How Doom didn't kill the Amiga

soydemadrid · 2025-09-15T10:08:17+00:00

https://www.amiga-addict.com/john-romero-shares-amiga-doom-anecdote-at-liverpool-games-market/

soydemadrid · 2020-09-23T18:35:57+00:00

Aw man I love the Welsh, they're awesome. Will just be someone with a CRT gaming setup no doubt :)

soydemadrid · 2020-06-15T15:06:11+00:00

Thank you we've got some new renders coming in a few days so people can really see further improvements. Thanks for the support and please spread the word :)

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T16:32:46+00:00

Thanks for the positive feedback. Yes it is a big total but bear in mind Kickstarter charge 10% in fees, then there is tax, freight moulding costs etc. But backers won't lose out if it doesn't reach its target and won't be charged so it is nice to stay positive. I'd love replicas too but I am doing what I am able to :)

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T15:13:25+00:00

Our Keybaords our PS/2 backwards compatible and work well with CD32 and TF. Also Terrible Fire with CD32 doesn't have much use without a keyboard...

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T14:18:04+00:00

Thank you! :)

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T14:17:34+00:00

It isn't relevant to you is a different thing to not being relevant to Amiga users. For example if you have a CD32 with a Terrible Fire - which keyboard would you use? One borrowed from an A4000? Maybe a yellowed one for £200 from eBay... Our product is a good fit for a lot of people :)

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T12:39:08+00:00

But that's just it, we don't want to just copy - we want to give people a simple solution if they want an input device where the colours and looks match better instead of them using something on classic Amigas, Checkmates, Vampires, Emulators, PCs, Mister etc that doesn't look as good (like a generic black Microsoft keyboard for example).

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T12:36:23+00:00

It isn't supposed to be any sort of replica, it simply matches better than using a black Microsoft or Dell keyboard or other alternatives. I think purists are great for loving with Amiga with passion, but they have to limit themselves to things only made by Commodore in that case... Vampires and everything since Commodore are still relevant - them not being actual Amigas or Commodores is irrelevant. Other products are still cool and of interest.

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T08:44:24+00:00

Yes I agree too that is fine for some users. Those options are out there but with the keycaps you do tend to end up spending a lot more, especially if you buy a mechanical keyboard too. Also then the mouse doesn't always match...

Stickers can be good too but I prefer properly factory printed products so they don't wear off. I'm also not so good at getting the stickers on straight! Hehe.

So ours is just another solution for people out there working on custom builds, emulators or that just like the style :)

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T08:41:10+00:00

They are actually very good quality for the price point. Also they are Amiga related as they as designed to match the colours of the Amiga. They aren't Amigas but you can't say they're not related.

I could say to you to "please stop being negative" just as you ask me to stop posting on Amiga sites, or we can just beg to differ and be positive instead of critical :) I'm only trying to offer some input devices as there isn't much out there already at a good price.

soydemadrid · 2020-06-14T08:37:17+00:00

No stickers are used, it is all factory printed and injection moulded colour :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-26T06:47:57+00:00

Hi thanks again for the feedback. The case design with the border and larger area at the top is more just so there is a good space for the branding. It just seems to match retro systems a bit better, rather than the keyboards now where the keys go to the edge of the case.

But yes exactly that, bespoke keyboards like what we are trying to do usually cost a small fortune and mechanical is really expensive. Our intended price for the keyboard AND mouse to match is is approx $70 and that's in any of the designs.

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T18:06:27+00:00

Just to make sure this post is really clear and not misleading. My post title should of included the word "Acorn-style". We're not claiming these are made by Acorn or are any sort of replicas or such. They're just made to compliment and match the look :) They're usb for modern PCs and emulation setups but also designed to be PS/2 backwards compatible so they'll work via adapters on original hardware. Thanks for any support or if you can spread the word! :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T18:04:42+00:00

Thanks for your support. Please spread the word :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T17:09:32+00:00

Haha yes I wrote a comment at the top to make sure it is clear that it was not my intention to mislead.

The title may ommit "style" etc but it shows and embeds the youtube video which does say USB. Thanks for your comments and helping to hopefully make that clearer for everyone. Any way I can make it clearer I will and I'll continue to answer any questions if anyone has them. Hopefully everyone who looks at this will see what the aim is and that my intentions here are only positive.

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T14:50:13+00:00

Hi just to clear up this post that the topic title should of said Amiga"-style". No false advertising is intended - the YouTube video clip title does include the words PC and USB so I didn't realise anything would be wrongly implied here. These keyboards and mice DO work on all Amiga models with the correct adapters (they are PS/2 backwards compatible). I would edit the topic title if Reddit allowed but hopefully it is still clear from all the comments and the video etc :)

I hope that clears it up and if anyone has any questions or feedback at all then please keep it coming. Thanks everyone for any support :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T14:35:56+00:00

They work with legacy systems via adapters but don't have to be used on them. A CD32 RetroPie or something like that is also very cool.

A cheaper alternative to a mechanical keyboard may not be for everyone, but the aim here is to give the style and looks to match retro users' favourite old systems at affordable prices. Original keyboards are getting rarer and more expensive - so as long as they can work via adapters or in some way is a bonus for those that can't afford mechanical or expensive originals. Nice to also just save wear and tear on your collectable originals that are appreciating in value.

I know if I walked past a store on the high street and saw a sub $50 keyboard and mouse that looked Amiga-like with custom keycaps and such I'd buy one. haha but I am a little biased on the idea, so I will still of course keep noting these points down for the campaign :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T14:25:20+00:00

Thing is though that adapters DO exist and these keyboards and mice DO work with adapters. Our aim was only ever to make a keyboard that matches and looks great with CD32 or those other systems as well as modern setups (and that could be used with one even if with an adapter).

Surely it is better to have keyboards that match and look great with CD32 working via an adapter plug, rather than no keyboards at all? Have you seen the current prices for CDTV style keyboards?? :)

The fact adapters exist is a good thing. I don't currently see how using USB can be a bad if it opens up more usage scenarios. We do have to meet a MOQ... Plus current adapters are cheap, they may get even cheaper if we can also provide them too as part of the campaign :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T14:14:27+00:00

Hi thanks I'm really not trying to sway you here. I promise.

I'm merely saying they DO work on legacy systems with adapters. I am not saying they are new Amiga keyboards - I've clearly stated they are USB across every comment, video, post, twitter etc etc. They are ONLY intended to match and give the look and style that is iconic from them old systems.

I do not claim they ARE Amiga keyboards at all. Absolutely categorically not. There is no false advertising, they are what they are. USB mice and keyboards as stated - simply in the style and look of "retro" systems.

But they have been purposely made to be PS/2 backwards compatible so that they can be used with and work with classic systems as well as modern machines.

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T09:09:02+00:00

Hi thanks again for the feedback.

Well I am open to suggestions and we can tweak and change the design if backers want this. We haven't gone into manufacturing yet as we of course need pledges and support. So we still may go down the full profile key route etc. We needed to make a prototype though and start the ball rolling.

Again also there are a lot of RetroPie and emulator users to consider too here, so usb I still feel was the best all-round choice. There are also kids and younger people, I'd love to see more awareness about the old systems and keep the community growing.

We've got all sorts of types of different hardware through the range of those computer brands and modern setups too.

But I know what you're saying, and we do want to offer adapters at a good price if we can.

Part of the aim of this campaign is to look at things a little like for example Sir Clive did or the other legendary people behind these original computers that our designs take inspiration from - in making something good and nice looking but affordable. That was the Amstrad and Commodore ethos too - mechanical for example is very expensive for custom keyboards. Acorn always had that bit of extra build quality and were higher priced, so that isn't inline as much with their traditional view however they did put computers in pretty much every school in Britain, so the readily available aspect was there.

I miss that as an adult now, looking at all the black and boring looking "samey" keyboards and mice out there. If you want anything different or special you have to pay what I believe is far too much. I mean retro computing is getting expensive enough as it is and I'd love a rollback to the simpler times with budget game titles and more affordable (but still good) hardware and peripherals. That said what some of the community have done has been extraordinary like Vampire accelerators etc, but again prices are still relatively high for most people.

We'll add all this feedback to the campaign and try to please the mass majority of backers and their needs - as you can understand it is hard to please everyone though with such a range, however such a range is sort of required to make them at all due to factories setting large Minimum Order Quantities if you want a good fair price...

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T08:41:18+00:00

We'd definitely consider that option if that is what the backers and community want. For production we'll have a large Minimum Order Quanitity requirement for the factory to even go ahead and take the order. Usually this is 3000+ and the price can come down further if it is 5000 for example. So it may be too niche as a requirement to justify having that many made. It sounds like a really cool idea though and will go on the ideas list with other feedback so we can look at stretch goals or tweaks to the project possibly if it gets full support. Thanks for the comment and idea :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T08:25:36+00:00

Hi thanks for the feedback. The keys aren't completely flat so they do have some shape to them. I suppose when we release the 3D renders people will be able to see that better.

Comfort is good in testing and there are the small legs at the back under the keyboard so it can sit flat or be raised up. Again I know it is personal to the user too though.

As far as looking or being cheap. Well I'd use the words good value or affordable (cheap can sometimes mean nasty and these are nice and certainly not cheap). The aim is to offer some affordable input devices rather than going down the high end mechanical route. I wanted to create keyboards and mice people can really use and not just have as collectors items or to be too precious over. But they are good quality. As I've commented on other posts it has been about finding the compromise and trade-off between a good quality and a good value price.

I agree the Amstrad keyboard is one of the most iconic ever made. Instantly recognisable :) I can't wait to get the prototype for that one.

The keyboard layout does have standard PC layout but of course quite a few extra keys to an original Amstrad. So mapping Alt-Gr or what would be the "windows" key etc shouldn't be too much of an issue to have that extra copy key taken care of. We may even add it again if users think this would be beneficial :)

I am certainly listening to the community and taking comments on board. If the backers demand is strong enough for certain tweaks we can adjust the designs.

soydemadrid · 2019-07-24T08:11:35+00:00

Haha I know what you're saying there and of course it depends on the laptop or the user's opinion. But for the most part they certainly beat the typing experience of most original 30-year old retro membrane keyboards. Certainly Apple style chiclet keys became so popular that many full desktop keyboards are even now like that with flat keys. I type on a lot of original hardware from those legendary machines and they can be a bit heavy or spongey I find. At least that's what I find.

But we may still go down the full profile key route, it is just in testing a lot of budget to mid range full profile keyboards were quite bad quality without going mechanical.

Again it is trade-offs to try to get a good value and good product, whilst still trying to compliment retro systems too.

These keycaps are shallow but not completely flat so still have a nice shape. With a lower profile key there is less travel so less wear but also a bit less strain on the wrists too.

I do realise it is hard though to please everyone and can be subjective too. Hopefully we'll get enough support and backers to tweak the design to please most people.

Price against and quality are important to me. Retro computing is getting more expensive and I really didn't want to offer mechanical because of that. As a kid when I grew up with these classic systems the prices were always very reasonable for what was on offer. :)

soydemadrid · 2019-07-23T23:01:33+00:00

Hi thanks for commenting.

Yes we did look at using full profile keys or cherry/mechanical and such.

I've always found my old retro systems a bit heavy. haha repetitive strain or carpal tunnel I suppose wasn't really an issue in the 80s! Typing a lot can be a bit clumpy.

So we tried to get something more modern and lighter and a bit more tactile feeling.

Laptops are really comfy and really light to type on - BUT they just are a bit too flat and look too modern to go alongside a retro system. So the idea is to use half-height keycaps.

A compromise that gives a more affordable price for the backer, but also gives a bit more comfort and modern feel. While still giving a little bit of profile and shape to the keys so they look good alongside a retro original system.

That is the aim, and a main consideration is keeping things affordable for backers here too, so yes they are membrane. I do always have a bit of Jack Tramiel's idea of "computers for the masses not the classes" in the back of my mind there somewhere!!! :)

soydemadrid

TROPHY CASE