02.Feb.2024
|
Blog: Limitations of the HAM mode explained on the Hamulet engine
Recently, the developer of the game Hamulet - a demo version was included in issue 10 of the English-language Amiga magazine "WhatIFF?" - published a YouTube video that is intended to demonstrate as a proof-of-concept whether a puzzle or platform game could be feasible using the Hamulet engine in HAM and has the following features:
- Large 8-way scrollable HAM screen with no visible fringing
- Massive animated bobs (Blitter objects), the largest one being 144x170 pixels
- Copper list to create a parallax effect of a "transparent" HAM screen, where the background sky gradient is visible and scrolls at a lower speed
- Multiple animated sprites
- Music by Virgill
- Runs on Amiga 500, requires 1MB of chip
Appunti Digitali is an Italian website that deals with technology issues that the operators know or can judge from their own (professional) experience. The article now published under the title link deals with this video and the limitations of HAM. (dr)
[News message: 02. Feb. 2024, 09:35] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
02.Feb.2024
|
Blog: Restoration of an Amiga 2500UX (AMIX)
In the past we have reported several times (1, 2, 3) about Commodore's Unix derivative AMIX. The two "official" Amigas on which Amix could run were the Amiga models 2500UX and 3000UX. Bo Zimmerman has bought an Amiga 2500UX on eBay, since it had been on his wish list for a long time. In his blog post under the title link, he now reports on his impressions and the restoration. (dr)
[News message: 02. Feb. 2024, 09:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
02.Feb.2024
Puni (ANF)
|
AmigaOS 4: Blog summary for January 2024
For the past month 'Puni' has again published a news summary for AmigaOS 4 at the title link. (snx)
[News message: 02. Feb. 2024, 07:31] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
01.Feb.2024
|
Java program: ham_convert 1.9.4
Sebastian Sieczko's java-based program ham_convert converts modern graphic formats to the Amiga's HAM format and is now available in version 1.9.4. Changes:
- Added DynamicHires variant with an AGA palette. To enable select mode=Amiga AGA Dynamic HiRes/PCHG software mode.
- Implemented PCHGF_32BIT format to be used by DynamicHires AGA and Atari 8-bit ILBM IFF files (using BigLineChanges). DynamicHires OCS uses PCHGF_4BIT (SmallLineChanges) format IFF limited to RGB444. https://wiki.amigaos.net/wiki/ILBM_IFF_Interleaved_Bitmap#ILBM.PCHG was uses as a reference. This enabled accurate encoding of the Atari 8-bit palette in the iff files.
- Extra EHB palette optimization was renamed extra OCS palette optimization and extended to support also 2/4/8/16/32-color modes (to be extended later).
- Acorn Archimedes VIDC1 256-color mode (out of 4096).
(dr)
[News message: 01. Feb. 2024, 22:03] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
01.Feb.2024
|
Shoot'em Up: BreakThru V1.0
Since the beginning of last year, 'acidbottle' has been working on the Amiga conversion of the horizontal shoot'em up Breakthru, which was originally published by Data East in 1986: the player controls an armed military vehicle and must make his way through enemy forces - consisting of soldiers, flamethrowers, helicopters, tanks, jeeps etc. - to ultimately retrieve a stolen fighter plane. - The player must make his way through enemy forces - consisting of soldiers, flamethrowers, tanks, jeeps, etc. - to ultimately retrieve a stolen fighter plane (YouTube video).
He has now released version 1.0, which requires a 2-button controller and an Amiga with at least 1MB chip RAM, 1MB additional RAM and a CPU with 14MHz or better. A hard disc is also recommended. (dr)
[News message: 01. Feb. 2024, 18:52] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
01.Feb.2024
|
Developer diary: Update on the game "The Gate" #1
At the beginning of October last year , we introduced the AMOS game "The Gate" by Fabio 'Allanon' Falcucci, a mixture of "Impossible Mission" and "Project Firestart" with his own ideas and concepts. We asked the developer to tell us about the current state of development. Here is his report, illustrated by his latest YouTube video:
"I still don't have a list of requirements but I'm targeting stock Amiga 1200 for this project, fingers crossed :)
I'm still writing the engine but I've made big progresses adding new features, fixing bugs and optimizing the code to make it as smooth as possible.
Here is a list of what's new since my last progress report:
- Doors
- Doors can be operated with the [action key], a pop up screen will appear to allow the user to operate the door.
- Unlocked doors can be operated freely
- Some of them may require a key to be opened
- Some of them may require a terminal to be opened
- Some of them may require to complete an event to be opened, in this case the hero will say something about it to give an hint to the user.
- Furnitures
- Furnitures are essentially containers and they hold items: the hero search them (like already seen in Impossible Mission) and when the furniture is searched an auto-pick screen is displayed to let the user know what items has been picked and what will be leaved into the container, not picked items can be picked later.
- Furnitures may require a terminal to be unlocked
- Furnitures may require a dialog option to be selected to be unlocked
- Terminals: I've developed a simple scripting language for this for maximum flexibility.
Terminals graphics is also nice because I've reproduced old monitor color glitches and out-of-sync effects.
Terminals that require keys can be hacked by the player using a special hacking tool that will be available in the game.
Each terminal can be tuned by the script that is run (colors, effects, print speed, etc...).
I'm very proud of how I implemented terminals: they run script programs that allow me to simulate terminals with text interfaces.
From terminals the user is able to:
- Operate doors (open/close/unlock)
- Operate furnitures (unlock)
- Display informative text to help the hero with its quest
- Minigames
- An many more actions and nice things
- Dialogs
- Like I've done for terminals, I've used scripts to run dialogs between characters but also when the hero express a thought.
Dialogs use almost the same scripting language developed for the terminals but with more commands for certain situations and to display the portrait (and the needed expressions) of the character that is talking.
This system is very flexible and you may be able to unlock a door after having talked to an NPC for example
- Game menu, which let the user access the following functions:
- Documents : You can read here all the docs the hero has gathered (implemented)
- Tools : From here the hero can review and equip special tools he found during the adventure (implemented), these tools are unique and can be used with the right mouse button once equipped (implemented).
- Map : A simple automap system, not yet implemented. I'd like to let the player to type map notes.
- Diary : This is a personal diary, the player can freely take notes here. Not yet implemented and not sure if it is nice or not.
- System : From here the player can load and save the game. Not yet implemented.
- Settings : Game settings. Not yet implemented.
About the tools
I've already designed the tools that the player will find during its adventure, they are 8 in total and the hero can equip them, once at a time, from the game menu.
Once equipped some tools can be triggered automatically, some manually (with the right mouse button) and some have both the functionalities.
For example there is a device called "Relife" that has two functions when equipped:
- 1: If the hero is suddenly killed the device tranfers its energy into the hero body and regenerate some of his life points.
- 2: Pushing the right mouse button (and holding it down) the device's energy refill the hero hit points.
The "Relife" device regenerates its energy over time, very slowly.
Another example is the "Hacking Device" which I'm currently working on: when equipped the hero will be able to hack any locked terminal, the hacking will be completed if the player will be able to resolve a mini-game. We all know Fallout 3/4 terminals & Mass Effect ones right? :)
What has to be done?
- Game menu
- Tools/Special devices (2 of 8 implemented)
- Traps
- NPCs
- Enemies
Those will complete the engine and I will focus on the maps and the story, which is already on my desk :)
"
You can support the developer via his Patreon page. (dr)
[News message: 01. Feb. 2024, 08:57] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
31.Jan.2024
|
Arcade classic: Pong for RTG Amigas and Apollo Vampire V4
After Sami Vehmaa initially released his Pong conversion for the Apollo Vampire V4 only, version 1.01 is now also available for RTG Amigas. It can be played either against each other or against the computer. (dr)
[News message: 31. Jan. 2024, 22:06] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
31.Jan.2024
|
Chat software: AmigaGPT V1.4.2 for AmigaOS 3 and 4
Cameron Armstrong has written AmigaGPT, a chat program for AmigaOS 3.2 that uses the power of the chatbot ChatGPT (amiga-news.de reported). Originally written for AmigaOS 3.2, the programme meanwhile also supports AmigaOS 3.9, Cloanto's Workbench 3.X and AmigaOS 4.1. Changes of version 1.4.2:
- Replaced clicktabs for AmigaOS 3.X since the version is too old and will crash. 3.X users can select the mode at startup.
Download: AmigaGPT.lha (881 KB) (dr)
[News message: 31. Jan. 2024, 21:57] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
31.Jan.2024
|
DIY: Firmware 1.02 for Amiga 4000 accelerator board "Z3660"
In October 2021, developer 'shanshe' had started a project on GitHub for the Amiga 4000 turbo board "Z3660" based on John "Chucky" Hertell's A3660 board and the Z-turn Board (amiga-news.de reported). The now available firmware 1.02 improves the SCSI emulation introduced with firmware 1.01 in terms of speed and stability. (dr)
[News message: 31. Jan. 2024, 21:43] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
|
Encryption protocol: AmiSSL 5.14 (AmigaOS 3/4)
Version 5.14 of the open source encryption protocol AmiSSL has been released, which is now based on the latest version OpenSSL 3.2.1. Detailed changes:
- Updated OpenSSL backend to full compatibility with the latest OpenSSL 3.2.1 (30.1.2024) version which includes fixes for these low severity vulnerabilities:
- Fixed PKCS12 decoding crashes.
- Fixed excessive time spent checking invalid RSA public keys.
- Fixed excessive time spent in DH check / generation with large Q parameter value.
- Removed redundant POWER8 VSX Poly1305 and ChaCha20 code.
Downloads:
AmigaOS 3: AmiSSL-5.14-OS3.lha (3,7 MB)
AmigaOS 4: AmiSSL-5.14-OS4.lha (3,4 MB)
SDK: AmiSSL-5.14-SDK.lha (2,3 MB) (dr)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 21:08] [Comments: 1 - 02. Feb. 2024, 03:58]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
ANF
|
Event: Flashback Symposium #01 in Saxony (Germany)
From June 14 to 16, 2024, the first Flashback Symposium will take place in Jößnitz, a district of Plauen in the Vogtland region of Saxony. The event is open to all systems, but the focus is on the Amiga. The participants are invited to play, pixelate, program and solder.
There will be workshops, live game battles, live cosplay and short talks, accompanied by barbecue delicacies and draught beer. "Blastromen" from Finland will provide the music on Saturday. (snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
ANF
|
New website for AmigaOS 3.x developers
A website for AmigaOS 3.x developers has been set up at the title link, which contains articles, a forum and the NDK. The addition of online browsable versions of the autodocs is planned.
Questions from users, their bug reports etc., on the other hand, should continue to be published in other forums instead. (snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
Lizard (ANF)
|
Dealer: Vesalia going to retire
As the owner, Guido Does, has confirmed to Amiga Future, the Amiga dealer Vesalia is gradually closing its doors. As a first step, the company's own online store has been closed; instead, the website now redirects to eBay, where stock is offered for sale. (snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
Andreas Magerl (ANF)
|
Print magazine: Issue 141 of Amiga Future readable online
The German and English issue 141 (November/December 2019) of the print magazine "Amiga Future" can now be read on the magazine's website in the form of image files of the individual pages. Remaining copies of the magazine as well as a higher resolution PDF version can be purchased from the publisher. (snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
|
Aminet uploads until 27.01.2024
The following files have been added until 27.01.2024 to Aminet:
Glitch.lha demo/ecs 228K 68k Glitch demo for GERP2024/Sweden
shading.lha dev/amos 7K Phong and Gouraud shading
REDPILLGameCreator.lha dev/misc 5.6M 68k Game Creator with AGA support
laffiks_elaborates.zip docs/misc 300K minterms, octants, texturing ...
MCE.lha game/edit 3.8M 68k Multi-game Character Editor
MCE-MOS.lha game/edit 4.2M MOS Multi-game Character Editor
MCE-OS4.lha game/edit 4.4M OS4 Multi-game Character Editor
Schwurblomat.lha game/gag 114K 68k Bullshit Bingo Buzzw. Generat...
TDPowerSwap.lha game/think 188K MOS simple logical game
RNOEffects.lha gfx/edit 6.5M MOS Image processing program
RNOEffects_68k.lha gfx/edit 6.0M 68k Image processing program
RNOEffects_68k_FPU.lha gfx/edit 5.9M 68k Image processing program
RNOEffects_AROS.lha gfx/edit 3.6M x86 Image processing program
RNOEffects_OS4.lha gfx/edit 7.4M OS4 Image processing program
RNOEffects_WOS.lha gfx/edit 6.4M WOS Image processing program
AmiArcadiaMOS.lha misc/emu 5.3M MOS Signetics-based machines emul...
AmiVms.lha misc/emu 3.7M 68k Simulates OpenVMS commands
imp3.lha mus/play 47K 68k Do stuff on Amiga!
AOS-Wallpaper1.lha pix/back 442M AmigaOS 4.1 Style Wallpaper ...
AmiKit_PiStorm1.jpg pix/misc 219K AI generated image: AmiKit/Pi...
AmiKit_PiStorm2.jpg pix/misc 210K AI generated image: AmiKit/Pi...
AmiKit_PiStorm3.jpg pix/misc 240K AI generated image: AmiKit/Pi...
AmigaGPT.lha util/misc 878K AOS App for chatting to ChatGPT
VATestprogram.zip util/misc 18M 68k Versatile Amiga Testprogram
(snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
|
OS4Depot uploads until 27.01.2024
The following files have been added until 27.01.2024 to OS4Depot:
imp3.lha aud/pla 47kb 4.0 Do stuff on Amiga!
cppcheck.lha dev/uti 4Mb 4.1 A static analysis tool for C/C++...
mce.lha gam/uti 4Mb 4.0 Multi-game Character Editor
rnoeffects.lha gra/edi 7Mb 4.1 Image processing program
pythonssl_amissl5.lha lib/mis 104kb 4.1 pythonssl using the AmiSSL5
amigagpt.lha net/cha 878kb 4.0 App for chatting to ChatGPT
pciutils.lha uti/har 1Mb 4.1 OS4 port of pciutils lib offerin...
reportplus.lha uti/mis 835kb 4.0 Multipurpose utility
(snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
|
AROS Archives uploads until 27.01.2024
The following files have been added until 27.01.2024 to AROS Archives:
rnoeffects.i386-aros.lha gra/edi 4Mb Image processing program
(snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
|
MorphOS-Storage uploads until 27.01.2024
The following files have been added until 27.01.2024 to MorphOS-Storage:
AmiArcadia_30.80.lha Emulation A Signetics-based machi...
FinalBurnNeo_1.0.0.3.lha Emulation FinalBurn Neo, an Emula...
SonicMania_1.0.0.lha Games/Platform A complete decompilatio...
TDPowerSwap_1.3.lha Games/Think A simple logical game b...
RNOEffects_2.0.lha Graphics/Tools Image processing program.
(snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
30.Jan.2024
|
WHDLoad: New installers until 27.01.2024
Using WHDLoad, games, scene demos and intros by cracking groups, which were originally designed to run only from floppy disks, can be installed on harddisk. The following installers have been added until 27.01.2024:
- 2024-01-23 fixed: Menace (DMA Design/Psygnosis) better cd32 buttons read routine, splash customs option added (Info)
- 2024-01-22 fixed: Début: Planet Simulation (Pandora) loading filename starting with "/" fixed now (Info)
(snx)
[News message: 30. Jan. 2024, 19:10] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
29.Jan.2024
|
Amiga emulator for MacOS: vAmiga v2.5
After the release of the beta version a good week ago (amiga-news.de reported), Dirk Hoffmann has now released the stable version 2.5 of his Amiga emulator vAmiga for MacOS without any further changes. The minimum system requirement for his emulator is macOS 11.0. (dr)
[News message: 29. Jan. 2024, 22:08] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
29.Jan.2024
|
Amiga Kit: Price of A600GS games console set/OctaMED update
As AmigaKit writes to us, the price of the games console has now been set at 119 euros. OctaMED v8 from A-EON Technology is to be bundled with the A600GS. In-house developers have added AHI support to the original 1996 source code for OctaMED. This is the first time this support has been added to this programme.
This should enable OctaMED to use the A600GS audio driver instead of Paula emulation. OctaMED was also tested with a USB-to-MIDI adapter cable connected to the A600GS: it can play MIDI devices. This could make the A600GS interesting for musicians who want to use OctaMED but don't have a lot of money to spend on old Amiga hardware.
In addition, OctaMED V8 is currently being updated to support the CAMD MIDI library, adding AHI support. As a result, OctaMED now runs on AmigaOS 4 machines with AHI and no longer requires hacks.
AmigaKit also reports that the development of AmiBench is making good progress and is ready for the project launch:
AmiBench Release V46.1 contains the latest version of AK-Datatypes including a new Picture Datatype V46.9 and Datatypes Library V46.24 which have been optimised for the A600GS. The updates have also been ported to their PPC counterparts: Picture Datatype V54.9 and Datatypes Library V54.24 will be included in the next Enhancer Software 2.3 for PPC systems.
You can now express your interest by entering your e-mail address on the official website of the A600GS. (dr)
[News message: 29. Jan. 2024, 22:04] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
28.Jan.2024
|
Programming language: Amiga C/C++ Visual Studio Code Extension 1.7.6
Bartman', member of the demo group 'Abyss', provides with 'amiga-debug' a 'Visual Studio Code' extension for "compiling, debugging and profiling Amiga C/C++ programs compiled by the bundled gcc 13.1 with the bundled WinUAE/FS-UAE and GDB." (YouTube video). Changes of version 1.7.6:
- NEW: modified template project to include -ffunction-sections, -fdata-sections, --gc-sections flags and changed assembly files to use unique sections so linker can better strip unused code/data
- NEW: updated type_traits include
- FIX: fix MacOS issue
(dr)
[News message: 28. Jan. 2024, 16:32] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
28.Jan.2024
PPA (ANF)
|
Developer tool: Installation package for GCC with accessories
Grzegorz 'Krashan' Kraszewski provides an installation package at the title link, which facilitates the installation of the native compiler GCC 2.95.3 under AmigaOS, contains useful additions (e.g. make and diff) and also integrates it with the AmigaOS 3.2 NDK.
Required are at least an 68020 CPU and 32 MB Fast-RAM. It is planned to extend it with additional development packages (e.g. MUI, XPK, AHI and the like). (snx)
[News message: 28. Jan. 2024, 08:28] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
28.Jan.2024
|
Beat 'em up: Final Fight Enhanced
'Prototron' has finished his improved implementation of Capcom's Final Fight written in machine language (amiga-news.de reported), which can be downloaded in the accompanying text of the YouTube video. He expressly emphasises that this is a private project, which should primarily serve to learn the machine languages. An ECS or AGA Amiga with 2MB chip RAM and 512KB Fast RAM is required. (dr)
[News message: 28. Jan. 2024, 07:18] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
27.Jan.2024
|
Background pictures for AmigaOS 4.1: AOS-Wallpaper 1
Thomas from IconDesigner has, as he tells us, created wallpapers for various AmigaOS 4.1 computers and emulation environments in the last three months. These are:
- AmigaOne500
- AmigaOneA1222
- AmigaOneX1000
AmigaOneXE
- AmigaOS
- Classic
- Pegasos2
- QEMU-A1-XE
- QEMU-Peg2
- QEMU-Sam460
- Sam440
- Sam460
- WinUAE-Classic
The first part, which is now available, provides these background images in a screen ratio of 16:10 (1920 x 1200 pixels). Part 2 follows with 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) and part 3 with 4:3 (1920 x 1440 pixels). (dr)
[News message: 27. Jan. 2024, 20:20] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
27.Jan.2024
|
Handheld console: "Amigo Tracker" for PlayDate
PlayDate is a handheld games console released in 2022 by the US software developer and computer games publisher Panic Inc (Wikipedia). As the operating system is kept open, external developers can also write software for the console using Lua and C (and a simulator). Outgunned Games has now published "Amigo Tracker", a retro player that can play 4-channel ProTracker modules, under the title link. (dr)
[News message: 27. Jan. 2024, 16:56] [Comments: 0]
[Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
|
| |
| Recent Discussions |
 |
|
|
|
| Latest Top-News |
|
|
|
|
| amiga-news.de |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
