Retro Video Gamer

[align=center:hg85w8np](http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag160/TrekMD/RVG%20Images/Boulder_Dash_-_1984_-_Exidy_zps7620b633.jpg)[/align:hg85w8np]

Elektronite has announced the release of a new Intellivision game, Boulder Dash!  Here is the original announcement:

Elektronite, Classic Game Publishers, Inc. and First Star Software, Inc. are pleased to announce that they will be co-publishing Boulder Dash® For the Mattel Electronics Intellivision® video game system.

Since its initial release in 1984, several million units of Boulder Dash® have been purchased throughout the world on numerous platforms. Undoubtedly, Boulder Dash® is First Star's best known game, and continues to delight and challenge casual and hard-core players of all ages and both sexes. We are pleased to finally, after 30 years, be able to bring the official Boulder Dash® to the Intellivision®.

Boulder Dash® is currently in development for the Intellivision® and is scheduled to be released in SUMMER 2014.

Elektronite and Classic Game Publishers, Inc. are pleased to be working with First Star Software, Inc. to bring this beloved classic game to the Intellivision® platform.

[size=80]
Boulder Dash® is a registered trademark of First Star Software, Inc.
Intellivision® is a registered trademark of Intellivision Productions, Inc.
Classic Game Publishers, Inc. is an authorized developer of games for the Intellivision® and publishes
QUALITY games for the Intellivision® under its Elektronite brand.
Classic Game Publishers, Inc. and Elektronite are not affiliated with Intellivision Productions, Inc.
Intellivision Productions, Inc. does not endorse this product. [/size]

I love Boulder Dash, congrats Intellivision fans! FSS are great, letting homebrewers port this awesome game to classic consoles is a very nice move.
BD is awesome on the 2600, one of the best games on the system without a doubt.

I would love to see a Jaguar version someday...

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"I would love to see a Jaguar version someday... :24:

I mean a proper an licensed Jaguar version!!

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"I mean a proper an licensed Jaguar version!!

Respect for intellectual property rights in teh Jag scene? Oh, I think I just about remember those days!

Wow an official licensed version, this is really cool!

It's good to see that at least some companies do agree to licensing games to old systems.  They've been trying to get licensing for Ms. Pac-Man and a few other games without any success. 

Quote from: "DreamcastRIP"

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"I mean a proper an licensed Jaguar version!! :53:

Sorry for the offtopic, can't wait to see this game on the INTV even when I don't own one, true classic.

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"I love Boulder Dash, congrats Intellivision fans! FSS are great, letting homebrewers port this awesome game to classic consoles is a very nice move.
BD is awesome on the 2600, one of the best games on the system without a doubt.

I would love to see a Jaguar version someday...

Would have loved a Jaguar Crystal Mines III.

Quote from: "Rogue Trooper"

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"I love Boulder Dash, congrats Intellivision fans! FSS are great, letting homebrewers port this awesome game to classic consoles is a very nice move.
BD is awesome on the 2600, one of the best games on the system without a doubt.

I would love to see a Jaguar version someday...

Would have loved a Jaguar Crystal Mines III.

No doubt, Crystal Mines II on the Lynx is a nice BD clone!

[align=center:2v691rzs](http://cdn.head-fi.org/7/76/76d31508_c851d40e_Derail_1.jpeg)[/align:2v691rzs]

[align=center:2v691rzs]Let's get back on course.  :48:[/align:2v691rzs]

I will be really interested to see how this version compares to the one on the Atari 2600!

Great to see this game getting another retro release! 

I'm quite curious to see how the game looks on the Intellivision.  I'm sure a good effort will be put forward to make it as good as it can be for the system.

"I love Boulder Dash, congrats Intellivision fans! FSS are great, letting homebrewers port this awesome game to classic consoles is a very nice move."


They didn't 'let' us port the game. This is officially licensed, bought and paid for. First Star Software, Inc. and Classic Game Publishers, Inc. in association with Elektronite are co-publishing the game.

We aren't 'homebrewers'.

I've said it many times, but people insist on calling us 'homebrew'. We are a real company. As real as First Star Software.

This is a graphic of the First Star logo running on a real Intellivision.

Great game! Great looking graphic!

The homebrew comment should be viewed as a positive.

Electronic Arts is a real company. Lately, I have seen homebrew games that are better than the dribble EA releases.

Use it for your advertising. "Elektronite! We are not homebrewers, but we are the next best thing." 

Gamers trust the small guy who cares, over the big corporations that could care less.

Quote from: "Elektronite"They didn't 'let' us port the game. This is officially licensed, bought and paid for. First Star Software, Inc. and Classic Game Publishers, Inc. in association with Elektronite are co-publishing the game.

We aren't 'homebrewers'.

I've said it many times, but people insist on calling us 'homebrew'. We are a real company. As real as First Star Software.

This is a graphic of the First Star logo running on a real Intellivision.

Don't take it as a despective comment pal. ;)

Or Andrew Davie and Thomas Jentzsch with their licensed BD for the 2600, a work of art with the FSS logo on screen and tons of other quality games, never read they were offended by that word...

To tell you the truth I never heard about your company until now, I didn't even know you were a company... But I wish you good luck with your work, if I had an Intellivision I would buy your games and I will never call you 'homebrewers' again.

Quote from: "onthinice"Great game! Great looking graphic!

The homebrew comment should be viewed as a positive.

Electronic Arts is a real company. Lately, I have seen homebrew games that are better than the dribble EA releases.

Use it for your advertising. "Elektronite! We are not homebrewers, but we are the next best thing." 

Gamers trust the small guy who cares, over the big corporations that could care less.

I'd echo that.

There's far more talent in terms of coding skill, long term vision and creativity, let alone passion about the games/s they make, coming from 'homebrew' or independant studios (if that's a better term?) than likes of E.A, Activision, Sony etc etc these days.


I see games i never thought possible coming to systems considered long 'dead' and with stunning results.Meanwhile on existing platforms i see games given to cheapest studio who can cobble something together in quickest time, get it out the door with DLC swift on it's heels.

Quote from: "Elektronite""I love Boulder Dash, congrats Intellivision fans! FSS are great, letting homebrewers port this awesome game to classic consoles is a very nice move."

They didn't 'let' us port the game. This is officially licensed, bought and paid for. First Star Software, Inc. and Classic Game Publishers, Inc. in association with Elektronite are co-publishing the game.

Well, any re-licensing and release of a really good game can only be good. Intellivision gamers must be absolutely delighted with this news and you are to be applauded for proving that retro gaming is a viable business.

Some here have spoken about different platforms as it is only natural that such good news will ignite interest globally. The Boulder Dash series were well received in their day, as I'm sure you are aware. We all hope, I'm sure, for more releases like this however it is classified. Thank you and well done, good luck for the future.

Quote from: "Cryptic33"

Quote from: "Elektronite""I love Boulder Dash, congrats Intellivision fans! FSS are great, letting homebrewers port this awesome game to classic consoles is a very nice move."

They didn't 'let' us port the game. This is officially licensed, bought and paid for. First Star Software, Inc. and Classic Game Publishers, Inc. in association with Elektronite are co-publishing the game.

Well, any re-licensing and release of a really good game can only be good. Intellivision gamers must be absolutely delighted with this news and you are to be applauded for proving that retro gaming is a viable business.

Some here have spoken about different platforms as it is only natural that such good news will ignite interest globally. The Boulder Dash series were well received in their day, as I'm sure you are aware. We all hope, I'm sure, for more releases like this however it is classified. Thank you and well done, good luck for the future.

I was very much looking forward to trying Boulder Dash Rocks on PSP, but that never appeared, so news on any 'new' Boulder Dash game is great to my ears.

I appreciate that. However, this project should not be viewed as FSS being 'good guys'. This is business.

Yes, we love what we do. Yes, we care. We are going to make an awesome port. However, it isn't going to take 10 years like the Atari 2600 guys took. Ours will be out in less than a year.

This is not a 'limited' release.

Alberto 2k,

I am not trying to be arrogant. I just think that since I started a legit business, pay taxes, pay my programmers, pay for licenses, use all new materials, and do not make limited runs, that we are not what people think of as 'homebrew'. We aren't doing it as a hobby. We love our work, but we are taking it seriously and are being professional as a small business can be.

I spoke with the president of First Star Software, and told him that people call us 'homebrew'. He said 'you aren't homebrew!'. If we are homebrewers, then so are First Star Software.

Anyhow regardless of what you want to call us, we are excited about working with First Star Software, and will be doing our best to bring out a great game! Hopefully, I will be able to show an Intellivision Boulder Dash (R) title screen soon!

I think it's almost like you represent something new and different for the retro community and people are having a hard time classifying you.  Most people associate games released for dead systems to "homebrews" so they've classified you this way.  Thankfully, it does have a good connotation!  So, Elektronite is more of a Retro Gamer Business and the games are a Retro Game Production. 

Quote from: "Elektronite"I appreciate that. However, this project should not be viewed as FSS being 'good guys'. This is business.

Yes, we love what we do. Yes, we care. We are going to make an awesome port. However, it isn't going to take 10 years like the Atari 2600 guys took. Ours will be out in less than a year.

This is not a 'limited' release.

Part of me wished you'd ended that post with:

This is SPARTA!!!! :-)

sorry..
On more serious note, if you look at say something like the HD remake of Flashback, which is getting poor reviews, here we see what's sadly all too common of a modern release:game rushed out, bearing the name of a game we once loved, but for whatever reason, not put together with the care and attention it deserved.


I know there's no good or evil in the buisness, your all out to put out product, people to buy, fund development of next project etc, it's just that the smaller developers seem to put a lot more into their products than the bigger guys.Yes, totally different markets, budgets, timescales etc, but it's 'nice' to see people in the industry still coding with a passion.

Long term:Any possibility of any other First star games like Spy Vs Spy being done? or was this a 1 off?

Superb to see it on way as is.

I think that our licensing choices are based on a few factors.

1. Availability of programmers.
2. Popularity of the program being licensed.
3. Limited resources of our company to fund development.
4. Trying to reach the critical mass to make our model (Rebooting active 3rd party publishing for defunct systems) viable.
And, most importantly,

5. The cost of the license.

We have the following licensed games coming.

Hover Bovver
The Lost Caves of Kroz
Defender of the Crown
Boulder Dash(R)

We have a few more titles that we can do. We are hoping to publish original stuff too.

Quote from: "Elektronite"Alberto 2k,

I am not trying to be arrogant. I just think that since I started a legit business, pay taxes, pay my programmers, pay for licenses, use all new materials, and do not make limited runs, that we are not what people think of as 'homebrew'. We aren't doing it as a hobby. We love our work, but we are taking it seriously and are being professional as a small business can be.

I spoke with the president of First Star Software, and told him that people call us 'homebrew'. He said 'you aren't homebrew!'. If we are homebrewers, then so are First Star Software.

Anyhow regardless of what you want to call us, we are excited about working with First Star Software, and will be doing our best to bring out a great game! Hopefully, I will be able to show an Intellivision Boulder Dash (R) title screen soon!

I won't call you homebrewer again, is just that I never thought it could be interpreted as a bad thing.

You have my respect and wish you the best in your business!

Quote from: "Elektronite"I think that our licensing choices are based on a few factors.

1. Availability of programmers.
2. Popularity of the program being licensed.
3. Limited resources of our company to fund development.
4. Trying to reach the critical mass to make our model (Rebooting active 3rd party publishing for defunct systems) viable.
And, most importantly,

5. The cost of the license.

We have the following licensed games coming.

Hover Bovver
The Lost Caves of Kroz
Defender of the Crown
Boulder Dash(R)

We have a few more titles that we can do. We are hoping to publish original stuff too.

Not familar with The Lost Caves...but know the others very well, that's a superb line up there, if you don't mind me saying.Plus, i appreciate the insight into how you go about deciding which games to develop.

As described in my editorial at the start of Homebrew Heroes - by definition homebrew is a new game made for an old system.

There is nothing bad about that whatsoever,  in fact quite the opposite. Homebrew is keeping these systems alive. I personally know lots of homebrew developers who do it for a living and embrace the term, just as they should.

Great news on this release, also mucho respecto or something like that to Elektronite for continuing to do what they do..

Maybe we need to coin a new word, retrobrew = retro gaming re brewed on you favourite systems...

Quote from: "Elektronite"We have the following licensed games coming.

Hover Bovver
The Lost Caves of Kroz
Defender of the Crown
Boulder Dash(R)

We have a few more titles that we can do. We are hoping to publish original stuff too.

Nice list.  It is unfortunate you were unable to get the Ms. Pac-Man license despite all your hard work. 

"As described in my editorial at the start of Homebrew Heroes - by definition homebrew is a new game made for an old system.

There is nothing bad about that whatsoever,  in fact quite the opposite. Homebrew is keeping these systems alive. I personally know lots of homebrew developers who do it for a living and embrace the term, just as they should."

I guess I am one of those who think homebrew sounds 'half assed'.

I am one of the minority that doesn't embrace the term. Sorry.

Hey, you're licensing Hover Bovver from Llamasoft, cool! I only played it on an emulator and it was fun.

You made me track an Intellivision... Shame that it's a hard to find console here in Spain, at least in working condition for what I see. Also it's not a cheap machine if I import it because of the shipping costs...

If I can find one at a decent price you'll have another client.

Nice to read there's not going to be limited releases so everybody can buy their copy.

So Elektronite,

Having stated you intend to release other titles which, is great news, do you also intend to release said titles on other platforms?

"Hey, you're licensing Hover Bovver from Llamasoft, cool! I only played it on an emulator and it was fun."

Yeah, it is a fun game. THIS is a game that Jeff Minter himself allowed us to do. It is nearing completion, according to the developer, and I hope to have it ready soon. It will be nice to send a copy to Jeff Minter.


"You made me track an Intellivision... Shame that it's a hard to find console here in Spain, at least in working condition for what I see. Also it's not a cheap machine if I import it because of the shipping costs...

If I can find one at a decent price you'll have another client. "

Very cool! We appreciate the support! Right now, you should try and get a hold of one and buy D2K Arcade, the unofficial sequel to Nintendo's popular game.

"Nice to read there's not going to be limited releases so everybody can buy their copy."

Yes, this is our model. We are NOT limiting how many we make. It is all determined by how many people want copies. Unfortunately, this has led to some procrastination for buying. However, I have determined a way to encourage people to buy right away. We are going to have an 'introductory price' that is going to be cheaper than the price people will have to pay one month after the game comes out. So, in effect, the price will GO UP if people wait!

"So Elektronite,

Having stated you intend to release other titles which, is great news, do you also intend to release said titles on other platforms?"

We are hoping to start publishing for other platforms too in the future. I would like to see D2K ported to the NES for example, but there are some issues we have to work out. Not the mention, limited resources. However, publishing for other platforms is Classic Game Publishers' goal.

Quote from: "Elektronite""So Elektronite,

Having stated you intend to release other titles which, is great news, do you also intend to release said titles on other platforms?"

We are hoping to start publishing for other platforms too in the future. I would like to see D2K ported to the NES for example, but there are some issues we have to work out. Not the mention, limited resources. However, publishing for other platforms is Classic Game Publishers' goal.

Thanks for the swift response. Just one further point: will any of the other platforms include Atari (any machine)?

I would like to publish for Atari 2600.

The real question is how easy it is to make a cartridge.

Right now, we have our own cartridge that comes from the factory, ready to program.

I don't want to mess around with eproms and other nonsense.

Quote from: "Elektronite"Right now, we have our own cartridge that comes from the factory, ready to program.

I don't want to mess around with eproms and other nonsense.

I did not realize that.  That's very cool! 

Quote from: "TrekMD"

Quote from: "Elektronite"Right now, we have our own cartridge that comes from the factory, ready to program.

I don't want to mess around with eproms and other nonsense.

I did not realize that.  That's very cool!

Indeed!

Also the covers are great, beautiful just like in the old days.


I watched a vid of D2K, awesome work, you must be proud!!

Defender of the Crown Demo looks fantastic, it's a complex game for an Intellivision, really impressive!

The software developer of Boulder Dash has been getting up to speed on the Intellivision development kit.

He has devised the game engine and now has full sprite control and scrolling ability.

We will hopefully be able to post an attractive title screen soon.

Quote from: "Elektronite"The software developer of Boulder Dash has been getting up to speed on the Intellivision development kit.

He has devised the game engine and now has full sprite control and scrolling ability.

We will hopefully be able to post an attractive title screen soon.

That is great!  Thanks for the update! 

Thanks for sharing!

This is a VERY preliminary version of the Boulder Dash title screen.

I want to get it tweaked to look better.

The programmer tells me that we should have something to play by the end of November, and it should be mostly complete by February and ready to fine tune.

Excellent news!  For a preliminary title screen, it looks pretty good. 

This is the latest version of the Boulder Dash (R) art.

It is a work in progress and is not finished being coloured. Not all of the colours will stay the same either.

However, the box colour will probably remain pink.

Looks nice!

This is the latest title screen for Intellivision Boulder Dash (R)

It is fully animated.

The latest Boulder Dash (R) box. Subject to change. Work in Progress

Looks great

Keep going!

Nice stuff! 

The Boulder Dash (R) theme music is in and plays at the title page. It sounds great!

The game mechanics are currently being worked on, and then we will tweak the graphics to look more like Boulder Dash (R).

Hopefully, I'll have something to show in the next few weeks.

 

Excellent! 

Interesting name on the credits screen . . . .

(https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1794677_637511342970766_2136732799_n.jpg)

Quote from: "The Laird"Interesting name on the credits screen . . . .

(https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1794677_637511342970766_2136732799_n.jpg)

I wonder who that is. 

and finally how to order? price? availability?

It is not available yet to order.  Soon, though.  The thread for the game here will be updated once it is available. 

Mr Producer....nice one fella.

Quote from: "zapiy"Mr Producer....nice one fella.

That's Mr. Executive Producer.   :)

The game will be available in the summer of 2014.

Here is a post of the approved box cover, manual cover and sticker.

That looks great!

Excellent work 

Thanks. We worked hard on the art.

The sticker is going to the Printer this week. The game is about 80 percent done at the moment.

As always, puka work fella.

Just saw this...

[align=center:fu1jyzo5](http://www.intellivisionrevolution.com/files/resized/150207/cropped/1;40;318;307;322;429;2d9aa10a375d0c349aa684e8062271bf85f3e663.jpg)[/align:fu1jyzo5]

That looks mint.

This is an early version of the Boulder Dash (R) box.

It has approved 'copy' (The blurb on the back.

The copyright stuff is just dumped on the box, and does not fit. I've asked the graphic artist to do some things that will get all the information on the box in an attractive and uncluttered method.

The game screen is not final, and just a place holder. It is not approved either.

Just a sneak peek for the people on here.

That looks great!

More updates

Not approved, and subject to change

A couple of screenshots

Wow, those screen shots look amazing!

Awesome work. Looks very polished.

We are confident that this is the 'final' design that we will be going to press with in a couple of weeks pending approval of First Star Software, Inc.

Very nicely done.

Great work by the artist fella. Here's hoping for approval.

I've got to say from an outside perspective "Co-Published" actually sounds MORE official.  If you had to make a compromise on that phrasing I'd say that you actually came out on top.

It already said 'Co-Published' at the bottom of the back of the box.

I simply removed the words from above the First Star logo.

I hope to get a lot of exposure for this. Certainly a lot more than the Atari Age guys got for their limited run Atari VCS version.

[align=center:1ft0at79]Boulder Dash(R) For Intellivision (//http)[/align:1ft0at79]

That looks crazy fun..
 

Here's a review of the game just posted by Gamester81...

Well, Boulder Dash(R) for Intellivision has come and gone.

The game was available from March 18th, 2015 to August 15th, 2016.

It is no longer being manufactured or sold. However, a number of people bought copies at full retail in order to resell.

So, if you were 'late to the party' I'm sure you can still get a copy of this now rare and impressive game.

The game got rave reviews from those who tried it out.

If you were thinking of getting the game, grab one before the resellers run out of copies!

End of an era pal..

congrats on your achievement.