68000: The Flame Wars (with PDF)

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Have the dreams of the "all-in-one machine" become reality after the 16-bit wars? The Flame Wars provides a comprehensive look at the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga, two home computers that were highly prized by their respective fanbases in the 80s and 90s. Fact- and opinion-based approaches are refreshingly combined, offering a series of newly written background articles, relevant hypotheses, factual evidence and analytical perspectives of the media of the time.

From history and media to markets and the scene, this book offers an eye-opening look at the flame wars that have torn computing communities apart. Discover the origins of these conflicts, follow the often heated debates between fans and opponents, and discover the impact of these battles on the next era of computing. Experience the clash of ideas and passions on a scale never seen before.

Visions and delusions: History lets the arguments collide. The book illustrates the great divide that these 16-bit systems created in a changing technocratic community and looks for points of overlap. Technology vs. humanity. Industry vs. ambition. Did publishers and developers add fuel to the fire? The book provides reflections, perceptions and visions. In addition to suppliers and buyers, companies and subcultures, producers and users also have their say.

A comprehensive special on games. The book takes on the challenge of testing and comparing a wide range of Amiga and ST games to gain an overview of the technological standards and the various 16-bit markets. In another section, the book shows productivity software of historical importance.

In exclusively written articles and insightful interviews, company representatives, historical figures and people of conviction have their say. Contributors as follows...

Chris Swinson… Atari Engineering, Exxos Forum
Christophe Boucourt… Amiga demo scene
Darren Coles… Workbench vs TOS
Darryl Still … Atari UK
David J. Pleasance… Commodore UK
David Hecq … Atari in France
Erik Simon...Thalion, Blue Byte
Galahad...Fairlight, Binary Emotions
Illegal… underground community
Jean-Charles Meyrignac… Titus, Ocean France
Jurie Horneman… Thalion, Ubi Soft
Kiia Kallio… Remedy Entertainment, AMD, Intel
Leif Oppermann… Amiga demo scene, Haujobb
Lutz Wolff… retro emulation
Marc Rosocha… Eclipse Software
Mia Jaap … ST-Computer, Atari in Germany
Mike Clarke … Psygnosis
Simon Butler … Ocean UK
Stoo Cambridge … Impressions, Sensitive Software
Tobias J. Richter … reLine, Team 17
Torben B. Larsen & Martin Pedersen … Cope Com

Informants ... not listed are numerous employees and contemporary witnesses who are experts in their field and provide the authors with meaningful background information. They are game developers, salespeople, resellers, marketing experts, journalists, graphic designers, musicians, experienced users, programmers and technicians.

The Flame Wars is a comprehensive retrospective of contemporary computer culture, revisiting the important achievements of the 16/32-bit era and taking a critical look at what that era has brought us. Book Specifications

• Hardback edition
• 400 full-color pages
• High-quality offset printing
• 168 × 230 mm portrait format
• Special cover finishing
• 150 gr/m² Arctic Silk picture printing paper
• Finest printing grid (120)
• Made in Germany