ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter will add Amstrad CPC core at £2.5M stretch goal

[aWaKeNiNG]

Great news for Amstrad fans!! The team behind the ZX Spectrum Next has just announced that if their current Kickstarter campaign reaches £2.5 million, they will add full support for an Amstrad CPC core running on the FPGA. 

For those unfamiliar, the ZX Spectrum Next is a modern, FPGA-based reimagining of the original ZX Spectrum. It doesn't just run Spectrum software, it can load cores for other 8-bit systems as well: includes the Spectrum core and the current campaign has already unlocked cores for the Commodore 64, Sinclair QL, SAM Coupé, and soon the ZX81. The CPC would be an amazing addition, bringing together the key 8-bit home computers of the era in one device!! 

If you're into retro computing and want to see the CPC join the family, it might be worth keeping an eye on the campaign  

Link to the campaing:  ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 by Henrique Olifiers — Kickstarter

[aWaKeNiNG]

Here the confirmation:  ZX Spectrum Next | D'is the best we can do for now

[Prodatron]

Great news! I'm a little bit afraid, that reaching the 2.5 million mark might be a close call. Now it all depends on whether or not enough new orders come in from the CPC side (only 9 days left). I highly recommend this amazing machine!

[aWaKeNiNG]

Yeah, I agree. It's going to be tight! But hopefully the CPC community will rally and push it over the line. It would be amazing to see the Amstrad join the other 8-bit systems on the Next. I'm spreading the word wherever I can. Fingers crossed for a strong finish!

Also, if anyone knows of any Spanish or French CPC communities or forums, it might be worth sharing the news there too. The Amstrad was especially popular in those countries.

[GUNHED]

Great news! I'm a little bit afraid, that reaching the 2.5 million mark might be a close call. Now it all depends on whether or not enough new orders come in from the CPC side (only 9 days left). I highly recommend this amazing machine!

Great news! I'm a little bit afraid, that reaching the 2.5 million mark might be a close call. Now it all depends on whether or not enough new orders come in from the CPC side (only 9 days left). I highly recommend this amazing machine!

Very true! I'm afraid that nearly half a million in a couple of days is very hard to reach.

[andycadley]

Going to be honest, I've a sneaking suspicion the CPC core will surface anyway, but it doesn't help to nudge them into doing it (and there won't be another opportunity to buy one if it does come out) 

[Prodatron]

and there won't be another opportunity to buy one if it does come out 

That's exactly how it is... Anyone who's ever seen the Spectrum Next knows that, in terms of design and quality, it's one of the best retro computer remakes. A CPC Core would, of course, be fantastic if it could also utilize the enhanced features; then we'd essentially have a CPC NG, except, of course, that the keyboard layout is a bit "different."

[GUNHED]

Any idea about the specs of a potential CPC core?
Will it have expanson RAM for SymbOS and FutureOS?

[aWaKeNiNG]

No official specs yet, but the FPGA has 2MB RAM, so it could be capable of supporting SymbOS or FutureOS.

[GUNHED]

No official specs yet, but the FPGA has 2MB RAM, so it could be capable of supporting SymbOS or FutureOS.

Thanks! Well, then I hope for the 2 MB expansion of course. 

[dodogildo]

Sadly we are £500K away from the CPC Core. In just five days, it's a longshot :/

[Gryzor]

Yeah, kind of impossible, but I would hope they would release it anyhow?

[aWaKeNiNG]

Does anyone know of a French forum or community where this could be shared? There are only 96 French backers so far, and the CPC was hugely popular in that country.

[dodogildo]

Need some 1500 new backers to reach the stretch goal. 

[cwpab]

Do you guys realise that it's actually 2 million pounds, not 200K?

[Gryzor]

Do you guys realise that it's actually 2 million pounds, not 200K?

Erm, yes?

[aWaKeNiNG]

I'm optimistic now. In the last few days there must be a big surge, like past campaigns. And it looks like the trend has already started. Just keep sharing!!

[eto]

Not bad, only 138K missing (or 400 more Next). 

Just for me to understand: What would be the benefit of a Next over a real CPC? 

[eto]

oh, they changed it to 6000 backers - not 2.5M - that's just 69 backers missing.

 

[aWaKeNiNG]

@eto yuhuuu!!  That makes sense. The jump from £2M to £2.5M was quite a leap compared to the other stretch goals. There wasn't anything in between, so it did feel like a big gap to close.

It's not meant to replace a real CPC. It's just an alternative. The Next can run multiple 8-bit systems (Spectrum, C64, QL, SAM, ZX81, and hopefully CPC) on one FPGA based machine, with instant loading from SD card, modern video outputs and no aging hardware issues. You can also connect original peripherals like CRTs, joysticks and even load games from cassette if you want.

On top of that, the Next is also its own platform with over 200 games (both originals and remakes like Saboteur Remastered, Head Over Heels Deluxe, and upcoming titles like Target Renegade), even an online multiplayer football game! 

Having all of these systems in one place, fully compatible with original hardware and cycle accurate thanks to FPGA, makes it a sort of ultimate "8-bit hub" for retro fans.

[Gryzor]

One thing isn't clear to me - is it open for third party cores? And if so, how does this FPGA compares to the MiSTer's?

[aWaKeNiNG]

Yes, there's an unofficial group working on third-party cores. I don't know all the details but I know there's at least a BBC micro core.

[Gryzor]

Well that's good. 

Hope someone releases am update_all script equivalent😁

[Prodatron]

Ok, only 15 backers left, so the CPC Core for the Spectrum Next will come for sure  That is fantastic!

[Gryzor]

Aaaand done.