My retro computing blog.https://adambient.github.io/en-ushttps://adambient.github.io/posts/grouseblitz/https://adambient.github.io/posts/grouseblitz/A NextBASIC remake of Blitz for the Spectrum Next based on EigenBlitz.Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/the-murky-depths/https://adambient.github.io/posts/the-murky-depths/Building a creepy ZX Spectrum game with BASIC, assembly, and compression.Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/udgimation/https://adambient.github.io/posts/udgimation/Animating ZX Spectrum water with rotating UDGs in BASIC and machine code.Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/calirun-zx-basicus-version/https://adambient.github.io/posts/calirun-zx-basicus-version/Reworking CaliRun with ZX-Basicus and a few extra manual speed-ups.Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/calirun/https://adambient.github.io/posts/calirun/An OutRun-inspired ZX Spectrum racer mixing BASIC with machine code.Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/eigenblitz/https://adambient.github.io/posts/eigenblitz/A Sinclair BASIC remake of Blitz for the ZX Spectrum with modern tooling.Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/labyrinth/https://adambient.github.io/posts/labyrinth/A C (z88dk) and Z80 Sokoban variant with smooth scrolling and AY music.Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-a-trick-of-the-light/https://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-a-trick-of-the-light/Speeding up ZX Life graphics by leaning on attribute memory.Sat, 22 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/space-fleet/https://adambient.github.io/posts/space-fleet/A Sinclair BASIC space combat strategy type-in inspired by a 90s wargame.Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life/The finished tape after a series of high and low level optimisations.Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-beyond-structured-programming/https://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-beyond-structured-programming/Pushing past straight C-to-assembly translations for faster Z80 code.Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-lessons-learned/https://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-lessons-learned/Looking back on replacing the C code with Z80 assembly.Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-to-rom-then-not-to-rom/https://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-to-rom-then-not-to-rom/Replacing the screen library and weighing ROM vs custom rendering.Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-replacing-our-own-c-library-with-z80-assembly/https://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-replacing-our-own-c-library-with-z80-assembly/Swapping a C grid library for Z80 assembly without rewriting everything.Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-calling-z80-assembly-from-c-on-the-zx-spectrum/https://adambient.github.io/posts/micro-optimisation-calling-z80-assembly-from-c-on-the-zx-spectrum/Calling handwritten Z80 from C with z88dk on the ZX Spectrum.Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-9-the-rest-of-the-zxing-owl/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-9-the-rest-of-the-zxing-owl/Wrapping up ZX Life with a cleaner final version and a look back.Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-8-a-separation-of-concerns/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-8-a-separation-of-concerns/Splitting ZX Life into cleaner grid and screen libraries.Sun, 26 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-7-reclaiming-some-space/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-7-reclaiming-some-space/Saving memory in ZX Life by packing grid data more tightly.Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-6-life-in-the-old-dog-yet/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-6-life-in-the-old-dog-yet/Revisiting ZX Life optimisation to prove the BASIC approach still works.Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-5-a-high-level-decision/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-5-a-high-level-decision/Why ZX Life moves from BASIC to C with z88dk.Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-4-high-level-optimisation/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-4-high-level-optimisation/Speeding up ZX Life with higher-level refactors and active-cell ideas.Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-3-a-big-o-notation/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-3-a-big-o-notation/Measuring where a ZX Spectrum Game of Life really spends its time.Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-2-a-breakdown/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-2-a-breakdown/Breaking down the first ZX Life version and refactoring it into shape.Sun, 12 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-1-a-beginning/https://adambient.github.io/posts/zx-life-part-1-a-beginning/Starting ZX Life with a BASIC-first take on Conway's Game of Life.Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT