iesposta Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 . For my own curiosity, however, what is required to enjoy the AtariVox+? A tiny bit of programming. Set joystick port B to output, send a string of numbers. AtariVox+ speaks through a speaker plugged into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynz Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 But it does require the AtariVox+, which is a pretty rare piece of hardware, isn't it? (This is the first I've actually heard of it, not to offend anyone at all, naturally.) Since this ROM pack is going to be pretty limited in space, I would prefer Bob's approach at present. If there somehow winds up room to optionally support it, I would say 'go for it'.Would have been a nice and understandable addition to the XM, of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZylonBane Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 It would be nice (but again, a divergence from the arcade version) to have some sort of visual indicator that a warp is available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iesposta Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 These 7800 games have AtariVox support. (It may just be high score savings I don't know.) 1 - bonQ (Ken Siders) 7800 2 - Halloween game TBA (Mark Ball) 7800 3 - Monster! (Mark Ball) 7800 4 - Worm! (Mark Ball) 7800 Apart from initial sales of AtariVox before I joined, AtariVox+ has sold around 70 units. AtariVox+ will be sold in the Atariage Store in the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PacManPlus Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hi guys! Many changes here: - Slowed down the color cycling for the enemies that it happens on - Changed the color of the first enemy to red. - Caused the secret bonus to stay on the screen a little longer - The on-screen text is no longer the same color as the border. - Completely re-wrote the attract mode. Now, the option screen doesn't appear until a button is pressed or the joystick moved. - The High Score function has been added. It does not cycle through all entries; it only shows the scores for the current options. - Selection added for 3 or 5 lives - Darkened Red and Blue colors a little - Jazzed up attract mode and option screens with some color - Changed option screen interface to be select up/down, change left/right Some replies to some comments: - I may have to actually remove some of the voice as I only have 16K for samples. I want to keep (0,1,2,3,4,5) ships remaining, play over, and I'd like to keep the title sentence. - Jaynz is correct; I am trying to keep this game to a standard board, without add ons (the HSC isn't really needed, but the Vox would be to hear samples if I went that way). I hope you understand... Thanks! Bob AstBlstr.A78 AstBlstr.bin 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIKON Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) A short video of the latest AstroBlaster build....don't hate I am not that good at this game...but I do love it all the same http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQSlr-0QHEA&feature=youtu.be Edited January 2, 2014 by NIKON 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I hope you understand... One of the most humble of extremely talented people I have ever come across. Bob, I feel more like we're the 'peanut gallery' with suggestions/input You're the creator of the masterpiece; presenting your work of art how you see fit and best. Thank you for not only this but all your games; most of all your presence and amazing attitude, kindness, and generosity to the 7800 community. Now, enough of that sappy stuff...This update is kick-ass! Fantastic. Your progress and number of updates are incredible. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Bob, Under MESS with this latest update the game is not recognizing the fire button input or the reset button. Joystick input is recognized though. It also freezes after the first demo play of enemies with the game title appearing right after it and then nothing further: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynz Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I'm playing this under ProSystem and... a lot of my issues of the game are gone. Hits are smooth, collision detection vastly improved. Really would like different blaster and 'boom' sounds, though. The early 1980 Atari effects just GRATE on me.. The 'boom' sounds from Asteroids would be a lot closer to the arcade and a lot more pleasant to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 There's a part of me that wants the sound effects from 2600 Megamania sort of 'a homage to a homage'... Or would that be 'a rip of a rip'. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynz Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I had to play a YouTube video of that for a reminder, Trebor. (I played the hell out of that game... 30 years ago...) I think the 'bling' explosion sound would be just WRONG for this - being way too different from AB to work, but a slightly higher version of the blaster sound would actually come close to the arcade. So, Asteroids' explosions and Megamania's blaster fire? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 So, Asteroids' explosions and Megamania's blaster fire? I was kinda joking about the 2600 Megamania sound incorporation part...But pairing those two...SWEET! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIKON Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 how about a mixture of the two...megamania sound on some waves and the asteroids sound on others...especially on the meteor stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynz Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) Bob, even if you don't go with that for sound (Asteroids/Megamania)... could we get a test version of that mix to see how it feels?Nikon, probably too much excess logic-checking there. Bob's already packing this one. Edited January 2, 2014 by Jaynz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 how about a mixture of the two...megamania sound on some waves and the asteroids sound on others...especially on the meteor stage. It would actually automatically be a mixture for every wave. I like how you were working for a compromise though, NIKON...Nice Your ship firing sound = Megamania. The explosion sound made when your fire hits an enemy = Asteroids. Naturally, this led me to fire up Stella and Asteroids (I already played Megamania too ). I must confirm, not only a sweet, but an excellent suggestion by Jaynz. Asteroids is a great choice for the explosion sound effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIKON Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 It would actually automatically be a mixture for every wave. I like how you were working for a compromise though, NIKON...Nice Your ship firing sound = Megamania. The explosion sound made when your fire hits an enemy = Asteroids. Naturally, this led me to fire up Stella and Asteroids (I already played Megamania too ). I must confirm, not only a sweet, but an excellent suggestion by Jaynz. Asteroids is a great choice for the explosion sound effect. Thats even better!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) I'm playing this under ProSystem and... a lot of my issues of the game are gone. Hits are smooth, collision detection vastly improved. Really would like different blaster and 'boom' sounds, though. The early 1980 Atari effects just GRATE on me.. The 'boom' sounds from Asteroids would be a lot closer to the arcade and a lot more pleasant to hear. I'm with you on the sounds . Cant get near those awesome arcade sounds though But the game looks great ! I dont mind the sound when you fire but not so much on the enemy fire . Edited January 2, 2014 by AtariBrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorTom Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) Not to be a Debbie Downer but to my ears the ship firing sound is too muted/uninspiring, and the enemy firing sound is grating. Also, I'm assuming explosion sounds have yet to be added? Edited January 2, 2014 by DoctorTom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorTom Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) How about these sounds -- enemy explosion from Scramble, ship firing from Space Duel, and enemy firing plus your ship explosion from RipOff? Edited January 2, 2014 by DoctorTom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 How about these sounds -- enemy explosion from Scramble, ship firing from Space Duel, and enemy firing plus your ship explosion from RipOff? Wow ... I went and checked all of those sounds ... very nice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynz Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I didn't mean to open the flood doors on this one. I was just wondering if there were things already done that Bob could put in that would make the sound approach the arcade version a bit more without a ton of extra effort on his part. I was still geared for the port to be as accurate as reasonable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PacManPlus Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 Bob, Under MESS with this latest update the game is not recognizing the fire button input or the reset button. Joystick input is recognized though. It also freezes after the first demo play of enemies with the game title appearing right after it and then nothing further: astroblast.PNG Ok - thanks for pointing that out, that would happen when the High Score cart isn't present. Fixed. Regarding the buttons, I was changing the joystick to one button mode for the select and attract mode screens (less buttons to check). But I guess that didn't work out too well in MESS I left it at two-button always (if the prolines are actually plugged in) and only check for the fire (left) button. I also added 'RESET' to start the game on the option screen. If you hit 'RESET' in *attract* mode (instead of hitting select or moving either joystick) you'll go right into the game, bypassing the option screen. Guys, the current sounds are just placeholders as I was playing with them early on. I only need to finish sounds and speech. As always, I will try and get them as close to the arcade as possible. Thanks! Bob AstBlstr.A78 AstBlstr.bin 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Thanks for the detailed explanation and this awesome release, Bob. Astro Blaster runs perfectly under MESS now, including high score saving (And initializing a high score cart/list with the game): Man, this is going to make for a fun and challenging game for the high score club! Looking forward to the sound and speech updates; evidently a very excited and eager fan-base (are trying to) patiently await them 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hi Bob you are the greatest...I am on hollidays in Thailand now,but i follow this thread and i can say,the game works perfect on my Emulator Keep up the great work,my friend greetings Walter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorGamer Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) I didn't mean to open the flood doors on this one. I was just wondering if there were things already done that Bob could put in that would make the sound approach the arcade version a bit more without a ton of extra effort on his part. I was still geared for the port to be as accurate as reasonable... Guys, the current sounds are just placeholders as I was playing with them early on. I only need to finish sounds and speech. As always, I will try and get them as close to the arcade as possible. Thanks! Bob This. I'm hoping that the sound effects are close to the arcade not 2600 games like Megamania. Just played the latest release - great job so far it plays great. Edited January 2, 2014 by rmaerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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