Dual format
Encyclopedia
Dual Format is a technique used to allow two completely different systems software to reside on the same disk.
The term was used on the Amiga
and Atari ST
platform to indicate that the disk could be inserted into either machine and it would still boot
and run. The secret behind this lies in a very special layout of the first track of the disk which contained an Amiga and an Atari ST bootsector at the same time by fooling the operating system to think that the track resolved into the format it expected. Only a few games used that technique. Three of them were produced by Eclipse Software Design (Stone Age, Monster Business
and Lethal Xcess
). ST/Amiga Format
magazine also used the technique for their coverdisks.
Amiga and PC
dual-format games also existed, like the budget version of Rick Dangerous
.
The game 3D Pool even contained a Tri-format disk, which contained the Amiga, Atari ST and PC versions of the game.
Most dual and tri-format disks were implemented using technology developed by Rob Northen Computing.
Recently, "dual format" has come to identify software which distributed on a single disk which includes both Windows
and Macintosh versions of its installation program.
A list of a few of the Dual Format floppy disk titles:
The term was used on the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
platform to indicate that the disk could be inserted into either machine and it would still boot
Booting
In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...
and run. The secret behind this lies in a very special layout of the first track of the disk which contained an Amiga and an Atari ST bootsector at the same time by fooling the operating system to think that the track resolved into the format it expected. Only a few games used that technique. Three of them were produced by Eclipse Software Design (Stone Age, Monster Business
Monster Business
Monster Business is a platform game which was released in 1991 by Eclipse Software Design. The aim of the game is to remove monsters from a construction yard by inflating them. The player must get close to them without being touched and start pumping...
and Lethal Xcess
Lethal Xcess
Lethal Xcess is a shoot 'em up game developed by two members of the Atari ST demo crew X-Troll and published by Eclipse in 1991. An Amiga version was also created.-Gameplay:- Story :...
). ST/Amiga Format
ST/Amiga Format
ST Amiga Format was a computer magazine that covered the Atari ST and Amiga computers. It was published by Future Publishing to cover the ever growing market for the, then-new, 16-bit home computers. At first, the issues were equally balanced with coverage for both Commodore Amiga and Atari ST...
magazine also used the technique for their coverdisks.
Amiga and PC
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
dual-format games also existed, like the budget version of Rick Dangerous
Rick Dangerous
Rick Dangerous is a series of two platform games released by Core Design in the 1980s.- Rick Dangerous :...
.
The game 3D Pool even contained a Tri-format disk, which contained the Amiga, Atari ST and PC versions of the game.
Most dual and tri-format disks were implemented using technology developed by Rob Northen Computing.
Recently, "dual format" has come to identify software which distributed on a single disk which includes both Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Macintosh versions of its installation program.
A list of a few of the Dual Format floppy disk titles:
-
- Action FighterAction FighterAction Fighter is an overhead vehicular combat game released by Sega in 1986.It mimics the style of other games such as Spy Hunter and Traverse USA. The player begins the game riding a superbike. In subsequent levels a sports car, a jetski, a helicopter and even a Formula One racing car can all be...
(Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - Lethal XcessLethal XcessLethal Xcess is a shoot 'em up game developed by two members of the Atari ST demo crew X-Troll and published by Eclipse in 1991. An Amiga version was also created.-Gameplay:- Story :...
- Wings of Death II (Amiga/Atart ST dual-format disks) - Monster BusinessMonster BusinessMonster Business is a platform game which was released in 1991 by Eclipse Software Design. The aim of the game is to remove monsters from a construction yard by inflating them. The player must get close to them without being touched and start pumping...
(Amiga/Atari ST dual-format disk) - PopulousPopulous-External links:*...
: The Promised Lands (Amiga/Atari ST dual-format disk) - Rick DangerousRick DangerousRick Dangerous is a series of two platform games released by Core Design in the 1980s.- Rick Dangerous :...
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - Rick Dangerous 2 Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk)
- Stone Age (Amiga/Atari ST dual-format disk)
- Street FighterStreet Fighter, commonly abbreviated as SF, is a series of Fighting Games developed in Japan in which the players pit the video games' competitive fighters from around the world, each with his or her own unique fighting style, against one another...
(Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - StarGlider 2Starglider 2Starglider 2 was an early 3D space simulator/flight simulator video game released in 1988 by Argonaut Games and was the sequel to Starglider...
(Amiga/Atari ST dual-format disk) - 3D Pool (Amiga/Atari ST/PC tri-format disk)
- Stunt Car RacerStunt Car RacerStunt Car Racer is a racing video game developed by Geoff Crammond and was published by MicroStyle in 1989...
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - Bionic CommandoBionic CommandoBionic Commando may refer to the following video games:* Bionic Commando , the original arcade game released in 1987* Bionic Commando , a 1988 NES video game, partly based on the arcade game...
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - Carrier CommandCarrier CommandCarrier Command is a landmark 1980s computer game available on Amiga, Atari ST, PC, ZX Spectrum, Apple Macintosh, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC computers....
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - BlasteroidsBlasteroidsBlasteroids is one of the sequels to the original 1979 shoot 'em up video game Asteroids. It was developed by Atari Games and published in 1987 by Image Works for: arcade cabinet, in 1989 for: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, C64/128, MSX, MS-DOS PC, ZX Spectrum.- Gameplay :The gameplay for the game...
Kixx (Amiga//PC dual-format disk) - E-MotionE-MotionE-Motion is a strategy video game developed by The Assembly Line in the late 1980s. It was published as The Game of Harmony in the United States by Accolade, and as E-Motion by U.S. Gold elsewhere. It was available for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, ZX Spectrum, and Game Boy...
Kixx (Amiga//PC dual-format disk) - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Action Kixx (Amiga//PC dual-format disk)
- Out RunOut Runis an arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was designed by Yu Suzuki and Sega-AM2. The game was a critical and commercial success. It is notable for its innovative hardware , pioneering graphics and music, a choice in both soundtrack and route, and its strong theme of luxury and relaxation...
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - World Class Leader Board Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk)
- International Soccer ChallengeInternational Soccer Challenge"International Soccer Challenge" is a soccer video game developed by MicroStyle in 1990.- External links :* at Gamespot* at HOL...
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk) - MicroProse SoccerMicroprose SoccerMicroprose Soccer is a soccer videogame published by Microprose in 1988. The original Commodore 64 version was developed by Sensible Software, with conversions carried out to other formats. It is the fore-runner of the 16-bit classic Sensible Soccer...
Kixx (Amiga/PC dual-format disk)
- Action Fighter