Episodi

  • Playtesting Adventures, ZX Spectrum Next (KS3), Retro LANs & Neo Geo Ports – Game & Gadget Podcast #42
    Aug 16 2025
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. 00:00:00 – Introduction and podcast opening00:00:17 – Tony’s tour experience promoting UrbX Warriors game00:01:18 – The importance of playtesting games with real people at events00:02:33 – Upcoming gaming events00:03:47 – Experience of putting the game in front of players for the first time00:05:24 – Discord community and alpha demo releases00:07:39 – Technical challenges of developing for ZX Spectrum Next vs PC00:08:26 – Real-time bug fixing and community feedback process00:11:11 – Comparing modern playtesting to classic game development (Lure of the Temptress, Beneath a Steel Sky, Broken Sword)00:15:01 – ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 Kickstarter success (£2.2 million raised)00:18:16 – New Commodore developments and C64 revival00:22:31 – James’s retrolan experience with friends00:28:10 – Windows operating systems and stability00:30:24 – James switching from macOS to Linux Mint on MacBook Pro00:33:05 – Tony planning to get UrbX Warriors running on Raspberry Pi00:34:29 – Linux gaming and Steam compatibility improvements00:37:23 – Backup strategies and password management00:41:12 – GitHub for game development backup and collaboration00:44:12 – Brief discussion about AI and its applications00:48:30 – Broken Sword Reforged and AI controversy explanation00:56:34 – Recommendation for Earthion shmup game on Steam00:59:16 – Potential UrbX Warriors ports to other platforms (Mega Drive, Neo Geo, Amiga)01:04:18 – Wrap-up and goodbye 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: Playtesting Adventures, ZX Spectrum Next (KS3), Retro LANs & Neo Geo Ports – Game & Gadget Podcast #42, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 ora e 5 min
  • FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41
    Apr 27 2025
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. FPGA devices becoming more accessible, focusing on the MiSTer project and its many retro gaming coresHunting down Taki Udon FPGA boards and the challenges with small production batchesEarly adopter woes – memory speed concerns and analogue audio quirksFPGA efforts to emulate complex consoles like the Sega Saturn, PlayStation 1, N64 and beyondThe dream of a consumer-level FPGA PlayStation 1 experience with the SuperStation OneTony’s new project: UrbX Warriors – a Kickstarter-bound game for Spectrum Next, PC and moreThe challenges of developing for the Spectrum Next, dealing with tight memory banking restrictionsPorting UrbX Warriors to PSX, Steam, Switch, Amiga and MacJames’ retro PC escapades – saving and restoring early 2000s hardware for Windows 98 and XP gamingCollecting CRT monitors and comparing the experience of CRT versus modern digital displaysThe charm and madness of original hardware compared to FPGA and software emulationNostalgic memories of Voodoo 2 graphics cards and the thrill of early PC 3D accelerationScaling games like Broken Sword for different PC specs and the Game Boy Advance back in the 1990sThe ongoing rabbit hole of retro computingCRT TV repair challenges 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 ora
  • Video Game Music with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40
    Apr 9 2025
    I am joined by Mark Benis, who has composed the musical soundtrack for the point and click adventure game Rosewater, set in the wild west and released in 2024. Mark has also worked on the soundtrack for Lamplight City with others credits for titles including Wolfenstein: Youngblood. In this podcast, we discuss his joy of retro chip-tune music of retro gaming platforms including the Nintendo Game Boy, which has inspired his journey creativity to now write musical soundtracks for modern gaming titles. Topics include: Mark Benis’ opportunity to become a game composerChildhood love of Pokémon Red/Blue music led to a lifelong curiosity about chip musicThe beauty of 8-bit music to orchestral and back againUsing Wwyse and FMOD as audio middleware to replace line-by-line codingMark’s early days and the audio equipment he usedThe financial barrier of the many professional audio sample librariesNo woodwinds in the game Lamplight City inspiring creativity by limitationHow hardware MIDI modules (Roland MT-32, Sound Canvas etc) have been replaced with software music audio librariesMark’s go to piano performances to loosen his fingers and inspire his thoughtsMark’s computer and desk setup for music compositionWhat is Rosewater and the musical brief you were givenAvoiding the typical wild west country style musicHow much of the original work made it into the game soundtrack?How much of the artwork and game direction did Mark see before composing the tracks?Timing introductions to the music, or arranging the music to the intro?Hearing the voice acting dialogue for the first time reactionsMixing virtual instruments with live music playersChoral music creation for the game Lamplight City recorded in a church with a real choirMark’s future projectsCollaborating on musical projects and avoiding arguments Featured music within the podcast, kindly provided with permission by Mark Benis… 7-43 to RosewaterOnce Upon a Time in Western VespucciaNight WalkThe ShowdownSo Long, PartnerFlor Silvestre by Christiane Ramirez You can download the full Rosewater Soundtrack on Mark Benis’ Bandcamp page. The full transcript can also be downloaded… 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: Video Game Music with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 ora e 9 min
  • 90s Retro PCs with vswitchzero Interview – Game & Gadget Podcast #39
    Jan 10 2025
    I am joined by Mike from vswitchzero, who has a fascinating YouTube channel dedicated to 90s retro PC hardware and gaming. In this podcast, we explore the fascinating history of this exciting era of 3D acceleration advancement with classic graphics cards including the 3Dfx Voodoo while delving into the repairs, nostalgia and the pitfalls of revisiting retro PC computing. Topics include: Commander Keen, Doom, Quake and the evolution of PC gaming hardware during the 90sIntroduction of 3DFX and Voodoo graphics cards, including personal experiences and significant technological leapsVoodoo 2 SLI configurations and their impact on 3D gamingComparisons between 3DFX, PowerVR and other competing technologies of the timePopular sound cards like the Creative Sound Blaster series and Yamaha DB50XG/SW60XGGeneral MIDI and enhanced gaming experiences through better audio fidelityMike’s Train Wreck Voodoo 2 repairIssues with capacitor failures and maintaining vintage hardwareBenefits of modern retro PC projects and new hardware options mimicking retro systemsInsights into building and maintaining retro PCs versus using modern emulation tools like DOSBoxThe joy of hardware repair and the satisfaction of reviving old systemsEarly PC setups, the transition to multimedia PCs and the rise of CD-ROM drivesReflections on the transformative era of PC gaming in the 90sOngoing retro hardware projects and the increasing value of vintage components 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: 90s Retro PCs with vswitchzero Interview – Game & Gadget Podcast #39, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    57 min
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #38 – Original Xbox Ticking Disaster, PS Vita Beauty & More…
    Sep 4 2024
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. Topics include: Tony wants to play Elite on his BBC Micro, but the smoking capacitors have other ideasJames’ original Xbox had a hidden surprise, a leaking clock capacitor that nearly destroyed the consoleRestoring James’ Commodore 64 – real dead bugsThe C64 Tapecart SD for fast loading cassette games in just a few secondsThe amazing Commodore 64 loading graphics and musicImportance of preserving the stories from those who experienced such big tech and software advancesThe Sony PlayStation Vita with its stunning OLED display where sales floppedThe cleverness of the dual screen display of the Nintendo DSDrooling over modern crystal replacement cases for retro consolesSEGA Dreamcast modding with the GDemu and DreamPSUThe original power supply on the C64 is another danger!The video tour of Tony’s collection of retro gear‘The Spectrum‘ hardware announced for emulating classic Spectrum titlesWhat is a ‘sensible’ retro collection purchase?James’ lovely yet battered Amiga 500 purchased for £30 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: Game & Gadget Podcast #38 – Original Xbox Ticking Disaster, PS Vita Beauty & More…, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    1 ora e 2 min
  • New Metro Siege Game for Amiga Interview – Programmer Alex Brown – Game & Gadget Podcast #37
    Jul 25 2024
    I am joined by Alex Brown, programmer of an upcoming brand new beat-em-up 2-player game for the Commodore Amiga – Metro Siege. With the target platform the Amiga A500, originally released way back in 1987! Alex takes us through the journey of pushing the limits of the Amiga A500, the experience of programming with the Amiga custom chips and how this wonderful passion project will become a final release. Topics include: How Alex became a programmerAlex’s favourite game influencesWhy create a new game for the Amiga?Pushing the limits of the Amiga A500Taking the Amiga online with cross system online multiplayerThe art of releasing a beta or technical preview and gathering feedbackKeeping the gameplay smooth with 2 players, enemies and lush surroundingsParallax scrolling, moving trains and what’s needed to achieve the resultsUsing modular character animation on the AmigaGiven extra life to a retro computing platformThe reason for the expansion memory of 512kb memory requirementThe programming resources available for the AmigaThe tricks of the trade for programming the AmigaThe software and tools for creating Amiga gamesEmulation versus real hardware for testingThe size of the team and the understanding of the capabilities of the AmigaThe biggest challenge of getting the game to workWhy AGA has not been targeted… yet?Ensuring there is an end goal to any “passion project” If you watch the video version of the podcast, I have captured Metro Siege running from my own Amiga A500 (which mine does have Pistorm installed, but I have been assured it will still run great without one). You can find out more by visiting the Metro Siege website. 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: New Metro Siege Game for Amiga Interview – Programmer Alex Brown – Game & Gadget Podcast #37, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    46 min
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #36 – New Retro Handheld Under £1, Cost of Retro Tech & More…
    May 31 2024
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software and Aaron Fothergill previously from Argonaut Games and now with Shifty Eye Games as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. Topics include: James’ visit to Tony’s retro computer and console collectionTony spending money to get his retro collection connected to a modern display – OSSC, RGB cables, power cables etcMister FPGA costs versus retro hardware collectionsAaron positive thoughts (and excellent excuses) on the cost of collecting retro hardwareThe Atari Falcon, the development kit for the Atari JaguarAaron’s first computer, which he still owns!Modifying old computers ROM chips and copyright riskMy brand new retro hardware portable device for less than £1RGB cables everywhere!The Apple G4 Cube USB flawSkiving to get into computer gamesThe inspiration of the ZX81 and micro computersMy fondness of the Atari 65XE 8-bit computerBye bye ICQTony and Aaron invent Code JengaDevelopment is hardManually typing code from old books and magazines – oh the typos!Code in books, to disks on magazines to digital DLCWhat happens to digital licensed content when you die?The importance of archiving DLC and game patchesLicensing music for gamesThe cost of patching a console gameThe beauty of Xbox Live Arcade and developing the first gamesPlaying Xbox Live Arcade version of Golden Eye on an Xbox 360 debug unit Featured Atari Falcon image By F-Andrey, CC BY 2.0, Link 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: Game & Gadget Podcast #36 – New Retro Handheld Under £1, Cost of Retro Tech & More…, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    56 min
  • Game & Gadget Podcast #35 – Retro Vs Modern Gaming, Subscriptions Galore & More…
    Apr 5 2024
    I am joined by Tony Warriner who is one of the founders of Revolution Software as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern. Topics include: James hunting for a SEGA Genesis in the USABroken Sword Reforged Kickstarter blasts through £50,000 target to over half a million!Broken Sword 2 remastered?Did Tony from Revolution Software realise Broken Sword on its original release would be so popular?The design differences between Lure of the Temptress, Beneath a Steel Sky & Broken SwordBalancing PC minimum spec and recommended levels in development of gamesSony PlayStation 5 Pro details leaked splitting the PS5 target specsTriple AAA titles and layoffs in the industryNetflix, Disney Plus etc and how we are cancelling subscriptions due to raising pricesThe needless pain of grinding in a game to progressMatch 3 games and the lightning energy nonsenseApple EU App StoresTony’s first article on Pixel Refresh, Beneath A Steel Sky Sets as Broken Sword Dawns – Revolution Book PreviewJames’ article on Pixel Refresh, CRT TV for Retro Gaming – The Beauty, Buying, Repair & DespairAcorn Pocket Book previewYouTube Premium, if only they would separate YouTube MusicApple Music for lossless, even on AndroidWhere is Spotify HiFi lossless audio??? Literally years since the original announcement WearOS versus Tizen on smartwatchesTony’s Apple Watch experience NOTE: Tony or I lost connection at the very end, so the conversation goes a little odd as we wonder where the other person went :) Luckily the software locally records so Tony continued recording! 🌍 WEBSITE: – PIXEL REFRESH – LOVE OF RETRO GAMING & MODERN TECH🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | Pocket Casts | RSS | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | More…❔ SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: – Submit a question with a chance to feature on the Game & Gadget Podcast🛈 FIND OUT MORE: – What is the Game & Gadget Podcast? 🫶 SUPPORT THE SHOW… – ☕ Ko-fi – Buy James a ‘thank you’ coffee – 💰 Patreon – Become a supporting member on Patreon ✉️ EMAIL SUBSCRIBE TO PIXEL REFRESH: – Latest Articles and Reviews via sent to you via Email🎥 PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: – Pixel Refresh on YouTube🔉 FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: – ScummVM Music Enhancement Project Read the full post: Game & Gadget Podcast #35 – Retro Vs Modern Gaming, Subscriptions Galore & More…, created by James Woodcock. For even more content, visit Pixel Refresh - Love of Retro Gaming & Modern Tech.
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    52 min