by “The Cajun”
Now that Apeiron is out, my work is just starting. “Bugs, man, that’s all I see! They’re everywhere,” or “I must kill the bugs, kill them all! Squish, squish, squish,” are typical responses from the letters I’ve been getting. But that’s not a problem for me, I like to hear of new and creative ways of playing Apeiron. But, normally I receive the “I’m an accountant by day, but at night I become Bug Destructor” type of letter. All of a sudden, everybody wants to play Rambo with a bunch of harmless little bugs. Like I said, that doesn’t bother me.

While all of you have been playing with your brand new, fully automatic AK-47 with the QMT-69 attachment, I have been searching for new and peaceful ways of playing Apeiron. One in particular, I would like to describe here today.

Do you remember the scene in “Apocalypse Now” when Mr. Sicko Army Commander cranks “Flight of the Valkeries” out of his helicopters while showering a small helpless village with machine gun fire? Well, this month’s How To is kinda like that.

Right after the game was released, I was over at a friend’s house, playing with the PowerMac he had just purchased. He was kind enough to test out the audio quality of his new toy with a CD from Miles Davis, “Do-Bop,” one that I am particularly fond of. While Miles was blowing away on his trumpet, I was installing Apeiron (he just bought the computer, what else was I supposed to do?).

Anyway, when I went to play the game, I realized that Apeiron’s buggy little tune that has been etched into my brain forever was going to conflict with the fine music playing from the CD-ROM drive. It was then that I noticed Andrew did something pretty neat with Apeiron. He made it possible to turn the music off, while still keeping the sound on. This made it possible to play Apeiron while listening to another soundtrack.

So there I was, squishing and smashing to delightful horns and funky beats. It was a very interesting experience, both activities being very enjoyable for me. The combination of fine jazz and bug destruction culminated to a new sense of pleasure, a combination of peace and destruction.

So I thought about this further; what about Apeiron and Speed Metal? Or how about a little Country music to go along with your extermination efforts. Ska also works real well, and so does Nine Inch Nails. Or you may also be interested in playing Apeiron to the theme of 2001, A Space Odessy. Or maybe, if you are Mr. Sicko Crystal Commander, you might want to pop in something more classical. Anything from Wagner is great, but stay away from romantic operas.

Now I know that everyone does not have a CD-ROM for their computer. Even if you do, it does not mean you have the ability to play CD’s and games at the same time. But you can always duplicate the situation by turning on your stereo, and playing your favorite CD. Now, more than ever, no two games of Apeiron will be the same. And, believe it or not, you will be surprised at how many times you end a wave at the same time that a song does. What beauty.

Next issue, Mosh Knitting.

“Cajun” David Richard
Technical Services Manager
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
AOL: AmbrosiaSW