Distribution agreements need to be arranged for all games included with Spectaculator.

If you have contact details for the copyright owner of the said game, please contact us and we’ll see what we can do.

If you are the rights owner of one more ZX Spectrum games and would like to see them available on Spectaculator, please get in touch.

Apple recently changes its stance with regards to emulators on iOS. As of Spectaculator 8.0, it’s now possible to add your own games to play.

Supported file formats include .tap, .tzx, .dsk, .szx, .z80. It’s recommended to use tape images (.tap, .tzx) and Spectrum +3 disk images (.dsk) for the best experience.

macOS

Adding a game is straight forward:

• Connect your iOS device to your Mac using an appropriate cable.
• Trust your device, if asked.
• In the Finder, locate your device in the left menu and click it.
• Click the Files tab to show your apps and locate Spectaculator.
• Drag the game you want to play from another Finder window and drop it on Spectaculator.
• The game will be uploaded to your device.
• If Spectaculator is already running on your device, perform a pull refresh on the games list screen.

NOTE: You can uploaded multiple games at the same time.

Windows PCs

On Windows, you will first need to install the Apple Devices app from the store, if you don’t already have it.

• Connect your iOS device to your Windows PC using an appopriate cable.
• Trust your device, if asked.
• Start the Apple Devices app.
• In the Apple Devices app, locate your device in the left menu and click it.
• Click the Files item to show your apps and locate Spectaculator.
• Drag the game you want to play from a Windows explorer window and drop it on Spectaculator. Alternatively, click the Add File… button and select the game to upload.
• The game will be uploaded to your device.
• If Spectaculator is already running on your device, perform a pull refresh on the games list screen.

NOTE: You can uploaded multiple games at the same time.

As of version 8.0, Spectaculator will now look for artwork for each game you have added.

Two images can be added for each game. Both must be in PNG format:

1. A smaller thumbnail used in the games and programs list. This should be 90 pixels wide, 138 pixels tall and must be named [game filename].icon.png.
2. A larger version used on the game details screen. This one should be upto 280 pixels wide (although generally 233px for a standard cassette box), 357 pixels tall and must be named [game filename].artwork.png.

Place both in the same folder as the game itself (you will need to perform a pull refresh on the games list screen if Spectaculator is already running).

In the example below, artwork has been added for Quazatron by Hewson (available from WoS since Rebellion® have granted free distribution rights):

The built-in and purchased games are enhanced versions which them easier to play (especially for new users that may not be familiar with the ZX Spectrum).

Normally the user is responsible for selecting the correct controls (Keyboard, Kempston, Interface II etc.) and pressing various keys to start the game (which vary from game to game).

Spectaculator automates all of this via a process known as Autoconfig: The correct controls are automatically selected and locked so the user doesn’t accidentally change them. Pressing the red button (or button A on a gamepad) starts the game.

However, if you want to use a Bluetooth keyboard to play these games, disable Autoconfig in the Settings section and reload the game – the controls will now be unlocked.

World of Spectrum and the TZX Vault keep an extensive archive of Sinclair ZX Spectrum sofware (currently about 11,000 titles).

It is important to remember that nearly all ZX Spectrum games are still under copyright.

There is an excellent article here on the World of Spectrum website regarding common misconceptions on distributing vintage computer games.