fdr4prez

2024-05-12T17:55:48Z

1 hour ago, cmart604 said:

Sounds like a lot of talk that has nothing to do with showing us the overlays. 😞

I suspect that many third-party overlays would be supported.

Such as these:

Thursday at 05:30 PM

Do these two thumbsticks look the same?

They are from different manufacturers, so you can see that the body is a little different, so what's the deal?

Well, one fits on my board and the other doesn't fit.

Why so?

well, look at that. One footprint is larger than the other footprint.

So instead of choosing just one manufacturer, why can't I support both?

After drilling a few more holes on my board, i can now use either:

Now no one can say that I am not flexible.

Wednesday at 02:46 PM

24 minutes ago, Crash7 said:

Maybe that's why in the same deck I couldn't run the coleco games, as it says on the box not for use with intellivision 2, but if I jimmied with it a little bit sometimes I could get the venture to work

No, that is a design feature of the Intellivison 2 - it was designed to block third-party carts, so that's why it is not working.

Then the third-party people simply bypassed it and released carts that do work on Inty2 units.

Wednesday at 02:45 AM

49 minutes ago, cmart604 said:

This is all cool and stuff Frank, but I'm yet to see pics of the box art, manuals and overlays. Cmon man! Pics of packaging or it didn't happen.

The marketing department is taking care of all that.

Now I just need to find a marketing team.

28 minutes ago, evg2000 said:

i was talking to him, each one will be custom. the box will be whatever shopping bag he has at the time; target walmart, etc. the instructions will each be hand written and illustrated. it will awesome! jk

Well, I am sure I can reuse some Amazon boxes...

The used shopping bags aren't good for the environment, so at least I can claim to be green.

Tuesday at 07:00 PM

I am finally not traveling, at least for this week and next week.

I'll rewire my dpad this week and give it a test.

May 7

2 hours ago, nanochess said:

24 hours to go!

If we ended the contest right now, one game would get the first place, three would be tied in the second place, and three would be tied in the third place! 😱

We might need some overtime

May 6

We had a historic photo-finish at the Kentucky Derby this last weekend and a historic photo-finish at the NASCAR race, yesterday, too.

Now this!

They're all neck-and-neck coming around the final turn!

:indy:

May 3

I remember that one.

Good stuff.

Bad genes in that bloodline

May 3

I played XCOM2 - TFTD back then, but I didn't get too far. I didn't like the fact the in XCOM you built up all this neat tech by the end of the game, but in XCOM2 you basically started over in regards to tech

I've not played anything newer in that franchise and I've not played the other UFO games before.

There's a neat little UFO game for android named Grabatron.

it is now available for free if you search around for the Grabatron APK and assuming you know how to install APK on your phone (some people don't know how).

May 2

4 hours ago, 82-T/A said:

And I remember now that I have actually played Pools of Radiance - Ruins of Myth Drannor. I would creepily wait in the parking lot of my Catholic church (while my daughter was in Sunday School, which was on Tuesday nights oddly enough), and I'd play on a small laptop, Pool of Radiance... this one, not the old Gold Box Series game. I got fairly far in it, but I screwed something up, and cannot find a key with which to open a door that will allow me to go on to the next "area." I can't even recall exactly what... but the key is gone, and now I'm screwed. So I don't think there's anything I can do... even though I wanted to complete the game (sigh).

I played this a few years ago.

It was quite the dungeon crawl. All hack-n-slash with minimal story. Not much replay value.

at least with BG, IWD and ToEE, you can play to your alignment (for the most part) and the story engagement varies accordingly, and your dialog choices can have dire consequences.

On a non-D&D aside, have you played or heard of X-COM: UFO Defense - Wikipedia it was my first PC game that I really played back in the day.

The opening is quite good.

Gameplay is quite in-depth.

May 2

On 4/30/2024 at 7:16 AM, 82-T/A said:

To be completely honest, I only really know AD&D 2e... and we had Thaco and negative armor class. I did play an actual D&D game a couple of years ago (remotely) with some friends using 3.5. I couldn't really tell you the difference between 5e and 3.5e.

2nd Edition:
BG1
BG2
BG: Siege of Dragonspear
IWD

3rd Edition:
BG: Dark Alliance
BG: Dark Alliance 2
IWD 2

Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor

Neverwinter Nights

3.5 Edition:
Temple of Elemental Evil

Neverwinter Nights 2

5th Edition:
BG3

May 2

1 hour ago, 82-T/A said:

@fdr4prez, I do have a Dual Pentium II machine with Windows 98 SE and all the good stuff in it (Sound Blaster 16 ASP, Roland SCC-1, etc.). But GOG pre-loads all the stuff like DOSBOX and everything, so the games will likely run fine on my current modern PC

Yes, since you have them from GoG, then you are good to go for modern systems.

As Tanooki mentions, the Dark Alliance versions were originally made made for PS2 era consoles.

I've never played them.

Dragonspear is a newer developed game that was written in the style of BG1 and it takes place between BG1 and BG2.

I've not played that one either.

I have played Icewind Dale and Icewind Dale 2. They are both similar to BG, but the main key difference is that in the BG series you play with a single player character with NPCs joining your party to help you out, but in the IWD series you create a party (up to 6) and there are no joinable NPCs.

The IWD storyline is less flexible (or more linear) compared to the BG series.

The IWD games had less community mods, bitd, but I think there are EE versions on GoG. I've not played those versions.

May 2

54 minutes ago, newtmonkey said:

I found most of the companions to pretty annoying, but you can create your own party by setting up a fake multi-player game, and that's how I played through the game.

Nice trick. I recall talk of this bitd, but I never tried it.

May 2

On 4/29/2024 at 8:16 PM, nanochess said:

In my book Advanced Game Programming for Intellivision, I've included source code to convert WAV samples to samples playable with the internal sound chip (no Intellivoice required)

However, this uses so much memory that typically only a single phrase can be included. I used this in Frankenstein's Monster cartridge edition, where the doctor shouts "It's alive!"

Can you post a video clip, or just a small sample rom file, of the "it's alive" so for anyone here who doesn't have the cart can hear what you've done?

May 2

Yeah, give them a try.

If you have the original release of BG1 and BG2, then i don't know if they'd run on modern systems, but if you have an old rig then give it a shot.

I've not played either in a dozen years, or more.

Take note that the battles are not turned based, so it takes some getting used to. If I recall, you can make scripts to automate some things, and I think you can activate a setting to "pause at the end of the turn" - or something like that. So then you can plan out the attack/spell/whatnot and then unpause and hope for the best.

I think that is the biggest turn off for me and why I've not replayed them over the years. for comparison, I do replay ToEE every once in a while.

of the two, I do like BG1 better. But in general BG2 was much more popular. It has more in it compared to BG1.

For BG1, there is a little known official expansion named Tales of the Sword Coast and it adds a few more areas to explore and expands on the story a bit.

For BG2, there is an official expansion called BG2: Throne of Bhaal and that starts right after the original BG2 game ends.

When you complete BG1, you can move that character to BG2, or you can start a new character in BG2. if i recall, even if you move your character from BG1 into BG2, your character is changed a bit to fall more in line with how the BG2 game starts and that storyline.

As I mentioned in a previous post, back in the day, there was a strong modding community for both games, and many of those mods have been added into the EE versions. I think that the Enhanced Edition versions, that wongojack mentions, are now the "standard" version people play on, and I've not been lurking in that community for 10+ years so I don't know much more about what's out there for the original or EE-versions.

If you have the original CDs, I'd imagine that some of these original mods are still floating around out there. I may have some of them still sitting on an old drive, but I can't promise. Some mods add character classes, some fix issues, some add NPCs, some change the enemy AI for tougher battles, etc.

I'd recommend first playing the original unmodded versions and if you want to change up the replay value then explore some of these mods.

April 30

2 hours ago, Peripheral said:

Just a quick question regarding one game's name "c" vs "k":

Is it Ms. Pacu Pacu or Ms. Paku Paku?

I'm guessing Pacu Pacu, but the original post uses Paku,

and the rom name also uses a k.

The original game's name that this is based off of is Paku Paku

April 30

Thanks.

Based on the gameplay discussions here, i will not be playing this game.

I enjoyed BG1 and BG2 when they were new, and there were many home-brew type of add-ons for these that i enjoyed, but this BG3 doesn't seem enjoyable now. For BG2, there was a "romance" add-on pack that I never installed. I don't play these games to roleplay romance.

The only CRPG i play these days is Temple of Elemental Evil from Troika. It is available on GoG.

It is an old game that didn't play well when it was first released, and Troika never quite fixed it, but due to the community support there is a nice fix+expansion for it by the Circle of Eight called The Circle of Eight Modpack - New Content (a purist can download the modpack without the New Content).

There is an even newer community effort named Temple+ that fixes a bunch more issues that Co8 couldn't fix, and the Temple+ adds more classes and spells, etc.

Get the ToEE from GoG, get the Co8 Modpack NC, and Temple+ for a complete package.

D&D 3.5e and turned based combat at its best!

April 30

43 minutes ago, nanochess said:

In my book Advanced Game Programming for Intellivision, I've included source code to convert WAV samples to samples playable with the internal sound chip (no Intellivoice required)

However, this uses so much memory that typically only a single phrase can be included. I used this in Frankenstein's Monster cartridge edition, where the doctor shouts "It's alive!"

neat, i was curious on how that was achieved. Very good.

April 29

I do not know what he means by "fit inside the computer module of the Intellivision 2"

April 27

I do not know anything about what you want to connect, but from what little I looked at things in the internet, this is how I'd do it:

You'd use an Arduino Pro Mini and you'd wire it to a 15-pin connector for your flight stick.

Then for the output, you have to use two optoisolators (LVT-846) to keep the circuit isolated from the console, and have the 9-pin cable wired to the optoisolators.

You need to add some resistors to the Arduino output pins going to the isolators - one resistor per Arduino output, and the size is dependent on if you use a 5v Pro Mini or a 3.3v Pro Mini.

If you use a 5v Pro Mini, then using 200-ohm resistors is needed.

If you use a 3.3v Pro Mini, then using 100-ohm resistors is needed.

You can power the Arduino using the microUSB port using a phone charger wall adapter, or you can wire to the RAW/GND pins and you can use a power wall wart up to 12v DC.

This shows an Intv2 cable connection.

Now you just need to learn to write the Arduino code.

There are plenty of samples on the internet for using thumbsticks on an arduino. Then you just need to write the code to handle the XY mapping to the 16-directions and the button presses, and the appropriate outputs to the console.

April 27

13 hours ago, tripletopper said:

One final question.

You said you didn't want to do other projects.

But are you willing to allow what you publish to be used by someone else to create a derivative product, yet not an exact clone?

My question is if I get someone to read what you published so far on this, do I have your permission to have this person make a pc-15 game port connected version of a 16-way Intellivision joystick adapte

In other words, do you okay him looking at what you've already typed and if he is able to easily make the substitution between two axis analog stick directly wired like you're doing, and pc15 game port control input, like what I want, are you okay with that?

Just checking.

Please look at your thread.

April 26

4 hours ago, tripletopper said:

Can an analog pc15 be read just as easily as an analog stick? If so, I can have someone who is knowledgeable in that wire up a one of those converter chips programmed to be a Game Port 15 to INTV2 converter. I understand north south east and west are four separate pins and there's two pins for what fraction of a right angle there is in between the press and a reference angle. So it could be 1/4, 2/4, or 3/4 as the positions between the Cardinals. Starting at one Cardinal and either going clockwise or counterclockwise from the "reference angle".

If it's just a simple as replacing an actual physical thumb analog stick with a PC 15 game port interface that would be an interesting sub-product that would come out of this. An Intellivision controller interface for those who like large sticks instead of handheld pads.

Then instead of the three buttons being actuated by physical button presses they could be actuated by TRS 3.5 mm connectors so a handicap stick could be plugged in there. I assume the A B and C all represents the three physical buttons that are unique on the intellivision.

I could provide my own keypad with a DB9 y-adapter, a flashback controller, and the INTV2<->INTVFB converter in the right place and orientation.

You don't have to use a physical Genesis pad to house it. It could be housed in anything, any shape, that could fit a PC 15 game port and three TRS 3.5mm females, so could actually be cheaper because it doesn't have to be as exacting as a physical controller which demands precise placements to be ergonomically correct.

I am sure it's possible, but I know nothing about the items that you want to connect.

Again, this thread is about my development of the IntelliGamepad and any other topics are beyond the scope of this thread.

You have already started your own thread with your requests.

If someone can help you, then they can reply to that thread.

Please stay on topic for this thread.

April 25

On 4/25/2024 at 1:07 PM, tripletopper said:

Sorry. I just wanted to see if your design was flexible enough to make an easy to describe mod.

And also whether your joystick was a 16 way solution, or a 4 and 8 way solution. You seem to use some sort of analog to INTV2 pinout adapter, as your video shows 16 ways. May I know what you use for the 16 way to INTV2 translation so I can cobble a solution for myself/others?

it is 16-way.

it is taking an analog thumbstick and it goes into an Arduino Pro Mini (really just the Atmega 328P chip itself) that is running a program that is doing the mapping from the thumbstick, and it is looking for the button presses for the buttons that are on the controller.

The Arduino has 9 outputs that are going to the Intellivision.

You can see that all in the second picture of the first post.

April 25

2 hours ago, tripletopper said:

AmHello.

Explaining my sitch:

I have 3 INTVFB controllers.

I use an INTV1 with Flashback adapters

I am most used to arcade controls. My most used controller for all systems is an Xbox Adaptive that powers a digital fight stick.

If a game requires / is optimized for a 16-way stick, probably the easiest way to have 16 way control with a large joystick is to take a PC15 80s era flight stick with Thumb and index finger buttons, and convert that using whatever you're using to get 16 way. Can you easily convert a PC15 to INTV2 pinout using your method to divide the XY space in 16 wedges and one bullseye?

I was wondering if a DB9 Splitter with an INTVFB on one fork, and the other fork has a PC15 to INTV2 and 3 3.5mm TRS female for each of the 3 action buttons with a INTV2->INTVFB adapter cord that I provide would work.

If so, I'd like to buy something to make this work.

Also I recommend RetroGameBoyz.com for an 8-way/4 way adapter for certain games where that would be better. I bought their 5200 adapter. I'll buy theirs as a 4/8 way controller interface, and yours as a 16- way interface.

BTW Is there a reason to have a third or fourth controller? I have the Keyboard and add on. Which games are 4-player? I'm trying to see where I should sell my third INTVFB or buy a 4th INTV controller. I originally bought thinking of getting it "padhacked" for a fight stick PCB. Then I read about complications on doing that.

Thanks for your post.

This thread is to discuss the development of my hack of the Sega 3-button gamepad/controller and make a thumbstick compatible controller for the Intellivision.

Anything else is beyond the scope of this thread and my project.

April 24

On 9/1/2023 at 3:57 PM, fdr4prez said:

One downside to this concept is that the opening for the Dpad is very large and the thumbstick is a bit tall:

since the dpad hole is so large, there is really nothing to hold the thumbcap on to the joystick, so if you press too hard at the extreme movement range then it will pop off.

If this project moves forward, I will need to work on a 3D printed cover that will go over the stick that will hold the cap in place.

Even though I am not currently working on this project - i will complete my work on the IntelliStick, first - I have been thinking about this issue recently.

so I have printed this:

It fits right nicely into the case:

Fully installed:

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