Procedural Graphics in Computer Space

Entry posted by Kiwi October 10, 2013

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I'm writing some procedural backdrop currently in Computer Space. I'm 1000 KB away from 30 KB with opt--code--size selected. The first procedural backdrop are stars in the background is plotted 24 times randomly. I rather do that and try to copy the original game point by point. I don't like to waste bytes, but rather be conservative with space. The backdrop is about 4 lines of code.

for (i=0;i<24;i++){x = rnd_byte(0,31);y = rnd_byte(0,23);put_char(x,y,0x09);}

Anyway, right now, there are several screens I want to make for the Deluxe mode and 784 bytes is a lot for one screen, so generalization and small put_frame objects will keep the file size down. All the UFOs AI I wanted to put in are done. I wanted a progression of difficulty and keep the player wanting to see the next screen. Once all the backdrops are done, then I will program sequence of UFO for the player to fight. If the player's score is higher than the UFO and when hyperspace mode is finished. Then that UFO is done for and you get to fight a harder UFO with a new backdrop. I do plan to have different hyperspace screens, I don't see the need to invert the last 128 tiles' color.

Once that done, I'll redo the titlescreen. I'm thinking of ditching the Game Gear RPG font and maybe stick with LCD segment font or use capital letter only NES font. So, I can put more UFO in the deluxe mode.

I do have to find out if the game stops at UFO score 7 or keeps going. I faintly recall reading part of the Computer Space fan site about it but I now can't find it. It said that the UFO can only score 7 points. The garbled display after player score is in. I will put in 2-3 digits score as an option. Also, find out if both UFO and player score reset on Hyper Space mode. I noticed a number in place of the timer and the UFO score isn't 7 in one of the Computer Space video, is that the total score? Because the game will run indefinely as long as your score is higher than the UFO's. Of course, I will make the original game UFO progressively harder and harder. I will probably cheat display score combining score 1 + (score2*16) Then put TOTAL SCORE over the 00035 to cover up the excessive 0's.

I do need to get some sleep since I had to work this morning and the previous. My left knee has interrupted my sleep. Arthritis pain stinks... I will try to focus harder on Computer Space tomorrow. Good night.

EDIT: Ok the UFO can have number higher than 7. http://www.computerspacefan.com/SN10495large.htm one have picture number 8 in that part so, I will make it like the player's score with it garble graphics. There is one hyper space mode. So I will make option to the Original Computer Space game to have the game keep going and the UFOs will become harder to hit and easier for it to hit your ship. Time to sleep.