CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia! - User contributions [en]

Retro Gamer

2025-06-03T19:50:00Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Bomb Jack Extra Sugar to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|-
|''[[CPC Jewels]]''||242||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Hyperdrive]]''||243||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Revenge of Trasmoz]]''||245||101||86%||
|-
|''[[SOH Tactics GX]]''||246||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Renegade Reloaded]]''||247||101||88%||
|-
|''[[Pang+]]''||259||101||89%||
|-
|''[[Dark Knight: Shadow of Madness]]''||264||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Bomb Jack Extra Sugar]]''||273||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

CCF Bomb Jack's Super Graphics

2025-06-03T19:46:40Z

Nich: Added info about pictures being taken from Electric Lantern Show

'''CCF Bomb Jack's Super Graphics''' a demo by [[CCF]]

A French slideshow with pictures taken from ''[[Electric Lantern Show]]'' by Pride Utilities.

Release date: ?

<gallery caption="CCF Bomb Jack's Super Graphics - screen shots">
Image:CCF screen shot 1.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 2.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 3.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 4.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 5.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 6.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 7.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 8.jpg|
Image:CCF screen shot 9.jpg|
</gallery>

[[Category:Demos]][[Category:Year unknown]]

Main Page

2025-04-08T18:13:56Z

Nich: Master Piece is by Tartessos Games, not The Mojon Twins (although it uses their MK1 game engine)

__NOTOC__
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'''AMSTRAD ADDICT MAGAZINE ANNOUNCED<br><br>

A new 60-page Amstrad magazine - '''Amstrad Addict''' - edited by '''David Crookes''' (Retro Gamer, PC Pro, GamesTM, Wireframe, Amstrad Action, WACCI) is in stock!<br><br> It includes an interview with '''Lord Sugar''' and in-depth articles by Roland Perry, Auntie John, Adam Peters, Nich Campbell, Xyphoe, Rob Scott, Themistocles "gryzor" Papassilekas, Neil Reive, Stuart "Balrog" Whyte, Steve "WACCI" Williams and Andy Price. <br><br>There's an amazing type-in by Sean McManus, interviews with Richard Fairhurst and behind the scenes looks at Toki... and Vespertino. <br><br>And more. Like interviews with the people behind Protext and OCP Advanced Art Studio<br><br>

Order PDF or printed magazine '''[https://www.pixel.addict.media/shop/amstrad-addict-magazine here]''' or follow the discussion '''[https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/news-events/amstrad-addict-magazine here]'''!
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<center> '''CPC Related News''' </center>



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[[File:Dez80_intro.png|thumb|256px|[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DEZ80 Mastering Z80 Assembler Course]]]

*08/03/25: '''[https://tartessos-games.itch.io/master-piece Master Piece]''', the latest game from Tartessos Games, has been released.
*11/02/25: '''[[Harrier Attack Reloaded]]''' has been released for the Amstrad Plus range.
*06/12/24: '''Le Secret Du Tombeau''' English translation '''[https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/le-secret-du-tombeau-translation-project/msg245301/#msg245301 released]!!!
*29/11/24: Release of CPCs comprehensive text editor '''[[FutureTex]]'''
*10/11/24: '''[http://amsnet.chez.com UniLoad]''' game launcher official release.
*31/10/24: [[Future View V]] the Halloween issue of the disc mag
*27/10/24: '''[[FutureOS]]''' Update 2024 [http://www.FutureOS.de released].
*09/09/24: '''The Key''', a new adventure by Pakete Soft [https://www.paketesoft.com/es/the-key-eng-version has been released].
*04/09/24: '''[[UniDOS]]''' 1.51 [https://unidos.cpcscene.net released].
*12/07/24: Comprehensive update of text editor [[FutureTex]] to 0.5.2. Text / Block management up to 3,5 MB
*07/06/24: [[On File]] database management system as well as [[No One Like You Demo]] have been released by [[KSL]].
*05/06/24: [https://snauts.itch.io/pulzar Pulzar] by Snauts, double feature: ZX & CPC release.
*17/05/24: '''[https://www.usebox.net/jjm/heart-of-salamanderland/ The Heart of Salamanderland]''', a new action platformer, has been released.

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<div style="text-align: right;"><small>'''All [[Special:Wantedpages|wanted articles]]''' | [[:Category:Stub|Extendable Stubs]] | '''[[Special:ContributionScores|List of most active contributors]]'''</small></div>

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=== Did you know? ===

*When the CPC 664 was being developed, Sugar was already looking (and hinting publicly!) at the CPC 6128.
*The [[472|CPC 472]] was a 464 + 8 KB unwired RAM, released in Spain to circumvent a tax charging 64 KB computers.
*With a total of '''768×288''' pixels, the [[CPC|CPC]] was the 8-bit with the highest displayable resolution on a CRT screen.
*'''OpenOffice''' is the descendant of [[Star-Division|StarWriter]] for CPC.
*'''Excel''' is the direct descendant of [[Multiplan]] for CP/M.
*[[SymbOS|SymbOS]] supports '''50x''' bigger hard drives than Win95A.
*[[FutureOS|FutureOS]] can load a 178 KB floppy disc in '''9 seconds'''.
*[[FutureOS|FutureOS]] can manage up to '''4 MB''' of extended RAM and '''32 GB''' of mass storage.

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SymbOS

2025-02-14T23:16:38Z

Nich: /* Events */ Added release date for version 4.0

[[Image:symbos21cpc.gif|thumb|320px|Screenshot of the SymbOS desktop running on the Amstrad CPC]] [[Image:symbos21msx.gif|thumb|320px|SymbOS MSX running on a MSX2 computer; all applications are platform independant]] [[Image:symbos21pcw.gif|thumb|320px|SymbOS PCW is the third port to a different Z80 system and supports a screen resolution of 720x255]]

''Parts of this article have been copied from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS english Wikipedia article].''

'''SymbOS''' is a free multitasking operating system for Z80 based 8-bit computer systems written by [[Prodatron|Prodatron]]. At present it is available for the computers of the Amstrad CPC as well as for all [[MSX]] models starting from the MSX2 standard, all Amstrad [[PCW|PCW]] (Joyce) models until the PcW10 and the [[Enterprise]] 64/128. Contrary to early 8-bit operating systems it is based on a microkernel, which provides pre-emptive and priority oriented multitasking and manages RAM memory with a size of up to 1024 kB for the executed applications. SymbOS contains an MS-Windows like GUI, supports hard discs with a capacity of up to 2 TB and can already be booted on an unexpanded Amstrad CPC-6128, a PCW, an MSX2 or an Enterprise 128 with floppy disc drive.

<br>

== History ==

Already in the 80's, only few years after the release of the [[Commodore 64]], the legendary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEOS_%288-bit_operating_system%29 GEOS] by Berkeley Softworks appeared and set the standard for a windows-based operating system on c64. It was a graphical user-interface (GUI) which was similar to the old desktop of the Apple Macintosh. Powerfull applications were made available for GEOS like GeoWrite (similar to MS-Word) or GeoCalc (similar to MS-Excel). It was incredible, that an 8bit-machine with only 64K was able to realize such an operating system.

On the Amstrad CPC many efforts to build a decent GUI were made as well. In most cases they were just extensions to realize a WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers) environment but weren't true operating systems with their own kernel, memory-management and so on. The [[CEUS Desktop 2.0|CEUS Desktop 2.0 (1990)]] by Prodatron was just such an extension-system.

Therefore, the CPC's own OS (in combination with AmsDOS) and [[CP/M|CP/M]] (plus) were the only two known OSes for the series, but the question remained: since most CPCs have 128K (most C64 only have 64K), a screen-resolution of 320x200 with 4 colours (C64 only has 2 colours for each 8x8 area in 320x200) and some more advantages, why not have something similar? So the SymbOS-Project was born. SymbOS stands for "SYmbiosis Multitasking Based Operating System". SymbOS is a demonstration of what has been achieved on the CPC: real preemptive multitasking, dynamic memory-management for up to 1024K and a totaly MS-Windows-like GUI are the three most important features.

<br>

=== Events ===

The following is a list of important events during the SymbOS development.

*''11/2000'': Development started
*''06/2001'': First preview of the desktop on the [[CPC Reunion 1|CPC Reunion 1]]
*''07/2001'': First screen shots in the internet, causing several rumours about a possible hoax
*''06/2002'': Second preview of the desktop on the [[CPC Reunion 2|CPC Reunion 2]]
*''09/2004'': SymbOS development has been continued after a break of three years
*''12/2004'': Full [[CPC IDE|CPC IDE]] support implemented; preview of a harddisc based movie player, which used the SymbOS IDE/FAT routines
*''01/2005'': Release of the first official preview on the [[SymbOS Preview party|SymbOS Preview party]]
*''09/2005'': SymbOS development has been continued again
*''12/2005'': Full [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] support implemented
*''01/2006'': SymbOS is part of the [[CPC TREX|CPC TREX]] startup system now
*''04/2006'': SymbOS release 1.0 is out
*''05/2006'': Development of the MSX version started
*''12/2006'': SymbOS release 1.1 is out
*''05/2007'': 1MB and richtext support together with the graphical browser [[SymZilla|SymZilla]] have been implemented
*''07/2007'': Development of the [[PCW|PCW]] version started
*''08/2007'': SymbOS release 2.0 is out
*''11/2012'': development continues
*''08/2014'': SymbOS release 2.1 is out
*''11/2014'': Development of the [[Enterprise|Enterprise]] version started
*''03/2015'': Development of network support started
*''08/2017'': SymbOS release 3.0 is out
*''12/2021'': SymbOS release 3.1 is out
*''02/2025'': SymbOS release 4.0 is out

<br>

== Technical background ==

Even the Z80 8-bit CPU is able to run a pre-emptive multitasking environment. Missing mechanisms like memory protection, which are often called as a condition for multitasking, are system stability issues only. The MP/M operating system already proved, that multitasking on Z80 computers is possible.

While the MOS Technology 6502 can not move the stack, the Z80 can freely replace it to any position in the memory, which is more or less a condition for pre-emptive multitasking. The existence of an alternative register set accelerates context switching between tasks dramatically. The restriction of Z80 systems to a 64 kB address space can be solved with bank switching. In this way computers like the Amstrad CPC and PCW, MSX, Enterprise or SAM Coupé are able to access hundreds or thousands of kilobytes of memory.

<br>

== Feature overview ==

*'''Micro kernel'''
**Maximum amount of supported RAM: 1024 KB
**Maximum number of processes: 32
**Number of different process priorities: 9
**Maximum number of timers: 32
**Maximum number of open messages: 64
*'''System manager'''
**Maximum number of applications: 24
**Maximum application core size: 63 KB
*'''Desktop manager'''
**Maximum number of windows: 32
**Maximum number of controls per window: 1000
**Maximum possible screen resolution: 16.000 × 16.000 pixel
*'''File manager'''
**Maximum hard disc size: 2 TB
**Maximum file size: 2 GB
**Maximum number of devices: 8
**Maximum number of open files: 7
*'''Source code'''
**Source code size (OS Release 2): ~ 49.000 lines (1.5 MB)
**Source code size (Applications): ~ 70.000 lines (2.2 MB)
**Total size of the Z80 source code: ~ 119.000 lines (3.7 MB)
*'''Supported platforms'''
**Amstrad [[CPC|CPC]]-464, -664 and -6128 (unexpanded) and compatibles ([[CPC TREX|CPC TREX]], [[C-ONE|C-ONE]])
**MSX2 with 128KB Ram (unexpanded) and compatibles (MSX2+, MSX TurboR, OCM)
**Amstrad [[PCW|PCW]] (all models until PcW10)
**[[Enterprise]] 64/128
*'''Supported external hardware'''
**[[Dk'tronics|dk'tronics]] memory expansion 64K-512K and compatibles ([[Dobbertin|Dobbertin]], [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]], X-MEM)
**[[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] (realtime clock; PS/2 mouse; IDE interface, Ram/Rom expansion) and compatibles (X-MASS)
**M4Board (ESP8266-based Wifi, SD card reader, Rom expansion)
**[[RSF3]] (in M4Board emulation mode)
**HxC direct SD card access (FAT32)
**Albireo (USB mouse)
**MultiPlay (Amiga mouse)
**[[AMX Mouse|AMX]] and [[Kempston Mouse|Kempston mouse]] (PCW)
**Sunrise IDE interface (MSX)
**MegaSD card interface for OCM, MegaflashRomSCC+SD (MSX)
**MP3MSX (MSX)
**DenYoNet (MSX; W5100-based Ethernet)
**GR8NET (MSX; SD card reader, W5100-based Ethernet)
**SE-ONE (MSX; MP3, FM Radio)
**Rookie Drive (MSX)

== Kernel ==

SymbOS includes a micro kernel, which takes over the fundamental tasks of an operating system. They are subdivided into the task management, the memory management, the banking management and the messaging.

=== Task management ===

For the task management a combination of pre-emptive and cooperative multitasking has been chosen, which makes different task priorities possible. Pre-emptive means that tasks are interrupted after a certain amount of time by the operating system, in order to share the CPU time with other tasks. Cooperatively means, that a task stops using CPU time by itself. It does it, if it finished its current job or is waiting for a certain event. Because of this combination it is possible to assign priorities. Tasks with a low priority receive CPU time only if all tasks with higher priorities are not currently working.

=== Memory and banking management ===

The memory management divides the entire RAM into small 256 byte blocks, which can be assigned dynamically. Applications are always running in a secondary 64 kB RAM bank, where no memory space is occupied by the operating system or the video memory. That makes it possible to reserve up to 63 kB in one piece.

The banking management makes sure, that the system is able to administer memory with a size of one megabyte even with the fact that the Z80 CPU has only a 16-bit address bus. It makes transparent access to memory and functions placed in other 64 kB banks possible.

=== Messaging ===

The communication between different tasks and the operating system usually does not take place via "Calls", but is done via "Messages". This is necessarily inside a multitasking environment to avoid organisation problems with the stack, global variables and shared system resources.

<br>

== Graphical user interface ==

The [[Graphical User Interface|GUI]] of SymbOS works completely object-oriented. Regarding the look and feel it is designed like MS windows. It contains the well-known task bar with the clock and the "start" menu and can open a big amount of windows, which can be shifted, resized and scrolled. As the complete system is written in optimized assembler, the speed of the GUI is only insignificantly under this of current systems and even faster than the original Amiga workbench.

The complete content of a window is defined with "controls". These are e.g. slider, check boxes, text lines, buttons or graphics. The background or not visible areas of a window don't need to be saved in a bit-map buffer. If an area is restored on the display, its content will just be redrawed. Because of this the SymbOS GUI works much more memory-friendlier than most other 8-bit GUIs.

<br>

== File system management ==

SymbOS supports the file systems CP/M, AMSDOS, FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 on all platforms. With the last one SymbOS is able to address mass storage devices with a capacity of up to 128 GB. Also the ability to administer files with a size of up to 2 GB is uncommon for an 8-bit system. Because of the FAT support data exchange with other computers is quite easy, as most 32 and 64 bit operating systems do support the three FAT file systems.

<br>

== Applications and executables ==

There are several standard applications available for SymbOS, which have been designed as clones of well known Windows and Macintosh programs. As an example these are applications similar to the Norton Commander (SymCommander), QuickTime (SymPlay), WinAmp (SymAmp) or Minesweeper.

*'''Applications'''
**[[SymCommander|SymCommander]] (file and disc management)
**[[SymZilla|SymZilla]] (browser and richtext viewer)
**[[SymPlay|SymPlay]] (video player)
**[[SymSee|SymSee]] (picture viewer)
**[[SymAmp|SymAmp]] (jukebox music player)
**Notepad (text editor)
*'''Tools'''
**[[SymSnap|SymSnap]] (emulator snapshot loader)
**[[DiskDeDumper|DiskDeDumper]] (image to disc transfer)
**[[Speech|Speech]] (voice synthesizer)
**[[Pocket Calculator|Pocket Calculator]] (calculator)
**[[SYMBiFACE II rom manager|SYMBiFACE II rom manager]] (rom management for the [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]])
**[[CPC TREX starter|CPC TREX starter]] (rom and disc image configuration for the [[CPC TREX|CPC TREX]])
*'''Games'''
**[[Pac-Man for SymbOS|Pac-Man for SymbOS]] (game)
**[[MineSweeper|MineSweeper]] (game)
**[[Conways' Game of Life]] (simulator)
**4-In-A-Row ([[SymStudio]] game written in SymBasic by EdoZ)
**Tetris 2014 ([[SymStudio]] game written in SymBasic by EdoZ)
*'''Demos and Screensavers'''
**[[Diamonds|Diamonds]] (demo)
**[[Starfield Simulation|Starfield Simulation]] (screensavers)
*'''System programs'''
**[[Control Panel|Control Panel]] (system configuration)
**[[Task Manager|Task Manager]] (system monitor)
**[[SymShell|SymShell]] (command line interface)

== Development tools ==

System libraries, documentation, and sample code are available for developing applications in assembly. In addition, there are several SymbOS-specific development tools.

=== Quigs ===

[http://www.symbos.de/quigs.htm Quigs] is a Windows-based IDE (integrated development environment) by [[Trebmint|Trebmint]] for SymbOS similiar to MS Visual Studio. Quigs makes it possible to develop SymbOS applications in Assembler or a language similar to Basic ("SymBasic"). It is also possible to convert PC graphics and videos into the SymbOS format ([[Format:SGX (SymbOS graphic files)|SGX]], [[Format:VID (SymbOS video files)|VID]]).

Quigs' predecessor was named SymStudio; have a look at [[SymStudio|its article]] for more information.

=== SymbOS C Compiler ===

The [https://github.com/danielgaskell/scc SymbOS C Compiler] (SCC) is a full C compiler suite for SymbOS. A comprehensive system library is available for interfacing with the SymbOS desktop, but it is also possible to compile many existing C programs into SymShell console apps without modification. SCC runs on Windows, but it can also compile itself to run natively on SymbOS itself, so it is technically possible to develop applications in C (or assembly) entirely from within SymbOS.

An older C SDK for [[SDCC]] by Nerlaska is also available; a patched version of this can be found in the [https://github.com/danielgaskell/cpvm CPvM source repository].

<br>

== Porting and cross platform ability ==

SymbOS has been developed originally for the Amstrad CPC. Because of the modular structure with the strict separation of general and hardware components the porting to other Z80-based systems is quite easy.

The MSX computers starting with the MSX2 standard are supported since summer 2006. The Amstrad [[PCW|PCW]] port is available since August 2007. Since end of 2014 the port for the [[Enterprise]] 64/128 has been done as well. Versions for Amstrad NC100/150/200 and Spectrum Next exist nowadays. And others, Z88 ... are possible, too, as they fulfill the requirements for SymbOS.

By keeping a basic condition for an operating system, the strict separation of hardware and application software by the supply of an intermediate layer, SymbOS applications run platform-independently on each computer and do not have to be adapted for a special system. Exceptions are applications, which access directly the hardware.

<br>

== Motivation ==

SymbOS was originally started as an experiment to find out, how far it is possible to implement a multitasking based operating system with a windows GUI on an 8-bit computer of 1985. Also GEOS contributed to the motivation, but the structure and features of SymbOS aren't similiar to this system. The release in 2006 proved, that such a "mini windows" is possible on a 20 years old home computer only with quantitative limitations. SymbOS is one of the largest retro computing software projects of the last years. One of the goals of the project is to copy in combination with various hardware extensions a complete PC job.

<br>

== Web links ==

*[http://www.symbos.de SymbOS homepage]
*[http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf SymbOS installation configuration manual (PDF)]
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/symbos8bit SymbOS mailing list (new)]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS english Wikipedia article]
*[http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS spanish Wikipedia article]
*[http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS italian Wikipedia article]
*[http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS russian Wikipedia article]
*[http://cpcrulez.free.fr/applications_symbos_apply_preview.htm french information on CPCRulez]
*[http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/137/137_03.html "New Generation - CPC Windows?"] ([[WACCI|WACCI]] article by [[ChaRleyTroniC|ChaRleyTroniC]])
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20061116180805/http://www.snakeoillabs.com/2005/10/30/8-bit-guis-eye-candys-not-just-for-the-32-bit/ "8-Bit GUIs - Eye candy’s not just for the 32-bit!"] (Article)
*[http://www.msx.org/forumtopicl6203.html Main thread on MSX.org]
*[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6071242217428356949&q=symbos SymbOS presentation(Video) at RetroEuskal 2006]

[[Category:SymbOS| ]] [[Category:Operating_System]] [[Category:CPC_GUI]] [[Category:Extended RAM Software]] [[Category:PCW]]

765 FDC

2024-09-27T18:50:40Z

Nich: /* Gaps Protection */ Added more information (using gaps protection was not at all common for software houses outside of France, and some games didn't crash or reset straight away if the protection was absent)

µPD765 - Floppy Disc Controller (used in [[DDI-1]] and CPC 664/6128).

The ports used by Amstrad and compatible interfaces use:

* Port &FA7E - Floppy Motor On/Off Flipflop
* Port &FB7E - FDC 765 Main Status Register (read only)
* Port &FB7F - FDC 765 Data Register (read/write)

The [[Vortex Disc Drives|Vortex disc interface]] uses other ports. See its dedicated wiki page.

<br>

== IC Models used in CPC ==

More than one manufacturer made 765 compatible ICs. These are the ones known to be used in the CPC by looking at pictures of CPC mainboards.

All should operate almost identically.

* NEC D765AC [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/3/3c/CPC664_Z70205_MC0005B_PCB_Top.jpg Source]
* NEC D765AC-2 [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/4/45/CPC6128_PCB_Top_%28Z70210_MC0009A%29.jpg Source]
* UMC UM8272A [[Media:Amstrad cpc 6128 azerty (f) placa2.jpg|Source]]
* Zilog Z765APS [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/f/fb/CPC6128_Z70290_MC0020C_PCB_Top.jpg Source]
* [[Zilog]] Z0765A08PSC [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/6/67/CPC6128_PCB_Top_%28Z70290_MC0020F%29.jpg Source]

The following data seperators are used:

* FDC9216 [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/4/45/CPC6128_PCB_Top_%28Z70210_MC0009A%29.jpg Source]
* SED9420C [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/3/3c/CPC6128_PCB_Top_%28Z70290_MC0020A%29.jpg Source]

The CPC464, CPC472, 464 Plus and GX4000 are not equipped with a FDC chip.

<br>

== Accessing the FDC 765 ==

The Main Status Register (Port &FB7E) signalizes when the FDC is ready to send/receive the next byte through the Data Register.

The Data Register (Port &FB7F) is used to write Commands and Parameters, to read/write data bytes, and to receive result bytes. These three operations are called Command-, Execution-, and Result-Phase.

<br>

=== Command Phase ===

A command consists of a command byte (eventually including the MT, MF, SK bits), and up to 8 parameter bytes.

<br>

=== Execution Phase ===

During this phase, the actual data is transferred (if any). Usually that are the data bytes for the read/written sector(s), except for the Format Track Command, in that case 4 bytes for each sector are transferred.

During data transfers between the FDC and the processor, the FDC must be serviced every 26µs (for MFM mode with CPC timings) or the FDC terminates the FDC command.

<br>

=== Result Phase ===

Returns up to 7 result bytes (depending on the command) that are containing status information. The Recalibrate and Seek Track commands do not return result bytes directly, instead the program must wait until the Main Status Register signalizes that the command has been completed, and then it must (!) send a Sense Interrupt State command to 'terminate' the Seek/Recalibrate command.

During the result phase, all the result bytes must be read. The FDC will not accept a new command until all the result bytes are read.

<br>

== FDC Command Table (15 commands) ==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Read Data (06h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || SK || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | DTL: data length (if command byte 5==0)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data-transfer from the FDD
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Read Deleted Data (0Ch)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || SK || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | DTL: data length (if command byte 5==0)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data-transfer from the FDD
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Write Data (05h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || x || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | DTL: data length (if command byte 5==0)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data-transfer to the FDD
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Write Deleted Data (09h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || x || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | DTL: data length (if command byte 5==0)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data-transfer to the FDD
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Read Track (02h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || x || MF || SK || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | DTL: data length (if command byte 5==0)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | FDC reads all data fields from index hole to EOT
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Read ID (0Ah)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || x || MF || x || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | The first correct ID information on the cylinder is stored in data register
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Format Track (0Dh)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || x || MF || x || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | SC: sectors per track
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | D: filler pattern to write in each byte
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | FDC formats an entire track
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Scan Equal (11h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || SK || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | STP: scan test (1=scan contiguous, 2=scan alternate)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data compared between the FDD and main-system
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Scan Low or Equal (19h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || SK || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | STP: scan test (1=scan contiguous, 2=scan alternate)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data compared between the FDD and main-system
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Scan High or Equal (1Dh)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || MT || MF || SK || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| command byte 3 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| command byte 4 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| command byte 5 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|-
| command byte 6 || colspan="8" | EOT: end of track (ie. last sector in track)
|-
| command byte 7 || colspan="8" | GPL: gap 3 length
|-
| command byte 8 || colspan="8" | STP: scan test (1=scan contiguous, 2=scan alternate)
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Data compared between the FDD and main-system
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | ST1: status register 1
|-
| result byte 2 || colspan="8" | ST2: status register 2
|-
| result byte 3 || colspan="8" | C: cylinder number
|-
| result byte 4 || colspan="8" | H: head number
|-
| result byte 5 || colspan="8" | R: sector number
|-
| result byte 6 || colspan="8" | N: bytes per sector
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Recalibrate (07h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | x || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="6" style="text-align: center;" | x || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Head retracted to track 0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Seek (0Fh)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | x || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD|| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="8" | NCN: new cylinder number
|-
| Execution || colspan="8" | Head is positioned over proper cylinder
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sense Interrupt Status (08h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | x || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|-
| result byte 1 || colspan="8" | PCN: present cylinder number
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sense Drive Status (04h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | x || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | x || HD || colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | US
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST3: status register 3
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Specify (03h)
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | x || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
| command byte 1 || colspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | SRT || colspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | HUT
|-
| command byte 2 || colspan="7" style="text-align: center;" | HLT || ND
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Invalid
|-
! !! D7 !! D6 !! D5 !! D4 !! D3 !! D2 !! D1 !! D0
|-
| command byte 0 || colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | x || colspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | Invalid Codes
|-
| result byte 0 || colspan="8" | ST0: status register 0
|}

Abbreviations used:
*N = 2^(n+7) bytes, with N between 0 and 8. For example, N=2 means 512 bytes
*MT = Multi-track (continue multi-sector function on other head)
*MF = MFM mode (1 = Double Density)
*SK = Skip deleted-data address mark (set if sectors with deleted DAM shall be skipped)
*HD = Head number select
*US = Unit select (drive select)

*HLT = Head Load Time: 2 to 254ms in 2ms increments
*HUT = Head Unload Time: 16 to 240ms in 16ms increments
*SRT = Step Rate Time: 1 to 16ms in 1ms increments (F = 1ms, E = 2ms, etc.)
*ND = Non-DMA mode

Notes:
* Specify: All timings will be doubled on CPC because the FDC runs at 4MHz instead of 8MHz for the datasheet
* Format Track: The processor must supply C, H, R, N to the FDC for each sector during execution phase
* Recalibrate: Walks up to 77 tracks, 80-track drives may need a second recalibrate if failed
* Seek / Recalibrate: All read/write commands will be disabled until successful sense interrupt

<br>

== FDC Status Registers ==

The Main Status register can always be read through Port &FB7E. The other four Status Registers cannot be read directly, instead they are returned through the data register as result bytes in response to specific commands.

Main Status Register (Port &FB7E):

b0..3 DB FDD0..3 Busy (seek/recalib active, until succesful sense intstat)
b4 CB FDC Busy (still in command-, execution- or result-phase)
b5 EXM Execution Mode (still in execution-phase, non_DMA_only)
b6 DIO Data Input/Output (0=CPU->FDC, 1=FDC->CPU) (see b7)
b7 RQM Request For Master (1=ready for next byte) (see b6 for direction)

Status Register 0:

b0,1 US Unit Select (driveno during interrupt)
b2 HD Head Address (head during interrupt)
b3 NR Not Ready (drive not ready or non-existing 2nd head selected)
b4 EC Equipment Check (drive failure or recalibrate failed (retry))
b5 SE Seek End (Set if seek-command completed)
b6,7 IC Interrupt Code (0=OK, 1=aborted:readfail/OK if EN, 2=unknown cmd
or senseint with no int occured, 3=aborted:disc removed etc.)

Status Register 1:

b0 MA Missing Address Mark (Sector_ID or DAM not found)
b1 NW Not Writeable (tried to write/format disc with wprot_tab=on)
b2 ND No Data (Sector_ID not found, CRC fail in ID_field)
b3,6 0 Not used
b4 OR Over Run (CPU too slow in execution-phase (ca. 26us/Byte))
b5 DE Data Error (CRC-fail in ID- or Data-Field)
b7 EN End of Track (set past most read/write commands) (see IC)

Status Register 2:

b0 MD Missing Address Mark in Data Field (DAM not found)
b1 BC Bad Cylinder (read/programmed track-ID different and read-ID = FF)
b2 SN Scan Not Satisfied (no fitting sector found)
b3 SH Scan Equal Hit (equal)
b4 WC Wrong Cylinder (read/programmed track-ID different) (see b1)
b5 DD Data Error in Data Field (CRC-fail in data-field)
b6 CM Control Mark (read/scan command found sector with deleted DAM)
b7 0 Not Used

Status Register 3:

b0,1 US Unit Select (pin 28,29 of FDC)
b2 HD Head Address (pin 27 of FDC)
b3 TS Two Side (0=yes, 1=no (!))
b4 T0 Track 0 (on track 0 we are)
b5 RY Ready (drive ready signal)
b6 WP Write Protected (write protected)
b7 FT Fault (if supported: 1=Drive failure)

<br>

== C, H, R, N values at result phase ==

If the processor terminates a read (or write) operation in the FDC, then the ID information in the Result phase is dependent upon the state of the MT bit and EOT byte:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | MT !! rowspan="2" | HD !! rowspan="2" | Final Sector Transferred to Processor !! colspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | ID Information at Result Phase
|-
! C !! H !! R !! N
|-
| 0 || 0 || style="text-align: center;" | Less than EOT || - || - || R + 1 || -
|-
| 0 || 0 || style="text-align: center;" | Equal to EOT || C + 1 || - || 0 || -
|-
| 0 || 1 || style="text-align: center;" | Less than EOT || - || - || R + 1 || -
|-
| 0 || 1 || style="text-align: center;" | Equal to EOT || C + 1 || - || 0 || -
|-
| 1 || 0 || style="text-align: center;" | Less than EOT || - || - || R + 1 || -
|-
| 1 || 0 || style="text-align: center;" | Equal to EOT || - || LSB || 0 || -
|-
| 1 || 1 || style="text-align: center;" | Less than EOT || - || - || R + 1 || -
|-
| 1 || 1 || style="text-align: center;" | Equal to EOT || C + 1 || LSB || 0 || -
|}

* An empty cell means it is the same value as the one at the beginning of command execution
* LSB (Least Significant Bit): The least significant bit of H is complemented

<br>

== Motor On/Off Flipflop ==
Writing 00h to Port &FA7E turns all disk drive motors off, writing 01h turns all motors on. It is not possible to turn on/off the motor of a specific drive separately.

An exception are the Vortex F1-S, F1-D, M1-S and M1-D drives. (How are they different?)

The floppy disc rotates at a nominal speed of 300rpm, with some tolerance. This tolerance of the FDC has been measured by [[Roudoudou]] to be ±12% (it worked from 220kbits/s to 283kbits/s for a reference of 250kbits/s). [https://64nops.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/a-la-decouverte-du-fdc-episode-4/ Source]

<br>

== Unconnected Pins ==

At the end of a successful read or write command, the program should send a ''Terminal Count'' (TC) signal to the FDC. However, in the CPC the TC pin isn't connected to the I/O bus, making it impossible for the program to confirm a correct operation. For that reason, the FDC will assume that the command has failed, and it'll return both Bit 6 in Status Register 0 and Bit 7 in Status Register 1 set. The program should ignore this error message.

The CPC doesn't support floppy DMA transfers, and the FDC's Interrupt signal isn't used in the CPC.

The FDC controller inside the CPC or in the [[Amstrad External Disk Drive|Amstrad DDI-1]] expansion doesn't have the US1 pin connected. This means it can only select floppy drives 0 and 1, and not drives 2 and 3.

However, the FDC in the [[Vortex Disc Drives|Vortex disc interface]] does have the US1 pin connected, so it can manage up to 4 floppy drives.

<br>

== ABBA switch ==

The [[ABBA switch]] is a common hardware modification that allows users to swap between Drive A and Drive B.

On Amstrad CPC, some games and other software were designed to run specifically from Drive A, creating a problem when the disk you needed was in Drive B.

The ABBA switch resolved this issue by allowing you to "swap" the designation of the two drives. When the switch is activated, Drive A becomes Drive B, and vice versa, effectively swapping their roles.

<br>

== Ready / Disk Changed signal ==

This signal differs between floppy drives model:

*For 3inch floppy drives (pin26), it is a "Ready" signal. The /RDY signal turns on when a disk is inserted and spinning in the drive, usually after detecting 2 or 3 index pulses, depending on the drive model. It turns off immediately if the disk is removed or the motor stops.

*For PC 3.5inch floppy drives (pin34), it is a "Disk Changed" signal. The /DSKCHG signal determines whether the same disk loaded during the previous disk access is still in the drive.

The easiest solution to this issue is to force the Ready signal on the cable. However, the CPC will hang if you type the CAT command with no disk inserted (inserting a disk will unblock it).

Alternatively, you can [[Modify PC floppy drives]] to create a Ready signal, or use Amiga floppy drives, which already have this signal.

Gotek drives with FlashFloppy or HxC firmware can also be configured to simulate the Ready signal. Don't forget to use a proper floppy drive cable then, not the one commonly sold by CPC hobbyists with the Ready signal forced.

<br>

== Notes ==

Before accessing a disk you should issue a ''recalibrate'' command to the drive to move the head backwards until the ''track zero'' signal from the drive is sensed by the FDC. The FDC will also set its track counter for that drive to zero.

On an 80-track drive you may need to repeat that twice because some models of the FDC stop after 77 steps so if recalibrating from track 78 or above the controller might not reach track zero.

In order to format, read or write a sector on a specific track you must first ''seek'' that track using command 0Fh. That'll move the read/write head to the physical track number. If you don't do that then the FDC will attempt to read/write data from/to the current physical track, irrespective of the specified logical ''track ID''.

The ''track'', ''sector'', and ''head'' IDs are logical IDs only. These logical IDs are defined when formatting the disk and aren't required to reflect the physical track, sector, or head numbers. However, when reading or writing a sector you must specify the same IDs that have been used during formatting.

Despite the name, a sector with a ''Deleted data Address Mark'' (DAM) is not deleted; the DAM-flag is just another ID bit. 'Deleted' sectors can be read/written just like normal data sectors and if that ID bit is specified correctly in the command.

Usually single sided 40-track 3" disk drives are used in CPCs. For practical purposes, 42 tracks could be used — the limit is specific to the drive and some support more tracks but 42 is a good maximum. The FDC controller can be used to control 80-tracks and/or double sided drives, though AMSDOS doesn't support such formats. AMSDOS supports a maximum of two disk drives only.

<br>

== Floppy disk format specification ==

There are 3 standard formats in [[AMSDOS]]. They are all single-sided and double density (MFM), with the following characteristics:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! !! DATA !! VENDOR or SYSTEM !! IBM
|-
| Sector size || colspan="3" | N=2 (512 bytes)
|-
| Number of sectors || colspan="2" | 9 || 8
|-
| Sector names || &C1 to &C9 || &41 to &49 || &01 to &08
|-
| Sector interleave || colspan="2" | Yes || No
|-
| Formatting byte || colspan="3" | &E5
|-
| Starting track || colspan="3" | 00
|-
| Ending track || colspan="3" | 39
|-
| Catalog position || Track 0: sectors &C1 to &C4 || Track 2: sectors &41 to &44 || Track 1: sectors &01 to &04
|-
| Catalog size || colspan="3" | 2 KB
|-
| Catalog entries || colspan="3" | 64 max
|-
| Size per side || 178 KB || 169 KB || 154 KB
|-
| Diskette size || 356 KB || 338 KB || 308 KB
|}

Notes:
* To use 80-track drives and/or dual-head drives, you need to use another CPC DOS instead of AMSDOS. The most popular one is [[ParaDOS]]. It can handle up to 796 KB instead of 178 KB for AMSDOS.
* Half of the original AMSDOS rom is occupied by [[Dr. Logo]] from Digital Research. If you replace AMSDOS with ParaDOS, you will lose access to Dr. Logo.
* Even with an AMSDOS rom, the FDC can handle exotic 3inch floppy disk formats. RSX programs exist to get up to 208 KB of usable space per side.

<br>

=== DATA format ===

It is the most commonly used format on Amstrad CPC as it offers the most available space among the standard formats.

<br>

=== SYSTEM format ===

The SYSTEM format is a VENDOR format with the addition of information to boot the CP/M on:
* Track 0: sectors &41, &42, &48, &49
* Track 1: sectors &41, &46, &42, &47, &43, &48, &44, &49, &45

Type |CPM and you will find yourself under CP/M 2.2.

By the way, all the |CPM command does is load the 512 bytes of track 0 sector &41 into memory at address &100 and then execute it.

<br>

=== IBM format ===

Despite its name, the IBM format is not usable on PC as it uses the CP/M filesystem. PC floppies use the FAT12 filesystem instead.

Also, [[CP/M|CP/M]] 2.2 supports the IBM format but CP/M Plus does not.

<br>

=== Catalog structure ===

In CP/M (and AMSDOS), files are stored on disks in a flat structure and can only be organized using USER numbers. CP/M does not have a hierarchical directory structure (with folders and subfolders) like newer operating systems.

The catalog structure supports up to 64 entries of 32 bytes. A file larger than 16KB will require multiple entries in the catalog.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Byte offset !! Description !! Comment
|-
| 0 || User Number || USER goes from 0 to 255. USER 229 (&E5) is for deleted files. RSX only gives access to USER 0 to 15.
|-
| 1-8 || Filename (excluding full stop) || Always in CAPS and maximum 8 characters long.
|-
| 9-11 || Extension || Always in CAPS and maximum 3 characters long. Read Only flag on byte9 bit7. Hidden flag on byte10 bit7. Archive flag on byte11 bit7.
|-
| 12 || Current Extent || 0 is first extent. There can be up to 128K bytes (8 logical extents) directly addressed by a single directory entry. [http://www.cpm.z80.de/manuals/cpm22-m.pdf Source]
|-
| 13 || Reserved ||
|-
| 14 || Extent High Byte || Not used.
|-
| 15 || Record Count (Number of 128 Byte Blocks) || Goes up to 128 (&80).
|-
| 16–31 || Block IDs where to find the file data || 1 byte is used per 1KB block.
|}

Note: Each file is usually stored with an [[AMSDOS Header]] but can also be headerless.

==== CAT'art ====

The catalog structure can be hacked by using ascii control characters (codes 0 to 31) to create decorated catalogs (CAT'art).

CAT never loads and executes a boot sector. It just displays the chars of the files using "TXT OUTPUT" (#bb5a) which will execute control codes as well.

There were already tools from the 80ies for modifying a directory in a way that will display colourful chars placed at any location on the screen by adding dummy file entries with 0KB sizes. Or you hardcode it directly by yourself, which allows much more chars and effects.

The trick is to disable text output at the end of a filename to prevent printing file sizes/line feeds and enable it again at the beginning of the next filename; and you also have to use one hidden char for sorting them in the correct order.

See here for more details: [http://cpc.sylvestre.org/technique/technique_catart1.html All about CAT'arts creation (FR)]

<br>

=== CP/M terminology ===

'''Record''': The basic unit of data access in CP/M, 128 bytes in size. This was the standard size for transferring data between memory and disk.

'''Block''': A group of records, 1 KB in size. Blocks were used to improve disk access efficiency by reading/writing multiple records at once.

'''Extent''': A group of blocks, 16 KB in size. CP/M used extents to manage file allocation, with each extent corresponding to a portion of a file on disk.

'''Sector''': The smallest physically addressable unit on a disk, 512 bytes in size on Amstrad CPC. CP/M accessed the disk at the sector level, though users typically worked with records.

<br>

== FDC Track Format ==

The 765 FDC only supports the single-density IBM 3740 track format and the double-density IBM System/34 track format, which are the defacto standards for floppy disks in most computer systems. These formats have been created by an IBM engineer named Alan Shugart (not to be confused with Amstrad's CEO, Alan Sugar).

On Amstrad CPC, the MFM MODE pin of the FDC is not connected. So the FM mode is unusable.

[[File:FDC765 Track Format.png]]

On Amstrad CPC, an MFM track contains about 6250 raw bytes: 200 ms per track (at 300rpm) / 32 µs per byte (with a bit cell of 4µs).

Notes:
* The Index Address Mark (IAM) signifies the beginning of a track.
* The ID Address Mark (IDAM) marks the beginning of a sector's header.
* The Data Address Mark (DATA AM) marks the beginning of the actual data in a sector.
* There are 2 types of sectors based on their DATA AM value. Data sectors are marked by an FB byte, while deleted sectors are marked by an F8 byte.
* Gaps are necessary to accommodate variations in rotation speed between different drives and avoid overlapping.

In MFM encoding, the IDAM and DATA AM are always preceded by three A1 bytes to help the FDC lock onto the data stream after a gap and accurately read the following datas. This is needed because MFM is more compact and harder to read than earlier encoding methods.

The CRC error-detecting code is initialised to FFFF. It is updated byte by byte and uses the CCITT-CRC16 algorithm. It is written after the ID and data fields of each sector in big-endian format (high byte first and then low byte).

The main competitor of the µPD765 FDC chip on the market was the WD179x FDC chip family. The primary difference between 765 and 179x controllers is that the 765 only does standard track formats (preamble, marks and data fields), while the 179x will write anything you tell it in the write track (formatting a track) mode.

<br>

=== Gaps Protection ===

Gaps was a common method of protecting floppy disks against copying on the Amstrad CPC, particularly with French software houses such as [[Infogrames]] and [[Loriciels]]. It consists of writing specific values (other than the standard &4E) in the separation area between 2 consecutive sectors.

When the protected program is launched, it checks if these special values (most often a string signature) are present. If they aren't, the program can then crash or reset the computer or format the disk – or in the case of some games, the player can play the game, but it will crash or freeze at some point.

The trick is that the 765 FDC can read the custom byte values in the gaps, but it cannot write them. This made it hard for people to make working copies of protected disks.

<br>

=== Weak Sectors Protection ===

Another common copy-protection scheme was using (fully or partially) unmagnetized sectors. The unmagnetized data would then appear as random values when read by the FDC.

When the protected program is launched, it reads these weak sectors multiple times. Due to their unstable nature, these sectors will return different data on each read. If the program detects this changing data, it recognizes the disk as an original and continues to run. If not, the program can then crash, reset the computer, etc.

The trick is that the FDC cannot unmagnetize portions of a sector or leave portions of a sector unmagnetized to recreate this effect on another floppy disk.

<br>

=== FM Encoding ===

FM (Frequency Modulation) encoding was one of the earliest methods used to store data on floppy disks by creating changes in the magnetic field, known as flux transitions, to represent binary data.

In FM encoding, each bit of data is divided into two distinct parts: a clock signal and a data signal. The clock signal is always present to indicate the timing, while the data signal only appears when the bit is a 1, and remains absent when the bit is a 0.

This constant clock pulse ensures that the FDC always knows where each bit begins and ends. For every bit of information written to the disk, there’s always one clock signal and, if the data is a 1, a data signal as well.

[[File:FM encoding scheme.png|600px]]

Legend: C=Clock, D=Data

<br>

=== MFM Encoding ===

MFM (Modified Frequency Modulation) was developed as a more efficient alternative to FM encoding. This method greatly reduces the number of transitions needed to represent data compared to FM.

If a cell contains a 1, the signal will be recorded in the middle of the cell. If a cell contains a 0, the signal will be recorded at the beginning of the cell, unless it was preceeded by a cell with a 1. If a signal is transmitted for a 0 cell, it is used as clock signal.

This clever encoding eliminates the need for separate clock signals for every bit, as they are implied by the data pattern. It allows the recording of double the density compared to FM without increasing the bit rate on the floppy material. Each bit cell has only half the size compared to FM.

[[File:MFM encoding scheme.png|600px]]

<br>

== HD Floppy Disks on CPC ==

It is theoretically possible to use HD floppy disks (1.44MB) on CPC by using either a Gotek drive or Amiga HD floppy drives spinning at 150rpm. However, nobody has ever written a CPC DOS to make use of it.

On a real floppy drive, if you want to fit more sectors on the same track, you have 2 options: you can make the FDC run faster, or you can make the disk spin slower.

Normally, HD disks use a faster FDC (with an automatic switch between the slow and fast modes).

But, for example on Amiga systems with HD drives, they used floppy drives that spin slower for HD disks (150 rotations per minutes instead of 300) and this allow to use the same controller as before. By the time the floppy has done one complete rotation, you can write 18 sectors instead of just 9.

With a real PC HD floppy drive, this requires some mechanical modifications, and you may get into trouble if the spinning speed is not fast enough.

But with the Gotek, this is not a problem. You can have as many sectors as you want, and the Gotek will generate the index pulse (simulating the floppy completing a turn) after it has sent them all. So it is essentially emulating a floppy that turns very slowly. The FDC has no problems handling that, but you may need to be a bit more relaxed than usual with the timeouts, as it will be some time before the sector you need will pass in front of the drive head, and the index pulse will also be slower than usual.

On a Gotek drive, you can even simulate fantasy floppy disks with up to 255 cylinders, and the FDC will handle them perfectly fine.

<br>

== PC Floppy Drives ==

This chapter is relevant as many CPC users are using PC floppy drives on their CPC.

The IBM PC supports two standard diskette formats on a 5.25 inch drive:
* The first is double sided, double density, 40 cylinders, which yields a capacity of 360KB per diskette. This is the original IBM PC format. The double density drive rotates at 300 RPM.
* The second format was introduced with the PC/AT. It is double sided, quad density, 80 cylinders, with a total capacity of 1.2 MB. The high density drive rotates at '''360 RPM''', so only 15 sectors can be written on a track instead of 18.

The IBM PS/2 introduced two standard 3.5 inch diskette formats:
* The first is a double sided, double density, 80 cylinders, format yielding a capacity of 720KB. The double density drive rotates at 300 RPM.
* The other is double sided, quad density, 80 cylinders, with a total capacity of 1.44 MB. The high density drive rotates at 300 RPM.

<br>

== Internal details of the chip ==

* [https://scarybeastsecurity.blogspot.com/2020/11/reverse-engineering-forgotten-1970s.html The decapped photos of Intel 8271, NEC D765 and Intel 8272 chips] prove that NEC D765 and Intel 8272 chips are identical.

* From [https://hackaday.com/2012/08/13/taking-a-look-at-decapped-ics/#comment-734991 a comment in the hackaday website]: "Internally this is a microcoded part with a primative controller of NEC’s own design. Testing microcode embedded in a part can be troublesome. The uPD765 had a few extra gates associated with the DMA Request and DMA Ack pins. Presenting a certain illegal combination here places the part into a “test” mode and allows the sequencer microcode to be output on the normal Data pins. The sequencer microcode is responsible for high level commands such as Read Track, Recalibrate, Format Track, or Write Data. There is a similar test mode for the nano-code array which serializes data at the floppy disk head."

<br>

== FDC Block Diagram ==

[[File:WDC37C65 block diagram.png|700px]]

<br>

== Generic System Diagram ==
The Amstrad CPC and Amstrad Plus do not have a DMA controller associated with the FDC. And the clock runs at 4MHz instead of 8MHz.

The DRQ (14), INT (18), VCO SYNC (24), MFM MODE (26), US1 (28), and HEAD LOAD (36) pins are not connected. The TC (16) and RESET (1) pins are connected together. [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/4/45/CPC6128_Disk_Interface_Schematic.png Source]

[[File:FDC765 - System Diagram.png|800px]]

<br>

== PC to CPC floppy connector ==
[[File:Cpc6128floppytopcfloppy.gif]]

<br>

== FDD Block Diagram ==
[[File:Floppy Disk Drive - Block Diagram.png|700px]]

<br>

== Datasheets ==

* [[Media:UPD765_App_Note_Mar79.pdf| NEC uPD765 Datasheet preliminary (1979)]] [[Media:D765 NEC.pdf]] [[Media:UPD765-NEC.pdf]] [[Media:Z765A datasheet.pdf]] - uPD765 disc controller
* [[Media:Intel 8272A Datasheet preliminary (1982).pdf]] [[Media:Datasheet.hk_d8272a_2873060.pdf|Intel 8272A Datasheet (1986)]] [[Media:Floppy Disk Controller(FDC) UM8272A UM8272A-4.pdf]] - Licensed clone of the uPD765
* [[Media:WD37C65 datasheet.pdf]] - NEC 765 controller clone with onboard data seperator and AT/EISA compatibility
* [[Media:TN6-1 9216 Floppy Disk Data Separator Jun82.pdf]] [[Media:FDC9216 datasheet.PDF]] [[Media:SED9420.pdf]] - Data separators
* [[Media:DDI Schematic.png]] - DDI-1 Schematic (disc interface for CPC464)
* [[Media:Panasonic-3 inch Floppy Drive EME-150.pdf]] [[Media:NEC_FD1035_Floppy.pdf]] - Floppy disk drives
* [[Media:Floppy User Guide.pdf]] - Floppy User Guide

<br>

== External links ==
*[http://quasar.cpcscene.net/doku.php?id=assem:fdc Quasar FDC documentation (in french)]
*[https://64nops.wordpress.com/2021/07/04/a-la-decouverte-du-fdc/ FDC blog articles (in french)]
*[https://www.cpc-power.com/cpcarchives/index.php?page=articles&num=92 Floppy disk formats (in french)]
*[https://info-coach.fr/atari/hardware/FD-Hard.php Atari ST Floppy Drive hardware analysis]
*[https://map.grauw.nl/articles/low-level-disk/ MSX low-level disk storage article]

[[Category:CPC Internal Components]][[Category:Programming]][[Category:DATA Storage]][[Category:Electronic Component]]

Toki

2024-09-27T18:40:52Z

Nich: /* Screenshots */ Fixed broken links to screenshots

A quite good Arcade game from TAD Corporation.

Home computer ports were executed by [[Ocean Software|Ocean]] (famous for this kind of production).

'''Toki''' is an unreleased cartridge game for the [[GX4000]] and [[Plus]] range of machines.

Two supposed screenshots were shown in ''[[Amstrad Action]]'' (although they may have been mock-ups). The game is believed to have not been finished.

Some advertisements claimed that the GX4000 cartridge version would be released alongside [[Amiga]] and [[Atari ST]] ports, but it ended as [[Category:Vaporware|Vaporware]].
The same goes for the [[ZX Spectrum]] version, which managed to get pictures in the ZX Spectrum press, but ended as vaporware as well.

The main problem is that this game could have been a bit too ambitious for an 8-bit system.
The [[Commodore 64]] port (the only 8-bit home computer port to be released) wasn't that bad at all. But one of the main difficulties was the large and numerous sprites or Bosses used in the Arcade game.

It was coded by [[DJL|David Looker]]. It is rumoured that one level was running and a larger sized cartridge would be required, but Ocean said "no".

Recently (when?) in ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' magazine there was a picture of some monkey sprites that are from the GX4000 version.

[[GGP]] announced in 2019 that they were developing a conversion of ''Toki'' for the Amstrad CPC. It was eventually released on 29th October 2022 and was rated 88% by ''Retro Gamer'' in issue 241.

== Screenshots ==

The screenshots below featured in the June 1991 issue (#69) of ''Amstrad Action''.

<center><gallery style="clear: both">
Image:Toki_Screen1_AmstradAction.jpg
Image:Toki_Screen2_AmstradAction.jpg
</gallery></center>

[[Category:Games]][[Category:Vaporware]]

Toki

2024-09-27T18:38:23Z

Nich: Tidied up text, added links to other articles, and added gallery of screenshots

A quite good Arcade game from TAD Corporation.

Home computer ports were executed by [[Ocean Software|Ocean]] (famous for this kind of production).

'''Toki''' is an unreleased cartridge game for the [[GX4000]] and [[Plus]] range of machines.

Two supposed screenshots were shown in ''[[Amstrad Action]]'' (although they may have been mock-ups). The game is believed to have not been finished.

Some advertisements claimed that the GX4000 cartridge version would be released alongside [[Amiga]] and [[Atari ST]] ports, but it ended as [[Category:Vaporware|Vaporware]].
The same goes for the [[ZX Spectrum]] version, which managed to get pictures in the ZX Spectrum press, but ended as vaporware as well.

The main problem is that this game could have been a bit too ambitious for an 8-bit system.
The [[Commodore 64]] port (the only 8-bit home computer port to be released) wasn't that bad at all. But one of the main difficulties was the large and numerous sprites or Bosses used in the Arcade game.

It was coded by [[DJL|David Looker]]. It is rumoured that one level was running and a larger sized cartridge would be required, but Ocean said "no".

Recently (when?) in ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' magazine there was a picture of some monkey sprites that are from the GX4000 version.

[[GGP]] announced in 2019 that they were developing a conversion of ''Toki'' for the Amstrad CPC. It was eventually released on 29th October 2022 and was rated 88% by ''Retro Gamer'' in issue 241.

== Screenshots ==

The screenshots below featured in the June 1991 issue (#69) of ''Amstrad Action''.

<center><gallery style="clear: both">
Image:Toki_Screen1_AmstradAction.png
Image:Toki_Screen2_AmstradAction.png
</gallery></center>

[[Category:Games]][[Category:Vaporware]]

File:Toki Screen2 AmstradAction.jpg

2024-09-27T18:25:26Z

Nich: ''Toki'' screenshot, scanned from the June 1991 issue (#69) of ''Amstrad Action'', page 29 Category:Screenshot:Game

''[[Toki]]'' screenshot, scanned from the June 1991 issue (#69) of ''[[Amstrad Action]]'', page 29

[[Category:Screenshot:Game]]

File:Toki Screen1 AmstradAction.jpg

2024-09-27T18:24:18Z

Nich: ''Toki'' screenshot, scanned from the June 1991 issue (#69) of ''Amstrad Action'', page 29 Category:Screenshot:Game

''[[Toki]]'' screenshot, scanned from the June 1991 issue (#69) of ''[[Amstrad Action]]'', page 29

[[Category:Screenshot:Game]]

Orion Prime

2024-09-27T18:13:24Z

Nich: /* Links */ Fixed link to Orion Prime web site and removed dead link to photos of game package

{{Infobox Game
|Image = [[Image:OrionPrime_FrontCover_French.jpg|center|300px|Orion Prime front cover]]
|Developer = [[Targhan]], [[Supersly]]
|Publisher = [[Cargosoft]]
|Musician = [[Targhan]]
|Release = [[:Category:Games 2009|2009]]
|Platform = [[Amstrad CPC|CPC]]
|Genre = Point-and-click adventure
|OS = [[AMSDOS]]
|GameModes = Single player
|Controls = {{Keyboard}} {{Joystick}}
|Media = {{Disk}}
|Language = {{EN}} {{FR}} {{ES}} {{DE}}
}}

'''''Orion Prime''''' is a point-and-click adventure game developed by [[Targhan]] of [[Arkos]] and [[Supersly]] of [[Les Sucres en Morceaux]], and was released by [[Cargosoft]] in 2009. The game involves the player docking with the ''Orion Prime'' spaceship and exploring it. Initially, the spaceship appears to be abandoned, but the player will soon discover that something very sinister has occurred on board, and he must find a way to escape. The authors have claimed that it is "the best adventure game ever made on the Amstrad CPC".

As of July 2010, French, English, Spanish and German versions of the game are available as a free download from the [http://orion.cpcscene.com/ ''Orion Prime'' web site]. Physical copies of the French, English and Spanish versions, for use on an actual Amstrad CPC, were also produced, but are no longer available.

== Release ==

''Orion Prime'' was initially only available in French, and in limited quantities, on either two 3″ or 3.5″ discs for use on an actual Amstrad CPC. The discs came in a DVD case, along with extra items such as an audio CD and a newspaper article. The price of this package was €10. The first batch of orders were posted to customers on 16th September 2009.

The French version of the game was then made freely available to download for use on either emulators or an actual Amstrad CPC on 28th October 2009, in both 3″ and 3.5″ disc formats.

3″ and 3.5″ disc versions of both the English and Spanish translations were available for ordering from 15th March 2010 until 30th April 2010. The French version was also re-released due to high demand. However, the cost of the package was increased to €15.

On 30th June 2010, the English and Spanish translations of the game were then made freely available to download.

On 2nd July 2012, the German translation was finally completed and made freely available to download.

== Sales ==

According to [http://cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php/topic,614.msg10222.html#msg10222 a post on the CPCWiki forum] by Targhan, a total of 175 copies of the game were produced and sold — 121 copies of the French version, 33 of the English version, and 21 of the Spanish version.

== Reviews ==

Jason Kelk reviewed ''Orion Prime'' in issue 83 of ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', giving it an overall rating of 92%.

== Screenshots ==

All of the screenshots below have been taken from the French version of ''Orion Prime''.

<center><gallery style="clear: both">

Image:OrionPrime_TitleScreen.png|<center>The title screen</center>
Image:OrionPrime_Beginning.png|<center>On board your spaceship</center>
Image:OrionPrime_HackerBoy.png|<center>Using the HackerBoy</center>
Image:OrionPrime_RepairKit.png|<center>Using the RepairKit</center>
Image:OrionPrime_Level2Hall.png|<center>The hall on the Equipment level</center>
Image:OrionPrime_Level0Map.png|<center>A map of the Hydraulic Maintenance level</center>
Image:OrionPrime_Combat.png|<center>A monster attacks!</center>
Image:OrionPrime_PDA.png|<center>Reading a Log using the PDA</center>

</gallery></center>

== Downloads ==

* [[Media:Orion_Prime_(FR)_(Cargosoft).rar|Orion Prime (French)]]
* [[Media:Orion_Prime_(EN)_(Cargosoft).rar|Orion Prime (English)]]
* [[Media:Orion_Prime_(SP)_(Cargosoft).rar|Orion Prime (Spanish)]]
* [[Media:Orion_Prime_(DE)_(Cargosoft).zip|Orion Prime (German)]]
* [[Media:Orion_Prime_-_Teaser_(CargoSoft).zip|Orion Prime Teaser]]

== Links ==

* [http://orion.cpcscene.net/ ''Orion Prime'' web site]
* {{CPCGameReviews|o/index3.html#orion_prime}}
* {{CPCPower|4025}}
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=54060 Entry for ''Orion Prime'' on pouët.net]

[[Category:Games 2009]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Extended RAM Software]]
[[Category:Adventure]]

Paul Kooistra

2024-09-27T17:56:31Z

Nich: /* Games */ Added Corsair Trainer and Hypernoid Zero to list

[[Paul Kooistra]] (AKA Axelay)

== Releases ==

=== Games ===

* [[Star Sabre]] (2007) ‒ an impressive horizontally scrolling [[Shoot them Up|shoot-'em-up]] that was rated 88% in issue 51 of [[Retro Gamer|''Retro Gamer'']] magazine
* [[Star Sabre |Star Sabre 128K]] (2009) ‒ an extended version of the same game using 128KB of RAM
* [[Dead on Time]] (2010) ‒ another completely different multi-directional shoot-'em-up, with a heavy emphasis on the High-Score burst, that was rated 93% in issue 77 of ''Retro Gamer'' and was also awarded a Retro Gamer Sizzler
* [[Sub Hunter]] (2011) ‒ a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up featuring parallax scrolling that was rated 90% in issue 89 of ''Retro Gamer'' and was also awarded a Retro Gamer Sizzler
* [[Edge Grinder]] (2011) ‒ a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up; an enhanced version was released in 2012 as [[Super Edge Grinder]]
* [[Relentless]] (2013) ‒ a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up that was the winner of the [[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]] hosted by CPCWiki
* [[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]] (2015) ‒ an unofficial sequel to Odiesoft's [[Megablasters]] that was rated 87% in issue 140 of ''Retro Gamer''
* [[Dragon Attack]] (2016) ‒ a ‘bullet hell’ shoot-'em-up that was an entrant in the 2016 [[CPCRetroDev Game Creation Contest|#CPCRetroDev Game Creation Contest]] and was ranked 4th place out of 34 entries
* [[Corsair Trainer]] (2020) ‒ a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up with only one level
* [[Hypernoid Zero]] (2024) ‒ a shoot-'em-up in the style of [[Cybernoid]]

Those games are renowned for their smooth and fast animation and high level of difficulty, yet are considered some of the best shoot-'em-ups available for the Amstrad CPC.

== Associates ==

Known for additional contributions to his games are:

*[[Supersly]] (AKA Sylvestre/Les Sucres en Morceaux).
*[[Targhan]]

== Links ==


* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-axelay.html Interview with Axelay by NoRecess]

[[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]] [[Category:CPC scene members]] [[Category:Stub]]

Retro Gamer

2024-09-26T17:13:45Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Dark Knight: Shadow of Madness to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|-
|''[[CPC Jewels]]''||242||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Hyperdrive]]''||243||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Revenge of Trasmoz]]''||245||101||86%||
|-
|''[[SOH Tactics GX]]''||246||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Renegade Reloaded]]''||247||101||88%||
|-
|''[[Pang+]]''||259||101||89%||
|-
|''[[Dark Knight: Shadow of Madness]]''||264||101||81%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Retro Gamer

2024-05-06T11:43:55Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Pang+ to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|-
|''[[CPC Jewels]]''||242||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Hyperdrive]]''||243||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Revenge of Trasmoz]]''||245||101||86%||
|-
|''[[SOH Tactics GX]]''||246||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Renegade Reloaded]]''||247||101||88%||
|-
|''[[Pang+]]''||259||101||89%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Retro Gamer

2023-08-03T20:16:20Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Revenge of Trasmoz, SOH Tactics GX and Renegade Reloaded to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|-
|''[[CPC Jewels]]''||242||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Hyperdrive]]''||243||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Revenge of Trasmoz]]''||245||101||86%||
|-
|''[[SOH Tactics GX]]''||246||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Renegade Reloaded]]''||247||101||88%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Psytronik Software

2023-06-07T15:54:14Z

Nich: /* Links */ Amended link to Psytronik Software

[[Image:PsytronikSoftwareLogo.png|thumb|250px|Psytronik Software's logo]]

[[Psytronik Software]] is a modern software label devoted to releasing new games for classic computer systems.

Their catalogue includes products for the [[Commodore 64]], [[VIC-20]], PC CD-ROM and the [[CPC|Amstrad CPC]].

==Releases for Amstrad CPC==

* ''[[Star Sabre]]'' (128K version)
* ''[[Dead on Time]]''
* ''[[Sub Hunter]]''
* ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]''

All of these games are also available as free downloads.

==Links==

* [https://psytronik.bigcartel.com/ Psytronik Software]

[[Category:CPC_related_companies]] [[Category:Computer_and_video_game_companies]][[Category:Modern Amstrad Software Publishers]]

Current Sources Of Software

2023-06-07T15:52:12Z

Nich: /* Games Currently Available */ Amended links to Psytronik Software

This page is not to refer you to pirated or abandoned software, but rather point you to sources that you can still obtain new or old physical or digital software legally.

The Amstrad CPC community is fairly strong almost 40 years since the CPC was first release with dozens of games released yearly. Some of these are commercial releases and this page should hopefully point you to the publishers websites and/or online stores that sell these games. Everyone knows the benefits of buying software when you can, and in smaller markets such as the CPC one - supporting the few remaining publishers is even more important.

Of course not every game author releases their games commercially, some are freely available and some are released as part of a competition that has been ongoing for several years called [[CPCRetroDev]].

= Games Currently Available =

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Media !! Where Available
|-
| Balloonacy || Tape || [https://cronosoft.fwscart.com Cronosoft]
|-
| Black Sea || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/en/retro/black-sea-2 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Brick Rick || 3" || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Chibi Akuma's || 3" or 3.5" || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Coloco || Tape || [https://www.napegames.com/product-category/physical-retro-game/ Nape Games]
|-
| CPC Jewels || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| CPC Soccer 22 || Dandanator || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/cpc-soccer-22 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Crazy Blaster || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com The Future Was 8bit]
|-
| Curse of Rabenstein || 3"/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Dawn of Kernel, The || 3"/MicroSD or 3.5/MicroSD or Tape/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Dead on Time || Tape || [https://psytronik.bigcartel.com/ Psytronik]
|-
| Deeper Warrens || Tape || [https://www.phoenixware.co.uk/ Phoenix Ware]
|-
| Doomsday Lost Echos || 3"/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Eridu || Tape || [https://auamstrad.es/retroscena/edicion-fisica-eridu AUA]
|-
| Golden Tail || 3" or 3.5" or Tape || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Hybernated 1 || 3"/MicroSD or 3.5"/MicroSD or Tape/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Kitsune's Curse || 3" or 3.5" or Tape || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Magica || 3" or Tape || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| [https://mananuk.itch.io/the-mandarin Mandarin, The] || Tape || [https://cronosoft.fwscart.com Cronosoft]
|-
| Moritz on the Autobahn || 3"|| [https://www.sintech-shop.de/moritz-on-the-autobahn/a-10792 Sintech]
|-
| Moritz the Striker || 3"/Tape || [https://www.sintech-shop.de/moritz-the-striker/a-10760 Sintech]
|-
| Noel's RL (Retro Lab) || Cartridge|| [https://hobbyretro.com/en/retro/cartridge-amstrad-plus-2 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Nom Wars || Dandanator || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/nom-wars Hobbyretro]
|-
| Pentomino || 3"/MicroSD or 3.5"/MicroSD or Tape or Tape/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| poly.play 3rd Anniversary Compilation - Limited Edition || Tape || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Queen's Footsteps || 3"/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Relentless || Tape || [https://psytronik.bigcartel.com/ Psytronik]
|-
| Rodman Special Edition || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com The Future Was 8bit]
|-
| Siemb Chronicles: Arkos the Traitor || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/siemb-chronicles Hobbyretro]
|-
| Silk Dust || 3"/3.5"/Tape/MicroSD || [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| Smirking Horror, The || Tape || [https://cronosoft.fwscart.com Cronosoft]
|-
| Star Sabre || Tape || [https://psytronik.bigcartel.com/ Psytronik]
|-
| Stranded || Tape || [https://cronosoft.fwscart.com Cronosoft]
|-
| Sub Hunter || Tape || [https://psytronik.bigcartel.com/ Psytronik]
|-
| Sudoku || Tape || [https://cronosoft.fwscart.com Cronosoft]
|-
| Throne Legacy || Tape || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|}

= Games Currently Available - NOS=

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Media !! Where Available
|-
| Action Force || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/action-force Hobbyretro]
|-
| Agent X II || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/agent-x-2 Hobbyretro]
|-
| American Turbo King || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/american-turbo-king Hobbyretro]
|-
| Amstrad Games Pack (Agent X II, Xevious, Pro Skateboard Simulator, Moto X Simulator, Mind Trap) || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/pack-juegos-amstrad Hobbyretro]
|-
| Anarchy || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/anarchy Hobbyretro]
|-
| Animal Vegetable Mineral || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/amstrad/avm-cpc.html The Future Was 8Bit]
|-
| ATV || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/atv Hobbyretro]
|-
| Back to Reality || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/back-to-reality Hobbyretro]
|-
| Bigfoot || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/bigfoot Hobbyretro]
|-
| Bosconian '87 || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/bosconian-87 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Bridge It || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/amstrad/bridge-it-cpc-nos.html The Future Was 8Bit]
|-
| Chubby Gristle || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/chubby-gristle Hobbyretro]
|-
| Codename Mat II || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/amstrad/codename-matt-ii-cpc-nos.html The Future Was 8Bit]
|-
| Continental Circus || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/continental-circus Hobbyretro]
|-
| Double Dragon || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/double-dragon Hobbyretro]
|-
| F-16 Fighting Falcon || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/f-16-fighting-falcon Hobbyretro]
|-
| Galletron || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/galletron Hobbyretro]
|-
| Grand Prix 2 Simulator || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/grand-prix-2 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Grange Hill || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/amstrad/grange-hill-cpc-nos.html The Future Was 8Bit]
|-
| Grange Hill || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/grange-hill Hobbyretro]
|-
| John Barrington's Squash || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/john-barrigtons-squash Hobbyretro]
|-
| Kettle || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/kettle Hobbyretro]
|-
| Kobyashi Naru || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/kobyashi-naru Hobbyretro]
|-
| La Selection (Salamandar, Target Renegade, Crazy Cars, Gryzor, Vindicator, Basket Master, Barbarian) || Tape || [https://www.polyplay.xyz/La-Selection-Compilation_1 Poly Play]
|-
| Mega Play 2 || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/megaplay-2 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Mind Trap || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/mind-trap Hobbyretro]
|-
| Moto X Simulator || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/en/retro/moto-x-simulator Hobbyretro]
|-
| Monte Carlo Casino || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/montecarlo-casino Hobbyretro]
|-
| Ninja Massacre || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/ninja-massacre Hobbyretro]
|-
| Octoplex || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/octoplex Hobbyretro]
|-
| Pipeline 2 || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/pipeline-2 Hobbyretro]
|-
| Pro Skateboard Simulator || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/pro-skateboard-simulator Hobbyretro]
|-
| Psycho Hopper || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/psycho-hopper Hobbyretro]
|-
| Radzone || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/rad-zone Hobbyretro]
|-
| Raid || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/raid Hobbyretro]
|-
| Robbie || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/robbie Hobbyretro]
|-
| Rock'n Wrestle || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/amstrad/rock-n-wrestle-cpc-nos.html The Future Was 8bit]
|-
| Rogue || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/rogue Hobbyretro]
|-
| Skate Rock || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/skate-rock Hobbyretro]
|-
| Storm 2: The Fear || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/storm-2-the-fear Hobbyretro]
|-
| Sweevo's World || Tape || [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/amstrad/sweevo-s-world-cpc-zx-nos.html The Future Was 8bit]
|-
| Tempest || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/tempest Hobbyretro]
|-
| Vector Ball || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/vector-ball Hobbyretro]
|-
| XCel || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/xcel Hobbyretro]
|-
| Xenon || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/xenon Hobbyretro]
|-
| Xevious || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/xevious Hobbyretro]
|-
| Yes, Prime Minister || Tape || [https://hobbyretro.com/retro/yes-prime-minister Hobbyretro]
|}

= Current Publishers =

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Publisher
|-
| [http://www.4mhz.es 4mhz]
|-
| [https://auamstrad.es/retroscena/edicion-fisica-eridu AUA]
|-
| [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| [https://cronosoft.fwscart.com Cronosoft]
|-
| [http://www.FutureOS.de FutureSoft]
|-
| [https://hobbyretro.com Hobby Retro]
|-
| [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| [https://www.napegames.com Nape Games]
|-
| [https://www.polyplay.xyz Poly Play]
|-
| [https://www.psytronik.net Psytronic]
|-
| [https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com The Future Was 8bit]
|-
| [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/profile/?u=290 Toto]
|}

= Other Sources of Physical Games =

Below are other good sources of Amstrad CPC games.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Source
|-
| [https://www.ebay.com ebay]
|-
| [https://www.sellmyretro.com Sell My Retro]
|-
| [https://theretrocavern.com Japster's Retro Cavern]
|}

= Recently Unavailable =

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Media !! Where Available
|-
| Sir Ababol NES OM Edition || Tape || [https://phoenixware.co.uk Phoenix Ware]
|-
| Chronicles of Nanako || Tape || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| CPC Soccer Game of Champions || Tape || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| Galactic Tomb || Tape || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| Red Sunset || 3" || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| Siemb Chronicles || Tape || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| Totems || Tape || [https://bitmapsoft.co.uk Bitmap Soft]
|-
| Anima || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| 8BP Collection Vol 1 || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| 8BP Collection Vol 2 || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| Buccaneers || 3" || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| CPC RetroDev 2017 || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| CPC RetroDev 2018 || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| CPC RetroDev 2019 || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| CPC RetroDev 2020 || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| Duck Out || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| Justin || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|-
| Shovel Adventure || Tape || [https://www.matranet.net Matra]
|}

[[Category:Software]]

ESP Soft

2023-06-07T15:47:15Z

Nich: /* Link */ Added link to itch.io page and changed the other link from HTTP to HTTPS

'''ESP Soft''' is a Spanish company who releases software (games) on Amstrad CPC.

'''''"ESP Soft es un pequeño grupo de aficionados con algo en común: su afición por el Amstrad CPC. "'''''

''ESP soft is a little group of passionates with all in common : their affection for the amstrad CPC.''

==Releases==

Most of these games have been released physically on cassette.

* Columns
* Gates to Hell
* Phantomas Saga: Infinity
* El Paciente 106
* Small Games for Smart Minds
* Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland
* BCM, El Buscador de Código
* Nheredia
* iLogicAll
* Hora Bruja
* Imaginario Colectivo
* Arquimedes XXI
* Totems: Columns CPC Two
* La Guerra de Gamber
* Mansion Kali
* El Prisionero / The Prisoner
* Mansion Kali II
* El Misterio de la Isla de Tökland
* Dead by Dawn
* Cero Absoluto
* El Linaje Real
* Galactic Tomb
* Euclides XXI
* La Casa
* Red Sunset
* Torreoscura (in collaboration with Commodore Plus)
* Siemb Chronicles
* CPC Jewels: Columns CPC Three
* Gates to Heaven

==Link==

* [https://espsoft.blogspot.com/ ESP Soft web site]
* [https://amstrad-esp.itch.io/ ESP Soft on itch.io]

[[Category:CPC_related_companies]] [[Category:Computer_and_video_game_companies]] [[Category:Modern Amstrad Software Publishers]]

ESP Soft

2023-06-07T15:45:06Z

Nich: /* Releases */ Added several games released between 2018 and 2022

'''ESP Soft''' is a Spanish company who releases software (games) on Amstrad CPC.

'''''"ESP Soft es un pequeño grupo de aficionados con algo en común: su afición por el Amstrad CPC. "'''''

''ESP soft is a little group of passionates with all in common : their affection for the amstrad CPC.''

==Releases==

Most of these games have been released physically on cassette.

* Columns
* Gates to Hell
* Phantomas Saga: Infinity
* El Paciente 106
* Small Games for Smart Minds
* Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland
* BCM, El Buscador de Código
* Nheredia
* iLogicAll
* Hora Bruja
* Imaginario Colectivo
* Arquimedes XXI
* Totems: Columns CPC Two
* La Guerra de Gamber
* Mansion Kali
* El Prisionero / The Prisoner
* Mansion Kali II
* El Misterio de la Isla de Tökland
* Dead by Dawn
* Cero Absoluto
* El Linaje Real
* Galactic Tomb
* Euclides XXI
* La Casa
* Red Sunset
* Torreoscura (in collaboration with Commodore Plus)
* Siemb Chronicles
* CPC Jewels: Columns CPC Three
* Gates to Heaven

==Link==

* [http://espsoft.blogspot.com/ ESP Soft web site]

[[Category:CPC_related_companies]] [[Category:Computer_and_video_game_companies]] [[Category:Modern Amstrad Software Publishers]]

Main Page

2023-06-07T15:38:18Z

Nich: Added information about CPC Jewels being free to download from itch.io

__NOTOC__
<center>This site is an encyclopaedia on all things [[Amstrad|Amstrad]] [[CPC|CPC]] related. There are now '''[[Special:Allpages|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles]]''' about the CPC available.</center>
<center>[[Image:forum.png|300px|link=http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum]] [[Image:Vs.png|300px|link=http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Speccy_Port]]</center><br>

<div style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 201, 201); margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0.5em 1em; background-color: rgb(255, 243, 243);">
<center> '''CPC Related News''' </center>



<div style="overflow:auto; border: 0px solid #FFC9C9">

[[File:Dez80_intro.png|thumb|256px|[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DEZ80 Mastering Z80 Assembler Course]]]

*07/06/23: '''Gates to Heaven''', a new platformer by [[ESP Soft]] [https://amstrad-esp.itch.io/gates-to-heaven-amstrad-cpc has been released], and their previous game, '''CPC Jewels''', can now be [https://amstrad-esp.itch.io/cpc-jewels-amstrad-cpc downloaded for free].
*27/02/23: '''SOH Tactics GX''', a new GX4000/plus strategy game [http://www.sohde.co.uk/SOHTacticsGX.html released].
*21/12/22: '''[[Current_Sources_Of_Software]]''', now as a wiki page.
*09/12/22: '''Hyperdrive''', a new vertical scrolling SHMUP [https://www.usebox.net/jjm/hyperdrive/ has been released].
*04/11/22: '''[[UniDOS]]''' 1.50 has been released [https://unidos.cpcscene.net].
*30/10/22: '''''Ramiro el vampiro III''''' using [[the Mojon Twins]] engine [https://mojontwins.itch.io/ramiro-el-vampiro-iii is released].
*17/07/22: '''''Lala Prologue''''' using [[the Mojon Twins]] engine [https://www.indieretronews.com/2022/07/lala-prologue-stunning-platformer-by.html is released].
*09/03/22: '''[[FutureOS]]''' 2nd update 2022 [http://www.FutureOS.de is released].
*24/01/22: '''''[[SymAmp]] 4.0''''', with Amiga MOD support and more [http://www.symbos.org/appinfo.htm?00005 is released].

</div>

<div align=right>...[[OldNews|Older News]]...</div>
</div>

{| width="100%" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|- valign="top"
| <div style="border: 1px solid rgb(176, 176, 176); margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0.5em 1em; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238);">

=== CPCWiki related ===
*[[CPCWiki updates]]
*[[Donors]]

'''Become an Author!'''
<createbox>
default=Enter name of article to create
buttonlabel=Create article!
width=40
</createbox>
</div>

<div style="border: 1px solid rgb(176, 176, 176); margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0.5em 1em; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238);">

<div style="text-align: right;"><small>'''All [[Special:Wantedpages|wanted articles]]''' | [[:Category:Stub|Extendable Stubs]] | '''[[Special:ContributionScores|List of most active contributors]]'''</small></div>

| width="50%" style="vertical-align: top;" | <div style="border: 1px solid rgb(228, 222, 222); margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0.5em 1em; background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);">

=== Did you know? ===

*When the CPC 664 was being developed, Sugar was already looking (and hinting publicly!) at the CPC 6128.
*The [[472|CPC 472]] was a 464 + 8 KB unwired RAM, released in Spain to circumvent a tax charging 64 KB computers.
*With a total of '''768×288''' pixels, the [[CPC|CPC]] was the 8-bit with the highest displayable resolution on a CRT screen.
*'''OpenOffice''' is the descendant of [[Star-Division|StarWriter]] for CPC.
*'''Excel''' is the direct descendant of [[Multiplan]] for CP/M.
*[[SymbOS|SymbOS]] supports '''50x''' bigger hard drives than Win95A.
*[[FutureOS|FutureOS]] can load a 178 KB floppy disc in '''9 seconds'''.
*[[FutureOS|FutureOS]] can manage up to '''4 MB''' of extended RAM and '''32 GB''' of mass storage.

</div>
</div>
|}

Retro Gamer

2023-02-15T14:18:36Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Hyperdrive to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|-
|''[[CPC Jewels]]''||242||87||79%||
|-
|''[[Hyperdrive]]''||243||87||79%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Retro Gamer

2023-01-17T11:50:44Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added CPC Jewels to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|-
|''[[CPC Jewels]]''||242||87||79%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Retro Gamer

2023-01-03T16:08:33Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Lala Prologue 2022 and Spaceman Kerl to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Spaceman Kerl]]''||240||101||81%||
|-
|''[[Lala Prologue 2022]]''||239||101||80%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Toki

2022-12-19T12:10:32Z

Nich: Added details about the GGP version of Toki

A quite good Arcade game from TAD Corporation.

Home computers ports were executed by OCEAN (famous for this kind of production)

An unreleased cartridge game for GX4000/CPC+.

A supposed screenshot was shown in Amstrad Action (although this may have been a mock up).
This game is believed to have not been finished.

Some Advertisements claimed it would be released alongside Amiga and Atari ST ports, but it ended as a VaporWare.
The same goes with the Speccy version who managed to get pictures in ZX Spectrum press, but ended as a VaporWare too.

The main problem is that this game could have been a bit too ambitious for a 8bit system.
The C64 port (only 8 bit home computer port release) wasn't that bad at all. But one of the main difficulty was the large and numerous sprites or Bosses used in the Arcade game.

It was coded by David Looker. It is rumoured that they had 1 level running and wanted to use a larger sized cartridge but Ocean said "no".

Recently in Retro Gamer there was a picture of some monkey sprites that are from the GX4000 version.

[[GGP]] announced in 2019 that they were developing a conversion of ''Toki'' for the Amstrad CPC. It was eventually released on 29th October 2022 and was rated 88% by ''Retro Gamer'' magazine in issue 241.

[[Category:Games]][[Category:Vaporware]]

Retro Gamer

2022-12-19T12:02:36Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Toki to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|-
|''[[Toki]]''||241||101||88%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Speedlock

2022-02-15T10:55:29Z

Nich: Added link to µPD765 page

[[Category:Copy Protection]]

'''Speedlock''' is the name of a disc and cassette copy protection designed by Dave Looker ([[DJL]]), David Aubrey-Jones and Simon Berry.

Earlier versions mentioned "DJL Software", while later versions mentioned "Speedlock Associates".

== Cassette ==

The Speedlock cassette loader was a combination of an encryption system and advanced cassette routines. It is often recognized by its blue and black stripes in the border during loading.

Certain hacking software, such as [[Soft-Lok]] and [[Bonzo Blitz]], attempted to follow the protection development to created unprotected versions of the protected software.

The Speedlock tape protections in their Amstrad CPC versions use 3 different types of encoding :

Speedlock type 2 (1984-1986):

*11 A Side Soccer
*3D star Fighter
*Advanced Pinball sim.
*Arcade Flight Sim.
*Arkanoid
*Army Moves UK
*Batman
*Beach Head
*Beach Head II
*Bounty Bob Strikes Back
*Bmx Simulator
*Death Stalker
*Express Raider
*Fruit Machine Sim.
*Galivan
*Grand Prix II
*Green Beret
*Head Over Heels
*Hyper Sports
*Impossible Mission
*International Rugby
*Italian Super Car
*It's a Knockout
*Kong Strikes Back
*Kung Fu Masters
*Leaderboard
*Mikie
*Mission 1 Project Volcano
*Ninja Massacre
*Ping Pong
*Pro Skateboard sim.
*Pro Tennis Sim.
*Raid!!
*Rambo First Blood Part II
*SAS combat Sim.
*Super Heroes
*Super Stuntman
*Super Tank
*Xevious

A Speedlock-protected game with a baud rate of 1900 is Speedlock v4. A Speedlock v6 will not exceed 1675 baud.

Speedlock type 4 (1900 baud) (1986-1988):

*Arkanoid Revenge of Doh
*Basket Master
*Crazy Cars
*Deliverance Stormlord II
*Gryzor
*Mercenary: Escape From Targ
*Renegade (Hitsquad)
*Road Runner
*Robocop
*Stallone Cobra
*Tank
*Target Renegade
*Tarzan (specific Speedlock)
*The New Zealand Story
*World Games

Special speedlock : *Nigel Mansell GP => the main code is protected by Speedlock v4 while the level data uses Speedlock v2.
To determine whether a game uses Speedlock v4 or v6, check the baud rate with CSW2CDT.

Speedlock type 6 (1675 baud) (1988-until the CPC death):
Note that level data may use either the Spectrum variant 2 scheme, or the Sinclair Spectrum one.

*Altered Beast
*Back To the Future III
*Bad Dudes vs Dragon Ninja
*Batman the Movie
*Darkman
*Fighter Bomber
*Guerrilla War
*Hammerfist
*Monty Python Flying Circus
*Mutants 64k
*Ocean Beach Volley
*Operation Wolf
*Operation Thunderbolt
*P47 Freedom Fighter
*Rainbow Islands
*SDI (Activision)
*Shinobi
*Star control
*Stormlord
*Super Wonderboy in Monsterland
*The Addams Family 128k
*The Ninja Warriors
*The Untouchables
*Turrican II The Final Fight
*Typhoon
*Wizball
*Cabal
*Midnight Resistance
*Chase HQ

== Disc ==

Speedlock was also available in disc version.

One version called "[[8k Speedlock]]" relied on the fact that the CPC's hardware (specifically, the [[765 FDC|µPD765]] disk controller) could read 8 Kbyte sectors even though it was typically only possible to store more than 6,250 bytes on 300 rpm double density diskettes. Attempting to write an 8 Kbyte sector would cause the system to over-write its header block.

It was written here that "the format was either devised or done on an Atari ST or an IBM PC compatible machine (since the CPC share with them the same FDC controler). The main difference being that an ST or PC can write more data per track than a CPC." This contains several inaccuracies. The Speedlock team in fact wrote the diskettes using diskette interfaces custom-modified for this purpose. Also, an Atari ST also has 6,250 bytes/track although used a WD1772 disk controller, while the PC has over time been based on a variety of formats (e.g. HD was 360 rpm 15 sectors etc.) and controllers (e.g. NEC µPD765 or Intel 8272A or 82072A.

Another statement written here was: "In itself, a 'Speedlock track' exists in 2 versions, used at the discretion of the duplicator, one use a CRC, and the other not." This is inaccurate, in the sense that it was never at the discretion of the duplicator. There were at least two separate versions, one of which may have involved a CRA issue.

A 'Speedlock track' consists of only 512 bytes declared for the sector while all the remaining data is spanned in a huge GAP section. When copied on a CPC, the FDC only stores the 512 first bytes as declared in the CHRN, and discards the remaining contained in the gap section. Those tracks have an EDC (Error Data Checksum) because only 512 bytes are used to calculate the data checksum as well as an illegal data field size. Several other protection mechanisms existed on such tracks, including special codes written by the Trace 1006 duplication equipment commonly in use at the time: these codes could not be written by standard Amstrad disc drives.

Various methods were attempted to circumvent this protection, including:

1. A hardware modification to the Amstrad CPC and a special copy program .

2. Executioner's utility Xexor included a 'brain file' solution to crack individual games before copying them.

8k Speedlock

2022-02-15T10:50:26Z

Nich: Fixed link to µPD765 page

Speedlock is a tape and disc copy protection solution.

'8K Speedlock' refers to a specific version of the Speedlock where most of the data was stored on specially formatted tracks. Each track was setup with [[765 FDC|µPD765]] sector size 6, which indicated a sector with 8,192 (&2000) bytes of data. However in reality, only 6,146 (&1800) bytes were useable. Recreating this format on the Amstrad was difficult because the µPD765 would try to write 8,192 bytes of data, and in doing so it would wrap around on itself and corrupt the sector data header thereby making it impossible to read.

Internally the format was known as "Indy", a reference to the fact that it was necessary to synchronize data writing with the index hole and use special hardware to avoid the wrap around. This synchronization was deliberately not maintained during duplication, thereby enabling data to load more quickly.

[[Category:Copy Protection]]

Retro Gamer

2022-02-15T10:48:04Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Puzzle Bobble to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Bears!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Puzzle Bobble]]''||230||101||84%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Odiesoft

2020-04-14T19:35:22Z

Nich: Corrected link to Mega Blasters

[[Image:Odiesoft.jpg|thumb|Odiesoft in the 90ies]]
[[Image:Odiesoft-cpcwelcome2005.jpg|thumb|Odiesoft on the CPC Welcome 2005 party]]

'''Odiesoft''' (Georg Odenthal) from Aalen, Germany, was a very active and creative member of the german CPC scene. For a very long time, the only CPC-Girl from germany was his girlfriend.. [[Hiroyuki]] - the lovely daughter of Marabu of HJT

== Releases ==

=== Demos ===


* CPC+ Desktop
* [[Castle Mini Meeting Demo|Castle Mini Meeting Demo]]
* Cebit '92 Demo
* Chessboard Zoomer
* Crittersoap Demo 3
* Defender of the Crown image
* Demo 1
* Elmar Lamer
* Fantasy Warrior Animation
* Farting Worm
* Flying Ghostwriter
* Fractal Mountain
* GOS Party 4 Intro
* [[Heat Demo|Heat Demo]] (1996)
* Intros (as Samurai)
* Iron Maiden and Samurai Intro
* Jumping Text
* Lamer picture
* Mars Intro
* Megademo Intro
* Mini Meeting
* Nebulus Demo
* Orgasmic Park Picture
* Original Flag Demo
* Original Texture Mapping
* Overscan Slideshow
* Plasma Demo
* Polygon
* Roger Rabbit Picture
* Rotating Ball Demo
* Shadows
* [[Xmas_1992_Party|Shining Party]] Demo
* Skull Intro
* Slideshow
* Slideshow #2
* Small Effects
* Snow
* Terminator Scroll
* [[Texture Mapping Plus|Texture Mapping Plus]] (1996)
* The End
* The Flag Demo
* Tunnel demo
* Twistscroll
* Vector Graphics Demo
* Wishing Well
* Wishing Well Construction Kit

=== Games ===


* Alternate Winter Games
* Arlesberg
* Blackwyche clone
* Cannon Fodder Clone
* Chaotris
* Cop game
* Deadris
* Ghosthunters
* Gryzor clone
* Helicopter game
* I, Ball clone
* Last Mission
* Lucasfilm type adventure
* [[Mega Blasters|Megablasters]] [http://www.odiesoft.de/amstrad/megablasters/intro/intro.html]
* Parallax scrolling
* R-Type clone
* Reactor
* Rigor Mortis
* Role Playing Game
* Space Warrior
* Super Lode Runner
* The Caves of Horwar
* The enchanted forest
* Westbank

== Groups ==

* [[HJT]]

== Links ==

* [http://www.odiesoft.de Odiesoft's homepage]
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-odiesoft.html Interview with Odiesoft by NoRecess]

[[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]] [[Category:CPC scene members]]

Tom et Jerry

2020-04-14T19:29:34Z

Nich: Removed 'the' before Tom & Jerry (CBS)' name

'''Tom et Jerry''' (Hervé Monchatre) is a member of [[GPA]], who is not to be confused with [[Tom & Jerry of CBS|Tom & Jerry]] of [[CBS]], who is German.

Tom et Jerry is somewhat a staple music creator on the Amstrad CPC and has contributed to many demos and games, but he has also programmed several demos and games himself.

== Releases ==

This list is incomplete; you can help CPCWiki by expanding it.

=== Demos ===

* Music Pack 1 (1991)
* Music Pack 2 (1991)
* Music Pack 3 (1991)
* Music Pack 4 (1992)
* [[Logon's run - 3D meets the aging bits]] (2017) ‒ Music.

=== Games ===

* [[Démineur]] (1993)
* [[Citadelle]] (2005)
* [[Le Crime du Parking]] (2008) ‒ a conversion of a text adventure that was originally released for the [[Apple II]] by Froggy Software in 1985
* [[Color Lines]] (2010)
* [[Le Mur de Berlin Va Sauter !]] (2012) ‒ another conversion of a text adventure that was originally released for the Apple II by Froggy Software in 1985
* [[Overkoban]] (2013) ‒ a clone of ''Sokoban'' that was an entrant in the [[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]] hosted by CPCWiki
* [[La Java du Privé]] (2017) ‒ another conversion of a text adventure that was originally released for the Apple II by Froggy Software in 1985

== Links ==

* [http://tj.gpa.free.fr/ Tom et Jerry's home page]

[[Category:CPC scene members]][[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]]
[[Category:Stub]]

Tom et Jerry

2020-04-14T19:26:35Z

Nich: Added several demos and games to list of releases, and made some grammatical adjustments to article

'''Tom et Jerry''' (Hervé Monchatre) is a member of [[GPA]], who is not to be confused with the [[Tom & Jerry of CBS|Tom & Jerry]] of [[CBS]] who is German.

Tom et Jerry is somewhat a staple music creator on the Amstrad CPC and has contributed to many demos and games, but he has also programmed several demos and games himself.

== Releases ==

This list is incomplete; you can help CPCWiki by expanding it.

=== Demos ===

* Music Pack 1 (1991)
* Music Pack 2 (1991)
* Music Pack 3 (1991)
* Music Pack 4 (1992)
* [[Logon's run - 3D meets the aging bits]] (2017) ‒ Music.

=== Games ===

* [[Démineur]] (1993)
* [[Citadelle]] (2005)
* [[Le Crime du Parking]] (2008) ‒ a conversion of a text adventure that was originally released for the [[Apple II]] by Froggy Software in 1985
* [[Color Lines]] (2010)
* [[Le Mur de Berlin Va Sauter !]] (2012) ‒ another conversion of a text adventure that was originally released for the Apple II by Froggy Software in 1985
* [[Overkoban]] (2013) ‒ a clone of ''Sokoban'' that was an entrant in the [[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]] hosted by CPCWiki
* [[La Java du Privé]] (2017) ‒ another conversion of a text adventure that was originally released for the Apple II by Froggy Software in 1985

== Links ==

* [http://tj.gpa.free.fr/ Tom et Jerry's home page]

[[Category:CPC scene members]][[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]]
[[Category:Stub]]

NoRecess

2020-04-14T19:02:50Z

Nich: Added list of releases (although it is incomplete) and updated link to home page

'''NoRecess''' (Arnaud Storq) is a demo coder.

== Releases ==

=== Disc fanzines ===

* [[Ghoul's Fanz]] ‒ four issues were released between 1995 and 1996

=== Demos ===

* [[X-File]] (1995)
* [[X-File II]] (1995)
* [[Mystery Megademo]] (1996)
* [[Phat]] (2008)
* [[Phat 2]] (2008)
* [[Pheelone]] (2009)
* [[Phreaks]] (2010)
* [[Phortem]] (2013)
* [[phX]] (2018)

=== Utilities ===

* HxC Floppy Emulator Manager ‒ for use with the [http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/index.html HxC Floppy Emulator] hardware
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/phrozenc.html PhrozenC] ‒ a compiler for the C programming language
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/quickcmd.html QuickCMD] ‒ a command-line interface

== Links ==

* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/ NoRecess' home page]

Thriller

2020-04-14T18:46:05Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview and made some grammatical adjustments to article

[[Image:Thriller-90s.jpg|thumb|Thriller in the early 90s]] [[Image:Thriller.jpg|thumb|Thriller in 2001]]

'''Thriller''' (Kalle Rechberg, formerly Kalle Süße from Bad Hersfeld, Germany) was an early, very crazy and funny demo coder in the German CPC scene. As a very religious person he studied at a Bibleschool in Backnang (near Weeske Computers) and now  works for Siemens in Erlangen.

== Groups ==

*[[Cadjo Clan|Cadjo Clan]]
*[[GOS|GOS]]

== Releases ==

*[[Terrific Demo Stage 1|Terrific Demo Stage 1]]

== Links ==

* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-thriller.html Interview with Thriller by NoRecess]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Made

2020-04-14T18:43:09Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview, adjusted link to collection of artwork, and made some minor adjustments to article

'''Made''' (Carlos Pardo) was a graphic artist in the French CPC scene. He was very talented, and when he later switched to the 16-bit scene, he won a lot of competitions.

== Productions ==

* [[Disc Full]] (10 issues, French fanzine)
* [[39Kb Shock]] Rebels - Code: PacMan / Gfx: Made
* [[Digital Orgasm]] SymbiosiS production

== Groups ==

* [[Disc Full]] (1989-1994)
* [[Rebels]] (1991-1993)
* [[SymbiosiS]] (1993-1994)

== Links ==

* [http://www.m4de.com/ Made's home page]
* Galleries of Made's artwork on the Amstrad CPC in [https://cpcrulez.fr/demoscene_GFX-demo-made.htm MODE 0] and [https://cpcrulez.fr/demoscene_GFX-demo-Made-mode_1.htm MODE 1]
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-made.html Interview with Made by NoRecess]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

BSC

2020-04-14T18:33:21Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview

[[Image:Bsc-2008.jpg|thumb|BSC in 2008]]

'''BSC''' (Oliver Mayer) was a coder and a musician of the german CPC scene. Between 1992 and 1993 he released several versions of the [[Soundtrakker|Soundtrakker]], which was the most popular music program on the CPC and has been used by nearly the complete CPC demo scene.

== Releases ==

* [[BSC Demo 1]]
* [[BSC Demo 2]]
* [[BSC Demo 3]]
* [[BSC Demo 4]]
* [[BSC Demo 5]]
* BSC Demo 6
* BSC Demo 7
* [[BSC Demo 8]]
* [[Pac Man Virus]] (1990)
* [[BSC Megademo]] (1991)
* [[Soundtrakker]] (1992)
* [[Soundtrakker]] 128 (1993)
* [[BSC Advanced Music Sampler Vol. I]]
* [[BSC Advanced Music Sampler Vol. II]]

== Groups ==

BSC was member of the following groups:

* [[Commotion]] (1987-1988)
* [[GCS]] (1988-1993)
* [[SymbiosiS]] (since 1993)

== Links ==

* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-bsc.html Interview with BSC by NoRecess]

[[Category:CPC_scene_members]]

Overflow

2020-04-14T18:30:46Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview and made some grammatical adjustments to article (although more work needs to be done)

[[Image:Euro2_07.jpg|thumb|Overflow in 1992]]

'''Overflow''' (Olivier Gout) was a coder of the [[Logon System]] group.
He has released 2 first demos under the name [[Croco 21]] and has integrated the team in 1990.
His first demo as a member of Logon System was [[S&KOH]], an astonishing piece of hardware code using a new hardware trick he had called rvi to extend line-to-line splitting technique.
In 2001, Olivier came back on the CPC with an amazing demo called [[Backtro]].

He is somewhat active again past 2011 with a few releases at demoparties, for CPC or even MSX.

He attended many private miniparties or more public parties such as [[Alchimie|Alchimie and µAlchimie]], [[ReSet]] or [[Revision]] during the 2010s.

== Official releases ==

* [[Croco 21 Tome 1]]
* [[Croco 21 Tome 2]]
* [[S&KOH]]
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=21783 Backtro]

* [[Yet Another Plasma!]]

* [[Logon's run - 3D meets the aging bits]]

* [[Eerie Forest]]

== Back from retirement : the foolish competition era, the legend still goes on ==

=== 2012 : [[Yet Another Plasma!]] ===

Amstrad CPC 4k demo/intro, released in october 2012.

POUËT : http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=60660

=== 2015 : [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=65232 '''iO'''] ===

MSX demo released in march 2015 at '''[[Forever|Forever 2015]]''' : 8bit demo, '''ranked : 1st''' (gold prize)

Nominee for the '''meteorik awards 2015''' : "that's not possible on this platform!"

POUËT : http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=65232

=== 2017 : [[Logon's run - 3D meets the aging bits]] ===

Amstrad CPC 128k RAM, 22k Demo released in april 2017 at '''[[Revision|Revision 2017]]''' : oldskool demo, '''ranked : 2nd''' (silver prize)

Nominee for the '''sir_garbagetruck brain meltdown on Twitch live''' contest.

Nominee at '''THE METEORIKS 2018''' : ''OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
''

<gallery>
Image:Big Capture01260.png|Overflow being height challenged.
Image:Img 6301-5219182.jpg|Overflow : "seriously I won something?"
Image:Img 6303-5219188.jpg|Overflow cashing some well deserved prizes at Revision 2017.
</gallery>

POUËT : http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=69651

=== 2017 : [[Eerie Forest]] ===

Overflow [code, etc] ; [[TotO]] [help]

GX4000 / 6128PLUS / 464PLUS cartridge in 512Ko ROM/64ko RAM "Intro/one screen Demo" released in November 2017 at [[Alchimie|'''Alchimie12''']], '''ranked : 2nd''' (silver prize)

This one is the final release from [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=1187'''Shadow Of The Beast Preview'''] from 1995 on CPC standard, making it a 22 years and half project.

POUËT : http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=72271

== Videodrome ==

*'''Yet another Plasma'''

{{#ev:youtube|_dwCM811BDE|300}}

*'''iO'''

{{#ev:youtube|jSS08co8zvA|300}}

live compo :
{{#ev:youtube|2eWr-g5MP7U|300}}

*'''Logon's run - 3D meets the aging bits'''

{{#ev:youtube|22wSm4y27Wk|300}}

live compo :
{{#ev:youtube|pmlUYW8bBLY|300}}

*'''Eerie Forest'''

{{#ev:youtube|CPCyF71098o|300}}

== Previews ==

* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=16954 All in 3D Preview 1]
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=14667 All in 3D Preview 2]
* [http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=1187 Shadow of the Beast Preview]

== Other productions ==
* [[The Other World 3]] (intro from disk fanzine)

== Goodies ==

* Live comments from the release/compo at Revision2017 (Twitch channel)

[[File:Comments demo11.png|thumb|720px|none|This also displays the LordGarbageTruck mental post-traumatic meltdown nomination for the '''sir_garbagetruck brain meltdown on Twitch live contest''']]

== Links ==

* Pouet.net page : http://www.pouet.net/user.php?who=88753
* CPC-Power links : http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=staff&lenom=Overflow
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-overflow.html Interview with Overflow by NoRecess]



[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Prodatron

2020-04-14T18:27:00Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview and made some minor adjustments to article

[[Image:Pdt.jpg|thumb|Prodatron in 2006]]

'''Prodatron''' (Jörn Mika) bought his Amstrad CPC6128 in 1987 and was active in the CPC scene from 1992 to 1994. He returned to the CPC scene in 2000 and is still working on it for the [[SymbOS]] project.

== Releases ==

=== Demos ===

* [[21.Century Demo]] (1992) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?0]
* [[Advanced Demo]] (1992) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?0]
* [[Alpha Demo]] (1992) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?0]
* [[Prodatron Megademo]] (1992) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?1]
* [[Xmas 1992 Party]] (1992) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?2]
* [[Voyage 1993 Megademo]] (1993) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?3]
* [[Digital Orgasm]] (1994) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?4]

=== Disc fanzines ===

* [[CPC-Fastloader]] (1992-1993) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?5]
* [[X-Treme]] (1993-1994) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?6]

=== Games and utilities ===

* Apollo 17 mission simulator (1988)
* Sprite Manager (1988)
* [[Lord of the Rings (by Prodatron)]] (1988) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?10]
* Früchte Fraß (1989)
* [[CEUS Desktop 2.0]] (1990) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?7]
* [[CPC Word]] (1990-1992) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?8]
* [[Digitracker]] (1993) [http://www.prodatron.net/details.htm?9]

=== Special projects ===

* [[SymbOS]] Z80 based multitasking operating system (2001-2017) [http://www.symbos.de]
** [[SymCommander]] (2005-2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke0]
** [[SymPlay]] (2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke1]
** [[SymSee]] (2005-2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke2]
** [[SymAmp]] (2005-2017) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke3]
** [[Pocket Calculator]] (2004-2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke7]
** [[SymSnap]] (2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke4]
** [[DiskDeDumper]] (2005-2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke5]
** [[SYMBiFACE II rom manager]] (2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke8]
** [[CPC TREX starter]] (2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke9]
** [[MineSweeper]] (2005-2006) [http://www.symbos.de/apps.htm#marke10]
** [[Pac-Man for SymbOS]] (2006)

== Groups ==

* [[The Rejects]] (1992)
* [[BENG!]] (1992-1993)
* [[SymbiosiS]] (since 1993)
* N-Factor (PC only) (1994-1997; [http://www.prodatron.net/nfactor.htm])

== Links ==

* [http://www.prodatron.net/ Prodatron's home page]
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-prodatron.html Interview with Prodatron by NoRecess]

[[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]] [[Category:CPC scene members]] [[Category:SymbOS]]

Paul Kooistra

2020-04-14T18:22:01Z

Nich: Added several games to list of releases

[[Paul Kooistra]] (AKA Axelay)

== Releases ==

=== Games ===

* [[Star Sabre]] (2007) ‒ an impressive horizontally scrolling [[Shoot them Up|shoot-'em-up]] that was rated 88% in issue 51 of [[Retro Gamer|''Retro Gamer'']] magazine
* [[Star Sabre |Star Sabre 128K]] (2009) ‒ an extended version of the same game using 128KB of RAM
* [[Dead on Time]] (2010) ‒ another completely different multi-directional shoot-'em-up, with a heavy emphasis on the High-Score burst, that was rated 93% in issue 77 of ''Retro Gamer'' and was also awarded a Retro Gamer Sizzler
* [[Sub Hunter]] (2011) ‒ a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up featuring parallax scrolling that was rated 90% in issue 89 of ''Retro Gamer'' and was also awarded a Retro Gamer Sizzler
* [[Edge Grinder]] (2011) ‒ a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up; an enhanced version was released in 2012 as [[Super Edge Grinder]]
* [[Relentless]] (2013) ‒ a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up that was the winner of the [[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]] hosted by CPCWiki
* [[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]] (2015) ‒ an unofficial sequel to Odiesoft's [[Megablasters]] that was rated 87% in issue 140 of ''Retro Gamer''
* [[Dragon Attack]] (2016) ‒ a ‘bullet hell’ shoot-'em-up that was an entrant in the 2016 [[CPCRetroDev Game Creation Contest|#CPCRetroDev Game Creation Contest]] and was ranked 4th place out of 34 entries

Those games are renowned for their smooth and fast animation and high level of difficulty, yet are considered some of the best shoot-'em-ups available for the Amstrad CPC.

== Associates ==

Known for additional contributions to his games are:

*[[Supersly]] (AKA Sylvestre/Les Sucres en Morceaux).
*[[Targhan]]

== Links ==


* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-axelay.html Interview with Axelay by NoRecess]

[[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]] [[Category:CPC scene members]] [[Category:Stub]]

Axelay

2020-04-14T18:10:13Z

Nich: Created redirect to entry for Paul Kooistra

#REDIRECT [[Paul Kooistra]]

Odiesoft

2020-04-14T18:08:42Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview and made some minor adjustments to article

[[Image:Odiesoft.jpg|thumb|Odiesoft in the 90ies]]
[[Image:Odiesoft-cpcwelcome2005.jpg|thumb|Odiesoft on the CPC Welcome 2005 party]]

'''Odiesoft''' (Georg Odenthal) from Aalen, Germany, was a very active and creative member of the german CPC scene. For a very long time, the only CPC-Girl from germany was his girlfriend.. [[Hiroyuki]] - the lovely daughter of Marabu of HJT

== Releases ==

=== Demos ===


* CPC+ Desktop
* [[Castle Mini Meeting Demo|Castle Mini Meeting Demo]]
* Cebit '92 Demo
* Chessboard Zoomer
* Crittersoap Demo 3
* Defender of the Crown image
* Demo 1
* Elmar Lamer
* Fantasy Warrior Animation
* Farting Worm
* Flying Ghostwriter
* Fractal Mountain
* GOS Party 4 Intro
* [[Heat Demo|Heat Demo]] (1996)
* Intros (as Samurai)
* Iron Maiden and Samurai Intro
* Jumping Text
* Lamer picture
* Mars Intro
* Megademo Intro
* Mini Meeting
* Nebulus Demo
* Orgasmic Park Picture
* Original Flag Demo
* Original Texture Mapping
* Overscan Slideshow
* Plasma Demo
* Polygon
* Roger Rabbit Picture
* Rotating Ball Demo
* Shadows
* [[Xmas_1992_Party|Shining Party]] Demo
* Skull Intro
* Slideshow
* Slideshow #2
* Small Effects
* Snow
* Terminator Scroll
* [[Texture Mapping Plus|Texture Mapping Plus]] (1996)
* The End
* The Flag Demo
* Tunnel demo
* Twistscroll
* Vector Graphics Demo
* Wishing Well
* Wishing Well Construction Kit

=== Games ===


* Alternate Winter Games
* Arlesberg
* Blackwyche clone
* Cannon Fodder Clone
* Chaotris
* Cop game
* Deadris
* Ghosthunters
* Gryzor clone
* Helicopter game
* I, Ball clone
* Last Mission
* Lucasfilm type adventure
* [[Megablasters]] [http://www.odiesoft.de/amstrad/megablasters/intro/intro.html]
* Parallax scrolling
* R-Type clone
* Reactor
* Rigor Mortis
* Role Playing Game
* Space Warrior
* Super Lode Runner
* The Caves of Horwar
* The enchanted forest
* Westbank

== Groups ==

* [[HJT]]

== Links ==

* [http://www.odiesoft.de Odiesoft's homepage]
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-odiesoft.html Interview with Odiesoft by NoRecess]

[[Category:Active CPC Game Developers]] [[Category:CPC scene members]]

Paul Kooistra

2020-04-14T18:04:39Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview, hid dead link to personal web site, and added ratings by Retro Gamer to games

EGS

2020-04-14T17:53:56Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview and added Space Taxi and Turbocruncher to list of releases

[[Image:egs.jpg|thumb|Elmar Krieger in 2001 (very traditional with Almdudler)]]
'''Elmsoft Game Service''' or EGS (Elmar Krieger) is from Austria. He programmed several demos and a few games for the Amstrad CPC and Nintendo Game Boy for [[Titus Software]], and he also published some technical articles in [[CPC Amstrad International]] and [[Rundschlag]] fanzine.

Lifelong e-mail address is elmar(a)yasara.org.

== Groups ==

* [[GCS]]

== Releases ==

=== Demos ===

* [[Amiga Demo#4|Amiga Demo #4]] (1990)
* [[Magic Demo#2|Magic Demo #2]]
* [[Space Demo#1|Space Demo #1]] (1989)
* [[TwinBlast Demo|TwinBlast Demo]]
* [[Chain demo|Chain demo]]
* [[Zap'T'Balls_Intro|Zap'T'Balls Intro]]

=== Games ===

* [[Cyborgs]]
* [[Prehistorik 2]]
* [[Space Taxi]]
* [[Super Cauldron]]
* [[Zap't'Balls]]

=== Utilities ===

* [[Turbocruncher]] ‒ published as a listing in [[CPC Amstrad International, 1992, Issue 8|issue 8/9'92]] of [[CPC Amstrad International]], and on the [[Databox|DATABOX]] cassette/disc for that issue

== Links ==

* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-elmsoft.html Interview with Elmar Krieger by NoRecess]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Longshot

2020-04-14T17:42:33Z

Nich: Added link to NoRecess' interview and made some minor adjustments to article

[[Image:Longshot1996.jpg|thumb|Longshot 1996]]

'''Longshot''' was a demo coder, founder and leader of the famous [[Logon System]] demo group. A pseudonym for Serge Querné, he was initially based in southern France but later moved to Paris.

== Biography ==

Initially going under the pseudonym 'Logon 1' (the name Logon he explained in a scrolltext as "a Belgian idea"), he released a series of single-part demos, each of them showcasing a new technique he had learned ‒ or, in many cases, discovered. These included raster bars, overscan, and split modes in the earliest productions. The first demo was coded while he was working at [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubisoft Ubi Soft]'s "castle" headquarters. Though some of these demos seem fairly simple in retrospect, at the time, Serge's demo-coding skill was only equalled by perhaps [[Fefesse]] and [[NWC]].

A stepchange came with the [[Longshot Demo]], the first in which he adopted his new pseudonym. This included hardware splitting and combined more effects on screen at once. [[Revolog]] (or Revolution) followed in a similar vein but was a level more accomplished again. At the same time, Longshot participated in the [[Amazing Demo]] with [[Naminu]] and [[P007]] of [[Malibu Crackers]].

[[Naminu]] would soon become one of the members of the new, expanded [[Logon System]]. The "supergroup"'s first release was the stunning [[The Demo]], where Longshot contributed three parts but, perhaps more significantly, oversaw the polished, coherent design that was unlike any CPC megademo previously released.

The [[Euromeeting Demo]] would turn out to be his last demo release, but a further innovation was the [[B-ASIC]] utility which enabled Plus programmers to use the new features of their machines from BASIC. Longshot went on to the PC in turn, but has recently participated in French CPC forums such as [http://phenixinformatique.free.fr/ Phenix Informatique] once again. His [http://www.logonsystem.fr/ homepage] contains screenshots from the Logon era, a brief history, and downloads of his personal disc collection.

Though most respected for his coding skills and innovations, Serge's main achievement was perhaps the creation and fostering of the Logon System supergroup, the like of which has not been seen since.

Longshot has written technical articles in some columns of the French magazine [[Amstrad Cent Pour Cent]].

== Demos ==

* [[Logon Demo 1]]
* [[Logon Demo 2]]
* [[Logon Demo 3]]
* [[Logon Demo 5]]
* [[Longshot Demo]]
* [[Revolog]]
* [[Amazing Demo]]
* [[The Demo]]
* [[Euromeeting Demo]]

== Other productions ==

* [[Atlantis]]
* [[B-ASIC]]
* [[AntiMultiface]]
* [[MagicDOS]]

== Groups ==

* [[Logon System]]

== Links ==

* [http://www.logonsystem.fr/ Longshot's homepage]
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-longshot.html Interview with Longshot by NoRecess]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Face Hugger

2020-04-14T17:37:10Z

Nich: Added Button-Designer to list of releases and updated link to NoRecess' interview

[[Image:FaceHugger.jpg|thumb|Face Hugger at the [[CPC Reunion 2009]]]]

'''Face Hugger''' (Andreas Stroiczek) is a German coder. He also composed and converted some [[Soundtrakker]] tunes.

== Releases ==

=== Games ===

* [[Crystal Mission]]
* [[Power Tetris]]
* [[The Space Duel]]
* Worm Slickers ‒ published as a listing in [[PC Amstrad International, 1991, Issue 8|issue 8/9'91]] of [[CPC Schneider International|PC Amstrad International]], and on the [[Databox|DATABOX]] cassette/disc for that issue
* [[Xcontra]]

=== Demos ===

* [[Amiga Pictures - Volume II]]
* [[Ultimate Megademo]] (1992)
* [[Face Hugger Swinging Snakes Demo]]
* [[Face Hugger Spiral Demo]]

=== Utilities ===

* Button-Designer ‒ published as a listing in [[PC Amstrad International, 1990, Issue 6|issue 6/7'90]] of [[PC Amstrad International]], and on the [[Databox|DATABOX]] cassette/disc for that issue
* [[!CPCemu]] (CPC emulator for Acorn RISC OS)
* [[DosCopy]]
* The Drumming CPC ‒ published as a listing in [[CPC Amstrad International, 1992, Issue 4|issue 4/5'92]] of [[CPC Schneider International|CPC Amstrad International]], and on the [[Databox|DATABOX]] cassette/disc for that issue
* [[IFFCon]]
* [[Sound Tracker]] ‒ music composing program published in [[CPC Amstrad International]].

== Groups ==

* [[MOPS]]

== Links ==

* [http://www.huggers-world.de/ Andreas Stroiczek's home page]
* [http://norecess.cpcscene.net/interview-face-hugger.html Interview with Face Hugger by NoRecess]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Retro Gamer

2019-12-26T20:39:46Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Pinball Dreams to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[BEARS!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|-
|''[[Pinball Dreams]]''||201||106||96%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Retro Gamer

2019-03-24T11:44:12Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Phantomas 2.0 to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[BEARS!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Phantomas 2.0]]''||192||104||88%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

ConvImgCPC

2018-12-10T19:57:34Z

Nich: Fixed broken download link, added some internal links, and italicised mentions of ConvImgCpc

[[Image:Convimgcpc.gif|thumb|ConvImgCpc]]

'''''ConvImgCpc''''' is a small program developed by [[Demoniak]]; it allows the conversion of PC images to the CPC.

It will read images in BMP, GIF, JPEG format and of course SCR (the format of [[The Advanced OCP Art Studio|OCP ART STUDIO]] pictures).

For SCR the files must have an [[AMSDOS]] header.

Once the image is read, it is possible to carry out some adjustments on:
* the position of the image,
* the size of the image,
* the intensity of each component R, G, B (useful for adjusting brightness of image).

Then the conversion can be made in the three screen modes of the CPC :
* MODE 0: 160 × 200 points with 16 possible colors from 27,
* MODE 1: 320 × 200 points with 4 possible colors from 27,
* MODE 2: 640 × 200 points with 2 possible colors from 27.
* MODE 3: a special mode which let you use more than 4 colors in 320 × 200 points.

Several modes of dithering are possible for "recreating" the missing colors.

The colors calculated by the program can be modified manually and "locked", i.e. that they will not be modified by the program during a conversion.

''ConvImgCpc'' has an option to use the 4096 colors of the [[Plus]] range of machines.

It is also possible to use non standard resolution (up to 736 × 272 points in MODE 2).

You can edit the picture generated inside ''ConvImgCpc''.

The image is saved to SCR format for standard formats, and when you save you can choose if the file is compressed or not.
The colors can also be saved to a separate PAL file.

The software also makes it possible to read the palette from another file.

You can save your calculated image under an assembler source file (filled with DEFBs) so that you can include it into your programs.

''ConvImgCpc'' can be downloaded from [http://demoniak-contrib.forumactif.com/t9p50-convimgcpc Demoniak's web site]. The most recent version as of December 2018 is 0.16.

== Similar tools ==

* [[gfx2crtc]] portable tool intended for automated builds

[[Category:Emulation Tools]]

Retro Gamer

2018-11-06T20:24:39Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added The World War Simulator: Part II and The Dawn of Kernel to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[BEARS!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|-
|''[[The World War Simulator: Part II]]''||185||106||70%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[The Dawn of Kernel]]''||187||104||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

Retro Gamer

2018-08-11T09:29:50Z

Nich: /* List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in Retro Gamer */ Added Galactic Tomb to list

'''''Retro Gamer''''' is a magazine which as of 2017 is printed and published in the UK by [http://www.futureplc.com/ Future plc]. It is almost exclusively dedicated to re-visiting the halcyon days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming (with the odd splash of 32-bit to provide controversy!)

Each issue (priced at £4.99 as of 2017) features a range of articles with a wide reaching brief to entice as many readers in as possible, and as a result the [[CPC]] and some of its games have been featured a number of times (although not as much as most of us would like - such is the nature of personal prejudice!)

== List of Amstrad CPC games reviewed in ''Retro Gamer'' ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"
!Name!!Issue!!Page!!Rating!!Comments
|-
|''[[The Smirking Horror]]''||10||15||65%||
|-
|''[[Columns CPC]]''||10||16||75%||
|-
|''[[Yarkon Blues]]''||12||15||75%||
|-
|''[[Iron Sphere]]''||18||79||7/10||
|-
|''[[Groops!]]''||40||16||86%||
|-
|''[[Magical Drop CPC]]''||48||97||62%||
|-
|''[[Star Sabre]]''||51||96||88%||
|-
|''[[Mariano the Dragon in Capers in Cityland]]''||53||96||78%||[[ZX Spectrum]] version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[3D Deathchase]]''||54||96||82%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku]]''||57||100||89%||ZX Spectrum version was also reviewed
|-
|''[[Frogger]]''||59||103||89%||
|-
|''[[Sort'em]]''||61||105||71%||
|-
|''[[BeTiled!]]''||63||99||88%||
|-
|''[[Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle]]''||66||99||82%||
|-
|''[[Sewer Rat]]''||68||99||51%||
|-
|''[[Sudoku Master]]''||69||99||81%||
|-
|''[[Robotron: 6128]]''||71||99||63%||
|-
|''[[Rick Dangerous 128+]]''||74||99||85%||
|-
|''[[Dead on Time]]''||77||98||93%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Orion Prime]]''||83||98||92%||
|-
|''[[Cheril of the Bosque]]''||84||101||83%||
|-
|''[[Uwol 2]]''||88||101||62%||
|-
|''[[Sub Hunter]]''||89||100||90%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[Hora Bruja]]''||91||101||67%||
|-
|''[[BB4CPC]]''||100||104||87%||
|-
|''[[R-Type]]'' (Easter Egg remake)||104||103||94%||Originally rated 82% in issue 101, page 100; rating in issue 104 is for updated release with bug fixes
|-
|''[[Imaginario Colectivo]]''||108||103||59%||
|-
|''[[Totems]]''||111||105||86%||
|-
|''[[Knights and Demons]]''||115||104||84%||ZX Spectrum and [[MSX]] versions were also reviewed
|-
|''[[Invasion of the Zombie Monsters]]''||116||105||83%||
|-
|''[[Amstrad CPC 16KBs ROM Game Development Competition 2013]]''||120||104||81%||''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Cyber_Huhn|Cyber Huhn]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Overkoban|Overkoban]]'', ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Relentless|Relentless]]'' and ''[[Amstrad_CPC_16KBs_ROM_Game_Development_Competition_2013#Subtera_Puzlo|Subtera Puzlo]]'' reviewed
|-
|''[[Lab Escape]]''||121||105||70%||
|-
|''[[La Guerra de Gamber]]''||127||105||70%||
|-
|''[[The Prisoner]]''||137||104||Not rated||
|-
|''[[Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Clouds]]''||140||107||87%||
|-
|''[[A Prelude to Chaos]]''||156||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Jewel Warehouse]]''||157||107||7/10||
|-
|''[[Space Invaders Arcade Emulator]]''||158||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Defence]]''||161||106||8/10||
|-
|''[[Golden Tail]]''||161||107||8/10||
|-
|''[[Magica]]''||163||107||80%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 1: Invasion!]]''||165||106||85%||
|-
|''[[El Tesoro Perdido de Cuauhtemoc]]''||170||109||92%||Awarded a ''Retro Gamer'' Sizzler
|-
|''[[BEARS!]]''||176||109||81%||
|-
|''[[Chibi Akuma(s) Episode 2: Confrontation!]]''||177||109||88%||
|-
|''[[Galactic Tomb]]''||183||108||83%||
|}

== Links ==

* [http://www.retrogamer.net/ Official web site]

[[Category:Magazines]]

The Graphic Adventure Creator

2018-04-21T20:00:41Z

Nich: /* Links */ Added links to interview with Sean Ellis and his own web site

'''The Graphic Adventure Creator''' (often shortened to ''GAC'') was a game creation system/programming language for adventure games published by [[Incentive Software]].

Its main advance over the already well established ''[[The Quill]]'' was a clever graphics editor, one of very few vector graphics editors for the CPC.

This enabled pictures to be drawn using a minimal amount of memory.

In the heyday of the CPC, few major-label commercial games were produced using ''GAC'' (probably fewer than with ''The Quill''), but it had a vast following in the homebrew and public domain scenes - despite a comparatively high retail price of £24.95 in the UK.

''GAC'' was also notorious for its [[Lenslok]] protection system, which mercifully was removed before the utility appeared on a covertape included with the January 1992 issue (#76) of ''[[Amstrad Action]]''.

''[[Amstrad Action]]'' launched a competition to produce an adventure and have it featured on a later covertape.

The covertape didn't include two standalone adventures which accompanied ''GAC'' in it's original package when released.

== Covers ==

<gallery caption="The Graphic Adventure Creator (GAC)">

Image:2000px_GAC Back Cover.jpg|Back Cover
Image:2000px_GAC Front Cover.jpg|Front Cover

</gallery>

== Disc ==

<gallery caption="The Graphic Adventure Creator (GAC)">

Image:GAC Disc.jpg|The Program

</gallery>

== Tape ==

<gallery caption="The Graphic Adventure Creator (GAC)">

Image:GAC Tape side B.jpg|GAC Tape side B
Image:GAC Tape side A.jpg|GAC Tape side A

</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[List of games created using The Graphic Adventure Creator]]

== Manual ==

* [[Media:Graphic Adventure Creator (GAC) Manual.pdf|Graphic Adventure Creator (GAC) (Incentive Software) Manual]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}

== Advertisement ==

[[image:AmstradComputerUser14-0186 page 0091.jpg|thumb|none]]

== Links ==

* {{CPCPower|4943}}
* [http://www.genesis8bit.fr/archives/index.php?news_id=924 How to make a game with the Graphic Adventure Creator]
* [https://dspace.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/handle/1880/51523/2016-1086-05.pdf Interview with Sean Ellis about the development of ''Graphic Adventure Creator'']
* [http://moteprime.org/article.php?id=62 Scanned notes and disassembly of ''Graphic Adventure Creator'' on Sean Ellis' personal web site]

[[Category:Applications]] [[Category:Manual]]

WYZTracker

2018-02-18T18:23:46Z

Nich: Modified links to home page and downloads and removed <br> tags and 'Additional notes' section

== About ==

NOTE: These instructions are outdated. You can find a more up-to-date version at [https://github.com/AugustoRuiz/WYZTracker the WYZTracker GitHub repository].

Crossplatform tool written in .NET 2.0 for [[PSG|AY]] music creation by AugustoRuiz, former [[ComputerEmuzone|ComputerEmuzone]] Games Studio member, and now part of [[Retroworks]]. The music files can be played with Artaburu's [[CPCRSlib]] for [[Z88DK|Z88DK]].

'''''WYZTracker''''' is a pattern-based music editor, being a pattern a sequence of notes and effects. Patterns can have any length (a song can have patterns with different lengths too).

== Usage Instructions ==

To add a pattern, click the "Añadir Patrón" button (looks like a sheet with a + symbol). A new pattern will appear in the pattern list that is located at the left of the tracker.

To delete a pattern, click the "Eliminar Patrón" button (like a sheet with a minus).

To clone a pattern, click the "Clonar Patrón" button (like two sheets together).

To edit notes, click on the pattern viewer (the black and green part of the screen). You can move the current selected note clicking with the mouse or using the arrow keys and Next/Prev Page.

The keyboard acts as some sort of "Virtual Keyboard", where the Z letter is the C note of the current "Base Octave" selected (which is visible on the top of the screen as "Octava Base"). The S key will be C#, the X key is D, the D key is D#, the C key is E... Also, the Q key is the C note of (Base Octave + 1) octave.

If the selection is in the FX channel, all keys work the same way, putting the current FX into the selected note.

Also, you can configure if inserting a note makes the cursor go forward (and how many rows) using the "Incremento Automático" option at the Toolbar. You can use the 0 value to make the cursor stay where it is after inserting a note. Using F4/F5 you can change this value also.

To change the base octave you can use the "Octava Base" combobox, or use F2/F3.

== Instrument and FX edition ==

To edit and create instruments and FX, you must use the upper right controls.

An instrument is a set of volumes (shown as green bars). Loops can be created easily (in spanish it's "Bucles"). To edit them, just left click in the grid shown in the Instrument Editor.<br>Clicking with the right mouse button you can select whether the instrument current position will also change the current octave (up or down).

The Sawtooth instrument cannot be edited. It's used mainly for bass lines, using the AY envelopes.

FX are a little more complex than instruments. For each FX position, three values can be defined: Volume (green bars), noise frequency (red bars) and note frequency (yellow bars).

== Other features ==

*Import/Export instruments and FX (see the toolbar below the instrument/FX selector),
*Export to MUS files (which are used by WYZ replayer) - this option will also generate an ASM file with the instrument/FX definitions.

== Downloads ==

You can download the latest version at [https://github.com/AugustoRuiz/WYZTracker the WYZTracker GitHub repository].

[[Category:Applications]] [[Category:Music and sound]][[Category:CrossDev]]