First VCS game code project - 'Bounces' seem viable?

[sack-c0s]

Just a bit of background - I've been doing 6502 since I was 12 (makes it around 13 years now), handy with a C64 and have branched out into the 8-bit atari on occasion but been thinking of doing a VCS game for ages. I'm aware of what the hardware is capable of (well.. i read the docs anyhow) and although I think nothing of border removal and extra colour modes on the C64 this looks like its going to be a world of pain needing 'advanced C64 coding tricks' just to *survive*.

 

But if it doesn't kill me it'll make me stronger

 

now the one I've been toying with is 'Bounces' by Denton Designs.

 

 

http://homepages.tesco.net/~parsonsp/html/bounces.html has a good description if you haven't played it.

 

my first feeling is that its a pretty static simple playfield, 2 players, a ball and not an excessive amount of per-frame calculation for game logic. Sort of pong between 2 knights on bungee cords. Putting the ball in a hole above the opponent scores points and hitting the other player floors them so the chord drags them back to the wall. Also has a warlords-esque catch-throw mechanic to it.

 

 

so.. for those who have coded a game before - is there anything showstopping or potentially difficult I may have overlooked? As I say I chose a game I've enjoyed playing that looks suited to the hardware but being a first project I may have missed something.

 

 

My second problem is that I'm the opposite of most of the 'new game idea' posters - I can code but I can't draw. Doubly so given the restrictions of this machine. If anyone would like to put together any suggestions of technically viable screen layouts (keep in mind this is a first project, so although I'll take 'theoretically possible with ninja coding tricks' suggestions it may be best to scale things back a tad) then it'd be a great help.

 

Any other random things you feel you may want to tell me at this point of use will also be taken onboard

[Heaven/TQA]

sack...you forgot to mention that you can do music...

[vdub_bobby]

I downloaded the game and I'm trying to play it with VICE - it loads fine but I can't get a game to start. ???

 

Based on your description, it looks completely doable for the VCS. The only real difficulty will be drawing the elastic cords (or whatever) - probably have to do that with the playfield, which will require an asymmetrical playfield. Not too difficult, though.

[Cybergoth]

I downloaded the game and I'm trying to play it with VICE - it loads fine but I can't get a game to start. ???

 

First you should make sure to use the Remember version. (They are the highest possible quality C64 source on the net.)

 

Then just press F1 to start a game

[vdub_bobby]

I downloaded the game and I'm trying to play it with VICE - it loads fine but I can't get a game to start. ???

 

First you should make sure to use the Remember version. (They are the highest possible quality C64 source on the net.)

 

Then just press F1 to start a game

Thanks.