Beginning Vectrex coding...help

[minwah]

Been wanting to try vectrex coding for a while, so thought I'd have a go...

I have done a little but not much assembler before, and some very simple music (using BIOS functions) on the vectrex but nothing else.

I am using Vide and following Malbans tutorial and most things have made sense. However drawing shapes using a list doesn't make sense to me:

I know the coordinates are relative. I mapped out what I thought was the correct coordinates but they don't do what I expect. Why does +6 and +1 for Y draw in opposite directions? I thought drawing DOWN would require a negative value?

I'm sure I'm missing something very obvious!

minwah2020-08-25 18:19:03

 

[big10p]

Really need to get yourself on the Vectrex fans unite! facebook group. Lots of talented coders there, including Malban himself.

 

[agent4125]

Is your vectrex upside down?

Sorry, that's not helpful......

 

[Hurray Banana]

6 * 25 is 150

Which in 8 bit 2s compliment is a negative number equal to -106

Range of 2s compliment is -128 to +127 $80 to $7f

Got to be careful of this.

Change your sprite blow up value to something smaller so 6* stays 127 and under

 

[minwah]

Really need to get yourself on the Vectrex fans unite! facebook group. Lots of talented coders there, including Malban himself.

I was on there years ago but I am longer on Facebook...

 

[minwah]

6 * 25 is 150

Which in 8 bit 2s compliment is a negative number equal to -106

Range of 2s compliment is -128 to +127 $80 to $7f

Got to be careful of this.

Change your sprite blow up value to something smaller so 6* stays 127 and under

Ah of course...I knew it would be something simple I'd overlooked. I did know about the two's compliment values but stupidly didn't think about the 6*25 as I blindly left the 25 from the example.

Thanks so much!

 

[Hurray Banana]

Any other questions Steve just shout, getting back to vectrex coding after having to stop for a bit

 

[minwah]

Any other questions Steve just shout, getting back to vectrex coding after having to stop for a bit

Many thanks, I'm sure I will have plenty of questions!

Are you still working on Stunt Man?

My achievement for tonight:

https://twitter.com/minsoftgames/status/1298377879584157696?s=20

 

[Hurray Banana]

I am but got distracted with engines and data sets and data generators

Good progress,

 

[cparsonsuk]

Good start there, always good to see new coders come to the Vectrex.

There's a non-facebook forum as well that's good for programming advice:

https://vectorgaming.proboards.com/board/22/vectrex-programming-modifications-discussions

 

[minwah]

Good start there, always good to see new coders come to the Vectrex.

There's a non-facebook forum as well that's good for programming advice:

https://vectorgaming.proboards.com/board/22/vectrex-programming-modifications-discussions

That's great, many thanks! I thought there must be a vectrex specific programming forum but hadn't come across it.

 

[d-type]

There's also the VEXTREME Discord channels, usually about 20 people online, though not always a lot of activity. Good for moral support. You're probably looking for the "vectrex-assembly" channel.

 

[minwah]

This bit of Vectrex coding I started quickly turned into writing a game. I've been working on it for 11 months now. If anyone's interested I've been posting updates in a twitter thread:

http://twitter.com/minsoftgames/status/1413631627398422532?s=20

https://twitter.com/minsoftgames/status/1413631627398422532?s=20

https://twitter.com/minsoftgames/status/1413631627398422532?s=20

minwah2021-07-28 09:33:21

 

[Hurray Banana]

Nice work

 

[big10p]

Excellent! Is this going to be a full box and cart release?

 

[minwah]

Excellent! Is this going to be a full box and cart release?

Yes, that is the plan! It is quite a way off taking into account artwork design & printing etc, but hope to have the game itself ready for beta testing within the next few months. I am mainly working on level design now.

If anyone knows of a digital artist that might be interested in doing some designs for the box art etc please let me know (will pay). I have ideas but not the skills to do a good enough job myself. I would like the style to be similar to Atari arcade art...eg Asteroids Deluxe / Gravitar sideart.

Also I may need a few beta testers, expert fixed (single-shot) shooter players preferably.

 

[big10p]

Excellent! Is this going to be a full box and cart release?

Yes, that is the plan! It is quite a way off taking into account artwork design & printing etc, but hope to have the game itself ready for beta testing within the next few months. I am mainly working on level design now.

If anyone knows of a digital artist that might be interested in doing some designs for the box art etc please let me know (will pay). I have ideas but not the skills to do a good enough job myself. I would like the style to be similar to Atari arcade art...eg Asteroids Deluxe / Gravitar sideart.

Also I may need a few beta testers, expert fixed (single-shot) shooter players preferably.

I'm sure cNp (above) can give you some good advice as he's released a few games. Are you on the facebook group? Will probably get some help there and plenty offering to beta test. I would but I'm no expert at this type of game, but I enjoy playing them.

big10p2021-07-28 11:18:15

 

[cparsonsuk]

And it's a great game, really impressive from the testing I've done

My brother does all my artwork as he does it professionally... not sure the Atari art style is so much his thing ... mine are all in the style of the Vectrex originals. I can ask him though if you want.

There's a guy, Jacek Selanski, who is a great artist and in the Vectrex scene and has done work for Malban/Chris Saloman... I can put you in touch with him too if you like.

 

[minwah]

And it's a great game, really impressive from the testing I've done

My brother does all my artwork as he does it professionally... not sure the Atari art style is so much his thing ... mine are all in the style of the Vectrex originals. I can ask him though if you want.

There's a guy, Jacek Selanski, who is a great artist and in the Vectrex scene and has done work for Malban/Chris Saloman... I can put you in touch with him too if you like.

Thanks Chris.

I think mine will be largely in the style of the originals too...but instead of the 'screenshot' on the front of the box, I would like more of an arcade flyer / sideart type image.

Your brother did a great job on your games, really like the logos. I'll drop you an email about this...

 

[guddler]

There's also the VEXTREME Discord channels, usually about 20 people online, though not always a lot of activity. Good for moral support. You're probably looking for the "vectrex-assembly" channel.

@Phil, just checked out your Vectrex Forth presentation video. Very impressive! But what I'm most impressed with is your Vectrex. How on earth did you get it so rock solid without any wobble? Did you fit a new transformer?

I've spent more hours than I care to remember inside my main Vectrex and it still wobbles like a belly dancer with a hula hoop

And when I tested it before a house move last year the power switch has now died again along with one of the buttons on the controller. The damn thing drives me insane!!