News about Amstrad CPC, PCW, Notepad NC100 NC150 NC200, PDA600 and also Amstrad PC






PunyInform v5.0 by Fredrik Ramsberg and Johan Berntsson to write text adventure games

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PunyInform v5.0 by Fredrik Ramsberg and Johan Berntsson is a library written in Inform 6 to create adventure game (pure text, no graphic support contrary to DAAD) using the Z-machine virtual machine which will run on 8bit computers (or more recent computers too). PunyInform has a parser, knowing of common verbs and a framework to write adventure games.

PunyInform is based on the Inform 6 library written by Graham Nelson. Its goal is to make easily adventure games in Inform 6, with a manual describing the differences between the official library and PunyInform..

Games using PunyInform can be compiled in z3, z5 and z8 format (z3 being the best format for 8bit computers, other formats have more features). Compared to the Inform 6 library, it means that there is no support for the Glulx virtual machine but z3 format is important as Inform 6 doesnt support it.

To compile games written with PunyInform, you should use the Inform 6 compiler maintained by David Kinder. Binaries are available on if-archive. PunyInform needs Inform v6.35 (or more).

They are tutorials to write adventure game with PunyInform (end of the page) and all the documentation including a 8 page cheat sheet (quick reference)..

To try your game after compilation, you can use WinFrotz by David Kinder, to create map easily you can use Trizbort.

And finally, to create an Amstrad CPC and PCW disk image, you will have to use the Puddle BuildTools.



Ghost Trick by GGP, a new Amstrad CPC+ and GX4000 game

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Ghost Trick by GGP for Amstrad CPC+ and GX4000 is a new game inspired by another on the console Neo Geo pocket by SNK vs Capcom : the match of the millenium and inspired by Ghost's Goblins. Code and sprites are by Ayor61, screens and background by Maitre Joe, music by SuTeKH/Epytheor (featuring a remix of the original music by Mark Cooksey). To finish the game you will have to collect 50 chests, it will take some time.

Amstrad Maniaque has already done a longplay video of Ghost Trick. After having seen the video, gameplay is simple, background and music are wonderful.

For the download link, it's here.



The MegaLambda-x6(++) by LambdaMikel, a new Amstrad CPC expansion backplane with 6 slots

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Michael Wessel is the author of several hardware expansions for Amstrad CPC which I let you discover on his github and Youtube channel.

His last making is the MegaLambda-x6(++), an Amstrad CPC expansion backplante with no less than 6 slots. You can desactivate individually each connected card. It features :

  • Six standard MX4 expansion slots
  • Passthrough edge connector (like LambdaBoard I, II)
  • Passthrough pin header connector (like MotherX4)
  • Keyhole in edge connector for hardware that requires it (e.g., DKTronics Retro Speech Synthesizer, ...)
  • Wide signal traces for good signal conductivity
  • Extra wide traces for GND and VCC - unlike other backplane expanders for the CPC, MegaLambda is capable of powering the DDI-1 and DDI-3 without requiring an extra power supply
  • Backplane powered from either the CPC or an external 5V power supply via standard barell jack (center polarity positive)
  • Double jumpers (for better conductivity) to select between CPC power and external power
  • Power LED (only) if external power supply is used - polarity check!
  • The 5V / VCC line of the CPC expansion port is physically disconnected from the backplane if external power is used; only GND is shared with the CPC
  • CPC Reset button

Several presentation videos are available :



Vexed v1.11, an Amstrad CPC puzzle game by Under4Mhz

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Vexed by Under4Mhz is a new puzzle game for Amstrad CPC at the first 2023 semester. Match blocks and dont leave one or you must start anew the level.

Since the initial release, joystick support has been added in v1.08, so you should better download it again if you like Vexed.



ZEsarUX X, an Amstrad CPC and PCW emulator (other computers too)

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ZEsarUX X (10 years) is a multi platform emulator, Amstrad CPC and PCW (and many others). You can compile the unix sources directly or get a binary for :

  • linux 32/64 bits
  • Mac OS X
  • Windows
  • Raspberry pi (raspbian)


Mario Bros (2023), an Amstrad CPC remake of the initial port by Choice Software

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Marior Bros by Nintendo is a platform game whic has been ported by Choice Software on Amstrad CPC in 1987. Sadly it was a ZX Spectrum port, see original loading screen and game screenshot :

loading screen of Mario Bros by Choice Software

game screenshot of Mario Bros by Choice Software

Today there is a new version Mario Bros 2023 (local download in DSK, CPR and CDT) by JMB (codefix), Onevision (GFX) and Lunoka (music). You can check below the difference :

écran de chargement de Marior Bros 2023

écran de jeu de Mario Bros 2023

You can see two videos of Mario Bros 2023 on Youtube by :



AMSnews, a new french site about Amstrad news since the 4th September

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AMSnews is a new Amstrad news web site, which is open since the 4th September. Competition is welcome.

AMSnews is looking for help, but to be honest me also as this site is a one man show since the start.



Locus Eremus, a new labyrinth game for Amstrad CPC by Antero Martinez

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Locus Eremus is a new labyrinth game for Amstrad CPC by Antero Martinez in three languages : spanish, french and english.

In Locus Eremus you must help Jonathan to escape from the compound in which he is imprisoned; In addition, some curious rules found in the place where he woke up indicate : if you want to escape from the place, you must find the 4 sayings. In our progress, we must feed ourselves with everything we find within our reach, there are also elements that allow us to open doors or carry out certain actions, always associated with mini-games that we must overcome.



PunyInform v4.7 by Fredrik Ramsberg and Johan Berntsson to write text adventure games

-

PunyInform v4.7 by Fredrik Ramsberg and Johan Berntsson is a library written in Inform 6 to create adventure game (pure text, no graphic support contrary to DAAD) using the Z-machine virtual machine which will run on 8bit computers (or more recent computers too). PunyInform has a parser, knowing of common verbs and a framework to write adventure games.

PunyInform is based on the Inform 6 library written by Graham Nelson. Its goal is to make easily adventure games in Inform 6, with a manual describing the differences between the official library and PunyInform..

Games using PunyInform can be compiled in z3, z5 and z8 format (z3 being the best format for 8bit computers, other formats have more features). Compared to the Inform 6 library, it means that there is no support for the Glulx virtual machine but z3 format is important as Inform 6 doesnt support it.

To compile games written with PunyInform, you should use the Inform 6 compiler maintained by David Kinder. Binaries are available on if-archive. PunyInform needs Inform v6.35 (or more).

They are tutorials to write adventure game with PunyInform (end of the page) and all the documentation including a 8 page cheat sheet (quick reference)..

To try your game after compilation, you can use WinFrotz by David Kinder, to create map easily you can use Trizbort.

And finally, to create an Amstrad CPC and PCW disk image, you will have to use the Puddle BuildTools.