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MSXDev’20 could be defined by the first sentence of its rules page: “No expansions of any kind, just a first-generation MSX as it was conceived.”.

With this statement, the MSXDev organizers are starting a new era (therefore the new motto) in the life of the contest, where there will be only one category and the games should be limited to whatever the MSX1 was capable of at the time of its launch. No more expansions, add-ons, etc.

Also, they are getting rid off of the public voting as they claim it wasn’t perfect and prone to let abuses that would skew the results. That’s the Internets, I guess.

If we want to get more on details, all the games should be 100% compatible with this MSX configuration, which is defined as follows:

CPU: Zilog Z80 running at 3.58 Mhz

VDP: TMS9918/TMS9928 or compatible video processor

PSG: AY-3-8910 or compatible sound chip

Cassette interface: 1200/2400 baud

RAM: 16 KB (non-memory-mapped)

VRAM: 16 KB

Also, all games should be sent in ROM format, since cartridges are the most common media for MSX computers. Any size will be accepted as long as it does not require a ROM mapper. The organizers explain further:

Nowadays, this format is also interesting because it can be easily loaded into real MSX computers, using a flash cartridge, a ROM loader or a ROM converter, and it can also be used directly on emulators. Also, there exists a growing phenomenon in the MSX scene of people developing real cartridges, so the MSXdev organization aims to encourage this game format.

Prizes

Money! The MSXDev organizers are asking for cash donations via Paypal. All the proceeds will go to the best games as follows:

First place (winner): 50%

Second place: 30%

Third place: 20%

There is also the possibility to accommodate prizes given by sponsors for special categories (best music, etc).

Dates

Starting now, the developers will have roughly 8 months to create the game and the final results will be made public on September 7th, 2020.

Date Event 22 November 2019 The Contest kicks off! 30 July 2020 Deadline for entries 1 August 2020 Jury deliberation commences 31 August 2020 Deadline for jury reports 7 September 2020 Final results made public

For more information, make sure to follow the link below.

Link: MSXDev 2020