Retro Image Tool

Argh, why are there so many different formats?

I recently found a video by Sascha Springer, aka Anima, who has created a tool to convert any modern picture into the Spectrum 512 format. This can then be loaded on your Atari ST/e with astounding results!!

These 3 pictures I created for my Atari STe are now in Spectrum format (extended palette). Fantastic results, I'm sure you'll agree. Give this extraordinary tool a playtest to see what you can create/convert.

Check out the other two images below that look ace on my Atari STe. Enjoy experimenting!!

Watch the tutorial video before using Retro Image Tool (use Chrome).

View any 'SPU' image using his slideshow program (any Atari ST/e computer)

  

Pommitus

I recently read a posting by Tatu Salmela, who created Pommitus back in 1996. I contact him, we got talking and I found out he learned to program by reading ST Format and he is still patching and improving Pommitus to this day. Since then, it has been converted from Finnish into English and you can now find a download on AtariMania.

Pommitus is a multiplayer strategy game which involves using calculated tactics to bomb your opponent. At first, I wasn't too keen on the user interface because I often clicked outside the control box, thus mistakingly taking my shot. Thankfully, it soon becomes second nature and is great fun bombing your neighbour to kingdom come! Sounds are minimal but good enough and the mono graphics are sharp and detailed - that's right, you will need a monochrome monitor for the best experience. Being GEM-based, it should work on all Atari computers and even supports those lucky enough to have a maths coprocessor installed!

Oddly, an emulator like Hatari might run Pommitus slower than a real Atari computer but that is easily fixed by flipping the CPU setting to 16 or 32MHz. Nothing ever beats the real hardware...!

I am incredibly impressed with Pommitus and so grateful Tatu shared his works with AtariCrypt. Oh, and also this little tidbit of news - he is developing a new Atari ST game similar to Pommitus which will work in ST Low. It is in the early stages but I am very excited to see yet another Atari ST game in development! Watch this space, folks. :-)

Spontaneous Compression

A brand new album

Say hello to the third album by YM-Digital, Spontaneous Compression which was released yesterday and features nine tracks of awesome audio for us all to enjoy. Of course, each track was created using Atari ST computers!!

01. AdraSTea Orbit (16,61 kHz)

02. Cell Synthesis (16,40 kHz)

03. The Lost Confidence (50 kHz)

04. Aomi - The ST Version (16,40 kHz)

05. Yellow Leaves Are Falling (16,40 kHz)

06. Neutralizer II (16,40 kHz) / original composer: Rudolf Stember

07. Digiloo Digiley (50 kHz) / original composer: Kemal Ezcan

08. Draconus - The ST Cover (22,75 kHz) BONUS TRACK / original composer: Adam Gilmore

09. Aomi - The STE Version (50 kHz) BONUS TRACK

Total Time: 32:33 min.

All songs (except "Aomi - the STE version") have been recorded from an ATARI 520ST computer with YM2149 chip.