The Story of Amstrad CPC in Pixels...

[arnoldemu]

I believe Stefan worked at Odin. He did some work on the Spartacus game that was never released.

I think I also met him when I was working at Eurocom.

[Munchausen]

Wrong. Totally wrong.


There are programs that will not work on a CPC 464 because it lacks the updated AMSDOS/Locomotive BASIC/whatever that the 6128 has. There are also programs that won't work on a 464 even if you switch out its cpu for a 6128. I know this because I have one sitting right next to me right now.

You can use an expansion to upgrade the 464 basic etc too. Either a standard ROM expansion + Bryce's LowerROM, or just an X-MEM.

[ivarf]

He converted the code from 6502 to z80, line to line and in moments of doubt he had the input of the original designer

Now i understand better why Pirates is one of the best CPC games and even beat to the original C64 version.

If that description is correct, then I assume that if the game had been written by someone like Sid Meier from scratch on the CPC it would have been even better.

[SyX]

If that description is correct, then I assume that if the game had been written by someone like Sid Meier from scratch on the CPC it would have been even better.

Maybe i don't explain well, english is now my third language, hehehe.

I sincerely doubt that Sid could do a better work than Stefan in the CPC version, he never touched the z80 and because that and because he was involved in his next project (Red Storm Rising, if i remember well), he made the best thing he could think, brought to the Microprose headquarters a Z80 expert, Stefan; gave his sources of the C64 version; and was there for clarifying any doubt that it could rise during the project.

For me the most amazing thing and something that i need to ask Stefan, it's why all that effort for a CPC version? A machine unknown for the USA guys,  it's the only Z80 Pirates version (no speccy version) and having a guy working a full year in it. Why did they take that risk? And of course, thanks for taking that risk... and do you have the sources? xDDDD

[dcdrac]

I am still amazed when I see Starstrike 2 that was an amazing game

[TFM]

And Starfox. as impressive!!!

[Nich]

For me the most amazing thing and something that i need to ask Stefan, it's why all that effort for a CPC version? A machine unknown for the USA guys,  it's the only Z80 Pirates version (no speccy version) and having a guy working a full year in it. Why did they take that risk? And of course, thanks for taking that risk... and do you have the sources? xDDDD

You could ask Stefan about Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer as well. That game also originated in the USA, and as it's a flight simulator (and a pretty impressive looking one at that), I'm sure that converting it to the CPC would not be an easy task either - and I'm sure flight simulators wouldn't have sold in large quantities back then.

[TFM]

Gunship did.

[SyX]

You could ask Stefan about Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer as well. That game also originated in the USA, and as it's a flight simulator (and a pretty impressive looking one at that), I'm sure that converting it to the CPC would not be an easy task either - and I'm sure flight simulators wouldn't have sold in large quantities back then.

Yes, he spoken me very proud about Chuck too, but i was sincere with him and told him that i never had the patience to play a flight simulator. Although i have put a Chris in the track of Stefan and maybe he can interview him for the book, too

[dcdrac]

I had that Chuck yeagers game I was awed and Activisons Fighter Bomber the solid 3D graphics

http://www.retroshowcase.gr/index.php?id=AmstradCPC&p=games&gameid=68&model=AmstradCPC

[Zoe Robinson]

Did plans for this book fall through or will it still be going ahead? I see the Spectrum got 3 books and there's a Kickstarter for the C64 but it I don't see much activity on a CPC book.

[Gryzor]

Second that...

[dcdrac]

Yes, he spoken me very proud about Chuck too, but i was sincere with him and told him that i never had the patience to play a flight simulator. Although i have put a Chris in the track of Stefan and maybe he can interview him for the book, too

I am sure I had a CPC version of Chuck yeagers. Flight Simulator

[Dubliner]

Did plans for this book fall through or will it still be going ahead? I see the Spectrum got 3 books and there's a Kickstarter for the C64 but it I don't see much activity on a CPC book.

A few days ago Chris said in Facebook that he is working on an Oliver Twins book, so my guess is this is in standby (if not cancelled).

[dcdrac]

I definitely had this on disk and it was hard

http://www.genesis8bit.fr/amstrad/game-rom/amstrad-game.php?prog_id=983