97 replies to this topic

[nonner242]

DracIsBack, on Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:31 PM, said:

GroovyBee, on Sat Apr 4, 2009 1:58 PM, said:

And for my next trick...

teaser.gif

Its just a mock up so don't too excited . It also depends on the RAM cart proving if the game engine is viable. I have plenty of game ideas but not the time to code them all in assembler .

[GroovyBee]

@nonner242 and DracIsBack

Glad you like the mockup. I have the animation frames done for the main character (a wizard) some of the enemies, some power ups, doors and door frames. I just need to make maps of the levels, create some room layouts, draw more enemies, weapons and room furniture sprites and then start coding when I get some time.

[Kurt_Woloch]

GroovyBee, on Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:23 PM, said:

@nonner242 and DracIsBack

Glad you like the mockup. I have the animation frames done for the main character (a wizard) some of the enemies, some power ups, doors and door frames. I just need to make maps of the levels, create some room layouts, draw more enemies, weapons and room furniture sprites and then start coding when I get some time.

How about copying the maps from the ZX Spectrum original version?

[GroovyBee]

Kurt_Woloch, on Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:15 PM, said:

How about copying the maps from the ZX Spectrum original version?

Although it looks like Atic Atac it wasn't going to be Atic Atac .

[DracIsBack]

Go Groovy Bee - my Cuttle Cart is awaiting your work!

[GroovyBee]

I've got another game idea. Be afraid, be very afraid!

[DracIsBack]

GroovyBee, on Thu May 7, 2009 8:34 AM, said:

I've got another game idea. Be afraid, be very afraid!

Bring it on! Have you figured out how to make them run on real consoles?

[GroovyBee]

DracIsBack, on Fri May 8, 2009 3:02 PM, said:

Bring it on! Have you figured out how to make them run on real consoles?

Not yet! . Real life has been getting in the way. The next game will be in pure assembler so it should be OK.

[GroovyBee]

Now I've solved the issues with Wasp! and it works on real hardware (as does Harry's Hen House ) where do I go from here? Its now possible to write 7800 arcade games in "C" and use a graphics support library (written in assembler). I did have to make some optimisations for Wasp! because the full screen 12 colour mode (160B) and 6 sprites per zone does take its toll on MARIA .

I've never released anything using GPL, LGPL, BSD licenses or the like. What are the best options? Would it be best to host the library on my own site or on AA? (with Alberts permission) What about a support forum like batari Basic for it? Is coding for the 7800 in "C" something other people want to do too? Maybe I should just supply the graphics library in binary form and "C"/ASM headers and avoid licensing issues altogether?

To make a real release I'd need some simple games to demonstrate the library. Any suggests for that besides the obligatory Pong?

Questions... questions...

Comments and suggestions welcomed.

P.S The binary for Wasp! will be released soon after the 7800 Birthday Pack has been shipped.

EDIT: For spelling.

Edited by GroovyBee, Mon Jun 8, 2009 10:21 AM.

[Allan]

As far as what type of game to do.. you could try doing one of the many puzzle games people have put on the web or maybe look pick a simpler game from the Antic and Compute archives. It would be fun to have a text based game. Even something as simple as Hangman.

Allan

[GroovyBee]

Allan, on Mon Jun 8, 2009 5:08 PM, said:

maybe look pick a simpler game from the Antic and Compute archives.

Just had a quick look at the Antic archive. I'm not familiar with the inner workings of the Atari 8 bit line. I'd have to try the BASIC games in an emulator to get the feel for them before attempting a 7800 version.

Allan, on Mon Jun 8, 2009 5:08 PM, said:

Even something as simple as Hangman

Hmmm... Could be a good option. The dictionary would take quite a bit of ROM space for a computerised player.

[TMR]

Oh, i forgot to post... i reviewed Wasp! and it should appear in issue 66 of Retro Gamer (unless i've lost track of which issue i've been working on again! =-)

[GroovyBee]

TMR, on Tue Jun 9, 2009 9:05 AM, said:

Oh, i forgot to post... i reviewed Wasp! and it should appear in issue 66 of Retro Gamer (unless i've lost track of which issue i've been working on again! =-)

Damn! Two months to wait until 66 . Any chance you can PM me the review?

[TMR]

GroovyBee, on Tue Jun 9, 2009 11:01 AM, said:

TMR, on Tue Jun 9, 2009 9:05 AM, said:

Oh, i forgot to post... i reviewed Wasp! and it should appear in issue 66 of Retro Gamer (unless i've lost track of which issue i've been working on again! =-)

Damn! Two months to wait until 66 . Any chance you can PM me the review?

PM your email address and i'll send the RTF over. =-)

[mimo]

Looks good, and looking forward to the release, but I have to ask, If you can design and build your own Dev carts, can you design a CC2 replacement?

[GroovyBee]

mimo, on Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:32 AM, said:

If you can design and build your own Dev carts, can you design a CC2 replacement?

I have had thoughts along those lines . However, I'm not sure that the market is big enough . I'm going to do a new PCB design for real 7800 homebrew cart releases. My latest game will be the first to use it . I'll release more details closer to the time.

[Gorf]

GroovyBee, on Sat Apr 4, 2009 9:16 AM, said:

A cart! Hmmm... I didn't think the game was that good. There's no change in difficulty or monsters as the levels progress. It also needs a way to top up your energy.

True fans collect ANYTHING, so this should not suprise you. (BTW, nice project so far)

[mimo]

GroovyBee, on Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:40 AM, said:

mimo, on Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:32 AM, said:

If you can design and build your own Dev carts, can you design a CC2 replacement?

I have had thoughts along those lines . However, I'm not sure that the market is big enough . I'm going to do a new PCB design for real 7800 homebrew cart releases. My latest game will be the first to use it . I'll release more details closer to the time.

Interesting, will you be selling blank PCBs? I have a few eproms lying about looking for a nice place to live
As for the flash cart or whatever, depends on cost, but I would hazzard a guess at 50+ being bought

[GroovyBee]

mimo, on Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:02 PM, said:

Interesting, will you be selling blank PCBs? I have a few eproms lying about looking for a nice place to live

The PCBs will use surface mount components. They will be supplied with all the components needed already soldered down but with a blank flash (no software). Homebrew cart makers will need a special custom programmer to program the carts via USB.

mimo, on Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:02 PM, said:

As for the flash cart or whatever, depends on cost, but I would hazzard a guess at 50+ being bought

Something to think about...

[Nognir]

I'm really looking forward playing this! It's about time to get some more quality homebrews for the Atari 7800 Nice work!

[GroovyBee]

I've started a preorder list for standard edition Wasp! carts here.

EDIT: For clarity.

Edited by GroovyBee, Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:00 PM.

[GroovyBee]

This is the standard edition binary :-

 Wasp_Standard_Edition.a78   32.13K   169 downloads
 Wasp_Standard_Edition.bin   32K   116 downloads

You'll need the following information for your CC2 :-

7800_32K 78BIOS

You'll need Pro-Line or Euro D-pads to play the game on real hardware. The binary will work on NTSC and PAL machines.

Enjoy!

[mimo]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you:thumbsup: