{"id":3619,"date":"2026-11-01T09:19:27","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T08:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/?page_id=3619"},"modified":"2026-11-01T09:19:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T08:19:28","slug":"spectrum-gem","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/spectrum-gem\/","title":{"rendered":"Spectrum Gem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spectrum Gem<\/strong> is a puzzle platformer for 8-bit Atari XL\/XE computers, originally developed for the ABBUC Software Contest 2026. Inspired by the classic MS-DOS title <em>Quadrax<\/em>, the game combines brain-teasing puzzle mechanics with technical graphical innovations built specifically for Atari XL\/XE hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"336\" height=\"240\" data-id=\"3622\" src=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_00.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3622\" srcset=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_00.png 336w, http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_00-300x214.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"336\" height=\"240\" data-id=\"3624\" src=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_02.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3624\" srcset=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_02.png 336w, http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_02-300x214.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"336\" height=\"240\" data-id=\"3625\" src=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_03.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3625\" srcset=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_03.png 336w, http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/sg_03-300x214.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Spectrum Gem - Atari XL\/XE - ABBUC Software Contest 2026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Nwl2wNIquF4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gameplay &amp; Mechanics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Spectrum Gem, the goal is to navigate two characters through intricate levels, collect <strong>4 gem shards<\/strong>, and reach the exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Single-Player &amp; 2-Player Co-op:<\/strong> Play solo by switching between characters on the fly, or team up with a second player in local co-op mode using two joysticks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identical Abilities:<\/strong> Both characters can walk, climb blocks, jump off ledges, push blocks, toggle switches, activate teleporters, and ride elevators. Characters do not block each other, allowing seamless movement through tight spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Puzzles &amp; Traps:<\/strong> Levels feature hidden hazards and interactive mechanics where players must determine which switch controls which mechanism. If either character dies, the level restarts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Joystick Controls &amp; In-Game Menu:<\/strong> The game is fully playable via joystick. In 1-player mode, <strong>holding down the fire button<\/strong> switches control between the two characters. Holding the fire button longer opens the in-game menu, allowing you to restart the level, toggle between 1P\/2P modes, or quit to the title screen. Keyboard input is only required when entering level passwords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Password System:<\/strong> Progress is tracked via a level password displayed on the status bar, allowing players to resume gameplay anytime from the title screen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complete Ending Sequence:<\/strong> Includes a dedicated victory ending upon completing all levels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Technical Highlights &amp; Credits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spectrum Gem was coded entirely from scratch, featuring graphics and custom level designs created by MatoSimi, with player animations designed by Tix, a status bar interface by PG, and an ATR disk image using the xBootDOS loader by XXL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Custom DLI Kernel:<\/strong> Uses a custom graphics mode capable of displaying 8 colors in low-resolution character mode, with up to 6 colors within a single character space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fluid Animation:<\/strong> Features nearly 200 custom character animation frames.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Debut of ALPA Mode:<\/strong> The title screen and victory finale feature interlaced images displayed in my custom-developed <strong>ALPA mode<\/strong>, used for the first time in this title.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hardware Requirements:<\/strong> Runs on a stock 8-bit Atari XL\/XE computer with <strong>64KB RAM<\/strong> (no memory expansion required). Supports optional stereo sound setups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Origin &amp; Quadrax Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spectrum Gem was created with written permission from the original <em>Quadrax<\/em> creators, Mari\u00e1n Ferko and David Dur\u010d\u00e1k, permitting the use of the Quadrax name and original level designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This release features custom level designs created specifically for Spectrum Gem. Conversions of original Quadrax levels are planned for future game iterations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Download<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"border: solid 2px #fb9f34;margin-bottom: 1px;\">\r\n <div class=\"wpfilebase-fileicon\"><a href=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/download\/my_games\/Spectrum-Gem.atr\" title=\"Download Spectrum Gem\"><img decoding=\"async\" align=\"middle\" src=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/wp-includes\/images\/crystal\/atr.png\" alt=\"Spectrum Gem\" \/><\/a><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"wpfilebase-rightcol\">\r\n  <div class=\"wpfilebase-filetitle\">\r\n   <a href=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/download\/my_games\/Spectrum-Gem.atr\" title=\"Download Spectrum Gem\" style=\"font-weight:bold;\">Spectrum Gem<\/a><br \/>\r\n   Spectrum-Gem.atr<br \/>\r\n   \r\n   \r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"wpfilebase-filedetails\" id=\"wpfilebase-filedetails1\" style=\"display: none;\">\r\n  <p>Abbuc Software Contest 2026 winner!<\/p>\r\n  <table border=\"0\">\r\n   \r\n   <tr><td><strong>Author:<\/strong><\/td><td>MatoSimi<\/td><\/tr>\r\n   \r\n   \r\n   <tr><td><strong>Category:<\/strong><\/td><td>My Games<\/td><\/tr>\r\n   \r\n   <tr><td><strong>Date:<\/strong><\/td><td>November 1, 2026<\/td><\/tr>\r\n   \n  <\/table>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"wpfilebase-fileinfo\">\r\n  90.0 KiB<br \/>\r\n  42 Downloads<br \/>\r\n  <a href=\"#\" onclick=\"return wpfilebase_filedetails(1);\">Details&#8230;<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spectrum Gem is a puzzle platformer for 8-bit Atari XL\/XE computers, originally developed for the ABBUC Software Contest 2026. Inspired [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3619","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Spectrum Gem - MatoSimi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/matosimi.websupport.sk\/atari\/spectrum-gem\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spectrum Gem - MatoSimi\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Spectrum Gem is a puzzle platformer for 8-bit Atari XL\/XE computers, originally developed for the ABBUC Software Contest 2026. 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