄█▀█▄ ▄ ▄██▀██▄██▀██▄ █▓█▄ ▄ ▄██▀ ▀█▓███▀ ▄█▀ ▀███▄ ▄ ▀████▄ ▄▓▀ ▀▀████▀█▄ ▄███ █▓█ █▓█▄ ███▀█▄ ▄███ ▐███▀ ▄█▓█ ░ █▓██▐█▓▄ ████▀█▄ ▀ ░ ████ ██▄ █▓█ █▒█ ████ ███ ██▄ ████ ██▀ ██▒█ ▄███▀▀██▀▀▄███ ██▄ ░ █▓██ ▐██▌▀██ █▒█ ██▓█ █▓█ ▐██▌ ██▓█ ▀ ░ ▀█▓█ ▄▀▀▀ ▄▄▄▄ █▓██ ▐██▌ ▀▀▀ ███ ██ ▐█▓█▌ ██▒█ █▒█ ░ ███ ██▒█ ▄▀▄ ░ ▀██▄ ▀██▓██ ▀▀▀ ███ ▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀███▌▀█ ███ ██░█ █░█ ░ ███▌▐█░█▀███▀ ░░ ▀ ▀▀█▄▄ ██▓█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀███▌ █▒█▄ ░ ████ █ ▀ ██▒█ █▒█ ░ ████ █▒█ ▀ ░░░░ ▄ ███ ▀█▒█ █▒█▄ ░ ████ ▀ █▓██ ▐█▓█▌▐█ ▄ ██▓█ █▓█ ▐█▓█▌▐█▓█ ▀▄▄ ░ ▄███ █▓██ █░█ █▓██ ▐█▓█▌ ██ ████▀ █▓██ ██ ▀█▓█▀ ████ ▀██ █▓██ ████ ▄▐██▄ ██▓█ ▄ ██▓█ █▒█ ████▀ █▓██ █ ▀ ▄████ ▀███ ▄██▀ ▀█▀ ▀████▀ ██ ▀███▀ ███ ▀ █▓██▄ ▀██ ▀ ███▀ █▓█▀████ ▀███ ▄█ ┌─ ██▀ ── ▀ ▄█▀ ── ▒ ── ▀██ ▀██ ─ ▀ ─── ▀▀█▄███████▄ ██▄███▀▄████ ██▀ ── ▀ ──┐ └─ ▀ ────── ▀ ──── ░ ──── ▀ ─ ▀ ───────────────────────────────── ▀ ─────────┘ ▒ See us in action and you'll FORGET the "competition"! ░▓░ ▀ Amnesia started with a big bang! This group really did well during the summer(1) and I was really impressed with the internal feeling of the group. This group at the time had the best organization and ended up being a very, very happy group. But why has Amnesia fallen from grace? My theory is Amnesia started accepting some bad couriers. Bad not in their courier ability but people with bad personalities and egos. Eventual these people where kicked but the damaged was all ready done. Then when some of the council left the group and other members followed, Amnesia was hurt. With no organization, the lost of that 'friendly feeling' and the lack of any leaders to steer the group into the right direction leaves me little hope for this group in 1997. I would love for this group to come back again, I have a lot of fond memories from this group and it's a shame they are not the same group we once new and respected. Rapier.. ░▄▄▄░ ▄▓████▓▄ ░ ░ ▄▄■▀▀█████▓ ░ ░ █████████▌ ░ ░░ ░░▒▒▒ ▒▒▓▓▓ ▒▐ ▄▄▄▄███▓ ▐█████▌▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▓▄▄▄ ▄ ▓███████▀ ▄ ▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▓▄ ▐█████▌ ▄████▓ ▄▄■ ▄▄ ░▄▄▄░ ▀▀▀▀▄▄■ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄ ░▄▄▄▓ █████▓ ▄▄██▓▀▀ ▄▓██▄■▄▄▓██▓▄▄▓███▓■▀▀█████▓■▄▓███▓▄███▀▀▓███▄▄▓███▓■▀▀█████ ▐██████▀▓█▄ ▄█████▀ ████▌ █████▌ █████▌█████▐███▌ ▐███▐████▌ ████▌ ███████▄ ██▓▄▄▀█▓▌ ▐████ ▐█████ ▐████▓▐████▌███▓▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█████▓ ▐███▓ ▄▓██▀▀▓███▌ ▐█████▄▀▄ █████▓▐█████ ▄████▓ █████▓▐███▄ ▀▓███▐█████ ▀▀▀▄████████▐█▄▄███████▌█████■▄██▓▀▀ ▐██▓███▌█████▄████▌███▓█▌ ░ █▓▓▒▒▒░░ ░░ ▀▀█▓███▌▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▓▐████▌ ░ ▀▀ ▀▀░ ▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ░ ▀█▀ ph<aCid!> ▐█████ ▐▌ ██████▌ ▄█▄▓▀▀▀▀ ■ ■▀ ▄ ■ Rapier in the first half of 1996 was an excellent group, an excellent BBS courier group. In the middle of 1996 Rapier disbanded and by September they reformed. This new Rapier was a far cry from the old Rapier we knew and respected, at the time I thought that this group would have little or no success in if they continue with their poor attitude and never bother to try and compete with the best. They told me that they are all okay and that they where working on their BBS division and are trying to move themselves onto the Internet. Now in the last few months I've seen some good changes, a lot of lamers have been kicked and been replaced by excellent couriers from Amnesia, Motiv8 and Empire. Now Rapier competes on the sites and are earning their old reputation back. Unfortunately though it is still too early to say weather they will be successful in 1997. They are still a new but pretty good group, remember this new Rapier are only four months old. After they are half a year old I think then we will be able to decided how good they really are. Devotion.. . | ▄ ─ ─────────-<·>─────── ─ ▄██ ─ ──────────────< ▀ >─────────── ─ ─ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ █▓█ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ █ ▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀███│███▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │███│███▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀███▀▀▄█▀█▄ ██▀▀▀███│███▀▀▀███ ░░░│███ ░│███│███ ░░░│█▓█ ░│█▓█│█▓█ ░│█▓█ ░│█▓█ ░ ▀█▀ ▄▓█ ░│█▓█│█▓█ ░│█▓█ ░░░ │█▓█ ░│█▓█│█▓█ ░░░│█▒█ ░│█▒█│█▒█ ░│█▒█ ░│█▒█ ░ ▄▄▄│█▒█ ░│█▒█│█▒█ ░│█▒█ ░░░│█▒█ ░│█▒█│█▒█▄▄ ░│█░█ ░│█░█│█░█ ░│█░█ ░│█░█ ░│█▓█│█░█ ░│█░█│█░█ ░│█░█ ░░░ ░░░│█░█ ░│█░█│█░█ ░│█░█ ░│█░█│█░█ ░│█░█ ░│█░█ ░│█▒█│█░█ ░│█░█│█░█ ░│█░█ ░░░ ▒▒▒│█░█ ░│█░█│█░█ ░░░│█▒█ ░│█▒█│█▒█ ░│█▒█ ░│█▒█ ░│█░█│█▒█ ░│█▒█│█▒█ ░│█▒█ ▒▒▒ ░░░│█▒█ ▒│█▒█│█▒█ ▒▒▒│█▓█ ▒│█▓█│█▓█ ▒│█▓█ ▒│█▓█ ▒│█▒█│█▓█ ▒│█▓█│█▓█ ▒│█▓█ ROY ▒▒▒│█▓█ ▓│█▓█│█▓█ ▓▓▓ ▀██ ▓│██▀│███ ▓│███ ▓│███ ▓│█▓█│███ ▓│███│███ ▓│███<SAC> ▓▓▓│███▄▄▄███│███▄▄▄▄▄ ▀██▄██▀ │███▄▄▄███ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄███▄███▄▄▄███│█▓█ █│███ ▓▓▓ ▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▄ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀█▀ ▄▀▄ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ███ ▄ ▀▀▀ ▀▀▀ ▀ ▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ▄▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ▄▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ █▀ ▀▀▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ When Devotion was started seven months ago, they showed everyone from the start that they where not going to tolerate fighting, wars and rubbish. As a result Devotion are one of the most peaceful groups in the scene and also one of the best courier groups. When Devotion formed they had a few rules that some people would say has limited their growth and potential. The first being that Devotion would only courier to and from Internet sites and the second being that Devotion would only accept European couriers. Well seven months later Devotion now accepts the odd American courier, but fortunately they still and most likely never will have a BBS division. The fact that most members of Devotion are from Europe is probably a key reason for their success. As most of the best sites happen to be located in Europe and the fact that Devotion has access to the fastest links around on that continent is a clear advantage when it comes to getting on the top 10 lists on the best sites in the world. Devotion would be one of the few groups that could boost that they have had members leaving Rise In Superior Courier to join Devotion. Now with all this going for them it would not take much for Devotion to be the number one in 1997. Empire.. s ,g'^ ^'g ,g$Qg ,g, g ,g$' ,g, `S" `$" " ,g ,gQ$$Qg, " " ""S$$Qg, "$"" " ,gQ " "" ,gQ$$$Qg, ,g, " ,gQ$' ,g$" $$$$$$ `$$$$i ,g$""$ ,g$""$$$$$$$ gQ$$$, ,g$$$$$ g$$$[ $$$$$' ]g ,g$ ,$$$$' sg$$$[ $ ,gQ$$I i$$$$$' i$$$ `$i`$$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$' $$ g$$$ss$$$$gg `$$$$ $ $$$$$$$ i$$$$',g$$$$ " $$$$$ `$$$$gg$S' ,g$$' $$$$ `"$$$$Qg, $$$gs$ `$$$$$$gs$$S' """"$$$ i$$$$, `$S$[ `"' `$$$ `$$$$$$, $$$ `$$$$$i ,gQ$Qg,`$$, $$$$$Qg,`]$ $Qg,gQ$g, `$$$ $$$$$$$ `$$ `$$$$$ "$$$$$$$ $$$Qg, $$$S"" ,g$$$s $$$$$$$$g ]$$gs ""S$$$$ $$$s $$$$$QgQ$$$$$$$ i$$' ,$' s$$$S' $$$$$S"' ,g$$S' `"$" g$S' $$$$""' "S$S' ` " "$' $$S"' ""' ,g^ ^Qg, " ,g$ "$" " `$Qg,s' cH RiGOR Empire Trading! Established 1996. `""' I remember when Empire was first started, they really did set a name for themselves. But unfortunately now instead of hearing "Empire, yeah they are a pretty good group", it's more like "Empire who?". Empire started off big enough and now it has faded away. Maybe it's because of all those internal changes that happened from month to month or more likely that it's because Empire is resistant to change, they have focused on BBS couriering (and do a good job at it) but neglected their Internet division. In the beginning of 1996 BBS's where still a main form of distribution with release groups first uploading to BBS's before the Internet. But now at the end of 1996 BBS's have lost their importance in the chain of releasing and are now just another medium to trade to after the program is released on the Internet. Just like the Internet was two/three years ago. Unfortunately for Empire they have not followed this trend and are now stranded on high ground. It will take a lot of work for Empire to make the transition to Internet, a decent Internet division. If they don't I'm definitely sure that Empire won't be around by the end of the year. Rise In Superior Couriering.. █▀▀▀▀▀▀█ █▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ── █▀▀▀▀▀▀▓ ── ▄▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ─═══─ ▄▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ── ▓ ▒▒▒▒ ▓ ▓ ▒▒▒▒░▒ ▀▄ ▓ ▒░░░ ▒ ▄▀ ▒▒░░ ░ ░▒▒ ▀▄ ─ ▄▀ ▒▒░░ ░ ░▒▒ ▀▄ ▓ ▒░▒░ ▓ █▄▄▄ ▒░░░ ▓ ▒ ░▒░▒ ▓ ▓▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▓ ▓▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▓ ▓ ░░░░ ▒ ─── ▀▄ ░ ░ ▒ ▓▄▄▄▄▄▄█ ─────────────────────═───────────────────── ▓ ░ ░ ░ ─══─ ▓ ░ ░ ──────── █▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ── █▀▀▀▀▀▀▓ ─══════════─ ▒ ░ ─── ▄▀ ░ ▒ █▀▀▀▀▀▀▓ ▀▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒░░░ ▀▄ ▓ ▒▒▒▒ ▒ ─══════════─ ░ ░ ▓▀▀▀ ░ ░░ ▓ ▓ ▒▒▒▒ ▒ ── ▀▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ░░░ ▓ ▒ ▒░▒░ ░ ─══════════─ ░ ▒ ▒ ▒▒░▒░░ ▄▀ ▒ ▒░▒░ ░ ─══──────── ▀▄ ░ ░ ▒ ░ ░ ░ ▒ ─══════════─ ░ ░ ░ ▓ ▓▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▀▄ ─ ░ ░ ░ ─══════════─ ▓ ░ ░ ░ ▓ ─══════════─ ▒ ░░░░ ▓ ──── ▄▄▄▄▀ ▀▄ ░ ░ ░ ─────────── ▄▀ ░ ░ ▒ ░ ░▒░▒ ▀▄ ─────────── ▓ ░▒░▒ ▓ ─══─ ▓ ░░ ▓ ░ ░▒░▒ ▒ ▓▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ░ ░ ▓ ▓ ▒▒▒▒ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▓ ▓ ▒▒▒▒ ▓ ─══─ ░ ▒▒▒░ ▓ ▒ ▒▒▒▒ ▓ ▀▄ ▒▒▒▒░▒░░░░░ ▄▀ ─ ▀▄ ▒▒▒▒░▒░░░░░ ▄▀ █▄▄▄▄▄▄█ ─══─ ▓▄▄▄▄▄▄█ ▓▄▄▄▄▄▄█ ── ▀▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▀ ─═══─ ▀▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▀ ── ·─/\/─· RiSE iN SUPERiOR COURiERiNG ·─\/\─· ·─/\/─· O-12 HOUR WAREZ ·─\/\─· Michael Jackson maybe the king of pop, but Rise in Superior Couriering has to be the 'King of Couriers'. This group shuns away from the public eye yet are the most respected courier group in the scene today and of the scene of yesteryear. 1996 was a indifferent year for Risc. They gained some excellent couriers to their group and they lost some others. Risc also had some internal problems which caused a dent in their supreme reputation but this has long since been solved and they are now back at number one again. I think their only problem could be that Risc has a tendency to 'take' members from other groups, and if this member was willing to leave their old group for Risc. How loyal will they be to Risc if Risc stumbles for a while? Will they jump fence to the greener grass? Motiv8.. ███████▓▓▓▓▓▒▒░░▒▒▓▓▓█▀▀▀ ▄▄▄▓▓▓▒▒░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▓▓▓▄s░q▄2 ▀▓▓ ▄▄ ░▀▀▀▀██▓▓▓▒▓▓█▀ ▄█▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓█▀▀▀█▓▓▒▒▒▓▓███▌ ▐█ ▐▓ ▓███▄ ▄▄ ▀██▓██ ▄▌ █▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▓▓▓███▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█░ ▀▓▓▓▀▀ ▐█ ▐█ ▒▒▓▓██░ ▀██▄ ███░ ▄██ █▓▓▓▓▓▓██▀▀▀▀░ ▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄█▓▓ ▀▄ ▀ ▄▄███▄▄█▌ █▓ ░░▒▓▓█▓ ▐██▌ ██ ▄██▌ ████▀▀ ▄▄█████▀▀ ▐████▌ ▐█ ██▀ ▀████ ░█▓ ░░▒▓██▌ ▐███ ▐ ▄███▌ ▐█▀ ▄▄███▄▄ ▀██▌ ▓▓██▀▌ ██ ▐█▌ ▐██▌ ▐▓▒ ░░▒▓█▌ ████░ ▄████ ▐ ▄█████████ ▐█ ▄▌ ▐▀▀ ▌ ██▌▐█▌ ██▌ ▄▓▓▒ ░▒▓██ ▐████▌ ▄██▀██ ░███▀▀ ▀██▌ ▐█ ▐█ ▄█ ▐▌ ▐██ ██▄ ██▌░▄█▓▓▒░ ░▒▓█▌ █████▌ ▄█▀ ▐█ ███ ▄▄ ▐█▌ ██ ██ ██▌ ▐▌ ▐██ ▀███▌ ▐█▓▓▒░░ ░░▒▓█ ▐██▀▐█▌▄█ ▐ █▌ ▐██▌ █▓▓▌ █▌ ██ ██ ▐██▌ ▐ ██▌ ▄██▄ ▀█▓▒▒░ ░▒▒▓▌ ██ ███ ░█ █▌ ▐██ ▐▓▓▓ ▐█ ▐██ ██▌ ▐██ ▓ ██▌ ███▀██▄ ▀▓▒░ ░▒▓▓ ▐█▌ ██▌ ▓█ █▌ ███ ▐▓▀ ▄█ ▐█▌ ██▌ ██ ▌ ▐██ ███ ███░ ▐▓░ ░▒▓▌ ██▌ ▐█ ▐██ █▌ ███▌ ▄█▀ ▐█▌ ▐██ ██ ██▌ ▐██▌ ███ ▐▓▒ ▒▓█ ▐██ ▌ ▀▌ ▐██ ▐█▌ ▐███▄▄██▀ ▄▌ ██▌ ▐██ ▐█▌ ░██▓ ███ ▐██ █▒ ▒▓▌ ███ █▄ █▌ ▐██ ▀███▀▀ ▄█▓ █▓ ▐██▌ ██▄███ ███░ ▐██▌ █▓ ▓▓▌ ███ █▓▓▓▄▄▄▐▌ ███▌ ▄▄▓▓█▌ ▐██▌ ▄██▀ ███▀ ▌ ▐██▌ ██▓ █▓ ▓█ ▐███▌ ▐█▓▓▓▓██▌ ██▀ ▐████▓▓▓▓▓█▌ ███▄ ▄█▄ ▀ ▄█▌ ▀██▄ ▄██ ▐▓▒ ▓█▌ ████ ▀█▓▓▓▓█ ▄▄██▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▓▓█ ▀▀██▄ ▐▓▓██▄▄██▓▓█▄ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▄▓▓▒ ▒▓█░ ▀▀██▄ ░▀▀██▄▄▄▄███▓▓▓▓▒▒▒░░░▒▒▓▓▄ ▀█▓▓█▓▓▓▓▒▓▓█▄▄ ░▄▄█▓▒▒░ ░▒▓▓▄▄ ▀▀▀█▓▓▓▓▒▒▒░░░░ ░░▒▒▓▓▓▄▄▄░ ▀▀▓▓▒▒▒░▒▒▓▓▓▓███▓▓▒▒░░░ Motiv8 are now over three years old, no bad for a courier group. Motiv8 in the early part of the year focused on the new fad IRC couriering, and also moved onto the Internet. Motiv8 had a good BBS division and were attempting to expand their Internet division. After the Malice split two of their seniors, one the owner of their FTP WHQ left for Malice and the other for Amnesia. But the owner of the ex-Motiv8 WHQ eventually returned and was promoted to vice president. One problem with Motiv8, actually there are two problems. The first being Motiv8 gets used. People join Motiv8 and use them as a stepping stone to get into the more famous groups. Motiv8 should be trying to keep it's couriers not teaching them and then letting them go. The second problem is that Motiv8 allowed (I don't know if they still do) multiple affiliations. Members where allowed to be in two courier groups but this usually ended up with the multiple affiliated person leaving Motiv8 to work full time with their other courier affiliation. The Best Courier Group of 1996 is : Rise In Superior Couriering. The Top Five Groups of 1996 (in Alphabetical Order) are : Amnesia, Devotion, Empire, Rapier and Rise In Superior Couriering. (1) Winter to you southern hemisphere people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _________ ____ ____ ___ _______ | _____/ / __ \ \/ | ____| | | |/ | \ | ___|_ |____ |___ |__|| |____ | |____/ |____/ \___/ |____/ -+ Game Groups of 1996. +- 1996 was a fairly nice year for games. A lot of great sequels and a few original games too. Who will forget Quake, Red Alert, Duke Nukem 3D, Tomb Raider, Crusader No Regret and Civilization 2. Lets discover who did what in, the games scene for 1996. Razor 1911.. _ ________________________ _____ ________ _ \\_____ \_____ \_____ \/ . \\_____ \\ dZG/\ __// _ |/ ____/. | \/\ __/ _/ \ \/ /_ _/ /_ | ! _/ \ \ \____\ \______\_________|_____\____\ \_ =======\___/===∙1911∙CD∙DIVISION∙======\___/ I am starting my report of the legendary group Razor 1911. More specifically their CD division seeing 1996 saw the death of disk base games. Razor 1911 are oldest group in the scene today (est. 1985). But in 1996 I have been disappointed with RazorCD. This was the year Razor 1911 got it's reputation tarnished big-time, with a few badly cracked big name games (Red Alert) and a fair few betas (Privateer 2) put a dent in Razor's ego. In the beginning of the year it was Razor releasing everything while other groups where asleep. By the middle of 1996 RazorCD had a split and a few members started leaving. By the end of the year RazorCD started releasing again, and also managed to get the members of Paradigm to merge into them. But it was RazorCD who release most of the biggest titles in 1996. I'm sure a lot of people still have Civilization2, Quake, Red Alert and even Daggerfall on their hard drives. So it leaves me to ask the question, what is better? A group who releases some of the best titles but only releases occasionally or a group that releases everything that they can get their hands on, weather it's good or bad. My favorite releases from this group, in 1996: Civilization 2 (c) Microprose [xx/18] Heroes of Might & Magic (Windows 95) [xx/16] Operation Carnage (c) Beaucomm [xx/03] Final Doom (c) GT Interactive [xx/30] GENDER WARS (c) GT INTERACTIVE [xx/14] DEADLINE (c) MILLENNIUM/PSYGNOSIS [xx/31] F1 GRAND PRIX 2 RACING [xx/24] Chessmaster 5000 for Win95 [xx/16] QUAKE *REGISTERED* (c) iD Software [xx/17] Triple Play Baseball '97 (c) E.A. [xx/45] Marathon 2: Durandal (c) Bungie [xx/26] Monster Truck Madness *GOLD* FINAL [xx/21] Super Euro Fighter 2000 (c)DID/OCEAN [xx/50] Daggerfall (c) Bethesda [xx/62] Hybrid.. _______ _________ _____ ________________ \_ | \ \/ / _ /__\_ \_/ _ \ | _ \_ \ _/ \ \ __/___/ | / / |___| |____|___/ /_\ \___|_______/ ::d|___|::::::.\___/.:.\___\::::::::: Hybrid, a brilliant group and a survivor, almost as legendary as Razor1911. Hybrid during most of 1996 where asleep, some people even thought dead. But a few times during the year there was a glimmer of hope, a sparkle that lead one to think, are Hybrid one of the best groups of 1995 back? Then the sparkle would die and we where left to ponder. Luckily in the last few months Hybrid have shown us what they are capable of. They have released a few good titles and are now back. Unfortunately all those soccer games do not help their reputation much. But who else are going to release those soccer games when Hybrid has complete dominance on the United Kingdom release front (except for UK Electronic Art games)? Lets hope Hybrid continues into 1997 and stays awake for the whole year this time. My favorite releases from Hybrid in 1996: GEX (c) Crystal Dynamics/Microsoft [xx/19] Olympic Soccer (c) US GOLD [xx/16] STRIKE BASE (c) MAX DESIGN [xx/33] Zapitalism (c) LavaMinds [xx/30] ABSOLUTE PINBALL (c) 21st Century [xx/04] S.T.O.R.M. FINAL (C) AMERICAN SOF. [xx/50] Screamer 2 (c) Virgin [xx/24] AD&D - BLOOD & MAGIC (C) INTERPLAY [xx/25] REALMS OF THE HAUNTING (C) GREMLIN [xx/27] Halloween Harry in Zombie Wars [xx/05] Napalm.. /\. . ____ / >______. . _____.____ ____:. .: \ \ /_\___. \__::> /:\ Y /'96:. :: / . / \| __/ \:/ /__/ \ .: ./ \__/ " \ > " <______> \_/___>: `< /:<___\___>/___\___>. <_____>:. :. \/ .:. |/:. .:.mr! .:. .:: . Well Napalm gets my vote for best file_id.diz for 1996. I am sad Napalm are not in the scene anymore seeing they did come out with some big titles including Decent 2 and Battle Arena Toshinden. But Napalm earned themselves a bad reputation, their policy of getting the release out first and then cracking the release later did not go down well with the scene. I'm sure no one enjoys downloading a release only to find out they need 3 different patches just to get the game to work. But Napalm did release some quality titles and they where a pretty friendly group considering all the flack they received. I always liked this group and it's a shame they are not around to continue into 1997. My favorite releases from Napalm in 1996: Descent II (c) Interplay [xx/19] Batman Forever (c) Acclaim [xx/06] Conquests. Of The New World (c) Interplay [xx/16] CHAOS OVERLORDS FOR WINDOWS '95 (c) NEW WORLD COMPUTING [xx/05] TONY LA RUSSA BASEBALL 3: (c) STORMFRONT STUDIOS [xx/35] BATTLE ARENA TOSHINDEN (c) PLAYMATES [xx/09] THE NEED FOR SPEED SE FOR WINDOWS (c) ELECTRONIC ARTS [xx/56] FIRE FIGHT (c) ELECTRONIC ARTS [xx/28] CLOSE COMBAT FOR WINDOWS 95' (c) MICROSOFT [xx/11] NFL QuarterBack Club '96 [xx/25] Legacy.. --▄▄▌---▄▄▄-.--▄▄-∙---▄▄▄·---▄▄·---▄·-▄▌-- --██∙---▀▄.▀·-▐█-▀-■-▐█-▀█--▐█-▌■-▐█■██▌-- --██■---▐▀▀■▄-▄█-▀█▄-▄█▀▀█--██-▄▄-▐█▌▐█■-- --▐█▌▐▌-▐█▄▄▌-▐█▄■▐█-▐█-■▐▌-▐███▌--▐█▀·.-- --∙▀▀▀---▀▀▀--·▀▀▀▀---▀--▀--·▀▀▀----▀-∙--- Legacy will be best remembered as the starting point for Reality Check Network (November 1995). Legacy made it into 1996 before the leaders all decided to leave the scene for good(1). Well after a few months, RCN was back but Legacy was not(2). But when Legacy was around for the early part of 1996 they did have some good releases but a lot more releases where below par. Legacy lived for 6 months and before dieing, pretty much the usual situation for the scene nowadays. My favorite releases from Legacy in 1996: QWIRKS (C) SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE [xx/06] BLOOD (C) 3D REALMS [xx/13] NEMESIS II : RETURN OF DRAGON FORCE (C) KOMODO STUDIO [xx/10] ROR/Reflux.. _____________________________________________ \__¼ - ________¼ ./__¼ - ________¼ __/ \\__/ - \\ / \\__/ \__ | \\__ \\__ | \\__ /_____| ./_____________./___| ./ (=======|______/===================|______/=) R E L E A S E O N R A M P A G E (=[xx/xx/96]================================) ███▄▄▄▄ █▄▄▄▄▄███▄▄▄▄ ▄ ▀ ▀████▀ ·■▄ ▐██ ███▐██▀██▐███ ██████ ▐██▄ ████▌ ░ █ ░ ██ ██████▄██ ███ ██▌███ ▄████ ███▌▀▄ ▐▌ ▐██ ▀███ ▄▄ ███▄ ███ █████▓█ ███▄ ▀▀▄▄█▀ ░░░ ███▌ ▐██ ██ ███ ░░ ███ ███▐████▀▀ ▄▄▄▓▀▀▓▄▄ ████▄ ▀▀██▀▀▀ ▄▄▄ ▀███▀▀▀▀ ▀ ▄▄▄▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▄ ████▀▀ ██ r e f l u x ! ░░ ▀▀ ▀ ────── ─────────-- - -─ -───-─ When Released On Rampage started in 1995 they became a well known and an established group. Unfortunately in 1996 RoR became a group known for major controversy and stuff ups. The infamous fake Quake Final scandal being the biggest of all. But when the Software Pirates Association banned all RoR releases on their BBS's and sites, Tklp(3) had enough and reformed RoR into a new group called Reflux. Reflux was doing fine until Reality Check Network started including some negative stories about Tklp and his group, which resulted in an overall degrading of the groups reputation. But Reflux is not a bad group, they have had some big name releases with the likes of Time Commando and Full Court Press. Hopefully Reflux will earn back their reputation in 1997 and bring us some awesome releases. My favorite releases from Reflux (and Ror) in 1996: TNN OUTDOOR BASS TOURNAMENT 96 (c) AMERICAN SOFTWORKS [xx/20] S.T.O.R.M (c) ELECTRONIC ARTS [xx/28] SKUNNY *MULTI-LANGUAGE* (c) MAGIC TOUCH [xx/07] JEOPARDY (c) SONY INTERACTIVE [xx/39] TIME COMMANDO (C) ADELINE/EA/ACTIVISION [xx/45] HELLBENDER (C) MICROSOFT [xx/22] FULL COURT PRESS (c) MICROSOFT [xx/10] 4GEN (c) D'INDIA SOFTWARE [xx/O8] Prestige.. ________________________/»|__/| ___________ \___ \ __ / __/ __/ / |/ ____/ __/_ | __/ _/ _/ _| \__ \ \/ / ) / _| / |___|\__\ \________ /___\__\__ \______\ +--------\___/≈e≈/aL!\/--------/_____\-----+ Well everyone knows that Prestige was an awesome force in 1996 with these guys earning many accolades including the breaking of Tdu-Jam's record for the maximum number of releases in a month (35). Unfortunately some of these games where lacking in the quality stakes, but in general Prestige has done one hell of a good job with excellent releases. But like every group Prestige did have it's ups and downs with some uncracked and non working releases but most people have forgotten about those by now. Prestige is a kick ass group with a great reputation, awesome sites and a nice courier crew. But weather if Prestige will be around in 1997 is another story, the lost of a few important members including their leader to Class won't help. My favorite releases from Prestige in 1996: Total Knockout Championship Female Boxing [xx/11] Battleground 3: Waterloo (c)TalonSoft [xx/36] SHELL SHOCK FINAL (C) CORE DESIGN [xx/15] The Settlers II (English) (c) Blue Byte [xx/07] AFTERLIFE (c) LucasArts [xx/40] Ultimate Doom (c) Id Soft. Dos/Win95 [xx/21] FRANK THOMAS' BIG HURT BASEBALL [xx/36] LINKS: LS 1997 (c) Access Software [xx/45] CRUSADER: NO REGRET *FINAL* (c)Origin [xx/25] NETWORK Q RAC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP [xx/41] STAR CONTROL 3 (c) ACCOLADE [xx/40] FX FIGHTER TURBO (c) GTE [xx/42] SKYNET (c) Bethesda Softworks [xx/11] TOMB RAIDER (c) Eidos [xx/21] Paradigm.. ▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄ ██ ───────────────── ▐█ ▄ ───────────── ▐██ ██ ▄▄ ▄▄ ▄█▄ ▄▄ ▄▄█▌▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄ ▄▄ ▐██ ██▐█ ██ █▀███▐█ ██ ██ █▌██ ██ █▌██ █ ██ ▐██▄█▀▐█ ██ ██ ▀ ██ ██ ██ █▌██ ██ █▌██ ▓ ██ ▐██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ █▌██ ██ █▌██ ▒ ██ ▐██ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀█▌▀▀ ▀▀ ─────■ P A R A D I G M ■────── ▀█▄█ ─────── Paradigm (formerly Zeus) was founded by Zeus after he left Prestige. After 2 months of activity Paradigm merged into Razor1911. But before this merge Paradigm did have a few major releases, including Syndicate Wars(4) Fifa 97(4) and Heroes of Might and Magic II. Unfortunately two months is not enough time to establish a reputation and Paradigm will be forgotten like so many groups before it. Hopefully they can help continue the Razor1911 tradition into 1997 and beyond. My favorite releases from Paradigm in 1996: Heroes of Might & Magic II (c) NWC [xx/16] RACE MANIA (c) Flair Software [xx/38] CREATURES (c) iNSCAPE [xx/14] Tyranny.. ___|\___ _/\____/\___/\____/\_______ _/\ \__ \ | \___ )\___\ \ \ | / / |\__ \ : \/ (: | : \ : \ _ \ \__|_____/\_|__\__|_|__|__/__|__/____/ ==============================[xx/xx]=== After being a major force in 1994 and 1995 the restart of Tyranny in April 1996 was a bit shaky. Cyber Angel was confident he could restart his group and once again be at the top by mainly focusing on disk base games. Well after five releases Cyber Angel killed Tyranny, which is now nothing more then a distant memory. My favorite releases from Tyranny in 1996: - TWINBLOK (C) WEBFOOT TECHNOLOGIES - MAJESTIC: ALIEN ENCOUNTER CD (c) PIRAHNA Motiv8.. _____ __ ______ _____ __ _____ / \/ | |__| | / _ \ / _ _ | _ |__| | | | \_ _/ / | | | || | \ / - \ \__|_|__/\____/ |__|___|\___\_____/ ----------------------------------- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [xx/xx] ----------------------------------- Well in general Motiv8 is a courier group, but from time to time they do release the odd game. In 1996 Motiv8 released a few nice titles, but a lot of them where either pre-releases or mini-rips. Hopefully these guys will focus more on their courier side and leave the games to the game groups. My favorite releases from Motiv8 in 1996: 3D VCR Pinball *WORKING* [xx/03] NBA Live 96 1OO% CD-Rip [xx/35] Lemmings for Win95 [xx/01] Stardust Final CD-Rip [xx/02] Dynamix.. _____ /\._____ |\_. _ ____ /\___.__.___ \.__.\/ | _ \| | /.\\__ \/ _:__: | / | | \__. | : |/ | \| \ / | |\ / | : \ | | \ | _ \ \/ | |/ : \ |_____/ : :__|\__| |__/__||__|__/ |__RD +-------\___/------\___|-╗Presents½-\__|----+ xxxxxxxxxxxxx * xxxxxxxxx [xx/xx] +-------------------------------------------+ Dynamix, otherwise known has the ex-USA division of Hybrid will probably be most remembered for releasing the game of the year, Duke Nukem 3D! This was an excellent release but unfortunately it was Dynamix's final release, I wonder where those guys are now? My favorite releases from Dynamix in 1996: DUKE NUKEM 3D (c) 3D REALMS [xx/11] Smart Games (c) RandomSoft [xx/06] DEADLINE (c) NOVA SPRING [xx/16] Dynasty.. ▀▀ ▀▀▀█▄ █▄ ▄█ ▀▀▀█▄ ▀▀▀█▄ ▄█▀█▄▀██▀▀▄ ▄█ ▀▀ ░░ ▄█ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ░░D ▒▒ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██▄██ ▀█▄▄▀ ██ ██ ██ ▒▒■ ▓▓ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ █▄ ██ ██ ██ ██ ▓▓S ▀▀ ▀▀ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▄▀▀██ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀▀▀ ▀ ▄▀▀██ ▀▀ xx/xx/96 ██▄██ EOD ■ VORTEX ■ DYTEC ██▄██ ▓▓ ▀▀▀ ▀▀▀ Dynasty formed after a merge between three different groups. Unfortunately I can't say that this group has shown any growth or potential in 1996. But there have been a few nice releases, and they do have some what of a good reputation, hopefully 1997 will be a much better year for these guys. My favorite releases from Dynasty in 1996: - OFFENSIVE *ENGLISH* (c) OCEAN CD-RIP [xx/19] (1) Read Reality Check Network issue 13 for futher information. (2) Legacy was restarted by a non original member but died very soon afterwards. (3) The Krazy Little Punk (4) Synicate Wars and Fifa 97 where released under Paradigm's old name of Zeus. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ___ ______ ______ ___ ___ ______| |_ _\_____|_______ _\_____|__| |_ ___ ____ | | | _| | | | _| | | | | | |__ | | | |__ | | |___ |__ | |___ |__ |___ |__ | |__ | |_____/ |_____/ |____/ |_____| |_____/ |_____/ |____/ -+ Utility Groups of 1996 +- Pirates with Attitude.. ▄▓▄ ▄█▄ ▄▀▒▓▌ ▐██▄▀▀▄ ▄ ▄▀ ░▒▓ ██████▄▀▄ ▄▀▓▌ ▄▀ ░▓▌ ▄▄ ▐███████▌▐▌ ▄▀ ▒▓ ▐▌ ░▒▓ ▐▌▐██▄▄ . ▄█████████▌█ ▄▀ ░▓▌ █ ░▒▓▌ █ █████▀▀▄▄ ■ ▀▀█████████▌ ▄▀ ░▒▓ ▐▌░▒▓ ▐▌▐██▀ ▄ ▀▄▀ ▀████████ █ ░▒▓▌ █░▒▓▌ ▀▄██▌ ▀▄ ▌ ▐██████▌ ▐▌░▒▓▀ ▄▀ ▐░▒▓▀ ▄ ▀█▀ █▄ ▐▌ ▐ ██████ █░▒▒▀ ▄▀ ▀ ▄▀▄▀ ▐▓░▄ ▄▄ ▐▀▄ ────────── ▓▄▀▌ ▐█████▌───▐░▒▒ ▄▀ ▄█▀▀ ───── ▓▒░▐▌ ▀ ─ █▓█ ───-───-─· · ▐▓ ▀▄█████▀ █▄▀ ▄▀ ▀▄ ▐▓▒ █ ▐▌▒▓▌ ▄▓▓████▀ ▐▀ ■ ▓▒░ ▐▌ ▄▀ ░▒▓ ▄▓▓██▀▀ ▄▄ ▄▀ . ▐▓▒░ ▀▄ ▀▄ ░▓▌ ▐▓▓▀ ▄▓ ▀▀▄▄▄ ▓▒░ ▄▀ ▀▄▒▓ ▓▒▌ ▐▓▒ ▀▀▀▄ ▐▓▒░░ ▄▀ ▀ ▐▓▄ █▓▒ ░▄▀ ▀▓▓▒▒░▀ ▀▓▀ ▐▓▒░ ░▄▀ ▀▓▀ ..R.Noble <MiRAGE> █▓▒░░░▄▀ █▓▒▒▒▀ ... Pirates With Attitudes ▐▓▓▒▀ ▄▓▓▀ Proudly Presents ... ▀ Pirates with Attitude released some of the most wanted and best quality releases of 1996. But it has been a sad year for PWA with the loss of their presidential founder who left to form a new group called Legends Never Die (1). PWA did a good job this year and their is still no doubting their number one position at the top. Yes PWA may not be as good as they once where, but to be honest all the main utility groups where down this year compared to last. Hopefully PWA can still survive and dominate without Orion leading them into 1997. Drink or Die.. w a r e z b e a r z f r o m R u s s i a a n d b e y o n d ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄██████████████▄▄ ▀▀████▄▄▄ ▄▄▄███████████▄▄ ■▄ ▄▄▄██▀▀ ▄▄▄ ▀▀▀████████▄ ▀ ▄ ▀▀ ▄▄▄██▀▀ ▄▄▄ ▀▀▀███████▄▄ ▀▀▄▄▄▄██▀▀▀ ▄▄████ ▀▀██████▌ ▄▄▄██▀▀▀ ▄▄████ ▀▀██████ █████ ▄ ▀█████▌ █████ ▀█████ █████ ███▄▐█████ █████ █████ █████ █████ ██████ █████ █ ▐█████ █████ █████ ▐█████ █████ ██ █████ █████ █████ ▐█████ █████ ██ █████ █████ █████ █████ █████ █ ▐████ █████ ███▀▐████ █████ ████ █████ ▀ ▄████ █████ ▄████ ■ █████ ▄▄█████ ▄ ■▀ █████ ▄▄████▀ ▀▄▄▄ ▀▀ ▄▄▄██████▀▀ ▄███▄▄▄███ ▀▄▄▄ ▀▀ ▄▄▄█████▀▀ ▀▀███████▀▀▀ ▀██████████▀ ▄ ▀▀██████▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ Drink or Die was a group with troubles in 1996. They started off the year with a not so good reputation because of some non working releases that where not cracked properly, 3DStudioMax, WildCat 5, and Novell Netware where a few. Then Jimmy Jamez their leader left them for six months or so and did not return until September. When Jimmy Jamez returned in September DOD made a comeback. DOD had gotten it's act together and became a member of the big boys again. Jimmy Jamez showed the scene his great ability for organization and now DOD are one of the best utility groups in the scene today. Lets hope they continue on in 1997. Rebels.. j _ ___,,,pyygg# jM6MMMM0g "QMMMMMMM0MM qmyy, MydMMMb "MMMMMMMMM@ #MMMM@"MMMp MMMMMMMMM' #M@ jgy_ #MMMMMMM# ]MM@M"^"0 TM0^ #MF #M '' IMF BMMMMN_ #MMMM@"MMM# MM ^ jMF _#MM #M__ _f IMf jMMMMMMMM' "MMM' TMM MM d jM$0MMMMMp #MMMMMF IMf #M@^"#MMf MMf jMM MMAMMM jMM0F^^MMM 0MF""QF IMf 0MF MF #M' jM# MMMMMM jMF MM MML IMf j TMM @ #Mf jMM' jMM ^ , jM1,yyy#M@ MMyy___jL IMf #L MMMg ' #M0gygMM# jMM _#g BMMMMMM0F _gMMMMMMMMM_ IMf MMg `0MMM_ #MMMMMM@ jMM_y#MMMMb 7MM"^``` ````""MMMp #MNg_ #M' MMMMg #MMMMMMF jMMMMMMM"^ "MMMMMMM0M f "MMMf #MF``#MM jMMM"` _gMMMMMNg jMMMM0` `"9MMMML #L QMM #M ^MM# J"^ jMMMM@MMMMM jMMMM@ `"MM #M# MMp #ML #MMMf jMMMF jMMM# jMMMMMMMMy_ ' #MMMg MML #ML jMM# QMMMmyy#MMMF MMMMM^"QMMMp MMMNygMMF 0MMy #M' "MMMMMMMM@ MMM# _MMM# 3MMMMMMf jMM@` jM _#MMM@ TMMMMMMMMM@ "#MMMM B@` # ,gMMM0^ `"MMMMM"^ [┬hΣ K░ⁿ '96] "M@^ Rebels is what some people would call an "old school" group (kids would of cause say "old skool"). Old school meaning they have been around for years on many different formats. 1996 started off as a bad start for Rebels because like DOD they released some pretty poor titles that also ended up being uncracked. But after all these mistakes they got their act together and started to release some quality titles again. Unfortunately recently in the last few months there has been a decline in Rebels releases. Hopefully soon Rebels will come back in 1997. X-Force.. ▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄ █░▄▄▄█ ██████ ▄▄███████████ █▒████ ██████ ▄██████████████ █▓████ ██████ ▐██████▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▄██ ██████ ▓ ██████ ██████▄▄▄▄ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█▀▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀▀█▄▀ ▄███▄ ▀████▄▄▄████▀ ▄▄ ████████ ▄███████▄ █████ ▄███▄ ▀███████ ████████ ██▄ ▄ ▀██▀ ▄████▀▀▀████▄ ▀▀ █████▀▀▀ ███▀▀█████ ████████████ ███▀▀▀▀ ███▀▀▀▀▀ █▀ ▄ ▄███ ██████ ▓ ██████ ██████ █████ █████ █████▀█████▀ ███ █ █████▄▄ ▄████▄ ▄▀██ ██████ ▒ ████▓█ ██████ █████ █████ █████ ▀▀▀ ▄████ ▀ █████▀▀ ▀███▀▄ ██████ ████▒█ ██████ █████▄▄█████ █████ █████▄▄▄▄ ███▄▄▄▄▄ ██████ ████░█ ██████ ▀████████▀ █████ ▀███████ ████████ ██████ █▄▄▄▄█ ASCii<ROY> X-Force started in 1996 as a plan lame group, bad releases, no sites stupid attitude and an overall general lame feeling about the group. But during 1996 they built up their reputation, and now they are a strong solid group. One problem with X-Force during 1996 is that they released a few RC's (Release Candidate). These are Microsoft internal beta's for betatesters, which are pretty lame to release because they are not complete and a lot of people have access to these already. X-Force do have a big attitude problem, they where too lazy to do an interview with us and they have fights with DOD, Sodom Mortality and LND. Lets hope this changes in 1997. Sodom.. ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ███ ▄▄▄ ▄▓▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▓▄ ▐█ ▄██▀▀▀██▄ ▄██▀▀▀███▓ ▄██▀▀▀██▄ ▄██▀▓ ██▓ ▀▀██▄ ▀ ▄▄▄▓█ ▐██▌ ▐██▌▐██▌ ▐██▓▐██▌ ▐██▌▐██▌ ███ ▐██▌ ■▄ ▄▄▄▄█████▄████▓▌ ███ ██▓███ ██▓███ ██▓███ ██▓ ███ ▄███████▀▀ ▀████▓ ███ ██▓███ ▀▀██████▀▀ ▀ ██▓███ ██▓ ▓██ ▐▓██████ ████▓ ██▓ ██▌██▓ ███▓█▓ ██▌██▓ ██▌ ▓██ ▄ ▀███████▄▄▄ ▀▀▀▀ ███ ██▌███ ██▀ ▀█ ██████ ███ ███ ▀▀▀██████████▄▄▄▄▀▀▓ ██▓███ ██▓▄██ ██▓███ ██▓ ███ █▄▄ ▀▀▀▀▀█████████▄▄ ██▓███ ██▓███ ██▓███ ██▓ ███ ▐██████▄▄ ▀████████▓ ▓█▓███ ██▓███ ██▀▀██ ██▓ ▀ ▀ ███████ ▄██████████▐█▓███ ██▓███ ██▓███ ██▓ ▓▄▓ ▄▓█████▌ ▓ ▄▄▄ ▀██████▌▓█▌▐██▌ ▐██▌▐██▌ ▐██▌███ ███ ███ ▀▀███▓██▄▄▄▄████▓█████▄▄██▓▀▓█▄▓█▀ ▀██▄▄▄██▀ ▀██▄▄▄██▀ ███ ███ █▓█ ▀██▄▀▀▀▀ ▀█▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀ ▀▀▀ ▀▀▀ ▀▒▀ ▀▓▀ ▐█▓▓ ▄▓▀▀ ▀▀ Aut Caesar, Aut Nihil! Either Everything or Nothing! Sodom a group from Russia like DOD is also run by one of the editors of this magazine. 1996 was a hard year for Sodom with a few popular and some uncracked releases being released. But currently Sodom are in what some would call "The zone". The zone is an area where you drift into where nothing can go wrong. A lot of releases have been coming from Sodom of late and their dominance in the Novell products can only help their cause. Thankfully Novell has have given up their case on BBS's so we can all use their products without fear. Lets hope 1997 is a better year for Sodom. (1) Read our interview with Orion for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Lester (Drink Or Die, Amnesia) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Amnesia in 1996 and beyond. Defacto2: Okay, please, introduce yourself to our readers, tell us what groups you are in and what your past affiliations. Lester: My handle is Lester, I am the Drink or Die leader and the Amnesia Couriers leader. My past affiliations are Razor and Malice. Defacto2: When Amnesia first started you where competing with Risc but now at the end of 1996 Amnesia is not doing as well as before. What's the problem here? Lester: Well, as is true with every courier group, we have our ups and downs, in early 96 Risc was on a downswing and we were on an upswing, Risc is now doing well again, and we are regrouping with the changing of a lot of things in Amnesia, we've had a lot of different things happen to us in 96, and it's changed our attitude on the scene. But I think that in early 97 you will once again see the Amnesia you saw in early 96. A friendly competitive group focusing more on the positives instead of the negatives of the scene. Defacto2: Sounds pretty nice. I spoke with Halfback about Amnesia, (he is one of the best Amnesia couriers in my opinion) and he said that the main problem is disloyalty with people jumping to Risc. Lester: Well this is true, in the past we have had a number of people jump over to Risc and what not, but if they are disloyal then we don't really want them, we are trying to build a solid group of loyal friends, instead of a egotistical super couriers with no loyalty whatever. Defacto2: So, we can say Amnesia will be back in 1997, as it was in the summer(1) of 1996? There is no way Amnesia will die ? Lester: Well with all the adversity that Amnesia has faced in 1996 without dying, I don't see us dying anytime soon. Defacto2: I think it's pretty hard to share personal time between two groups, I mean you are leader of both Drink or Die and Amnesia. Isn't it hard to get all the work done for both groups? Lester: Yes I had a hard time equaling out my time between the 2 groups, but now I have a better grasp on my time and the coordinator within each group to handle the responsibilities when I cannot be there, etc. so I do the best I can. Defacto2: What are the new Amnesia goals? Or are your goals going to stay the same as the old? Lester: Our goals are the same as when we started, but not the same as what they were in the middle of 96. We were trying to dominate and take out the competition and contribute to the negativity of the scene, now it's going back to the way it was, quality trading, quality couriers, trying to improve the courier scenes status. Defacto2: What do you think about the new couriers groups now days such as Devotion, new Rapier, etc.? Lester: Devotion is a very good group, they don't get involved in the bullshit, they just do what they do and they do it well. I think they can be very successful, Rapier is not as good as the old Rapier, as the founding members of Rapier are not there. There are the usual new groups that come and go every 6 months, I see Risc and Devotion to be the other groups around for awhile. Defacto2: What about Empire? Lester: Empire is an up and down group, they lack the ability to hold on to talent for any period of time to build a stable group. They might stick around but will not be a major force. Defacto2: How is Amnesia's BBS division going? Lester: Amnesia's BBS team is doing well, we have the stable BBS team, but our WHQ is temporarily down and we are currently adding a USHQ so you don't see as much of it right now. Defacto2: What was your favorite electronic magazine in 1996? And what is your personal opinion about all bullshit which came from Reality Check Network during 1996? Lester: Well in my opinion there hasn't been a SERIOUS scene magazine since Inquisition(2), most of the emags now report bullshit and rag and nothing useful towards the scene, with the passing of RCN I was hoping to see a new quality emag arrive, maybe yours will be it, but I don't know. RCN was never a magazine I respected or wanted anything to do with, they were a complete disgrace to the scene news, and never reported any truthful news, you couldn't trust anything they printed. So I was glad to see them disband. Defacto2: Okay, well, I'm sure, that DEFACTO 2 will live up to your expectations. It will be similar to Inquisition but I wont say anymore. Do you have any last words, or maybe any greets? Lester: Maybe so. :) I'd like to just greet a few of the people who have stuck by me throughout 96 and a few friends. Caserd, Prozac, The Punisher, Jimmy Jamez, Davan, Nine, Widget, Eviltea and of course the great TSR. I know I left a bunch of you out, but you know who you are.:) (1) Winter for you southern hemisphere people. (2) Inquisition was a text base magazine that publish 12 issues in 1995 and 1996. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Ramierz (Devotion) Conducted by: Tok Subject: The Starting of Devotion. Defacto2: Please introduce yourself to our readers, what groups you are in now days, and what groups have you previously been apart of? Ramirez: Hi, I'm Ramirez currently my only affiliation with Devotion, my past groups, hmm they were Tct, Pantera, Solar, Darius, Sodom. Defacto2: You left TCT, PNT, Solar, and Darius because they all died, but why did you leave from Sodom? Ramirez: Well, the reason I left Sodom wasn't just one reason, I had more reasons but my main reason was that I didn't feel home in the group anymore. Defacto2: Why are you not in any games group? Ramirez: Well I never applied to them to be honest ;) I never put some strength in it to join games groups. Defacto2: Can you explain further? Ramirez: My interest were mainly utils, games are fun but I like the utils more. Defacto2: Okay, I can understand that, that's why I decided to go with to start a utils group, games for just for fun. Games groups are pretty popular, but in my opinion utils are better. How old are you, and how long have you been on the net? Ramirez: I'm 19, I have been on the net for 1-1.4 years, dunno exactly. Defacto2: You are the one of the leaders from Devotion, pretty popular and pretty good courier group. Probably number two or three courier group. How old is Devotion and what the main goals in your group? Ramirez: Correction, there are NO leaders in the group I'm a founder together with Dizzident and Elmo. The goals of Devotion are pretty simple kicking ass and friendship. I never expected to go this far though. Defacto2: You must have some one who control things, who can organize everything. When members have problems, you must have someone who can solve them. Ramirez: Answering questions, fixing things isn't a leadership based task, everybody could do it when you have a little knowledge about the scene the most is important thing is friendship that's a real good key. Defacto2: So everyone in Devotion can and are doing the leadership job? And that depends, when? Ramirez: Nobody takes the leadership in Devotion we mostly take care when someone is in trouble etc. We try to be as honest as we can to each other.. like an open relation ship ;) Defacto2: What do you mean when you said earlier "kicking ass"? Ramirez: Trading on sites being on top that's mostly the definition of kicking ass isn't it? Defacto2: In my mind, it's different thing, but okay, let's say you are right. What's the differebce between running a release group and running a courier group? Don't you think that in running a release group there are more problems involved? You need to worry about such things as supplying, spreading the releases, etc.? This is surely more harder then running a top courier group. Ramirez: You can't compare releasing groups with courier groups, they both need each other but then again a release group has it's hard parts and vice versa with courier groups. Defacto2: What does Ramierz mean? Is it from a movie? Ramirez: It comes from the movie Highlander yes, and how I came up with it? I really don't remember exactly. Have been some years back but 1 day I just said I'm Ramirez from now ;) Defacto2: Want to tell us anything about your previous handles? Ramirez: That's a thing which put me on thought a while back I don't remember my past handle I know that I had just 1 but I can't recall the name. Defacto2: If we go back a few years, we remember the Internet was slow, with only VIPs getting access. Now days we have a lot of ultra fast links, and speed is increasing every month. But there is a new problem, more 'usual' people can get access to the Internet these days, especially kids(1), what's your view of the invasion of the kids? Ramirez: Well kids are a problem for sure they like to riot a lot, still some people will improve and will learn from the past like everyone should :), I think kids aren't the worse problem, if usual people can connect on the net and a grab a release on some lame IRC channels what about Feds then? Defacto2: When I was interviewed Marbz (Leader of Empire), he said that he has kick a few kid's from Empire because of ego problems and so on, has Devotion ever had that same problems? Ramirez: Kicking members isn't a really thing about devotion, normally people will leave on their own we only kick if it really requires to kick (which hasn't happened yet). Defacto2: When Devotion was started, there's was a rule of only European couriers being accepted, has this policy changed? Ramirez: We changed that a little, in the beginning there was a rule only Europeans could join, there are a few people outside Europe a part of devotion now but the main rule is still to courier to European sites. (1) Kids being people from the age 12 to 16, or people who act like they are those ages. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: David and Goliath (Drink Or Die) Conducted by: IPggi Subject: DOD in 1996. Defacto2: Welcome Davngol, please introduce yourself to the readers. What present and past affiliations do you have? David&G.: Hi, well, for all who don't know me, I am David & Goliath. Presently I am a Retired DOD Council Member, meaning that when I am actually here, I carry out some duties, but due to my career, I cannot be here often. In the past I have been in PWA and The Corporation, as well as a few other groups such as scum. Defacto2: Do you know much about DOD's history, if so can you tell us how and by who DOD was started? David&G.: Well, DOD is a legend. It was founded and lead by Jimmy Jamez, one of the greatest group leaders I have ever seen. When I came to DOD about a year or so ago, he had pretty much retired and left things to Lester and the council, but for the past 6-7 months he has been back, and things have been rocking. Defacto2: How long have you been in the scene David and Goliath? David&G.: Oh, I have been around now for about 5 years approximately. Defacto2: Would you say the scene has moved towards the worse since 1991? David&G.: Well, back then, just to get involved in the scene was hard as hell. You needed to have references and all kinds of connections, and ways of accessing the boards. I remember it took me close to 6 months before I could get on a local board, and from there I met lots of people who helped me move up. Nowadays, groups are forming every 5 minutes, and there are thousands and thousands of new net lamers joining them everyday. The word loyalty has disappeared and now, any 15 year old with a modem can get in it. Defacto2: So you would agree with me if I said 1996 was the year the kids over ran the scene? David&G.: Well, I would say the kids think they have taken over. All these loser groups are run by them, but if you look at the main groups like PWA, DOD, LND, RZR, PSG, you see them being run by adults. The kids are present though as couriers. So I would say that the majority of the scene now is probably kids, and that did not happen only in 96, look back to 94 and 95 as well. I was in #PWA the other day, and I saw re-directed messages on how groups like Premiere were ragging on PWA. This is not right. In my mind, PWA is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest group of all time, and too see a bunch of Israeli lamers rag on them, that was annoying. Especially looking at the quality of releases coming from a group like Premiere. Respect has been lost. Groups like Premiere with their lame leaders think they run the scene. Also, I have seen quality really go down. I don't want to take names, but there are some major groups out there releasing complete crap, and calling the stuff plugins for this and that. I wish there was a way to change all that. Defacto2: I'm sure there are many people who agree with your comments including myself. How would you rate DOD's performance this year? David&G.: Well, without a doubt I would rate DOD as the top util group of 1996. PWA was also great this year, as they released Win NT 4.0 and Office 97, two of the best utils of 96, but DOD provided the majority of major utils for 1996, and I was really happy with the performance we gave. And again, all the credit goes to the hard working suppliers, the poor crackers who have to D/L all this stuff, and our great spreading team. Defacto2: As 1997 is almost here, what are DOD's plans to continue the success of 1996 past the new year? David&G.: Well, like every year we plan on outdoing the competition, as well as have some fun. DOD's crew will really have to come together in 1997, work hard and just simply put out releases. I believe that the #1 goal is to get a release, test it, pack it, and get it out. But due to the fact that we have HQ's etc., we need to spread too :) So the boys will have to keep everything together, and get the utils out as fast as possible. Defacto2: Do you have any final comments or greets you wish to point out before we go? David&G.: Yeah, I would really like to say to the DOD crew it was really fun working with all of them, and to keep up the good work without me. I will try to come back during the summer and help out. I would like to send out greets to Jimmy Jamez, Lester, Hemp Hoodlum, Jake the Snake, Marlenus, Rambone The Pep, and to everyone else I missed. Good luck in '97! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Marbz (Empire) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Empire in 1996. DEFACTO2: Hello, please introduce yourself to our readers Marbz. MARBZ: Well for the past year I have founded and I am one of the leaders of Empire. DEFACTO2: What is your full handle? MARBZ: JP Marbitoz DEFACTO2: What does it mean? If you don't mind telling. MARBZ: Nah its not a secret, simple actually. JP are my first 2 initials and Marbitoz is my original handle. I added the JP just because I wanted a little change ;P DEFACTO2: What groups where you in before you started Empire? MARBZ: Well...I led a small courier group called dCS, but even before that I was under a different handle. Sort of my beginning/learning stages so I wont get into that. :P DEFACTO2: Hehe, i remember dCS, it was quite nice courier group, good job. => Why did you was disband dCS and founded Empire in 1996? MARBZ: Well dCS was more of a learning thing for me than anything. I picked up a lot more on how to lead/coordinate a group and how its run. I picked up a few traders from dCS after I disbanded it and started Empire. For example Exploz, who I think is one hell of a trader still today. Empire has built from then on. DEFACTO2: Who came up with Empire name? MARBZ: Well I decided on the Empire name before I disbanded dCS. Just so the people who I was taking knew what they were getting into etc. So I did. DEFACTO2: Empire was formed in 1996, how was it started? MARBZ: Empire started in February, it was a bit hard but it was more organized then dCS because myself and some others knew what we were doing from our past experiences. We took it slow together and that is what just built us up as a team. More organization the more you will get out of your traders is how I see it. DEFACTO2: Okay, What your personal opinion about the courier scene in 1996? MARBZ: 1996 had a lot of new courier crews come into the scene. Empire, Devotion, Amnesia, DMT, and some others. I think its still very competitive on sites and new boards are popping up a lot more. There is still a need for more long distance traders but all in all its still alive and kicking. DEFACTO2: Well, Devotion couriers was decide to go without BBS devision since it's BBS is a bit slow and requires more work. Whats your views on this? MARBZ: I think that they made a choice that a lot of the new courier groups will do. The net is a lot faster and with new sites popping up everyday so we will just have to wait and see how the boards hold up. In my opinion I think boards are just as or more important that the net. So you make the call i suppose. DEFACTO2: Maybe you are right. Do you accept kids in your Empire as couriers? MARBZ: Kids? I don't think being age has anything to do with it. If you do your job and act mature then your worth it. DEFACTO2: What was the greatest day Empire in 1996? MARBZ: Hmm, I would have to say when gahn joined. He is one of my best friends and one hell of a guy. I couldn't replace him. DEFACTO2: You really don't think it is Kids with ego's, lame ideas and that piss everyone off? It's some times Kid's that are reasons for big fights in the groups. MARBZ: Of course...actually its not so much of the age its the way a trader/person acts on IRC. If they have a ego problem I don't feel like dealing with it so I just kick em. There has been three people I have had to do that to in Empire. DEFACTO2: How are the top 5 courier groups currently? MARBZ: Top 5 courier groups. Hmm, RISC still #1 , Empire, Devotion Amnesia and Rapier/Millenium. DEFACTO2: What do you think about Rapier re-start? As Empire leader, how do think they are going? MARBZ: Well because I am in the USA..I don't know the European boards etc. that well but I do think its not doing too bad at all. Although most of the originals that were in it before made it so much better. But at least they are giving it a shot. DEFACTO2: Any final comments or greets before we go? MARBZ: Greets go out to my Empire traders and members. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Hoson (Hybrid) Conducted by: Tok via Email Subject: Hybrids future. Note: This interview was done via electronic mail. Defacto2: Hi, please introduce yourself to our readers, tell the readers what groups you are in and what groups have your previously been in. Hoson: My handle is Hoson, founder and leader of Hybrid. I was a member of TDT, Nexus and Pyradical before I started Hybrid. Defacto2: What can you tell us about Hybrid in 1996? How was the year for your group? Hoson: 1996 was a great year - a lot of releases and most of them without flaws. We always try to make our games work - and I think most of them do. Thing about 1996 is that the "scene" consists of too many lamers who think it's our obligation to provide them with technical support. Defacto2: 1996 was the good year with a lot of great things happened and scene has changed a bit. With the end off 1996 I've have been asking a lot of people what was their best memory of the year? Hoson: Tough question. Could've been the fact that Acclaim are on the edge of bankruptcy, so we won't have to play their shitty games anymore. Defacto2: Any bad memories? Hoson: When Mad Turnip quit Hybrid for 2 days! BAD! Defacto2: Does Hybrid have a minimum age limit when accepting new members? Hoson: Nope, the limit is the knowledge and expertise. Defacto2: What are the main goals of Hybrid? Hoson: To release working games for the audience. Defacto2: How come you can never be found on IRC. Don't you think a leader of a group needs to put a lot of time and effort into their groups? Hoson: I do that through voice calls. Defacto2: Hoson is strange nick, what does it mean? Hoson: Nothing! Comes from a Swedish movie I saw 12 years ago! Defacto2: How old are you? Hoson: Above 20! Defacto2: What do you think about kid leaders? Are they good or bad for the scene, for example: CP (dead-mty), TQR (dead-nfs), etc.? Hoson: Don't know them. They probably suck. Defacto2: What are the current 3 best game groups in the world? Hoson: Hybrid Razor - and that's it. The others suck. Defacto2: Have you been busted before, if so when? Hoson: Yes - about 4 times, but that was a few years ago. Defacto2: What do you think about group fights i.e. Razor1911 vs. Prestige? Hoson: I love them! Makes it a lot funnier! Defacto2: Any last words or greets before we go? Hoson: Crackgroups should start to "tag" their releases, not only in the silly nfo files, but hex edit the highscore lists or whatever. Otherwise the people who use the software we bring them will not know who gave them the opportunity doing so! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Orion (Legends Never Die) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Legends Never Die DEFACTO2: Hello, Please introduce yourself to our readers Orion. ORION: Well that is kinda easy, those that have been in the scene for sometime have heard of me. Some good some bad, :) but I run a group called Legends Never Die. (LND). DEFCATO2: What groups where you in before LND? ORION: I was the founder and President of the Utils group called Pirates with Attitudes (PWA). DEFACTO2: You where on vacation for about half of 1996, what changed had when you returned? ORION: Besides all the new faces and all the new ego's. Seems that every kid with a modem was a someone in the scene. At least in their own eyes they were. The scene was a more or less still the same as it was when I left. I really never left the scene completely. Just in the day to day running of PWA. I was always on IRC and talking to the people within PWA.. DEFACTO2: My personal opinion that in 1996 there was a kid-wave. A lot of kids found ways to connect to the Internet. Kids now seem to be everywhere don't you think? In 1994 and 1995 there where a lot less kid's than now. I would call the year of 1996 - YEAR OF KIDS. ORION: Most definitely, 1994-1995 a lot of people (kids) didn't jump on the Internet bandwagon. But once they bought tickets to it, they are taking it for a large ride... And for the most part its okay, but a lot of the kids are coming in with large unwarranted ego's that just make them look as the fool. So 1996 yes definitely is the year of the KIDS. DEFACTO2: When exactly did you return from your vacation? ORION: I came back 3 months ago, from pseudo vacation. took some time off for the family, work, etc. (AKA real life) DEFACTO2: How long did you spend on this vacation? ORION: Non active in the group do you mean? DEFACTO2: Yes. ORION: Approx. I would say close to 6-7 months DEFACTO2: Tell our readers the little story again, why such respectable man, like yourself decide to start another group, when you where leader of PWA, probably the best utility group? ORION: PWA in my eyes was at its top. I couldn't see PWA rising anymore then it was. Its been #1 for 2 years straight, you can't get any higher then that. I wanted to get the old feeling back of building again. So I left PWA and formed LND. Wanted to see something come out of nothing as PWA did. Not knowing if the group was going to succeed or fail, is the excitement of it all.. Contrary to popular beliefs and unwarranted rumors. There wasn't a harsh split with anyone in PWA. We are friends and will remain friends. I still consider PWA my baby as many do that were there from the conception of the group. We still talk and joke as we did, just don't tell each other what we are releasing.. :) DEFACTO2: I can understand your point of view. Okay, tell us a little about Legends Never Die. How was it formed, who are it's founders, and are you guys doing? ORION: Actually LND was formed the night of PWA's last meeting. In the middle of the meeting I decide right there and then to form LND. I messaged TMOD (Master of Disaster) and with him and I we formed LND. We absorbed Mortality 45 minutes after the group was formed. Then TMOD went to work. I have never met anyone that can take a job to do and take it to its fullest extent. TMOD and I have been friends for close to 8 years now. He is my eyes and ears of the group and scene. LND has taken a lot of flak when we first started with all the rumor and suppose stealing from other groups. But as time went on, people are starting to see LND as it truly is. A group to demand attention. DEFACTO2: Well is it true that LND was formed because Mortality died? ORION: Meaning what? If Mortality didn't merge with LND saying that LND wouldn't be where it is today? DEFACTO2: Yes. ORION: No its not true. LND was formed already and already in 30 minutes of life already had a full member list and suppliers and crackers. Mortality and the people from that group only enhanced the group. It wasn't "because" of them at all. That is ridiculous to say.. DEFACTO2: Who came up with the name "Legends Never Die"? ORION: Actually it was Gunslinger that came up with that name. Months before the group was formed he created the channel for us "old fucks" to hang out in and not have the kids in there pulling their little pissing contests. Just a channel where we can bullshit on a adult level. DEFACTO2: How long will it take you to bring LND up to the position of the number one utility group? ORION: Its going to take time to bring any group to that level. LND is only 2 months old. It took PWA 1.5 years to make it there, s I don't give it anytime frame to make it #1. If we do make it there that' great if not such is life. As long as we have fun doing it that's all that matters to me. DEFACTO2: If LND ends up being number 1, that must mean PWA will drop to number two or less. Would you rejoin PWA to bring it back up again? ORION: Only one group can be on top. Either it be LND or PWA to means the same.. It doesn't matter to me either way.. I would like to see LND be there for a time to prove that it can be done again.. but in all honesty it doesn't matter to me DEFACTO2: What your personal opinion about utility scene in 1996? Who are the top 5 utility groups? ORION: There isn't 5 groups that rank toward the top. PWA, LND, DOD are the leaders, shifting 2nd and 3rd weekly. There are a few groups out there that have potential if they can get releases on a daily basis they would be something to contend with. But as it is right now there aren't many. DEFACTO2: What do you mean under "daily basis" ? ORION: Weekly instead of monthly, releases that can't get pulled of the companies web sites etc.. DEFACTO2: You have any final comments or greets? ORION: Just watch LND as it matures in the future. It will surprise a lot of people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Mason (Motiv8) Conducted by: IPggi Subject: Motiv8 in 1996. DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to the readers Mason, what groups are you currently in and what have you been apart of in the past? MASON: I have been in the scene for nearly 14 years. Most of my years in the C-64 scene I was in groups like dom, x-ray, unicess, motiv8 (c-64 section) 3 years ago I went to PC scene and started motiv8. DEFACTO2: So you left the C-64 Motiv8 group to start a new PC division? MASON: No - I'm still in motiv8 c64 as cracker. DEFACTO2: Why did you feel the need to start a motiv8 PC division, and make it a courier group? MASON: Because I started in the PC-scene unknown and it was easier to start my own then asking to join a group. DEFACTO2: How does the old and current C64 scene compare with the current PC scene, are there many obvious similarities? MASON: I like the C64-scene better, but we miss some parts of it in the PC scene. If you look at releases - all of them used to rate releases, but they don't subtract points for non-working and dupes also the limit of the release groups is getting out of control. DEFACTO2: You have spent the last three of your fourteen scene years in the PC scene. Do you think in the past 3 years the PC scene has declined in quality? MASON: Yeah a lot has. Now even every kid setup a site with their NT server. DEFACTO2: Would you say 1996 is the year that the kiddies took over the scene, well at least over-ran it? MASON: Exactly ... and it will be worse. DEFACTO2: But there were kids on the C64 scene, where they not. Most of the scene legends started in the scene at an early age. MASON: That is true, but in the c64 scene you had to do something to be known there. DEFACTO2: Do you have any plans of leaving the PC scene if it gets worse or will you continue on? MASON: Well ... As long my old friends is here I will stay in the scene. But more of them are quitting the scene so I'm not sure how long I will be here. DEFACTO2: How would you rate Motiv8's performance in 1996? MASON: Well, we haven't been doing much in 1996, but we are getting better and better again and that will be better for 1997. DEFACTO2: Motiv8 had some in house fighting early in the year with some key members quitting. Did this effect Motiv8's performance this year? MASON: It has been giving problems, but key members has left many times before the important thing is that I'm still in the top of Motiv8 and I hope to be there until I get tired of it. DEFACTO2: When you do tire of Motiv8 will you kill the group or pass it one to someone else to continue the Motiv8 name? MASON: When I'm gone Motiv8 will be killed as its a part of the deal with Motiv8 C64 to Motiv8 PC or another c64 member should be president. DEFACTO2: What are Motiv8's plans for 1997? Will we see more releases like we saw earlier in the year or will you focus more on being couriers? MASON: Well ... we will do more about the courier - I'm not sure about our plans on releasing .. but personally I don't care for a group being both couriers and releasers. DEFACTO2: Well thank you for your time, any final greets, comments, etc.? MASON: Yeah ... I want to say hi to friends around in all groups in the scene (nearly all of them have old motiv8 blood) and to you behind the magazine - keep up the good work - its a good thing for the scene. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Winter Hawk (Masque) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Masque in 1996. DEFACTO2: Hello, Please introduce yourself, and tell us, what groups you are in, and what groups you have been in the past. WINTRHWK: Hello all readers of Defacto E-Mag, I am Winterhawk, I am a co-leader of the utilities releasing group called Masque. Let's see what groups I have been in, have a few hours? :) Welp I started out as a courier. I was in HTC, Hardwire, Motiv8, Malice and Stealth, all courier groups. I have ever been with FSW, Vendetta and Masque as far as release groups do. DEFACTO2: Hardwire merged into Fate in 1995. Didn't Fate get all the Hardwire couriers? So why did you not join Fate? WINTRHWK: I did not agree with what Fate's ultimate plans for Hardwire was. They wanted 4 couriers and our sites and the plans were to drop all the other members thereafter, I did not agree with that. DEFACTO2: If I'm right it was in end of 1995. And you joined Malice after that? WINTRHWK: It was in the Fall of 1995, about September, and yes that was eventually lead me to Malice. I actually went to Motiv8 after the Hardwire thing. Malice allowed me to be in Motiv8 and Malice. They felt I could devote time and represent both groups well enough. Funny cause it is a policy I ended up despising as a leader later. DEFACTO2: What can u say about couriers groups in 1996? WINTRHWK: What can I say, I think the entire scene is different. Way to many people. To many groups that think they are #1 and have no idea how to have fun. Most of these couriers have lost sight of the ultimate goal, being a courier is a hobby...:) DEFACTO2: Well, you are leader of Stealth, pretty respected courier group as well, what's going on with this group? WINTRHWK: Stealth is not a subject I care to discuss. The reason for the Stealth break up is personal amongst Stealth members and was a very unfortunate event. Stealth had the ability to be great...just things got in the way. DEFACTO2: Why did you decide to go with utilities and not games? Do you dislike games? My personal opinion is that games are for fun/kids/etc. I have no time for it, so I prefer useful programs for business, etc. that can help me everyday, the ones that are too expensive to buy. WINTRHWK: Masque started out as a group to release files as we got them. The main reason for Masque was a way that four friends could stay together. We have released a few games including children games. But the main releases are utils. We seem to be running 50% OS/2 and 50% the other platforms. But I think games are hard to rip and crack and a group must have a lot of time and dedication to release games. DEFACTO2: What are the main goals of Masque? WINTRHWK: To have as much damn fun as possible while we are on the net! My members get the job done and still have the best damn time. I guarantee you will not find a better group on the net. We may not be the #1 releasing group but you know what we do not care. Our friendships in Masque are what counts the most to us. DEFACTO2: Nice goals, when was masque was started, 1995? WINTRHWK: We started Masque in October, 1995. DEFACTO2: We all know that you are a female, how are feelings on the scene, when there's 80+% dominance of males? WINTRHWK: Being female does not bother me. Seems to bother 80% of the males on the net...:) Seriously... Me being female has no bearing on how I view the scene. I do not think it has helped nor inhibited me. Just gives my enemies a few more choice words to call me..:) DEFACTO2: It's nice to see women on warez scene, life is bad without women so it's good, that you and others like you are in the scene. What do you think about GLOW? A group which was started by women. WINTRHWK: Well I do not see GLOW as a woman's group. I see them as a release group. A good one at that. I was asked to join GLOW when they first started. But the conflict of running my own group did not allow it. And secondly it is kinda nice being the only female in Masque, it does have it's advantages..:) Wait my friend Tempest is now in Masque. But I have learned to share Stone with her. DEFACTO2: Well, what do you think about kids on scene? (13-16) ? WINTRHWK: Kids on the scene, I do not mind them as long as they have some maturity to them. I have a member, Vivid, he is very young but more mature than 90% of the net. What I despise is the little kids that try to act to so tough. DEFACTO2: Don't you think the scene has changed a lot because of kids? A lot of kids now have access to the net and the scene. WINTRHWK: Yes, the scene has changed but because of the easy access to the net. But also the groups are to blame. We have allowed total strangers to come in to make 'us better'. In my opinion it has destroyed the scene. When a courier can become #1 by FXp (monkey trading) it is sad. Real couriers do NOT use FXP!! That is just a small example. DEFACTO2: Yes, I'm total agreement with you dear. Let's see, what will happened in 1997? Any ideas what will you doing in 1997? WINTRHWK: My plans are to stay with Masque and my friends in there. I will never join a courier group again, being a courier is just not fun to me anymore. On a personal side they are to get married and enjoy life. DEFACTO2: Any greets or final comments before we go? WINTRHWK: Greetings go to all of Masque, you guys are the greatest, Stone my favorite rock and Handy you are simply my world! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Shadow Master (Prestige) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Prestige in 1996. Note: As you all know Shadow Master has left Prestige, this interview was done a few weeks before he left. So some of the information could be dated. DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to our readers. SDWMASTR: Hi, I'm Shadow Master. DEFACTO2: What groups you in now, and what groups have you been in before? SDWMASTR: I am now in Prestige, and in the past I was a member of Legend, Genesis, Tdu-Jam, and Razor. DEFACTO2: How long have you been in the scene and when did you join Legend? SDWMASTR: Well I've been in the scene for 7 years, but I did not begin supplying until I joined Legend in 1994. DEFACTO2: Prestige started in 1996, why did you decide to start your own group and did not earlier? SDWMASTR: Well to be honest, Prestige was around on the Amiga for 2 years I believe, and it started on PC in 1995, with the release of Pinball Illusions Disk Version. I was never a founding member, so I might be wrong on those facts. I never considered Prestige or had even heard of it until 1995, when FanFan, who ran Genesis, mentioned they were giving us some PC titles. A few months down the road when all the people from my other groups had retired, I was in Razor. I was extremely unhappy with Razor, but there was no place else for me to go, as everyone else I knew from way back when had retired. Then Prestige released "Super Star Wars," and since I happen to read .nfos all the time, I noticed my old friends Tazman and Troops were back. These where the guys I worked with in Legend, and so I sought them out and asked if they could use some help. From there things kind of skyrocketed, and the reason PSG has been so successful is because of the efforts of all those who joined after me, and worked with each other to make something great. DEFACTO2: Now our readers know a little bit of history about this great, great group Prestige. Lets talk a bit about Razor1911, everyone can see that these two groups have a lot of fights. Can you explain further? SDWMASTR: There is bad blood between many of our members and the Razor people. If you'll take note, either our members are people who were in Razor and left for some reason or another, i.e. me, Mod, Faceless, Sternone, or those who used to lead the group, TRC, Marauder, Randall Flagg, Wolverine, or those who used to always be in the groups competing against Razor. It's a mix of reasons, but we could keep people here all day with them...it's a LONG story to say the least. DEFACTO2: I've seen a lot of people moving from RazorCD to Prestige, can you tell me anyone who has moved from Prestige or RazorCD? SDWMASTR: As far as I can recall, there has never been a Prestige member who left for Razor. Zeus and Karrade both left PSG and are now in Razor, but when they left it was for the group Paradigm. I cannot think of anyone who left Prestige with the full intention of going to Razor. DEFACTO2: What is your personal opinion about Paradigm and the merge into Razor? I saw some topic by a member of Prestige saying "paralame + beta 1911 = superlame 90201 " or something like that. SDWMASTR: I don't like the Razor people and I don't like the Paradigm people. My personal opinion is that they deserve each other :D. DEFACTO2: What where Prestige's best releases for 1996? SDWMASTR: The only one I can think of off the top of my head was Tomb Raider. I don't play PC games, so you'll have to forgive me if I only remember the recent stuff. DEFACTO2: Wait a min, your saying that leader of Prestige does not play PC games. I don't believe it, how come? SDWMASTR: I long ago lost interest in PC games, as I favor role playing games, fighting games, and platformers. I've found console machines such as PSX are much better for the type I like. My enjoyment in the scene comes from the competition, not from playing the games. I used to play floppy games, but now, I just don't play any PC titles. DEFACTO2: What are your future plans? SDWMASTR: My future plans are to continue on with the PC scene until the Nintendo 64 scene breaks, and I will then try to lessen my activities in the PC scene and concentrate on console supplying. DEFACTO2: What your final verdict of 1996? Was it a happy year for Prestige? What do u think about Scene in 1996? Don't you think it's almost turned into chaos, with people only caring about quantity etc.? SDWMASTR: I think that while it has been a happy year for Prestige, the quality of the scene has lowered in general. People no longer appreciate the groups, but what with me seeing group leaders stoop so low as to threaten people and whatnot, it doesn't come as a surprise. I never listen to people claims of "Quality not Quantity". I have supplied more PC and Console titles than almost anyone I know and the only time a group has ever said "Q not Q," is when they were the ones getting their ass kicked. That does bring me to a point of how the scene has lessened. People are so willing to talk about how lame a puzzle/card/chess game is, they neglect that fact that these are wanted titles. I bet most people didn't know that Smart Games outsold Wing Commander 4. Pretty good for a "lame" release in my opinion. Ah well, times change. DEFACTO2: What do you think about games companies? Do you think developers have stopped making good games, leaving us poor quality gameplay, no scenario, doom clones with lots of FMV(1)? About 40% of gaming companies have split, like: ID, 3dREALMS, Microprose, Spectrum Holobyte, and a lot of them are on the way to being sold off. Maybe the scene problems originate from the companies problems? Maybe scene problems originate from the companies problems? SDWMASTR: I believe that is correct too. Now instead of downloading 3 disks of something that would always work since it was the whole game and finding out is was total crap, now companies fill 650 megs. with total crap. DEFACTO2: Yes, that's it. I hope companies will think about that in 1991-1994, there were a lot of nice games, with excellent gameplay, story, and so on, the only thing missing was good graphics and sound. Companies could make brilliant games without any Real Time video, but now it's all crap. Do you have any final comments or greets? SDWMASTR: Thank you. I'd like to greet all the people like you who support Prestige in all its endeavors. There are too many people to name, but most can be found inside Prestige.nfo :D (1) Full Motion Video ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Hawkeye (Rapier) Conducted by: IPggi Subject: Rapier, past and future. DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to our readers Hawkeye. Can you also tell us your current and past affiliations. HAWKEYE: Well, I'm one of the Leaders of Rapier and I'm also in Sodom member and Prestige courier. I've been in net-scene quite a long time. I used to lead Jihad (euro courier group) long time ago, it was like Devotion nowadays, I guess many people still remember it. DEFACTO2: How long have you been a member of Rapier? Can you give the readers an insight into Rapier's History? HAWKEYE: Well, I've been in Rapier since it started! Manhunter got me into (old) Rapier when he left from Malice and started the (old) Rapier. But then the (old) Rapier died because Manhunter didn't had enough time to lead it and there were some problems with council. Suddenly in the Summer Rioandken and Cq asked me to join to this (new) Rapier and I joined. We then tried to get old members back, but it wasn't so easy as they were involved in other groups but at least some of those came with us, and here we are now! DEFACTO2: The old Rapier if I remember correctly was more dominate on the BBS scene while the new Rapier seems to focus more on the Internet, was this a deliberate change or was this just part the continued progression of the scenes movement towards the Internet? HAWKEYE: Yes, old Rapier was more dominate on the BBS'es, but this time we're trying to hit to the sites, cause nowadays those mean much more than BBS'es. BBS'es can't compete with the Internet sites! Nowadays release groups uploads their releases to sites before BBS's.. and it wasn't like that when old Rapier was alive, in that time BBS couriers got new releases from BBS's and gave them to net couriers.. but not anymore! DEFACTO2: How was Rapier's year in 1996? HAWKEYE: Heh, well it was kinda messy =) We lost many good couriers but also got many good ones back, and I personally think that we have quite good net team right now. LOYALTY means everything for us! Always if new member comes to Rapier. I'll talk with him about the loyalty. I got enough for people like nevermind, that group hopper doesn't even know what loyalty means! But everything seems to work pretty good right now! We have very good sites, and good net team! Maybe next year we'll be ready for competing with Risc! =) DEFACTO2: Loyalty is an important issue with most groups, no one likes a group hopper. How is Rapier's performance on the main scene sites? HAWKEYE: Well, we're getting more people to main sites right now and people who we've added, they've done GREAT job! like [Zero_T]. He's quite new in scene, but he knows what loyalty means. many groups have tried to get him but he'll stay cause he likes us, Rapier is like one big family! And that's the way we make the group work, if everybody are friends in the group no one will leave. DEFACTO2: Now that 1996 is at an end, what are Rapier's plans for 1997? HAWKEYE: Nothing special I think, maybe give some friendly competition to Risc and Devotion. We're like #3 courier group right now and Devotion is #2 and Risc is #1, maybe we'll try to be #2 in next year =) We're doing this just for fun! DEFACTO2: Fun, I hear that word a lot but we all know that everyone loves the competition and even the politics involved. Of cause some people take it too far. Does Rapier have that more friendly atmosphere of Devotion or the more competitive atmosphere of Risc? HAWKEYE: Heh, our Atmosphere is like Devotion's or even better =) DEFACTO2: Well I must thank you for this interview and hope 1997 is a good if not better year for Rapier. Any final comments or greets? HAWKEYE: Well, I would like to greet these guys! Manhunter, Chromatiq Haywood, Eci, Fronthead, Drake, Cyberphreak, Smaster, Zer0_T Samuraion, Darkforce, Crazy, Ddruid and of course to everybody who knows me =) and special FUCK OFF to Nevermind! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: M:et (Rebels) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Rebels in 1996. DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself, tell our readers what groups you are in and what groups have you previously been apart of? M:ET: I'm M:ET leader of REBELS I have been in the scene since 1982 when I got my first computer and started to mail swap some games. I started Rebels Amiga and have been in Rebels since then. But on the PC I have also been in Razor1911, Nexus and TRSi, but now it is only Rebels and utils that counts. DEFACTO2: You are one of the founders of Rebels? M:ET: Of the name Rebels yes. I guess it was on the Amiga back in 86 or 85. DEFACTO2: Okay, how long has PC Rebels been on the scene? M:ET: Well it started some years ago with that me and nick from Rebels Amiga bought our first PC's and started to release some demos and stuff. Later on we merged with 2000ad and then we started to release utils seriously. Then again to become a real elite group we merged with Pantera with me, Omnibuz, Doson and Racjam were leaders so I guess we can say that the 4 of us made Rebels to what it is today. A few days ago we merged with CB4, so the leaders of Rebels now are 5, myself, Doson, Charley, Omnibuz and Skater. DEFACTO2: Okay, I know there are two parts of Rebels. Sweden and USA. Is Rebels made up of only people from the USA and Sweden? M:ET: Well there are not 2 parts of rebels, we work together and are one team. But we have most members in Sweden and USA, that is correct. But we also have members in lots of different countries. DEFACTO2: Why do you have official couriers? Currently it is Devotion and Stealth where previously. Doesn't Rebels have enough time, to coordinate an internal courier division? M:ET: Well to keep the member list as short as possible we took the decision to use a well organized courier team that we know would spread our releases fast and reliable. But sure we could put in an courier coordinator in rebels but we see no point in that when Devotion are doing such a great job. DEFACTO2: How was 1996 for Rebels? Are their many good memories from this year? M:ET: Well we started off great and were among the top 3 util crew released a lot and only good quality.. then in September we almost died, people got tired and had lots of school work and different personal problems, but in the beginning of December after hard work from the leaders we were back and strong again. We started to release as hell again, and now since the merge with CB4 I guess we are one of the to 3 again, so look for rbs-*.* on your boards and sites cause I can assure you it is worth the dl. DEFACTO2: What would be the top utility groups in 1996? M:ET: Well that's hard to say, to be a top group you must have been around for a long time and there is not many of us left and of course you must still release a lot and quality stuff .. if I must mention some top groups I can just say PWA and DOD, they are cool and have been around for a long time. DEFACTO2: You said there's five leaders in Rebels, am I right? M:ET: Yes now we are 5 all with different assigns and duties. All work hard with their part of Rebels and there are no "lazy" leaders in Rebels. We don't work that way, we all have lots of things to do. As we are over 80 members now there is a lot to have in mind. DEFACTO2: Isn't eighty members a lot of work to deal with? M:ET: Well we all work on friendship and sure there will be some problems when we are so many members. But all have their duty and all knows what to do and as we are 5 leaders there should not be any problems. DEFACTO2: Why are there so many members, you don't have any couriers. M:ET: Well you will see we have lots of suppliers and lots of crackers. That's the main part of Rebels we don't have a single courier. we also have 2 dupe checkers to be sure that we don't dupe anyone and we have some packers jut to be sure that we can get a releases out 24 hours/day and then all sysop and site runners are counted as members, and all this together makes 80.. DEFACTO2: Thanks for your interview, any final greetings? M:ET: Hmm thanks for the interview and good luck with the mag.. final greetings must go to the new merged Rebels and all out on the scene that do this for fun and in a friendship way see ya all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: The Krazy Little Punk (Reflux) Conducted by: IPggi Subject: Reflux improving? DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to the readers, what are your current and past affiliations etc. TKLP: Okay I will list only affils that mean a shit to me.. Tklp, EX-Fate releaser, ROR founder, RefluX Founder, Ex-PNC supplier, Ex-XForce supplier, Amnesia member, Sodom supplier, EX-Master couriers member and EX-Rebels supplier. DEFACTO2: It's seems you have been in quite a few groups, are you a "group jumper"? I mean will you join a group only until you have taken what you want and then leave? TKLP: Gee your nice, I've only jumped groups with Utils, because they all seem not to give a damn about their supplier, sort of use and abuse them, and have empty promises. Sodom is the only group who seems to be ambitious and follow through with their promises. As for couriers, MST died off because of Ego's, Fate well, it was Fate, and I was in it for quite some time, When I was a Senior in RTS, I did a lot, but ORD- never did shit so I dropped out since it was a waste. DEFACTO2: I just like getting straight to the point :) Anyway please tell the readers some history about Reflux and how it was started. TKLP: Okay, well Reflux was started from the best of ROR. ROR as you know had problems since the whole Quake mishap, and when the SPA formed, TSR wasn't fond of me since there was some rumour, I, and Jestah King was going to redo Razor 1911 which was not true, so in order to retaliate, he voted to ban ROR (Napalm should have been banned Way Before). But since there was a lot of talent in ROR, we disbanded the name, took the best of the group, recruited some new fresh mat. We Named it Reflux because it means "A RECHARGE OR REBIRTH" which is what we were when we began. DEFACTO2: There was a lot of conflicts between ROR and a lot of game groups and Reality Check Network. How did ROR end up being the target of these peoples hatred? TKLP: ROR didn't really have any problems with any other game groups except LEGACY, since we were their main rivals. And about ROR, I think it is cause we let a lot of people in and always had to kick people out which accumulated, the epitome of the biggest mistake in ROR History was the Quake Beta labeled as Final. DEFACTO2: Ahhh the infamous Quake Beta. Why did you release this? Piston did an interview with me in the old Defacto and he claimed, "well you did get a chance to play the full quake game before it was released even if it was a beta." But I remember before you released the fake Quake that this full beta version was already floating around. TKLP: Okay well [RI-X], who supplied Quake Final To Razor, told me it was the final, and he sent it to me hex edited supposedly to look like the final, I trusted him, and released it. the deal was he got hardware out of it. DEFACTO2: What did you give him for this released that caused the death of your group, a Hard drive, a Playstation? TKLP: We were going to give him a 17" Monitor, but we didn't since the release was bullshit. DEFACTO2: Lets go back to Reflux, how would you rate it's performance in 1996? TKLP: Well it was very mild, we had high and low times, but nothing too spectacular I admit, partly do to my living at military school and also a long vacation during the summer when we lost our main suppliers. But we picked up in December, and with the comeback of g0d and others, We will do extremely well I assure you in 97. DEFACTO2: Some group leaders in the other games groups says Reflux could be competing with the likes of them if they got their act together, what do you say to that? TKLP: Well not to be modest, but I personally could easily be one of the tops in the scene supplying wise, just that since I board at my military school, I only have the weekends to do store pickups, so I have to depend on others to take care of the store pickups, but with the joining of G0D who owns his own hardware/software store, that will help out a lot, also we have picked up some dedicated people to do store pickups. Organization is being worked on extremely and RefluX Will Rise To Retain The #1 Spot we once held the early months of ROR in 1995. DEFACTO2: G0d will be supplying for Reflux? Didn't he retire earlier in the year? TKLP: Yes, and he has made his way back to the scene, now that he has a lot more time on his hands. DEFACTO2: What are Reflux's plans for 1997? TKLP: Well RefluX, with the addition of G0D, the more activity of my other co-leader Tai Pan, and the new supplying recruits, we are guaranteeing dominance in 1997. We shall claim our #1 spot which once was ROR's its very first couple months (October 95). With the fall of Prestige, we shall take over the US store pickups, and hopefully build a foundation in Europe also. We shall be the first to release a game in 97.. Dec 31 at midnight, watch for The Flux... it will be devastating. DEFACTO2: Okay, best of luck, any final words or greets before we go? TKLP: Welp I hate doing greets because I always leave out someone, but ill try ;) .. Tai Pan - For always standing by me. G0D - For coming back, and also just being my comrade through a lot. and to some buds: FLOUNDER,RETIX,TOK,GENOCIDEX,CAS,ERD,REAL,KALI,PHALYCIDE THEFIRM,PROZAC,SMASTER,MADTURNIP,LOST SOUL,DOGFRIEND,ALICE,COMWOOD (PCROX),ZIMA MAN,ZEUS,CRACKPOT,RIDDLER, and anyone I forgot I apologize.. oh and a BIG FAT FUCK YOU TO THAT LARD-ASS ARCH|VILE .. laff Oh and a greet to XDC, ALCHEMIST, MANIC,R00T and PEST .. okay that's it ;) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: The Punisher (Razor 1911) Conducted by: Tok Subject: Razor 1911 in 1996. Interviewer: Saint Tok DEFACTO2: Hi, please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what what groups you are in, and what groups have you previously been in. TPUNISHR: Handle is The Punisher, I am the current "leader" of Razor 1911 and a senior in Drink or Die. I have been in several groups, from ETA to MTY, to AMN, to EMP etc. but my main concern has always been Razor. DEFACTO2: Please, tell us a little story on why you became the Razor leader. Why where you chosen? TPUNISHR: Can't truly say to be honest, I have done a fair share in the group over the 1 to 1 1/2 years in the group, started off as a courier, got into supplying some titles and me and TSR became good friends and things just kind of happened from there. I'm sure there are others that can do it, and there might be others that can do it better...you never know, but I'm doing the best I can and will continue to. DEFACTO2: What is your views about this group Razor 1991, legend of the scene. How long are you planing to stick with it? TPUNISHR: Welp, Razor has been the longest lasting group to ever hit the scene. It's had its share of leaders and members come and go, but still continued to release high-quality titles time and time again. I think the "legend" is a achieved status, something that people in the scene will never forget no matter what certain people say or do. I will stick to this group till I can't do it anymore. DEFACTO2: How do you explain Razor being "kinda down", Razor has gotten it's self a bad reputation in 1996 'beta' releases, and a lot of people leaving Razor for other groups. What is your comments about that? TPUNISHR: Welp, the fact that Razor was down all depends on how you look at it. Razor has slammed some GREAT titles in 96. Matter of fact I was looking through a CGW top 100 games of the year and Razor had most of the titles in the top 10. The group has never believed in releasing anything and everything despite what some people try to portray to the scene. Razor did release some beta's due to a supplier who would package them as finals and hex edit etc.. I don't think I need to name names. The group has had it's hard times, but we just released Red Alert not too long ago, and have had some nice titles in between there, NBA Jam extreme, Tunnel B1, and so forth. The group is on a nice roll right now. DEFACTO2: Was 1996 a good or bad year for Razor 1911? What are your good and bad memories for 1996? TPUNISHR: I've had some bad memories in 96, the beta's, the group fights, the bullshit politics of it all to be honest. I myself have done some bad things in 96 and don't expect Santa to come, but we all make mistakes and we learn from them. That's part of real life as well. It's been a decent year for Razor 1911, we have some things to work on and some things to learn from, 97 will be a promising year. DEFACTO2: What about good memories? TPUNISHR: My absolute best memory would probably be us slamming Red Alert and TSR's retirement, we had me, Zeus, TSR, Thirdson, Pharaoh, SMaster, Vitas, Pitbull, Sir_Alf, all just hanging out on the net and on a voice conference wishing TSR farewell and having a good time, hell SMaster was even given OP's in #razor that night. To be honest, there are a ton of memories but it's really too difficult to just pick one or two or even three. DEFACTO2: When you say 'the group fights' do you mean the Razor-Prestige war or do you mean something else? TPUNISHR: That particularly, but it's really no bother anymore. Prestige has a well-trained set of people to run to the store, therefore they win on title's that hit the store. Granted there have been some big titles to hit store and PSG has won on them, however it's a fact that most of the blockbuster titles get nailed inside or by other means of supplying. Which is where Razor tends to excel. The fight between PSG and Razor is one that started from friendly competition and turned over time into all out war. It's settled down a bit. Hell, I got a call from cybphreak, Skill and Blue Adept for Christmas. DEFACTO2: What do you think is better: Strike on time in month with ultra quality release like Quake, Red Alert, etc., or release 20-30 games per month of not too high quality, since there's ton's of games out every month. TPUNISHR: Welp, for me personally if I can supply or see 4 kick ass titles under the Razor flag, or see 20 to 30 titles that I don't even want to remember none the less play I would choose the 4 hands down every time. But that's just me, PSG says they do the scene a favor by giving them everything, good for them. DEFACTO2: Okay, I got your point of view. Tell us your top three games groups right now. TPUNISHR: Welp not in any particular order because everyone has an opinion. Razor 1911, Hybrid, Prestige are the only 3 groups that I think can constantly supply title after title. Reflux is showing some promise but it remains to be seen if they can stay consistent. DEFCATO2: Do you want to greet someone or have any last words? TPUNISHR: My heart filled greets go to: Vitas (slap that woman around a little), Pitbull (you've slapped your's too much), TSR (blood in blood out), ZEUS (get a fucking day job :D), Thirdson, Pharaoh, Manhunter, SMaster, Chairman, Dong Silver, Wedge, Dark Rebellion, Madturnip, Jimmy Jamez, Holybeast, Beowulf, Kali, Chinablue, and EVERYONE else in the PC scene. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____ __ ______ _\____|________ _| |_ _________________ _____\____|______ ___ __ | | | _| _____| ____/ | | | ___| |_| | | | | | |___ __|_ | | | | __|_ | | | |____ |___ |___|__ | /____ |____|___ |____ |____ |___| | \___/ \__| \____/ |____/ \____/ \___/ |____/ |___/ Interview with: Saint Tok (Sodom) Conducted by: IPggi Subject: Sodom in 1996. DEFACTO2: Please tell the readers a bit about yourself Saint Tok. Don't forget to mention you past and present affiliations as well. SAINTTOK: Hehhe, well what I need to tell about my self. Well, I'm from Russia my nick name was Tok, and I have added Saint into it. So, I'm Saint Tok now. I'm leader of Sodom, was in: Motiv8, Amnesia, Prestige Razor 1191, ROR. DEFACTO2: Saint Tok, why did you feel the need to add the "Saint" in front of your nick, don't you think this is a bit egotistical? SAINTTOK: Well, I can explain, no, I did not think about ego's when I was added it, I just did it because of one big reason: people don't know what TOK mean. so, when I was added Saint, there is no need to explain what my nick means... it's easy now... just Saint Tok, btw. TOK means in Russian: HIGH VOLTAGE, for example...220/110 v => DEFACTO2: But why did you choose "Saint" ? Surely another word could have been used? SAINTTOK: Well... I did not know... just add Saint... well, maybe because I'm living in Saint Petersburg... but can't tell you for sure. => DEFACTO2: You have been in a few groups in the past year, especially a lot of game groups. Are you a group jumper? SAINTTOK: No, I was site-op of site called: PROGRESSIVE.. so, I just come into Prestige, as member site, after that, in Prestige was conflict between me and Zeus, so, I was decide to leave PSG and Razor invited me as EHQ. I was in Razor as EHQ for a few weeks before site owner was busted. Sodom was brother group with ROR., so I was in ROR, and supplied games to them. That's it., I'm pretty loyal, and hate group jumpers. DEFACTO2: Are you the original founder of Sodom, and how was Sodom started? SAINTTOK: Well, yes... I was founder.. Sodom was started in 1995 summer, with NetRunner, (NetRunner from Russia, not from DOD). DEFACTO2: How has Sodom progressed since that first summer of 95? SAINTTOK: Well, it depends.... hard to say actually, but when we was started there' was only 10 people, and main goal was "bring out quality releases from Russia, in English". Now we work with 56 people in Sodom, I mean, Sodom now has 50+ members world wide. We are respected, good group, and we have good reputation. We have anything we want, people in Sodom are happy. We have brilliant organization, and we bring out quality and useful releases. DEFACTO2: So why isn't Sodom Number 1, or even in the top 5 ? SAINTTOK: Sorry? You don't think Sodom is not in top5? DEFACTO2: Well the top 5 is highly debatable. SAINTTOK: Well, okay, I don't think I need answer your question then. DEFACTO2: I would say the top 3 include DOD, LND, PWA. But after that it's hard to say. Why are you not in established position like those three? SAINTTOK: Well, it's because of age.. we are only 1.5 years. here, so, and I'm really not sure. that LND is in top 3 groups over here, but it's just my opinion. DEFACTO2: Yes true, opinions vary. Okay, Sodom has been in the scene for over 2 years now, how would you say the scene has changed since Sodom first started? SAINTTOK: Hmm... hard question... times fly.. but I was on the scene before Sodom start.. so I can say how it's changed from 1992 or whatever. Well, the main reason why it's changed a lot, are kids, and a lot, shit loads of people who can get access to Internet for free, or for little money., there's are a lot of people and kids who did not know shit, I mean, who think that they are gods, and can talk about anything. Ego shit, disloyalty was brought to the scene by kids as well. But Internet is improving from day to day, link's better and better from month to month as well, but it's really bad, that every kid want to start he's own group, and that's what going on now days. Groups born and die, every month. And I did not know, why they do it probably they want to be popular, or something, I saw a lot of guys in RCN, which where trying to be popular, but everything is okay, and we can live here in peace. DEFACTO2: How would you rate Sodom's performance in 1996? SAINTTOK: From 1 to 10? DEFACTO2: No I mean in words. SAINTTOK: It's depends, about what part of 1996 we talking about. But, in general, I'm glad about that, and there' was up and down times, so in general I'm happy, and what the hell, we are alive, and I can tell u that only few groups which was started in 1995 still alive now.. so, that's it. DEFACTO2: What are your future plans for Sodom? SAINTTOK: Well, work, work, work, release, release, release, fun, fun, fun, and lot's of other things, we will show what we can do in 1997, and I know for sure, you won't be disappointed. DEFACTO2: Any greets or final words before we go? . SAINTTOK: Greeting fly out to: Prestige, Razor, Hybrid, Risc, Devotion Empire, Rapier, Motiv8, PWA, DOD, Rebels, XForce, LND, Masque, and everyone from SODOM! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well that was our first issue for you. Any questions, comments, etc please email IPggi at [email protected] Defacto2 Issue January 1997 (c) 1997 LINE2546|12TH
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