MayDay

I've tried it on a few different games including Bowling, Battlezone, and Real Sports Volleyball (all of which original ROMs work fine). Volleyball and Battlezone won't recompile at all. For bowling, the text file ends up showing: Comparing files Bowling.bin and SOURCE3.BIN FC: Bowling.bin longer than SOURCE3.BIN Interestingly, the newly created source3.bin shows at 0K, and the original is 2K. When I try to run source3.bin through z26 I get what I like to call the "Atari musical bitch-slap scale". Basically the blue bars go to the middle, the scale is played, and z26 exits. If I can't figure it out that's okay, I'm trying to create a game, not hack one anyway. I just thought it would be nice to see some (working) code to play around with. Thanks for the help- Nukey seems to respond to newbies more than anyone else here, although vdub_bobby, Thomas Jentschz (spelling?) and several others have already helped me numerous times too. I think it's really cool you guys take the time to help us out. Maybe someday I'll be able to repay your patience with something cool! -JD

That's a neat little trick, thanks. I also saw in the Distella help files where you can "config" the output to include things such as ROM, code, graphics, etc. so they are displayed in comments. Know the commands to make any/all of these happen? As for the disassembly, I don't have WinZip and already have cluttered the forum in the newbie section. If I have further problems, I'll look it up so I can post stuff for you. -J.D.

I've downloaded Distella and it works fine, my problem is just user error. I've put processor 6502 and include vcs (and actually also tried putting the variables directly into the code). Any idea why I can't recompile it correctly? (it does compile, but only displays black in z26). Also, does anyone have the binary (or better yet the .asm) for Ice Hockey? I noticed none (or at least very few) of the Activision games have ROMs, is there a reason for this? C&D perhaps? I know they are still an active company and thought this may have something to do with it. Thanks, J.D.

rasty: Yeah, I thought that at first too, but the problem is when both people show up in the same room. It would be hard to draw them fighting each other wouldn't it? rasty: Every time you beat a level, the one with all the items, would fly down the runway in the plane, narrowly avoid the other player, who would then explode. Actually I think the Barnstorming plane is probably as good or even better than the NES version, but that was a long, long time ago, and I was like 10-12 when I played it. If I recall, there were 6 levels in the game, and the same sequence played after the final level as well. I could be mistaken on that though.

If people really doubt that it happened, let's find 3 people who currently live in or near New Mexico and are willing to drive to Alamogordo to meet up there and dig. It would be good if we knew who currently owned the landfill, could get permission to dig, and maybe even track down Ed Moore and see if he would be willing to meet you at the dump and point out the spot they are buried. If M.E. McQuiddy was tracked down, they may also be of some help in locating the exact spot within the dump. If you couldn't get permission, you could always just trespass... it's not like they would have dogs or rabid monkeys or anything. And if a few smashed up games actually were able to be recovered, say 1 for each of the people who met there, they may help pay for the gas money on ebay. I'm sure they would at least bring more than a working E.T. game... As for how much it costs to "bury them in the desert"? You just have to read the article... $300 to $500 per truckload, 8 truckloads at least. At least their initial dump cost around $2400-$4000 I would say. It also mentioned maybe as many as 24 coming in, which would make the estimate between $2400 and $12,000. A decent chunk (warehouse worker's yearly salary) by 1983 standards. If you read the article closely, there are also a few more points to be made. 1.) it clearly explains why they wanted to get rid of the games and why that particular dump was chosen. 2.) it talks about kids walking around town with (apparently intact) games, so likely some of the stuff initially escaped being crushed, 3.) Who is DPS? I'm assuming this is short for Dept. of Public Safety, but this is poor journalism, as it never gives the initial name before using the acronym, and if DPS is the name, then it doesn't label them. 4.) I'm guessing the picture (2nd item posted) is from the same issue as the article itself, as it references itself back to page 1 (where the story actually ran). 5.) I really wish we could see, or have the text of the article "City Cementing Ban on Dumping". Since this is obviously from a later issue, it might have more of the "back story". Any chance you (spud) could transcribe this for us? Finally, 6.) It mentions that they were buried in the "new pit". If you could find where the new pit was in 1983, I'd say that would be a good place to start digging. That's all for now... I'm off maphunting to aid anyone crazy enough to go out there. -JD

I would go with B, but both look good. B seems slightly less cluttered, and gives the game's name the full width (the smaller name isn't as easy to read, me thinks).

lol... 3 replies in the time it took me to type mine! nukey shay: This is true, but I think he/they are attacking the integrity of the reporter, not suggesting that it was massive conspiracy by Atari/Nintendo/the mafia. However since the other arguement holds little logic, maybe this explanation is just as likely and what he was implying. nukey shay: I'm among them. Unlike this story, not everything (specifically the lighting of pictures) checks out. There's a specific link that I'll post in the general forum (probably the best place for a topic as such?) if I can find it. It's the one that had the Apollo 17 pictures which are...suspect at best. nukey shay: Using this logic, how do we know World War 1 and 2 happened? All the video, artifacts, etc. could be faked by millions of elderly people who just want to be recognized as the greatest generation. The sad thing though, is that you're right, there will always be doubters no matter how apparent the evidence. Even if Atari wrote a press release stating as such, people would say they were coerced or trying to add to their mystique. Psychologists study this phenomenon, don't recall the exact name, but basically people make an initial decision on a topic, and instead of admitting they are wrong will continue to make more and more far-fetched claims to try and back up their position. Something that dates back to the "smash a rock over the head of the alpha male so we can pass on our genetic information" days I'm sure. nukey shay: lol... that's the funniest thing I've read all night. Not quite as good as http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.p...2372&highlight= but I still got a pretty good chuckle out of it.

Artlover: Well, it's the daily news, not the Alamogordo Daily Enquirer. Offhand, I can think of about four instances in the last 10 years or so, all well documented. While it's true that something may have slipped through that wasn't true, what possible motivation could someone have had to fake an article of this nature? And what are the odds that two different newspapers owned by two different companies would have published the same information if it wasn't true? I can understand the arguement that the article was faked. If you acknowledge that it wasn't, then why question the validity of the information? Even if the accuracy wasn't perfect (ie- 7 trucks instead of then it would have still happened. While I don't take in everything from the media as gospel, I think it's safe to say the newspaper didn't fabricate this story. There's less evidence available to people that Jose Canseco took steroids, and it's pretty widely accepted. You have... 3-4 newspaper articles, from 2 different newspapers, complete with pictures, numbers, quotes. There is more if you care to track down those other two sources. You have no denial from Atari. This guy/gal (and no, I'm not sure Marian is a dude, btw) obviously cared enough about their journalism career to continue it later at another publication... why would they endanger that by making stuff up that could be easily checked out? Wouldn't co-workers of McQuiddy know something wasn't up to par? Wouldn't the townspeople and people quoted in the articles complain? It's hard to say what is/was out there, but I think it's safe to say they dumped something in the way of games/consoles there! I'm sorry... at this point that's a weak and unfounded arguement. It reminds me of the time my Grandpa told me two different atlases were both wrong. Either that, or it must have been the Mexicans trying to cover their tracks for all the bootlegs they were planning to make. -JD [/b]

Seems somewhat pointless and time consuming, but for the record: AT860982927- Jr. model purchased two years ago from ebay. Seller was from New York state. 82491484- 4 switch woody. purchased 20 years ago at garage sale in small town near Kansas City, MO. I now live in KC. This kind of reminds me of Where's George, only everyone would always be the first to have registered their atari! -JD

That might work... you could even make the Tron Guy some kind of hidden easter egg or something. In fact, I think TronGuy should either be an element or hidden easter egg in all new homebrews from now on! For example, instead of a referee in the dodgeball game I'm working on, I could just have Tron-Guy! Instead of being a balloon or little fish, you could at some point in the game turn into...who else?! Tron Guy, of course! -JD *just got a nasty image in head of Tron Guy as a mermaid... err... merman. I no longer think this is a good idea!*

how about 1 player only and 2-3 fairly simple levels? However, I think this game is only really fun with 2 people, and not being able to do split-screen is what I think would destroy the project. Great game though... maybe we could steal the Barnstorming graphics for when you win! http://www.atariage.com/screenshot_page.ht...wareLabelID=976 -JD[/url]

Nukey: What I'm saying is a few things here. First, the article wasn't something thrown together on someone's computer, it's a real document. Secondly, the paper appears to have aged properly with what is standard for newspaper. Lastly, if it were a fake (which it's not) the guy posting it would have needed intimate knowledge of the newspaper business, and especially offset printing-something most newspapers no longer do. Combine that with all the research needed and there is no way this is just a troller/April fooler. Dolt: -^Cro§Bow^-: I said it was odd, but not beyond belief. Being a DAILY newspaper, this would lead me to believe that it's not just a local paper with 2-3 people working to publish something once a week. The paper is owned by Gannett (name a newspaper person should recognize, and probably people outside of the industry as well) who generally doesn't purchase "small" newspapers. Even if they only have a staff of like 10, they should still have at least one full time photographer. People who write and shoot their own pictures generally also do things like layout and traffic and sales. I have to admit though, I didn't really take into account it being 1983 at the time, and to be honest don't really know how big it was or the state of the industry (specifically the ownership of the paper) at the time. Was only trying to add more information to the overall picture here. With that said, I just got off the phone with the publisher who confirmed to me that the story indeed ran on page 1 of the Sunday, Sept. 25 issue. He had offered to fax me the information (which I didn't have access to anyway) but told me that they no longer have any hard copies of it. I was told that the only way to get one was on microfiche from the Alamogordo Library. Their phone number is 505-439-4140. Since I didn't talk to them (the story is hereby confirmed in my opinion) I don't feel too bad giving out their information. He said they could probably mail a copy to anyone who wanted one. So, if a site administrator would still like his information, I have a name, phone, and e-mail address. The gentleman was very cool, and told me he was part of several internet forums himself. He also mentioned that the landfill closed 12 years ago (1993?) and a new one was opened elsewhere. I still encourage the rest of you NOT to call the newspaper itself. In the news biz, we're told to have 3 sources before airing something. 1. NY Times article 2. Alamogordo Daily News article 3. dude with too much free time and gas money who went Atari landfill hunting. I think that's good enough for Dan Rather! Anyway, congrats to spud for digging this up (nearly literally), and shame on those who said rotten things about him. A little effort before name-calling next time. -Jason

RadioShack has the coaxil adapter for sure, the part number is 278-255B. You need to take this with you, or you'll end up searching through a bunch of drawers full of adapters like I did (great customer service, btw). They ran like $4.50 or so I think. They are also available in the AA store, or were when I was looking for one for $3 (here it is http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info...products_id=42). However, if you're like me and not willing to wait, RadioShack and ONLY RadioShack has them. -JD

I know it didn't show his first name, but I believe that would be one Art Mcquiddy A little more research has yielded a man named Marian E. McQuiddy who worked for the New Mexico Business Journal from at least around 1991 to 1993. More importantly, all of his articles are in reference to Alamogordo, NM. The stories can be found here: http://www.findarticles.com/p/search?tb=ar...+E.+McQuiddy%22 Oh, another note, the publisher said he would be happy to fax something if he found anything, but I don't have a fax machine (or care to go through the chain of command at work). I didn't figure a scan of a fax would do anything but encourage the nay-sayers anyway. That's all... happy hunting everyone! -JD

Yes, I'm guessing the Okies are much closer, and I may indeed go check out their show. However, I was thinking it's a shame we don't have our own little club here in KC, and would have to drive 5 hours to see something. I would also like to get together more than once a year... like first saturday or sunday of every month or something. Glancing through the membership list, I've seen a few KC people, but none that have posted any messages for a long time. Any of ya still out there? -JD

When I first saw the image spud posted from Studio 8, I thought my initial reaction was wrong, because the picture looked like a dead-set effect fake. I used to work in television and still have some decent photo-editing software on hand, so decided to take a look. My impression of the pictures seemed to be inaccurate, I would say with 99% certainty that the pictures of the articles are real. With the exacting information from the first scan, I realized it wouldn't be that difficult to track the information down. However, I am unable to find any information for M.E. McQuiddy (and found it curious he would be both a reporter and a photographer at a daily newspaper, but not beyond the realm of possibility). So, I fired up the old horn, and gave the newspaper's publisher a holla. I was told that noone currently working at the paper was working there at the time, and that it was too late in the day to send someone to the archives searching for it. They are going to check for me in the morning, and I am going to call him back after I get off work. If I find the article is indeed genuine, I would be happy to forward the man's information on to an administrator of this site for double verification (I realize I'm still a newbie and that one of them would be much more trusted). However, I would please ask that nobody else call, as they may be a little overwhelmed and/or irritated if 50 people call and ask for the same thing. So, with that, until tomorrow...but know that I believe! Jason

I just spent way too long reading this topic from beginning to end... you have to keep the big pic of Tron Guy on the green 3D grid! Maybe you could put the smaller pixelized sprites next to the name where you have his real pic at now? JMO... as I think the picture is what makes the game fun/funny in the first place. The hack looks very well done too, there is no way I would have ever recognized that game. I'm going to download the bin right now! -JD

I also found it humorous/ironic that his feedback rating is 2600!

I was just thinking the other day... I wonder if spy vs. spy would be possible on Atari... having a two player screen may be a stretch to say the least. Then I saw this thread, and of course had high, high hopes, only to get them dashed. Chopper Command was a pretty cool game by the way, as most Activision games were. Thoughts on the difficulty/ability to port a SvS game anyone? -JD

Just now saw the second response after I posted a reply. What program did you use to do that for him, and where did you find it? If a copy is no longer available, would someone mind sharing the disassembler they have? Thanks, Jason

I just had it stored in the same folder as dasm. The reason I did this was because I created a new binary file that already had vcs.h included with the .asm file before the binary was created. Just something else I was trying before I decided to post to ask for help.

Are there any disassembler programs available? I've found links to a couple on the site... Distella links are broken, and 6502 Disassembler for Atari won't read any of my (working) binaries. Anyone know a new link for Distella or if I need to change something in my binaries to make them work? It says compatible with windows 95... I get the following error message: --------------------------- 6502 Disassembler for Atari --------------------------- Error reading file C:DASMDASM22~1DASMBINDOSSOURCE.BIN. Either the file is corrupted or it is not an Atari binary file or the file contains more than 256 segments ! --------------------------- OK --------------------------- I tried taking vcs.h out and posting the variables directly in the .asm file, but this had no effect. Ideas, anyone?

Still have mine... just got it repaired a few weeks ago, now that i have some idea how to fix it. Since the button didn't work, I spent $5 to get a six switcher from a garage sale. That console, sadly ended up with all my games in the hands of one of my college roommates and was lost after we both moved a few times. I guess all things are meant to be... cause I'm back to the 4 switcher and life is good! (plus you can get tons of commons from ebay for dirt cheap!).

The New York Times article does exist, however it is archived and you have to pay to read it. I found the intro here: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nytimes/119298...arts+Are+Dumped Here is the relevent information from the free preview: Atari Parts Are Dumped New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: Sep 28, 1983. pg. D4, 1 pgs Document types: article Section: Business Digest ISSN/ISBN: 03624331 Text Word Count 123 Document URL: Abstract (Document Summary) With the video game business gone sour, some manufacturers have been dumping their excess game cartridges on the market at depressed prices. Now Atari Inc., the leading video game manufacturer, has taken dumping one step farther. But I guess we all know how reliable the Times is now... wonder if the same was true back then? -Jason

I'm in the KC area, a northlander specifically. I work in Merriam, anyone else interested in getting together? We could trade dupes, mess around with code or just play Atari. Getting together like once a month would be kind of cool, me thinks. Feel free to e-mail me at stormwatcher213 at yahoo.com and we could trade info and decide a place to meet. Any takers? -Jason