K&A Plus 03 EN

2
Komoda & Amiga plus #3
Christmas time...
P
Editorial
eople are nowadays too often running out of time, they tend
to constantly swing into high gear. Some relationships, either
with family or friends, are thus dropped due to lack of time or
the distance separating us from our closest people. Fortunately,
Christmas is fast approaching and we might finally get an occasion to slow down, unwind and spend some more time within the
family.
Its also a primary gifting period and we, the editorial crew of
K&A plus, have something new for you: the third issue of our
magazine in a totally refreshed visual design! In order to properly
prepare ourselves for the Christmas break we also wrote some articles related to this special time of the year.
We also made sure to get some more editorial pieces devoted to
Amiga, as some of you pointed out that we focus too much on
8-bit machines. Well do our best to keep that diversity in the future
as well, so that a single issue of our magazine offers articles related
to most of the Commodore computers.
I could now go over the contents of #3, like people usually do in

the editorial intros, however, I feel that you should discover the
articles all by yourself. Get some positive retro feeling, take yourself
back in time to the greatest periods of your childhood, and use the
Christmas break opportunity to sit down with friends or family members and fire up your retro hardware! You can again enjoy some of
the greatest titles from the old days.
I wish you all to stay in the positive sublime mood.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
EDITORIAL
Komek& editorial staff
autumn / winter 2015
CONTENTS
autumn/winter 2015
COMMODORE
Plus/4 VIC20 C16 C64 C128
SPIS
TRECI
Darkness 7
Pulse 19
Official Father Christmas Game 11
Scrap Yard Scrapes
20
Piracy
12
Demonsdome
21
Gilligans Gold
13
A.R.C.O.S
22
Jam It!
14
Exploring and expanding
Best party games
16
an untested C128
54
Destruct 18
Magnetic Tape
63
Psycho Santa 10
Jaguar XJ220
46
Kick Off 2: World Cup 2015
23
Skunks
48
Kick Off 2: Gianni Torchio
26
Star Wars
50
GameDev Story: Dino Dini
28
Alladyn
52
AMIGA
M68k AOS 4.x Aros MOS
Soccer Kid
34
Random WB Patt
60
In the light of the gradients
36
Tools menu
62
Le Fetiche Maya
44
VARIA
Editorial
Fresh News
Resurrection: Karateka
38
Interview: Jordan Mechner
41
Talking Heads: Commodore

Christmas?
64
Johnny presents
68
COVERDISK
Komoda & Amiga plus

Commodore computersusers magazine
Editor-in-chief: Komek
Editors: Ramos, noctropolis, Bobikowoz, Tomxx, Minimoog, Mr. Mat, Don
Rafito, c00k, JargoV, GeoAnas, Neurocide, Atreus, Petrichor.
WWW: http://ka-plus.pl E-Mail: kaplus.zine@gmail.com
Design and DTP: Tomxx, Mr. Mat

Drawings: Johnny
Cover design and concept art: Ruben Messeguer
Proofreading: Agat, Komek, Minimoog, noctropolis, Tomxx, Mr. Mat
Translations: Slayerpl, Bobikowoz, Tomxx, Karo, Petrichor, Grka, Micha
Sroka, Tomasz Kubisztal
Cooperation: MA, Pawe Krl, Karo, Uka, Agat, Tomasz Kubisztal, Micha
Sroka, Grka, Hery.
Fresh
News
C64
TIME OF SILENCE /
ZEIT DER STILLE
Claus, 2015
a nearby object / character

by pressing fire).Another
advantage is the ability to
C64
BLAP N BASH
TND, 2015
save the game at any moment.Were embodied in the

person of Tom, one of the survivors, who lives together with
a group of kindred people in
the village of Friedheim, but
still cannot shake off the loss
of his beloved Sarah.At the
Time Of Silence is an adventure game throwing us

in a post-apocalyptic world
which is the result of a mysterious plague that decimated humanity.Interestingly,
the associated disease, in
addition to naturally highly
fatal effect is also linked with
hallucinations and supernatural abilities.The intro makes
a good impression with a very
interesting gameplay and expressive graphics, presented
in a perspective view from the
top.The game has a great,
simple and convenient in-
REVIEW
terface (menu interacts with
beginning, walking around
Have you noticed that for
the village is even idyllic, but
some time now there is al-
be assured that soon the at-
ways a game of the Break-
mosphere will change by 180
out gender being presented
degrees, and the final chap-
here?I think this is quite good
ters of the plot will be really
because everyone loves Ar-
impactful.Unfortunately the
kanoid-styled arcade games.
game is very short (and sim-
In BLAP n Bash the player
ple, but this is just fine) and
takes the role of an alien who
thats a disadvantage. The
is kidnapped and imprisoned
games author has already
in space.Your task is to clear
announced that he is working
the bricks in each intergalac-
on the sequel.The game was
tic zone, with the traditional
released in two languages -
action: paddle, ball and
English and German - hence
break.Good luck!
the double title at the top.
Komek
noctropolis
C16/Plus4
DORK DAVE AND THE DIRTY

TRICK
Misfit, 2015
the game is quite difficult, but
games fans.There is a new
this should not have a ma-
game, or rather a conversion,
jor impact on its attractive-
under the title Athanor The
ness.Some people may wince
Awakening, original created
because it is a SEUCK game,
for Oric and Amstrad com-
but for me it doesnt matter
puters.The game is currently
at all.
(as of this writing) in preview
Komek
stage, so the final release will

take a bit longer.The author
has also announced an up-
VIC20
POPEYE
Oh, that Mika!Once again
Beamrider, 2015
he brings us a fun little new
rising conversion for VIC20

users.To download the game
file, please visit:http://csdb.
dk/release/?id=142447.
Komek
game.This time it is something

for platform games fans.Lots
of jumping, breaking bricks and
C64
avoiding various obstacles
SPRINT 1
These are the main compo-
Norbert Kehrer, 2015
nents of Dork Dave and the

Dirty Trick.If you like playing
games like Super Mario Bros
and rescuing stupid princesses
all wrapped with good graphics, this game is definitely for
you.Check it out!
Komek
C64
U-91306 EIDOTHEA - THE

DAUGHTER OF PROTHEUS
Errazking, 2015
Oh, wow, this took me by

surprise!Popeye from old
arcades has been ported
to VIC20.This is a really cool
conversion for what a VIC is
being capable of.Beside that,
is good to again meet Popeye, Olivia and Bluto, even if
A mega minimalistic version
you are not a huge fan.Such
of Formula 1 racing game?It
arcade games always offer
must be certainly one of the
great playability.I think there
few remaining parts of the
is no need to have some spe-
old game called Sprint.Yes,
cial urge to play this game.
thats right.In this case we
Komek
are dealing with the conversion of the original arcade,

originating in 1978, created
C64
ATHANOR
by Atari.Really cool thing, but

at the beginning of the game
I have been toiling to eventually move my car smoothly.So
now you finally know what
A microscopic submarine is
were Rally Cross or Car-
placed straight into the blood-
nage games based on.
stream of an ill patient.Its aim
Komek
is to remove the tumor that

is located somewhere inside
the brain area.Sailing with
SafarGames, 2015
the lifeblood on your way to

your target you will face lots
of obstacles, just right from
the beginning.In my opinion
I have some good news for

text and graphics adventure
REVIEW
VIC20
MINE SWEEP MINI

Shaun Bebbington, 2015
Amiga
of frosty feeling as well.Good

news for hockey fans and...
DYLAN THE SPACEMAN

AND THE SMELLY ALIENS
FROM MARS
monsters.Mutant League
Camden Town NW11, 2015
drive platform in 1994 and
Hockey from EA was originally

released on the Sega Mega
was unfortunately canceled
on Amiga following Commodores demise.It miraculously
came back to life this year,
thanks to the efforts of Galahad from Scoopex group, who
Sapper clones were already

released in hundreds (if not
by thousands) on a variety of
platforms. Despite the great
number of appearances this
kind of game is always pretty enjoyable.I enjoy playing
the very first Windows version
whenever I have the opportunity to do it. Now its VIC20s
turn to have its own conversion written in BASIC. Although
it hasnt much impressive
audiovisual effects, it offers
a pretty good gameplay.Of
course, we dont need any
rules of play or a further description. I will only mention
that the player has to administer the coordinates of the
selected fields by keyboard
strokes (eg. By typing B2,
preceded by pressing F1,
we put in place a flag; F7,
on the other hand, checks
all the fields across the entire
board).We even have three
had just successfully passed

If you use to spend a lot of
time playing with Dizzy egghead character, and you are
looking by any chance for
a title which would potentially
refresh these nice moments,
then you have to take a look
at the game Dylan the
Spaceman and the Smelly
Aliens from Mars. Currently
there is only a playable demo
available, but it seems that it
available flags to be placed
If you fancy playing games

like Speedball and like icy
climate, then Mutant League
Hockey is a perfect game for
you!The game is available for
both Amiga 1200 and Amiga
CD32.
Petrichor
C64
DUDE (AZIK)
Slavia, 2015
will be a decent and pleasant game at some point.Just

as in Dizzy games, in Dylan
The Spaceman you move
from one screen to another,
collecting items and helping
the characters you meet to
solve their problems, making
their lives easier, and ulti-
In the spate of new complex
mately save the planet Earth
games there is a place for a
from invaders from Mars.Yes,
simple one, witten in BASIC by
I know ... Invaders from Mars
Slavia scene group Dude
again. Petrichor Amiga, CD32
(azik). The player is obliged

to complete five levels by
levels of difficulty, but they

differ only in the number of
the port to Amiga platforms.
MUTANT LEAGUE HOCKEY

Electronic Arts /Scoopex, 2015
(20, 15, 10), because the di-
controlling the Dude main

character in game. Before
reaching the end of each level make sure to collect keys
mensions of the board and
scattered all over the screen
the amount of mines is always

the same (10x10, 10).
they are the main source of
noctropolis
are lots of fatal enemies! The
points. But be careful! There

last level of game is our Christmas gift for you you can find
Winter is all around the corner
REVIEW
and ithis game brings up a bit
Dude on our cover-disk.
Minimoog
COMMODORE
Darkness
Review: noctropolis; translated by: Karo
In the first K&A+ issue there has been a review of a wonderful game produced by
cooperating studios - Psytronic Software and RGCD, called The Vice Squad (created by Achim Volkers and Sascha Ziedler). Apparently they liked the cooperation
because thanks to the same people and studios, only half year later they decided
to launch their new product, so intriguingly called Darkness...
Iinto darkness i must go

to find my beloved taken from me
the jungle deep the rivers flow
what lies ahead i cannot see
fied screams coming from far
so-so , the music in the actual
away... The plot as you can see
game is really quite good - it
is really interesting, intriguing
connects catchy and murky
and and makes you want to
melodies. I can say that the
into darkness i must go

this jungle has a thousand eyes
without a gun or a deadly bow
i wander under angry skies
explore the world created by
longer I was listening to it during
the game.
the game, the more i liked it and if a looped song listened to

for a long time not only doesnt
STUNNING AUDIOVISUALS
adventurer stan
06.11.37
and more, it is definitely a posWhile we can say that in the

graphics are usually not the
most important thing in the
a diary entry of some traveler
just amazing. A great effect has
called Stan, is a part of the
been achieved by proper mix-
original game intro. It ends the
ing of colours what creates an
wonderfully produced (though
illusion of a bigger colour pal-
minimalistic) intro in which we
lete. Backgrounds are detailed
can see the ship piloted by Stan
and fauna and flora met on the
crash in an African jungle after
way are also very impressive.
a malfunction. The whole prob-
The graphics are dazzling and
he poem cited at the be-
game, here you notice it right
ginning of the preview,
away and its only natural to
that looks somewhat like
start from it. Simply speaking, its
lem is that
without any
the second
FREEWARE:
passenger of
his fiancee
Megan and
while Stan is
unharmed
itive thing. And that is why my
case of 8-bit computers the
INTO DARKNESS...
the ship was
bore you but you like it more
Although Darkness has been issued

in 2014 as a typically commercial
product, since the half of this year its
officially available for free download,
e.g. at this link: http://psytronik.net/
downloads/darkness_download.php.
doubt they
deserve
the highest
note. Visually, the
game is just
fabulous.
after the
crash, when
he comes
As fas as
music is
to senses he cannot see her
concerned, while the melody
anywhere but hears only terri-
in the intro and menu is rather

REVIEW
COMMODORE
evaluation of overall music will
are well made and they go well
health points. Cutting down
mostly concern the main theme
with the soundtrack. And if for
bushes and breaking pots al-
during the game. Apart from
some reason you would like to
lows us to find one of three po-
the soundtrack we can also
focus only on the sound effects,
wer-ups: blue is moving faster,
hear the sound effects - quite
there is such option - you can
white is resistance to damage
basic because they focus most-
turn off the music pressing F1
and violet is a new weapon
ly on the sounds of weapons
but I personally dont recom-
(we start with only a stone in our
and defeated enemies but they
mend this.
hand as a basic distance weapon, the next are a dagger,
MEGAN, WHERE ARE YOU?

Let us focus on the game it-
a shuriken and wolf fangs).
WILD WILD AFRICA...
self now. As I already said, it

is about saving our beloved
On our way we will meet
Megan. To do this we will be
a whole wide range of fauna
forced to travel through vast
typical for Africa and that is
areas because we have exactly
very good because it adds to
100 screens to explore (10x10
the general mood of the game.
maps). So that it doesnt get too
There are animals like: snakes,
boring, the creators made more
spiders, parrots, porcupines,
than just a jungle maps (that
hyenas, wolves, hogs, gorillas or
are by the way very diverse
even (beautifully animated and
and full of native peoples tra-
being one of the games high-
ces, rivers, etc.) but later on we
lights) mighty elephants ( there
find ourselves in other, slightly
are the only ones you cannot
different places like a cave or
kill but they also wont attack
a temple. While exploring we
us on purpose) and apart from
will find and open green chests
the animals there are also some
containing colourful keys (ope-
not necessarily friendly natives.
ning new chests and areas),
The difficult thing is that the ani-
green masks (necessary to en-
mals and natives appear again
ter the temples), violet masks
every time we enter the same
(needed at the very end of the
area, in random places and at-
game) and bonuses like extra
tack us straight away. But fortunately the game gives us some

time to prepare, showing us
their spawn places for a while.
This leads to a funny (and not
a really realistic) situation - we
will sometimes enter an area 2-3
A Game in a game
REVIEW
An interesting bonus has been

added to the game - a mini
game called Darkipede. Yes,
the connection to Centipede is not accidental because
its almost the same with the
difference that the graphics
and enemies are from Darkness.
spawn places, far away from us

so that we can get rid of enemies easier and without a threat
to our health - especially because different enemies have
COMMODORE
times to get more favourable
The map of the surroundings

I was wondering if I should prepare for you an additional
map, making it easy to go around the jungle but I dont
think its necessary because a simplified map already
exists. Triad have added it to their crack of the game.
different speeds and endurances. Nevertheless, its not

a thing that annoys, its rather
interesting, really. Yet, we have
to watch out - we only have
one life and each encounter
with an enemy is lowering our
health points (by the way , after
losing all health points we can
see a quite funny death animation). Sometimes its even better
to quickly run through a given
location than to get in a fight.
HAPPY ENDING
Its easy to predict that the
game ends when our loved
one is saved by us. But how that
happens, I will naturally not tell.
To find out you have to spend
some time with the game and
its really worth it because
Darkness is simply a wonderful
title and definitely high quality.
It was actually, just like The Vice
Squad, issued in really nice , collectors packs. And now, when
you can play it for free without
any problems - you just have to
do it. The fun is immense and
what is interesting, after training a bit and taking a good
approach to the enemies, the
game is not so difficult. It definitely has great mood, its involving and just really good.
DARKNESS
Publisher: Psytronik Softwa-
re / RGCD
Year of publication: 2014

Platform: C64
10
9
REVIEW
AMIGA
10 Komoda & Amiga plus #3
Psycho Santa
Review: c00k; translated by: MA
Christmas, Christmas... as a polish kids group Fasolki sang long time ago. With
it many more symbols, both physical and economical of upcoming holiday time.
One of them is definitely an amusing fatty in a red uniform with additional white
themes and a white beard. There have been many theories, sume said that he
is not as nice is he is presented, and if he is its just because he has to be. Those theories were used by the creators of such movies as Santas Slay or Rare
Export. A similar theme was used be Bullfrog company when they released a games called Psycho Santa.
t was released on a cover disc
ditional content. There is a le-
and try to catch presents that
that was a part of The One
gend going on that somebody
are placed on a Christmas tree.
magazine in 1993. As soon as
actually did that. On the cover
The biggest difficulty is that you
we launch the game we are
of the magazine we see a San-
have to press a fire button at
informed that for 5,5 pound we
ta Clause with a semiautomatic
the right moment in order to get
can become a registered user
gun, who asks us if we were na-
the gift. Generally it is a boring
and get a new copy with ad-
ughty or nice. Our first thought
experience and I doubt that
it will be fun.
And it is fun. The whole
the 5,5 pound version was any

different.
game is about making
I have no idea where you can
the residents happy, but
find the psycho element in
not in a psycho sense
that game. So why is it that
but more traditionally by
I decided to review this game?
throwing the presents
I was supposed to write some-
around. To get those
thing about Christmas and since
presents we must first
it is little known title I thought it
fly over the town and
would be a bit interesting. Mo-
kill the ghost with many
reover it was published by Bull-
snowballs. The ghost
frog, who were the creators of
is not defenseless as it
my beloved Syndicate. I present
sends flying snowmen
it as something that happened
who throw carrots at us.
quite often, you just got a nice
When we send enough
title and even better cover for
presents to a house, it
the game. The game is a bit
gets marked as a happy
positive as it can be funny in its
one. At the beginning
own way.
of each round we are
PSYCHO SANTA
told about the number

of houses that we must
make happy. When
we do it we are able
to take part in a bonus
level where you have to
RECENZJA
REVIEW
jump using a pogo stick
Publisher: The One Amiga

Platform: Amiga
COMMODORE
The Official Father

Christmas Game
11
Review: Komek; translated by: Petrichor

Christmas is this time of the year we usually spend with out families. In addition to
telling each other best wishes and eating delicious food, we also have a tradition
of gifting. A moment in which we open our presents is extraordinary and is always
accompanied by strong emotions, where we ask ourselves a question: What can it
be?
t Christmas we also
The first stage of the game is to
trying to slow him down in com-
have more free time,
put Santas sleigh into a working
pleting the task. Big red guy also
which we can spend
order and to do so he has to
needs to remember that his mis-
on playing video games with
find all the sleigh parts that are
sion is very time sensitive and he
our family. There are many titles
scattered around his house.
is fighting time, which is shown
related to the time of Christmas
Small yet very active elves will
at the bottom of the screen as
and as the Christmas Day is just
interfere in carrying out this task.
vanishing moon
around the corner, I would like
As soon as the sleigh are in a
and a rising sun.
to recommend a very nice and
working order Santa will have to
small game called The Offi-
pick six of the fifteen available
cial Father Christmas Game.
gifts, and they are as follows:
Although it has been already
football, computer, doll, teddy
26 years since its release, the
bear, cricketing bat, toybox,
game can still be good fun
tank toy, TV, tennis racket, lo-
especially for those who have
comotive toy, stereo set, racing
never played it before.
bolid, book, roller-skates and
As you can guess from the title,

we take a role of Santa Claus. A
task that Santa has to perform
is not really unique (what would
you expect from Santa?). Our
dollhouse. Once the gifts are

chosen, they will start falling
from the top of the screen and
Santa must quickly catch those that have been chosen at
the beginning (correct gits are
distinguished in yellow colour).
Okay! sleigh are loaded and
harnessed by reindeers. The
remaining task is to distribute
all the gifts to their respective
houses that have been marked
with a moving arrow. Santas
route begins in America. Next
continents are: Europe, Africa,
main goal is to deliver gifts to

the children around the world.
You may all say: Hmph, so
what! He does that every year.
Thats right, but you all should
know that the task is not as simple as it may sound.
Antarctica. The last point of

the route is the Northern Europe Finland to be specific.
Everything would be fine, if not
for the fact that when Santa is
trying to deliver all the gifts, he
also has to deal with clouds,
birds and airplanes, that are
At the end of
the day, the
game provides
a lot of good fun
with catchy festive graphics and
music (Jinglebells, We wish
you a MerryChristmas).
Also, it is
worth noting
that the revenue from
the game
sales has
been used to
support international non
-profit organisation Save The
Children to help children and
their families around the world.
THE OFFICIAL FATHER

CHRISTMAS GAME
Publisher: Alternative So-
ftware

Platform: C64
7
REVIEW
COMMODORE
Piracy
Review: Bobikowoz; translated by: Slayerpl
Anyone who didnt have a bootleg cassette with a set of games, should first
cast the stone. These were times, dear children, that the copyright didnt exist
and everything was public goods. For the glory of the nation! But I will not write
about the political system but about a bootleg game.
Pirates are not only the players
them. It can be clearly see
There are not many rules, the
who use the releases received
that it is time for the boarding.
level is always the same, but
in the shady circumstances,
This time the vile pirates will
the game is playable and can
swindles and thieves from
not have such an easy task
make us spend some time with
a moral point of view, but,
ahead of them because they
it. One condition two players
above all, sea rovers. This type
encountered a crew of valiant
and not singleplayer with com-
of rovers, as known, are also
sailors. The captains have to
puter opponents. This is the
morally ambiguous. The de-
adequately control the attack
charm of this type of games,
scribed game, according to
to take over the enemys ves-
where two people compete,
my knowledge, is completely
sel. You will certainly notice
the game, in a nice compa-
honest and can be played
during the gameplay that the
ny, becomes more attractive.
also by people who despise of
most important persons on the
Because someone has to lose,
every sort of immorality.
deck of both ships are react-
and then play a rematch.
ing energetically to the events
Because if you dont win a re-
that transpire above the water.
match, you have to buy a beer
They jump, make threats and
for your friend.
The whole game consists of

one screen where we can see
on both sides two 17th century
ships, there are ropes between
shout, which is worth of mimicking by our computers screen.
Time to explain, how this game
The rules of combat are quite
edition of our magazine. 20
simple. You have to clear the
years after its release on C64,
enemy vessel on all decks or
its boardgame version was
kill the crew on the other side
released. Every year I write in
of the rope. The captains can
my letter to Santa Claus that
give two orders to their crews:
I would like to add it to my
to enter the ropes on a given
collection, but I think I wasnt
level or to move in a particular
polite enough. Maybe next
direction. During the fighting
year? And if not I know the
commotion, on the sea, you
rules, I will print the boardgame
cannot hear everything, so
at my workplace and I will be
all the members of the crew,
happy as a small kid from the
which are on the ropes, have
bootleg version of a board-
to move simultaneously in the
game, that previously was
same direction. Give orders
a computer game.
appeared in the Christmas
to your subordinates carefully,

because the ropes are here
and there old and treacherous,
and when the captain orders
something, the sailors have to
fulfil the order with blind obe-
REVIEW
dience.
PIRACY
Publisher: Ace Games
Platform: C64
COMMODORE
Gilligans Gold
13
Review: Minimoog ; translated by: Karo
Gold. Lots of gold. Mountains of gold. Wealth and fame. Those were probably
the things which Columbus, Cortez or Pizarro have promised for their crews
when they were embarking on overseas travels because lets not lie to ourselves, their aim was not really discovering new worlds. Unfortunately upon
arriving to America they havent found much of gold, nevertheless, the myth of
Wild West gold prospectors has been engraved in the cultures of not only United States but also the rest of the world.
illigans Gold takes
ears slightly at times but in
place exactly in those
spite of that the melody is
golden Wild West
joyful and suits the game well.
times. We play as a gold pro-
The graphics are simple for the
spector who browses mines to
same reason but they are also
look for gold (already packed
clear.
into sacks!). Unfortunately our

adventures are not easy, for
Its worth mentioning that
we are constantly chased
Gillgans Gold is a converted
by two bandits and meeting
version of a French game
them end witha brief mo-
Bagman for automats, cre-
ment of suspenseour death!
ated in 1982. It was originally
Its easy to lose one of 5 ava-
produced by Valadon Auto-
ilable lives. Agile moving from
mation. Apart from Commo-
one ladder to another, mano-
dore 64l the game was also
euvring your wheelbarrow and
converted to ZX Spectrum and
avoiding enemies is not easy
Amstad CPC.
but feasible.
I always go back to Gilligans
The game has three levels,
Gold with pleasure because
each of which has three diffe-
its really enjoyable. Intuitive
rent screens we can go into.
gameplay and clear graphics
Obstacles, ladders, pickaxes,
make a good combination,
sacks of gold are randomly
creating fun and exciting
arranged in various schemes,
entertainment. A lot of games
all accompanied by cheerful
get boring and lengthy easily
music. The game comes from
but Gillgans Gold is a 10.
the first half of the 80s so the
And besides who doesnt like
sounds might be a bit under
westerns?
processed so they irritate the
GILLIGANS GOLD
Publisher: Ocean Software
Platform: C64
REVIEW
Review
COMMODORE
Jam It!
Review: JargoV; translated by: Bobikowoz

When I was younger I was thinking how would it be to become a professional
NBA player. Unfortunately neither my skill nor my height was high enough to
make this kind of career easy. The plan was abandoned as fast as it came to
my mind.
REVIEW
port games give opportunity to find out what

it would be like to be
a player, but the ones developed for new hardware are
not satisfying enough for me.
The main disadvantages of
these games are complicated
controls and the core gameplay... I have found a solution
for this problem in a game

called Jam It!, the first
production from a one-man
studio Throwback Games.
A standard arcade game
about basketball perfectly fits
in what I like. Simple, not too
complicated, nice, and what
is most important, amazingly
fun.
The game lets us play as one

of the red team players called Jammers or Slammers
wearing blue uniforms. The
game is played as a standard
3x3. Only one half of the court
is used, both teams throw to
the same basket, and after
a successful defence, the ball
must go through the half-court
line before the defence becomes the attacking team. The

rules are simple, as the other
aspects of Jam It!.
Let me start with the fun coming from the game, as it is,
in my opinion, the most important part of every game. The
Throwback Games production has a lot of it. The game
can keep me occupied for
quite a long time, especially
in a two player cooperation
match with a friend. The
game allows also a four player
mode, where a lot of good
vibes is guaranteed! All of it is
a part of a simple but a really
good working gameplay mechanics. The author described
it in these words:
In Jam It, just one button with
your control stick is enough to
make extreme dunks, jump
-shots, blocks, passes, post-up
plays and steals!
The best thing is, that it really
works. With just one joystick
button it is possible to throw,
pass, steal, block and jump.
You do not need to learn
complicated keyboard bindings, it is all that simple one
button is used to every single
action. During the game our
players are depleting their
stamina. As the stamina level
is getting lower, the players
abilities are also slightly limited,
but during the half-time break energy is being restored.
Do not be afraid of the 3x3
rules, as the game suggests
when you need to drag the
ball to the other half of the
court by changing your team
colour. A really nice feature
is slow-motion effect, known
also as bullet-time. When
the clock shows last seconds
15
of the game this effect

is automatically turned
on. This section of the
review can be summarized with just two
words: Well Done!
Title screen music is just
ok. It is nothing special,
just a typical tune ,
that can be annoying
after some time. On
the other hand, title
screen is not a place
to stare at for infinite
time. Melody in menu
shows a completely
different quality. Since
the first time I heard it
is got stuck in my head
and during writing this
review it was playing in
the back for the whole
time. I feel enchanted
by its tranquil pace
with a characteristic
bass line and percussion nicely integrated
into it. I would not
complain about other
sounds and FX, as they
just fit right into the game and
are as real as the legendary
SID allows to.
Graphics are good, everything is clear, well planned
and nothing blurs into another
object. I find it important to
easily distinguish every core
element, like the ball and the
player. Design is pleasing to
the eye. The teams are coloured in a way that prevents
from eye fatigue after staring
at players trying to check is he
a friend or an enemy. Main
screen with logo surprised me
in a good way with a really
neat design. It proudly represents Jam It!
All in all, is a really good the
game. Especially the core

mechanics which draws from
classic arcade productions
and fun coming from gameplay are the biggest advantages. Both sound and graphics
are properly done. I am willing
to recommend this game, as
it ensures a great deal of fun,
especially with a friend, when
both players are trying to give
the best of them. It is worth
to mention, that the game is
inexpensive, with a price tag
set at 2,99$ on the day I wrote
this article.
JAM IT!
Publisher: Throwback Games
Platform: C64
9
REVIEW
COMMODORE
Best party games on C64

Editorial: c00k
New Years Eve is coming, week after carnival and thus social pressure for increased partying. For a good party is needed just a lot of vodka, drinks and possibly
chips. Other people are a bit more demanding and try to embellish such a meeting, for example, using various electronic forms of entertainment. Seeing that the
C64 is generally equipped with controllers on the cables connected to two ports,
it becomes a very good tool for such games. In addition, you can take it with you
and connect to almost every TV.
ood game for the
it as the statistical errors :) There
event must involve as
are some exceptions. We can
many people as possi-
choose a game for one person,
ble. In our case there are tech-
but we must have a very deta-
nical limitations, because to
iled point system which helps
paraphrase a classic: Two shall
us in the choice of the winner.
be the number thou shalt count,
Each of these games has to be
and the number of the counting
short enough to rest and dont
shall be two. Of course there is
get bored waiting for our turn. In
hardware, and software to bre-
most cases, I will describe ga-
ak this restriction, but we treat
mes in which we will compete

but as we can see in real life its
better to cooperate so Ill put
such titles on my list.
BUBBLE BOBBLE
Cult game which we can play
even on modern PC. As I wrote,
and what people in schools
and some large companies
do not understand, it is better
to cooperate than compete.
Two iconic dragons that are
jumping on platforms spitting
monster bubbles. The monster
is trapped in a soap bubble,
which you need to cut to complete the task. When you play
in two players mode you can
TRON
The game is based on the
blockbuster from 1982, which
has gotten not a very successful sequel quite recently. Its a
never finish the game because

you can only join the game if
your partner is not dead. The
best way is to give joystick to
another person after losing all
the lives.
copy of game that the characters were playing. Actually

they were active attenders of
this game. Two racers ride on
limited field and leave material
trace. The trace is made from a
material that is hard as a brick
wall. The loser is the player who
collides with the wall around the
trace or field of play. Because
the screen is divided into two
we can increase difficulty by
swapping places before screen
EDITORIAL
:)
INTERNATIONAL KARATE+
The next edition of the classic
game, which went through
several parts, known in the
eighties on the arcades and
promoted by the movie Bloodsport with splits champion Jean-Claude Van Damme. Here
we can both cooperate and
compete, because players are
three including one run by the
computer. The biggest plus is
that all players have the same

powers (no powers :) the same
resources and power of punches and equally long energy
bar. The game is so fast that you
can easily play a tournament
system.
MICROPROSE SOCCER
I didnt want to
put here any
football game
because I dont
like football and I
think it generates
MICRO HEXAGON
an unhealthy
emotions but I
Each of these games has to be

short enough to rest and dont get
bored waiting for our turn.
COMMODORE
the graphics as well as the fact
17
know that many of our readers

Because of my hobby I should
promote martial arts games,
but this is my favourite position
on the list. Game released just
two years ago, taken from multifunctional communications
tool called smartphones :) The
game is brilliant in its simplicity.
You can see the already modern approach to game development. In fact banality. The
hexagonal field divided into six
are strongly interested in it, and I

dont want to have problems
with our magazine
team :) What can I say,
its the best football
game Ive ever played
on C64. Graphics is at a
very high level, thereby
we can see both bad
weather conditions and
the volatility of the ball
when it is closer to the
camera :) If we can

equal triangles and a small dot
Good game
for the event
must involve as
many people
as possible.
located on one of them. Joy-
stick movement causes that the

dot skips to another field. From
the side of the screen obstacles

glide that we must avoid when
changing field. So it was not
easy to do and our brain does a

trick, the image is spinning. Over
time, various sides :) But this is
find big a group of fans

large enough (I would
have a problem :), we
can play pretty cool
tournament.
In most
cases, I will
describe
games in
which we
will compete but as
we can see
in real life
its better to
cooperate.
not the only punch into the brain. Music and flashing colors do
the job. That means the game
is attractive for those who for
some reason are not able to
play, and are just watching :)
Our points is the time which we
spend on battlefield shown with
accuracy to hundreds parts of
second.
EDITORIAL
COMMODORE
Destruct
Review: Minimoog ; translated by: Karo
Outer space, weird creatures, astronauts doesnt it sound like one of those cheesy, star game, that can be counted in millions? It does. Yet, in my opinion, Destruct deserves some attention in this huge group. Especially because I own the
original cassette, the only unpirated game in my collection.
lying in the outer space
is really diffi-
and shooting your enemies
cult, hence
is usually called a sho-
the low po-
otem up game but the prepo-
ints for the
sition up doesnt really mean
gameplay.
shooting up, in spite of the fact
The creator
that you do actually shoot in
of the game
this direction. Anyhow, De-
is Clark John
struct is basically a shootem
Denham.
up, the only difference is that
I have to
you shoot to the right. I was
admit, his
thinking about it for some time
game has
and even though I previously
good music
stated that up doesnt have
and it needs
a connection with the direction

of shooting, I am willing to cate-
are more or less identified flying
gorize Destruct with my new
objects. But our job is not easy,
invention shootem right.
as the enemies are aplenty and
And thats essentially the only
in addition, they speed towards
innovative part of the game.
our astronaut so the game

can be called
a demanding
one. Apart from
that we need to
constantly control the altitude
of the astronaut,
who is gradually
falling down if not
made by us to
keep his height.
to be praised - main menu has a really

nice tune. Special effects are
also very neat, they increase
the games mysteriousness, although hearing the same vibrating buzz while the level loads
after your death can really be
annoying The graphics are
rather mediocre but clear.
I recommend Destruct as an
experiment. Its an interesting
but simple and predictable. Nevertheless, only for experienced
gamers.
Any contact with
DESTRUCT
the ground ends

with yes, you
guessed death.
The whole game
As I said before, out astronaut
flied to the right, and our task
REVIEW
is to shoot at our enemies who
made me angry
Publisher: The Power
House

Platform: C64
instead of entertained and walking though even the first level
COMMODORE
Pulse
19
Review: Komek; translated by: Slayerpl
It is obvious that new games for VIC are released quite rarely. Unlike, in the situation
of C64, where a couple of new releases very often appear in the span of a month.
I decided to visit Richard Lagendijks website to find an interesting game for Vic.
I looked through its content and found a short information about a game called
Pulse. My attention was turned to the screenshot which showed that it is a classic,
awesome Shootem Up. Was it really so?
e cannot deny that
most important thing is the un-
example, shoot down a fleet of
Pulse is based on
forgettable atmosphere which
incoming ships and this type of
the huge arcade
you will experience when play-
bonus will appear on the screen
ing Pulse.
in the shape of a small rectan-
game hit Gradius from

1985. This comparison works in
Pulses advantage. Fans of
the classic space shootem ups
When we look at the technical

aspects, I will admit that the
will definitely agree.
fluent scrolling makes an impres-
As every game, Pulse also has
ately. Moreover, the graphics is
an introduction, a short none-
neat and made nicely. Sound
theless, but still.... Your planet is
effects sound dynamically and
in great danger because it was
they match the plot of the
attacked by the hostiles army
game.
from the 20th dimension. The

Drone was hastily created with
a remote control software. You
are the sole pilot with an appropriate equipment who can
defeat the enemy. Everyone
gle. What do we gain from

it? For example, the missiles
launched from our vessel have
sion and we notice it immedi-
The first thing that I liked in the

game, was the difficulty level.
The author thought about the
fact that at the beginning the
difficulty should be moderate. It
counts on you!
allows us to adjust to the action
However we know that the
game will be more difficult. As
most important thing is playabil-
it is in the games of this type,
ity which in this game is pretty
we encounter a wave of ene-
big. Of course, graphics and
my ships, machines, robots etc.
sound and other things have
The launched here and there
a huge impact on this but the
missiles are also a threat to us.
and to train because later the
a bigger impact or they go in

different directions and not only
forward. Unfortunately, when
we lose our ship, we also lose
our power -ups. When we collide with an enemy and we lose
one of our lives, use a couple
of seconds of invincibility to get
through a wave of enemy ships.
Luckily, we
can find the
so called
power-ups
during the
PULSE
Publisher: Sven Michael
Klose
Platform: VIC20
gameplay .
And how to
get those?
You can, for
REVIEW
COMMODORE
Scrap Yard Scrapes

Review: Komek; translated by: MA
There are a few ways to encourage an experienced player to deal with a minimalistic game. One of them is to compare it to a well-known and appreciated title.
Scrap Yard Scrapes is a very simple game, but it has a bit in common with such
titles as Bomberland and Boulder Dash. Do you see it? Its enough that I mention those two magical titles and I am pretty sure that you are now more curious to
learn about it.
crap Yard Scrapes is

a quite fresh game as it
was published this year.
It was written by Steve McCrea who also made a port
of Doom for VIC20. Generally speaking it is an arcade
similar to many other titles
but, in my opinion, it is worth
playing it.
REVIEW
The action takes place in

a big scrapyard and your
task is to find a way out of it.
The task is not an easy one.
You will shortly find out that

it is a huge labyrinth and
your task is to get to the exit
located on the opposite side
of the screen. On your way
you will find piles of trash
that can be moved like to
stones in Boulder Dash.
Sometimes that action is impossible so your only choice
is to blow it up. In this case it
is similar to Bomberland. It
would be all ok if it wasnt for
the fact that the number of
the bombs in your disposal is
limited. Luckily with each
finished level
you get two
additional
bombs. You
are not able
to detonate
a bomb if
your character faces the
wall. Moreover, you
shouldnt
stay within
the radius
of an explosion as it
will kill you.
During the
game you
should take notice of the

time counter. If it reaches
zero you will see an aggressive dog that will run
towards you. If you are not
fast enough you are in a big
trouble!
While playing Scrap Yard
Scrapes I was irritated by
the fact that I was forced
to you the keyboard, and
to be more specific I had
to use Z, X, O, Kand
P keys, which is something
Im not fond of. Generally
the games is a quite good,
minimalistic experience. The
idea of a game taking place
in a scrapyard is something
I hadnt experienced before
playing it so I can only invite
you to play it.
SCRAP YARD SCRAPES

Publisher: Kweepa
Platform: VIC20
COMMODORE
Demonsdom
21
Review: Komek, translated by: Slayerpl
Labyrinth games are games where the plot usually takes place in some spooky
castles, dungeons, pyramids or other buildings. I will admit that I love this type of
games. In the past I envied Atari players, because, at the beginning of the 90ties
Polish companies released quite a lot of them. You could purchase one of them in
almost every shop with computer games. However not everybody liked this. I read
in one of the computer magazines, that some people were fed up with labyrinth
games. These were fortunately only the opinions of the minority in the players
community and these games were sold with a considerable profit.
s you probably know,

Demonsdom is a standard labyrinth game.
Its construction and graphics
remind us of Atari releases created by the Polish coders in the
nineties. The game appeared
during this period in 1991, and
I found out about it recently,
while browsing Plus/4 World
website.
You would probably like to
know, what the game is about?
Relax! Ill explain it.
You are in a gigantic, morose

castle of Demon. Your task consists of defeating him and escaping from this horrible building.
Unfortunately, it is not so simple
and the game is quite difficult.
Ghosts, apparitions and other
creatures await you in every
chamber. When you enter the
next one, you have to wander
without touching any of the creatures and sometimes it is very
difficult. Remember also that
you cannot touch the walls and
the elements protruding from
the walls, but, relax,
the longer you play,
the more skilled you
are. Sometimes there will be a situation
when you encounter
a closed entry to the
next chamber. You
have to find the key,
which will open the
entrance. However
the key is guarded
by the Demons
guard, who is protecting the key. And
what do we do ? Do
not panic, you need
to find a flask of holy
water which will
cause that the guard will vanish. Next
you just have to go
around two ghosts,
take the key and
run away. Generally,
every chamber is a new challenge because they differ in the

construction and the placement
of the obstacles.
I mentioned earlier that the
game is quite difficult. At the
beginning this is true. Moreover,
when I saw that we only have 3
lives, I was doubting if playing the
Generally,
game was feasible.
every chamThe game is hober is a new
wever so playable
challenge
that I stopped thinbecause they
king about this and
differ in the
I concentrated on
the task ahead of
construction
me. Graphically,
and the plaDemonsdom is
cement of the
OK, but , as far as
obstacles.
colors are concerned, monotonous.
The music fits the gameplay,
especially the spooky beginning.
As far as playability is concerned, it depends on the personal
taste, but I think that the game
is highly playable, even for the
players who are not the fans of
this genre. If you do not play it,
you will not find out !!!!!!!
DEMONSDOM
Publisher: CSM
Platform: Plus 4
7
REVIEW
COMMODORE
Review:Komek
Komek, translated by: GeoAnas & Tomxx
Review:
All the games of BreakOutgenre are nothing but classic arcades. Their rules are
trivial because all of them rely on a paddle that bounces a ball in order to break
various forms of bricks. I first came across such a game back in 1988 and it was
the cult game called Breakout.
was on holidays with my par-
face meeting with
ents and sister in Midzyzdroje
this kind of game,
at the Baltic Sea in Poland.
and Im bringing
I recall standing in a large
up this story only
queue (as it used to happen
because ARCOS,
in Poland in the 80s) just to
the game Im
buy my favorite chocolate ice
reviewing today,
cream. I could not stand still
belongs to the
and soon got terribly bored.
same species.
I decided to go for a quick stroll

but suddenly my eyes hit a sign
What is it all
shouting: Gaming Room.
about? Your mis-
Yeah, great! But... first I had to
aliens (monsters) and keep as
go back and ask for the permis-
many fellow astronauts as you
sion to enter into the Temple.
can. You can also use ship-
- Mom, Mom! There is a lounge
range and a special bullet
with games, exactly like the
called the Energy Ball, which
Few words about the game
one in our neighbourhood! Can
destroys everything on its path.
quality. As for the graphics:
I stay there a little bit?
In addition, your ship is armed
both versions (C16 and C64)
with a laser gun. Use it wisely,
look quite similar; nothing fancy
as the number of missiles is very
but not too borring either. Music
limited. Fortunately, it is not so
exists only in the C64 version.
bad, because at the end of
On C16 my ears didnt really
each level you get extra ammo,
register a single quietest sound.
which, on the other hand, de-
Playability? Yes, quite good.
sion is to kill all the
is the speed of ship and ball

movement. Its very slow on C16
and the C64 version is much
smoother.
pends on how many astronauts

you manage to keep after
Just to explain the score card:
each level.
I took into account only the C16

version for my assession of the
I think there is no need to de-
game, so the score doesnt ap-
scribe on how the monsters or
ply to C64 one.
astronauts look like, because
A.R.C.O.S.
REVIEW
you spot the difference instantPermission granted and I quickly
ly. However, remember that
rushed into the lounge just to
Energy Balls and laser missiles
check the games. I first discov-
also destroy astronauts, so use it
ered Arkanoid (Taito, 1986)
smart in order to keep your bud-
machine which stood at the
dies alive. The only annoying
entrance. It was my first face-to-
thing affecting the gameplay
Publisher: Kabuto
Factory
Platform: C16, C64
23
AMIGA
XV World Cup:
Kick Off 2
Editorial: Tomxx, currently rated as 27th KO2 player in the world ;)
In terms of pure playability and in-game realism Kick Off 2 is considered to be

one of the best football simulators ever published, whether for 16-bit computers, or
on any other system. 25 years have already passed since the game launch and
the thesis of its uniqueness is best confirmed by the fact that the KO series is still
supported by a devoted community. In October, KO Revival for PS4 was announced and in November the 15th World Cup was played, making KO2 a true pioneer
of global e-sports.
he spirit of the game is
the standards of pro-players
(graphics, sound, tactics and
based on its dynamics,
holding the terminology of
production). It was the first
but the key factor is the
e-sports. I will not bore you
time in KO history where two
ability to control the ball,
here with KO2 nuances, as you
of the game creators jointly
which is extremely well de-
can read more about this in
participated in the World
veloped for a joystick with
two interviews presented on
Cup. The events kicked off
a single fire button. It is just
the following pages.
in a sublime and somewhat
this aspect of the game that
humorous way: with flags and
one can master, and just
The fifteenth World Cup tour-
like in real football you can
nament was played in Ire-
master the skills of dribbling,
land at the former chocolate
trapping and passing the ball.
factory located in the heart of
Quality, accuracy and effec-
Dublin. The two-day event was
tiveness in the game depend
attended by 38 players from
solely on player skill and on,
11 countries, and the impor-
unlike in most modern games,
tance of the tournament was
in-game characters stats. In
underlined by the presence
a nutshell, you can play KO2
of the two game developers:
at the amateur level, but you
Dino Dini (designer and pro-
might also improve to reach
grammer) and Steve Screech
national anthems ripped from
EDITORIAL
AMIGA
2015 World Cup stats

C64s Olympic Games, players
atmosphere and equally great
were presenting themselves,
stout immediately resulted in
sharing greetings and posing
a very positive atmosphere,
for group photos. Applause,
good humor and lots of loud
short speeches and the ball
cheers after the goals were
kicked off on 12 Amiga sets
scored.
connected through a 25-year

-old computer game!
(1200s and 500s) connected

to traditional TVs or monitors.
Football playtime is one thing,
Simultaneously the crew star-
but there is something more
The second day of the tour-
ted to drink an amazing Irish
important to point out: during
nament started with the last
stout which was gifted by one
this tournament I saw a group
games of the group stages
of the local breweries.
of 30-40 year old geeks that
and then the World Cup ente-
seemed to be incredibly inte-
red its final stage. As always,
Players were drawn into 4 gro-
grated with each other. I met
there were a few surprises,
ups and everyone had to face
people gathered around a re-
some favorites were knocked
his opponent once. The top
tro game they have played
out before the semifinals,
players from the group stage
since
while others, in turn, presen-
their
advanced to the next round
ted themselves above initial
to play for the Champion
expectations. The Shirt of
Cup, those rated in the middle
Shame winner emerged after
continued playing for the
a series of penalty kicks. The
Silver Cup, and the last ones
Silver Cup was won by Lee
fought to avoid a Shirt of
from England (it was his debut
Shame, which initially gave its
in the World Cup event) and
name to the WC 2015 anthem
the matches for the world
song performed by Dino Dini
championship, starting with
himself. The official World Cup
the semi-finals, were shown on
game version is called KO-
childhood times that still
the big screen. At this stage
2CV (KO2 Competitive Ver-
gives them tons of fun! Just to
the best players in the world
sion, the file accessible from:
play some football on classic
showed their true skills, there
http://2015.kickoff2worldcup.
Amiga sets, they flew in from
were lots of goals and the
com) and on top of the cu-
various countries in Europe
games usually ended with
stomized graphics for the 2015
and beyond (one of the par-
high scores, like 7-5 or 6-9. Two
tournament, it also includes
ticipants lives in Seattle, USA).
finals were played between
some special settings for
Over the years they have for-
Andy G. from England and
competitive gameplay. Great
med a hermetic crew (most of
current champion Gianni T
them have known each other
representing Italy. Two games
for years), but on the other
ended in an unexpected, yet
hand they are extremely frien-
fully deserved victory by Andy
dly and open to newcomers.
the world champion title
Although I was new there
went to England and Andy
I instantly got introduced and
couldnt stop wiping away the
enjoyed the friendly and funny
tears of emotion.
Kick Off 2 World Cup history

2015 Dublin, Ireland. Winner: Andy G
2014 Copenhagen, Denmark. Winner: Gianni T
2013 Voitsberg, Austria. Winner: Alkis P
2012 Milan, Italy. Winner: Dagh N
2011 Birmingham, UK. Winner: Gianni T
2010 Duesseldorf, Germany. Winner: Dagh N
2009 Voitsberg, Austria. Winner: Gianni T
2008 Athens, Greece. Winner: Gianni T
2007 Rome, Italy. Winner: Spyros P
2006 Rickmansworth, UK. Winner: Spyros P
2005 Cologne, Germany. Winner: Gianluca T
2004 Milan, Italy. Winner: Gianluca T
2003 Groningen, Netherlands. Winner: Gianluca T
2002 Athens, Greece.Winner: Rikki F
2001 Dartford, UK. Winner: Alkis P
EDITORIAL
Amount of games played: 384

Amount of goals scored: 2659
Average goals per game: 6.92
New players in tournament: 11
Total free beer drunk: 72 litres!
atmosphere! This tournament

was indeed unique, as there
In one year we all meet again!
were altogether 11 players at-
The discussion on where to
tending the WC games for the
play the next years World
first time. Such an influx of fre-
Cup has already been kicked
sh blood is desirable in each
off in the community forums
community, and especially
(http://ko-gathering.com/
welcomed within the groups
forum).
25
AMIGA
EDITORIAL
AMIGA
Gianni T.
Interview by: Tomxx
Kick
Off
2
community star
Gianni T., namely Gianni Torchio, is Milan-based 4-time Kick Off 2

World Cup champion, one of the major figure of KO Association
community group, attendant of 8 out of last 10 World Cups. In the
interview held during 2015 tournament in Dublin, Ireland, we talk
about his early career, long-lasting passion, friendship and the
future of KO2 community.
Hi Gianni, as the current Kick
have Olivier who reached
nes Day, I took all the money
Off 2 world champion, how do
the big screen games for the
I saved for years and bought
you feel this year on your road
first time ever, and Andy, who
both, the Amiga 500 and the
to defending the title?
kicked out Fabio in quarter
KO2 game. It was the best
finals. I know Im the player
game Ive ever seen, purely
So far I reached the semi-final
they prefer to avoid on the
love at first sight ;) Our KO
stage and Im excited to aga-
road to the final, but all of the
group started to grow and
in play for the title. The atmos-
players at this stage are strong
we ended up with a team of
phere over here is very positi-
and games are going to be
6 close friends, including my
ve and the quality of football
intense!
cousin and my brother someti-
is high. Although some great
me later.
names from the KO scene are
How did your adventure with
missing in Dublin (for instance
KO actually start?
Do you practice on real retro

hardware?
last year we had 4 previous

champions playing for the title
It all started 24 years ago, in
and this year its just me who
1991. I started to play KO2
I own 5 Amigas and practi-
previously won the cup), we
on an extended A500. I was
ce at least twice a month.
have many players over-per-
introduced to this game by
I obviously play more often
forming this year. For instance,
my friend on February 13th.
before the events and world
in the semifinals we already
The day after, at the Valenti-
cup tournaments. But I dont

call it a practice. To me
personally its just a pleasure,
its a social fun time where we
gather together, play, drink
INTERVIEW
I took all the

money I saved
for years and
bought both,
the Amiga 500
and the KO2
game. It was
the best game
Ive ever seen,
purely love at
first sight ;)
and chat. Identically like go-
27
What do you think of the

KO-gathering group?
Do you consider KO2 the best
Its like my family. We
football game ever created?
know each other for
World
Cup 2015 top 8 players, from left:

Jacob, Thor, Fabio, Gianni, Sandro, Andy,
Oliver, Chris
AMIGA
ing out to the pub.
many years and actuSo far, yes! There are defini-
ally grew up together
tely football games with great
playing this game. I met
ideas, like PES or FIFA, but their
most of them in real life
problem is the game play and
and it is where some gre-
more specifically, the way you
at friendships have been
handle the ball, which is far
started. Our meeting
behind the KO standards. Sure,
over here is only partially
they have licenses, awesome
due to the tournament;
graphics and the stadiums
another important
appear to live. However, if
aspect is that of personal
you score great goal you
relationships that were
dont feel its your own effort.
maintaining.
Instead, you say this goal was

scored by Messi because of
his in-game skills. In KO, on the
KO-gathering
community at 2015 World Cup

in Dublin. Gianni fourth from right.
What is your hope for the

future of KO-gathering?
other hand, everything is only

up to you. The main objec-
I dont think we will
tive is to master ball control,
significantly grow, but
exactly like in the real football.
the goal is fulfilled for
KO has the most powerful ball
many years: to reach
control system within all sports
membership stability
games and so far its unrival-
and keep this game
led.
alive. World Cup events
usually host 40-50 play-
2015
World Cup game: Gianni vs Helmut,

Fabio spectating.
The main objective is to master

ball control, exactly like in the
real football. KO has the most
powerful ball control system
within all sports games and so
far its unrivalled.
What about Sensible Soccer,
ers, and we tend to see
KO2s main competitor on
an uptick of players from
Amiga?
the countries where the

events are being hosted
Sensible has got better
in. We are all constantly
graphics and their designers
in touch using our own
did a really good job on that.
forums but also through
But the gameplay is far behind
social platforms, like in
the KO level. For instance, you
Facebook groups or
can steal the ball when run-
WhatsApp.
World
Cup 2014 (Copenhagen) top 3

players. Another victory of Gianni.
ning from behind, or you cant

trap the ball, so there is barely
any challenge with that.
INTERVIEW
AMIGA
GameDev Story:
Interview by: Tomxx
Dino Dini
Dino Dini, British computer game developer, programming lecturer and original creator of the Kick Off series of football games.
In the long interview for K&A plus Dino talks about early game
development, rough relationship with the publisher, current relations with KO-gathering community and plans for the upcoming
Kick Off Revival game for PS4.
Hi Dino, I cant start my inter-
funding to allow me to do my
grammed the game all by my-
view in any other way but ask-
game my way, where I can
self, I did have a publisher who
ing about new and shiny Kick
call all the artistic shots and
provided support in certain ar-
Off Revival project. How did it
not be forced into certain
eas. They connected me with
happen that you again decid-
solutions, like 3D realism or
Steve Screech who provided
ed to refresh the franchise?
commentary - 10 years ago
the pitch and sprite graphics,
you couldnt do this.
tested the game, advised on
I have been continuing game
football and helped to devise
development ever since the
What is your mission behind
and tune the tactic files. He
original Kick Off, but with time
Revival?
had the role of a producer
passing it became very diffi-
for KO, in the same way Mike
cult to do independent game
I want to keep the spirit of the
Merren helped me on GOAL!
development, because of the
original game. The primary
Its like with books - you dont
state of the industry. I was an
mission is to make this game
do everything in isolation,
indie gamedev before it be-
with modern hardware and
you have an editor to give
came a thing. That all stopped
modern controllers, that has
you feedback. So even back
when the first PlayStation
the spirit of the original game
then I wasnt all by myself and
came out. A good business
and takes it further.
today this surrounding group is
model for indie game development no longer existed.
even larger. Ive got someone

Whats your progress so far?
I didnt want to make a game
to deal with the platform-specific stuff, someone else for
in my spare time and then let
The ETA of the new game is
special effects, art, animation,
it disappear with no marketing
2016. For the last 18 months
testing, optimization, market-
and no support from the pub-
Ive been working part time on
ing, etc. Ive got all of them
lisher. A few years ago I tried
it, but now its my full time job.
to help me so I can focus
with a game called Buggy
The final product will also use
on game programming and
Wars that was released in
some of my early prototypes,
game design.
pre-alpha, but I shelved this
like ball interception and free
project because there were
kick snippets.
not enough people interested

in playing it.
Whos your publisher and

whats the role of Sony on this
What does your development
project?
crew look like today? Are you

Then about two years ago,
a solo-development team?
INTERVIEW
Sony started communicat-
Sony is backing up this project

financially but its being pub-
ing with me, and eventually
Its similar to the old KO - al-
lished by The Digital Lounge
gave me the opportunity and
though I designed and pro-
- the French company run by
remembered. This is an artists
friendly way. We moved on
guy behind the relaunch of
ultimate test, isnt it? So yes,
since then, but the community
Another World. So its bigger
I can say it looks like I created
is its own thing and although
and more professional com-
something that stood the test
I dont aspire to be the com-
pared to the original KO.
of time and Im proud of that
munity ruler I still want to be
and Im happy of this achieve-
the owner of the game. I view
ment.
it as a protections of my moral
How did your development

environment change over the
years?
AMIGA
Abrial Da Costa, whos the
29
rights. Strictly, people should

Do you keep in touch with
ask for permission from me to
folks from KO-Gathering? What
modify my work. If people are
Previously it was just bedroom
are your relations with the KO
playing with something that
programming and in gener-
community?
I havent designed then obvi-
al bedroom business. It was
ously we start to get an issue
a 68k assembler vs Unity3d
Sure, but I dont have a day-
with creative ownership. Its
nowadays. But honestly the
to-day interaction with the
like people modifying a book
environment hasnt changed
group, as Im a bit busy and
to their own taste or editing
that much; there are obviously
also try to keep a little bit of
a film, eg. Star Wars Episode
different languages giving you
a distance, because I dont
IV, would that be right? Its an
the convenience to make the
find it too healthy to be right
interesting question.
game better, but in the end
in there all the time. But I start-
the whole process is very simi-
ed to attend the events a few
lar. I sometimes even question
years ago. The first one was
how much more productive
in Milan and the community
I actually am nowadays, be-
treated me very nicely, they
cause I managed to make the
gave me a lifetime achieve-
original KO1 all in assembler in
ment award. This is a very
15 months and only 3 months
precious thing to me and
to do KO2 on top of KO1
means a lot. Nowadays Id
source code. I did rewrite the
like to get more involved into
entire code for GOAL! though.
community, but the problem
I view what I do as
an art form and my
games are performances which are
presented to the
gaming audience
thought a technological medium.
is to figure out how do to it so

Now, lyrics in your KO2 World
that it all works. Id like to be
What kind of modifications are
Cup anthem say: 25 years
involved into the development
you referring to?
theyve played my game.
of the official competition
What do you actually feel see-
version for Amiga. The current
Most importantly, there were
ing all these people playing
tournament versions arent be-
already many fixes made to
KO and gathering all together
ing developed by the source
many different versions of
year after year?
code, they are created by just
KO: starting from the original,
hacking the executable.
through World Cup, Final Whis-
I feel proud! If there is some-
tle, to Return to Europe. There
thing I want to achieve with
Isnt it a perfect opportunity for
are a whole bunch of data
any of the art is to stand the
you to get back to the com-
disks that extended and fixed
test of time. I view what I do
munity by offering your help
the game. There was also an
as an art form and my games
and KO2s source code?
oracle crack that was much
are performances which are
more popular than the official
presented to the gaming
Yeah, it could! But first I need
versions, which is probably
audience thought a techno-
the community to really want
the most played version of my
logical medium. To me writing
it. The community can be
game (with possibly unknown
a game is like writing a book
a bit fickle. When I got back
modifications). It turned out
or song. The ultimate goal
to EU in 2002 and I introduced
that there was a bug that
is to create something that
myself to the KO association
I fixed, which may have ap-
has a value so that it can be
I was not received in a very
peared in early versions of the

INTERVIEW
AMIGA
game. And this is not what
a piece of code that was
control the ball differently in
I intended as a designer! In
used for Player Manager to
the penalty box. Some players
a sense there was a version
make the players more likely
who got used to this feature
branch and a bug just be-
to score in the penalty area
really wanted to keep it in and
came a feature. It gets worse..
by allowing them to control
those who didnt use it consid-
people play hacked versions
the ball better in the box. And
ered it as cheating.
of my game and I dont even
I was okay to do this for AI, but
know whether their bug com-
absolutely not okay to do that
The competitive version ac-
plaints are related to the ver-
for a player! It goes com-
tually has the PBD toggle
sion they have been playing,
pletely against my philosophy:
feature.
or if the bugs are in the crack.
a player and a ball a separate

entities and you dont mess
Yes, Steve C made it as an
with them. It turned out that,
option to be turned on/off
by mistake, it was active also
individually for players to try
It was called Penalty Box
for joystick players and result-
resolving this situation.
Dribbling. It seems it was
ed in players being able to
What bug was it?
How do you design games?

How do you approach the
unknown before you hit programming phase of the game
creation process?
When someone asks me to
design a game based on
sport, the first thing I do is to
fully understand the concept
of what I based my game on.
And then I look for the most
important design rules for my
game, as the game I simulate already has its own set
of design rules. So the natural
thing is to go to the actual
rules of football, which have
The history of Kick Off 2 iconic image
been chosen as they made

this game so exciting. I call it
Did you ever wonder on which football characters have been depicted
on the Kick Off 2 box cover and game loading screen? The image is
quite iconic but most importantly the characters are real and the artwork was inspired by 2 photographs taken in 80s.
going to the source. Unfortu-
The first image on the left presents Mexican super star Hugo Sanchez
and the picture was taken during 1986 World Cup played in his home
country (the original one below). The second one is Andy Grey playing
for English club Crystal Palace back in 1987.
E.g. by making a racing game
nately, some people making

games go to the previous
version of the same genre.
they tend to see the previous
racing games, and I think this
is wrong. Instead they should
INTERVIEW
Artwork was created by the 3rd party agency

cooperating with ANCO back then and neither Dino Dini nor Steve Screech had anything
to do with this work. Its quite important, as
rumours say, that these images were just copied from football magazines. Back in eightees
the media law was quite liberal and copyrights werent strictly obeyed, so both players
presented in the artwork never got a single
penny of their contribution to Kick Off 2.
start by learning about the

sport, and trying to understand
whats boring and whats
exciting. Even the Formula 1
regulators adapt to make their
sport more exciting and game
designer has to do the same:
decide which rules add and
then also when you do that,
You have to decide on what
you can end up in trouble
you keep and what you throw
if bad things happen in the
away. In KO I didnt want to
game. E.g. When working on
have an off-side rule, because
Player Manager I wanted to
I didnt think it was necessary,
make random things happen-
but I did want the ball not
ing to simulate real life. Like
to stick because I felt it very
injuries, affairs or players bad
important.
attitude to get him involved

into bar fights. Isnt that inter-
The fact that the ball doesnt
esting? This is part of life and
stick to the foot is the main
it would make for great game
stamp of KO. Was it your initial
play. But clearly, if the great-
concept or was it developed
est star in your game is arrest-
during the design phase?
ed by police on drugs charges

you can get into real trouble.
Games in the Kick Off series (1989 - 2016)

Kick Off (1989)
Kick Off Extra Time (Data disk) (1989)
Franco Baresi World Cup Kick Off (1990)
Player Manager (1990)
Kick Off 2 World Cup 90 (1990)
Kick Off 2 (1990)
Kick Off 2 1MB (1990)
Kick Off 2: Giants of Europe (Data disk) (1990)
Kick Off 2: The Final Whistle (Expansion disk) (1991)
Kick Off 2: Return To Europe (Expansion disk) (1991)
Kick Off 2: Winning Tactics (Data disk) (1991)
Kick Off 2: Super League (Expansion disk) (1991)
Kick Off 2: Maths Disk (Expansion disk) (1991)
Super Kick-Off (1991)
Kick Off 3 (1994)
Kick Off 97 (1997)
Kick Off 98 (1997)
Kick Off World (1998)
Kick Off 2002 (2002)
Kick Off Revival (2016) - in development
Right at the beginning the first
My philosophy here is that the
thing I built was the pitch and
game comes first. If you get
a ball. And I made the ball
yourself involved in the licens-
an entity by itself equipped
es that make sense only from
with physics. I never wanted
business and marketing point
part of the deal by allowing
the ball to stick as it would be
of view, it wont help your
the game to be successful.
like carrying the ball around,
game play.
So I was quite happy to carry

on that way and I wasnt as
and its not football. The most

important parts of the game
Did KO make you rich back
greedy to expect anything
are the ball and the players
then?
else. Until, one day, I went to

Japan to help producing KO
feet, and making it sticky is just

breaking the reality and de-
No, I didnt have a publisher
on SNES and I was presented
stroying the spirit of the game.
that was behaving in an eth-
with a video clip of another
Its an identifying feature of
ical way towards me. So no,
football game submitted to
the sport, so carrying can work
I never got any major financial
them by ... my publisher. It was
fine in basketball or rugby, but
reward.
Sensible Soccer, so Anco was

talking to Sensible Software,
not in football. This is also what

makes football a difficult sport.
What was wrong between you
which made me upset. My
and Anco?
publisher that I was loyal to

for all these years dealing with
Have you ever considered

acquiring players and teams
I worked with Anco without
the clone of my game? What
licenses or was it still too ex-
a proper contract and with-
about loyalty?, I asked and
pensive back then?
out any proper agreement.
got an answer: I dont owe
It all started off as a low risk
you any loyalty. That was
There is a whole heap of issues
project, so we had an agree-
pushing me too far and at that
around this. One of them is
ment, but it wasnt anything
point I said Okay, then I dont
that you have to pay a license
professional. And to be
own you any loyalty either.
to use real player names, but
honest, Anco had done their
And so I was self-funding the
AMIGA
which diminish the excitement.
31
development of KO3 (Goal!)
My philosophy here is that the game

comes first. If you get yourself involved in the licenses that make sense
only from business and marketing
point of view, it wont help your game
play.
and jumped ship to Virgin

Games.
Anco kept the Kick Off franchise, right?
Yeah, I couldnt take that off
INTERVIEW
AMIGA
them, because there was no

paperwork. It was a mess.
Kick
Off 2 sprite sheet as seen on Amiga.
And so I got detached from

my creation and its a painful
lesson for me. They then continued to create new games
under the same brand. Whats
worse, some version of them
were based on my own source
code not authorized by me.
The lesson is always make sure
that a proper agreement is in
place!
Was it the case with PC version
of KO as well?
The PC version of KO has
Do you still recall any funny
because the finite-state ma-
bugs from the KO2 develop-
chine I was using was not up
ment works?
to the task of creating these

complex interactions of logic
nothing to do with me. Anco
has done it, probably using my
There were a few of them.
over time in the robust way. So
source code. The point is that
There was a bug that would
I had to come out with some-
they kept doing KO games
make a white player to
thing better.
without me and it actually
appear on the pitch. These
caused me damage, as peo-
sprites were unused and
Can you tell us more about the
ple see a KO game and they
were meant to appear only
war between football games
think: Oh, this is from Dino
in case of an error. This mys-
back in early 90s?
Dini.
tical white player that would

My relationship with the
There was that war that happened between

Kick Off and Sensible Soccer. In fact both of
these games owed their existence to me, because Sensible Soccer was a Kick Off clone!
INTERVIEW
Promotional
Dino Dinis Kick Off Revival t-shirt.
audience has been very

difficult for all these periods.
In mainland Europe there is
very little bad feeling towards
me, but in the UK it has been
a bit different. There was that
rarely appear got interpreted
war that happened between
as a ball boy. Another one
Kick Off and Sensible Soccer.
was the situation when ball
In fact both of these games
would end up on top of the
owed their existence to me,
net and everybody was there
because Sensible Soccer was
looking at each other, be-
a Kick Off clone! Sensible Soft-
cause the goalkeeper didnt
ware actually acknowledged
know how to get the ball. Or
this in interviews that their
the one with the strange and
game was created on my KO
annoying bug with the corner
concept, that they played KO
kick in practice mode. Some-
and wanted to do their own
times, if the ball goes out with
football. I did not clone their
the keepers deflection but
Microprose Soccer, I did not
crossing the center of the goal
even play It, and if there any
line the corner was called on
similarities they are coinciden-
the other side of the pitch. This
tal. Its difficult, as people just
is actually why I decided to
take someones product in or-
rewrite everything for Goal!,
der to release their own, and
one reason on why I rewrote
So can we expect this feature
identical one, with few basic
the game completely for
in Revival?
changes. I could have lived
GOAL!, which would have
with it, but then there was
been Kick Off 3. The main
Yes, the intention is to allow
this war started off by Amiga
feature with GOAL! was that
you to control the speed of
Power magazine which later
I wanted a player to control
your player, so that you can
took over the media. I came
running speed. And it was
choose between speed and
off really bad, as I had been
something I was missing from
low ball control or better con-
silent in the media until Amiga
previous KOs, but that required
trol but with a slower run. This is
Power published a fake letter
a complete rewrite of the
true with the real sport. How-
supposedly from me, which
game as it was such a funda-
ever, because of this can now
harmed my reputation, and
mental change. So the inertia
be done by pushing the stick
caused me a lot of pain.
(speeding up and down) was
by different amounts, there is
put in so that one can control
no need for inertia.
Was there anything not imple-
players speed. Nowadays
mented in the original KO that
we have analog sticks and
Thank you and good luck with
you wanted to see in game?
its possible to control it much
your new game!
AMIGA
eventually they release almost
33
easier.
There were some features but

I kept adding new content in
the following versions of this
game. At some point of KO2
(around Expansion disks) there
wasnt actually much more to
put in, and that was actually
Nowadays Id like to get more involved

into community, but the problem is to
figure out how do to it so that it all
works.
Dino
Dini in front of Kick Off Revival banner. Dublin, 2015.
INTERVIEW
AMIGA
Soccer Kid
Review: Don Rafito, translated by: Slayerpl
It is 1994. Before the World cup in USA a game appears that refers directly to the
upcoming tournament. But instead of being a competition for games such as Kick
Off or later SWOS, we encounter a game which tells a story that the world cup
may not happen.
ou can see that you
of these games. The favorite
the aliens are involved Not
are getting older when
one is definitely Lotus 3 and
this time around. The brave
you look at your chil-
RuffNTumble. But when
person is a young football fan,
dren. As an older guy around
I see new hobbies of my son,
who has a ball and is incredi-
forty years old I am fully aware
his friends, football, Champi-
bly agile and tries to defy the
of that. But Im also aware of
ons League football cards,
hordes of opponents, find all
another saying: what youth is
I decided to show not Fifa
the pieces of the trophy and
used to, age remembers. So
14 but Soccer Kid. And it
save the human kind and the
succeeded, because my child
football championships.
when my older son

started to be
inherited my inclination to
interested in
amiga platform games.
other things
than fairy-
WORLD CUP IN DANGER
tales and
wanted to
use a joystick,
I wanted to show
him where his
And it all may happen because of. aliens, that

liked FIFA trophy so much
that they decided to steal it.
ity the ball in our hands

oh wait, In our legs is a real
rocket. The little kid juggles it
and dribbles to aim and give
Thankfully, our invaders are
I presented
not the sharpest tools in the
to him games
shed. When they try to steal
inflated balloon called ball is
the trophy, they destroy it and
useful when reaching upper
cause that it shatters into 5
ledges. But as it is often the
pieces. Falling fragments land
case with the balloons, their
on different continents. It has
encounters with sharp objects
its consequences. If we dont
usually end bad and there are
find a brave person who will
a lot of sharp objects in the
which I play
at the same time,
he liked. Every
year there
are more
gather the fragments and

get the trophy back to
the organizers, the World
Cup will not take place.
In this moment the
brave person appears,
a real tough guy with
a gun that is the
usual approach when
REVIEW
Thanks to the enormous agil-
roots are.
often and which,
TALENTED KID
a deciding blow against his

alien foes. Besides that, the
game. There is a saying: The

ball is round and there are two
goals.. When the ball is
pierced, or the ball goes away
from us, it can happen that
we do not have enough balls
left. And what we are left with
is the kids agility.
35
game is really nice looking.

graphics and it complements
the game. Nice to listen to, for
AMIGA
Sound is similar in quality to the
an adult and also for a young

player.. the modules and
samples mix good with the
action on the screen. And the
typical sounds for football, e.g.
referees whistle, underline the
close connection of the game
with football.
KRISALIS, who as a publisher
was not a company specializing in platform games and
their most famous title that
I can think about is Sabre
Team, is not similar to the
Soccer Kid. They surprised
us with this release just like
our national football players
with their performances in the
qualification game against
Germans. So I consider Soccer Kid as a successful game
for the more sophisticated
users. The game can be a little
bit too difficult for the young
players. As we know, children
and also less patient adults
can sometimes lose their patience. But the practice leads
to the progress. And stubbornness of a maniac creates.
a computer maniac. It is
better to start from the beginning.. But wait what was
first: a chicken or an egg? Oh
wait, wrong magazine!
A SOLID PLATFORM GAME
erally speaking, it is hard to

find the shortcomings of this
Good animation of everything
game. I looked up other
moving, fluent scrolling, nice
platforms (PC,PSX,NES) on
graphics, visible characters
which the game was released
and surrounding, we have
and it looks almost the same
all the features of a good
on each platform. As far as
Amiga platform game. Gen-
graphics is concerned, the
SOCCER KID
Publisher: Krisalis
Platform: Amiga 68k
REVIEW
AMIGA
In the light of the gradients

`
the most beautiful skies in Amiga
Editorial: Petrichor
Gradient - to quote Wikipedia. The solution used in computer graphics to complete a specific area tonal smooth transition between at least two colors.
woke up today in the
friend. How many beautiful
of the Beast 2, an excellent
morning, at about 6am,
sunrises and sunsets I had seen
side-scrolling platform-adven-
in some sort of insomnia
with her? The most beautiful
ture. After a brilliant intro, we
state or something like that,
one was stored on two floppy
are finally in the game and
Brewed myself a delicious
disks.
what draws our attention? In
cup of morning coffee and

with its first sips I started to
While enjoying my morning
main character finding his
stare through my window
coffee I started to wonder why
way through the dark land
at the beautiful view of the
these simple graphic effects
of Karamoon, fighting and
rising morning sun fighting the
called gradients, that are
resisting dangerous enemies
darkness of night. One simple
nothing more but smooth tran-
and solving simple puzzles. But
atmospheric phenomenon
sitions between at least two
what attracts the attention
filled with a parade of colors
colors, play such an important
of an inquisitive player, is a
combined with all-encom-
role in video games? For me,
beautiful gradient sunset full
passing silence of the morning
the answer seems to be quite
of sinister outlines of moun-
worked for me in some mag-
simple: these effects make the
tains and mysterious shapes in
ical way and brought back
world of the video game we
the far distance that show a
many memories of the time
play more alive and true. Take
full picture of this dark world.
that I spent with my dear
for example a game Shadow
When I played this game for
EDITORIAL
the foreground we see the
the very first time, I kept asking
How many beautiful sunrises and

sunsets I had seen with her? The
most beautiful one was stored on
two floppy disks.
myself - what lies beyond the

horizon and what adventures
still await me? I felt like being
a part of this land and that my
journey had a purpose.
sistent and living world that
Would you like to see another
rising sun in the distance you
we - the gamers can identify
example? Sure! Lets take a
would only see limited cold
with. Thats why the sunrise I
look at a game called Agony
blue color imitating the sky? It
was looking at this morning
an amazing scrolling shoot-
would not be the same.
had brought such vivid and
er with graphic artistry which
AMIGA
of the beautiful colors of the
37
strong memories and prompt-
delights us even today. The
I think the above examples
ed me
burning glow gradient in one
give you a broader picture
to write
of the last stages of the game
and illustrate the importance
this text.
is so well made that you could
of gradient and how it chang-
I hope
feel the fire consuming this
es the perception of the
that after
beautiful land. Again, in the
games we play.
reading
foreground we have the main
this article
The above
examples give
you a broader
picture and
illustrate the
importance
of gradient
and how it
changes the
perception of
the games we
play.
character and right behind
To create a good gradient
and then
him we can see the burning
often requires a lot of work
looking at
trenches of the trees and,in
and optimal Amiga resources
a spectac-
the distance, a fiery glow of
management. Sometimes it
ular sunset
the burning sun.
may seem that using gradients
youll
is just a simple trick, where one
mutter
I could give you hundreds of
simply needs to select two
under your
other examples and although
matching colors and make
nose, Ha!
the gradient works best with
a smooth transition between
In what game have I seen this
2D games, it is not limiting itself
them. But to get a great result,
sunset?.
to the over-mentioned. Just
which for example can be
imagine that Lotus III Ultimate
seen in such a masterpiece
Challenge, one of the most
like Jim Power, you have to
popular racing games on Ami-
use a a few extra tricks like
ga, doesnt have the gradient
sprites techniques to manage
effect. Youre riding one of the
the effect.
curvy roads in the Alps, you

pass other cars, taking anoth-
The masters of using graphical
er corner and go down the hill
capabilities and pushing Ami-
towards ... a simple, flat and
ga to the limits were, without
one-coloured background,
a doubt, guys from Psygnosis.
instead of the colorful setting
Through various treatments
sun and the mountains. Would
and graphic tricks (raster lines,
the fun be the same? I am
halfbrite graphic mode, etc.)
sure, it would not!
they were able to create a

graphical masterpiece, such
Or would you feel the same
as Agony game, which I
atmosphere in the game
mentioned earlier. I can say
Dune, when upon visiting
without a doubt that the best
Fremens on the desert instead
gradients Ive ever seen were

in their games.
Top 10 of Amiga sky gradients
Using all these graphic

tricks in the backgrounds combined
with what the game
itself offers when it
comes to the gameplay, creates a con-
EDITORIAL
1. Shadow of The Beast (seria), Psygnosis

2. Agony, Psygnosis
3. Gods, Renegade
4. Unreal, Ubi Soft
5. Lamborghini American Challenge, Titus
6. Dune, Virgin
7. Soccer kid, Krisalis
8. Lionheart, Thalion
9. Lotus III: The Ultimate Challenge Gremlin
10. Elf, Ocean
Resurrection:
Karateka
Review: Bobikowoz; translated by: Slayerpl
Jordan Mechner is famous in the world of electronics because of two releases: Karateka and Prince of Persia. The second title is a world known brand
which exceeds the game industry. Beside computers and game consoles
Prince of Persia appeared in the cinemas, comics and also in the special
edition of LEGO. The elder brother of the Prince, pundit of the Japanese
martial art, is not that famous. He was not however completely forgotten.
After almost 30 years after the debut on the Apple II Mechner prepared an
updated version.
SAVE THE GIRL
the princess from the dungeon
BEAUTIFUL JAPAN
and cause that the vile warlord

he story told in Karateka is
pays for his sins. The way to the
not so original. The village,
palace is not easy, the palace
where you have lived, was
is placed on the mountainous
burnt down and your fiance
island and terrain obstacles are
Mariko was abducted by the
not going to stop you. When
local warlord Akuma. As the
you reach the coast, Akuma
sole survivor, you have to do
knows about your presence. His
something. You have to free
men, one by one, follow your

footsteps. Be careful and concentrate on every target. Those
are the principles in which
obvious. The years go by and

the technology also progresses
and the author didnt want to
use the popular in indie circles
pixels. New Karateka is not one
of the high budget productions
so it doesnt astound us with
a huge number of effects put
on every polygon. However
we cannot deny the game its
Karateka believes.
beauty. A little bit overdrawn,
The gameplay begins when the

warrior ends the climb on the
treacherous cliff close to the
palace. From this moment on,
his every step will be a test of
skill of fighting against the Akuma warriors. Here the differences the classic game from the
middle of the 80ties and their
updated 2013 version begin to
appear.
The change in the graphics is
unproportioned characters,
together with cellshading, give
the comic style to the game.
This form does not age too
quickly. Everything, just like in
the original is clear and neat.
30 years ago it was difficult to
talk about special graphics
effects, minimalistic interface
consisting of two energy bars
is not interrupting. Sporadically, the time elapsed and the
amount of points appear. The
Screenshots
REVIEW
Allthepictures,whichaenotfromC64,weredownloadedfromkarateka.
com. These from C64 are my own screencaps.
graphics of Karateka can be

considered nice looking. The
IS IT A GAME OR A MOVIE?
seen, far, far away apex is the
To cause that the game would
metaphor of the objective of
not be the series of senseless
our warrior. The whole time it is
fights, Mechner uses between
in the range of our sight and it
the fights short cut scenes, in
does not let us forget about it.
which angry Akuma appears
Even though it is far away, it is
and sends the armed guards
not moving, it does not change
in our direction. In the 80ties
with the elapse of the time.
of the last century we could
Minimalistic graphics could
say that we were a part of
enchant us on the day of the
interactive, film adventure. In
premiere, even though when
the new version we can see
we look at it from todays per-
the animated scenes between
spective it can be too mono-
the fights. To keep the games
tone and static, especially
premise not even a word is said
when we enter the dungeons.
during the game. The authors
When the far away mountain
decided to use the animations
disappears, the screen is filled
based on the games engine,
with black which is limited only
because of that new Karateka
by the doors, which hide prob-
is unique in comparison with
ably next dangers. The dark-
other small productions. In the
ness which is omnipresent In
majority of small games plot
the underground, tries to take
cut scenes are limited to single
away our confidence, destroy
pictures, with a small amount of
our concentration and hide the
animation.
range of their moves can give

an impression of a foto-realism. Nowadays, to make the
computer characters move in
the way similar to reality, the
motion capture technology is
used, which scans the movements of the actors. Jordan
Mechner also used this technology to capture the reality but
in a different way. Rotoscopy
is a solution which uses manual drawing of film captures.
The effect that he achieved,
placement of the punch.

What is left from this sort of
road to the objective.
The characters with the full
39
Only two games, but five
gameplay? Not a lot. Char-
different endings are to be
acteristic triangles symbolizing
discovered, counting of course
the level of health is the only
only the ones you can see after
element which didnt undergo
defeating Akuma. The game
the modification. Modern Ka-
industry in many games gives
rateka is focused on blocking
us ability to end the game
the punches and requires from
in a couple of ways. In the
the player the focus-
beginning of 80ties the end of
ing on the rhythm of
the game with something more
the opponent. Before
than a screen with congratu-
the opponent attacks,
lations was a rarity. The game
we hear in the back-
which had a two endings, was
ground the series of
a novelty.
sounds which indicate
HIGH FIST, LOWKICK
satisfied him to such an extent
The gameplay has undergone
that he used this technology in
certain changes during the
his next production Prince of
years. 8bit Karateka gave the
Persia.
full control into the hands of

the player. Using the keyboard,
how long the attacking sequence of the

opponent will be. If
we succeed in block-
Anecdote
Version for Apple II
was on a one side of
a diskette, but trying
to load the game
from the other side
was also possible.
Switching the sides
of diskettes caused
also turning the world
of the game upside
ing the attack, then

we can perform the
counterattack.
you could deliver six different

types of blows and precisely
In both releases the player and
choosing the range and the
Akumas guards automatically
REVIEW
NOSTALGIA VS. MODERNITY

From the contemporary point of
view, the predecessor seemed
to be monotonous. Small variety
of opponents and the environment causes that the schematic
fights can seem boring. You become more bored when after
the exchange of punches automatic regeneration of health
appears. The fights are not
that dynamic. This old release
requires from the player not only
the agility, but a big dose of
regenerate their powers.

Just like in the shooters
from last years, you need
to avoid the blows of the
opponents for some time
to regain your health
levels. In the 80s it was an
another argument to say
that Karateka was one of the
pioneer games.
other novelty. There is a trio of

karatekas who try to help the
player with freeing the princess.
When one of them dies, another one appears in his place.
patience. The aforementioned

problems were eliminated in the
new version. Instead of patience, the concentration and
timing is being tested.
In the remake the health re-
The switch of the karateka
generation lost its importance
additionally causes lowering
After many years not only the
and the valiant warriors find on
of difficulty. Every next fighter
refreshed reedition appeared
their way healing plants. Plural
controlled by the player can hit
but also a variation on the
in the world warriors is not an
harder and has higher level of
theme of the original. Both
error. Not only the fiance tries
health.
games can be finished by an
to liberate the princess an-
experienced player In less than

half an hour,
which causes
that if we have
a moment of
time, we can try
to play a classic game and
also check if the
modern style
didnt destroy the
premise of the
original, born in
the centre of the
REVIEW
feudal Japan.
41
Jordan Mechner
Interview by: Bobikowoz & Tomxx
Developer, producer, screen-writer and writer - man of many talents, jack of all trades. Designer and creator of the famous Prince
of Persia video game franchise; the movie based on his IP is the
highest-grossing film based on a video game. Exclusively for K&A
plus Jordan speaks about resurrected Karateka, technology limitations, Hollywood perception, friendships in gamedev and famous floppy disk reverse side joke ;)
Hi Jordan! Your early game
for me, in no special order: Su-
did the copy protection, and
development days are strong-
per Mario 64, Ocarina of Time,
taught me a lot about Apple
ly related to the Apple II com-
Ico, Shadow of the Colossus,
II programming. So did Robert
puter. Do you sometimes get
Grim Fandango, Journey, Lim-
Cook, who did the ports to
back to retro-gaming on your
bo, GTA V, Beyond Good &
Commodore 64 and Atari 400.
first platform?
Evil, Rayman Legends, Choplifter, Asteroids!
After playing both versions

I feel that the original Karate-
The last time I plugged in my

old Apple II, a few years ago,
Characters in your early
ka was presented in realistic
I was happy to see my kids
products are animated with
graphics matching those days
(age 8 and 10) delighted by
rotoscoping - the technolo-
hardware abilities; however
games like Choplifter and
gy that wasnt widely used
the remake is more of a comic
Serpentine. Theres a tac-
in game development back
book style design. Why did
tile charm about the 1980s
then. How did you come up
you go for such a change?
keyboard and joystick that
with such a unique idea?
even kids who grew up in the
The story and game play were
modern touchscreen era can
I did it because I wasnt
so simple, I thought it would fit
appreciate.
a very good animator, and
well with a more stylized look.
my first attempts to animate

The games you have devel-
the figures in Karateka looked
Did you have any ideas that
oped are often described as
completely unconvincing. So
werent implemented in the
unique and well executed and
I cheated.
original Karateka (because of
thus are considered to be the
the technology limitations, for
classics of the industry. What
Did you use any vendors while
example) but were eventually
games do you personally call
creating the first Karateka or
used in the remake?
classics? Are these the games
were all aspects, including
you played as a kid or some-
graphics and sound, complet-
The greatest technology
thing else that impacted you
ed by yourself?
limitation on the Apple II was
later on?
the sound and music. When

My dad composed the mu-
my dad played the score
So much of the impact de-
sic. My moms karate sensei
on a Steinway grand piano,
pends on what age you are
modeled the fighting. Broder-
it sounded thrilling. In my
when a game comes out, and
bunds in-house artist Gene
imagination, I heard a whole
which ones you put time into
Portwood drew the castle
orchestra, like the soundtrack
playing! A few that stand out
graphic. Roland Gustafsson
to a Kurosawa film. UnfortuINTERVIEW
nately, the Apples built-in
writers who followed me had
ro about ten years ago in an
speaker could only play one
more of an impact.
elevator in GDC, when he
note at a time, so it was a bit
told me hed written me a fan
of a let-down for my dad.
I love games and I love mov-
letter about Karateka when
For the remake, Christopher
ies, but I cant pick one over
he was 17 (and I was 19).
Tin took the original themes
the other. I keep going back
as a starting point and com-
and forth between them.
Can you share any cool

stories related to Karatekas
posed an amazing original

score. You should have seen
How was your relationship with
the smile on my dads face
your publisher back in the
when he heard it.
80/90s? Do you keep in touch
As a joke, Roland Gustafsson
development processes?
with the ex-members of Bro-
and I inverted the lookup
How do you recall your input
derbund? Are there any other
table so the entire game
on The Sands of Time movie?
friendships you started at your
would play upside down. We
Is Hollywood your dream des-
early days of game dev that
walked into Dougs office,
tination?
youve keep alive till now?
showed him, and suggested
I wrote the first screenplay for
Doug Carlston, who founded
side of the floppy disk, so that
the Prince of Persia movie,
Broderbund, is still a close
people who accidentally put
and Im proud and awed that
friend. So is Robert Cook
the disk in upside down would
it brought so many talented
(Gumball, D/Generation). As
get a surprise. I never thought
people together for such
a programmer in those pre-in-
hed say yes, because it add-
a lavish production--but in
ternet days, I didnt get out
ed something like 25 cents to
terms of shaping the final
much to meet game devel-
the cost of goods, and pub-
product, the director and
opers outside of Broderbund,
lishers are in business to make
so most of my friendships with
money. But he did.
that we put it on the reverse
Jordan
Mechner at his Apple in 80s.

Photo courtesy of: MyGaming (http://
mygaming.co.za)
other game developers happened later. I met John Rome-
You have already succeeded

in multiple creative fields. Do
you feel its time
to rest or do you
still believe that
your greatest
achievement is
still to happen?
The greatest
achievement is
always the one
thats ahead.
And the resting
and enjoying
need to happen
all along the
way.
Thanks and good
luck with your
INTERVIEW
further projects.
43
The Strong - US National Museum of Play

The Strong is an interactive, collections-based educational
institution in Rochester, New York, USA, devoted to the study and
exploration of play. The Strong collects and preserves artifacts,
documents, and other materials that illuminate the meaning and
importance of play. The hundreds of thousands of objects in The
Strongs collections comprise the worlds most comprehensive
assemblage of toys, games, dolls, electronic games, and other
items related to play.
The International Center for the History of Electronic Games
collects, studies, and interprets video games, other electronic
games, and related materials and the ways in which electronic games are changing how people play, learn, and connect
with each other, including across boundaries of geography and
culture.
Jordan Mechner also has his own special place at The Strong as
part of the 2014 Collection. The image on the right side presents
the animation reference footage for Prince of Persia. Photography below shows developers materials, sketches, drafts, music
notes and multiple of Mechners releases on various platforms:
from Apple II to Xbox. Lets keep fingers crossed, so that the
collection of The Last Express, Karateka and Prince of Persia gets
larger in the upcoming years.
Both images are courtesy of The Strong, Rochester, New York.
INTERVIEW
AMIGA
Le Fetiche Maya
Review: Petrichor
The world of computer games knows several prominent archaeologists, starting

from lovely Lara Croft, a recalling troublemaker Nathan Drake and ending with a
brave and funny Rick Dangerous. Among all these adventurers and scientists, there
is also Michael Fairbanks, hero of the game Le Fetiche Maya, published by the
French studio Silmarils. Lets look at his persona a little closer
e Fetiche Maya is an
the shoes of the above-mentio-
the hidden treasure of the lost
adventure game with very
ned Michael, who is the game
Mayan civilization. Unfortunately
simplified arcade elements.
protagonist and a protegee
for Michael, his arch-enemy
The games story-line is not very
of Professor Edward Halifaxis, a
Olrik Karloff is also on the track
clear from the beginning and,
famous archaeologist who has
to find the hidden treasure.
unfortunately, the further we go
been killed under mysterious cir-
into the game the less impor-
cumstances somewhere in the
tant it becomes. We step into
Jucatan jungle. The professor

has been
looking for
a mysterious
artifact that,
according
to the local
beliefs, leads to the
hidden treasure of the
Michael takes
on the task
of continuing
the work of his
mentor, but on
top of that to
also discover
the truth that
stands behind
the death of
his teacher...
Maya. Michael takes

on the task
of continuing
the work of
his mentor,
but on top
of that to
also discover the truth
that stands
behind the
death of
his teacher
and which
connects
REVIEW
directly to
The gameplay in Le Fetiche

Maya is composed of two elements - the adventure part and
the arcade part. The adventure
part focuses on the exploration
of ancient ruins in search of clues related to the treasure, dialogues with the local population,
on solving strange and obscure
puzzles, and on avoiding dangers in the form of traps and
wild animals. The second part of
the game is a very simple arcade mini-game, where we have
Its really difficult for me to re-
take him from point A to point
view this game. On one hand,
B while avoiding various traps
the continuous irritation caused
like boulders and gaps or by
by the way the main character
selecting the appropriate turns
moves and acts has put me off
at different crossroads, while
from playing Le Fetishe Maya,
ensuring that we have enough
on the
fuel and oil to get to the desti-
other hand
nation point.
exploring
The Repeatability of the game

-play and very awkward control
system of the main hero combined with poor animation (It has
always been the weakest point
of Silmarils games) makes it very
AMIGA
to drive Michaels SUV and
45
places such
as Chichen
Itza or Uxmal
gave me a
lot of fun, so
I wanted to
push further
If you are interested in

the fallen civilizations
and logic puzzles, but
do not pay much attention to the actual
gameplay, you should
give this game a try,
even just to climb the
famous pyramid Cuculcan.
to push story
annoying and not entirely satis-
-line forward
factory. In the game there are
even though
often moments where a player
I still wasnt
dies just because they put their
sure what
feet in the wrong place becau-
this game is
se of the poor animation. On
all about.
the plus side are well prepared, although still quite similar
locations which, despite their
simplicity reflect the mystical
character of destinations we
are visiting on our adventure.
They definitely give this game
a charm. Unfortunately, there
is no music to gives the game
proper atmosphere, we are only
accompanied by simple sound
effects.
The game is very specific and

aiming at those who will appreciate the games atmosphere.
If you are interested in the fallen
LE FETICHE MAYA
Publisher: Silmarils
Platform: Amiga
civilizations and logic puzzles,

but do not pay much attention
to the actual gameplay, you
should give this game a try,

even just to climb the famous pyramid Cuculcan. Other
gamers can rather skip this title.
REVIEW
AMIGA
Jaguar XJ220
Review: Don Rafito; translated by: Slayerpl
It all depends on which side of the fence you are standing. When I put that
popular saying into an image search engine, a variety of weird things appeared.
A huge chunk of them was utterly sexist and chauvinistic (not exclusively male).
So, having acquired a point of reference, I started my comparison. But is it even
possible to have a proper comparison without innuendos and allusions?
ot according to a cer-
persuade them to buy some-
my The Best of list, so Ill try
tain commercial for
thing. Is it me, or have we
to review it as objectively as
some car insurance
really sunk to such depths?
possible.
price advisor, which teaches
How far is going to get in the
you that all men are: a) drivers
future, e.g. at the time of our
who pay for car insurance,
retirement? Oh, I forgot, most
b) thinking with their crotch,
of us, i.e. people of my gen-
c) such simpletons that only
eration, thanks to ZUS, Fiskus
a half-naked actress (who
and NFZ (polish social security
sometimes has to take some
institutions) wont survive long
common cold medicine) can
enough to retire. So no worries.
XJ220, the fastest serially-pro-
Im far from doing irrational
Other brands like Ferrari, Por-
comparisons, since I try to
sche, Lamborghini or Bugatti
approach everything in life
still appear in the game, but
in equally objective manner.
their cars are driven exclusively
However, each time someone
by your opponents. The game
says Jaguar XJ220, I want to
offers a career mode that can
reply with Lotus. Thats prob-
be played alone or in local
ably what most Amiga racing
multiplayer. Thirty-two available
games fans would have done
tracks faithfully represent the
in 1992 and would still do to-
atmosphere of their real-life
day.
counterparts with effects such
Back in the day, it was said

that Jaguar wasthe main
competitor of Lotus.Each of
these games had, and still has,
able languages: German, English, Italian and French. After

that we are transported behind
the wheel of the titular Jaguar
duced car of the early nineties.
as rain, snow or fog that accompanies the player while

racing in England, Switzerland,
Japan or Egypt.
I swore not to make direct
It can be witnessed nowadays
comparisons, so Ill avoid cre-
just by lookingat the comment
ating the better/worse type
sections under various articles
of review. Known from the rival
about the games, where fans
game, the track editor makes
argue about superiority of their
an appearance, but allows
beloved title.
the player for a better control.
tus, Jaguar XJ220 still has

a relatively high position on
REVIEW
tion to select one of four avail-
a slew of fans and opponents.
In spite of my fondness for Lo-
The game greets us with an op-
Instead of an auto-generated track restricted only by

a few sliders, the player can
manipulate a large number
of parameters, from the
competing titles, but also

Running the game under WinUAE
number of turns to the placement of the whole scenery.

Another feature absent in
the competing game is the
economy system. By finishing races on a high enough
place, the player is awarded
cash, which can be used to
repair the Jaguar after each
race.This money is also used
to pay for the flights, if the
player chooses to continue
their career abroad. The farther the players destination
is, the more cash is the flight
going to require.The game
coming back to it whenever

they please. So, pedal to the
I used to have some problems with

Jaguar. Every time I started the
game through Whload on EmuAmi (configured as an expanded
A1200 with a fast 040 and a graphics
card) it would run so fast that the
game would end before I even had
a chance to control the car. I tried
changing the Whload settings by
editing the parameters through the
tooltype icon to no avail. As my
high school maths teacher used to
say: the best solution is always the
hardest. It turns out that all I had to
do was to turn off JIT in the WinUae
options, even when AmigaOS was
loaded. But it had to be turned off
just before I ran the game.
metal.
AMIGA
decorative bushes and the
47
JAGUAR XJ220
Publisher: Core
Platform: Amiga mk68
can be controlled by a joystick or a mouse instead of
dynamism. The songs dont live
a keyboard (e.g. for the sec-
up to their full potential. Some
ond player. This is also a new
claim that this soundtrack is
feature, which is unavailable
nothing short of a master-
in Lotus). The game also in-
piece, but Im going to
troduced the ability to save
expose myself to their wrath
players progress after each
by saying that I dont find
race. Save files are stored on
it captivating.It is pleasant
floppy disks, even if the game is
to listen to, but it doesnt
launched from Whdload.
sweep me off my feet.
It is said that Jaguar surpass-
In my final comparison Id
es its opponent in the graph-
like to say that Jaguar
ics department. I think thats
XJ220 is a game dedicated
because of all the well done
for more advanced players.
details, which are sharp and
Its more realistic and sports
consist of a large number of
a better physics engine,
frames that help the game feel
which translates into higher
smooth. Some digitized graph-
difficulty level than in Lo-
ics add to the attractiveness of
tus. The aforementioned
the game. The colour scheme,
ability to control the game
on the other hand, is in my
with a mouse is quite unique
opinion too grey. The back-
when it comes to racing
grounds are bleak and not
games, but serves its func-
diverse enough, which detracts
tion perfectly.
from my final grade.
Regardless, Jaguar is
The humming of an engine,
considered to be one of
melodic soundtrack and an
the best racing games
option to choose a song and
for Amiga and every fan
sound effects before the race
with a dose of self-respect
are all made well enough, but
should not only have it in
in my opinion lack the overall-
their collection alongside
REVIEW
AMIGA
Skunks
Review: Don Rafito; translated by: Slayerpl
You shouldnt start an article with a question, but I will ask something. What has in
common a black and white small animal, which, when endangered, is famous for
its disgusting way of defending against the predator (secreting a horribly stinking
substance) with a car racing?
ompletely nothing,
except for the name
of the presented
game. The aforementioned Skunks is a pretty
and a smart mammal but
its name, especially used in
a Polish everyday language,
is not so nice. It sounds bad:
You skunk , or You stink
like a skunk, etc. If the
authors of the game knew

how this name is perceived
in Polish language, maybe
they would thought about
changing it. Soo.... I will propose a new saying: What
are you doing? Oh, Im playing Skunks!, lets get into
details.
The presented car racing
game, immediately after
launching, is similar for me to
the known from Amiga and
old PCs 4D Driving Sport.
It refers to it very often and
it is too bad that the authors didnt name the game
similarly (I understand that
adding a number 2 to 4D
Driving Sport would require
complicated procedures,
when we take into the consideration that the title is not
commercial). But we have
Skunks. We can say it different: the game is in English,
so maybe we should pronounce it <skk>? Maybe it
is better ??
REVIEW
After we unpack the archive anywhere and launch

the game, we are asked
which vehicle we choose.
There are 7 vehicles available, among other sedan,
4x4 jeep or the truck with
a trailer. Why is it important?

Because the author writes
in his manual that there are
elements of physics and the
way the car moves on the
road. Next question is about
the choice of the circuit.
There are eleven circuits and
every one of them has a different scenery, amount of
turns and the colours. Either
way, the circuits are varied.
Then we sit behind the wheel
and.... drive.
Steering the vehicle is pretty
simple (it is also included in
the manual). The pointers
plus the chosen keys. For example: left pointer (and keys
O and Y) make the car turn
left, right pointer ( and the
keys P and U) cause our car
to turn right. We accelerate
by using the up pointer (and
the keys Q and T), and we
use brakes with the down
pointer (and analogically
keys A and F). We push the
key R to use reverse gear
when we went the wrong
way and we want to get
back on the circuit. The key
C is used to change the way
of viewing the race, the keys
M and N rotate the point of
view. ESC makes us leave
With its appearance and

the gameplay the game visibly refers to the aforementioned classic, for example
with the possibility of opening our own performance as
a film. I will say even more,
it is better. Completely 3D vector
graphics, in a full
24bit colour palette.
Pretty gradients,
visible objects and
scenery. The game
may lack the introduction, GUI or
something, known
from the predecessor.
they add a couple of nice

samples and a dynamic
module? Oh well, we can
only launch our Mplayer with
our favourite mp3, that way
we will not hear the constant
hum.
C&A Fan 9). Even though

the sound leaves a lot to be
desired, I think the game
is worth launching, playing
and dreaming how fine
would it be if they issued the
game as 4D Driving Sport 2
AMIGA
the race and we can look

at the replay of our performance ( here we can use
also keys C,N and M, with
which you can change the
cameras).
49
Skunks is a typical SDL

game port, which has already debuted on Linux.
It says in the manual that
the game supports also
joysticks but it is not com-
Skunks:
Some biological data about the skunk. I couldnt keep myself from
adding this. A skunk is a mammal from the family of Mustelidae. Its
stinking substance is a secretion, which is used by the skunk to attack
the eyes of the attacker, when endangered. Earlier this animal was
hunted because of its quite beautiful fur and to make perfumes from
its perfume glands (yeah, the same where this horrible secretion is
created). Fortunately, nowadays, besides the skunks in the wilderness,
the skunk is bred as a fur bearing animal. We dont know whether to
smile or cry. When you yell at your dog, who does not listen to you,
he can bite you, but skunk? You make your decision yourself.
Unfortunately, as far as the

sound is concerned, it really
is as bad as skunk secretion. Besides the simple hum
known from the old PCs
I didnt hear anything. Of
course, we can understand
when the car accelerates,
brakes or hits an obstacle,
but it is all. For godsake,
Aros supports AHI. Couldnt
pletely true. Maybe this is

true for Linux, but in Aros we
have to configure our joystick to work (thats why we
mentioned earlier the additional, besides the pointers,
steering keys). If someone
does not know how to do
it, read my article about it
Receptanasukces, czylimojeboje z joyem w Arosie, in
AKA Skunks (there appears

sometimes by the name
of the first games second
title AKA Stunks, so maybe Skunks is a deliberate
typo?).
SKUNKS
Publisher: Matei
Petrescu

Platform: Aros
8
REVIEW
AMIGA
Star Wars
Review: Don Rafito; translated by: Grka
When Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was released in 1977, George Lucas had
no idea of how powerful machinery he initiated. Up till now, there are only few sagas which apart from movies have got such a huge media franchise as books, comic books, stories, gadgets and... games. O
ne of them is for sure a juvenile wizard
whom my older son adores ( Star Wars comes on the second place). Although
Im not fond of Harry Potter, I value it a lot mainly for its soundtrack. Why is that?
Do you know that the well-known Ta daam, ta da da daam as composed by
John Williams? Indeed, the same composer wrote music both for Star Wars and
Harry Potter. I remember listening to these soundtracks while playing Napalm.
REVIEW
lright! Lets leave Harry Potter and Amiga

RTS alone and move
to our Jedi. When I found
out that Lukas sold his copyright to Warner Bros, I was
wondering what the experts
of Micky Mouse and Donald
Duck would invent. And they
did invent. Im writing this in

September 2015. When you
read it, it will be after the
premiere of the recent Star
Wars: The Force Awakens
which is released on 12th
December.
When I found out about
continuation of the famous
saga, my reaction was quite
skeptical. I was wondering
what kind of hybrid it might
be: combination of Micky
Mouse and Darth Wader. I wasnt the only one
that had doubts. The web
was flooded with a huge
number of extremely funny
demotivatos for example
Micky Mouse with the Jedi
sword, Donald Duck in Jedi
Order suits, or as a Yoda
with huge round ears.not
to mention Princess Leia as
Hannah Montana, no comment When the trailer was
released, one of the most
anticipated premiere of
the year, I had the urge to
watch it for myself. So had
my son. Were going to the
cinema in December for
sure. My son is going in order to watch a spectacular
show ( as he is only 7) and

me to decide if Warner Bros
managed to pull it off after
obtaining the copyright. I do
hope the money wont be
wasted. My curiosity is even
more fueled by the fact
that Harrison Ford performs
again in it. As hes an almost
retired- actor, it worked
out for him in the last part
of Indiana Jones and the
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,

so I think that comeback did
him well. Besides, the director was a remarkable Steven
Spielberg and George Lucas
had a hand in it too. Mainly
thanks to LucasArts, which
deals with creating videogames based on movie sagas
( mainly for Star Wars).
The title Im heading at had
not much in common with
Star Wars was one of the

first games based on the
movie Star Wars, which
started a new era of media
business connected with
creating software based on
blockbuster movies.
I played Star Wars for the
first time on C64. One of
the few games that overwhelmed me with its 3D
possible on Commodore.
On Amiga there wasnt such
oohs and aahs but I was
satisfied with the better
qualities samples coming to
my ears.
Coming to the point. Its
a typical shooting FPP.
Were standing at the helm
of X-Wings Rebellion and we
re heading towards Stars of
Death. So that it wouldnt
be so smooth, we encounter
hostile units of the Empire.
Our task is to shoot the hostile objects and to avoid
being shot by our opponents
at the same time. If we are
hit by a missile, we dont die
straight away. Our shields
get weakened until they fall
apart. A few such cockups
and well see the well-known
inscription game over. At
last we see our target, we
aim precisely at the reactor
of Death Star and boom!
We start our mission from
the very beginning but on
a higher level of difficulty.
And thats on and on again

until we reset the score.
I mentioned the graphics
earlier. On C64 its a wow,
on Amiga- superb! Black
background imitating the
space, among which there
are vectorial 3D shapes reproducing Empire ships. Big
plus for the effect of the hostile units falling apart after
theyre being shot. Although
the shapes look as if they
were just their outlines, they
are still pretty clear, even
though the player is not
bombarded by the great
amount of colours. It reminds
me the geometry from the
primary school. The animation is quite decent too,
even on C64.
The comparison of C64 samples with Amiga would be
as if we compared blackand-white artistic photo of
a beautiful woman with the
vivid mountain landscape.
Both are a feast to our eyes
and a pure delight. It is the
same with the soundtrack.
Within its category, both
Amiga and C64 are kept at
a high level. The samples on
Amiga are a bit better due
to the better equipment itself
but there are less of them.
However, they are well performed and they harmonize with the action on the
screen giving the impression
of a real battle in space.
and easy (well not so easy

at higher levels), it switches off a constant thinking
and makes us react straight
away it is unrivalled in its
category. As it comes to the
choice of a version, Ill leave

you with the dilemma. I have
to admit though that when
I want to play this game,
every time I grab it on C64.
Maybe its due to the sentiment.
STAR WARS
Star Wars is a typical action based on reflexes. The

Commodore version is controlled by a joystick, on Amiga by the use of a mouse.
In both cases your hand is in
action. After all ,every fan of
Star Wars or games based
on movie series should try this
game. As the game is nice
AMIGA
Lucas . However it refers

inseparably to the famous
saga. Although the game
was released 11 years after
the first part of the saga had
been released, it let the fans
of it and computers games
contribute to the whole machinery I mentioned at the
beginning of the article.
51
Publisher: Vektor Grafix

(C64), Brderbund USA,
Domark - Rest of the
World (Amiga)

Platform: C64,
Amiga-m68k
9
REVIEW
AMIGA
Review: Don Rafito, translated by: Petrichor

Weve heard about games based on various movies on many occasions already,
so there is no need to dwell on this subject, however there are these special kind
of games, that even though are really good, have never made it into top lists.
hat was precisely the case
game. And why have I decided
The game is strictly connected
with Aladdin, a game
to look into this title in the first
with the movie plot. Thus, we
based on the Disneys
place? Some of the games that
have the games main prota-
movie with the same title. The
get hooked on, are the pieces
gonist Aladdin, his main rival,
studio had tried to get some
already tested by my older son.
the Vizier Jaffars, the beautiful
extra funds and released a
Instead of feeding his mind with
Princess Jasmine (who our hero
series of cartoons abo-
falls in love with) and
ut the adventures of
of course in Genie of
Alladin, but if I think of
th magical lamp. Oh,
the quotes and funny
and lets not forget the
moments...oh, well,
clever monkey Abu.
perhaps there was
Our hero is definitely
something wrong with
not one of the Turkish
the Polish dubbing.
dignitaries, hes just a

wanted petty thief in a
Anyway, the game
city of Agrabah. So in
was been released
addition to evil Jaffars
when players prefer-
minions we have to
red different types of
struggle against law
games (and the pos-
enforcers. Well, both
sibility of getting them
have a lot in common,
into their Amigas). And
as Jaffar is one of the
what about Aladdin?
main advisers, of very
Just another arcade
naive and blind Sul-
game. Kinda cool and
tan (who of course is
thats it. Bit of a shame,
expecting a betrayal
because its actually a
from his vizier). Aladdin
pretty well made video
must not only fight for

modern, aggressive and bloody
his survival, but also protect his
games, I encourage him to try
beloved Jasmine and future
good old Amiga titles. Alad-
father in law. In addition to the
din fell to his liking, and I am
monkeys agility, our main cha-
not surprised because the title
racter can fight with apples and
is quite good. With its fairy-tale
a sword (he throws them into
like and positive approach, the
enemies, or inflicts painful blows
game influences the young
with the sword). And so he goes
one and I believe it should be
through various levels - and
at least in the top 20 of Amiga
during one of his adventures
platform games of all times.
he visits Cave of Wonders where he finds the magical lamp
REVIEW
and gains an ally, the Genie,
The title brings the traditional
your children and yourself in
Dungeons and finally ends at
arcade games movement from
front of an Amiga screen (even
the Jaffars Palace, where he
left to right or from right to left
one from the emulator), inste-
eventually has to fight the final
to the next level. Developers
ad of spending the whole day
battle. There is also an element
used everything that Paulas
in front of a TV and watching
of gambling here. After each
can provide. As the sound ef-
Home alone, but
stage, the player run a draw, in
fects are also well made. Each
which he can win e.g. An extra
sample, every sound, or each
life or diamonds (quite a valu-
theme music; Everything is well
able resource that can be ex-
balanced, pleasant to the ear
changed for a lot of useful items
and in sync with the action on
). Alright, thats enough blab-
the screen. Some sounds are
bering about the gameplay as
also quite humorous, which
I might have already revealed
increases the attractiveness of
too much.
the game.
Lets talk abot the technical side
Aladdin is one of the iconic
of this title. Graphics and ani-
titles, which in the Amiga glory
mation in the game are really
days was converted to other
impressive. The game is inten-
platforms (usually it was a PC
ded for Amiga with AGA chip-
and some consoles, in this case
set. I will not lie, AGA shows all
the Sega Genesis). Currently the
the potential here when it co-
game, like many other great
mes to arcade type of games.
Amiga titles can be launched
Graphic is full of details and
from a web browser. But it is not
character animation contains a
always the same. So, instead
lot of frames. And the backgro-
of lying belly-up after Christmas
unds are clear and varied. The
cooking experiments (I mean,
scrolling is also quite smooth.
happy feasting of course), get
AMIGA
he also finds himself in Sultans
53
before all that retro gaming,

take a walk. Its definitely a
must!
ALADDIN
Publisher: Disney
Software
Platform: Amiga 1200
8
REVIEW
Exploring and expanding
COMMODORE
an untested
Tutorial: GeoAnas
C128
A few months ago, I became a happy owner of a Commodore 128. It was the
flat model, the one without an internal floppy drive. Its price was very tempting.
I bought it immediately for only 30 EUR. What was the catch? It was untested. The
seller of course did not give anything to help the poor buyer (in that case, me (!)
to find out what its real condition was. No power supply, no AV cablesabsolutely
nothing.
A
Image
n experienced Ebay
Commodore 128. I couldnt
intact. I immediately thought
buyer is always
afford it in such a steep price
that this was a good sign and
suspicious of this kind
they usually reach. I have so
how lucky I was with my smart
of auctions that could be
many, fond memories of it,
purchase. I rudely tested the
a big flop. Untested usually
lots of sweet memories from
keyboard springs by simply
means broken. Sometimes this
my childhood. A very good
pressing the keysquite soft
could result to purchase just
friend owned one back in the
but responsive, everything in
an empty case without any
days and I still remember how
order! It was the perfect time
electronics inside! Frankly,
many endless hours we were
for cleaning and tidying up.
I decided to take my risk.
spending, playing games and
I had first to dismantle the
I was so desperate to own one
watching old school demos.
computer.
It was always turned on 64

mode!
There are several screws to unscrew. I had to be very atten-
Commodore 128 is actually
tive during the process, paying
a 3 in 1 micro; A fully
a diligent attention to the one
compatible and ready to
screw that holds the ground-
play C64, a more professional
ing harness of the keyboard.
128 and thanks to Z80 CPU,
(Image 1).
a computer capable to
run CP/M OS with a ton of
Within some minutes, I was
applications ready-made for
standing in front of a huge
this system.
metal cage serving both as

interference shield and a giant
Image
STEP 1. Cleaning the computer Recaping the board
heat sink. There are several

metal clips on direct touch
with many chips (like SID). The
When I received the pack-
design or better the concept
age I was fairly surprised to
of shielding and heat dissipa-
notice that the machine was
tion is way more professional
in a fantastic condition. Some
here than to his little brothers;
yellowish on its cover and keys
C64.
TUTORIAL
was the only proof of passing
of time. As a matter of fact,
The keyboard is sturdy and
it had never being opened
heavy. There is a huge metal
since the guarantee silver
plate underneath it, with little
sticker at the bottom was
black plastic beehive like
as to why the C128 had been
to use it together with a REU
and rubber contact pieces of
put on hold, the middle man-
memory unit. That would draw
each button (Image 2).
ger nimbly spoke expounding
additional power from the
the virtues of getting right
computer so they had to offer
As an observer of such a quali-
on the job immediately and
a more powerful psu, able to
ty construction, I couldnt help
someone else, _his_ boss
cope with all future expan-
to think to myself: They just
perhaps, had made such an
sions.
dont build computers today,
ill suited decision. The bottom
like they used to.
line was we lived in the PCB
The European power supplies
layout area for the next sev-
were a bit fainter, with outputs
After some good metal twist-
eral days. I slept there on an
of AC 9V-1A and DC 5V-2.5A
ing, I managed to remove
air mattress or was otherwise
(Image 5).
the frame. That revealed
available 24 hours a day to
a huge motherboard, fully
answer any layout questions.
populated with all chips in
The computer room was so
place, all in perfect order,
cold that the Egg Mcmuffins
ready to power on and run!
we bought the first day were
COMMODORE
cells, containing the springs
55
Image
still good 3 days later

After a good cleaning and recaping of a motherboard but
Another Easter Egg pops up
before proceed any further,
after typing in following com-
I would like to dwell on solving
mand: SYS 32800,123,45,6.
some puzzles, explaining some
If you still get booted to the
mysterious signs, left on the
monitor prompt, try first en-
board by the designing team
tering BANK 15 before the
of engineers.
SYS command. It displays the

engineers involved into C128
There is an inscription at the
Image
desigining process (Image 4).
bottom of the pcb, to some

early revisions of the motherboards (as in mine), writing:
STEP 2. Assembling a DIY

power supply to feed the
beast
RIP: HERD / FISH / GUAY /

PAR (Image 3).
The C128 I purchased was

lacking for a power supply.
What do these initials real-
I had two options: either to
ly mean? Lets ask Bill Herd
buy one in a very dear price,
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
or to build one from scratch.
Bil_Herd) to explain:
The US power packs give an

output of AC 9V-1A and DC
The syntax refers to an inside
Image
5V-4.3A.
joke where we supposedly

gave our lives in an effort to
In USA, Commodore 128 was
get the FCC production board
marketed as a system for
done in time, after being
professional applications and
informed just the week before
business use. The concept of
by a middle manager that all
a stronger power pack was
the work on the C128 must
perhaps based on the possi-
stop as this project has gone
bility to use more peripherals
on far too long. After the head
attached to it. The designer
of Engineering got back from
engineers might think that
his business trip and inquired
potential buyers were going

TUTORIAL
COMMODORE
At a first sight I thought it was
down. Amigas power supply
I pressed a random button
a direct replacement....Same
outputs DC 5V and 12V, while
on the keyboard without any
size, same box shape, even
the one of 128 outputs DC 5V
responseand anotherand
the same square metal plug.
and AC 9V!
another. After all, there were
So why to assemble a new
still some more problems to
power supply and not grasp
So, lets build one! I found
solve. I had to find out the rea-
and use the Amigas, that was
many schematics on the net
son of this misbehavior.
lying on my desk instead?
to help me with my plans.
Unfortunately this is a glitch
I decided to use two kinds of
that occurs very often to 64s,
That could be a lethal mistake
transformers for my new unit.
since the 6526 CIA chips that
leading up to a fried mother-
For the DC 5V current,
control I/O processes are very
board and a nervous break-
I placed one switched type
sensitive. Its been rumored
trafo, with a maximum power
that even a slight touch to the
limit of 5A.
joy port with statically charged
Image
fingers could kill them.

For the AC 9V, I purchased
According to Ray Carlsens
a toroidal trafo with 2 sepa-
troubleshooting manual:
rate AC outputs up to 1,67A
Swap U4 with U1 to check.
each one. Toroidal trafos are
Check also buffer IC U30. The
well known for their excellent
chip at U30 is one of 7406 fam-
efficiency so for me it was sim-
ily series, namely the HD7406P
ply a one way decision. You
(Images 8 and 9).
can google to find out their

benefits.
Fortunately I was able to load

the diagnostics from my Easy
Image
You will be surprised for their
Flash cartridge. However, de-
quality features! I also had
spite all my work, swapping
a dead power supply for my
the CIA chips unfortunately
C64s. I was planning many
wasnt fruitful. I had nothing
years ago to make a heavy
more than a still unresponsive
duty psu to replace the old
keyboard and a persistent
ones, but I always postponed
indicative message, of a bad
it. I grasped now the opportu-
chip U1 (CIA) (Image 10).
nity and killed two birds with
Image
one stone. Adding a second-
The only available replace-
ary output using the output
ment I could find was a pair
lead from the dead one was
of 6526B (with a 3 MHz clock).
a piece of cake (Images 6
My board was an initial pro-
and 7).
duction version, so it had two

plain 6526 (1 MHz), installed
STEP 3. Repairing unresponsive keyboard strokes (Replacement of 6526 CIAs)
on. That didnt prevent me

to try. I went ahead and
swapped the busted chips
with the faster replacements
Plugging the power in and
I had handy. I replaced the
turning the switch on, brought
HD7406 as well and soldered
life to the 128 circuitsSuc-
a new socket. 7406 sat com-
cess!, I shouted very loud! It
fortably on it and Presto,
was a pleasure to watch the
my problems have vanished!
jolly, green welcome screen
Further tests showed that both
of the computer! It was finally
of the CIA chips were busted.
TUTORIAL
aliveor not?
Text mode: Fully program-
to get my computer working
mable, typically 8025 or
again and had already des-
80x50, 16 RGBI colors (not
soldered the 7406 chip. That
the same palette as the
impetuosity left me with no
VIC-II).
option, but to replace this one
Graphics modes: Fully
as well. For more info about
programmable, typi-
CIA chips revisions take a look
cal modes are 320x200,
at the following link:
640200, 640400 (mono-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
chrome, interlaced).
MOS_Technology_CIA
Final touch was a very me-
If you have a flat model C128,
ticulous keyboard cleaning,
please do yourself a favor and
springs lubrication etc, etcin
upgrade the internal VRAM,
a key by key approach. This
from the factory installed 16K
is only for the undaunted users
to a whole bunch of 64K ram.
though ;)
Your computer will appreci-
COMMODORE
I was anxious and in a rush
Demos to watch
3 high-resolution demos listed
below are ranked as true masterpieces. Make sure to play them
on your C128:

57
VDC Mode Mania V1.1

[2015, Akronyme Analogiker]
Risen from Oblivion VDC V2
[2006, Crest and Oxyron]
Risen from Oblivion [2001,
Crest and Oxyron]
Image
Your computer will appreciate such

a gesture and you will able to enjoy its graphics capabilities and
extra video modes to the max!
STEP 4. Upgrades
ate such a gesture and you

will able to enjoy its graphics
capabilities and extra video
I. Upgrading the VRAM
Image
10
modes to the max! All you

need is to dessolder both 4416
With all malfunctions fixed,
ram chips inside the metal
it was time for an internal
armored box at positions U23
research. Time to make some
and U25 (Image 11).
upgrades! Commodore 128

has two video chips and is
Those rams are soldered
able to display many video
straight to the board. You
modes:
have to be careful because

your working space is narrow.
1. MOS 8564/8566 VIC-II E
This mod job requires some
(NTSC/PAL) for 40-column
soldering skills and patience
composite video (for a TV-set
not to destroy any tracks. The
use):
end result will justify your hard
Image
11
work!

Text mode: 4025, 16

colors.
Once dessoldered, please
Graphics modes: 160200,
check for track continuity and
320200.
then install two (preferably
8 hardware sprites.
socketed) 4464 ram chips

(Image 12).
2. MOS 8563 VDC (or the 8568

chip in C128DCR) for 80-col-
According to Ray Carlsen one
umn digital RGBI component
can test the results by typing
video:
in the following line in a 80

TUTORIAL
COMMODORE
column display mode:
chase a special RGBI cable
categories/Commodore/Firm-
(or adapter) to enjoy some
ware/JiffyDOS/.
POKE DEC (D600), 28: POKE
hires graphics and demos that
DEC (D601), 63: SYS DEC
require this amount of up-
For those who are eager to
(FF62): SCNCLR
graded VRAM. You also need
make their own adapter, here
a CGA standard compatible
is a quick guide how to make
If the screen responses with
monitor. Monochrome display
one. This is also available at:
a READY message and looks
is also possible on composite
http://www.geneb.org/jiffy-
normal, you have 64K of VRAM
video monitors; usable with
dos. This procedure is only for
installed! If you had only 16K,
TV sets only when the set
flat models. Others like C128D
the screen will fill up with zeros.
has SCART and/or baseband
need a different approach.
Now it is time to build or pur-
video-in sockets in addition to
You will need:
Image
12
the antenna connector. Color

is possible through SCART, only
monochrome through base-
Two (2) 27C256 or 27256

EPROMs
band video-in.
I built my own adapter based
Two (2) 1/4 watt carbon

resistors, 4.7K
One switch and some wire
on schematics I nicked from

the blog website of Sinclair Jim
There are two Kernal proms on
(aka ZX-Jim) (, 2015)
a stock C128, located at U32
http://zxjim.blogspot.
and U35 (marked with a yellow
gr/2011/12/commodore-128-
circle) (Image 14).
scart-4080-color-all-in-1.html:
You first have to download or
Image
13
For those who want the best
find the suitable JIFFYDOS im-
picture in all modes, I suggest
ages for both C128 and C64C.
the following connection,
Then you will need the original
which replaces the AV40 with
Kernal images for C128 and
s-video40 signal (Image 13).
C64C. You can find these, easily at: http://www.zimmers.net/
Jim was a real pro, a great
anonftp/pub/cbm/firmware/
teacher giving us all his help
computers/c64. You have to
without asking anything for
program two 27256 EPROMs.
exchange. Well miss him for

sure.
First EPROM will contain both

the JiffyDOS 128 code and the
II. JIFFYDOS Installation
original Commodore 128 Kernal ROM (P / N 318020-05).
Image
14
JIFFYDOS is a great alterna-
The other one will be used for
tive Kernal for all Commodore
64 mode. It will consist of
computers. Its power is the
the JiffyDOS 64 Kernal and the
time enhancement of disk
original C-64 BASIC plus C-64
load and save functions.
Kernal. Both the original C64
JIFFYDOS is still a commercial
BASIC interpreter and Kernal
product, meaning that you
are included in the file named
have to pay a small fee to
64c.251913-01.bin that can
use it to your machine. You
be downloaded from http://
can order it either in eprom or
ftp.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/
download the ROM overlay
cbm/c64 server.
image at Retro Innovations:
TUTORIAL
http://store.go4retro.com/
After EPROM programming,
some new commands. Its
and solder them to pins 27
a cheaper alternative of Jiffy-
and 28 of each EPROM chip.
DOS.
Solder a piece of wire to pin

27 and then carefully clip it
Turbo Assembler 128 As the
just a little bit, to prevent the
name suggests an assembler
chip from touching the socket
for C128.
on the board. Solder a second

piece of wire on (ground) pin
Servant This is THE absolute-
14 of each EPROM. (Image
ly -all in one- mega utility for
15). Take a switch and solder
your C128. File manager, disk
the middle (common) pin to
utilities and many more.
the ground wire. Solder the

other free pole of the switch
You can find all these rom
to the wire you have soldered
images, ready to download
the EPROMs pin 27. Follow
and program your own EPROM
these steps for the other
at Tips and Tricks for Commo-
EPROM as well.
dore 128 computers web site:
COMMODORE
bend the resistors in a U shape
59
Unfortunately
C128 didnt
make to earn
the commercial success
it deserved,
doomed to
a rather quick
and sudden
death.
Image
15
http://commodore128.mirkoOne last step is to find jumper
soft.sk/enhancements.html.
6 (J6) on the motherboard

and bridge the edges with
Servant is my cup of tea...
some solder. With J6 closed,
Which is yours? ;)
the computer is ready to use

a 27256 EPROM. By default J6
My untested Commodore
is open because C128 is fac-
128 is ready as never before
tory configured to use 27128
and has just passed a bunch
chips.
of diagnostics written espe-
Image
16
cially for it! Although I successIII. Filling the gap at U36
fully managed to restore and

upgrade my 128 (Image 17),
The U36 in a stock Commo-
my last thoughts are somehow
dore 128 is vacant. This allows
bitter and sad.
the placement of an extra

EPROM as an add-on. User has
Unfortunately C128 didnt
to select between those:
make to earn the commercial

success it deserved, doomed
BASIC 8 Advanced and
to a rather quick and sudden
enhanced BASIC for program-
death. I only hope to see,
ming VDC, without loading
in near future, many quality
diskettes. Just turn on the
productions coming out from
computer and hold CONTROL
many talented members and
key. This is how it works!
groups of CSDb, specially
Image
17
tailored for it, capable of

GEOS 128 2.0 Desktop Do
unleashing the power, well
you use GEOS? Are you tired
hidden into its circuits.
of handling all of GEOS DESKTOP diskettes? Not anymore.

Free some disks and use this
instead.
KeyDOS Disk speeder with
TUTORIAL
AMIGA
Random WB Patt
Tutorial: Don Rafito; translated by: SlayerPL
TUTORIAL
his article almost didnt
people that acquired these skills
So we begin the work. After
appear. But it was created
during their education. Howe-
the download and the unpac-
and an interesting and
ver, because of their current
king in a random place of
extremely important fact was
professional private situations,
the archive with the program,
revealed. Before I talk about
they do not use the learned
we copy from the archive to
this subject I have to thank two
foreign language, letting this
system catalogues two thin-
persons who caused that this
ability to fade away. And when
gs; to the C: executable file
text was written properly. The
they encounter a program
RandomWBPatt and to LIBS:
first person is Norbert, one of the
manual, which is, because of
catalogue we copy the library
users of PPA.pl forum. He, as the
the aforementioned standards
with a name extra.library.
first person approached us with
written in English, they read this
In the catalogue SYS:Prefs/Pre-
the help. The second person
and think that they understand
sets/ we have to create two
is the author of the aforemen-
everything. And, in general,
text files with the names : Rn-
tioned text (Roland Heyder). I
this is true. So why doesnt the
dPattFiles-WB and RndPattFi-
send greetings to both persons.
program work? It appears that
les-WIN. The fist one is a list of
Thanks to their hints, I managed
there is a problem with small de-
pictures with full paths to the
to launch the program called
tails, which during the analysis
catalogue with the graphic art
Random WB Patt successful-
of the foreign language manual
for the desktop and the second
ly. I also managed to provide
are not so visible. And whats
one is for the windows.
my input to the configuration,
next? Internet forums
guaranteeing that an example
It is not the first time that the
We can create them in two
of the installation of the afore-
programmers prove that Amiga,
ways: we can open random
mentioned program will work
thanks to its open and flexible
text editor and wrote manually
100 percent sure, at least on the
build, can be really close in
everything without making ty-
classics with the 3.9 system.
quality to other platforms. This
pos because, if we make errors,
Unused organs disappear, as
happens because of the deve-
the picture wont appear or we
one of the medical facts says.
loped software, which is not the
can use the system command
This adage can be used in
integral part of the system and
LIST. Here we also should not
relation to all the other parts of
it needs to be installed from
make typos, because the list
human life, for example.. the
the outside, but, thanks to that,
may not open, or it will open
knowledge of foreign langu-
the ability of the platform are
with a lot of unnecessary, often
ages. English, as we all know, is
broadened as far as the build
erroneous entries. So we open
the international language of
and functionality is concerned.
CLI/SHELL and we write:
the programmers, IT persons,
And no one is surprised. Thanks
players and everyone that has
to the described Random WB
a contact with a global cyber
Patt the automatic change
village more than one hour a
of wallpapers on the WB and
day. And it does not only inclu-
in the windows is possible in
de liking of the pictures of your
AmigaOS a couple of years
girlfriend on FB. So lets agree
earlier than by the dominating
that everyone knows this langu-
competition where this option,
age to some extent; so many
as system option, became ava-
words from the English came
ilable four year after the appe-
into everyday Polish vocabula-
arance of the first version of the
ry. In this group there are also
reviewed application.
List >SYS:Prefs/Presets/
RndPattFiles-WB sys:grafika/obrazkiWB ALL FILES

LFORMAT %f%n
and:
List >SYS:Prefs/Presets/
RndPattFiles-WIN sys:grafika/obrazkiWIN ALL FILES

LFORMAT %f%n
61
AMIGA
when, sys/grafika/
obrazkiWB and obraz-
kiWIN is an example path

where are our graphic arts
are. In my situation the
entries were like this:
List >SYS:Prefs/Presets/RndPattFiles-WB
sys:prefs/presets/
wallpapers ALL FILES

LFORMAT %f%n
List >SYS:Prefs/Pre-
sets/RndPattFiles-WIN
sys:prefs/presets/patterns ALL FILES LFORMAT %f%n
The command needs to

be written Just as the author advises, you need to take
into consideration small and big
letters. If we do not do this, the
command LIST wont find us
the catalogues with the pictures. The typos are of course not
acceptable.
When we successfully manage
to go through these obstacles,
two text files will be created.
Now we have to count the
number of the graphic arts
which a given list has, for instance by using a file manager and
write this amount on the beginning of the command text.
Generally, after adding in
w User-startup a line C:
C:RandomWBPatt, or C:Run>NIL:C:RandomWBPatt and
after launching computer
once again and the program,

we can be satisfied because
the wallpaper is automatically
changed. In my situation, it did
not happen. After relaunching
the computer a yellow screen
appeared with an information
>>>RandomWBPatt/Unexpected Runtime Error<<<, or
nothing happened at all.
not needed. And I agree with
And In this situation a person
this, even though during some
begins to doubt its abilities to
moments I regretted that this
read a foreign language ma-
option is not available. No-
nual. But as it happens, some-
netheless, Random WB Patt
times the coincidence rules the
became the integral part of my
world, so I coincidentally laun-
version of AOS 3.9 and it works
ched the program from the afo-
properly. Additionally it is great
rementioned above CLI/Shell in
that the effort and the help of
the already launched system. It
Norbert and the author made
worked. So I was not left with
progress. Configure, launch
another possibility than to make
and use the program!
a short AmigaDos script, insert it
The aforementioned parame-
in: SYS:WBStartup, attach it to
ters, for example TIME, written
the command IconX, instead
after the command allows us to
of editing the mentioned User-
change the wallpapers in the
startup. Done.
given time intervals. Additionally, in this system, we need to
When we look at the adventu-
have adequate datatypes for
res with the configuration of the
our graphic arts and the con-
aforementioned program, we
figurated settings in the system
can say that the author did not
WBPattern. The application
provide us with the GUI to the
will take this into consideration,
program which after choosing
during the changing of the
the paths and the parameters
wallpapers on the WBPattern
does everything by itself. But
pattern and in the windows.
the author notices that after

one time configuration, we
do not have to change something in the settings, besides
additional adding to the list of
subsequent pictures. So GUI is
Random WB Patt
Author: Roland Heyder
Year of publication: 2002-2015
Platform: Amiga-mk68
Distribution: Aminet.net
TUTORIAL
AMIGA
Tools Menu
Review: Don Rafito; translated by: Karo
Some time ago I read a really interesting article on one webpage. It was about
some gadgets, solutions that were used in sci-fi movies by the heroes and that now
have become reality. My attention was drawn by a couple of things: a tablet a TV,
a computer reacting to gestures or a hoverboard (Back to the Future). The last
thing was the most interesting for me.
nd that is only because
show mentioned special trains
After opening the settings
I recently watched
that dont touch their tracks
window, we are can search
an episode of a show
(no friction = great speed).
for programs that we want to
called Sonda, created by
This technology was an abso-
include in the list, through the
the sadly deceased Kurek and
lute novelty back in the times
choice window (e.g. through
Kaminski. The episode was
when that show was created.
PatchASL or system) but we can
about fast Japanese vehicles.
Just as the aforementioned
also do it through the graphic
It sems like an ordinary thing
hoverboard, which now actu-
interface. Its enough to find
- everybody knows that Japa-
ally exists, thanks to very strong
the file, click its icon and drag it
nese trains are famous for being
electromagnets and supercon-
into the configuration window.
the fastest on Earth. But the
ductives. Just like the trains, the
The drag&drop function makes
hoverboard goes on a
this program simply brilliant in its
special track, not touch-
field. Moreover, the settings are
ing it.
saved in tooltypes of icon, not in
A similar analogy can

be made in relation to
files that you would have to look

for in system catalogues.
the mentioned program
Simple, easy and nice. Its
and the way it works,
enough to put in only the exe-
taking into considera-
cutable file with the icon to WB-
tion 8-bit computers or
Startup. And then you can do
the first Amiga systems.
whatever you want to.
Tools Menu is simply a
Thanks to this app it has been
commodity applica-
proved once again that there
tion that adds a list of
are still many possibilities of ex-
indicated programs to
panding Amiga systems. And if
the right menu on Work-
you are using similar programs
bench.
that are not so easy in use and
There are loads and

loads of programs that
can broaden the list of
you have a classic Amiga system (2.x or higher), change it for

Tools Menu. You wont regret...
TOOLS MENU
system tools in the mentioned menu. But the

configuration method
here is totally ingenious,
REVIEW
just like in sci-fi movies.
Publisher: Kim Fastrup
Larsen

Platform: Amiga-m68k,
OS.2.x
63
COMMODORE
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!
Magnetic Tape
Editorial: Komek; translated by: Tomasz Kubisztal
Any die-hard Commodore 64 fan should probably own a couple of programs stored
on magnetic tapes (Commodore Datasettes). This wonderful device is capable of
storing data which can be accessed after even tens of years provided that it is
being used and kept in a right way. In this article I will describe how should we care
for our beloved tapes so they will serve us as long as possible.
must admit that for a while
age is between 15 and 20
that the hardware used to
Ive been making a few
C. Because of this, its best
play the tapes is free from
mistakes regarding storage
to exclude rooms which are
any pollution as well. They not
and use of tapes even though
intensively heated by sunlight
only shorten the longevity of
I was sure I followed the rules.
during the day. During the
the tape, but also pose a risk
Luckily, I realized it and elimi-
wintertime we should make
of it getting stuck inside the
nated harmful factors before
sure that the tapes are not
recorder. Oh, and one more
it was too late. How can we
stored near heating devices.
thing: keep fingers away!
mal conditions?
Next factor that should be
I have presented a couple of
taken into account is air hu-
most important factors which
Probably everybody is familiar
midity. It shouldnt exceed
have negative influence on
with concept of electromag-
range of 30-40% RH. Lets
longevity of magnetic tapes.
netic field. Being exposed to
keep in mind not to use any
If, after reading this article,
it has a negative influence on
humid basement rooms or
youll realize that youre stor-
our bodies. The same goes for
those used for drying laundry
ing your datasettes in a wrong
magnetic tapes, which lose
as storage space.
way please, react as soon
provide our tapes with opti-
their capabilities due to such

exposure. The main source of
electromagnetic field in our
homes arefunctioning electronics and home appliances.
Tapes shouldnt be stored
in near proximity of: TV and
radio set, computer, washing
machine, fridge, microwave
When it comes to dust it

should be avoided as well.
I hope and wish you that your
datasettes lets remember to
tapes will serve you as long as
rewind the tape to its very
possible, dear readers.
beginning. After that, it

should return to its box. This
way were minimizing the
threat of dust or any oth-
The next factor on the list
tapes.
magnetic devices should be

completely eliminated and
its best to store them in dark
harmful factors.
When were done using the
or similar appliances.
is sunlightits influence on
as possible and eliminate
er pollution affecting the
Rewinding the tapes from

beginningto an end is
an important element of
rooms.
proper exploitation and
Temperature also plays an
stored data. It is advised to
important role in terms of
perform it once in a while
tapes longevity. Most optimal
(once a year should be
temperature for their stor-
enough). Lets make sure
has positive effect on the
EDITORIAL
TALKING
HEADS
Commodore Christmas?
Tomxx: From all the gifts I have ever received, I think about two of them with a
special sentiment. I received both of them
around Christmas, these gifts were really a
fulfilment of my dreams. Something about
which I dreamed and waited for many
years and something which I wont leave
after a couple of hours of playing. These
presents were perfect and they made a
mark on my adult life.
mas memories? Perhaps you have also

received your first computer as a Christmas
gift?
EDITORIAL
noctropolis: I didnt receive my computer

as a Christmas gift because I bought my
beloved C64 as a kid from the Holy Communion money. Back then, when I had this
computer, a great surprise for Christmas
were cassettes with C64 games a compilation of different games. Honestly, a word
surprise is an exaggeration because in
The first was a PIKO train set with additionmost cases I expected it when I saw a gift
al tracks, cars, bridges and stations. The
wrapped up with a specific shape I knew
second which I received in the beginning
what was happening and every time I was
of 1990 - was a Commodore 64c with a
so happy ;) I received this type of gifts from
1541 disk drive. My own computer changed
my older brother, who was often playing
everything: it created a hierarchy of my
C64 games with me. I remember one gift
hobbies, it influenced me to study comfondly: it was a compilation of many games
puters, it changed my way of thinking into
with a game called Hobbit in Polish (among
zero-one model. But, above all, it created a
many others, but bought by my brothpassion in me which exists even today,
er because of this game). After
however today it is characterized
reading a review and readby the adjective retro. Even
ing a manual of this game
today I remember with senin one of Bajtek issues,
timent the Christmas when
My own computer
I was very surprised
I finished together with
changed everything:
with information about
my dad all 100 levels
it created a hierarchy of
the possibility of text
of Bubble Bobble. With
my hobbies, it influenced
communication with
immortality turned on,
me to study computers,
a computer in such
with a Christmas atmosit changed my way of
a complex way and
phere, with snow outside
thinking into zero-one
in Polish of course,
my house. These momodel.
I needed to see it for
ments you remember very

- Tomxx
myself. My brother had
long and soon I am going to
to try really hard to buy this
repeat it with my son.
game (he said about this later),
but my later happiness was priceless,
And do you have some special Christ-
65
and there is a sentiment even now. Even

though the game proved to be too difficult for me, this type of interaction was
something special, a long remembered
Christmas gift.
Komek: As far as I am concerned, a situation with a computer Christmas gift was
similar to the one of Noctropolis cassettes
with a compilation of games. Im not 100
percent sure but I think that these were the
cassettes from Robex in Pabianice. I really
loved their cassettes, because, thanks to
them, I had an opportunity to enjoy great
titles such as The Great Giana Sisters or
Hardn Heavy. I remember it very fondly.
EDITORIAL
games I have is not the most important factor

Minimoog: In my case, the situation with
and genuine games started to become a
computer Christmas gifts is quite different.
part of my collection (with my favourite The
I received PC games. I bought my C64 in
Curse).
June, during summer and not during Christmas during which I watched tv and ate a
I will mention another tradition, in some sense
lot, and the computer was not used even
christmas tradition connected with C64. Back
though one time my grandfather played
then I used black and white TV and a
Arkanoid! I was probably a litUnitra cassette player to play. The
tle bit naughty because my
lack of colour wasnt such a
requests to Santa Claus
The carhuge problem, but once in
for C64 diskettes and
tridge amazed
a while I had the opportucassettes werent fulme with the speech
nity to use the C64 in the
filled, Im not saying
synthesis feature. After
living room where I could
however that my
some
time
I
knew
all
the
connect C64 to a color TV
other gifts werent
commands of the system
which also played sound
nice.
and I didnt need to look
without the help of an
it up in the manual
additional cassette player.
Bobikowoz: I also
which got lost someIn most cases this situation
will share one of my
where.
happened during the free
Christmas gift memodays, when I didnt have to go
ries connected with C64.
- Atreus
to school, thats why the associaOne Christmas I found, as
tion with Christmas.
one of the gifts I received, a
mysterious tape which I didnt have
Atreus: I received my C64 during Christmas of,
in my big collection. Colorful cover with a
I think, 1990. It was Night Moves compilation.
drawing instead of a list of games suggestAdditionally, there was a Black Box V8 cared that maybe it is some music connected
tridge from the Rom/Bit company in the box.
with C64, but upon further inspection it
Unfortunately, I couldnt connect C64 on mywas Master Head, a C64 game. The first
self and I was helped by my father. He also
genuine game in my collection. Frankly, if
figured out the way using the games from the
Master Head wasnt my first genuine game
cassettes because the manual was only in
I wouldnt even remember it because I
English and I started learning this language a
wasnt back then a huge fan of logical
couple years later. The only help was a Polish
games. What is important is the fact that I
manual from the Black Box, unfortunately not
realized that quantity and the number of
story was that they include titan parts and

too long. We played with my father every
the joystick was very durable. I asked for this
game from the received set. I remember
joystick as a Christmas gift and the joystick
that we couldnt play Trivia Pursuit because
really was durable. Unfortunately, the fire
of the language barrier. The better games
button was its Achilles heel what you could
for us were Sly Spy Secret Agent, Confuzion
find out after a couple of days.
and Splitting Personalities. It was really fun,
we stopped playing around 2 am when I
Neurocide: Beginning with the 1991 Christfell asleep with my head against the table.
mas I find my mother a really cunning
I remember that the biggest obstacle was
person. She made me think that I and my
learning the steering with joystick and findbrother would get fan ice hockey set for
ing out what is the objective of the game.
Christmas. She said: two sticks, eight pucks
After some time, it became less difficult.
and ice-skates. I was seeing myself holdThe cartridge amazed me with the speech
ing the Smolen stick the winter dream
synthesis feature. After some time I knew all
of every friend from the neighbourhoud.
the commands of the system and I didnt
And then it happens just like with a puck
need to look it up in the manual which got
against the unprotected teeth. We
lost somewhere. After the purchase of the
couldnt be happier when we
disk drive, when I was using C64
saw the set mentioned earlier
for a couple of years, I started
I remember
by Atreus. NightMoves
drawing in Amica Paint. But it
(plus Mindbenders) and
is an another story :)
when the company
everything was as it was
Quickjoy entered the
said: 8 games, 2 joyc00k: I got my own C64
market with their Topstar
sticks and in place of
just like a lot of my peers
model. In hindsight I dont
ice-skates 8bit and his
for Holy Communion. A
know how true was that
friend cassette player.
computer is a computbut the story was that they
I played C64 with my
er, but we needed to
include titan parts and
cousin and a friend so
upgrade it. The weakest
the joystick was very
I was a little bit disaplink, what we can see also
durable.
pointed that the games
now, were controllers. These
- c00k
loaded too long (of course,
included in the set werent
genuine games), especially Sly
of the highest sort. I remember
Spy was painful because you died
when the company Quickjoy entered
too quick, and the loading took ages. There
the market with their Topstar model. In hindwas TrivialPursuit on the cassette of Split
sight I dont know how true was that but the
Personalities and we played it even though
we knew no English. We were amazed by
Confuzion. Fortunately, after the Christmas
my dad bought cartridge PLUS and compilation cassette with such hits as Panther, Express Raider or Ninja the Christmas break
was saved.
EDITORIAL
JargoV: In my case, just like in Minimoogs,

the story of Christmas computer gifts looks
quite different. It was 32bit, the first Playstation but it does not change the fact
that there is a Christmas story connected
with my C64. I remember vividly when one
Christmas day we sat with my father by the
TV and we looked at the blue screen where
turbo loadedyes, we didnt have any car-
Don Rafito: I dont have some specific

memories connected with the Christmas,
gifts and C64 or Amiga. The only documented memory is connected with the
Christmas use of the application Notebook
on C64 implemented in Final Cartridge III.
In this program I created a diary where I
decided to write about my life ups and
downs. Then I started using AmiTekstMini
on A500, and then A1200 and AmiTekstPro.
Currently I returned to the emulated version of A500 and AmiTekstMini. Yes, yes, beginning with that moment, I write my diary.
Who knows, maybe a nice biography will
come out of this one day ;)
Mr. Mat: I remember that during the Christmas I didnt receive presents connected
with computers because of one simple
reason; only I was interested in this topic in

my household and no gift could be good.
Before Christmas I got money from the Santa
Claus and I spent it the next year. During
the beginning of the 90ties I was spending it in
the market square and then, when the prices
of genuine software werent worth a couple
of average salaries, I saved up to have more
money and I invested it by upgrading the
hardware. My Santa Claus could visit me, for
example, in the beginning of summer holidays
:)
GeoAnas: Christmas was always my favorite
time of the year to fully enjoy my C64. I was
always looking for some extra pocket money
to buy special distinguished games that I was
checking all the previous months by reading
their reviews in mags and leaflets. I remember myself playing endless hours my top hits,
Blackwyche, Fist II, Cauldron, Wizards
LairMy bias for graphic horror adventures is
obvious! I was only making a rest for Christmas
dinner or when this smell of burning plastic
underneath my computer was so obvious :-D
Translated by Slayerpl
Screen
from Commodore 64 Christmas Demo, 2011.
EDITORIAL
tridge, so we had to regulate the head by

intuition ;) There was time after the turbo
for the colorful stripes when finally Out Run
appeared which we played for some time.
I remember this view with accompanying
SID sounds. Several years later I reminded
myself these moments when I bought C64.
67
JOHNNY PRESENTS
A gift
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!
Translation:
Someone knew, that as a child I really enjoyed Smurfs.

K&A Plus 03 EN

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2

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