Dave Midknight interview

Please tell us a little about yourself.
Dave: Ok, I'm 23 years old and have just completed my Airline Pilot Training. In Januar I will start to fly around europe for Austrian Airlines and my hobbies are flying, programming, reading, girls and good movies

What kind of software have you written before?
Dave: Basicly, some games and software for system diagnoses!

For what systems?
Dave: Mainly, for DOS and Windows, but 2 years ago I got a Apple and so same programmes are for my Apple

What is PowerSEmu for?
Dave: PowerSEmu is for Windows, but I have also some plans for mac. The main core for example works about 3 times faster on my mac.

When and why did you start work on PowerSEmu?
Dave: I started about 2 month ago with PowerSEmu. And why? Thats a good question. Mainly because I think that to many people work on emus for differents consoles. But no one for the saturn!! And the Saturn is one of greates consoles. I think!

Why do you think there haven't been any Saturn emulator that can play any games yet?
Dave: I think, the main problem ist that you have to emulated some many diffrent cpus and you have to syncronize all cpus. I for example have a Playstation Net-Yaroze and on the PSX you have only the main cpu, with graphic cpu and sound cpu. On the saturn you have 2 main cpus, 2 graphic chips, a sound system withs own cpu and so on

What kind of progress have you done with PowerSEmu, and what are you currently working on?
Dave: The two main cpus are nearly complete, just the speed must get better. The main system parts are not very far, mainly the graphic engine needs alot on work. The cdrom and sound engine has only the basics. When I run the saturn bios I get around the first 4-5 sec. of the Saturn startup screen. But because of some bugs in the graphic engine the display is corrupt. currently I'm working on the VDP1 and VDP2 graphic engine

Dave: So you are about the same level as A-saturn?
I think basicly yes! But A-Saturn main cpus core ist faster ;-)

What do you think the most difficult thing in saturn emulation will be?
Dave: The most difficult thing will be the sound emulation. Not the sound cpu, but the sound dsp chip. 'til now I have no idea how to emulated it.

When do you think PowerSEmu will be able to play any game?
Dave: No idea? Maybe in 2 months, may be in 1 year!

Have you had any help from other saturn emu coders, like Azuco and Tyranid?
Dave: Yes, Tyranid helped me with his great cd-regs doc. Thx,Tyranid! But, the main help comes from segas development docs! ;-)

Will you release the source for PowerSEmu anytime?
Dave: I don't know, but may be someday, so that someone can port it to linux or so.

Do you really like games, or are you more interested in programming? If you like games, could you tell us your five favorite games ever?
Dave: I think I like both the same. I like programming, but I started PowerSEmu to play my Saturn games on my PC. My favorite games: Sega Rally, Mario Kart, Monkey Island 1, Wing Commander III and Panzer Dragoon.

Do you drive as crazy as all other germans?
Dave: No, I'm a pilot! I fly like crazy!!!! :-)

Anything else you would like to share with TITAN's readers?
Dave: Yes, stay happy, don't ask where to get the saturn bios, and happy holidy and a happy new year!!

Interview by Tunek

Back to TITAN