Marco1019

The Print Edition of CLUB VCS ISSUE 01 is here and available first to members of Club VCS and Atari I/O!
Here are the details:
Print Edition Features: Two additional content pages, including: a listing of all CLUB VCS Members that were active as of October 13, 2023 a credits and acknowledgements page A revised table of contents to reflect the above Minor corrections and revisions from the digital version Over 60 pages of content Print Edition physical details: Size: 8.5" x 11" Binding: Perfect Bound Full-color printing, 80lb (inside) Cover: Gloss Lamination (outside), 100lb Satin Cover Cost: U.S. Domestic: $15, shipped. These will be shipped via USPS in a Large Envelope/Flat in a rigid mailer to help mitigate bending while in transit.  Note: Large Envelope/Flat does not include tracking.  If you want tracking, let me know and I will calculate the revised cost.  International: $11, plus actual shipping to your country. Availability: 40 copies are available from this initial run of 50.  I held back 10 copies for co-conspirators and collaborators. These will be first come, first served; one copy per person. Club VCS and Atari I/O members get exclusive ordering until Friday, December 15, 2023.  After that, I'll open it up.  Co-conspirators and collaborators, yours went out early this week so keep an eye on your mailboxes! @RickR, @Podan, @Ballistik, @Justin, @Mockduck To get your copy, send me a PM here with your PayPal email and mailing address and I will send you a request for payment.  
 

For those who are interested, order details are now live in the Atari I/O Marketplace:
 

This is a very impressive collection from one of the all-time greats. My personal hope is that Attack of the Mutant Camels for the C64 is actually Gridrunner 2: Matrix.
(TL;DR - Matrix was released as Attack of the Mutant Camels in the US before the Llamasoft version of the same name.)

This is a very impressive collection from one of the all-time greats. My personal hope is that Attack of the Mutant Camels for the C64 is actually Gridrunner 2: Matrix.
(TL;DR - Matrix was released as Attack of the Mutant Camels in the US before the Llamasoft version of the same name.)

Digital Eclipse has announced the next game in their Gold Master Series...
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story
Over 40 games, including the lost version of Attack of the Mutant Camels for the never released Konix Multisystem. Wild.
 

OK, I spent about an hour with it yesterday and I made a tiny bit of progress.  First step was identifying all of the chips, which I did.  The biggest shock was that it has no SID!  Although there is a spot to solder one in.  This fact really dented my enthusiasm for this project.  What good is a C64 with no SID chip??? 
Anyway, I'm almost 90% sure that it's the power supply that is bad.  The bad part is that it isn't a standard connector, so I can't try a standard C64 adapter.  I'll do a little more research here and get better test measurements from this supply after 30 seconds.
But given the lack of SID, I think I may start looking for a local buyer.  This computer is rare, and the board without SID makes it even more rare. 

Another keynote showing more contradictions from Tod Frye.  At this year's PRGE, Frye admits what we already knew - that he didn't care much for arcade Pac-Man:
https://youtu.be/Olagk6ZI_Sc?si=xAXGhbm9hXSe9v0l&t=1260
Frye talks about the development of Pac-Man, but offers a different excuse as to why he didn't use the earlier kernel he developed:
"We were mastering the kernels that reused the players vertically down the screen.  I didn't do that in Pac-Man.  I had a kernel that did it, but I had to throw it away because I ran out of time to finish it.  No, I had the kernel but I didn't have the flicker manager which is a completely different thing.":
https://youtu.be/Olagk6ZI_Sc?si=3vPtIN9p0DoPbl6j&t=1468
The explanation he offered in Once Upon Atari was that he was under probation at the time, and after someone remarked that nobody had ever designed a kernel like that before, he opted not to use it (out of spite for being under probation, I guess).
Later on, Frye talks about when Atari sent GCC a copy of all their VCS game source code listings.  Frye claims that when GCC later sent Atari a copy of all of their VCS listings, that, "I will say with no false humility whatsoever a lot of their tech looked a lot like what I'd done in Pac-Man with horizontal columns.":
https://youtu.be/Olagk6ZI_Sc?si=zoy1Q7GyMO3tkOer&t=2417
So, he not only contradicted himself with previous keynotes and interviews he's given about Pac-Man's kernel, he's done it in the same keynote!  Now, how could GCC had a copy of his earlier Pac-Man kernel if he'd thrown it away?  If he's mistaken about that bit and GCC actually did end up with a copy of his earlier work, and used that for the basis of their Ms. Pac-Man and other VCS games, then he has no reason to complain about it.  He had the chance to use it - and be the first to use it - and didn't.  But to claim he had a better kernel, but threw it out because he didn't have time to finish it... but yet had time to start over and create a new kernel? That makes zero sense.  Rob Zdybel is right - there's something off about Frye's recollections, and it seems the more time that passes, the more 'fried' (pun intended) his memory seems to get.
Also, Rob Z. claimed in a previous keynote that GCC never shared any of their VCS listings with Atari (or if Atari had copies of them, they never shared them with the VCS group).  I again will side with Zdybel over Frye's account.  We certainly know GCC didn't reuse anything from the released version of Pac-Man, because there was nothing special about how it was programmed as far as any innovative tricks.
Frye also criticizes Warshaw for not asking for help with E.T.  Well, he did have help with it.  Jerome Domurat created 1.5K of graphics code for it.  If anyone should have been asking for help, it was Frye with Pac-Man.  He also mentions someone at the show told him he should have chosen to do Defender, since that was one of his favorite games.  Well, Frye claimed in Once Upon Atari that he was offered first choice to do either Defender or Pac-Man, and left it up to Bob Polaro to chose; Polaro couldn't see how Pac-Man could be done (apparently without it sucking) and picked Defender.  Both were poor conversions, but if given the 'stuck on an island' decision of picking one or the other, I'd pick Defender.  Much like Pac-Man, Defender's kernel didn't rely on vertical separation, which is why it flickers as badly as Pac-Man.  Chopper Command was clearly Activision's take on Defender, and shows what a kernel that uses vertical separation looks like.

Congratulations @Mockduck!

Indeed, this looks like quite the project. Thanks for sharing, @RickR!

Indeed, this looks like quite the project. Thanks for sharing, @RickR!

Indeed, this looks like quite the project. Thanks for sharing, @RickR!

You know, despite the limitations, this port of Q*bert is really nicely done. 

I'm beginning a weekly casual gameplay only series on the 2600+ starting with my childhood favorites.  No practicing in advance. Just on and play.
The first game is Q*bert. I adore the 2600 port. Played in Expert Mode with the new CX-40+.
 

Indeed, this looks like quite the project. Thanks for sharing, @RickR!

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out 😎

I'm taking part in this one, whether it's via BigPEmu or VCS. Good luck to all of the participants!
I do have a question re: Atari 50. I've yet to purchase it for the VCS. I spotted Atari's tweet with an announcement for Tuesday morning at 9am ET. Should I wait until then to purchase Atari 50 or should I just purchase it straightaway?

I'm taking part in this one, whether it's via BigPEmu or VCS. Good luck to all of the participants!
I do have a question re: Atari 50. I've yet to purchase it for the VCS. I spotted Atari's tweet with an announcement for Tuesday morning at 9am ET. Should I wait until then to purchase Atari 50 or should I just purchase it straightaway?

It will be cool to have you participate!
No need to wait on Atari50 - it will be updated for everyone.

I'm taking part in this one, whether it's via BigPEmu or VCS. Good luck to all of the participants!
I do have a question re: Atari 50. I've yet to purchase it for the VCS. I spotted Atari's tweet with an announcement for Tuesday morning at 9am ET. Should I wait until then to purchase Atari 50 or should I just purchase it straightaway?

Nintendo announced F-ZERO 99 today at Nintendo Direct, the first new game in the series in nearly 20 years. F-ZERO 99 surprise launches today for the Nintendo Switch and is free to download with a Nintendo Online subscription.
Every winter we play an annual F-ZERO Christmas Challenge in High Score Squad, maybe this year we will have to race with 99 simultaneous players!
 
Lightning-fast F-ZERO™ racing with a 99-player twist
Line up with 98 other F-ZERO machines and race to the finish in this thrilling take on the original Super NES™ game. Keep an eye on your power meter as you boost and bash, because speed is just as important as survival. Defend yourself with a Spin Attack and collect Super Sparks to breeze past the competition on the elevated Skyway. The F-ZERO 99 game is available only to active Nintendo Switch Online* members.

Outpace and outlive your opponents in rotating modes

The core F-ZERO 99 mode is just one way to race at breakneck speeds. Mini Prix and Grand Prix modes appear on a set schedule and challenge you to compete and qualify in a series of races. Team Battle and the extra-tough Pro Tracks mode rotate throughout the day. Prepare yourself in Practice Mode and race against your ghost.

Complete challenges for even more customization

Boost your Skill Rating by excelling in races and take on challenges to unlock customization options. Make your F-ZERO machine your own with alternate colors, decals, and boost effects. Complete achievements in your Pilot Card and receive different unlockable backdrops and display badges.
More:
 
https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/f-zero-99-switch/

Congratulations RickR!
 
Congratulations to @RickR on an incredible victory! "The Don" RickR takes the top spot in our Final Standings with an outstanding score of 237,220 points on an insanely challenging game. Incredible! @socrates63 is coming in hot and takes 2nd Place in the standings with 175,573 points! @Smell Dawg puts in a good show and takes 3rd Place with 149,670 points! @Atari 5200 Guy put in the work and takes 4th Place with 85,159 points. @Sabertooth stepped away from kicking butt in Club VCS to join us for this Squad Challenge and takes 5th Place with 82,754 points. Rounding things out is the doctor in the house @TrekMD with 67,080 points in 6th Place.
As always I'd like to encourage @RickR to  post his high score on the Scoreboard, and let's make sure this Challenge continues on! Congratulations once again to Rick for his BIG WIN, and I want to thank Rick for nominating this game, as well as @Sabertooth for hosting this month's VCS Recharged Squad Challenge in Club VCS!
👉 Be sure to join Club VCS this month to participate in our Recharged Squad Challenges for the new Atari VCS!
COMING UP NEXT IN HIGH SCORE SQUAD: Join us for our 2023 F-ZERO Christmas Challenge. Be there!
 
 

 
 

 

Let's get the word out about this Special 30th Anniversary Recharged Squad Challenge!
The more people participating the more fun the challenge!
Spread the word and invite friends to play!

F-ZERO
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Controller: CONTROL PAD / KEYBOARD / PLAYER'S CHOICE
Difficulty Level: Grand Prix > King League > Standard Class > Mute City III
Bonus Challenge: F-ZERO 99 on Nintendo Online!
Play on: Real Hardware / Dedicated Console / MAME / Emulation OK! ✔
Squad Challenge ends 11:59 pm PST December 31, 2023
Nominated by @Justin 
 
 
Objective
Play for the best possible time using the difficulty settings defined in the challenge. Post a photo or YouTube video of your score in this thread. Scores must be achieved between December 1st through December 31st, 2023. Screen captures are not allowed as they are more easily manipulated for falsified scores. Multiple submissions are permitted. The player with the fastest time at the end of the competition is the victor!
 
Eligibility
Anyone can join in. All players are welcome!
 
Play Rules
Games may be played on real hardware, Flashback / Mini console, or emulation, using any controller or keyboard, following all rules and game settings defined in the challenge. Choosing between real hardware or emulation, and choosing which controller to play on is part of formulating your strategy. Enhancements, rewinds and hacked versions of this game are not allowed.
 
Difficulty Level
Grand Prix > King League > Standard Class > Mute City III. This will be the 1st Circuit on King League, which will appear first when you begin your game. We are playing for the best overall time to complete the circuit at Mute City III. At the title screen select GRAND PRIX. Players may select any air car they wish. Next, select the League and class in which you wish to race. Players will select KING LEAGUE, then STANDARD CLASS. This will start you at Mute City III. We are only posting our scores for Mute City III. You do not have to play the rest of the courses. We are only playing for the best overall time to complete the circuit at Mute City III.
 

 
Bonus Challenge : : F-ZERO 99
We are holding a BONUS CHALLENGE this year! If you'd like to compete in our Bonus Challenge, we will be playing the first round of F-ZERO 99 on Nintendo Online! Play one round and post your best score! Line up with 98 other F-ZERO machines and race to the finish in this thrilling take on the original Super NES game. Keep an eye on your power meter as you boost and bash, because speed is just as important as survival. Defend yourself with a Spin Attack and collect Super Sparks to breeze past the competition on the elevated Skyway. The F-ZERO 99 game is available only to active Nintendo Switch Online members.
 
Fair Play
Your integrity is everything. Players should play fairly, be honest, and have fun! Falsified scores will result in your immediate removal from the site. It goes without saying that we will not allow cheats, hacks, cartridge frying, enhancements, rewinds, deceitful photo manipulation, subterfuge, or any other unfair advantage. Everybody hates a cheater.
 
More
To review detailed rules on how to play, please visit the High Score Squad page here: 
 
 
Message
Welcome to our 152nd Squad Challenge! This year we're celebrating the holidays and bringing in the new year with a visit back to one of F-ZERO's most challenging courses, Mute City III in F-ZERO on Super Nintendo, a true SNES classic! We are also holding a BONUS CHALLENGE for F-ZERO 99 on Nintendo Online. I have wonderful Christmas memories of F-ZERO, I received the game with my SNES when I was not expecting much of anything for Christmas. The game brought my family a lot of fun and joy that year, and I love playing F-ZERO around Christmas. For years it's become a bit of a Christmas tradition in my house to play F-ZERO and a few other SNES Classics during the Holidays, and now it's become a tradition every year in the forums too, something special I like to share with all of you. ☃️❄️🎄 F-ZERO is one of the iconic titles on Super Nintendo, and it served as a great demonstration of the Super Nintendo's Mode 7 graphics. F-ZERO was a predecessor to anti-gravity racing leagues such as Wip3out (and probably pod racing!). PDF F-ZERO Instruction Booklet is attached below. Good luck, racers!
 
 

 
F-ZERO.pdf

In thinking more about this, it really shows the mess that Commodore management was at this time.  The 128 and C65 were essentially the same, with an attempt at keeping C64 compatibility that was really poorly done (having a completely separate C64 mode) and held the new machine back.  C16 and Plus 4 that brought nothing new to the table.  And the incredible Amiga, which they should have placed all their chips in on, but didn't.  Also, by this time, their initial "business" lead with the PET was completely gone and wasted.  IBM had eaten their lunch in all respects at this moment. 
As with many computer/game companies at this time, they had a real lack of focus and too many irons in the fire.