C.A.V.E. Apocalypse (WIP) new batari Basic game

[+Al_Nafuur]

 

C.A.V.E. Apocalypse is an online game for the Atari 2600. It uses PlusROM functions to communicate with an internet server and load level data and game states. PlusROM functions are supported by Gopher2600, my Javatari fork, Stella (since version 6.6)  and the PlusCart

The game is programmed in batari Basic, but to compile it the PlusROM extensions of my batari Basic fork have to be used, see this AtariAge thread how to include the PlusROM extensions.

Various code examples from @Random Terrain's awesome batari Basic webpage and various AtariAge threads are used in the code.

 

Links

• Github: https://github.com/Al-Nafuur/C.A.V.E-Apocalypse
• Javatari Link
• Website
• Public Levels
• To build you own levels join here

 

ROMs:

C.A.V.E. Apocalypse NTSC.bin

C.A.V.E. Apocalypse PAL.bin

 

 

 

Technical Description
When starting a game or changing a room the room information is requested from the server (/server/a.php) and the state of the room left is send in the request to store it in the server side session.

The website for the level/room editor can be found here.

 

Known issues and todos:

• Titlescreen music
• helicopter in middle position (facing to you when turning around)

 

Video of the first prototype

 

Second prototype (v2.2) played at the ZPH show

Current version played on the ZPH show:

 

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

PlusCart user can find the most recent binary in the "/Public ROMs/PlusROMs/C.A.V.E. Apocalypse" folder (or in the "Recently Added ROMs" list), everyone else can PLAY ON THIS JAVATARI

 

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post with:

• touching the cave walls or enemies resets the level
• second level
• level colors (backend defined)

 

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

The PlusStore binary is now updated too. Playing with the PlusCart and the Javatari should work now (old binary was not compatible with the new backend version)

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• Third level
• Shooting enemies

 

[knievel1]

Will this play on Stella? 

[+stephena]

20 minutes ago, knievel1 said:

Will this play on Stella? 

Not yet.  We hope to have PlusCart support in the next release of Stella.

[+Al_Nafuur]

5 minutes ago, stephena said:

Not yet.  We hope to have PlusCart support in the next release of Stella.

PlusROM

 

?

[+stephena]

17 minutes ago, Al_Nafuur said:

PlusROM

 

?

Yeah, it actually is called PlusROM in the Stella code; I just had a brain fart.  Memory is not always the best ...

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• The upper rooms can now no longer be exited upwards

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• three lives (per level)
• on timeout or death the game resets to the level start or the last safe point (fuel station)
• additional scores for remaining lives and fuel if a level is completed.
• some bug fixes (and some new bugs)

[+Al_Nafuur]

Playthrough of the 3 online test levels with gopher2600:

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• slightly changed gravity (makes the game a bit more difficult)

 

as far as I can see from the "Public Area Download Activity (Last 4 weeks)" and the C.A.V.E. backend log, there are some PlusCart users and some emulator users testing the game. Some feedback here about the difficulty level and handling would be nice.

Edited May 15, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• Draft of a title screen with game and level select

 

(Suggestions for better title screen graphics are welcome!)

 

Game variations will be:

1. Public levels starting with the selected level
2. Public levels in random order
3. Your private levels starting with the selected level
4. Your private levels in random order

(3. and 4. will only be available if you have an account and build private levels at the PlusROM backend)

 

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• game variations 1 and 2 are now functional.
• "Select" changes game variation
• Joystick up/down changes level

Batari Basic code changes have been pushed to the github repository.

 

The backend code needs refactoring for the user management framework and storage of the level data. I am currently evaluation which framework (needs to be PHP) I should use. Candidates are UserSpice, UserFrosting, Webdamn User-Manager, or Sentinel. If someone knows a good user management framework please post here.

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• new enemy (blinking wall/laser)

There is also a new demo level (level 4) with all enemies and wall types.

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

And a little color for the title screen:

 

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

Admin login and changing a public level with the C.A.V.E. Apocalypse online level editor (beta):

 

 

Edited May 21, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binaries in first post and PlusStore with:

• Wait at the end of a level for joystick button

 

The level editor is also making some progress and there is now a new (5.) public level online, which has been build with the editor. 

 

 

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• game variation 3 and 4 (private levels) can be selected (if levels are available).

 

Some users already have registered a account at the level Editor. Private levels can already be created there, but you can not connect your emulator or PlusCart to your account to play the levels. If someone wants to beta test, feel free to PM me and I will add your emulator or PlusCart to your C.A.V.E. Apocalypse level editor account.

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[Prizrak]

Sure I'll play, need to get in some Atari play for once in a while. Been so focused on Half Life 2 I hadn't play anything else

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[+Al_Nafuur]

On 5/23/2021 at 12:56 AM, Prizrak said:

Sure I'll play, need to get in some Atari play for once in a while. Been so focused on Half Life 2 I hadn't play anything else

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

So sign up here: https://cave-apocalypse.firmaplus.de/UserSpice/users/join.php
 

Then you can build some levels here: https://cave-apocalypse.firmaplus.de/UserSpice/editor.php

 

I'll add your PlusCart(s) to your account and then you should be able to select game variant 3 and 4 (your levels in ascending or random order)

 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[+Al_Nafuur]

another video how to use the Level Manager:

 

You can add your PlusCart(s) or emulator(s) to your account with the "Device Manager" you have to copy/paste your "device-hash" from your PlusStore PlusCart list:

 

or from gopher2600 "PlusROM" -> "Preferences" (you have to add a "WE" prefix to the ID !)

 

Unfortunately Javatari has no menu option to show the device Id, so PM me if you want to add your Javatari emulator account.

 

Edited May 23, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• Tank and wall can be used in the same room now (tank shot and wall flicker)
• bug fixes

  The game engine is now nearly finished, but there are still some things to improve or to consider:

• The tanks are too easy to hit from above and much too hard from the other directions.
• The tanks shoot too early and too often, or their missiles are too fast?
• There should be more than one group of soldiers to rescue per level.
• Different speed settings for moving walls and enemies.
• tweak scores and bonuses
• Background and title music
• tweak sound effects

 

currently there are 674 bytes left in the first bank and 61 bytes in the second bank.

Edited May 23, 2021 by Al_Nafuur

[+Al_Nafuur]

New binary in first post and PlusStore with:

• moving or blinking walls can now be defined as shootable too
• Tank missiles are now slower and reach higher.

 

670 bytes of ROM space left in bank 1

61 bytes of ROM space left in bank 2

 

 

Edited May 24, 2021 by Al_Nafuur