Cool. I'm in.Me too ;D - Think I'll be picking the ZX Spectrum even though I preferred the C64 but fancy a challenge to figure out if I can code a colour clash routine ( which is optional of course ) :P
Is the Amstrad CPC 2 colors plus the black background or just 2 colors. Sorry for my ignoranceThe hires *cough* mode on the CPC was 2 colours which includes black. As Adam says, black is a colour. So black / white or green / blue etc etc. I don’t think many, if any games used that mode though.
Question. Could I make an actual C64 game and run it in an emulator to meet the Windows requirement, or does it need to be a standalone Windows executable?Sure you could :) - just link to the emulator and provide instructions on how run the game.
Question. Could I make an actual C64 game and run it in an emulator to meet the Windows requirement, or does it need to be a standalone Windows executable?
So if my resolution is 160x200 can i scale it up?I'd highly recommend scaling up. You also do not have to use the retro resolution if you don't want to :)
160x200 is just s spec on my monitor and probably unplayable on any monitor
So if my resolution is 160x200 can i scale it up?
160x200 is just s spec on my monitor and probably unplayable on any monitor
This is so enthralling.... It's been let me see, 35 years since I coded in ZX Basic. Need to give it some thought.... ;)
When i look at that image is (as far as i can see) it is 256x177. I cannot resolve the resolution with that screen shot. What am i missing?You're not taking into account the black surrounding and that the width would be double to look normal on a PC.
You're not taking into account the black surrounding and that the width would be double to look normal on a PC.256x177 is after i cropped the image. The smallest shape in that image is one pixel (The serif at the top of the green "1") so i cannot see how it could be rezed up.
256x177 is after i cropped the image. The smallest shape in that image is one pixel (The serif at the top of the green "1") so i cannot see how it could be rezed up.The full image you showed was 384×272 which is the full overscan mode of the CPC including black borders. The main game graphic area is irrelevant in this case and is not a representation of the standard resolution of the CPC.
Those issues aside, my major question is the aspect. Is the aspect arbitrary? So could i have 160x200 or 200x160No, the rules state you could even do a full HD version of your game providing it looks / acts like a game on that computer. So mimicking the resolution is not a requirement but an optional extra. The tech sides are just there if you want to go down that route. The main goal is to emulate the look / feel of that computer and to create a cool game.
interesting ... though still on the fence whether i'll jump in or not.The rules state you don’t have to imitate the hardware, just make it look and feel like a game on that system.
namely due to imitating/emulating classic hardware on a modern system with the tool kits and sdk's I use.
interesting ... though still on the fence whether i'll jump in or not.The rules state you don’t have to imitate the hardware, just make it look and feel like a game on that system.
namely due to imitating/emulating classic hardware on a modern system with the tool kits and sdk's I use.
We def have to use the specific palettes for each machine though?
Colour palette ( must use ) :
QuoteWe def have to use the specific palettes for each machine though?
Yep, just look and feel and a machine appropriate palette.
As Qube said:QuoteColour palette ( must use ) :
Cheers Steve - must learn to read!!
We def have to use the specific palettes for each machine though?The palettes are there so everyones using the same colour shades for their respective machine. But we're not going down the line of the other retro comp whereby that was 16 colours maximum. For example if you wanted to do a black outline on a sprite then you could use RGB 0,0,1 to visually look like a black outline colour if you are using 0,0,0 for transparency. Visually it'll still look like your choice of machine. Make sense? ;D
I'm in I guess ... just added a worklogCool, look forward to seeing it in action :)
https://www.syntaxbomb.com/index.php/topic,5216.msg22585/topicseen.html#new
hopefully I can tweak what I have so far to match the chosen system.
I'm not going to start a worklog, just (hopefully) a completed game by the deadline.Burger Time sequel for the win \o/ :P
I'm not going to start a worklog, just (hopefully) a completed game by the deadline.
Burger Time sequel for the win \o/ :P
Trying to group C64's palette per hue and luminance (just by eye, not color science):(https://images2.imgbox.com/23/e6/tJwwE1BB_o.png)
Speaking of which has any one explored the [2 layer multi color] sprite method on old hardware.
this was an old technique for a sonic the hedgehog game on the neo geo pocket of all things.
I've wanted to test this method on something others then any later system or hardware.
just a curious notion.
Interesting - seems it was a pretty good palette choice.Great link, tons of variations in there. I wouldn't have thought of using the grays as mid-tones.
http://www.aaronbell.com/secret-colours-of-the-commodore-64/
This allows to paint your sprite without paying too much attention on hitting the absolute correct palette colors - or if you prepare a palette of 16base + some "mix colors" it will take care for correct color alternations to result in a "as much as possible" representation of the original image.That's an interesting approach, painting a sprite however you want it (32bit ARGB mode), then using software to map the colors to some palette (indexed mode).
For you guys working on an entry and need to do your own graphics then you might want to take a look at:Nice find :) - I can confirm that not only does it have the palettes and resolutions built in but it also matches the tech specs while drawing, for example if you choose ZX Spectrum then it'll recolour cells if needed as you paint.
http://multipaint.kameli.net/ (http://multipaint.kameli.net/)
..... It has Spectrum, Amstrad, C64 multicolour and hi-res modes and, I believe, it won't let you draw in colours that would not be possible on the real machine - ie: more than one colour per 8*8 block on a C64 in hi-res mode, for example. I've not yet confirmed this but it's worth a look.
I hope it's ok for me to join despite not having been part of this community before. It just sounded so much fun! :)Welcome onboard :) - Sure it's OK for you to join in, more the merrier. Just so you know we've had new members join before and then go on to win the competitions so there's no bias in the voting towards the older members. It's all about the final game :)
So.... my question is, can I use microsoft paint to some how figure out the RGB values of the Bix ZX PNG, I'm beginning to think I might need GIMP or Adams Font picker.Probably easier to just download the palette provided on the 1st page ( copied below for convenience ) and in GIMP use the colour picker to select the colour you want :)
QuoteSo.... my question is, can I use microsoft paint to some how figure out the RGB values of the Bix ZX PNG, I'm beginning to think I might need GIMP or Adams Font picker.Probably easier to just download the palette provided on the 1st page ( copied below for convenience ) and in GIMP use the colour picker to select the colour you want :)
ZX Spectrum palette :
(https://www.syntaxbomb.com/images/SBJan2019Comp-ZX.png)
RGB values of the Bix ZX PNGblack = 0, 0, 0
grey = 127, 127, 127
ClsColor 127,127,127
Cls
HD Spectrum game if you want so long as it looks the part.
Can I play songs from mp3 files within the executable?There are no rules regarding sound but do keep in mind that part of the voting is "authenticity". It's not a critical part of the voting though but just there as a bit of fun.
Back in the day, the sound would come through the Speccy's internal speaker. what do you think? Could this have been feasible back in the day to add to the Spectrums (already......) atmospheric games?Sounds plausible to me :)
who would have four spectrums hooked up to 4 tellys to take the resolution up to a huge 512 x 394. Some thing like this:Multiplayer Jet-Pac ;D
Yeah, think I'm getting a little to far outside the authentic land!
.All entries must be in by 23:59:59 on the 31st of Mar 2019 ( GMT ). No extensions to the deadline will be granted.
T minus 22 days, tick tock!
There is obviously a lot of love for this compo, if say more than 5 of the current entrants wouldn't mind a 3 week extension, which might allow for some 8 bit retro coding fun at Easter too, could we pleeeeeeez extend this compo by a bit? Exceptional circumstances being the shear quality of the entrants to date . Likewise, if 5 of the current entrants said, sod an extension, all good.Quote.All entries must be in by 23:59:59 on the 31st of Mar 2019 ( GMT ). No extensions to the deadline will be granted.
I did extend the comp deadline once ( I think it was a Christmas one ) and it didn't go down too well with some :P - Personally I wouldn't mind a couple of weeks more but the deadline IS the deadline ;D
Maybe the next compo could be a transition from 8-bit to 16-bit, 50 percent of levels in 8 bit, then treated to 16bits of graphical eye candy for the latter half....
Maybe the next compo could be a transition from 8-bit to 16-bit, 50 percent of levels in 8 bit, then treated to 16bits of graphical eye candy for the latter half....Yeah, the next comp won't be retro based, so no palette or screen resolution limits. Having said that there is no problem with you doing this exact thing with what ever the next competition is. Just because a comp may not have a retro theme doesn't mean you can't make your comp entry a retro styled one :)
Match 3 is not something I've tackled either, and something simpler than an isometric game.
Match 3 is not something I've tackled either, and something simpler than an isometric game.I think a match-3 engine is harder to do than an isometric game? :o
And I want to see Qube's creation come to life.Lol, the abandoned Halloween one?. Doubt I'd ever revisit that as I'd rewrite the whole thing from fresh if I were to ever do a match-3 game again.
If a contest about isometric game is held, there will be a few entries. The Christmas adventure game contest is a very,very good example. Nevertheless, it is easier for entrants to win because of a few contestants.Nothing has been decided about the next comp yet :)
If a contest about isometric game is held, there will be a few entries. The Christmas adventure game contest is a very,very good example. Nevertheless, it is easier for entrants to win because of a few contestants.Nothing has been decided about the next comp yet :)
How's everyone doing so far? Do you think you're going to make the competition deadline? Are you panicking as bad as me? :-)I should be OK but I'm hoping I can squeeze in one more thing. No big issue if not.
Doubtful I'll get mine done on time. It's all good though - I've never attempted a platformer before so learned quite a few new things which will come in handy for the future. ;DNoooo! work faster, take days off work if needed ;D
They say it would be a lot of work to change the colours over...- open sprite in your painting programme
So in short:
- I am against extending the time frame (if we do not finish then yeah, that's life)
- I am against allowing "widely varying" colors of the palettes - for this we could have a "16 color compo" (=> custom palettes)
If we're on a vote, though, then I'm for not penalising someones hard work because of a mistake and to let it go. I reckon I'll be in the minority, though.
Variations should be allowed - if we talk about 253,255,255 instead of 255,255,255Strictly speaking no they shouldn't. The palettes were chosen from the web and stated as "must use". I'm not sure how variations can happen when the palettes are actually provided. Sure if some anomaly caused 255,255,255 to become 253,255,255 then of course that wouldn't be classed as a violation as people wouldn't even be able to see the difference.
I teeth grinding accepted to loose a big bit of atmosphere when using the "qube palette" instead of blindly googling for "c64 colors" and use the colors on the first link ("best google hit"):But when the comp rules say here's the palette and "must use" then why are you / anyone Googling for the palette?. It's provided for you in the very first post! Why are you looking for another - Also it's not my palette, it's from wikipedia.
QuoteWhen i look at that image is (as far as i can see) it is 256x177. I cannot resolve the resolution with that screen shot. What am i missing?You're not taking into account the black surrounding and that the width would be double to look normal on a PC.
I'd say that's a screen shot from an emulator running the CPC in 16 colour full overscan mode ( 384×272 is how it'd be represented on a PC ). The game in reality would have been in 192×272 ( if running in overscan mode ) but when a PC is emulating the screen then what you see is double the resolution width, hence the total dimension of the image provided.
Most games were 160x200 ( double width pixels to fit 320x200 ) and I doubt many games used the full screen trick. You can if you want :)
@ googlingTake a look at the very first post about rules and limits. Is that the part you missed? :P - in fact to even know that you can pick the C64 you’d have already passed one section about the palette. Didn’t know? :))
Dunno, think the rules were on page 1 but the topic already on "page >1" so I was no longer aware that you even provided one
This is my very first competition. My favourite language is Basic, SDLBasic actually... I am not a programmer or an online gamer but enjoy tinkering with Basic. I was given the link to this competition from one of the members on the RCBasic forum. I was hesitant in competing because of my programming skills, or lack of it... lol
I started looking for other entries (just to see what I am up against) but, one week from the closing date, I haven't found any. Several postings on this site indicated expressions of interest, but I haven't seen any entries, as yet. I suppose I should ask if I'm in the right place to start with.... Maybe I have made a mistake?
I started looking for other entries (just to see what I am up against) but, one week from the closing date, I haven't found any. Several postings on this site indicated expressions of interest, but I haven't seen any entries, as yet. I suppose I should ask if I'm in the right place to start with.... Maybe I have made a mistake?Yup, you're in the right place. Most post progress of their game comp progress in the Worklogs (https://www.syntaxbomb.com/index.php/board,52.0.html) section.
Cool... Thanks or the link... I have seen some of the entries... *sigh* Now I wish I hadn't.. lol These guys (generic) are 'really' good. I'm afraid that my "tinkering" will not even come close to the concepts that these guys have discarded into their trash....
Obviously "tinkering" is not going to cut it. I need to do something to help my chances in the future...
You have been a great help and I will continue to watch as the competition evolves....
J
Envahi, my first competition entry\o/ Fun game \o/
Unlike other 8-bit computers of the time the Amstrad seems to have had a non-fixed palette, but it had a lower resolution than some.
So in my opinion you could use different palettes per level (but a maximum of 16 colours on-screen) although that wouldn't give your game a consistant 'look'.
This is a public service announcement for your own well-beingin case of emergency "break-out" :P
Unlike other 8-bit computers of the time the Amstrad seems to have had a non-fixed palette, but it had a lower resolution than some.The original CPC range had 27 colours but a max of 16 on screen. The main game resolution was the same as the C64, 160x200 ( double width pixels ) in order t get 16 colours on screen at once.
Hello,Congrats for finishing your game on time :)
I have submitted my entry here. Bye...
https://www.syntaxbomb.com/index.php/topic,5394.msg24307.html#msg24307
Congrats for finishing your game on time :)
| Game Title: | Jack Deadly |
| Download link: | https://therevillsgames.itch.io/jack-deadly (https://therevillsgames.itch.io/jack-deadly) |
| OS requirements: | Windows |
| Required dependencies: | OpenGL |
| Info: | Jack Deadly is a homage to the classic Rick Dangerous games for the Syntax Bomb's 8-bit Wars competition, using the palette of the greatest 8-bit computer ever: The Amstrad CPC 464! Guide Jack around dangerous locations and watch out for deadly enemies! |
| Media information: | Music by Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech) |
File shown as 'damaged' when Mac version downloaded.
File shown as 'damaged' when Mac version downloaded.
You can get it to work by going into the folder where you downloaded the game ( in Terminal ) and issuing the command : sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine Damnation\ Alley.appFile shown as 'damaged' when Mac version downloaded.
Can you try the Mac version again? I downloaded to test and was fine for me.
You can get it to work by going into the folder where you downloaded the game ( in Terminal ) and issuing the command : sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine Damnation\ Alley.app
Just offering a fix :o - Blame MacOS's securityQuoteYou can get it to work by going into the folder where you downloaded the game ( in Terminal ) and issuing the command : sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine Damnation\ Alley.app
Seriously? Why would you really need to do that? The Windows version just works.
Just offering a fix :o
Blame MacOS's security
About time lol. ;) Will give them a go tomorrow.I know, a whole day early too, practically flying I am :P
stopper and I'll re-upload later on if bugs are found. Twat!!!!!!
And I am Done! So is the game 8)On the Mac version I get a popup window saying the game can't be found :(
Info: The Big Dark Adventure is a homage to the Hobbit format by Melbourne house.
@Qube, just tried out Bomb Da City, quality. Will try all entrants throughout the week.... :))Lol, couldn't resist squeezing that in :P
@Qube, just tried out Bomb Da City
Cheers Steve, I watched a walkthrough of the old Hobbit for inspiration
@Qube, just tried out Bomb Da City, quality. Will try all entrants throughout the week.... :))Lol, couldn't resist squeezing that in :P
.
My inspiration was Splat! Pacman and Manic Miner.
I'm sure there was something in my eye lol. ;) But that really takes me back.36 years ago I played that game, so waaaaaaay back :P
This was your inspiration from the Vic 20 for that one, right?Yup yup ;D - Spent many hours playing that on Vic-20 and thought it's be perfect as a quick addition under ZX 16k :P - Although with a mini twist when you do land :o
I really hope I am in time here! Four minutes to go!
You still have two hours to go. Not sure if the competition mentions a deadline in GMT though, so possibly you wouldn't have known that.
Well done for getting your game done and don't panic. It's entered now. You've even got time to knock up a title screen as long as you can get it uploaded within the 2 hours :)
And I am Done! So is the game 8)On the Mac version I get a popup window saying the game can't be found :(
However if I change a line in game.ini and options.ini to OutputDir="" then all is OK :)
. And bugs can be sorted in 'bug week'. But no extra features can be added - just bug fixes. So get all the features in, then sort out any bugs within the next week.
There was me thinking I was done
Still a whole hour to go, I'm knackered and of to the land of nod, c'mon Derron , you can do it!For a well earned rest ;D - Will play all the entries properly tomorrow once everyones are in :)
@Imerion - it's only 22:56 in the UK so you've 1hr and 4 minutes left :) - Could you add an option for either full screen or windows scaling as it's micro small and I can't see what's going on :P
Congrats to the contestants - enjoy the incoming bug reports.
I only played three so far, but these have been awesome. Sorry I couldn't participate this time. Good luck to everyone :)
. I've not looked at a bit of code all day yesterday as even the thought of it makes me feel a bit queasy at the moment. Roll on the voting as there's some really fucking great games to judge this time.
I'd have been a damn sight less consumed with testing had I known there was a bug fix week.There's an acronym called RTFM. I think we should have one for the SyntaxBomb game comps called RTFR ;D
What with mourning the death of my Winosows7 machine and all...... Might be time for a new hobby. ::)You don't have a decent PC at the moment? :o
12.. There will be a one week gap after the comp ends before voting starts to allow members to play the games and for developers to fix any bugs in their game and re-upload. Once voting commences then no further bug fixes can be submitted until after voting has been completed.
You don't have a decent PC at the moment? :o
is there a simple list of all entries for the competition so I can download them all? :-*
I'm assuming Qube will put one together with all entries as soon as bug fix week is over and voting begins.Yeah, I'll be putting one together when it's time to vote as that'll have all the bug fixed versions. After that I'll do a list of all the game comps for easier access for members old and new to grab :)
. Yeah, I'll be putting one together when it's time to vote as that'll have all the bug fixed versions. After that I'll do a list of all the game comps for easier access for members old and new to grab :)
You play as Mortis: Overworked minion of Mr De'Ath.
Not sure if I should be smug about the fact that I never got any reports of bugs in Damnation Alley. You lot did play it, right?It a good sign if no glaring bugs leap out while playing. That's a good sign and a testament to game testing while developing :)
Right?
<gulp>
Not sure if I should be smug about the fact that I never got any reports of bugs in Damnation Alleyplayed it multiple times ... no bugs here.
36 mins of bug fixining left, just off to have a quick play of tiny tales
Created a dropbox account, ran the 32-bit, the menu screen loaded - the imagery was moving - but how do I start the game?
[edit] sussed it, space bar and cursor keys - runs well here on Windows 7 Ultimate ;)
Just checked who downloaded my game till yet (current version: 4 Downloads, 14 different IPs in total - including from external websites) and there were ones done by this referrer:
http://rcbasic.freeforums.net/thread/188/discuss-qualities-entries-contest
Seems some 3rd party discusses about our compo here :-)
[Will fix better hosting for the files soon! ;)
I'm surprised I never got any bug reports. 8) I've gone through all entries numerous times. liked em.
roll on the voting session.
Crap, you reminded me that I meant to mention to you about the bug on boss fights I had with Arc of Valanta. When you nail them the coins burst out but you're removed from the room too quickly to actually go and pick them up. Sorry.