If you use macOS and like pixels, be sure to check it out. Feel free to share to try and help get the word out - it’s a very uphill battle in this day and age.

Pixel Processor@pixel-processor.bsky.social · 4d ago

Beta seven is now available. I think this is the first version of Pixel Processor where it feels like it’s becoming its own thing rather than just an increasingly elaborate test bench for potential future Retrospecs functionality. Grab the TestFlight via pixelprocessor.co.uk

Next up is something long overdue - The Great UI Tidy-Up™ has finally begun. Although it’s mainly just putting things in boxes. 🤔

What's next, you might wonder? (It'll be the mutator functionality. The mutator functionality will be next.)

It’s coming for my features - is nothing sacrosanct?

Pixel Processor@pixel-processor.bsky.social · 4w ago

Next up will be a few “missing” features from Retrospecs. Specifically, a “crop mode” that lets you use the source media aspect ratio instead of the preset one, and a port of the preset mutator. After all, there’s still time to cram a few more controls in there before The Great UI Reckoning™ 😅

Exciting news for macOS pixel processing fans…

Pixel Processor@pixel-processor.bsky.social · last mo.

Beta three brings news from afar, the headline being that video conversion is now supported. 🥳 You can now also use Pixel Processor on macOS 13 (Ventura) and up, rather than needing Sequoia. Join the TestFlight via pixelprocessor.co.uk

Hmm… I think GIF export will be for the chop in the next version. It’s flaky at best and there are better, dedicated, tools for the job.

World Of Spectrum IS NOT down. Merely the version of it run by the fuckwit that is Lee Fogarty. Classic Fuckwit free World of Spectrum is here - worldofspectrum.net Or if you prefer a site not stuck in 1997, this is where all the cool kids are - spectrumcomputing.co.uk

The second beta of Pixel Processor should now be out and about on TestFlight. 🥳 Link available via pixelprocessor.co.uk if you’d like to have a play.

Ooo… reet posh. If you've a mac running Sequoia or newer, you can also grab the current TestFlight beta over on… pixelprocessor.co.uk

Pixel Processor@pixel-processor.bsky.social · last mo.

The initial beta is actually a few weeks old - recently I've focused on palette and character set importers. Having spent lots of time manually tweaking font images into a format Retrospecs could parse, I wanted to create an importer that was flexible enough to handle most situations.

I guess this happened then. 🤔

Pixel Processor@pixel-processor.bsky.social · last mo.

So… it's been a while. Must confess I didn't think there'd be the best part of four years since the last beta release, but there you go. The icon is temporary, the palette and character set editors are very basic and there's lots of missing functionality. testflight.apple.com/join/cSEDna6C

One side effect of the work on the underlying engine used within Retrospecs is that the Pixel Processor macOS app has lurched back into life to act as a testbed. At some point it might even see a release. Maybe. 🤔

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Retrospecs first appeared in the App Store twelve years ago today, which is a long time by anyone’s standards. There’s not been much in the way of new features recently, but I’ve been slowly working away on some bits and pieces. Here’s a sneak preview of what’s coming later this year.

I’ve been gradually working away on a re-write of the “engine” that generates the image conversions in Retrospecs, and that work is now largely complete. Whilst the original goal was purely to replicate the existing functionality, there’s also some new bits and pieces to play with. So that’s nice.

It’s entirely possible there’ll be a new version of Retrospecs in the next few months. So that’s nice.

We're launching a website. Jank is an independent PC games website funded by readers. jank.cool If you like funny, thoughtful games journalism and can't stand adverts, deals posts, affiliate links, and other nonsense - Jank is for you.

Jingles and all that shit. Created in #Retrospecs for #iOS - 8bitartwork.co.uk #ios #pixelart #8bitart #pixelated #8bit #retro #vintage

Where the streets have limited resolution (IBM EGA, Bayer 4x4 dithering.) Created in #Retrospecs for #iOS - 8bitartwork.co.uk

You can now unlock the full version of Retrospecs for £1.99/€1.99/$1.99 In addition to the full suite of system and mode presets, the full version contains custom emulation, font and palette editors as well as additional features such as the emulation mutator. Find out more at 8bitartwork.co.uk

The machine must be maintained at all times (Apple Macintosh, Atkinson dithering.) Created in #Retrospecs for #iOS - 8bitartwork.co.uk #retrospecs #ios #pixelart #8bitart #8bitartwork #macintosh

Who dis? (PICO-8 (Secret palette), Bayer 8x8 dithering.) Created in #Retrospecs for #iOS - 8bitartwork.co.uk #retrospecs #ios #pixelart #8bitart #8bitartwork #puppy #minischnauzer

There should be a new version of Retrospecs trundling out in the next week or two. Nothing particularly exciting in terms of new features, but the Dragon 32 presets have been overhauled and should now be correct.

The first version of Retrospecs was released in the App Store eleven years ago today. To celebrate the anniversary, you can unlock the full version for $0.99 / £0.99 / €0.99 for the next week. 🥳 Feel free to spread the word. 8bitartwork.co.uk

Sad to hear of the passing of Bill Atkinson, one of the key software developers on the Macintosh, from the QuickDraw system thru to era-defining applications like MacPaint and HyperCard.

Incidentally, it’s Retrospecs 11th birthday on the 13th of June. Based on what’s happened in previous years, I’d say it’s likely that there’ll be a special price to unlock the full version. Total speculation, you understand. 🤔

Hatched (Custom per-pixel emulation using Nintendo Gameboy (Daylight) palette. 60x240, 4∶1 pixel ratio.) Created in #Retrospecs for #iOS - 8bitartwork.co.uk

Back in 1991, snitches got the riches... 🤣

[ Gingerly opens Xcode. ]

Whilst I can’t in all honesty condone his jelly habit, these are excellent value products at full-price, let alone when there’s a sale on…

Rod Hull@futurewas8bit.bsky.social · last yr.

Heads up.. Due to me running out of cash for Green Flavoured Jelly. I've panicked and put a bit of a sale on. So why not grab yourself a bargain before I go broke!😉 Penultimate+2 £47.99 / Penultimate+3 £69.99 Kung-Fu-Flash £29.99 / Fastload Cart £9.99 SD2PET £62.99 / DesTestMax £14.99 www.tfw8b.com

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A weekly deep dive into video games from Christian Donlan, Florence Smith Nicholls and Keith Stuart. No hot takes, no news, no reviews. Just short essays, recommendations and other nice things.

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