How "forgiving" are you on homebrews/proto release

[Cassidy Nolen]

Hi all,

 

Just sort of wondering what the expectations of the group are. If you buy one of the new releases, of course you expect it to work (they cost about as much as new games for any other system). However, if there is a programming glitch (not a structural defect), how do you react?

 

As some of you might know, there will be a new release of Polo at Philly this next month. Currently, there are 30 copies assembled and working great. When you fire it up on a "cold" (ie, been off for a minute or more) 2600, it works great. When you cycle the system on and off a few times (ie, not something you would normally do, but something you would be doing if you were testing 30 copies of something at one time), you find a bug (scrambled letters, unless you turn it off for a minute and fire it back up).

 

Wondering what the concensus of the group is on a matter like this. Its only an issue on the intro of the game. If you hit reset and start to play, you would never know it was there. Again, not inhibiting game play at all.

 

Responses welcome and desired.

 

Cassidy

[IceCold]

I think something as trivial as that would not effect me buying it. If it inhibited gameplay, that would be different.

[StanJr]

Wouldn't bother me at all. That is such a minor bug. And let's face it, a LOT of modern games are buggy as all get out. I don't think such a minor glitch would even be noticeable.

[MegaManFan]

Out of curiosity though, what causes the bug?

[SS]

Doesn't bother me. Still looking forward to picking one up next month!

[Cassidy Nolen]

It has to do with the register's state when the cart is plugged in and the system turned on. Apparently, if all the capacitors in the system drain down, the system starts as all flags/registers clear. When you turn it on (with a system that has been off for a minute), the intro works great. Its got a great looking header that says POLO, and a horse and rider go across the screen, complete with sound. Then the programmer credits come up. Really cool, and then you just hit the reset, and it jumps into the game. If you turn it off, and dont wait for the caps to drain down, "sometimes" (there is no consistency to it, and it happens about once every 10 times or so) the graphics on the intro get wierd. Turn it off, wait 60 seconds, and its perfect again. I about pulled my hair out trying to figure this one out (needless to say, it was the "giants" in our hobby that solved this one; I am merely the messenger ). The game ALWAYS plays perfectly; its not affected ever.

 

The intros seem to be common among the later edition of Atari games (ie, the red box and labels), so that is the "theme" of the new art. I am super excited about the project now, but needed some feedback whether this was an issue.

 

Well, I will sleep better tonight. I have soldered a bunch (about 1100) little legs into little holes, and I had a feeling I would be un-soldering them all, and calling the project off. Thanks, guys.

 

Cassidy

 

I can't wait until I have some done and take some photos. If it keeps snowing here (DC), I may try for some screen shots this weekend for you guys

[Andrew Davie]

Hi all,

 

Just sort of wondering what the expectations of the group are.  If you buy one of the new releases, of course you expect it to work (they cost about as much as new games for any other system).  However, if there is a programming glitch (not a structural defect), how do you react?  

 

Responses welcome and desired.

 

Well, you may know about Qb Special Edition. I produced 100 copies and shipped some 20+ of them before finding a programming error which caused the screen to roll on SOME TVs SOMETIMES. I thought that serious enough to issue a "product recall" and produce replacement copies for everyone. Cost me what little profit I was going to make from the Special Edition run - but there's no way I think you could let a faulty product out the door - especially one with a known programming error.

 

That's just me, probably.

 

Cheers

A

[CPUWIZ]

Heh, I'll take one of each, the buggy version and the debugged one. That way I have a proto and the real deal.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Heh, I'll take one of each, the buggy version and the debugged one. That way I have a proto and the real deal.    

Some collectors seem to buy nearly everything, dont they?

[rolenta]

I thought that serious enough to issue a "product recall" and produce replacement copies for everyone.

 

I still haven't received mine yet

[dwh]

I thought that serious enough to issue a "product recall" and produce replacement copies for everyone.

 

I still haven't received mine yet

 

DITTO!

[Andrew Davie]

I thought that serious enough to issue a "product recall" and produce replacement copies for everyone.

 

I still haven't received mine yet

 

 

Send your units back in, boys... to an agreed third party if you don't trust me (AtariAge comes to mind)... and I'll send you a COMPLETE refund + postage when they arrive. Otherwise .... wait.... and when the (ordered) manuals and labels are ready to send... I'll ship the remainder of the bits and pieces left to deliver.

 

Put simply, it's done when its done - and it will be done as soon as I am able. If you can't wait anymore, then ask for a refund and you'll get one - I'm sure I'll be able to re-sell your units for a lot more than you got them from me for, anyway

 

Cheers

A

 

PS: I really wish you guys hadn't hijacked this interesting thread like that.

[Paul Slocum]

It has to do with the register's state when the cart is plugged in and the system turned on.

 

When I was developing the menu multicart I found that Rescue Terra I has the same problem. My menu software was leaving one of the registers in the "wrong" state and this caused the game to crash when it started. I never realized it could cause any problems on a real Rescue Terra I cartridge, though.

 

In the 127 games on the original multicart it was the only one with that problem.

 

-Paul

[MattG/Snyper2099]

I will certainly be picking up one of the Polo carts at Philly. And, I don't care about a bug that trivial. Either way, it doesn't matter... It's just the intro. After I see an intro once, it's good enough for me.

 

MattG.

[Godzilla]

yea i really dont care at all about that particular bug. doesnt affect gameplay at all.

[MegaManFan]

Yup, I'm not changing my plans to get one. If I'm really that hard up to show somebody the title screen, I'll just let the caps drain for a minute and then turn it back on. It's a minor annoyance at best.

[AtariDude]

If the game is fun and the bug does not greatly affect game play, I pretty much forgive the oversight and enjoy the game. No program is ever perfect so you have to learn to be forgiving sometimes (unless it comes from Microsloth).

[Xot]

I think you should make a note about this in the documentation somewhere - at the very least, an extra pack-in piece of paper detailing it.

 

I'll probably still pick one up - what's the price point for Polo, anyways? I've been kicking myself for a year for not having grabbed one. Especially when I auctioned one off for LESS than the asking price...

[Cassidy Nolen]

Assuming the current costs to produce boxes, carts, etc; the copies are $40 each. The boxes and art promise to be AMAZING! I am only planning on 30 copies, not because I am being a putz, but just do not have the means to make more at this time. If there is an interest, I could take orders and fill after the show (that is what I did last year, and that seemed to work out for people; correct me if wrong?).

 

Auctioned one, eh? On ebay? Its kind of strange to make something that people want. I really wonder where all the Polo's out there are? Traded around, kept, thrown into a dump? Just makes you wonder. Something that takes that much time, money and human energy to make, sort of has a part of me......

 

Cassidy

[Xot]

Assuming the current costs to produce boxes, carts, etc; the copies are $40 each.  The boxes and art promise to be AMAZING!  I am only planning on 30 copies, not because I am being a putz, but just do not have the means to make more at this time.  If there is an interest, I could take orders and fill after the show (that is what I did last year, and that seemed to work out for people; correct me if wrong?).

 

Auctioned one, eh?  On ebay?  Its kind of strange to make something that people want.  I really wonder where all the Polo's out there are?  Traded around, kept, thrown into a dump?  Just makes you wonder.  Something that takes that much time, money and human energy to make, sort of has a part of me......

 

Cassidy

 

It was auctioned at the show. It wasn't MY copy - I was the auctioneer. If I recall correctly it was No. 1 and it only went for $35.00.

 

If you're going to be taking orders, put me down for one. It looks like there's adequate demand. I had assumed it was going to be the same as last year's release... sounds like it was a good idea to wait!

[Osmeroid]

This year's box & artwork will be much more polished :wink:

[Cassidy Nolen]

When Osmeroid says it good, its good! His worst work is 10 times better than my best! He has been great to do the new labels, box art, and manuals. His work is top notch, and his dedication to it is unparelleled.

 

The Polo cart that was auctioned in Philly was a loose cart. It went (I think?) 40, same as the boxed ones. It was truly the last one at the show. Reason I asked about ebay, I did see one on there back in the fall. Honestly, I would rather it not be out there that much; sort of keep it within our community. Considering our community spans the globe (I know of copies in England, Germany, France, US, Canada, and Iceland; thats a pretty big community!), it just sounds more "family"

 

Cassidy

[Osmeroid]

I hope that I don't disappoint!