RKGames

I think i painted myself into a corner with the shadows, but i have an idea on how to implement and minimize flicker. I'll have to ask NewColeco if he is aware of any priority the coleco gives to sprite numbers? i thought i read somewhere that sprites 1-4 get top priority and will not flicker???

Here is this weeks Update http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_idmrjwL80 For this weeks update i show off the new AV Modded Coleco Vision and more some game improvements such as the Stage cleared screen and also 3 player trains on screen at the same time. PLEASE NOTE: the player will only start each level with 1 train and gain a extra train car on each pass of the start point, i forced the game to 3 cars for testing only! just wanted to mention that before i got lots of emails. Thanks again for the support of this game! we are very close to enjoying Side Trak on the coleco finally!

Thanks! it's really great to see the game coming along! we are getting much closer to a release! still got some stuff to add and tweak but we are getting there! Russ

Looks great! When you spoke of how difficult the game feels now that it is more playable it had me thinking that you might consider slowing down the enemy train for one of the difficulty levels. Of course, you probably thought of that already. But the game looks fantastic! I totally agree! i'm planning on making the enemy train slower for easier levels and increasing the speed slowely on later levels. it's funny cause i didnt even add any chase logic to the enemy, it does a great job of finding you already and making the game hard! funny how i guess i dont need to code for that now. Russ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxd_NabUIuo Here is my weekly youTube update on Side Trak! I got much more of the track switching logic written, looks really cool when you watch it play now! Got lots more to do, but enjoy for now! Russ

If you use the music version that uses all the 4 sound channels, you'll hear a lot of cuts in the singing part each time you get a new passenger, but it's totally possible to use it for the game... depending on what you consider more adequate. I personnaly think that the 3 channels version should stay for the game, and maybe use the 4 channels version for something else like the title screen. Yep, you're right Daniel, 3 channels is best, taking passenger will cut the song anyway Russ, this's why Daniel made it like this at first, thinking you'll use the other channel for passengers SFX Thanks Dan! I'll use the full version for the title screen! send over the source when you get a chance I could also use a explosion sfx if at all possible for the crash. Other then that, i think music and sfx are nearly all done?! Russ

Awesome revision of the music Dan! If you want to send over the source i can add to the game! Take care, Russ

Okay, so the joystick controls the switches (which means there's always only four switches on the entire screen) and the joystick button controls the breaks on the train? Yes, you would use the 2 triggers to speed up and slow down the train, while using the 4 way directional (joystick) to activate the track switches. the track can be switches when the train is within 2-3 (8x8) chars from that switch, simply hold down the direction in the way you want the trak to switch and that's it. I made sure it plays like the arcade in that respect. It's weird at first but i got half-way decent at playing it. once i get the top/bottom switching to work the game will be alot more playable hope this helps clear up things.

Mucho cool stuff, Russ! I've never played the arcade version up until now, so I'm a little confused about the gameplay: How does the player alter the tracks as the train moves along? I saw you running along in circles many times, seemingly unable to alter the junctions points when you needed to. Does this mean there's some kind of feature that limits the influence of the player on these junction points? Thanks for the kind words! I'm still coding in all the possible track switch scenarios and haven't got around to the top and bottom joystick press switches yet. that is mainly why it was so tricky trying to complete a level with only left and right working in the video. I'm going to complete all joystick trak switching by next weekend so the game should be fully playable then in that respect. after that i got to add multiple train cars for the player and then the arrange mode options. Russ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpZUj4yNeME Here is my youTube update for Side Trak's progress for the week! Russ

I was planning on allowing for a music toggle with the num pad (likely the # or 0 key) but would keep the sfx intact for those who choose for no BGM. I personally love the music and think it really adds to the game!!!! I agree 2 roms would be overkill, i just wanted to see if that was something you felt was needed but it sounds like no which i'm fine with. Thanks for the input everyone!

I also like the authentic feel including cart and box etc. I hear ya! I too would like to keep the game as close to the abandonware version, which is why i'm working on an arrange mode (like in the playstation remakes of classic games, they will have original mode and arrange mode) where the arrange mode has better graphics, music ect. this way we got both versions on 1 cart. However releasing 2 carts would be interesting??!?!?!?! I'm always open to suggestions, not to mention we will need to see what collector vision says seeing that they are publishing it! My end goal is to own the game i always wanted on cart, so i'm glad either way that it's coming true, but would love to hear what others think about me putting 2 versions on the cart! Russ

Amazing work Dan, its does sound like sid music on the coleco, very cool! I'm cool with the song in the game is everyone else thinks its a good fit! I'm glad it slightly strays away from the original song to make it unique! Making some nice progress this week everyone! I'll hope to post a video on the weekend so keep watching my youtube channel! Russ

I've noticed that some people playing mame on youtube are using cheats in the videos. This helps me a lot in some games I might do that have a ton of levels and are hard to get to yourself. You might be able to find and use a cheat for side trak to end the level or give you lots of lives, that kind of thing. Edit: ok I finished a level. It plays 1 annoying sound 3 times then goes into the spectacular "Bonus" screen pictured here Enemy train starts out faster on 2nd level. Awesome! thanks for the help! I did not put the increased speed of the enemy train into consideration, but will now! good to know!! My stage clear screen is much nicer then

Agreed! Thanks again Dan for the help and the great tools to make the game possible! Russ

Hey everyone! Thanks for all the great support with the game! I have a BIG request for the group here! I've been playing the game on mame and simply can not finish a level, I got close a few times, what a hard game this really is! If anyone is interested in video capturing a level complete screen from mame and post on youtube that would be awesome! i already have a nice little stage cleared screen but wanted to see if the arcade did something better?! I made more progress last night! the game is getting there!

Made some great progress on Side Trak this week, check out my latest video showing my updates for the week! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j09CNU4rWA Russ

I agree with retroillucid. I'm fully expecting the game rom to be freely available once the cartridges are sold to those who want a complete cartridge for their collection! It's always been a dream of mine to own a copy of side trak on cartridge, but i also want the coleco community to enjoy the game as well in rom form. All i ask is be patient, it will be worth the wait! I got some super cool bonus stuff planned for the game (including an arranged mode with new levels/backgrounds). I'm hoping to max out all the space i can in the rom.

Thanks for the kind words and interest in my conversion of Side Trak everyone. It looks like the game should be released on cartridge after all I'll keep everyone posted on my progress and will post some video on my youTube channel when i reach major milestones! I still got alot of retooling, coding and graphics to do for the final game. After seeing all the interest the video on youTube made, it gave me that extra push i needed to finish the game once and for all. Thanks again everyone, hopefully the game will live up to everyone expectations?! Russ