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Hello, I'm presenting my Amstrad CPC online games service. Based on my WiFi board.

HELP WANTED: IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE GAME LIBRARY, just provide me with a binary file of the game (without AMSDOS headers), the loading and execution address, and a thumbnail image of 32 x 48 mode 0 pixels. It would be greatly appreciated. IMPORTANT: No crack loaders or cheat screens, just the plain original game.

I'm attaching a list of the games I would like to include in the library in the first slice.

The collection keeps growing. Thanks to the people who contacted me to collaborate. To encourage collaborators, I'll give:

- Early access to whom adds at least 1 game
- Free SPI+WiFi card to whom adds 5 or more games, limited to 4 units by now (I don't have more). Shipping not included

I'll remember the requisites:

- Each game can have one or several binaries, all with an address to load to, i.e.: Aliens loads the game at &0040 and preloads the UI at &C000, they can be two separate files.
- An entry point address must be provided, the address where the game is executed.
- No loading screens, intros or cheat screens must be included, just the game.
- No binaries taken from snapshots, because they miss the initialisation code and don't represent the initial state of the game

Greetings!
Abalore

what's the format of the thumbnail and how do you deal with different palettes?

what games do you already have?

Quote from: abalore on 17:07, 10 March 24I'll remember the requisites:

- No loading screens, intros or cheat screens must be included, just the game.

What if the loading screen and the game could be compressed into a single binary file? The loading screen is displayed for a few seconds and then the game is decompressed and executed. Is this not feasible?

Quote from: Nich on 18:14, 10 March 24

Quote from: abalore on 17:07, 10 March 24I'll remember the requisites:

- No loading screens, intros or cheat screens must be included, just the game.

What if the loading screen and the game could be compressed into a single binary file? The loading screen is displayed for a few seconds and then the game is decompressed and executed. Is this not feasible?

Hello, the reason to not do that is because I will show the loading screen in another way, directly in the Amsteam browser before launching the game. There are a number of reasons for that, like having an area in the site to just watch loading screens, and be able to place small menus on top of the screens, for instance to choose part 1 or 2, and that kind of stuff

Quote from: eto on 17:13, 10 March 24what's the format of the thumbnail and how do you deal with different palettes?

what games do you already have?

Hello, I have the games shown in the last picture I sent only.

The thumbnail format is now, after some restyling, 11x7 mode 1 characters, this is 44x56 mode 0 pixels.

Thumbnail is provided in a PNG, in either double or single width pixels, it's the same for me.

The palettes are all automatically adapted to a standard one, exactly the palette from Alcon2020 :D, but that's ok, colors may vary a bit but enough good for a thumbnail.

Also, mode 1 thumbnails will be lineary interpolated instead of stretched like in the previous post. After doing several tests, I think it's better.

That seems a great project! Any chance it would work with other wifi enabled carts? (such as m4)

Quote from: dodogildo on 19:55, 10 March 24That seems a great project! Any chance it would work with other wifi enabled carts? (such as m4)

Hello, that's a very good question. Without knowing 100% the API of the other hardware, I think it is doable to access the service if someone creates the required browser, in either a ROM firmware or a normal app. It's not in my plans to do it for other hardware than my own card, but I can provide the required information to any serious developer that wants to get involved.

There are several reasons to not do it myself for other cards, mainly the lack of time, and secondly to avoid being flooded with problems about hardware that I don't know well. I can give a support for the SPI + Wifi + Amsteam package, because it's all of my own.

@eto provided the following games, so the first SPI + WiFi card is granted

Chuckie Egg
Space Harrier
1942
Antiriad
Druid
GhostsnGoblins
Light Force
Impossible Mission
Airwolf 2
Bmx Simulator
Gothik
Motos 
Feud 
Solomons Key
head over Heals
XOR 
Zynaps

@eto is on fire !!! :o :o :o

Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 10:39, 11 March 24@eto is on fire !!! :o :o :o

just a side effect of a personal project where I did exactly what is now needed by Abalore ;-)

Make a Cartridge based version for the GX4000 and Plus systems and you WILL sell a massive amount of those WIFI enabled carts.

Quote from: overange on 11:14, 11 March 24Make a Cartridge based version for the GX4000 and Plus systems and you WILL sell a massive amount of those WIFI enabled carts.

It is in fact, Amsteam works along with Play2CPC to either run cartridge games in VROM or to save to rewritable cartridges. So a user with SPI+Wifi and Play2CPC can write cartridges from Internet to play on GX4000, or play directly without saving in Plus or normal CPC. So PLay2CPC board is required to access the 512K games catalog :D

@trocoloco contributed with another lot of games, second card granted

Prohibition
Donkey Kong
Exolon
Cosmic Sheriff
La diosa de Cozumel
Capitan Sevilla
Carvalho
Cauldron
Cauldron II
Chichen Itza
Chuckie Egg
Space Harrier
1942

And others under review now

That's a great project and very useful! And it is loading so fast! :o
I wonder if the binaries and thumbnails/infos are just stored on an HTTP server, or is the server side something special?
Are there any limitations for the binaries which memory areas they are occupying during loading?

Quote from: Prodatron on 11:40, 11 March 24That's a great project and very useful! And it is loading so fast! :o
I wonder if the binaries and thumbnails/infos are just stored on an HTTP server, or is the server side something special?
Are there any limitations for the binaries which memory areas they are occupying during loading?

About the server: it's a custom app, done in C#, using an also self-made network library. It behaves like a highly downgraded HTTP server allowing text, images, text input and line drawing. Most of the formatting is done by just sending Amstrad CPC control codes.

About the memory limitations: The Amsteam browser runs in ROM and uses a very small amount of RAM located in the stack area (&BF80), just to store the loading address, the execution address and a very small relocated loader, so it's unlikely it will interfere with any game loading. I'm also studying the possibility of using zero RAM by storing data in the WiFi module unused fields.

It took me a while to understand that this is accessed from the CPC and you need a Wi-Fi card.

How can you buy one of those Wi-Fi cards and how much do they cost, by the way?

So the success of this project would be based on the number of your own wi-fi cards sold (or gifted)?
That's quite a bottleneck. 
::)

Quote from: dodogildo on 19:10, 11 March 24the success of this project

This project is a success already, because for me the success is to do it.

The collection is growing quickly!

Quote from: abalore on 19:18, 11 March 24This project is a success already, because for me the success is to do it.

That is true! This project is fantastic!
I still wonder if you will do a documentation how to download the index and thumbnails and then the binary files. Or you will sell the network card in a big way, but as you don't like this, I wonder if another one could produce it?

Quote from: Prodatron on 21:58, 11 March 24

Quote from: abalore on 19:18, 11 March 24This project is a success already, because for me the success is to do it.

That is true! This project is fantastic!
I still wonder if you will do a documentation how to download the index and thumbnails and then the binary files. Or you will sell the network card in a big way, but as you don't like this, I wonder if another one could produce it?

The wifi module still needs some refinement, for some reason it refuses to connect to some access points but work perfectly with others. When I manage to make it work with everything I'll think about the next step. In fact it works, but just don't receive the DHCP address, so you can still use it with fixed address. But that's ugly.

Looks a nice project! :)

I am interested in a few details. 

First, the exactly definition of your game format, because I have a clean cracks hard disk installer project, similar to amiga whdload; and I can create a tool for converting games between my format and yours. 

In my case, in my game configuration file, I have included a section for patches and trainers, they are applied after the game is loaded. Because a lot of cpc software is plagued with bugs or because I am patching them to use the controls that you define in the configuration (playing Antiriad with keys or Renegade with three fire buttons joystick) or for saving hiscores, ...

Aside of that, how are you handling multiload games in your system? I imagine through the ROM, you have some CALLs for making those extra loads. As you can see, I am more interesting in your ROM API for compatibility than in your communication protocol.

And of course, is it going to be possible to download your game library? Because there is not a repository with clean cracks and it would be nice that this work can be used for the community. People could want to have a local server with his favorite game selection or simply install those in mass storage devices or ...

I think that is all for now :)

Hello, I'll try to clarify your questions one by one.

First, the exactly definition of your game format, because I have a clean cracks hard disk installer project, similar to amiga whdload; and I can create a tool for converting games between my format and yours.

 Game                                      ; The whole game
        Title                                ; Title
        Title2                                ; Title second line for titles greater than 11 characters (because of browser layout)
        Developer                          ; Developer name
        Thumbnail                          ; Binary data to show the thumbnail
        Loading screen                   ; Binary data to show the loading screen before playing the game (not yet in the browser)
        Part                                   ; Because a game can have several parts, like Game Over, Army Moves, etc
              DataBlocks                   ; A list of datablocks to be loaded into RAM, i.e.: some games preload the UI in &C000
                      Data                    ; Binary data for each data block
                      Loading Address   ; For each data block
                                                 ; (Sometimes I add a custom extra datablock for setting inks, mode, etc, in games that require it)
              Execution address         ; Entry point for running the game, called with all ROMs disabled
              Patches                        ; A list of patches to apply before executing
                      Patch bytes
                      Patch address
              
In my case, in my game configuration file, I have included a section for patches and trainers, they are applied after the game is loaded. Because a lot of cpc software is plagued with bugs or because I am patching them to use the controls that you define in the configuration (playing Antiriad with keys or Renegade with three fire buttons joystick) or for saving hiscores, ...

As you can see, I have also the ability to apply patches before executing, i.e.: to fix Demon's Revenge bugs
But I'm not ok with offering trainers or cheats. At least not in Amsteam, probably in future I'll add a hook to make online hiscore tables.


Aside of that, how are you handling multiload games in your system?

I convert the DSK into CPR and run as cartridge (requires Play2CPC board or other way to emulate a cartridge, maybe a M4 can do it). First, I considered other options, like a DLC system, patched AMSDOS for remote filesystem, but discarded all of them, the DSK to CPR conversion is easy, fast and proven. Of course, also genuine cartridge games, like Alcon 2020, can be loaded and run.

I'm also considering to add my code from M4FE to the client to be able to write physical disc from remote DSK. But it's controversial stuff, because the point of the whole system is to run games online instantly getting rid of physical support, and also keep the system simple and reliable for the users.

And of course, is it going to be possible to download your game library? Because there is not a repository with clean cracks and it would be nice that this work can be used for the community. People could want to have a local server with his favorite game selection or simply install those in mass storage devices or ...

I don't have an endpoint for downloading the game binaries or metadata, because the requests are not from client to server, but viceversa. The CPC client is dumb and only sends U, R, L, D, OK and BACK, because I want to mimic the interface from TV streaming services based in remote control. In theory it's possible to do an application in a PC to download the games, but without a visual interface to see the game you have selected it is a shot in the dark.

If you agree we can share a Google Sheets document or similar, with all the metadata and links to Google Drive files. It would be good to share the same format, I can easily adapt my code since it's still in development.

Final words: I would like Amsteam to be a public service for all Amstrad users, always updated, good UX, all the content tested. A problem I found in massive storage devices is that you need to continuously update them to have the latest, the online service will get rid of that. Local storage systems are also unreliable, since not all games work on them. And they are not very user friendly, I did my best to create M4FE to do the M4 experience better, but still think the online service and getting rid of physical supports is the trend in XXI century :D

That's all, good luck with your project.

Hey guys... I still don't get how are Amstrad users going to... use this. Will they be building Wi-Fi cards? Buying them? Emulation? Thanks in advance.

Quote from: cwpab on 14:14, 12 March 24Hey guys... I still don't get how are Amstrad users going to... use this. Will they be building Wi-Fi cards? Buying them? Emulation? Thanks in advance.

That's the million dollar question.

Current plan is to build the boards myself. And I'm open for someone to create drivers for M4, Usifac or whatever, providing the required technical details. I don't have any of these devices at this moment. Donations accepted @Duke, @ikonsgrE

And the third Wifi+SPI board goes to...

@Nich 

for his excellent contribution to the library, including amazing thumbnails!

I'll keep the list updated in the first post to avoid repeating games.

Nearly 600 games now, wow, that is very amazing! :o

Quote from: abalore on 15:16, 12 March 24And I'm open for someone to create drivers for M4, Usifac or whatever, providing the required technical details.

Any technical details would be very useful. Maybe after having these information someone likes to start writing clients for other hardware (I am very interested as well).

Ignoring my desire for ethernet (maybe one day someone will do it).
What would be interesting is if I could self host the server and then use it to host the latest binaries that I am working on.

The idea being I push the code to source control, automatically compile it and then deploy it to the AMSTEAM server where I can access the game on a real CPC.
This way I could automate the step for getting my latest game build onto the CPC (faster dev loop with real hardware).

Quote from: awergh on 14:26, 14 March 24Ignoring my desire for ethernet (maybe one day someone will do it).
What would be interesting is if I could self host the server and then use it to host the latest binaries that I am working on.

The idea being I push the code to source control, automatically compile it and then deploy it to the AMSTEAM server where I can access the game on a real CPC.
This way I could automate the step for getting my latest game build onto the CPC (faster dev loop with real hardware).

Hello, that's a very interesting case of use. The Amsteam Firmware comes with three RSX commands:

|AT
|SETUP
|AMSTEAM

the first command is an AT protocol trainer, with it you can override any settings of the WiFi module, so while it's initially configured to connect to the Amsteam server, you can just run the following commands in the trainer:

AT+CIPCLOSE
AT+CIPSTART="TCP","yourserveraddress",yourserverport

and after that you can restart the CPC and call |AMSTEAM to open the browser interface.

You can always run the |SETUP command for settings the Amsteam default configuration if you mess something.

Apart from that, you can totally ignore the Amsteam firmware and use the board in a RAW manner. The SPI + WiFi board is actually a WiFi board, not restricted for the use with Amsteam, you can connect to whatever online service you want: Telnet, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP3... or whatever you want while you do the required software for it.

About your desire for Ethernet, the next module for the SPI card will be an Ethernet module, it's even easier to do than the WiFi.

Quote from: Prodatron on 11:18, 14 March 24Nearly 600 games now, wow, that is very amazing! :o

Quote from: abalore on 15:16, 12 March 24And I'm open for someone to create drivers for M4, Usifac or whatever, providing the required technical details.

Any technical details would be very useful. Maybe after having these information someone likes to start writing clients for other hardware (I am very interested as well).

Thanks to your post I discovered that CPCEmu emulates the M4, so I can investigate it to make a driver myself, because I don't have a working physical board. Sadly the spinpoint site seems to be down where the low level information about the card is, and I was not clever enough to keep a copy when doing the M4FE. If someone has it please post it here. @Duke if you can read me, please let me know where to access it.

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is your friend  ;D
Link (https://web.archive.org/web/20230706012526/http://www.spinpoint.org/cpc/m4info.txt)

Developer info is at the bottom of the file.

Quote from: robcfg on 15:53, 14 March 24The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is your friend  ;D
Link (https://web.archive.org/web/20230706012526/http://www.spinpoint.org/cpc/m4info.txt)

Developer info is at the bottom of the file.

Wow dude, you are a serious surfer. Thank you!

Hey @TITAN (Eric Cubizolle) ,

some games I like a lot from the Amsteam library don't have a loading screen, i.e.: Activator

would you be interested in putting your awesome talent to design loading screens for those?

of course, not for free, as the other collaborators, in exchange of one brand new SPI + Wifi card combo.

Hi abalore !

Many thanks for your interest in my little CPC screens. :)
I immerse myself in this activity when I have a little time and when the subject inspires me. :)

I create these pixel arts only for fun, therefore completely free. ;)

I'm not promising you anything, but don't hesitate to list the games for which you would like a title screen, I'll see what inspires me and, who knows, maybe something will spring up under my mouse clicks a day ! ;)

For your information, all my Amstrad CPC pixel art is available on this page: https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/PixelArt_TITAN_CPC/PixelArt_TITAN_CPC.html

All the best,

Quote from: TITAN (Eric Cubizolle) on 07:38, 15 March 24Hi abalore !

Many thanks for your interest in my little CPC screens. :)
I immerse myself in this activity when I have a little time and when the subject inspires me. :)

I create these pixel arts only for fun, therefore completely free. ;)

I'm not promising you anything, but don't hesitate to list the games for which you would like a title screen, I'll see what inspires me and, who knows, maybe something will spring up under my mouse clicks a day ! ;)

For your information, all my Amstrad CPC pixel art is available on this page: https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/PixelArt_TITAN_CPC/PixelArt_TITAN_CPC.html

All the best,

Great! If you don't mind I can already borrow your screens for Oh Mummy!, Aliens and Zorro. You have another great versions like Saboteur II and Rampage, but I prefer to use the originals when possible and only replace in case of the game doesn't have a screen or the developers clearly didn't put any effort into creating it. I'll send you a complete list as soon as possible with the hope you feel inspired by some of the games. Thank you!

First button press shows loading screen, secondary button backs to menu, second button press launch game.

I'm anything but a pixel artist, but made this loading screen, based on the tape cover, for one of my all-time favourite games: BOULDER DASH

Just made another screen for "2088"

nice... what tool(s) do you use? 

An my last screen today, Activator:

Quote from: eto on 20:01, 17 March 24nice... what tool(s) do you use?

I use only Gimp

Well, I lied, NOW is the last one today, Ballcrazy

Quote from: abalore on 15:12, 14 March 24

Quote from: awergh on 14:26, 14 March 24Ignoring my desire for ethernet (maybe one day someone will do it).
What would be interesting is if I could self host the server and then use it to host the latest binaries that I am working on.

The idea being I push the code to source control, automatically compile it and then deploy it to the AMSTEAM server where I can access the game on a real CPC.
This way I could automate the step for getting my latest game build onto the CPC (faster dev loop with real hardware).

Hello, that's a very interesting case of use. The Amsteam Firmware comes with three RSX commands:

|AT
|SETUP
|AMSTEAM

the first command is an AT protocol trainer, with it you can override any settings of the WiFi module, so while it's initially configured to connect to the Amsteam server, you can just run the following commands in the trainer:

AT+CIPCLOSE
AT+CIPSTART="TCP","yourserveraddress",yourserverport

and after that you can restart the CPC and call |AMSTEAM to open the browser interface.

You can always run the |SETUP command for settings the Amsteam default configuration if you mess something.

Apart from that, you can totally ignore the Amsteam firmware and use the board in a RAW manner. The SPI + WiFi board is actually a WiFi board, not restricted for the use with Amsteam, you can connect to whatever online service you want: Telnet, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP3... or whatever you want while you do the required software for it.

About your desire for Ethernet, the next module for the SPI card will be an Ethernet module, it's even easier to do than the WiFi.

That sounds great (especially the ethernet module). I look forward to seeing how this project progresses.
When a new or updated game is made available on the server would the CPC side be able to refresh and get the new or updated game or would there be more steps required?

Quote from: awergh on 12:02, 18 March 24

Quote from: abalore on 15:12, 14 March 24

Quote from: awergh on 14:26, 14 March 24Ignoring my desire for ethernet (maybe one day someone will do it).
What would be interesting is if I could self host the server and then use it to host the latest binaries that I am working on.

The idea being I push the code to source control, automatically compile it and then deploy it to the AMSTEAM server where I can access the game on a real CPC.
This way I could automate the step for getting my latest game build onto the CPC (faster dev loop with real hardware).

Hello, that's a very interesting case of use. The Amsteam Firmware comes with three RSX commands:

|AT
|SETUP
|AMSTEAM

the first command is an AT protocol trainer, with it you can override any settings of the WiFi module, so while it's initially configured to connect to the Amsteam server, you can just run the following commands in the trainer:

AT+CIPCLOSE
AT+CIPSTART="TCP","yourserveraddress",yourserverport

and after that you can restart the CPC and call |AMSTEAM to open the browser interface.

You can always run the |SETUP command for settings the Amsteam default configuration if you mess something.

Apart from that, you can totally ignore the Amsteam firmware and use the board in a RAW manner. The SPI + WiFi board is actually a WiFi board, not restricted for the use with Amsteam, you can connect to whatever online service you want: Telnet, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP3... or whatever you want while you do the required software for it.

About your desire for Ethernet, the next module for the SPI card will be an Ethernet module, it's even easier to do than the WiFi.

That sounds great (especially the ethernet module). I look forward to seeing how this project progresses.
When a new or updated game is made available on the server would the CPC side be able to refresh and get the new or updated game or would there be more steps required?

Hello, the CPC doesn't need to refresh anything, because the service is 100% online. Every time you scroll the game list, the whole content is sent to the CPC from the network, and the games are downloaded and run in real-time. That means, everything is up-to-date at all times. More over, the server doesn't require to restart to add or modify content, games, thumbnails, loading screens, etc. So you see the changes in the CPC screen in real-time!

Another screen for the collection, searched everywhere for a good loading screen for Bruce Lee, but nothing honor the master. So I made my own one:

Quote from: abalore on 19:08, 18 March 24Another screen for the collection, searched everywhere for a good loading screen for Bruce Lee, but nothing honor the master. So I made my own one:

@Brundij produced a really nice alternative loading screen for Bruce Lee (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/adapting-loading-screens-that-sucked/msg212936/#msg212936) a couple of years ago, which can be downloaded from CPC-POWER (https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&onglet=dumps&num=482&actif=D7CRACK).

Quote from: Nich on 20:31, 18 March 24

Quote from: abalore on 19:08, 18 March 24Another screen for the collection, searched everywhere for a good loading screen for Bruce Lee, but nothing honor the master. So I made my own one:

@Brundij produced a really nice alternative loading screen for Bruce Lee (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/adapting-loading-screens-that-sucked/msg212936/#msg212936) a couple of years ago, which can be downloaded from CPC-POWER (https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&onglet=dumps&num=482&actif=D7CRACK).

Yes, I know, but sadly I require the standard 320x200 size for now.

Thanks to Abalore who trusted me, I was able to participate in the project Amsteam by creating a few screens :

(https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/cpcloadingscreenremake_CPC/TITAN/2024/Tarzan_2024.png)  (https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/cpcloadingscreenremake_CPC/TITAN/2024/Action%20Fighter_2024.png)

(https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/cpcloadingscreenremake_CPC/TITAN/2024/BackToThe%20GoldenAge_2024.png)  (https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/cpcloadingscreenremake_CPC/TITAN/2024/BMXKidz_2024.png)

:)

Great!!
Nice work Eric (as usual!)  ;)

Thank you poulette73 ! :)

And here is my new Title-Screen for SAI COMBAT :

(https://amstradmuseum.emu-france.info/Fichiers/Projets/cpcloadingscreenremake_CPC/TITAN/2024/SaiCombat_2024.png)

100 games reached and server online!

Will there be a filtering UI as there are now so many games to browse? 

Quote from: dodogildo on 18:39, 29 March 24Will there be a filtering UI as there are now so many games to browse?

Of course, the target is 500 games which are my favorite. With a search by name or developer.

Since people is starting to receive the first cards, I created a basic wiki page with the first steps:

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amsteam

Nice project!  :) :) :)

 I've just made a short video testing the new Abalore's project on a 6128 and its working great!  8)
 

Quote from: abalore on 09:55, 05 April 24Since people is starting to receive the first cards

perfect... it arrived today. I hope I find some time soon :-)  thanks a lot

Quote from: trocoloco on 18:44, 05 April 24I've just made a short video testing the new Abalore's project on a 6128 and its working great!  8)
 

Nice, just FYI, if you power the MX4 board with external adapter you don't need to enter user / pass everytime, because the connection keeps active

Awesome!
It would be nice to have a hardware button to reset and load the game browser without the need to retype the rsx command after a game session.

Quote from: dodogildo on 21:09, 05 April 24Awesome!
It would be nice to have a hardware button to reset and load the game browser without the need to retype the rsx command after a game session.

There are many examples of modified BASIC ROMs that automatically run a command upon booting. Maybe I will provide one for |AMSTEAM

The reset button is in the MX4 mother board already

Quote from: dodogildo on 21:09, 05 April 24It would be nice to have a hardware button to reset and load the game browser without the need to retype the rsx command after a game session.

In my case, I won't be interested in this feature.  :)

I don't want AMSTEAM card doing a "bootloop" to game browser every time I reset my CPC (... as if I had a GX4000 ...)

I have other cards on my Mother X4. And I want to be able to take advantage of them when the CPC starts (otherwise they would never be available again).
I don't find it restrictive to type |AMSTEAM to launch the browser.

Yes, I found out right after recording it  :doh: :laugh:

An autostart would be fantastic. My kids would probably love that they can switch it on and have that nice selection screen. Or at an exhibition... 

I made a loading screen for Bounder based on the Spectrum screenm if someone wants it:

Quote from: trocoloco on 18:44, 05 April 24I've just made a short video testing the new Abalore's project on a 6128 and its working great!  8)
 

You should upgrade your M4 firmware  :)

As a complement for AMSTEAM, for people who doesn't have any ROM Box hardware (M4, XMEM, etc), I made a small ROM BOX card, with MX connector. It has 6 free usable slots, plus selectable boot replacement (Firmware + BASIC) and all this multiplied by 4 different selectable banks (total 32 ROMs). The banks and the boot option are selected by jumpers in the board.

The idea is to have quickly exchangeable configurations without having to rewrite everything or having to initialize all the bunch of ROMs every time, like: Games, SymbOS, Development, Word processing, and so on...

Lastly a jumper allows to map the 6 free ROMs to numbers 9-14 instead of 1-6 if you have a 6128 and want to connect two cards in parallel (a very pro usage :D )

Quote from: abalore on 16:42, 07 May 24As a complement for AMSTEAM, for people who doesn't have any ROM Box hardware (M4, XMEM, etc), I made a small ROM BOX card, with MX connector. It has 6 free usable slots, plus selectable boot replacement (Firmware + BASIC) and all this multiplied by 4 different selectable banks (total 32 ROMs). The banks and the boot option are selected by jumpers in the board.

The idea is to have quickly exchangeable configurations without having to rewrite everything or having to initialize all the bunch of ROMs every time, like: Games, SymbOS, Development, Word processing, and so on...

Lastly a jumper allows to map the 6 free ROMs to numbers 9-14 instead of 1-6 if you have a 6128 and want to connect two cards in parallel (a very pro usage :D )

Very interesting. Well, I assume that your new Flash-ROM is not compatible to any existing solution (due to the exchange features). Or is it nevertheless compatible to something?

Well, I would like to support your card with my software too. So can you give the information how to write ROMs into it please?

Quote from: GUNHED on 20:04, 07 May 24

Quote from: abalore on 16:42, 07 May 24As a complement for AMSTEAM, for people who doesn't have any ROM Box hardware (M4, XMEM, etc), I made a small ROM BOX card, with MX connector. It has 6 free usable slots, plus selectable boot replacement (Firmware + BASIC) and all this multiplied by 4 different selectable banks (total 32 ROMs). The banks and the boot option are selected by jumpers in the board.

The idea is to have quickly exchangeable configurations without having to rewrite everything or having to initialize all the bunch of ROMs every time, like: Games, SymbOS, Development, Word processing, and so on...

Lastly a jumper allows to map the 6 free ROMs to numbers 9-14 instead of 1-6 if you have a 6128 and want to connect two cards in parallel (a very pro usage :D )

Very interesting. Well, I assume that your new Flash-ROM is not compatible to any existing solution (due to the exchange features). Or is it nevertheless compatible to something?

Well, I would like to support your card with my software too. So can you give the information how to write ROMs into it please?

Theoretically it is compatible with the X-MEM software with little adjust, just before and after writting, commands for unprotect and protect the flash must be issued via OUT (operation which is done by moving a switch in the X-MEM if I'm not wrong). Anyway, I can send you the source code. Right now I'm working in a |FLASH,"filename.rom",slot command which is installed by running a program from disk and has same parameters than the one used by the X-MEM, so from BASIC there is no difference. I'll send you a PM with the sources when they are finished and tested.

Is it already possible to order one?

Quote from: abalore on 20:41, 07 May 24Theoretically it is compatible with the X-MEM software with little adjust, just before and after writting, commands for unprotect and protect the flash must be issued via OUT (operation which is done by moving a switch in the X-MEM if I'm not wrong). Anyway, I can send you the source code. Right now I'm working in a |FLASH,"filename.rom",slot command which is installed by running a program from disk and has same parameters than the one used by the X-MEM, so from BASIC there is no difference. I'll send you a PM with the sources when they are finished and tested.

Ah great! X-MEM compatibility is a very nice and decent feature!  :) :) :)

Can you please test if ROManager (2.4.6 from 2024) for FutureOS does work with it?
All you need to do is to start ROMananger with your Flash-Box connected. It should show 'Device: X-MEM' in the upper middle of the screen.

Also, can you please try if FutureOS installs correctly when using 'Install to X-MEM'?

In both cases the software protection of the Flash Chip will be used to have everything save...

If it doesn't work then I'm willing to receive your source code and add support to all my software for your Flash-ROM - if you like.  :) :) :)

Quote from: eto on 09:26, 08 May 24Is it already possible to order one?

I guess in about a week. I'm finishing the firmware, the utility disk and the hardware checks.

Quote from: GUNHED on 13:27, 08 May 24

Quote from: abalore on 20:41, 07 May 24Theoretically it is compatible with the X-MEM software with little adjust, just before and after writting, commands for unprotect and protect the flash must be issued via OUT (operation which is done by moving a switch in the X-MEM if I'm not wrong). Anyway, I can send you the source code. Right now I'm working in a |FLASH,"filename.rom",slot command which is installed by running a program from disk and has same parameters than the one used by the X-MEM, so from BASIC there is no difference. I'll send you a PM with the sources when they are finished and tested.

Ah great! X-MEM compatibility is a very nice and decent feature!  :) :) :)

Can you please test if ROManager (2.4.6 from 2024) for FutureOS does work with it?
All you need to do is to start ROMananger with your Flash-Box connected. It should show 'Device: X-MEM' in the upper middle of the screen.

Also, can you please try if FutureOS installs correctly when using 'Install to X-MEM'?

In both cases the software protection of the Flash Chip will be used to have everything save...

If it doesn't work then I'm willing to receive your source code and add support to all my software for your Flash-ROM - if you like.  :) :) :)

Sure, I'll post the results.

Two Amsteam starter kits for sale, consisting of:
- SPI port card
- WiFi module for SPI card
- 8 slot ROMBox with Amsteam pre flashed

The two boards are MX format, MX mother board is required. To run the ROMBox flashing software, a disc drive is required (not required for just using Amsteam)

Note: For the 4 x 8 ROMBox wait until next week (higher price)

Total price: 100 euro + shipping  (each kit)

Final ROM board arrived.

New board for AMSTEAM: Cartridge emulator

Thanks to the board, now cartridges up to 512Kbytes can be downloaded and run from Internet.

Of course, when connected from a Plus computer, it plays perfectly Plus only cartridges: Robocop 2, Pang, etc. Or can even restart the computer with alternate operating systems.

So would it be possible to have FutureOS or SymbOS (both?) on one cart?

Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 18:41, 05 June 24So would it be possible to have FutureOS or SymbOS (both?) on one cart?

Everything you can put into a cartridge can be uploaded to AMSTEAM server and run from Internet. Actually I don't know if those systems have cartridge versions, but if they have, sure they can be run.

The specific advantage of being able to run cartridges is that there are many conversions from DSK to cartridge, that can also be run. If the conversion doesn't exists, it can be quickly done with NoCart, so virtually any disk game can be run from Amsteam. Maybe at some point I can add the conversion automatically to the server so a whole DSK library can be imported.

Quote from: abalore on 16:31, 05 June 24Thanks to the board, now cartridges up to 512Kbytes can be downloaded and run from Internet.

But that won't work with the previous board?

Will it be required to have the new version to access Amsteam in the future or will it be possible to only see the DSK images?

Quote from: eto on 07:49, 06 June 24

Quote from: abalore on 16:31, 05 June 24Thanks to the board, now cartridges up to 512Kbytes can be downloaded and run from Internet.

But that won't work with the previous board?

Will it be required to have the new version to access Amsteam in the future or will it be possible to only see the DSK images?

Sorry, what previous board? Currently, AMSTEAM has 3 boards:

- SPI interface, with WiFi or Ethernet module. Needed to connect to Internet. M4 or others may be compatible in the future if I manage to put my hands on any of them.

- ROM Box, in 8 or 32 slot versions. Needed to store the AMSTEAM ROM (optionally custom boot and/or other ROMs). This is not required if you already have a M4, a X-MEM or whatever other card capable of storing a ROM.

- Cartridge emulator, 512K volatile storage based on RAM. Needed to download and play large games like cartridges or DSK images. This is not required if you already have a Play2CPC, but it will probably require a firmware update. The Play2CPC firmware update is done with a cheap JTAG cable. If the board programming if out of your reach, you can always send the board to me or someone near your location.

Other board in progress:

- Extra sound channel board. Needed for certain games to have more sound channels. Not required if you already have a Play2CPC or PlayCity board.

My final goal is to put these small four boards together into a MX4 mother board and put an enclosure around to make an "Amsteam Box", with all the required stuff to instantly play all the available Amstrad software from a server.

Ah, got it... I didn't realize this is an add-on.

Does the Play2CPC already have that RAM built-in or do I need a special cartridge for this?

Quote from: eto on 10:58, 06 June 24Ah, got it... I didn't realize this is an add-on.

Does the Play2CPC already have that RAM built-in or do I need a special cartridge for this?

The Play2CPC has 512K of RAM embedded, yes. It's not being used in any project yet, the main intended usage for this memory is to have compressed data in the cartridge and uncompress there, so allowing even bigger games. But using it to download and play big games from Amsteam looks like a nice usage too.

Quote from: abalore on 18:43, 05 June 24

Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 18:41, 05 June 24So would it be possible to have FutureOS or SymbOS (both?) on one cart?

Everything you can put into a cartridge can be uploaded to AMSTEAM server and run from Internet. Actually I don't know if those systems have cartridge versions, but if they have, sure they can be run.

Yes, there are version of FutureOS for CPC6128 and 6128plus on Cartridge. They do include some XROM with applications, tools and wallpapers.

You can select your OS language from English, French, German and Spanish (in alphabetical order).

Also everybody can contact TFM and get a personalized CPR file.  :) :) :)

Quote from: GUNHED on 11:47, 06 June 24

Quote from: abalore on 18:43, 05 June 24

Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 18:41, 05 June 24So would it be possible to have FutureOS or SymbOS (both?) on one cart?

Everything you can put into a cartridge can be uploaded to AMSTEAM server and run from Internet. Actually I don't know if those systems have cartridge versions, but if they have, sure they can be run.

Yes, there are version of FutureOS for CPC6128 and 6128plus on Cartridge. They do include some XROM with applications, tools and wallpapers.

You can select your OS language from English, French, German and Spanish (in alphabetical order).

Also everybody can contact TFM and get a personalized CPR file.  :) :) :)

Tested:

WoW! Great to see!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Thanks for showing!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

btw: A and B are drives A and B. But E, F, G and H are the four drives of the Vortex Controller..
btw2: Looks like that the OS recognizes an RTC which is not there, or the configurations bits have been set to "RTC xyz is there".

Quote from: GUNHED on 16:37, 09 June 24WoW! Great to see!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Thanks for showing!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

btw: A and B are drives A and B. But E, F, G and H are the four drives of the Vortex Controller..
btw2: Looks like that the OS recognizes an RTC which is not there, or the configurations bits have been set to "RTC xyz is there".

If you show me the code for detecting the RTC and Vortex I can check if it's detecting something in the SPI card or the cartridge emulator

The SPI card is in the ports FBDF and FBDE

I created a new CPC Wiki page for the ROMBox, with instructions and software to download:

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amsteam_ROMBox

Quote from: abalore on 16:55, 09 June 24

Quote from: GUNHED on 16:37, 09 June 24WoW! Great to see!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Thanks for showing!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

btw: A and B are drives A and B. But E, F, G and H are the four drives of the Vortex Controller..
btw2: Looks like that the OS recognizes an RTC which is not there, or the configurations bits have been set to "RTC xyz is there".

If you show me the code for detecting the RTC and Vortex I can check if it's detecting something in the SPI card or the cartridge emulator

The SPI card is in the ports FBDF and FBDE

Thanks. I'll check the addresses. From memory FutureOS supports the following RTCs: Dobbertin / dxs clone, SF2, SF3, Nova, LambdaSpeak and M4.
EDIT: LambdaSpeak RTC works via &FBEE, maybe there's an interferences. Need to look at that.

Quote from: abalore on 16:55, 09 June 24The SPI card is in the ports FBDF and FBDE

Are they fully decoded?

Quote from: GUNHED on 17:02, 17 June 24

Quote from: abalore on 16:55, 09 June 24The SPI card is in the ports FBDF and FBDE

Are they fully decoded?

No, I check for A10 = A5 = 0

and then

A0 = 0 (Data register) or A0 = 1 (Control register)

More info:

When reading control register:  1010RRRI   where 1010 is the magic code to detect card, RRR is reserved and I is the value read in SPI INT pin

When writing control register:   RRRRRRRC.    where R is reserved and C is the value to be set in SPI CS pin

When writing or reading to data register: A full byte is sent to or read from SPI, deserialised or serialised within the Z80 instruction with a high frequency clock.

Thanks for the information, the partial decoding interferes with quite some other expansions sadly. Not a problem as long as AMSTEAM is used alone though.

Quote from: GUNHED on 21:11, 18 June 24Thanks for the information, the partial decoding interferes with quite some other expansions sadly. Not a problem as long as AMSTEAM is used alone though.

It uses the address for Amstrad serial port interface and other third-party serial ports, since it's a serial port itself.

Anyway, the decoding is done so the four Amsteam peripherals can work together. If you have the four of them it's unlikely you'll have free slots for more :)

If there is a particular peripheral you want to share the bus with the SPI card, you can give me details and maybe I can add more lines for decoding .

By the way, if you need UARTS the Wifi module has a connector for two UARTS accesible from the CPC by AT commands. One of the UARTS support hardware flow control and the other is software only.

These pins can also be configured for GPIO if UARTS are not used

Well, I can just post one of my documents here, there you can see which problems may occur due to interferences...

It seems the only device that 100% interferes is the Usifac, which uses exactly the same decoding. In this case you can detect if the device is the AMSTEAM SPI card by reading the magic value from the control register.

To not collide with Usifac II, Amstrad Serial Interface and Speak & SID, AMSTEAM SPI can be used with ports &FB00, &FB01 or any other combination that doesn't fill the rest of '1' in C.

In short: Using ports &FB00 and &FB01 you only need to check for the magic value to check if it is AMSTEAM SPI or Usifac.

All these devices respond to &FBDE / &FBDF:

%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx0 = &FBDE - AMSTEAM SPI card  / Dekodiert: A10 = A5 = 0 und
%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx1 = &FBDF - AMSTEAM SPI card /  A0 = 0 -> Datenregister oder A0 = 1 -> Kontrollregister
%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx0 = &FBDE - USIfAC Data Port    / Teil-Dekodierung durch Bit 5 = 0 und Bit 10 = 0
%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx1 = &FBDF - USIfAC Control Port /  Registerauswahl durch Bit 0 - siehe zuvor!
%1111 1011 1101 1110 = &FBDE - USIfAC II get USB mode state (1=enabled, 0=disabled)   /
%1111 1011 1101 1111 = &FBDF - USIfAC II get FDC emulation state (1=enabled, 0=disabled) /
%xxxx x0x1 1101 1110 = &FBDE - Amstrad Serielles Interface, 8253 Counter 2    /
%xxxx x0x1 1101 1111 = &FBDF - Amstrad Serielles Interface, 8253 Write Modus /
%1111 1011 1101 1110 = &FBDE - Speak & SID - status port


These devices respond to &FB00 / &FB01:

%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx0 = &FB00 - AMSTEAM SPI card  / Dekodiert: A10 = A5 = 0 und
%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx1 = &FB01 - AMSTEAM SPI card /  A0 = 0 -> Datenregister oder A0 = 1 -> Kontrollregister
%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx0 = &FB00 - USIfAC Data Port    / Teil-Dekodierung durch Bit 5 = 0 und Bit 10 = 0
%xxxx x0xx xx0x xxx1 = &FB01 - USIfAC Control Port /  Registerauswahl durch Bit 0 - siehe zuvor!

Code to check if it's AMSTEAM SPI:

ld bc,&FB01
in a,(c)
and %11110000
cp %10100000
jp z,_it_is_Amsteam_SPI

Thanks! :) :) :) Good to know for us programmers  :) :) :)

Today I tested the Amsteam kit first time. I enjoyed it, thanks for this great service. It may be my luck but one of the first games I tried was Commando and it's got some bug. It keeps freezing on the cover screen. Some garbage appears when you click a key.

IMG_1677.jpeg

Quote from: dodogildo on 11:12, 15 July 24Today I tested the Amsteam kit first time. I enjoyed it, thanks for this great service. It may be my luck but one of the first games I tried was Commando and it's got some bug. It keeps freezing on the cover screen. Some garbage appears when you click a key.

IMG_1677.jpeg

Thank you for the report. I'll check that game ASAP.

Also, if anyone wants to suggest interesting Telnet sites to add to the list: Games, Chats, BBS, email, etc, I would be glad to do it. I'm still working in the in-server ANSI to Amstrad command translation, so it's a kind of a beta, but still works fairly well.

@dodogildo Commando fixed!

Quote from: abalore on 21:53, 15 July 24@dodogildo Commando fixed!

Oh that's a nice one 😊

Hello Abalore,

AMSTEAM is working great !!  8)
I'm very happy with it  ;)

Actually there's 168 games available online.
Do you plan to extend the list in the future ? I suppose it takes a long time.

Quote from: abalore on 13:21, 15 July 24Also, if anyone wants to suggest interesting Telnet sites to add to the list: Games, Chats, BBS, email, etc, I would be glad to do it. I'm still working in the in-server ANSI to Amstrad command translation, so it's a kind of a beta, but still works fairly well.

Some examples to add, with Amiga BBS (telnet amigacity.xyz), telehack.com (telnet telehack.com 23), or freechess.org (telnet freechess.org 5000) ;)
Tested with my USIfAC II :

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-bbs0411.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07510.jpg)
(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07610.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07710.jpg)
(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07810.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii08010.jpg)
(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07910.jpg)

Quote from: poulette73 on 18:55, 23 September 24Hello Abalore,

AMSTEAM is working great !!  8)
I'm very happy with it  ;)

Actually there's 168 games available online.
Do you plan to extend the list in the future ? I suppose it takes a long time.

It doesn't really take a lot of time. I've just been focused in another project. Now I'm waiting for some components to be manufactured/delivered, so I'll add more games, and also will add the great telnet sites you suggest.

Quote from: poulette73 on 06:06, 24 September 24

Quote from: abalore on 13:21, 15 July 24Also, if anyone wants to suggest interesting Telnet sites to add to the list: Games, Chats, BBS, email, etc, I would be glad to do it. I'm still working in the in-server ANSI to Amstrad command translation, so it's a kind of a beta, but still works fairly well.

Some examples to add, with Amiga BBS (telnet amigacity.xyz), telehack.com (telnet telehack.com 23), or freechess.org (telnet freechess.org 5000) ;)
Tested with my USIfAC II :

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-bbs0411.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07510.jpg)
(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07610.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07710.jpg)
(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07810.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii08010.jpg)
(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/2/poulette73-iii07910.jpg)

I added your suggested telnet sites

Eagerly waiting for new games  :)

Thank you very much for your quick support, as usual  ;)

Off topic : ABATAPE is a great projet.... Amazing !!

Quote from: abalore on 23:46, 24 September 24I added your suggested telnet sites

Excellent !

When you'll have time... this is a list of 1000 BBS/Telnet servers to try  ;D

Quote from: dodogildo on 09:35, 25 September 24Eagerly waiting for new games  :)

I just added:

Despotik Design
The Island of Dr Destructo
Dive-Dive-Dive
Dizzy ! The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure
Dizzy II: Treasure Island
Dizzy III: Fantasy World
Dizzy IV: Magicland
Dizzy V: Spellbound
Dizzy VI: Prince of the Yolkfolf

@abalore thanks, especially for the Island of Dr. Destructo.. What a solid selection!

Wow great job ! Thanks  8)

I pushed some more games:

Dustin
E-motion
Edd The Duck
Electric Wonderland
Electro Freddy
Emilio Sanchez Vicario
Druid 2: Enlightenment
Equinox

and regarding Enlightenment, it has some fail that generates a bad sync signal on most monitors, both CRT or TFT, they don't display the image or display it with flicker. It happens with the original game loaded from cassette too. Did anyone try the game with original Amstrad CTM or GT monitors? I don't have any of them to test. 

Thanks for adding new games again !

I don't have CTM or GT to test Enlightenment sorry.
But I confirm wrong display with flicker on my LG 15" TFT monitor...

Quote from: poulette73 on 23:15, 29 September 24Thanks for adding new games again !

I don't have CTM or GT to test Enlightenment sorry.
But I confirm wrong display with flicker on my LG 15" TFT monitor...

I was investigating and the game sets the vertical display size to 40 instead of 39, so generating 48Hz instead of 50Hz. Maybe one day I'll try to disassemble the code and fix it.

Quote from: abalore on 22:01, 29 September 24anyone try the game with original Amstrad CTM or GT monitors?

Got CTM. Will try this week hopefully and let you know. 

Yeah, I just tried on my CTM 644 and can now confirm that Druid II actually flickers quite badly. 

Quote from: dodogildo on 09:54, 01 October 24Yeah, I just tried on my CTM 644 and can now confirm that Druid II actually flickers quite badly.

did you try to stabilise the image with the V-Hold control?

Anyway: It looks they released a buggy game, so I most probably will remove it from the list

Quote from: abalore on 12:24, 01 October 24did you try to stabilise the image with the V-Hold control?

yes and didn't help.

I tested Druid II in a Plus and it works! so it must depend on the CRTC version, a similar thing happens with F1 Tornado Simulator which uses a similar screen split.

Tested 6 differents versions of Enlightenment Druid II :
- real 3" floppy on CPC 6128 CRTC1 and TFT : screen flickering.
- real 3" floppy on CPC 6128 CRTC4 and TFT : game reset.
- DSK on emulator Caprice64 CRTC1 : screen flickering.
- DSK on emulator Caprice64 CRTC0 : game is OK

The easiest way is to abandon this game for AMSTEAM (not stable enough for a streaming platform intended for multiple CPC hardware configurations)

Quote from: poulette73 on 15:05, 01 October 24Tested 6 differents versions of Enlightenment Druid II :
- real 3" floppy on CPC 6128 CRTC1 and TFT : screen flickering.
- real 3" floppy on CPC 6128 CRTC4 and TFT : game reset.
- DSK on emulator Caprice64 CRTC1 : screen flickering.
- DSK on emulator Caprice64 CRTC0 : game is OK

The easiest way is to abandon this game for AMSTEAM (not stable enough for a streaming platform intended for multiple CPC hardware configurations)

I added a fix to the Amsteam version which makes it work in all CPC models I tested so far, but not in all monitors. While it works with real Amstrad monitor is ok for me.

Quote from: abalore on 19:17, 01 October 24I added a fix to the Amsteam version which makes it work in all CPC models I tested so far, but not in all monitors. While it works with real Amstrad monitor is ok for me.

Yeaah... great job !!
Now Enlightenment Druid II is working with Amsteam on my LG 15" TFT !

No more flickering on CTM either

(https://i.ibb.co/kSsTkBQ/IMG-2117-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KrpgRhF)

@abalore is it possible to include Ikari Warriors and Nemesis in the next bunch?

Quote from: dodogildo on 08:53, 02 October 24@abalore is it possible to include Ikari Warriors and Nemesis in the next bunch?

Sure. I'm filling the gaps alphabetically but can add some other games on demand.

Quote from: dodogildo on 08:53, 02 October 24@abalore is it possible to include Ikari Warriors and Nemesis in the next bunch?

Here you are, I included those in the last update:

Extreme
F1 Tornado Simulator
Fairlight
The Fantastic Voyage
Ikari Warriors
Nemesis
Fast Food Dizzy
Fernandez Must Die
Flying Shark

Awesome titles -muchas gracias!

Do you have an actual Amsteam library available? Is the one in the first post?

Quote from: HAL6128 on 17:29, 02 October 24Do you have an actual Amsteam library available? Is the one in the first post?

That one is very obsolete now. Sadly I can't edit the first post (). Currently there are around 200 direct loading games, around 20 cartridge games (need the cartridge emulator) and 7 approved Telnet sites. The target for the collection is around 700 games, which are the games I like plus other user's requests.

You can find a rough, incomplete list of the target game list attached to this post.

P.D.: I just enabled the option to choose the part in multi-part games, like Game Over.

Quote from: abalore on 15:45, 02 October 24Here you are, I included those in the last update:

Extreme
F1 Tornado Simulator
Fairlight
The Fantastic Voyage
Ikari Warriors
Nemesis
Fast Food Dizzy
Fernandez Must Die
Flying Shark

Amazing!! Already 194 games online!
Thanks Abalore  ;)

Quote from: abalore on 17:58, 02 October 24P.D.: I just enabled the option to choose the part in multi-part games, like Game Over.

Great idea and very useful!
I just tested it and it's really user-friendly.

Nice José !!  8) ;)

Here is my contribution :

The AMSTEAM card :

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img320.jpg)

Some pictures:

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img322.jpg)

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img323.jpg)

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img324-1.jpg)

A short video :

A few more games added:

Freddy Hardest
Froggy
Frost Byte
Fruity Frank
Future Knight
Game Over II / Phantis
Gauntlet (Defender clone)
Gazza II
Gilligan's Gold
Goody
Gorbaf
Grand Prix Simulator II

Alongside big titles from Dinamic, a large batch of hits such as Gilligan's Gold and Fruity Frank ! Thank you  8)

New weekend, new batch of games added:

Green Beret
Academy (cartridge)
Agent X II (cartridge)
The Blues Brothers (cartridge)
Guardian II
Gunfright
Gunstar
Hammer Boy
Harvey Headbanger
Haunted Hedges
Hideous
High Steel
Highway Encounter
Humphrey
Hundra
Ice Breaker
Impossaball
Infernal Runner
Inside Outing
Interchange

Parts for Abatape didn't arrive yet, so had time to add a few more. Let's see tomorrow!

International Karate Plus
International Tennis
Ironman Super Off Road
Jack The Nipper
Jack The Nipper II
Jocky Wilson's Darts Compendium
Jonny Quest
Jungle Warrior
Kane
Killer Cobra

Lots of work done!!!  :) :) :)

Any plans to add applications too? Or wouldn't it make sense at all (saving data)?

Great to see this project flourish!  :) :) :)

Yeahhh.. already 233 titles available to date, and it will continue!


Nice batch with IK+, Jack the Nipper series, Kane...  8)

Thank you very much Abalore for all your work !

Quote from: GUNHED on 23:10, 15 October 24Lots of work done!!!  :) :) :)

Any plans to add applications too? Or wouldn't it make sense at all (saving data)?

Great to see this project flourish!  :) :) :)

The applications have access to the disk drive, with the only exception of discs emulated into cartridges (converted with Nocart). But if required, even those can be patched to access disc to load/save data. I plan to do that for Elite to load/save commander file.

Of course, native ROM apps, like Protext have access to disk.

I was tired of having the big MX4 motherboard in the back of my CPC, so

I made a Mini-MX4 motherboard for specific usage with Amsteam cards. It fits the Amsteam cards size and power draw so it's not warranted to work with other cards. It has no external power connector.

Here some pictures:

Hey...

New AMSTEAM boot screen !  8)
That's nice, thanks Abalore.

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img325.jpg)

I received my boards on Wednesday and just started playing around with them today.

Instant loading is indeed much more interesting than copying DSK's onto a USB stick .
As a Amstrad noob , I can only compare to other systems I know on the Atari, it is a similar might even be easier setup like

FUJINET servers on Atari 8 bit machines
SIDECART server on Atari ST 16-bit machines

My thanks to the author for creating and providing this to the community.

Loved the new login screen!

Quote from: poulette73 on 12:37, 19 October 24Hey...

New AMSTEAM boot screen !  8)
That's nice, thanks Abalore.

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img325.jpg)

As a curiosity, I copied & pasted the BASIC DATA for the Amstrad logo directly from the Amstrad Welcome Tape.

That's exactly what I thought of right away !
It reminded me of the first Amstrad commercial demonstrations.  :D

Yeah I think most of us recognise that logo implementation :D

Browsing the 233 currently available games, I stumbled upon one that is not loading for me on a CPC6128.

Charlie Diams, I get the title screen but then I'm stuck on a blue screen.

Hello,

Same here, Charlie Diams is not working and freeze on a blue screen (not Windows BSOD... ;D )


By the way, could you realize an update on the login screen, to take into account the numeric keypad on the right?

I have numbers in my profile and in my password.
And on a french AZERTY keyboard, I have to use SHIFT key to access numeric values on the top row, every time.
It would be more comfortable to be able to use the keys from f0 to f9 as well.  ;)

Quote from: poulette73 on 17:54, 23 October 24And on a french AZERTY keyboard, I have to use SHIFT key to access numeric values on the top row, every time.
It would be more comfortable to be able to use the keys from f0 to f9 as well.  ;)

Or better, an option to save the credentials?  ::)

Quote from: dodogildo on 18:15, 23 October 24an option to save the credentials?  ::)

They are already saved, even with soft reset (button on Mother X4 for example) or power OFF/ON.
If you restart |AMSTEAM, you never have to re-enter them.

That was a request I asked to Abalore in PM on July 2024, and he provided a fix to store credentials.
And if your Mother X4 is externally powered, this is stored too.

The one and only time you need to re-enter them is during a cold reboot (when the AMSTEAM card is no longer connected via Wifi).

Coming back to my wish, I would like the numeric function keys to be taken into account.  :D

About credentials, soon I will remove them from the starting page and only will be required to join online multiplayer games section.

So don't worry too much about them!

I'll check the Charly Diams problem tomorrow.

Quote from: abalore on 23:00, 23 October 24About credentials, soon I will remove them from the starting page

Yay!

Quick question - are high scores saved in AMSTEAM?

Sorry, I'm feeling lazy tonight and don't feel like going through 7 pages of posts. :D

Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 20:17, 24 October 24Quick question - are high scores saved in AMSTEAM?

Sorry, I'm feeling lazy tonight and don't feel like going through 7 pages of posts. :D

Hi-scores are not saved unless the game is specifically using the AMSTEAM API to do that.
When a game is loaded it takes full control of the computer, so we can't do anything the game is not ready for.
For upcoming multiplayer games it's different, as they are basically "web" games played on a very simple browser. We will have leaderboards there.

Quote from: abalore on 21:13, 24 October 24

Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 20:17, 24 October 24Quick question - are high scores saved in AMSTEAM?

Sorry, I'm feeling lazy tonight and don't feel like going through 7 pages of posts. :D

Hi-scores are not saved unless the game is specifically using the AMSTEAM API to do that.
When a game is loaded it takes full control of the computer, so we can't do anything the game is not ready for.
For upcoming multiplayer games it's different, as they are basically "web" games played on a very simple browser. We will have leaderboards there.

Thanks for explaining 🙂

It is what it is. We're working off almost 50 year old games here, but online multiplayer on an Amstrad is a crazy thought in some games.

Looking forward to seeing what comes of this...

Quote from: poulette73 on 17:54, 23 October 24Hello,

Same here, Charlie Diams is not working and freeze on a blue screen (not Windows BSOD... ;D )


By the way, could you realize an update on the login screen, to take into account the numeric keypad on the right?

I have numbers in my profile and in my password.
And on a french AZERTY keyboard, I have to use SHIFT key to access numeric values on the top row, every time.
It would be more comfortable to be able to use the keys from f0 to f9 as well.  ;)

Please type this BASIC program:

10 a$=inkey$:if a$="" then 10
20 print asc(a$): goto 10

Then press all numbers from f0 to f9 and post the output here.

f0 = 48
f1 = 49
f2 = 50
f3 = 51
f4 = 52
f5 = 53
f6 = 54
f7 = 55
f8 = 56
f9 = 57

Thanks a lot in advance  ;) 

[EDIT] And I have tested the numeric keys on top on AZERTY keyboard : the result show the same values.

AMSTEAM Mini MX4 motherboard already available:

Not recommended for other non AMSTEAM cards, since it doesn't allow external power. So usage with other cards is under your sole responsability.

Power drain from the combined AMSTEAM cards is perfectly supported by the CPC expansion port by design. The extra peak power required by the WiFi module is buffered in special capacitors in the card itself.

Price is 30e if combined with the AMSTEAM bundle or 40e alone.

Quote from: Lastic on 17:38, 23 October 24Browsing the 233 currently available games, I stumbled upon one that is not loading for me on a CPC6128.

Charlie Diams, I get the title screen but then I'm stuck on a blue screen.

Quote from: poulette73 on 17:54, 23 October 24Hello,

Same here, Charlie Diams is not working and freeze on a blue screen (not Windows BSOD... ;D )


By the way, could you realize an update on the login screen, to take into account the numeric keypad on the right?

I have numbers in my profile and in my password.
And on a french AZERTY keyboard, I have to use SHIFT key to access numeric values on the top row, every time.
It would be more comfortable to be able to use the keys from f0 to f9 as well.  ;)

Charly Diams fixed!

Nice ! That was a quick fix  8)

Hello,

Just received my new Mini-MX4, thanks a lot @abalore !!  ;)

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img329.jpg)

Now I use it with my @Bryce MegaFlash romboard :

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img330.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img331.jpg)

This AMSTEAM+Megaflash combo works wonderfully !! 8)

So I was able to free myself from the Mother X4 for another use.
Similarly I was able to remove the M4 Board from @Duke (which I previously used with AMSTEAM card) and put it back on my second CPC 6128.
And I took the opportunity to populate the Megaflash romboard with some useful roms, which I use occasionally.

This Mini-MX4 will remain as is, with these 2 cards. :)

Quote from: poulette73 on 07:22, 19 November 24Hello,

Just received my new Mini-MX4, thanks a lot @abalore !!  ;)

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img329.jpg)

Now I use it with my @Bryce MegaFlash romboard :

(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img330.jpg)(https://cpcrulez.fr/im4/7/poulette73-img331.jpg)

This AMSTEAM+Megaflash combo works wonderfully !! 8)

So I was able to free myself from the Mother X4 for another use.
Similarly I was able to remove the M4 Board from @Duke (which I previously used with AMSTEAM card) and put it back on my second CPC 6128.
And I took the opportunity to populate the Megaflash romboard with some useful roms, which I use occasionally.

This Mini-MX4 will remain as is, with these 2 cards. :)

It looks very nice with the MegaFlash. I'm glad everything worked as expected. Enjoy it!

New milestone for AMSTEAM. Now it support remote BASIC programs loading. It's surprisingly challenging to achieve that because of the different addresses in the BASIC versions, whether to have AMSDOS or other ROMs installed, etc. But now it's working!

Requires update to version 6 of the ROM. Soon in the AMSTEAM Wiki page.

Version 6 of the ROM is available to support BASIC games.

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amsteam#Browser_ROM

Nice done, thanks !

Is it only for me, but AMSTEAM rom is still displayed in v0.5 on boot screen ?

Quote from: poulette73 on 08:04, 21 January 25Nice done, thanks !

Is it only for me, but AMSTEAM rom is still displayed in v0.5 on boot screen ?

True 8)

Yes, haha, I didn't change the version. You can just use an hex editor and change the string or wait for me to fix it.

Apart from that, now BASIC is supported I added four Amsoft classics:

- Admiral Graf Spee
- Fruit Machine
- Sultan's Maze
- The Galactic Plague

File updated!

Thanks!

And thumbs up for the functionality to launch Basic programs !  8)

New batch of 10 games added:

Konami Ping Pong
Ninja Massacre
Ninja Scooter Simulator
Saboteur
Saboteur II (modded)
Street Machine
The Last Mission
Venom Strikes Back
West Bank
Zorro

Enjoy!

Ten more jewels added:

Jet Set Willy
Krakout
Kung-Fu Master
Manic Miner
Mario Bros
Mission Elevator
Pyjamarama
Sorcery
Turbo Girl
Xevious

Enjoy!

New ROM version released that improves compatibility with cartridges: https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amsteam.0.7.rom

To celebrate the new improved cartridge compatibility I added 10 new heavy weights in cartridge emulation format:

DRAGON NINJA
GRYZOR
BLUE ANGEL 69
CHASE HQ
ROBOCOP
R-TYPE
TURRICAN
TURRICAN II
TARGET RENEGADE
GAUNTLET

Enjoy!