fpf1s3c01                     LEADING ARTICLE: WINNERS AND LOSERS
c03                            by Damion & RokDaZone

c02At  the  begin of a new year, what could be a more fitting topic for a Leading
Article  than  a  review  on the year having just passed by?  Especially since
this year of 1996 was very special to our tiny community.  New structures have
evolved,  elder  Sceners have gone, new Sceners have not impressingly streamed
in,  but  Sceners  of  the third generation are hitting back.  The old legends
from  before  1990  have  gone  totally  except for some very rare individuals
(c03Uyanik!c02).  Also the ones that  will become legends from the second generation
(1990 to 1995), like c03Macno c02and c03Wolfman c02have vanished to huge parts.  Now it is
time that the third generation takes the rudder. They already started in 1996.

We  can easily verify the later point by just having a look at the winners and
the  losers  after  a  365  days  lasting  battle for the heights of a Scenish
Olympe.   Please keep in mind that we do not value c03Artwork c02here.  Make up your
own minds and add us wherever you may find it suitable.

This is how the Generation-Team values the results: 

c01                                 THE WINNERS

f2c03                               The Black Lotus
f1c02(Most  succesful  release 1996:  'Tint'; TBL is undoubtedly the most succesful
and  most productive team in 1996 if not ever.  If they do not grow themselves
to death (like Movement did) then 1997 shall witness their continuing highfly)

f2c03                              Three Little Elks
f1c02(Most  succesful  release  1996:   'The  Tribe';  3LE  started  into 1996 with
 'Passenger' and from then released quite a handful of original productions)

f2c03                                   Amnesty
f1c02(Most  succesful  release  1996:  'HazMix'; Very interesting indeed:  Just one
party  in the end of 1996 and people already count them to be the hope for the
new  year.  Both 'HazMix' and 'HazCheMix' proved that their is fresh wind from
                               the east again)

f2c03                                 Mellow Chips
f1c02(Most succesful release 1996:  'Dim'; Widely unrecognised have these newcomers
released  some  very stylish and succesful demos which already at The Party VI
                  got shown in the 'Alltime Greatest-Show')

f2c03                                   Syndrome
f1c02(Most  succesful  release  1996:   'Fashion';  A  very controversial group who
gained  their  status  as  winners  for  high places at several parties  and a
          steady stream of strange releases, like their AMOS-demos)


c01                               THE STABLE GUYS

f2c03                                     TRSI
f1c02            (Few releases, but loud as ever; boni for cult-status)

f2c03                                   Essence
f1c02                     (Several releases and of course ROM)

f2c03                                   Scoopex
f1c02(Besides  all  ups  and downs, they are back whenever one thought they finally
died.  As now also the ancient 'Mental Hangover' is available for AGA there is
                  nothing hampering to become real legends)
f2c03                                    Infect
f1c02(With  the  genious WK-Artworks anims, a yelling Eksec, a partyslide from Spiv
plus  two  WildCompetition entries the selfannounced gods keep their shape and
                              their cultstatus)

f2c03                                   Haujobb
f1c02(Thought  to be dying, the weirdoz have inhaled new life throughout the second
half  of  1996.   Two demos and Friendchip give hope that this is not simply a
                            weak flicker of life)


c01                                  THE LOSER

f2c03                                 Polka Bros.
f1c02(We  cannot  remember any release this year.  All members seem to be busy with
        other businesses and there is no idea that this could change)

f2c03                                    Sanity
f1c02(The legend that never dies lays in coma due nameprotection. Nothing from them
              in 1996 and there is nothing to expect in future)

f2c03                                     Bomb
f1c02(Once the hope for the third generation of Sceners they only released one demo
in  1996.  This won The Party, but they already announced that it could be the
                        last Amiga release from them)

f2c03                                   Passion
f1c02("Chronic" is not only the title of their winning demo from the South Sealand,
but  also describes their notoric lack of productions throughout the years.  A
quite  weak  picture for a group which claimed to push Polka Bros.  from their
                                   throne)

f2c03                                   Ram Jam
f1c02(Yes,  also they belong to this section, but not through own fault but through
bad  luck.   They got disqualified from the competition at the Assembly and if
that  was  not  enough after finally having found a maineditor for 'Showtime',
the  very same takes a longer break directly after the first issue.  Also ACBS
has  left  according  to  Vega  the  Scene  so  that the later one is the only
                              remaining editor)


c01                           THE INFAMOUS LAST WORDS

c02Again this new year will surely stirr it all up.  Maybe if we are lucky, there
will  be the first c03PowerAmiga Demos c02available at c03The Party VII c02(or whatever it
might be called then).  Remember:  Whatever may come this year will decide the
future  for  the  Amiga  and  therefore  for  the  Scene.  If, however, we got
betrayed once again, this would be no reason to sell ones Amiga. It works even
without  any company supporting it - just as the C64.  The Amiga Scene will be
alive for a couple years to go.  c03Will you be there?