Dave Munsie

[dmunsie]

Hello Everyone!

 

(Sorry for the egotistical subject line, but I wanted to make it easy to search for.)

 

First off, thank you to Atari Age for putting up this wonderful forum! It's a blast to take a look at the past and present Atari scene!

 

I have to admit my Atari ST programming years were some of the most enjoyable of my life. I coded a few games for the cover disk of the now defunct UK magazine, ST Review. I also did a monthly article for them about the US Atari scene.

 

During that period I made alot of "fans" from all over the USA/UK who enjoyed my clones and original projects. As some of you know the last few years of my Atari ST life was filled with highs and lows, I'd rather not talk about the lows, because I really had alot of fun coding games using GFA Basic and a custom 68000 Sprite engine that I wrote. I was amazed how fast I could get a simple 2D game up and running. I coded games/clones like Berzerk and Deluxe Invaders in a matter of hours. Games like Frantick and Square Off took alot longer ofcourse. I never had that much time to program believe it or not, that's why I never wrote anything other than quick little 2D twitch games.

 

Here's some of the games I coded for the ST/STe:

 

Kid GP

Bugs!

Asteroidia

Frantick! (Coded during a very hectic time of my life.)

Square Off (A nice 2 player Tetris clone!)

Berzerk (I like this conversion!)

Deluxe Invaders

ST Invaders

Kid Kong (Donkey Kong Clone) If you can find it, get the one with the original "Mario" graphics.

Evader

Frogger

 

A few years back I was told by one of the UK PD supply houses that my "Best Of Dave Munsie volume 1" disk was one of the most popular public domain disks! That was fun to hear about.

 

I wish I could have finished my Choplifter clone/update. That was the last game I was going to write for the STe. It had amazing parallax horizontal scrolling, excellent animation on the chopper, little guys running around waving for help, etc. Everyone I showed it to agreed it blew everything else I did out the door. The overall game shell was about 50% complete when one of those "low" points happened. Long story short, I moved to Texas, started coding for the PC and never looked back. (With 3 kids and a wife..well, you know how it goes..)

 

It saddens me when I read a newsgroup message or a post somewhere where someone says "Dave Munsie ripped me off and never sent me my registration code." I'm sure during my move to Texas I lost some paper work on the few registrations I recieved, alas some users never did get their code. Shortly after my move I released ALL of my games as FREEWARE. I made a public announcement at the time (I think through LAPD?!?) announcing this.

 

As many other Atari shareware authors can tell you, the Atari shareware scene never materialized. I appreciate those that did send in their registration for my games but you could count the number of registrations I recieved on 7 hands.

 

I still have my complete Mega STe development kit. Once in a while I'll get it out and play some of my old games. If all of my games are not floating around in the PUBLIC DOMAIN please let me know and at some point I'll try to zip them up and post them somewhere?!?!

 

I realize this is the ST section, but here's a bit of 8-bit history. I coded several Atari 8 bit titles, MunsiePede 1 & 2, a drum machine called AT1, Floor Walker and a few others not even worth mentioning.

 

ReeveSoft marketed a few projects of mine on the 8 bit including a simple little game called "Evader Construction Kit" I think? If you want something VERY funny, try to locate an updated drum machine I wrote for ReeveSoft called "The Rythmizer" I could be wrong about the name though, jeesh I'm not even 40 and my brain is going. This thing was hilarious to watch. I digitized pictures of myself hitting EACH drum. Then when you played back a sequence, it looked like I was actually jamming on the drum set! This was unheard of on the Atari 8 bit at the time. I remember when it was first released at a Chicago Atari user's group. The place went wild when they saw me on the TV jamming!

 

Fast forward to 2002. I'm an independent consultant/programmer specializing in multimedia software on the PC. In my spare time I'm also a musician working on my indie music cd which I plan to release in 2003.

 

Well, that's more than enough for my first post. If anyone has any questions or comments, please reply to this thread. I plan to revisit this thread every once in a while. Take Care!

[Alex]

Nice to hear from you, Dave. We plan to add 8-bit and ST sections to the site eventually. Are you still in Texas (Albert and I are in Austin)? Ever have the urge to write any new games for the ST, or maybe finish your Choplifter clone?

[Gunstar]

Nice to have you around DAVE! I'm new to the ST myself, just picking up my first 1040STf a few months ago, I'm a long time 8-bit&Jaguar fan...I don't believe I've had the privilage of ever trying any of your 8-bit or ST software, and it would be great if you could direct me to some sites that have them (or teel me what they are called so I can look for myself). I only know sites with mostly old commercial content though, and any PD software site addresses would be very welcome! I'd absolutely LOVE to see that drum routine on the 8-bit!!! This classic community is alive and well and it would be great if you stuck around and maybe tried to find time to get back into ST programming as homebrews are all the rage now for ALL Atari systems! The ST is a whole new world for me to explore yet, and I'd love to see your little part of it...

[+Allan]

Hello Everyone!

 

I realize this is the ST section, but here's a bit of 8-bit history. I coded several Atari 8 bit titles, MunsiePede 1 & 2, a drum machine called AT1, Floor Walker and a few others not even worth mentioning.

 

ReeveSoft marketed a few projects of mine on the 8 bit including a simple little game called "Evader Construction Kit" I think? If you want something VERY funny, try to locate an updated drum machine I wrote for ReeveSoft called "The Rythmizer" I could be wrong about the name though, jeesh I'm not even 40 and my brain is going. This thing was hilarious to watch. I digitized pictures of myself hitting EACH drum. Then when you played back a sequence, it looked like I was actually jamming on the drum set! This was unheard of on the Atari 8 bit at the time. I remember when it was first released at a Chicago Atari user's group. The place went wild when they saw me on the TV jamming!  

 

Here's some pics.

 

Allan

[Inky]

I really enjoyed your Berzerk on the ST, and I always wanted to register it. I also loved Frantick, and I never got to register it. (I remember waiting for 1 hour for it to download off of GEnie) Even though I only had 1 life it was a blast! (literally!)

 

I'm sure if you contacted the Al's here they would accomadate your ST and 8 bit titles..

[dmunsie]

Hey Alex,

 

Yepper, still in FT.Worth, TX. Yah, I control those urges. Every once in a while I'll think about spending a weekend and coding something on the ST. It's been probably close to 8-10 years since I looked at any 68000/GFA Basic code. And yes, if I do any coding again on the ST it will be to finish up the Choplifter code. You guys are in Austin? Cool, I fish down there about once a month or so. You guys have some MONSTER carp in that neck of the woods which I love to catch (and release). My best is 36lbs!

 

Hello Gunstar,

 

Thank you for the kind words. Actually, right now I don't know anywhere you can download any of my games. But I think I'll solve that problem soon. Yah, the home brew stuff sounds really cool. And I have to admit talking "Atari" again makes those same creative juices flow again that were around 10 years ago. (Everytime I'm out, something always pulls me back in! Wasn't that from the GodFather? LOL!) Trust me on this one, if anyone can dig up a copy of my 8bit drum machine "Rythmizer by Reevesoft" it will be worth the time, if you want to get a laugh!!!

 

Hey Allan!

 

Thanks for the pics! wow... check out those graphics! LOL! And that display list interrupt in that 3rd shot is cool! (Compiled basic.)

 

Hello Inky!

 

Thank you for the kind words. I also remember those long Genie downloads! LOL! I have to admit I thought my Berzerk clone was kind of cool too. As far as Frantick goes, wow.. that was a pretty wild ride. If you finish the game you get a picture of me! I used to get so many emails from users saying it was too nuts to play, too much going on, but I thought it was one of the better twitch games out there at the time. I remember putting my 6 year old son through countless beta test hours with that thing. I kept on adjusting the game's difficulty based on his skills. I forgot to consider who his Father was and that he might have natural gaming skills, so the game went out a little harder than it should have.

 

Thanks for all the comments.

 

 

Anyone here play my Square Off? At the time I thought it was one of the better 2 player Tetris games out there at the time.

[Silver Surfer]

Hi Dave, I discovered Square Off about one year ago and I have been playing it a bit. It is probably one of the best(if not the best) PD game made for the ST! But the game is shareware....and crippled... I wouldn't mind obtaining the code unlocking the game

 

I uploaded Square Off on AtariZone, try it guys! It is really awesome!! It plays fine with STeem.

 

Take care

[RucasRiot]

Oops! Double Post!

[RucasRiot]

Your Kaboom clone was the first game I ever played on the ST, and, coincidentally, one of the only games I play on my ST! I'd love to see what's done on your Choplifter clone! Man, you did some great work. Makes me want to get an external SCSI case so I can use my ICD Link II and play some of your old games that I don't have room for on my current megafile hard drive!

 

I still remember one time I was playing your Frogger clone (I sucked at Frogger and I was getting really frustrated) and I actually phoned you from Arlington to ask if there were any cheat codes for it! I think I was about six or seven years old at the time...

 

Actually, right now I don't know anywhere you can download any of my games.

Try http://www.atari.st (fitting url, huh? )

[Paolo]

Aaahh1

The Tetris clone is one of those I asked the regcode for.

I was really really sorry that I didn't receive it, since the game was really amazing. Now that I know why, I am still more disappointed: when I thought the money was lost in the transoceanic delivery, well...

But now that I know you could have received it if only I registered a bit earlier, mmmmmh

 

Now that I know that you put your games in the Public Domain, I'll download all of them (I'm pretty sure I'll find them at LGD)

 

Thanks

[Inky]

Dave, zip them up, and contact Alex and Albert here. I'm sure they would be happy to host the games here.

[dmunsie]

Update:

 

I just "woke" up my Mega STe development machine after about an 8 year sleep and it still works! Somehow I've lost my mouse and Joystick(s) so it's off to search for those on the web somewhere.

 

I'm going to try to create freeware versions of all of my games and upload them sometime in the near future, plus I'm going to take a look at my Choplifter type game and see if finishing it is even possible at this point. As long as I don't have to code any 68000 assembler I think I could pull it off. I'll try to upload some screen shots in the next few days/weeks.

 

I'll check back in when I can. Thanks!

[RucasRiot]

I could hook you up with joysticks and a mouse if you need...

[dmunsie]

Hi RucasRiot,

 

Thanks for the offer, but in a 5ft deep mound of computer hardware I located my mouse and joysticks.

 

Speaking of my Choplifter clone:

 

My son (who is 15 now) hasn't seen my Atari ST programs in 8 years. He used to beta test all of my little projects back when he was 5-7 years old. LOL! Anyway, I was playing the first level of my ST Choplifter game last night and he says "whoah, what's that?". He sits down and plays the first level and comments that the game is cool. He says it looks like a GameBoy Advance game! LOL!! I took it as a compliment!

 

Now I have to look over the 1000's of lines of code to see if I can comprehend this stuff still...

[badbrad]

I'm going to try to create freeware versions of all of my games and upload them sometime in the near future, plus I'm going to take a look at my Choplifter type game and see if finishing it is even possible at this point.

 

Boy, is somebody going to get their butt kissed a lot for this!

 

Now I'm going to have to get an ST

[Inky]

Way cool Dave! Way cool!

[Goochman]

A screenshot of your Choplifter is in order!!!!!!!!!!!1

[dgnadt]

Dave,

 

First off, I have to say I absolutely loved Asteroidia! I didn't register any of your other games but I did get Asteroidia registered because it was just soo cool! I remember playing that game for hours. Great Work!

 

How long ago did you move to Texas? I move to North Richland Hills about 5 years ago.

 

Any way, thanks for the great software you provided for many Atari users back in the day! I'm wishing I hadn't given away my old Mega STe now. I would love to go back and play some of your stuff, especially Asteriodia.

[TwiliteZoner]

Dave, I think it is great you are looking into finishing that Choplifter game. I for one loved your Kid Kong(mario version of course) DK clone.

[dmunsie]

Hi badbrad,

 

"Boy, is somebody going to get their butt kissed a lot for this!"

 

LOL!! Hopefully not mine!! LOL!! Thanks for the inspiration though!

 

Hey Inky,

 

"Way cool Dave! Way cool!"

 

Thanks for the comments!

 

Goochman!,

 

"A screenshot of your Choplifter is in order!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

Your wish is my command... see below.

 

Hello dgnadt,

 

Thank you for registering and thank you so much for the kind words. I made alot of friends in the Atari world and it's cool to hear from Atari users/fans today! I've been in Texas about 13 years now. You live about 30 minutes from me. Take Care.

 

How's it going TwiliteZoner?

 

"Dave, I think it is great you are looking into finishing that Choplifter game. I for one loved your Kid Kong(mario version of course) DK clone."

 

Cool! Yah, my Kid Kong game was well recieved at the time, that was actually one of my more complex programs to write. I had the Nintendo(8 bit) version right next to my ST and I was doing my best to TRACE the graphics! Even though the first level turned out to be a tad bit harder than I liked, overall I thought it came out true to the original.

 

After playing the first level (Choplifter) again, I'm starting to get exicted about finishing it. But it will still be a major task. All 3 of my kids were checking it out tonight. They all thought it looked "cartoony" and "cute" compared to all the realistic games of today, but they all thought it was fun to play.

 

Okay, for the first time anywhere, here are a few screen shots from the first level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll try to get a playable version of the first level uploaded sometime in the near future.

[badbrad]

Let me be the first one to say: Wow! Very cool!

[Goochman]

Sweeet - Choplifter was one of the first 800 games I played so there is always a soft spot in me for that one.

 

Looks like a good upgrade to graphics - almost like the Arcade version

 

I ahve to admit I always liked the 'nighttime' setup of the original

[+Sauron]

Just a simple question...are/were you using STOS to develop that game?

[IceCold]

ReeveSoft marketed a few projects of mine on the 8 bit including a simple little game called "Evader Construction Kit" I think? If you want something VERY funny, try to locate an updated drum machine I wrote for ReeveSoft called "The Rythmizer" I could be wrong about the name though, jeesh I'm not even 40 and my brain is going.  This thing was hilarious to watch. I digitized pictures of myself hitting EACH drum. Then when you played back a sequence, it looked like I was actually jamming on the drum set! This was unheard of on the Atari 8 bit at the time. I remember when it was first released at a Chicago Atari user's group. The place went wild when they saw me on the TV jamming!  

 

I downloaded something called "The Rymthimizer" by Dave Munsie, but it does not have you hitting drums, it just makes drum noises.

 

I'll attach it here, so everybody can download it.

rythmizer.zip

[dmunsie]

Hi BadBrad,

 

Thanks for the (1st) comments!

 

Hey Goochman,

 

Yah, I played the SMS/Arcade version alot and was trying to bring some of that to my version.

 

Hello Sauron,

 

Like all of my ST projects, it is a hybrid of 90% GFA Basic and 10% 68000 routines.

 

Hi IceCold!

 

Yah, I thought I lost some brain cells since the 8bit days. The Rythimizer is my 1st attempt at a drum machine on the 8 bit. Sorry for getting the name wrong. If anyone can locate "Alan Reeve" perhaps he still has a copy of the drum machine I did for them, with the graphics. !@#$, I hope I can find the source to that somewhere. Funny as hell and freaky looking too.