Snider-man

No bullseyes yet, but above we have a near-miss or two. I now officially let all previous guessers to take a second guess as well as those who have not yet taken a shot. This message may or may not contain another hint as to the mystery game's identity.

Kaz, to take your anology to another direction... - I learned to drive before I bought a car. - I took typing classes before getting my first Smith Corona. - My folks went out and bought a Dell. THey have no idea how to use it. It sits in a box, unused. - A friend of mine sold a computer in the classified ads. It was bought by a little old lady who got pissed at him because he wouldn't sit down and teach her how a computer works, how to send e-mails, how to get on the "Innernet," etc. You're worried about gathering all of the hardware in front of your for cart burning/assembly. THAT'S THE EASY PART! When you get to that point, I can point you to EPROM vendors, Atari cart vendors, PCB vendors, hex inverter vendors, etc. Easy, easy, easy stuff to find. Learning how to program in the first place? THat's the hard part. Going out and buying a car when you don't know how to drive is possible, but kinda stupid. You're left with machinery you have no practical use you, you know? My point: Learn how a machine works before you even *think* about investing in one. And, since it's been made clear you never have to invest in an EPROM burner (Hozer, Junie, and others), the question is moot. Now crack open those ASM manuals and get to studying!

You can run the next giveaway SP60!

Hey kids! I had so much fun giving something away to an AtariAge newbie that I thought I'd do it again! Same deal as last time, only folks with fewer than *300* posts are now eligible. (I used 100 as the cutoff last time, but there are many newbies here who post a lot, but still have small collections. ) Here's how this round will work: you have to guess what game I'm giving away! The first person to correctly guess the "Giveaway Game" and post the correct answer in this thread wins that game! For example, if I had a copy of Adventure as the prize, then the first person with fewer than 300 posts who replied "Adventure" in this thread would win! (And, for the record, it's not "Adventure" too. ) I will ship this game anywhere in the world, so international newbies are invited to join in the fun. To keep things fair, only one guess per person. Guess twice or more, and you're disqualified - even if this game goes to extra rounds. Those who guess once may guess again later (at my discretion) if we don't have a winner in a reasonable amount of time. So make your first guess a good one. Here are a few hints: 1. The game is for the Atari 2600 (NSTC format) and was originally released in the U.S. As a special bonus, I also have the box and instructions that I'll throw in for the winner. 2. Although I think it's common to find/get ahold of (having seen them many times in the past), people have paid a pretty penny for it on eBay. Uncertain of the rarity rating, and wouldn't reveal it anyway if I knew. 3. There are several hints as to the game's identity hidden within the text of this message. So, that's it. Reply to this thread with the name of the Giveaway Game and you win it. Make sure you have fewer than 300 posts. First correct answer wins it. Good luck. P.S. There will be no further hints, as I feel I've already given too much away.

MLFB by Mansfield is the tome I have here too, Nukie. Got mine off eBay and was worth every penny I paid (about $10).

2/6/00? You bet your bippy I did. I honestly made an effort to play my 2600 as much as I could all day. Played Warlords with the wife. Beat Dragonstomper. Etc. It was a fun day of geeking out.

Hey! I haven't seen Adam's article in a while! But, yes Chris, that's what initially inspired me to mess around with 2600 coding.

6502...6507...they're the same thing....

Oh man, in the U.S., where we list the Month-Day-Year (rather than the European Day-Month-Year), we missed a glorious chance to celebrate classic gaming and computers. Yesterday was June 6, 2002. Written: 6/5/02 That's right. Yesterday was "6502."

Don't waste your time with an archiac old system like the 2600! You should be brainstorning for Sega, Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft. THAT'S where the real action is now-a-days! Here ya go: Nintendo Home Page Sony Home Page Microsoft Home Page Sega Home Page Dazzle them with your new, genre-defining ideas. Perhaps a fully-fleshed out gameworld will encourage them to join forces with ya. There's a chance the Big Boys will toss some programmers/designers/debuggers your way! I wish you luck.

You know what's fascinating about this specific thread? For a string of messages that started off as a pi**ing contest, there's been more helpful 2600 programming advice listed than ever before. Links, advice, step-by-steps, etc. all gathered into one neat place. This is the kind of thread that needs to be archieved so future "I wanna make a gamers" can be sent here to gather up the info they need.

If you want to send it to me, I could forward it! Seriously, I think I have his address and will forward it to you momentarily...

Uh Trey? I think that was a reference to the name "Atari Arts." Atari - the real Atari - would give them heck the first time they tried putting that name on any product. The name is still viable. IT's the same reason you can't make computer programs and call yourself "Microsoft Minions" or "Macintush."

Chad, Chris, and anyone else who thinks the 2600 "elitists" were tough on ol' Atari Arts/Idea Somethings, just follow me on this little trip in the WayBak Machine: First, there's this gem from the past: PROGRAMMER NEEDED Then this: Programmer needed for series of homebrew games And this: help me develop a game In other words, the approach AA used today happens a LOT. "Make my game for me." The 2600 programmers are *tired* of it. Every 3 or 4 months, it happens again. Yes, there could've been a bit more hand-holding and calm explanations as to why this is not a good idea and how you'll want to go about creating your wonderful game. Once it was pointed out - however brusquely - that this was a bad idea, turning around and attacking the very folks who KEEP THE 2600 COMMUNITY IN NEW GAMES was not exactly the brightest thing to do. It's like telling your driving instructor that they don't know what they're doing and you're a much better driver than they are. Guaranteed failure and a guaranteed bus pass for life. My point, let's have a little less shouting from everyone. More mutual respect. To some of you, I say "Shut up and listen to those who are experienced." To others (and I include myself in here), I say "Shut up and show the new guy a little support." And, c'mon everyone, hugs all around!

I'm still working on mine - have been for months. Still trying to grasp the nuances of ASM, trying to get the hang of cycle counting, trying to remember that "every bit is sacred," trying to get a simple freaking sprite to move the way I want it to move. I have spent hours of my life on this stupid project. But, the first time I actually got my playfield to pop up in an emulator - knowing that I had *made that happen* - made it all worthwhile. It's like learning to ride a bike, you fall down and bump your head a LOT. You'll wonder why you even wanted to try this. BUt, after the training wheels come off, there's a real sense of accomplishment. I'm barely at the beginning level, but I've had my share of "good-feeling-acheivements."

You serious? Fine. We'll treat you like you're serious. If you want to begin programming for the Atari 2600, you're going to need an assembler, a text editor, and an Atari emulator for starters. Here are some links that will take you to the programs you need: Nick's 2600 Programming Page "Complete" Guide to 2600 Programming You'll want to subscribe to the StellaLIst - where all the current 2600 programmers hang out and trade ideas. There's also an extensive archieve going back several years that shows the progress and thoughts that go into programming a game from scratch: The Stella List Archieves You'll also need to bookmark The Dig. This 2600 resourse collects snippits of code and kernals that have worked in the past. HOw you implement them into your own ASM program is up to you: The Dig - 2600 Code Archieves If - and that's a big goddamn "if" - you finish a game program, you can have Randy at Hozer Video Games burn it onto an EPROM for you. He'll even assemble the full carts and distribute the game if you wish. At this time, he's one of the chief suppliers of 2600 homebrews. Hozer Video Games You can also try Junie of Junie's Creations for your game production: Junies Creations There. You honestly have *everything* you need to begin programming, debugging, coding, and production of your project. I took a few minutes of my time assembling all of this info in one comprehensive message because you wanted to be taken seriously. Until you can come back with more than "I got an awesome idea" and can actually say "I'm trying to figure out why my HMOVE line isn't working in this kernal," no one will *ever* take you seriously. Go ahead. Start reading and compiling. Please prove me wrong. I wish you luck. If these links don't help, then you are in *way* over your head.

I *knew* I had heard of "Mob Rule before: Mob Rule game Not that this guy's concept is the same, but the name'll have to be changed regardless of what this eventually becomes. Copyright infringment on a registered trademarked product-type stuff.

My own ASM adventure can be summarized in one word: "Ugh." But I'm not giving up. In fact, I'm just about ready to sit down again and give my pet project my full attention. Should have *something* different to brag about soon. Thanks for asking!

Creating a 2600 cart from scratch? OK, here's a post I made back in Dec. when Atari 70s kept begging for someone to program his "great game idea:'' Hey '70s, I think the problem you're gonna encounter is one of sheer magnitude. Asking someone to "jumpstart you" in assembly programming is kinda like asking someone to "write the first 5 chapter of my new novel and I'll write the last few myself." Programming for the 2600 is such a daunting task that most folks don't have the weeks/months needed to do this for you. Oh sure, experienced programmers will be there to suggest changes in your code and perhaps will debug some of it. But writing a beginning kernal for you? Ain't gonna happen, my friend. My suggestion is to take a HUGE step back. You apparently bit off more than you can chew right off the bat. Learn how to simply change graphics in an pre-existing Atari game using Editgfx and Showgfx. Once you can do that, move on to just tinkering with building a playfield on the 2600 - no sprites, sound, or movement. Just try to draw a simple picture using playfield gfx. (There's a ton of info on how to do this. You just have to force yourself to reading all you can on the subject. there are like 5 websites with simple info on this very topic. Look for "How to Draw a Playfield.") Next, see if you can puzzle out how to draw a simple player character (by simple I mean an un-animated box like from Adventure) and see if you can have it move back and forth horizontally with simple joystick movement. Now, tinker with the enemy sprites. Now, try a missle. Now try to combine all these kernals with appropriate cycle counting (a whole big can of worms itself). Unless you can master - or at least comprehend - how these different facets work, are programmed, and fit into a program, you're fighting an uphill battle. The programmers are a very helpful lot and will do whatever they can to encourage and assist. But you're on your own as far as a beginning kernal. I wish you luck, but it's gonna take a lot of study and sweat on your part to get going. Trust me, I've been there. (I'm still there...) Snider-man So, I wouldn't *even* bother with cart cases, EPROMS, hex inverters, bvurners, etc. until you learn the basics of programming in assembly language. Not Basic, not QBasic, not C++, not anything BUT ASM. If you can't grasp this first fundemental step, the other stuff is just hardware. Hope this helps.

Little off-topic, but here goes... Had to put things on hold while I took care of more pressing, time-consuming, business (week-long business trip that takes a month to prepare for, other hobby projects that had preference/immedience,etc.) Now that I've cleaned off my plate, I plan to get re-crackin'. Hope to have something to show at CGE. Not for sale, just for display. Hope to have an update to my site soon. Signed up for a re-direction URL, so here's a newer, cooler address: www.theravenousdead.areevil.com

Pitbull, congrats on the great score.... ...and you suck because of your great score.

Nope, this is from my own collection. Had it for years.

Never thought to question the country of origin, but a deal's a deal. E-mail your address to me and I'll get these out to you this week.

Hey gang, I thought I'd do something nice for some of the newbies that are still trying to "pump up" their collections. I'll ship two Atari carts - Pitfall II and Lost Luggage - to the first newbie that replies "Sniderman is the greatest" to this post. Postage is included in this deal. It'll cost ya nothing. Now then, only folks with fewer than 50 posts to their name are eligible. That'll insure it's a newbie. Also, these carts are cosmetically in horrid shape. The Pitfall II label is torn and marked with a Magic Marker. The Lost Luggage end label is missing and the screws are showing. Both have writing on the label. My point is, these are WORTHLESS on eBAy. So, if you think you'll just win 'em and sell 'em, they're worth $1 each - tops. But both are tested and working, so it's a good way to give a new guy a couple of carts they probably won't find for a while. So, who's the lucky winner?

It's not been released yet, Rob. You haven't missed anything yet.