Gdash

[cirix]

I noticed that there's a difference in the random fill if you set it by the "classical" random fill or as an object. For example I tested with the fill
Space 60
Boulder 50
Diamond 9

A different random generator is used - I think I will add an option to choose.

[Dustin]

A different random generator is used - I think I will add an option to choose.

Super! I'm waiting impatuently!!

[Dustin]

Don't be angry at him - I'm sure it was well-intentioned. As he is at the dawn of programming his one engine it's certain that many things are rushing through his head at the moment. A true perfectionist with the best insights of the Boulder Dash source. I know this - I'm also a perfectionist and it's exhausting and annoying sometimes - for all involved parties... But no offence!

Yes, I, too, know that very well! I have already updated the RockFort games twice or thrice since their first release here, and since then I've had another 34567 ideas to optimize each and every level, but I did and do not want to annoy Arno with an update email every two weeks (But of course I will put the new ideas into the gdash version)

And that Gdash IS a super clone can already be seen very well by the fact that one of the youngest topics in this forum is already now the by far most discussed one!

[LogicDeLuxe]

The top border is missing in PLCK games. It is used by several caves of Sendy Dash 2 and 3, for instance.
Some games even used that possibility for more than cosmetic reasons:
- A slime can take a diamond or a boulder from the top border.
- Some caves may require to hold butterflies or fireflies there, in order to keep them from other parts of the map.
- Amoebas there can make fireflies and butterflies explode.

I also made the lower border available in Deluxe Packer 1.55. The engine simply copies the previously unused line at the beginning of a PLCK cave file to the bottom line. Luckily, that line is filled with the steelwall code in other PLCK versions, so compatibility should be no issue.

Of course, those would only work as intended, if the scanning can be disabled on the upper and lower border.

[cirix]

I also made the lower border available in Deluxe Packer 1.55. The engine simply copies the previously unused line at the beginning of a PLCK cave file to the bottom line. Luckily, that line is filled with the steelwall code in other PLCK versions, so compatibility should be no issue.

Unfortunately, it is not. I found many games, in which one or two bytes appear. (I have a list, if needed.) For example, remix de luxe 2 is also one of them:

So I think, first-and-last-border-enabled caves will have to be selected by hand.

[CWS]

Can you correct the know ones by hand and enclose them to the shipped caves?

[cirix]

Can you correct the know ones by hand and enclose them to the shipped caves?

Something like that will happen. Or better than that, I will enable importing first and last line importing only for caves which this is required for. Sendydash 2, 3 are important. Maybe you guys know about other games where this is needed? I think I will check the all-inclusive list of LogicDeLuxe about the games The DLP version number should tell me that.

[LogicDeLuxe]

So I think, first-and-last-border-enabled caves will have to be selected by hand.

Last border maybe. First border is saved the same way in every version of PLCK the same, though. The only compatibility issue there is the scanning. I think, it makes sense for the converter to look at the engine, like it does with global effects.
There is one key routine at 5dce in every PLCK based game, except for DLP1.55:

Code: Select all

      lda   #$07
      ldy   #$27
B_5DD2:
      sta   $0B98,Y
      dey
      bpl   B_5DD2 

which you might guess, fills the bottom line with steelwall. Any2Gdash could do the same during conversion whenever this code is present and otherwise assume that the caves have a valid bottom line.

EDIT:

The DLP version number should tell me that.

It won't. It is up to the construction kit to allow the author of placing elements in the upper border. And even with the original kit, you can manage to place some things there by exploiting some of its bugs.

Another game where this is required is one of those in Boulderoid. I don't remember which one, but they are converted from the C64. It's probably one of those still missing in my list.

[cirix]

Hi

I uploaded a new version, it is 20081004.

- Translations can be selected at install.
- Previous/Next button in editor.
- Atari BD1, BD2, Constr.Kit import.
- Preliminary boulder remake file import (will be enhanced later)
- Magic wall, explodable wall can be hammered.
- Some new sounds.
- Randomness in editor bug fixed.
- Separate amoeba time, magic wall time, slime permeability & seed, bonus time, penalty time and amoeba threshold for each level.
- Mega stones pushable with sweet; also an option.
- Showing the last selected cave.
- Element box stays open while drawing. (Use right-click to close, or use the button.)
- Remember recently used files.
- New elements: amoeba 2, Nitro pack (works as BR solid bomb)
- PLCK top border importing. (Also: option to not scan first and last row.)

Your tasks:
- Some ideas for names of amoeba 2 and nitro pack?
- Atari games which you would like to see in the distro? Send them to me!
- Editor element box for drawing stays open for left-click, closes for right-click. Is it comfortable? Or should it be single & double click? Or something else? (This will be the first thing fixed, if you do not like the current one; I'm not satisfied with it.)
- Do you know PLCK-based games where elements are placed on the bottom border? Which are they?

bye

[LogicDeLuxe]

- Do you know PLCK-based games where elements are placed on the bottom border? Which are they?

There is none yet, as this possibility is rather new. Sendy was happy to have this feature, so most likely the next Sendy Dash will have them.

[cirix]

- Do you know PLCK-based games where elements are placed on the bottom border? Which are they?

There is none yet, as this possibility is rather new.

Oh, once again I would have had to implement an importing feature for something that doesn't even exist. No surprise I couldn't find any relevant games. I could have spent the time searching for a game like that on... probably demo recording and replays, I think.
Send me a note, when the first game appears.

[LogicDeLuxe]

Nice update. Works fine so far.

- Preliminary boulder remake file import (will be enhanced later)

How do I use it? Any2gdash only says

Code: Select all

Memory map file should be 65536+2 bytes long or 65536 bytes long.
Use save "filename" 0 0000 ffff in vice monitor.
Use write 0000 ffff filename in atari800 monitor.

Whenever I try to load a brc file.

- Some ideas for names of amoeba 2 and nitro pack?

Since you used the monolith graphics for amoeba 2, you could call it monolith then? I think, Amoeba 2 would be fine, though. It describes its function the best, I think. You didn't asked for a name for dirt 2 either.

[CWS]

I also think "Amoeba 2" is good enough. "Monolith" would be a much cooler name but what if someone is using another graphics theme and it does not look like a Monolith? So "Amoeba 2" is the best.

I must admit I have the Bandits Boulder Dashes from the Atari only. Except BD 1, 2 and the Construction Kit I never saw any other Boulder Dash games on Atari. But I think there certainly must be some. Any Atari fan out there?

The thing with left-click and right-click for the element box is really good. But maybe you take left-click for closing it after selecting an element and right-click for letting it open. Maybe most cave designers would like it more that way?

[BadDog73]

Thanks for the new version!

I have edited Boulder Dash 2 to recreate the colors of the Atari version - possible now with the infinite colors available in Gdash. I tried to match the cave timing as well, but I'm not 100% sure that I have it right. I just tried to get timing by alt+tabbing from the emulator to Gdash trial and error style. I'd attach it for everyone, but I can't. PM me if you'd like to have it.

Also about Gdash:

- If the scrolling is authentic, I'd like to have the option to "fast scroll" so that Rockford doesn't catch up with the edge of the screen. It's the one aspect of the original that I just can't bring myself to like. What does everyone think? I know that compared to the Atari original, the scrolling is too slow anyway.

- I don't know where the todo list is kept, but is demo recording and replay on it? It's not really all that important to me either, but maybe nice to have sometime in the future.


Thanks again

edit: Well, I just found the version shipped with Gdash. The timing is better, but the colors are off. I will edit them. If anyone wants it, let me know.

edit2: I take back what I said about scrolling. It seems greatly improved since the last version. Thanks again.

[CWS]

edit: Well, I just found the version shipped with Gdash. The timing is better, but the colors are off. I will edit them. If anyone wants it, let me know.

Yeah! Give it to us!