King_Salamon Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Best wishes John! Take your time and when you are ready to get back with 7800 projects, then we'll all be excited! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DracIsBack Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 I was playing this again last night - forgot how much I enjoy Arkanoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 I've been thinking about this as of recently (so, it's not forgotten). My last version I did solved the "high score doesn't zero out" type bug. I suppose I can find that and publish it. So, in short, 7 months ago, I got married and then immediately thereafter moved across the country for a new job. So far, I like the life-change. On the sad side, it hasn't been too conducive to working on Arkanoid. Let's see what has crossed John's path: 1) I've started "going through" all of my stuff. And I mean all of it. When I moved, I tried to get rid of what wasn't necessary, but at a certain point, you just toss the rest in boxes to go through "later". Every couple of weeks, I empty a box and try to remove the stuff that is no longer needed. It seems to me this is an un-completable task (but I'd love to hear if anyone's ever done it). 2) Another project came up. I actually have a non-Atari related project that I started on a few years back. I had forgotten all about it. But, then, I found it hiding in one of those boxes I moved. I spent a little time on it (i.e. the whole summer), so I've managed to get it to a better state. 3) Exploring. I've never lived on the east coast, so I'm trying to explore a bit and get comfortable with the area. It's neat out here. 4) Looking for a house. My apartment is tiny. I'd like to upgrade. The "buy a house" thing is a pretty big investment, especially in time. So, this project is not forgotten-- it crosses through my brain on occasion (as does my other "platformer" style engine). I'm actually excited that the Super Circus Atari can use the paddle-- perhaps my delay in finishing this actually has a bright side. I think I like to code for Atari in the winter months (since it's cold out), so this may be given some steam soon. Stay tuned (or ask any questions you like). -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammR25 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Why isn't it done right now? Oh wait you answered that one. Actually, get it done if/when you get it done. There are lots more important things in life than video games. Oh and thanks for the update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lendorien Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 The XM definitely would benefit by having this game as part of it's game list. Here's hoping you find time to complete it. It looks awesome so far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tz101 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 We can only hope... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 (edited) Not really sure where the XM would give this value. The demo showed it was already working just fine without needing one. Currently, I'm into a few other projects, but I do remember this from time to time. -John Edited May 17, 2011 by Propane13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lendorien Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Not really sure where the XM would give this value. The demo showed it was already working just fine without needing one. Currently, I'm into a few other projects, but I do remember this from time to time. -John In this case, I was referencing the possible use of the HSC capabilities for the game and your use of the Pokey sound chip for music, assuming you used the Xboard addresses for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Usotsuki Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Arkanoid hardly has any music, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lendorien Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Arkanoid hardly has any music, though. He stated earlier in the thread that he used the pokey chip for something or other. Maybe I misunderstood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Warping capability added. No sound or points for it yet. arkanoid_2011_08_26.a78 Also, score is nonzero, for testing high-score rollover conditions. If I remember right, I fixed a bug that appeared on actual hardware about a year and a half ago (maybe for scores?) that I never releasedd, so that should be in here too. -John 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Just tested on PAL and its still yellow with bonus items coloured. The display is centred and it doesn't display junk at the top or bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammR25 Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Do you have a bin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Bin attached. Forgot I'm supposed to do that. arkanoid_2011_08_26.bin -John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 (edited) Super impressive and most importantly plays fantastic with a joystick. Just the right difficulty and speed. Made it to Round 6. I'm really impressed with this spinner-type game translated so well for a joystick. Too many other times I find other ports to be too hard or too easy (Player and/or ball too fast or too slow). Huge thumbs up and kudos for great game physics and making it so playable with a joystick. The sounds and graphics are also really well done! Edited August 28, 2011 by Trebor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Just tested on PAL and its still yellow with bonus items coloured. The display is centred and it doesn't display junk at the top or bottom. Would it be possible to get a screen-capture? Also, is there anyway to emulate the 7800 for PAL, so I can test? -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyBee Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Would it be possible to get a screen-capture? There isn't much to see . Also, is there anyway to emulate the 7800 for PAL, so I can test? You can set PAL as the region in the *.a78 header and ProSystem will go into PAL display mode when it loads the game. However, in PAL mode the palette isn't a good representation of a real machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share Posted September 3, 2011 You can set PAL as the region in the *.a78 header and ProSystem will go into PAL display mode when it loads the game. However, in PAL mode the palette isn't a good representation of a real machine. Hmm... I just realized that I must be using an insanely old header format. What I have matches what's seen in this post: http://www.biglist.com/lists/stella/archives/200101/msg00109.html I think at that point in time PAL support was "talked about". I did some searching here, but couldn't find a current a78 file breakdown easily. Is there a quick link someone can provide? Thanks! -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share Posted September 3, 2011 Ok, I picked apart the prosystem source code to find out that it's byte 57. And eww... this thing looks terrible and yellow. I'm going to look into it, now that I can reproduce it. A comprehensive a78 map may be of value, still. -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 It's in the MESS source code. /* Header format 0 Header version - 1 byte 1..16 "ATARI7800 " - 16 bytes 17..48 Cart title - 32 bytes 49..52 data length - 4 bytes 53..54 cart type - 2 bytes bit 0 0x01 - pokey cart bit 1 0x02 - supercart bank switched bit 2 0x04 - supercart RAM at $4000 bit 3 0x08 - additional ROM at $4000 bit 8-15 - Special 0 = Normal cart 1 = Absolute (F18 Hornet) 2 = Activision 55 controller 1 type - 1 byte 56 controller 2 type - 1 byte 0 = None 1 = Joystick 2 = Light Gun 57 0 = NTSC/1 = PAL 100..127 "ACTUAL CART DATA STARTS HERE" - 28 bytes Versions: Version 0: Initial release Version 1: Added PAL/NTSC bit. Added Special cart byte. Changed 53 bit 2, added bit 3 */ Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 Did any of these changes ever get in: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/160424-a78-header-changes/page__st__25 ? -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I think that thread was as far as it got. I could be wrong though. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Next quesstion-- Is there a place I could see the side-by-side NTSC / PAL palletes? I found this thread for NTSC: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/156100-new-final-prosystem-ntsc-palette-file/ but I didn't see a PAL file (unless I missed it somehow). For what it's worth, the format I've found most useful for comparison's sake on the 2600 is this guy: http://www.qotile.net/minidig/docs/tia_color.html I was wondering if a 7800-type page existed. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Propane13 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 New release. - PAL colors supported - red pill now works (gives you shooting powers) arkanoid_2011_09_11.a78 arkanoid_2011_09_11.bin For the PAL colors, I tried my best to use "trial and error", so I would be interested in real feedback as to if anything looks ok or terrible. I know that PAL timing is a little bit off in the emulator, but that's an exercise for another day. Anyway, have fun! Regards, -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edweird13 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 This looks awesome can't wait to try it on the real thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.