Amstrad Cpc464 Version

[dave_a_e]

Here is a selection of screenshots from the Amstrad CPC464 version of Manic Miner. This version was produced by Amsoft, presumably under licence from Software Projects.

 

There is a review of this game on the Personal Computer News web site too:

 

http://www.personalcomputernews.co.uk/pcnb/html/096/personal_computer_news_096_gameplay_amstrad_manic_miner.html

 

 

[Spider]

Although there is this topic and another here neither cover all of it so I wanted to expand on this with a bit more information and screenshots.

 

This is the Amsoft branded version although its identical code-wise to the other, only the slight title screen change. I would speculate this was possibly bundled into one of the game packs with the CPC machines, the same way various packs were offered with new 'Amstrad' spectrums aka +2 / +3 / +2A/B

 

The game plays very well. The title screen music is better than the Spectrum version but to be fair the CPC range has the AY38912 chip as found in the 128K Spectrum's so advantage was taken of that.

 

The following 'in game' changes were noted:

 

1. There are extra sound effects in Skylabs (when they disintegrate upon hitting their platforms) and in Solar Power Generator when the beam hits Willy.

 

2. 'Eugene's Lair' was renamed to 'Eugene Was Here'

 

3. 'The Warehouse' uses the Software Projects rotating 'impossible triangle' logo as per the Spectrum S.P version of this game.

 

4. 'Amoebatron's Revenge' also uses the later Software Projects guardians

 

5. 'The Final Barrier' was renamed to 'This, folks, is the Last Cavern!'

 

6. As per (7) there is a 'top third' to this cavern now.

 

7. As far as I'm able to tell there is no 'ending' as per Spectrum version, it simply loops straight back to the first cavern as does the BBC version.

Loading Screen: (Amsoft branded version)

 

Loading Screen: (Software Projects version)

 

Title:

 

The Scrolling Message reads as follows:

 

Guide Miner Willy through twenty lethal caverns.  .  .  .
Q TO [ = Alternate left & right. . . .
SHIFT to SHIFT = jump. . . .
A to H = pause. . . .
J to ENTER = sound on/off. . . .
CURSOR KEYS & JOYSTICK 1  also control left, right and jump. . . .
Original version by Matthew-MANIC-Smith. . . .
Converted by D.P.ROWSON & S.W. . . . . . . . .
Don't miss the boat on JET SET WILLY. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oh no! Heavy hassle! Not another long boring scrolling message! Well O.K., it's not as long as some, but it's not size that's important, just how good you are with your Miner Willy. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thanks to Stu the Graffick, the Office Floor for all its support, Wonga the Incredible Programming Budgie, Miner Willy, CRC the Redundant Checker, John's Sprites for keeping us on our toes, and finally to 4 colour mode graphics (count 'em) without which etc, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

 

Game Over:

 

Onwards with the cavern screen shots: Note I'm not 100% sure on the mixed background colouring on the lower third of the screen where the main cavern background is not black, not having access at the moment to a real CPC464/6128 machine to determine this or not and it persisted with different emulators and game versions.

 

EDIT... The screenshot issue appeared to be emulator related it seems. A different one and all appeared well.

 

 

Edited January 18, 2017 by Spider

[IRF]

The split screen colour effect is weird, it's not even half and half (eight rows black, eight rows not) but 5 and 11.

[Spider]

The split screen colour effect is weird, it's not even half and half (eight rows black, eight rows not) but 5 and 11.

I think its an emulation or video issue. I may be able to check this soon however to be sure. :) I'm not too versed on the display format(s) for the CPC range of machines.

[Spider]

Screenshot post updated to fix the odd screenshot effects. :)

 

I've also added the Software Projects loading screen to go alongside the Amsoft branded one, although the game code is identical its merely the loading screen that is different.

[Norman Sword]

The CPC Amstrad has extensive firmware jump blocks to control most of its operations. The firmware was left intact on manic miner for the 464. This was in the era when the CPC did not have Disc drives.

 

One of the calls to the firmware jump block is the request to implement a user vectored interrupt. The firm ware has the ability to permit 6 interrupts per frame. Any of the 6 interrupts can be chosen. The interrupt  SHOULD occur at the same place every time, and this was used to change the screen colours twice every frame loop. The Interrupt chosen changes the colours for the lower part of the screen, another interrupt puts he colours back for the playing area. Thus in a normal room there can be six colours. Four in the playing area. Four for the lower screen, and two which are common for both the upper and lower portions of the screen. Giving a room six colours in the mode 1 four colour mode.

 

Every so often the CPC firmware gets the values wrong with the result of the colours being changed at the wrong moment. As far as I am aware this is a problem caused by the amstrads CPC  firmware.