Sinclair Research and Retro Computers have announced a software upgrade for the ZX Spectrum Vega games system.
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+
Sir Clive Sinclair's company and their partners are adding entirely new firmware to the console and future handheld device the ZX Spectrum Vega+, which raised over £400,000 from its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.
The software upgrade will be installed in future production runs of the Vega and will run all 1,000 of the Vega's games.
The development work, which is in an advanced state, is being carried out by Private Planet Ltd, the London-based cloud computing, and leading edge development company. The CEO of Private Planet, Dr. Janko Mrsic-Flogel, is also the Technical Director of Retro Computers Ltd.
Janko's software development and business career began when he was still a pupil at Highgate School in north London.
During the 1980s, he developed and produced more than 40 games for the original Sinclair Spectrum home computer, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and Sinclair QL, amongst others. At Private Planet, he leads a team of highly skilled software and hardware developers - many of whom cut their teeth in micro-computers of the 80's.
Mrsic-Flogel said: "I joined Retro Computers Ltd because of my lifelong love for the games of the 1980s - I wanted to be part of that development scene once again. The first new development for Retro from my team at Private Planet is a completely new firmware for the Vega+. I hope this will be followed by other exciting developments next year."
Contributors to the Vega+ crowdfunding campaign can now pledge to secure a Classic Black Vega+ now that the campaign is in the InDemand Phase. The limited edition versions - available in red, white or blue are now no longer available.
The Vega+ is based on his hugely successful Spectrum products of the early 1980s and will come complete with 1,000 licensed games built-in and users will also be able to download additional games free of charge from the thousands that are available on the web.
The Vega+ can still be connected to a TV will be sold in the region of £100 from the company's website and from various online retailers and High Street outlets.