Schmutzpuppe's Blog

One thing that gives me some headache is that I am running out of maria cycles.

Ahh, one half of the 7800 curse - not enough MARIA cycles to do everything. (The other half is not enough CPU cycles, after MARIA has stolen most of them, to do everything. :-) )

 

One thing you may want to consider (if you're not doing it already) is using a DLI to change the background color and just use that for the background. Also, use direct mode instead of indirect mode.

Ahh, one half of the 7800 curse - not enough MARIA cycles to do everything.  (The other half is not enough CPU cycles, after MARIA has stolen most of them, to do everything. :-) )

You are right but we must make the best out of it

 

One thing you may want to consider (if you're not doing it already) is using a DLI to change the background color and just use that for the background.

I allready did that but since the playfield is only 256 pixel (like the original frogger) I needed to "waste" some cycles for the "fake" broder (and also waste one color).

 

Also, use direct mode instead of indirect mode.

Right but I would have to rewrite too much of my code I better find another way.

I allready did that but since the playfield is only 256 pixel (like the original frogger) I needed to "waste" some cycles for the "fake" broder (and also waste one color).

 

Hmm... For those border sprites make sure you are using WM=0 and direct sprites. That will have least number of bytes per pixel, thus the least number of MARIA cycles. (Although you may need to use a 5 byte header if you are changing write modes.)

 

Also, use direct mode instead of indirect mode.

Right but I would have to rewrite too much of my code I better find another way.

It shouldn't be too bad, but I know what you mean. I need to rip apart the DL building code for SpaceWar! 7800 and I'm not looking forward to the experience.

Using WM 0 ist a VERY good idea.

I don't use 320D before but I will check it out tomorrow.

Thanks Eric.