• Tag Archives Amstrad CPC

  • CPC Attack! (August 1992)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: CPC Attack! – August 1992

    The Amstrad CPC was a line of 8-bit computers based on the Z-80 CPU produced starting in 1984 and popular in the U.K. and other parts of Europe. The initial model was the most successful ultimately selling 2 million units. It featured 64 KB of RAM and a built-in cassette deck. Later models included more RAM and a built in proprietary 3-inch disk drive. CPC Attack! was a gaming magazine dedicated to the Amstrad CPC line of computers and published in the U.K. The August 1992 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Add-On Guide – Hardware add-ons and peripherals for Amstrad CPC computers. Devices covered include external floppy drives (3-inch, 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch), a 20 MB hard drive, 64K and 256K RAM expansions, a ROM Board (basically a cartridge with multiple sockets to plug in ROM chips with whatever software was available in that format), an Eprom Programmer (useful for creating your own ROMs for the aforementioned ROM Board), a couple of Light Pens, three different mouses, a couple of “digitizers” (one being a scanner and the other a device that can capture video images at a rate of 3 images per second), a couple of modulators (for connecting your CPC to a TV), a couple of amplifiers, a couple of speech synthesizers, a couple of MIDI interfaces, something called a “Music Machine” for sampling and playback of audio, an RS232 interface (useful for connecting modems, printers and other external devices), a teletext decoder, some sort of I/O expansion device, a weather satellite decoder, a printer port, a real-time clock, Multiface II + (primarily a device for copying cassettes to disk), AMRAM (plugs into an available ROM socket and acts as programmable ROM…sounds like battery backed-up RAM maybe), Plus-CPC Adaptor (a device for adapting peripherals designed for older CPC machines to newer ones), and a joystick splitter.
    • Console Crazy – An article about the Sega Genesis/MegaDrive and its popularity in the U.K. covering the hardware itself and several games.
    Table of Contents from the August 1992 issue of CPC Attack!

    Regulars

    • News – Not much to speak of. The big news story seems to be how fast this particular magazine was selling out. This was the third issue and I suppose it did relatively well for covering a computer for which production ceased two years earlier.
    • Letters – Letters from readers. This month including praise for the magazine but complaints about console coverage and also a letter about MIDI with a request for music software for the CPC.
    • Poster Power – Featuring a two-page sized poster featuring The Addams Family from the movie (and game) of the time.
    • POKEs, Maps, & Tips – Tips & Tricks for various CPC games including Back to the Future II, Blazing Thunder, Chase HQ, Cisco Heat, Hong Kong Phooey, IK+, Midnight Resistance, Scooby and Scrappy Doo, Slug and Yogi’s Great Escape, Navy Moves, Eric The Viking, and Titus The Fox, plus various POKEs (essentially commands that change the value of memory that can be used to hack games…give infinite lives, etc…kind of like using a Game Genie), and requests for help. There is also a strategy guide for Rainbow Islands.
    • The Dungeon – News and help for adventure games. Games covered include The Collection Vol. 5, Into the Mystic, Davy Jones Locker, The Miser and more.
    • Public Sector – Covering what’s new in the public domain world.
    • Q&A – Questions answered about upgraded BASIC, where to obtain add-ons, and other hardware, software and programming questions.
    • Reviews – Reviews this month include The Addams Family, Bonanza Bros., The Dizzy Collection, The Cartoon Collection, Crackdown, Escape From the Planet of the Robot Monsters, and Skate Wars.
    • Competition – A chance to win a Sega MegaDrive and some EA games by correctly identifying 5 games by their screen shots.
    • Next Month – Teasing the articles, reviews, etc. coming in the next issue…
    Table of Contents from the August 1992 issue of CPC Attack! (continued)

    Specials

    • Demo Time – Programming examples teaching you how to scroll the screen.
    • Elementary BASIC – Part 3 of a guide teaching the basics of the BASIC programming language on the CPC.
    • Advanced BASIC – Part 3 of a guide teaching advanced BASIC on the CPC.

    …and more!


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  • Amstrad Computer User (April 1987)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Amstrad Computer User – April 1987

    In the U.S. in the 1980s, the computer wars tended to center around the Apple II, Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit as well as the TI-99/4A, VIC-20 and TRS-80 earlier in the decade. In the U.K. and other parts of Europe, Apple and Atari (until the ST anyway) were smaller players. But other machines took their place like the Spectrum, BBC and Amstrad line. Amstrad Computer User was dedicated to the latter machines and the April 1987 issue includes:

    Regulars

    • News
    • Letters
    • Gallup Chart
    • Hairy Hackers Haunt
    • Adventurers Corner
    • LSB

    Reviews

    • Sentinel – John Baker enters a world of Guardians. Firebird’s newie absorbs him totally.
    • RS232 – A Missed Opportunity – Ian Hoare looks at the new CPC interface and suggests improvements.
    • Games Reviews – Colin, Nigel and Liz look after a Little Computer Person, FlySpy, Bactron, and Impossaball. Then they race in 500cc Grand Prix and sample Agent Orange and Coronis Rift.

    Features

    • MicroProse InterviewIolo Davidson visits the UK branch of the company that spent $1.2m on developing one program.
    • Computer Journey – A silicon saunter through the workings of your computer. Thriss to the power of the ULA, gaze with wonder at the graphics from the 6845 and learn what makes it tick.
    • Amstrad Space Scoop – Alan Sugar embarks on the most ambitious project yet – to get on the air by 1990 he’s going to build a rocket for his TV satellite.

    Programming

    • Assembly Point – You need never forget to save your work with help from Peter Green’s little reminder program.
    • PCW Programming – Program your Joyce to play Flip-’em, the strongest reversi game anyone at ACU has seen. Written in Mallard Basic it’s more fun that LocoScript.
    • QuoiteSuper smooth screen scroll graphics game to type in. It’s difficult – but fun.

    …and more!


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  • CPC Attack (September 1992)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: CPC Attack – Issue Number 4 – September 1992

    The Amstrad CPC was a computer that you probably have never heard of if you live in North America. However, it was quite popular in the U.K. It was one of several 8-bit computers available at the time and survived well into the 1990s as this magazine shows. This computer featured a Z80 CPU. While a large portion of this magazine may have been gaming content it also covered more serious uses of the machine. The September 1992 issue includes:

    Specials

    • Elementary BASIC – Part four of an ongoing BASIC tutorial series. This part covers FOR an NEXT loops.
    • Advanced BASIC – The final part of a four part more advanced BASIC tutorial series. This part covers error trapping and file protection.
    • Demo Time – A machine code tutorial to teach you how to create moving sprites.

    Features

    • Desktop Publishing – Creating fanzines, newsletters and other such publications seemed to be all the rage in the late 1980s to early 1990s. While the Macintosh would come to dominate desktop publishing, such software was available on every platform, including the Amstrad CPC. This article compares three available packages including Stop Press, Page Publisher, and MicroDesign Plus.
    • Fun School 3&4 – A look at an educational gaming series for a variety of age ranges from under 5 all the way up to 11.
    • Reviews – Reviews of a variety of games including Supercars, Captain Dynamo, Silent Service, Italy ’90, Klax, Cyberball, Grell & Falla, Turbo the Tortoise, and 3D Tennis. Plus a few top game charts with Lemmings, First Division Manager, and Dizzy’s Excellent Adventures at the top.
    • Print Out – A review of the Star LC24-200 printer.

    Regulars

    • News – A new disk backup service; a new soundtracker for the CPC called Boo-tracker; Charley’s Comms Rom telecommunications package; Indiana Jones 4 from U.S. Gold; a 20 MB hard drive for the CPC; and more.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about program listings, Atari Lynx, the Amstrad 6128 plus, and more.
    • Pokes, Maps, & Tips – Tips, tricks and hacks for a variety of games including Final Fight, Turtles 2, Midnight Resistance, Supercars, Satan, Double Dragon I+II, Advanced Pinball Simulator, Bonanza Bros., Nebulus, Turrican 2, AMC, New Zealand Story, Scooby Doo, Hong Kong Phooey, Sim City, Batman The Movie, Smash TV, Spellbound Dizzy, Yie-Ar-Kung-Fu, Hard Drivin’ and more.
    • Public Sector – A brief look at a variety of public domain software titles including Rambase 3, PD Planner, Forcefield, Drehdriss, Space Froggy, Lost Phirious, Softarc, Ispell, High Capacity Formatters, Gpaint, Eve of Shadows, Croco Magneto, Formatter, JL-Disc Copers, Powerpage, and more.
    • Q&A – Questions answered about disk errors, connecting a 464+ monitor to a CPC 6128, the Amstrad CPC in Australia, tape drive alignment, monitor problems, viruses, and much more.
    • Next Month – Coming next month, coverage of CP/M, a guide to music on the CPC, more reviews, type in programs, and more.

    …and more!


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