Google ads in the forum?

[Border_7]

I have actually forgotten even what to do in the game But I remember spending many a happy hour just blasting those stupid aliens away.


Maybe after I've finished testing all the ST games on my MiST board I'll give it a try in Winape (guess it's the best way to do the map?)

I reckon is will require some dedication - 2500 screens! But - if you are using winape, you can save your position - which mean others can continue or attempt to get further... plus we can cheat with infinite lives - which will help too.


Correction to earlier post: Into Oblivion was released on the Spectrum (But I can't find any useful info on it though) and there was a C64 version BUT it was a different game entirely (IO: Into Oblivion 1988).

[Gryzor]

Great idea! Just tried it for the first time, looks really useful... What's the max grid it supports?

[Devilmarkus]

Great idea! Just tried it for the first time, looks really useful... What's the max grid it supports?

Depends on memory used.
(No, not the CPC memory)

JavaCPC Map Maker resizes a single PNG image to needed size.
If the PNG gets too large, you surely can run out of Java heap space...
For all games, I tested, I had no problems yet...

Perhaps Cauldron 1 would cause problems, when mapping the world...

[Gryzor]

Interesting... well, this one is 2.500 screens big (damn!), so I guess it might be a problem?

[Gryzor]

Hm, just remembered it's got teleporters. This causes a problem - how do you map that? Teleporters lead to 42 different planets. One grid for each?

PS Anyone knows what the 'Safe Planet' looks like?

[Bryce]

PS Anyone knows what the 'Safe Planet' looks like?

It wouldn't be SAFE anymore if we told you!

Bryce.

[Gryzor]

But I need to take my Psyche units there

[Devilmarkus]

Hey, where's the chat? 

[Border_7]

Hm, just remembered it's got teleporters. This causes a problem - how do you map that? Teleporters lead to 42 different planets. One grid for each?

PS Anyone knows what the 'Safe Planet' looks like?

That's what makes it so darn difficult, the transporters. Plus there are multiple spaceships that take you to different planets. So you can end up back on the same planet but it can look a bit different (i.e you are on a different part of a planet that you have visited already - so it feels like you are going backwards but you aren't). This seems to be where a lot of special objects and psyche is found. So all the times I've played with renewed enthusiasm - after a few hours and getting lost you sort of end up fatigued and frustrated.

oh and I know we are way off topic on the original thread now...

Somewhere I've got a saved snapshot file (.sna) of me getting quite far - i.e over 50% of the psyche and I think I managed to visit 40 or so planets - I even wrote down all the names of them... I reckon 250 screens would have been plenty though  . Where is Stephen Curtis now? He's left this thorn in my side that I can't get rid of.

[Border_7]

and what do you know, found the planet list (no particular order)


SAFRIK
SECRA
KLYVICK
HICKJRY
NONTERRA
QUORRZ
HUWVENLY
RESFGER
JINK
ASASZK
YURIOP
STAVEL
DERWINY
IUOPLY
UHGUHG
GOODLZ
SANZA
COMSANRY
COLTURY
CENTURE
CONTACZ
AKREY
BZINDIVE
ATTENZR
WAYZRE
ELTHAMT
STOUTIGE
CHEYLESIX
WICZWIRE
PALACKRY
MONOLARK
SCAPERZ
ALCLSON
DOMERRI
TRESSERIP
PENTONZ
OLPIUYR
GRAPOS 1
GRAPOS 2
GRAPOS 3
THIRSIK 1
NORAL

#43 SAFE PLANET???

Is Grapos a Greek Word Gryz?

[BluesBrothers]

Have just skimmed this post so sorry if I repeat anything which has already been covered.

One idea is if you could register as a non-profit making charity then ebay sellers could donate a percentage of their sales on any given item to the Wiki via the sell for charity section in ebay listings. This way it is possible for a seller to give either a small percentage or the full value of the sale dependant on the percentage they choose. Sellers can feel like they are putting back into the community if they donate there surplus games/systems this way.

Another thought/question was,.... what sort of representation does the Wiki have at any of the retro events which are held annually. I am sure that this could serve the purpose two-fold by firstly raising the profile of the wiki, gaining more supporters, and potentially raising funds to run the site. I haven't been to any of the events myself as yet so forgive me if this has already been covered. Being someone who makes my living from retro gaming (   please don't hate me) I have decide that I must now start to get involved in some of these events and I am happy to look into it as something for the Wiki too if it proves a popular idea

[BluesBrothers]

Another thought - if there are any programmers out there who want to write games but are happy with the credit rather than looking to make money, then perhaps we could use this software, publish it properly and donate the proceeds to this noble cause

[TFM]

That's what I do currently. And the "noble cause" is to pay 3" discs, tapes, posters and packaging 

[BluesBrothers]

That's what I do currently. And the "noble cause" is to pay 3" discs, tapes, posters and packaging 

And hopefully we'll have Plus carts sorted for you too

[TFM]

Thanks to you there is a good chance. And they will be sold also for costs of production.[nb]However I think selling some 'special edition' very expensive at ebay and using the money to finance the other carts, so the regular one will get even cheaper.[/nb]

[BluesBrothers]

How about if each was sold on the Wiki with an extra £2-3 on the price of each game and this extra be used to help towards the Wiki running costs. This is a great incentive to buyers to support both the Wiki and FS in one fowl swoop

Of course ebay Limited Editions is always an option as well

[TFM]

Good idea too


When thinking how much money some carts did make on ebay [nb]remember the CHQ II[/nb], it could also help.


A Wiki-limited edition that includes a donation for the CPCWiki is also an idea.

[Gryzor]

@Border_7: no, not all words ending in "os" are Greek


@BluesBrothers: well, not sure but I think eBay would have pretty strict standards for accepting charities. Not that easy to set one up! Good idea though!


As for retro events, well, the fact that I'm located in Greece with not much opportunity to travel for pleasure But even if we did have a presence, how would we go about monetizing it? Unfortunately CPC games do not sell to the tune of funding the wiki, either. Selling "special editions" would be an good idea indeed, but since most devs have their own sites and costs to cover I doubt it'd be a significant solution...


But, thanks for the great ideas, they're really appreciated!

[redbox]

But, thanks for the great ideas, they're really appreciated!

Why does it cost so much to host the site...?

Is it storage size or bandwidth required?

[BluesBrothers]

@BluesBrothers: well, not sure but I think eBay would have pretty strict standards for accepting charities. Not that easy to set one up! Good idea though!

Yes, I had thought this would not be simple but possible worth a look as you never know.

As for retro events, well, the fact that I'm located in Greece with not much opportunity to travel for pleasure But even if we did have a presence, how would we go about monetizing it? Unfortunately CPC games do not sell to the tune of funding the wiki, either. Selling "special editions" would be an good idea indeed, but since most devs have their own sites and costs to cover I doubt it'd be a significant solution...

I do know of a site who has some representation at shows and sells and receives donated goods at these events. one event is unlikely to bring in a years running costs but it could contribute a healthy amount to the coffers and has been proven to do so for others. Obviously being in Greece makes this an issue for you personally to do this but it could be possible to get some UK Wiki members involved perhaps. I guess you could to check opinion and see if it is a viable option. Some may particularly like this since it could be seen as an opportunity to meet up.

I myself would be happy to donate some stock to the cause

But, thanks for the great ideas, they're really appreciated!

Always happy to let the ideas engine flow and let you guys decide if any of them have merit

[Gryzor]

@Redbox: bandwidth and storage - we are about 60GB by now


@Bluesbrothers: others had recommended opening an online store with customised merchandise. This would be nice indeed, but I wonder if it'd make that much of a difference - how many would opt for merchandise instead of donating? Of course that would be fairer - taking in small amounts from lots (?) of people instead of large sums from a few members. Just thinking out loud here.

[BluesBrothers]

@Bluesbrothers: others had recommended opening an online store with customised merchandise. This would be nice indeed, but I wonder if it'd make that much of a difference - how many would opt for merchandise instead of donating? Of course that would be fairer - taking in small amounts from lots (?) of people instead of large sums from a few members. Just thinking out loud here.

Yeah, the way I figure it is it's gonna be more or less the same usual suspects each year putting their hands in their pockets but many more people enjoy the use of the site. I for one would love to chuck some cash your way but lets face it times are hard and feeding the family has to come first. I can however give up some time or some surplus CPC related items to the cause. I suspect others are in the same position and if it were handled correctly there are ways more people could feel they were contributing.

[Bryce]

@Redbox: bandwidth and storage - we are about 60GB by now

I've got memory sticks that are bigger than that! Admittedly they don't have a highspeed internet connection though, or their own IP address

Bryce.

[Gryzor]

Please let me know when you design such a flash that also upgrades my crappy 1Mb uplink line


[ot]Love my 64GB Sandisk USB3 drive...[/ot]

[SyX]

In the Amiga forum that i visit, EAB, it has been introduced google ads in a not intrusive (down in the page after all the thread posts) and voluntary way, because that practically everybody has accepted, the thread about it, it's this. But the rules are:
---
Welcome to EAB Supporter team !
You have joined the EAB Supporter team

What will happened now ?

   
• You should see one banner advertisement displayed at the top of the forum navigation or below any thread display.
• This banner is non-intrusive, it won't slow down your navigation thanks to asynchronous loading.
• If you don't see it, you have to disable your adblock extension for eab.abime.net

Should I click on ads ?

   
• 80% of the advertisements displayed will give money to EAB only if you click on them.
• However, multiple click will ban us from the advertisement network.
• My recommandation is to perform one daily click at maximum, click only on interesting advertisement.
• Try to not click twice on the same ad, and prefer the thread banner instead of the home one.

What about donation ?

   
• You can also support EAB by making one paypal donation
• Any custom amount of euros can be given.

A big thanks for your support, I appreciate it !
---

That is all, very reasonable and i feel that we should have it in the CPCWiki with similar rules, one click/day is enough and knowing is going to help to CPCWiki, i feel it can not hurt and help a lot.

What do you think?