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General Category => News & Events => Topic started by: ronaldo on 22:16, 18 May 16

Title: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 22:16, 18 May 16
At last, #CPCRetroDev (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com) is here again! #CPCRetroDev 2016 (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/contest-en/cpcretrodev-2016/) has started today! It is time to develop your greatest ideas because this year we want the contest to be a sound event on the full retro scene, not only within Amstrad CPC frontiers. Let's take Amstrad scene to the next level! It is time for Amstrad to recover it's real place in the world! :D

Okay, I admit it, I'm overexcited, but I've got great reasons. Check what we have prepared for this year's contest:
Yes, you guessed it right: César Astudillo (Gominolas) (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Astudillo), Jon Ritman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Ritman) and Víctor Ruíz (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinamic_Software) will be part of the jury this year and will decide on games that deserve their personal seal of quality. Ever wanted your game to be played and evaluated possitively by a great programmer like Jon Ritman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Ritman)? This is your opportunity!

Please, do ensure that you carefully read contest official rules (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/wp-content/uploads/contest/2016/doc/cpcretrodev_rules_2016.pdf) before submitting. Don't get too overexcited like me :D .

It's time for us, the Amstrad community, to show the world what we are capable of. Let's be part of it :D .
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: MacDeath on 00:13, 19 May 16
Let's make Amstrad great again...

;)

Can't wait for this year's prods.
Hope there will be at least as many as last year.

Also great to see John Ritman, the legendary creator of Head over Heels, one of the most refined production on CPC/8bit.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 07:06, 19 May 16
@ronaldo (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1227):

"The jury reserves the right to correctly interpret these rules, and the ability to declare any award as undecided."
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Trebmint on 09:49, 19 May 16
Would it be possible for the community to donate cash to the prize fund? The larger the fund the harder people will try to win surely?


I cant enter as I'm busy with symbos and life, but would like to contribute and perhaps encourage those that will. What do others think, would you be wiling to contribute & does Ronaldo agree?
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Arnaud on 11:19, 19 May 16
Quote from: Trebmint on 09:49, 19 May 16
Would it be possible for the community to donate cash to the prize fund? The larger the fund the harder people will try to win surely?


I cant enter as I'm busy with symbos and life, but would like to contribute and perhaps encourage those that will. What do others think, would you be wiling to contribute & does Ronaldo agree?

I think you can buy the cassette of the previous CPCRetrovDev 2014 (soon CPCRetrovDev 2015 i guess)
   Buy #CPCRetroDev games on cassette tape (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/games/buy/)

Or make donation to CPCTelera :
   CPCtelera Reference Manual - . . (http://lronaldo.github.io/cpctelera/files/readme-txt.html)

Quote from: ronaldo on 22:16, 18 May 16
Yes, you guessed it right: César Astudillo (Gominolas) (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Astudillo), Jon Ritman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Ritman) and Víctor Ruíz (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinamic_Software) will be part of the jury this year
You can be overexcited with such guests !  :o
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 13:51, 19 May 16
@reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) : thank you for the review. It is now fixed :)

@Trebmint (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=238): Thank you very much for your interest in collaborating :). I really appreciate all of you who collaborate in one way or another. This event grows thanks to all of you, really :). However, there is no way for us to receive donations for the contest by now. The only legal way would be to add you as sponsor, but that will also require some undersired burocracy :(.

This week we have finally achieved an agreement to sell the games directly from the University, without requiring third parties to help us for this task. However, the problem is that University mechanisms are quite inflexible. Casetes are now available and can be purchased, but only physically, in person. We are waiting for some more burocracy to end, to have a permanent online selling channel. Hope this takes only some weeks.

Next step will be to add the possibility of receiving donations. But this step will be difficult, because local laws require the University to do many things for institutional donations to be legal. So, this will be a uncertain way, and I cannot still even predict if it will be possible at some time. Sorry about that :(.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Axelay on 14:09, 19 May 16
Just quickly reading through the rules, a couple of questions come to mind:

First up "Each person can only be part of one game. "  Does this for example preclude a musician from contributing to more than one project? There arent that many CPC musicians and many of them are developers themselves, so I'd be concerned at not being able to get a musician if this is this case.


The second thing, although considering I havent decided on entering yet or not, it's getting a bit ahead of myself, but I have been using arnoldemu's bug fixed Toposoft tape loader since he made that available.  I dont know where that would stand with the licensing rules though?  I'd just drop it if it's an issue, but I do like flashy border loaders.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 14:13, 19 May 16
@Axelay (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=84) : thank you for your questions. It's really nice to have great developers like you interested in the contest (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/smiley.gif).

   In fact, the rule is quite clear and prevents any author from participating in more than one game. There is a possibility, though: any musician can produce music or sound effects and license them to you (either directly or by publishing them with a free license). This will enable you to use the music/sound effects, but the musician will then appear as third party, and you will have to include the license in the submission. I don't think that's the kind of way to contribute a musician wants, but it's a way to participate in more than one project. It's more or less the same as considering me as contributor to all projects that use CPCtelera. In fact, I'm not an author of those projects, just a third party contributor, and I'd prefer to be an author (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/smiley.gif).

   With respect to tape loaders, there is no rule preventing you to use a tape loader. However, if the code from tape loader is not yours, you need a license. Take into account that we will be producing a real tape and selling it. Even considering that our project is non-profit, we cannot legally include a game that uses third party software without a proper license.

   On the other hand, be careful on using tape loaders: if your tape loader uses a higher baud rate, protection or compression, it could be perjudicial for the physical tape production. Many loaders yield to loading problems on machines, due to bad signal quality on recording (and this quality is highly dependant on our providers). If you like border colours on loading that's nice (I also do (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/smiley.gif)), but please, be careful with baud rates and compression.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 15:02, 19 May 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 14:13, 19 May 16
In fact, the rule is quite clear and prevents any author from participating in more than one game. There is a possibility, though: any musician can produce music or sound effects and license them to you (either directly or by publishing them with a free license). This will enable you to use the music/sound effects, but the musician will then appear as third party, and you will have to include the license in the submission. I don't think that's the kind of way to contribute a musician wants, but it's a way to participate in more than one project. It's more or less the same as considering me as contributor to all projects that use CPCtelera. In fact, I'm not an author of those projects, just a third party contributor, and I'd prefer to be an author (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/smiley.gif).

I still don't know if I'll enter the contest or not, but one thing that got me a little bit confused last edition was actually regarding that point.

If the game can get score for the music and the graphics and those can be made and licensed by a 3rd party, there are 30 points from the general score that don't really depend on the contestant(s) but on finding people willing to allow them to use those assets.

There are two basic points in the rules:

- The game was never submitted to another contest and the game has never been published before.
- Any tool or language is permitted for programming (BASIC, C, ASM, libraries...) provided the authors have a license to publish the resulting game / source code.

That seems to refer to code and libraries, which is OK; but my point is that there are not explicit references to game assets like graphics or music, about what is acceptable what is not. Given that the jury "reserves the right to correctly interpret these rules" and their decision is final, I'm not sure it is a fair rule as it depends on the jury really.

I know that the rules have been published already and it may be too late to provide feedback, but there you are. My two cents!
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 11:08, 20 May 16
Quote from: MacDeath on 00:13, 19 May 16
Let's make Amstrad great again...

;)


The Amstrad was stripped from it's Sashes?!  ???
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 11:15, 20 May 16

Quote from: reidrac on 15:02, 19 May 16


- Any tool or language is permitted for programming (BASIC, C, ASM, libraries...) provided the authors have a license to publish the resulting game / source code.


I was wondering what that meant.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Bryce on 11:28, 20 May 16
Quote from: MacDeath on 00:13, 19 May 16
Let's make Amstrad great again...

;)

When did it stop being great??  ::)

Bryce.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: fgbrain on 17:13, 20 May 16
Great news as always, but:  64KB only and no multiload is not cool nowadays where most sceners have 512KB CPCs...Plus machines also will never see proper games..

But dont get me wrong, it's a start..
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 23:19, 20 May 16
Quote from: fgbrain on 17:13, 20 May 16
where most sceners have 512KB CPCs.

Not here I don't have 512 and it's unlikely to ever happen given the modifications to the expansion port.  :(
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: mr_lou on 06:17, 21 May 16
Sadly I won't have any time to join this year, but will repeat my comment from last time I participated.

The rules state that the game must run on an unexpanded CPC464. I was puzzled that "expansion" included a joystick Y-cable (to connect 2 joysticks). That's not an expansion in my book.

Then it should probably read "Standard CPC464 without expansions and accessories".

I also find a lack of coherrence between "let's make Amstrad great again" and "let's stick to 64k and not allow multiloading".
It's either "Let's make Amstrad great again and create some awesome 128k+ multiload multiplayer games"
or else "Let's relive the good old days of game-development by creating some games within the lowest denominator".

When you have "Pro" and "BASIC" category, you might as well add an "Extended pro" category that allows expansions and accesories and multiload and network and whatever you can imagine.

My two cents.

Wish I had the time to participate this year too, but I'm just way overbooked as it is.  :(
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: EgoTrip on 08:30, 21 May 16
Quote from: mr_lou on 06:17, 21 May 16
Sadly I won't have any time to join this year, but will repeat my comment from last time I participated.

The rules state that the game must run on an unexpanded CPC464. I was puzzled that "expansion" included a joystick Y-cable (to connect 2 joysticks). That's not an expansion in my book.

Then it should probably read "Standard CPC464 without expansions and accessories".

I also find a lack of coherrence between "let's make Amstrad great again" and "let's stick to 64k and not allow multiloading".
It's either "Let's make Amstrad great again and create some awesome 128k+ multiload multiplayer games"
or else "Let's relive the good old days of game-development by creating some games within the lowest denominator".

When you have "Pro" and "BASIC" category, you might as well add an "Extended pro" category that allows expansions and accesories and multiload and network and whatever you can imagine.

My two cents.

Wish I had the time to participate this year too, but I'm just way overbooked as it is.  :(

I think as already has been stated, its because a tape of the entries is produced. It would be unfeasible to have multi-load games on it. Also it maximises the audience having it run on the smallest machine.. It also increases the challenge. Also a lot of the entrants are students who are learning to program a limited machine. Not necessarily sceners. It would kind of defeat the purpose of the exercise if limitations were relaxed.

At the end of the day be grateful this opportunity exists, with good prizes. There is really no unfairness or need to complain about having a format everyone can access. Nothing is stopping people producing games for expanded machines outside of the contest.

There is one thing though. I think maybe every entrant should receive a copy of the tape.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: mr_lou on 08:40, 21 May 16
Quote from: EgoTrip on 08:30, 21 May 16
I think as already has been stated, its because a tape of the entries is produced. It would be unfeasible to have multi-load games on it. Also it maximises the audience having it run on the smallest machine.. It also increases the challenge. Also a lot of the entrants are students who are learning to program a limited machine. Not necessarily sceners. It would kind of defeat the purpose of the exercise if limitations were relaxed.

I know very well the arguments for this ancient debate. They are the same every time the topic comes up - and is has come up many many times.

Quote from: EgoTrip on 08:30, 21 May 16At the end of the day be grateful this opportunity exists, with good prizes. There is really no unfairness or need to complain about having a format everyone can access. Nothing is stopping people producing games for expanded machines outside of the contest.

I am in no way ungrateful. Didn't say there was unfairness, and I'm not complaining in any way. I am merely giving feedback.

We know very well that a contest like this boosts production.
All I'm saying is, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra category.
No one says all categories has to end up on the tape. Could easily say: "Extended Pro category entries will (obviously) not be included on the tape".
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 09:00, 21 May 16
Quote from: mr_lou on 08:40, 21 May 16
We know very well that a contest like this boosts production.
All I'm saying is, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra category.
No one says all categories has to end up on the tape. Could easily say: "Extended Pro category entries will (obviously) not be included on the tape".

A few games get released out of contest and they're not targeting the plus or extensions (apparently, I may be wrong). Why is that?

My point is that you don't need CPCRetroDev to make a game and release it for any spec you want. I only have a 464, and that's what I prefer to develop for; but others could target other machines (and I would enjoy them on an emulator).

Yes, a game contest is an extra on motivation, but the limits CPCRetroDev imposes make sense (as the organizers have explained several times). If anyone wants multiload, 128K or plus features, just do it!
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: mr_lou on 09:07, 21 May 16
Quote from: reidrac on 09:00, 21 May 16A few games get released out of contest and they're not targeting the plus or extensions (apparently, I may be wrong).

And that's why it's about time.  ;)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TotO on 09:11, 21 May 16
Quote from: reidrac on 09:00, 21 May 16I only have a 464, and that's what I prefer to develop for; but others could target other machines (and I would enjoy them on an emulator).
Your 464 can be expanded since 80s. So, you can expect to use 128K games on your nice computer too.  :)

Quote from: reidrac on 09:00, 21 May 16Yes, a game contest is an extra on motivation, but the limits CPCRetroDev imposes make sense (as the organizers have explained several times). If anyone wants multiload, 128K or plus features, just do it!
Exactly! And, I think that like movies festivals they should be "out of category" instead.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 09:17, 21 May 16
Quote from: TotO on 09:11, 21 May 16
Your 464 can be expanded since 80s. So, you can expect to use 128K games on your nice computer too.  :)
Exactly! And, I think that like movies festivals they should be "out of category" instead.

Yep, even you recommended me to buy a 6128 instead ;)

Well gentlemen, nobody has exclusivity on game contests. Anybody, given the time and the motivation, can organise a game programming contest. It could be targeting the GX4000, or the Plus; you set the rules, and see what happens.

Of course some people will go with CPCRetroDev, but if there are enough people interested to make those games and they only need a contest, then do it!
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TotO on 09:21, 21 May 16
Quote from: reidrac on 09:17, 21 May 16
Yep, even you recommended me to buy a 6128 instead ;)
Is that could allow to discover it. It is better than using emulators.  ;D

Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 09:45, 21 May 16
Quote from: mr_lou on 06:17, 21 May 16
Sadly I won't have any time to join this year, but will repeat my comment from last time I participated.

The rules state that the game must run on an unexpanded CPC464. I was puzzled that "expansion" included a joystick Y-cable (to connect 2 joysticks). That's not an expansion in my book.

Then it should probably read "Standard CPC464 without expansions and accessories".

I also find a lack of coherrence between "let's make Amstrad great again" and "let's stick to 64k and not allow multiloading".
It's either "Let's make Amstrad great again and create some awesome 128k+ multiload multiplayer games"
or else "Let's relive the good old days of game-development by creating some games within the lowest denominator".

When you have "Pro" and "BASIC" category, you might as well add an "Extended pro" category that allows expansions and accesories and multiload and network and whatever you can imagine.

My two cents.

Wish I had the time to participate this year too, but I'm just way overbooked as it is.  :(


Also if I'm reading this correctly, they have opened the door by saying "Any tool or language is permitted for programming", so extra points for writing a game in another Language? Or is it simply more points in Technical Achievement?
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Morn on 12:19, 21 May 16
Heise.de is reporting about this competition today: Retro Computing: Programmierwettbewerb für den CPC 464 | heise online (http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Retro-Computing-Programmierwettbewerb-fuer-den-CPC-464-3212726.html)

I'm getting all my current CPC news from Heise from now on.  :D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 12:48, 21 May 16
Quote from: Morn on 12:19, 21 May 16
Heise.de is reporting about this competition today: Retro Computing: Programmierwettbewerb für den CPC 464 | heise online (http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Retro-Computing-Programmierwettbewerb-fuer-den-CPC-464-3212726.html)

I'm getting all my current CPC news from Heise from now on.  :D


:laugh:  That's so funny, "Lets make the CPC Great Again", but it must be 64k, no multiloads, oh and it has to be written in BASIC 1.0. Hint: next year's slogan should say "PLOT -2,-2,1 Rulez"  ;D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: arnoldemu on 13:09, 21 May 16
Quote from: AMSDOS on 12:48, 21 May 16

:laugh:  That's so funny, "Lets make the CPC Great Again", but it must be 64k, no multiloads, oh and it has to be written in BASIC 1.0. Hint: next year's slogan should say "PLOT -2,-2,1 Rulez"  ;D
For people who don't like the rules it is simple: Do not enter the competition!

EDIT: Ok, so after this competition is done, perhaps a "Great CPC" competition could be opened. Anyone can use any configuration of CPC and Plus including X-MEM, X-MASS etc

EDIT: That would be good.


If people want to use plus and more ram this competition doesn't stop you. Why did you not release something already?  ;D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: arnoldemu on 13:12, 21 May 16
Quote from: AMSDOS on 12:48, 21 May 16

:laugh:  That's so funny, "Lets make the CPC Great Again", but it must be 64k, no multiloads, oh and it has to be written in BASIC 1.0. Hint: next year's slogan should say "PLOT -2,-2,1 Rulez"  ;D
The competition does a few good things:
- publicity for CPC
- give people chance to make a game (and they don't have to make it a epic one, it can be simple if they want)
- give people a chance to experiment with various game ideas they may not do already
- give students a chance to learn that making games is always about restrictions in terms of cpu, gpu, libraries, ram etc.

It's a good idea.

So when will somebody open up a Plus competition? C4CPC means lots of people can play it if it's made for cart ;)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: arnoldemu on 13:16, 21 May 16
Quote from: TotO on 09:11, 21 May 16
Your 464 can be expanded since 80s. So, you can expect to use 128K games on your nice computer too.  :)
Exactly! And, I think that like movies festivals they should be "out of category" instead.
That would be a nice category, like the demo "Wild" category.

Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: arnoldemu on 13:17, 21 May 16
Quote from: arnoldemu on 13:12, 21 May 16
The competition does a few good things:
- publicity for CPC
- give people chance to make a game (and they don't have to make it a epic one, it can be simple if they want)
- give people a chance to experiment with various game ideas they may not do already
- give students a chance to learn that making games is always about restrictions in terms of cpu, gpu, libraries, ram etc.

EDIT Oh and it gives more games to cpc. :)


It's a good idea.

So when will somebody open up a Plus competition? C4CPC means lots of people can play it if it's made for cart ;)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 13:28, 21 May 16
Quote from: arnoldemu on 13:09, 21 May 16
For people who don't like the rules it is simple: Do not enter the competition!


No argument with that.  :)  Though there should be no harm in answering folks queries if clarification is necessary.

QuoteIf people want to use plus and more ram this competition doesn't stop you. 


There seems to be some news conflicting the use of more RAM, but a game with Tune in the extra memory would still work on a 64k system - it just means no tune for 64k systems, if that's an exception.


QuoteWhy did you not release something already?  ;D

It seems to have already been released (http://cpcrulez.fr/GamesTest/get_the_cash.htm), though it's still a WIP, might end up with two versions of the game. :laugh:
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: trabitboy on 15:48, 22 May 16
I'm in  8)
However it is not clear to me wether doing a WIP thread is ok with the rules?
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 16:26, 22 May 16
Quote from: trabitboy on 15:48, 22 May 16
I'm in  8)
However it is not clear to me wether doing a WIP thread is ok with the rules?

Last year I did a dev thread and it was OK. The game can't be publicly released until the contest is over, but other than that AFAIK you can talk about the game and share screenshots/videos.

@ronaldo (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1227) can confirm it.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Gryzor on 17:51, 22 May 16
Really looking forward to the entries and results, and of course I'm looking forward to the release of the '15 tape :)


Also, please do let me know if and how I can help the project within the wiki :)


[PLEASE READ} As for the general discussion:


I wish more expanded games were released, taking advantage of newer technologies and whatnot. That's my personal view. However, come on guys, we've have that discussion quite a few times in the past... Not that I find anything wrong with repeating points. But I think that the why's are properly explained here so there's not much room. So, please, refrain from discussing the rules -they are what they are. Of course by "refrain from discussing" I mean "don't do it here" - if you want, feel free to open another thread. Let's keep this one focused on more relevant questions and points, shall we? :)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 01:17, 23 May 16
Quote from: mr_lou
The rules state that the game must run on an unexpanded CPC464. I was puzzled that "expansion" included a joystick Y-cable (to connect 2 joysticks). That's not an expansion in my book.
Well, certainly, a Y-cable for 2 joysticks is not a expansion, as it is not connected to the expansion bus. However, you have to consider that your game must be playable by the judges and has to be tested on real hardware to be validated: we cannot possible have any "accessory" that contestants may want to use. For instance, someone may want to make a game for AMX mouse (which connects to joystick port). That's a reason for not considering accesories. However, they are not banned: as long as your game is playable without expansions, there is no problem. If it also can manage expansions, that's considered an extra feature. In fact, judges stated a great consideration for your 4-player idea :). Also, having same hardware for everybody helps comparing games in a fair way.

Quote from: EgoTrip
There is one thing though. I think maybe every entrant should receive a copy of the tape.
This is really difficult to achieve and, if you think of it, it does not make sense from the point of view of the sustainability of the contest. Since the start, we have been thinking of ways in which the contest could become self-sustainable. Casetes are the first open way for that. The money that comes from selling the casetes is enough to pay 1 of the prizes (125€ - 150€) once you discount all the costs. Of course, supposing that all the production is sold (which does not happen). So, if we give 1 casete to each participant, a great part of the sales vanishes, and we also have another cost.

I personally would love to give all participants a copy of the casete. However, we first need to think of better ways to achieve self-sustainability. And, for me, the most important part is expanding the boundaries of CPC homebrew scene: it would be nice to have more players interested in buying Amstrad-related stuff. If productions were able to sell ~1000 copies, that would really start to qualify for self-sustainability. Then we could think of gratifying all participants with a free copy, instead of asking them to collaborate by buying their copies.

Quote from: mr_lou
All I'm saying is, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra category.
Well, it might not hurt you, but it is not as easy as adding it to the rules. Categories include costs like evaluating them, which is not trivial (jury invests time), or paying prizes (which is not easy when you have to do it according to many hundreds of laws). There is also a fragmentation cost: 36 contestants  in 2 categories are really great, 36 in 4 categories is less great (8.5 per category, less competition), and a educational cost (do I have to say to my students that their games should go in the 2nd Category?).

In the end, it's a very difficult and risky decission from the point of view of the contest. There are also many questions, are the majority of the potential contestants wanting such a category, or are they only 4/5 sceners? Is more important to focus categories from the point of view of contestants, students, or general players? Will such a change be actually beneficial for the contest in the long run, or will it be an additional effort only to cover a concrete group of potential participants? Will that productions encourage new people to produce games, or will they be discouraged?

It is easy to argue in favor of the things we personally want, but it is extremelly difficult to take decissions that affect everyone and have some certainty that they will be for good in the long run. Please, either the case, take into account that we consider your opinions, but it is impossible to put all opinions into practice.

However, regarding 128K and more, my personal suggestion is this: consider the contest as an oportunity to test your ideas. Testing your ideas should always start small, and grow as they show potential. If you think of a maravellous 512K game, why not to develop a small part of it in 64K, test it in the contest (against jury and public) and then consider the 512K version with respect to results got from the test?

Quote from: trabitboy
However it is not clear to me wether doing a WIP thread is ok with the rules?
As @reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) has already said, it is valid. However, you should be cautious not to put your game in risk of being disqualified by judges. The rule states that your game has to be unpublished. A development thread with some data about your game and some screenshots it is normally okay. However, if you go releasing demos or betas, you may put yourself into risk. Judges may consider that you have already published your game, and may disqualify you. When I say this, I'm only warning about this possibility: I'm not part of the jury, so I cannot be 100% sure what their final criteria will be. However, I prefer a warning than a posterior complaint, be it reasonable or not. As I prefer all of you to enjoy the contest and to see your games competing, I advice you not to do things that may be dependant on a supposed certain type of criteria.

Also, think about the surprise effect. The less people know about your game, the great the surprise. A good balance into giving people bits of your development process and keeping surprising parts is always a good policy ;).
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: trabitboy on 08:41, 23 May 16
Ok, thanks for clearing up the dev thread thing  ;)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: AMSDOS on 08:44, 23 May 16
Quote from: reidrac on 16:26, 22 May 16
Last year I did a dev thread and it was OK. The game can't be publicly released until the contest is over, but other than that AFAIK you can talk about the game and share screenshots/videos.


For some reason I thought @ervin (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=82) had a whole heap of stuff for RUN"CPC on the board, and that got into the contest just fine. Though I think @ervin (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=82) only released so much of it on the Forum.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 09:27, 23 May 16
@AMSDOS (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=330) , yes, @ervin (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=82) published some early demos of his work in his dev thread. That, in fact, put his work into risk of being disqualified. I also adviced him to stop publishing demos. The jury discussed his work and decided that the game itself had not been published as it was much more elaborated than the early demos published. However, the jury had to discuss about it. Therefore, it's preferably not to put jury under pressure: that's a risk for your work and even for the contest itself.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Carnivius on 09:38, 23 May 16
I'm looking forward to more quality games for my totally-unexpanded 464.   Frogalot was one of my personal fave games of last year on any format. :)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: cpc4eva on 19:19, 23 May 16
All i ask for is if someone can do a Time Pilot arcade conversion a CPC / CPC PLUS version is long overdue   ;D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: EgoTrip on 19:27, 23 May 16
I don't know whether to start work on a new game or just enter the one i've nearly finished. I can't think of anything good I can do in the time frame but I don't think my current game is good enough to make the top 3. Although its certainly better than Concave.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 20:30, 23 May 16
@EgoTrip (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=337) , if you are talking about "A Prelude to Chaos", you actually shouldn't submit it. You have already published it, and the jury will certainly disqualify your entry, as games should be new work, not previously published (it's in the rules).
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TFM on 20:55, 23 May 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 09:27, 23 May 16
@AMSDOS (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=330) , yes, @ervin (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=82) published some early demos of his work in his dev thread. That, in fact, put his work into risk of being disqualified. I also adviced him to stop publishing demos. The jury discussed his work and decided that the game itself had not been published as it was much more elaborated than the early demos published. However, the jury had to discuss about it. Therefore, it's preferably not to put jury under pressure: that's a risk for your work and even for the contest itself.


Well, the jury rules also tell not to use previously used stuff. But the winner was in the opinion of many users here an "Army Move" Rip-Off. Personally I don't want to comment on that. But the the reputation of a jury suffers if this issues pop up. Maybe this can be made better the next time.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 21:06, 23 May 16
Quote from: TFM on 20:55, 23 May 16

Well, the jury rules also tell not to use previously used stuff. But the winner was in the opinion of many users here an "Army Move" Rip-Off. Personally I don't want to comment on that. But the the reputation of a jury suffers if this issues pop up. Maybe this can be made better the next time.

Please don't do that.

I provided feedback regarding rules that in my humble opinion are not completely clear, and I hope I did it in a reasonable and respectful way, but your comment is distracting and won't help to improve anything.

I'd like CPCRetroDev to be even better, and even if you're not planning to enter the contest, I think it is still in your best interest as Amstrad CPC aficionado that it is a total success.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: ronaldo on 21:16, 23 May 16
Well, @TFM (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=179) , I understand you having such an opinion, and other people thinking similar. However, before acusing, all the pieces have to be taken into account. For instance, Toni had license to use the assets: he asked for permission and got permission from original authors. However, even if he hadn't, contest rules from previous year didn't have a rule for explictly prohibiting the use of third-party assets without license. That was a mistake we made with the rules, and it prevented the jury from taking such action even if the assets were used without a license.

I agree that using third party assets without a license should be punished. This year's rules explicitly say that. However, being fair is sometimes very difficult, as many things have to be considered. Is not as easy as agreeing in an opinion.

Edit: As a curiosity, in our latest fair "Amstrad Eterno" we saw Víctor Ruiz playing Space Moves and giving feedback to Toni directly, in person.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7vsvQuBWaE/VzNDo2su8uI/AAAAAAAAJdA/8DH70pLncasNcrpH3Uh1GRdoJ-KBU0icQCLcB/s320/CgKUXGnWIAIv31R.jpg)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: EgoTrip on 09:22, 24 May 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 20:30, 23 May 16
@EgoTrip (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=337) , if you are talking about "A Prelude to Chaos", you actually shouldn't submit it. You have already published it, and the jury will certainly disqualify your entry, as games should be new work, not previously published (it's in the rules).

No of course not, theres another game I have just about finished but theres a bug i'm having difficulty tracking down.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Gryzor on 09:30, 24 May 16
Quote from: cpc4eva on 19:19, 23 May 16
All i ask for is if someone can do a Time Pilot arcade conversion a CPC / CPC PLUS version is long overdue   ;D


Ohh how I loved Time Pilot!!!
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: cpc4eva on 14:02, 24 May 16
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:30, 24 May 16

Ohh how I loved Time Pilot!!!



for those who don't know - it is a Konami arcade classic from 1982, heres a vid i found on youtube ;D


(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_OzRECVOk8)
[/url]


[EDIT: PLEASE use the YouTube button to embed your videos!]
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TotO on 14:26, 24 May 16
Time Pilot is a Z80 + AY based game.
Like Pac-Man, best to do an arcade emulator for it!  8)
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: cpc4eva on 00:30, 25 May 16
id rather a CPC version  ;D

Executioner's arcade conversion to CPC / CPC+ of Frogger was excellent
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: robcfg on 07:16, 25 May 16
Do not forget Syx's Pacman emulation! :D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TotO on 08:45, 25 May 16
Yes, a great version. Frogger was also based on a Konami Z80 + AY.
An arcade emulation was fine too, so I don't know if he had "steel" the original routines or redone all.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Gryzor on 11:45, 25 May 16

"The game uses two Z80 microprocessors and two AY-3-8910 PSGs for sound." Not sure how feasible it would be to emulate it?


To be exact:



Main CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 3.072 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 1.789772 Mhz)
Sound Chips : (2x) General Instrument AY8910 (@ 1.789772 Mhz), (6x) RC (@ 1.789772 Mhz)

Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: EgoTrip on 12:41, 25 May 16
The game looks simple enough, except for the scrolling. Can the CPC do it that well?
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: reidrac on 13:25, 25 May 16
Quote from: EgoTrip on 12:41, 25 May 16
The game looks simple enough, except for the scrolling. Can the CPC do it that well?

The bg is solid, only the clouds (things floating around) move. You don't need masked sprites for that (although you'll need them for everything else).

Not sure if the playing area could be that large, but I think it would be doable.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TotO on 13:42, 25 May 16
Quote from: Gryzor on 11:45, 25 May 16To be exact:

Main CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 3.072 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 1.789772 Mhz)
Sound Chips : (2x) General Instrument AY8910 (@ 1.789772 Mhz)

Sure, I know that. But I think it is not a real problem.
In arcade, multi-CPU are mainly used because each of them access its dedicated ROM, not because power is required...
Loading from a floppy and using the CPC expansion RAM bank switching should resolve that with only one CPU.

About the 2x AY and the rasters display, the PlayCity can perfectly do the arcade job.
Else, yes some channels will be cut to ear others...

Finally, there is no scrolling if you remove the clouds as the ship is always at the center. ;D
That means, only sprites are moving around it and masking should be not required.
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: arnoldemu on 13:45, 25 May 16
Quote from: TotO on 13:42, 25 May 16

Sure, I know that. But I think it is not a real problem.
In arcade, multi-CPU are mainly used because each of them access its dedicated ROM, not because power is required...
Loading from a floppy and using the CPC expansion RAM bank switching should resolve that with only one CPU.

About the 2x AY and the rasters display, the PlayCity can perfectly do the arcade job.
Else, yes some channels will be cut to ear others...

Finally, there is no scrolling if you remove the clouds as the ship is always at the center. ;D
That means, only sprites are moving around it and masking should be not required.
So... when will you have finished it?
;D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Gryzor on 14:45, 25 May 16
Quote from: TotO on 13:42, 25 May 16
Sure, I know that. But I think it is not a real problem.
In arcade, multi-CPU are mainly used because each of them access its dedicated ROM, not because power is required...
Loading from a floppy and using the CPC expansion RAM bank switching should resolve that with only one CPU.

About the 2x AY and the rasters display, the PlayCity can perfectly do the arcade job.
Else, yes some channels will be cut to ear others...

Finally, there is no scrolling if you remove the clouds as the ship is always at the center. ;D
That means, only sprites are moving around it and masking should be not required.


That's it, I'm announcing your new release as a pack-in for PlayCity :D
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TotO on 14:49, 25 May 16
Hahaha... Better to stop here the Off-Topic.  :laugh:
Title: The Oliver Twins to be jury for #CPCRetroDev 2016
Post by: ronaldo on 18:22, 20 June 16
Hi all!

Today we can confirm great news for all Amstrad developers and fans. Philip Oliver has confirmed (https://twitter.com/TheOliverTwins/status/744878692560699392) that he and his brother Andrew will be jury for #CPCRetroDev 2016 (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com). The Oliver Twins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twins) will be judging the entries, give written feedback to all participants and will also be present here, at the University of Alicante, to hand awards to winners in person. Moreover, they will also give a presentation and be available for signing games. That will be next 5th of November, during RetroConsolas Alicante 2016 (http://retroconsolas.es).

You will find all the details at #CPCRetroDev website (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/contest/cpcretrodev-2016/).

Hope you enjoy this news as much as we do!  :D

(http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/PhilipAndrewDizzySkySaga1.jpg) (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/2016/06/oliver-twins-to-be-jury-for-cpcretrodev-2016/)
   
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: TFM on 21:06, 20 June 16
Quote from: Gryzor on 11:45, 25 May 16
"The game uses two Z80 microprocessors and two AY-3-8910 PSGs for sound." Not sure how feasible it would be to emulate it?
To be exact:
Main CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 3.072 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 1.789772 Mhz)
Sound Chips : (2x) General Instrument AY8910 (@ 1.789772 Mhz), (6x) RC (@ 1.789772 Mhz)


Ok, sound will probably use up around 10% of the CPU time, maybe 15%. So one Z80 should be enough. And for the two AY's we got TotO's nice PlayCity.  :)


(I'm more concerned about the way the background scrolls, there seem to be two levels, but I may be wrong).
Title: Re: The Oliver Twins to be jury for #CPCRetroDev 2016
Post by: AMSDOS on 09:35, 21 June 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 18:22, 20 June 16

(http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/PhilipAndrewDizzySkySaga1.jpg) (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/2016/06/oliver-twins-to-be-jury-for-cpcretrodev-2016/)
   


I could of been lead to believe that photo of them from 1983 was really 1963!  :o
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Gryzor on 11:39, 21 June 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 18:22, 20 June 16
Hi all!

Today we can confirm great news for all Amstrad developers and fans. Philip Oliver has confirmed (https://twitter.com/TheOliverTwins/status/744878692560699392) that he and his brother Andrew will be jury for #CPCRetroDev 2016 (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com). The Oliver Twins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twins) will be judging the entries, give written feedback to all participants and will also be present here, at the University of Alicante, to hand awards to winners in person. Moreover, they will also give a presentation and be available for signing games. That will be next 5th of November, during RetroConsolas Alicante 2016 (http://retroconsolas.es).

You will find all the details at #CPCRetroDev website (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/contest/cpcretrodev-2016/).

Hope you enjoy this news as much as we do!  :D

(http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/PhilipAndrewDizzySkySaga1.jpg) (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/2016/06/oliver-twins-to-be-jury-for-cpcretrodev-2016/)
   


Intriguing news for sure!! Very very interesting... 
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: Arnaud on 11:52, 21 June 16
It's great to see the interest of veteran game developper about this contest.

I really hope there will be a lot of entries for CpcRetroDev 2016.
Title: Re: The Oliver Twins to be jury for #CPCRetroDev 2016
Post by: Axelay on 12:21, 21 June 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 18:22, 20 June 16
Hi all!

Today we can confirm great news for all Amstrad developers and fans. Philip Oliver has confirmed (https://twitter.com/TheOliverTwins/status/744878692560699392) that he and his brother Andrew will be jury for #CPCRetroDev 2016 (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com). The Oliver Twins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twins) will be judging the entries, give written feedback to all participants and will also be present here, at the University of Alicante, to hand awards to winners in person. Moreover, they will also give a presentation and be available for signing games. That will be next 5th of November, during RetroConsolas Alicante 2016 (http://retroconsolas.es).

You will find all the details at #CPCRetroDev website (http://cpcretrodev.byterealms.com/contest/cpcretrodev-2016/).

Hope you enjoy this news as much as we do!  :D
   


Incredible news!
Title: Re: #CPCRetroDev 2016 has started: Over 1000€ in prizes and special awards
Post by: VincentGR on 13:35, 21 June 16
Oh!!! awesome.
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