3DMAZE Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 @e5frog Yeah, I've got no issues with the CHIP packets. Good idea with the padding for header alignment! I have two minor changes I'd make, then I think we're good to go ?: If we could add a Flashcart cartridge type into the cartridge types list (say cartridge type #6 for example), then I'm good with the way you describe. This lets me add any ports/hardware features unique to the flashcart I would still include the 1-byte title length, so that I can distinguish where the title ends, and the extra data begins. Then, since the header length is 4-bytes, there's plenty of space for extra data. I've updated the summary here with everything we've said so far. Let me know if there's any inaccuracies, or if things need to be reordered, changed, etc. I'll touch it up later (more explanations, graphics, etc.) to better sell the idea, but this should at least contain all the basic info. Once we've finalized the format, I'll work on a little bin to chf converter script too 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 No, problem, add as many types as you like, preferrably existing ones as there COULD be carts using other chips as well, and combinations. https://channelf.se/veswiki/index.php?title=F8 In the file overview it could be worth mentioning the cartridge name is inside the file (like tags in various media files) so no matter what the system filename is the title is included anyway (unless stripped). Then there's the handy detail with distinguishing the file in for example windows, double click and MESS/MAME/whatever is opened with no fuzz. I have a added a batch-file starting MESS/MAME if double clicking .chf-files, which in that case are just renamed .bin files. "Cartridge version" should be called "File format version", I believe that is what they mean in the .CRT description, the version of the .CHF file format. Length of the title would simply be "header length - 0x20", why add more bytes? Don't get it, it's redundant, it's another detail to handle, it could also be a non wanted limitation. The Multi-Cart doesn't have FRAM but I have released a couple of Pac-Man carts that have it, Multi-Cart is just banked ROM+RAM (up until now at least). I like it, look forward to seeing an update of the nice colorful images as well. Good job! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 (edited) EDIT: I see how you want to limit the title length to one byte - and then allow data past that by setting the header - OK, I get it, do that. Edited May 16, 2022 by e5frog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jgkspsx Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 I never noticed before that our little system is the official console of the Swiss currency. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 7 minutes ago, jgkspsx said: I never noticed before that our little system is the official console of the Swiss currency. Yes, that's an odd abbreviation. Chweiz? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jgkspsx Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Everything I know about the Helvetii I learned from Caesar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikebloke Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 I do hope there is going to be a dumbed down version of all this technical jargony stuff so idiots like me can still make games in this new fantastic orchestrated system ? I'm assuming this would simply be a case of getting an updated version to assemble the file to include these header info into the new type? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DMAZE Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Mikebloke said: I do hope there is going to be a dumbed down version of all this technical jargony stuff so idiots like me can still make games in this new fantastic orchestrated system ? I'm assuming this would simply be a case of getting an updated version to assemble the file to include these header info into the new type? Haha, honestly I was just going to make a simple .bin converter script. That way the converter would do all the work for ya. You would: write the program as normal, using the I/O devices you expect and acting like the memory is what you want (writing to 0x2800-0x3000 as if it were FRAM for example) produce the .bin file as normal run the converter selecting the appropriate template (you can make your own too), like below. It would ask for a title as well, but that's it. So it's only 2 extra steps that'd take a few extra seconds to do (command-line arguments are also available). These are just my thoughts so far! I'll make a proper writeup on how to use it once I've thought it all through. If it could be implemented into whatever you're using as an assembler that'd probably be better, but it's also more complicated to do, so I'll leave that task to somebody else. Also, the flashcart will probably still be made to work with .bin files just for backwards compatibility (though it'd just be the simple ROM+SRAM). As always, any thoughts or ideas are welcome! Note: this image is just an example, so ignore the names/addresses/sizes shown Edited May 17, 2022 by 3DMAZE 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 Yup, you'd need to select a hardware type, type of memory and location. Perhaps a suggestion could be made scanning the bin. I think the .crt converter for command line something like: conv filein.bin fileout.crt -hardwaretype 2 -title "GAMENAME" Unless setting hardware type for all configurations the CHF converter needs the memory locations as well. In theory you could have ROM, FRAM, RAM, ROM... etc 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted May 23, 2022 Share Posted May 23, 2022 If you want to support known games of various types as .bin some kind of checksum could be handy. I think that's how they do it in MESS/MAME. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jgkspsx Posted May 24, 2022 Share Posted May 24, 2022 Package from Sweden!!!! Looking forward to the weekend 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DMAZE Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 (edited) And that ladies and gentlemen is why we don't set dates for things, haha. Anyway, I'm back in the US, hope your summer's going well, here's a little update. Firstly, I got Mad Genius.bin fixed! I implemented the XDC instruction, and fixed an address bug. Sounds a little better I think I've also tested the 29 official games I have ROMS for (1-26, Chess, Demo 1/2), which gives a compatibility of 28/29 official games. I can go into details on each game if anyone's interested, but I'll leave that out to shorten this post. Here's a playlist showing some of the games though: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM5Gy0Kaxf9awAAN3LGhUGmw-B-ikVZjd Green 16/29 = no issues Yellow 7/29 = A graphics error is present when the flashcart (not the console) is first powered on, but the game still works 100%. A single reset fixes the issue. Orange 5/29 = These games generally freeze after game selection when the flashcart is first powered on. A single reset fixes the issue. Red 1/29 (#18 Hangman) = Similar to yellow, a graphical issues is present, but disappears on the first reset. However, entering custom words always freezes the game, even after a reset. Everything else works though. This is probably some cache issue. Luckily it seems to be the same bug affecting everything, so it should be a single fix (and ideally a simple one). I've ordered the new PCBs that include a full SD card slot and an FRAM chip. They should be here in less than a week. Then I can build the prototype flashcarts, give them a quick test and send them out. @e5frog @Mikebloke, if yall want to PM me a shipping address sometime in the next week I can send them out ASAP. That leaves the following on the TODO list: Fix this bug so I can get 100% compatibility with no issues (ideally done before the PCBs arrive) Multimenu .chf file support 3D case (buy screws, label, make a hole for the SD card) Lower power consumption (currently: ~130 ma, goal: ~80 ma) Stretch goals would include save files, interrupts, and timers Updating the firmware's as simple as drag and drop, or you can build from source since it's public (though I need to update the github code). Either way, this'll let me fix and add things without having to send out new boards and whatnot. Pretty similar to most other flashcarts I'd imagine. That's all for now I think? Have a good one! Edited June 25, 2022 by 3DMAZE 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikebloke Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 5 hours ago, 3DMAZE said: And that ladies and gentlemen is why we don't set dates for things, haha. Anyway, I'm back in the US, hope your summer's going well, here's a little update. Firstly, I got Mad Genius.bin fixed! I implemented the XDC instruction, and fixed an address bug. Sounds a little better I think I've also tested the 29 official games I have ROMS for (1-26, Chess, Demo 1/2), which gives a compatibility of 28/29 official games. I can go into details on each game if anyone's interested, but I'll leave that out to shorten this post. Here's a playlist showing some of the games though: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM5Gy0Kaxf9awAAN3LGhUGmw-B-ikVZjd Green 16/29 = no issues Yellow 7/29 = A graphics error is present when the flashcart (not the console) is first powered on, but the game still works 100%. A single reset fixes the issue. Orange 5/29 = These games generally freeze after game selection when the flashcart is first powered on. A single reset fixes the issue. Red 1/29 (#18 Hangman) = Similar to yellow, a graphical issues is present, but disappears on the first reset. However, entering custom words always freezes the game, even after a reset. Everything else works though. This is probably some cache issue. Luckily it seems to be the same bug affecting everything, so it should be a single fix (and ideally a simple one). I've ordered the new PCBs that include a full SD card slot and an FRAM chip. They should be here in less than a week. Then I can build the prototype flashcarts, give them a quick test and send them out. @e5frog @Mikebloke, if yall want to PM me a shipping address sometime in the next week I can send them out ASAP. That leaves the following on the TODO list: Fix this bug so I can get 100% compatibility with no issues (ideally done before the PCBs arrive) Multimenu .chf file support 3D case (buy screws, label, make a hole for the SD card) Lower power consumption (currently: ~130 ma, goal: ~80 ma) Stretch goals would include save files, interrupts, and timers Updating the firmware's as simple as drag and drop, or you can build from source since it's public (though I need to update the github code). Either way, this'll let me fix and add things without having to send out new boards and whatnot. Pretty similar to most other flashcarts I'd imagine. That's all for now I think? Have a good one! Wow! Congratulations! Actually you did say June and we're still in it! I'll send you a PM. Regarding the carts with issues, do you have a list? I'm wondering if we check out the disassembled files if we find anything in common with them given the issue seems the same. The additional issue with hangman, could that be something to do about where the data for custom words go? I've got a couple of other projects started, but not quite ready to show off yet. Although I said I would feature bloat Boxing, I haven't done it yet! To try and get a bit better I've branched out to some CPC coding which I'm testing on a. Gx4000, it's still assembly and it's generalising some of the skills I've used. Some of those skills can then come back to making better channel F games! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DMAZE Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 I bet the Gx4000 is a breath of fresh air. Slightly more powerful than the Channel F I believe . I've made some GBA games before, and the amount of features it provides was phenomenal. Anyway, the games with freezing issues are as follows: Chess = restarts itself after loading the board the first time you play 16 Dodge-It = restarts itself after loading the map the first time you play 21 Bowling = restarts itself after hitting the pin the first time you play 10 Maze = gets stuck on the first generated maze and needs a reset Democart 1 = gets stuck on the first word "PLEASE" and needs a reset I think you're right! I'd assume Hangman stores custom words in the 2102 SRAM. Given the fact that Maze (which uses the same SRAM code) works, I think it might be a symptom of the other issue. Who knows. I recently compiled the code with -Os which makes the code smaller (and slower) than the current -Ofast. It breaks a bunch of things due to the slowdown, but I noticed it was no longer freezing. This (together with the fact it only happens once on boot) leads me to further believe it's a cache issue, since the smaller code would fit in cache or have less misses overall. I believe there's some way to copy the firmware into SRAM and bypass the cache entirely, so I'm going to try and figure that out today. I'll keep ya posted on the results! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikebloke Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 I've got a bit further with my 'mystery game', I've documented more about it here: https://acebloke.wixsite.com/deremakemake/post/blogs-productive-or-distracting Essentially, its Billiards, its getting there! Another crack at it another day and I might have a demo to show off. Keep forgetting to increase the size of pictures, its dead small of course being the Channel F... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siccoyote Posted July 16, 2022 Share Posted July 16, 2022 I just finally got my hands on a Grandstand Channel F, a bit rough around the edges but not bad at £66 for a console missing one controller holder, one controller knob(not broken off, missing, might need to design and 3D print one), and 2 carts. Interested to hear about a possible flash cart, was thinking of getting an e5frog multicart, but a flash cart sounds more future proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted July 16, 2022 Share Posted July 16, 2022 12 hours ago, siccoyote said: Interested to hear about a possible flash cart, was thinking of getting an e5frog multicart, but a flash cart sounds more future proof. Also looking forward to a flashcart, the kinks should be solved eventually. Regarding "future proof" in my experience, as long as you keep a computer for running the OS the flashcart software uses it should last a couple decades. That's why I keep a Windows 98 computer for GameBoy flash carts and a Windows XP computer for a couple of other ones. The multis for GameBoy, VIC-20, C64, NES, Vectrex has a basic set of trouble free gaming - the flash carts cover most of the rest (not all as there's always some specials). I try and get both types myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted July 16, 2022 Author Share Posted July 16, 2022 I had a problem with my Channel F. It was in black and white and the screen was rolling. After I tried a few things, I tried plugging it into my VCR instead of my TV. That fixed it. It was in color and the screen wasn't rolling any more. Why did that fix it? Also, I haven't been into the Channel F "scene" lately. I worked on Elevator Events until I was happy with what I had. I would really like a flashcart as well so I can test my creations on it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted July 16, 2022 Share Posted July 16, 2022 1 hour ago, atari2600land said: I had a problem with my Channel F. It was in black and white and the screen was rolling. After I tried a few things, I tried plugging it into my VCR instead of my TV. That fixed it. It was in color and the screen wasn't rolling any more. More forgiving tuner in the VCR. Maybe you need to tweak the frequency setting a bit to make it work directly with the TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted July 17, 2022 Author Share Posted July 17, 2022 The adventures of the stalk of celery. level 1 - "I herd it" Mr. Celery finds himself in the middle of a huge elephant herd stampede. His job is to dodge the oncoming elephant herd without being trampled to death. I found that it's better to make the stalk of celery normal sized instead of 50 foot tall. Because those would be huge elephants if he were! Things to add: score lives elephant speed variations. Just want to know what you think so far. celery5.bin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikebloke Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 10 hours ago, atari2600land said: The adventures of the stalk of celery. level 1 - "I herd it" Mr. Celery finds himself in the middle of a huge elephant herd stampede. His job is to dodge the oncoming elephant herd without being trampled to death. I found that it's better to make the stalk of celery normal sized instead of 50 foot tall. Because those would be huge elephants if he were! Things to add: score lives elephant speed variations. Just want to know what you think so far. celery5.bin 8 kB · 2 downloads The elephant is looking good, the movement looks natural like its actually walking! Exciting on the Channel F! The brick effect on the sides is also nice looking with the other colours contrasting it. Is there any potential for Pac Man like intermissions between levels? We lack many games with interludes between gameplay, feels like it might fit here, even if its simple. Also I did make some comments on your Burger GB game when you swing round to working on that again. In terms of my own billiards games, I'm about half way through the final gameplay element of ball collisions, I've got a few bugs to iron out, and have to do scoring, but getting closer to a first release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted July 18, 2022 Author Share Posted July 18, 2022 I added those three things: score, lives, and elephant speed variations. But I fear the game might be too easy. But it's okay because it's only level 1. I want Level 2 to be like the 2600 homebrew Vault Assault (or my Odyssey² homebrew called "Walls"). I'll work on that tomorrow. After thirty elephants go by, the game will stop. This is where the game will transition to level 2. We all know elephants travel in packs of 30, right? As for intermissions, I don't think there will be any. celery6.bin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Hey all, I've moved the statuses on the Celery project to its own thread here: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted July 22, 2022 Author Share Posted July 22, 2022 Attempt #2 at getting a working Pro Football cartridge. I just bought one "tested and working". We shall see when it gets here. Attempt #1 didn't work, so it went into the "use the shells" bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e5frog Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 9 hours ago, atari2600land said: Attempt #1 didn't work, so it went into the "use the shells" bin. I think an unusual cart could benefit from a new PCB rather than be used as shell donor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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