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Something else I'm working on


Propane13

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  • 7 months later...

I've been thinking about this as of recently (so, it's not forgotten).

 

My last version I did solved the "high score doesn't zero out" type bug.

I suppose I can find that and publish it.

 

So, in short, 7 months ago, I got married and then immediately thereafter moved across the country for a new job.

So far, I like the life-change. On the sad side, it hasn't been too conducive to working on Arkanoid.

 

Let's see what has crossed John's path:

 

1) I've started "going through" all of my stuff. And I mean all of it.

When I moved, I tried to get rid of what wasn't necessary, but at a certain point, you just toss the rest in boxes to go through "later". Every couple of weeks, I empty a box and try to remove the stuff that is no longer needed. It seems to me this is an un-completable task (but I'd love to hear if anyone's ever done it).

 

2) Another project came up.

I actually have a non-Atari related project that I started on a few years back. I had forgotten all about it. But, then, I found it hiding in one of those boxes I moved. I spent a little time on it (i.e. the whole summer), so I've managed to get it to a better state.

 

3) Exploring.

I've never lived on the east coast, so I'm trying to explore a bit and get comfortable with the area. It's neat out here.

 

4) Looking for a house.

My apartment is tiny. I'd like to upgrade. The "buy a house" thing is a pretty big investment, especially in time.

 

 

So, this project is not forgotten-- it crosses through my brain on occasion (as does my other "platformer" style engine).

I'm actually excited that the Super Circus Atari can use the paddle-- perhaps my delay in finishing this actually has a bright side. :)

 

I think I like to code for Atari in the winter months (since it's cold out), so this may be given some steam soon.

Stay tuned (or ask any questions you like). :)

 

 

-John

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  • 7 months later...

Not really sure where the XM would give this value.

The demo showed it was already working just fine without needing one. :)

 

Currently, I'm into a few other projects, but I do remember this from time to time.

 

-John

Edited by Propane13
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Not really sure where the XM would give this value.

The demo showed it was already working just fine without needing one. :)

 

Currently, I'm into a few other projects, but I do remember this from time to time.

 

-John

 

In this case, I was referencing the possible use of the HSC capabilities for the game and your use of the Pokey sound chip for music, assuming you used the Xboard addresses for it.

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  • 3 months later...

Warping capability added. No sound or points for it yet.

 

arkanoid_2011_08_26.a78

 

Also, score is nonzero, for testing high-score rollover conditions.

 

If I remember right, I fixed a bug that appeared on actual hardware about a year and a half ago (maybe for scores?) that I never releasedd, so that should be in here too.

 

-John

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Super impressive and most importantly plays fantastic with a joystick. Just the right difficulty and speed. Made it to Round 6.

 

I'm really impressed with this spinner-type game translated so well for a joystick. Too many other times I find other ports to be too hard or too easy (Player and/or ball too fast or too slow).

 

Huge thumbs up and kudos for great game physics and making it so playable with a joystick.

 

The sounds and graphics are also really well done!

Edited by Trebor
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Just tested on PAL and its still yellow with bonus items coloured. The display is centred and it doesn't display junk at the top or bottom.

 

Would it be possible to get a screen-capture?

Also, is there anyway to emulate the 7800 for PAL, so I can test?

 

-John

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Would it be possible to get a screen-capture?

 

There isn't much to see ;).

 

Also, is there anyway to emulate the 7800 for PAL, so I can test?

 

You can set PAL as the region in the *.a78 header and ProSystem will go into PAL display mode when it loads the game. However, in PAL mode the palette isn't a good representation of a real machine.

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You can set PAL as the region in the *.a78 header and ProSystem will go into PAL display mode when it loads the game. However, in PAL mode the palette isn't a good representation of a real machine.

 

Hmm... I just realized that I must be using an insanely old header format.

What I have matches what's seen in this post:

http://www.biglist.com/lists/stella/archives/200101/msg00109.html

 

I think at that point in time PAL support was "talked about".

I did some searching here, but couldn't find a current a78 file breakdown easily.

 

Is there a quick link someone can provide?

 

Thanks!

-John

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It's in the MESS source code.

 

/*	Header format
0	  Header version	 - 1 byte
1..16  "ATARI7800	  "  - 16 bytes
17..48 Cart title		 - 32 bytes
49..52 data length		- 4 bytes
53..54 cart type		  - 2 bytes
bit 0 0x01 - pokey cart
bit 1 0x02 - supercart bank switched
bit 2 0x04 - supercart RAM at $4000
bit 3 0x08 - additional ROM at $4000

bit 8-15 - Special
	0 = Normal cart
	1 = Absolute (F18 Hornet)
	2 = Activision

55	 controller 1 type  - 1 byte
56	 controller 2 type  - 1 byte
0 = None
1 = Joystick
2 = Light Gun
57  0 = NTSC/1 = PAL

100..127 "ACTUAL CART DATA STARTS HERE" - 28 bytes

Versions:
Version 0: Initial release
Version 1: Added PAL/NTSC bit. Added Special cart byte.
		   Changed 53 bit 2, added bit 3

*/

 

Mitch

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Next quesstion--

Is there a place I could see the side-by-side NTSC / PAL palletes?

 

I found this thread for NTSC:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/156100-new-final-prosystem-ntsc-palette-file/

but I didn't see a PAL file (unless I missed it somehow).

 

For what it's worth, the format I've found most useful for comparison's sake on the 2600 is this guy:

http://www.qotile.net/minidig/docs/tia_color.html

I was wondering if a 7800-type page existed.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

-John

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New release.

 

- PAL colors supported

- red pill now works (gives you shooting powers)

 

arkanoid_2011_09_11.a78

arkanoid_2011_09_11.bin

 

For the PAL colors, I tried my best to use "trial and error", so I would be interested in real feedback as to if anything looks ok or terrible.

I know that PAL timing is a little bit off in the emulator, but that's an exercise for another day.

 

Anyway, have fun!

 

Regards,

-John

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