Windmill Is a Quick and Dirty zx81 Animation
There are a ton of windmills in Idaho. Mostly big ones for power, but you see a few smaller ones used for irrigation and wells. But, when I wrote this month’s programs I don’t remember any around where I lived in Indiana. No matter…
Posted Oct 30, 2017 by Steven
4 min read
Can you hack the computer and save the world?
“Agent 51, your goal is within reach, but there is a problem.”"Understand,” you reply. Professional as always, you only allow a hint of annoyance in your voice. “Explain.”“Well, the plans are in the room in front of you, but the floor is a trap…
Posted Jan 22, 2017 by Steven
5 min read
Can you guess the right code to win?
I used to play Mastermind when I was a kid, a simple code breaking game. One player would set up a sequence of colored pegs and the other would have to guess it in a set number of turns. My version, called ZX Master Mind, has the computer creating the code…
Posted Dec 22, 2016 by Steven
5 min read
Can You Avoid Death in the ZX81 Game Stick Shift?
Dodging games were the rage back in the early ’80s. Wanting to add my own take on the genre, I created Stick Shift, November’s program of the month. The goal is simple. Dodge other cars, oil spills and spikes while not crashing into the wall. Mess up? Well, it’s game over for you…
Posted Nov 24, 2016 by Steven
3 min read
Bugers Will Kill You in October's ZX81 Program of the Month
While working to improve the way I display my ZX81 programs, I ran across one that didn’t have a picture. Finding that odd, I did some research and found that I’d written a page for it back in 1999. To my surprise, I’d never uploaded it…
Posted Oct 25, 2016 by Steven
3 min read
February's Program: Time
For February, I give you Time, a simple landing game with a twist. Using the “Z” and “.” keys, you maneuver your craft to each successive landing pad. If you miss the landing, keep trying but be careful. Run out of time and it’s game over! How high of a score can you amass…
Posted Feb 16, 2014 by Steven
4 min read
August's Program: Parachute
Whoa, it’s August already? Time for another program of the month. Coming your way is Parachute, a deceptively simple reflex game that uses recognizable graphics to give you an enjoyable causal gaming diversion…
Posted Aug 08, 2013 by Steven
2 min read
July's Program: Spiders & Flies
July is almost half over, but we still have time for our program of the month: Spiders & Flies. You play a growing Venus flytrap that is searching for flies and special bugs. Use the ZX81 arrow keys to move around: 5, 6, 7, and 8. But be careful…
Posted Jul 21, 2013 by Steven
3 min read
June's Program: Blast Off
Blast Off, June’s program of the month, is a simple game that tests your typing skills. You may find it a bit easier to play on an emulator than on a real ZX81. Fortunately, you can try now! It isn't a very hard game if you are decent typist…
Posted Jun 18, 2013 by Steven
2 min read
May's Program: Up-Cake
Well it is getting late in the month and I didn’t want to pull another last-minute update. To make things a bit interesting, I used Zed Ex on my Android tablet to enter in this month’s entry. More on that in a bit. Let me first introduce our deliciously short entry for May: Up-Cake…
Posted May 19, 2013 by Steven
4 min read
October's Program: 1985
October's program is one of my later games from 1985 which is aptly named 1985. It has decidedly simple game mechanics. It is an alternative reality 1985 where the Earth is gone. Humans are colonizing Earth II, but you need to clear the mountains for agriculture needs…
Posted Oct 03, 2011 by Steven
2 min read