NEXT Season info

[+wongojack]

10 minutes ago, jimblargh said:

I agree that I like homebrews but a whole season of them sounds daunting to me. I kinda stink at intellivision emulators. Even if I figured them out I would be spending my non-working hours at the same computer that I often telework from. Part of the reason I like to participate is because it gets me away from my computer. Doing the occasional game on emulator is okay, but doing a whole season changes that calculus a little.

 

That leaves the idea of a flash cart, the LTO cart being the main one that can play most homebrews (has to do with enhanced modern homebrew carts I think), but LTO carts are no longer being made so far as I can tell. Second hand ones are rare both rare and crazy expensive.

 

Maybe there's another option that I am overlooking? I won't pretend like I am an expert on this matter!

 

Last thing I'll say is that a longer than normal heads upon any homebrews would be very helpful- I wouldn't even mind buying a couple carts, but shipping/processing/build time and availability are factors. Maybe a list of all the homebrews we will play before the beginning of the season and maybe even a rough order in which they will be played would help there?

 

All that said, I will happily try my best to figure something out with whatever you decide to do Rick! The HSC isn't all about me; I share this mostly because I assume that some of these considerations might apply to others as well.

 

Your dedication to the HSC is awesome and I really appreciate what you do!

 

The Backbit cartridge can play Intellivision games and will fit into your Inty with the right adapter.  It appears to be on backorder, but at least they maker/seller has specific plans to make the cart again, and the Intellivision adapter IS available for order:  BackBit Pro Cartridge Adapter – BackBit

[Rickster8]

Guys in all seriousness participation is BAD already.... If I can figure out how to transfer roms to an Ultimate Flashback or an LTO Flash, then trust me ANYONE can.... 

 

However, I can see the points being made and would be okay making the season half homebrews and then the other half rarely / never played games at the Inty HSC (MEANING REGULAR INTY GAMES, NOT HOMEBREWS FOR THESE).... Either way, we are going to start playing some Homebrews in the Inty HSC Season 20....  

 

I was going to look into the Backbit cart, but since my LTO Flash started working the way it was supposed to work I have no need for it.... I now have 222 games on it..... 😮 

Edited April 3, 2023 by Rickster8
Clarification

[jimblargh]

3 minutes ago, wongojack said:

The Backbit cartridge can play Intellivision games and will fit into your Inty with the right adapter.  It appears to be on backorder, but at least they maker/seller has specific plans to make the cart again, and the Intellivision adapter IS available for order:  BackBit Pro Cartridge Adapter – BackBit

 

Thanks @wongojack! 

I did come across that one, but from what I can tell there are a lot of homebrews that it doesn't support due to it not emulating the JLP board on modern homebrews.

 

These threads get into this a little:

 

 

 

[jimblargh]

9 minutes ago, Rickster8 said:

Guys in all seriousness participation is BAD already.... If I can figure out how to transfer roms to an Ultimate Flashback or an LTO Flash, then trust me ANYONE can.... 

 

However, I can see the points being made and would be okay making the season half homebrews and then the other half rarely / never played games at the Inty HSC.... Either way, we are going to start playing some Homebrews in the Inty HSC Season 20....  

 

I was going to look into the Backbit cart, but since my LTO Flash started working the way it was supposed to work I have no need for it.... I now have 222 games on it..... 😮 

Absolutely Rick! Just giving my 2 cents worth. You should always do whatever you think is best and I'll keep posting scores as best I can whatever you decide to do 

 

I'll keep looking into other options and post any good ones that I find!

Edited April 3, 2023 by jimblargh
More info

[+wongojack]

27 minutes ago, jimblargh said:

 

Thanks @wongojack! 

I did come across that one, but from what I can tell there are a lot of homebrews that it doesn't support due to it not emulating the JLP board on modern homebrews.

 

These threads get into this a little:

 

 

 

I was aware there were limitations with BackBit, but I don't really know the details.  I'm not sure how often those limitations would really limit my playing of homebrews.  To me it sounds like things specifically enabled by the LTO won't work, but other homebrews will.  That would still give access to A LOT of homebrews (I think).

 

Anyway, the cart isn't even available to ship right now, so it doesn't really matter at the moment.

[gar0u]

What about a bonus homebrew game that spanned two regular games?

 

Week 1: Burgertime, bonus game Defender of the Crown (no idea how you would score this! LOL)

Week 2: Astromsmash, bonus game Defender of the Crown

Week 3: Space Battle, bonus game Missile Domination

Week 4: Auto Racing, bonus game Missile Domination

 

You get the idea...

[mr_me]

9 hours ago, jimblargh said:

Thanks @wongojack! 

I did come across that one, but from what I can tell there are a lot of homebrews that it doesn't support due to it not emulating the JLP board on modern homebrews.

 

These threads get into this a little:

Most homebrews don't require jlp hardware.  And of the ones that do, almost all use it for the save game feature.  Games that make use of saves probably wouldn't be used for high score club anyway.  So most if not all the ones that would come up in HSC should run through a Backbit.  The odd one that doesn't can be played in Jzintv.  Rickster can put up a list of the ones he has in mind and they can be checked for jlp.

[Rickster8]

Participation is even worse now so because of that I am going to finish this season and then hit the pause button with Season 19. I REALLY think we need a longer break to see if anybody really misses the Inty HSC. We will resume Season 19 in January 2024......

Edited April 22, 2023 by Rickster8
Wording

[fakecortex]

14 hours ago, Rickster8 said:

Participation is even worse now so because of that I am going to finish this season and then hit the pause button with Season 19. I REALLY think we need a longer break to see if anybody really misses the Inty HSC. We will resume Season 19 in January 2024......

I've been super lagging all over the place here. I appreciate you running the club tho, thanks man!

[Rickster8]

I'm actually toying with the idea of altering the Inty HSC or atleast trying something different for the next year... 

 

I'm thinking about not doing a 'SEASON' per se, but just playing a game a month, no theme... Like for instance 1st month we all play Space Armada (This is an EXAMPLE), we don't need to have a game winner and no points that accumulate towards a season winner. Just play one game a month for like 8-12 months, then pause and see if we want to do that again.... This league needs a change, it's gotten DULL so let me know if that has any appeal.... I don't want to quit it completely, but if we dumb it down a little maybe that will help? 

 

Say we play Dreadnaught Factor. You play whatever level you want, you post a score, then play another level. We just keep the same game going for that month and then when that month is over we start a different game for a month. No theme, no accumulated points, no winner.. Just casual Inty gaming fun... Openly discussing how to beat the game.... With no ending winner maybe people will better discuss how to win..... Instead of a competition, it would be more of a learning how to win at Inty Club.... 

 

Thoughts?

 

PS - Instead of battling each other you try to beat your own PB... Or try to beat the Club record, whatever, but we would help each other get better at each game.... I think this would be FUNNER truthfully..... 

 

RR8 🍺

Edited May 16, 2023 by Rickster8
Wording

[Rickster8]

We could call the games played 'Work-shops' For example say we play 'Worm Whomper' for a month and we call it 'Worm Whomper Work-Shop'. We spend a month dissecting how to beat the game. Best strategies. Give ratio increases for players with the biggest increases in their 'PB' score, etc. Make it fun..... 

[fakecortex]

1 hour ago, Rickster8 said:

We could call the games played 'Work-shops' For example say we play 'Worm Whomper' for a month and we call it 'Worm Whomper Work-Shop'. We spend a month dissecting how to beat the game. Best strategies. Give ratio increases for players with the biggest increases in their 'PB' score, etc. Make it fun..... 

That's cool. Even when we compete in different HSCs, I like discussing strategies. When high scorers share vids, it's a sign of good sportsmanship to help everyone and continue the convo, which I like. No need to gate-keep here.

[IntyFanMatt]

7 hours ago, Rickster8 said:

I'm actually toying with the idea of altering the Inty HSC or atleast trying something different for the next year... 

 

I'm thinking about not doing a 'SEASON' per se, but just playing a game a month, no theme... Like for instance 1st month we all play Space Armada (This is an EXAMPLE), we don't need to have a game winner and no points that accumulate towards a season winner. Just play one game a month for like 8-12 months, then pause and see if we want to do that again.... This league needs a change, it's gotten DULL so let me know if that has any appeal.... I don't want to quit it completely, but if we dumb it down a little maybe that will help? 

 

Say we play Dreadnaught Factor. You play whatever level you want, you post a score, then play another level. We just keep the same game going for that month and then when that month is over we start a different game for a month. No theme, no accumulated points, no winner.. Just casual Inty gaming fun... Openly discussing how to beat the game.... With no ending winner maybe people will better discuss how to win..... Instead of a competition, it would be more of a learning how to win at Inty Club.... 

 

Thoughts?

 

PS - Instead of battling each other you try to beat your own PB... Or try to beat the Club record, whatever, but we would help each other get better at each game.... I think this would be FUNNER truthfully..... 

 

RR8 🍺

Good with me.  Not sure if it will generate more participation, but worth a shot. 

Edited May 17, 2023 by IntyFanMatt

[Rickster8]

3 minutes ago, IntyFanMatt said:

Good with me.  It sure if it will generate more participation, but worth a shot. 

I don't think anything will get more participation. Inty just isn't a popular gaming console... But this 'MIGHT' be more fun? I dunno, grasping at straws at this point.... 😔

[IntyFanMatt]

Just now, Rickster8 said:

I don't think anything will get more participation. Inty just isn't a popular gaming console... But this 'MIGHT' be more fun? I dunno, grasping at straws at this point.... 😔

True. Let’s try it!!

[Rickster8]

6 minutes ago, IntyFanMatt said:

True. Let’s try it!!

I could also do 2 games per month.... Like say ---- Lock N Chase / Stampede Gaming Work-shop...... Just an example.... I would have no set list. We just go as we go..... 

 

Maybe do 10 months of games and then take a 2 month break... Just thinking out loud here...... 

 

We could even re-visit games same year.. Start with say Stampede and then re visit it later in the year if we want......

Edited May 17, 2023 by Rickster8

[IntyFanMatt]

2 minutes ago, Rickster8 said:

I could also do 2 games per month.... Like say ---- Lock N Chase / Stampede Gaming Work-shop...... Just an example.... I would have no set list. We just go as we go..... 

 

Maybe do 10 months of games and then take a 2 month break... Just thinking out loud here...... 

 

We could even re-visit games same year.. Start with say Stampede and then re visit it later in the year if we want......

I would like 2 games per month better. It would keep me more interested. A month is a long time to wait for a new game to compete in. And yes, revisiting games isn’t a bad thing either. The Inty doesn’t have a huge library like the 2600 or the NES. Sounds good to me. 

[Rickster8]

14 minutes ago, IntyFanMatt said:

I would like 2 games per month better. It would keep me more interested. A month is a long time to wait for a new game to compete in. And yes, revisiting games isn’t a bad thing either. The Inty doesn’t have a huge library like the 2600 or the NES. Sounds good to me. 

Okay well then I will look to put this together with a possible September 1st start... Play 2 games a month with a WORK-SHOP type of format... Still posting scores, but they won't be tracked or added up (They would still be put into a record book though)... Just a goal of learning / discussion and FUN..... It would go for 10 months until July 1st. Then at that time we will see if it was successful and proceed from there..... 

 

EDIT: 10 months might be too long.... 

Edited May 17, 2023 by Rickster8
Wording

[jimblargh]

13 minutes ago, Rickster8 said:

Okay well then I will look to put this together with a possible September 1st start... Play 2 games a month with a WORK-SHOP type of format... Still posting scores, but they won't be tracked or added up (They would still be put into a record book though)... Just a goal of learning / discussion and FUN..... It would go for 10 months until July 1st. Then at that time we will see if it was successful and proceed from there..... 

 

EDIT: 10 months might be too long.... 

All of this sounds great to me! I would even go so far as to say that homebrews and super rare games might work better in this format. If we ran a homebrew or super rare game concurrent with a more common game it would still allow those without access (apart from emulation) the option to just focus on the more common game instead.

 

Cool idea Rick! 😎

 

[Rickster8]

12 hours ago, jimblargh said:

All of this sounds great to me! I would even go so far as to say that homebrews and super rare games might work better in this format. If we ran a homebrew or super rare game concurrent with a more common game it would still allow those without access (apart from emulation) the option to just focus on the more common game instead.

 

Cool idea Rick! 😎

 

Yes we are on the same page because I was thinking the same exact thing... Play a rarely played game like Kool Aid-Man along side a common game like BurgerTime etc. This format type might actually work nicely..... 👍

[Rickster8]

Yeah 10 months will be too long. I'm looking at 8 months with 2 games per month so essentially it will be 16 games long which is just like the Inty HSC. Starting September 1st, 2023 and ending on the last day of April 2024. 

 

I want this to be a more casual thing... Learning, having fun, playing some vintage Inty games and mixing in some NEW / Homebrew / Rarely played Inty games..... 👍

Edited May 22, 2023 by Rickster8
Wording

[Ignorama]

I dont think I ever have enough time to participate at full power, but just my thoughts: The whole competition sounds very complicated. Bonus Games, several ways of Bonus scores... I read through some threads and I have not fully understood what the idea was. Two games a month is TOUGH for many people who struggle to find some hours for one game. 

 

Its just an Idea, but I would try to make it more old school. We had one game for a month (iirc) and in that month players could share tipps and tricks. That also supports the Workshop-Idea, cause Players had a goal to achive.

 

And the whole scoring system is maybe too complicated. Just give points to the best places and maybe extra points for a new record. But the options of getting extra points if you do this or that felt a bit over the top. I also struggle to see the point... if a player rocks a game give him the winning points, the new record points, the several "get X points" points... why? He already won, he maybe even got the record bonus, why give him so many additional benefits? 

 

Lets be real, this section will never be a fan favorite, most INTV guys barely play their games at all, sadly. So the system should be as shallow as possible without ruining the competition to lower the entry barrier. 

Edited May 22, 2023 by Ignorama

[Rickster8]

6 hours ago, Ignorama said:

I dont think I ever have enough time to participate at full power, but just my thoughts: The whole competition sounds very complicated. Bonus Games, several ways of Bonus scores... I read through some threads and I have not fully understood what the idea was. Two games a month is TOUGH for many people who struggle to find some hours for one game. 

 

Its just an Idea, but I would try to make it more old school. We had one game for a month (iirc) and in that month players could share tipps and tricks. That also supports the Workshop-Idea, cause Players had a goal to achive.

 

And the whole scoring system is maybe too complicated. Just give points to the best places and maybe extra points for a new record. But the options of getting extra points if you do this or that felt a bit over the top. I also struggle to see the point... if a player rocks a game give him the winning points, the new record points, the several "get X points" points... why? He already won, he maybe even got the record bonus, why give him so many additional benefits? 

 

Lets be real, this section will never be a fan favorite, most INTV guys barely play their games at all, sadly. So the system should be as shallow as possible without ruining the competition to lower the entry barrier. 

What we don't quite understand is there are tons of Inty guys on the Inty Programming (Aquarias) board, but none of them come here to play the games. A few do, but we could blow this thing wide open if they'd throw in some scores, but it never happens.... 😔

[Ignorama]

well... we had game programmers that not really cared to fix gamebreaking bugs, so... 🤗

 

 

[IntyFanMatt]

13 hours ago, Rickster8 said:

What we don't quite understand is there are tons of Inty guys on the Inty Programming (Aquarias) board, but none of them come here to play the games. A few do, but we could blow this thing wide open if they'd throw in some scores, but it never happens.... 😔

Agreed. It’s weird. No one likes to play the games apparently.