VectrexMad!

Well I know Sectis was just announced a week or so ago, although Fury is just shipping the pre-orders at this stage. I think the Vectrex community does a decent job of keeping the homebrews coming. Sure wish they'd make a Tailgunner or Warrior though. and Fury is to release another new game called Continuum at CGE2010 and in a few days you will also be able to order it direct from Fury: http://www.furyunlimited.com/_sgg/m1_1.htm VectrexMad!

Here is a video I made after I received my covers: I am very pleased with my covers. VectrexMad!

Regarding classification of the Vectrex, and whether to use the term Video game in its truest sense, in the original text from GCE there is no reference to the term Video game. They use different terms to describe the Vectrex: When the first press release went out for the Vectrex in June 82, the Vectrex was called a "GCE Vectrex Arcade System". http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pascual.nicholson/files/articles/presskit_release.pdf In the EU patent granted in June 83 for the Vectrex it was described as "A self contained arcade game apparatus". http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pascual.nicholson/files/patents/Patent%20-%20Self%20contained%20arcade%20game%20apparatus%20for%20object%20generation.pdf OK, but the Vectrex box and instructions for the one I bought at Sears in 1982 immediately upon release here in the US both use the term "video game". Actually, I think we're splitting hairs on semantics. After some research, I see that "video" certainly is used most commonly these days to refer to raster displays, but I think what most people mean when they say "video game" is less related to the technology than it is to the visual experience. I'll most likely continue to refer to the entire category of rectangular-display electronic games as video games for the rest of my life, unless there becomes a compelling reason to differentiate on a regular basis, or if the word police stop by and start issuing fines. Actually, I 100% agree with you, I was just playing devil's advocate. In fact I found in the Vectrex service manual the ulitmate description: see http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pascual.nicholson/files/articles/Vectrex%20Service%20Manual.pdf "The Vectrex is a self-contained, microprocessor based, Vector display, portable home video game arcade with external game cartridge program capability"

Regarding classification of the Vectrex, and whether to use the term Video game in its truest sense, in the original text from GCE there is no reference to the term Video game. They use different terms to describe the Vectrex: When the first press release went out for the Vectrex in June 82, the Vectrex was called a "GCE Vectrex Arcade System". http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pascual.nicholson/files/articles/presskit_release.pdf In the EU patent granted in June 83 for the Vectrex it was described as "A self contained arcade game apparatus". http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pascual.nicholson/files/patents/Patent%20-%20Self%20contained%20arcade%20game%20apparatus%20for%20object%20generation.pdf

Welcome to the world of Vectrex. When you feel like some new games some of the homebrews are worth a look. Protector (aka Defender) is one of the best. See youtube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ianf370eM6w&feature=related The cost is only $12.50 USD plus shipping! Get it and other homebrew games from http://classicgamecreations.com/

My Vectrex covers arrived too. Very happy with them. Because photos can't show everything I made a short video: Thanks to Barb for all her efforts !!!

Too late for your essay but the following on Youtube recently appeared: VectrexMad!

Hello Chuck, Received my light pen today. Thanks for producing these - it works a treat. Today I have been playing Melody Master (for the first time). regards VectrexMad!

No, last time he spoke in rec.games.vectrex group was Feb 15th. Not too long has passed so perhaps he is on holiday or busy with work. Incidently I tried emailing your wife just a few days ago concerning the Vectrex protection covers and the mail bounced back saying that the mailbox had been disabled. This is strange because the email worked before. Perhaps Vectrexer got the same problem if/when he emailed your wife. VectrexMad!

What's the latest news? Did Chris have time to comment on the final design ? VectrexMad!

It used SRAM instead of FLASH and had a serial interface. I made quite a few of them. (I also did a serial version of the VecFlash before the current USB model). Richard H also did the VecDev which is like the VecRAM accept it also allows PC control of the Vectrex reset. Doing an automatic reset reduces the download and test cycle. It's awesome for developing games. It works just like an EPROM emulator. You make a change to your code, compile it and have the binary download in as little as a few seconds. You can also use it like VecRAM too. Not sure how many he made though, and if he still makes them, but highly recommended if you do any program development. I made a review of it here. VectrexMad!

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/vectrex_overlays/ We haven't reached a stage where we are in a position to produce overlays yet but we are hoping to have them ready sometime this year. The idea is to produce a set of four overlays (Mine Storm, Pole Position, YASI and Protector). These were chosen by popular vote. Although YASI and Protector will have artwork inspired by the original Space Invaders and Defender respectively. We did get permission to make a replica of Protector from the original game author but after much discussion we decided to make our own artwork (some collectors complained that their limited edition possessions would loose value if we were to make replicas). The overlays will be produced in the same way the original overlays and so should be of the same quality. All overlays will be clearly marked that they are new edition - so there will not be any issue of confusing between the new and the original. We purposefully do not have any deadlines. This is a side project for most people involved and setting deadlines would make this project less fun. As such Peteski who is drawing all the overalys is still doing the artwork for YASI and Protector games. Come back to http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/vectrex_overlays/ to get the latest status. VectrexMad!

# Wait in anticipation of photos for the finalised product. VectrexMad!

Huh? Do you know what we're talking about? Well its the 3D imager aka spining wheel 3D, but it is 3D nevertheless! and lets not forget the new 3d game homebrews for the Vectrex by Fury Unlimited. Sector-X has just been released: http://www.furyunlimited.com/_sgg/m1_1.htm and 3D Vec Trek is scheduled for end of this year: http://www.furyunlimited.com/_sgg/m1m2_1.htm VectrexMad! : pats you on the head and shuffles you on back to Classic Gaming : Ok, back to PS3 game sugguestions... Hehe, ok point taken, the Vectrex invasion will take place elsewhere

Huh? Do you know what we're talking about? Well its the 3D imager aka spining wheel 3D, but it is 3D nevertheless! and lets not forget the new 3d game homebrews for the Vectrex by Fury Unlimited. Sector-X has just been released: http://www.furyunlimited.com/_sgg/m1_1.htm and 3D Vec Trek is scheduled for end of this year: http://www.furyunlimited.com/_sgg/m1m2_1.htm VectrexMad!

Better news even still: I just went to check my emails and saw an email from Barb. She had emailed to say that some nice guy in California is going to send her his Vectrex (on loan). Is that you Vectrexer? - whoever it is - well done! VectrexMad!

I would advise all who are considering to buy the Vectrex covers to hold off from doing so for the moment. I received my two covers a couple of days ago. They are made very well but they are far too big. Fair play to Barb of nannyssewingtreats, when I told her of the issue she had no hesitation in agreeing to rework them. The widths of the cover sides needs to be reduced by a couple of inches. But the height of the cover sides need extending. I am going to work out the exact measurements and send them to her before this weekend. But better still is if they could borrow a Vectrex to be 100% sure. I would have no hesitation in loaning them one of my Vectrex consoles but I live in the UK and they are in the US. I think wait to you see photos of the cover on a Vectrex before considering to purchase. Assuming a happy ending I'll post pics here when I get my ammended covers back. regards VectrexMad!

Looks a bit baggy - are you happy with it? VectrexMad!

That looks good! I definitely want one! PM sent. I also linked to here from rec.games.vectrex

You can buy brand new cartridge cases for just a few dollars from John Dondzila at http://classicgamecreations.com/ And he is in the US so postage shouldn't be too much (assuming you are also in the US) regards VectrexMad!

and with Vectrex logos printed/sewn on the covers would be cool. Most homebrewers use the Vectrex logo in their artwork, but if you are worried about copyright a home made logo syaing Vectrex is also fine for me.

If these covers become available for the Vectrex I would definitely like to buy two, possibly even three. regards VectrexMad!

Yes, like I said before, see the AutoFire Dongle topic or just go straight to my website http://www.vectrex.co.uk Like in my video unless they built it into the Vectrex...