Up until now, the only game generation programs that I had encountered were of the arcade game variety. The user merely specifying the type of game, the background and the aliens. Game Core should in no way be confused with this type of game generator. Game Core has been specifically designed with the aim of producing strategic board games of the Reversi, Draughts variety.

Game Core is supplied in cassette format but can be transferred to disc quite easily. BBC Soft has even supplied a !BOOT file for the benefit of disc users.

A game produced with the aid of Game Core consists of two separate parts. The first being Game Core itself - this part of the program contains the algorithms which allow the computer to determine which of the moves possible would be its most favourable. The second half of the program must be supplied by the user. This section must:

1. Draw the board, 2. Check the legality of the moves, 3. Evaluate board positions.

One look at the manual should warn a prospective buyer that this package is not for the casual user who is hoping to buy a program that will supply a means of producing a whole variety of board games quickly and simply.

On the subject of producing the game board, the user is informed that an 8 x 8 board is represented by 64 bytes of memoer. Whether a square is occupied, the type of piece occupying the square and whether the piece is yours or the computers must all be determined by peeking and poking those 64 bytes of memory. And that is merely the manipulation of the board.

In an effort to help the user through the barrage of extremely heavy-going text, several example programs have been supplied. Of these programs 'Reversi' and 'Don't Be Greedy' are both described in some detail. The tasks of the Functions and Procedures are explained and a complete variable list is also provided.

Should a user with only limited programming experience purchase this program then he would probably never progress further than playing the demonstration programs. The package is aimed at the person who has both a logical way of thinking and a great deal of spare time. Unless you are willing to devote several hours to the process of analysing the rules and tactics of a board game, then programming it to run on your BBC will be an impossibility.