Editing Atari ST (section)

== Software ==
As with the [[Atari 8-bit computers]],<ref name="cgw198604">{{cite magazine | title=Survey of Game Manufacturers | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=27 | date=April 1986 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_27.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_27.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | access-date=April 17, 2016 | pages=32}}</ref><ref name="williams198610">{{cite magazine | title=Atari Playfield | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=31 | date=September–October 1986 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_31.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_31.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | access-date=April 17, 2016 | last=Williams | first=Gregg | pages=35}}</ref><ref name="brooks198705">{{cite magazine | title=Computer Wargaming 1988-1992 | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=37 | date=May 1987 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_37.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_37.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | access-date=April 17, 2016 | last=Brooks | first=M. Evan | pages=13}}</ref><ref name="leyenberger198806" /> software publishers attributed their reluctance to produce Atari ST products in part to&mdash;as ''[[Compute!]]'' reported in 1988&mdash;the belief in the existence of a "higher-than-normal amount of software piracy".<ref name="levitan198809">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/1988-09-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_100_1988_Sep#page/n89/mode/2up | title=Levitations | work=Compute! | date=September 1988 | access-date=10 November 2013 | author=Levitan, Arlan | pages=86}}</ref><ref name="levitan198812">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/1988-12-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_103_1988_Dec#page/n105/mode/2up | title=Levitations | work=Compute! | date=December 1988 | access-date=10 November 2013 | author=Levitan, Arlan | pages=104}}</ref> That year, [[WordPerfect#Atari ST|WordPerfect]] threatened to discontinue the Atari ST version of its word processor because the company discovered that pirate [[bulletin board system]]s (BBSs) were distributing it, causing ''ST-Log'' to warn that "we had better put a stop to piracy ''now'' ... it can have harmful effects on the longevity and health of your computer".<ref name="leyenberger198806">{{cite news | url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/st-log/issue20/97_1_ST_USER.php | title=ST User | work=ST-Log | date=June 1988 | access-date=11 November 2013 | author=Leyenberger, Arthur | pages=97}}</ref> A positive review of ''[[Typhoon Thompson]]'' in ''[[Antic (magazine)|Antic]]'' concluded:<ref name="antic198811">{{Cite magazine |date=November 1988 |title=ST Games Gallery |url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/v7n7/StellarCrusade.php |access-date=2025-03-02 |magazine=Antic |volume=7 |issue=7}}</ref>

{{quote|Lastly, to any pirates out there, this game is good. It is certainly worth buying. It's also the first major ST game effort by [[Broderbund]] and if you steal it, it may well be their last. Don't spoil things for the rest of the ST community by being a jerk and putting this game on your pirate board.}}

In 1989, magazines published a letter by [[Gilman Louie]], head of [[Spectrum HoloByte]]. He stated that he had been warned by competitors that releasing a game like ''[[Falcon (series)|Falcon]]'' on the ST would fail because BBSs would widely disseminate it. Within 30 days of releasing the non-[[copy protection|copy protected]] ST version, the game was available on BBSs with maps and [[code wheel]]s. Because the ST market was smaller than that for the IBM PC, it was more vulnerable to piracy which, Louie said, seemed to be better organized and more widely accepted for the ST. He reported that the Amiga version sold in six weeks twice as much as the ST version in nine weeks, and that the Mac and PC versions had four times the sales. ''Computer Gaming World'' stated "This is certainly the clearest exposition ... we have seen to date" of why software companies produced less software for the ST than for other computers.<ref name="louie198904">{{cite magazine | title=Low Shelf "ST"eem | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=58 | date=April 1989 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_58.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_58.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | access-date=17 April 2016 | last=Louie | first=Gilman | pages=4}}</ref><ref name="louie198906">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/1989-06-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_109_1989_Jun#page/n15/mode/2up | title=Stop Stealing | work=Compute! | date=June 1989 | access-date=11 November 2013 | author=Louie, Gilman | pages=14}}</ref>

Several third-party OSes were developed for, or ported to, the Atari ST. [[Unix]] clones include [[Idris (operating system)|Idris]], [[Minix]], and the [[MiNT]] OS which was developed specifically for the Atari ST.

===Audio===
Plenty of professional quality MIDI-related software was released. The popular Windows and Macintosh applications [[Cubase]] and [[Logic Pro]] originated on the Atari ST (the latter as Creator, Notator, Notator-SL, and Notator Logic). Another popular and powerful ST music sequencer application, KCS, contains a "Multi-Program Environment" that allows ST users to run other applications, such as the synthesizer patch editing software XoR (now known as Unisyn on the Macintosh), from within the sequencer application.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamw.atari-users.net/omega.htm |title=Dr T'S Kcs And Tiger Cub |website=Tamw.atari-users.net |access-date=2013-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521134520/http://tamw.atari-users.net/omega.htm |archive-date=2013-05-21 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Music [[Music tracker|tracker]] software became popular on the ST, such as the TCB Tracker, aiding the production of quality music from the Yamaha synthesizer, now called [[chiptune]]s.

Due to the ST having comparatively large amounts of memory for the time, sound sampling packages became feasible. [[Replay Professional]] features a sound sampler using the ST cartridge port to read in parallel from the cartridge port from the [[Analog-to-digital converter|ADC]]. For output of digital sound, it uses the on-board frequency output, sets it to 128&nbsp;kHz (inaudible) and then modulates the amplitude of that.

[[MasterTracks Pro (software)|MasterTracks Pro]] originated on Macintosh, then ST, then IBM PC version. It continued on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[macOS]], along with the original company's notation applications [[Encore (software)|Encore]].

===Applications===
[[File:Degas elite batteries included.png|thumb|Degas Elite by [[Batteries Included (company)|Batteries Included]]]]
Professional [[desktop publishing]] software includes [[Timeworks Publisher]], [[PageStream]] and [[Calamus (DTP)|Calamus]]. Word processors include [[WordPerfect]], [[Microsoft Write#Atari ST|Microsoft Write]], AtariWorks, Signum, Script and First Word (bundled with the machine). Spreadsheets include [[3D-Calc]], and databases include [[Zoomracks]]. Graphics applications include [[NEOchrome]], [[DEGAS (software)|DEGAS & DEGAS Elite]], [[Deluxe Paint]], STAD, and Cyber Paint (which author [[Jim Kent]] would later evolve into [[Autodesk Animator]])<ref name="asterius">{{cite web |url=http://www.asterius.com/atari/cyberpaint.html |title=Cyber Paint |work=The Antic Cyber Graphics Software and the Pre-History of Autodesk 3D Studio and Discreet 3ds max |access-date=2013-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501104131/http://www.asterius.com/atari/cyberpaint.html |archive-date=2013-05-01 |url-status=dead}}</ref> with advanced features such as 3D design and animation. The Spectrum 512 paint program uses rapid palette switching to expand the on-screen color palette to 512<ref name="asterius" /> (up to 46 colors per scan line).

[[3D computer graphics]] applications (like [[Cyber Studio|Cyber Studio CAD-3D]], which author [[Tom Hudson (programmer)|Tom Hudson]] later developed into [[Autodesk]] [[3ds Max|3D Studio]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rand.com/imaginit/1/rss/viewitem.asp?feedid=BLOGS_VISUAL_ALL&guid=170 |title=Dinner with Tom Hudson |access-date=2013-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112002953/http://rand.com/imaginit/1/rss/viewitem.asp?feedid=BLOGS_VISUAL_ALL&guid=170 |archive-date=2007-11-12 |url-status=dead |website=rand.com |date=17 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://analog.klanky.com/people.htm |title=The People of ANALOG |website=Analog.klanky.com |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref>), brought 3D modelling, sculpting, scripting, and [[computer animation]] to the desktop. Video capture and editing applications use dongles connected to the cartridge port for low frame rate, mainly silent and monochrome, but progressed to sound and basic color in still frames. At the end, Spectrum 512 and CAD-3D teamed up to produce realistic 512-color textured 3D renderings, but processing was slow, and Atari's failure to deliver a machine with a math coprocessor had Hudson and Yost looking towards the PC as the future before a finished product could be delivered to the consumer.<ref name="asterius" />

[[Garry Kasparov]] became the first [[chess]] player to register a copy of [[ChessBase]], a popular commercial database program for storing and searching records of chess games. The first version was built for Atari ST with his collaboration in January 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=ChessBase is 25 |at=Kasparov and ChessBase |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/chebase-is-25-everything-25-off-in-our-shop |date=2011-05-19 |access-date=2023-10-20}}</ref> In his autobiography ''Child of Change'', he regards this facility as "the most important development in chess research since printing".

Graphical touchscreen point of sale software for restaurants was originally developed for Atari ST by Gene Mosher under the ViewTouch<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bisson |first=Giselle |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/startv2n6/gettingdowntobusiness.html |title=Getting Down To Business |magazine=START |volume=2 |issue=6, Special issue #3 |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref> copyright and trademark. Instead of using GEM, he developed a GUI and widget framework for the application using the [[NEOchrome]] paint program.

===Software development===
The 520ST was bundled with both Digital Research [[Logo (programming language)|Logo]] and [[Atari ST BASIC]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Halfhill |first1=Tom R. |title=Atari 520ST: A Hands-On Report |magazine=Compute! |date=October 1985 |issue=65 |page=22 |url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue65/520st.php}}</ref> Third-party BASIC systems with better performance were eventually released: HiSoft BASIC, [[GFA BASIC]], FaST BASIC, [[DTACK Grounded#DBASIC|DBASIC]], LDW BASIC, Omikron BASIC, BASIC 1000D and [[STOS BASIC|STOS]]. In the later years of the Atari ST, Omikron Basic was bundled with it in Germany.

Atari's initial development kit from Atari is a computer and manuals. The {{US$|long=no|5000|1986}} cost discouraged development. The later Atari Developer's Kit consists of software and manuals for {{US$|long=no|300}}. It includes a resource kit, C compiler (first Alcyon C, then Mark Williams C), debugger, 68000 assembler, and non-disclosure agreement. The third-party [[Megamax C]] development package was {{US$|long=no|200}}.

Other development tools include 68000 assemblers (MadMac from Atari, [[HiSoft Systems]]'s Devpac, TurboAss, GFA-Assembler), Pascal (OSS Personal Pascal, Maxon Pascal, PurePascal), [[Modula-2]], C compilers ([[Lattice C]], Pure C, [[Megamax C]], [[GNU Compiler Collection|GNU C]], Aztec C, AHCC), [[LISP]], and [[Prolog]].

===Games===
{{See also|List of Atari ST games|Category:Atari ST games}}
The ST had success in gaming due to the low cost, fast performance, and colorful graphics compared to contemporary PCs or 8-bit systems. ST game developers include [[Steve Bak]], [[Peter Molyneux]], [[Doug Bell (game designer)|Doug Bell]], [[Jeff Minter]], [[Éric Chahi]], [[Jez San]], and [[David Braben]].

When the Atari ST was released in 1985, it seemed to be aimed at the professional market. However, the inclusion of two joystick ports and a low-resolution mode of 320x200 pixels, with 16 colours from a 512-colour palette, hinted at its potential for gaming. Initially, it was uncertain whether these new 16-bit machines could really deliver a next-generation gaming experience, as the games at launch didn't show a significant visual improvement over the 8-bit systems of the time.  

After a while, the first ST games began to appear that people were attracted to:  
  
* ''[[Time Bandits (game) | Time Bandits]]'' - which brought the labyrinth action to the ST, but was not technically superior to the 8-bit.  
* ''[[Major Motion]]'' - a Spy Hunter clone that could be played with the mouse.  
* ''[[Arena (game) | Arena ]]'' - a decathlon game that had to be played with the keyboard, but had graphics with a level of detail beyond the capabilities of any 8-bit system.  
* ''[[Megaroids (game) | Megaroids ]]'' - an ''[[Asteroids (video game)|Asteroids]]'' clone in a medium resolution of 640x200 in 4 colours. This made it outstanding at the time.  
* ''[[Joust (video game) | Joust ]]'' - an arcade port showing the new capabilities of bitmap graphics compared to the character set graphics of 8-bit systems - [Moon Patrol] - offered a high resolution 640x400 black and white version.
* ''[[Sundog (game) | Sundog ]]'' - An RPG with simple graphics, but a story that made it a classic.

As developers became more familiar with the ST's capabilities, they were able to exploit its full potential. This resulted in games with visuals that far surpassed anything seen on 8-bit systems. Notable examples include  

* ''[[Goldrunner]]'' - Its sampled sound, bitmap graphics and smooth scrolling were impressive.  
* ''[[Starglider]]'' - Featuring a multi-second title sample, a feat for the time, its fast, colourful 3D wireframe graphics showcased the power of the 16-bit processor.  
* ''[[Gauntlet (1985 video game) | Gauntlet]]'' - Arcade port with the ability to play with 4 players via a parallel port joystick adapter.
* ''[[ST Karate]]'' - Fighting game
* ''[[Oids]]'' - 2D physics-based action game inspired by ''[[Thrust (video game)| Thrust]]''.
  
It wasn't long before ST games were gracing the covers of leading computer game magazines. It became standard practice to develop games on the ST and then port them to other platforms. Several of these titles went on to have a significant impact on the history of computer gaming:  

* The realtime pseudo-3D [[role-playing video game]] ''[[Dungeon Master (video game)|Dungeon Master]]'', was developed and released first on the ST, and is considered to be the best-selling software ever produced for the platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamesnostalgia.com/game/dungeon-master|title=Dungeon Master (Amiga) Game Download|website=GamesNostalgia|language=en|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref> 
* Simulation games like ''[[Falcon (video game)|Falcon]]'' and ''[[Flight Simulator II (Sublogic)|Flight Simulator II]]'' use the ST's graphics hardware, as do many arcade ports. 
* The 1987 [[first-person shooter]], ''[[MIDI Maze]]'', uses the [[MIDI]] ports to connect up to 16 machines for networked deathmatch play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ask.audio/articles/this-1987-first-person-shooter-video-game-used-midi-for-multiplayer-mode|title=This 1987 First Person Shooter Video Game Used MIDI For Multiplayer Mode|first=Rounik|last=Sethi|website=Ask.Audio|date=2017-02-10|access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref> 
* The 3D Rollercoaster Racer  ''[[Stunt Car Racer]]'' had fast 3D graphics, surpassing those of other systems, largely due to the ST's powerful CPU.  
* The arcade conversion ''[[Super Sprint]]'' remained exclusive to the ST for several years, cementing its status as one of the system's signature titles.  

Beyond the mainstream releases, there was also a flourishing scene of games designed specifically for the Atari ST's monochrome mode. With its 640x400 resolution, coupled with the crisp display of Atari's SM124 monitor, this mode provided a canvas for some truly distinctive games, offering unique aesthetics and gameplay:  
  
* ''[[Oxyd]]'' - Based on the classic memory card game, ''Oxyd'' delivered a compelling puzzle experience.  
* ''[[Ballerburg]]'' - A game that captivated a generation and may have paved the way for titles like ''Worms''.
* ''[[Bolo (Breakout clone)|Bolo]]'' - a breakout game.

The Atari ST enjoyed a period of dominance throughout the second half of the 1980s, but its influence began to diminish as the next decade dawned. Competitors with custom chips gained the upper hand for a time until the PC took over. During this period, games were predominantly developed on these rival systems and subsequently ported to the ST. The inherent nature of game conversions meant that the original, optimised for its native hardware, often suffered compromises in the translation. A prime example is [Wolfchild], a superb game in its original form, but the ST version was noticeably inferior due to a rushed port.  
    
While the enhanced capabilities of the [[Atari 1040 STE]] were welcomed by the Atari ST community, the number of games that utilised them was limited. This was largely due to the relatively small user base of STe owners, making exclusive STe development commercially unviable. However, some titles did manage to garner positive attention beyond the Atari community:  

* ''[[Obsession (video game) | Obsession]]'' - A [[pinball]] simulation that boasted numerous tables, leveraging the STe's expanded colour palette and improved hardware scrolling.  
* ''[[Substation (game) | Substation ]]'' - A first-person shooter set within an icy environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nostalgianerd.com/doom-clones/|title=Doom Clones|website=[[Nostalgia Nerd]]|first=Peter|last=Leigh|date=2016-07-16|access-date=2024-06-23}}</ref>
* ''[[Brutal Sports Football | Brutal Football]]'' - A sports game that showed off the STe's Blitter chip.  
* ''[[Sleepwalker (video game) | Sleepwalker]]'' - an STe only game by [[Ocean Software]].
  
The [[Atari Falcon]], intended as the successor to the ST/STe, found a dedicated following within the Atari scene, resulting in a vibrant homebrew community. Sadly, the Falcon's overall market penetration was insufficient to make a widespread impact. Notable titles include:  

* ''[[Crown of Creation game | Crown of Creation]]'' - A 3D game.
* ''[[Ishar]]'' I, II, III - A series of well-regarded dungeon crawlers.  
* ''[[Racer 2 game | Racer 2]]'' - A highly polished driving game.  

Although often overlooked by mainstream publications, the Atari ST gaming scene remains active. Dedicated Atari enthusiasts continue to develop and release new games. Notable examples include:  

* ''[[Stario Land]]'' - A meticulously crafted platformer, reminiscent of Mario, which demonstrated the capabilities of smooth scrolling on the ST, subtly highlighting the shortcomings of earlier attempts like ''[[The Great Giana Sisters]]''.  
* ''[[Double Bobble 2000]]'' - A faithful recreation of ''[[Bubble Bobble (video game)|Bubble Bobble]]'', specifically for the Atari Falcon.
* ''[[Grav]] - A challenging shoot-em-up.
* ''[[Hector vs The Mutant Vampire Tomatoes From Hel]]'' -: A quirky action-platformer.

Beyond the ongoing development of new games, the Atari ST community maintains a presence through various initiatives. Notably, the [[Atari ST Offline Tournament (STOT)]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atari-forum.com/viewforum.php?f=53&sid=746a598c9c7c8c361df4d3bed9fda46b|title=ST Offline Tournament|website=Atari-Forum|language=en|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref> established in 2007, provides a monthly platform for high-score competitions, keeping classic games in active rotation. Furthermore, gatherings and dedicated [[MIDI Maze]] events demonstrate the enduring popularity of networked play on the ST. 
Social media platforms, particularly YouTube, feature numerous channels dedicated to showcasing Atari ST games. Online resources like [[AtariMania]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atarimania.com/atari-st-tt-falcon.html|title=ST Games|website=Atarimania|language=en|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref>  (archiving), [[Atari-Forum]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atari-forum.com|title=Atari Forum|website=Atari-Forum|language=en|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref> (community), [[Atari Legend]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atarilegend.com|title=Atari Legend|website=Atari-Legend|language=en|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref> (the central Atari ST portal), and [[AtariCrypt]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com|title=AtariCrypt|website=AtariCrypt|language=en|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref> (a diverse hub) serve as essential pillars of the community, ensuring the Atari ST remains an active platform.

=== Emulators ===
[[Spectre GCR]] emulates the [[Macintosh 128K|Macintosh]]. MS-DOS emulators were released in the late 1980s. PC-Ditto has a software-only version, and a hardware version that plugs into the cartridge slot or kludges internally. After running the software, an MS-DOS boot disk is required to load the system. Both run MS-DOS programs in [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]] mode, though much more slowly than on an [[IBM PC]]. Other options are the PC-Speed ([[NEC V30]]), AT-Spee ([[Intel 80286]]), and ATonce-386SX ([[80386SX|Intel 80386SX]]) hardware emulator boards.