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Author Topic: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System  (Read 3070 times)

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Offline amigasocietyTopic starter

Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« on: November 30, 2010, 05:59:15 PM »
I was kind of familiar that Epyx and Atari were related in terms of the Atari Lynx handheld gaming system but was unaware Amiga was in the mix.

In a bulk purchase of goods I acquired a rather slick 3" thick big blue binder with the Atari and Lynx logo on the cover.  It has on the cover "Handy Specification" with dates going back to 1987 up to 1989.  Opening the binder the first page is a Atari cover letter and it discusses that this binder is for the Lynx Development System.  The interesting thing is this Development System is based around an Amiga A2000 Computer.  That I did not know.  

So, guessing here, but did Epyx design the Lynx with Atari or sell it to them and Atari took it over and was Epyx using an Amiga based system to create apps and stuff for the Atari Lynx?  :confused:

Here is a picture of the Binder and a scan of the page that mentions the Amiga A2000.  

Enjoy!  Rather neat little Binder I have in my collection next to my Lynx. :)

tj



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Offline Lando

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Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2010, 06:23:05 PM »
I had never realised that Amigas were used for Lynx development.   I guess it makes sense.  PC's back in those days were XT's or 286's with Hercules or Tandy graphics adapters if you were lucky.  Completely unsuitable for any kind of games development.  Amigas were also used in the development of many GBA games.  The first XBox 360 devkits delivered my Microsoft were Apple PowerMac G5's.

Not forgetting, of course the Lynx was designed by the same guys as the Amiga- RJ Mical and Dave Needle.  I even see David Needle wrote the development docs you have there.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2010, 06:27:46 PM by Lando »
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Offline tone007

Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2010, 06:36:25 PM »
The Lynx is fun, but the screen sucks.
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Offline mongo

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Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2010, 07:06:23 PM »
Considering who wrote the development tools for the Lynx, it's not surprising...

From http://www.sassenrath.com/carl.html

Quote

Sassenrath Research, President. Programming and consulting company. Wrote the main development tools for the Epyx Handy (Atari Lynx hand-held game machine), created Amiga Logo, wrote the book: Guru's Guide to the Commodore Amiga, and other code for Electronic Arts, VPL, Commodore, ...
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Offline amigasocietyTopic starter

Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2010, 07:23:45 PM »
Quote from: mongo;595621
Considering who wrote the development tools for the Lynx, it's not surprising...

From http://www.sassenrath.com/carl.html


Wow, I guess I have a rather cool book now.  Very neat!  tj
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Offline commodorejohn

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Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2010, 07:29:16 PM »
Fascinating! It didn't come with the disks, did it?
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Offline amigasocietyTopic starter

Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2010, 08:11:03 PM »
Quote from: commodorejohn;595632
Fascinating! It didn't come with the disks, did it?

Nope, just acquired the binder that is 3" thick with everything one wants to know about the Lynx.  It even has the word "Handy" in it as I perused it so I guess this was the Epyx Handy that Atari renamed Lynx.  Looks like it has everything one would want to know about the Lynx.  Block diagrams, programming stuff, schematics, you name it.  All above my head but neat anyway.  I own a Lynx but not sure what I will do with the book.  I guess just have next to my Lynx collection for now.

tj
« Last Edit: November 30, 2010, 08:16:24 PM by amigasociety »
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Offline amigasocietyTopic starter

Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2010, 08:27:37 PM »
Couple images of the table of contents for the first section of the book.  It has many sections but this is the first.  Later sections talks about doing music for the Lynx and you name it.  Seems like this book was the Bible for the Epyx Handy that was then taken over by Atari and renamed the Lynx.  Reading a bit it talks about how Epyx and Atari worked on this and renaming to Lynx.  Interesting read.  I guess if I was into programming for the Lynx, this book would really be helpful.  I just play the few games on it from time to time so may be wasted on me but still, nice little thing to have of behind the scenes early Atari Lynx stuff.

tj



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Offline B00tDisk

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Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #8 on: November 30, 2010, 10:35:24 PM »
I wanna know the contents of the section that reads "Don't Do These Things" :D
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Offline commodorejohn

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Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #9 on: November 30, 2010, 10:42:24 PM »
Hmm, interesting. I'm not into the Lynx myself, but I understand it's got a fair-sized homebrew community - maybe someone over on the AtariAge forums would find it interesting...
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Offline amigasocietyTopic starter

Re: Amiga, Epyx, & Atari Lynx Development System
« Reply #10 on: December 02, 2010, 10:48:24 PM »
Decided to try eBay to auction it to someone that really wants it.  

Link to auction if interested.

http://tinyurl.com/2a3o8qa

I guess since the Amiga was used to program the Lynx, this guide may be of interest to Amiga fans also.  :)

tj
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