Homebrew Suggestion: R-Type

[SignOfZeta]

BTW, I'm very impressed with your work here, ccovell. I didn't seriously think anyone would do this, and you already have it running.

[spenoza]

You know, it just occurred to me that the SGX might be able to put out more sprite action than the CPU is comfortably able to process hit detection for. I suspect the SGX extra sprite display power would therefore probably be best suited to creating sprite-based background details and special effects which would require simple or no hit detection. Or, as in this case and the case of Darius Plus, making a flicker-free experience for a game the base PCE can otherwise handle.

[nodtveidt]

That unfortunately is an ages-old presumption. The CPU is more than capable of handling all the maths for hit detection even with two full-on sprite layers. It all comes down to the efficiency of the hit detection routines. The 6280 is more capable than people give it credit for.

[spenoza]

Yeah, I know it's a competent CPU, but I lost faith in console developers reliably being able to program for specific CPUs long ago. Some can and do, but many don't, and the PCE was not a system that gave great results to shoddy programming. The Genesis/Mega Drive was pretty forgiving, but the PCE made you earn your keep.

[Arkhan]

Yeah, I know it's a competent CPU, but I lost faith in console developers reliably being able to program for specific CPUs long ago. Some can and do, but many don't, and the PCE was not a system that gave great results to shoddy programming. The Genesis/Mega Drive was pretty forgiving, but the PCE made you earn your keep.

Yeah the 68k is C/sloppy friendly. 

The 6280, if you're sloppy, it'll punch you in the mouth and call you names.

[spenoza]

Yeah, I know it's a competent CPU, but I lost faith in console developers reliably being able to program for specific CPUs long ago. Some can and do, but many don't, and the PCE was not a system that gave great results to shoddy programming. The Genesis/Mega Drive was pretty forgiving, but the PCE made you earn your keep.

Yeah the 68k is C/sloppy friendly. 

The 6280, if you're sloppy, it'll punch you in the mouth and call you names.

Are you saying the 6280 is a CPU playground bully? It doesn't steal developers' lunch money, does it?

[Arkhan]

It's more like a drill sergeant. 

A very harsh one!

[esteban]

Parallax in stages 1 or 2 would take a lot more work, as well as a ROM expansion to 6M, probably...  Anyway, the parallax in stages 3, 5, etc can be restored or else I fail.

Another game with atmospheric sound effects on CD mixed in with the game audio is Sol-Feace.  It has a few annoying sound effects at certain events played overtop of the CD music.

Ha! I haven't played Sol-Feace since the early 90's. I've played the cartridge version more recently, though.

Thus far, I have yet to find the one gem of a game that does justice to the concept of RedBook SFX + chiptunes.

If you can think of any additional titles (even PC-based games), don't hesitate to share

[nat]

Chris..... Any progress on this project?

[ccovell]

I've been working on it a little bit almost every day.  The sprites were no problem, but expanding the vertical res has been a hell of a chore.  The scroll adjustment was easy, but the screen split at the level 1 boss, and through the entire 3rd level, needed a lot of code fixing & dirty hacks.  It feels like limo-stretching a coupe, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, almost everything is successful -- for the 1st half of the game.  Space is quite tight in the 1st bank, so I've had to trim code here and there and relocate it strategically, like an NES or Atari programmer.   

[Arkhan]

Atari programmer.   

I'm convinced Atari 2600 programmers were all smoking some severely powerful weed.

Especially at Activision.

[nat]

I've been working on it a little bit almost every day.  The sprites were no problem, but expanding the vertical res has been a hell of a chore.  The scroll adjustment was easy, but the screen split at the level 1 boss, and through the entire 3rd level, needed a lot of code fixing & dirty hacks.  It feels like limo-stretching a coupe, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, almost everything is successful -- for the 1st half of the game.  Space is quite tight in the 1st bank, so I've had to trim code here and there and relocate it strategically, like an NES or Atari programmer.   

Awesome, thanks for the update.

[termis]

Good stuff.  I'm looking forward to this myself.

[spenoza]

This makes me wonder for what other games might this be an effective technique.

[nat]

I'm sure there are a handful that might benefit, but I think R-Type is far and away the worst "flicker" offender on the system.

At least... of the games that I've played personally.