Stefan Maes of Antwerp, Belgium writes...

Well, it has been silent way too long from your side, but issue 17 finally made it. I haven't read much yet, but it seems you rewarded the patience of your readers with another fine issue. There were a few layout changes and in my opinion, they are for the better. In case of multiple reviews of the same game, now there's a nice submenu, while each review has it's own screenshot. It's just one of those details that makes the reader's life just that little easier. Now that your programmer is fine-tuning the interface, can he also make the menus scroll all the way through ? Maybe I'm just lazy, but the ability to go from the last topic to the first with a single key-stroke would be a nice feature. Oh, before I forget, here's

GB: Your wish is my command.

another suggestion. Why not include a world map GIF-file, with tons of red dots indicating all the exotic places you get fan mail from. We all now that GameBytes ships worldwide, but except for you and your staff, I think most of us still underestimate the masses that can be reached through Internet (including me).

GB: Hmmm. Not a bad idea. I guess I'll have to start rustling up a map of some kind.

I have another question for you, which I think a lot of your readers share with me. Knowing of your plans to go CD-ROM (poll) and your last 2 editorials, how are things going with this ambitious project ? Personally, I don't think it will be shipping before the long summer holidays. It would be nice to announce 'A special 25th anniversary issue will be distributed on CD-ROM only, featering a full motion video 'A View From The Edge' by Ross Erickson'. I've bought myself a CD-drive only a few months ago and maybe I'm just too excited about the enormous potential that little silver disk has. I'm discovering new things day after day. However, I'll keep a special eye on the 'preview' section from now on...

GB: I'm going to clam up on you now, unfortunately. I don't really want to tip my hand before it's time. Suffice it to say, however, that we have some VERY exciting features that can only be implemented with this little silver disk.

One final remark: you've finally done it! You made me want a game that isn't out on the market yet! I thought I was immune for this kind of 'virus' since the hole Doom hype sort of passed me by for the greater part (OK, it's a great game - so all those BFG's that were pointing at me can be put aside - but I really missed the puzzle/maze stuff that attrackted me so much in good old Wolfenstein). Well, that was before I read the interview with Looking Glass Technologies. I hope System Shock comes to Europe very soon now. All that 6D-stuff just sounds amazing. If the atmosphere is a tense as in Ultima Underworld, it will keep me playing all night long and only one game has succeeded in this very though 'quality test' of mine before (UW, who else ?). My CD-drive is waiting in anticipation. (So is my dealer, since 4megs of RAM won't be enough for smooth gameplay, I guess.) It will be one of those rare moments when money will be of no concern.

GB: The crew at Origin and Looking Glass will be thrilled to read your letter! (As I will be thrilled to show them!)