Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) After having a coarse idea for an one button racing game, I went ahead and started coding. The current result is nowhere near to being complete, but I think it is good enough for a first impression. On real hardware it works with a QuadTari and four(!) sets of paddles, from which only the buttons are used. Gameplay: Press SELECT to select game length (30, 60 or 90 seconds) and difficulty (white = kids, blue = easy, yellow = normal, red = hard). Difficulty affects computer AI and braking. Set LEFT DIFFICULTY switch to A to activate red colored "SuperBoost" arrows. These occur randomly and provide twice the boost of a normal arrow. Press RESET to start the 5 seconds race countdown (indicated by 5 appearing red lights). During the countdown, each player must press his fire button to activate his/her car. The activated cars will become brighter, the other cars will be controlled by the computer AI. After the countdown, the race starts. During the race, press the fire button while your car is over the boost arrows. The arrows will turn your car's color if done right and black if you missed them. The former will accelerate your car, the latter will brake. The position of a car reflects its position in the race (not the gap to opponents). This gap will increase during the race, moving the leading cars further to the right. This reduces the reaction time for new boost arrows. Shortly after the race is over, the distance covered by each car will be displayed instead of the cars. Note: This game uses paddles (fire buttons only), up to eight if you use a QuadTari. There is no end to the game yet, you can only try to take the lead. BTW: During coding, I found that the latest Stella 6.5.2 still is missing some QuadTari support. Paddles aren't working as expected. But you can use Joysticks with directions left/right instead. Default mappings for 3rd and 4th controller are the identical to 1st and 2nd controller, but with Shift pressed. And since my QuadTari is still shipping, testing is a bit hard currently. Vroom 8! (v0.2) (PAL60).bin Vroom 8! (v0.2).bin Vroom 8! (v0.3) (PAL60).bin Vroom 8! (v0.3) (NTSC).bin Vroom 8! (v0.4) (PAL60).bin Vroom 8! (v0.4) (NTSC).bin Vroom 8! (v0.5) (PAL60).bin Vroom 8! (v0.5) (NTSC).bin Vroom! (v0.6) (PAL60).bin Vroom! (v0.6) (NTSC).bin Vroom! (v0.7) (PAL60).bin Vroom! (v0.7) (NTSC).bin Vroom! (v0.8) (PAL60).bin Vroom! (v0.8) (NTSC).bin Vroom! (v0.90) (PAL60).bin Vroom! (v0.90) (NTSC).bin VROOM! (v1.0) (PlusROM) (PAL60).bin VROOM! (v1.0) (PlusROM) (NTSC).bin Edited February 9, 2023 by Thomas Jentzsch 18 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SpiceWare Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 39 minutes ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: And since my QuadTari is still shipping, testing is a bit hard currently. Mine arrived, but my Atari's been acting up so it's disconnected and sitting on the kitchen table waiting on me to find my soldering equipment so I can recap it. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767693 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Karl G Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I have a QT and two sets of paddles, so I can test it 4 paddles at a time at least to ensure all 8 buttons work. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767723 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ZeroPage Homebrew Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: After having a coarse idea for an one button racing game, I went ahead and started coding. Very exciting!!! I have four sets of paddles and I'll check it out today (and in the news section of the show tonight)! ? - James Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767724 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Karl G Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I have confirmed that all 8 buttons work. 13 minutes ago, ZeroPage Homebrew said: I have four sets of paddles and I'll check it out today (and in the news section of the show tonight)! ? I'm looking forward to seeing you guys race 4 cars each. 2 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 16 minutes ago, ZeroPage Homebrew said: I have four sets of paddles and I'll check it out today (and in the news section of the show tonight)! ? Cool! But don't expect too much. There are still a lot of things missing. And to fix (e.g. the cars coming to a full stop if you brake too much). BTW: I suppose I will name it only VROOM! (without the 8 ). Or VROOOOOOOOM! 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767741 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 2 minutes ago, Karl G said: I'm looking forward to seeing you guys race 4 cars each. Me too! I plan to a add a simple AI for the cars which have no driver. Then, when you start a new game, all players have to press their buttons within a few seconds. The remaining cars become AI driven. BTW: You monitor or camera seem to have a heavy blue tint. 4 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767748 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Karl G Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: BTW: I suppose I will name it only VROOM! (without the 8 ). Or VROOOOOOOOM! Or Octo-Racers? ? Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767795 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 6 minutes ago, Karl G said: Or Octo-Racers? ? High Octane, Octoboost... Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767802 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+D Train Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: VROOOOOOOOM! voting for this one right here, unless there's voter suppression. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4767981 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ZeroPage Homebrew Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 How about VR∞M! - James 4 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4768028 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Andrew Davie Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 I don't need no stinking playfield! 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4768105 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 7 hours ago, ZeroPage Homebrew said: How about VR∞M! I had thought about this one too. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4768220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_79 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 If someone doesn't have 4 sets of paddles, Track and Field controllers could be thrown in the mix too. The buttons seem to be far away enough that two people can play using a single controller. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4768249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 1 hour ago, alex_79 said: If someone doesn't have 4 sets of paddles, Track and Field controllers could be thrown in the mix too. The buttons seem to be far away enough that two people can play using a single controller. Partially broken paddle controllers might get a new life too. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4768269 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinMos3 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 9 hours ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: 16 hours ago, ZeroPage Homebrew said: How about VR∞M! - James I had thought about this one too. I was about to type this and saw you mentioned it already. I guess that's a 3rd confirmation it's a good name? 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4768439 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I was about to suggest Acceler8, but I see that one already is quite established in other markets (including but not limited to an Android game). Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769030 Share on other sites More sharing options...
azure Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I'm curious if there will be sound effects given the 8 cars and how that'll work out. Btw, it looks really good. It reminds me of a rhythm game. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) I happy with (the name) VROOM! just as it is. This game should stand for itself without the need for twists on the name or clumsy cliches. It's also a simple name reminiscent of the the early Atari and Activision games. Edited March 4, 2021 by Keatah Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769064 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 5 hours ago, azure said: I'm curious if there will be sound effects given the 8 cars and how that'll work out. I wonder too. Obviously I cannot play individual sounds for all 8 cars. I suppose I will play sounds for the two leading cars. Sounds will be the typical buzz sound (based on speed, maybe with some shifting). Or a braking sound, in case a player missed the boost arrows. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769193 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SpiceWare Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: I wonder too. Hmm - shot in the dark, but wonder what it would sound like if you multiplexed the sounds like this: Scanline 0 - trigger sounds for players 1 & 2 Scanline 65 - trigger sounds for players 3 & 4 Scanline 131 - trigger sounds for players 5 & 6 Scanline 196 - trigger sounds for player 7 & 8 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 That might work (or maybe not), but even two engine sounds are hardly distinguishable. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769260 Share on other sites More sharing options...
azure Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Thomas Jentzsch said: That might work (or maybe not), but even two engine sounds are hardly distinguishable. I think you'd have to play them at two different pitches and shape their sound envelopes with offset attack and decay so they contrast. When I loaded up the game I immediately thought of the sounds at Disney's Tomorrowland Speedway (better with earphones), but louder and sped up. It sounds like a back to back series rising and falling motor sounds shaped by a combination of throttling and the Doppler effect Edited March 4, 2021 by azure Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Next update V0.3 (see 1st post). Major additions: timer (30, 60 and 90s races) and start countdown some sound (not final yet) human vs computer players With SELECT you can select a race time, RESET starts the game. During the countdown, the human players have to press their buttons, this will brighten their cars. The other, darker cars will be controlled by the computer. During a race, the position of a car represents its current placement (not distances between cars). The visible gaps slowly increase during a race and are maximized at the finish. Feedback welcome! The game still fits easily into 2K, so there is plenty space for further improvements. 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769355 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 41 minutes ago, azure said: I think you'd have to play them at two different pitches and shape their sound envelopes with offset attack and decay so they contrast. When I loaded up the game I immediately thought of the sounds at Disney's Tomorrowland Speedway (better with earphones), but louder and sped up. It sounds like a back to back series rising and falling motor sounds shaped by a combination of throttling and the Doppler effect I am not very talented when it comes to sound design. The current version uses two different engine sounds in parallel (AUDC0 = $3, AUDC1 = $f). The current noise is OK, but any useful help is welcome. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/317857-vroom/#findComment-4769356 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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