Classic Replay

From iPads to wafer-thin laptops, home computers (in one form or another) are today commonplace. But when did we first embrace this technology? Tom Lean, the author of Electronic Dreams: How 1980s Britain Learned to Love the Computer , investigates… In the early 1980s computers invaded British homes for the first time, a wave of cheap and futuristic devices that allowed millions of people to discover for themselves what a computer was. These fantastic machines, like the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Acorn Electron and Commodore 64, promised to make computing user-friendly for the first time. They were expected to reveal the wonders of information technology to the masses, and bring about a revolution in homes, schools, and workplaces. But to what extent did the electronic dreams these machines were sold on actually come true? What impact did home computers have on our lives in the 1980s? Read the full article here: http://www.historyextra.com/article/history-1980s-home-computer-boom-b

Dave Needle, an important figure in the computer and video game industries who designed three different hardware releases, has died. Needle died last Friday of natural causes  according to   RJ Mical, a longtime friend and former business partner. Needle was instrumental in creating the first Amiga personal computer, known as the Amiga 1000. The Amiga first released in July 1985. While Microsoft was developing its new Windows operating system for PCs and Apple was further establishing itself with the first “Macintosh,” Commodore’s original Amiga was considered ahead of its time because of its almost unrivaled and ground-breaking multitasking abilities along with advanced sound, video graphics and multimedia features. Read more here: http://quarterdisorder.com/2016/02/23/dave-needle-original-amiga-engineer-and-creator-of-the-atari-lynx-and-3do-dies/

Ground Zero is a game that has kept me captivated since its release, it's taken me years to complete, of which I am highly embarrassed. So, after decades of trying, I've finally beaten it. It wasn't easy either, take too much time and you die of radiation poising, go too quickly, and you run out of energy. Everything is against you, and you only have thirty minutes to diffuse a nuclear bomb! One of Tynesoft's finest games, shame more didn't exist like this. Video available here, just click play...

I'm sitting here, searching through Youtube, and stumbled across a great little movie, about the video game industry crash of 1983. I really think it paints an accurate picture, and explores the mismanagement from Atari, lacklustre 3rd party titles, and the blame game that ensued upon ET.  I didn't know this, but apparently Atari nearly formed a distribution partnership with Nintendo for the whole of America, until Nintendo decided they would go it alone. It also talks about how the European computer games market didn't even notice the crash, and how we happily continued playing Manic Miner and Jetpac.  Give the documentary a watch by clicking on the video below...  

My #‎C4CPC Blank Cartridge cover arrived today, on my Birthday. Total cost £10, but that's because postage is really high. I had to file a few things down to get it to fit, but on the whole, it's a worthwhile project, and to say I'm happy with it, is an understatement. None of this would have been possible, without the help of the guys from the CPC Community.  So, you want a 3D Cartridge to house your C4CPC, well, the best place to get started, is head over to CPCwiki, there you will find a page with a complete list of games and applications that are available, and any new developments in the design, or update for the C4CPC cart.  Games available, can be found at:  http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Converted_GX4000_games   Information on the 3D Design of the cart can be found here: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/c4c4c-3d-printed-cartridge/msg120726/#msg120726 The above links will help to get you started, and the second link, at the 

About The Game Sam's Journey is a brand-new original scrolling platform game developed for the Commodore 64 home computer. It's about a cute little hero called Sam who finds himself on an unexpected journey in a strange world. Guide Sam through many different locations such as deep forests, hot deserts or frozen mountains! Find hidden gems and discover secret passages, but beware of the creatures! Sam can run, jump, climb and swim. He can pick up items, carry them around and throw them at enemies. And with the power of special costumes, Sam completely changes his appearance and gains additional skills!  See game in action here!  Information taken from  http://www.knights-of-bytes.com/sams-journey Genre:  Scrolling Platform Game Platform:  Commodore 64, PAL Version Media:   5.25" Disk or Cartridge   Status:   In Development   Estimated Release:   First Half 2016   Where To Buy:   To Be Announced

Amstrad PIXELS: The Last UFO - Amstrad Game WIP http://amstrad-pixels.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-last-ufo-amstrad-game-wip.html?spref=tw Apparently, things are progressing nicely, and the programmer is looking to program this game for the C64 and ZX Spectrum as well. 

Can you think of the best caption for this image? The best caption get's it printed on a T-Shirt and sent to them for free! Competition ends midnight, Saturday the 20th...

It's beautiful, but a simple game! Moving through the dungeons, whilst keeping an eye out for thieves, and more importantly food reserves really elevates it above all other adventures. I really do love these types of games, because for me, by in large, the Ultima series is similar to reading a book, you have to engage with your surroundings, and really use your imagination. I also like how well the programmer portrayed moving through the Dungeons, it's really convincing, almost a game in its own right, you won't get lost, and there's a genuine feel of exploration and danger around every corner, and behind every door. I prefer this vector style approach, more so than the latter games in the series, that preferred a 2D approach. I wish they'd have continued with the hybrid 2D and 3D look and feel to the game, in a Driller-esque sort of way. Regardless, I love this new addition to the CPC, and more importantly, here's hoping for more Ultima games for the CPC.