by James Woodcock
Gaming & Tech | Retro & Modern
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/13/2006
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 27, 2025
<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-800x450.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-400x225.jpg 400w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-50x28.jpg 50w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/article-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div> <p>I am joined by <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/tag/tony-warriner/">Tony Warriner</a> who is one of the founders of <a href="https://revolution.co.uk/">Revolution Software</a> as we discuss more gaming, gadgets and technology both retro and modern.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>FPGA devices becoming more accessible, focusing on the MiSTer project and its many retro gaming cores</li> <li>Hunting down <a href="https://retroremake.co/pages/store">Taki Udon FPGA boards</a> and the challenges with small production batches</li> <li>Early adopter woes – memory speed concerns and analogue audio quirks</li> <li>FPGA efforts to emulate complex consoles like the Sega Saturn, PlayStation 1, N64 and beyond</li> <li>The dream of a consumer-level FPGA PlayStation 1 experience with the <a href="https://retroremake.co/pages/superstation%E1%B5%92%E2%81%BF%E1%B5%89">SuperStation One</a></li> <li>Tony’s new project: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tonywarriner/urbx-warriors-an-original-game-for-the-spectrum-next/">UrbX Warriors</a> – a Kickstarter-bound game for <a href="https://www.specnext.com/">Spectrum Next</a>, PC and more</li> <li>The challenges of developing for the Spectrum Next, dealing with tight memory banking restrictions</li> <li>Porting <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tonywarriner/urbx-warriors-an-original-game-for-the-spectrum-next/">UrbX Warriors</a> to PSX, Steam, Switch, Amiga and Mac</li> <li>James’ retro PC escapades – saving and restoring early 2000s hardware for Windows 98 and XP gaming</li> <li>Collecting CRT monitors and comparing the experience of CRT versus modern digital displays</li> <li>The charm and madness of original hardware compared to FPGA and software emulation</li> <li>Nostalgic memories of <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/tag/3dfx/">Voodoo 2</a> graphics cards and the thrill of early PC 3D acceleration</li> <li>Scaling games like <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/broken-sword-game-boy-advance-development-stories-with-tony-warriner/">Broken Sword</a> for different PC specs and the Game Boy Advance back in the 1990s</li> <li>The ongoing rabbit hole of retro computing</li> <li><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/crt-tv-for-retro-gaming-the-beauty-buying-repair-despair/">CRT TV repair</a> challenges</li> </ul> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: </strong><a href="https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/5d8e9f8b-8d2f-4811-8afa-5b770afa1f31">Amazon Music</a> | <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-gadget-podcast/id125737670?mt=2&ls=1">Apple Podcasts</a> | <a href="https://www.deezer.com/en/show/2818912">Deezer</a> | <a href="https://pca.st/podcast/c2efe820-ee50-012e-e133-525400c11844">Pocket Casts</a> | <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/category/podcasts/audio-podcasts/feed/">RSS</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/62kjQPnE8CGAlbpCNI1WJi">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhBLhXoDE9iJQhS4B_zEaEt6fu9xbNo_R">YouTube Music</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4LHmt_JRjW0OdydM4jBr4w">YouTube</a></p> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>SUPPORT THE SHOW: </strong><a href="https://ko-fi.com/pixelrefresh">Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh</a><br /><strong>SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/game-gadget-podcast/submit-question-game-gadget-podcast/">Submit a question for the Game & Gadget Podcast</a><br /><strong>FIND OUT MORE: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/game-gadget-podcast/">What is the Game & Gadget Podcast</a></p> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>WEBSITE: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/">Pixel Refresh – Gaming, Gadgets & Tech both Retro & Modern</a><br /><strong>EMAIL SUBSCRIBE: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/content/email-subscribe/">Latest Articles / Reviews via Email</a><br /><strong>PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/pixelrefresh?sub_confirmation=1">Pixel Refresh on YouTube</a><br /><strong>FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/content/scummvm-music-enhancement-project/">ScummVM Music Enhancement Project</a></p> <p>Original post link: <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/fpga-spectrum-next-development-retro-90s-pcs-more-game-gadget-podcast-41/">FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41</a>, created by <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/author/glidem/">James Woodcock</a>.<br /> For even more content, visit <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com">Pixel Refresh - Gaming & Tech | Retro & Modern</a>.</p> <p>Original post link: <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/fpga-spectrum-next-development-retro-90s-pcs-more-game-gadget-podcast-41/">FPGA, Spectrum Next Development, Retro 90s PCs & More… – Game & Gadget Podcast #41</a>, created by <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/author/glidem/">James Woodcock</a>.<br /> For even more content, visit <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com">Pixel Refresh - Gaming & Tech | Retro & Modern</a>.</p>
April 9, 2025
<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-800x450.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Rosewater game interview" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-800x450.jpg 800w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-400x225.jpg 400w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-50x28.jpg 50w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article-600x338.jpg 600w, https://www.pixelrefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rosewater_article.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div> <p>I am joined by <a href="https://www.markbenis.com/">Mark Benis</a>, who has composed the musical soundtrack for the point and click adventure game Rosewater, set in the wild west and released in 2024. Mark has also worked on the soundtrack for Lamplight City with others credits for titles including Wolfenstein: Youngblood.</p> <p>In this podcast, we discuss his joy of retro chip-tune music of retro gaming platforms including the Nintendo Game Boy, which has inspired his journey creativity to now write musical soundtracks for modern gaming titles.</p> <p><strong>Topics include:</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Mark Benis’ opportunity to become a game composer</li> <li>Childhood love of Pokémon Red/Blue music led to a lifelong curiosity about chip music</li> <li>The beauty of 8-bit music to orchestral and back again</li> <li>Using Wwyse and FMOD as audio middleware to replace line-by-line coding</li> <li>Mark’s early days and the audio equipment he used</li> <li>The financial barrier of the many professional audio sample libraries</li> <li>No woodwinds in the game Lamplight City inspiring creativity by limitation</li> <li>How hardware MIDI modules (Roland MT-32, Sound Canvas etc) have been replaced with software music audio libraries</li> <li>Mark’s go to piano performances to loosen his fingers and inspire his thoughts</li> <li>Mark’s computer and desk setup for music composition</li> <li>What is Rosewater and the musical brief you were given</li> <li>Avoiding the typical wild west country style music</li> <li>How much of the original work made it into the game soundtrack?</li> <li>How much of the artwork and game direction did Mark see before composing the tracks?</li> <li>Timing introductions to the music, or arranging the music to the intro?</li> <li>Hearing the voice acting dialogue for the first time reactions</li> <li>Mixing virtual instruments with live music players</li> <li>Choral music creation for the game Lamplight City recorded in a church with a real choir</li> <li>Mark’s future projects</li> <li>Collaborating on musical projects and avoiding arguments</li> </ul> <p>Featured music within the podcast, kindly provided with permission by Mark Benis…</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>7-43 to Rosewater</li> <li>Once Upon a Time in Western Vespuccia</li> <li>Night Walk</li> <li>The Showdown</li> <li>So Long, Partner</li> <li>Flor Silvestre by Christiane Ramirez</li> </ul> <p>You can download the full <a href="https://markbenis.bandcamp.com/album/rosewater-original-game-soundtrack">Rosewater Soundtrack</a> on Mark Benis’ Bandcamp page.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW: </strong><a href="https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/5d8e9f8b-8d2f-4811-8afa-5b770afa1f31">Amazon Music</a> | <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-gadget-podcast/id125737670?mt=2&ls=1">Apple Podcasts</a> | <a href="https://www.deezer.com/en/show/2818912">Deezer</a> | <a href="https://pca.st/podcast/c2efe820-ee50-012e-e133-525400c11844">Pocket Casts</a> | <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/category/podcasts/audio-podcasts/feed/">RSS</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/62kjQPnE8CGAlbpCNI1WJi">Spotify</a> | <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhBLhXoDE9iJQhS4B_zEaEt6fu9xbNo_R">YouTube Music</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4LHmt_JRjW0OdydM4jBr4w">YouTube</a></p> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>SUPPORT THE SHOW: </strong><a href="https://ko-fi.com/pixelrefresh">Donate to the Game & Gadget Podcast & Pixel Refresh</a><br /><strong>SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/game-gadget-podcast/submit-question-game-gadget-podcast/">Submit a question for the Game & Gadget Podcast</a><br /><strong>FIND OUT MORE: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/game-gadget-podcast/">What is the Game & Gadget Podcast</a></p> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>WEBSITE: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/">Pixel Refresh – Gaming, Gadgets & Tech both Retro & Modern</a><br /><strong>EMAIL SUBSCRIBE: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/content/email-subscribe/">Latest Articles / Reviews via Email</a><br /><strong>PIXEL REFRESH YOUTUBE CHANNEL: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/pixelrefresh?sub_confirmation=1">Pixel Refresh on YouTube</a><br /><strong>FREE GAME SOUNDTRACKS: </strong><a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/content/scummvm-music-enhancement-project/">ScummVM Music Enhancement Project</a></p> </p> <p>Original post link: <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/game-music-composition-interview-with-rosewaters-mark-benis-game-gadget-podcast-40/">Game Music Composition Interview with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40</a>, created by <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/author/glidem/">James Woodcock</a>.<br /> For even more content, visit <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com">Pixel Refresh - Gaming & Tech | Retro & Modern</a>.</p> <p>Original post link: <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/game-music-composition-interview-with-rosewaters-mark-benis-game-gadget-podcast-40/">Game Music Composition Interview with Rosewater’s Mark Benis – Game & Gadget Podcast #40</a>, created by <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com/author/glidem/">James Woodcock</a>.<br /> For even more content, visit <a href="https://www.pixelrefresh.com">Pixel Refresh - Gaming & Tech | Retro & Modern</a>.</p>
January 10, 2025
vswitchzero shares insights into the transformative era of 90s PC gaming, highlighting advancements in 3D acceleration, graphics cards, and the joys of retro hardware repair and restoration.
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