Multiface
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The Multiface was a hardware add-on released by Romantic Robot UK Ltd. for several 1980s home computers. The device's primary function was to store a complete dump of the computer's memory to persistable storage, effectively saving the user's exact position. This was useful for gamers of the time as it allowed them to save their position within the game, a feature uncommon in most games of the period. But this feature also had the side-effect that it allowed one to create backups of software. Copyright infringement was hindered by requiring a multiface to be present when re-loading the dumps into memory. The device featured an iconic 'red button' that could be pressed at any state in order to activate its functionality.
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[edit] Additional Features
- All multifaces had the ability to view and edit the contents of memory. This made cheating especially easy - magazines used to print codes every month, these codes were known as 'pokes'. Competing devices included the Mirage Imager, Disk Wizard, and Action Replay. At the time, none of these could save as many games, or offered the cheats. Action Replays for cheating have since been released on newer systems. Other competing systems were a wide array of software-based transfer programs.
- Some models of Multiface allowed the user to save a dump of the screen.
- Multifaces contained an extra 8K of RAM that could be used by specially written software. Examples of such software included Genie[1], a machine code disassembler, and Lifeguard[1], a program for analysing the memory of a game during play in order to work out pokes. These programs could be loaded into the Multiface RAM and activated by pressing the red button.
- Some later Multifaces had a 'thru-port', an additional interface on the back of the unit which allowed other peripherals to be plugged into the back[1]. This solved the problem of the Multiface using up the computer's only expansion port.
[edit] Models of Multiface
Multifaces were only ever released for 8-bit microcomputers, such as the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC 464. Consequently, different models had slightly different features.
[edit] Multiface One
The Multiface One was released in 1986[2] for the ZX Spectrum 48K. It cost £29.95[1] and had the capability of saving data to cassette tape, ZX Microdrive, Opus or Beta. The device worked on 128K spectrums, but only if they were put in 48K mode[1]. It featured a Kempston joystick port, and later revisions contained a switch that effectively 'hid' the device from software. Early versions had a composite video out port[2] but this feature was later removed.
[edit] Multiface Two
The Multiface Two was released for the Amstrad CPC 464 and had similar features to the Multiface One.
[edit] Multiface 128
The Multiface 128 was released for the 128K version of the Spectrum, including the original +2 model. It worked in 128K or 48K mode and originally cost £34.95[1], but was later reduced to the same price as the Multiface One[3]. The 128 introduced the ability to save to the +D Disciple disk system, but lost its joystick port. The device was not compatible with the later Spectrum +2A or the Spectrum +3[1].
[edit] Multiface 3
The Multiface 3 was designed for the later Amstrad-made models of Spectrum that the 128 did not support. It existed in two versions; one with a 'thru-port', for £39.95, and one without, which cost £34.95[1]. Both were later reduced to £29.95[3]. The main feature of the Multiface 3 was its ability to save to +3 disk, a feature that was useful for +3 owners who wanted to avoid the long loading times of tapes.
[edit] Anti-Multiface
Anti-Multiface was a public domain program for the Amstrad CPC which allowed the restoring of saved memory dumps without the need for a Multiface to be present. It was limited to 128K machines and would not work on dumps bigger than 64K. The credits announce the creator to be "Merlin J. Bond of Magic Software".
