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Next Project

Posted by cd-w, 19 September 2008 · 66 views

Atari Programming
With Juno First nearly done, I have started to think about my next Atari 2600 game project. I don't have anything decided yet, but these are the various projects that I have been considering:
  • Prince of Persia - I wrote a reasonable kernel for this a few years ago. However, the main issue is that it requires extra RAM and there aren't any such carts available yet. The other issue is the massive sprite requirements of the game. Le Geek made a good start on the sprites a while back, but there doesn't seem much point continuing until the hardware issue is resolved.
  • JetPac - my earlier Jetman 1K game was a limited attempt at a port of JetPac. However, a full port should be possible on the 2600 (probably with a lot of flicker).
  • Millenium 2600 - I am a big fan of the game Millenium 2.2 on the Atari ST. I should be possible to do a similar simulation on the 2600 using an AtariVox/SaveKey to hold the game state. However, it would probably be a text-only game, and I think that might put people off?
  • Juno Second - I've got various ideas that might make for a good Juno Second, e.g. more aliens, aliens attacking from behind (with rear shooting), two-player mode, missions. However, Juno First already pushed the limits of the hardware, and any extension would likely require extra RAM.
  • Armor Attack - A port of the Vectrex game Armor Attack should be possible, with a bit of creative sprite work and some AI. However, I'm a bit concerned that it is too similar to Combat?
  • Hunchback - A full port of the Hunchback arcade game should be possible, but it will be rather similar to my existing Hunchy minigame.
  • Pssst - A port of the Spectrum game Pssst may be possible with a bit of creativity.
I haven't made any decision yet, so let me know if you have any preference from the above list, or any more ideas for games?

Chris




Not sure about Armor Attack and Juno Second, but I like all of the others ;)
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Armor Attack was one of my favorites in the early days of the 80's arcade craze. It'd be cool to have that, Rip-Off, and Star Castle available as a Cinematronics three-pack. ;)

That said, Prince of Persia looked very promising indeed. Would the new homebrew cart being designed by batari and supercat have the extra RAM necessary?
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Nathan Strum, on Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:38 PM, said:

Armor Attack was one of my favorites in the early days of the 80's arcade craze. It'd be cool to have that, Rip-Off, and Star Castle available as a Cinematronics three-pack. ;)
That said, Prince of Persia looked very promising indeed. Would the new homebrew cart being designed by batari and supercat have the extra RAM necessary?

It has been some time since I looked at the PoP code. However, I think the extra memory is only required for storing/updating the level data, while the display kernel can be done using a regular 2600. In any case, the new batari/supercat cart should make this game feasible again.

Chris
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If the hardware issues get resolved, I am game to resume sprite duties on POP.
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They were making some good progress on it. It seems to have stalled with the latest prototype being in limbo somewhere.
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legeek, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 5:06 PM, said:

If the hardware issues get resolved, I am game to resume sprite duties on POP.

Thanks - you were making some great progress on the sprites!

Nathan Strum, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 11:26 PM, said:

They were making some good progress on it. It seems to have stalled with the latest prototype being in limbo somewhere.

Yes, both the Chimera and the batari/supercat boards seem to be stalled. When/if either becomes available I will pick PoP up again.

Chris
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cd-w, on Thu Oct 9, 2008 4:34 AM, said:

legeek, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 5:06 PM, said:

If the hardware issues get resolved, I am game to resume sprite duties on POP.

Thanks - you were making some great progress on the sprites!

Nathan Strum, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 11:26 PM, said:

They were making some good progress on it. It seems to have stalled with the latest prototype being in limbo somewhere.

Yes, both the Chimera and the batari/supercat boards seem to be stalled. When/if either becomes available I will pick PoP up again.

Chris
The latest ARM prototype board is here, it's just waiting for Delicon to solder the parts on and send them out (which may have happened already - I'll check.) If this prototype passes our battery of tests, then I think we'll be ready to order final boards.
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