Why no 'Avalon' loading screen?

introspec · May 2013

Mark R Jones wrote: »

Do without I think. I've got 3 originals, that's enough code entering I think. :-D

Have a go at these. The first is the tap version, which I believe should be ok:
avalon.tap.zip

The TZX version is obtaioned by using tap2tzx, which crashes after converting the tap file :o
avalon.tzx.zip

Nevetheless, both versions seem to load into my emulator normally. The added bonus should be the significantly reduced loading time (it is compressed now). Sorry, cannot check this "honestly", because I have no Spectrum-compatible hardware.

Mark R. Jones · May 2013

That's brilliant. Thanks for doing that! :)

boriel · May 2013

:-o Awesome!!!

Congratulations. This is an incredible work! I did never play either Dragontorc nor Avalon (nostalgia) :-( If they are in the archive maybe it's time to give them a try.

Again, thanks for this screen. ;)

PS: BTW nice avatar!!! Wizball was the last game I bought for the Speccy... in 1992, and was one of my favourites (one of the few Speccy games I finished :p)

redballoon · May 2013

Great work, Mark. Looking forward to seeing the Dragontorc screen.

Mark R. Jones · May 2013

boriel wrote: »

:-o Awesome!!!

Congratulations. This is an incredible work! I did never play either Dragontorc nor Avalon (nostalgia) :-( If they are in the archive maybe it's time to give them a try.

Again, thanks for this screen. ;)

PS: BTW nice avatar!!! Wizball was the last game I bought for the Speccy... in 1992, and was one of my favourites (one of the few Speccy games I finished :p)

Thanks! 1992? That was a bit late! Hit Squad release then? :)

leespoons · May 2013

Very nice indeed... and I spotted the hidden Wizball and Beatles reference ;)

boriel · May 2013

Mark R Jones wrote: »

Thanks! 1992? That was a bit late! Hit Squad release then? :)

Hmm. No, it was a normal edition. But maybe my memory is betraying me. Let me take a photo:

It still loads! (tested last year in a local retro-event) :-P

Maybe my memory is betraying me :confused:
Perhaps it was in 1988-89 when I bought it; 1992 was too late, as you said (I started the university by then, and already having a PC AT). But I recall entering a local shop where I found some ZX Spectrum (legacy) games, being Wizball one of them. I was greatly surprised by the 128K music.

Alchemist was my first ZX Game, and Wizball my last one. :sad: Ironically, I finished Alchemist in late 90s, much later than Wizball. :D

Mark R. Jones · May 2013

boriel wrote: »

Hmm. No, it was a normal edition. But maybe my memory is betraying me. Let me take a photo:

It still loads! (tested last year in a local retro-event) :-P

Maybe my memory is betraying me :confused:
Perhaps it was in 1988-89 when I bought it; 1992 was too late, as you said (I started the university by then, and already having a PC AT). But I recall entering a local shop where I found some ZX Spectrum (legacy) games, being Wizball one of them. I was greatly surprised by the 128K music.

Alchemist was my first ZX Game, and Wizball my last one. :sad: Ironically, I finished Alchemist in late 90s, much later than Wizball. :D

I've never seen one of those releases before! :)

introspec · May 2013

Mark R Jones wrote: »

That's brilliant. Thanks for doing that! :)

You are most welcome! :)

Ivanzx · May 2013

Mark R Jones wrote: »

I've never seen one of those releases before! :)

Thats the normal Erbe release for hundreds (literally) games in Spain. Most of the british companies were distributed by Erbe in Spain, and most of the covers had the same pattern, with the SPECTRUM letters on top.

I always tell you, guys, you should learn more about the Spanish Spectrum history and its games ;)

Mark R. Jones · May 2013

I've made these small cases so I can record each of these with my loading screen to tape and load them into a real Spectrum:

So if anyone wants to do the same here's the 'Avalon' inlay. I haven't bothered with code sheets and instructions, I have enough of these (owning 3 copies of each!) so they are just so that I have somewhere to put them and I know where they are!

Avalon

File here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/pw3t56

File here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/64av7o

I made the inlays to fit small tape jewel cases and they are easier to get new than clam cases, which the originals were released in (and they look cute on the shelf next to 'Quazatron' and 'Technician Ted'!)

boriel · May 2013

Ivanzx wrote: »

Thats the normal Erbe release for hundreds (literally) games in Spain. Most of the british companies were distributed by Erbe in Spain, and most of the covers had the same pattern, with the SPECTRUM letters on top.

That's what I was thinking. Erbe lowered the prices to a 60% aprox. This increased and incentivated users to buy instead to copy. :D

Neil Parsons · May 2013

Nice work, Mark!

leespoons · May 2013

Neil:

introspec wrote: »

avalon.tap.zip
avalon.tzx.zip

Neil Parsons · May 2013

Ouch... I've already realised it was in this same thread two days ago... doctor, doctor!!!

Thanks, leespons, anyway.

Mark R. Jones · May 2013

I've put both in one zip here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/itz52p

Why no 'Avalon' loading screen?

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