Explore the intriguing story of Magician’s Apprentice, a game created for a console that never saw the light of day.
Introduction to Konix Multisystem
In 1989, a British computer company named Konix announced an ambitious gaming console called the Konix Multisystem. Unfortunately, due to the bankruptcy of its creators in 1990, the device never made it to store shelves. However, a few games made for this console have survived the test of time.
The technology from this unreleased console lived on in various devices, eventually influencing the Atari Jaguar video game console and the peculiar multimedia machine, the TXC Multi-system. It’s fascinating to think that the canceled Konix Multisystem transformed into a hardware-software platform that unofficially became known as the Multisystem 2.
The Birth of Magician’s Apprentice
In 1993, a studio called Dark Technologies decided to harness this platform to create an exciting new game titled Magician’s Apprentice. However, as interest in the Multisystem 2 waned, the project was ultimately shelved. Despite this setback, a year later, the game was released for PC as a bonus with Alien Olympics.
Unearthing the Code
The original game code was serendipitously discovered by the team at Games That Weren’t while rummaging through an old data repository. However, they faced a significant challenge: they didn’t have an emulator for the Multisystem 2 to run the code. Luckily, developer Lee Hammerton, who had dedicated years to studying the defunct console and gathering information about it, had the necessary tools.
Playing the Unplayable
The collaboration with Hammerton paved the way to revive a game that had been forgotten for 23 years. Imagine the sensation of playing a game designed for a console that doesn't exist anymore! It’s an experience that’s genuinely unique and a testament to the persistence of gaming history.
Conclusion
The story of Magician’s Apprentice is a remarkable example of how the remnants of gaming history can resurface and provide us with new experiences. Isn’t it fascinating how a project that was ultimately abandoned can still find a way to engage players decades later?
FAQs:
- What was the Konix Multisystem? The Konix Multisystem was an ambitious gaming console announced in 1989 but never released due to the company's bankruptcy.
- Why was Magician’s Apprentice initially canceled? The project was canceled because interest in the Multisystem 2 dwindled, leading Dark Technologies to abandon their plans.
- How was the game rediscovered? The code for Magician’s Apprentice was found by researchers at Games That Weren’t while exploring an old data stash.
- Can you play Magician’s Apprentice today? Yes, thanks to the collaboration with Lee Hammerton, players can experience this previously lost game.
- What impact did the Konix Multisystem have on other consoles? The technology from the Konix Multisystem influenced devices like the Atari Jaguar video game console and the TXC Multi-system.
If you enjoyed this intriguing dive into gaming history, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more exciting content! Join here.
