Antstream officially launches on PlayStation 4 and 5 today. Happy Launch day. To celebrate this moment on Antstream Arcade, we look back at the Net Yaroze, Sony’s attempt to bring PlayStation console development to the world. While it revolutionised video gaming when released back in 1994, the Sony PlayStation, unlike the popular home computers of the previous decade, was way beyond the reach of most individuals interested in creating games for the console. The official Sony PlayStation game development kit cost thousands – then, seemingly out of nothing but a well-intentioned attempt to bring programming to the masses, Sony launched the Net Yaroze console in 1996 (Japan) and 1997 (rest of the world). The concept was simple. A PlayStation console with some unique tweaks that connected to a PC or Mac, allowing fans to make their own games. The idea harked back to the bedroom coder phenomenon of the Eighties, solitary individuals creating whole games in their spare time. In a neat echoing of this and the early home computer scene, many Net Yaroze games were clones of popular arcade machines such as Defender and Pacman. It’s hard to discern Sony’s ambition with the Net Yaroze; maybe they really did want to give their console to the world, empowering anybody to create games on its machines. Well, not exactly ‘give’ – the Net Yaroze cost £549 in the UK. For that considerable sum, you got the sexy black PlayStation and two controllers, a serial cable for connecting it to a computer, a disc containing a limited set of PlayStation dev libraries, tools (including a C compiler and debugger) and full support for wannabe coders with access to exclusive forums. Of course, Sony had to differentiate somehow between the kit that big developers paid thousands for and the Net Yaroze. The most significant difference was the Net Yaroze’s inability to use the CD to store data, restricting developers to the console’s 2MB of primary RAM. This is likely why, despite many imaginative games, there were no commercial releases of Net Yaroze games, despite some games, most notably Devil Dice, being confused for Net Yaroze titles. Today, we may pile scorn on pointless FMV, but back in 1997, it was obligatory for many commercial games. With Net Yarozes available via mail order and sent to universities and schools for students to dabble with, it seems Sony had a long game plan after all. “Our view was that we wanted to allow people to have a grown-up development system at home,” Sony Europe’s Paul Holman told Official PlayStation UK magazine back in March 1997. “… if people are getting involved and doing some good work, they can go to a publisher with a great demo of what they’ve been doing.” Consequently, Sony had no intellectual right over Net Yaroze games – developers were free to do what they wanted with their efforts. Many of the games ended up magazine cover discs, most notably on the aforementioned Official PlayStation magazine. Eventually, the Net Yaroze helped form the notion of indie developers via services such as XBLIG and now Steam. Without this sleek black unit, which allowed fans to create games on the best-selling console of the time, the development landscape today could be very different. Antstream Arcade’s Favourite Net Yaroze Games Blitter Boy: Operation Monster Hall Developer: Chris Chadwick Blitter Boy is one of the Net Yaroze’s better-known games, unsurprising when you realise it won awards and netted its creator a serious amount of cash. The objective is to guide the eponymous lad around each level, rescuing babies before the enemies get to them. It’s a smooth and playable game that could have easily satisfied as a PlayStation budget title. Haunted Maze Developer: Ed Federmeyer Even by Net Yaroze standards, Haunted Maze is an uncomplicated game. It is, however, remarkably fun, considering all you do is glide through each maze, collecting items and avoiding the clay-like zombies. It also features some cool classical tunes. Total Soccer Developer: Charles Chapman Inspired by the 16-bit classic footie game Sensible Soccer, Total Soccer is a fast-paced, top-down action football game that eschews fancy visuals for compulsive gameplay. Watch out for some hilarious team and player names. Developer: Matt Verran This neon twin-stick shooter (even though the original PlayStation controller didn’t have sticks) is a furious experience with an ethereal look. It’s easy to pick up, but the enemies soon come thick and fast. Developer: Gerhard Rittenhofer Mah Jongg is an excellent version of the ancient Japanese tile game. Its tiles are impressively ornate, and while it lacks any extra gameplay, it’s still a great little puzzler. Terra Incognita Developer: Team Fatal This platform/RPG hybrid from Japan proved that the Net Yaroze could produce more complex games in the right hands. Manic Miner Developer: Andy Noble, Matt Simmonds and Lee Tonks The original Spectrum classic by Matthew Smith is recreated here with a loving sheen – the developers are clearly fans of the platform legend. There are even some new levels, but beware: they’re just as tricky! Rocks N Gems Developer: Gerhard Rittenhofer & Manfred Tucmandl Boulder Dash has inspired many clones (you can play the originals on Antstream Arcade), and this Net Yaroze game is tougher than most when it comes to the rock-dodging gem-collecting genre. From the very start, each cavern is devious and deadly – tread carefully! Developer: Ben James Fans of Team 17’s Alien Breed will find much to love with this Net Yaroze game, a top-down shooter with a grim futuristic aesthetic. Developer: Tuna Technologies If there’s one thing time has taught us, it’s that Namco’s ghost-chasing arcade game from 1980 has a particular gameplay that inspires developers and gamers alike. This Pacman upgrade features more power-ups and diverse mazes and is a real Net Yaroze gem. Thank you for reading the latest Antstream Arcade Retro Gaming History feature! Did you play any Net Yaroze games? What were your favourites? Let us know on the Antstream Arcade social channels: @AntstreamArcade on Twitter/X, our Facebook group and Discord server. Finally, to learn more about Antstream Arcade and our mission to bring retro gaming to all, head over to our website. The post Antstream Arcade Retro Gaming History: The Net Yaroze appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

A.F. Branco Cartoon – Why all the holes in the Secret Service security around Trump? Is the SS leadership willing accomplices in the effort to remove Trump by any means possible? The Secret Service on the ground protecting Trump has been calling for beefed-up resources and manpower but has fallen on deaf and blind leadership despite numerous threats directed at Trump. In fact, S.S. leadership patted themselves on the back and gave themselves a raise. Deep State Leak: Secret Service Can’t Guarantee it Can Prevent More Assassination Attempts Against Trump By Cristina Laila – The Gateway Pundit – Sept 17, 2024 The Deep State is preparing the public just to accept that there will be more assassination attempts against Trump. The Secret Service cannot guarantee that it can prevent more shooting assassination attempts against Trump according to an intel leak to i News. Shots were fired at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm as the former president was playing a round of golf with real estate investor Steve Witkoff. Would-be assassin Ryan Routh set up a sniper’s nest in the shrubbery outside the perimeter of Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach. READ MORE…   DONATE to A.F. Branco Cartoons – Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 – $5.00 – $25.00 – $50.00 – it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU! A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions (art and politics) and translated them into cartoons that have been popular all over the country in various news outlets, including NewsMax, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Rep. Devin Nunes, Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Chris Salcedo, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and President Trump.

Zelensky’s refusal to make a deal with Russia has cost him his country according to former US president Donald Trump. Blasting the Ukrainian leader for refusing to negotiate with Russia, Trump argued that the country [...] The post Ukraine Is ‘Absolutely Obliterated’ Says Trump appeared first on The People's Voice.

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The powerful storm that slammed into northern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday night has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves across the southeast. Hurricane Helene made landfall around 10 miles west of Perry, Florida, at 11:10 p.m. ET, Fox Weather reported. Helene set the record for the strongest hurricane to hit Florida’s Big Bend, the area of the state where the panhandle meets the peninsula. As the storm moved inland into Alabama and Georgia, it weakened to a tropical storm. Helene, however, remains dangerous, causing flooding and high winds that knocked out power for nearly one million customers in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. That’s in addition to the over 1.2 million customers without power in Florida, CNN reported. At least three storm-related deaths have been reported as of early Friday morning, and around 25 people in Atlanta have been rescued from flooding, authorities told CNN. ATLANTA WATER RESCUES: Fire crews conducting water rescues as neighbors in Peachtree Park apartments evacuate due to rising flood waters from Peachtree Creek. Full report starting at 4:00 pic.twitter.com/bT0o9IktH0 — Lindsay Tuman (@LindsayOnTV) September 27, 2024 Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have all declared states of emergency over Helene, with authorities warning of catastrophic flooding. As of Friday morning, Tropical Storm Helene was centered just east of Macon, Georgia, and moving northward at 30 mph, according to The Weather Channel. The storm is expected to bring high winds and potential flash flooding to Tennessee and Kentucky and parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia later on Friday. The east coasts of North and South Carolina are also at an increased risk of tornadoes on Friday. Videos posted to social media showed the massive damage caused by Hurricane Helene in Florida. Footage of Cedar Key, Florida, posted by a storm chaser showed water nearly reaching the roofs of some houses as waves and high wind battered others. Insane footage of storm surge coming from Cedar Key, FL. Please continue to pray for those in the path of Hurricane Helene. #Helene #HurricaneHelene pic.twitter.com/rU6MSAmUNq — James Jinnette (@james_jinnette1) September 27, 2024 Florida saw extreme flooding as far south as Maderia Beach — near Tampa — as video showed water rising in the lobby of a resort. Really bad flooding going on in Maderia Beach area. This is the lobby of the All Season Resort. Stay safe out there! Get the latest on #Helene -> https://t.co/qyo9QUAXi9  Couresy: Randy Paradine pic.twitter.com/U6ycY2DQRz — Spectrum Bay News 9 (@BN9) September 27, 2024

Rigatoni the Cat is celebrating his birthday, and you know what that means: a single french fry! That’s right. This adorable cat has a special birthday tradition. His dad heads over to Raising Cane’s and buys a pack of french fries, sparing one single fry in celebration of his little feline friend. Rigatoni could not be more excited. @noodleboyrig Happy birthday bubba #catsoftiktok #siamese #raisingcanes @Raising Cane’s ♬ Head Empty – Tsundere Twintails This Siamese cat is living in the lap of luxury, feasting on his french fry in celebration of another year around the Sun. Over 150,000 people have liked this short clip of Rigatoni going to town on his snack — and for good reason. I think we’ve all felt that way chowing down on a salty, greasy treat. Yum, yum, yum! Personally, I’m surprised that Rigatoni doesn’t enjoy a piece of pasta, as his namesake would suggest. But alas — french fry it is! What do people think? There are some mixed opinions when it comes to Rigatoni the Cat’s preferred birthday meal. Some viewers were a bit resistant to the choice of restaurant. “Poor boy, they got the soggiest and least seasoned fries,” said one viewer, sad at the idea that Rigatoni could be fed a disappointing fry. But his dad quickly responded, clarifying that the lack of seasoning helps to make sure it doesn’t bother his little belly. Fair enough! This image is from TikTok. Most of TikTok was thrilled to observe this cat hoover the french fry. “The way he SNATCHED that fry,” commented one fan, loving Rigatoni’s enthusiasm. “I wish I could have a Raising Cane’s French fry on my birthday,” said another, envious of Rigatoni’s celebration. I personally enjoyed, very much, watching Rigatoni have a fabulous, salty birthday. It’s not easy being a house cat — so many naps to catch up on and treats to munch! Rigatoni is a well-deserving fella and I couldn’t be happier to see him thriving. The featured image for this post is from TikTok. The post This Cat Is All Of Us When We Order Fries At The Drive-Thru appeared first on InspireMore.