Dionoid

Thanks for reporting the issue! I noticed the same glitch during the first review on the ZeroPage livestream two weeks ago. I found the bug and fixed it (together with some other minor issues) and I'll release a new version during the ZeroPage Homebrew livestream next week Wednesday, when Doodle Jump is revisited. Things you can expect in the coming update: After you die, the score stays visible until you press the fire button Bug fixed where occasionally it looked like you got pushed off a platform (this is the "teleport" that you noticed) Bug fixed where it seemed you could jump on a platform below the visible screen Bug fixed where collision-detection on the edge of a platform was sometimes a bit off Added support for the reset button Bonus points for jumping on a springs The game is now a 2K ROM instead of a 4K ROM Speed-up for the PAL version (so now it plays as fast as the NTSC version) Support for different types of platforms... I'll post the updated version here in the original post. Thanks! Dion

...I actually used Word to do the spellchecking for me :-) But I can see you also corrected some of the same errors. Cheers, Dion

Having more RAM memory in the '2600 would allow programs to use techniques like self-modifying code (which is fairly common in Commodore 64 programs). This speeds up loops and lookups and could maybe allow you to do add extra game-elements while "racing the beam".

A few days ago I got myself a second 2600 Woody "Light Sixer". I noticed that the woodgrain lines/patterns are different on my two machines (see photo attached). Searching for pictures of other woody 2600 consoles, I didn't found a single one that matched the woodgrain patterns of one of my machines. Does every 2600 woody really has a unique woodgrain panel? Seems unlikely, right? But then why can't I find two machines with identical patterns?

Hi, I know this is an old thread, but like to know if cycle 73/74 HMOVE's are considered safe for all Atari models. I have successfully tested cycle 73 HMOVE's on several machines, including a PAL 2600 Jr made in China (this model is mentioned in this thread as being a machine that doesn't like late cycle HMOVE's).

...now that you've changed your profile picture, that cool soldier on the back of your book doesn't link back anymore. Anyway, it's good to see that you are happy with the book! :-) Cheers, Dion

I really like this game! Simple and addictive :-) Question: what tools did you use to build your game? --Dion

Hi doug0909, nice to hear you like the game! I might experiment with paddle controllers, but I'll probably stick with joystick for now. The acceleration/deceleration is important in this game, and I'm not sure if paddles will do a better job than regular joystick (my hands always get tired after playing the paddles for a while) About the suggestion to use the paddles just for left/right (as in breakout) for this game probably doesn't do the gameplay good. But I'll give it a try anyway. That said: I'm still working on smoothing the horizontal acceleration/deceleration. Thanks for the excellent feedback, easmith! I didn't think of changing the background to indicate progress, that is an easy fix :-) Points 1, 2 and 4 will be added to the game for sure. Cheers, Dion

A guy named B. Mitchell just sent me a video showing he scored a perfect 99,999. The video footage is a bit shady however...

...more than 7 years have passed since the start of this topic, but I took up the challenge to create Doodle Jump for the Atari 2600! The alpha version can be downloaded from here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/279286-doodle-jump-2600-alpha-version/ Cheers, Dion

Thanks for your feedback! I do have an algorithm in place to limit the size of the 'gaps', but I'm still optimizing that. But looking at your screenshot: are you aware that the left and the right of the screen are connected (just as in the Doodle Jump game for your smartphone)? So it's easy to reach the platforms on the left of the screen when you jump off the right edge of the screen :-) And the score can go up to 99,999 ! (not sure what happens after that though :-) --Dion

Hi, I'm currently working on Doodle Jump for the Atari 2600 (see screenshot below). FYI: I initially planned to build this game for the Commodore 64, but after reading "Racing the Beam" a couple of months ago, I decided to buy myself an old Atari VCS and learn to program this strange, limited but wonderful machine :-) I've got the basics of the game working: i.e. bouncing Doodler, vertically scrolling platforms, score at the top and occasional springs that give your jumps a boost. However I'd like some feedback on playability. I've included both the PAL and NTSC rom files for you to play with. The NTSC version looks fine in Stella, but when I play it on my TV (using a Harmony cartridge) the colors look weird. I guess that makes sense as my machine is an Atari 2600 PAL version. Is there anyone that can test this rom on a real NTSC machine and TV? I'll be improving the game in the coming weeks (adding a high-score feature is high on my list), but first I need to do some refactoring to keep the code clean and structured. Thanks!! --Dion doodle_jump_2600_PAL.bin doodle_jump_2600_NTSC.bin

I'm not aware of another "Stella Programmer's Guide" on Lulu. Or are you referring to the revised "Atari 2600 Programming for Newbies"?

Hi @easmith, I'll take you up on your offer! I'm working on a 2600 homebrew version of Doodle Jump, and I could use some feedback on playability. I'm still working on things, but I can send you a version in a week or two. Screenshot: Thanks!! --Dion

In total 44 copies of the book were ordered over the last 9 days! I didn't expect that many people to actually order a printed version of Andrew's online sessions!! FYI: The Stella Programmer's Guide was ordered 31 times.

For the body text I used the "Times New Roman" font, which was the default in the Lulu 6" x 9" template I downloaded. The assembly is using "Courier New Bold" (code) and "Consolas Italic" (comments).

FYI: I just published a revised version of the book "Atari 2600 Programming for Newbies" on Lulu.com. It's only $4.69. http://www.lulu.com/shop/andrew-davie/atari-2600-programming-for-newbies-revised-edition/paperback/product-23644281.html The revised book has these improvements: added page numbers better formatting of text, assembly code and images (no more images are cut off) contains the additional post "Session 25: Advanced Timeslicing" from 2012 addendum with the 6502 opcodes a nice cover with Andrew's avatar on the back Read more in this post: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/278820-atari-2600-programming-for-newbies-the-book/ Cheers! --Dion

[edited: link to PDF added] Hot news: the book Atari 2600 Programming for Newbies - Revised Edition by Andrew Davie is now available on Lulu.com for only $4.69. Order your copy here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/andrew-davie/atari-2600-programming-for-newbies-revised-edition/paperback/product-23644281.html Basically this book is the printed version of the Atari 2600 programming tutorials by Andrew Davie that he originally posted on these forums between 2003 and 2004 (and one extra session posted in 2012). Editing and formatting was done by yours truly. Note that in 2011 someone already bundled these tutorials into a book and published it on Lulu.com, but IMO there are a lot of issues with that version (e.g. no page numbers, missing session no. 25, images cut off on the end of the page, outlining issues, code samples hard to read because of wrapping). That's why I decided to call my version the "Revised Edition" :-) I formatted all code samples to make them readable in print-format, fixed a few spelling errors and also did some editing where the original text was clearly assuming the reader is reading the text online. Note that I'm not making a single dollar-cent on this; you only pay for the printing of the booklet. The consequence is that Andrew Davie is also not making any money from this, but knowing that in 2011 he was OK with the other published book on Lulu.com, I hope he's also OK with this new "Revised Edition". The binding and printing of this book is really nice. The pages are black & white, but the cover is full color (see attached images). I also added Andrew's avatar on the back of the book :-) And Lulu.com regularly has these promotions where they offer free shipping, making this a real bargain! Here is a link to the PDF for your convenience: Atari_2600_Programming_for_Newbies_Revised_Edition.pdf Cheers, Dion

[edited: link to PDF added] Hi there! I just joined AtariAge a few months ago because I bought an old Atari VCS and now want to write my own game(s). I did some C64 assembly before, but programming for the Atari 2600 is a real challenge! While browsing for good technical documentation, I noticed a lot of people recommended to read the "Stella Programmer's Guide" by Steve Wright, which can be downloaded as PDF. I thought it would be nice to have this guide as an actual booklet, so I took the PDF, cropped and scaled it for printing on US Trade Size (6" x 9"), then added a nice book-cover and finally uploaded it to lulu.com (the on-demand printing company). You can order it for $2.45 here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/steve-wright/stella-programmers-guide/paperback/product-23612618.html (in Europe the price is somewhat higher: €3.45) Note that I'm not making a single dollar-cent on this; you only pay for the printing of the booklet. And lulu.com regularly has these promotions where they offer free shipping, making this a real bargain. The booklet has a full-color cover (showing a heavy sixer) and looks and feels really nice - if I may say so myself. Please see the attachments. PDF can be downloaded here: Stella_Programmers_Guide.pdf Cheers, Dion P.S. On the back of the booklet, I added a little photo of a bike. I think you can guess the brand :-)

I ordered the book from Lulu and I'm happy to read the Newbie-sessions on paper instead of staring at my screen. And for the price you pay this is an excellent deal! Some minor issues: The images at the start of sessions 14 and 18 are cut off. I think it makes sense to rotate those 90 degrees so they fit on the page. The printed color palettes in session 11 don't make much sense as the book is B/W only. Maybe better to leave them out. Session 25 (Advanced time-slicing) is missing, which I found a real interesting session. Anyone got the source document containing the combined sessions? If so, I could make some changes and upload a v2 version to Lulu.com. Note: I found a link to a word document on this thread, but that doesn't contain any images. Cheers, Dion