The Lemmings The Ports Book

[607]

Hello, I just found out about this book.
There is a topic about it here, but I didn't want to bump it: https://www.lemmingsforums.net/index.php?topic=1863.0
I can't find it anywhere online; it seems the webstore that sold it is gone completely. Does anyone know if there is any way to get this book? I think I'd really like it!

[Flopsy]

It's sad that this book went out of print so quickly.

I bought it from Amazon UK for £34.99 a year ago but it's unavailable now.

I don't understand why the webstore has disappeared, because they were selling PDF copies of the book for about £10, they could have carried on selling that.
Perhaps Castle Books no longer has the license to sell the book anymore.

If you manage to find this book anywhere, definitely pick it up. I've got a copy of the book and I don't regret the high price I paid for it.

[Leo]

PDF is not on sale anymore because only insane man would want to pay 10£ for it, when author himself gave the book for free to everybody (before over a year now).

[607]

It's a shame. :/

I might pay £10 for it, but I'd prefer a physical copy, to exhibit and look at.

[Leo]

You might pay for what? Physical book or PDF? Or you want the physical book for 10 pounds? It wasn't 10, as Flopys said, it was 35.

And, by the way, Flopsy, you didn't bought it a year ago (unless you've bought it twice, but I doubt that). In your post (23 may 2015) you said, "I purchased this book this week". So, it's about 2 years and 8 months now (yes, I know, time flies, it does't look so long ago).

[Flopsy]

You might pay for what? Physical book or PDF? Or you want the physical book for 10 pounds? It wasn't 10, as Flopys said, it was 35.

And, by the way, Flopsy, you didn't bought it a year ago (unless you've bought it twice, but I doubt that). In your post (23 may 2015) you said, "I purchased this book this week". So, it's about 2 years and 8 months now (yes, I know, time flies, it does't look so long ago).

Well with everything that's happened to me recently, it feels like a year ago.

That was when I purchased the book, so it is more like 3 years ago.

How come the author was giving the book away for free as well?


OT: This book can't have sold much because it doesn't even pop up on eBay so it is going to be truly a collectors item now it seems

In the original topic, I do have a video on my channel where I have a flick through it and show off a few of the pages and the general layout of the book.

[Leo]

It was on 11. December 2016. He said it is a Christmas gift for everybody.
I already posted link to the page with download links for the PDF on previous topic, but here it is once more:
https://cd32covers.blogspot.hr/2016/12/unofficial-cd32-release-more-lemmings.html
There are two versions:
uncompressed 418MB
and compressed 48MB
Also, as I already said, there are some mistakes in the book. For example, he claims in the book that Atari ST version of the original game doesn't have intro animation. As we can see here it's not the truth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D0i8CyoKT0
But, Jay is not here on the forum anymore, so I suppose he don't want to be bothered with such details about his book.

And yes, I saw your video where you showing the book. It is nice to see how it looks 'for real'. It was a good idea to put that video on Youtube.
I suppose, there were not many books printed at all. And if all are sold out, what is the point of  trying to sell more? Maybe he should make the second edition, but how much interest would be for that book, and how complicated is to do the whole thing again, I don't know.

[lemfan101]

This is a great book!Thanks for sharing it.

[Nihilist Comedy Hour]

0/10 Missing Satellaview port.


(joking by the way)

[jaycee900]

Hi all, i am the author of the Lemmings book in question.

A couple of things to answer.

1) Yes the paperback edition was retired a while back after sales dried up after the first year on sale, also i had a couple of people state i said it was a limited edition, so in respect to those i took it off sale to keep it at that so any future sales would be digital only.

2) Yes i gave the PDF version away free from Christmas 2016, its available from:
https://jaysretro.blogspot.co.uk/p/books.html
https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/lemmings_the_ports_compressed_pdf_v

3) Sales wise its was very underwhelming which is why i cancelled the original Kickstarter as i had very low feedback before it went live, for those interested, the paperback version only sold 50 copies, plus 6 copies i had personally made to sell from different sources, so yes its a nice collectors item for those who managed to get a copy, i also originally sold it with a matt cover but changed to a gloss one, from memory there should be more gloss covers than matt, also the PDF version sold 38 copies, so yeah very low numbers for 2 years and alot of man hours work.

4) I understand there are a few errors in the book, its not that i dont want to address these, its the whole project took alot out of me mentally i didnt want to return to it for quite a while! But i feel the time is maybe right to fix and update some errors, please feel free to make a list!

I think thats it for now, again many thanks to those who bought a copy originally, it was appreciated at the time!

[Ron_Stard]

Hi all, i am the author of the Lemmings book in question.

A couple of things to answer.

1) Yes the paperback edition was retired a while back after sales dried up after the first year on sale, also i had a couple of people state i said it was a limited edition, so in respect to those i took it off sale to keep it at that so any future sales would be digital only.

2) Yes i gave the PDF version away free from Christmas 2016, its available from:
https://jaysretro.blogspot.co.uk/p/books.html
https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/lemmings_the_ports_compressed_pdf_v

3) Sales wise its was very underwhelming which is why i cancelled the original Kickstarter as i had very low feedback before it went live, for those interested, the paperback version only sold 50 copies, plus 6 copies i had personally made to sell from different sources, so yes its a nice collectors item for those who managed to get a copy, i also originally sold it with a matt cover but changed to a gloss one, from memory there should be more gloss covers than matt, also the PDF version sold 38 copies, so yeah very low numbers for 2 years and alot of man hours work.

4) I understand there are a few errors in the book, its not that i dont want to address these, its the whole project took alot out of me mentally i didnt want to return to it for quite a while! But i feel the time is maybe right to fix and update some errors, please feel free to make a list!

I think thats it for now, again many thanks to those who bought a copy originally, it was appreciated at the time!

I bought the PDF version back in the day. Your book is very complete and well designed. It's a pity it didn't sell many copies.

[Leo]

As I said, there are lots of mistakes. Certainly, I can't find all. But, here are some of them, and some suggestions/questions (e.g. Why 'New Year Lemmings' game is not mentioned?). Numbers at the start of the lines are page numbers.

17 doesn't mentioned intro in ST version
41 4 pictures from the game (Amiga) in 320x256, should be in 640x200
example how it should be is on the page 250 'X-mas 91 Amiga' and 254 'X-mas 92 Amiga'
43 there is ST version with intro, has 2 disks version, and all 120 levels
45 PC doesn't have 100 lemmings (only 80 max) CD-ROM version is not the same as the floppy version it has CD audio tracks (although version without CD audio also exist), control is also with joy/keyboard
51 CDTV pictures not in 640x200, game doesn't have normal scroll, just fast scroll (used with right mouse button on the Amiga) RMB here is used for some kind of pause (time and animation are not on hold, just the lemmings, suppose this is added to make easier with joypad control)
59 Mac B/W version is included with color version, automatically will run B/W and lover resolution if machine can't run color version
73 FM Towns doesn't have 100 lemmings (only 80), it's more similar to
PC than Amiga version
79 C64 doesn't have 100 lemmings (max 50, in Taxing level 23)
83 CD32 again, not in 640x200
89 Windows version only 80 lemmings not 100,
Fast Forward in not useless, it works normally if PC is not too fast, music is midi, of course it's not the same as the DOS version, it depends on audio card instruments, it's not mentioned that some levels are missing in this version
119 Oh no Amiga pictures not in 640x200
123 Oh no PC not 100 only 80 lemmings, there is CD-ROM version with CD audio but it plays tunes from the original game
125 Oh no Mac B/W version included with color version
127 Oh no Archimedes music - songs are different
131 Oh no Windows not 100 lemmings only 80, not mentioned some levels are missing
153 Lemm 2 Amiga also needs more memory (chip memory exactly) for the full sound effects
155 Lemm2 ST doesn't have intro, but original Lemmings has
157 Lemm2 PC doesn't have the same graphics as Amiga, it's enhanced, controls also with joystick
159 Lemm2 SNES doesn't have the same tunes as the Amiga (only Amiga, PC and ST has the same tunes), many levels are changed, resolution is lower, and has graphics speech effects and snow effect on Polar tribe
161 Lemm2 Megadrive, tunes are changed but only Amiga, PC and ST has the same tunes, some levels are changed, Skier skill is not included, there is mouse support
163 Lemm2 GB doesn't have all the skills, but also have some new skills, many levels are changed
165 Lemm2 Archimedes it's not the only version that requires extra memory for the sound (Amiga also requires), has 10 tunes for Classic tribe
167 Lemm2 FM Towns graphically most similar to the PC, tunes are not somewhat different - completely different
169 Mobile phone version is not "Lemmings 2", it's "Lemmings tribes" completely different game
177 Holiday 93 Amiga resolution of the pictures should be 640x200
179 Holiday 93 PC not 100 only 80 lemmings
207 Holiday 94 Amiga resolution 640x200
209 Holiday 94 PC not 100 only 80 lemmings
221 3D Lemmings PC also keyboard support
248 X-mas 91 Amiga/PC levels 1 and 2 the same, levels 3 and 4 are different
251 X-mas 91 PC not 100 only 80 lemmings, joy/key support
255 X-mas 92 PC not 100 only 80 lemmings, joy/key support
259 3D Lemmings Winterland keyboard support
261 Covox PC not 100 lemmings only 80
267 Prima PC not 100 lemmings only 80
268 skill bar resolution of Amiga should be 640 not 320
New Year Lemmings Amiga is not mentioned
OS/2 version (demo) is not mentioned
also some other demo versions are not mentioned, e.g. Lemm2 Amiga and Lemm2 PC both have some 'new' levels and 'User' skill

[jaycee900]

Thanks for some of the mistakes and omissions, as im sure you can imagine it was a monumental task to gather everything and undoubtedly i was going to miss some bits.

Regarding the screenshots, as much as i'd like to be perfect, these dont bother me so much and will require more work than i feel addressing to the project, so just grammer and information mistakes and omissons will be addressed when i find time.

I didnt add New Year Lemmings as i wanted to include just ports based on the official games and not hacks as such.
OS/2 demo is mentioned on page 272.

[LJLPM]

already said in the original topic... but I really enjoy reading your book! Excellent job!!!!!!!!
I would buy a revised version, with no hesitation.

[Leo]

Oh yes, my mistake OS/2 demo is in the book, but not on the page 272. It's on 274.

Amiga screenshots can be easily captured from the emulator. I can do it if you want. Of course, I can't capture exactly the same moment, but something similar... I can.
As I tried to explain here:
https://www.lemmingsforums.net/index.php?topic=1868.msg46992#msg46992
Amiga version doesn't work in 320x200. It's much complicated. But, screenshot will be correct, if it is captured in 640x400 (or 640x512 to simulate PAL screen). If it is shown in 320x200, skill icons and mini map are degraded and this unique Amiga feature is neglected.

Gather everything about the Lemmings in one book is task I wouldn't even dare to think about. I really admire you for this work. My intention wasn't to criticize. I just wanted to help. But, as I already said, I am not familiar with all that ports enough to check them all. It would be nice if other people want to help with their knowledge about the games and check as much as they can. Unfortunately, I don't see much interest.

[grams88]

Just wanted to post a bit of encouragement.

Try to keep the PDF one going or electronic one if you can Jaycee. I was maybe thinking of keeping my e-books going even though I don't get many sales or anything like it myself. You put a lot of effort into your one Jaycee, don't give up, try to keep it going if there is a way go for it.

[jaycee900]

@LJLPM - thanks, though i wouldn't charge for a revised edition in general.

@Leo - again thanks, yeah alot of screenshots were captured myself, i did cut a couple of corners i.e with the Amiga ones as there were given with permission, but its a kind offer for you to do, maybe when im closer to updating i might take your offer up.

@gramms88 - thanks for the kind words, i do want to update this book, but its more a question of time atm, we have a new puppy who is hands on, some bar checking stuff on my ipad i havent turned my laptop on since Christmas!

[Leo]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Amiga screenshots are wrong because on the 'Amiga Lemmings' only play area is 320xsomething and "lemmings number, percentage and time", "skill icons and mini map" is 640xsomething. So, if whole screenshot is in 320x200, resolution of the lower part of the screen is 50% lower then it really is in the game. Half of the pixels are missing.
Of course, at the end it is your decision how you want to show this in the book. And, if you (and whenever) wan't my help with this, just ask and I will be happy to assist you.

[jaycee900]

I've uploaded my first revision of the book available to download for free (uncompressed and compressed versions to download) containing 5 new pages, over 40 corrections and over 40 new images.

Thanks to Leo for most of these suggestions, I'll maybe do the Amiga screenshots in a later update.

You can get it on my blog; (uncompressed and compressed versions to download)

https://jaysretro.blogspot.co.uk/p/books.html

And too Issuu (compressed only to view online)

https://issuu.com/amigajay

[Leo]

With this you forced me to update WinRAR (I was unable to extract archive) but doesn't matter.
Now, I must ask one question, is it deliberate that this pdf does not open on page 1?
Old one starts at page 2, and new one at page 3. When I look the book at issuu it starts normally on page 1.

[jaycee900]

With this you forced me to update WinRAR (I was unable to extract archive) but doesn't matter.
Now, I must ask one question, is it deliberate that this pdf does not open on page 1?
Old one starts at page 2, and new one at page 3. When I look the book at issuu it starts normally on page 1.

Yeah sorry about that, my winrar was updated a while back. The extra page was added so Issuu displayed the correct two page opening display, i can of course change this back for the uncompressed version.

[Leo]

I'm not complaining about added page, I just asking why pdf doesn't start at page one.

And still, on the page 43 mistake about Atari ST version. As I said, there is version with all the levels, including special ones (with the special music).

See here two of them:
Menacing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sz2weZ-nPk&t=47m29s
Beast of a level
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P7P2usDUYI&t=38m16s

[LJLPM]

Thank you very much for the updated book!

For the next revision of the book, I'll provide you with (MUCH!) better, more recent, and more accurate, screenshots of the Android game (page 287).
I can also confirm that the game works well on Android tablets and smartphones (interesting thing: initially, the main target devices were tablets ; but, now I better enjoy playing the game on smartphones' smaller screens ). And I can confirm there will be no multiplayer option. With these pieces of info, you'll be able to update the game's description.
I work on the game + the level-editor, almost every week.


- is it possible to buy the physical version of your Amiga book? If yes, where? Thank you.

[607]

You might pay for what? Physical book or PDF? Or you want the physical book for 10 pounds? It wasn't 10, as Flopys said, it was 35.

I might buy the pdf for £10. I would pay up to €50,- for the physical book.
But I see now the pdf is free?!?

[Shrung]

I have to say thank you, because this book just introduced me to the Lemmings SFX record.

[Tiduas]

You are one madman Jaycee900 for releasing this book for free! I have just gave it a quick glimpse for the first time and it seems like a really fun read. It's a shame I missed the physical print though since I would have had this book just to be able to look at the images alone in a physical format. Amazing work! All the corrections found by Leo was really good work as well, not bad.

[607]

Is 'ant office' a thing or did you or Russel Kay make a typing error at the beginning of the interview? I started reading the book, and I am impressed by what seems to be in store!
Edit: There are more small mistakes (but I'm really enjoying reading this so far!), shall I keep track of them? That wouldn't be much of an effort for me, but if you are sure you won't ever make another update I won't bother.

[607]

"The fast forward (FWD) function is mis-leading, it just skips to the
end of the time, instead of FWD the action like in Lemmings 2."
Note: I am pretty sure this is only if you're playing on a very fast pc (for the 90's standards). I believe it just makes it run it as quickly as possible; probably not too good of a decision, but on the machines of the time, I recall it being at such a speed that you could stop it at the right time.

[ccexplore]

Yeah, if that was about Windows Lemmings, I seem to either remember or heard from someone that it worked properly back at the time it was released, when PCs were much slower.

Perhaps with some sort of virtual machine setup, it might be possible to artificially recreate the slowness today and verify the speed of the FWD.

[manic23]

Any chance of re uploading the updated version? Your link does not work, says blog not found. I missed this last year. I bought your book but would love to get hold of the updated PDF version, many thanks.

It's the high res version I'd like. Anyone prepared to share?

[607]

Any chance of re uploading the updated version? Your link does not work, says blog not found. I missed this last year. I bought your book but would love to get hold of the updated PDF version, many thanks.

It's the high res version I'd like. Anyone prepared to share?

Aw, that's unfortunate. I wonder if we'll ever get another update, then...
I wouldn't mind sending the pdf, but it's copyrighted, I suppose?

[manic23]

Well he gave the PDF away free in the end, so I doubt he would mind if you shared it.

[manic23]

Massive thanks to 607 for sharing this with me, I have replied to your PM mate to say thanks. I have now downloaded it so you can remove it from your Google Drive if you want to.

[PixieDreams]

I would also like a link to the updated version, thanks!

[607]

Can you pass it on, manic?
I hope jaycee will log in again! I could also give him a list of all the typos I found. This is a very useful work, and much of it is fun to read too! (of course at some points it gets repetitive, it's not to be read as a novel )

[manic23]

Hi PixieDreams, very sorry that I missed your post back in May last year. Do you still want the PDF of the updated version?

By the way did you know that JayCee is selling an updated (but content reduced) version of the book?

See here,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lemmings-The-Ports-Book-Atari-Commodore-Sega-Nintendo-Sony-Psygnosis/174188311236?hash=item288e6eb2c4:g:1mkAAOSwzkReQtYH

[607]

Hi PixieDreams, very sorry that I missed your post back in May last year. Do you still want the PDF of the updated version?

By the way did you know that JayCee is selling an updated (but content reduced) version of the book?

See here,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lemmings-The-Ports-Book-Atari-Commodore-Sega-Nintendo-Sony-Psygnosis/174188311236?hash=item288e6eb2c4:g:1mkAAOSwzkReQtYH

Ah, interesting! I'll probably get it. I hope he did take out some of the typos for this edition.
In case the link goes defunct or someone doesn't want to go to eBay:

This is a revised 2020 Edition, designed to be cost reduced to make a paperback version affordable, it does not contain the game maps or merchandise pages from the original PDF version.

Makes sense! The level maps never seemed necessary to me. I'm not immediately sure what he means by "merchandise pages", though.

[ccexplore]

I'm not immediately sure what he means by "merchandise pages", though.

Maybe the original book had some pages devoted to Lemmings merchandising (ie. stuff like plush toys maybe)?  I don't remember if that's the case.

[607]

Hi PixieDreams, very sorry that I missed your post back in May last year. Do you still want the PDF of the updated version?

By the way did you know that JayCee is selling an updated (but content reduced) version of the book?

See here,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lemmings-The-Ports-Book-Atari-Commodore-Sega-Nintendo-Sony-Psygnosis/174188311236?hash=item288e6eb2c4:g:1mkAAOSwzkReQtYH

Someone asking about the book in another topic made me remember this. Did anyone end up getting this or not? The eBay page isn't up anymore.

[blackadder]

Hi,
I was just able to buy a brand new copy of the book on amazon.de. Love it.

Please, if someone was so kind as to send the pdf ?   Unfortunately it's nowhere to be had anymore.
Thx

[kaywhyn]

Hi blackadder,

Welcome to the Forums! I PMed you my copy of the PDF version of the book, so check your inbox

[kplasa]

I missed the opportunity to download the updated version. It would be great if someone would help me out with that

[kaywhyn]

I missed the opportunity to download the updated version. It would be great if someone would help me out with that

Hi there,

I sent you my copy. Check your PMs

[santa13]

Hi. I loved playing Lemmings when I had an Amiga. Can I see this book online on some website? Or download it from somewhere? Best regards from Poland

[Mobiethian]

I've recently seen this book still in stock on Amazon for $36.64 at 27% off. I'll be purchasing it when I get paid again. It's very nice of kaywhyn to provide the PDF copy to us, it's a really good read!