Subject: [stella] Emulator Hazards From: crackers@xxxxxxxx Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 23:39:37 -0400 (EDT) |
Don't get me wrong. Using an Atari 2600 emulator on a PC is a big plus for programming. It lets you see your results faster than going with a real supercharger. But I've been discovering a few problems with relying on an emulator only for 2600 programming. 1) Little mistakes that make you lose sync on a real 2600 often don't affect the emulator. 2) Emulator speed vs. real 2600 speed may be quite different depending on the type of machine you've got. Things that seem A-okay on my 486 are blindingly fast when played on a real 2600. 3) Colours look very different on a real 2600 as opposed to an emulator. 4) Default sprite positioning on the emulator isn't the same as it is on a real 2600. While working on my virtual pet I started my first two sprites out on the position they default to on the emulator (which is the far right hand side). Set up all my values to make them walk back and forth across the screen and when I played it on a real 2600 everything was WAY off. The default sprite position on a 2600 is actually about 1/3 the way in from the right. I suppose this is really my fault for being lazy. I should have put the sprite right where I wanted it from the start instead of relying on the default. But it seemed redundant at the time. So you really DO need a supercharger if you want to be absolutely certain that your programme will work as you intend it to on a real 2600. In any case, I got all my bugs worked out and now my programme is working as I wanted it to on supercharger and emulator (except, of course, much slower on the emulator... I need a real computer). I've almost got the video kernal finished, I'm still going over different ways to do the stats screens but the critter screen is done. Once I settle down on a look for the stats screen I can start work on the game logic. There isn't much to these vertual pets, but my 2600 one will have a bit more to it than the keychain ones. One of the advantages is the RAM to keep track of the critters progress. With the keychain ones you can treat your pet like crud and then satisfy all its needs just before it turns into an adult and it will be the highest level. Mine will be able to keep track of how it was treated over it's whole childhood. I also think I may have found a way to attach a file to a message. I'm going to try it out. If it works then my next message should have a demo of what I've done so far. It doesn't do anything yet except show the "need" sprite, "critter" sprite and "action" sprite (and the critter sprite is dead to boot (and no he's not Kenny)). I'm suprised I've gotten as much time as I have to work on this what with the non-virtual baby having arrived. But my older son is at his aunts for the weekend so here's hoping that I'll have more done by monday! Also... for those of you out there who have been reluctant to programme anything because you're intimidated by the difficulty of the 2600 or a lack of machine language programming skill, there's really nothing better than to just jump right into it and write a very simple programme. Nick's "How To Draw A Playfield" demo code is a really good place to start as it shows you a simple example of how a 2600 draws a screen. I was totally lost until I took a look at that programme and then I began to understand the 2600 much better. And nothing will improve machine language programming skills more than programming. So just make a simple programme. It doesn't have to be a game or do anything fantastic. Just drawing a stable video image on the 2600 is something to be proud of. And don't worry about making mistakes. I've been learning more about the 2600 from my mistakes than from my successes. Also don't be intimidated by the presence of some really top notch programmers on this list. They're all very helpful to new programmers. They've answered all the many questions I've had on 2600 programming in a kind and courteous manner. So don't hold back, jump on in, the water is fine! I tell you, I haven't been this excited about computers since I wrote my first programme for the C-64. CRACKERS (Having lots of fun from hell!!!) -- Accordionist - Wethifl Musician - Atari 2600 Collector | /\/\ *NEW CrAB URL* http://www.hwcn.org/~ad329/crab.html ***| \^^/ Bira Bira Devotee - FES Member - Samurai Pizza Cats Fan| =\/= -- Archives updated once/day at http://www.biglist.com/lists/stella/archives/ Unsubscribing and other info at http://www.biglist.com/lists/stella/stella.html
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