2025

Another year closer to death

Being the miserable sod that I am, I don't usually welcome in the new year. It's something I've never been bothered about. I'm more of a Christmas guy; January only means work is looming around the corner! Thankfully, I’m retired, and I believe I’m probably a happier person? Don't quote me on that.

So, I wanted a way to celebrate this New Year, but I wasn’t sure how. Then, my iPhone suggested something called Gemini. Apparently, it can create an image that you describe. That sounded strange to me, but I thought, "Why not give it a try?" Even so, I assumed it would be terrible and that I’d uninstall the app!

After having a play, most of the generated images were (at best) hit-or-miss. And if you asked to include the text "Atari ST," it often produced a computer that's a bizarre mix of an older 8-bit Atari mashed up with bits of the ST. The results were, to put it mildly, disappointing. That said, a few images turned out surprisingly well, like the house in my Christmas post. Honestly, did you really think I could draw that myself? lol

I can imagine you're all bored reading about how I finally caught up with modern technology? Must admit, I'd have never imagined creating a picture by describing it to a computer. That's weird and a little 'August 29 1997' scary! Anyhow, let's crack on and show you some images that Gemini created for me.

I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year and I wish you all the beST... STay Atari... Stay Atari ST...

The worst part of Gemini was getting it to properly spell "Atari ST"!!

This was a simple request, fireworks with the "Atari ST" words & logo. Not bad!

"AtariCrypt" was often nigh on impossible without resorting to capitals. Very odd.

I asked for a horror image and it came back with this. Which I think is damn cool!!

I wanted the Atari ST to look explosive with flair. It came up with this image.

I love West Texas and asked for a variety of "ST" images. All bad. Except this one!

I asked for a battle scene with "Happy New Year", this was the best of a bad bunch.

I requested numerous "Party" & "New Year" images with the word "Atari ST".
This was literally the best one. To be fair, it's pretty good.

With Asterix in the Dungeons of Doom

Crawling with Asterix

Following the success of RogueCrypt (yes, that’s what I named it and I shall be forever sorry), Mug UK asked me to create a similar image for the Asterix-themed Rogue hack. This version is essentially the same game with graphical modifications. Asterix in the Dungeons of Doom allows us to take on the role of Asterix instead of the Rogue character while keeping most other aspects unchanged. I’m tempted to call this disk AsterixCrypt. Have I hit an all-time low? Yeah, maybe I’m taking this naming convention a bit too far.

Regardless, here are all the links you need for the file download and more...

• Download the (.ST) disk image of AsterixCrypt = https://www.dropbox.com/DownloadTheGame...
• In case you missed it, RogueCrypt = https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2024/12/roguecrypt.html
• Atari Legend = https://www.atarilegend.com/games/asterix-the-adventure-game
• Rogue for Atari STe (uses STe DMA) = https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2017/08/rogue.html
• Mug UK = https://demozoo.org/sceners/2542/
• JayMSA to convert to a real disk = http://jaysoft.atariportal.cz/stapps.htm#msa
• Other ST stuff made by me: https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/MadeByMe

To tempt you to play, I'll end with screenshots of the Gaulish warrior's adventure...

Asterix isn't used to a dungeon so let's help him beat the monsters and grab the loot!

Shush, the bat is asleep. Quietly get that potion, treasure, and scroll...

Kestral's are mean beasts and this one wasn't alone.

I spent time searching for a hidden door but the exit was hiding under a sleeping bat!

I wanna run and escape but a slime beast is in my way.

Avoiding the Leprechaun as best I can in a darkened room.

Phantoms are strong, a zap from my wand helped a bunch!

I guess the dungeons proved too much for our little warrior?