CPC464 version in development

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

It's early days, but I've converted much of the engine and am now converting AGD editor routines to test it. The block, sprite and screen layout editors are mostly in and it's possible to test the "game" by manipulating a sprite around the screen.

More news will follow in due course.

Attachments:

[egotrip]

I look forward to seeing this

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

The CPC version is getting towards a usable state, so here's a snapshot for you to play with. There are a few bugs here and there, plus there's no sound or save/load options. Everything should be more or less functional, however.

rapidshare.com/files/1064863090/AGD02.sna

You'll have to download the Spectrum version if you want instructions. Everything is pretty much the same. Anyone who uses the Spectrum version should be able to immediately start using this one - and vice versa, of course.

Comments welcome, as always.

[egotrip]

Thanks for the snapshot, but it doesn't work in WinAPE, it says Snapshot Format Invalid

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

Here's the latest Amstrad WIP, version 0.3:

rapidshare.com/files/3430736278/AGD03.sna

I've tried a different snapshot format this time, so let me know if you have any problems with it.

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

Version 0.4 is essentially finished with the same functionality as Spectrum version 3.4, minus the MENU and INV commands:

rapidshare.com/files/798449446/AGD04.sna

rapidshare.com/files/1641563146/AGD.DOC

I think I've cleared up the major bugs now so have a play, this version should be capable of producing full games. Get cracking people!

If there are no reports of any bugs I'll put it all together into a tape or disc image and release it as version 1.0.

[thesentinel]

Wow, thank you, Jonathan.

[gabriele1969]

er... Jon where do you define the keys? and why there is an annoying noise when i load the snapshots (0.3 or 0.4 is the same) ?

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

Control is via joystick rather than keys.

Sounds... well, the CPC version has the same sound issues as the Spectrum in that if you stop a game before a sound has finished playing the sound carries on into the menu. It is a snapshot, after all.

At some point I'll get around to fixing these issues in both versions, though they're not high on the to-do list.

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

Here's version 0.5:

rapidshare.com/files/3767639374/AGD05.sna

This features the same critical bug fix for Spectrum version 3.5, as well as fixing a couple of issues in the code/text editor.

[gabriele1969]

Hey Jon a question out my ignorance: why the sprite are 9X16 (not 16X16)...and why there cannot be keys control? oh and how do you go back to the main menu from the testing of the game?

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

It's 9x16 because the CPC aspect ratio in the graphics mode I used is different, the pixels aren't square. I was originally going to make them all 8x16, then realised I'd need an extra column because of the way I wanted to store the graphics. So I put in the extra pixel, simply because I could. The sprites should look a similar size to those on the Spectrum, with fatter pixels but more colours.

The CPC has a joystick, so I used that. It saved me having to write some tricky code for redefining the keys...

The CPC has two keys to exit most of the editors, ENTER and ESCAPE. I must have forgotten to put ENTER in the game loop, but you can still return to the menu with ESCAPE.

[Jonathan Cauldwell]

Version 1.0 for the CPC, including instructions. This is a .dsk file rather than a snapshot.

rapidshare.com/files/2363751402/AGD1.0.zip

The save option will now create an auto-running game.bin file on your disc, which was the last loose end I wanted to tie up. Functionality is the same as AGD 3.5 for the Spectrum, albeit without pop-up menus.

Have fun, and let me know if you encounter any problems.

[egotrip]

Thanks for the dsk.

First I've noticed that you can only save, not load.

Second, when I change the palette for pen 2 which is what the editor uses, a control character appears on the menu on the palette option.

Also, I just had a complete spaz out, also after changing palette. So I think there might be a bug in the palette code.



Also please add keyboard support.

[egotrip]

Another palette related bug is when you change some colours (not figured out which ones yet) is that the block editor text appears in the wrong place over the block you are editing. This also happened after I changed the game display window size and position.

I hope this information helps you iron out the bugs.