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Steve McGill reports on rumours that console kings Codemasters are considering a Mega Drive/ Amiga
serial link

In the next few months, Codemasters could be preparing to take one of the most radical steps forward in the evolution of the console-dominated games market by developing a serial link for the Mega Drive.

Amiga Format can exclusively reveal that Super Skidmarks 2 is being converted on to the Mega Drive by Codemasters and they have hinted that the cartridge may feature a built-in serial port. If so, this means that a Mega Drive capable of being linked to an Amiga is in the pipeline.

There is no technical difficulty in doing so, and as Codemaster's marketing director, Richard Eddy, stated: "Multi-player games are the way forward." Codemasters have already established their reputation for ground-breaking cartridge developments with the J-Cart which has two extra joystick ports on the cartridge itself.

On Friday, March 17, Richard Eddy from Codemasters approached Amiga Format attempting to obtain a pre-printed version of the then in-progress Super Skidmarks 2 review, citing the need to impress important European investors of their new cartridge's sales viability, Richard stressed the importance of Amiga Format's review of the original game, "Everyone rates Amiga Format highly," he said.

Despite the importance of releasing an early version of the review, Format had to abide by Future's rigorous policy of non-disclosure until the magazine is returned bound and finished from the printers. Therefore, editor Nick Veitch had no option other than to disappoint the ambitious company's plans.

INTENSE

In a console market where the top four or five games account for approximately 90 per cent of all sales - Codemasters have sold around 300,000 copies of Micro Machines 2 in Europe - competition is intense. "It's a bitter war out there," stressed Richard.

With the failure of prospective console smash, NBA Jam, to reach projected sales targets, game publishers are reappraising their whole approach to the market.

CYNICAL

The recent Monopolies And Mergers Commission report on the restrictive and overpricing practices of Sega and Nintendo, has caused growing discontent among console owners. Consequently, sales are depressed. Some cynical pundits are already lauding the death of the console videogame.

"Innovation, courage and conviction, such as that shown by Codemasters in the past and now will be needed to inject new life and belief into the 16-bit videogame market," opined an industry insider.

Amiga Format believes that if the speculation over the Codemasters cartridge serial link proves founded, the consolidation of different hardware platforms through game links could be the boost that a games market faced with the onslaught of `new generation' consoles needs in order to maintain its strength.

Les Ellis of top-selling multi-platform gaming magazine, GamesMaster welcomed the concept of a Mega Drive serial link. "This concept is tremendous. It means that anyone with a Mega Drive could go round to their Amiga-owning mate's house and have terrific fun," he enthused.

At the time of going to press, Richard Darling, managing director and co-founder of Codemasters, was unavailable for comment.

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