David's den…

Well – with the impending release of the project i’ve been spending quite some time on, I realised 2 things:

firstly – damn, i am very bad at updating this blog!

secondly – i needed to crack on with another project!
So with that in mind I decided to attempt to tackle a conversion from another Z80 system, not too far removed in specifications from SAM – in this case an MSX title.

The game in question, is an excellent 3d Isometric game by the name of Westen House – written by the incredibly talented Santiago Ontañón.
More about the original can be read here: https://braingames.santiontanon.dev/

With the assistance of Gordon Wallis, we already have some really nicely designed graphics for this version. And a talented musician has already offered their support for some nice music for the game.

It’s early stages yet – but this link to a Retcon2024 video put together by Rob Evans (Wubsoft) will give you a chance to look at the preview images by Gordon. And I’m hoping for a demo to be ready for the Retcon2025 show.

BTW – keep an eye open for the final version of Rob’s great Arkanoid 2 game – and the also very good game from Andrew Gilley – Abbey de Morte (may have the name wrong!) Both excellent games you can see on the above demo!

Oh a special thanks indeed to Howard Price for coding assistance! Also look out for his Net Cart game also on the above demo video!!

Hoping for another update soon 🙂

Trying to make up for lack of content – and here’s a start… a plug to a very good SAM Developer, by the name of Rob, who operates under Wubsoft:

Check out his site here: https://www.wubsoft.org/ – he’s done some great games, with Samtona and Bubble Ghost being 2 particular favourites!

He also does a set of videos which rather usefully go over some coding concepts. Very handy and something SAM Coupe folk certainly need more of!

Handy link for the above here:
https://www.youtube.com/@wubsoft

Rob’s got an interesting project on the go at the moment, that I was lucky enough to see at the most recent RetCon – for more info please check out his videos!

So much to do, so little time!

So – what has happened since my last post? Quite a lot of headway with the current project – indeed it is now finished, and should be landing with folk in the very near future!

We managed to show off a nearly done version last year, at the RetCon show – and even had a high-score competition. I believe someone who worked for a magazine won it, although sadly he didn’t have chance to mention the nice trophy (and t-shirt!) he won. Perhaps he’ll get chance at a later date?

More to follow!

S

Good question really? If you add a new little feature close to the finish of a project – is it a feature creep, or more of a case of adding something you think improves things a little more?

Well – i’ve added a little feature over the last few days, and I’m fairly pleased with it. It wasn’t essential but it’s something I had wanted in. So that’s my excuse! 🙂

Anyway – back to work!

aka Blast and Damnation..

My librarian at school, when I once did a work experience there, suggested coming up with alternative naughty words when frustrated. Another student at the time came up with the above….
… I think in the case of the librarian … her particular alternative naughty words would be Enid and Blyton….. (never understood the hatred – but then again I was a Famous Five and Secret Seven fan as a youngster…. )

But I digress. As ususal.

Contrary to the look a lack of entries here may actually give, I have been busy on the game. I had a bit of a dry spell up to around Christmas – purely and simply due to work.

Then comes B*** S*** Friday of course 🙁 That mentally takes a lot out of me. Whoever invented the concept should be dangled over an ants nest, coated in very sticky honey, and not wearing many clothes. Or something.

But still – I have been working away – a very large percentage (95+ ish) done in the way of screens, almost all code seems to be done. And some lovely graphics inserted. These graphics are really good – and easily the best part of the game I think. A few more screens needed – perhaps the odd replaced.

However in the meantime I’ve started the fun task of transposing the current source and objects into using the combination of Pyz80 + Visual Studio. I’d tried this previously and to be honest, I didn’t have much luck. But I thought it was time I got this done.

I’m glad I did as it’s helped fix a couple of things I missed – which I have to update – and spot areas I can improve on.

I’ve also been able to help (even if not as much as I’d have liked) with a bit of odd playtesting on some other nice looking new projects. Always encouraging to see things taking shape even if not from yourself 🙂

A good and bad thing recently has been some change of hours at work. Now starting later (giving me early starts of 5am rises – and there for about an hour or 2 caffine charged coding time in the morning) and late finishes arriving in at 9pm (not giving much time to do much… but some at least). Side effect is sometimes only sleeping 3-4 hrs – but hey, i’ve never been able to sleep much anyway 🙂

Enough boring stuff – going to get breaky and get back to work!

Had some nice new graphics for some of the new levels – so in the process of updating them somewhat… looking good so far. Trying to get a few more done today.

Also got a bit more tweaking in the way of level speed – which I can control on a level basis… just got to make sure it feels right on the playback of each level – so that’s going to be fun for playtesting.

Been rather distracted with sales time at work … not my favourite time of the year personally… but at least the worse will be out of the way soon.