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Domain: qotile.net
Stories and comments across the archive that link to qotile.net.
Stories · 11
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Sony Decides Against Blu-Ray Downsampling
Paul Slocum writes "According to Ars Technica, Sony is now saying they will not use the Image Constraint Token and so movies will play on analog HDTV sets at full resolution. If HD-DVD does implement the analog downsampling, it's going to give Blu-ray a nice market advantage." From the article: "Sony's decision to not use the Image Constraint Token for the time being is meant to encourage the adoption of Blu-ray players. Launching a new product that would leave the thousands of analog HDTV owners out in the standard-definition cold could have proven to be a nightmare for Sony and the Blu-ray spec in general. Reports that 'Blu-ray discs don't look right on my HDTV' could result in consumers' switching allegiances to the competing HD DVD standard or postponing purchases of next-generation optical players altogether." -
Tree Wave Releases Atari 2600 & C64 Music CD
TheAlchemist writes "Tree Wave, a two piece band from Texas that makes pop songs using obsolete computer and video game equipment as instruments, has released their first music CD, Cabana EP+. Paul Slocum, creator of the Atari 2600 Synthcart, Testcart, and upcoming Homestar Runner RPG, codes the music primarily on an Atari 2600, Commodore 64, Compaq 286, and Epson dot matrix printer, and Lauren Gray adds lush vocals. You can listen to two of the Cabana EP+ tracks, and visit the Tree Wave web site to learn more about the band." -
Marriage Proposal via Atari 2600?
TheAlchemist writes "Ever think about using a video game to propose to your (hopefully) wife-to-be? One of the forum members on AtariAge has, and he's planning on using an Atari 2600 to display a proposal message on-screen in the middle of a game! Paul Slocum (author of the upcoming Homestar Runner RPG game) has offered his services to modify Donkey Kong so that when the first level is completed, a proposal message will be displayed on-screen. AtariAge will build the cartridge free of charge, and the only remaining missing piece is the custom label! Tim is holding a label design contest for his marriage proposal cart, the winner of which will receive a $25 gift certificate in the AtariAge Store. The contest runs until April 17th, and you can learn all the details and how you can participate by stopping by the AtariAge Contests Forum." There's already at least one creatively-designed illustration entered into the competition. -
Homestar Runner Atari 2600 RPG Nears Release
Thanks to Atari Age for pointing out an updated demo of the Homestar Runner Atari 2600 RPG has been made available on their forums, and an attached message notes "...new bigger tiles, bigger map, ability to move between different maps and enter some buildings, [and a] partially done inventory screen." There's more information on this previously covered title at the official Homestar Runner RPG site, which lists pertinent features for the game, which is due to be released this May, including: "Will be released as a cartridge for the Atari 2600", and "Strongbad is not playable because he is the villain!" -
Play That Funky Music, GameBoy
Thanks to MSNBC for their article discussing using classic consoles and handhelds to make retro-styled music. The piece explains: "Over the years musicians have since created software that allows them to tap into the sound capabilities of these old game platforms - as well as the newer Nintendo GameBoy", and references GameBoy sound packages such as Nanoloop and LittleSoundDJ , as well as composers like Micromusic.net, 8BitPeoples, and Paul Slocum. As "8-bit music promoter" Ihu Anyanuwu claims: "Right now there's too much fetishization of new technology. This music is all about simplicity." -
Atari 2600 RPG Gets Homestar Runner-ed
Thanks to several readers for pointing out that Paul Slocum's new, in-development Atari 2600 RPG, which we've mentioned previously on Slashdot, is now revealed to be using the official Homestar Runner license. According to the newly-released info, "Mike and Matt Chapman (creators of Homestar Runner) will be contributing story, graphics, and creative ideas to the game", and you will be able to "...play as Homestar, Poopsmith, or Strongsad" and, as before, "...fight enemies from other Atari 2600 games" when the game is released as an actual cartridge, early in 2004. -
Atari 2600 RPG Gets Homestar Runner-ed
Thanks to several readers for pointing out that Paul Slocum's new, in-development Atari 2600 RPG, which we've mentioned previously on Slashdot, is now revealed to be using the official Homestar Runner license. According to the newly-released info, "Mike and Matt Chapman (creators of Homestar Runner) will be contributing story, graphics, and creative ideas to the game", and you will be able to "...play as Homestar, Poopsmith, or Strongsad" and, as before, "...fight enemies from other Atari 2600 games" when the game is released as an actual cartridge, early in 2004. -
Colecovision Drum Machine Cart Created
Thanks to AtariAge for discussing their first title to be published for the classic ColecoVision console, called CVDRUM. According to their site, "CVDRUM is a new ColecoVision cartridge by E-Mancanics, based on popular software and hardware drum machines, that enables the user to create up to 9 different one measure musical rhythm patterns.. which can then be arranged.. [and] looped for musical performance. The tempos are also close enough that it can be used in concert with Paul Slocum's Atari 2600 SynthCart." The cart will be unveiled at the Austin Gaming Expo on July 26th. -
New Atari 2600 RPG In Development
dayeight writes "Here's some info on a new Atari 2600 RPG, which is still early in development, and is developed by Paul Slocum, the genius who gave us the Synthcart (previous story) and Marble Craze." There's a downloadable demo ROM for this currently untitled game on the site, and the title's projected feature set includes "a large world, comparable in size to early Ultima series", plus the ability to "fight enemies from other Atari 2600 games." -
New Atari 2600 RPG In Development
dayeight writes "Here's some info on a new Atari 2600 RPG, which is still early in development, and is developed by Paul Slocum, the genius who gave us the Synthcart (previous story) and Marble Craze." There's a downloadable demo ROM for this currently untitled game on the site, and the title's projected feature set includes "a large world, comparable in size to early Ultima series", plus the ability to "fight enemies from other Atari 2600 games." -
New Atari 2600 RPG In Development
dayeight writes "Here's some info on a new Atari 2600 RPG, which is still early in development, and is developed by Paul Slocum, the genius who gave us the Synthcart (previous story) and Marble Craze." There's a downloadable demo ROM for this currently untitled game on the site, and the title's projected feature set includes "a large world, comparable in size to early Ultima series", plus the ability to "fight enemies from other Atari 2600 games."