68000: THE FLAME WARS

THE FLAME WARS gives you a comprehensive insight into the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga – two 16/32-bit computers held in high regard by their respective fan bases in the ’80s and ’90s. Factual and opinion-based approaches are refreshingly combined, offering a range of newly composed background articles, pertinent hypotheses, factual evidence and analytical perspectives of the time’s media.

From history and media, to markets and scene. This book gives an eye-opening look at the flame wars that have torn apart computer communities. Uncover the origin of these conflicts, follow the often heated debates between fans and foes, and discover the impact these battles made on the next era of computers. Witness the clash of ideas and passions on an unparalleled scale.

Visions and delusions: the story prompts arguments to clash. We illustrate the wide gap that these 16-bit systems created in a transforming technocratic community and look for points of overlap. Technology vs. Humanity. Industry vs. Ambition. Did publishers and developers throw fuel onto the blaze? We provide reflections, perceptions, and visions. Producers and users voice their opinions in addition to vendors and purchasers, business and subculture.

Extensive 16-bit games special: Our dedicated team put in the work to test and compare a variety of Amiga and ST games on 70 pages, giving you a comprehensive overview of the technological standards and diversity of the 16-bit market. While we may not have the ultimate top list, we have carefully selected games that truly set the bar for the respective system. Plus, discover the historical significance of productivity software in another section.

The Flame Wars is a comprehensive retrospective of contemporary computer culture in which we revive the important achievements of the 16/32-bit era and take a critical look at what this time has given us.

How far did “All-In-One Machine” dreams become reality after the 16-bit wars? Dive into the commercial developments & diverging priorities between different countries to uncover the ideologies of those involved. The book investigates the significance of computer systems such as Amiga and Atari ST today.

Atari ST

Chris Swinson … Exxos Forum
Darryl Still … Atari UK
David Hecq … Atari in France
Erik Simon … Thalion, Blue Byte
Illegal … Underground community
Jean-Charles Meyrignac … Titus, Ocean France
Juan Irming … Music, Atari demoscene
Jurie Horneman … Thalion, Ubi Soft
Kiia Kallio … Remedy Entertainment, AMD, Intel
Marc Rosocha … Eclipse Software
Mia Jaap … ST-Computer magazine
Simon Butler … Ocean UK

Amiga

Christophe Boucourt … Amiga demoscene
Darren Coles … Workbench vs. TOS
David J. Pleasance … Commodore UK
Galahad … Fairlight, Binary Emotions
Leif Oppermann … Amiga demoscene, Haujobb
Lutz Wolff … Retro emulation
Martin B. Pedersen … Cope-Com
Mike Clarke … Psygnosis
Stoo Cambridge … Impressions, Sensible Software
Tobias J. Richter … reLine, Team 17
Torben B. Larsen … Cope-Com

Articles & Essays

68000s Computer Revolution
A Brief History of Operation Systems
Prophetic Software Worlds
Printing Silicone on Paper
Marketing the ST to the Masses
Only Amiga makes it Possible
Selling 71 Hz in Germany
Crocodile Race in France
Rise of the 16-bit Games
Games that defined the Atari ST
Games that defined the Amiga
The Unwanted Computer
System Destroyer
Anti-Amiga meant to Feel Alive
The Immortal Flame
My Name is Noname of Haujobb
Demoscene With A Difference
When Your Memory Smokes
Atari Sucks!
The Hermetic Future
16-bit Legacy

ENGLISH-LANGUAGE HARDBACK EDITION

• 400 full-colour pages
• High-quality offset printing
• 170 × 230 mm portrait format
• Pantone metallic ink
• 150 gsm Arctic Silk paper
• Made in Germany

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