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  1. skip

    JagZombies

    Ive asked that direct question at least twice. Now three times. Its not a difficult nor accusatory question, yet theres not been an answer to it. How odd. Im still curious, thats the one thing I think that needs answering and is somewhat owed to the community and potential purchasers handing over cash for a product.
  2. Thank you for calling my comments crap. Very well reasoned, appropriate, considerate, and fair...or not. Anyway... Contracts: If I'm wrong on that front, I'm wrong. I may be getting my wires crossed in this case, but I swear I heard or read that they ended up producing 300, an extra 100 over the initial run, and permission was given for it. My search-fu is wonky so I couldn't find anything about it here...so I could well be full of crap in this case, but as I said I vaguely remember something about it. I am, however, aware of (and correct) in that there have been other actual cases where a specific number or single run of the production of a game was specified, and once it was done it was done, end of story. If I'm wrong in the case of AW, I strongly suspect the reasons given by lachoneus are likely applicable - time, family, inclination, moving on to other things etc. And, just as in the case of Battlesphere and other long out of print pieces of software that still have demand, the creators and rights holders of the games owe us nothing despite our frustrations of not being able to purchase said games. I too dislike the artificial limits that inflate the perceived values of so called rare retro games. But it is what it is. Beyond this, if people choose to dump and reproduce software, that's on them. Pre-order: My memory is hazy, but I do not believe that there was a deposit placed on Another World. I was on a list, I got a message one day (long after my name was on the list), I only paid for the game then. Of course this isn't the only way that things can be done (cash up front pre-production can cause it's own set of problems), but in this case nothing was paid up front IIRC. Again, they didn't have to do things this way, but they did. Any compensation for the years of time being put into this project would have been minimal (even if costs were covered for parts and processes), again a very admirable approach by the developers. Re: port vs homebrew: I don't understand why the anger / angst toward the suggestion that a product can be both. I don't think that there's any argument against it being a port, a much enhanced one at that (as evidenced by the information in the links provided by lachoneus). As to whether it's homebrew...here's a definition from the most obvious place "Homebrew is a term frequently applied to video games or other software produced by consumers to target proprietary hardware platforms (usually with hardware restrictions) that are not typically user-programmable or that use proprietary storage methods." Given Briais is a consumer, a fan, and an 'unlicensed' developer on the Jag who essentially solely created this version of the game (with assistance), this game fits the technical and academically accepted definition of homebrew. If it's the commercialisation of the release, in my writing / research (that I do for a living) I've not seen anything that would strike a game from being considered a homebrew if it is sold. But if none of this works for you, that's completely fine too. No need for anger (as I re-read the posts) or entitlement (a feeling I get from re-reading) no matter how frustrated you may feel that the game is no longer in production...measured and logical discussion is good, as is trying to see other people's viewpoints.
  3. Are we here again. Really?!? - they had a contract (I presume) that allowed X amount of copies to be produced. - they produced said amount of copies over several years. - in order to produce more copies legitimately, a new contract would need to be negotiated. Given youre so keen, perhaps you could negotiate. Contract with the rights holders. Then you might start to appreciate the ins and outs of such supposedly absurd and hypocritical practices (seriously, Im a little confused as to the meaning and / or intent of these assumptions / assertions). Id personally love to see more Battlesphere Gold and multiplayer adapters produced (legitimately) but the rights holder of these games and the hardware dont seem to want to, which while frustrating for myself and others (as thered be a fair few Jag owners whod buy) is completely understandable due to the low absolute numbers and high up front costs. Thusly, I dont post about it nor hassle the rights holders, its their prerogative to do as they see fit with their game. FYI, it is quite accurate for a game to be described as a homebrew AND a port, which is true in both cases for AW.
  4. skip

    JagZombies

    I think I asked something(s) forever ago, I'll ask again... ...Why is there a need to rush the games? What's the hurry? Why set release dates before the games are done? Why is "near enough" considered good enough, then there's he need to "fix" obvious bugs and issues?... Isn't it all just more...stressful doing it this way, rather than properly, once, rather than having to fix things once you consider a project "done"? Plus you'll learn more about balanced game design, programming techniques etc that you can incorporate in future projects. One a related note, here's a very recent "demake" (from the Demake Jam 2018) of Virtua Cop. It's very playable and it might be worth noting some of the gameplay mechanics and level design ideas (which are obvious and present despite it being fairly "simplistic"). https://helpcomputer.itch.io/metro-cop
  5. I understand your situation was vastly different. Between my "business" and my tertiary research in the area (in addition to what I learnt by attrition at the time and by reading worldwide publications (and being on the internet from 1992) I'm quite aware of the different worldwide conditions, both market related as well as government imposed differences. Of course I didn't live through it. It sounds rather challenging, I can't even imagine. I have taught numerous students from Russia and Eastern Europe over the last 20 years and have heard the amazing and sometimes horrifying stories. I was, however, simply referring to the comment of yours that I quoted. How was I to know it wasn't a generalised statement but specific to your situation? That's why I said "not sure if that's what you were getting at" There's no other agenda from me, just qualifying it from a wider perspective. Don't know if I really invited or deserved that spray from you. But, if nothing else (as it relates to my games research) I always value hearing perspectives far removed from mine.
  6. Perhaps in your area / region perhaps (not sure if that's what you were getting at), but regionally depending on where you lived it varied a bit (e.g. Europe had higher penetration of computing vs console gaming until the 4th or 5th console gen) and worldwide, the SNES/MD/Genesis/PCEngine generation (and the one before that) were 'bigger' gaming platforms than PC/home computer. PS1 / N64 increased the market penetration and volume of consoles worldwide, and only the 3D graphics cards (and the superior graphics / resolutions they offered) kept PCs in the gaming, err, game. The PS2 generation resulted in an even greater increase in console penetration / volume. Since then it's stabilised (or dropped) in terms of actual units of consoles sold. The PS1 sold over 100 million units and is the second highest selling home TV console (behind the PS2). Hardly a rarity (worldwide).
  7. re: T2K arcade version - someone actually did a T2K arcade conversion (not sure I've seen it posted here at AA before). http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/507-custom-tempest-2000-arcade-cabinet/(and there are photos / info elsewhere e.g. Google+, do a search for "tempest 2000 arcade" and you'll find 'em) Pros: amazing attention to detail with the cabinet and the artwork (it looks legit like you would expect an arcade conversion of T2K to look like), the 'best' version of T2K, the proper Jag version. Con: the only con I can think of is that the Jag version of T2K can run @ 60Hz under emulation, you'll get the authentic slowdown with this. Having run TxK on my PSTV, the release of a T3K rotary, and now I have T4K, my dream project would be to make / have an arcade machine that looks identical to the above, but has the ability to switch between T2K, T3K, TxK, and T4K. Could you imagine that...!
  8. 1 is absolutely valid when you look at the extortion level costs of postage from the US to Australia (for but one example) these days. I just got a 13-15 (ish) kg package delivered at the top tier from the US - expedited, insured, tracked etc - and it was the better part of $700 US. Sure, it arrived here in less than 5 days, but when you factor in I could've flown to the US and picked it up for less, it's ridiculous. I've been purchasing multiple copies of games for friends for over 20 years in order to minimise shipping costs as one to five games roughly costs the same to ship (probably $20 or $30 US via eBay these days, *sigh*).
  9. Can you re-upload them (perhaps with minute changes in case they 'scan' the file for previous versions) and just don't tag them with Atari? Perhaps the fan-art community could come up with a new tag (Ex-Tari could be appropriate) and share the word with fans...sure, Atari or Redbubble might eventually figure it out, but it'd be fun to see how long the game could be played
  10. skip

    Atari VCS new

    It'll be out next month on Xbone, PS4, and PC. You'll have to wait at least one year. And, given the low specs of the currently planned Atari VCS system, whether it'll actually run as intended is another thing...
  11. I almost hit bid on the Another World + Aircars + D2K + Towers II + other Jag game lot. Something funny happened with a retracted bid and I paused...then it went for tiny $225. Biggest steal of the decade I think. Still, I can't complain about what I 'accidentally' purchased and for how much...I'm a bit concerned about shipping costs, but oh well
  12. I've managed to register to bid (got my eye on a couple of items) but I fear international shipping might break the bank. Their website offers little information, although I was able to register as being in a foreign country. It's a pity there's not a proper FAQ...I'll be watching at the very least. I'm confused that the 64 pre-auction lots (which runs out in a few minutes) are up on the live online auction...weird. Edit: I think I understand what's up now I do hope it goes well
  13. Have you got a link to your Facebook page? I couldn't find it, but admittedly I only had a quick look. FB is being a bit terrible with notifications and search lately. I feel bad for you and somewhat surprised that it didn't pick up more traction. I will admit that I only saw it here and on one single site / FB page I follow read. It didn't come up in any of my other many, many dozens of gaming / retro news feeds I read, with sites ranging from "big" ones like Kotaku and Gizmodo, to indie / retro gaming news sites, to Facebook pages, to smaller fan run blogs. I personally honestly believe that with structured, targeted, and focused marketing / promotion it could strongly succeed in this current retro market (with the upswing of interest in all things retro over the last few years). I hope it's not buried forever, but I understand the frustration and commercial realities.
  14. I'd just posted this on our retro gaming Facebook page and it was getting a bunch of interest...and it just came up on Kickstarter that it was cancelled 20 minutes ago That's a real shame. I hope it gets resurrected somehow, perhaps with an even bigger online push / campaign.
  15. Do you know how far they got, if anywhere, with Return Fire on the Jag? I don't think I've ever seen an official screenshot, just vague hints in magazines or online back in the day with shots of the 3DO version.
  16. Check the video. It had to be unlocked to get the footage to make the video. I'm not that good at faking videos.** Plus, if you check the manual to the game or are familiar with a certain one of Yak's quote(s), there's quite the hint as to its legitimacy. (**or am I...? )
  17. Hi all, On my 'want list' primarily at the moment are the Tempest 2000 Soundtrack CD (complete), Brain Dead 13 CD for the Jag (my last 'original run' Jag game I don't own), and any PAL 7800 games and the control pads (I've misplaced mine...d'oh!). Also after any of the 'newer' homebrew Jag games and CDs I don't have...sorry, don't have a list at hand of what I'm after, I'll edit this when home in the next couple of days. Thanks.
  18. Thanks for that. I'll take some shots when I get them printed and put on the wall in the new games room (only getting plans drawn up now, so who knows how long it'll take to get approved and built haha).
  19. Thanks very much Stephen. Appreciate the overkill
  20. Bump - anyone willing to scan their T2K inserts...or sell me an official complete copy of the CD? I'd buy one now, but shipping to AU from US on eBay for a *single CD* or game seems to be around the $25US mark...hopefully there are other cheaper options fingers crossed.
  21. Another T2K soundtrack related question: Is someone able to scan all the pages of the T2K Soundtrack CD (main insert front, back, inside, and the back page with the tracklisting) at the most ridiculously highest possible resolution and colour depth your scanner can do and upload them here? WHYYYY?: - Yes I know there are scans on the web but they're mostly pretty poor quality. - Yes I have two boxed Jag CDs , but my original copy was stolen from my car about 20 years ago. - The recent Jag CD I picked up from a friend was sans the T2K CD because he's as big a Llamasoft / Minter fan as me, so he kept it. - Yes I know there are T2K CD 'DVD covers' done by fans on the web at high res (and they are beautiful) but the source material doesn't seem to be particularly high res. - I'd be happy to purchase a copy off eBay but shipping to AU from the US or UK is a killer I eventually will get one again. I have access to a couple of really high quality printers at work and would love to print an A3(ish) size poster print of some of the cover art as posters for my new (upcoming) games room. I'm sure I'll have to do a bit of editing due to the small size of the source material, but with a decent scan there'll be a hell of a lot less editing than using what's currently online and having my T2K box(es) as reference material...my eyes are squinting at the mere thought of going back and forth between the physical and digital versions, never mind the time difference as I'm generally quite proficient but slow at decent editing work in Photoshop. Thanks in advance
  22. Teque developed it for the Jag I believe, but Millennium Interactive were also involved somewhere along the line. Did Telegames even develop anything or were they just publishers?
  23. I've only played it a little, but I found the scrolling rather choppy and the music below par...but maybe that's my memory being overly harsh. I found the gameplay a little rough around the edges (admittedly I really didn't know what I was doing), but I'll have to give it a proper go and read the manual. Most reviews or comments from those who've sunk a bit of time into it seem like they enjoyed it. Still, a little more effort and polish could've elevated it beyond just another (almost) straight 16-bit port.
  24. Google and Wikipedia are your friend "Like the first and second installments, however, the Xbox version is not compatible with the Xbox 360."
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