First project

[Pioneer4x4]

First off, I am loving it!

I am working on a project that is not action based, more puzzle based, so speed is not an issue at all. I want to move game pieces around a grid, but I don't know how to draw and store them all. Can the playfield be modified on the fly? Can individual playfield blocks be tested to see if on or off?

I have made my first splash screen, and playfield, and you can move a cursor around the limited defined area and switch playfield clocks on or off. I also tested it on a real 2600 thanks to the Harmony cart, that was way cool!

 

Basically I need to update close to 256 locations with 1 of 4 colors, maybe 1 of 3. I think I will be out of ram no matter what I do, unless I can use the playfield as data that is readable.

[+Random Terrain]

Can the playfield be modified on the fly?

Yep:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#pfpixel

 

 

 

Can individual playfield blocks be tested to see if on or off?

Yep:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#pfread

 

 

 

Basically I need to update close to 256 locations with 1 of 4 colors, maybe 1 of 3.

Unless someone creates a custom kernel for you to use, you can only have one color for each row using pfcolors:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#kerneloptions

[Pioneer4x4]

Unless someone creates a custom kernel for you to use, you can only have one color for each row using pfcolors:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#kerneloptions

Thanks!

I made a color list and was impressed with my title screen and playfield gradient.

I just got the pfpixel flip working just to test my cursor movement.

 

And I am ALL OVER your page including http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#pfpixel

 

Major bummer on the colors. If I could only make a couple arrays, and read a 0,1,2,3 from each cell...

OK, I guess I need to map out exactly what data is required , and do it bit wise.

What is the max dimensions of sprites? Can you define the missile and ball sprites like a player sprite?

Thanks again!

[+Random Terrain]

What is the max dimensions of sprites?

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#objects

The Atari 2600 can display two player sprites, which are 8 pixels wide and any height.

 

 

 

Can you define the missile and ball sprites like a player sprite?

Nope:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#missiles

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#nusiz

 

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#ball

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#ctrlpf

[Pioneer4x4]

OK, Say I want to draw 50-100 dots on the screen, independant of the playfield. They will be static and flickering is OK, can they be a 3rd color seperate of the 2 playfield colors?

Is this even possible? I can handle the real basics, the math, the program flow... I just can't think in the peculiar requirements of the 2600's graphics.

[+Random Terrain]

OK, Say I want to draw 50-100 dots on the screen, independant of the playfield. They will be static and flickering is OK, can they be a 3rd color seperate of the 2 playfield colors?

Is this even possible? I can handle the real basics, the math, the program flow... I just can't think in the peculiar requirements of the 2600's graphics.

Seems like you'd need someone to write a Minikernel for you:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#writinghud

[Pioneer4x4]

OK, Say I want to draw 50-100 dots on the screen, independant of the playfield. They will be static and flickering is OK, can they be a 3rd color seperate of the 2 playfield colors?

Is this even possible? I can handle the real basics, the math, the program flow... I just can't think in the peculiar requirements of the 2600's graphics.

Seems like you'd need someone to write a Minikernel for you:

 

http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#writinghud

I definitely would need someone elst to write it, that's for sure!

Well, I think I solved 2 problems all with using pfres of 32 with superchip and doing everything in the playfield. It is enough resolution to work, while it is VERY ugly, gameplay is possible in not approved by Duke Nukem mode ("Don't got time to play with myself!")

http://www.soundboard.com/sb/solrosin.aspx number 31

now to work on 2 player!