LYNX RELOADED
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I wrote an article in a previous issue of Alive! about the demos existing
for the Lynx and I came to the conclusion there were unfortunately few
interesting releases. This has now changed, as Sage wrote a demo for the
Atari handheld for (and mostly "at") Error In Line 3. I think this can be
considered as the first real demo for the Lynx, with several effects, a
music and some graphics... 14 years after the initial release of the
console :)
The demo first displays two information screens which, despite being
relatively untasty (pure coder colours) give some interesting facts about
the demo. Sage advices us not to watch the demo on an emulator, because
it's not totally accurate. Interestingly, Sage can provide actual ROM
cartridges to the persons interested. Unfortunately I only watched the
demo with Handy, the Windows emulator...
The demo starts with a very nice-looking picture by Flash, with an "Atari
Lynx" logo on it and a Fuji-sign. The first effect is a shaded and
textured tunnel running at a good framerate, unfortunately with a dull red
texture. I can't help thinking it could have looked way better with a more
complex texture. But maybe there were some technical issues? Then come
some 2D distorsion effects on a picture by Alex/Melon if I'm not mistaken.
The framerate drops quite a bit for those effects, but it's still
enjoyable. Next is a 3D object with a fire effect around. Then a 3D "EIL"
logo is displayed, running very smoothly.
Right after the credits are displayed, supposedly as pictures using more
than 16 colours, but as Handy does not support yet the coding tricks of
Sage, it looks messed up on the emulator. Finally a vertical scroller
gives some information about the demo. The interesting thing is that the
text is actually used as a base for a bitmap effect running in the
background, being rotated and distorted. Unfortunately the colours are a
bit basic, ruining a bit the effect. At the very end of the demo another
picture is displayed, it's probably a nice one, but using more than 16
colours, its's therefore trashed by the emulator. The music during the whole
demo is a 4-channel module, from an unknown author.
Seeing what Sage has come up with, and comparing it with Gameboy Color
demos, it's crystal clear the Lynx was years ahead Nintendo's handheld.
But technology isn't everything, whereas good games and marketing sell!
I'm glad to see a real demo designed for the Lynx, even if it could have
been easily improved if Sage had more time to spend on it and maybe a
graphician to help him with the colours and the general design. Let's hope
there will be more releases coming from him!
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