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A while ago I had run out of cartridge cases for the homebrew kits, but today I got a shipment of new cases. Now cases in 7 different colors (I have plenty of all colors below except for red) are available: As before, the two main variants are the homebrew kit CV and the homebrew kit CVs. The homebrew kit CV uses DIL/DIP EPROMs directly supported by virtually all EPROM burners. It requires soldering for assembly. The homebrew kit CVs can be assembled more easily as it does not require soldering. It uses PLCC EPROMs, which on some EPROM burners requires the use of an adapter. Philipp

I finally found time to work a bit more on Io: 0.9 (2016-01-20): * Saboteurs * Fixed node upgrade sprite graphics bug * Disallow demolition of HQ * Won / lost screen Planned features not yet implemented: * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Performance optimization * Volcanic eruptions * Roller controller support Feedback and suggestions are welcome. Philipp P.S.: I'll try to have another update ready before mid-february. Io-0.9.rom

At the clock speed of the Z80 in the ColecoVision the memory should have an access time of 280 ns or faster. There might be an additional delay of a few ns due to some logic chips in the paths, so I'd recommend 250 ns or faster to be on the safe side. Philipp

Both pictures were taken in the same place, in the middle of the same table. The first with natural light from the sides on a cloudy day only. The second with additional artificial light from the top (i.e. I switched on the light in the room). When I get the gray cases, I'll update http://www.colecovision.eu/ColecoVision/development/Homebrew%20kit.shtml with a picture including all colors. Philipp

To compare, here is a picture that includes red cases: Philipp

Diffrent colors could have been chosen. I did choose black, since it is mostly okay for any game, and is by far the most popular among buyers of the Homebrew kits. I did choose the other colors since they match well with games that I intend to release in the future. The cases I ordered now will last a long time, so there probably will be no additional colors in the next few years. Philipp

Besides the colors shown here, there will also be gray. I might take another picture when I get the first gray ones. There are very few red ones left. I did not order more. Philipp P.S.: On my notebook screen, the picture looks a bit less colorfull than the cartridges, especially for the green ones. Maybe I'll take another photo one under different light conditions. The real colors are close to: RAL 9005 Jet black RAL 5021 Water blue RAL 8002 Signal brown RAL 6029 Mint green RAL 1016 Sulfur yellow RAL 4009 Pastel violet and for the ones I don't have yet: RAL 7047 Telegrey 4

Currently the only game project that is likely to result in a release in 2017 is Io. It would get yellow cartridges. I also have game ideas for the black, brown, green, blue and purple cases, but those are still further from completion. Philipp

Yesterday I got a shipment of cartridge cases for my Homebrew Kits (http://colecovision.eu/ColecoVision/development/Homebrew%20kit.shtml). Besides the popular black, I also had a few cases of different colors made: Philipp

This will probably the last update for a while. I don't know yet when I'll find time for Io again. Changes in this version over the previous one: * Prevent tapping into other players sulphur storage * Fix tool text for second player * Per-player construction site limit to prevent blocking in two-player mode * Tornados * Fix demolition of nodes on sulphur vents Planned features not yet implemented: * Saboteurs (destroying infrastructure) * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Performance optimization * Fix HQ update sprite graphics bug * Eruptions * Roller controller support Philipp Io-0.8.rom

Basic two-player support is there now. List of planned features not yet implemented: * Saboteurs (destroying infrastructure) * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Performance optimization * Per-player construction site limit to prevent blocking in two-player mode * Prevent tapping into other players sulphur storage (currently all paths/rails/nodes form one big network,no matter who built what) Philipp Io-0.7.rom

Hmm, the two-player mode isn't that easy to do. How to strike a good point on the cooperation / competition scale? * If both players just work as one mine with one HQ that might not be that interesting * If each player has their own HQ and they are competing, demolishing the other players infrastructure should not be allowed (unless maybe through some special features like hiring saboteuers). But then one player could easily block the other by building paths. * But maybe if the number of construction sites per player is severly limited, the blocking path problem won't really happen: The blocking path can't be build in one go, so the player about to be blocked has sufficient time to react, and build their own path bypassing the block. * When should the level be won? One player achieves a level 10 HQ (same criteria as for single-player)? The sum of the HQ levels is 10 (might be a bit more interesting but also easier to achieve)? * When should the level be lost? When both players are bankrupt? When one player is bankrupt? Philipp

The sulphur vents are finally animated. List of planned features not yet implemented: * Two-player mode * Saboteurs (destroying infrastructure) * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Performance optimization Philipp Io-0.6.rom

Many scorewriters can export ABC or export some format for which a converter to ABC exists. Philipp

If you want to build more than just a sulphur mine, there are also other games, such as Fortune Builder and Bankruptcy Builder. But those also are complex enough that one should read the manual and use the overlays. Philipp

Here comes the status bar redesign. I hope this makes the game easier to understand. Whenever the player changes the active tool, a short tool description is briefly shown in the upper right corner. Philipp Io-0.5.rom

Construction sites can now be demolished, and there is basic support for difficulty levels (currently the difficulty only affects the storage space in teh HQ and the starting amount of sulphur; later it will affect saboteurs and earthquakes, too). List of planned features not yet implemented: * Two-player mode * Saboteurs (destroying infrastructure) * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Animated sulphur sources * Status bar redesign Philipp Io-0.4.rom

HQ upgrades, multiple workers and demolition are now implemented. Also, curved rail now works porperly. The number of workers increases with some HQ upgrades (the ones that don't change the HQ graphics). List of planned features not yet implemented: * Two-player mode * Saboteurs (destroying infrastructure) * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Difficulty settings * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Demolition of construction sites * Animated sulphur sources Philipp Io-0.3.rom

Rail and upgrades for depots are now implemented: Rail has 3x the transport capacity of paths. Upgraded depots on sulphur sources have higher production. Depot storage capacity is increased with upgrades (and depots that are not on sulphur sources have higher storage capacity). Philipp Io-0.2.rom

Years ago while in Tokyo, when I wrote the Qix-like Ȼi̅x̅, I also had an idea for another game, Io. It is inspired by the game 20,000 Light Years Into Space, and a visit to a vulcano with an abandoned sulphur mine. Now I finally have a very early, but somewhat playable prototype: In the game you manage a sulphur mine. You need sulphur to pay the workers. Sulphur comes from sulphur vents, where it can be captured and then moved to the headquarters. The upper left corner always shows how much sulphur you have at the HQ, when it reaches 0, you loose (the game currently just restarts). With the left fire button, you can build sulphur depots and paths for sulphur transportation. When a sulphur depot is built on a sulphur vent (those things with the white steam), it captures the sulphur from there. Otherwise it just sevres to store and distribute sulphur. Sulphur is transported along paths that connect depots. With the right fire button you change the currently selected construction tool (which can alternatively also be done with the toolbar on the upper right of the screen). When the cursor is over a depot, the amount of sulphur there is displayed instead of the toolbar. Currently at the beginning you see the HQ (with the blue building), a sulphur depot on a sulphur vent to the right of it (but not yet connected), and two other sulphur vents further up. You should start by connecting the depot on the sulphur vent to your HQ with a path, so you don't run out of sulphur soon. If I ever complete the game, it will come in sulphur-yellow cartridges. Philipp P.S.: This is a very early demo. Many features are not yet implemented: * Rail (has higher transport capacity than paths; you can build it already, but it doesn't work yet) * Upgrades of depots and HQ (higher capacity) * Multiple workers for faster construction * Two-player mode * Saboteurs (destroying infrastructure) * Earthquakes (destroying infrastructure, opening new sulphur vents, closing old ones) * Difficulty settings * Different levels (with later levels possibly in a futuristic setting on Io instead of Earth) * Demolishing Io.rom

You could also use --allow-unsafe-read (current name, AFAIK it used to be --lospre-usafe-read in older versions), to enable some extra optimizations, but it won't make a big difference either. I never used --vc, I guess it is a matter of preference. For --max-allocs-per-node you might want to choose higher or lower values depending on compilation speed vs. code quality trade-off desired. Philipp

I'd recommend to use the latest release, SDCC 3.6.0. While --opt-code-speed exists, and makes a difference in the generated code, don't expect it to do any miracles. Code will typically be a bit, but not much bigger and faster with --opt-code-speed vs. --opt-code-size. Philipp

No. If you use neither, SDCC will try to optimize for some balance between code size and speed. The two options are meant to indicate a preference of code size vs. speed. Philipp

I'd recommend to add some contact information to the store website. Potential buyers might want to contact you and ask some questions on the items you offer. Philipp

The C standard header is string.h, not STRING.H. Philipp