Which is tougher?

[StanJr]

To write a game for the use of the paddles or the joystick?

 

I ask this because of Casino. The game uses paddles, but it, to my ignorant mind, could EASILY have used the joystick.

 

So I was wondering which was easiest to program for.

 

Or is there a difference at all?

 

Thanks

 

Multi-input Stan

[+Cafeman]

Paddles offer more input I guess, a number from 0 to 255 (erm, I think). Joysticks use values to correspond to up,down,left,right, and the diagonals. Similar amount of effort.

 

Mind you, on 5200 the joystick is essentially like reading 2 2600 paddles. Again, piece of cake once you know how.

[Nukey Shay]

Based on the 8-bit, I'd say the paddle is by far easier to program for...since you only have to read a single value that is in the range of 1-228 which can easily be used for P/M location. With the stick, you have to do multiple-level checks using ANDed bits.

[calamari]

On the 2600, joystick is much easier (IMO). It's either on/off.. so you can test for that and be done. With the paddles you are dealing with how much it's turned.. I had joystick code in Radial Pong but it has since been removed.. no one wanted a pong game controlled by a joystick I added the paddle code and I can hardly control the thing now, at least on the emu

 

calamari

[Nukey Shay]

I dunno...with the 800 I can just take the paddle value as-is (almost).

With joysticks, you need to keep temp values and things to keep track of where you were before moving.

[mos6507]

Paddle games on the 2600 require a more minimal display because you have to read the paddle several times during the active screen, the section of the code that you really need in order to do meaningful graphics.

 

(I mean, there is a reason Kaboom is mostly a green backgroud with a LOT of space between the vertically separated sprites...)

 

On the 8-bit/5200 the Pokey chip takes care of this for you so you can just get the paddle value directly during vertical blank.

 

So at least for the 2600, you'd want to avoid paddle control unless you absolutely need it.

[Big Player]

I ask this because of Casino.  The game uses paddles, but it, to my ignorant mind, could EASILY have used the joystick.

 

Sure, and been like any other blackjack game. What the paddle offers is speed. In no time you can dial in your bet and then play a hand in a few seconds.

 

Great practice for getting use to playing blackjack at casino speeds (or even faster.) Without the paddle controls, I'd probably never play Casino.

[StanJr]

OH COME ON. It does not take THAT long to push a joystick left 3 times to place a bet.

 

Please.

[Nukey Shay]

Speed is everything when it comes to betting.

 

Need to stay one step ahead of the mob.