Inferno #09 31 июля 2006

Концепции

Future Spectrum - Reflections on the gaming console ZX-Box based on the Spectrum.

   A prerequisite for this writing
became my communion with Alone Coder'om winter
this year in the process of porting Time
Gal on ATM2 Turbo +. Between the thing we discussed
given the current business ZX-stage and, in particular,
'Tridevyaty' chip (V9990), on the basis of which
rogo NedoPC team in the face of Roman Chuunin plate
niruet create advanced graphical WHO
Spectrum opportunities. Then I made
the idea that it would be interesting to collect in one
together all appeared recently and
Spectrum planning for the bells and whistles -
CD-ROM and games on it, TurboFM, V9990 - and
drawn from the Spectrum with these Navo
rotami game console. Fun idea
that will never be realized. But
to me it is haunted, in a purely teoriti
strategic plan, of course. I am interested in history
the video game industry and all sorts of old
sistemami.Razbirayus game in architecture
re consoles, trying to write something under the
them, reading about things in our time will come
washed people. Around almost every
these systems, there is community nod
Cove, something like our ZX-scene: someone pi
Sheth toy (there are even some companies
that publish these games in small batches to
actual cartridge, and can be purchased for
some 20-50 green pieces of paper), someone
learning to program, someone makes a jelly
band (all possible dumper, flash-cartridges
additional memory). There are other forms
we show interest in retro-systems:
creation of new systems. This is a project for
microcontrollers - for example, Pong or
Tetris on PIC'e with strapping as a dozen
resistors (forming screen - clean
software!), or more serious things
with a commercial bias - such as
XGameStation, system on a microcontroller
SX52, with a focus on learning program
derivations of video games in retro style. Looking at
all this stir, and sometimes comes to mind that
It would be interesting to create something like that
ie gaming system in retro style, self
yourself. Of course, in practice it is not
sense, it is not profitable, and therefore
will not be implemented. But just think
dream no one forbids it. And the resulting
Alone in a conversation with Coder'om idea was
convenient excuse to dream.

   Below I will explain his concept of the game
system based on the ZX Spectrum and its modern
variables navorotov.Ne need to take it
as a project proposed by the realization
tsii.Eto just a series of speculations on the theme of 'what
could be done, if yes if only '.
Such allegations do not you just read in ZXpresse late 90's - 
it dreams of Super Spectrum'e. Practice has shown that happens,

if you make these dreams: Super
Spectrum has been implemented in hardware, it's all
known Sprinter. It was made, he even
ahead of dreams but in reality was
virtually no demand (Sprinter, взя
th me for a while at cr0acker'a, for a year
gathering dust under my TV). Therefore,
confine myself to dream, but dreams for
grounding, so to speak - science fiction
ka in the genre of alternate reality.


   So, to begin the most important thing. Main
a gaming console - it's her name. No
it just anywhere. Title should lead
Pattern note, anyone need some kind of
gray and inconspicuous Trivial Gaming System?
The name should speak for itself -
everyone remembers the 'Super', 'Mega', 'Master', 'Pro',
'Real' in the titles of popular consoles
past. When you see this title on
Megahertz and polygons per second is not
think. Long struggling with the choice of name
I did not. My version is not all sparkles
the above adjectives, because
I really like the eastern approach to
the creation of gaming systems (known to most
great masters in this case Japanese). I re
shil use tactics wise Asia
Comrade. Ever, who filled up our country
Well-known products such firms as
Alwa, Pionear, Goddiar, Sonny, Panasonix,
Panasound. Crafty knight's move - to take names
of which everyone knows, change a couple of beech
wok, and millions of sales worldwide obespecheny.V
current generation console titles Su
exists not so much, and only one of
them ideally suited to my crafty
plan. Name it - X-Box. In our
ZX-scene is very popular to seek external
enemy to organized crowd at about
attraction of many years to give him a decent
resistance (a distraction from the topic: The most effective
effective method - the dynamic deployment
guerrilla camps under the code name
'Sisopnik', where members of the movement nega
UPE affect the karma of the enemy, stories
curve to each other about how bad they se
think, less effective and therefore lose
schy popular method - lethal weapons under
code-named 'demo', to which
is a direct effect on a
consciousness is the enemy army soldiers at a demon
stratsii 'demos' in the field of possible clusters
leniya thereof). The main enemy - the corporation
Microsoft, and good luck circumstance
ments console X-Box along with its sequel
X-Box 360 was created precisely this corporate
portable radio (which is interesting, to hardware direct 
relation sheniya not available). They just do X, we have

ZX. Get a short, nice and very
symbolic: ZX-Box, our answer to Chamberlain.


   After the chief we razobra
were, you can switch to less important issues
himself. Architecture Management, in that it must
be similar to how attach bells and whistles, why
they can be useful, and how to place
ultimately will be relevant to the resulting
Xia miracle itself Spectrum.


   Principled freaks - it's CD-ROM.
Why are 8-bit console can be useful
tsya CD-ROM? Turn to the history of video games
- How and why we used this came
bass in the first set-top boxes with add-on.

   The main prerequisite to the use of CD
as storage media on the consoles -
its low cost and the cost for
the end user. In the 90 years of Loss
zvodstvo cartridges (with a mask ROM), pain
large volume (several megabytes) worth up to
rogo, and the price for a couple of games be approximated
las to the price of the console. Issue games
CD treated manufacturer much cheaper
le, and the process was simple: at least some game
do, and CD is stamped technologically identical
identically, in contrast to the different types of cartridges
(Different wiring boards, chips of different sizes
and the type of switching banks additional
tively, and additional memory unit
nye gadgets).

   First game system with a CD-ROM was
virtually unknown in our country
PC-Engine, also known as TurboGrafx
16. Created by Japanese company NEC in ak
effective participation Hudson - the company giving
Shay Bomberman'a world. Console itself out
In 1987, CD-module to it appeared a year
later. Many still find it difficult to op
We define as it was bits and
no ('bit depth' consoles - a piece very
relative, try to find them all
if you have half a dozen different types of processors
in the system). But the main processor it was
8-bit, HuC6280 (slightly modified
vanny version of 6502, which most of the
news to all of the Commodore 64) at a frequency
3.58/7.16 MHz (optional program). Video
controller, it had a 16-bit, its
own and quite a fancy for those
times, which has some similarities with the family
family of video controllers TMS99xx (asset
but used in computers line
MSX). The unit had 8 kilobytes of main
RAM, 64 kilobytes videopa
myati. CD-ROM, which was originally released in the form of
separate supplement to the console, was one
noskorostnym, its controller had
of its own memory (64
kb in the first version, 2304 kb in most vype
ndrezhnoy later), the hardware Deco
der ADPCM-sound. No hardware perturbation
zhnostey video was not available, and
software playback is not allowed
system performance. Subsequently
produce several versions of the console with
built-in CD-ROM and improved characteristics
acteristics (backward compatible with the original
tem) - more memory, a second equivalent
Legal Addresses videokontrollera.Posle exit ulu
chshennoy system was that the processor
could not cope with two video controllers,
therefore, its potential is not fully disclosed
was. And the system itself did not survive competition
tion with two powerful rivals, appearing
Misia quite a bit later - Sega Mega
drive / Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertain
ment System, and the mid-90 disappeared from the
video game market, remains the most advanced
8-bit game system in istorii.By
locally released about two or three hundred games from
half of them on a CD.

   The second system with CD-ROM - This will complement
of all well-known Sega Megadri
ve / Genesis (console itself was released in 1988,
CD-supplement in 1991). It's called Sega
CD (later issued in the form itself
of independent console under the name Sega
CDX, Sega Multi-Mega). The main opportunity
surface Megadrive (processor 68000 for an hour
quency of 7.6 MHz, 64 KB of main memory, 64 KB
memory, 8 KB of memory for additional
Nogo processor - Z80, a powerful videokont
Scooter, a descendant TMS9918) dopo
lnenie adds another 68,000 at a frequency
12 MHz, 768 KB of RAM, still more
more powerful video controller (who knows how the rotation
schat and scaled sprites), 8 unit
GOVERNMENTAL digital audio and, in fact,
CD-ROM, single-speed. It was possible to
Video playback is very low kaches
Twa (usually 64 colors, not full screen,
frame rate of about 15). In fact, dopo
lnenie is a system that exceeds the
power is that it supplements.

   Follow-game systems with CD-ROM
were 16 and 32-bit applications. Of them need
Note Amiga CD32, Philips CD-I, PC-FX
(Heir to the PC-Engine), Bandai Playdia,
Neo-Geo CD, Jaguar CD, Panasonic 3DO and cha
partially Sega Saturn. All these systems differ
chalis relatively low productivity
completely, not allowing to depict becomes
vshuyusya fashionable in the mid-90's three-dimensional
schedule. Their main ability was that
most 'multimedia' (all at once remembered
history of CD-ROM drives in relation to
PC) - digital audio and video. Pere
lomnym moment was the appearance in 1994 of
between Sony Playstation, after which all
console from the CD, who managed to 'media' and not
pulling 'tride' quickly went to the CBA
lku (this happened in the time span of about
5 years, so they are so little known).

   Further developments and the era of 'tride' Care
from the original topic a step further than I have led
from her own story, so I will pray for them
chu.No will not keep silence about what was written
is the amount of text above. All of this was
moreover, to explain what games were on the
first set-top boxes from the CD - even before the first
the appearance of 'multimedia', without the possibility of
play videos, and later, when
That opportunity finally came, but still
do not see an opportunity to move (yes
lshe filled with one color of polygons) of the three
dimensional graphics.

   Games for PCE-CD and Neo-Geo CD representation
Lyali is practically the same as
Games are not-CD versions of these systems. Then
is, in the case of PCE, a cross on UB
vnyu between games for the NES (real name
boxes, known to us as 'Dandy' if
who do not know) and the Sega Megadrive - both in
technical terms, or in a set of genres.
Begalki, fights, shmup'y (Fly-Shooting
Type R-Type and Flying Shark, just for PCE
an incredible number of games in this genre),
simple role-playing games. In the case of the Neo-Geo
it is very accurate ports of arcade games with the author
tomatoes (because this attachment was, in fact,
Home Edition is a popular one
Author arcade platform - one of the self
Mykh powerful 16-bit gaming systems
among all the existing, very powerful,
very expensive and therefore very little known
Nye), a set of genres where appropriate -
almost no games for a long and thoughtful
prohozhdeniya.V both cases, the CD use
lsya, first as a very large cartridge
- That allows you to store it nemerenoe
number of possible marginally useful car
Tinoco and screensavers. No videos - stagnation
wok, and, like any cartridge console,
images and code them to move. Even when she
com arrogant scoring drive stuff (but
beautiful), the game itself took several metal
gabayt (in the case of the Neo-Geo CD dozens of metal
gabayt, her CD-ROM was needed because of the absolute
absolutely unreal prices for cartridges such
volume). The remaining space on the disk held
music in the form of audio tracks. Although both Ac
tavki were excellent for their class (practically
cally - the best) sound capabilities,
storage of music in audio format has sometimes been
not in vain - for many games soundtrack
recorded a 'live' or on a good
equipment, and sounded like the usual sounds
Naya music on CD. That, in general, not bad.

   Sega CD had already had the opportunity to reproduce
Led video.Poetomu part games (early) on
It was a cartridge reprints ve
rsy with additional artwork and the muse
Coy in audio format, and the use of vengeance
shaft that same opportunity to play the video.
On the home gaming system begins
boom in multimedia and genre of FMV (Full Motion
Video). This genre includes all types of
games that you can come up with a set of integer
deorolikov. That is simply an interactive
video, all of which reduces the interactivity
tsya either pressing the buttons at the right time
(Recall Time Gal, she is one of the
numerous representatives of this type
games) or to videotiru (shooting kursorchi
com in man) or to the simple Kwesi
there (shooting an arrow at ikonochkam).
Its FMV apofigeoza boom has reached into the output
(Exclusively in Japan) set-top boxes PC-FX
(1994) and Bandai Playdia (also 1994), which
rye were simply created specifically for this
genre and had little opportunity
to implement a different type of games. Japanese -
Eastern people, and the East - a delicate matter, for
this on PC-FX dominated its subtype FMV,
referred to as 'hentai'. That is, the game, which has
to strip some painted
schoolgirl showing in the corresponding
The corresponding pictures and video clips. Very
funny looks in this vein, the story
Bandai Playdia - This attachment was created
'For the little ones', as evidenced by its
appearance (blue soap box with colored
Mi buttons). The first games on it were almost
non-interactive cartoons,
or - for older children - the same
nedoigrami based on the popular animated
onnyh series. But dityam is not very
likes (in the same year came Playsta
tion and Saturn), the prefix was not sold.
And if Bandai made the original motion -
Playdia to have to go hentai game.
Daddy needed some fun too, as stated in the
One review of the system. However, sales
it did not help.

   The last echoes of FMV-boomers were Pa
nasonic 3DO and Sega Saturn - the two main
Playstation rival at the time of its release.
Both did not have the hardware capabilities to
displaying 3D-graphics. 3DO pyzhilas-wads
las, but Doom was pulling only window into two
third of the screen, and sank with more on
boron FMV-games in its library of hundreds of
games, the second fought to the last, neche
lovecheskimi efforts portraying 3D-graphics
at the level of the first games for the Playstation and the
personal 2D-grafiku.V her case FMV-games were
slightly, but there were many games that use
generators of the CD similar to Sega CD - a few
megabytes of the game and audio tracks.


   After such an impressive excursion into
history of video games in between the end 80 -
mid-90's in my plan, should
become visible to all the rakes, trampled in those
the developers of consoles and games for
them, as well as all possible games
using CD-ROM. ZX-Box seems to me
apparatus, the level close to the PCE-CD, in
zmozhno, just above him, and closer to the Sega CD.
Further escalation of its features are not
makes no sense - you need to make a big ska
Chalk in hardware capabilities, so as not to
get the same rakes, but bigger (Pobol
above colors and frames per second in videoroli
ke). This will inevitably lead to a jump in
lnoy ZX-loss component. Potential for
He genres of games - it's all normal for an 8-pa
zryadnyh game systems with better
graphics and sound, while not limited
capacity diskette (or a stack of diskettes), and she
kzhe, if you have the ability to play
video (which is possible even at almost the usual
Mr. Spectrum'e) - all variations FMV-games.
Which, unlike other games, dostato
chno easy to port (a week on porting
tion Time Gal to confirm), the benefit
is otkuda.No than all the new features
Stay, I want to save also the possibility
run many thousands of games for the ZX Spectrum.
And also to keep the simplicity of the system development
we are programming under it - make it
element of 'learning system' (a reference to a finite
ntseptsii mentioned XGameStation). All these
constituents in my dream account.



   Now you can go to the scientific part
my fantasy story. Then
there are technical details. The basis of the system
topic should go option Spectrum possessing
gives a decent compatibility with the originals
scrap - this is required for the possibility of triggering
ka ZX-games. Everything else is navoro
Tami towards him, not vice versa -
as many concepts Super Spectrum,
where he is a makeweight Spectrum to remain
lnym freaks. But the bells and whistles on this metal
nshe will not. Go through accounting
yuschim.

   Processor. It is clear that normal, Th
lovechesky Z80, no 180, 280, 380. In
turbo least 7 MHz, the greater the megahertz
- The better, will not be superfluous. If both
Sprinter'e (21 MHz), then do a remarkable
but, 'and we have more and not have to. "

   Video system. Normal mode and ZX-V9990
c 512 kb memory, without kanji rom (ROM
character generator). The first to be compatible
with the ZX, the second for everything else. Cmysla
in some other modes (which we
so fond of inventing) to do, 'nitride
vyaty 'smart enough navorochen it and so
close to the peak of evolution in its class.
The only exception might be special
exponentially mode for playing videoroli
Cove. The fact that V9990 communicates with the space
core processor through the ports, and video playback
it will be difficult - at first sweat
ryasti ports CD-ROM, and then spit
through the ports of the same video memory. For these purposes
MDL will not interfere with the video mode is convenient organic
zations memory read back data
directly from a CD, preferably with more than 16-th
flowers at the point (within reasonable limits, in
zmozhno as in Sprinter'e - with the appointment
palette each familiarity), and the possibility
particular time to read the frame by 1 / 15 sec
full (15 fps was the ordinary meaning to
90% of videos on the Playstation) - with the fallen
Troy. When you turn V9990 preferably organic
nizovat management of RAM so that
to safely remove the wait from the CPU (to avoid
unnecessary braking). Some useful
may be in the overlay with
V9990 on a normal video mode, technically, she
Kaya opportunity to 'tridevyatom' chip envisaged
looks, but this may unnecessarily complicate
scheme.

   Video output. Since we have a prefix -
it must be for something puts. Important
currently located on the second end of the Bailiff
ki, that is not on the fact that she Bailiff
county to the player, but on the fact that drugoy.Pri
rate for RGB-monitor, or a VGA-monitor -
sounds very strange. It is therefore absolutely
requires a normal PAL (NTSC) composite
LIMITED video. RF-modulator is not required
there were external. Standard RGB-output
to taste, and you can leave.

   Memory. In principle, it does not require a lot of
camping, so we have a CD, from which all
loaded instantly, and we have video
controller with its pamyatyu.No for possible
surface run TR-DOS games from the CD, we need
NMS need memory for the disk image - similar to
but vTR-DOS. Hence, MB. More Sauveur
Shannon to anything, but less - it is possible, but will
difficulties podgruzku desired part of the image
with CD. Memory management - taken from ATM, with
his memory manager and an opportunity for
PROCEDURE banks in any window. ROM great
not be needed, given the possible (this
Though science, but science fiction - remember?)
problems with copyright in Basic-48 /
128 and TR-DOS. They can be downloaded from the CD
upper banks of RAM and connected
chat in the lower window, but in the console all
will be sewn-indoor, all his own, stole nothing
Deno. But a 64-kilobyte still will not prevent,
more - according to his needs.

   Drive. VG93 in the concept of no con
ring does not fit, as if to flopovod
presence of CD console is not needed. Respectively
but no floppy drive controller, the controller
IDE is. Since the read data will be slow
slowly, no hardware complications here
not necessary, the similarity Nemo IDE enough.

   Protection system. I foresee a perturbation
- 'For that drive nicked something?'. Indeed
Indeed, even the games, especially good times
need somewhere to store any data -
settings, the best result, progress in the IG
re.Zdes have two options. The first option
simpler - flash-ROM or SRAM with battery
Coy. Small amounts of 32-64 kb. This
approach is used, for example, Sega CD,
Panasonic 3DO. Delete unwanted save
from memory by using the built-in
manager. Plus - it is easier to implement, for
the full functionality of consoles do not need
nothing dopokupat. Minus - its preservation
with them separately from the console does not unesesh
(Although someone can, and will assess the skills of an idea
regarded flash of the panels). The second variant -
more difficult, but popriyatnee. Use
flash-card, or SD / MMC, or CF (about
their pros and cons to dream in this text does not
will). Positive properties are obvious - the volume
it built-in memory will not be subject
it, saving you can carry with them, and
and - an important point - you can save on
card floppy image from pamyati.T.e. even
without the floppy drive controller, you can retain
thread functionality as computer consoles
following text (this property is provided in
later). Negative properties - car
point is worth the extra money, and cheap
Card low volume (less than 64 mega
bytes that ZX-Box already above the roof) tends
mitelno disappear.

   Sound. Beeper for compatibility, CD-Audio,
TurboFM (AY 2 and 6 FM-channels - is
where to turn). Also Covox. Desirable
provide any hardware sreds
Twa to play two or three digital
O channels from pamyati.Ne GS and DMA USC -
mod'y we will not play. To cool the Muses
ki we have a CD-ROM, and for svoeobra
heat - 12 synthesized kanalov.Tsifrovye
channels are needed for sound effects (voice
unit in the strategy, the sounds of torture in the dra
ke). There is varianty.Esli be sufficient
exactly megahertz - can resolve the issue poSprinter'ovski, 
buffered Covox'om. These he would fill the processor

interruption from the end of the buffer (not forgetting
it pro V9990, due to its processor, we
loaded with not much). If not -
therefore you need to go more the other way. Ka
something else DMA, for example.

   Manage. Two joystick with 8 buttons
(Arrows and four steps), at its far
tah.Po found at these ports - Management of the form
Braz (one bit). Sami sticks in my
dreams are of indefinite form - maybe
standard of Playstation, and maybe a PC
(USB-shnye), or some other. Mandatory
switching capability of these joysticks in
mode, where one serves as kempstondzhoystika, and the second - 
sinclair. At the same time the remaining three buttons are 
assigned to the ka Regulations or is the keyboard keys. More

- PS / 2 ports for keyboard and mouse for the perturbation
zhnosti work on console as a computer
tera. Optionally, a light gun (mill
dard from the NES).

   In general, and that's enough. According to modern
standards - needs meager by the standards of Spec
trum'a navorocheno lot, by the standards of ZX-Box
most optimum. An important point - predusmot
Ret 'ability to connect a special
fees contained in the disk controller itself
water connector RGB-output jack for connecting
radiation hard drive. Without it, we have the ZX-Box, with
it (as well as keyboard, mouse and discrimination
kovodom) we have simply heaped clone
Spectrum.

   In the iron form is submitted the following
as follows: Real Z80, V9990, two
YM2203 + YM3014, memory, PAL-coder. All about
binding in the FPGA appropriate volume, and for
Service joysticks, keyboards, mice,
flash-card (if it will use
be) - a microcontroller with a minimum obvjaza
Coy. Standard CD-ROM.Blok power impu
lsny, the pocket does not pull.

   All it rammed into a small box
(Design directly corresponds to the name)
in size as two or three CD-ROM, delivered
GOVERNMENTAL each other. Micro-barebone, so ska
show. I note that a similar design (very
small tower'a) had PC-FX, in the middle
90 for the console it was considered extremely
original. Material - is likely to
standing wood, pressed. Particleboard that is.
It is now fashionable among the advanced youth
Madame, do the body under a tree. Although it is possible and
metal. Color black radical. Or white.
Though pink. Price in the prices of ATM, with
premium for exclusivity. U.S. $ 150.
For such a unique thing - I think nothing.


   There remains the question of software -
that this box can in itself. An
duction at least - to run CD, if it
start; player audio CDs;
perhaps a DVD player
format. Image viewer with CD and possibly
You can, flash-cards (all formats for which
enough megahertz) - this function is in
anyone, not even self-respecting, DVD-player and
many cheap digital cameras
(They have to do a video-out). Managers
jer conservation settings Joystick (NAP
Example, an override button in the ZX-mode)
configuration layout klaviatury.Pri use
formation flash-cards - to download an image dislocation
salmon with nee.V ROM must also be Minima
Flax OS - work with files on the CD, operation
with conservation, the most frequently used
procedures for working with V9990 (initialization) and
Other required in each game are things that
enough to write once and is no longer
remodel.

   Summarize a list of possible features,
 including not previously mentioned:

  - Ability to use the unit as
navorochenny Spectrum clone with polnotsen
GOVERNMENTAL capabilities (keyboard, mouse, and
 desire to drive and hard);

  - Ability to run the conventional TR-DOS games
with collections on CD, via the TR-DOS emulator
(Which exists and works fine
 for example, ATM);

  - For lovers of brutal - the possibility of
Download conventional cassette versions of games with
audio CD. It is only necessary to provide
or intercepting calls to the recorder for
start and stop the CD, a button switch
radiation track (hardware or software,
For example, the Magic). Bourgeois comrades
 check it out and appreciate;

   - Listen to audio CDs;

   - View pictures;

  - Own capabilities (play at the level of
not from the beginning of time until the early 90's).


   You can also move away from science and before
put an absolutely fantastic opportunity
surface - for example, will ever be NADI
San Internet browser for Spectrum, and
face ZX-Box with Ethernet controller or
built-in modem can be interpreted
No set-top box. You can dovesit opportunity
overlay on external videosig
signal (V9990 is able, it was realized as
but in the module Video9000, working with Count
cally card Gfx9000 for MSX) - we
Title mashinu.Komu and why it is needed
- I do not know, this is beyond the limits of my
imagination. In general, you can fantasize
much and long, but I'll leave wishing
but I like to fantasize
face with reality.


   On that note, slowly begin to fail
total fantasy. For a start I will cover scientific
part.

   From a purely technical point of view this
My dream may be relatively easy implementation
schestvlena realnosti.Upomyanutye in early
text people from other community in
klonnikov old gaming systems alone
or in small groups performed much
more complex projects - in particular, this
C-One, multiple FPGA-implementation of the ap
cascade machines and even consoles (NES,
entirely in the FPGA, with games that are loaded with
flash-cards), many replicas of consoles and
other interesting veschey.Nashi are not born
yesterday, both within the ZX-scenes (fairly ordered
myanut NedoPC team), and outside it. I'm on
The measurements are not deepened in the technical subgenera
bnosti when describing his ideas as they
solved at a particular dele.Lyudi capable
address similar issues exist. No
only a practical necessity for this
neem, and, accordingly, have no desire to
invest in this money (a question at the level of
four digits of green rubles) and time.
The only practical use that
I could learn from their dreams - one that
have already learned: entertaining in the process of writing
the text and spent a good cold
winter morning.


   Now the closure of the fantastic.
The most fantastic assumptions will
of who and why retro-gaming project con
salt could be interesting, 'if Yes
if only '. In this case, if he had the condition
cessfully implemented (successfully - means not
only iron, but still remains silent about me
the question of software, ie games for the system). In at
of our country - as a unit. In particular,
In particular, a small part of those who are interested
'NedoPC'. This concept has repeatedly explained
nyal Shaos in an interview with him: 'the mass of computer
istic and computer-related devices, Nitsche
On common with the PC '. An even smaller
spectrum'istov part - it's not Spec
trum (a coil of wire, under which is not visible
boards), is something else (as Sprinter). Not
which part of the fans of old pristavoch
GOVERNMENTAL games (they are in our country is not very
a lot, but enough for five large integral
LTL-Community), subject oriented
ginalnyh games that do not exist in other
platforms, and interesting alterations of the classical
optical games. For most of those who could
be of interest to the first domestic u
rovaya Attachment (not trying to compete
vat with modern monsters, going the other
GMM way), will be a major obstacle
issue price. Someone just do not have extra
money, and someone is easy to spend a year
about $ 500 on cigarettes and beer
(A rough estimate for Moscow), but very
difficult to give a hundred or a subject of freedom
his hobbies.

   Much wider perspective for the country
ours. In the world of retro gaming and hobby
old gaming systems is not
something out of the ordinary (in the old system
system can be activated and the failed system
theme that went very little time to
ass, but not compete). Nesmith
trya to convince many spectrum'istov that
'Only works with ZX, but on the PC and then
lamer da nick ', people around the world are doing
so that the dust column. Write under the Atari 2600
(Year 1977) in krossasmah on the PC, these
games are published on the cartridges, they are buying.
Write under Atari5200/7800/400/800/XL/XE/ST,
Amiga, Lynx, Jaguar, Amstard CPC, NES, MSX,
Master System, Game Gear, Megadrive, Sega CD,
Super Nintendo, PC-Engine, 3DO, Playstation,
Dreamcast, Coleco Vision, C64, ZX Spectrum
(Yes, not only for us!), Neo-Geo, Neo-Geo
Pocket, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo
Dual Screen, Playstation Portable, Vectrex ..
For PC written in the end. Possible before
LHA list. And the list of
almost 30 years ago, and the most
new piping from the heat. There kollektsionerysobirateli old 
systems, there are amateur pa skovyryat the add device (in the 
most different GOVERNMENTAL order - save for the story, 
triggering tit something different, and so on). There is a 
group game yuschie old platformers music live, you

admitting discs, giving kontserty.Est people
for which Atari and other firms vypus
Kali retro console (mass) - for example,
classic Atari 2600 joystick from her well
plug and play. There are commercial emulsions
tori and paid access to the classical u
frames. There is a market for used boxes (8,
16-bit) and games for them, firms occupying
yuschiesya it - selling, buying, rentals. There
people who want to start learning programming
tion is not on the PC, but on some simple
system to really understand how
and that works - in the calculation for them was to
Zealand, have XGameStation. There are even people who
interested in our Sprinter.

   With the right positioning and the corresponding
the corresponding support is fantastic,
but all the same opportunity - to make the platform
interesting to us and them. For example, the position
screened as a system for studying the principles
types of gaming consoles. Write ins
trumentary to develop (compile
have long been available funds in one parameter
ket). Do not attempt to oppose the Spectrum
or ZX-Box with those who do it just
impossible - PC, modern consoles.
Take a different niche, uninteresting large
companies, because it can not be done
big money - low-power systems
teaching, learning, intellectual times
attraction, as we say, 'the soul'.


   And now the most interesting question. No
software (in the case of the ZX-Box - without the games and 
media leaf development), no is the most interesting

and a wonderful piece of iron useless.
Even if it is positioned as a device
proof for the study of programming - long
zhny be shining examples of its capabilities,
tools and documentation to develop, to
lzhna be alive platform (at the level alive
STI our Spectrum - not too bad) to
was the desire to integrate into her life. Technical
Key to write under such a system can not even
create it in hardware - the practice of using
of emulators on the initial study
enjoys wide (the emulator to create inexpensive
le, is easier to change; ZX-Box with no problems
Sprinter'a, he rigidly defined
Architecture - means there is no obstacle to
emulation). Funds for this in a separate
as well as is, and most of
They have actually Spectrum'e. Almost
Same ... Wishing really happening in our
no. And so our dreams, like mine,
so often remain only dreams.

   On this I finish.