Site Updates

Broken link? Feature request? Anything related to the Spectrum Computing website here.
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Alessandro
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Alessandro »

Thank you :D

Just to clarify things, Great Fire Of London .TAP is not a bugfix per se, i.e. the game itself is not bugged; it is a working .TAP version for emulators and interfaces which do not support TZX files. The old .TAP file, inherited from the WoS archive, does not circumvent the game's custom loader and will never work.

The Seto games and chapters 3 and 5 in Cousin Horace were affected by the "AGD ULA Plus bug", a flaw in the game designer software that under certain circumstances, e.g. when running on a ZX Vega, made the game be displayed on the screen in false colors.

Cousin Horace chapter 2 revised edition also had a bug which on 128K models could lead to crackling parasite sounds being played in the background. This has also been fixed.
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PeterJ
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Thanks for the clarification [mention]Alessandro[/mention]
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pavero
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[Instructions]
AirRaid(EN).txt (Instructions)
AshesThe(EN).txt (Instructions)
Battlezone(EN).txt (Instructions)
BloodNGuts(EN).txt (Instructions)
Butterfly(EN).txt (Instructions)
Close-In(EN).txt (Instructions)
ContinentalCircus(EN).txt (Instructions)
EricBristowsPro-Darts(EN).txt (Instructions)
Gatecrasher(EN).txt (Instructions)
HarryGoesHome(EN).txt (Instructions)
Knockout(EN).txt (Instructions)
Loco(EN).txt (Instructions)
MissionOmega(EN).txt (Instructions)
Opposition(EN).txt (Instructions)
PubGames(EN).txt (Instructions)
QuizQuest(EN).txt (Instructions)
Rocman(EN).txt (Instructions)
SonOfBlagger(EN).txt (Instructions)
Speakeasy(EN).txt (Instructions)
SubmarineStrike(EN).txt (Instructions)
TrivialPursuit-BabyBoomerEdition(EN).txt (Instructions)
TrivialPursuit-YoungPlayersEdition(EN).txt (Instructions)
WordProcessor(EN).txt (Instructions)
WormAttack(EN).txt (Instructions)
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pavero
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[The Complete set of Electronic Arts inlays + other files]
Adding&Subtracting(LaeggeTilTraekeFra)(ZXData).tzx.zip (Tape image)
Adding&Subtracting(LaeggeTilTraekkeFra)(ZXData).jpg (Cassette inlay)
ArchonCollectionThe.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Arcticfox.jpg (Cassette inlay)
BardsTaleThe.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ChuckYeagersAdvancedFlightTrainer_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ChuckYeagersAdvancedFlightTrainer_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay)
DataGenie.jpg (Cassette inlay)
NewCylonAttack(Aackosoft).jpg (Cassette inlay)
NewCylonAttack(Aackosoft).tzx.zip (Tape image)
PHMPegasus.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SkateOrDie.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SuperTrolley_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Train-EscapeToNormandyThe.jpg (Cassette inlay)
TrivialPursuit_3.jpg (Cassette inlay)
VictoryRoad(EN).txt (Instructions)

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 325&kind=1
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pavero
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[The Complete set of Quicksilva inlays]
AntAttack.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Aquaplane.jpg (Cassette inlay)
AstroBlaster.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Battlezone.jpg (Cassette inlay)
BloodNGuts.jpg (Cassette inlay)
BugabooTheFlea.jpg (Cassette inlay)
CaptainKelly.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ChessPlayerThe.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ChessPlayerThe_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
DeathWake.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Defcom.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Dragonsbane.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ElevatorAction.jpg (Cassette inlay)
EricBristowsPro-Darts.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FantasticVoyage.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Fred(Quicksilva).jpg (Cassette inlay)
Frenzy.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Frenzy_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
GamesDesigner.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Gatecrasher.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Glass.jpg (Cassette inlay)
GliderRider.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Gridrunner.jpg (Cassette inlay)
HocusFocus.jpg (Cassette inlay)
L-GameMastermindandPontoon.jpg (Cassette inlay)
LaserZone.jpg (Cassette inlay)
MaxHeadroom_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
MaxHeadroom_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
MeteorStorm.jpg (Cassette inlay)
MightyMagus.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Mined-Out.jpg (Cassette inlay)
RedScorpion.jpg (Cassette inlay)
RupertAndTheToymakersParty.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Schizofrenia.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Sector90.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SmugglersCove.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SnowmanThe.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SoftAid.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SpaceIntruders.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Speakeasy.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Speakeasy_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Strategy3D.jpg (Cassette inlay)
StrontiumDog-TheKilling.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Tantalus.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Time-Gate.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Traxx.jpg (Cassette inlay)
TubeThe.jpg (Cassette inlay)
VelnorsLair(Quicksilva).jpg (Cassette inlay)
WordProcessor.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Xadom.jpg (Cassette inlay)
YabbaDabbaDoo.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ZombieZombie.jpg (Cassette inlay)

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 759&kind=1
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PeterJ
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Wow [mention]pavero[/mention]

Thank you.
Ralf
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

Big thanks to Pavero!
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R-Tape
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

PeterJ wrote: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:41 pm Wow @pavero
Double wow.

Late admin edit, just drawing attention to the skillo inlay viewer:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 325&kind=1
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PeterJ
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Latest update applied. Many thanks to [mention]Einar Saukas[/mention], [mention]pavero[/mention], [mention]druellan[/mention], [mention]R-Tape[/mention] and everyone else who contributed to this update.


New entries:
Una Bruma en Stratford
The Curse of Trasmoz
Nixy and the Seeds of Doom
Rodmän
Paintball 2048
Rescate en Marte
Targ
Speccy Invaders
2048
Quite a few of these are payment only, so we're a bit short of downloadable files this time.
New utility:
AGD Mini
AGD Mini is another version of AGD by AGD Labs that uses the compact language of ADGX and have 8 x 8 pixel sprites instead of the usual 16 x 16. It's new to ZXDB, but it started being used earlier this year and 3 games have been made with it so far (this, this and this).
uMIA!
Bunkered!
It's just a blank ID at the moment, but this one is quite a sexy uMIA. It started with this thread by [mention]Slarty[/mention]. Gilby and him are now in touch, and hopefully this will result in usable TZX and screenshots soon.
Additional:
Updated files for Cousin Horace
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pavero
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[mention]R-Tape[/mention] : And what about Bruce Lee RX? Is it still ignored. ;-)
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[Addictive + Matra inlays]
AmethystDaggerThe(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
BeingLeftisNotRight(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
ElonMwithJetpack(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition_Poster.jpg (Poster)
FootballManager.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager2FM2ExpansionKit_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager2FM2ExpansionKit_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager2_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager3_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager3_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager_3.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager_4.jpg (Cassette inlay)
GeneracióDigital(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
Headcoach.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Hotshot.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Hotshot_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Kirel.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ManicPietro(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
Metaplex.jpg (Cassette inlay)
MiniExplorerXXXI(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
MisifulaGatita(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
President.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SoccerMania_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
SoccerMania_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
SoftwareStar.jpg (Cassette inlay)
TIKITACA(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 388&kind=1
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 398&kind=1
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R-Tape
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

pavero wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 7:25 pm @R-Tape : And what about Bruce Lee RX? Is it still ignored. ;-)
It's a graphics crack isn't it? Do you think it should have its own ID? Ralf's Renegade MODs never did.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

And an additional thing I forgot to mention: Matt Jackson gave permission for Astroblaster, so the file is there now.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

@R-Tape : And what about Bruce Lee RX? Is it still ignored. ;-)

It's a graphics crack isn't it? Do you think it should have its own ID? Ralf's Renegade MODs never did.
So a mod which changes level design (think of all these crappy Jet Set Willy mods) is worth uploading but a mod which replaces the graphics isn't? ;)
In such case we shouldn't have stuff like this Barbarian mod here:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=26556

I suppose it's hard to make a rule working in 100% of cases here. It's about making decisions in particular cases.

Speaking of my mods, I'm always ready to upload them here :)
I believe we had some discussion about it in the past but we decided nothing then.
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Rorthron
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Rorthron »

Ralf wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:03 pm So a mod which changes level design (think of all these crappy Jet Set Willy mods) is worth uploading but a mod which replaces the graphics isn't? ;)
Unless the graphics mod is by Harry S Price. ;)

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the classifications in ZXDB (or WoS.). I can see there will always be an element of judgement and subjectivity, but there should be some guidelines to avoid the worst of the current inconsistencies.
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PeterJ
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Just to throw in my thoughts, and I don't know if this is possible, but I would not create new entries for any mods (sorry). Instead I think they should be listed under the main game entry.

Obviously, part of ZXDB was copied from WoS so mods like the one [mention]Ralf[/mention] highlighted will appear.

I agree with [mention]Rorthron[/mention] that some guidelines need to be produced, although do remember that unless we change the data imported from WoS, there will always be inconsistencies.
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R-Tape
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

I didn't mean to say that it shouldn't have an ID. I was originally going to add it, but didn't when I realised we hadn't got around to sorting Ralf's yet (which I think are more deserving as gameplay changes were made), and there were plenty of other things to do.

These are the rules I've been trying working to for cracks:

-Graphics + gameplay changes + 'a work of note' (including infamy) = should have an ID (e.g. Ralf's MODs, and Harry S)
-Graphics only + a work of note = should have an ID (e.g. Bruce Lee RX)
-Graphics only, a very throwaway effort = should not have an ID.
-Did it somehow bypass these rules? Leave it alone and move on :?

Agree? Disagree?
Rorthron wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:20 pm I can see there will always be an element of judgement and subjectivity, but there should be some guidelines to avoid the worst of the current inconsistencies.
I suppose the 'work of note' part is the tricky judgement and subjectivity thing. Can you give some examples of the worst of current inconsistencies?
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R-Tape
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

PeterJ wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:52 pm Just to throw in my thoughts, and I don't know if this is possible, but I would not create new entries for any mods (sorry). Instead I think they should be listed under the main game entry.
ARGH! CODE RED PETER! CODE RED! :mrgreen:

(Kidding)

I think that'd be a logistic nightmare, especially as there are so many JSW mods, but I also think it would be the wrong thing to do. IMO any MOD that is a 'work of note' should have it's own ID. The Harry S Price ones are a good example, it's the kind of thing people would specifically search for.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Hi [mention]R-Tape[/mention]

I was sort of hoping that with my preferred solution they would still be searchable via the 'include mods' option on advanced search, but then take you to the main game page with a new section for mods, in the same way we have other groupings.

We also have the issue of what counts as a mod with significant effort. I suppose we would need some form of voting?

Anyway, these are just my thoughts and I'm very happy to go with whatever the rest of you guys agree on.

Sorry, I caused a code red.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

We also have the issue of what counts as a mod with significant effort.
Okay, I'll try:

- new levels: yes
- new graphics: yes
- AY music added: hhmm, borderline case ;)

- cracktro ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_intro ) added: no
- new loader: no
- new loading screen: no
- translated to another language: no

Would you agree ?
I believe a mod should also have a short description what was changed.

Of course it all applies to mods which are games changed unofficially (yes, mod is a better version of crack but we avoid this bad word ;) )
If some game was altered and then sold commercially (for example Sweevo's World and Sweevo's Whirled) then it always has an entry in the database.
But these cases were already covered yet on WOS, I believe.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by 4thRock »

Don't think we should judge merit/effort, it's highly subjective.
A translation might take more effort than new graphics and bring the game to a large audience (ex: russian » english).
On this case it would be almost like an unofficial release....

So I'd give each mod its entry regardless of what was changed or quality.
After all we have entries for unreleased games (ex: Toki), some with almost no information that show up on searches, and nobody complains.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

So I'd give each mod its entry regardless of what was changed or quality.
In such case there are thousands of Italian cracks waiting for us. And lots of Russian translations as well.

I wouldn't like to be selfish but would really suggest starting from Bruce Lee RX and my mods ;) I'm regularly I'm asked about
them by people who would like to play them by cannot as old links aren't working.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

I think my issue is, imagine I am newbie trying to bring back nice memories of my childhood and I search for Manic Miner using the main search. The original release is number 10 in the results. I think I may be put off. We could always adjust the results sorting again I suppose.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by 4thRock »

Point taken. The original release should always come up first.
Also thinking a bit also about remakes and new versions like the latest Mario or Bruce Lee.

Sorting be release date solves these problems I think, perhaps by filtering "modern" (post 1992?) entries by default.
Something like "show classic era only" / "show modern era only" / "show all eras" :D
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Einar Saukas
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Einar Saukas »

Listing original titles before mods is probably a good idea.

For everything else, most users would probably be complaining that alphabetical sorting is broken.
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