Frequently Asked Questions
Product Support
If you need help installing, registering, or using any of our software, or you just want to find out how to get the best from a product, please Contact Us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You may also find your question has already been answered in the Frequently Asked Questions below.Normally your question will be answered promptly by the developer directly responsible for the product.
► General:
1. How do I run these games?
Our games will work with original vintage hardware, or third-party emulators. In addition they can be run as standalone applications on Windows or Linux PCs. The PC versions also include a CRT display simulation with fully adjustable controls, to complete the vintage look and feel.
2. ZX... What?
The ZX Spectrum was one of the most popular British home microcomputers of the 8-bit era. Our ZX Spectrum games are suitable for all 48K or 128K models, or compatibles (and emulators).
3. Can I run these games on PC or Mac?
Yes. If you have a ZX Spectrum emulator available for your chosen operating system / computer you can load the .tap or .tzx files provided in the downloads into your emulator. Or, if you have a Windows or Linux PC you can run the standalone binary versions with no emulator necessary. The standalone binaries are based on a bespoke emulation engine designed specifically to run the game code.
4. Can I run these games on original vintage ZX Spectrum machines?
Yes. The downloads contain audio files which can be used to load the games directly into original vintage machines, much like loading a game from tape. You will need a suitable means of playing the audio files into your ZX Spectrum.
5. Do I need a ZX Spectrum to run the games?
No. The downloads contain .tap and .tzx files which are compatible with ZX Spectrum emulators for most operating systems. In addition the downloads contain standalone versions - complete with CRT display simulation - suitable for Windows or Linux PCs, with no emulator necessary.
Our games will work with original vintage hardware, or third-party emulators. In addition they can be run as standalone applications on Windows or Linux PCs. The PC versions also include a CRT display simulation with fully adjustable controls, to complete the vintage look and feel.
2. ZX... What?
The ZX Spectrum was one of the most popular British home microcomputers of the 8-bit era. Our ZX Spectrum games are suitable for all 48K or 128K models, or compatibles (and emulators).
3. Can I run these games on PC or Mac?
Yes. If you have a ZX Spectrum emulator available for your chosen operating system / computer you can load the .tap or .tzx files provided in the downloads into your emulator. Or, if you have a Windows or Linux PC you can run the standalone binary versions with no emulator necessary. The standalone binaries are based on a bespoke emulation engine designed specifically to run the game code.
4. Can I run these games on original vintage ZX Spectrum machines?
Yes. The downloads contain audio files which can be used to load the games directly into original vintage machines, much like loading a game from tape. You will need a suitable means of playing the audio files into your ZX Spectrum.
5. Do I need a ZX Spectrum to run the games?
No. The downloads contain .tap and .tzx files which are compatible with ZX Spectrum emulators for most operating systems. In addition the downloads contain standalone versions - complete with CRT display simulation - suitable for Windows or Linux PCs, with no emulator necessary.
► Updates:
1. A new version is available, how do I update?
If you already have a purchased download, you can use your download link to re-download the latest version. Please Contact Us if you need any help downloading, updating, or installing any of our products.
If you already have a purchased download, you can use your download link to re-download the latest version. Please Contact Us if you need any help downloading, updating, or installing any of our products.
► Compatibility:
1. Which operating systems are compatible?
Our games will run as standalone applications on Windows or Linux PCs with no emulator necessary, or via emulation on most operating systems if you have a preferred ZX Spectrum emulator for your chosen OS.
2. Do your games run on original vintage ZX Spectrum machines?
Yes. The downloads contain audio files which can be used to load the games directly into original vintage machines, much like loading a game from tape. You will need a suitable means of playing the audio files into your ZX Spectrum.
3. Do I need a ZX Spectrum to run the games?
No. The downloads contain .tap and .tzx files which are compatible with ZX Spectrum emulators for most operating systems. In addition the downloads contain standalone versions - complete with CRT display simulation - suitable for most Windows or Linux PCs, with no emulator necessary.
Our games will run as standalone applications on Windows or Linux PCs with no emulator necessary, or via emulation on most operating systems if you have a preferred ZX Spectrum emulator for your chosen OS.
2. Do your games run on original vintage ZX Spectrum machines?
Yes. The downloads contain audio files which can be used to load the games directly into original vintage machines, much like loading a game from tape. You will need a suitable means of playing the audio files into your ZX Spectrum.
3. Do I need a ZX Spectrum to run the games?
No. The downloads contain .tap and .tzx files which are compatible with ZX Spectrum emulators for most operating systems. In addition the downloads contain standalone versions - complete with CRT display simulation - suitable for most Windows or Linux PCs, with no emulator necessary.
► Evaluation:
1. Do you provide evaluation / demo versions?
Yes. We provide limited demo versions of our games to download for free.
Yes. We provide limited demo versions of our games to download for free.
► Product Delivery:
1. How are your products delivered?
When you buy a game, you will be sent a download link via email. The link may be time or usage limited as a necessary security measure. If you have trouble downloading or installing the game, please Contact Us and let us know.
2. My purchased download link hasn't arrived yet.
We use a third-party e-commerce provider to handle all payment processing and download link delivery. We normally expect download links to be delivered via email as soon as possible after purchase, however please be sure to check spam folders etc if your link has not arrived. If you still have not received your download link after 24 hours, please Contact Us or email us directly at support@acmtretro.co.uk and we'll be happy to help resolve any problems.
When you buy a game, you will be sent a download link via email. The link may be time or usage limited as a necessary security measure. If you have trouble downloading or installing the game, please Contact Us and let us know.
2. My purchased download link hasn't arrived yet.
We use a third-party e-commerce provider to handle all payment processing and download link delivery. We normally expect download links to be delivered via email as soon as possible after purchase, however please be sure to check spam folders etc if your link has not arrived. If you still have not received your download link after 24 hours, please Contact Us or email us directly at support@acmtretro.co.uk and we'll be happy to help resolve any problems.
► Product Support:
1. Can you replace lost product activation codes or downloads?
We will re-activate download links to purchased software or activation codes if possible (or in the event of a failed download), but we cannot guarantee to replace lost activation codes or software. Links to downloads may be time or usage limited as a necessary security measure. Please ensure you keep a personal backup of any activation codes or downloads, and treat purchased software with the same care as you would physical hardware.
2. How best to resolve a problem or get help with the software?
We take our responsibilities to customers very seriously and will always try to resolve problems promptly with helpful and professional product support. If you need help installing, registering, or using any of our software, or you just want to find out how to get the best from a product, please Contact Us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We will re-activate download links to purchased software or activation codes if possible (or in the event of a failed download), but we cannot guarantee to replace lost activation codes or software. Links to downloads may be time or usage limited as a necessary security measure. Please ensure you keep a personal backup of any activation codes or downloads, and treat purchased software with the same care as you would physical hardware.
2. How best to resolve a problem or get help with the software?
We take our responsibilities to customers very seriously and will always try to resolve problems promptly with helpful and professional product support. If you need help installing, registering, or using any of our software, or you just want to find out how to get the best from a product, please Contact Us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
► Troubleshooting:
1. The PC version of the game does not launch or fails to start correctly.
We test the PC versions of our games within the limits of our resources, however if the game fails to start or does not run correctly, it could be due to a system compatibility issue.
When the game is launched, it will output some diagnostic information to its application window as it starts up. If the game fails to start at all, or fails to open its application window, it could be due to a graphics driver compatibility problem. The game engine requires support for OpenGL 3.x / glsl v3.x or later.
You may need to obtain more information about supported OpenGL versions for your operating system and graphics card from your graphics card manufacturer. We regret that we cannot offer product support for specific PC hardware combinations, however in the event that you encounter an issue, please include as much information as possible about your operating system / version and PC hardware configuration if contacting technical support.
2. The PC version of the game does not recognize my controller.
The game will try to auto-detect connected USB game controllers when it starts up, however in some cases wireless or bluetooth controllers may not be auto-detected, particularly if they require non-standard drivers. If this happens, retry using a wired USB controller. If a compatible controller is not available, the game can still be played using the keyboard. Please refer to the user-guide included in the download for further information.
3. How do I configure my game controller?
Press [ F1 ] or [ Menu ], or right-click anywhere in the game window to bring up the configuration options. Next, select Settings > Controllers. The configuration process will allow you to assign actions to controller movements or button presses.
We test the PC versions of our games within the limits of our resources, however if the game fails to start or does not run correctly, it could be due to a system compatibility issue.
When the game is launched, it will output some diagnostic information to its application window as it starts up. If the game fails to start at all, or fails to open its application window, it could be due to a graphics driver compatibility problem. The game engine requires support for OpenGL 3.x / glsl v3.x or later.
You may need to obtain more information about supported OpenGL versions for your operating system and graphics card from your graphics card manufacturer. We regret that we cannot offer product support for specific PC hardware combinations, however in the event that you encounter an issue, please include as much information as possible about your operating system / version and PC hardware configuration if contacting technical support.
2. The PC version of the game does not recognize my controller.
The game will try to auto-detect connected USB game controllers when it starts up, however in some cases wireless or bluetooth controllers may not be auto-detected, particularly if they require non-standard drivers. If this happens, retry using a wired USB controller. If a compatible controller is not available, the game can still be played using the keyboard. Please refer to the user-guide included in the download for further information.
3. How do I configure my game controller?
Press [ F1 ] or [ Menu ], or right-click anywhere in the game window to bring up the configuration options. Next, select Settings > Controllers. The configuration process will allow you to assign actions to controller movements or button presses.
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