Part 2 - The Start Of Something Big - 1986 “It's undoubtedly going to be another big year for Amstrad - rumours abound that new machines are on the way. With your help we're going to make it a big year for Amstrad Action as well.” - Peter Connor, AA5, February 1986. February 1986’s issue introduced the long running comic strip ‘Sugarman,’ which lasted up until AA48. The strip featured the adventures of superhero Alan Sugar, written and drawn by S. Sarker. Issue six introduced a new position, Technical Editor, which we were told would be taken by Andrew Wilton. Although introduced to the readers, Andrew wouldn’t really contribute any written work until issue seven, with some serious software and hardware features. The editorial staff moved into new offices, affectionately known as ‘The Old Barn.’
Andrew Wilton (Technical Editor) Andrew joined AA as Technical Editor in issue 6 before leaving after AA14. Joined the ACE team as Staff Writer for the launch issue in 1987. Went on to help Bob Wade create games development company Binary Asylum.
Issue 7 (April 1986) was a bumper 124 pages and a record in AA’s history. ‘Action Test’ was in colour for the first time, and there was also a few additions made to the reviews: an extra ‘third opinion’ box appeared on the main
Jim Nagel (Production Editor, Editor) Arrived at AA as Production Editor before quickly replacing the departing Matt Nicholson as Editor. Then relinquished the editor chair to Bob Wade as he went back into his old Production Editor position. Left the magazine not long after.
reviews along with a ‘green screen view’. Phil Howard (regular ‘Cheat Mode’ contributor and who would later take charge of the section) had his first poke contribution printed for Jet Set Willy. Issue eight came with another cover tape featuring a full game plus playable demos such as this month’s ‘Mastergame’; Get Dexter, as well as Swords and Sorcery, Doomsday Blues and Battle of Britain. Peter Connor gave his fond farewells as he wrote his last editorial. Although not credited as such, Chris Anderson took charge of issue nine’s editorial duties during the Editor changeover. ‘Problem Attic’ began as part of ‘Reaction’ but would later get its own pages. Matt Nicholson introduced himself as the new editor in the issue 10 editorial. The ‘AA Rave’ logo also got a redesign. In September’s issue (AA12) Firebird’s Thrust received 94%, yet still lost out on the ‘Mastergame’ award to Starstrike II, which also got 94%. Thrust was the highest rated game to miss out on a ‘Mastergame’ award. A special feature looked at the thriving CPC scene in France, including a guide to the main French software houses. The front cover was redesigned for October’s issue (AA13), which would remain for 45 issues. Jim Nagel arrived as
Matt Nicholson (Editor) n Early Future Publishing editorial premises: ‘The Old Barn’.
Ex-What Hi-Fi? and What Micro magazines. Matt arrived at issue 10 and edited the mag for only six issues before moving over to edit newly launched PC Plus.?
n AA13, October ‘86, the first re-design Production Editor and Bob Wade moved up to Deputy Editor. AA split into three separate publications. Amstrad Action catering for the CPC range, while 8000 Plus and PC Plus focused on the Amstrad PCW and PC range respectively. November (AA14) saw the first appearance of the AA ‘Grave R.I.P.’ accolade; given to Five-A-Side Soccer, Olympiad ’86 and Knight Rider which were rated 17%, 19% and 18% respectively. ‘A Day In The Life’ series started with the inside story of Amstrad Action itself and how they produced the magazine with Amstrad computers. AA15 and Jim Nagel stepped up to Editor as Matt moved over to edit Future’s new addition PC Plus. Richard Monteiro joined the team as the new Technical Editor.
Richard Monteiro (Technical Editor) Richard was the Technical Editor for 18 issues before going over to help the launch of new Future publication ST/Amiga Format. In 1992 Richard, along with Dianne Taverner, founded his own publishing company Paragon. Paragon’s main publications included Sega Pro, Play and Games World: The Magazine.
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