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Maximum Overkill | OS/2 Museum

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The 1992 game Comanche: Maximum Overkill by NovaLogic uses a nonstandard DOS extender and an unconventional method to enter protected mode, which works on 386 and 486 processors but can fail on Pentium and later CPUs due to changes in how the Intel Pentium handles the writability of the CS segment in real mode. This subtle CPU architectural difference, combined with variations in system BIOS behavior, causes the original game to crash on some Pentium systems, especially after the first run, though patched and updated versions improve compatibility.

https://www.os2museum.com/wp/maximum-overkill/

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10 REM”_(C2SLFF4

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The article investigates the mysterious first line of the 1980 Exidy Sorcerer BASIC game The Wizard’s Castle, which contains a REM statement embedding machine code for seeding the pseudo-random number generator (PRNG). By analyzing the Sorcerer’s memory and instruction set, the author and collaborators reveal that the REM text is actually tokenized machine code stored in BASIC’s linked-list program memory, executed via the USR() function to seed randomness using the Z80 processor’s R register. This illustrates a unique, low-level technique to embed executable code in comments on early microcomputers, highlighting the interplay between BASIC and machine code in vintage gaming and software.

https://beej.us/blog/data/mystery-comment/

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Adobe Photoshop Source Code

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Photoshop Origins:
Thomas and John Knoll developed an image editing program in the late 1980s called “Display,” which became “Photoshop.” Adobe licensed it in 1989, leading to its commercial release in 1990. The source code for version 1.0.1, primarily in Pascal, is now available for non-commercial use, showcasing its architectural sophistication and historical significance in software development.

https://computerhistory.org/blog/adobe-photoshop-source-code/

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Fully Documented Source Code for Elite on the 6502 (BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64, Apple II, NES)

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Fully documented 6502 source code for Elite (1984) online, covering BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64, Apple II, and NES. Includes original code, deep dives, hacks, and options to play or explore. GitHub repositories available for building source code versions. Educational site aims to appreciate the game’s legacy.

https://elite.bbcelite.com/

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