July 2012
NEWSLETTER for July 2012 President’s Corner by Michael Current July 2012 It's party time! And with good reason, because this year we celebrate an even THIRTY years since this club was established!! Tacos, drinks and desserts will go perfect with your dish to pass.. Come to party! An auction as well! Bid on that Atari-related item you could not do without, with proceeds to SPACE.. Come to spend! And I'll quickly mention that I've been hard at work on scanning the old SPACE newsletters. Going back in time, month by month, I've made it back through March 1987 as of this writing. Visit space.atari.org to bring back old memories! Thanks, keep using that Atari, and come to your next SPACE party / auction / meeting, Friday July 13, 2012. **********************************************
Treasurer's Report by Greg Leitner For June 2012
Thanks to the six members who were present for the June SPACE meeting. It looks like tacos once again for the July SPACE Birthday Party. We have the taco meal, drinks, dessert, and the table fixings all taken care of but we still need items such as potato salad, chips or any other side dish. Please help out and bring an item to share. It looks like we will have a pretty decent SPACE auction next month as John Mitchell brought in a few more items. Thanks to John we now have a VGA monitor and two 1702 Commodore monitors. One of the monitors is new in box and the other one looks brand new as well. These are the best 8-bit monitors for our Atari's and they are becoming very hard to find and when you do they are
usually quite old and used to death. Here is your chance to get a good back up monitor that will last for many years down the road. Don't miss out on these deals and don't forget the 1040ST that I have tested and works great or the 520ST which is not tested but looks new. Also, I have lots of mags and many with disks, and monitors for he ST computers. Other items you will just have to attend to find out, but you won't be disappointed. Here is the SPACE bank activity for the month ended June 30, 2012: Beginning balance as of June 1, 2012
495.20
Receipts for the month of June: DOMS
9.00
Expenses for the month of June: Web-site Newsletter for 12 months
10.00 81.15
Total expenses for June
91.15
Ending balance for the month of June
413.05
As you can see we took a big drop in June, but now we have the rest of the year to bring our account back up. We are almost $200.00 down from our balance at this time last year, and I am hoping that with our auction next month and membership renewals in the Fall we will be sitting okay again. Remember that we will need $300.00 at year end to pay for the annual room rental. We are kicking an idea around that migh bring in more funds to the Club, but we need to have you at the July meeting so that we can have a vote. Let's hope for good weather next month, and come prepared to bid on some great Atari computer hardware, software and magazines. You will get a wonderful taco meal to boot so you can't go wrong. See you at the Party. **********************************************
Thanks for everyone who sent in compo entries and thanks to everyone who visited!
Secretary's Report By Brian Little For June 2012
» Download all compo entries at the download page http://dhs.nu/files.php?t=partydl&party=Sommarhack20 12
No minutes from the May meeting were submitted in time for this Newsletter. ********************************************
From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:06 PM Subject: ST Recover, a new ST disk utility on Windows ST Recover, a new ST disk utility on Windows By Chris Bertrand on 2012-06-25 ST Recover can read Atari ST floppy disks on a PC under Windows, including special formats as 800 or 900 KB, and damaged or desynchronized disks, and produces standard .ST disk image files. Then the image files can be read in ST emulators such as Hatari, WinSTon or Steem. The program is free and open source.
From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:07 PM Subject: Reboot releases a new Jaguar game: Degz Reboot releases a new Jaguar game: Degz By part on 2012-06-30 Yet another release from Reboot, this time it's a side scrolling arcade-style shooter, Degz. The game features two modes, one with an adjustable difficulty level, and another with a fixed, "arcade" difficulty, the latter also uses the levels from the arcade version. Downloads are available in all the Jaguar formats, and the game works in Virtual Jaguar as well. Go play the game, and find the easter egg.
You will find it here:
Link: http://reboot.atari.org/new-reboot/degz.html
https://strecover.codeplex.com/
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From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:12 PM Subject: New Falcon / Jaguar game from _Orion
Chris Link: https://strecover.codeplex.com/ ********************************************
From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:14 PM Subject: Sommarhack 2012 is almost over Sommarhack 2012 is almost over
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July 1st, 2012
Sommarhack is almost over for this year. We had people from no less than six countries coming by, which is quite something for a party with only twenty people. The compos had eight pictures, four soundtracks and five demos released. Also a nice surprise was the release of Reboots new Jaguar game "Degz". You can download all releases from the download link below. More videos will follow when we get back home.
New Falcon / Jaguar game from _Orion June 17th, 2012 Copied from the games webpage: Elansar is a "Point & Click" like adventure game with high quality raytraced graphics. I've been working on this game on my spare time since two years, making all the graphics, music, story and programming myself. My goal is to release the game on old computers and video game consoles, including the Atari Falcon 030, the Atari Jaguar, and others to define. The game will be sold on CD for most of the platforms and in cartridge version for the Jaguar. The game is available for preorders on Atari Falcon 030 ! » Visit the Elansar webpage to pre-order http://onorisoft.free.fr/elansar/elansar.htm#English
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From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 1:57 PM Subject: Hatari version 1.6.2 released 2012-06-25 Hatari version 1.6.2 has been released. You can get it from
From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:05 PM Subject: Flop 55 (Czech Atari disk mag) is out Flop 55 (Czech Atari disk mag) is out By krupkaj on 2012-06-25
http://hatari.tuxfamily.org/ Brief changelog :
New issue of Czech Atari disk magazine was released at Atariada party last weekend. It is possible to download it from the Flop website.
- Some fixes for overscan screen in STF/STE Link: http://flop.atari.org - Better IKBD/ACIA compatibility ******************************************** - Improved audio filters for YM2149 and DMA sound - Several improvements in Falcon mode : DSP, CPU, MMU, FPU, videl borders - Various fixes for FDC, SCSI, printer output, ... - Fixes to the SDL UI, OSX UI and python UI - Improvements to the debugger Fixed Games : Hammerfist (fire button) Automation 168 - Operation Clean Streets (prefetch in the CPU emulation) Impossible Mission II (some versions had the same prefetch issue in the CPU) Hades Nebula (fire button) Zombi (IKBD set-clock was missing) Fixed demos : Built-in Obsolescence (DSP stack overflow) Japtro and Rising Force by Holocaust (FDC, buggy loader) Delirious Demos IV (video, STE detection) Antiques by Dune/Sector One (224 bytes STE overscan) The Wave Of the Future by ICE (STE flickering top border) Electrocution I by Sphere on Stax Menu 66 (STE flickering bottom border) Musical Wonders 1990 by Offbeat (video, bottom border not removed) Link: http://hatari.tuxfamily.org/
From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:23 PM Subject: Centipede: Origins Invades iOS and Android App Gardens Worldwide Centipede®: Origins Invades iOS and Android App Gardens Worldwide Atari introduces all-new style and mobile gameplay for the retro classic LOS ANGELES – June 21, 2012 - Atari, one of the world’s most recognized publishers and developers of interactive entertainment, today announced the launch ofCentipede®: Origins on the App Store and Google Play. Staying true to the classic arcade shooter Centipede, players will help their garden gnome repel an army of centipedes and other bugs to protect their garden at all costs. Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and a variety of Android smartphones and tablets, Centipede: Originswill be available for $0.99 with in-game purchases, using the following links: a.. Link to iOS download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id477148771 b.. Link to Android download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atari.Centip ede In this evolution of Centipede, players have all-new weapons and gadgets such as grenades and the memorable mushroom men at their disposal to exterminate the insect invaders. Using coins that may be acquired in-game or through purchase, weapons and gadgets can be fully upgraded for the gnomes to wield in the war against the swarm. Use the latest in technology to help the garden gnomes protect their world from centipedes and bugs! Centipede: Origins features include: a.. Use three upgradeable weapons (with more to come!), like the Grenades and Boom Shot, that will lay waste to the onslaught of bugs and centipedes b.. Use three upgradeable gadgets (with more to come!), like the Fly Trap and the Time Warp, to gain the upper hand in your battle to eliminate the insects c.. Acquire coins through in-game accomplishments or via in-app purchase to upgrade weapons and gadgets and improve your battle capabilities
d.. Play through four different environments that unlock as players progress through the game e.. Earn achievements, compete on leaderboards and share scores with friends via Twitter and Facebook ******************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:27 PM Subject: Atari Celebrates 40th Anniversary with New Game Releases and Special Promotions Atari Celebrates 40th Anniversary with New Game Releases and Special Promotions LOS ANGELES – June 27, 2012 – Atari, one of the world’s most recognized publishers and developers of interactive entertainment, today commemorates its 40thanniversary, which comes on the heels of the recent mobile releases Circus Atari TM and Centipede®: Origins. In celebration of this milestone, Atari has released an infographic highlighting its many pivotal moments in video game history, as well as a sizzle reel with footage from a 1980s commercial and the company’s progression over the years to its recent mobile hits. a.. Download the infographic at: www.triplepointpr.com/dl/atari/atari_timeline.jpg b.. View the video on Atari’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/Atari “Over its 40 years of operation, Atari has become one of the most iconic and recognized brands around the world, responsible for mainstreaming video games with blockbuster franchises including Asteroids®, Breakout® and Centipede®,” said Jim Wilson, CEO of Atari. “Today, we aim to keep the tradition alive through new and creative development efforts based on what made us great in our early days – offering our devoted and growing fan base fun but challenging games on mobile and online platforms.” The company most recently released Circus Atari, a circusthemed puzzle-platformer, and Centipede: Origins, in which players defend their garden from invading insects. Additionally, Zynga announced yesterday that Atari has joined as one of its early partners for its new mobile publishing program, Zynga Partners for Mobile, with one new title coming soon. Other soon to be announced partnerships will allow Atari to continue to reach the broadest possible audience with new technology and innovation based on its popular library of game franchises. Today kicks off a full year of events and programs surrounding the 40th anniversary, and fans are invited to take part in the celebration in several ways: a.. “40 Giveaways in 4 Days” sweepstakes (US residents only): Starting today, fans can visit Atari on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atari for opportunities to win Atari Arcades, t-shirts and more! b.. A special call-out to Atari fans: Post a photo of you and your friends wearing your Atari t-shirts to our Facebook wall at www.facebook.com/atari. ********************************************
From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 2:24 PM Subject: Atari Announces Finalists for the Pong Indie Developer Challenge Atari Announces Finalists for the Pong® Indie Developer Challenge LOS ANGELES – June 26, 2012 - Atari, one of the world’s most recognized publishers and developers of interactive entertainment, today revealed finalists in the Pong® Indie Developer Challenge. The developers revealed today will win three-year, revenue-share publishing agreements and cash prizes, which will be awarded based on final ranking, with first place taking home a grand prize of $50,000. All finalists are featured on Atari’s Developer Spotlight, with information about each developer and their submission. Fans can visit the Developer Spotlight and vote for their favorite new Pong concept at www.atari.com/pongdevchallenge/finalists. Games from the finalists will be published as an iOS release planned for later this year through which developers will benefit from a revenue sharing agreement with Atari. Each of the new Pong interpretations submitted by finalists will see a commercial release, but not all can win top honors. The ultimate winner of the contest will be selected in part by a celebrity judging panel made up of Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, Dave Castelnuovo, David Whatley, and Mike Schramm. Each judge’s vote will be weighed against the community’s votes in determining the finalist ranking. In addition to revenue-share agreements, the top three submissions will take home cash prizes of $50,000 for 1st place, $37,500 for 2nd place, and $15,000 for 3rd place, while the remaining finalists will each win $5,000. Today’s announcement comes as Atari prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary tomorrow, June 27, 2012. Alongside moving into the next phase of the Pong Indie Developer Challenge, the company is celebrating its 40 years of gaming with special promotions and giveaways. To keep up to date on all the anniversary activities, stay tuned to Atari’s official Facebook page. For full details regarding Pong Indie Developer Challenge, please visit: www.atari.com/pongdeveloperchallenge.