Another one bites the dust!

Of course, I mean the year coming to an end—not Queen’s song Another One Bites the Dust (though it’s a fantastic track). Another year has flown by in the blink of an eye—it feels like time speeds up with each passing year. With so much to do and so little time, it’s been a whirlwind, but what a ride it’s been! As 2024 wraps up I’m genuinely excited for what 2025 has in store.

40 Years of Amiga Innovation

For us Amiga enthusiasts, 2025 is a milestone year—the 40th anniversary of the Amiga’s creation. Across the globe, Amiga groups are gearing up for this incredible celebration, with special events planned to honour the legacy of this iconic platform.

Bill Borsari, known for organising the iconic Amiga 30th event in Mountain View, is now preparing for Amiga 40th Silicon Valley.

While the location and dates are still being finalised, interested attendees can stay updated via the event’s mailing list. All I can say is, if the show is even half as good as the legendary Amiga 30th, it’s sure to be an event to remember!

The Church of Amiga has spoken! Marcus Tillman recently announced that Amiga40 Germany will take place on October 18-19, 2025, at Kunstwerk Wickrath in Mönchengladbach. This expanded event, accommodating up to 1,000 attendees daily, promises to be a highlight of the Amiga 40th celebrations.

Marcus specifically chose those dates to avoid overlapping with SACC’s AmiWest 2025, which is scheduled for the 24-26th of October in Sacramento. Reflecting the high demand seen at previous Amiga Germany events, the daily attendee limit has been increased from 800 to 1,000, ensuring even more Amiga enthusiasts can join the celebration.

Steve Bennet and the team at the Greenford Computer Club, will be running Retcon Gaming Festival on Saturday June 14th at the Greenford Community centre in London. Although celebrating all retro computer and console flavours there is always a strong Commodore and Amiga presence. Steve and his team will no doubt be celebrating the Amiga’s 40th birthday. Planning is already underway for the show. For more details check out the Retcon FB pages.

At the same time, Ravi Abbot— organiser of the excellent Kickstart 01 and 02 events in Nottingham – is planning a spectacular musical birthday bash in 2025 for the Amiga to honour its incredible 40 years! More details on that will follow soon. While this event won’t be as large-scale as the previous Kickstart shows, Ravi is already gearing up for something major in 2026. The show will move to a new venue in Derby, which promises more space, better parking, and affordable hotels—a perfect setup for a bigger, more impactful event. If Ravi’s previous Kickstart shows are anything to go by, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

I’m pleased to reveal that I’ll be sponsoring all of these events on behalf of A-EON Technology and AmigaKit. Depending on how my schedule shapes up, I’m looking forward to attending several of these gatherings and sharing in the excitement.

Celebrating Amiga Around the World

While the Amiga 40th is a great opportunity to celebrate all things Amigan, local Amiga user groups around the world continue to share and enjoy their Amiga hobby.

Back in September, Laurent and Franck from Amedia Computer made the four-hour drive from Courcelles-Chaussy in France to attend the Belgian Amiga Club (BAC) meeting in Antwerp. The event had a special focus on newer machines like the AmigaOne A1222 Plus from A-EON Technology and AmigaKit’s A600GS desktop gaming computer. Here’s Laurent’s account of the day.

“After several years without being able to visit our Belgian friends, we at Amedia Computer / AAA Technology were very happy to make the trip to Antwerp (in the north of Belgium) to attend the first BAC meeting without our beloved president, Simon Vergauwen, who sadly passed away just over a year ago.

This meeting was held in a new venue, featuring a large bar and a wonderful view of the city across the river.

Thankfully, the weather was on our side, with a beautiful sunny day. 🙂 We showcased our X5000/40, as well as the new A1222 Plus full computer and the new A600GS mini computer, along with some other Amiga Classic goodies.

As always, there were many discussions about the present and future of the Amiga world, including what can be done with the new A1222 Plus and A600GS. Many attendees were curious about these two machines, and some even made purchases!

The BAC team made this meeting a truly enjoyable day, and we even tried the amusing vegetarian Commodore Burger paired with some excellent beer. 🙂 Although we were there for just a few hours (7–8 hours), it was a refreshing and uplifting experience! Thanks to Stefan ‘Steffest Punt Be’ Verheijen for inviting us, to the entire BAC team for their organisation, and to everyone we had the pleasure of talking to.“

Thanks to Laurent for sharing his experience—it really captures the spirit of like-minded Amigans coming together to celebrate their passion. It’s clear the BAC team knows how to create an event that blends excitement, nostalgia, and plenty of AAA fun. It’s always inspiring to see the community’s enthusiasm for both the classics and the future of Amiga.

A Next-Gen Celebration!

Not to be left out the Dutch Amiga community recently held an Amiga Next-Gen meetup in Alkmaar, in the North Holland province of The Netherlands.

Organised by Paul Koster, with assistance from Dave ‘Skateman’ Koelman the event showcased all flavours of the next-generation Amiga world. I asked Dave for a brief summary of the days events. He wrote,

“The Alkmaar Amiga Meetup on November 30th, 2024, proved once again to be a vibrant gathering of Amiga enthusiasts from across the Netherlands and beyond! Organized by the ever-dedicated Paul Koster of Amigascene.nl, the event brought together seasoned veterans and newcomers alike to celebrate the Amiga’s enduring legacy and explore its exciting future. This year’s theme, “Amiga Next-Gen,” put the spotlight on the powerful new hardware and software pushing the platform forward. Attendees were treated with demonstrations of AmigaOne X5000 systems running AmigaOS 4, MorphOS, and even Linux, showcasing the versatility of these cutting-edge machines.

Highlights included:

AmigaOne X5000 Power: @geennaam, author of the Next-Gen HD Audio drivers, Paul and I demonstrated the impressive capabilities of the AmigaOne X5000 with is dual GPU-equipped X5000 running MorphOS, Linux, and AmigaOS.

Next-Gen Exploration: Attendees had the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in AmigaOS 4, MorphOS, Vampire accelerators, PiStorm solutions, and various emulation options.

Community Spirit: When @oldfart’s open-case X5000 encountered boot issues, fellow Amigans jumped in to help, embodying the collaborative spirit of the Amiga community. With their assistance, the machine was resurrected and ready to join the fun.

Beyond the technology, the Alkmaar Amiga Meetup provided a welcoming space for socializing and sharing stories. Luxury sandwiches, hot snacks, and a steady supply of refreshments kept everyone fuelled throughout the day. There was even a robot AmiDog wandering up and down the displays. The organizers ensured a comfortable experience with free parking, free Wifi and trolleys for transporting equipment, making it easy for attendees to bring their Amiga setups and share their passion. The Alkmaar Amiga Meetup 2024 was a resounding success, proving that the Amiga community remains vibrant and passionate. With its focus on “Next-Gen” technology and a strong sense of camaraderie, the event offered a glimpse into the exciting future of this beloved platform.“

Thanks for the report, Dave. There’s nothing quite like sharing your Amiga passion with a group of like-minded enthusiasts. If you want to see some of the other next-generation Amiga machines on display, check out the video posted by Propheus, who made the trip to Alkmaar all the way from Germany.

Looking ahead to Kickstart 2025

Not to be confused with Ravi’s Kickstart shows, the Kickstart Amiga Users Group based in Surrey, England is planning to hold its Kickstart5 event in February next year to celebrate the Amiga’s 40th Anniversary in style. The user group, originally founded by Rob Gilbert in December 1997, has been a hub for Amiga enthusiasts for decades. Like much of the Amiga world, Kickstart went on hiatus in the mid-2000s, but the passion for the platform never disappeared. In October 2023, the group made its return, restarting its regular meetings with a packed programme of events that now extends into 2025. According to Chris Green, Club Chairman, the Kickstart Amiga Users Group is open to everyone, whether a seasoned expert with a fleet of Amigas or someone just starting out with a 500 Mini. They focus on sharing knowledge and solving problems makes it a brilliant resource for anyone in the Amiga community.

Tickets are now on sale for Kickstart 5, which promises to be another fantastic all-day event. The plans include everything you’d expect—guests, traders, contests—and, if all goes well, the group’s first attendee raffle.

These are just a few examples of Amiga community events, and plenty more are happening all around the world! So, what are you waiting for? Check out your local Amiga User Group – or, if there isn’t one nearby, why not start your own? You never know what you’re missing until you try!

Classic Reflections – Jorg Sprave interview

Way back in 2013, I wrote about the Sprave brothers – Jörg, Hartmut, and Martin – who founded MacroSystem in Witten, Germany. They started by developing SCSI2 hard disk controllers for the Amiga, but their ambitions didn’t stop there.

MacroSystem became a powerhouse, creating the first true next-generation Amiga clone and helping to shape the professional Non-Linear Editing (NLE) video editing industry. Germany has a rich legacy of Amiga innovation, and companies like MacroSystem were critical in keeping the platform alive long after Commodore’s collapse. Their work showcased the sheer versatility and power of the Amiga, cementing its place in computing history. If you’d like to explore MacroSystem’s Amiga story in more detail, you can check out the link to my original article in issue 104 of Amiga Future, published in September 2013.

While researching the Vultures to Vampires trilogy, I reached out to Jörg Sprave, and his response was instant and enthusiastic. “Thanks for the message! I do remember those days very, very clearly. It was a wild ride for sure and in the end, it made us millions. You had many details right in your story, many of them I actually had forgotten… thanks for that!” Jörg was eager to revisit those wild days, offering both corrections and fascinating new insights into MacroSystem’s journey.

He also agreed to be interviewed for an updated Classic Reflections article, where we’ll uncover how MacroSystem reacted to Commodore’s bankruptcy, their groundbreaking innovations that brought Amiga’s multimedia capabilities to the forefront, and the surprising twists in Jörg’s career that followed.

If you want to find out more, check out issue 171 and the upcoming issue 172 of Amiga Future magazine—possibly the longest-running Amiga publication in the world! With over 170 issues packed with Amiga news, features, and insights, it’s an essential read for anyone in the community

Loving Linux?

While I primarily enjoy using my AmigaOS 4-powered A1222 Plus and other Amiga-inspired software it’s reassuring to see how mainstream Linux continues to support A-EON’s PowerPC systems like the X1000 and X5000. Thanks to Christian Zigotzky and the Linux kernel team, running Linux on these machines is seamless, with built-in kernel support requiring no obscure workarounds.

The pace of Linux kernel development is almost impossible to keep up with. I’m continually impressed how quickly updates are being rolled out. It was only a few months back I was testing multiple alpha and release candidates for the 6.11 kernel on my X5000/40 under Casey Cullen’s excellent Fienix PowerPC distribution. Since then, Christian Zigotzky has released full 6.11 & 6.12 kernels and long-term 6.12.2 & 6.12.4 kernels for the X1000 and X5000 and we are now testing release candidates for the 6.13 kernel. And for those without X1000 or X5000 hardware Christian also compiles kernels for QEMU e5500 virtual machines. I honestly don’t know how Christian manages to stay on top of it all, but I’m really glad he does.

For PowerPC users, this relentless development cycle means constant improvements, with new features, bug fixes, and performance enhancements arriving regularly.

The rapid pace of Linux kernel development is a testament to the enduring vision of Linus Torvalds, who created Linux in 1991 as a personal project. Over three decades later, his work continues to empower a global community of developers, including those supporting niche platforms like A-EON’s PowerPC systems. Torvalds’ commitment to open-source innovation resonates strongly with the Amiga ethos—pushing boundaries and embracing creativity. Thanks to the dedication of contributors like Christian Zigotzky and the Linux kernel team, the X5000 and X1000 remain versatile platforms, with Linux ensuring they stay relevant in an ever-evolving tech landscape

Back in the game

I recently heard an extraordinary and harrowing tale from Chasse “Vault Dweller” Court, a fellow New Zealand-based Amiga enthusiast. Chasse had reached out for help to re-install his AmigaOne X1000 system, which he purchased from AmigaKit way back in 2012.

Armed only with his original First Contact CD-ROM, he was having trouble re-configuring the system. Naturally, I was curious about why his setup was so out of date, and that’s when he shared his incredible story with me.

Chasse had already faced the fallout created by the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, which contributed to the end of his marriage. But as if that wasn’t enough, he was later given devastating news: he was dying and needed to put his affairs in order. In preparation for the worst, he even donated his X1000 to a local computer museum in Christchurch as his health deteriorated rapidly. At this point, I’ll hand the story over to Chasse in his own words:

“Yeah, it was hard. My lung function at one point dropped to 21%. Breathing had become so difficult that, over a period of six months, I dropped 30 kilograms—just from the sheer effort of breathing. I saw one doctor who gave me the diagnosis and referred me to a specialist. That specialist told me I’d have to have both lungs replaced within 12 months. He said there was a 50% chance I wouldn’t leave the operating table alive, and even if I did, things would be extremely difficult. He basically told me to go home, fill out an end-of-life kit, and figure out if I really wanted to go through with it.

I began seeing a new doctor. But my illness was progressing. I couldn’t stand to shower myself and couldn’t walk 10 feet without having to stop for five minutes to catch my breath. That doctor put me on new medication, but over the next few months, things got even worse. At one point, I had an exacerbation—basically an attack. I told my specialist about it, but I also mentioned that when I was on the steroids and antibiotics they gave me during the attack, I actually felt better. He was incredulous but agreed to change my medications from bronchodilators to inhaled steroids. The change over the next six months was nothing short of miraculous.

My lung function went from 21% to 43%. I could shower myself and cook again. Further testing revealed I had a fungal infection in my lungs from black mould. We believe I came into contact with it while helping a friend clean out his mother’s house. She’d gone full Armageddon mode with hoarding—Magnamail items stacked eight feet high in a flat with holes in the ceiling. Water had gotten in, causing mould and fungal growth. I’m at about 55% of where I used to be before I got sick, but I’m at least 200% better than when I was at my worst.

It’s hard to claim medical misadventure now. The doctor who first diagnosed me is deceased, and the one who made things worse has returned to China. The medications he put me on were having the opposite effect to what I needed. That caused an additional 22% in-operability in my lungs. So now, I take everything doctors say with a huge grain of salt and always get second and third opinions.

Andrew [the museum curator] has been incredibly understanding, and I have a lot of respect for him and what he does. That’s why I made sure he’ll get the X1000 back when I eventually pass on, as well as an X5000—the one I’m currently purchasing—and some EATX Amigas as designed by Jason Beers.

I’m living at my ex’s permanently now and we converted the attached garage on her home to my space. I was still living in our marital home previously. I’ve decided that I’ll sell that place up, pay out this one, and since I had already paid her out, I’ll still have spending money. So it’s worked out quite well despite the scare factor getting here.

I’ve already purchased the Enhancer 1.1 pack and OS4.1 FE for the X1000, and I’ll pick up the 2.x edition soon—probably with a couple of Linux flavours. I’m also planning to share some love with the Amiga community in the new year. I’ll be making some cash donations to E.A.B. and giving away a newly built white EATX B2000 motherboard. The new owner will only need to supply their own custom chips. I’m just grateful to be here. There’s been a lot going on, and I’m back. It feels good to reconnect and give back. I’m back :)”

Chasse’s story is nothing short of inspiring. To go from being told he had little chance of survival to regaining his health, independence, and passion for the Amiga community is remarkable. Dropping so much weight just from the struggle to breathe and facing such overwhelming odds would test anyone’s resilience. His determination, coupled with the support of his ex-wife and a more insightful medical approach, led to a miraculous recovery.

Thank you, Chasse, for sharing your journey. Your strength is a reminder of what the human spirit can overcome. Here’s to brighter days, enjoying your AmigaOne systems, and reconnecting with the community that inspires us all.

The Gaming Magicians at EntwicklerX are Back!

After a long silence, our favourite pixel-wielding sorcerers, EntwicklerX, have pulled a rabbit out of the hat – and this one’s Super Star Blast! AmigaOS 4 users, get ready to blast off because the game is finally ready for release.

Super Star Blast is a fast-paced space shooter that ramps up the challenge with each level. Your mission? Blast every last enemy to clear the stage and advance to the next. A handy scanner around your ship gives you a rough idea of where the baddies are lurking. You’re not stuck in attack mode either – you can push forward to take the fight to them or pull back when it’s time for a tactical retreat.

Once you’ve wiped out a wave of enemies, it’s shopping time! You can upgrade your ship with extra firepower, shields, and equipment – or grab more ships to keep you in the fight.

And for those who love multiplayer chaos, Super Star Blast delivers. Up to 4 players can team up locally to fight through the campaign together, or, if you’re feeling competitive, you can go head-to-head in battle mode. Teamwork or rivalry – the choice is yours!

For those curious about performance – and let’s face it, we all are – it hits around 60FPS on the X1000 and 30FPS on the A1222 at standard settings. There’s even a handy settings screen to tweak things for your specific machine, so everyone can join in on the fun.

Now, this wasn’t an easy journey. A particularly stubborn issue on the X5000 left Frank scratching his head for over a year. Imagine that – a year spent chasing down a glitchy gremlin. But persistence pays off, and the result is a smooth, interstellar experience. Frank used version 3.3 of OpenGLES2 available in Enhancer 2.2, which, along with Warp3D Nova, enables AmigaOS 4 to take advantage of modern graphics rendering capabilities – delivering smooth, high-performance visuals that push the boundaries of what we can achieve under OS4. And in even better news, the next version of Enhancer 2.3 will include updates for Warp3D Nova and RadeonRX

Let’s celebrate EntwicklerX’s dedication and their use of the latest tech to keep AmigaOS 4 systems alive and kicking. It’s not just about nostalgia – it’s about keeping the platform vibrant, modern, and, most importantly, fun. Big thanks to Thomas Claus and Frank Menzel for keeping the OS4 gaming flame burning bright. If you’re curious (and you should be), grab the download and take Super Star Blast for a spin. You won’t regret it.

You can purchase and download the game from A-EON’s AmiStore app on your computer or from Alinea Computer and itch.io

It’s a Small world

I recently hosted a group visit to Eight360 for a hands-on demo of our Nova Platform, the world’s first untethered, fully immersive 360-degree VR motion simulator. To my surprise, One of the guests was Erik Hogan, creator of the Scorpion Engine, which is helping developers bring modern, polished games to the classic Amiga and other retro hardware.

If you haven’t seen the Scorpion Engine in action, it’s behind some incredible games like Creeping Me Out: Hex Night, a spooky yet humorous platformer, and Fast Food 2, a brilliant sequel that reimagines a retro favourite with stunning visuals. Titles like Dr. Dangerous and the Amiga port of Vigilante also showcase what’s possible when modern tools meet retro tech. These games prove that innovation doesn’t have to be limited to cutting-edge hardware—it’s about creativity and vision.

That theme resonates strongly with what we’re doing at Eight360. Just as Erik and the Amiga community are pushing classic systems to new heights, our Nova Platform is redefining what’s possible with VR.

The Eight360 Nova is a groundbreaking Virtual Reality (VR) motion platform designed to deliver a fully immersive training experience by allowing users to move freely and naturally in any direction. This cutting-edge technology is particularly valuable in critical training scenarios, where realism and adaptability are paramount. Watching Erik and the group experience the Nova was fantastic—it sparked some great discussions about the parallels between retro and modern tech and how they continue to inspire one another.

Erik took the Nova for a spin around the Wellington region showcasing its versatility and immersive potential. Strapped into the Nova, he piloted an aircraft around the Wellington skies, navigating its unique terrain with relative ease. His most impressive feat? Landing the aircraft, albeit with a bit of a bump—but hey, any landing you can walk away from is a good one, right? The experience highlighted how the Nova makes even complex tasks like flying feel accessible and exhilarating, providing an incredible blend of challenge and fun. Erik didn’t stop there—he also jumped into the cockpit of an F1 racing car. The Nova’s 360-degree motion capabilities brought the thrill of high-speed racing to life. He tackled sharp turns, rapid accelerations, and the intense vibrations of a virtual track, feeling every nuance of the car’s performance. The realism of the simulation gave him a newfound respect for professional drivers who navigate such extreme conditions in real life. Both experiences demonstrate the Nova’s ability to replicate dynamic and high-pressure scenarios, making it perfect for not just critical training but also for those seeking unforgettable adventures in virtual worlds.

Erik’s adventures prove that the Nova is a game-changer, whether you’re a budding pilot, an aspiring F1 driver, or simply someone ready to push the boundaries of VR! It was a real pleasure hosting Erik and the team. Whether it’s bringing pixels to life on the Amiga or fully immersing yourself in a VR world, the drive to create new experiences spans generations of technology.

A1222 Plus update

As I recently wrote in my Soapbox article in issue 171 of Amiga Future magazine, I temporarily installed my A1222 Plus in a Checkmate A1500 Mini case, kindly sent by Stephen Jones. Unlike the larger A1500 case, the Mini version supports only half-height graphics cards, which initially led me to improvise with a full-size RX460 during setup.

I quickly captured a video on my phone to showcase the A1222 Plus in action, highlighting its smooth performance and responsiveness. While it’s just a brief clip, it offers a glimpse of what this compact powerhouse can deliver when running an Enhancer powered AmigaOS 4.1 setup. It’s always exciting to see the system performing so well in a real-world setup.

After finally sourcing a half-height Radeon RX550 card, I was able to complete the system installation in the case. The compact build not only fits perfectly but but showcases the A1222 Plus in a sleek and efficient form factor.

In other good news, with the A1222 Plus selling relatively well, A-EON and AAA Technology have commissioned another batch of motherboards. The deposit has been paid, and production is underway, with delivery expected in the early New Year.

Birthday greetings Dick!

On December 13th, the legendary Dick Van Dyke celebrated an incredible milestone – his 99th birthday. Known for timeless performances in classics like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dick has inspired generations with his creativity, energy, and enduring charm.

But there’s more to him than acting – Dick is also a skilled computer animator. He purchased his first Amiga, equipped with the Video Toaster, back in 1991. In an interview with the LA Time in 2006 he claimed a friend recommended that he buy an Amiga Video Toaster, “You could take 3-D objects and figures and photograph a background and fill it in and animate…..In those days, if you had 15 frames to render it took all weekend. It was very, very primitive but I just got hooked on it.” He honed his skills using LightWave 3D and would go on to create 3D-rendered effects for Hollywood productions from Diagnosis: Murder to The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited. His work has featured at the SIGGRAPH annual computer graphics conference.

Back in 2015, while helping clean multiple Amiga monitors in Dale Luck’s backyard in preparation for the Amiga30 display, I spotted Dick’s original Amiga jacket hanging up in one of Dale’s sheds. Next to it was a signed photo of Dick proudly wearing the jacket. Although I didn’t take a photograph of the jacket itself, I did manage to snap an image of the signed photo – a reminder of Dick’s connection to the Amiga community.

Dick Van Dyke’s journey with the Amiga showcases how this platform has inspired creativity across all industries – even Hollywood. Let’s raise a toast to Dick Van Dyke’s remarkable career and his enduring bond with the creative legacy shared by Amiga users worldwide. Happy 99th, Dick!

Boing Ball Sightings

Here are a few more Boing-inspired images I’ve come across recently – including one I created with a high-pressure hose on my driveway. Who says obsession isn’t fun?

Signing Off for Now – See You in 2025!

As 2024 draws to a close, I’m filled with anticipation for what 2025 holds. The Amiga’s 40th anniversary is a testament to the enduring passion and creativity of our community. Whether through user groups, events, or new developments, the Amiga spirit remains vibrant. All that’s left to say is, whatever your favourite Amiga flavour, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, peaceful New Year.

Here’s to 2025 and 40 Years of Amiga Magic!, Amiga Forever!