Tursi Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) So what's going on with Dragon's Lair? It's amazing to think that I've had the license for so long that I'm now counting the days till it expires. This led to me actually asking for light duty at work so I could get the darn thing done. The code is in good shape, but it is not complete. However, there's very little outside of the grunt work of entering and testing the scenes left, and I hope to get that code mostly done tonight. The box went to press, and the company was concerned that the box artwork was too fine for them to reproduce... waiting for a sample on that to see if it's okay. I've printed the cartridge labels /three/ times - big thanks to OLD CS1 for his concept work. However this final batch should do it - the only thing wrong with the last batch was they were matte instead of glossy. Ew. The PCBs are in manufacture in China. Unfortunately they won't ship until January, and are now the biggest risk by far. If they fail, I could be in trouble, as they are one of the most expensive parts. However, I already have all the components on hand for the assembly. I have until March, I may try to ask for an extension. But in the meantime, here's the plan: Once I have assembled one of the PCBs and it works, I will start taking orders. I should be able to ship them as they are assembled. The cost is going to be approximately $100 for cart, box, and label. The box will hopefully be double-sided (retro themed and modern themed), and the labels definitely are. I haven't decided whether to ship the box flat and labels separate, or ask preference, or what. I may let you decide. To clarify - no manual. So - for those who want to save up - start saving now. This is your warning. I am only planning to build 100 units. Some units may fail and I may not make it to 100, but that's what I have parts for. Building more is dubious, as the flash chips got hard to find (unless there was a new run of them...) Now some goodies for those who read this far. Those who follow my Twitter or Facebook have already seen most, but not all, of this. Labels: Box mockup: Screenshot: and... demo: DragonsLairDemo8.zip Let's briefly talk demo! This is an 8MB non-inverted ROM cartridge image. It should run on hardware and should run on an emulator that supports 8MB worth of the standard banking scheme. (The scheme goes up to 32MB). (The final cart boots from GROM for 2.2 compatibility. This demo does not so isn't 2.2 compatible.) It's joystick only! I'm working on keyboard for the final but it's blowing my timing - keyboard takes about twice as long to read as the joystick. It's the full game engine, although there may be bugs I haven't seen yet. It supports the F18A for reduced flicker... if you don't want the F18A and you have one, just hold shift while starting. There's an option for "sequence" that does nothing because there's only one scene - the drawbridge scene. However, it's fully playable and includes an option to display hints to help you through. Easy vs Hard - they have the same sequences, but easy won't penalize you for moving the wrong direction. You can access the secret diagnostics by pressing '5' on the options screen. Audio is low during video playback - if you've seen any of the video encoder output you know that, but I mention it for those who don't. I dunno... go nuts! Disclaimer: Everything said above, and probably below, is subject to change. Edited December 17, 2018 by Tursi 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digdugnate Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) holy cow, Tursi- you finally did it! I am super excited for the orders to open. This will be the 'must-buy' already for TI 2019! (edit to add I already dorked around with it some in JS99er and it's super cool!) Edited December 17, 2018 by digdugnate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I saw part of it a Fest West a couple of years ago and was floored when he mentioned how large his game was and that it required a specially designed cartridge just to run it. As games for the TI goes, I think Tursi has raised the bar by a huge margin... and then went over the top! --- Freaking Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iliketurtles Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 That looks A-MAZE-ING. I am so excited, I swear I would go forward in time just to buy it. Can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+videofx Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Me too! I will take one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+acadiel Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I’m definitely in for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 OMG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 WOOO GO TURSI and you already know i want one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Looks like I'll have to buy three of them--one for me, one for Turtles, and one for the collection. . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonecool Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I'm totally amazed this is even possible!! Definitely add me to the list for one! Holy cow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vectrexroli Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Amazing!! I want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteE Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I've been interested in this since your demo at FW'17, can't wait to see the final result. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fimbulvetr Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Wow, awesome! Im interested in one as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+adamantyr Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 I definitely want one! Those labels are awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+eebuckeye Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Want! Will buy as soon as possible! Incredible work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkdrummer Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Saw the demo at FestWest as well. Im in for one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Tursi, I'm curious, is there a 'cheat code' for guys with 'sucky' playing skills? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Count me in for one as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Tried to run it from the FinalGrom but it does not seem to appear in the menu... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Tried to run it from the FinalGrom but it does not seem to appear in the menu... Is 8MB too big for the FG? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Is 8MB too big for the FG? IIRC the release version of the FinalGROM maxes out at 1 MB. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) Oh wow., fantastic demo I will need to take three or four for sure too, but after published the preview on my website lot of people in the club asked for one also If them will be only 100 or maybe less it will be a war In addition, because it is missing, I also will finish a manual i had started some months ago... So i will have at least a complete package with manual as i always like to Many thanks Mike for this, i am really hope that all will be finished in time. Edited December 17, 2018 by ti99iuc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted December 17, 2018 Author Share Posted December 17, 2018 Tursi, I'm curious, is there a 'cheat code' for guys with 'sucky' playing skills? If you play it in easy mode, you can pretty much rotate the joystick and tap the button to get through most of the scenes, since there's no penalty for the wrong input. It will also display the expected input on the screen, but sometimes it does want a really quick movement. Memorization eventually gets you through. Tried to run it from the FinalGrom but it does not seem to appear in the menu... AFAIK, FinalGROM only supports up to 1MB, this is 8MB. Until someone gets enterprising and lays out a PCB, or you hack one up yourself, you may be stuck with emulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) If someone need I also done an .rpk DragonsLairDemo8.rpk Edited December 17, 2018 by ti99iuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolhess Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Hi Tursi, Thank you for doing such a big game. Please count me in for ohne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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