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  • FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41

    FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41
    2025/04/27
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. FPGA devices becoming more accessible, focusing on the MiSTer project and its many retro gaming coresHunting down Taki Udon FPGA boards and the challenges with small production batchesEarly adopter woes – memory speed concerns and analogue audio quirksFPGA efforts to emulate complex consoles like the Sega Saturn, PlayStation 1, N64 and beyondThe dream of a consumer-level FPGA PlayStation 1 experience with the SuperStation OneTony’s new project: UrbX Warriors – a Kickstarter-bound game for Spectrum Next, PC and moreThe challenges of developing for the Spectrum Next, dealing with tight memory banking restrictionsPorting UrbX Warriors to PSX, Steam, Switch, Amiga and MacJames’ retro PC escapades – saving and restoring early 2000s hardware for Windows 98 and XP gamingCollecting CRT monitors and comparing the experience of CRT versus modern digital displaysThe charm and madness of original hardware compared to FPGA and software emulationNostalgic memories of Voodoo 2 graphics cards and the thrill of early PC 3D accelerationScaling games like Broken Sword for different PC specs and the Game Boy Advance back in the 1990sThe ongoing rabbit hole of retro computingCRT TV repair challenges WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern TechSUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTubeSUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget PodcastFIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via EmailPIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTubeFREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Original post link: FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 時間
  • Video Game Music with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40

    Video Game Music with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40
    2025/04/09
    I am joined by Mark Benis, who has composed the musical soundtrack for the point and click adventure game Rosewater, set in the wild west and released in 2024. Mark has also worked on the soundtrack for Lamplight City with others credits for titles including Wolfenstein: Youngblood. In this podcast, we discuss his joy of retro chip-tune music of retro gaming platforms including the Nintendo Game Boy, which has inspired his journey creativity to now write musical soundtracks for modern gaming titles. Topics include: Mark Benis’ opportunity to become a game composerChildhood love of Pokémon Red/Blue music led to a lifelong curiosity about chip musicThe beauty of 8-bit music to orchestral and back againUsing Wwyse and FMOD as audio middleware to replace line-by-line codingMark’s early days and the audio equipment he usedThe financial barrier of the many professional audio sample librariesNo woodwinds in the game Lamplight City inspiring creativity by limitationHow hardware MIDI modules (Roland MT-32, Sound Canvas etc) have been replaced with software music audio librariesMark’s go to piano performances to loosen his fingers and inspire his thoughtsMark’s computer and desk setup for music compositionWhat is Rosewater and the musical brief you were givenAvoiding the typical wild west country style musicHow much of the original work made it into the game soundtrack?How much of the artwork and game direction did Mark see before composing the tracks?Timing introductions to the music, or arranging the music to the intro?Hearing the voice acting dialogue for the first time reactionsMixing virtual instruments with live music playersChoral music creation for the game Lamplight City recorded in a church with a real choirMark’s future projectsCollaborating on musical projects and avoiding arguments Featured music within the podcast, kindly provided with permission by Mark Benis… 7-43 to RosewaterOnce Upon a Time in Western VespucciaNight WalkThe ShowdownSo Long, PartnerFlor Silvestre by Christiane Ramirez You can download the full Rosewater Soundtrack on Mark Benis’ Bandcamp page. The full transcript can also be downloaded… WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern TechSUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTubeSUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget PodcastFIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via EmailPIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTubeFREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Original post link: Video Game Music with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 時間 9 分
  • 90s Retro PCs with vswitchzero Interview – Game & Gadget Podcast #39

    90s Retro PCs with vswitchzero Interview – Game & Gadget Podcast #39
    2025/01/10

    I am joined by Mike from vswitchzero, who has a fascinating YouTube channel dedicated to 90s retro PC hardware and gaming. In this podcast, we explore the fascinating history of this exciting era of 3D acceleration advancement with classic graphics cards including the 3Dfx Voodoo while delving into the repairs, nostalgia and the pitfalls of revisiting retro PC computing.

    Topics include:

    • Commander Keen, Doom, Quake and the evolution of PC gaming hardware during the 90s
    • Introduction of 3DFX and Voodoo graphics cards, including personal experiences and significant technological leaps
    • Voodoo 2 SLI configurations and their impact on 3D gaming
    • Comparisons between 3DFX, PowerVR and other competing technologies of the time
    • Popular sound cards like the Creative Sound Blaster series and Yamaha DB50XG/SW60XG
    • General MIDI and enhanced gaming experiences through better audio fidelity
    • Mike’s Train Wreck Voodoo 2 repair
    • Issues with capacitor failures and maintaining vintage hardware
    • Benefits of modern retro PC projects and new hardware options mimicking retro systems
    • Insights into building and maintaining retro PCs versus using modern emulation tools like DOSBox
    • The joy of hardware repair and the satisfaction of reviving old systems
    • Early PC setups, the transition to multimedia PCs and the rise of CD-ROM drives
    • Reflections on the transformative era of PC gaming in the 90s
    • Ongoing retro hardware projects and the increasing value of vintage components

    WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech
    SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube
    SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget Podcast
    FIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast?

    SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh

    EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via Email
    PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTube
    FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project

    Original post link: 90s Retro PCs with vswitchzero Interview – Game & Gadget Podcast #39, created by James Woodcock.
    For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    57 分
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #38 – Original Xbox Ticking Disaster, PS Vita Beauty & More…

    Game & Gadget Podcast #38 – Original Xbox Ticking Disaster, PS Vita Beauty & More…
    2024/09/04
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. Topics include: Tony wants to play Elite on his BBC Micro, but the smoking capacitors have other ideasJames’ original Xbox had a hidden surprise, a leaking clock capacitor that nearly destroyed the consoleRestoring James’ Commodore 64 – real dead bugsThe C64 Tapecart SD for fast loading cassette games in just a few secondsThe amazing Commodore 64 loading graphics and musicImportance of preserving the stories from those who experienced such big tech and software advancesThe Sony PlayStation Vita with its stunning OLED display where sales floppedThe cleverness of the dual screen display of the Nintendo DSDrooling over modern crystal replacement cases for retro consolesSEGA Dreamcast modding with the GDemu and DreamPSUThe original power supply on the C64 is another danger!The video tour of Tony’s collection of retro gear‘The Spectrum‘ hardware announced for emulating classic Spectrum titlesWhat is a ‘sensible’ retro collection purchase?James’ lovely yet battered Amiga 500 purchased for £30 WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern TechSUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTubeSUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget PodcastFIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via EmailPIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTubeFREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Original post link: Game & Gadget Podcast #38 – Original Xbox Ticking Disaster, PS Vita Beauty & More…, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • New Metro Siege Game for Amiga Interview – Programmer Alex Brown – Game & Gadget Podcast #37

    New Metro Siege Game for Amiga Interview – Programmer Alex Brown – Game & Gadget Podcast #37
    2024/07/25

    I am joined by Alex Brown, programmer of an upcoming brand new beat-em-up 2-player game for the Commodore Amiga – Metro Siege. With the target platform the Amiga A500, originally released way back in 1987! Alex takes us through the journey of pushing the limits of the Amiga A500, the experience of programming with the Amiga custom chips and how this wonderful passion project will become a final release.

    Topics include:

    • How Alex became a programmer
    • Alex’s favourite game influences
    • Why create a new game for the Amiga?
    • Pushing the limits of the Amiga A500
    • Taking the Amiga online with cross system online multiplayer
    • The art of releasing a beta or technical preview and gathering feedback
    • Keeping the gameplay smooth with 2 players, enemies and lush surroundings
    • Parallax scrolling, moving trains and what’s needed to achieve the results
    • Using modular character animation on the Amiga
    • Given extra life to a retro computing platform
    • The reason for the expansion memory of 512kb memory requirement
    • The programming resources available for the Amiga
    • The tricks of the trade for programming the Amiga
    • The software and tools for creating Amiga games
    • Emulation versus real hardware for testing
    • The size of the team and the understanding of the capabilities of the Amiga
    • The biggest challenge of getting the game to work
    • Why AGA has not been targeted… yet?
    • Ensuring there is an end goal to any “passion project”

    If you watch the video version of the podcast, I have captured Metro Siege running from my own Amiga A500 (which mine does have Pistorm installed, but I have been assured it will still run great without one). You can find out more by visiting the Metro Siege website.

    WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech
    SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube
    SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget Podcast
    FIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast?

    SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh

    EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via Email
    PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTube
    FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project

    Original post link: New Metro Siege Game for Amiga Interview – Programmer Alex Brown – Game & Gadget Podcast #37, created by James Woodcock.
    For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    46 分
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #36 – New Retro Handheld Under £1, Cost of Retro Tech & More…

    Game & Gadget Podcast #36 – New Retro Handheld Under £1, Cost of Retro Tech & More…
    2024/05/31
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software and Aaron Fothergill previously from Argonaut Games and now with Shifty Eye Games as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. Topics include: James’ visit to Tony’s retro computer and console collectionTony spending money to get his retro collection connected to a modern display – OSSC, RGB cables, power cables etcMister FPGA costs versus retro hardware collectionsAaron positive thoughts (and excellent excuses) on the cost of collecting retro hardwareThe Atari Falcon, the development kit for the Atari JaguarAaron’s first computer, which he still owns!Modifying old computers ROM chips and copyright riskMy brand new retro hardware portable device for less than £1RGB cables everywhere!The Apple G4 Cube USB flawSkiving to get into computer gamesThe inspiration of the ZX81 and micro computersMy fondness of the Atari 65XE 8-bit computerBye bye ICQTony and Aaron invent Code JengaDevelopment is hardManually typing code from old books and magazines – oh the typos!Code in books, to disks on magazines to digital DLCWhat happens to digital licensed content when you die?The importance of archiving DLC and game patchesLicensing music for gamesThe cost of patching a console gameThe beauty of Xbox Live Arcade and developing the first gamesPlaying Xbox Live Arcade version of Golden Eye on an Xbox 360 debug unit Featured Atari Falcon image By F-Andrey, CC BY 2.0, Link WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern TechSUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTubeSUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget PodcastFIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via EmailPIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTubeFREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Original post link: Game & Gadget Podcast #36 – New Retro Handheld Under £1, Cost of Retro Tech & More…, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    56 分
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #35 – Retro Vs Modern Gaming, Subscriptions Galore & More…

    Game & Gadget Podcast #35 – Retro Vs Modern Gaming, Subscriptions Galore & More…
    2024/04/05

    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern.

    Topics include:

    • James hunting for a SEGA Genesis in the USA
    • Broken Sword Reforged Kickstarter blasts through £50,000 target to over half a million!
    • Broken Sword 2 remastered?
    • Did Tony from Revolution Software realise Broken Sword on its original release would be so popular?
    • The design differences between Lure of the Temptress, Beneath a Steel Sky & Broken Sword
    • Balancing PC minimum spec and recommended levels in development of games
    • Sony PlayStation 5 Pro details leaked splitting the PS5 target specs
    • Triple AAA titles and layoffs in the industry
    • Netflix, Disney Plus etc and how we are cancelling subscriptions due to raising prices
    • The needless pain of grinding in a game to progress
    • Match 3 games and the lightning energy nonsense
    • Apple EU App Stores
    • Tony’s first article on Pixel Refresh, Beneath A Steel Sky Sets as Broken Sword Dawns – Revolution Book Preview
    • James’ article on Pixel Refresh, CRT TV for Retro Gaming – The Beauty, Buying, Repair & Despair
    • Acorn Pocket Book preview
    • YouTube Premium, if only they would separate YouTube Music
    • Apple Music for lossless, even on Android
    • Where is Spotify HiFi lossless audio??? Literally years since the original announcement
    • WearOS versus Tizen on smartwatches
    • Tony’s Apple Watch experience

    NOTE: Tony or I lost connection at the very end, so the conversation goes a little odd as we wonder where the other person went :) Luckily the software locally records so Tony continued recording!

    WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech
    SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube
    SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget Podcast
    FIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast?

    SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh

    EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via Email
    PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTube
    FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project

    Original post link: Game & Gadget Podcast #35 – Retro Vs Modern Gaming, Subscriptions Galore & More…, created by James Woodcock.
    For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    52 分
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #34 – Tomb Raider, BBS, Jetstrike & More…

    Game & Gadget Podcast #34 – Tomb Raider, BBS, Jetstrike & More…
    2024/02/23

    I am joined by Aaron Fothergill previously from Argonaut Games and now with Shifty Eye Games, Martin Mulrooney of Alternative Magazine Online and Karl from Retro32 as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern.

    Topics include:

    • What is BBS and how was it used?
    • BBS today on the Amiga
    • The joys and sounds of dial up internet and blocking for Grandmothers
    • Piracy software and the effects on development and livelihoods
    • Funny copy protection at level 10
    • Jetstrike release version not the final and included a serious bug
    • Jetstrike game featured Aliens “one in a million” chance though of seeing them!
    • How did we all use our first connections to the Internet?
    • The success of iTunes and iTunes Match against mp3 piracy
    • Broken Sword Reforged and AI as a tool
    • Our fondness of Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered and its intentional limitations
    • How what is acceptable has changed over the years
    • Early gameplay mechanics

    WEBSITE: Pixel Refresh – Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech
    SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube
    SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: Submit a question for the Game & Gadget Podcast
    FIND OUT MORE: What is the Game & Gadget Podcast?

    SUPPORT THE SHOW: Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh

    EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: Latest Articles and Reviews via Email
    PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Pixel Refresh on YouTube
    FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: ScummVM Music Enhancement Project

    Original post link: Game & Gadget Podcast #34 – Tomb Raider, BBS, Jetstrike & More…, created by James Woodcock.
    For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 時間 7 分