CaPriCe Forever – Amstrad CPC Emulator

1. Downloading and Installing CaPriCe Forever

1. Download: Access the CaPriCe Forever download link provided above. Save the archive file to your computer.
2. Extract Files: Use a file archiver like WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract the downloaded archive to a location of your choice (e.g., a folder named “CaPriCe Forever”).
3. Open the Application: Navigate to the extracted folder and open the Caprice application. This will launch the emulator.

2. Initial Setup

Upon opening the application, you will see the classic blue screen Amstrad CPC BASIC prompt. This indicates the emulator is ready for use. Keep in mind that this emulator replicates the behavior of Amstrad CPC and PLUS 8-bit computers.

3. Running Programs on CaPriCe Forever

Running a Game Disk

1. Load the Disk Image: Press F2 or navigate through the menu: Disk > Drive A options > Load Disk Image.
2. Run the Game: After the disk is loaded, type RUN"SORCERY" and press Enter to start the game.
3. Simulate Joystick Controls: Press Shift + F5 to use your keyboard as a joystick. Use the cursor keys and space bar to control the game.

Running a Tape Program

1. Insert Tape: Select Tape > Load Tape Image.
2. Auto Play: Enable auto play by navigating to Tape > Auto Play at Insert.
3. Execute Program: For CPC 6128 or 664 machines, type |TAPE followed by RUN"" and press Enter. Then start the tape by pressing the play button on the emulator.

4. Key Features and Settings

CaPriCe Forever offers a variety of features that enhance emulation:

Keyboard and Controller Configuration

• Keyboard Mapping: Go to Inputs > Keyboard mapping... to configure the keys. The default setup includes mappings like:
  • COPY = Home
  • SHIFT = Page Up
  • CONTROL = Page Down
• Using Game Controllers: Connect your controller before starting the emulator. Go to Inputs > Game controller settings... to map the buttons.

Display and Audio Adjustments

• Brightness Controls: Adjust screen brightness using F9 (decrease) and F10 (increase). For additional display settings, navigate to Display > Display settings....
• Audio Settings: Access audio settings via Emulator > Audio settings.... This menu allows you to toggle channels and adjust volumes for different devices like the PlayCity and Digiblaster.

5. Advanced Options and Customization

Command Line Interface

CaPriCe Forever supports launching via command line with parameters such as:

• /DriveA="Filename" to load a disk image
• /Fullscreen to start in fullscreen mode
• /Turbo to enable turbo speed

Enable Expert Features

Unlock the full potential of CaPriCe Forever by activating the expert menu:

• Menu: Help! > Show expert menu

6. Additional Features for Power Users

Albireo SD Card Mode

This feature enables folder sharing between the emulator and Windows using uniDOS with the Albireo node. Configure it by going to Emulator > Device settings....

Turbo Speed and Performance Tweaks

• Toggle Turbo Mode: Use F6 for full-speed turbo mode. Adjust custom speeds by navigating to Emulator > Turbo.
• Change Priority: Modify the emulator’s process priority for better performance via the Caprice.ini file:
  • WindowsPriority=1 for high priority
  • WindowsPriority=2 for real-time priority

7. Common Shortcuts

Here are some useful shortcuts to streamline your experience:

• F1: Pause
• F2: Load disk for Drive A
• F5: Open Drive A Catalogue
• Shift + F5: Enable Keyboard-as-Joystick mode
• Ctrl + F12: Perform a cold reset

8. Troubleshooting and Tips

• Program Compatibility: Most programs run smoothly using the CPC 6128 default settings. For specific software, you might need to adjust memory settings or load additional peripherals.
• Audio Issues: If experiencing problems, try switching to a different audio device through Emulator > Audio settings....
• Switching Renderers: If you encounter display issues, consider changing from DirectX to OpenGL or GDI by modifying Caprice.ini settings.