Coleco minigames in a cartridge - Who want one?

[newcoleco]

(this message is also copied in Yahoo groups ColecoVisionCollectors and ColecoProgramming)

 

After a discussion with AtariAge, I have to ask you if you are interrested to see a cartridge filled with minigames made by the Coleco programmers. I'm sure all the authors of these minigames want a cartridge, but what about the other programmers, the gamers and the collectors?

 

If there is a big demand for them, Albert may accept to make special pcbs for this project (that will certainly continue) to support 4k but also 8k minigames... and also support 64K EPROM for more minigames and more fun (if there are enough new minigames one year).

 

 

Also, give us your TOP7 (7 4kgames plus a menu = 32K)

2004 : URL = http://starbase.globalpc.net/minidir/index.results2.html

2005 : URL = http://minigamecomp.org.uk/gamesresults.php?module=NS-User

2006 : URL = http://minigamecomp.org.uk/4kresults.php?module=NS-User

 

[2004] Diamond Dash - Daniel Bienvenu

[2004] Smash - Daniel Bienvenu

[2005] Get Booty - Dale Wick

[2005] Space Hunter - Guy Foster

[2005] Space Trainer - Daniel Bienvenu

[2006] JetP4K - Harvey deKleine

[2006] Jump or Die - Daniel Bienvenu

[2006] Square! - Harvey deKleine

 

There are a few missing minigames in this list, because they were not submited to the minigame compo.

However, these missing minigames are also qualify for the minigames cartridge project.

I know that Dale Wick was trying to develop a 4k minigame for this year, but didn't had time to submit it.

 

 

Daniel

 

Note : I'm sure making minigames cartridges is a good opportunity to mix all the programmers into a single project : a chalenge for the more experienced, a good improvement skill for the novice, and a first release for the newbies who think their games are not good to be published alone in a cartridge.

Edited November 17, 2006 by newcoleco

[Pixelboy]

Count me in as a buyer.

[ColecoNation]

Me too.

[ScottHuggins]

Me three. btw- Daniel, could you finish out your 2k submission to the mini games compo? Maybe make it into a full-fledged game? I liked that one.

 

 

Me too.

[newcoleco]

Daniel, could you finish out your 2k submission to the mini games compo? Maybe make it into a full-fledged game? I liked that one.

Yes, "Jump or Die"... I like this game too, and I will continue it.

 

I played it yesturday but the game is now too easy for me...

This game need new screens, and maybe new obstacles (if enough space).

Edited November 17, 2006 by newcoleco

[ScottHuggins]

Looks like it will be an 8k game then!

[Pixelboy]

Y'know, you could give this collection of mini-games a catchy name, like maybe "Game Pack #3"...

[newcoleco]

Looks like it will be an 8k game then!

Yes, it looks like a 8K game but a 3 levels version should still fit in 4K.

Maybe a 8K or even a 32K version will exists in the future.

Like I said in its description : it's more a game engine than a real game.

 

Y'know, you could give this collection of mini-games a catchy name, like "Game Pack #3"

Thanks for the suggestion! :-)

But, to avoid confusion with my projects GamePack #1 and #2 we must find another name.

 

Daniel

Edited November 17, 2006 by newcoleco

[Cybergoth]

Also, give us your TOP7 (7 4kgames plus a menu = 32K)

 

[2004] Diamond Dash - Daniel Bienvenu

[2004] Smash - Daniel Bienvenu

[2005] Get Booty - Dale Wick

[2005] Space Hunter - Guy Foster

[2005] Space Trainer - Daniel Bienvenu

[2006] JetP4K - Harvey deKleine

[2006] Jump or Die - Daniel Bienvenu

[2006] Square! - Harvey deKleine

 

Since most are from you anyway, I think you'd best do without Smash or Space Trainer

[newcoleco]

Since most are from you anyway, I think you'd best do without Smash or Space Trainer

I agree! Smash was more a tutorial game programming effort, it came with a powerpoint file to explain how is it coded.

Note : someone did a variation of Smash, and I'm happy to say that this was a first game programming experience for this guy.

 

Like I said before, there are more Coleco minigames but these ones came from Minigame Compo.

Edited November 17, 2006 by newcoleco

[jboypacman]

Sounds sweet.I would take one.

[Troy_Whelan]

As with all your other work, I would like one of these as well!

 

Troy

[Chickybaby]

Looks awesome and mini games are some of my favorite kinds of games!

[duncantoml]

Count me in!!!!!!

 

I'd like to see any or all of these released in cart form for the CV:

 

 

Air Battle By Daniel Bienvenu

Bejeweled By Daniel Bienvenu

Cosmo Trainer By Marcel de Kogel

Happy Halloween by Daniel Bienvenu

Killer Instinct By Daniel Bienvenu

Nim by Daniel Bienvenu

Pere Noal by Daniel Bienvenu

Phoenix by ??????

Stubby by Yannick Proulx

St. Valentine's Day By ?????

Tenchi Muyo by Daniel Bienvenu

Vampire by ???????

Winky Trap By John Dondzila

ELDCDBPAPP BY ??????

Craven Rescue by ?????

Chateau du Dragon by Daniel Bienvenu

Cosmo Challenge by Marcel de Kogel

 

I've messed with most of these on the CV EMU.

 

Not sure how many of them could be mini games (OR single carts hint hint ).

[newcoleco]

Phoenix by ??????

St. Valentine's Day By ?????

Vampire by ???????

Winky Trap By John Dondzila

ELDCDBPAPP BY ??????

Craven Rescue by ?????

oops, some mistakes...

 

Phoenix by Scott Huggins

St. Valentine's Day by Daniel B.

Vampire by Daniel B.

Winky Trap by Jean-François... (I can't remember his name)

ELDCDBPAPP Q*Bert by Daniel B.

Cavern Rescue by Scott Huggins

 

Well, I think only one of the games you mention is small enough to be a minigame...

Edited November 19, 2006 by newcoleco

[duncantoml]

Phoenix by ??????

St. Valentine's Day By ?????

Vampire by ???????

Winky Trap By John Dondzila

ELDCDBPAPP BY ??????

Craven Rescue by ?????

oops, some mistakes...

 

Phoenix by Scott Huggins

St. Valentine's Day by Daniel B.

Vampire by Daniel B.

Winky Trap by Jean-François... (I can't remember his name)

ELDCDBPAPP Q*Bert by Daniel B.

Cavern Rescue by Scott Huggins

 

Well, I think only one of the games you mention is small enough to be a minigame...

 

 

I couldn't remember a few of them.

 

I didn't realize Scott had done Phoenix & Cavern Rescue. Maybe there's hope for those, since his other games turned out so well.

 

Which one do you believe could be a mini game?

[newcoleco]

Which one do you believe could be a mini game?

The smallest game in the list is NIM and was released in Gamepack #1.

The word game "Valentine's Day" is small too, but who want to play a game with only one possible answer?

 

There are even more missing Coleco minigames like this one :

- Not One : a dice game, available in my coleco programming kit.

( original code in BASIC here : http://www.atariarchives.org/morebasicgame...ge.php?page=115 )

 

Daniel

[newcoleco]

Well, it looks like the majority of the programmers prefer to publish "boosted" versions (up to 8K) of their minigames.

So, the list of minigames available for the first batch of cartridges is not fixed anymore.

 

only three(3) 8k games can be burned in 32K eprom to keep the actual pcb design.

however, a new pcb design will accept 64k eprom and give the opportunity to release seven(7) 8k games par cartridge... but making new pcbs cost more, and need a big demand to justify its creation.

 

give your opinion, now! show what you prefer about this project to the AtariAge staff!

(do you accept to pay more to support new pcb design? which game you want to see "boosted"?)

Edited January 29, 2007 by newcoleco

[Pixelboy]

Well, it looks like the majority of the programmers prefer to publish "boosted" versions (up to 8K) of their minigames.

So, the list of minigames available for the first batch of cartridges is not fixed anymore.

 

only three(3) 8k games can be burned in 32K eprom to keep the actual pcb design.

however, a new pcb design will accept 64k eprom and give the opportunity to release seven(7) 8k games par cartridge... but making new pcbs cost more, and need a big demand to justify its creation.

 

give your opinion, now! show what you prefer about this project to the AtariAge staff!

(do you accept to pay more to support new pcb design? which game you want to see "boosted"?)

Hmmm... The idea of a 64K CV cart sounds nice, and as a collector, I'll buy it myself no question, but a group of mini-games doesn't sound like enough of a big seller to me to warrant the creation of a 64K PCB for that purpose. Does that 64K PCB even exist yet?

 

I do have a question: There is enough space in the big plastic cases AtariAge uses to fit two CV cartridges, so what would be more expensive? Using a 64K cart, or putting two 32K carts in the same box? If we're going to pay more, might as well make it interesting, as a twin-cartridge release would be a first in the CV homebrew scene...

[jetset]

I'd certainly like one as well!

[newcoleco]

Hmmm... The idea of a 64K CV cart sounds nice, and as a collector, I'll buy it myself no question, but a group of mini-games doesn't sound like enough of a big seller to me to warrant the creation of a 64K PCB for that purpose. Does that 64K PCB even exist yet?

"minigame" refer to tiny size of games submited to a contest named "minigame compo". 8K Coleco games already exists, like Q*Bert, and many collectors have this game in their collection without any question. So, it's up to the homebrewer to maximize the fun in the restricted size to allow, with a software menu, more than one 8k game per cartridge. In this point of view, this project will be a big seller, but only time will decide.

 

based on the informations I know, a new design is in discussion to support 64k eprom, and there is no proof that the new design will support a project like a software menu with multiple games.

 

Well, if you prefer a term like "megapack" to describ a multiple 8k homebrew games cartridge made by various talented Coleco homebrew programmers because it sounds more like a big hit, be my guest. Personnaly, I will continue to use the word minigame that refer to the compo name.

 

The success of this project is based on 3 things : programmers skills, production cost by doing or not special pcbs for this project, and the answer from the gamers and collectors. Personnaly, I think we have talented enough programmers to not disappoint the gamers so it's only a question of time to accomplish this project.

[Murph74]

Not sure how i missed this thread before, but count me in either way it goes. I personally prefer the minigame concept as opposed to the enchanced versions. Not real sure why, just seems like more game less fluff in the mini's I guess.

 

Also, I like the dual cart idea if the 64k board is cost prohibitive. Of course, not sure what cost prohibitive is now, since I'd think there's a way to do up to 128 32k games via the atarimax multi cart. Given that the technology is there, I wonder what Steve would need to adopt that from a Flash cart to a standard Ram cart?

 

I'm pretty sure you could fit the majority of the homebrew library, if not all of it, on a Multicart right now (Cart is what, about $125?). If you could eliminate the USB stuff, and make it just a standard cart... just thinking thru the fingertips here.

 

Murph

Edited January 31, 2007 by Murph74

[newcoleco]

*NEWS*

 

A first prototype cartridge is done. I will receive it by mail to test it myself and improve the menu software at the same time.

 

I'm pretty sure you could fit the majority of the homebrew library, if not all of it, on a Multicart right now (Cart is what, about $125?). If you could eliminate the USB stuff, and make it just a standard cart... just thinking thru the fingertips here.

Of course, all the Coleco homebrew games, except at least one, can be played on a multicart. I have one of the usb coleco multicart and I already show it to the world at the Arcadia festival last year in Montreal. I showed, with Steve Begin, some new homebrew games in development.

[Pixelboy]

*NEWS*

 

A first prototype cartridge is done. I will receive it by mail to test it myself and improve the menu software at the same time.

That's good news! So how many mini-games will you finally manage to fit inside the cart?

 

Of course, all the Coleco homebrew games, except at least one, can be played on a multicart. I have one of the usb coleco multicart and I already show it to the world at the Arcadia festival last year in Montreal. I showed, with Steve Begin, some new homebrew games in development.

Speaking of which, what's happening with Jewel Panic? (I asked the same question on the CCJVQ forums, BTW).

[Vic George 2K3]

Q-Bert was brought home by Parker Bros., NOT Coleco.