I'm a human

[bcripon]

I figured that fit with the mention at the beginning of the June podcast. :)

Anyway, I've been listening to the podcast for the last 3-4 months. I found out about the podcast when I ordered Amiga Forever 2012 last fall so I could play a few Amiga games that I remembered. I found your interview in the extras section. I was mainly an ST owner back in the day, but I did own an Amiga for a short time.

I've been meaning to thank you for the Jack Tramiel obit in April. If it wasn't for your podcast, I wouldn't have known he died. I'm not surprised, but disgusted, that this didn't make the tech press. Most of them are too young to even remember the ST or Amiga, let alone the C64.

As a Marble Madness fan, I appreciated the shout-out in the June podcast. If you ever have a "worst game ports of all time", you could put the ST version of MM at the top of the list. Playing MM when the physics are wrong (the game thinks the marble is off the board when you can see it on the board) brings frustration to a whole new level.

Since I support a Windows app at work, I'm a Mac and iOS person at home (don't hold that against me!). I completely understand the "Apple hate". It's been 25 years, but I still remember the jerk who told me when I said I was buying an ST that "not everyone can afford a Macintosh".

I've been using your Android app reviews to find the equivalent iOS version. It's lead me to some great games (Rune Raiders and Battle Squadron One for starters). I figured you'd get a laugh over the fact that, currently, the map in Cardinal Quest isn't transparent on the iOS version. It doesn't ruin the game for me, but that's one point for Android.

Since I don't have 40 hours to spend playing games anymore, I've been using an ST (Hatari) and Amiga (FS-UAE) on my Mac to catch up with some great games I remember from the past. There aren't many games anymore that have that "just one more round" feeling that don't have to become a second job. :)

Anyway, thanks for the monthly podcast.


Bob

[merman1974]

Welcome to the forum, Bob.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I figured that fit with the mention at the beginning of the June podcast. :)

heh .. yeah .. my querying of new members ....


Anyway, I've been listening to the podcast for the last 3-4 months. I found out about the podcast when I ordered Amiga Forever 2012 last fall so I could play a few Amiga games that I remembered. I found your interview in the extras section. I was mainly an ST owner back in the day, but I did own an Amiga for a short time.

Amazing where traffic and listeners come from. Those guys are really damn cool.


I've been meaning to thank you for the Jack Tramiel obit in April. If it wasn't for your podcast, I wouldn't have known he died. I'm not surprised, but disgusted, that this didn't make the tech press. Most of them are too young to even remember the ST or Amiga, let alone the C64.

You're welcome! The man was responsible for a great many things that made me who I am. The least I can do is give the guy 15 minutes.


As a Marble Madness fan, I appreciated the shout-out in the June podcast. If you ever have a "worst game ports of all time", you could put the ST version of MM at the top of the list. Playing MM when the physics are wrong (the game thinks the marble is off the board when you can see it on the board) brings frustration to a whole new level.

That's crazy - considering just how good the Amiga version was and how close of cousins the ST and Amiga kinda are.


Since I support a Windows app at work, I'm a Mac and iOS person at home (don't hold that against me!). I completely understand the "Apple hate". It's been 25 years, but I still remember the jerk who told me when I said I was buying an ST that "not everyone can afford a Macintosh".

I don't know if you listen to my other podcast, Passenger Seat Radio - but I discuss Apple and Mac a lot (usually not favorably heh). I'm not willing to trade my freedom for "it just works"; and that damn ecosystem makes me mental - but that's another discussion.

An ST vs Mac in that day and age? ST .. every time.


I've been using your Android app reviews to find the equivalent iOS version. It's lead me to some great games (Rune Raiders and Battle Squadron One for starters). I figured you'd get a laugh over the fact that, currently, the map in Cardinal Quest isn't transparent on the iOS version. It doesn't ruin the game for me, but that's one point for Android.

Damn Cardinal Quest sucks me in EVERY TIME. I've been playing it the last two hours, in fact.

Ain't Rune Raiders great? The original concept came from PopCap of all places. My friend, the developer, got it when they decided not to do it. Damn good game. I finished it when I was beta testing it for him :)


Since I don't have 40 hours to spend playing games anymore, I've been using an ST (Hatari) and Amiga (FS-UAE) on my Mac to catch up with some great games I remember from the past. There aren't many games anymore that have that "just one more round" feeling that don't have to become a second job. :)

They are around - you just have to find them. Modern gaming journalists just don't like that kind of game - so you never get any good coverage. Let us know what platforms you have to work with and the boys around here will give you a laundry list :)


Anyway, thanks for the monthly podcast.

Thanks for listening!

[Dragon57]

Welcome! Make yourself at home.

[bcripon]

I never regret going with the ST. Even the Amiga was more than I could afford as a starving college student. I didn't know of the "computers for the masses, not the classes" line at the time I bought the ST, but the price was the main reason I went that way. It's the only time I could sell my old machine (8086 PC) and get enough for it used to buy my new computer (1040 ST). The amount of memory and CPU power was amazing for the price at that time.

I also wanted to mention that I appreciate your comparisons when discussing modern games. When you said Legend of Grimrock was Dungeon Master updated, I knew immediately what you meant. I decided to pick it up. I don't know how much time I'll have for it but, at $15, I'd like to support those developers that are willing to take a chance. I picked it up directly from them. However, it's nice to see that they're working with GOG as well as Steam. GOG prides itself on no DRM. I may not have that physical CD or DVD, but I can always install the file without having to authorize it. I also saw that someone already created a Wine (run Windows programs without the Windows OS) wrapper for it so I didn't have to do anything but run the install program.

At home, I only have my Mac. However, I do use Windows under VMWare so I have run some games there if they aren't too graphics intensive. I also use Wine (mostly Codeweavers' Crossover product) to run Windows titles that aren't available for the Mac.

As a US ST owner, you'll never hear me complain about lack of software. :) Whenever I hear some Mac owner complain about some title that isn't available for the Mac, I just think "spoiled brat" along with "I guess you never owned a real computer, did you?".


Bob

[Shane R. Monroe]

It is nice to have an ST afficiando around here. Diverse historical gaming palates are a good thing.

Besides, the ST was the only 16bit computer (as I recall) to get the game SUNDOG (originally an Apple II game). It was one of the only "envy" games I had as a C64 owner.

http://www.lukin.com/sundog/index2.html

[merman1974]

And don't forget Oids, that was an ST exclusive.

[Oedipus]

Welcome to the forum briepon!




heh .. yeah .. my querying of new members ....






Shane unfortunately didn't tell you the real reason that he wants only humans to post here. Let's just say we had a controversial incident involving a former poster (who will remain nameless) who claimed to be a dragon.

[bcripon]

I didn't realize Oids was an ST exclusive. I do remember playing that. I only vaguely remember Sundog. I didn't play that too much. One of my very favorite ST games is signified by my avatar. It's Michtron's (Microdeal for the Europeans) Time Bandit. I loved (and love) that game for the ST. I'm still astonished that no one has either re-released it as a retro release or updated the graphics and released it as a new game. It had varied environments and it penalized you if you simply shot everything that moved. The braver you were, by not shooting, the more points each kill was worth. Also, every time you re-entered an environment, it got harder.

I did have a "Red to Blue" moment when I tried the Amiga version. The port wasn't bad, but the sound just wasn't there. In the ST version, when you were shot or lost a life, you heard this sound that seemed to echo through the speakers. The Amiga sound was simply a thud. It could be the emulator though I doubt that. I didn't realize how crucial the sound was until it was gone.

It's nice to find a place that appreciates the classic machines like the ST and Amiga.


Bob

[Shane R. Monroe]

Shane unfortunately didn't tell you the real reason that he wants only humans to post here. Let's just say we had a controversial incident involving a former poster (who will remain nameless) who claimed to be a dragon.

I was less concerned with him calling himself a dragon than I was with him calling himself a game developer.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I didn't realize Oids was an ST exclusive. I do remember playing that. I only vaguely remember Sundog. I didn't play that too much.

You know, I don't remember a damn thing about the game ... and I never even saw it on an ST. Hell, I've never seen an ST in PERSON. It was all about Commodore 64 growing up; most of my friends had C64s - and then you had one oddball that had like an Atari 400 or 800, but did nothing with it but play cartridges (heh). Then I had ONE friend for a BRIEF moment (like I met him over the summer) who had a TI-99A (I fell in love with PARSEC - I've almost picked one up JUST to play that game). From the C64, I'd say half my friends went IBM-PC compatible, the rest went Amiga. I think I KNEW a guy that had an ST - but I never saw it.

I had a collection of pirated software for Apple ][ we used to sneak in at school. SunDog was one of them. I was so pissed I couldn't get it for the C64 - then when I heard it was out for the ST, I was pissed I couldn't get it on Amiga ... hahhahaha

I was almost as pissed I couldn't get Prince of Persia on the C64.


One of my very favorite ST games is signified by my avatar. It's Michtron's (Microdeal for the Europeans) Time Bandit. I loved (and love) that game for the ST. I'm still astonished that no one has either re-released it as a retro release or updated the graphics and released it as a new game. It had varied environments and it penalized you if you simply shot everything that moved. The braver you were, by not shooting, the more points each kill was worth. Also, every time you re-entered an environment, it got harder.

You know, I booted that game on the Amiga .. maybe ONCE ... it TOTALLY sounds like my kinda game; GREED. I might have to get it on the emu and play it.


I did have a "Red to Blue" moment when I tried the Amiga version. The port wasn't bad, but the sound just wasn't there. In the ST version, when you were shot or lost a life, you heard this sound that seemed to echo through the speakers. The Amiga sound was simply a thud. It could be the emulator though I doubt that. I didn't realize how crucial the sound was until it was gone.

People don't give sound enough credit. It isn't about mainstream sound - it's about ... ambiance .... or context type audio. Legacy of the Ancients on the C64 ... when you were in the Museum or dungeons, there were torches flickering on the walls. On the C64 they made the greatest crackling fire noises. Some time later - when I looked at it on the PC - aside from being ugly ass CGA (maybe EGA) - the sound of the torches just weren't there. Can THAT little time thing be enough to ruin a game? Maybe.

Then again, have you ever played Impossible Mission where the guy doesn't scream when he falls in the hole? Or heard the Skate or Die intro on a C128 where the SID chip didn't play it right? It is a souring experience.


It's nice to find a place that appreciates the classic machines like the ST and Amiga.

It's what Retro Gaming Radio (and most of the people in this forum) are all about - appreciating the classics for what they were; responsible for what we have today.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Here is Sundog on Apple II:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R09RZsrYyGw

.. and on the ST:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz5Y6X2sshE

Shame that tool has to talk over it.

[Shane R. Monroe]

OMG .. it's been the better part of 20 years since I've seen this game.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8eBiBEQOoY

I remember decompiling the code to figure out how they made the screen shake on the title menu.

[bcripon]

You know, I don't remember a damn thing about the game ... and I never even saw it on an ST. Hell, I've never seen an ST in PERSON. It was all about Commodore 64 growing up; most of my friends had C64s - and then you had one oddball that had like an Atari 400 or 800, but did nothing with it but play cartridges (heh).

I have to admit that I started with the Apple II simply because that's where I learned my first BASIC and 6502 assembly language. However, since even my used II+ was very expensive ($900 in 1983 dollars), something like the C64 interested me. However, I heard too many horror stories about the 1541 drive alignment problems to take a chance on it. Regarding the ST, I was lucky that a friend of mine purchased his ST first. Also, early on, there was a local computer store that sold the ST. That ended quickly because Atari cut the margins to nothing so, after a while, you only could get an ST via mail order. Compared to the CGA PC that I sold, the ST looked like something that came from the future. I couldn't believe how much better the graphics and sound were compared to PCs of that era.



You know, I booted that game on the Amiga .. maybe ONCE ... it TOTALLY sounds like my kinda game; GREED. I might have to get it on the emu and play it.

When you were talking about greed (I think it was either on the May or June podcast), I immediately thought of Time Bandit. As I said, the Amiga port isn't bad. It certainly would give you an idea of how the greed worked. Regarding sound, I can't even imagine Impossible Mission without that scream.


Bob