News nybble: Fifth beta of RDSP released

RDSP, the free sound module from AMCOG Games that provides modern RISC OS systems with a greatly enhanced sound system, has been updated. Version 0.40, the fifth beta release of the module, adds a digital chorus effect, a 365 note queue for each of the 16 sound channels, and stereo sound placement. Although considered beta quality, the Wavebox-inspired module has proven to be reliable in the field, and is in use in a number of titles – from free games such as SpaceShip, written by Patrick M with sound added…

Show report: London 2017

The question on everyone’s lips for countless years to come will be “Where were you on 28th October, 2017?” Okay, they probably won’t be asking that – but I’m asking it now. Well? Where were you? I’ll tell you where I was: Feltham. More specifically, the St Giles Hotel – in the conference rooms on the first floor, where this year’s London Show was held. If you weren’t there, I’ll assume you’re reading this because you have an interest in RISC OS, and would like to know what you missed.…

The Long Gap is almost over – the London Show is almost upon us

So what’s in store for you lucky RISC OS users this year? The Long Gap is the period between the annual Wakefield Show, which usually takes place in April, and the London Show, which takes place a whole six months later (that’s half a year, doncher know), towards the end of October. It’s October now (and has been for a week and a day), which means the Long Gap is almost over, and the London Show is imminent – it takes place on Saturday the 28th – so it’s time…

Cyborg gets new implants, making it v2.20

Thankfully, though, that doesn’t turn it into a dodgy 1993 sequel1 Launched earlier this year at Wakefield by AMCOG Games, Cyborg is an arcade action game by Tony Bartram in which you take on the role of a cyborg treasure hunter, seeking out ancient treasure in Castle CyberDroid – and Tony has just pushed out Cyborg Second Edition, an update to the game that brings it up to version 2.20.

Free gaming from AMCOG with Mutant Penguin

You’ve heard of ‘Four from Toyah’, right? Well this is free from Tony! Hot on the heels of the new AMCOG Development Kit and Cyborg, a game written with it by Tony Bartram, AMCOG Games has released yet another game – this one being the first free game from AMCOG, which can be downloaded via !Store. Mutant Penguin sets the player as a penguin that is, well, mutated slightly from your normal, everyday penguin: It’s not made of chocolate (bizarre, yes, I know). Worse than that, it’s not the only…

AMCOG releases tool for writing games

For when playing just isn’t enough. In the period leading up to the recent Wakefield Show, Tony Bartram of AMCOG Games was working on a system to aid those developing RISC OS games. The fruit of that labour is the AMCOG Development Kit, which was first sold on CD at the show, and is now available to buy from !Store for a mere £14.99. The driving principle behind the kit is to make writing games on RISC OS much simpler, and it includes a core library providing functions in BBC…

Cyborg – now available from AMCOG Games

No late 1980s dodgy scripting, directing and special effects involved – thankfully!1 First launched and sold on CD at the recent Wakefield Show, Cyborg is a new release from AMCOG Games, and for those unable to attend the show, it is now available from !Store for £9.99. In the game, you play a cyborg treasure hunter who has travelled to Castle CyberDroid in search of ancient treasure – and your objective is to find all of the items of treasure that can be found on each level, then head to…

Wakefield’s on the horizon – so what’s in store?

This year’s Wakefield Show takes place on 22nd April, so it’s time for a brief look at what’s in store for visitors – and judging by what’s on the show website, along with other factors, it very much looks as though there could be something interesting afoot. The starting point for suggesting that is a 4th April entry in the “latest news” on the show website’s front page, which notes that a short additional slot has been added at the start of the day’s talks in the show theatre. Being…