46 replies to this topic

[Gorf]

supercat, on Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:08 AM, said:

Gorf, on Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:25 AM, said:

I was thinking flipping frames of playfields

Doing that without excessive flicker is apt to be difficult. Further, even if the playfields are symmetric the spikes wouldn't be.

I would think the 4A50 cartridge would be the best approach for doing a game like Tempest (actually, it's one of the games I had in mind when I wrote it). A 104x192 flicker-blinds bitmap screen with alternating scan lines colored blue-cyan and orange should work pretty well, and 4A50 has just about the fastest pixel-plot of any 6502-based machine. If the coordinate is in the X and Y registers, just:

  lda $7F00,x
  ora $1E00,y
  sta $1E00,y

Three instructions, thirteen cycles. It's possible a future 4A50 might improve that further (to nine cycles, and not trashing the accumulator) but that's being pretty optimistic.

It's what I was thinking. But so far it's only a start and I will be needing help from the guru's on this one.
The Super Cart is a great Idea BTW!

[Gorf]

Ooops! double post!

Moderator, please delete!
Thanks!

Edited by Gorf, Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:29 AM.

[Gorf]

Ooops! Triple post!...WTF?

Moderator, please delete!
Thanks!

Edited by Gorf, Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:30 AM.

[tremoloman2006]

Tempest never looked so damn good on a home TV screen! Keep up the great work!

[Lord Helmet]

I thought I'd never see it.

I can't wait till its finished.

Great work

[Gorf]

I'll do my best.

[Random Terrain]

So what's happening with this? Looks cool so far. Will it eventually have a rapid-fire option so you don't have to keep hitting the fire button repeatedly?

[Gorf]

Random Terrain, on Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:49 PM, said:

So what's happening with this? Looks cool so far. Will it eventually have a rapid-fire option so you don't have to keep hitting the fire button repeatedly?

Hehe....have not gone near it.....another project(or so) is in front of it.
However, it would not be much like the real game if you dd not have to
pound the fire button.....you will need a VCS DC...modified with another
button. I suppose I could look at the option of a rapid fire...or..make you
earn it....yeah....more likely make you earn it....besides, you'll appreciate
it more.


Anyway I will eventually get back to it but I still need a seasoned 2600 code
master to help me figure out a few tricks.

Edited by Gorf, Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:54 PM.

[wrenchien]

4ever2600, on Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:16 AM, said:

Thats incredible! You are doing an EXCELLENT job on this! I'd love to see a 5200 AND 2600 release of TEMPEST in 2008! Looks like the groundwork is laid out for BOTH of them! Let's see them HAPPEN!!!!! - D

yes.

[Gorf]

Just let me say...dont count on Tempest 2600 this year.You'd be building yourself
serious false hopes.

[Keatah]

OMFG!! make it happen dewd!! This is k-rad and so cool. That would be great fun to pit the two systems together, like a 2600(running your version of tempest) and a core duo with 9800gtx grafix bored running typhoon 2001.. side by side, then & now, yesterday & today. 8bits(crippled 6502) vs 384bits(grafics boared) yeh I would have a hard time figgering out which would be most fun..

[Gorf]

I appreciate the props but see post right before yours.

It will happen(Lord willing) . Just not this year(not at all likely at least.)

[yuppicide]

Tempest looks awesome! Would be great to see it on the 2600!

[Gorf]

I'll do my best when I get the time to return to it.

[tremoloman2006]

I don't know if this has been suggested already or not but if you could make this run with the driving controller it would truly ROCK!

If this cart becomes a reality sign me up first on the list! I'll plunk down some good moola for a copy!

[nonner242]

tremoloman2006, on Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:02 PM, said:

I don't know if this has been suggested already or not but if you could make this run with the driving controller it would truly ROCK!

If this cart becomes a reality sign me up first on the list! I'll plunk down some good moola for a copy!

I agree! It would be really sweet to play that way! Can't wait...

[accousticguitar]

Yes, please use the driving controller. I can't stand playing Tempest with a joystick.

[Gorf]

There will be options...if and when I gt back to the game that is.

[Dutchman2000]

Gorf-

I salute your effort, it would be awesome if this could be finished. Take your time and make it great! Let me know if you have any questions about the gameplay. I have access to the coin-op source as it is a great help for the 5200 version.

[Gorf]

Dutchman2000, on Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:03 PM, said:

Gorf-

I salute your effort, it would be awesome if this could be finished. Take your time and make it great! Let me know if you have any questions about the gameplay. I have access to the coin-op source as it is a great help for the 5200 version.

I will...I can definitely use a tempest gameplay expert....keep in mund I know little of
the 2600 and you should all thank Fred Quimby for bB. I will need a 2600 kernal wizard
more than anything.

[JagChris]

Dutchman2000, on Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:03 PM, said:

Gorf-

I salute your effort, it would be awesome if this could be finished. Take your time and make it great! Let me know if you have any questions about the gameplay. I have access to the coin-op source as it is a great help for the 5200 version.

You have the source for the coin op Tempest?

[Gorf]

Even with the source, It's been quite a few years since I did the 6502 thing.
This is bB based. However, I know you can use some form of inline assembly
with bB but the trouble with that is this is still bB based and therefore so is the
kernel.

As it stands....the bB kernel is a symetrical screen (right side mirrors the left side)
which will make the spikes pretty much impossible or not at all similar. I know there
are ways to do asymetrical screens on the 2600 and is why I need a brilliant kernel
writer.

As far as the source of Arcade Tempest is concerned, it would probably take me a
while to get back up to speed to be able to decifer it all in any reasonable time frame.

It would probably just be easier for Dutchman 2k to post me a few notes. Keep in mind
we only have so many cycles here. The 5200 has many more cycles and advantages
over the 2600 so it's not a port i'd curse anyone with. I'm just insane enough to give it
a try.