Petscii Robots for Atari and X16
Added 2021-08-30 00:05:09 +0000 UTCIn this episode I have a look at some of the challenges for coding the Atari and X16 versions of Petscii Robots. Will re-work the thumbnail tomorrow and release to the world.
I have another video I'm about 50% done with, but I had to put it on hold until after I get back from VCF Midwest near Chicago. That will be September 11-12. I need to spend this entire next week building boxes and stuff for my games that I'll be bringing with me, and more importantly, finishing work on the presentation I plan to give there on the demo scene. I plan to record the presentation and re-work it at home like I did with the phone phreaking video and AST video, which were both recorded live. So, as soon as I get back from VCF, that should be more or less ready. At which point, I will return to that other one that is 50% done. :-)
Comments
It actually saves more than just a few bits. Especially if you design the artwork with RLE compression in mind. For example, not using dithered patterns, at least not horizontally. My intro screen on the X16 is like 6KB, I think. Which decompresses to 37KB.
The 8-Bit Guy
2021-09-06 16:15:05 +0000 UTCRLE: A great term used in this video, and something I learned about when digging into how Sierra's AGI-era games (early King's Quest or Space Quest games) would save bitmap-style views by using a simple RLE compression to save a few bits here and there.
Chad Armstrong
2021-09-06 04:18:37 +0000 UTCI love the updated box idea. That is so retro and makes total sense.
Ryan Yoder
2021-09-04 01:14:22 +0000 UTCAaron its as simple as finding the .d64 file you purchased and put in on flash drive into the mini, then load it from the menu screen...
2021-09-02 16:44:14 +0000 UTCYou should be able to just put the D64 image on a USB stick and mount it on the machine. But you'll need a keyboard attached to play it. You'll probably find better help on the official facebook group as several people there have played with it on the mini/maxi products. https://www.facebook.com/groups/975620876261750
The 8-Bit Guy
2021-09-01 03:06:44 +0000 UTCWill someone help me run petscii robots on my "The C64 Mini" computer?
Aaron Ingebrigtsen
2021-09-01 02:43:15 +0000 UTCI doubt it, the serial would be too slow.
BastetFurry
2021-08-31 16:13:46 +0000 UTCSo no back-port to the KIM-1? ;)
2021-08-31 14:39:24 +0000 UTCAlso---I don't have any of the computers you listed, but I do have an NES that I play somewhat regularly, and would be a buyer should that port ever come to fruition. And maybe I'm off base here, but I imagine the NES version would be more accessible in general to other people (potential customers), than say a commodore VIC 20 or one of the other retro computer systems you covered. But so cool that the game is so widely available already
Tim Moen
2021-08-31 02:12:40 +0000 UTCGreat video! I actually like the design of the guy in the Atari mode. Even tho it's only b/w, the graphics look sharp and detailed. I like it much more than the kind of ugly palette on the Apple version.
Tim Moen
2021-08-31 02:10:21 +0000 UTCThose three colors of hexagons are hard to look at after a while. Perhaps just use the grey ones and only a few blue ones? Sorry.
C Choffat
2021-08-30 20:04:32 +0000 UTCAwesome! Very interesting about how the Atari handles things versus other systems from the era. Also excited about full fledged games from the Commander x16. Looking to learn some assembly and write some stuff for the platform.
Wallace Marbach
2021-08-30 16:29:08 +0000 UTCOK. The documentation said that it would provide 16 channels (if you're fine with hard-panned voices of either left, right, or both), but if this is a recent change, then someone should update the specs. ;-)
2021-08-30 16:02:11 +0000 UTCNope.. 8 voices. Plus whatever the Yamaha chip has.
The 8-Bit Guy
2021-08-30 15:13:55 +0000 UTC
