October 2019
October 2019 Edition
Just received my copy of the latest We Love Atari book, Volume 2, by Karl Morris. This one covers 1984-1996. Check it out:
September’s SPACE meeting was the quintessential meeting for our club. Seven members out of a possible ten attended the September meeting.
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With Rich and his son, Roger, joining the regular attended members (Lance, Steve, Brian, Glen, and myself ) it was a classic meeting. Plenty of technical info discussed (way over my head) that made for a very enjoyable evening.
I just came across this information from Atari Tech Tip #5 from 11/17/82 regarding using the 410 with the 400/800 computers: System Reset: Problem: Pressing SYSTEM RESET does not reset the data I/O line in POKEY. Subsequent use of CSAVE is unreliable because the data I/O line is not clear, POKEY sends garbage, and the data stored is unrecoverable. Solution: Avoid using SYSTEM RESET. Before using CSAVE or CLOAD, always execute a LPRINT command. NOTE: Executing a serial bus command properly resets POKEY and clears the data I/O line. The simplest serial bus command to execute is LPRINT. If a printer is not attached when the LPRINT is executed, an error 138 occurs. This occurrence is normal and does not interfere with the reset of POKEY. Were you familiar with that advice? Thanks, keep using that Atari, and come to your next SPACE meeting: Friday, October 11, 2019. –TABLE OF CONTENTS– Page One: The President’s Corner Treasurer’s Report Secretary’s Report
Unfortunately, Michael couldn’t make it, as Rich had a 130XE that he worked on for Michael to pick up. With Michael and Rich, having such long distances to travel in order to get to our monthly meetings, I don’t know when the two of them will meet up. Maybe the December Xmas meeting will be the month unless they can figure something out before then. Hard to believe there are only two meetings before the Xmas one. For our treasury in September, we started the month with a bank balance of $616.54. We had seven 8-bit DOMs sold for an additional $21.00 making our ending bank balance $637.54. Not a bad place to be with three more months to add to that balance. Wouldn’t it be great if all our meetings were like the September one! It makes for a very enjoyable evening and I would like to see it repeated every month! Let’s make it happen!
HELLO WORLD! With yet another Secretary’s Report, I can say it was a great meeting. The meeting commenced at 7:36 PM, on Friday, September 13, 2019. I learned about my upgrade options for my MegaSTE computer. Rich and Roger are very knowledgeable about such things. I wanted to replace my HDD for my Mega. I can do that cheaply with a SCSI2SD replacement. This is where the hard drive is replaced with an SD card reader. Cool enough. Thank you for the info. The membership count is at ten paid up. I will be renewing next month. I will make sure of that. The website is going OK and we have received some interest on the Facebook page, from what I am gathering. So, that is all good. The DOM was quite exciting, and I will have a double-DOM review later in the Newsletter. I will also have August’s DOM to talk about. But, from what I had seen of it, it is pretty good. Rich piqued Lance’s interest and mine this meeting. Rich showed us a replacement motherboard for an XF551 drive. It would make the drive more reliable. Music to Lance’s ears, and it was to mine as well. I would not mind having an upgraded XF551 with these new electronics upgrading it. It would be a welcome addition to my collection. Marvelous, I must say. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM that night. Seven members were there that were paid up. Great meeting, as it is always. So, I close. I am happy that the Club has grown to ten now. That makes me ecstatic. In the closing words of the late, great artist, Stan Lee... EXCELSIOR!
Page Two: Recent Atari News Page Three: Atari 8-bit DOM Review Page Five: SPACE Comics Section TRIVIA TIME! The 16-bit co-processors in the Atari Lynx are called “Mikey” and “Suzy,” and the Lynx also has an 8-bit CPU and 32-bit sound processor to top it off. It’s original working name was “Handy.” Classic game developers Epyx were the original developers of the Lynx.
Message from Captain Irata: “October can be a scary month. Ya know what’s even scarier? Me losing my temper if I lose at my Atari games!” HOO-RAH!
RECENT ATARI NEWS NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ Atari® and Arcade1Up announce an exclusive partnership to strengthen their relationship and ensure the future of arcade gaming is true to the experience consumers remember. Arcade1Up launched in October of 2018 with multiple games from Atari® and other licenses which quickly took the market by storm when they sold out at various retailers while building a fan community over one-hundred thousand strong.
Atari VCS to Launch with Unique Version of Revolutionary Game Streaming Platform, Offering Thousands of Classic Retro Games, Including Atari’s Vast Library of Console and Arcade Titles NEW YORK, NY (SEPTEMBER 30, 2019) Atari®, one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers today, proudly announces a partnership with revolutionary retro gaming platform Antstream Arcade.
The powerful AMD Ryzen processor featuring Radeon Graphics Technology can handle it all, including 4K HDR streaming, while the all-new Atari Classic Joystick and Atari Modern Controller make everything easy and fun. Switching to the unique Atari Sandbox Mode unlocks an expandable multimedia PC for freedom and versatility you can’t get with other home game systems meaning users can play their favorite Windows or Linux games on their Atari VCS.
This partnership brings an enhanced and exclusive “Atari Edition” of Antstream’s game streaming service to the upcoming Atari VCSTM home gaming and entertainment system.
There has never been a better time to join the fun, with the entire Atari VCS lineup of systems, bundles, and peripherals available for preorder now at GameStop.com, Walmart.com, and AtariVCS. com, for shipments starting in March 2020.
“We are proud to work with Arcade1Up. In the mid-sized category, they are our exclusive partner, which enables both of us to fully cooperate and deliver the best product in the marketplace.” Said Fred Chesnais, CEO, Atari®.
The exclusive Atari VCS edition of Antstream Arcade unlocks an instantly-accessible collection of classic video game titles. In addition to an existing library of 2,000+ officially licensed games, the exclusive Antstream Arcade Atari VCS app will include the largest collection of Atari games available on demand, in both original and enhanced edition formats, curated from across the brand’s many arcade, home, and handheld platforms.
Pricing starts at $249.99 for the Atari VCS 400 (4GB) Onyx Base model and goes up to $389.99 for one of three Atari VCS 800 (8GB) “All-In” system bundles that include the Atari VCS Classic Joystick (available separately for $49.99) and Atari VCS Modern Controller ($59.99), which were created in partnership with PowerA. Atari will announce international presale dates soon.
With titles like Centipede® and Asteroids®, Atari® and Arcade1Up make this announcement not only to confirm their past launches were successful but to ensure that the future of arcade gaming is held to high standards of quality in both gameplay and appearance.
Accessible from the Atari VCS system dashboard at launch, the Antstream Arcade app for the Atari VCS offers a 30-day free trial, with subscription options available for $9.99(US)/month or $7.99(US)/month (total $95.88) for a yearly subscription.
“We’re excited to make this announcement which can be seen as the foundation for our continued, long term relationship,” said Scott Bachrach, CEO, Tastemakers.
“Antstream Arcade is a perfect partner for Atari and its fans,” said Atari CEO Frédéric Chesnais. “Anstream’s offering lets players instantly access a vast library of games, including many Atari titles that have not been available for streaming before now. This partnership further cements the Atari VCS as a highly versatile entertainment platform and multimedia streaming device, built to embrace the best of classic and modern gaming.”
Arcade1Up’s 3⁄4 scale format with designs and artwork true to the original arcade games they feature bring nostalgia to consumers in a form factor that allows them to fit multiple cabinets in their game room.
“Together, we want to ensure that the quality of gameplay and the arcade experience you remember is maintained and delivered in our existing and future product launches with Atari®.” More information on Arcade1Up can be found at: www.Arcade1Up.com The exclusive partnership in the mid-size category includes products ranging from 18” up to 59”. About Tastemakers, LLC. Founded in 2011, Tastemakers, LLC. has made their name by leading industry trends with their innovative, high-quality products. Distributed in 50 countries worldwide, they focus on global product development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. Their latest venture, Arcade1Up, is currently leading the retro video game trend with their 3⁄4 scale licensed arcade cabinets. After winning the 2019 Tech Toy of the Year Award (TOTY), Arcade1Up continues to be a fan favorite. About Atari® Atari is an interactive entertainment production company. As an iconic brand that transcends generations and audiences, the company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including worldrenowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.atari.com. © 2018 Atari Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc. SOURCE: Tastemakers, LLC ATARI® PARTNERS WITH ANTSTREAM ARCADE TO DELIVER THOUSANDS OF RETRO GAMES TO ATARI VCSTM VIDEO COMPUTER SYSTEM
“Antstream is thrilled to partner with Atari to deliver the magic of the Antstream Arcade service to Atari VCS users,” said Antstream CEO Steve Cottam. “Our exclusive Atari VCS edition of the Antstream Arcade app puts us one step closer to fulfilling our mission of making every classic game all the way back to Pong available for retro gaming fans with a modern twist.” Antstream Arcade on the Atari VCS will exclusively offer fifty (50) classic Atari titles at launch for new and existing Antstream Arcade users to enjoy whenever they sign on from their Atari VCS system, with additional games added on a steady basis. Antstream Arcade titles will be compatible with the Atari VCS Classic Joystick and Atari VCS Modern Controller, including rumble and LED lighting effects. Enhanced game editions with new functionality such as multiplayer and “pure” unmodified versions of classic Atari games will be available. In addition, Atari and Antstream Arcade will deliver a constant flow of all-new creative social challenges to engage and incentivize fans to experience their favorite retro games in unique ways. Popular Atari titles appearing via the Atari VCS Edition of Antstream Arcade include standalone retro classics from Adventure, Night DriverTM, Pong®, Tempest® 2000, and Yars’ Revenge® and full Atari compilations from PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. To learn more about Antstream Arcade, please visit https://www.antstream.com. The all-new Atari VCS home gaming and video computer system is aimed at transforming the TV-centric home entertainment experience. Users will enjoy an ever-expanding Atari world of all-new games, classic and remastered favorites, streaming media and personal apps; or can easily make their own.
Atari VCS fans can look forward to additional product updates and announcements about new games and entertainment content, streaming, software development, distribution, and more in the coming months. In addition, Atari will continue to provide periodic work-in-progress updates via its Atari VCS Project Development blogs on Medium.com. A press kit with Atari VCS and video game assets, screenshots, and logos is available here: https:// uberstrategist.link/ATARIVCS-PressKit. Fans can follow Atari VCS on Facebook, Twitter @TheAtari_VCS, and on Instagram. To stay upto-date on all things Atari and retro-pop-culture, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Atari, and follow us on Twitter @Atari and Instagram. ABOUT ATARI: Atari is an interactive entertainment company. As an iconic brand that transcends generations and audiences, the company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including worldrenowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. Atari has offices in New York and Paris or visit us online at www.Atari.com. © 2019 Atari VCS, LLC. All rights reserved. ©2019 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc. ABOUT ANTSTREAM ARCADE: Antstream Arcade was founded by Steve Cottam in 2013 and is headquartered in London, England. Over the last few years it has become the world’s first and largest retro game subscription service and has amassed the largest collection of retro games titles available in one place. The Antstream Arcade streaming service allows users to play retro video games, directly from the cloud with no downloads or installs, on modern devices through an affordable monthly subscription. To find out more visit www.antstream.com. ### PRESS CONTACT For Atari: UberStrategist Inc. Mario R. Kroll and CJ Melendez pr@uberstrategist.com 1-646-844-8983 For Antstream Arcade: GingerMay PR
Charlotte Green charlotte.green@teamgingermay.com +44 (0) 203 642 1124
Well, I am back with yet another DOM Review for the venerable A8 computers. It will be a DOUBLE DOM Review, so fasten your seal belts fellow Atarians! I am going to take you on a journey into these DOMs! August 2019 DOM, Side A: The first file is a picture called “Are You Ready for Abduction?” It was created by Bocianu. It shows the interior of a spaceship with three aliens staring into the screen. Actually, it is pretty good. I like the usage of color and it looks sinister enough. I love this picture, and I will give it high marks. TOTAL:
9/10
The next file, by Emkay, is called “James Pond Intro.” It looks great! It even looks digitized, with an animated text ticker and interesting music. It is quite enjoyable to look at. I will score accordingly. SCORE: Graphics: Animation: Sound:
10 10 10
TOTAL:
30 (perfect score)
Mode 11 Revised is another great demo from PPs. I like the scrolling and animated text in real-time. It is also very colorful at the same time, and is pleasing to the eyes. Plus, the text sprites are big. There may be a PAL issue because I saw some flickering on the screen during the playback of the demo. But, that is not anybody’s fault and I will overlook that. Kudos and great job to the creator of this stellar demo! SCORE: Graphics: Animation: Sound:
9 10 9
TOTAL:
28/40
The next file is called “Noize 15KHz,” again by Emkay. need work, but this may be another PAL issue. I noticed that it has animate text on the bottom of the screen. It is a pleasing demo to see. I will score according and, again, great job. SCORE: Graphics: Animation: Sound:
10 10 8
TOTAL:
28/40
The next file is called “Alien Corridor,” by Poison. This picture is digitized and really pushes the aesthetics of the A8’s capabilities. It looks real. It looks dark and sinister. It looks like it is all bees and whites with black in there to give it an eerie look. That has succeeded, and it looks feature-film fantastic! So, kudos to Poison, as you have done it again. TOTAL:
10/10 (perfect score)
The next file is called “Breath,” again by Poison. Great music already, as it is clear and nicely scored. I love the drum beat and the pulse-pounding sound of the track. This is very well done!
TOTAL:
10/10 (perfect score)
The next picture is called “Kvikansen 3000,” by Aki. It shows a cartoon pig with Mount Fuji in the background. It also shows a bullet train in the background as well. It is colorful, cartoony, and cute. Like the shading on the pig and the cutesy graphics make it great for kids to see. It is pretty cool. TOTAL:
7/10
Aki is also the creator of the next track, called “My Name is Andrea.” It is fast and lively, with a great beat. Actually, this is a great tune. It also sound like it is techno with some Asian nuances in it. I think it sounds great. I will score accordingly. TOTAL:
9/10
The next file is called “The Fall of Technology,” by Raphis. It shows a nude angelic woman with light pastel colors all around. It looks OK. I think that it could be a little better, but it is still striking. Actually it is quite fascinating, to say the least. Good picture, and I will score it as such. TOTAL:
8/10
Poison also made the next file, a track, called “Their Law.” This is fast-paced and action-packed. It reminds me of a fast chase down some dark alley somewhere. It is that good. This is a great tune. TOTAL:
9/10
The next file before we go to Side B is called “Rise From Fire Into Sky!” It shows a humanoid character with a lot of fluorescent colors on and around him. Hauntingly, it looks beautiful! I like the usage of colors and the character’s visage and style. Whoever drew this picture is pretty good at it. Kudos! TOTAL:
8/10 Side B:
The only file on Side B is called “Berks Four,” by Jon Williams. It is a game where you have to avoid monsters and collect keys. So, basically, it is a puzzle and strategy game. It can be a little challenging as well. The keys are behind colored doors. Somehow, the doors need to be opened. You have to survive long enough to figure it out, and there are many different rooms to explore. I think it is similar to another game on the DOMs called “Baby Berks.” I really need to study this game more, because of its difficulty level. Overall, it is a fun game. SCORE: Graphics: Gameplay: Sound: Animation: TOTAL:
7 9 8 7 31/40
September 2019 DOM, Side A: The first file on this DOM is called “WinTin.” It is a demo by Reno. It is reminiscent of “Game of Thrones,” the hit TV series. It has great animation and music. I like the demo. There is a message: stating that winter is coming, with a sword in the middle of the main message and snow falling down. It is well animated and detailed. So, kudos to Reno for a simple yet immaculate demo. SCORE: Graphics: Animation: Sound:
8 10 8
TOTAL:
26/30
The file, “Xmas 2018,” by PPs, is an intro. It shows a Christmas tree, and a text ticker animated in real-time with great graphics and music. It sounds phenomenal and I like the gradients in the tree. I adore the music. It is very well done and sounds almost realistic. Again, it is a great intro. SCORE: Graphics: Animation: Sound:
9 10 10
TOTAL:
29/30
The next file is called “While Kingdom Was Being Delivered.” It was created by Adam J and MovSD. It is quite peppy and lively, and quite good. It is reminiscent of a medieval romp. I think that this could be better, but I like it as well. It reminds me of the king’s entourage going into the woods on a trip somewhere. Quite festive, actually, as it is a delight. TOTAL:
8/10
The next file is another demo called “Prodigy Music Disk,” by 1NG, Roger, and Poison. It shows five tunes that you can change on-screen. It has great digitized graphics and interesting sound. I love this demo! It is a great and graphical delight to the senses. Enjoy it! SCORE: Graphics: Animation: Sound:
10 10 10
TOTAL:
30/30 (perfect score)
Poison has done it again with the picture “Riddick.” It looks like the famous movie character and it is extremely detailed. I do not know if it is digitized, but if it is not it has taken a long time to complete. It has extraordinary detail. I love the diction in the picture. Again, another great job, and well done. TOTAL:
10/10 (perfect score)
Th next picture, created by PG, is called “Aventador.” It is a car with great detail. I like the car, but I think that it could be a little better with the sky gradient. I will still give it very high marks, as it is a wonderful job. TOTAL:
9/10
The final file on this side of the DOM is called “Invasion,” by Maciej Hauke. It shows alien ships moving past a moon or asteroid in space with a star glowing in the background. The ships kind of remind me of the Imperial destroyers in “Star Wars,” but not as detailed. It looks good, and I like it, but I think that it could be better. Still it is pleasing to the eyes. It shows that something sinister is about to happen. TOTAL:
8/10 Side B:
The last file on the DOM is called “Wasteland.” It is a game where you have to find power to pilot yourself out of a nuclear wasteland. Be careful, as there are places with dangerous amounts of radiation. You can lose health very fast in those places. Also, avoid enemies that seek to destroy you. But, there are first-aid kits that you can use to restore your health. It is quite challenging and fun. I like the premise. I especially love the challenge. Play this game and you could get addicted to it. Or, you could get irradiated by it! SCORE:
Graphics: Gameplay: Animation: Sound:
7 10 8 8
TOTAL:
33/40
Well, that concludes the A8 DOM Review! I will see you in November with another double-DOM review! Seize the Day, folks!
The next SPACE meeting will commence on Friday, October 11, 2019, at 7:30 PM. We hope to see you there! Thanks and have a Happy Halloween!
SPACE COMICS SECTION! By Steve Peck The Misadventures of A-Man and C.D. By Steve Peck
Angel, Bandit, and Their Ferret Fracas By Steve Peck
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