WORX Toolkit
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WORX Toolkit is an audio API developed and published by Mystic Software around 1993. The driver didn't have many features and only supported the most popular sound devices of the time, but its low cost allowed it to be used by several semi-pro developers. The company seems to have been short lived, as the driver isn't used in any games later than 1994.
WORX Toolkit includes a software library of around 35 functions for playing music and digital sound effects with a low memory footprint, and without the need to rely on cumbersome calls to a terminate and stay resident (TSR) program (although a later Light version of the program is a TSR). The API can be used in Microsoft C/C++, Borland C/C++, Turbo C/C++, Turbo Pascal, or any version of x86 Assembly.
WORX supports type 1 or 0 MIDI and CMF music files and can play them on various Sound Blaster models and the MT-32. Digital audio is supported in VOC or by converting any format into RAW PCM. Audio can be played from a file on disk or directly from memory to decrease latency. Version 2.01 introduced PC Speaker sound effects in PWM format.
WORX Toolkit was sold in three styles, the basic version of the software cost $79, WORX Toolkit Plus cost $199, and a TSR version called WORX Lite was also released for an unknown cost. Each could be used royalty free.
Version History
| Version | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 199?-??-?? | Initial release. |
| 2.0 | 1993-??-?? | |
| 2.01 | 1993-06-?? | Added PC Speaker support for sound effects. |
| 2.1 | 1994-??-?? |
- The release dates are educated guesses.
Output
The driver can output music to the Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster 2, Sound Blaster Pro, and the Roland MT-32. Digital audio is played through the Sound Blaster 2 and Sound Blaster Pro, and support for PC Speaker was added in version 2.01.
Games
| Released | Title | Sample | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-08-01 | Math Rescue (DOS) | WORX v2.01. Used in v2.0+ of Math Rescue. | |
| 1993-08-01 | Word Rescue (DOS) | |
WORX v2.01. Used in v2.0+ of Word Rescue. |
| 1993-??-?? | Barbie Super Model (DOS) | WORX v2.01. | |
| 1993-??-?? | CyberRace (DOS) | WORX v2.01. | |
| 1993-??-?? | Skunny Lost In Space (DOS) | WORX v2.01. | |
| 1994-05-17 | Nitemare 3D (DOS) | |
WORX v2.1. |
| 1994-??-?? | Animation Construction Kit 3D (DOS) | WORX Lite | |
| 1994-??-?? | BattleStar (DOS) | |
|
| 1994-??-?? | Depth Dwellers (DOS) | |
WORX v2.01. |
| 1994-??-?? | In Search of Dr. Riptide (DOS) | WORX v2.1. | |
| 1994-??-?? | Outlaw 1997 (DOS) | WORX v2.1. | |
| 1994-??-?? | Pea Shootin' Pete (DOS) | WORX v2.1. | |
| 1994-??-?? | Super VGA Puzzle (DOS) | WORX v2.1. | |
| 1994-??-?? | Traffic Department 2192 (DOS) | |
WORX v2.1 |
| 1994-??-?? | Xargon (DOS) | |
WORX v2.01. |
Note: This list is incomplete.
Downloads
Technical
Links
- books.google.com/books?id=jMKfH6i9OcYC&lpg=PA77&ots=nd-NZ5yIxK&pg=PA77 - PC Magazine article.
