Commdore 64 - Spy Infiltrator

[Pyromaniac605]

Complete version 1.0 now up. Hope you guys enjoy it. Note:This is a very short game but i will make longer ones in time.

 

-Darren-

SPY INFILTRATION.zip

Edited April 3, 2010 by Pyromaniac605

[Rybags]

Why don't you just dev it using the emulator?

 

You'd probably get it done twice as fast thanks to not waiting an eternity for disk operations.

[Pyromaniac605]

Do emulators include the BASIC function? Also I'm not even sure if i save BASIC code to a tape that I can edit it and save over afterwards. Can I?

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

Also there is the possibility of a ZX Spectrum and TRS-80 ports if there is enough interest.

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

Getting an emulator to start on the programming dont want to get too much done though as i would rather make it on the hardware and save it onto a cassette. (that is if you can edit BASIC code saved onto a cassette)

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

Here is the code for the minigame 'Code door'

10 PRINT "CODE DOOR"

20 PRINT

30 PRINT "THERE IS A DOOR WITH A KEYPAD"

40 PRINT "YOU MUST GUESS THE CORRECT LETTER (A-Z) "

50 PRINT "TO UNLOCK THE DOOR."

60 PRINT "YOU HAVE 5 CHANCES"

70 PRINT

80 LET C$=CHR$ (64+INT(RND(1)*26+1))

90 FOR G=1 TO 5

100 INPUT G$

110 IF G$=C$ THEN GOTO 210

120 IF G$<C$ THEN PRINT "LATER";

130 IF G$>C$ THEN PRINT "EARLIER";

140 PRINT " THAN ";G$

150 NEXT G

160 PRINT

170 PRINT "THE DOOR EMMITS A STRANGE GAS"

180 PRINT "YOU COLLAPSE, GAME OVER"

190 PRINT "THE CODE WAS ACTUALLY ";C$

200 STOP

210 PRINT "THE DOOR CLICKS AND SLIDES OPEN"

220 PRINT "YOU'RE INSIDE GOOD WORK."

230 STOP (NOT IN ACTUAL GAME THIS IS JUST FOR THE MINIGAME ON ITS OWN UNTIL I PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.)

 

Just to give you a little sample of what is to come.

NOTE: Not tested yet but should work correctly.

 

-Darren-

Edited March 31, 2010 by Pyromaniac605

[Mirage]

Of course emulators include BASIC.

 

Yes, you can edit BASIC saved onto a cassette, by either using a new tape to save it (load your BASIC program, edit it, then re-save it), or saving it after the first one as a new version. You could just overwrite the original each time, but I wouldn't recommend that.

 

This is just the sort of thing that emulators are great for, unless you have a cable or other solution for getting the final product onto your PC for "distribution". Since you don't have that, how would you get it from the real C64 to the PC when you're done? You'd have to type it all back in to an emulator anyway. Which is fine, since it sounds like this won't end up being a long code listing.

 

By the way, yes, this simple program will work, though if you end it in END rather than STOP, it will end normally instead of printing a BREAK on screen. I guess the STOP could be useful for debugging to see where it ended, but it should be pretty obvious in a program like this anyway.

[Pyromaniac605]

Well the way i see it it will most likely end up with 50-70 lines depending on the amount of minigames.

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

Beginning work on the program on an emulator then I just wonder how i will get it onto hardware. Any USB cassette drives available?

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

50-60 lines?! You're already up to 23 lines (you could compress that a heck of a lot though and get what you have down to fewer lines). Honestly, I wouldn't worry about distributing it. Don't take this the wrong way, because it's great that you have an interest in programming the C64, and you should definitely continue, it's awesome. But I doubt anyone is going to be interested in playing something this simple. And if they are, just post up the listing and they can type it in quickly themselves. It's like a modern version of type-in program from an old magazine!

 

You're talking about USB cassette drives and all this. You'd be so much more money ahead and have a much more usable solution if you get a cable to hook up the C64 to your modern computer. Then you could use your PC like a hard drive directly from the real C64. There are several solutions out there. This is totally different than the things we were talking about before like the uIEC or the 1541-Ultimate. Totally different beasts, but the cables are cheaper. But you seem to be torn between just using the thing the way it was intended to be used in the '80s, and needing more modern, practical solutions to your modern needs. What I'm saying is that there's very very very simple and relatively cheap solutions to all your problems here if you open your mind a little to the possibilities. Really. Please don't get angry again, just trying to offer you advice based on a lot of experience.

 

But, all that said, for your 50-60 lines, why go through any of that trouble? When it's finished on the emulator, just type it into the real C64. How long could that possibly take? A few minutes? You couldn't even order a cable that quickly! Once you become more advanced in programming, you'll maybe think about some other more modern solution... at minimum, the XE/XM1541 cable I mentioned.

[Pyromaniac605]

Here is the first demo version hope you like it. Its a .prg file for use in emulators. Will upload more complete versions as I make progress.

 

-Darren-

 

PS: @ Mirage if you read the OP it isn't just the simple guessing program. That is what im using as an example and the demo, the complete version is going to be alot more in-depth. Im thinking of sdding parts where you can choose left or right which will take you to different games so it shouldn't play out the same way twice. That is why it might be 50-60 lines.

SPY INFILTRATION DEMO.zip

[Mirage]

 

PS: @ Mirage if you read the OP it isn't just the simple guessing program. That is what im using as an example and the demo, the complete version is going to be alot more in-depth. Im thinking of sdding parts where you can choose left or right which will take you to different games so it shouldn't play out the same way twice. That is why it might be 50-60 lines.

 

I totally read the OP, and I totally understood. I don't think you understand my point that a very simplistic program like this that is only 50-60 lines is not a big deal for someone to type in if they really wanted to. But you have to be realistic and realize that the appeal of a simple program like this is going to be extremely low. Again, not trying to discourage, keep it up and very soon you will be writing much more complex and appealing programs. It really does come quickly once you master the basics. Looks like you're doing great so far!

[Pyromaniac605]

Well i cant continue making this i try to type but whenever i get to line 32 it loads the program which now doesn't work. so dont worry about this anymore it is canceled.

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

If you give up that easily, then you can't program a computer, period! I started a VBA subroutine this past weekend that I guessed was going to take me 2 hours tops. It ended up taking 5 hours because I made an extremely hard-to-find logical error in a loop... it should have worked the way I had it, and I kept tracing it, but finally decided to just reconfigure it a little and then it worked fine! I was so happy when it finally worked... it's really a great feeling and a bit of a rush to suddenly hit the run button and have it work after all your trials and experimentation. In other words, don't give up, working through issues and problems is part of the fun of programming and using computers! Keep going! You will keep getting new ideas for the program and soon it will become more than you ever expected it to be. Then you will learn more about programming, and will realize that the way you are doing it isn't efficient or scalable, and you will start over from scratch doing it again with what you learned the first time, and it will be much much better. That's true satisfaction in programmming or anything else... the constant learning.

 

I have no idea what is happening with your current problem... line 32... loads... don't understand. Maybe if you post a screen shot of what is happening, or the program if it's something wrong with the program, and we/I can help you out.

[Pyromaniac605]

Simple. When i get to line 32 i finish it up try to continue to start line 33 and then it loads the program.

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

I still have no idea what that means. I have no doubt that it makes sense to you, but..

 

"When I get to line 32..." - when YOU get to line 32, or when the program execution gets to line 32?

"I finish it up try to continue to start line 33" -- I have no idea what this means.

"then it loads the program." - Then WHAT loads the program? Are you trying to load a program from within the orignal program, or???

 

Sorry, your sentence is just totally non-sensical... I think maybe you're just using words or terms that don't make any sense to someone who knows more about the machine. I'm afraid if you would like help with this, you'll have to be much more specific or offer screen shots or something. Sorry.

[Pyromaniac605]

When i finish typing in line 32 I press return (enter) and then at the end of line 32 at the very end of the screen it puts L then on the line below OAD then it loads the program but the input line doesn't work it wont type anything in.

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

What is your line 32? Type it here please. I think that's maybe the only way I can tell what you're talking about. I still don't know why you're loading the program in line 32...? Anyway, type line 32 here, exactly as you're typing it, not the way it shows up. In other words, if you're typing ? instead of PRINT for example, type ? here.

[Pyromaniac605]

It is miracurously fixed! Working on two new minigames and a split in the path.

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

See, I told you to not give up. That really is part of the fun of programming. If you keep it up, you will run into many "unsolvable problems" that you will eventually solve! Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Pyromaniac605]

Yay! I have a total of 1 person interested.

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

PS: @ Mirage if you read the OP it isn't just the simple guessing program. That is what im using as an example and the demo, the complete version is going to be alot more in-depth. Im thinking of sdding parts where you can choose left or right which will take you to different games so it shouldn't play out the same way twice. That is why it might be 50-60 lines.

 

I totally read the OP, and I totally understood. I don't think you understand my point that a very simplistic program like this that is only 50-60 lines is not a big deal for someone to type in if they really wanted to. But you have to be realistic and realize that the appeal of a simple program like this is going to be extremely low. Again, not trying to discourage, keep it up and very soon you will be writing much more complex and appealing programs. It really does come quickly once you master the basics. Looks like you're doing great so far!

 

I didn't say i wasn't going to type it up though did I? I was thinking when it is done have the code as well as the .prg file so people who are using emulators dont need to type it in.

 

-Darren-

 

PS: Will post a better version tomorrow.

 

Edit: Looking like im going for 100+ lines because each minigame is approx 15-20 lines so might have to cut down on them a bit.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Pyromaniac605

[Mirage]

Because you were so concerned about getting a USB tape drive or some other solution to transfer your program. You can do any/all of that without spending any money because your program is and will be so short. It wouldn't be worth the time or effort to get any other device if this (short programs) is all you are doing with it. Now, if you had bigger plans, then I would absolutely get one of the devices that I've mentioned. Of course you can have a .prg and the code both available if you want to. And I've given you multiple options to choose from to do that. I never tell you you HAVE to do such-and-such this way, I just give you all the options and you can decide for yourself. At any point, you will definitely know when it is time to move on to the next solution, trust me, because at some point you will no longer be able to do what you want to do the way you're doing it. I have a lot of experience using Commodores, nearly from the beginning, and I just try to help... But you generally come back with really defensive- or aggressive-sounding replies. I gave up trying to help you before. Maybe you're coming across wrong in text, that's entirely possible, but still. Take what you can from my or anyone else's advice and move on.

 

You just have to be realistic about something like this in terms of who may be interested and how interested they will be. This is how everyone who programs starts. Do not get discouraged, just keep going. If you do, you will get progressively better, and as such, people will more become more progressively interested in what you're doing. There is nothing wrong with that. Good things come to those who work hard. Keep going!

[Pyromaniac605]

Because you were so concerned about getting a USB tape drive or some other solution to transfer your program. You can do any/all of that without spending any money because your program is and will be so short. It wouldn't be worth the time or effort to get any other device if this (short programs) is all you are doing with it. Now, if you had bigger plans, then I would absolutely get one of the devices that I've mentioned. Of course you can have a .prg and the code both available if you want to. And I've given you multiple options to choose from to do that. I never tell you you HAVE to do such-and-such this way, I just give you all the options and you can decide for yourself. At any point, you will definitely know when it is time to move on to the next solution, trust me, because at some point you will no longer be able to do what you want to do the way you're doing it. I have a lot of experience using Commodores, nearly from the beginning, and I just try to help... But you generally come back with really defensive- or aggressive-sounding replies. I gave up trying to help you before. Maybe you're coming across wrong in text, that's entirely possible, but still. Take what you can from my or anyone else's advice and move on.

 

You just have to be realistic about something like this in terms of who may be interested and how interested they will be. This is how everyone who programs starts. Do not get discouraged, just keep going. If you do, you will get progressively better, and as such, people will more become more progressively interested in what you're doing. There is nothing wrong with that. Good things come to those who work hard. Keep going!

 

That is because i planned on developing it on the hardware but now im using the emulator it doesn't matter now. Im sorry if i sounded (cant really sound with words can i ) angry it was just that it didn't seem to me like you were reading correctly you assumed that since I was talking about recording it to a cassette that I planned on distributing it when all i wanted that for was to develop on hardware. Using an emulator is harder for developing IMO because i am used to looking at the keyboard for symbols and because they are in different positions i have to adjust and figure out what I need to press to make what symbol appear. So im sorry if i sounded angry. An also the only real reason for posting this was to get feedback I honestly didn't expect there to be much interest (which there isn't) I just wanted a little feedback on how im going with programming.

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

New version up with 3 minigames and 1 split in the path.

 

-Darren-