COMPUTE!’s Gazette – Volume 1 – Issue 1 – July, 2025
The wait is over! After 35 years, COMPUTE!’s Gazette is back with its first issue, packed with exciting news, in-depth features, and a treasure trove of content for every retro computer user. From the stunning revival of the Commodore brand to deep dives into the hardware and software that defined a generation, this issue is a celebration of the enduring spirit of retro computing.
Cover Story: Commodore is Back!
The July issue breaks the monumental news of Commodore’s return under new (and old) management. YouTuber Peri Fractic of “Retro Recipes” fame is leading an acquisition of Commodore Corporation, B.V., with a bold vision to revive the brand.
Key highlights include:
- An Official New C64 in 2025: The “Commodore 64 Ultimate” is coming. This is not an emulator but a full FPGA reproduction of the original, designed by community legend Gideon Zweijtzer. It will feature a mechanical keyboard, HDMI output, USB ports, Wi-Fi, SID chip sockets, and compatibility with over 10,000 games and original peripherals.
- New Leadership and Legacy: The new team includes former Commodore personnel, with Leonard Tramiel, son of founder Jack Tramiel, endorsing the venture as “Chief Tramiel Officer”.
- Beyond Gaming: The new Commodore is launching “Commodore Care,” a charity initiative to bring computers to children in hospitals. They are also partnering with innovator Jeri Ellsworth to create “Commodore LearnAR,” an augmented reality educational product.
From the Editor’s Desk
In a moving “Editor’s Notes,” founder Edwin Nagle shares the personal story behind the magazine’s revival. He recounts how a Commodore 64, a gift from his late brother John, sparked a lifelong passion. The relaunch is a tribute to his brother and a mission to create a publication for today’s vibrant retro computing community that covers not just gaming, but programming, hardware tinkering, and history.
In-Depth Features & Columns
- Lessons from Atari’s Revival: Jerry Bonner analyzes the recent revival of Atari, offering valuable lessons and cautionary tales that the new Commodore could learn from.
- Pixels & Passion: Animator Chad Essley shares a personal account of how the Commodore 64 and Amiga computers shaped his professional career, from his first animations with Animation Construction Set to working on shorts for Sesame Street using Deluxe Paint.
- The Pixel and the Pulse: Patrick Bass explores how 8-bit computers forged a new era of digital art and music. The article delves into the origins of pixel art, the ingenuity required by graphical limitations on the C64 and Atari, and the revolutionary sound of the SID and POKEY chips.
- A Guide to SIDPlayer: Andrew Fisher provides a comprehensive guide to the enduring musical legacy of the C64’s SIDPlayer, a routine created by Craig Chamberlain and Harry Bratt. The issue also features an exclusive, in-depth interview with co-creator Craig Chamberlain himself.
- MEGA Horizons: Dan Sanderson chronicles the first ten years of the MEGA65 project, the open-hardware recreation of the mythical Commodore 65. The column also announces “The Great MEGA65 Easter Egg Hunt,” with a one-of-a-kind prototype as the grand prize.
- FujiNet Report: Thomas Cherryhomes introduces FujiNet, a powerful Wi-Fi network adapter for a growing range of retro systems, including Atari, Apple II, and Coleco Adam, that provides virtual disk drives, printing, modem capabilities, and more.
Program Listings, Reviews, and Community
This issue is packed with type-in programs, just like the old days!
- For the Commander X16: Get ready for “Meteor Defender X16,” an action game by Steve Lewis, and “Bouncer,” a breakout-style game by Jason Oakley—both written entirely in BASIC.
- For the Atari: Jerry White provides a program for programming sound in Atari BASIC.
- For the TI-99/4A: Arto Heino shares a program for programming graphics on the TI-99.
- Reviews: Andrew Fisher reviews recent C64 arcade conversions from LC-Games, including new takes on Space Invaders and Lock ‘n’ Chase.
- Community Hub: Get an inside look at the history of the Vintage Computer Festival with founder Sellam Ismail and find a local group near you in our “User Group Update”.
Read the full story and discover more about the world of retro computing in the first issue of COMPUTE!’s Gazette in 35 years!
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