disjaukifa
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Posts posted by disjaukifa
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Hey Guys,
I just found this UBER RARE item on ebay. Atari didn't make many of them at ALL. I don't know about you but I am going to throw down big $$$ Here is the link: Amazingly Uber Rare Item!!!!!
I hate it when people list stuff like that . . .
-Disjaukifa
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Is it me or are these great or what?
I just hooked up a pair on a real 2600 and they are responsive as hell and flawless. Cant beleive I waited this long.
Anyone else use these for there Atari or is it sacrilege?
Do you have to buy a Flashback or can you just get the joysticks??? I was thinking about dismantling mine and seeing if I could clean it to help improve performance.
-Disjaukifa
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Hey
Quick Bonus update. I was reading about the TIA registers and modified the game a little. Also I edited the playfield that I used for the words, I tried to refine them to make them look better. Ok enough talking here before/after screen shots and the .bin file:
This is the cleaner look I wanted, however I lost missile0 but I just replaced it with ball and I was back in business. Let me know what you think!
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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I like the Jr. model.
It's the only one I've ever had and I enjoy how it takes up almost no room at all. I suppose if I had a HS model, I'd prefer it's wood grain goodness over size.
Good reason, that works. It seem for most people that have responded, their first Atari 2600 console they owned turned out to be their favorite. My first was actually the Dark Vader and I just recently got the Heavy Sixer, and its definitely me favorite.
I had a Jr and sold it last night, I liked it, I really did, but when I think of Atari consoles, its got to have wood grain and the big switches
.-Disjaukifa
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I like how the color changes on the title screen.
Hey accousticguitar! Yeah before I has it just set on yellow . . . or something and it bothered me. When I think of a nuclear meltdown I think of red/orangish lights going off and that is what I tried to mimic. Also I want something that was going to be easy on the eyes, the last thing I want to do is make someone sick from looking at the screen
!!!!I really going to try to get one of the two player modes done tomorrow, I just got frustrated today with trying to get the shared sprites to work and after I reverted my code back, I decided to just work on the easy stuff tonight and do some fine tuning here and there. Also I went back and add better comments to everything.
I want to modify the other random atomic matter to do something other than a straight line, and I have an idea that I am going to implement tomorrow. I might have to switch from missile to ball, I'm not sure yet.
Oddly enough, I won't be able to test two player really well till I get my Harmony cartridge in so that will be next week sometime I hope. Depends on when Albert can get them in the mail.
Hopefully tomorrow nights update will be more progressive and exciting than tonights.
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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HAHAHAHAH if the card is not formatted correctly it displays an blue and red Yin-Yang? Thats awesome!!!
. . . . better than the *&[email protected]#*( blue screen I get at work every few days!!!
-Disjaukifa
The yin-yang spinner indicates that the cart is busy. Sounds like it is waiting endlessly for the SD card.
We will release an instruction sheet soon.
Still that is better than some dull loading bar
. Also just to double check I know the Harmony can do 2k, 4k, 8k, 8kSC, 16k, 16kSC, 32k, and 32kSC. The Melody will be able to do the same correct?Thanks
-Disjaukifa
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Ok here is the second post I promised. Here is a list of what I did:
-Animated Title Screen
-Programmed Game Select Menu (No matter which is select it automatically goes to Single Player)
-Add Animated game ending however its not programmed to come up yet (bank2 has a whopping 266 bytes of space left)
All I really did tonight was comestics, I didn't feel like tackling anything else tonight, I wanted to just work on something easy. I tried to implement shared sprites like the tutorial here Post #21 but I could never get it to work, I spent 2 hours on it so I then decided I would just work on other simpler stuff, I'm tired so I tackled the easy stuff.
If you are at the title screen, you hit the "fire" button to get to the game selection screen. At the game selection screen you hit the Game Select button the console to scroll through the different game modes and "fire" and soon to be "reset" to select a mode you want to play. Again noting that only Single Player Mode is hit at the moment. That will change tomorrow.
Here are some screen shots and the .bin file.
Download it, mess with it and let me know what you think!!!
Tomorrow night I am going to at least try to tackle the Two Player Coop (as it is easy to program).
Thanks guys!
-Disjaukifa
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Batari and I are assembling the Harmony carts in my hotel room right now!! Here's the first labeled and tested cart!
Get to batari's booth early because these will surely go fast!!!
..Al
Hey
I bought a copy of Harmony cartridge at the portland retro
I am trying right now, but no matter what I do, it keeps stock on this blue and red Yin-Yang thing
can I somehow get some instruction?
what kind of format should I format this memory card? Does that matter? I am on a MAC
Does it have a limitation on card size?
thanks,
Kyle
HAHAHAHAH if the card is not formatted correctly it displays an blue and red Yin-Yang? Thats awesome!!!
. . . . better than the *&[email protected]#*( blue screen I get at work every few days!!!
-Disjaukifa
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Hey,
I am just going to be really quick, I have a lot of other stuff want to get done with this tonight. Here is the latest build. I will post again in a few hours. Changes:
-Title Screen
-change game from 4k to 16kSC (Thank goodness the Melody can take up to 32kSC)
-pfres is 28 now I think
I will post again later tonight. Enjoy!!! I love bank switching, its actually making everything easier in a weird way.
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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Check out the shared sprite data example in this thread: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/109288-code-snippets-samples-for-bb-beginners/
RevEng, that is exactly what I was looking for. I had looked in that thread before I asked but somehow I missed it. I can't tell you how much code that is going to save me!!!.
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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Yes, we are releasing Windows, Linux and OS X versions.
Java based software?
I think it's C++. The GUI is written in QT4 which I understand works under multiple platforms.
I can expand on that part. It's in C++ with Qt4. The GUI partly comes from KrokCom (which I still haven't released) and the autodetection stuff from Stella, which were both written in C++. And the actual programming code itself is in C, so it made sense to just use C++. Porting to Java would have been even more work. The software will be released under the GPL/v3, and will be available in 32-bit versions for Windows and OSX, and 32/64-bit for Linux. Obviously, it will require the Qt4 libraries. These will be included in the Windows and OSX ports. Linux users can just install them from their distro repositories.
Wow thanks for the info and all the hard work on the software and hardware!!!
-Disjaukifa
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Hey Guys,
I have a different question, but this is something I have been wondering. Lets say I have a two player game and both players are going to look exactly the same, is there a way I can write a subroutine or generic player that player0 and player1 could be assigned?
For instance have something like this
player:
%11111111
%10000001
%10000001
%10000001
%10000001
%10000001
%10000001
%11111111
end
player0=player
player1=player
I trying to figure out how to reuse code instead of having to copy could which takes up alot of space very quickly.
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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Funny little game, its just the same level repeating but still I like it, its fun. Can't wait to play it again once you have updated it.
-Disjaukifa
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Yes, we are releasing Windows, Linux and OS X versions.
Java based software?
Could be C or C++ programmed and compiled with the GNU tools . . . but yeah Java would be the easiest to port . . . because there is no porting really.
-Disjaukifa
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Any chance that this software will be Mac compatible? If not again the SD won't be difficult to do.
-Disjaukifa
Yes, we are releasing Windows, Linux and OS X versions.
:!: :!: :!: :!: ITS A DREAM COME TRUE :!: :!: :!: :!:
Batari you just made my day
and I have not had a good day at all 
!!!!!Thanks
Disajukifa
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The Harmony is not programmed to write to the SD card. Maybe Chris can say for sure, but while (I think) it may be theoretically possible to write a program for the microcontroller with driver support on the PC side that could write files to the SD, it would be difficult to do, and it would be slow. The cart uses a USB-to-serial chip and its maximum speed (limited by the microcontroller) is a fraction of even USB 1.0, much less that of USB 2.1. You are better off writing the SD with a card reader.
Yes, the Harmony driver is entirely read-only for the SD card. This was necessary to fit the driver in the limited space available. Also, it is safer as there is less chance of the SD card contents getting corrupted. As batari has pointed out, it would be very slow to write to the SD card through the Harmony. It is much better just to write to the SD card on a PC instead. I suspect most people won't modify the contents of their SD cards very often. For development, it is probably better just to flash the game directly onto the Harmony, rather than using the SD card.
Chris
How does the Flash work? I am in the process of writing two Homebrews for the 2600, and I will be using the Harmony for development for the most part (I hate testing with keyboard controls
). Its easy enough for me to just use an SD card, but I am curious about the flash as well.Thanks
Disjaukifa
Harmony has 32k of flash, and this can be programmed through USB with a single game image so it will run the game without the SD even inserted. When we release the programming software, there will be a "development" tab that will facilitate this process. When you are finished developing, you may reprogram the multicart BIOS and use SD cards again.
Any chance that this software will be Mac compatible? If not again the SD won't be difficult to do.
-Disjaukifa
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The Harmony is not programmed to write to the SD card. Maybe Chris can say for sure, but while (I think) it may be theoretically possible to write a program for the microcontroller with driver support on the PC side that could write files to the SD, it would be difficult to do, and it would be slow. The cart uses a USB-to-serial chip and its maximum speed (limited by the microcontroller) is a fraction of even USB 1.0, much less that of USB 2.1. You are better off writing the SD with a card reader.
Yes, the Harmony driver is entirely read-only for the SD card. This was necessary to fit the driver in the limited space available. Also, it is safer as there is less chance of the SD card contents getting corrupted. As batari has pointed out, it would be very slow to write to the SD card through the Harmony. It is much better just to write to the SD card on a PC instead. I suspect most people won't modify the contents of their SD cards very often. For development, it is probably better just to flash the game directly onto the Harmony, rather than using the SD card.
Chris
How does the Flash work? I am in the process of writing two Homebrews for the 2600, and I will be using the Harmony for development for the most part (I hate testing with keyboard controls
). Its easy enough for me to just use an SD card, but I am curious about the flash as well.Thanks
Disjaukifa
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I just thought I remember reading it had a usb cable, maybe it was something else.
You can reprogram the cart via USB for a bug fixed or improved BIOS (menu, driver etc.).
Yes, and there will be an update before too long (I forgot to include the code to improve 7800 compatibility, for example.)
Do you know if the Harmony will work MicroSD card with an SD adapter?
For some reason I don't have SD cards, just MicroSD with the adapter for SD.
Some will work, but microSD is not required to support the protocol we are using, so compatibility with microSD is not guaranteed. MMC cards may work as well, but these also are not required to support the protocol and may be too slow for the driver, so no guarantees here either.
All SD cards should work, however.
FWIW, I am using a Sandisk microSD on one without problems. If you have name-brand cards, you are probably fine. When you get your Harmony, if you can report what microSD cards you have and whether they work or not, that may help others in the future.
Actually all of mine are Sandisk as well but I can test out all of them and let you know what works and what does.
As a funny side note. I was looking for a 4 megabyte SD card online . . . and all I could find was 4 gigabyte. I think I have a 16mb SD card somewhere in my house, which I might use for the harmony, but its funny, you really can't buy new at least anything under 256 megabyte for SD and MicroSD.
-Disjaukifa
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How about this?
Take the 6 switch console and leave it as is, but use the Vader top, and pop out the original 4 hole insert and use the 6 hole insert instead. You would have to paint or actually just use a dry cloth and rub hard to remove the orange paint. That way no holes to drill and relatively simple. At least it seems that way to me, but then I just got up.
That's exactly what I mean. As for the holes I can live with the two difficulty switch holes, the A/B expert/novice wording on top forms a handy guide!
I think that would work, hahah wow a Darth Vader Heavy Sixer :!: I would still see if you could find a way to cover up the holes, but if you don't care don't worry about. The question now is who is going to do this mod and post pictures
.-Disjaukifa
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The Harmony is not programmed to write to the SD card. Maybe Chris can say for sure, but while (I think) it may be theoretically possible to write a program for the microcontroller with driver support on the PC side that could write files to the SD, it would be difficult to do, and it would be slow. The cart uses a USB-to-serial chip and its maximum speed (limited by the microcontroller) is a fraction of even USB 1.0, much less that of USB 2.1. You are better off writing the SD with a card reader.Hey Batari,
I'm not sure I remember reading this or not, does it have a place where you can connect a USB cable to the cartridge to talk with the SD or did I just come up with that out of thin air (I vaguely remember reading something along those lines . . . .)
Thanks
Disjaukifa
Thats fine, its easy enough to pull it out and stick the SD card in a reader, I just thought I remember reading it had a usb cable, maybe it was something else.
Do you know if the Harmony will work MicroSD card with an SD adapter?
For some reason I don't have SD cards, just MicroSD with the adapter for SD.
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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Yet another question... (sorry)
What is the limit for characters on the names of the .bin files.
For instance, a lot of .bin files look like this:
Artillery Duel (1983) (Xonox - K-Tel Software, John Perkins) (6230, 7210, 06004, 99004) ~.bin
Will that be a problem for the menu?
(Did I mention I am so excited?)
No problem with super-long filenames. However, only the first 24 characters will be displayed in the current version of the menu.
Another thing I should point out is that you may not be able to tell from the menu whether the binary is NTSC or PAL as that is usually at the end of the filename. If you select a game in the wrong TV format, the screen may roll. I recommend deleting the files that you can't use (I personally used Windows "find files or folders" on the SD card, searched for files containing "PAL" and deleted them.)
Hey Batari,
I'm not sure I remember reading this or not, does it have a place where you can connect a USB cable to the cartridge to talk with the SD or did I just come up with that out of thin air (I vaguely remember reading something along those lines . . . .)
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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I voted for Sears 6-switch... my original console as a kid was a Sears light sixer, and I now have a Sears heavy sixer. The Jr. would probably come in second... from when my original one broke in the 80s until I picked up the heavy earlier this year I used two Jrs.
I just sold my 2600 Jr, I liked the look of the console and it worked really well, there is just something about having 6 metal switches that you can hear go "CLICK" that I enjoy.
-Disjaukifa
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Hey Guys,
I just had an idea that just hit me :!: I'm pretty sure this will push the cartridge into 8K game range but it would be well worth it. For those of you that have downloaded and tried what I have now, do you think it was be fun to also have a two player mode to see who can last the longest?
It won't be that difficult to program and I think it would be fun to play against someone else as well!!! Let me know what you think. Tonight I am going to be working on programming the console switches (can't test that till I get my Harmony in next week), making title screens (simple), and adding a two player mode.
I'm even thinking about making it a 16K game just because I have some neat ideas for animation but animation takes up space.
Let me know what you think, I will post another binary tonight with what I have been able to accomplish!
UPDATE:
I had a thought that I could do 3 game modes, 1 Player, 2 Player VS, 2 Player COOP. Here is some sketches in paint I did. Its pretty straight forward:
Thanks
Disjaukifa
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How about this?
Take the 6 switch console and leave it as is, but use the Vader top, and pop out the original insert and use the 6 hole insert instead. You would have to paint or actually just use a dry cloth and rub hard to remove the orange paint. That wa no holes to drill and relatively simple. At least it seems that way to me, but then I just got up.
I think that would work . . . but the open holes in the back of the machine would really bother me . . . maybe you could fiberglass it or something to fix it.
-Disjaukifa
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Atomic Meltdown <-- my new homebrew game
in batari Basic
Posted
Yeah I need to add sound in general ... its on the list of things to do, and to be honest its going to be one of the last. I know I have gone against what I like to do programming wise, but I consider the sound part of what Random Terrain calls "The Clean-Up Phase" which comes after the game dynamics are finished, all the levels are designed and the game is full functional (everything has been implemented).
The Clean-Up Phase is where you spend your time refining the colors, sounds, graphics, timings, etc. It is what truly can make a game go from good to great.
-Disjaukifa