Fathammer’s X-forge® 2 Engine Available To Tapwave
X-Forge2, the optimized and enhanced 3D engine is coming to the Zodiac. Read the full press release
X-Forge2, the optimized and enhanced 3D engine is coming to the Zodiac. Read the full press release
FrodoZ: C64 emulation continued on Zodiac!
Frodo Palm is a c64 emulator for PalmOS that we've reviewed a while ago. The emulator ran sort of ok on the first batches of Zodiacs with the 1.0 rom. It was buggy and didn't run fullscreen, but it ran. When Tapwave released their new 1.1 rom update it appeared that Frodo didn't run properly anymore; half of the screen shifted to the right, therefore making it unplayable. No fix was to be expected since Johan Forstberg, the creator of this emu, seemed to have pulled his hands off the project.
But there's some real good news: developer Squidge has picked up the Frodo project and is working on a Zodiac optmized version of Frodo; FrodoZ. According to Squidge, the emulator will be using the full screen of the Zodiac (480x320). He's just posted one screenshot of the early beta version and it looks very promising. As you can see there's a whole new virtual transparent keyboard that lies over the screen. It can be collapsed.
According to Squidge, a public beta will be released soon. You'll need DAA access for that. Keep an eye on this thread on ZodiacGamer for progress.
More emulator news: Codejedi aka Skeezix has mentioned he has futureplans for porting Amiga emulator PocketUAE to the Zodiac. Nothing but good news for the Commodore fans!
Frodo Palm is a c64 emulator for PalmOS that we've reviewed a while ago. The emulator ran sort of ok on the first batches of Zodiacs with the 1.0 rom. It was buggy and didn't run fullscreen, but it ran. When Tapwave released their new 1.1 rom update it appeared that Frodo didn't run properly anymore; half of the screen shifted to the right, therefore making it unplayable. No fix was to be expected since Johan Forstberg, the creator of this emu, seemed to have pulled his hands off the project.
But there's some real good news: developer Squidge has picked up the Frodo project and is working on a Zodiac optmized version of Frodo; FrodoZ. According to Squidge, the emulator will be using the full screen of the Zodiac (480x320). He's just posted one screenshot of the early beta version and it looks very promising. As you can see there's a whole new virtual transparent keyboard that lies over the screen. It can be collapsed.
According to Squidge, a public beta will be released soon. You'll need DAA access for that. Keep an eye on this thread on ZodiacGamer for progress.
More emulator news: Codejedi aka Skeezix has mentioned he has futureplans for porting Amiga emulator PocketUAE to the Zodiac. Nothing but good news for the Commodore fans!
Editor wanted
Handheldgamer is currently looking for people who want to contribute to this site. Do you own a Zodiac and do you want to post news on this site or write reviews? Dutch language is not required.
Please send an email to hhg@nospam.dlossie.demon.nl (remove "nospam.")
Handheldgamer is currently looking for people who want to contribute to this site. Do you own a Zodiac and do you want to post news on this site or write reviews? Dutch language is not required.
Please send an email to hhg@nospam.dlossie.demon.nl (remove "nospam.")
PalmPSone : Portable PSONE emulation
This bulky handheld was designed and built from scratch by a real dedicated technician. It is capable of playing PS1 games that can be loaded through a cd rom tray, hidden in the bottom of the device. Not sure if this handheld will be a success, but my deep respects for such an ambitious project.
The creator has put up a very nice website. Go there for more details or a nice report of the creation process.
This bulky handheld was designed and built from scratch by a real dedicated technician. It is capable of playing PS1 games that can be loaded through a cd rom tray, hidden in the bottom of the device. Not sure if this handheld will be a success, but my deep respects for such an ambitious project.
The creator has put up a very nice website. Go there for more details or a nice report of the creation process.
Thinktanks Screenshots
Extreme AI sent some early screenshots of their upcoming game ThinkTanks. Looks great if you ask me!
Extreme AI sent some early screenshots of their upcoming game ThinkTanks. Looks great if you ask me!
Interview with ExtremeAI
Just before the full version of Orbz is about to come out, HHG had an interview with Bill Klein, president of gamedeveloper ExtremeAI.
HHG: Can you tell us something about ExtremeAI, i.e. how was it founded and how
many people are involved in your company?
BK: Extreme AI came into being very quickly. In early October 2003, I
happened across Tapwave's website and learned about the Zodiac. I thought
the device looked great and represented a good match between my personal
background in software development for PDAs and my long standing interest in
video games. I did some quick research on the product, the market,
Tapwave's management staff, and the developer program. Over the next 2
weeks I wrote a business plan, gathered investors and initial partners, and
formed the company. Since that time, we have expanded to include 6 staff
members dedicated to developing the best mobile games possible.
HHG: What were you doing before the Zodiac was here, is there anything we
might know you from?
BK: During the late 90s I helped to form a company called Rioscan, Inc.
Rioscan created (to my knowledge) the first line of commercial/industrial
software for Palm OS devices. I've also done stints building artificially
intelligent control systems for particle accelerators, but nothing that made
me famous.
HHG: Firefly, Orbz and Thinktanks were quite unknown games on the PC. They
work extremely well on a handheld device. How did you guys come up with
the idea to port these games?
BK: Each of the three titles you mentioned (Firefly, Orbz, and Think Tanks)
were selected for specific reasons, including our assessment of their
suitability to the Zodiac. We have been extremely lucky to have found
quality partners like 21-6, BraveTree, and Cornutopia that put a lot of
trust in us early on. We are currently looking for additional content to
port, both from larger publishers like Atari and Activision, and also from
the Indie community. As a side note, one of the best ways to ensure that a
game you love makes its way to the Zodiac is to start an email campaign
letting the publisher know that you want the game ported, and that you want
Extreme AI to do it.
HHG: The PC version of Orbz and Thinktanks allow custom created course
packs, skins etc. Will the Zodiac version of Orbz or Thinktanks have this
possibility?
BK: Unfortunately, no. We will certainly be open to it on future projects
though.
HHG: Fathammer recently announced a follow-up on their X-Forge engine,
X-Forge2. They list the Zodiac as a compatbile device. Is there any chance
X-Forge2 will be used for future titles and if so, what can we expect from
it?
BK: Short answer, not likely. Licensing issues aside, we don't see a
significant benefit to using X-Forge2 over the prior generation engine. The
heart of the 3D pipeline still exists in the X-Forge core, which hasn't
changed for X-Forge2. For the end user, you wouldn't notice a difference in
features or performance.
HHG: Will your titles come out on other platforms like N-Gage or Gizmondo?
BK: We will be targeting additional mobile platforms in the future. Although
we may end up developing for the platforms you mention, our current focus is
on the Zodiac and the next generation platforms from Sony and Nintendo.
HHG: Thinktanks was the last game in line anounced. Are there plans for
new games?
BK: I can't share all the details of our future plans just yet, but I think
they will be very interesting to the Zodiac community. We have some
great things in the works that should surprise a lot of people. I can say that our
future plans do involve further collaboration with the GarageGames
community.
HHG: Do you have any Thinktanks screenshots to share? ;)
BK: I don't want to promise anything, but early screenshots of Think Tanks
may be available from our website late next week.
HHG: Is there anything you would like to add?
BK: Everyone here at Extreme AI truly appreciates the support we have gotten
from the user community. Our standard policy is to not interact directly on
the forums, but we do keep an eye on them. We also try to respond to every
email we receive. Feel free to send us comments and suggestions.
Just before the full version of Orbz is about to come out, HHG had an interview with Bill Klein, president of gamedeveloper ExtremeAI.
HHG: Can you tell us something about ExtremeAI, i.e. how was it founded and how
many people are involved in your company?
BK: Extreme AI came into being very quickly. In early October 2003, I
happened across Tapwave's website and learned about the Zodiac. I thought
the device looked great and represented a good match between my personal
background in software development for PDAs and my long standing interest in
video games. I did some quick research on the product, the market,
Tapwave's management staff, and the developer program. Over the next 2
weeks I wrote a business plan, gathered investors and initial partners, and
formed the company. Since that time, we have expanded to include 6 staff
members dedicated to developing the best mobile games possible.
HHG: What were you doing before the Zodiac was here, is there anything we
might know you from?
BK: During the late 90s I helped to form a company called Rioscan, Inc.
Rioscan created (to my knowledge) the first line of commercial/industrial
software for Palm OS devices. I've also done stints building artificially
intelligent control systems for particle accelerators, but nothing that made
me famous.
HHG: Firefly, Orbz and Thinktanks were quite unknown games on the PC. They
work extremely well on a handheld device. How did you guys come up with
the idea to port these games?
BK: Each of the three titles you mentioned (Firefly, Orbz, and Think Tanks)
were selected for specific reasons, including our assessment of their
suitability to the Zodiac. We have been extremely lucky to have found
quality partners like 21-6, BraveTree, and Cornutopia that put a lot of
trust in us early on. We are currently looking for additional content to
port, both from larger publishers like Atari and Activision, and also from
the Indie community. As a side note, one of the best ways to ensure that a
game you love makes its way to the Zodiac is to start an email campaign
letting the publisher know that you want the game ported, and that you want
Extreme AI to do it.
HHG: The PC version of Orbz and Thinktanks allow custom created course
packs, skins etc. Will the Zodiac version of Orbz or Thinktanks have this
possibility?
BK: Unfortunately, no. We will certainly be open to it on future projects
though.
HHG: Fathammer recently announced a follow-up on their X-Forge engine,
X-Forge2. They list the Zodiac as a compatbile device. Is there any chance
X-Forge2 will be used for future titles and if so, what can we expect from
it?
BK: Short answer, not likely. Licensing issues aside, we don't see a
significant benefit to using X-Forge2 over the prior generation engine. The
heart of the 3D pipeline still exists in the X-Forge core, which hasn't
changed for X-Forge2. For the end user, you wouldn't notice a difference in
features or performance.
HHG: Will your titles come out on other platforms like N-Gage or Gizmondo?
BK: We will be targeting additional mobile platforms in the future. Although
we may end up developing for the platforms you mention, our current focus is
on the Zodiac and the next generation platforms from Sony and Nintendo.
HHG: Thinktanks was the last game in line anounced. Are there plans for
new games?
BK: I can't share all the details of our future plans just yet, but I think
they will be very interesting to the Zodiac community. We have some
great things in the works that should surprise a lot of people. I can say that our
future plans do involve further collaboration with the GarageGames
community.
HHG: Do you have any Thinktanks screenshots to share? ;)
BK: I don't want to promise anything, but early screenshots of Think Tanks
may be available from our website late next week.
HHG: Is there anything you would like to add?
BK: Everyone here at Extreme AI truly appreciates the support we have gotten
from the user community. Our standard policy is to not interact directly on
the forums, but we do keep an eye on them. We also try to respond to every
email we receive. Feel free to send us comments and suggestions.
Orbz Demo is available
In addition to the previous article, Orbz demo has just been released and can be downloaded here!
In addition to the previous article, Orbz demo has just been released and can be downloaded here!
Orbz coming REAL soon
I just received an email from Bill Klein from Extreme AI
"we will be releasing our demo of Orbz this week. It will be available from our website as early as today, depending on when we can get the app signed by Tapwave. The full version will be available from the online store as soon as it gets through certification testing, which could happen by the end of the week."
We expect a lot from this very fun game. Orbz is the 2nd game from ExtremeAI, after Firefly. ThinkTanks, releasedate unknown, will be the 3rd game in line.
See some new Orbz screens here
I just received an email from Bill Klein from Extreme AI
"we will be releasing our demo of Orbz this week. It will be available from our website as early as today, depending on when we can get the app signed by Tapwave. The full version will be available from the online store as soon as it gets through certification testing, which could happen by the end of the week."
We expect a lot from this very fun game. Orbz is the 2nd game from ExtremeAI, after Firefly. ThinkTanks, releasedate unknown, will be the 3rd game in line.
See some new Orbz screens here
Modify your hotsync cable to USB charging
It is possible to modify your hotsync cable in such a way that you can get rid of your charger. And it's quite simple, too.
All that is required is soldering a regular electric wire between the two points as shown on the photo. After this your charger will use the 500mAh of your USB port to charge the Zodiac !
So charge while syncing, there's no more adapter needed. Instead of the pc, you can now also use any other regular USB charger (car, battery etc) to pump life into your Zodiac. (look here for an example)
(click for larger image)
Some tips:
1. You will need to use brute force to open the plastic part of your cable since there is no way to open it up. A knife or saw can be used, after that the plastic housing needs to be glued back together.
2. The wire on the photo is too thick. Use a wire as thin as possible or else it may not fit back in the housing.
3. If you connect any other points as the ones shown on the photo, things will go WRONG, so be careful.
ATTENTION: AFTER YOUR MODIFICATION, NEVER CONNECT THE TAPWAVE POWER ADAPTER TO THE USB CABLE IF IT IS PLUGGED IN*
*or you may toast your USB. No, HHG is not responsible if anything goes wrong!
thanks to sSwallow for the idea and photo
It is possible to modify your hotsync cable in such a way that you can get rid of your charger. And it's quite simple, too.
All that is required is soldering a regular electric wire between the two points as shown on the photo. After this your charger will use the 500mAh of your USB port to charge the Zodiac !
So charge while syncing, there's no more adapter needed. Instead of the pc, you can now also use any other regular USB charger (car, battery etc) to pump life into your Zodiac. (look here for an example)
(click for larger image)
Some tips:
1. You will need to use brute force to open the plastic part of your cable since there is no way to open it up. A knife or saw can be used, after that the plastic housing needs to be glued back together.
2. The wire on the photo is too thick. Use a wire as thin as possible or else it may not fit back in the housing.
3. If you connect any other points as the ones shown on the photo, things will go WRONG, so be careful.
ATTENTION: AFTER YOUR MODIFICATION, NEVER CONNECT THE TAPWAVE POWER ADAPTER TO THE USB CABLE IF IT IS PLUGGED IN*
*or you may toast your USB. No, HHG is not responsible if anything goes wrong!
thanks to sSwallow for the idea and photo
Interview with developer of the game Postal
Handheldgamer.nl has had an interview with the CEO Hans F. Olsen of Mnemonic studio, the developer of the game Postal. Here are the questions and answers:
1- Is this game exclusively for the Zodiac (and PC off course)? Or can it be played on other PalmOS devices?
Mnemonic Studio has been contracted to develop the POSTAL game for the Zodiac. Running With Scissors who own the rights to the game have already launched the game on PC and other platforms are currently being considered.
2- If it is exclusive for the Zodiac, why did your company choose for the Zodiac?
The version of POSTAL that Mnemonic Studio has been contracted to work on is similar to the PC version just released in the US. But there will be - and are differences (yet to be announced). We - together with Running With Scissors have chosen the Zodiac due to its superb technological features. No other device currently matches the quality and features of the Zodiac, which is a major reason for choosing this unit.
3- Will the game be a direct port of Postal 1, or will it be more towards Postal 2?
Postal for Zodaic will be a mix. It will feature stuff from the first Postal, the new Postal, and features not currently available on the PC version.
4- Are there any screenshots of the game on the Zodiac available?
Currently pending. Will be announced at E3 we expect.
5- Will there be more games coming from Mnemonic studios for the Zodiac?
Mnemonic Studio is always investigating and evaluting the latest technologies and trends. We are confident that Postal for the Zodiac is only the beginning, and we look forward to launching further games for that particular unit.
6- And the last question, which is important for the Dutch (and European) Zodiac owners: will the game be internationally shipped? (Because games through the Tapwave store are only available in the US)
This issue is currently being investigated by Running With Scissors. But I believe the game will be available throughout Europe by direct sales on the Postal website.
Handheldgamer.nl has had an interview with the CEO Hans F. Olsen of Mnemonic studio, the developer of the game Postal. Here are the questions and answers:
1- Is this game exclusively for the Zodiac (and PC off course)? Or can it be played on other PalmOS devices?
Mnemonic Studio has been contracted to develop the POSTAL game for the Zodiac. Running With Scissors who own the rights to the game have already launched the game on PC and other platforms are currently being considered.
2- If it is exclusive for the Zodiac, why did your company choose for the Zodiac?
The version of POSTAL that Mnemonic Studio has been contracted to work on is similar to the PC version just released in the US. But there will be - and are differences (yet to be announced). We - together with Running With Scissors have chosen the Zodiac due to its superb technological features. No other device currently matches the quality and features of the Zodiac, which is a major reason for choosing this unit.
3- Will the game be a direct port of Postal 1, or will it be more towards Postal 2?
Postal for Zodaic will be a mix. It will feature stuff from the first Postal, the new Postal, and features not currently available on the PC version.
4- Are there any screenshots of the game on the Zodiac available?
Currently pending. Will be announced at E3 we expect.
5- Will there be more games coming from Mnemonic studios for the Zodiac?
Mnemonic Studio is always investigating and evaluting the latest technologies and trends. We are confident that Postal for the Zodiac is only the beginning, and we look forward to launching further games for that particular unit.
6- And the last question, which is important for the Dutch (and European) Zodiac owners: will the game be internationally shipped? (Because games through the Tapwave store are only available in the US)
This issue is currently being investigated by Running With Scissors. But I believe the game will be available throughout Europe by direct sales on the Postal website.
New Game Boy specs?
On this website there are talking about the new Game Boy (called GB Evolution). It will be shaped the same way as the GB SP, with backlight. The GB will use the mini-dvd's for the games. It will also be backwards compatible with the old GB's, using a build-in hard-drive.
This is not yet confirmed by Nintendo, but we'll keep you posted
On this website there are talking about the new Game Boy (called GB Evolution). It will be shaped the same way as the GB SP, with backlight. The GB will use the mini-dvd's for the games. It will also be backwards compatible with the old GB's, using a build-in hard-drive.
This is not yet confirmed by Nintendo, but we'll keep you posted
Postal on the Zodiac
On Insidegamer.nl there's is an article about the game Postal on the Zodiac. The new Danish developer will develop this game and distribute it around Q4 this year.
For more info about the game, visit: Gopostal.com.
Click here for a PC-demo
Click hier for screenshots
On Insidegamer.nl there's is an article about the game Postal on the Zodiac. The new Danish developer will develop this game and distribute it around Q4 this year.
For more info about the game, visit: Gopostal.com.
Click here for a PC-demo
Click hier for screenshots
N-Gage 2
On t he Zodiacgamer forums I noticed 2 pictures of what seems to be the successor of Nokia's N-Gage, the N-Gage2. The tacolook seems to be history with new located speakers.
The source of these photos is yet unknown.
On t he Zodiacgamer forums I noticed 2 pictures of what seems to be the successor of Nokia's N-Gage, the N-Gage2. The tacolook seems to be history with new located speakers.
The source of these photos is yet unknown.
Zodiacgamer cross-interviews Tapwave Executives
Zodiacgamer had an extensive interview with several Tapwave executives. The questions were gathered by forumusers in a thread on ZG and i was suprised to see all of my questions were, more or less, answered by Tapwave!
These were the question i asked:
- why did you change the name "helix" to zodiac?
- Can you show us some of the designs that did not make it?
- Is there any X-Forge 2 title ahead?
- How's the international release going?
Prophet formulated all my questions in correct and polite english and adressed them to Tapwave.
The most interesting aspect is an image Tapwave sent of some of the prototypes that didn't make it:
Read the full interview here
Zodiacgamer had an extensive interview with several Tapwave executives. The questions were gathered by forumusers in a thread on ZG and i was suprised to see all of my questions were, more or less, answered by Tapwave!
These were the question i asked:
- why did you change the name "helix" to zodiac?
- Can you show us some of the designs that did not make it?
- Is there any X-Forge 2 title ahead?
- How's the international release going?
Prophet formulated all my questions in correct and polite english and adressed them to Tapwave.
The most interesting aspect is an image Tapwave sent of some of the prototypes that didn't make it:
Read the full interview here
First PSP footage
On several sites a short video is presented showing the very first PSP footage of game called Death,jr. It looks quite promising, but i personally believe the same result could be achieved if only a smart developer would take full advantage of the Zodiac, perhaps by using the upgraded X-Forge engine, 2.0.
sources: Zodiacgamer, 1up.com
On several sites a short video is presented showing the very first PSP footage of game called Death,jr. It looks quite promising, but i personally believe the same result could be achieved if only a smart developer would take full advantage of the Zodiac, perhaps by using the upgraded X-Forge engine, 2.0.
sources: Zodiacgamer, 1up.com
X-Forge 2
Vasara suprised us earlier by releasing two amazing screenshots of the Gametrac and Zodiac title Speedgun Stadium. Fathammer tells us that their current X-Forge engine has been upgraded to X-Forge2. The highly improved screenshots of SCE show that, although the polycount seems to be the same, there are more detailed textures and cool lightning effects. Possibly the performance (fps) could be improved as well.
It looks like the Zodiac will profit from this as well, since it's mentioned as a supported platform. Hopefully the yet unknown upcoming "big titles" will be running on the new engine, taking the quality of 3D gaming to a new level.
It's yet unknown if there willl be an upgraded version of SCE.
Vasara suprised us earlier by releasing two amazing screenshots of the Gametrac and Zodiac title Speedgun Stadium. Fathammer tells us that their current X-Forge engine has been upgraded to X-Forge2. The highly improved screenshots of SCE show that, although the polycount seems to be the same, there are more detailed textures and cool lightning effects. Possibly the performance (fps) could be improved as well.
It looks like the Zodiac will profit from this as well, since it's mentioned as a supported platform. Hopefully the yet unknown upcoming "big titles" will be running on the new engine, taking the quality of 3D gaming to a new level.
It's yet unknown if there willl be an upgraded version of SCE.
