New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (now complete)
New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (now complete)
Lates .SSD in this post: https://www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt ... 75#p410275.
Hi, sorry I've been so slow getting this first demo out, it hasn't been much work, but I've managed to spend nearly no time coding.
You can move (inc through mushrooms), shoot, hit mushrooms and the centipede segments, collide with the centipede and progress to next level if you hit all the segments. The centipede will split if it collides with itself, or if you shoot it.
There is no sound and I think you can shoot a segment while it is exploding!
You can move: [Z], [X], [/] ,[:] (probably ' on emulator) and [RETURN] to fire.
Pressing fire on the joystick will activate joystick + keyboard mode, careful not to click if you have mouse emulating joystick in an emulator.
Things to add:
* fix extra heads spawning, so they don't collide immediately with the centipede.
* player movement blocking by mushrooms.
- working, but could be improved - Dave, can you feel the acceleration
* the flea, drops down the screen spawning mushrooms (does it only drop when there are less than 5 mushrooms in the player's area?)
- flea still needs to be shootable and collide with the player
* the spider, bounces around being a nuisance.
* the scorpion, poisons mushrooms, which cause the centipede to dive until it reaches the player's area when it hits them.
* sound.
* improve control.
+ high-score table and name entry (maybe)
Is there anything else I have missed?
In the arcade ROM, there are graphics for some kind of grass-hopper, does anyone know what it was supposed to do?
I don't think I have ever played millipede, I have heard that it isn't as good as centipede, does anyone think differently?
Hi, sorry I've been so slow getting this first demo out, it hasn't been much work, but I've managed to spend nearly no time coding.
You can move (inc through mushrooms), shoot, hit mushrooms and the centipede segments, collide with the centipede and progress to next level if you hit all the segments. The centipede will split if it collides with itself, or if you shoot it.
There is no sound and I think you can shoot a segment while it is exploding!
You can move: [Z], [X], [/] ,[:] (probably ' on emulator) and [RETURN] to fire.
Pressing fire on the joystick will activate joystick + keyboard mode, careful not to click if you have mouse emulating joystick in an emulator.
Things to add:
* fix extra heads spawning, so they don't collide immediately with the centipede.
* player movement blocking by mushrooms.
- working, but could be improved - Dave, can you feel the acceleration
* the flea, drops down the screen spawning mushrooms (does it only drop when there are less than 5 mushrooms in the player's area?)
- flea still needs to be shootable and collide with the player
* the spider, bounces around being a nuisance.
* the scorpion, poisons mushrooms, which cause the centipede to dive until it reaches the player's area when it hits them.
* sound.
* improve control.
+ high-score table and name entry (maybe)
Is there anything else I have missed?
In the arcade ROM, there are graphics for some kind of grass-hopper, does anyone know what it was supposed to do?
I don't think I have ever played millipede, I have heard that it isn't as good as centipede, does anyone think differently?
- Attachments
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- CentipedeDemo1.zip
- (4.31 KiB) Downloaded 223 times
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- demo1_shot.png (1.76 KiB) Viewed 17587 times
Last edited by tricky on Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Good work Tricky, as always! The question everyone's asking though - when is there going to be a 16 colour NULA version?
Bitshifters Collective | Retro Code & Demos for BBC Micro & Acorn computers | https://bitshifters.github.io/
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Well, with the beeb sprite ripper (or whatever it is called) and 3 pixels per byte attribute mode, as soon as someone makes it
Small update, added the flea for when there are 5 or less mushrooms in the player's area (bottom quarter of the screen) - need to fix player-flea collision and make it shootable.
There is a bug that occasionally leaves a double width shot on the screen, I can't remember if it is when you die, or when you complete a level.
Small update, added the flea for when there are 5 or less mushrooms in the player's area (bottom quarter of the screen) - need to fix player-flea collision and make it shootable.
There is a bug that occasionally leaves a double width shot on the screen, I can't remember if it is when you die, or when you complete a level.
- Attachments
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- CentipedeDemo2.zip
- (4.59 KiB) Downloaded 203 times
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Sorry, i've been very slack with this, but I haven't forgotten; lost a day to sound as usual.
Here is a small update with some sound, should support keyboard and joystick (fire to activate, then you can use both).
I've still got nearly 5K free and can't think what to do with it all
Here is a small update with some sound, should support keyboard and joystick (fire to activate, then you can use both).
I've still got nearly 5K free and can't think what to do with it all
- Attachments
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- CentipedeDemo3.zip
- (5.02 KiB) Downloaded 323 times
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Looking good, gonna check it out. Will surely let you know how it went. Thanks
Jon
Jon
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
I've really been neglecting this, it's been really hard to get motivated, but I seem to have hit a small pocket of enthusiasm, so here is a minor update.
I am currently adding the spider, which is why it leaves corruption and cannot be shot.
The scorpion makes a brief appearance at 2:12, when it runs straight into my bullet.
When it is finished, I will make it loadable as a ROM and do some sort of splash screen.
Any suggestions welcome, although I reserve the right to be too lazy to implement them!
http://youtu.be/hahVFUmfOZk
I am currently adding the spider, which is why it leaves corruption and cannot be shot.
The scorpion makes a brief appearance at 2:12, when it runs straight into my bullet.
When it is finished, I will make it loadable as a ROM and do some sort of splash screen.
Any suggestions welcome, although I reserve the right to be too lazy to implement them!
http://youtu.be/hahVFUmfOZk
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
The invincible spider's not an incomplete code, it's a feature! Just redraw him as Evil Otto and you have a crossover!
It's looking really good anyway. Smooth and arcadey. I like the nice touch of the Nintendo typeset for the score.
Would you mind making it a CSW?
It's looking really good anyway. Smooth and arcadey. I like the nice touch of the Nintendo typeset for the score.
Would you mind making it a CSW?
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Thanks, I think it is the original font.
What is a CSW?
What is a CSW?
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
It's a tape image format. UEFs have trouble loading into my Issue 3 and there's no room for an MMC on it.
(Unless any UEF will end up at PlayUEF. I was given this advice somewhere on the forum but can't locate the link.
(Unless any UEF will end up at PlayUEF. I was given this advice somewhere on the forum but can't locate the link.
)If you navigate to http://www.8bitkick.cc/playuef---bbc-micro.html and select any game link on the page, then add &CARRIER=2 at the end, it should work. (Make sure you have cleared your web browser cache otherwise you'll be picking up the old version potentially.)
http://www.8bitkick.cc/PlayUEF.html
http://www.8bitkick.cc/playuef---bbc-micro.html
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Sorry, no idea how to do that, all I know is using beebem to save a .uef with *TAPE then *SAVE...
I've attached it just in case you want to try.
Maybe PlayUEF could be persuaded to add an option to read from a github or google drive etc link.
I've attached it just in case you want to try.
Maybe PlayUEF could be persuaded to add an option to read from a github or google drive etc link.
- Attachments
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- Centipede.zip
- (7.6 KiB) Downloaded 197 times
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
It has to be on the actual website before I can use it.
Ah well, it was just a thought! Thank you anyway, I'm sure I will use it.
Ah well, it was just a thought! Thank you anyway, I'm sure I will use it.
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
tricky wrote:Sorry, no idea how to do that, all I know is using beebem to save a .uef with *TAPE then *SAVE...
I've attached it just in case you want to try.
Maybe PlayUEF could be persuaded to add an option to read from a github or google drive etc link.
Hello, you can load a local UEF file like this (if this is what you are looking for...)Commie_User wrote:It has to be on the actual website before I can use it.
Ah well, it was just a thought! Thank you anyway, I'm sure I will use it.
http://playuef.8bitkick.cc/?LOCAL=true
(Edit: you can also use ?FILE=<url> to access a UEF on the internet). Full documentation is here
https://github.com/8bitkick/PlayUEF/blo ... /README.md
Hope this helps
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
8bitkick wrote: Hope this helps
Excellent! I can even append the &CARRIER=2 thing now and I got a result. Not the one I expected but your applet works like a dream.
BASIC
>CH.""
Searching
Loading
CENTI 2D 2DED
Bad program
>*LOAD
Searching
Loading
CENTI 2D 2DED
>RUN
Syntax error
Bad program
>LIST
Bad Program
>_
I suppose that's what I get for tempting fate by asking for it on a format which it wasn't intended for!
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Which format is the file in? If it's a UEF it *should* work... if it doesn't I need to fix it...Commie_User wrote:I suppose that's what I get for tempting fate by asking for it on a format which it wasn't intended for!8bitkick wrote: Hope this helps
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
It's that UEF you gave me.
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Try *centi
Thanks 8bitkick, I liked your site, but couldn't find the link you mentioned at the time.
Thanks 8bitkick, I liked your site, but couldn't find the link you mentioned at the time.
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
BBC Computer 32K
BASIC
>*CENTI
Bad command
>_
We'd probably best call Sophie Wilson!
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Try this:
The star command version only works with things like ROMs and disks, not tapes.
Code: Select all
*RUN CENTI
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Sorry, it's been over 30 years since I used a tape.
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Ah, no!
But that aside, it's a splendid bit of work and looks great on my little CUB. Nice sharp, smooth graphics, lovely slick physics and the *RUN command loads it flawlessly. I like the arcade aspect ratio too.
I'm someone who doesn't normally do all that great either on keyboards or Centipede and I'm still doing fine enough killing them. Only partly as I have less trouble after me.
On the final version, will there be a pause button? Or a mode to allow more rapid shooting? I could do even better if I could rapid fire instead of waiting for the missile to get to the top or hit whatever. That's all I'd ask.
But that aside, it's a splendid bit of work and looks great on my little CUB. Nice sharp, smooth graphics, lovely slick physics and the *RUN command loads it flawlessly. I like the arcade aspect ratio too.
I'm someone who doesn't normally do all that great either on keyboards or Centipede and I'm still doing fine enough killing them. Only partly as I have less trouble after me.
On the final version, will there be a pause button? Or a mode to allow more rapid shooting? I could do even better if I could rapid fire instead of waiting for the missile to get to the top or hit whatever. That's all I'd ask.
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
No worries. It trips me up (and others, too, from experience) from time to time.tricky wrote:Sorry, it's been over 30 years since I used a tape.
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Thanks Commie_User, I don't have pause in any of my games, but as I'm not after your 10p pieces, maybe, but it would take some of the skill away.
The trick with the shots is not to miss and keep calm, it would be too easy with rapid shots, not to mention not authentic
The trick with the shots is not to miss and keep calm, it would be too easy with rapid shots, not to mention not authentic
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Sorry I'm being so slow with this one, I keep getting distracted.
I've done some internal tidying and the spider is in, but watch out, it will target you if you are hiding at the edges.
TODO:
"Crazy" diving segments when they touch poisoned mushrooms.
Segments that appear near the bottom if you don't complete the level quickly enough.
Lives and game over, the high-score is already updated, or would be if you could end a game!
Splash screen with instructions
Compression and self extraction with a ROM header so that it can be *CENTIPEDEd or booted from slot 0.
Nearly 4.5K left, I might need to add a proper high-score table just to fill it up a bit!
Have I missed anything?
Any suggestions?
I've done some internal tidying and the spider is in, but watch out, it will target you if you are hiding at the edges.
TODO:
"Crazy" diving segments when they touch poisoned mushrooms.
Segments that appear near the bottom if you don't complete the level quickly enough.
Lives and game over, the high-score is already updated, or would be if you could end a game!
Splash screen with instructions
Compression and self extraction with a ROM header so that it can be *CENTIPEDEd or booted from slot 0.
Nearly 4.5K left, I might need to add a proper high-score table just to fill it up a bit!
Have I missed anything?
Any suggestions?
- Attachments
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- CentipedeDemo4.zip
- (5.5 KiB) Downloaded 160 times
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Sense this is going to be another favourite at the events, Richard!
Is it the intention to mimic the high score table from the coinop? I thought conversions that enabled you to enter high score initials with the dpad (or directional keys) and fire were really cool!!
Is it the intention to mimic the high score table from the coinop? I thought conversions that enabled you to enter high score initials with the dpad (or directional keys) and fire were really cool!!
Please subscribe to the ABug YouTube channel!
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
If I do, I will also add keyboard support as carnival really confused people when they get on the high score table.
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Apart from thinking about Star Wars and putting the "speech" demo together yesterday, I've managed to finish the game play for Centipede.
The attached zip contains what should be the final gameplay, although I've just been trying it on my beeb and noticed that I have broken the sound a bit!
I've mostly been playing it on an older version of beebem, which is where I have all my debugging additions (and speech) but it doesn't do sound quite right and so I didn't notice!
Anyway, keys are ZX/* and return to (auto) fire; joystick is automatically activated by pressing fire (keys will also still work).
Be aware of a couple of "cheap deaths" which stop a couple of "exploits": the spider will "pounce" on you if you sit at the side of the screen for too long and when shooting a centipede right on the bottom, you might get caught in the explosion.
As I have been adding the features to this game, I have learned to appreciate how well the different elements fit together. If you remove any, the game becomes "too" easy.
I haven't added lives or game over or a high score table, but might do so today.
Enjoy and please let me know of any problems.
EDIT: updated the sound, but still not quite right
The attached zip contains what should be the final gameplay, although I've just been trying it on my beeb and noticed that I have broken the sound a bit!
I've mostly been playing it on an older version of beebem, which is where I have all my debugging additions (and speech) but it doesn't do sound quite right and so I didn't notice!
Anyway, keys are ZX/* and return to (auto) fire; joystick is automatically activated by pressing fire (keys will also still work).
Be aware of a couple of "cheap deaths" which stop a couple of "exploits": the spider will "pounce" on you if you sit at the side of the screen for too long and when shooting a centipede right on the bottom, you might get caught in the explosion.
As I have been adding the features to this game, I have learned to appreciate how well the different elements fit together. If you remove any, the game becomes "too" easy.
I haven't added lives or game over or a high score table, but might do so today.
Enjoy and please let me know of any problems.
EDIT: updated the sound, but still not quite right
- Attachments
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- FinalGamePlay.zip
- (5.57 KiB) Downloaded 157 times
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Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Hi Tricky,
Fantastic!
Is there any chance of you doing a splash screen?
Also I hope you can include at least a "Game Over"
regards,
Mick.
PS Keep up the good work!
Fantastic!
Is there any chance of you doing a splash screen?
Also I hope you can include at least a "Game Over"
regards,
Mick.
PS Keep up the good work!
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
Still got over 4KB so, probably only limited by my enthusiasm
I wasn't going to, but as I have just finished adding lives, here you go; still a little rough.
I was just about to look for a tune for game over.
I wasn't going to, but as I have just finished adding lives, here you go; still a little rough.
I was just about to look for a tune for game over.
- Attachments
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- FinalGamePlayWithLives.zip
- (5.69 KiB) Downloaded 167 times
Re: New version of Centipede for the BBC Micro (in progress)
I'm sorry my BBC ROM dyslexia is pretty poor I understood that you could only run * commands on things that were setup to run these commands in (loaded) ROMs?davidb wrote:Try this:The star command version only works with things like ROMs and disks, not tapes.Code: Select all
*RUN CENTI