Metal Dragon (Kai Magazine) for the MSX system with v9990

The pre-order for Metal Dragon (Kai Magazine 2021) begins (until 05-22-2021)
Please read all the information regarding hardware and compatibility requirements before purchasing.
(The game is not completely finished and we still need to beta-test, fix some bugs and polish some minor details).
Metal Dragon is a parodic "Run & Gun" game based on war games from the 1980s.
We have tried to recreate the 80s arcade experience as much as possible.
The parodic elements are not intended to insult or belittle the original works.
This game requires the v9990 graphics hardware upgrade (Power graph, gfx9000, video9000).
It is not made in a video game mode (P1, 61 colors) but it is developed in a much slower graphic mode but offers 256 fixed colors (identical to the msx2’s screen 8 but faster and with 4 times more vram)
Since this graphics mode is much slower, we need a more powerful CPU to complete all tasks on time for each frame.
For this reason the game has been designed for a CPU with TURBO so that it runs at the original speed:
-Panasonic 2+
-One Chip MSX upgraded to 2+ with turbo
-Zemmix neo and all its variants/clones
-Panasonic Turbo-R
The game runs on non-turbo z80 computers but runs 33% slower (below is a video of non-turbo z80 performance).
We decided to leave non-turbo PC compatibility / functionality open in case someone doesn't mind playing it slower, but the game is designed for Turbo CPU PCs.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
CPU:
To play at 100% speed:
-Panasonic 2+
-One Chip upgraded to 2+ with turbo
-Zemmix neo and all its variants
- Panasonic Turbo-R
Supports non-turbo CPU but the game will run slower.
Video:
Any cartridge with the V9990 video chip (Powergraph, gfx9000, video9000 and any of their compatible clones)
Music:
-opl4 (moonsound and any of its clones) WITH AT LEAST 512Kb of ram for the samples.
-FM PAC (MSX Music) both internal and external
-Music Module (Msx Audio)
-FM PAC + Music Module both at the same time.
RAM:
The game requires 128Kb of ram BUT the game cartridge includes a RAM memory upgrade that is compatible with turbo modes (most RAM upgrades are not compatible with turbo modes and cause the computer to crash when it enters turbo mode and accesses the expanded ram).
Thus, with the original cartridge, any msx user who only has 64Kb will be able to play the game.
COMPATIBILITY:
MSX2 or higher.
THE PRE-PURCHASE:
This game uses a special cartridge with much more capacity than the usual 2048Kb that we usually use.
It also includes a memory expansion compatible with cpus with Turbo for users who only have 64Kb on their MSX.
That means that the price that the cartridge costs us is higher than usual.
The game box is fitted with a high-quality, custom-made, factory-made foam holder, providing an ideal, high-quality cartridge holder.
These are additional costs that are reflected in the price of the game.
Therefore, the price of the game in the pre-purchase period is 48 euros + shipping (going to 55 euros after the pre-purchase if there is any unit available).
Since making these cartridges and this foam box holder cannot be done in small runs, it is highly unlikely that we will make a second run.
(I repeat that for us the goal of making this game is not to sell many units, we do it for fun.)
All those who participate in the pre-purchase will be included in the special thanks section of the manual (in order of payment) unless they tell us otherwise (if you do not want to appear on the list of special thanks, please contact us).
The pre-purchase will last one month, from today until 05-22-2021.
Once the pre-purchase is finished, we will order the necessary materials and have the manuals printed and assembled with your names.
We expect shipments to begin in the middle or end of June, but with the times that run can arise unexpected, so please be understanding.
Shipments will also be made in payment order.
Those interested can make the pre-purchase in our online store.
All the most common payment methods are accepted (card, paypal).
Link for pre-purchase (cartridge only):
kai-magazine-s...
Below you can see some videos of the other sound chip configurations apart from the opl4:
FM PAC (MSX MUSIC) + MUSIC MODULE (MSX AUDIO)
• Metal Dragon (Kai Maga...
FM PAC (MSX MUSIC)
• Metal Dragon (Kai Maga...
MUSIC MODULE (MSX AUDIO)
• Metal Dragon (Kai Maga...
Performance video with Z80 without Turbo:
• Metal Dragon (Kai Maga...
-Music style «Techno»: Robert Vroemisse (Deva)
-Music style «Rock Metal»: John Hassink (Deva, Myths and Dragons, Rune Monster, The Sorrow of Gadhlan'Thur)
-80s style cover: Miguel Angel Jimenez (Myths and Dragons, The Sorrow of Gadhlan'Thur and many others)
-Concept and ideas of the game: Victor Sanchez, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jose Casanova, Oscar Kenneth
-Story: Victor Sanchez, Oscar Kenneth