20.Oct.2023
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Do it yourself: amiga-DSKRDY PCB for floppy disk drives
If no original Amiga disk drives are used, the "RDY" signal that the floppy disk drive is ready is usually missing, which can cause problems with some programs.
The 15x20 millimeter board amiga-DSKRDY provides the corresponding signal for such drives, assuming that readiness actually exists after 500 milliseconds. (snx)
[News message: 20. Oct. 2023, 10:53] [Comments: 0]
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20.Oct.2023
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Alien Breed clone: new playable demo for 'Chaos Guns'
Chaos Guns started life as a mashup of 'Alien Breed' - running and gunning from a top-down view - and 'Hired Guns' - four indepently playable characters. A first tech demo, written in the rather exotic programming language 'PowerD', was released in 2014. After loosing the only coder and realizing that engine as originally envisioned would be too taxing for the Amiga, the team created several prototypes including one created with Backbone that was released to the public in 2016.
Shortly afterwards Jozef Tomka joined the team as a coder, to write an engine for this reduced version of the game - 32 instead of 256 colors, only one playable character - in Assembler. But according to members of the team, everybody was involved in too many projects, so work on Chaos Guns came to a halt for years. But now Tomka has published a new early alpha version of the game:
"Chaos Guns 8.69 (2023)" ist playable (video), even if the enemies aren't really fighting back yet. To be able to shoot, you first have to select a weapon using the "1" to "7" keys.
Download: ChaosGuns_8.69.lha (386 KB) (cg)
[News message: 20. Oct. 2023, 01:30] [Comments: 0]
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19.Oct.2023
Stoo Cambridge
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Poster: Cover of AmigaAddict #19
Stoo Cambridge was a graphic designer at Sensible Software, who had also published the game Cannon Fodder, among others. For the cover picture of AmigaAddict #19 he used the game theme and added himself and Jon Hare in pixel portrait style. This picture can now also be ordered as a poster in his webshop. (dr)
[News message: 19. Oct. 2023, 13:59] [Comments: 0]
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19.Oct.2023
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Video talk: The "Amiga Game Framework"
In mid-August we introduced Janne Peräaho's "Amiga Game Framework" in a detailed article. Last weekend, the traditional developer conference (DevCon) took place during the AmiWest, where developers report on their projects. Janne Peräaho kindly provided us with download links to the slides and the video presentation of his planned contribution:
Video talk (zip archive with avi video, 43 MB)
just the slides (zip archive with jpeg files, 3 MB) (dr)
[News message: 19. Oct. 2023, 05:44] [Comments: 0]
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18.Oct.2023
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Amiga Games That Weren't: Truxz
Additional to Fatal Mission, there is another Amiga game started by Ola Zandelin (and Rodrigo Perez) that he did not finish: "Truxz" was supposed to be a 3D racing game with texture mapping. Planned were about nine different types of weapons, many different tracks on different terrain, raytraced graphics and a shop. Again, the developer provides some graphics on his website. (dr)
[News message: 18. Oct. 2023, 22:00] [Comments: 0]
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18.Oct.2023
Mastodon
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Video: Converting PC disk drives for operating on Amigas
In his latest video, Jan Beta shows how to modify standard PC floppy drives to work with Amigas and other retro systems. (dr)
[News message: 18. Oct. 2023, 21:45] [Comments: 0]
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18.Oct.2023
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3D action adventure: Bugdom 2 for Linux and MorphOS
Similar to the first part of the 3D action adventure game "Bugdom", the second part of the game originally published by Pangea Software was ported to modern OS by 'jorio'.
Afterwards, 'BeWorld' compiled Bugdom 2 for MorphOS (the latest SDL archive is required) and Christian 'xeno74' Zigotzky for LinuxPPC-32Bit. The game runs on the Linux PowerPC distributions Void PPC, MintPPC, Fienix.
Download: Bugdom2_4.4.0-linux-powerpc.tar.gz (133 MB) (dr)
[News message: 18. Oct. 2023, 21:22] [Comments: 0]
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18.Oct.2023
Amigaworld.net (website)
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AROS distribution: AROS One 2.2 (x86)
"AROS One", a distribution based on the AROS binary interface ABI v0, is now available in version 2.2 for x86 computers. It can be downloaded as DVD ISO file or as USB flash image at the title link, where you can also find video recordings.
Besides updates of the included programs and games as well as bug fixes, also new functions have been added. The changes in detail:
- Update Core ABIv0:
- InstallAROS (Fix DualBoot)
- Update AROS One OS System:
- On USB Image live created link to InstallAROS on Wanderer
- Create Script and related Icon for SMB2-Dismount
- Fix AmiStart menu
- Add AmiStart Prefs Script/Icon "No Backdrop"
- View Font "TTF" and "bitmap fonts" on Wanderer and Dopus4 with a simple double-click
- New Themes OS4 by Miker
- New and fix Themes AROS One
- Fix Theme (Animazione Gadget)
- Improved and enlarged Wanderer top bar
- DigiClock 'in transparent mode' is now placed on the top bar of Wanderer
- Add Source MUIClass on Free Pascal IDE
- Created Descriptor Datatypes PAS (Source Free Pascal)
- Created Icon Def_PAS (Source Free Pascal)
- ZuneARC, new AROS One icon-style buttons
- Fix def_ADF.info
- Fix Pointer Prefs (deadwood)
- OWB: Set as search engine DuckDuckGo (faster)
- LilCalendar can now also be found in Utilities
- DiskImageGUI moved to Utilities
- Complete installation packages of 4 types of Disk icons and 4 types of Drawer icons, plus 2 types of Apps icons, all icons were created by me for AROS One. The icons are only available for private use, not allowed to be used on other operating systems
- Update AROS One Apps:
- Loan
- ssh2fs 53.1
- SilkRAW 2.0
- AmiDream 0.2
- Zip.hwp 2.0 (PlugIn Hollywood)
- DigiClock 1.2 (update)
- Image2PDF 2.3
- AmiTranslate 0.3
- LilCalendar 2.7
- V.A.M.P. 3.10
- ArosVNC Single Threaded and MultiThreaded Fix
- WebpTools 1.3.2
- RNOSlides 1.0
- HollywoodSP Spanish Catalog for Hollywood 10
- Update AROS One Games:
- Open Jazz Jackrabbit Xmas Full
- Siete Y Media 1.10 (Update)
- Blackjuan Poker Card 1.10 (Update)
- BlackIvan 1.0
- Golf GolfSolitaire 1.0
- Free Abuse 0.71
- Pingus 0.7.6
(snx)
[News message: 18. Oct. 2023, 10:39] [Comments: 0]
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18.Oct.2023
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Motorola68k emulation: Emu68 v1.0 Release Candidate 2
A month ago, Developer Michal Schulz had released Release Candidate 1 of version 1.0 of his Motorola68K emulation Emu68 for the ARM architecture, focusing on the PiStorm and PiStorm32lite (amiga-news.de reported). Emu68 1.0 Release Candidate 2 contains all fixes from RC1. Additionally it contains two changes improving the support for old games and demos massively:
Updated instruction cache
The instruction cache used for translation of m68k to aarch64 code as well as to verify already translated code has been improved. The writes to chip memory automatically invalidate it, there are less flushes of the instruction cache during operation of Emu68.
Slow DBF
A special hack is added to make DBF busy loops operating with reasonable speed. Until now such kind of loops was way to fast on Emu68 and this rendered many old games or demos unusable or misbehaving. The special handling of DBF busy loops can be enabled in cmdline.txt file by adding a dbf_slowdown keyword, or during operation of Emu68 using the EmuControl tool.
The developer provides more detailed information on the changes in his new Patreon post. (dr)
[News message: 18. Oct. 2023, 06:35] [Comments: 0]
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17.Oct.2023
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GUI for Greaseweazle Tools : FluxMyFluffyFloppy v5.0.2 for Windows
Just the other day, in an article about setting up a Greaseweazle V4, we mentioned the graphical user interface FluxMyFluffyFloppy for the Greaseweazle Tools. Now 'FrankieTheFluff' has released version 5.0.2. Changes:
- Requires Greaseweazle 1.16
- New disc formats: pc98.n88basic.hd, zx.quorum.800
- New image format: CT Raw (ctr)
- Updated "diskdefs.cfg" (2023-08-17)
(dr)
[News message: 17. Oct. 2023, 21:21] [Comments: 0]
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17.Oct.2023
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Frogger clone: Frogger (beta version 3)
Frogger (YouTube video) is supposed to be a 1:1 conversion of the 1981 Konam game (amiga-news.de reported). As the developer reports, the third beta version of the game is technically 100% complete and a small trainer has also been integrated. He was also able to inspire a musician for the project who will compose 20 musical sequences. For now, beta version 2 stays available, since the changes will added to the final version. (dr)
[News message: 17. Oct. 2023, 21:13] [Comments: 0]
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17.Oct.2023
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Video: Procedurally generated levels in AMOS
The procedural generation of levels is a technique for creating game worlds in which one does not create each individual level by hand, but uses algorithms to construct the levels programmatically. This allows for almost unlimited variation and can shorten development time (see the explanatory article on the example of Unity).
In his latest video, Rob Smith explains this technique using the example of a future AMOS game for which he has to generate a large number of levels. He also shows how to speed up the algorithm and finally create a simple maze. (dr)
[News message: 17. Oct. 2023, 06:29] [Comments: 0]
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17.Oct.2023
Mastodon
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Image Gallery: Update of the "Amiga Graphics Archive"
The "Amiga Graphics Archive" is dedicated to all kinds of pixel graphics created with the Commodore Amiga between 1985 and 1995. According to the operator, quite a number of remarkable images were created during this period, which he believes should not be gathering dust on some hard drive, hidden in an extra level in a game that is never played, or on a PD collection disk that is almost unknown. These graphics should be accessible to all by presenting them on his website.
Somewhat deviating from his own credo, pixel graphics by the Danish graphic artist Facet have been added in the latest Update. (dr)
[News message: 17. Oct. 2023, 06:05] [Comments: 0]
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16.Oct.2023
Forum 64 (Webseite)
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Joystick repairs: Replacement PCB for the Competition Pro Mini
The "Competition Pro Mini" is a miniaturized version of the well-known Competition Pro joystick. Thanks to their small size, the micro switches used in these joysticks aren't really up to the mechanical stress they're put through while playing games - which is why many surviving Minis are only partially functional these days: Some of the directions or fire buttons are not working anymore.
Unfortunately, micro switches with the exact same dimensions as the ones used in the Competition Pro Mini are no longer available. To solve this problem, a user has now designed a replacement PCB, that can use "F4T7-UL" micro switches from SAIA-BURGESS which are still available (example). The required files to manufacture the PCB have been published on Github in KiCad format. Once assembled, the PCB is a 1:1 replacement for the original component. (cg)
[News message: 16. Oct. 2023, 22:44] [Comments: 0]
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16.Oct.2023
Tobias Baeumer (AmiDev Team) (ANF)
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"Making Of"video: AmiFox Amiga38 Boxed Special Edition
The Amitopia AmiDev Team gave away boxed special editions of AmiFox on the Amiga 38 last weekend, like reported in a previous news. Now there is also a "Making Of" video available with details on how it was produced and what was learned in the process. The video also includes footage of the actual event. (cg) (Translation: cg)
[News message: 16. Oct. 2023, 21:00] [Comments: 0]
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16.Oct.2023
Steffen Häuser (Mail)
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AmigaOS 4: Update to Heretic II nearing completion (Update)
Since the beginning of the year Steffen Häuser has been working on an update for Heretic II for AmigaOS 4, which among other things should support HD modes. At the Amiga38 a preview of the game was already shown at the stands of Alinea Computer and HunoPPC (amiga-news.de reported). As he now informs us, he worked on the game again after the fair and created a new version. The most important changes:
- der gl4es-Renderer läuft nun ca. 20-25% schneller als die auf der Messe gezeigte Version
- der MiniGL-Renderer hat nun Multitexturing, was ebenfalls zu einer Performanceverbesserung führt
According to tests on his AmigaOne X1000, the new version now runs at 108 fps at 1024x768. UHD resolutions are also supported, which then requires an X5000.
Update: (16.10.2023, 19:45, cg)
Steffen Häuser confirms (German) in a forum posting that the OS4 version of Heretic II will only be available as a boxed copy for full retail price in a newly designed box (German), there are no plans for a free or cheaper update for registered customers. According to Häuser, a boxed edition was requested by his betatesters and physical distribution would result in a larger payment for his (quote) "quite time-consuming work" on the AmigaOS 4 port. (dr)
[News message: 16. Oct. 2023, 06:00] [Comments: 1 - 16. Oct. 2023, 19:55]
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16.Oct.2023
Daniel "DNA" Voelkel (ANF)
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Diskmag: 'Amiga Rulez' now available in English
A week ago, the first German issue of a new Diskmag called 'Amiga Rulez' was published, now the English translation is available. The next issue will be released in mid December, after that new issues will published every quarter. From now on, the German and English editions will be released simultaneously. (cg)
[News message: 16. Oct. 2023, 01:28] [Comments: 0]
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16.Oct.2023
amigaworld.net (Webseite)
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MorphOS: PolyOrganiser 1.22a
Frederic 'Polymere' Rignault's PolyOrganiser is a 'Personal Information Management' tool that features a calendar, an address book and ToDo lists. Changes since version 1.21:
- Fix: Update by overwriting directory can destroy user database forever! Use alternative filename for install.
- Fix: Fixed the text transparency rendering for Tabs
- Add: Time format in preference for local system that add secondes at time. Or force AM/PM. More time formats (with or without 0 fill in hour and am/AM choice)
- Fix: Refresh time format at startup
- Fix: hit when double clock on empty diary list
- Add: new event window when double click on an empty diary list (stay or remove the feature ? context menu do the same)
- Change: Tabs color reference to true color mode. Allow alpha for border for allow full transparency for flat skin.
- Change: Add transparency to tabs text too.
- Change: Calendar switch to full color mode. Fix some render issue.
- Fix: import old not true color may create bad color, use defaut instead.
(cg)
[News message: 16. Oct. 2023, 01:22] [Comments: 0]
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15.Oct.2023
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Amiwest: Presentations from Amigakit, A-EON and ExecSG
This weekend, "Amiwest 2023" took place in Sacramento, USA. As usual, all presentations from the show were streamed live over the internet - the recordings of the streams from the first and second day are available on Youtube. The following is a brief summary of the important points discussed in the presentations from Trevor Dickinson (A-EON), Steven Solie (ExecSG) and Matthew Leaman (Amigakit):
Dickinson's presentation was the same one he gave at Amiga 38 a week earlier: A summary of all A-EON hardware projects so far followed by announcements of Enhancer 2.3 and the virtual RTG driver Virtio. LibreOffice - last year's presentation claimed (again) that it was to enter betatesting "soon" - was not mentioned at all.
Steven Solie's very short presentation did not go into the developments around ExecSG that were announced last year - like multicore support or an update for the X1000 firmware 'CFE'. Instead, he introduced himself as the "Release Manager" for A1222+, listed the companies and people involved with that project and explained that Amedia France is working on a recovery USB stick that will contain all components required for setting up a new A1222+ system - like up-to-date drivers for modern graphics cards.
Matthew Leaman introduced Amigakit's latest hardware project and demonstrated its graphical user interface: A600 GS is a supposedly ARM based console that emulates various Amiga setups (pictures of the case and controller), the device features HDMI video output, USB ports and two (optional) 9 pin connectors for Amiga joysticks and mice. The screenshots below show the graphical user interface used to configure the emulation and run games, applications or scene demos.
The operating system running on the emulated Amiga is a patched AROS Kickstart ROM coupled with recompiled components from the Enhancer package. It also features a completely new icon set which can be seen in the screenshots below. Endusers can install their own Kickstart ROMs, RTG support is "in development". System updates will be installed from the net, a custom version of Amigakit's "AMIStore" is planned but will not be ready at launch.
Leaman hopes that the device will be available in early 2024, back in August it was stated that Amigakit is aiming for a price of "less than GBP 100".
Pictures from Matthew Leaman's presentation
(cg) (Translation: cg)
[News message: 15. Oct. 2023, 22:36] [Comments: 0]
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15.Oct.2023
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Floppy disk images on PC and Mac: Greaseweazle Tools 1.16.1 (update)
Keir Fraser's "Greaseweazle" does - similar to Kryoflux - read the magnetic information on a floppy disk independently from the format used and saves as much information as possible to generate a so-called "Flux Level Image" in Supercard format (SCP), which enables reading and back-writing of copy-protected disks (amiga-news.de reported)
The adapter gets connected between a floppy disk drive - e.g. a standard 3.5" PC one - and a USB port of the PC or Mac. Version 1.16 of the Greaseweazle Tools provide the following changes:
- New formats: pc98.n88basic.hd, zx.quorum.800
- HFEv3: Fix import of some images
- CAPS: Support CT Raw files
- D88: Support multiple disk images in one file
- Kryoflux: Allow sample clock to be specified
Update: (19.10.2023, 21:18, dr)
Meanwhile version 1.16.1 is available. Changes:
- Revert to emitting two revolutions of flux from codecs (fixes SCP output)
- SCP, Kryoflux: Allow #revs to be specified in output (eg. name.scp::revs=3)
(dr)
[News message: 15. Oct. 2023, 15:14] [Comments: 0]
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15.Oct.2023
Robosaurus Spielothek (ANF)
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Video: Show report Amiga38 by Robosaurus Spielothek (German)
Dominic Ortmanns from Robosaurus Spielothek writes (translated from German): "I consider today's video to be a great moment in my work so far. On the one hand, this is due to the topic. After the relative success of my Amiga37 video, I didn't want to let myself down for the Amiga38 and pulled out all the stops. It has been a long time since I had so much fun making and editing a video.
Secondly, I consider the Amiga event that took place this year on October 7 at the 'Kunstwerk' in Mönchengladbach, hosted by Markus Tillmann, to be the Rolls Royce of retro computer shows in Germany. Even though I haven't been attending it for that long, it has made a very big impression on me the last two years.
As to be expected, Amiga38 was both a great success and a great event. You can see my contribution to this phenomenon here. It's the first video since a long time that I made an effort to make. Included are many interesting interviews with different big names of the scene, a comprehensive insight into the trade show happenings and all that flavored with the Robosaurus special sauce.
Also, I invested some time in this video to include people from my team who usually only do magic behind the cameras. I hope you enjoy our contribution to Amiga38. And of course I am very happy about feedback and if you share the video. If you are really convinced of your own work, then you are of course happy about the communication about it." (snx)
[News message: 15. Oct. 2023, 11:24] [Comments: 0]
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