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#91
avatar_ZorrO
Amstrad CPC hardware / Re: What is the history of the...
Last post by ZorrO - 00:26, 22 March 25
MSX and Apple2 sometimes using one and sometimes another system. Atari ST, Amiga and PCW german version have () on 89 keys, but english on 90.
Place for CapsLock, Ctrl, Alt keys jumps in different computers either. Only Atari ST and use early IBM PC places, what happend?
Delete sometimes is on left from Backspace and sometimes on right, why?

C= C16, C116 and C+4 compatible machines, but each of them chars £*= have in different places. For what?

I don't understand why Amarican and British keyboards swaps " and #. In 8bit times everybody had British system with " on 2, even USA. So WTF?
#92
I have too much on my plate! Ok, we are all in that case ; yet you might be interested in contributing, especially if you're using the tool or plan to.
The time investing in improving the tools will be recouped!

CRTC Emulation

The Z80 is pretty complete, it would be very useful to have CRTC emulation as well. CRTC 1 for a start!

CRTC internal registers detection

I'm using the MF2 to get CRTC registers (R0, R1, ...) at breakpoint.
Now, I'd like to get the internal register (C0, C4)
This can be done by e.g. measuring time to next halt, next vsync, etc.
On CRTC 1 the status register gives the "Display Enable" flag (off for Border), which can be useful.

Persistent monitor screen

When exiting monogams (the monitor), its content is lost. I am not content.
It should be stored (would also allow to scroll up to see past output).
Just storing the variable-size text lines, not the full screen!
Just two routines:
append_line
; Append line to the history
; IN: HL = Null-terminated string

get_line
; IN : A = line number in reverse order (0 being the most recent)
; Out : If line still exist:
          Carry is set
          HL = pointer to Null-terminated string (in rotating history buffer)
      ; Otherwise, NC
 

Wait! I could reuse my command-history manager. Just switching the &100 buffer for a &800 buffer.
#93
avatar_abalore
Games / Re: Bad CPC games you can't he...
Last post by abalore - 22:20, 21 March 25
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 21:15, 21 March 25And for the record, I was the one who glowingly reviewied Alcon 2020... wait... wasn't that one of yours? ;)


If you think you rated the game higher than it deserves feel free to lower it. That's not a problem to me.
#94
The Amiga is mostly a continuation of the Atari 8-bit line (for obvious reasons). The ST is a lot more like the CPC or Spectrum in that most things are achieved through sheer CPU grunt.

The C64 was mostly an evolutionary dead end, although you can see similar traits in dedicated games consoles I guess.
#95
The ST does feel a bit like a 16 bit CPC. The CPC itself is a bit like a BBC crossed with a Spectrum.

Commodore had their own chip factory so all their machines are full of kooky custom chips that set them apart from everyone else.
#96
avatar_McArti0
Amstrad CPC hardware / Re: Zilog Z84C0020PEG in my CP...
Last post by McArti0 - 21:52, 21 March 25
1kOhm works and reduces the nRD and nWR surge current from 38mA to 3.8mA
This mod allows the CMOS OUT (C),0 Hardware patch to be safely mounted in the MX4.
#97
avatar_iXien
Games / Re: Converted GX4000 .cpr - Th...
Last post by iXien - 21:43, 21 March 25
This weekend, we come with an upgrade for a fabulous game, thanks to @Urusergi :D :

IMPOSSAMOLE from Gremlin

The version from @Phantomz is perfectly functional (and is also included in this new archive), but I found it would be interesting to offers maintaining the up direction to jump to use the fire button 2 to use the extra power. As bonuses, I made a conversion of the ST/Amiga title screen, and there is a version with ingame black borders 8)

Controls:
J1UP = Jump / Climb ladders
J1DOWN = Go down ladders
J1B1 = Punch/Fire
J1B2 = Super power (kill all enemies on screen, only one per level)
Pause button = Pause/unpause game
J1B2 + Pause button (while game is already in pause) = Quit game

Features :
    - New title screen based on the ST/Amiga version, converted and recolored by iXien
    - Wait for fire on title screen.
    - Two versions: Original blue border and black border ingame
    - All game keys patched,
    - Poke : Invulnerability (new energy gauge each time it's empty)
#98
avatar_abalore
Games / Re: Bad CPC games you can't he...
Last post by abalore - 21:43, 21 March 25
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 21:15, 21 March 25It's opinion at the end of the day. But accusations of bias? Nah... not standing for that one. :)


What's wrong with bias? Everyone has a bias. What you are not standing for? I don't get you.
#99
avatar_Shaun M. Neary
Games / Re: Bad CPC games you can't he...
Last post by Shaun M. Neary - 21:15, 21 March 25
Yeaaaaah, I'm gonna pipe up here.

As an occasional contributing reviewer to CPCGR, and someone who have has met, drank with, and overall partied with Nich in general, we have butted heads on many occasions when it comes to Amstrad (and other platform) games. And @abalore, I've all the respect in the world for you, but you also have to remember other people review games on that site other than Nich. Being honest, I'd trust Nich's reviews as opposed to Chris Lennard, who has given ratings that has left me scratching my head.

But you need to understand, CPCGR is an independent website. Anyone reviewing games on that website is doing it voluntarily and it's simply their opinion, which they're free to give when Nich gives them a platform to do so. Likewise, you're also free to question it. Also I'm definitely more a beat em up guy. I've been to several retro parties and he's more an adventure / platform gamer from what I've witnessed through these eyes. :)

And for the record, I was the one who glowingly reviewied Alcon 2020... wait... wasn't that one of yours? ;)

It's opinion at the end of the day. But accusations of bias? Nah... not standing for that one. :)

Keep doing what you're doing @Nich and I hope to contribute more soon once I get my legal shit sorted out. :)
#100
N
Games / Re: Ratings of games on CPC Ga...
Last post by Nich - 20:41, 21 March 25
Quote from: abalore on 19:22, 21 March 25I think some scores in CPC Games Reviews are biased to the owner taste, he overrates beat' em ups, text adventures (which seem to be his favourite genres)
You couldn't be more wrong. :laugh:

Quoteand homebrew in general.
I admit that I am a bit biased when it comes to rating modern releases. One reason is that the overall quality of modern releases is higher than it was in the 80s and early 90s, but another is that I feel bad giving such games a low rating when the authors spend many hours creating them as a labour of love, in many cases without any financial reward. On the other hand, there is one guest reviewer in particular who gave really high marks (usually 10/10) to almost every modern CPC release. ::)
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