pixelpedant

Yeah, I actually muddled about with Easy mode for about an hour prior and a half hour after the Practice Mode run, but having very little Dragon's Lair experience (never really had an arcade anywhere near me, in my youth, and only ever dabbled briefly in this or that port), I cut the highlight video linked down to just the unboxing and Practice run for concision's sake. Thanks for the details on the modes, and for the game itself, of course! I look forward to finally beating a Dragon's Lair. And more importantly, an arcade style Dragon's Lair, rather than one of the platformers.

LCDs of this nature usually have the worst 15KHz broadcast video scalers out there. Might or might not display the video (since it'll have the usual issues with attempting to deinterlace the signal). Really, for 15KHz uninterlaced Composite upscaling at an affordable price, the RetroTINK 2X is king, these days. And the Micomsoft Framemeister remains king for folks with deep pockets. While the OSSC is ideal for anyone with an F18A modded console (Framemeister works too, but 31KHz signals aren't really its strong suit). The upscalers in Samsung, Sony and Panasonic HDTVs in most cases also handle "240p" video just fine. But that shouldn't be surprising. These were made based on the assumption that consumers would be plugging in their legacy devices, and an upscaler which actually gets the job done and done well is a basic and essential feature. There are still models which will literally display nothing at all, or experience severe issues. But they're in the minority. But who knows. It might just work. Well, sort of.

Received mine a couple days ago, but just had no time to do it justice until today. Finally unboxed and played for a couple hours. Just amazing. So much more so when you've got it in your hands. Here's a link to my unboxing and first playthrough earlier this evening: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/399145072

A short overview of the composite upscaling situation: When it comes to Composite, it'll always be a messy signal, and the TI 99's particularly bad. In most cases of computers and consoles which are limited to RF and/or Composite output, mods featuring superior output options are pursued where possible. Unfortunately (as likewise hinted), while there was such a mod for TI 99/4A, offering 31KHz RGBHV output (i.e., "VGA"), this is no longer available. And there is no immediate replacement, since the TI 99 is not a case like those of a majority of other systems, where there are preferable video signals to be hijacked off the board somewhere (so all you need is amplification, possibly/optionally sync processing, and a jack). It's a case analogous to the NES or 2600, where you either need to outright replace the PPU/VDP (TI99 F18A mod, NES PlayChoice-10 mod), or do some real time analysis of palette RAM interactions (2600RGB, NESRGB). There are some devices out there which do as well as may be done, nonetheless, in processing, upscaling and even sometimes cleaning up the idiosyncratic and non-standard 60Hz-per-scanline every-other-scanline Composite video produced by analogue era video game consoles and some early home computers. Micomsoft's XRGB line of scalers (from Japan) are the top of the line, as far as that goes. The market for this sort of thing is otherwise dominated by line-doubler solutions such as the OSSC and RetroTINK. But because these don't do framebuffered image processing, they can't really do much of anything to "clean up" a bad signal. They're simply duplicating (or triplicating, or quadrupling, in the case of the OSSC) scanlines. Moreover and in any case, the OSSC does not accept Composite input, for the simple reason that this is not in high demand, among the enthusiast community (due to its poor quality). So this makes the meaningful options, when it comes to upscaling video like the TI 99/4A's Composite signal: RetroTINK: A line-doubling, transcoding solution which is, as such, very light on options and picture processing, but gets you to HDMI 480p, for what that's worth. XRGB-3: A relatively powerful upscaling and transcoding solution with both framebuffered and line-multiplying modes. Accepts most signal types, including Composite. Significantly, outputs both analogue and digital. XRGB-Mini: A feature-rich framebuffered upscaling and transcoding solution. Accepts most signal types, including Composite and, also, HDMI. Easier to use and more of an "it just works" solution than the XRGB-3. There are also devices designed for upscaling regular interleaved 15KHz broadcast signals, which can be found. These incorrectly process the non-standard signal as if it were interlaced, the principle effect of which tends to be that every other frame is dropped. Some noticeable latency is also typically introduced. In my opinion, when it comes to Composite output, you're better off just using a CRT. To me, even using a higher end transcoder, digital display just exaggerates issues. Where a CRT really helps to smooth out the noise.

Also worth noting that there are (more uncommon, but still around) up angle, down angle and right/left angle DB9 adapters. I've got one on the joystick port of my TI 99, as I don't have the space for a regular joystick plug on my rackmount apparatus (TI99 + Speech + NanoPEB + DB9 connector just fits in a 19" rack).

I'd be interested to know how many people here are F18A modded specifically. Has that ever been polled?

Indeed. Basically, any four sequential keys at all is cool with me. I prefer ASDF out of habit. Spending many hours of every day for decades with my hands on a home row means they're pretty well trained to sit there comfortably. But HJKL works too. I'm likewise not a fan of WASD, and find having forward and backward on the same finger in that arrangement unnecessarily awkward. The debate with respect to TI 99 differs from that for many other more modern systems, as a majority of games have (direction aside) a one-button input scheme. So I figure in those contexts, it absolutely doesn't matter where you are on the keyboard. But I find four adjacent keys to be the most comfortable position for direction keys. I've just always been unable to place any value at all on the placement of direction keys in a configuration reflective of purpose. My "fire" button doesn't need to look like a gun's trigger for me to use it acceptably. My "jump" button doesn't have to physically reflect the act of jumping, for me to use it for that. While it's nice for control to aesthetically reflect function if this is easily achieved and there is no downside to its doing so, I just can't see that as a priority which trumps comfort and efficiency. This all having said, I realise a lot of people are going to want direction keys to simply match those they've used the most. So one can understand WASD being preferred, as simply the most prevalent.

Here's a different kind of system setup pic. It's a flowchart representation of my TI 99/4A setup (and the a/v signal processing paths relevant to it) from within my larger (wildly superfluous - I love old a/v processing tech) signal processing and display setup. Signal paths do not in any way reflect physical location. The TI 99/4A is right under my Panasonic PVM, in the middle of my desk.

Likewise. I was at a conference, and not keeping up with more important things that day, like AtariAge threads. More the fool I. Hence: 54 Just happy to have gotten in there, though!

Man, if only 1989 me knew how excited a tonne of people would be for a new TI 99/4A game in 2019. Not that you could have convinced me of such a thing. Much less that said game would look like this. We live in remarkable times. Never have I been more eager to part with a significant quantity of money.

To be sure, a top priority would be having a quasi-LCARS interface, for such an app. I'd be fascinated to see how close we could get to LCARS, on TI 99/4A.

I was curious what the versions of Dragon's Lair for somewhat analogous 80s hardware looked like, not being very familiar with the various home versions. Well, the Coleco Adam version looks like this: Yup. I'd say what we have here is a slight improvement. Can't wait.

For stuff like that, on Windows, I'd usually just use an AutoHotKey solution, possibly with a toggle to turn it on and off. Could make it window-specific (only active when Notepad++ is the active window) or heck, even file/directory specific (only active when Notepad++ is the active windows and is working in a file somewhere within one's /TI99/ directory), but might make more sense not to, just binding it to a toggle (e.g., so that when one's conception of "TI input mode" is toggled on, it works anywhere - not just in Notepad++).

Oh yeah, as I say, you surely wouldn't want that (or any modern PC) key layout. You'd want a more TI appropriate one. Specifically, I figure there's room for one additional (sixth) row of keys, with one additional key column in at least three existing rows. Which is to say one would want an unusually tall layout by present standards. But subnotebooks of the 4:3 form factor era certainly featured such keyboard dimensions regularly enough. As far as the possibility of repurposing some existing suitable board goes (presuming an interface could be built), I guess there would be the option of just completely ignoring the existing key labels and working out the signal translation to suit the desired layout itself, with key arrangement/size being the sole priority. Then perhaps figuring something out as far as labeling goes, if one feels that's important. As someone who regularly rebinds keys anyways and owns one keyboard with blank keycaps, I don't suppose that would be my priority though.

Yeah, likewise, I've got a desktop and a laptop at my desk at work, but at least half of the time, I end up coding on my laptop regardless. So I can't really see good laptop keys as much of a real step backwards, when I can't be bothered to avoid them given the opportunity. Though I will say I'm really picky about laptop key layout and bindings.

Another crazy notion: build a laptop style keyboard which (with the original keyboard removed of course) sits right on top of the portions of the case surrounding the original keyboard, and has consequent key height slightly less than the conventional keyboard (due to much lower key height on the replacement board). Doesn't offer the same tactile advantages as good modern desktop keyboard mechanisms, but I'd still prefer a nice modern laptop-style keyboard to my hugely worn out and mushy TI 99/4A mechanisms. But more importantly (from the point of view of the outcome being interesting), it offers a lot more real estate in which to screw around with the key layout and add keys (mainly, the prospect of a sixth row), without damaging the unit. So like this sort of placement, but with TI-appropriate keys and key arrangement: Downside would surely be that sourcing DIY desktop keyboard parts is easy, while repurposing or sourcing laptop mechanisms is likely to be more of a nuisance.

While a backlit keyboard (mentioned earlier in this thread) isn't of any particular interest to me, a drop in keyboard replacement with alternate key mechanisms certainly would be. It would likewise be interesting to discuss possible modifications to the keyboard layout which remain harmonious with TI 99/4A usage (i.e., are not just an attempt to cram a pseudo-IBM keyboard into a TI 99/4A) but offer advantages over the traditional design.

Yeah, isometric 3D (a la Zaxxon) is a completely different kettle of fish. The challenge of making Buck Rogers or Space Harrier for whatever platform consists almost entirely in representing proximity of flying objects to the player in terms of scale rather than location, and thus, scaling them continuously (or more likely, iteratively at some acceptable rate). And this isn't done at all in an isometric shooter. Solaris on 2600 is another example (maybe the most remarkable example) of doing this impressively on primitive hardware:

Well, Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom being the conventional example. Not only because it's an into-the-screen shooter (like Space Harrier) featuring sprite scaling (like Space Harrier, albeit more primitive in its methods), but because it's a Sega arcade game which was ported to a whole array of others systems (like Space Harrier), three years in advance of the latter example. Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom - Arcade Original Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom - TI 99/4A Version

Simply astonishing. Destined to be a crowning glory of any TI 99/4A game collection from here on out. I cannot wait, and hope to be able to place an order in the first batch. Thanks for all your incredible work!

While we're all posting videos, here are some reference points for how Space Harrier looked on the various 80s home computers. As food for thought, with respect to how it might look in a TI 99 port: Arcade Original Then, In rough order of graphical complexity: C64 Amstrad CPC MSX (Space Harrier 2) (using TMS99x8) PC-88 Sharp X1 PC-6001

Looks good! What a great trove of food for thought. Personally, I'm voting more for ones that I think would put the TI's strengths best on display (and might even be improved upon!), rather than the ones which most threaten to serve to exhibit of its weaknesses. But I know many enjoy seeing the challenge of doing the (seemingly) impossible, and I totally respect that. Dungeons of Daggorath is one that hadn't occurred to me that sounds great. Also love the suggestion of Antarctic Adventure (as I think the only other person who suggested a notable MSX game). But I'm a huge sucker for pseudo-3D vertical scrollers.

Another game that would be 100% achievable as a straightforward port: Golvellius Inasmuch as it has already been developed with graphics for TMS9918 (MSX1) and sound for SN76489 (SMS). Pretty sweet PSG sountrack.

Space Harrier, even understanding the limitations. I mean, it was ported to the Sharp X1, Speccy and Amstrad CPC, and Space Harrier 2 received an MSX1 port, so we're not talking about a fool's errand. Just one which has to work within constraints. Same as Buck Rogers did (not just on TI99, but everywhere else).

Reviews have all been quite positive. This is definitely a good solution for a collection of use cases. Namely (for cases involving as many as possible of the following) 1) When upscaling systems which exclusively output 15KHz video 2) When upscaling systems whose highest quality available signal output is Composite or S-Video. 3) When upscaling systems which *switch between 240p and 480i on the fly*. 4) When outputting to HDTV (given only 480p output is supported). I don’t suppose I’ll get one, since there’s nothing it does better than some given combination of the OSSC, Framemeister and various Extron devices I already have (and there’s a very great deal it doesn’t do). And regardless, my TI 99 is F18A modded. But this definitely looks like a great option for TI 99s outputting Composite, if you specifically want digital display (which I don’t usually, myself, but that’s really just a matter of taste).