;-)
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AMIGA alive
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Sunday, April 27, 2025
A very dirty Amiga 2500
Wow, that's a very dirty Amiga 2500.
Decades of dust and insects' body fluids (and probably some bodies, too) have settled on this Amiga 2500 case. If you want clean such a thing, make sure to not apply much rubbing and cleaning fluid to the label. It's basically paper with only a very thin layer of color coating, that comes off quite easily.
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| A very dirty Amiga 2500 case. Under the dirt, the case color is mostly original. |
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Next-generation 3D rendering performance with "Maggie"
Apollo Team, creators of the Vampire line of FPGA-based Amiga accelerators and compatibles, just published an impressive 3D graphics demo.
"Maggie" is a 3D unit and truecolor hardware texturing engine with zbuffer and shading, that is implemented in the CYCLONE 5 FPGA based models of the Vampire family. After presenting a couple of nice 2D demos of scaling and blending, Apollo Team has now uploaded a 3D demo showing Maggie's 3D features in action, running smoothly in what appears to be a 1280x720px screenmode created by Vampire's SuperAGA video system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rxggxxPzYg
Apollo-Team YouTube channel
Find out more about Vampire and Maggie on Apollo's website:
http://apollo-core.com
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Games Galore #43: Hamulet, ASM, Tenebra & Tenebra 2, The Oregon Trail, Temptations CD32, Old Towers
2023 was a very active Amiga gaming year indeed - here are seven more titles that were started, or released, in mid-2023: adventures, arcade, puzzles, ...!
Hamulet (demo)
"Hamulet" is a really beautiful dungeon exploration and puzzle game that was released with Issue 10 (June 2023) of "WhatIFF" Amiga diskmag. (Downloadmag.) In a top-view, you have to make good use of the items you find, flick the right switches, avoid traps and enemies, etc. A nice soundtrack is playing while you do so, but the standout feature of "Hamulet" (the title already gives a little clue) are its adorable graphics. It's just beautifully drawn, and uses full Amiga chipset power: it has delicate intro screens, a large map with lots of scrolling, Nintendo-style in-game characters, lots of animation frames, and on top of that, the developer went the extra mile and uses Amiga's unique hold-and-modify (HAM) graphics mode, which means there are hundreds, if not thousands of colors on screen.
"Hamulet" demo really looks very impressive, and promises a very, very good game when fully released!
Here's a video on Saberman RetroNews YouTube channel (2023-06-18):
You can download "Hamulet" demo with Issue 10 of WhatIFF magazine:
https://whatiff.info/pastissues.html
If you like to contact the author of "Hamulet", you can do so via his website:
https://remantic.com
https://www.indieretronews.com/2023/06/halmet-this-commodore-amiga-demo-looks.html
"ASM - Das Spiel" graphic adventure
In May 2023, after 32 years of dormancy, a text/graphics adventure was announced, that might carry an extra bit of nostalgia for German Amiga fans: "ASM" is short for "Aktueller Software Markt", a German computing print magazine that ran from 1986 to 1995.
The project was started in 1991, as part of a programming contest, re-vitalized in 2023, and released shortly after as a full product.
You play the editor-in-chief of ASM magazine, who has just woken up with amnesia. So your mission is to find out who everyone is, and what's going on with... Space-Rat?!
"ASM" is a fun, comic, adventure loaded with German home-computing nostalgia. It's in German language only, and runs on any Amiga with 1MB of RAM.
Here's a (long) video from MrVenom1974's YouTube channel, where you can also see a little bit of the original print magazine (2023-09-21):
Visit the game's website for more information and purchase:
https://www.asm-das-spiel.de
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-05-00101-DE.html
Tenebra & Tenebra 2
In April 2023, "Tenebra" was released for Amiga, a top-view arcade game also available for C64 / Plus4, Atari ST, Jaguar and 8-bit, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Commander X16, BBC Micro/Acorn Electron, Tesla Ondra, PMD 85, PC, NES and Playdate. (That's a lot of platforms.) The sequel "Tenebra 2" followed shortly after, in June 2023.Both "Tenebra" and "Tenebra 2" are equally enjoyable puzzle games with Lode Runner looks, and a dungeon exploration feel, a la Rogue. Your goal is to exit the dark dungeon you're in, by strategically using items like keys, torches, oil barrels, and other tools. "Tenebra 2" adds a couple of new items and game mechanics - and an enhanced Amiga version with hi-res graphics (interlaced screen mode).
Here's a video on YouTube channel Saberman RetroNews (2023-06-11):
Check out the games' itch.io pages for more information and download:
https://h4plo.itch.io/tenebra-2
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-06-00045-DE.html
https://www.amigafuture.de/app.php/newsportal/?start=0&ulg=de&news_id=40982
The Oregon Trail
It's 1847. You and your family are heading for Oregon, to build a colony and start a new life. Will you make it all the way?
In June 2023, "The Oregon Trail" was published to itch.io. It's an interesting text adventure, with a good amount of high quality graphics. Text / keyboard controls are easy to learn, and even include some real-time-"action" typing. The system requirements are a little unusual, though: to play it, you need a fast Amiga, harddisc, 30MB of RAM, AHI, and a screen resolution of 960x540, meaning RTG.
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| "The Oregon Trail" title screen |
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| "The Oregon Train" in-game screen |
Check out the game's itch.io page for more information and download:
https://8080.itch.io/the-oregon-trail
Additional sources:http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-06-00101-DE.html
Temptations CD32
We've reported about "Temptations" before, and after the original Amiga port, in June 2023, an Amiga CD32 version was released. It includes more animation sequences, and CD music. If you're lucky, and if you're in Spain, you can get a physical release: A very limited number of physical editions is available, costing 15EUR, and including several little extras, like a game poster. Presumably, these sold out quickly, but you can always get a digital download.
Here's a video of "Temptations" CD32 on s0y s0y's YouTube channel (2023-11-30):
Go to the game's website for more information, and purchase info:
https://s0yamigamsx.wordpress.com/temptations/
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2023-06-00059-EN.html
https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/topo-soft/temptations/release/2317/
Old Towers (demo)
Also in June 2023, an early Amiga port of "Old Towers" popped up, a great looking arcade action game previously available for Sega Genesis. You can think of it as a blend of high-speed Pac-Man, and jump-and-run with altered physics. You need good timing, and some strategy, to clear each stage, avoiding traps, collecting items, and getting to the exit. Some pumpin' music is playing, the visuals are nice and abstract - from what we can see so far, it's an exciting, dynamic game.
Here's a video from YouTube channel Hardware Tech News (2023-06-15):
The current state of the game is a bit unclear - it seems the author is looking for some help with the graphics. Maybe you wanna give it a try?
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2023-06-00063-EN.html
https://retrosouls.itch.io/old-towers (original Sega Genesis game)
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Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for "Games galore #44"!
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Support Amiga game development! Buy a game!
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Games galore #42: SUPERMiniJu, The Last Dungeon, Kalle Kloakk, Virtual Enemies, Skinvaders, Forest of Illusion
Skimming over recent Amiga games: In May 2023 alone, around ten new games popped up. Here are six of them, covering arcade action, fantasy adventure, and hacking in cyberspace.
SUPERMiniJu
In this game by Yoz Montana, your goal is to free a cute white rabbit from captivity, by collecting items that are hidden in the grass. "SUPERMiniJu" is a fast-paced jump-and-run platformer with plenty of extras to collect, boss fights, nice graphics, and some decent sound effects.
The current state of the game is a bit unclear. A demo version seems to be completed, but maybe the author is still waiting for his previous 100-comments-on-the-video challenge to be completed, so maybe you wanna head over there and drop him a line?
Here's the latest "SUPERMiniJu" video from Yoz Montana's YouTube channel (2023-12-17):
Go to the game's website for more information and download:
https://yoz-montana.itch.io/superminiju
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-05-00037-DE.html
The Last Dungeon
This top-view fantasy adventure by PixelPlop was initially created for AmiGameJam 2022/2023. In an earlier work-in-progress video, the game's title was "Sworderer & Sorcerer", now it seems to have settled with "The Last Dungeon".
It looks great, very Nintendo, and appears to be snappy, and fun to play. It's still work-in-progress, the latest version being 0.7.2C.
Here's a video from pixelplop's YouTube channel (2023-08-31):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxbIhG9799s
Go to the game's website for more information and download:
https://pixelplop.itch.io/the-last-dungeon-post-amigamejam
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-05-00038-DE.html
Kalle Kloakk
"Kalle Kloakk" was first developed for the C64, then ported to the Mega65, and then to Amiga in May 2023.
In it, you have to escape a public service room, by use of toilet paper rolls. That certainly sounds like education, and fun. "Kalle Kloakk" is a simple jump-and-run type game with a nice soundtrack, perfect for the casual smartphone-gamer. The title, by the way, roughly translates to "Carl Crap".
Here's a video from YouTube channel Saberman RetroNews (2023-05-10):
Go to the game's website for more information and download:
https://docster.itch.io/kalle-kloakk-68k
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-05-00043-DE.html
Virtual Enemies
This interesting strategy game appeared in May 2023. In "Virtual Enemies", you're supposed to develop hard- and software, in order to hack a foreign computer system.
Clients for Windows, Linux and Mac are planned to be available shortly after the Amiga release.
The latest development news were published in Sept. 2023, so the state of this one is more or less unknown, but it sure sounds intriguing.
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| "Virtual Enemies" screenshot https://img.itch.zone/aW1hZ2UvMjA3MDYxMS8xMjE3ODI2Mi5wbmc=/347x500/KZqfMe.png |
Go to the game's website for more information and download:
https://logicalbyte.itch.io/virtualenemies
Additional sources:
https://www.amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2023-05-00067-EN.html
Skinvaders
A nice straightforward Space Invaders clone named "Skinvaders" by Electric Black Sheep. It looks and plays pretty much like the original - but you can select additional colors and hi-res graphics, if you like.
According to the game's itch.io page, it's still "PROTOTYPE" status, with the latest version released in June 2023. Oldskool arcade fun with upgraded graphics - you can't go wrong with this.
Here's a video from Per-Ola Eriksson's YouTube channel (2024-03-13):
Check out the game's itch.io page for more information and download:
https://electricblacksheep.itch.io/skinvaders
Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2023-05-00070-DE.html
Forest of Illusion
This neat jump-and-run game, featuring a well-known Disney character, also first appeared in May 2023, and is actively being developed to this day. It's a re-imagined blend of 1990 Sega Mega-Drive (Genesis) game "Castle Of Illusion", and its sequels.
The graphics are exceptionally beautiful cartoon artwork, and as you can see in the latest video, it has a couple of extra features beyond the jumping and the running - like swimming in a bubble.
"Forest Of Illusion" uses the Amiga's AGA chipset, so it runs on A1200, A4000, CD32 and AGA-capable emulators.
Here's the latest work-in-progress video on DomKid's YouTube channel (2025-02-19):
Keep an eye on DomKid's YouTube channel for latest updates to "Forest of Illusion":
https://www.youtube.com/@domkid3295
Additional sources:
https://amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2023-05-00099-EN.html
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Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for "Games galore #43"!
* * *
Support Amiga game development! Buy a game!
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Update 3 for AmigaOS 3.2 is out!
Yesterday, Hyperion Entertainment once again proved its commitment, releasing another update for AmigaOS 3.2.
It's update no. 3 for this version of AmigaOS, and it includes new Kickstart ROM version 3.2.3. The release contains a multitude of bugfixes and little enhancements, among which are updates to ReAction classes, TextEditor, DiskDoctor, HDToolbox, and some memory optimization that frees 12KB of ChipRAM.
Head over to Hyperion's website for more details, and download (for registered users):
Lara Croft (literally) runs on the Amiga!
A lot of people have been waiting for this - the time has come: play "Tomb Raider" on your Amiga!
This popped up just hours ago. Ok, it's "OpenLara", and so far only a proof of concept / tech demo - some features are missing - but it's the actual Tomb Raider-ess, it runs very smooth on a PiStorm, and from what we're hearing so far, it's even playable on a 68030. That's quite a lot!
Gaming was never the same after the Playstation came out, and 3D graphics in games became near-mandatory in the early 90s. "Tomb Raider" was one of the pivotal games of the era, and had an enormous reach, certainly in part due to its attractive lead character, Lara Croft. In 2016, "OpenLara" was started, an open-source remake of the original Tomb Raider engine, by XProger. It has been ported to many platforms, and you can even play it in your webbrowser.
Thanks to famous Amiga software porter BSzili, we now (almost) have "OpenLara" on the Amiga, too - outstanding!
Here's the current demo, in a video on great retro gaming YouTube channel Saberman RetroNews (2025-04-03):
video source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_rXLZvkaX8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_rXLZvkaX8
If you'd like to read about the latest bleeding-edge updates to BSzili's port of "OpenLara", you can follow the discussion on English Amiga Board:
https://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=120230
You can also visit his website at http://bszili.morphos.me/ and see the numerous other great ports of games for different Amiga platforms he has created.
More about "Tomb Raider" (original game):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_Raider_(1996_video_game)
UPDATE 2025-04-05:
The video above shows "OpenLara" running on an Amiga emulator. Here's another video using real hardware, Amiga 1200 with 68060 and 68030 CPU:
video source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiNTp1jlrR4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiNTp1jlrR4
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