Homebrewing for the Classic 80's Systems

[+Cafeman]

http://www.gaming-age.com

 

Gaming-Age.com just published a feature I wrote about this subject. Check it out if you are interested -- the article is currently linked-to on GA's front page.

 

Some of you are mentioned in the article.

FYI.

[Albert]

Great article, it's nice seeing attention to the Homebrew generation on a site that concentrates on modern gaming. I appreciate the amount of technical details you included to give people a feel that it can be a quite a challenge to create games for these old systems.

 

..Al

[Osmeroid]

Just read your article - excellent stuff! Gives encouragement to green programmers like me.

[Junie]

I always think it is odd that my Atari 2600 game publishing services are never mentioned, while the Hozer name is talked about everywhere.

 

Is it because no one wants change? Or is it simply that me and my team of Atarians are forgotten?

[ubersaurus]

Because as of yet you haven't any games to publish, most likely. I wonder though...will you support 7800 games at some point?

[Rhindle The Red]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Junie:

I always think it is odd that my Atari 2600 game publishing services are never mentioned, while the Hozer name is talked about everywhere.

---

 

Well, remember, Hozer is established and well known and you are new. Although I'm sure your services are good, I don't know anyone who has used them and can vouch for them. Although I haven't used Hozer, many others have and I've read many positive testimonials about his services.

 

Besides, not everyone can be mentioned. I wasn't mentioned and my Return of Mario Bros. hack is arguably what got the hacks to be such a big deal at AtariAge last year.

 

Don't worry. If you are around for a while and do good work, you'll be remembered. But recognition cannot come overnight, and may not come at all. I don't mind not being mentioned, because the fun comes in the work and knowing people enjoy it. If not everyone thinks of my stuff, well, that's life.

Just for comparison, let's go native. 

Back to the animal instinct.

[+Cafeman]

I meant no slight to those I didn't include -- the article gave a sample of games and I picked the ones I found most fun or those that I was most familiar with. I had to keep the size within reasonable limits as well, hence I didn't get to put all the games in that I originally wanted to.

 

@Junie -- you really need to advertise yourself more. I didn't even think of you, mostly because I'm not aware of any games you've published. In researching that article, I found reference after reference to Hozer.

[Adrian M]

Great article Cafeman! Very informative and interesting to read!

[JCroniger]

I really liked the article. It was informative and concise. Defintely worth reading.

[Junie]

quote:

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Originally posted by Cafeman:

@Junie -- you really need to advertise yourself more. I didn't even think of you, mostly because I'm not aware of any games you've published. In researching that article, I found reference after reference to Hozer.

---

 

No offense taken, just curious and now I know.

 

Of course references are a great way to get game authors to use my services, but of course I need game authors to use my services so I can get references-- A no win situation.

 

And of course more advertising is always needed. Anyone have any ideas for advertising without spamming various newsgroups?

 

It seems everyone voiced their opinion back in a previous thread here at AtariAge, with their loyalty to Hozer no matter what. I've had a few inquires, but nothing serious, and no orders. Perhaps this is nothing more than just a good idea, but a losing battle that will not suceed.

 

Anyone have any ideas about this or should I simply let this business sink out of existence?

[ubersaurus]

If I had a game I'd go with yer service, but I am afraid you are outta luck. I'm interested in making a 7800 game though, I used to play it more then my 2600 in the day, so I feel more loyalty to it. That, and I think I could make my ideas a bit easier. This all assumes of course, that I can get some books on 6502 Assembler. Time to hit thrift shops for those!

[cschell]

Hey Junie,

 

I wouldn't worry about not being mentioned. As people have stated, you're new and you haven't actually published anything yet.

 

Look at it this way, Joe Zbiciak didn't even get a mention, even though he's done a tremendous amount for Intellivision homebrewing. (Reverse engineered much of the Intellivision, wrote an emulator, cross-assmembler, programming documents, sample source code and released the first new Intellivision game in cartridge format in more than a decade, 4-Tris.)

 

Joe, and the Intellivision in general, often get left out of these articles for some reason. There weren't even any links to his site, or the intv programming list, etc.

 

Fortunately I know that Joe plays with the Intellivision stuff because it's something he enjoys, so being often left out doesn't bother him. That's pretty much the way it works in Classic Gaming or any small hobby. You're not going to get a lot of press, money, fame etc. So if you started your publishing business for those reasons, than you should probably fold it. If you started it because it's something you think you'll enjoy, than give it some time and see what happens.

 

Chad

[Junie]

quote:

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Originally posted by C. Schell:

Fortunately I know that Joe plays with the Intellivision stuff because it's something he enjoys, so being often left out doesn't bother him. That's pretty much the way it works in Classic Gaming or any small hobby. You're not going to get a lot of press, money, fame etc. So if you started your publishing business for those reasons, than you should probably fold it. If you started it because it's something you think you'll enjoy, than give it some time and see what happens.

---

 

No I didn't start my publishing business for press, money or fame-- I do it simply because I love the Atari and think game authors should have more services available for their games.

 

It just seems like a losing battle with the messages I've seen in the past, perhaps I should just move on and forget that ever happened. I think it's time to start some of my ideas to help further Atari 2600 Homebrewed game development.

 

Ubersaurus thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll keep my publishing services going as long as there is at least interest.

 

I must admit it seems like I have been bickering, it wasn't intented that way at all. I apologize to everyone here at AtariAge, especially to Cafeman for taking his message thread of pride "hostage".

 

Cafeman that is a great article and congratulations on getting it published.

 

We now return you to the regularly scheduled message..

[Albert]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Junie:

I always think it is odd that my Atari 2600 game publishing services are never mentioned, while the Hozer name is talked about everywhere.

---

 

I think you need to keep in mind that there really aren't that many people creating new titles for the Atari 2600. You can take a look at this page to get an idea of who's doing what, and certainly this represents the bulk of development taking place on the 2600. Many of these titles are very early in the states of development, some are up in the air, and there are a few that are nearing completion (or are complete), such as Mental Kombat, Warring Worms, and the Synthcart.

 

Have you ever tried to contact these authors directly to see if they'd be interested in using your services?

 

..Al