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gorf68

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Posts posted by gorf68

    My Vectrex just died!

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    Well I can handle a fuse or probably even the power switch myself.

     

    I can solder but replacing all the caps myself wouldn't by my first choice. 

    I solder when I really, really, have to but I've never really wanted to... Just never liked soldering!

    My Vectrex just died!

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    Yes, tried it with nothing attached, no power whatsoever.

    I suppose I could see if any power is coming out of the transformer, then see if anything is coming through the switch.

    if it is the switch I can live with just bypassing it.

     

    If it's more complicated than that I may need to get someone else to look at it.

    My Vectrex just died!

    in Vectrex

    Posted · Edited by gorf68

    So I'd just put the latest version of Circus Vectrex on to my VecFlash for testing on the Vectrex before burning it to eproms for the cartridges, turned it on and...

    Nothing, no picture, no sound, no buzz, no dot in the centre of the screen, no glow from the back of the tube. Nothing.

     

    Is it likely that this is just the on/off switch that's gone? Before it died it was taking a bit of time to show the screen after it was switched on, and the vectors had a lot of drift until it was left for a few minutes to 'heat up.'

     

    I'm wondering whether this is worth me taking a look at myself or if there is anyone who does Vectrex repairs in the UK?

    If it is the switch can I just short this out with a bit of wire?

    Unfortunately development of the 'Circus Vectrex' cartridge, and anything else, is pretty-much dead in the water without a working Vectrex!

     

    Any thoughts?

    • Sad 1

    What's the expected format for a new Vectrex Release?

    in Vectrex

    Posted · Edited by gorf68

    Well I was always going to make this a small release, and there won't be an overlay. My reasoning is that this is what I still consider a flawed game, but some people (on another forum) have asked me to put my latest version on cartridge for them.

    I'll probably just send it to the people who asked for it, in a 'proper' cartridge with a printed label in a small box (old style design) for around £15. As they have already seen/played an older ROM of the game and know what they are getting.

     

    This was basically a trial run for me and I'm not trying to inflate prices with a low release number, or even make any amount of money out of this at all. I would hope these never appear on eBay for inflated prices (although that may be naïve) assuming the people who asked for them actually buy them. I definitely don't intend to 'scam' people with subpar games.  I don't have the time, money, or inclination to make hundreds of boxes, overlays, and cartridges. And I honestly don't think 50, far less hundreds of people would be interested in buying it anyway. So don't think I could go the publisher route.

     

    I am working on a game that I was looking at doing a proper release for, if I ever get it finished, but there seems to be some hate if you aren't releasing hundreds including an overlay here. Something I was never expecting. So if I finish the new game I may end up just sharing the ROM file! That's what I've done with my test stuff that was mostly made years ago.

     

    Thanks for all the replies, this has opened my eyes to how people think about homebrew releases quite a bit.

    To be honest it's put me off a little, I don't want to make hundreds of games nobody may buy, and I don't want the hate of only producing a small amount of games, and seen to be scamming/inflating value if people do want more. Which they may then say are sub-par and over priced to start with! Suddenly a hobby seems more hassle that it's worth. I don't know who is, but I never considered making these cartridges to make money. £15 pretty much covers what I spend to make the cartridge, labels, and box.

     

     

    The game is an updated version of this (no sound in the video, it has title music and spot effects), id hope no one would feel cheated for £15 plus a few pounds P&P:

     

    • Like 4

    Looking for any technical information on the Teleng Colourstars

    in Classic Console Discussion

    Posted

    This is probably going to come to nothing, but I'm looking for any technical documentation on the 1979 Teleng Colourstars UK, TV games Pong type system.

    The first system I ever had, as a ten year old.

    It only ever had Seven cartridges made for it, as far as I know, and the circuity for the games on each cartridge came on the cartridge, no CPU in the console. This makes it both highly programable and not easy to get started with.

     

    Yes, I may be mad, but I'd quite like to try and program a game for this.. I think I would also have to emulate hardware, to a certain extent, as well as write the code for the games. Which opens up possibilities if there is any documentation about this system at all. Because I can find none.

     

    Anybody?

    What's the expected format for a new Vectrex Release?

    in Vectrex

    Posted · Edited by gorf68

    I've got some Sean Kelly cartridge shells, and printed labels done (on sticky-back photopaper) I can probably do a small box better than a full sized one.

     

    I was thinking of making a very small run of the latest build of my Circus Vectrex game as a handful of people have asked for this. 

     

    I did manage to make a semi-decent overlay, but it was a lot of work, a printable transparent sheet, putting Tipex on the back of the stuff I wanted to have opacity, and a laminating wallet to keep it covered and give it strength. There's probably a better method, but this was a mock up!

    • Like 1

    What's the expected format for a new Vectrex Release?

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    What do people expect to be included with a new Vectrex Release?

     

    Is it expected to come in a box that looks like the original, with a 'professional level' overlay as standard?

    Is the game expected to come in a cartridge shell that looks like the original?

     

    It seems like the box and overlay add a fair bit of expense to a Vectrex release, have home brew cartridges been made available without this?

    If so what's the basic release that people would accept?

     

    Without a big box and overlay I think a cartridge could be released for around £15.00 - not making much if any profit here but that's not necessarily the point.

    Making a Vectrex cartridge.

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    I finally got all the bits together and made cartridge versions of two of my games, Circus Vectrex and Trapped, and they actually work! 

    I've also made my first attempt at making an overlay and it's passable, so making a box next.

     

    Already got a few people who say they would like to buy a boxed version of Circus Atari, so I'm looking at tweaking it a bit first to see if I can get it running just that bit better. Also trying to think up the artwork for the overlay.

     

     

    Trying to do the whole package is interesting, hopefully it will all turn out fine.

    • Like 2

    Should I make the Circus Vectrex more like the Atari version?

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    On 9/1/2020 at 12:59 PM, ledzep said:

     

    ... I would also change the lines to balloons or something else ...

     

     

    Initially they were balloons, but I couldn't get the full screen drawn whilst keeping the cycles down for the screen refresh.

    So it was reduced to lines for testing, and it just stuck.

     

     

    I burnt a test of this to a cartridge and some people are now interested in a possible release, so I may now look at tightening the drift and bringing back the balloons. I think the original graphic may be still in the code. I believe it was originally a six line 'circle' with a seventh line as a string

    Should I make the Circus Vectrex more like the Atari version?

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Rob Mitchell said:

    The Atari paddle requires modifications which include two resistors and a new cable.  That results in one Vectrex Paddle.  So if you offer alternating 2 player option, I suggest sharing one Vectrex paddle.

     

    https://www.playvectrex.com/
     

    Hmm, I currently have two sets of Atari paddles, one of which is broke. Broken/pulled cable I think.

    So this could be on the cards. Thanks.

    Should I make the Circus Vectrex more like the Atari version?

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Rob Mitchell said:

    I like it .. you must make an analog option to use the Vectrex paddle ... and there is no see-saw flip.  Of course the Atari version does allow flip.

     

     

    Thanks, I was thinking about paddle support, but as yet, don't have Vectrex paddles. Will Atari paddles work? :)

     

    A few people didn't notice you can flip the see-saw - any button on the controller flips.

     

    10 hours ago, Rob Mitchell said:

     

     

     

    Should I make the Circus Vectrex more like the Atari version?

    in Vectrex

    Posted

    3 hours ago, vectrexroli said:

    I put the link to this page on  the "Vectrex Fans Unite" Facebook group, so that you´ll get more opinions. Should you ever release this, I please would be interested. 

    The (I think) latest download of the bin should be here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3fXRo4EaQ5iSC1mQTc5OVhzRTA/view?usp=sharing

    A slightly older version is also on the Multi Cart 3.0 by Sean Kelly, if anyone has that.

     

    If I were to release this on cart I may revisit the bounce mechanic, depending on peoples views.

     

    I would also have to look at stabilising the drift.

    On some Vectrex this has been reported as ether not noticeable, or 'hardly noticed.'

    On others it's been reported as 'very noticeable and distracting' to 'making it difficult to play.'

    It would be interesting to see what results people on the Facebook group get.

     

    This was never really fine tuned, but I would do that if a cartridge release is a possibility!

     

     

    Thanks for looking.

     
     
    • Thanks 1

    Should I make the Circus Vectrex more like the Atari version?

    in Vectrex

    Posted · Edited by gorf68

    So, I made a game for the Vectrex some time ago called 'Circus Vectrex' that was supposed to be just a tongue-in-cheek take on the classic 'Circus Atari' game. At one point I was thinking about polishing this game off, as it was, and releasing it as a cartridge.

    I never did get around to it as the cost was a bit high for me at the time, and the game had a bit too much drift on some of the testers Vectrex. Although it seemed fine on mine?

     

    Since then I've had a few people tell me I should make the start jump and in-game jump mechanic more like the Atari game and release it. 

    So I've come to ask for, and would appreciate, some honest answers from people who are likely to know both systems.

    Do you think this game is good enough / worth attempting to convert so it plays the same as the 'Circus Atari' game?

     

    I've added a short video (sorry no sound, my bad) and an online playable link below so you can get an idea of the game.

    https://drsnuggles.github.io/jsvecx/?rom=Circus

    Or have a look on my (old) blog: http://garrysgamingblog.blogspot.com/p/programming-projects.html

     

     

    Thing is I now have 10 spare eproms to do this with, as I've decided to use a writable chip with the full version of my 'Trapped' proof of concept game. (If it ever gets done)

     

    So do you honestly think it's a worthwhile project or not (I've more projects than time just now ;) ) and your opinion would be welcome.

    • Like 4
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