blue angel 69 (cartridge edition)

[arnoldemu]

I have been sitting on this a while. Since January in fact. It was done more to test my cartridge filesystem but to also get an idea of how long it would take to patch an existing game - which I had the source - to work on cartridge.
I made some modifications to the file system to make this work so it was a good test. I also modified my z88dk libraries to use my filesystem.

Find the files attached.

I took the Blue Angel 69 source and made some changes:

* Updated the z88dk code to load from cartridge using my filesystem.
* I used the disc version as the original. It was 64K compatible so I knew it would work with GX4000.
* I changed the loading of files to use my cartridge filesystem.
* I removed the "loading" text from the loading screen
* I added both sets of images from the disc version (so images from both sides are present here)
* I changed Q,A,O,P to cursors because I needed to support the pause button for GX4000
* I changed H to P for pause

Now it's GX4000 compatible. I used more than a 128K cartridge too.

Yes, it looks like a direct disc port and in fact it almost is. I did ask Tasty to give me some plus colours for the main game, but I can't find the code for that anymore so it isn't in this one. Sorry about that.

I don't plan to add any more updates because I don't have the motivation to do that with this.

So here you go a free cart game.

BTW, Don't forget the manual and the cartridge label from my other posts.
I will attach them when I can find them.

[Ast]

I'd hope that many screenplay will be displayed here   
But well done and thanks.

[Trebmint]

Haha good stuff

[gerald]

* I changed Q,A,O,P to cursors because I needed to support the pause button for GX4000
* I changed H to P for pause

Now it's GX4000 compatible. I used more than a 128K cartridge too.

Working flawlessly on a real GX4000 
I never played it before, but it's really well designed to work only with a joystick!

So here you go a free cart game.

You mean a free egg 

Waiting for chicken now !

[Trebmint]

Nice game. Not sure I know whats going on, but it looks good

[nitrofurano]

yes, very good one! thanks, @arnoldemu !

[Kris]

Very good job !
I will certainly make a dedicated cartridge for it 

[arnoldemu]

Please print the label and the manual:

http://www.cpctech.org.uk/plus_cart_label.pdf
http://www.cpctech.org.uk/plus_cart_manual.pdf

[GOB]

Why don't adapt gfx for CPC+ ? I think it's really a shame to just convert to gx4000 without using CPC+...

[arnoldemu]

Why don't adapt gfx for CPC+ ? I think it's really a shame to just convert to gx4000 without using CPC+...

Because it would take too long to do that and I didn't want to do it this time.

I have some other Plus games that need graphics.

[TotO]

Why don't adapt gfx for CPC+ ? I think it's really a shame to just convert to gx4000 without using CPC+...

CPC+ ?
PLUS is not a CPC. You probably spoke about Amstrad PLUS.
Probably, he don't want 4096 colors palette that made a game no more looking CPC for his so cute GX port !?
And prefer for make real PLUS games later? 

[arnoldemu]

CPC+ ?
PLUS is not a CPC. You probably spoke about Amstrad PLUS.
Probably, he don't want 4096 colors palette that made a game no more looking CPC for his so cute for GX port... And prefer for make real PLUS games later? 

Yes exactly.

I made some small but good changes to make this cartridge and it was done many months ago.

There will be other carts from me and they will use more plus features.

[arnoldemu]

BTW, if anyone does make a physical cartridge with this on, it would be nice to see a photo of it.

[dragon]

BTW, if anyone does make a physical cartridge with this on, it would be nice to see a photo of it.

He can take long. 1st I need search a cheaper burning rubber 10e +-. 2º I need buy a 256k eeprom?. An modify the cartridge to accept 256k.

Well, de 1st is the long time not the two.

[nitrofurano]

CPC+ ?
PLUS is not a CPC. You probably spoke about Amstrad PLUS.
Probably, he don't want 4096 colors palette that made a game no more looking CPC for his so cute GX port !?
And prefer for make real PLUS games later? 

afaik, using plus palette feature doesn't need to be hard, and doesn't need to be incompatible with previous cpc

some games from Mojón Twins have enhanced UlaPlus support, and works fine on games that has no UlaPlus support

i imagine that the same, or very similar, is possible on cpc

[arnoldemu]

afaik, using plus palette feature doesn't need to be hard, and doesn't need to be incompatible with previous cpc

some games from Mojón Twins have enhanced UlaPlus support, and works fine on games that has no UlaPlus support

i imagine that the same, or very similar, is possible on cpc

ula plus is different.

For ula plus you can set the palette at the beginning and you can then run the game. The ula plus palette remains set.
The original spectrum doesn't have a programmable palette.

The CPC/Plus has a programmable palette. If you set your palette and then run the game, the game will set it's own palette and step on your changes. So you must modify the game code so it sets the palette you want. Each game must be patched. If you want to use sprites and other plus features then you must consider re-writing the game engine.

I chose not to use the plus features because I didn't have the motivation to modify one of my old games. Next time, for a new game,  I will use the plus palette.

[GOB]

CPC+ ?
PLUS is not a CPC. You probably spoke about Amstrad PLUS.
Probably, he don't want 4096 colors palette that made a game no more looking CPC for his so cute GX port !?
And prefer for make real PLUS games later? 

You're still in that kind of stupid debate?
...


Wear a game on CPC + without adapting it is simply unnecessary. In this case as the launch dsk we have the same thing ...
What's funny is to see that we will make new extensions for CPC while already nobody wants to piss to use most of the cpc + ...
We transfer stupidly old games on a CPC + without any adaptation . Result you just get the same thing ... Or is the interest? I still wonder.


Cartridge Fluff or Stryker in the crypt of trojan (is it exist ?) version is much smarter because at least we have contributed ...


Goggle translate, sorry if it's not really good...

[arnoldemu]

Question: How many Plus features must a cartridge or a game for Plus use to be worth it?

[Trebmint]

To be a worthwhile plus game you must officially... Use more than 1 shade of grey. Scroll 1 pixel side to side. Use 1 hardware sprite


Joking!

[SyX]

Question: How many Plus features must a cartridge or a game for Plus use to be worth it?

Exactly! Now, Blue Angel 69 works perfectly in a GX4000, previously it was not possible, who gives a shit because the game doesn't use the feature X of the CPC+

Can anybody remember me the hundred of CPC+ games using those features?

And using the same argument, what does it make a good CPC game? A game using X features (6128, floppy, ruptures, scroll hardware, double buffer, ...)? Or a good game? Even if i love using all the nice features, the important thing is the game and its playability.

Speak is cheap, coding is hard and takes time.

Fantastic work @arnoldemu!

[CraigsBar]

BTW, if anyone does make a physical cartridge with this on, it would be nice to see a photo of it.

I'll play test it. Then probably do just that. I have 5 spare donor carts at the moment.

[mr_lou]

Question: How many Plus features must a cartridge or a game for Plus use to be worth it?

IMHO, I think a game for Plus doesn't necessarily has to have a lot of Plus features.
BUT, I think a cartridge game should.
A cartridge game should stand out somehow. That's how I see it anyway. Cartridge games being the Plus games, while the Plus machines are still capable of running standard CPC games too.

I don't mean any critique, but I do feel that a cartridge version of Blue Angel 69 ought to adapt to CPC+ possibilities. Just like Spectrum games ported to the standard CPC ought to adapt to standard CPC possibilities.
I also understand completely thought, why arnoldemu doesn't feel like doing so at the moment.

[gerald]

IMHO, I think a game for Plus doesn't necessarily has to have a lot of Plus features.
BUT, I think a cartridge game should.
A cartridge game should stand out somehow. That's how I see it anyway. Cartridge games being the Plus games, while the Plus machines are still capable of running standard CPC games too.

Is working on a GX4000 not enough ? I mean GX4000 only support cartridge as a medium, and have a reduced set of controls ... (so it uses plus specific features  )
Not even talking about the instant loading.

All in all, the cart edition of blue angel 69 is a really nice addition to the GX4000 accessible game.

Now, what a cartridge game should be is an other discussion. And deserve its dedicated thread 

[mr_lou]

Is working on a GX4000 not enough ?

No

[Trebmint]

Changing CPC games too Plus enhanced is a tricky thing. Once you've put a graduated background in what then. Its not easy to rip out the sprite routines, as they normally since they are software based exceed the limits of the plus sprites. Palettes are hard to alter other than in a very subtle way.


Not really sure how enhanced and enhanced version of blue angel 69 could be anyway.... just enjoy it cos its cool as it is without a hardware sprite in sight



The thing is to get the most out of the ASIC you need to code with that in mind from the get go. But other benefits like more than 64k, instant loading make it still a great thing to have