detailed missle sprite drawing trick, anyone?

[vdub_bobby]

Doesn't Space Instigators use the multi-RESP trick to get 9 aliens across? 11 across would be cool but the flicker kinda takes away a lot of the coolness - if you are going to flicker, might as well use the Stellar Track method and get 12 across.

 

I was thinking of non-flickering Venetian Blinds.

But then you've got striped aliens, which is...well, it's ok. But it ain't great. The holy grail here is 7+ non-striped, non-flickered aliens in a row; compromises by way of striping or flickering aren't nearly as interesting - at that point you aren't talking about something revolutionary, you're just trying to find some middle ground between Space Instigators (which has fewer aliens, but they look good) and INV+ (which has 11 aliens, but they don't look at all like aliens).

 

Actually, I think TJ (or..?) posted some demos to the [stella] list that had more than 9 sprites in a row; I think it was just very complicated or limiting, which is why SIinstigators ended up just using 9 in a row.

 

You've almost got me convinced to dive back into the archives and see what I can find.

 

EDIT: Ok, I did.

Here's a demo worth checking out:

11x5 alien grid. Spacing is not consistent; I'm not sure if that is necessary or not. Press RESET to get them moving. http://atari2600.org/pipermail/stella/2001-March/006713.html

(Source: http://atari2600.org/pipermail/stella/2001...ch/006751.html)

 

Actually, now that I look at this...it is pretty amazing.

Edited January 16, 2008 by vdub_bobby

[+grafixbmp]

Doesn't Space Instigators use the multi-RESP trick to get 9 aliens across? 11 across would be cool but the flicker kinda takes away a lot of the coolness - if you are going to flicker, might as well use the Stellar Track method and get 12 across.

 

I was thinking of non-flickering Venetian Blinds.

But then you've got striped aliens, which is...well, it's ok. But it ain't great. The holy grail here is 7+ non-striped, non-flickered aliens in a row; compromises by way of striping or flickering aren't nearly as interesting - at that point you aren't talking about something revolutionary, you're just trying to find some middle ground between Space Instigators (which has fewer aliens, but they look good) and INV+ (which has 11 aliens, but they don't look at all like aliens).

 

Actually, I think TJ (or..?) posted some demos to the [stella] list that had more than 9 sprites in a row; I think it was just very complicated or limiting, which is why SIinstigators ended up just using 9 in a row.

 

You've almost got me convinced to dive back into the archives and see what I can find.

 

EDIT: Ok, I did.

Here's a demo worth checking out:

11x5 alien grid. Spacing is not consistent; I'm not sure if that is necessary or not. Press RESET to get them moving. http://atari2600.org/pipermail/stella/2001-March/006713.html

(Source: http://atari2600.org/pipermail/stella/2001...ch/006751.html)

 

Actually, now that I look at this...it is pretty amazing.

 

It looks like this was never actualy finished into a game. I bet it would be immposible to change any of thoes alien's data midscanline though.

 

Now, just as a side note, since this is on a black background, it would be rather concievable to just 30Hz flicker 6 aliens on one side and 6 aliens on the other next frame without much if any noticable flicker.

[vdub_bobby]

It looks like this was never actualy finished into a game. I bet it would be immposible to change any of thoes alien's data midscanline though.

Probably not *impossible*...but, yeah, there isn't a lot of time there.

Now, just as a side note, since this is on a black background, it would be rather concievable to just 30Hz flicker 6 aliens on one side and 6 aliens on the other next frame without much if any noticable flicker.

It wouldn't be *bad* flicker, but it would certainly be noticeable!

[+grafixbmp]

It looks like this was never actualy finished into a game. I bet it would be immposible to change any of thoes alien's data midscanline though.

Probably not *impossible*...but, yeah, there isn't a lot of time there.

Now, just as a side note, since this is on a black background, it would be rather concievable to just 30Hz flicker 6 aliens on one side and 6 aliens on the other next frame without much if any noticable flicker.

It wouldn't be *bad* flicker, but it would certainly be noticeable!

run the game night driver, and tell me if you notice any flicker, unless the car and road touch. I'm serious

that game never looks like it has flicker ever.