The Death of ACAR

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
======================

After considerable deliberation over various alternatives, the future of
Amiga Review magazine has been finalised.  We apologise for the extremely
long delay in publication of the next issue, and thank you all for your
patience.  We did not want to go to press on another issue without being
able to annouce the future of the magazine.

The APRIL issue, which will go on sale mid-April, will be the last issue of
Amiga Review as a stand-alone magazine.  It will be the normal size and
price.

The good news is that we will continue to cover the Amiga scene in a brand
new publication call Multimedia and Desktop Video.

The first issue, June/July 1996, will be published on May 22nd.  This new
publication will cover Amiga, Mac and PC multimedia and desktop video
applications.  Several leading Amiga software packages are now out on the
PC and other platforms (including Lightwave and Scala), so discussion of
these programs will expand to cover other hardware.

PLEASE NOTE: A dedicated section of the magazine will focus exclusively on
Amiga products, including non-multimedia and video related software and
hardware.  All of the major advertisers from Amiga Review have committed to
moving across to the new magazine - so you will still be able to keep up to
date.

Continuing Amiga Review as a stand-alone magazine has been very difficult
for some time now.  We struggled on through 1995, hoping things would pick
up.   However the sudden jump in paper prices around July and a gradual
fall in readership and advertising through-out the year, put an end to any
hope of improving the situation. 

IPC have indicated there is still a possibility they will pick up exclusive
distribution of the Amiga in Australia.  We hope they do.  However, the sad
reality is that regardless of what Amiga Technology have planned for the
platform, software development has slowed to trickle and it is our belief
that things are now unlikely to turn around in the short term.
Nevertheless, the Amiga remains one of the least expensive entry level
computers, and is still cost effective for 2D/3D animation, non-linear
digital video editing and titling, and live presentation graphics.

If the Amiga scene does pick up, having Amiga coverage in a broader
publication will extend the opportunity to grow the market.  In a best case
situation, the Amiga section could one day be split off into a separate
magazine once again.

SUBSCRIBERS will automatically receive Multimedia and Desktop Video, unless
we are notified otherwise.  You may also transfer across to PC Review
magazine.   Regardless of which magazine you decide to receive, the total
number of issues remaining will apply.  Of course, if you're not happy with
this offer, we will cheerfully refund the balance of your subscription due.
We hope you will at least consider receiving the first issue of Multimedia
and Desktop Video before making a choice.

As the editor of Amiga Review, I have seen some incredible events in the
world of Commodore and the Amiga - enough to fill a good book (Hey, there's
an idea!).  The last 14 years have been enjoyable, although it was a great
shame that only at the end of the magazines life did I have the opportunity
to make improvements to Amiga Review (like having it produced on the Amiga)
I had hoped to see for so long. 

Multimedia and Desktop Video will tap into one of the most interesting
aspects of desktop computer technology in this decade.  I enjoy sharing the
potential of interesting technology with others.  As an Amiga user, you are
no doubt fascinated by this area of computing too.  I'm sure you'll find
our new magazine informative and worth while.

I am happy to discuss feedback to this change in this forum or by email.

Regards,
Andrew Farrell
Editor/Publisher
Amiga Review Magazine

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