Hacking Info Needed

[eyg2181]

I'm Going to start by asking if this can be done just by hand so it can be played by an atari 2600 system? i am asking you this because i am interested in possibly making my own version of space invaders. and help of useful links would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[Nukey Shay]

If what can be done? Hacking (altering) an existing game binary with the intent of making a playable 2600 cartridge from it?

 

Yes, many people do. To create the binary program: the disassembly program Distella, the assembly program Dasm, and a text file editor is all that you are going to need (besides learning 6502 machine language, which is more likely easier using an 8-bit computer system/emulator). The disassembly program creates a readable text file from the binary info (converting opcodes into more-easily recognisable menomic instructions), and the assembly program converts it back into a binary after you've made desired changes to it using the text file editor.

 

If the goal is just to make an existing game's sprites/colors look different, you don't even need to learn 6502...you could just use a bit hacking program like Hack-o-matic.

 

Links to the programs mentioned can be found HERE. You can use an emulator like Z26 or Stella to try out your creation for bugtesting on your development computer before burning the result to an eprom chip (which then can be put onto a cartridge circuit board for use in an actual console). Burning a chip requires hardware known as an eprom programmer...but there are people here that would do it for you. Needless to say, if you only want a cartridge or two it's probably not a good idea to shell out the dough to get a burner...just have the store here do it for ya.

[eyg2181]

Thank You, i really appreciate the help. i would love to make a few games of my own. but for starters i would be happy with just making my own version of space invaders. and if that turns out well, what the heck i would go for it. but overall, howe hard would it be to make a new version of space invaders? and how much would it cost me?

 

and for the chip burner...how much is it for one of those and where can i get the blank chips???

[Nukey Shay]

Thank You, i really appreciate the help. i would love to make a few games of my own. but for starters i would be happy with just making my own version of space invaders. and if that turns out well, what the heck i would go for it. but overall, howe hard would it be to make a new version of space invaders? and how much would it cost me?

 

and for the chip burner...how much is it for one of those and where can i get the blank chips???

 

Since information on the internet is free (besides what you are already paying your provider), making a new port of SI would cost you the sum total of $0.00. The assembler program Dasm is freeware, the binaries you create with it only occupy hard drive space, and the emulator to try it out on your home computer is freeware. All it takes is the time and effort to learn the programming skills...which is only as expensive as how you regard your free time. As stated, cross-programming to the 2600 platform is probably the most difficult way to "cut your teeth" on 6502 coding...but not impossible due to the wealth of reference materials and demos on the web. It also costs nothing to post questions in the programming forum when you get stumped on a problem.

 

Andrew Davie's tutorial series that deals with introductory programming specifically for the console is a good way to begin. The series is in the 2600 Programming For Newbies subforum. An index to each session is in this post.Keep in mind that this is NOT an overnight process (not by a longshot). To create an advanced game like Space Invaders totally from scratch with no prior knowledge of 6502 programming could take upwards of a year (realistically). Learning 6502 is the first hurdle, then learning to cope with the console's deficiencies is the next. The latter is why learning 6502 on an 8-bit computer most likely would make it easier to get an understanding of the language you'll be using. An argument could be made that doing so might make you too accostomed to the greater availablity of platform resources/capabilities, tho. So start with Andrew's sessions and then ask yourself it it's really something you are able to commit to if you want to try it the other way.

 

A typical eprom burner runs less than $100, I believe. For games...the chips, circuit boards, and empty cartridge shells can be purchased right here at the store. A burner should be the least of your concerns for now...heck, some accomplished 2600 homebrew authors have never even used one.

 

 

An alternate solution to making new 2600 games from scratch is to use the Batari Basic method. Since the Basic language is...well...basically English, this cuts out learning the 6502 from the equasion almost entirely. However, using it will limit your game's resources and capabilities even further. Space Invaders isn't really suited for using it, either (tho there have been a couple of attempts).

[eyg2181]

Thank You, i really appreciate the help. i would love to make a few games of my own. but for starters i would be happy with just making my own version of space invaders. and if that turns out well, what the heck i would go for it. but overall, howe hard would it be to make a new version of space invaders? and how much would it cost me?

 

and for the chip burner...how much is it for one of those and where can i get the blank chips???

 

Since information on the internet is free (besides what you are already paying your provider), making a new port of SI would cost you the sum total of $0.00. The assembler program Dasm is freeware, the binaries you create with it only occupy hard drive space, and the emulator to try it out on your home computer is freeware. All it takes is the time and effort to learn the programming skills...which is only as expensive as how you regard your free time. As stated, cross-programming to the 2600 platform is probably the most difficult way to "cut your teeth" on 6502 coding...but not impossible due to the wealth of reference materials and demos on the web. It also costs nothing to post questions in the programming forum when you get stumped on a problem.

 

Andrew Davie's tutorial series that deals with introductory programming specifically for the console is a good way to begin. The series is in the 2600 Programming For Newbies subforum. An index to each session is in this post.Keep in mind that this is NOT an overnight process (not by a longshot). To create an advanced game like Space Invaders totally from scratch with no prior knowledge of 6502 programming could take upwards of a year (realistically). Learning 6502 is the first hurdle, then learning to cope with the console's deficiencies is the next. The latter is why learning 6502 on an 8-bit computer most likely would make it easier to get an understanding of the language you'll be using. An argument could be made that doing so might make you too accostomed to the greater availablity of platform resources/capabilities, tho. So start with Andrew's sessions and then ask yourself it it's really something you are able to commit to if you want to try it the other way.

 

A typical eprom burner runs less than $100, I believe. For games...the chips, circuit boards, and empty cartridge shells can be purchased right here at the store. A burner should be the least of your concerns for now...heck, some accomplished 2600 homebrew authors have never even used one.

 

 

An alternate solution to making new 2600 games from scratch is to use the Batari Basic method. Since the Basic language is...well...basically English, this cuts out learning the 6502 from the equasion almost entirely. However, using it will limit your game's resources and capabilities even further. Space Invaders isn't really suited for using it, either (tho there have been a couple of attempts).

 

 

would this device here do the trick?...if i ever actually made it that far into it. its good to know that i have help if i need it. and that link you gave me should give me a great reference, and will help with the basics. i assume when you said it could take a year to make a game like space invaders, you meant REALLY making it from scratch, and not just making something about it different...but the more time you put into it the better it should turn out. i thing it would be really fun to make a game or so of my own.

 

and while im here, how exactly to the game burner things work???

[Nukey Shay]

I'm not familiar with burners...I've never used one. AFAIK, you just need to check that it's compatable with the 2732's that you'd be using to put games on.

When in doubt, ask the people here that work with them all the time to find the best/most reliable model burner opinions regarding 2600 games.

 

And when I posted the figure of at least a year, this takes into consideration learning 6502 from scratch as well. If you've never programmed in machine language before, learning it and then creating a decent 2600 port of SI from scratch in under a year would be a pretty good feat...especially if you can only commit a couple of hours or so here or there due to daily obligations. Basic, on the other hand, is picked up within a day or so...as it is designed to do a lot of the legwork for you. This convenience has it's price, tho...in lost resources.

[eyg2181]

ok. so basically all there is to it is learning how, and after that it shouldnt be too too hard, just time consuming.