Release MSXPLAYer

Source: MSX Mailinglist and MSX Newsgroup

The MSX Association has planned the release of the MSXPLAYer within a few days from now, maybe even tomorrow. The delay in the release mainly has been caused by difficulties regarding the MSX copyrights. In the current stage, some holders of MSX copyrights didn't approve to distribute the MSX roms for free.Therefor, the MSXPLAYer is going to be released in a commercial form. The MSX PLAYer will only be available as part of a package. This package includes a game (i.e. Fray or Laydock) and the MSXPLAYer. The distribution of the packages is possible thanks to the softwareproject EGG.To download the MSX PLAYer you have to be a member of Soft-City. If you want to registrate, follow this link. Packages including the MSXPLAYer cost about 600 japanese yens, that is about 5 euros.

Of course people will think: 'We are not going to pay for software we can get for free too'. Remember this, the money gained with this project will partially be invested in new MSX projects, i.e. the ONE-CHIP-MSX. Although commercial MSX activities are being carried out by the MSX Association now, we still believe it's a good thing a professional organization is again interested in MSX and its future.

Comments (6)

By mars2000you

Enlighted (6442)

16-05-2002, 19:38

Very disappointing news !We don't need a commercial official MSX emulator as NLMSX is the best emulator for Windows and that OpenMSX seems to be a very interesting emulator (but we are still waiting for a really open release !)

About the copyright holders that puts barriers on the road of the MSX-PLAYer : no name of course, but I guess that it must be Microsoft$
and Konami$ !!!! There's only one real option : the support of NLMSX and OpenMSX, the boycott of MSX-PLAYer and of the X-BOX !!!

By Latok

msx guru (3929)

17-05-2002, 09:51

I agree on boycotting the Xbox , but erhm....I'm idealistic. I still hope for a new MSX impulse.

The MSX Association can give the MSX more exposure. The MSX Association can reach more people then us MSX amateurs. We live in an ever decreasing scene.

I just checked the EGG website and it looks like the MSX PLAYer is indeed going on sale today. Therefor, I am happy.

By Latok

msx guru (3929)

17-05-2002, 11:54

And to be honest. The feeling of being able to buy the MSX game Fray in 2002 on a legal way, that is VERY thrilling

By snout

Ascended (15187)

17-05-2002, 17:13

Well, wether we like it or not, the MSX Association seems to be very serious about the whole project after all.

I don't think this emulator is intended for the die hard MSX freaks. (Come on, we all still have a REAL MSX, right), but for a larger public who forgot about MSX - or who haven't even heard about MSX.

Although I have my doubts about the PC-version of this emulator, I am more excited about the PDA version. This emu could have a huge potential.

Like Latok I like it that something official is happening again in the MSX word. I mean, who would have thought that five years ago? And 5 euro's for a legal game and a emulator seems very very reasonable to me.

By mars2000you

Enlighted (6442)

17-05-2002, 17:31

I can agree that 5 euro's for a MSX game and the MSX-PLAYer is reasonable, but you must first register and then there are two problems :
1 - register costs 300 yens per month !!!!
2 - it seems only accessible to Japanese (especially, you must indicate a japanese province and a valid Japanese postcode !!!)
Therefore, I can't test this emulator and compare it with NLMSX. I must suppose that NLMSX is
still the best one, because MSX-PLAYer is only a new version of fMSX !!!
I still can't understand the japanese strategy : they had forgotten Europa for the MSX 2+ and the Turbo-R and we have now the same approach : an official emulator only for Japan !!! I don't think it's a good sign to the MSX Revival and the future MSX 3...

By snout

Ascended (15187)

17-05-2002, 17:58

When Nishi came to the Netherlands to talk abou tthe past, present and future of MSX that was probably intended as a sign that he did not forget about us.

Just because the MSX PLAYer is released in Japan only now, does not mean it will not be available elsewhere later. Think of the gameconsoles like XBOX and PS2. They are also released on different dates on different continents. Lets just wait for the first reactions from Japan now...

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