Starcat

Hi Guys ! Yes, I'm alwaysl working on Star Alliance when I have time. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! I think it's better to create something new than just porting games of other systems. GOVmole you're right about the lisences. Nobody could actually port the game like it is, but a different game with the same idea would be possible. However that is even more work because of the level design and all that stuff. I don't want to crush anybodys dreams. Dreams are very important. However if somebody dreams about for example being superman doesn't man they wake up one day and can fly and are almost immortal. Dreams are important to guide you to make something real, the important point however is to concentrate on what's possible and skip what would just be a waste of time. Besides, even though it would be great to play some games like GTA and other game from the last years on the Jag, it is much cooler to see something that hasn't been there before I think. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! A simplified GTA could be possible on the Jaguar. For example to use either shaded blocks as buildings or just use sprites for everything. However it would need a LOT of work and I don't think that anybody would even think about makeing such a game for the Jag. If you want to play GTA, the easiet and best way is to walk into a game store and pick up GTA 2 for $5 That way you can play it immediately and don't have to wait years (or maybe even forever) for a game like that to be ported. You would also save tons of money and would get a version that is a thousand times better than a jag port could ever be. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! Yes, I asked Duranik (the original developers of Native) back in 2000 for the native source code. They gave it to me and were kind enough to allow me to put it on my site for download (not available anymore) and also allowed me to put it on the Jag Dev CD. They are really kind people with great skills. However in order to finish the game, the most important thing is creating levels and keeping the high quality graphic standard. So if you are interested in the native source code the Jag Dev CD is the way to go. http://www.starcat-dev.de/products.php Regards, Lars.

Hi ! Thanks Regards, Lars.

Hi ! No. I don't know a release date yet. It depends on how much time myself and the rest of the team can spend on the project. Sometimes there are weeks or even months that are so busy, that almost nothing can be developed further. And sometimes there are months in which the game gets a lot further in development. It will be CD based. Regards, Lars.

Hi Stone ! This isn't odd at all... You not only need to add a 50/60 Hz switch, but you also need to modify your scart cable. My cable has a switch, that needs to be turned on to get color when using a NTSC system. Sadly I can't tell you what exactly this switch is connected to... But maybe looking at the pinouts already helps... Regards, Lars.

Hi ! Yes, the Jaguar library runs on the latest version of the emulator. At least for small projects it runs fine so far. But as the emulators are getting better and better, I think in a few months maybe you can also develop big projects with the help of the emulator. Anyway, it's fine to start with. Afterall some commercial games are already running fine. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! Thanks, that would be good. It tells me what I can improve in future revisions of the CD. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! Great ! I think you won't regret it. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! Thanks I'm glad you like it. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! Starcat Developments has got a new look. I think it is more user friendly and better looking than the old one. The URL is: http://www.starcat-dev.de Regards, Lars.

Hi ! The site is updated. Regards, Lars.

Hi Thunderbird ! Sure, I'll add a better description as soon as possible. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! The old JDC CD that I offered a few years back is something completely different. The new dev tools cd 1.1 is mainly a collecton of the files that were up on my site, but of course some special files have also been added that never were online. For a complete filelist check this out: http://www.starcat-dev.de/products/dev_cd_v1_1.html http://www.starcat-dev.de/products.php Regards, Lars.

Hi ! Yes, Thunderbird. I understand what you mean. Thanks for the comment. I first had in mind just to give beginners an easy way to start, when I did the first version of the library. That version can't really be used freely because it includes "non commercial" notes as text in the binary. However as the 3rd version which is on the jag dev tool cd 1.1 is already quite a bit better and even including the source code. I think I should allow the 3rd version and also future versions to be used in commercial projects as long as the coder gives credit to me for the library. Regards, Lars.

Hi Thunderbird ! No the new version is based on the old one, however it has a few fixes a few better routines. For example the text routine in the new one is a lot better. And it includes the whole source code to give the coder the possibilty to see what's actually being done behind the scenes and also to make it possible to improve the code. The one that can be downloaded are just object files. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! I'm glad you like the library. No Problem. I'm always glad if I can help. Yes, a lot of important routines are already there. Making small games with it shouldn't be a big problem. However you should know that the Starcat Developments Library V1.2, which is available on the site is not the latest version. The latest version with a few bug fixes, some better fuctions and also a complete source code is available, together with many other useful files, on the "Atari Jaguar Dev Tools CD V1.1" by Starcat Developments. For more infos, check out the products section of http://www.starcat-dev.de . At the moment I don't have plans to do 3D on the Jaguar. You never know what the future will bring, but at the moment it's unlikely that I'm doing 3D on the Jag. I'm focussing on my current projects, like Star Alliance for now. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! I often took active part in these system discussions and I think I'll stay away from that in the future and now, because it all ends with flaimg as there are always people who "know" things and people who "believe" things and people who don't want to hear certain things. So this will be my only post in this thread. One hint: Do NOT take the infos in the FAQ too serious, if you really want to know what the Jag can do read the development manual carefully. One thing that is for sure, I think the Neo Geo is one of the greatest systems of all time, with many incredible games and if it all wasn't so expensive I would get one immediateley... But the emulator is ok to play the games as well, even if the feeling isn't the same. Btw, You're always talking about the neo geo specs, don't for get that it also has some really incredible video and sound hardware (for its time). That is something that is only listed on very few spec lists. Think about it, the Genenis also uses a 68k and z80... are genesis games and neo geo games on the same level ? No, there are worlds between them. So the graphic hardware is the key. Regards, Lars.

Hi ! The site was only down for a few days, because my hoster moved to a different server. Soon the whole site, PHP and my e-mail should all work again. Btw, the CDs are already sent out to th people who ordered lately ... Regards, Lars.

Hi ! You really shouldn't look for actual programming or hardware info in the Jaguar FAQ. The development manual and underground docs are a much better resource for infos. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! Thanks a lot, Gunstar. I'm glad you like the CD. The most important tools and docs are still online (assembler, linker etc. and dev manual v8). It took me quite some effort to collect all the files over the time. For example buying the original dev manual and scanning it page by page took ages. So I would like to keep it the way it is. I think everybody who is serious about Jaguar coding and who is interested in the files on the CD won't mind to buy it. And all the others that are not serious, don't need the files anyway. For those who wonder why the price is €15, shipping and packaging for the CD with air mail to the USA costs me €10 already. Then add the cost for a cd case, the CDR and additional costs (like paypal fee). So I guess the price of €15 incl. international shipping is a fair price if you consider what's on the CD. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! I think it's quite interesting, but also funny to read this talk... First of all even using a 3d engine written by a different person for the Jaguar already needs ages to actually know what's going on and to use it in a different project is very difficult or even impossible, depending on the engine. Especially when it's a very optimised 3d engine. Second and even more important I guess, even IF there was a great 3d engine for the Jag that is available to everybody, what use would it have ? It seems like you think all that somebody needs is the engine of a game and the game is done. However WHO is even interested in doing Jag 3d stuff or even more important who is going to do 3d stuff ? You seem to forget that there are only a bunch of people who are interested in Jag coding and only very few of them (if any at all) have the time, interest and ability to do a 3D game of some sort on the Jag. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! Just wanted to let you know, that I think it is a great idea to do a Jag Fest in the UK. I'm sure there are many people in the UK who would be interested. The more Jaguar festivals the better. Regards, Lars.

Hi Guys ! I just placed my catbox on ebay, because I hardly use it anymore. I set the starting bid to € 1 only, so everybody will get a chance. :-) Auction text is in English and German with pictures. I accept inernational bids and accept paypal !! Happy Bidding !! Here: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...item=2082623891 Here: [url="http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2082623891"]http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...082623891[/url][/url] Regards, Lars.