MapMasterDX can be used to create a background scene made up of individual blocks or tiles. This tool is useful for those interested in creating backgrounds for classic 2D games. Some example blocks and maps are included as well as a C source code example of how to use the mapfiles. This tool was written with the HuC compiler in mind to help in developing original PC Engine software but can also be used for any general purpose game or app that requires rectangular map data.

Download: http://members.shaw.ca/realstar

Version 0.9 brings functions requested by some people, fixes some annoying bugs and adds more fancy eyecandy. As always.

 A new update of libnix has been released for MorphOS. Changes include:

• stdio init no longer reads off bounds memory if __stdiowin is set to "" (it is still not valid to do so, though (read SAS/C docs)).
• strcoll/xfrm won't pull in libauto/external LocaleBase any more.
• mbstowcs/wcstombs behaves properly when destination is NULL (they are still dummies, however, so do not expect widechar to work).
• no more semaphore lockups that could occur in certain situations (thanks to HAK for finding such a situation!)

Today the try-outs and the preview of the Amiga Future issue 64 (January/February 2007) have gone online.

You can find a more detailed description of contents following the link http://www.amigafuture.de/forum/kb.php?mode=article&k=581 .

A new version of the Just-In-Time Compiler TRANCE has been released. The changes since the previous release are:

• Fixed a bug that would make certain IBrowse CPU versions crash (at least IBrowse 2.3 and 2.4)
  
• Some SAS/C float/double integer calculation fixes (lsd/asd X flag). For example, the integer version of IBrowse's javascript.library.
• addx/subx with predecrement was fixed. These instructions are very rare, but could be used for some multiprecision math.
• Trancestats has been updated to work properly with the latest MUI versions.

The MorphOS Team wishes everyone Happy Holidays and a Great New Year!