what is the Mega 64?

That's the idea. One machine to run them all :D Also add ATARI ST, Amstrad, Spectrum, a bunch of game consoles, ...

@@MEGA65retro What about the keyboard? I mean, C-64 does have less keys than Amiga's, right? So how will you make that work, perhaps with some modifier key? The idea is cool as breeze for sure, it's just the first question that popped to my mind seeing a machine like C-64 and then hearing it might have an Amiga or Atari ST implementation in future :)

pre-orders won't close after 400 pieces but will be shifted towards next batch if all goes well

Hi Jason ! sorry that we didn't mention you namely as the author, (we just didn't knew it) and it was short notice, that we've put your game in the video. The game is cool and Shallan ported it supercool. The MEGA65 is a community project and we are happy to present the work of the community. Even if in Toxic Frenzys case the game was originally for the C64, but with a little work, it was adaptable to the MEGA65 VIC iVs overdrive features :-D So thanks to you for this great game !!!

@@antonschneider-michallek8544 No problem! I'm just glad to get coverage and it seems like you enjoyed the game :) I designed a new background with more colours for the Mega65.

@@JasonOakley Hi Jason, a quick question, the new background that you've done, is this the one we're seeing in the video, or have you done a completely new background ?

@@antonschneider-michallek8544 That's the updated one I quickly designed based on the c64 design but with more colours.

me too dude!

VIC20 and C64 used to have a FORTH cartridge, which would be interesting for Mega65 as well. Other languages are either extended BASICs or compiled, so with BASIC far enough along, it's not really needed as "ROM".

@@oleimann I wouldn't mind a modern language like Python, Julia, Rust or Go on the Mega65. Reason: I made my first steps in programming on a C64. The built in Basic leads to spaghetti code, but more importantly, it doesn't educate you to think in functions, procedures or classes, objects and methods - to build well structured programs. Later on it was quite difficult for me to adopt oo concepts. By the way I don't even think it was a good idea to use Basic again whether for the Mega65 nor for the Commander X16 by the other team. At the time the 8 bit Commodore computers were designed, Microsoft Basic was the only option. But today I think the choice is much broader.

@@danield.7359 Wether or not you get Spaghetti code, really depends on the programmer. Gotos replace while/repeat and case/swirch constructs. The only thong really missing is the possibility to create a library with soft linking. all this can be done kn that editor with preprocessing.

@@oleimann I was thinking about kids who would possibly use such a modern 8-bit computer to learn to code. Otherwise it just remains a toy for old men who (understandably) share some nostalgia for 80s alike 8-bit systems.

@@danield.7359 Exactly my thoughts. In my opinion, one problem of the MEGA65 platform is the lack of a reasonably modern, native programming language on the machine. Eleven is only meant as a stopgap measure for that problem; but I really wish that eventually someone will port a modern BASIC dialect with procedures and functions to the platform eventually ;) (cross compiling and everything is possible of course, but nothing beats coding on the machine directly. And for that, it deserves a fitting programming language)

rumors say something between 600-800€. You should expect 750€. Estimated price includes german tax, 19%. Shipping is not included.

emulation means you have a PC or similar that "emulates" the desired machine. like Vice is a C64 emulator for Win/Linux/Mac OS. So whenever you are fancy playing some C64 games, you have to start your PC, once booted up you start the emulator and then you can run your game. (The64 is a good example) An FPGA implementation is a rebuild of the chips inside the FPGA. this means, the FPGA acts as the real machine, since all the chips of the machine are rebuild in the FPGA. an example for this would be the Turbo Chameleon or the C64 Ultimate. You can spot the difference i.e. in the boot time. Have a look at this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qpt0oN2czKewZ58.html

Yes, the DevKit owners will have the opportunity to get their hands on a final MEGA65 case. This is our special "Thank you" to the support they gave to the project. (But they have to wait a bit for this, since this is an extra logistic hurdle for us to tackle and the release of the final MEGA65 will have priority) regarding special edition. we got something up our sleeves, but not before we have to rework the injection moulds (after ~5000 cases). We asume, that by that time we are running out of Discdrives for our MEGA65 and then we would rework the case to a kind of "class room edition without floppy drive" but not before.

@@antonschneider-michallek8544 Thanks Anton for the update and I agree, the "special things" can wait until after the production MEGA65 is released. I know we are all looking forward to the final product and thanks again for the time you and the entire team are putting into this. :)

yes we will collect all, later orders just will have to wait until next (bigger) batch is ready

@@MEGA65retro And will there be a ‚live ticker‘? So that we can watch the ordering process? I‘d like the idea to have a website for that!

It's on the way. The floppy controller hardware we have implemented is quite capable of reading and writing Amiga disks, both DD and HD. In fact, our controller can do 2.88MB ED drives, if you know where to find your local Unicorn Sales Person who has ED drives and media available. But probably better to just buy a low-km alicorn in that case ;)

no ladders in Super Marioland I suppose. However, we will have a multi-button solution soon ;)

Trenz (our partner) is working mainly with UPS. Yes, the prices might not be the cheapest, but we can asure that the MEGA65 arrives safely.

This will be covered by the Mister cores. Moving to the next level should be more exciting.

someone now called it Haustiermist

Es ist ein alter Acer Monitor. Viele neuere 16:9 Monitore mit VGA und HDMI Input erkennen ein 4:3 Signal und zeigen das auch entsprechend korrekt an.

unfortunately not at full speed

@@MEGA65retro I understand. You have a great project going :)

It's a very old Acer but we really suggest using a modern monitor with both VGA and HDMI input. They often are able to detect a 4:3 source and display it correctly.

@@MEGA65retro What about the joystick? 🙏

I needed to inquire about it first to give you an answer :D. So this is an own creation by Paul there are only two in existence. Paul has one (you can see him giving presentations with it for example at the CCC - Chaos Computer Club using megaWAT!?) and one Deft has.

@@MEGA65retro Here is the blog-post where I talk a bit about these home-made joysticks: c65gs.blogspot.com/2017/12/building-joysticks.html If folks would like a complete parts list, we can probably arrange it. If you wanted pre-built ones, that would need someone to volunteer to make some up.

I get the feeling a nice little MEGA-branded monitor could become a big success :)

It depends what you really mean by this. You will in the end be able to have a library of D64 files on the SD card, which achieves much the same goal. Also, we already have the 3.5" floppy drive spin and track the movement of the emulated drive, so you get full atmosphere, even when using the SD card.

With tax and shipping the final price will be different... in case that makes a difference for you. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What do you mean?

@@MEGA65retro I mean that if you're a UK resident like me, and you want to order any of the merchandise such as the nice MEGA65 mugs etc., you can't. As soon as I became aware of the merchandise a few weeks ago, I tried to order several items immediately (I'd particularly like a mug!), and then I was really frustrated to discover that the UK isn't even on the list of countries to which the web store will ship. I complained to Zoran, and he did his best to find a solution. Indeed, this is not a criticism of him at all; on the contrary, he's been communicative and helpful, and has tried his best to find a solution. But he's been unsuccessful, and it seems that although there are solutions to be had, they would involve him in spending an unaffordable amount of money. He says that other webshop owners are in the same position. This seems to be a consequence of the current state of play of the relationship (or lack thereof) between the UK and the EU, and one hopes that things will settle down and get sorted out in due course. Obviously it's early days for the UK being outside the EU. But for right now, it's simply not possible for people in the UK to order MEGA65 merchandise from Zoran's shop, which is, as I say, disappointing. PS I did, in fact, manage to obtain the keyring (which is sold by someone else) much earlier in the year. However, I discovered and ordered it JUST after the UK had left the EU (one day after, I think…), and the result was that the cost of postage was suddenly doubled. I couldn't see why, as the cost of postage here from the UK to the EU hasn't been significantly affected. But the price of having the keyring sent here doubled overnight and ended up being stupidly expensive. I still paid it, but I wished I'd discovered the keyrings and placed my order just one day earlier!

@@RichardHallas we will talk to Zoran about this, don't worry, we will get it done

@@MEGA65retro Thank you!

yes we are. New version coming out about every week!

@@MEGA65retro if you guys supply this with a ready to go development package for BASIC I will build games for it.

@@BadAssBradders We already got several solutions for this: - A) the Source files for our MEGA65 ROM are available to tinker with those, if you want to build your own BASIC ROM - B) Ubik made a great tool called "Eleven" which is a modern way to code in BASIC. if you check our video at minute 20:28 you can see an introduction. -C) Our updated BASIC is the finalization and improvement to BASIC 10. So coding with our BASIC is fun. Our manual describes all BASIC commands with examples, etc.

@@antonschneider-michallek8544 Okay. When can I get a machine? I will build build build! On this bad boy!!

You wait until pre-orders open, then you order. Simple as pie.

@@MEGA65retro woot alright ill be keeping an eye out

Un petit peu

@@MEGA65retro Bien Sur mes monsieurs. Alles Klar meine Herren. You gentlemen make some fine videos. Das ist wirklich Klasse. Woher kommt ihr her?

@@johndee759 Rhein-Main area but team is from all over the planet