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2003 is a year of historical significance for Amiga users as this year new hardware and a new Amiga Operating System will make their debut. So many years have passed, so many hopes have been dashed as each year would pass without new hardware and a new AmigaOS to take the Amiga platform forward. The long wait is over for this year marks the rebirth of the Amiga platform with AmigaOne and AmigaOS 4 on the verge of being officially released.
The AmigaOne will be joining the Amiga family of computers, which first emerged in the 1980s and included such famous models as the A1000, A500, and the A1200. In contrast to the A1200 which had a 020 processor, the AmigaOne has a 800Mhz G4 PowerPC processor. According to Alan Redhouse, CEO of Eyetech, “some PPC experts reckon it is likely to deliver several hundred times the performance of an 030/50 with many applications”. In addition it will have all the features of any modern computer system with lots of Ram, hard drive space, a CD-Rom Drive/ Writer and even a DVD Drive if you like.
The AmigaOS has been one of the most successful and popular aspects of the Amiga platform and it remains the case to this day. When Hyperion released preliminary screenshots and some details about the status of AmigaOS 4 last year articles where published in the press, general computer websites covered the story, the website was overloaded with hits from visitors, and they received contact from an array of interested parties. As the recently released feature list reveals the AmigaOS 4 will maintain the qualities of the original but it will be modernised and most of the OS will be PowerPC native to take advantage of the PowerPC processor.
For users the Amiga platform will continue to offer a range of software whether it is for the serious creative user or for the gamer. For example, creative users such as musicians will be able to enjoy applications such as Audio Evolution 4 which provides easy-to-use multi-track recorder for home-studio applications, while graphics people will be able to use Realsoft's critically acclaimed and highly advanced 3D modelling and rendering package, Realsoft 3D Version 4. Gamers can expect a mix of original titles like Desert Racing, The Last Seal, and Voodoo Wars but also conversions from other platforms such as SIN and Soldier of Fortune.
During the period of transition some people have scoffed at the idea that the Amiga platform might return but then they fail to understand the history of this platform, which quite clearly demonstrates that there is every reason to believe that the Amiga can regain a place in the computer industry. In the early 1980s the first in the line of Amiga computers made its debut – the A1000 but it was not a success for with a price tag of £1,000 UK Pounds it failed to win the attention it deserved. However, the first Amiga community that emerged around the A1000 proved to be enthusiastic about the platform with small software houses producing the very first games and serious programs. They created the foundations, which would lead some years later to the golden age of the Amiga platform.
I really don't know whether the Amiga platform will ever reach such heights again or whether we will succeed in establishing a firm foothold but I do know that the possibility exists. I look forward to a future where the Amiga can have a place within the computer industry, where the Amiga captures the imagination of a new generation of young people. Computing needs to be fun and exciting again, and for me the Amiga promoted innovation, originality and a passion for computing. 2003 is going to be important year for the Amiga platform and perhaps for computing in general.
If you want to comment on this article or know of any new games in development then e-mail Philip Cosby of Amiga Flame at:-
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2003 is a year of historical significance for Amiga users as this year new hardware and a new Amiga Operating System will make their debut. So many years have passed, so many hopes have been dashed as each year would pass without new hardware and a new AmigaOS to take the Amiga platform forward. The long wait is over for this year marks the rebirth of the Amiga platform with AmigaOne and AmigaOS 4 on the verge of being officially released.
The AmigaOne will be joining the Amiga family of computers, which first emerged in the 1980s and included such famous models as the A1000, A500, and the A1200. In contrast to the A1200 which had a 020 processor, the AmigaOne has a 800Mhz G4 PowerPC processor. According to Alan Redhouse, CEO of Eyetech, “some PPC experts reckon it is likely to deliver several hundred times the performance of an 030/50 with many applications”. In addition it will have all the features of any modern computer system with lots of Ram, hard drive space, a CD-Rom Drive/ Writer and even a DVD Drive if you like. The AmigaOS has been one of the most successful and popular aspects of the Amiga platform and it remains the case to this day. When Hyperion released preliminary screenshots and some details about the status of AmigaOS 4 last year articles where published in the press, general computer websites covered the story, the website was overloaded with hits from visitors, and they received contact from an array of interested parties. As the recently released feature list reveals the AmigaOS 4 will maintain the qualities of the original but it will be modernised and most of the OS will be PowerPC native to take advantage of the PowerPC processor.
For users the Amiga platform will continue to offer a range of software whether it is for the serious creative user or for the gamer. For example, creative users such as musicians will be able to enjoy applications such as Audio Evolution 4 which provides easy-to-use multi-track recorder for home-studio applications, while graphics people will be able to use Realsoft's critically acclaimed and highly advanced 3D modelling and rendering package, Realsoft 3D Version 4. Gamers can expect a mix of original titles like Desert Racing, The Last Seal, and Voodoo Wars but also conversions from other platforms such as SIN and Soldier of Fortune. |
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During the period of transition some people have scoffed at the idea that the Amiga platform might return but then they fail to understand the history of this platform, which quite clearly demonstrates that there is every reason to believe that the Amiga can regain a place in the computer industry. In the early 1980s the first in the line of Amiga computers made its debut – the A1000 but it was not a success for with a price tag of £1,000 UK Pounds it failed to win the attention it deserved. However, the first Amiga community that emerged around the A1000 proved to be enthusiastic about the platform with small software houses producing the very first games and serious programs. They created the foundations, which would lead some years later to the golden age of the Amiga platform.
I really don't know whether the Amiga platform will ever reach such heights again or whether we will succeed in establishing a firm foothold but I do know that the possibility exists. I look forward to a future where the Amiga can have a place within the computer industry, where the Amiga captures the imagination of a new generation of young people. Computing needs to be fun and exciting again, and for me the Amiga promoted innovation, originality and a passion for computing. 2003 is going to be important year for the Amiga platform and perhaps for computing in general. If you want to comment on this article or know of any new games in development then e-mail Philip Cosby of Amiga Flame at:- |
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