warty
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Posts: 29
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Post by warty on Jan 2, 2023 21:48:50 GMT
Hey Folks, Sometime this year, I'm going to be releasing a new game for the C128. Coding is complete (pending any bugs testers may find). My goal is to have buying and playing this game be a very retro experience: it will come on 5.25" floppy, in a box, with a printed manual. Tentatively I'd like to have it ready for VCF East, but if not, perhaps it will debut at VCF Midwest. There is also a B-128 version! Very green, very text-y. I haven't been able to test that one as much, as my CBM 710 is missing some important parts. There is also a version for the Foenix F256jr / F256K, which is a new retro 8-bit machine with a little faster processor and 256K memory and slots for 2 SID chips. Sadly, I have no musical abilities, and can't promise any theme music at this point. I'd put up a couple snapshots, but I don't have web site at the moment, so nothing to host the images. There is some play through of the b128 version at about the 16 min mark in this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MMtDdifyyc---- System requirementsCommodore B-128 SeriesCompatible B-series system: CBM 710 (B-128-80 HP), 720 (B-256-80 HP) B-128, B-256 with compatible 80 column monitor Minimum of 128K RAM installed CBM 8050 5.25” drive or PET2SD (or) VICE emulator, running the “xcbm2” (“CBM 610”) emulator Commodore C-128 SeriesCompatible C-128 system: C128D, C128DCR, or C128 CBM 1571 5.25” drive Note: 1581 or SD2IEC should also work if you transfer the game to that media 80-column RGB monitor Minimum of 128K RAM installed VDC chip with 64K. The game is not compatible with unexpanded 16K VDC chips. (or) VICE emulator, running the “x128” (“C128”) emulator Foenix Retro Systems F256KOptional: Formatted SD card if you want to run without having the cartridge installed, or if you want to save high scores. Optional: compatible IEC drive or device, with formatted floppy disk, for saving high scores. Tested with Commodore 1571 drive; should be compatible with Commodore 1541 and 1581 drives as well. Minimum of 256K RAM installed Free cartridge slot, unless you will copy it to SD card Foenix Retro Systems F256jrFormatted SD card (unless you plan to have the game cartridge sticking out of your motherboard) Optional: compatible IEC drive or device, with formatted floppy disk, for saving high scores. Tested with Commodore 1571 drive; should be compatible with Commodore 1541 and 1581 drives as well. Minimum of 256K RAM installed
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Post by robertb on Jan 4, 2023 21:11:12 GMT
There is also a B-128 version! Very green, very text-y. I haven't been able to test that one as much, as my CBM 710 is missing some important parts. Oh, will it be ready by the time of the Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2023 on April 15-16? I saw that. Thanks! Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group - www.dickestel.com/fcug.htmSouthern California Commodore & Amiga Network - www.portcommodore.com/sccanApril 15-16 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2023 - www.portcommodore.com/class
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Post by xahmol on Jan 5, 2023 6:48:41 GMT
Always nice to have new C128 games upcoming. Very curious!
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warty
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Posts: 29
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Post by warty on Jan 6, 2023 3:35:20 GMT
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warty
KIM-1 User
Posts: 29
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Post by warty on Jan 7, 2023 20:27:10 GMT
There is also a B-128 version! Very green, very text-y. I haven't been able to test that one as much, as my CBM 710 is missing some important parts. Oh, will it be ready by the time of the Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2023 on April 15-16? So, good news today: I transferred over to my real C128D via Ultimate 1541 II+ (there has got to be a better way), and it worked with no bugs. Always a little bit afraid when there is VDC code involved and testing has been on VICE. I do use Z64 sometimes tho for VDC-heavy bits, so I guess that shouldn't be surprise. <Salute> Z64! And also good news: I stopped by Raymond Computer today, and chatted with Ray a bit about SFD1001 drives and MSD SuperDrives, and PETs and B128s and my somewhat incomplete CBM 710. We'll try to test out Lich King for B128 on his working B128. I'm not sure, now that I think about it, how I would get the disk data over though. Hmm. Are there any drives that you can hook to a Pet or B-machine that read 1541 or 1571 disks? I don't have an SD2PET (can't find one to buy). Any ideas?
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Post by xahmol on Jan 7, 2023 21:46:02 GMT
You are aware you can FTP to your Ultimate UI+? Can not think of any better way. Of course your UII+ needs to be connected via Ethernet for this. Have a copy over FTP command in my Makefile, so compile and transfer to my UII+ is fully automated. See the Makefile of my VDC Screen Editor tool I made that way. This copies the compiled disk images automated to both my C128Ds after compile. github.com/xahmol/VDCScreenEdit/blob/main/Makefileand yes, never trust VICE for VDC code testing. Found out the hard way of thinking I had working code only to see it completely failing on real hardware.
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warty
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Posts: 29
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Post by warty on Jan 8, 2023 2:18:15 GMT
I haven't wired up ethernet in this room, so that's a problem, but might be worth putting a router there. but the bigger problem I have is... and I'm really pretty ignorant about the UII+... using it for the 128 side of the C128. My work flow now is like this: 1) put d64 image on USB stick. 2) put USB in UII+, put UII+ in C128, turn on. 3) mount d64 4) use one of the included carts to copy files from mounted image to a real disk in internal drive 5) turn off computer, disconnect UII+ 6) boot in 128 mode, run program.
the problem is that while the USB version of the D64 can be big, the included cart seems to only be able to write to half the 1571 disk, so it fills up before everything gets written.
UII+ seems good, but is there some way to actually use it in C128 mode??
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Post by robertb on Jan 8, 2023 2:26:59 GMT
Are there any drives that you can hook to a Pet or B-machine that read 1541 or 1571 disks? I don't have an SD2PET (can't find one to buy). Any ideas? A Commodore 2031 disk drive will read 1541 disks. The dual-drive Commodore 4040 drive will also read 1541 disks. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group - www.dickestel.com/fcug.htmSouthern California Commodore & Amiga Network - www.portcommodore.com/sccanApril 15-16 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2023 - www.portcommodore.com/class
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warty
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Posts: 29
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Post by warty on Jan 8, 2023 3:51:56 GMT
Are there any drives that you can hook to a Pet or B-machine that read 1541 or 1571 disks? I don't have an SD2PET (can't find one to buy). Any ideas? A Commodore 2031 disk drive will read 1541 disks. The dual-drive Commodore 4040 drive will also read 1541 disks. ah. I checked on the higher density drives earlier today and learned they didn't, didn't think to try the 4040s. I think I saw at least one 4040 today at Ray's so maybe we can try that next weekend. Workflow maybe... 1) use UII+ to go from Mac to d64 disk image to C64 2) use copy cart to copy from disk image to real disk, formatted in c64 mode on 1571. 3) on B128, with the 1541 disk in one side, and a blank disk in the other drive, copy files from 1541 to 4040 disk. 4) repeat steps 2-3 for the 2nd disk. 5) distribute 2 disks to purchasers. oof. will anyone with a B machine have a 4040 to read these? who knows. But in any case, I guess it could get the game running.
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Post by xahmol on Jan 8, 2023 16:05:54 GMT
I haven't wired up ethernet in this room, so that's a problem, but might be worth putting a router there. but the bigger problem I have is... and I'm really pretty ignorant about the UII+... using it for the 128 side of the C128. My work flow now is like this: 1) put d64 image on USB stick. 2) put USB in UII+, put UII+ in C128, turn on. 3) mount d64 4) use one of the included carts to copy files from mounted image to a real disk in internal drive 5) turn off computer, disconnect UII+ 6) boot in 128 mode, run program. the problem is that while the USB version of the D64 can be big, the included cart seems to only be able to write to half the 1571 disk, so it fills up before everything gets written. UII+ seems good, but is there some way to actually use it in C128 mode?? Why would you want to write to a real disk if you have an UII+? You can just use the mounted image. But OK, for using an UII+ on a C128D, the essential first step to look is: www.bartsplace.net/content/publications/1541ultimate128.shtmlIf you are there anyway, directly download Bart's excellent tool Device Manager ROM: www.bartsplace.net/content/publications/devicemanager128.shtmlAnother issue you might encounter: the UI of the UII+ cartridge for technical reasons alas can not inject itself in 80 column VDC mode, so if you are working in VDC mode, you will not be able to use the UII+ menus. A great solution for this is that you can Telnet to the UII+ from your PC to reach the UII+ menu, but that obviously requires connecting it via ethernet. See rr.pokefinder.org/rrwiki/images/8/89/1541u_remote.pdfElse you have to switch to 40 column mode (or actually have two screens attached to also see 40 column output next to the VDC output) to reach the UII+ menus. But if you really want to copy to a real disk, consider this: - The UII+, provided you are at the latest firmware (3.10c at the time of writing), can emulate 1541, 1571 and 1581 drives. You can set drive type in the UII+ menu. - If you want to use double sided disk images for 1571 drives, the proper file extension is not .d64 but .d71. If you mount a .d71 image, the UII+ automatically switches to 1571 emulation even if it was set to 1541 mode. - For copying the .D71 image to a real disk, you need to use software that is actually able to copy to dual sided 1571 formatted disks. So using a C64 mode cart probably does not help you here. They will just assume the .D64 to be a single sided 1541 disk, and will write therefore also only one side. So please use a disk or file copier that is actually able to write to 1571 formatted disks. But again, having an UII+ cart means you should really never need to bother with physical disks again. Using the UII+ in VDC mode however needs some extra work as stated above. And yes, you really SHOULD ethernet connect your UII+, if only to be able to reach the menus in VDC mode. Also, as you seem to be on a C128D as I am, the Device Manager ROM is really essential if only because it enables you to shut up your internal drive by software. Just by selecting the correct option in the Device Manager ROM boot menu. This prevents your internal drive automatically claiming drive ID 8. Which is an issue as many software can only run from 8 or even do not allow to have other drive IDs active. Let me know if I can help you further with your UII+. I use it on my C128D and C128DCR on daily basis, as said also for software development. And myself cannot imagine doing that anymore without the UII+. Myself mostly use 1581 drive emulation by the way with corresponding .D81 disk images for development. (by the way also curious by your statement that .D64 images on the UII+ USB can be big. AFAIK a .D64 image is always the same size, 664 blocks, the size of a 1541 formatted disk. If it is larger, it is not a valid .D64 image. So curious what tool allowed you to create a bigger than 664 blocks .D64. If you want to have bigger disks, use a .D71 which corresponds a 1328 blocks two sided formatted disk by a 1571, or a .D81 corresponding a 3160 blocks 1581 formatted disk)
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