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Message: 5047

Author: Jeremy Cooper

Date: 15/11/2005

Subject: Re: [Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy] Digest Number 772

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>I think that the best way to improve JSW games would definitely be the
>complete split from the Spectrum emulation. Therefore, a good easily
>configurable and well documented open source implementation of JSW in
>C/C++/Java for both Windows and Linux would be excellent.
>
>Mikko Nummelin

Hi everyone,

After ages of lurking and leaching, I felt this was an opportune time to
chime in for the first time. As someone who was 10 when he got his first
Spectrum and 20 when he upgraded to an Amiga, I have to disagree with trying
to improve a game by re-writing it on a modern platform. This was attempted
on the Amiga with scrolling rooms, bigger sprites, different music etc.. but
it just lacked the retro-feel you can only get with the original. In fact I
see no real reason to try and improve it at all. I have downloaded all
completeable JSW & MM games and look forward to whatever new ones come out
(I think you guys have done great jobs by the way). Playing these games is
supposed to be a retro experience. Making a modern PC version with 3D
graphics, 32-bit sound or whatever will just make it seem like almost any
other over-priced modern game you can pick up in your local shop.

The original engines (including the 64 variant) are just fine. Those
pixel-perfect jumps you have to sometimes perform, that unmistakeable
jumping sound. A modernized PC game would only take away everything that
make's this retro-feeling so enjoyable. And conversely, if you tried to
make it identical, then there wouldn't be much point in making it in the
first place.

They have made new versions in the past, for the Amiga, the Gameboy and some
for Windows. But we all keep coming back to the original engine because we
are so familiar with it and fond of it.


Jez

 

 

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