Circus Atari Query

[StanJr]

Since Pitfallaimee has been mastering Circus Atari (she has rolled EVERY variation numerous times and plans to go for Twin Galaxies records in the near future), and since I've been watching her do it, I've noticed something. A new row of balloons is only generated AFTER your clown has left the top of the screen.

I was wondering why this is. Does it have to do with the way the VCS redraws the screen and that it cannot redraw new balloons with a clown in the way? Or is it something else?

It doesn't seem to matter what row is cleared the clown must be at or below the barrier level for the new balloons to generate.

 

Anybody else notice this or know the technical explanation for it?

 

Ringmaster Stan

[Nukey Shay]

I would assume that it's just the program that prevents the balloons from re-appearing right away. Otherwise, it would be too easy to rack up large numbers of balloons in one go (especially since you can "ride" the tops of a group of balloons...popping all of them). Consider if the last balloon is on the left travelling right. Your clown is just behind it to the left when he hits the top of the balloon. If the new line appeared right away, he would be in a prime location to destroy a whole section of them as he continues to move to the right.

 

Probably intentional.

[StanJr]

well, that certainly makes sense. Thanks Nukey.