CMLGUI

I'm currently working on CMLGUI, the GUI extensions for the Core Media Library.
I haven't released the GUI extension with the last version of the library because it was still missing some essential components at the time (things like File Dialogs and such).

As i'm currently prototyping a contra-type game in 3D, i needed an simple editor to sketch out the levels. I decided to write it in CMLGUI and finishing the library in progress. With a bit of luck it might make the 1.4 release of CML.

Finishing up Core Media Library 1.4

I'm currently fixing up the Core Media Library for a 1.4 release.
Some of the things i've been working on lately are:
- Corefile/Corepacker: Support for file packing inside EXE/Binary
- Fixing Scaling/Rotating for Bitmap/Sprites
- Better thread handling (less stress on CPU).
- CoreNet beta (network support for WIN32)
- CoreVideo (webcam support for WIN32)
- Extensions: Resource browser, Virtual Keyboard, etc.
- New and updated examples
- Minor bug fixes

A new beta has now been sent out to testers, allowing me to implement their feedback in the next major release of the library. The website should be updated too.

Meggy Jr development

Hi all,

I've recently discovered the MeggyJr console. This is an opensource/homebrew handheld with a resolution with no less than 8x8 pixels. Quite a challenge for designing games!

With a console on its way, i already developed a simulation environment for the console which allows me to prototype MeggyJr games in C with the Core Media Library.
The environment also runs original code already written for the system.

I've currently started development on a bunch of games for the system, so as soon as it arrives, i should be able to test it on the real thing and create videos/downloads for it.

Accidental Sabbatical

Hi there,

It is safely to say that it has been a while since my last post.
I've been busy the last year with work and a slightly unhealthy PS3 trophy addiction :S This has resulted some sort of accidental sabbatical year.

This ment that i had a whole bunch of (finished-) stuff/products lying around that i just didn't get around to releasing. This includes a bunch of Chip8 work and a couple of vectrex products.

Right now i'm back to work, so expect more posts here from now. This includes updates for new stuff i'm working on as well as past promises.

Happy new year

Happy new year to all!

So whats in the pipeline for 2009? Let me see...

These are the items that are on my to-do list for 2009:
- Release of megachip emu + devkit
- Release of various CHIP-8/Superchip stuff
- Photos for my collection stuff
- (Delayed) release of Colorclash slim and V-hockey for vectrex
- Release of CML1.4 with CoreNET and CoreVideo extensions.
- Completion of my current MSX/Colecovision works (demo+hokey pokey)
- Completion of VexOS

As always, i'll keep you posted on any progress/releases.

Eurocon 2008

Eurocon 2008 (held 10,11,12 october) was a blast.

Like last year, I had a great time there. The retro-fair was great too and visited by many people.

I was able to show my new products there (v-hockey, colorclash slim) as well as some of my older stuff (vectoblox, 3d scape, munchkin plus). I also met some nice people there (including a fellow coleco developer).

Anyways,

Looking forward to next year!

Vexos basic updated

I've been able to spend some time on VexOS and VexosBASIC again.

As a result, i managed to resolve the musicplayer issues, but i still have troubles finding a proper packing routine for the songs. Songs are generally 50-100kb in size, and need to be compressed to ideally about 16kb or less. Current packing methods (i tried 3 different methods so far) give me about 20-40kb for each song, making a lot of songs unsuitable for the vectrex (with about a 24kb limit for data).

As for VexosBASIC, i've been able to do a bunch of updates, these include:
- RECT and CIRCLE draw functions
- DRAWSHAPE function to draw vexosbasic shapedata (which can be exported by vectorpaint)
- DRAWBITMAP function
- CHECKCOLLISION function
- Handling of DATA segments
- Various small fixes

With these last updates, everyone should be able to make proper games for it. In theory you should be able to create almost every type of game you like now.

VexosBasic is now open for people willing to beta-test.
And if you create something nice with it, i will feature it on the upcoming vexosbasic website.

Hi there,

I also like to take the opportunity to update you on my upcoming vectrex projects (new and existing projects).

COLORCLASH SLIM:
=================
This is a cheap release for colorclash that will be available regularry like the other releases on the website.

The game has been updated with new features:
- Option to swtich between bitmap and vector display modes
- Atari paddle/spinnerama controller support
- Internet highscore uploading
- Various smaller fixes.

The game will be available on slimcart for 19 euros and for free download very soon. Also, for those who are interested, there are about 7 limited editions left. contact me if you are interested.

VECTOBLOX:
===========
Still available for sale and will get a free rom release together with colorclash slim release.

V:HOCKEY
=========
This is a topview one on one hockey game, both for single and multiplayer. The game is currently in beta-test with some people to make sure the game is fun and challenging.

I will announce this game very soon.


VEXOS - THE VECTREX OPERATING SYSTEM:
=======================================
I'm still working hard on this. The heart of the OS , the basic compiler and interperter is running nicely for some time now together with the rest of the OS. Back in january i had some issues with the chip music replayer, for which i had to alter my music replayer for better support, and a good mix of memory/RAM usage and romspace needed for a tune.

Also, i spent some time making content for the OS (music, vector animations, basic games and programs,etc.).
Upon release i'm opening a webpage dedicated to the OS that will refresh with content regulary, much like the Playstation store.
So i have to work a bit in advance here ;-)

I'm hoping for a relase at Eurocon 2008


Untitled racing game:
=================
A topview racing game with 5 tracks + bonus tracks to be unloacked.
The game is nearly finished and entering beta-test stage withing 1 or 2 weeks. Any suggestions for the title (not too long of a title) can be mailed to me.

This game will be released at Eurocon 2008.

D:2 (DEBRIS 2)::
==============
This baby has been in the pipeline for quite a while.
Upon releasing debris, being my first game release, i was quite frustrated that i wasn't able to put as much in as i wanted.
On the one side there were still things for me to learn about the system, on the other side i couldn't fit all my ideas onto a 32kb rom.

So for Debris 2 i started from scratch in 2006, with a targeted release at christmas 2006. I was well under way , but in the summer of 2006 my HDD crashed and i couldn't recover the sourcecode.

I restarted the project in 2007, focussing on getting all the graphics, design and music ready and trying out several ideas to see if they are technically doable.

Right now i can announce that i've completed the first preview to be sent out for feedback to a few people. It contains the basic game structure, some of the endboss fights and bits and pieces of a 3D vector background rendering technique that i developed for this game.

Unlike the first debris, in the sequel i'm blending 2D bitmap graphics with 3D line-vector graphics for the backgrounds.

Target release is this christmas, but i will update you on its progress in the meanwhile.

Sorry for the long message, but i had a lot to update you about in my months of absense.

I'm hoping to see/meet some of you at Eurocon this year.

Vectrex article (Gamasutra)

Between the many things currently in development and to be announced soon, a little fever and my motorstorm online sessions, have a look at this Gamasutra article regarding one of my favorite consoles: The vectrex.

Click here to read the article

It also mentions my vectrex games and upcoming Vectrex OS (vexOS).

DML 1.3 to PSP and PSPslim

After a bit of delay/slacking, the PSP version of DML finally gets its 1.3 update.
It now also runs on the PSP slim.