Emulation From the Eyes of Shadow Dragon
Have you ever heard of an SNES? Of course you have (if you haven't seek
help), but what you may not have known was that there is an entire console
"scene". The console scene is basically a scene in itself. It has warez,
hardware, programmers, groups, and the list goes on.
Well, to start from the top, the amount of hardware for consoles is
staggering. There is hardware for almost any system including SMS/GG, SNES,
NES, GB, Genesis and many other less poplular systems. The main thing is a
copier or "backup" unit, used to copy a cartridge to your PC, or to disk,
where used later to play that game again.
Now that we have the basic concept that you can get it on your PC, we get
the idea that you can transfer it from machine to machine, even from PC to
MAC. Thats where the trading part of the scene comes in. Many people like
to trade games and programs to run on their copier systems.
Now you may be wondering, "What if I don't have a backup system," and "Why
can't I just play it on my computer?" That's where a large portion of the
programming comes in. There are many programs called "emulators" that will
run the image on your computer, and believe me, the people who write these
are wizards. Many of the emulators require hundreds of pages of coding.
Also, many people program utilities to change the image. There are even
those who change the image to edit the game itself, or even write new games.
As far as groups go, there are a few (not too many) that cover the
console scene. Some of these include: Anthrax who makes copiers, Console
Consortim who releases games, and Damaged Cybernetics which does about
anything from releasing, to sponsering the authors that write Emulators.
Also, outside groups and people are involved, such as UCF, who has cracked
some of the programs, and ^RaZoR^ has released a few of the EMUs.
As you can see, the console scene is basically a complete scene in itself.
So, if you are interested, join #emu on EFnet, or if you like WWW, goto DC's
homepage at http://www.futureone.com/~damaged for a lot of information on the
console scene, but remember, look around before you ask, because if it's
around, someone has put up a page about it, and believe me, the console
people don't look kindly upon often asked questions.
Cya online :)
Shadow Dragon
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Date: Nov. 24, 1996
Author: Alan Dykes
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If you've ever wanted to write a journalistic article about emulation,
interview an author of an emulator, or write an editorial expressing
new insights on the emulation scene, then perhaps you should submit an
article to Archaic Ruins!
The criteria for having your work published is that your work must show
effort. Interviews must contain at the minimum, 10 questions. Editorials
must be at least 2 to 3 pages and quotations from multiple sources to support
your views and opinions. Humorous writings are also accepted!
- The Archaic Ruins Staff
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