AmigaOS 4 Monthly Roundup – April 2025

Hi,

Welcome to a new edition of the AmigaOS 4 Monthly Roundup!

The month of May has arrived. Spring is in the air! It is time to look at what has been happening in the community during April.

Thanks for reading and for visiting my blog. Hope you’ll enjoy the news!

Software News

First up is some gaming news! Hold on to your horses!

Warcraft-2-Engine: Stratagus 3.3.3 for AmigaOS 4

Press release from amiga-news.de

Alinea Computer is pleased to be able to offer another port by Steffen Häuser. Steffen has taken care of the porting of the latest version 3.3.3 and the installation routines for easy installation under AmigaOS 4. Stratagus is the port of the engine in version 3.3.3, which makes it possible to play the game Warcraft 2 from Blizzard Entertainment natively on the Amiga under AmigaOS 4.

The archive contains an installer with which it is possible to install the game directly from the PC CD without pre-installing it on the PC. At least for the Warcraft 2 Classic PC CD, for the Battle.Net CD or the Gog version it is necessary to unpack a file with a Windows tool, but with the Classic CD you can install directly on the Amiga.

Warcraft 2 is one of the most famous strategy games of all time, practically the prequel to the famous MMO “World of Warcraft”. In addition to the base game “Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness”, the add-on CD “Warcraft 2: Beyond the Dark Portal” (already included in the Battle.Net CD and Gog version) is also supported.

Stratagus is based on the current “latest Git” version of the Stratagus project (version 3.3.3). In contrast to an earlier implementation, 3.3.3 offers the following features:

• Iconic game music and not just sound effects (the music files are only installed with the Warcraft 2 Classic CD and the Battle.net CD, but can be copied manually afterwards when using the Gog version).
• The game’s video sequences (video sequences not available on AmigaOne A1222)
• A functional level editor
• Numerous bug fixes

Of course, the localisation of Warcraft 2 into different languages is also supported.

Stratagus is under GPL licence, the source code of the Amiga version will be integrated into the github of the PC version in the foreseeable future, but is also available as a request by e-mail (see readme for details).

The minimum requirements for Stratagus are:

A computer with AmigaOS 4.1 FE Update 2 or higher
Special executables optimised for the respective platforms (x1000, x5000, Sam 440, Sam 460, G3 and A1222) can be selected during installation.

https://www.amiga-shop.net/en/Amiga-Software/Amiga-Games/Stratagus-3-3-3-for-AmigaOS-4::1412.html

Juan Carlos Herrán Martín is an active software developer for platforms like AmigaOS 4, MorphOS, and AROS. We’ve seen many releases from him in the earlier monthly roundups. Now he is back with a new version of the game Los Malditos. It is a free adaption of the mythical books from Timun Mas from the 1980s and 1990s. These books are related to Dungeons & Dragons. The author is a fan of these works. It is now available for download at OS4Depot.

Improvements since the previous version:

• Improved on-screen text
• Improvement of the game speed, removing the delay refresh in the game window
• Bugs fixed
• Removed the option to exit the game when you are in a fight and you are in places preventing you from running away from the enemy
• New cover
• The game has been made free, but donations are welcome

He also released version Final2 of High-Low-Equal Poker. This is a special version to promote the game Los Malditos del Valle del Cerro and a way to show the possibilities of his games to promote magazines, books, movies, and other games and programs, even hardware.

• The game has the exclusive Baphomet deck with the Heroes from the game “Los Malditos’ del Valle del Cerro”
• Bug fixed with card engine
• Two game modes: A=1 Ace equals 1 and Poker A>K Ace as in poker is the highest card
• Now the game cans open and play with Baphomet decks
• New screen to exit the game instead of the window requester
• Small improvements

If that was not enough, he updated his utility Cards Making Kit to version 2.20. With this program, you can make your decks for the following games:

• HLE Poker Card (High-Low-Equal Poker Card)
• BlackJuan
• Siete y Media
• Baccarat
• BlackIvan Card

You can make your decks using pictures from your family, pets, hobbies, etc.

Here is another one from the same author. Version 2.05 of a game called Baccarat has been released. This is a tribute to the mythical card game, popularized by the James Bond movie Dr. No with Sean Connery. The author has added a new exit cover (more James Bond style), and fixed a bug with the Baphomet decks and the overload in the game screen that slowed down the game.

Blackjuan Poker Card has been updated to version 2.00. This is another card game from the author above. The development of the game started back in 2012. This release includes new graphics and bug fixes. The game now supports Baphomet decks.

Last, but not least, he has updated the game Siete y Media to version 2.00. This is a Spanish Blackjack version with a Spanish deck of 40 cards. The aim of the game is not to get 21 which is common in Blackjack, but the sum of 7.5. You can read more about this in the readme. An SDK is included for those interested in making their decks of cards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J67WwNSgq3A

Amifish is a chess program made to play chess with Amiga-like systems. It exploits the power of one of the most powerful chess engines in the world: Stockfish. This engine was developed by Tord Romstad, Marco Costalba, Joona Kiiski, and Gary Linscott. A chess engine is a console program that plays chess, receiving strings as commands and producing strings in output as a result of computation. Stockfish and many other engines are compatible with a standard named UCI (Universal Chess Interface). The name Amifish is obtained by joining the words ‘Amiga’ and ‘Stockfish’. However, the project is open to all engines compliant with the UCI standard. It is a light program for amateurs. It is made to have fun with chess. Only the most important options are implemented. Version 2.1 is out for AmigaOS 4 and can be downloaded from OS4Depot.

Version R19 of iMage, a fast image viewer by Lazi has been released. According to the author, it handles JPG files very fast.

MCE, Multi-game Character Editor, is a user-friendly open-source editor of character files, saved games, high score tables, levels, and graphics for 122 games. James Jacobs, the author, has now released version 15.31, which provides miscellaneous improvements, as well as an enhanced Goal! Team editor.

Lorence Lombardo released version 1.0 of chklib. It is currently used in the “amiaudcomp” lib project. He also released version 1.0 of flushmem, which in theory flushes all flushable items from memory.

AmiSSL received an update to version 5.20. As mentioned in earlier editions of the AmigaOS 4 Monthly Roundup, the AmiSSL project is a collaborative effort to develop a port of OpenSSL in a shared library for Amiga-based systems. The download is available here. If you are interested in the SDK, it can be found here. It is a must-have if you use AmigaOS 4 to browse the web!

An updated version, 3.4, of the YouTube URL Extractor Script by Michael Trebilcock was released on April 16th. YT.rexx is a script for providing direct video and audio links from YouTube URLs. Changes from the previous version include:

3.4 – 16th Apr 2025:

• Compatibility fixes.
• Removed MEDIACONNECT client as it was no longer supported.
• Added ANDROIDVR client. This is the default in a new YT.cfg. Please note that
  YouTube Kids videos are incompatible with this client.
• DualTagVid / DualTagAud settings in the .cfg can now have multiple tag
  numbers in order of priority, for use with the dualplay option.

More history within the archive.

PolarPaint is an experimental paint program made in Hollywood by Anbjørn Myren. Version 1.055 was uploaded to OS4Depot and became available on April 18th. If you are interested in checking it out, please click here. Another version called PolarPaint Small can be downloaded via this link.

Deark is an application that can extract data from a wide range of file formats. Developed by Jason Summers, this tool can help you get data from everything from AMOS ABK files to Doom WADs. You can read more about supported formats, as well as download the utility from OS4Depot. Version 1.7.0 became available on OS4Depot on April 18th.

George Sokianos a.k.a. Walkero has released a new version of aiostreams. “All In One streams” (aiostreams) is a pack of scripts, written in Python, that can be used to stream and watch videos from different online networks, like Twitch.tv, YouTube, and Vimeo.com. Please click here to download it or to read the changelog.

Version 3.451 of IMP3, a utility created by Juen a.k.a Pawl Nowak, has been released! The program was originally meant for 68K but does run OK on AmigaOS 4. With IMP3, you can listen to over 168.000 music files through the Internet. These are ProTracker modules, SID tunes, and so forth. Besides this, it has cloud storage and Online gaming with high scores.

The source code for AmiCraftNova has been released to the public domain by Caras Ghant.

Frank Wille has released an updated version of vasm m68k std, vasm PPC std, and vasm 68k mot. vasm is a portable and re-targetable assembler to create linkable objects in various formats and absolute code. Multiple CPU-, syntax, and output-modules can be selected.

AmigaGPT is a versatile ChatGPT client for AmigaOS 3.x, 4.1 and MorphOS. It is being developed by Cameron Armstrong a.k.a. Nightfox. This powerful tool brings the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT to your Amiga system, enabling text generation, question-answering, and creative exploration. AmigaGPT can also generate stunning images using DALL-E and includes support for speech output, making it easier than ever to interact with AI on your Amiga. Designed to integrate seamlessly with your system, AmigaGPT delivers modern AI technology while embracing the timeless Amiga experience. Version 2.5.0 is now available for download from OS4Depot.

Privoxy is a web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, modifying web page data, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups, and other obnoxious Internet junk. It is being developed by Mark Mansnerus. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and can be customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Privoxy has applications for both stand-alone systems and multi-user networks. Version 3.0.6 is now out and available for download.

WormHole allows you to transfer files to another computer within the same LAN without having to make any adjustments. It is being developed by Lazi. The main advantage of using WormHole between Amiga systems is that it can handle icons and all AmigaOS file attributes in one step.

Main features:

• Transfers all Amiga file attributes
• Transfers icons automatically
• Zero configuration
• Transfers files bi-directional at the same time
• Transfer multiple files parallel at the same time
• Multiplatform

Version 0.5 has been released. Please click here to download it.

AStone is a picture viewer created in Hollywood by Sandro Barbagelata. Version 1.0 was released on April 26th. It is heavily inspired by the utility Fastone on Windows.

The AmigaOS 4 port of Open Medal of Honor is now available on OS4Depot. The porting has been done by Ryan Dixon a.k.a. rjd324. The main goal of OpenMoHAA is to ensure the future and continuity of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (including Spearhead and Breakthrough expansions) on all platforms/architectures by providing new patches/features.

The source code for the AmigaOS4 port can be found at:

https://github.com/3246251196/openmohaa

The download is available here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQhvT-h2jk0

An update to Report+, a ReAction-based utility with nine functions, has been released by James Jacobs. It was made available on OS4Depot on April 27th. This tool can help you with generating Aminet- and OS4Depot-style readme files, performing batch processing on icons, and much more. Recent changes since 8.64 include miscellaneous improvements and bug fixes. More detailed information can be found on OS4Depot.

Version 34.3 of AmiArcadia for AmigaOS 4, a Signetics-based machines emulator, has been released by James Jacobs.

According to the documentation, AmiArcadia supports the following systems:

• Emerson Arcadia 2001 console family (Bandai, Emerson, Grandstand, Intervision, Leisure-Vision, Leonardo, MPT-03, Ormatu, Palladium, Poppy, Robdajet, Tele-Fever, Tempest, Tryom, Tunix, etc.) (c. 1982);
• Interton VC 4000 console family (Acetronic, Cabel, Fountain, Hanimex, Interton, Prinztronic, Radofin, Rowtron, Soundic, Voltmace, Waddingtons, etc.) (c. 1978);
• Elektor TV Games Computer (1979);
• PIPBUG- and BINBUG-based machines (EA 77up2, EA 78up5, Signetics Adaptable Board Computer, Eurocard 2650, etc.) (1977-1978);
• Signetics Instructor 50 trainer (1978);
• Signetics TWIN minicomputer (1976);
• Central Data 2650 computer (1977);
• PHUNSY computer (c. 1980);
• Ravensburger Selbstbaucomputer aka 2650 Minimal Computer trainer (1984);
• Hofacker MIKIT 2650 trainer (1978);
• Astro Wars, Galaxia, Laser Battle and Lazarian coin-ops by Zaccaria (1979-1981);
• Malzak 1 and 2 coin-ops by Kitronix (c. 1981);
• AY-3-8500/8550/8600-based Pong systems (Coleco Telstar Galaxy, Sheen TVG-201, etc.) (1976-1977);
• VTech Type-right machine (1985)

It is packed with features, far too many to list here. Examples include ReAction GUI, load/save snapshots, and windowed and fullscreen modes. Other features are CPU tracing, trainer, and drag and drop support. Additionally, it offers graphics scaling, PAL/NTSC modes, and frame skipping, among many other features!

Here is a summary of the changes since the last version:

• TWIN: added emulation of high-speed papertape reader.
• CD2650, PHUNSY: added “Tools|Sprite/character editor/viewer…”
  command.
• Miscellaneous improvements and bug fixes.

Please click here to be taken to the download page.

Xiangqi is a chess program made to play Xiangqi (Chinese chess), by making use of chess engines UCI compatible with the moves played by computers. A chess engine is a console program that play chess, receiving strings as commands and producing strings in output as a result of computation. The program is developed by Domenico Lattanzi. More information is available on OS4Depot.

That was the software news for this time. Now let us move over to hardware!

Hardware

I first heard about the new PPC hardware on Discord and was very surprised, to say the least! amiga-news.de has an extensive article about the subject. It will explain the project much better than I would be able to do. I recommend you pop over to them and have a look at what this new PPC hardware is about.

https://www.amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2025-04-00129-EN.html

Here are two announcements from ACube Systems about UBoot updates!

UBoot 2015.d for Sam460EX / Sam460CR / Sam460LE boards available
Bassano del Grappa, Italy – 08 April 2025

ACube Systems is pleased to announce a new release of the UBoot firmware for its Sam460 line of motherboards.

For the first time in Amiga history, it is now possible to boot from an NVMe SSD.

This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Amiga platform. Thanks to recent advancements, users can now experience dramatically improved boot speeds and data access times by utilizing modern NVMe solid-state drives—bringing the Amiga into a new era of performance and reliability.

This development not only enhances the capabilities of current NG systems but also demonstrates the ongoing innovation and dedication within the Amiga community. Booting from an NVMe SSD was once considered impossible—today, it is a reality.

This update is completely free for all users.

We are excited to announce a new version packed with important features and improvements—available as a free download.

New in this release:

• NVMe SSD driver – For the first time ever, you can boot from an NVMe drive using a standard NVMe-to PCIe adapter.
• PCIe SATA2 support – Added driver for the Silicon Image 3132 controller, allowing booting from both SATA SSDs and DVD drives.
• DDR2 timing adjustments – Fine-tune DDR2 RAM timings for faster memory access.
• Customizable USB stack – Choose between EHCI (faster for mass storage) or OHCI (greater compatibility with keyboards).
• Enhanced “sata” command – Now displays more detailed information about drivers and connected devices.
• Improved serial console navigation – Navigate menu items using W and S keys.
• General bug fixes and improvements.
• Unified source code – Now streamlined for both 460ex and 440ep platforms.
• An updated installation guide is included, covering the standard ISO image method as well as alternative installation methods via TFTP and USB.
• Updater tool can be downloaded from:
  https://acube-systems.biz/download/Sam460_updater_2015d.zip

If you are not comfortable installing UBoot yourself, we also offer fully updated UBoot chips through our online store.

Additional information:
Please note: UBoot and UBoot updater make use of GPL code and thus are both published under GPL.

Sources can be downloaded from:

UBoot & UBoot updater
https://acube-systems.biz/download/u-boot-2015.d_prod.tar.gz

Parthenope
https://acube-systems.biz/download/ub2lb_0.94.tar.gz

UBoot 2015.d for Sam440ep mini-itx and Sam440ep flex boards available
Bassano del Grappa, Italy – 14 April 2025

ACube Systems is pleased to announce a new release of the U-Boot firmware for its Sam440 line of motherboards.

Following the recent update for the Sam460, the Sam440 now also benefits from enhanced support, including compatibility with NVMe SSDs. Additionally, this update introduces support for Radeon RX and Radeon HD graphics cards.

This release represents a significant investment of time and resources. Nevertheless, we have chosen to offer it at the symbolic price of €3.99.

Highlights of this release include:

• Support for Radeon RX graphics cards () Improved support for Radeon HD graphics cards ()
  NVMe SSD driver: boot directly from NVMe devices using a PCIe adapter () Driver for the PCIe SATA2 Silicon Image 3132 controller, with support for booting from SSDs and DVDs ()
• Enhanced RAM access speed on Sam440ep-flex boards
• New graphical interface style
• Revised ‘sata’ command, now displaying more detailed information about drivers and connected devices
• Serial console improvements: menu navigation via the W (up) and S (down) keys
• General bug fixes and overall improvements
• Unified source code for the 460ex and 440ep platforms

Note:

Features marked with an asterisk (*) require a PCI-to-PCIe bridge.
Radeon RX and Radeon HD graphics cards also require a specific driver (to be sold separately by A-EON Technology once available) for use with AmigaOS 4.

Purchase the update:

The update is available through our online store.
For those not comfortable performing the update themselves, we also offer pre-programmed, fully updated U-Boot chips.

Additional Information:

UBoot makes use of GPL-licensed code and is therefore released under the terms of the GPL.

Source code downloads:

U-Boot:
https://acube-systems.biz/download/u-boot-2015.d_prod.tar.gz
Parthenope:
https://acube-systems.biz/download/ub2lb_0.94.tar.gz

YouTube

Marek Glogowski has published a new video showing Super Star Blast running on AmigaOS 4 through QEMU 10 and GPU Passthrough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd_a9kpbXtQ

HunoPPC shows DOSBox Enhanced running on AmigaOS 4 with 3dfx support and shader effects:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSCPkfZ-pVo

Here is a video of Baldur’s Gate running on AmigaOS 4. The video was created by anouk33.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UT8a-33z2o

Here is another video, but this time of WarCraft II:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY5ktfyiK7o

And one of Quake II:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewALudVmDRc

Amiga Wave has made a long video. It lasts for more than 2 hours and covers his experience with AmigaOS 4 on the Sam460LE. The video is in Spanish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nVsxjDwqHM

Mr. Byte shows Stratagus 3.3.3 running on his A1222+:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCJhZh_f_qY

The Lost C is back with a new video. This time he does a test of the A1222 with a Radeon HD7750. The vide is in Italian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLYq27YKxls

He also created a video with the A1222 and AmiCygnix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCDn4hMeabY

TJ Ferreira is back once again. This time, he takes us on a journey through his experience with playing Glubble on his AmigaOne X5000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72WX8T2Lsd4

Until next time

You’ve now reached the end of the AmigaOS 4 Monthly Roundup for April 2025. I had not expected it to be this extensive. There is a clearly a lot happening in the world of AmigaOS 4 and Amiga in general these days!

Thanks as always to all readers and supporters out there. Thanks for visiting my blog and see you in the next roundup!

Best regards,

Puni