Shaw Brothers Specs Interview, ZX Spectrum Computer, Sinclair ZX Spectrum

s.p.e.c.s. - 48k spectrum zine, 1989

interview with graham shaw, world famous programmer! (well, sort of...)
graham shaw is one of a trio of brothers known collectively, funnily enough, as the shaw brothers. their computer programs are quite well known, particularly in the way thery are written for the spectrum rather than simply being a concept ported over onto the spectrum. recently their work was featured on the (may) issue of sinclair user in the form of iron soldier, and other games include: cerius, gunfighter, tank command and aquasquad, all of which received rave reviews. they also wrote soccer star. we can reveal that three more games are on the menu any moment now, heartbroken, kosmos and superkid.

interview - with graham
interviewed by s.p.e.c.s. fanzine.
specs - how long does it take to program a game (from conception to birth)?	graham - depending on the game between 2-4 months.
specs - what stages does the game go through during this period?	graham - from a basic idea various new dimensions and features are tested.
specs - how many people does it normally involve?	graham - 3... graham: ideas, game writer, dave: graphics, screens, ade: music & sound f.x.
specs - where do you get the ideas for your books?	graham - films, books... that kind of stuff.
specs - have you ever programmed "serious" software commercially?	graham - ...aren't all our games "serious"? "soccer star" is pretty serious stuff isn't it?
specs - what other computers have you programmed and how did you start your interest (i hope it's not just the money!) in computing?	graham - zx81 (a quick poke), 16k spectrum (for a month or two), 48k spectrum, 128k spectrum, +3 disc, started by typing in basic magazine programs, etc.
specs - what are your views on software piracy?	graham - if a game's good enough then people will buy it, but if it's crap then they wouldn't really buy it anyway. big business piracy is pretty ugly (especially if anybody's ripping me off!).
specs - what computer magazines do you read?	graham - s.p.e.c.s., crash ( they only gave "soccer star" 28%!), sinclair user (obvious reasons?), t.a.g. fanzine erm... others if they have our reviews in.
specs - do you like putting "undocumented features" in your games?	graham - what's one of those? okay then yes we do!
specs - what are your top ten all time favourite games?	graham - cobra, tomahawk, matchday, quazatron, zynaps, sabre wulf, nightmare, jet pac, tranz am, avalon... in no particular order; & many others (includes all ultimates).
specs - is there any hardware (interfaces, joysticks, mass storage etc) you'd recommend?	graham - emax "arcade professional" joystick, although it may not be around anymore, it's big, big (2 foot wide!) one, just like the arcade types. we've had it for 5 years no problems.
specs - what's your favourite programming language and why do you like it?	graham - cse french.
specs - which under £1ooo computer would like the most at present?	graham - a rubber keyboarded 48k spectrum, my own is dropping to bits (16 bits?).
specs - do you have any tips for budding programmers?	graham - make all your games presentable, clear, easy to use.
specs - do you have a beard, enjoy douglas adams vovels, wear t-shirts and jeans, and only go to bed during the day time?	graham - no, unlike you lot at s.p.e.c.s.! us northern lot have style.
specs - you have a reputation for avoiding pushing the spectrum betyond it's limits and thus not making a mess of the games you write. are there any projects you have worked on that you have given up on because the spectrum hardware wasn't good enough?	graham - no, although obviously we're limited to the amount of graphics etc which one can use.
specs - why do you program the spectrum as opposed to any other micro? (or do you program others?)	graham - because it's better than that crummy ql! what other micros are there? vic 2o? dragon 42? oric? (this is merely a jesty joke!).
specs - what future do you see in the spectrum, say, in the next 2 years?	graham - lots of great games, more tie-ins, people are waiting for a 16 bit that doesn't cost more than £1oo and 'as software with a reasonable price.

specs zine interview
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