TikiDan

Thank you again for all your accolades and support! Regarding reviving the 2600, I hope to do that by making new Activision quality games, not a new console.

Hi atarilovesyou! Thanks for sending me a comment and thank you for all your accolades! Programming the VCS is "just like riding a bike". I was amazed at how quickly I remembered the system considering I've programmed many other games for other systems in the last 35 years. (I can't believe it's been that long!!!). It was a unique time in video game history where one programmer could do everything. That's possible these days only if one is creating a very simple mobile app, but once graphics are involved, an artist is required. However, I did work with one chap in the late 1980's who was so talented he drew all the graphics for the Nintendo Game Boy game he programmed. I have been speaking to a few of the original designers about possibly joining me at TikiVision to revive the 2600 with new games. I'm hopeful some will jump in. Thanks again for all your interest! Dan

Bon Voyage will definitely be a voyage into the unknown...

Hey Greenfuzz, Nice to meet you! In answer to your questions: 1) When do you anticipate Keystone Kapers 2 and Bon Voyage to be available to purchase? DK - I expect Keystone Kapers 2 to be available for purchase in November of this year. Bon Voyage before Christmas. 2) Will they be complete box/cartridge/manual releases? DK - Yes, I plan to have the games available in complete boxes with manuals. I'll also have Activision-style patches available for high score plateaus. 3) Do you ever plan to release the ROM for the original Keystone Kapers 2, for us collectors that are interested in it from a historical perspective? DK - Yes, after Keystone 2 is released I'll make the prototype ROM image available. 4) Were you working on any other games that weren't released, or did you have ideas for games you never had the time to begin programming for? DK - Yes actually. At Activision I had a complete game we called the "Levee Game". Keystone Kelly appeared in a yellow rain slicker running around ladders and platforms repairing cracks that would appear in a background Hoover Dam-style image complete with warning lights and a beautiful sun setting on the distant reservoir . The screen kernels were written such that I could change the background color on every scan line so the entire screen would slowly fill up with water if the player couldn't cement the cracks in time. There was also a mechanic to "empty" the water on the player's side of the dam to keep the game going. I'm hopeful that I can locate a ROM of that game in the future. I do have other games I plan to release early next year and will have information about these next titles later in the year. Thanks again for your interest and questions! Mahalo!

Dan Kitchen here. I want to thank everyone in the forum for their accolades and comments regarding the discovery of my Keystone Kapers II ROM! Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have about that game and any others I've developed over the years. I'll be posting information about my new Keystone game in the very near future. All the best, Dan