Atari ST games in development -- Please lock

[retrogeek]

Like my recent binge of purchasing Atari ST systems didn't have a purpose. There are two game projects in the works for the Atari ST computer. I have developed a website (something quick for the time being; nothing special) to showcase both games as they develop. Release dates are TBA.

 

Click here

Edited April 4, 2008 by retrogeek

[retrogeek]

Like my recent binge of purchasing Atari ST systems didn't have a purpose. There are two game projects in the works for the Atari ST computer. I have developed a website (something quick for the time being; nothing special) to showcase both games as they develop. Release dates are TBA.

 

Click here

 

 

I just created a poll; I am just gauging interest here.

 

I look forward to seeing your votes!

Edited April 3, 2008 by retrogeek

[ggn]

Firstly, logic error in the poll! I voted for 'no', so I shouldn't have to vote for the price then!

 

Secondly, no, I wouldn't pay for any homebrew ST game in 2008. Especially since I'm in a group that develops homebrew games and releases them for free . Also I would be very hesitant to offer my help to anyone that would use it to gain profit (although I have given away code and advice to lots of people for free over the years).

 

My 2 eurocents.

[retrogeek]

Firstly, logic error in the poll! I voted for 'no', so I shouldn't have to vote for the price then!

 

I fixed the error in the poll; thank you for pointing that out to me.

 

 

Secondly, no, I wouldn't pay for any homebrew ST game in 2008.

 

I think you may be on the wrong message board; I see hundreds of people paying for Atari 2600 Homebrews in '2008' so I don't see a difference here really. Maybe these people shouldn't sell their games (since you 'give' your projects away for free).

 

 

Also I would be very hesitant to offer my help to anyone that would use it to gain profit (although I have given away code and advice to lots of people for free over the years).

 

Ah, so if I checked your post history, I won't find anything written by you that 'helps' homebrew coders (especially ones that sell their work)? I don't need your advice and I am not here looking for your 'help'. I'm not a peddler, thank you.

 

I'm also not here to turn a profit; if I wanted to turn a profit I sure as hell wouldn't do it on an old 16-bit computer. I have made that very clear on MANY occasions, so it’s not my fault if you haven't read my posts (check my post history for examples). I certainly wouldn't mind getting paid for the time I spend on a project, but in no way do I expect anyone to shell out big money for a new / old computer game.

 

If I am wasting my time with this subject then people need to start speaking up instead of being silent. Really, it's that simple!

Edited April 2, 2008 by retrogeek

[retrogeek]

I just wanted to add that when I say 'getting paid for the time I spend on a project' I mean the time that is spent writing the game and manual; we're not talking retail prices here.

[Christos]

I am pretty confident you don't really know what you are talking about.... Anyway good luck with your project (I most certainly won't buy any ST game in 2008), but I will continue to support the game authors in the ST community. Not everything is measured with money.

 

(P.S. I think the last shareware game on the ST appeared somewhere between 1999-2001)

[retrogeek]

I am pretty confident you don't really know what you are talking about....

 

And you draw your conclusion on what evidence? Nice flamebait, btw -- I can tell you're an expert at being a board troll.

 

 

Anyway good luck with your project (I most certainly won't buy any ST game in 2008)

 

No but you'll spend $50 on some Atari 2600 homebrew. lol There is something wrong with your logic.

 

but I will continue to support the game authors in the ST community. Not everything is measured with money.

 

I can tell you old ST hacks are bothered by this, good!

 

 

(P.S. I think the last shareware game on the ST appeared somewhere between 1999-2001)

 

Well that is about to change!

Edited April 2, 2008 by retrogeek

[retrogeek]

Also: This poll was added to gauge interest for future projects. The projects in development NOW will be released for 'free' to the community. If the naysayer’s here would read up on what I've written so far they'd see that I am NOT here to make a profit, rape the community, etc. I love Atari, I love the ST, and I want to contribute.

 

The hostility and playground bashing ("I am pretty confident you don't really know what you are talking about....") makes some of you (and the Atari community) look bad, especially when everything I have posted so far has been on the level and forth-coming in every aspect.

Edited April 2, 2008 by retrogeek

[Christos]

And you draw your conclusion on what evidence? Nice flamebait, btw -- I can tell you're an expert at being a board troll. icon_wink.gif

 

Let's see... how about you have no idea who is who in the ST scene? Or how about what's the current state of things in the ST community? Oh and about the expert troll part... people's history speaks for itself

 

No but you'll spend $50 on some Atari 2600 homebrew. lol There is something wrong with your logic. icon_wink.gif

And you draw your conclusion on what evidence? - To use your own words...

 

I can tell you old ST hacks are bothered by this, good!

 

Huh? Sorry but my english are not that good (or yours )

 

Well that is about to change!

 

Good for ya. Let me know how well it sells...

 

P.S. Disclaimer: I have nothing against people trying to sell their work, I just find it pointless on the ST.

[retrogeek]

Good for ya. Let me know how well it sells...

 

This poll was added to gauge interest for future projects. The projects in development NOW will be released for 'free' to the community. Read it again genius: This poll was added to gauge interest for future projects. The projects in development NOW will be released for 'free' to the community.

 

Come on, you can do it! I feel confident you can.

 

 

P.S. Disclaimer: I have nothing against people trying to sell their work, I just find it pointless on the ST.

 

Well good for you!

Edited April 2, 2008 by retrogeek

[retrogeek]

Let's see... how about you have no idea who is who in the ST scene?

 

 

I don't really care 'who' they are to be honest. If you and what's his name are 'related to these people' then I am not impressed.

Edited April 2, 2008 by retrogeek

[ggn]

Firstly, logic error in the poll! I voted for 'no', so I shouldn't have to vote for the price then!

 

I fixed the error in the poll; thank you for pointing that out to me.

 

No probs.

 

 

Secondly, no, I wouldn't pay for any homebrew ST game in 2008.

 

I think you may be on the wrong message board; I see hundreds of people paying for Atari 2600 Homebrews in '2008' so I don't see a difference here really. Maybe these people shouldn't sell their games because you 'give' your projects away for free.

 

I checked again, and yes, this is in fact the 16/32 forum. So, what makes you think that the 2600 board is the same as the 16/32? Or the Jaguar forum? Different people, different policies.

 

And no, like I said, I'm not the only one that 'gives away' (why the quotes in your post anyway? It's not like there are any strings attached with my releases that need millions of dollars of lawyers to analyse) my stuff. Acutally I'm quite flattered by your remark, but no, I don't say what gets released or not and at what price. And like I said, it's customary for people in the Atari 16/32 scene to release their stuff for free.

 

Also I would be very hesitant to offer my help to anyone that would use it to gain profit (although I have given away code and advice to lots of people for free over the years).

 

Ah, so if I checked your post history, I won't find anything written by you that 'helps' homebrew coders (especially ones that sell their work)? I don't need your advice and I am not here looking for your 'help'. I'm not a peddler, thank you.

 

I just pointed out the problem at the poll and at no cost. So I helped you, right?

 

Seriously, no, I haven't offered much coding assistance in this board like you pointed out, but I have offered assistance in different boards elsewhere. Also, have you not heard of a term called IRC? Or MSN? Or something similar?

 

I'm also not here to turn a profit; if I wanted to turn a profit I sure as hell wouldn't do it on an old 16-bit computer. I have made that very clear on MANY occasions, so it’s not my fault if you haven't read everything I have written (check my post history for example). I certainly wouldn't mind getting paid for the time I spend on a project, but in no way do I expect anyone to shell out big money for a new / old computer game.

 

So I have to read every post in this forum and track down members in order to answer a poll and a question? You asked a honest question, and I gave a honest answer really. No, I don't think I would give any amounts of money for a ST game in 2008.

 

If I am wasting my time with this subject then people need to start speaking up instead of being silent. Really, it's that simple!

 

No further comments from me.

[retrogeek]

have to read every post in this forum and track down members in order to answer a poll and a question? You asked a honest question, and I gave a honest answer really. No, I don't think I would give any amounts of money for a ST game in 2008.

 

I appreciate your honesty on the matter!

 

I hope you realize that It wasn't my intention to insult the verteran ST community with my thread / poll about my ST projects. I am new to the message board and unaware of the rules that govern it.

 

Hmmmmm...

 

 

Don't you think it would have saved us the trouble if you had mentioned the rules earlier? lol

 

In either case, I am looking forward to releasing these projects!

[lp060]

Not a good idea to base your plan on the 2600 scene, or any scene that releases on rom chips/carts, there is a bit of hardware involved which certainly a home brew coder can't afford to give away, hence they are generally not free. Also shipping involved for a piece of hardware.

 

The ST on the other hand, your are talking about a software only item, which can be downloaded.

 

My 2 cents.

Edited April 2, 2008 by lp060

[TwiliteZoner]

It would be nice to have some new games to run on the ST. Like Wolf3d

[Silence The Fallen]

If it was a "new" game that was released for the ST (or an old prototype that someone else found and finished), and the game interested me... I would certainly buy it. I wouldn't hesitate for a second.

 

Now if the game was shipped to me in a bag with a few floppies, I dont believe i would spend much or anything on it. But if it came in a box with a full color manual and looked like you really poured you heart into the project... Then you can bet I will support it.

 

There is a special feeling you get when playing a newly developed game for an old system that you love. A feeling that just can't be replicated on current PCs or next-gen systems. You can rest assured that I would show my appriciation with money.

 

Like when the Super Fighter Team released Beggar Prince for the Sega Genesis 2 years ago, I didn't even think twice before plunking down the $50.00(I believe it was 50). I was so happy another RPG got an English translation and was avalible for my Genesis.

 

Even if Beggar Prince had not been on the Genesis and instead had been released on floppy disk for the ST, I still would have payed the 50.00 because it looked very professianal and I knew that the people that made this happen really had a passion for what they do. I really appriciated what they did even though it wasen't even a new game... It was just an English translation.

 

So in summary... If the game appeals to my taste and it looks well done... You can bet i'll buy a copy of it upon release.

[retrogeek]

My goal is to have fun with the system while developing games for the ST community. I am a bit surprised by the mentality of some ST users but to each his own I suppose. I'm from both sides of the fence (Amiga & ST) and the Amiga community is far different than the ST community. Amiga users still purchase new software when it's released for the system (even though software can be downloaded for free off pirate emulation sites). ST users may consider this ridiculous but the Amiga community considers it an act of appreciation.

 

I'm just making a general comparison between the two communities here so there is no need to start another Amiga vs. ST debate.

 

I hope my projects speak for themselves when I finally post them here for release!

 

Yes, they will be free!

 

Stay tuned.

Edited April 2, 2008 by retrogeek

[atarian63]

And you draw your conclusion on what evidence? Nice flamebait, btw -- I can tell you're an expert at being a board troll. icon_wink.gif

 

Let's see... how about you have no idea who is who in the ST scene? Or how about what's the current state of things in the ST community? Oh and about the expert troll part... people's history speaks for itself

 

No but you'll spend $50 on some Atari 2600 homebrew. lol There is something wrong with your logic. icon_wink.gif

And you draw your conclusion on what evidence? - To use your own words...

 

I can tell you old ST hacks are bothered by this, good!

 

Huh? Sorry but my english are not that good (or yours )

 

Well that is about to change!

 

Good for ya. Let me know how well it sells...

 

P.S. Disclaimer: I have nothing against people trying to sell their work, I just find it pointless on the ST.

Thats funny, I would buy something good on the ST! Why the anti ST Bias?

[nathanallan]

I don't know but there seems to be ST bias, atarian. I'll buy something for the ST if it appeals to me. I'm with retro, if it looks fun I'll probably get it. Or productive, or just interesting. I bought a terminal cart for my ST and got connected to a Xenix box. I also got the SatanDisk (though it has yet to prove itself). I got an idea for an ST mouse substitute today, might start working on that.

 

So yeah, it being 2008, I'll buy something that makes my ST even more interesting and fun!

 

Nathan

[atarian63]

I don't know but there seems to be ST bias, atarian. I'll buy something for the ST if it appeals to me. I'm with retro, if it looks fun I'll probably get it. Or productive, or just interesting. I bought a terminal cart for my ST and got connected to a Xenix box. I also got the SatanDisk (though it has yet to prove itself). I got an idea for an ST mouse substitute today, might start working on that.

 

So yeah, it being 2008, I'll buy something that makes my ST even more interesting and fun!

 

Nathan

Thats what I mean, Why not buy some cool ST stuff if it is made available. I would! I have most of my various Atari stuff setup and running. Heck Ieven play my Lynx in the evening. I really enjoy new stuff for all of them as I imagine most everyone here does!

 

Dave

[+Stephen Moss]

My opinion for what it is worth is this...

Retrogeek,

I have no problem with you or anyone else wanting to sell anything they do, that is your choice however in the current climate where most new software is released as freely available downloads I don't think you will find many people willing to pay for it, or at least not more than a token amount. There are exception but this is mostly for usefull and specialised application software such as HD Driver, your best option of making anything from a game is to release it as a download and ask for donations then people can pay what they think it is worth.

I see hundreds of people paying for Atari 2600 Homebrews in '2008' so I don't see a difference here really.

This is a flawed argument as unlike software development which only requires a computer that you probably would have had anyway some token cost (if any) for programming software and it can be release and distributed as a dowloadable file at little or no cost. This is largely in direct contrast to producing cartridge based games/applications as there are the additional expenses involved in producing the cases, the PCB's, purchasing the ROMS and any hardware/software required for programming the ROMS and distribution which can cost hundreds or even thousends depending on the quantities produced therefore it is not unreasonable for these people to be able to recover these costs and this is why they charge for these items and people will pay for them.

 

Your counter argument to that may be that you intend to produce a nice printed manual and floppy labels for your software and put it in a nice printed box for which your are entitled to charge in order to recover your costs however doing so is likely to be a self defeating excersise as the costs involved would probably make the end price more expensive than most people are willing to pay. If you are going to write games for the ST do it because you like programming and want to support the ST, you will probably find it will be more rewarding and less dissapointing than trying to do it for financial gain.

[simonsunnyboy]

As a developer of what you call "homebrew" games I just want to say:

 

Do what you please but take note: I do it for free (and surely it is for my fun), and I will tell anyone who is paying for a game released by Paradize that he should have spend his money on something else.

 

And indeed, ggn is and was very helpful. Ofcourse such help between coders naturally doesn't have to happen in public...

 

Just my 2 Euro cents

Edited April 3, 2008 by simonsunnyboy

[retrogeek]

As a developer of what you call "homebrew" games I just want to say:

 

Do what you please but take note: I do it for free (and surely it is for my fun), and I will tell anyone who is paying for a game released by Paradize that he should have spend his money on something else.

 

You tell people not to purchase games from Paradize yet you have them advertised in your sig; am I missing something here? lol Does Paradize sell software? You make it sound like they do.

 

This is my interpretation of what your posts (and others) are trying to say: software on the ST isn’t worth owning unless it’s free. Please correct me if I am wrong! I would also like to know why certain portions of the community expect others to subscribe to their mentality of 'free'. I understand that some people want to preserve the 'freebase' platform the ST community has created, but trying to discourage someone's project - based solely on archaic thinking and prejudice - is not only wrong but very infantile in nature.

Edited April 4, 2008 by retrogeek

[Silence The Fallen]

This is my interpretation of what your posts (and others) are trying to say: software on the ST isn’t worth owning unless it’s free. Please correct me if I am wrong!

 

I hear you, Retrogeek. Let me explain what I have observed from all of this.

 

You see, we live in a society were we want and expect EVERYTHING to be free; We download our favorite songs on a P2P network for FREE, we download our favorite movies from IRC or Bittorrent sites for FREE, and by god software for a 20 year old Atari computer should be FREE. Even if its a new release! Its a great little Utopia we live in.

 

Unfortunatley I'm not part of this group... I wish I were, it would certainly be easier on my wallet. See, I love music and movies and realize that it takes TIME and EFFORT to write, record, and film everything. And when I really like something I show my apriciation with money! As a sort of THANK YOU and a motivational boost in hopes that they will continue making products that appeal to me. And you know what? I feel the same way about the ST.

 

If you take the time to produce something (Regardless of what it is) and I really like it, you can bet I will suppot that product with my hard earned cash.

[retrogeek]

This is my interpretation of what your posts (and others) are trying to say: software on the ST isn’t worth owning unless it’s free. Please correct me if I am wrong!

 

I hear you, Retrogeek. Let me explain what I have observed from all of this.

 

You see, we live in a society were we want and expect EVERYTHING to be free; We download our favorite songs on a P2P network for FREE, we download our favorite movies from IRC or Bittorrent sites for FREE, and by god software for a 20 year old Atari computer should be FREE. Even if its a new release! Its a great little Utopia we live in.

 

 

I agree with you, Silence. There is a perceived misconception that if something is free it should stay that way no matter what it is.

 

Unfortunatley I'm not part of this group... I wish I were, it would certainly be easier on my wallet. See, I love music and movies and realize that it takes TIME and EFFORT to write, record, and film everything. And when I really like something I show my apriciation with money! As a sort of THANK YOU and a motivational boost in hopes that they will continue making products that appeal to me. And you know what? I feel the same way about the ST.

 

You're not alone! I could have easily used an ST emulator to develop my projects but in my opinion it's not the same as owning the real deal. I purchased a 1040ST, a new color monitor, a ton of development tools / software, digitizing equipment, midi -- it cost me plenty but it was all worth it imo. The best thing about this entire ordeal is that the wife is behind me on this venture 110%! I guess I am a lucky guy. I know some people whose wives would have thrown them into a cauldron of boiling oil for spending that kind of money on 20+ year old equipment.

 

If you take the time to produce something (Regardless of what it is) and I really like it, you can bet I will suppot that product with my hard earned cash.

 

I appreciate the support, Silence.

Edited April 4, 2008 by retrogeek