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I've released Magica, a new arcade game for the Amstrad CPC (64k!).
You can download the game (CDT & DSK) from: https://www.usebox.net/jjm/magica/
This game had a development thread here: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/magica-(development)/
This game may have a physical release. I'll update you all when I have further info about this.
Enjoy!
Latest version is 1.0.2 (2016-11-05, released earlier than planned!).
This is amazing.
Thank you.
...with a really nice and funny presentation screen.
I've updated the game to the version 1.0.1 (check the PDF, it says the version).
It fixes a tiny bug when you're dying and as part of the dying animation you happen to touch the exit door. After the fix, you're dead. Previously it was showing the dying sprite but you exit the level.
Beautiful game!
Many thanks and well done for your great work. :)
Quote from: reidrac on 23:06, 04 November 16
I've updated the game to the version 1.0.1 (check the PDF, it says the version).
It fixes a tiny bug when you're dying and as part of the dying animation you happen to touch the exit door. After the fix, you're dead. Previously it was showing the dying sprite but you exit the level.
Can we dream of a v1.0.2 with P for pause in addition of H for hold ? That would make it compatible with the GX4000 ;)
Quote from: gerald on 09:07, 05 November 16
Can we dream of a v1.0.2 with P for pause in addition of H for hold ? That would make it compatible with the GX4000 ;)
As default? I see, because you can't redefine :)
Yes, could do. In fact, I could make a special edition for the GX4000. I think the game would play better using fire 2 for jump instead of up.
What do you think? Would that work?
Quote from: reidrac on 09:10, 05 November 16
As default? I see, because you can't redefine :)
Indeed !
Quote from: reidrac on 09:10, 05 November 16
Yes, could do. In fact, I could make a special edition for the GX4000. I think the game would play better using fire 2 for jump instead of up.
What do you think? Would that work?
To be honnest I feel OK with the current key mapping (UP to jump), but others make like using fire 2.
If you can easily map both key to the same action, why not.
However having one unified version that works on all CPC is nicer :)
Quote from: gerald on 11:24, 05 November 16
Indeed !
To be honnest I feel OK with the current key mapping (UP to jump), but others make like using fire 2.
If you can easily map both key to the same action, why not.
However having one unified version that works on all CPC is nicer :)
I didn't like the idea of 2nd fire button to jump *and* up; I don't think it would work fine with a joystick. I don't mind making a GX4000 specific version; there are few things that don't make sense without keyboard.
Review - done = :D
http://www.indieretronews.com/2016/11/magica-juan-j-martinez-fabulous.html
Quote from: Neil79 on 13:00, 05 November 16
Review - done = :D
http://www.indieretronews.com/2016/11/magica-juan-j-martinez-fabulous.html
Cheers Neil!
Quote from: Neil79 on 13:00, 05 November 16
Review - done = :D
http://www.indieretronews.com/2016/11/magica-juan-j-martinez-fabulous.html (http://www.indieretronews.com/2016/11/magica-juan-j-martinez-fabulous.html)
Quote from: indieretronewslevel loading screen by Vanja(?)
Great review! But why is there a question mark after my name?
Very nice "little" game ! The intro screen is amazing (welcome Mermaid on CPC :-) ), all in the game is really cute and the most important thing is that playability is perfect. When you die, the only thing you want to is start another game !
I have just two little requests if you find courage to make an update :
- add a score table !
- first life at 10000 points is not so easy to get. I think it would be better for lame players like me to put it at 5000 points then every 10000.
If there is a physical release of the game, you can count on me to buy one !
Quote from: TomEtJerry on 16:58, 05 November 16
Very nice "little" game ! The intro screen is amazing (welcome Mermaid on CPC :-) ), all in the game is really cute and the most important thing is that playability is perfect. When you die, the only thing you want to is start another game !
I have just two little requests if you find courage to make an update :
- add a score table !
- first life at 10000 points is not so easy to get. I think it would be better for lame players like me to put it at 5000 points then every 10000.
If there is a physical release of the game, you can count on me to buy one !
Adding things would be difficult I think. The 1.0.1 version required converting some extra C code to ASM to get some free RAM because I needed 3 extra free bytes and I didn't have any.
Regarding the 10k for an extra life; it all depends. Those 10k means every 9 stages you get an extra live (or 8 stages depending on your playing style), so at the end is 5 extra lives before getting to the last stage, plus the starting 3 lives that's 8 and is more than enough to complete the game with a nice challenge.
So my best advice is... keep trying and have fun :)
Thanks for the feedback though, really appreciated.
(I'll update about the physical release when I have info)
ok, so I need to train like hell :picard: .
One more little remark playing the game : invulnerability of the player is a little bit too short when he comes back to life. On some levels, you can loose another life just because there are enemies at the respawn point and you have no time to escape. An update probably would not cost memory :-).
Quote from: TomEtJerry on 17:30, 05 November 16
ok, so I need to train like hell :picard: .
One more little remark playing the game : invulnerability of the player is a little bit too short when he comes back to life. On some levels, you can loose another just because there are enemies at the respawn point and you have no time to escape. An update would probably not cost memory :-).
Good point. You may want to use your magic to stun them anyway ;)
Thanks again. I'm glad you enjoy the game!
EDIT: uh, well... I could remove the easter egg and that may free some memory for the hiscore table... ;)
Quote from: reidrac on 09:10, 05 November 16
Yes, could do. In fact, I could make a special edition for the GX4000. I think the game would play better using fire 2 for jump instead of up.
What do you think? Would that work?
Definitely. Up to jump is always a bit annoying, if inevitable on systems with only one fire button, so a GX friendly version with jump moved to fire 2 and pause on P would be lovely.
Really nice game! And you have an extra thumb-up for luring Mermaid to the CPC! :D
rb
I released 1.0.2 fixing a small visualisation bug (the Fairies could fly behind the door).
Just a minor thing, but now is better ;D. Sorry!
Just played it, it's very nice. I thought at first that it was too easy... till I lost all my lives on level 7! So it's going to be quite a challenge to reach level 50 :).
Anyway, congrats, graphics and music are well done, and so is the flawless gameplay. The intro graphics is very beautiful too.
I am really sorry, I've been told I didn't post my message in the appropriate place.
So I had a small suggestion about the intro gfx here :
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/news-events/octoate's-news-magica-new-game-by-reidrac/
Asking Mermaid for this pic was really a good idea. I know her C64 gfx for a long time, and she is really talented.
Maybe some small advice if she does not have a real CPC : using a CRT screen (cathodic) could help to get closer colours to the CPC ones. The LCD problems often occurs in the blue (I guess the RVB values are different in LCD or CRT).
Magica was played as part of "la retro semana", that is an informal competition where the participants vote for a game to play for a week. They mostly use Twitter and looks like is a lot of fun; they have played few CPC games already!
You can see the results of Magica's week at: http://www.commodorespain.es/retro-10-3a-temporada-magica/ (contains spoilers in the screenshots)
Several people finished the game during that week, some even got to the "bad" ending and replayed the game until they finished the game with the "good" ending.
I got very good feedback, including reasoned criticism (I love that!), and overall people seemed to love the game; taking into account the bad timing of the release (at the same time all the CPC Retro Dev games were released!), reception has been great.
Also there's an Easter egg I teased on Twitter, but so far nobody has found how to enable it. I mention it in case anyway around here wants to investigate a bit ;)
Update from Poly Play, the cassettes are ready!
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Again we're waiting for the cover art that, hopefully, will be ready soon.
oh, I love that! I finally ordered the tape & disk versions of Golden Tail (and Return of Traxtor). Keep them coming :)
Magica is coming!
https://twitter.com/polyplay_xyz/status/810094259483410433
Watch this space ;)
That artwork is beautiful!
oh! Here it comes :)
What a sweet year for CPC enthusiasts. I'm loving it!
I made a "let's play" with commentary about the game design. development, etc.
In case you're interested!
I didn't get too far, apparently I'm not very good doing two things at the same time, but I like that it feels more natural if I record the commentary as I play.
Also a quick update re: physical release; Poly Play sent me a draft of the 3" disc inlay and it is lovely! Hopefully it'll be ready soon.
Good news! The physical release will be available Jan 30th, pre-order is available now.
https://www.polyplay.xyz/navi.php?qs=Magica
Thanks Juan! One thing I noted - the 3.5" option on the page says 'Golden Tail' instead of Magica....
Quote from: Skunkfish on 15:27, 16 January 17
Thanks Juan! One thing I noted - the 3.5" option on the page says 'Golden Tail' instead of Magica....
I'll let Poly Play know. Thanks!
Great news.
Did Polyplay answer to mail ?
with my golden tail i ordered 2 posters and they didn't ship them. I've send mails several weeks ago and i still waiting for answer.
Quote from: kawickboy on 12:29, 17 January 17
Great news.
Did Polyplay answer to mail ?
with my golden tail i ordered 2 posters and they didn't ship them. I've send mails several weeks ago and i still waiting for answer.
I think they do; let me forward this to Sebastian.
Thanks.I've just made my magica order (including posters), so if they ship the posters in the same way it would be great.
Quote from: kawickboy on 12:35, 17 January 17
Thanks.I've just made my magica order (including posters), so if they ship the posters in the same way it would be great.
Great!
I can't speak for Sebastian, but he's very professional and it sounds weird to me he didn't answer to you so I would say something happened and he didn't read the mail.
I'm happy to help; I sent him a mail, hopefully this will be sorted ASAP!
Congratulations on the game and the physical edition!
@kawickboy (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=380) it's probably a mess-up in the package, because my order of Golden Tail included the poster, and I received both in the same package, flawlessly.
Quote from: reidrac on 12:41, 17 January 17
Great!
I can't speak for Sebastian, but he's very professional and it sounds weird to me he didn't answer to you so I would say something happened and he didn't read the mail.
I'm happy to help; I sent him a mail, hopefully this will be sorted ASAP!
Sebastian answered me, everything is OK. Thanks.
Any idea when it's shipping? I also wanna get Golden Tail, but it'd be silly for them to be sent separately...
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:07, 24 January 17
Any idea when it's shipping? I also wanna get Golden Tail, but it'd be silly for them to be sent separately...
Poly play said Jan 30th, so I guess it'll start shipping shortly after that day.
I ordered both at the same time a week or two ago, I think they're going to send them together.
I'm actually just writing a review of Magica at the moment for issue 2 of my fanzine. It's written in rhyming couplets which is sort of fun. Don't want to spoil it, but here's the start:
Oh little Sorceress, small and sweet,
How many times must I repeat?
When you leave your lab each day,
Lock the door, keep thieves away!
But little Sorceress didn't listen,
And as she left, the thieves eyes glistened,
When she returned the following morn,
To her surprise, her spells were gorn!
In case you missed it, Magica Collector's Edition can be ordered NOW: https://www.polyplay.xyz/navi.php?qs=magica
Looking forward this, some of the best CPC game box art... ever!
Waiting for my order to ship :)
Still waiting for mine to ship, is there a delay on this?
Quote from: Skunkfish on 16:21, 20 February 17
Still waiting for mine to ship, is there a delay on this?
Sebastian reported on Twitter that the shrink wrap machine burned, so the shipments would delay a bit.
I'll ask him to communicate a bit better, even with an ETA if possible.
My order was sent several days ago, but is still en route it would seem...
Quote from: Gryzor on 18:57, 20 February 17
My order was sent several days ago, but is still en route it would seem...
If you also bought Golden Tail, that may be the one that is on the post. Not sure, sorry!
Yup, I did buy Golden Tail and that's why my order was delayed, but it was sent 18 days ago today nonetheless. Hope it's not lost - didn't get a tracking number...
I've been told some people already received Magica... So it's shipping already!
Just got mine today!
Turns out it was actually sent just a few days ago. There was a tracking number too, which was not included in the email I received - a pity and strange!
Can't wait to get back home...
I've just got my copy too :)
Me too...
For french buyers:
C'est livré par la poste ou un autre transporteur ? Merci
Some people have been posting on Twitter pics of the physical edition; wouldn't it be nice to have some here?
Thanks in advance :)
I will take a picture of her next to her brother, Golden Tail when I get home tonight.
Quote from: reidrac on 22:57, 14 March 17
Some people have been posting on Twitter pics of the physical edition; wouldn't it be nice to have some here?
Thanks in advance :)
There you have sir :)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1085238/C5bu47iXEAEC-0c.jpg_large.jpeg)
Quote from: Dubliner on 19:17, 15 March 17
There you have sir :)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1085238/C5bu47iXEAEC-0c.jpg_large.jpeg)
Didn't work as expected, but thanks anyway! :)
I received my parcel from polypaly this week. Great job.
Little bump as I just received
Magica and
Golden Tail, two very nice games! I've had trouble getting used to
Golden Tail gameplay, I spent some time wondering how the magic button worked.
Magica however is right up my alley with its
Bubble Bobble-esque gameplay!
poly.play makes some great releases too, the boxes are very nice. Did you make the box art?
Quote from: reidrac on 09:10, 05 November 16
As default? I see, because you can't redefine :)
Yes, could do. In fact, I could make a special edition for the GX4000. I think the game would play better using fire 2 for jump instead of up.
What do you think? Would that work?
Quote from: andycadley on 18:26, 05 November 16
Definitely. Up to jump is always a bit annoying, if inevitable on systems with only one fire button, so a GX friendly version with jump moved to fire 2 and pause on P would be lovely.
the CPC is a two-button system though, it's just that the pin for FIRE2 is different than on SEGA and AMIGA systems. GX4000 controllers work natively on non-plus CPC, buttons are reported as Z and X in BASIC. (Maybe W and X on non-French keyboards?) There is no need for a ROM/GX version to have proper controls.
Fire 2 as JUMP instead of UP is much better indeed. I'm using a GX4000 controller and remapped the controls in-game (THANK YOU for allowing to bind controller directions! On so many games I have to plug the controller as JOYSTICK2 via a splitter cable to remap directions.) I have to say a patch to have 2 as JUMP natively would be a godsend for both games.
Quote from: khaz on 18:21, 05 October 17
poly.play makes some great releases too, the boxes are very nice. Did you make the box art?
Nope, that was the amazing work of Ralph Niese.
Quote from: khaz on 18:21, 05 October 17
the CPC is a two-button system though, it's just that the pin for FIRE2 is different than on SEGA and AMIGA systems. GX4000 controllers work natively on non-plus CPC, buttons are reported as Z and X in BASIC. (Maybe W and X on non-French keyboards?) There is no need for a ROM/GX version to have proper controls.
Fire 2 as JUMP instead of UP is much better indeed. I'm using a GX4000 controller and remapped the controls in-game (THANK YOU for allowing to bind controller directions! On so many games I have to plug the controller as JOYSTICK2 via a splitter cable to remap directions.) I have to say a patch to have 2 as JUMP natively would be a godsend for both games.
I added support for the two buttons in The Return of Traxtor, but I totally forgot about the controller in these two games.
I must confess that I looked to make a native version for the GX4000, but I found it complicated and uninteresting so I gave up. Sorry :(
I'm glad you like the game (and don't give up with Golden Tail!).
conversion for Commodore Amiga:
https://youtu.be/6jsyC_2atbA
Awww that's nice!
Andy did an amazing job with this conversion (I hesitate to call it port!).
I'm very pleased, and he has my thumbs up and all my support!
EDIT: you can grab the game for free from his website here http://andynoble.co.uk/
Nice port / conversion indeed!!
And this is why I hope to see more musicians on IndieGameMusic.com offer their tracks in multiple filetype versions so the same music can be used on multiple platforms. :)
Ideal for games that'll be ported to other platforms.
Arkos Tracker 2 can already import MODs, so that's a good start. Some day I'm gonna try adding AKS files to my list of supported formats. :-)
Looks really nice! As soon as I get the opportunity to get my A1200 set-up again I'll give it a go (I've had to sacrifice my den for the time-being!)