Hi there!
I just thought to discuss a a possible 2600 port of Sea
Wolf 2 to the 2600.
For a reference of what I'm trying to achieve, here is
an old mockup screen I did long ago:
http://home.arcor.de/cybergoth/xype/seawolfmock2.gif
First, let me introduce my plan for the kernel:
-----------------Tech--------------
I'd like to do it with a technique using "half" of a
moving 6-char kernel.
That way I can do 24 pixel wide sprites like in:
P0P1P0
The basic technique behind this I already have proven to
work with the Starship 1 demo I posted a while ago.
That leaves both the Ball and M1 as possible "torpedos".
Flickering them like in Gunfight provides 2 torpedos on
the screen - per player.
The main display would be striped vertically, possibly 8
times like this:
shipline
shipline
shipline
mineline
mineline
mineline
playerline
playerline
The main technical issues yet to solve are:
1. Smooth in and out movement of things on the sides
2. Displaying the missiles inbetween the stripes
While the first is basically "a lot of work", the second
might be way harder to achieve. Between the stripes a
horizontal reposition must happen and the kernel must be
kicked in again with very(!) precise timing.
I have some ideas, but it simply just may be impossible.
Second, there's gameplay issues to solve (which is IMHO
even harder...):
-----------------Gameplay 1--------------
Once again, the arcade is timer based. If you shoot
enough enemy ships before it exceeds, your playtime gets
extended (Or you have to insert a new coin)
That's bad. I don't like this idea at all.
But then what else? In theory, I could make the ships
dropping water bombs, but as described above, the kernel
can't do that. Unless I limit both players subs to one
torpedo each (hm...) and have the particles recycled for
water bombs every other frame.
Another Idea, very similar to a timer, would be
requiring a certain percentage of kills per round. Or
reaching a certain score.
Next idea would be a stricter parting into the one and
two player mode.
While the enemies could return fire in the one player
mode, the two player modes could aim for other goals to
achieve like who's scoring more during a timed (phew...)
run...
Well and then, the complex kernel doesn't leave much
room for adding gameplay:
-----------------Gameplay 2--------------
Basically you have ships passing with differing speeds,
mines blocking your path and other subs that will dive
if you don't shoot them quick enough. That's not too
much of variety.
I've played some Polaris (VCS) and some more "Seafox" on
the 8 bitters, and I somehow like the more freedom that
is added to the subs movements on the bottom. It also
offers more flexibility and allows a few gameplay
enhancements, but on the contra side this can't be done
with 24 pixel sprites anymore, so I'd have 6 hires
stripes in the center of the screen and two 8 pixel subs
at the bottom. Well, might be the compromise to go
for...
Any additional input appreciated.
Greetings,
Manuel
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