and calling it 'sparse invaders' ....

Oh wait ... I've nearly finished it... That was quick!

Well, not really, developing for 30 mins or so a day, at lunch when at work, it's been slow going.

The reason for writting a simple'ish' game like space invaders, was to develop the screen, sprite, keyboard and timers code, plus get a feel for how to actually do stuff on the BEEB.

The game has the following:
- Simple Text-Block functionality for intro and current level screens.
- Over-Complex Sprite Controller ( I learn the hard way. ) This system has control for 8 sprites active on screen, and store for a total of 15...
- Simple block sprite drawing, used for the invaders.
- Timer for vertical blank.
- Keyboard functionality - fast code borrowed from a 'friend'

What's in it so far:
Basically, it's the bare bones of the game.
This is basically introduction, level and game over screens. The basic game of 24 invaders, one mother ship and you the player. There is basic score displayed below right. You fire, invaders and mother ship will explode and once all the invaders are shot, it moves to the next level - where it gets a little more difficult.

Still to do:
Invader shooting, Mother ship shooting, bases, a nice scroller with my name in it!

Plans:
This is my first attempt at writting something on the beeb. So, I'm going to be re-working the guts of the code for my next game. However, once the remaining four items have been included and I've gone throught the code once, I'll put it forward for you guys to review etc and I suppose it would be nice to have the completed game, including source on the site. This would give the new-comers a working example game, to play and view source ( note, I didn't say great example LOL ), with documentation on it's workings and the reasoning for it ( i.e the invaders being drawn - in two parts, to keep it running in a frame ).

I just thought I'd keep you posted regards the Northampton BBC-B Development House. Would be good to get your views now, and of course of the game etc once it's finished.


Thanks - Neil
-end-of-transmission-

Let's have some screenshots then! Always good to see new projects on the go.

Here are a few - please note that it's all work in progress and err ... oh loads of excuses! I'll be happy to post a disk image if people fancy a test run of work-in-progress...

thanks - Neil - hmmm wishing there was more done!

Ooh, looks authentic.

Let's face it, everyone likes Space Invaders! I like the idea of using it as an example we can host, actually - I've had at least one person ask whether there are any example projects they can use to get back up to speed with Beeb programming. I pointed them at the Swoop disassembly, but I think they were hoping for a bit more.

If you want a forum or help setting up a wiki page for it, Neil, let us know.

Sam.

Thanks Sam, I will...

.. Need help with a wiki or forum section.

I'm looking forward to finishing this, sorting out the web stuff, then moving on to the tricky stuff ... hardware scrolling etc... I'm finding it a real joy to program!

I'll keep you all posted on progress to-date, shame I've been so busy at work - it's interfering with development!

thanks - Neil

I know that feeling all too well at the moment I was hoping to have a new playable demo finished for Christmas but not looking likely now.

Looking good though - are you coming to Byte Back in March? Be quite a variety of new BBC stuff by the looks of things.

Hmm... I think it's about time I treated myself to a day out!

Would be good to meet up with some of you guys there, to put faces to names etc.

I'm sure everyone will keep everyone posted nearer the time!

thanks - Neil

Like the look of that Neil, a lot. Have you written it all using Swift, if so could be the first completed project using it ! If so you've probably got the most experience (more than me !) of actually using it. If you have any feedback (i.e. bugs, issues, feature requests, alts) then let me know. Can't do anything at the moment but will file anything away for working on later.

Bless ya Steve!!

Oh yes, it's all created using Swift! I love it!!

I will make a note of features etc, but to be honest, it's a case of I'm quite used to it, and as it's a 'blooming' helpful tool, I'm certainly not going to stack up a wad of issues because it doesn't act like Visual Studio!

I would recommend it to anyone, it's got my thumbs up Steve!

I'll keep you posted on progress and if I come up with any problems ( as of yet, none! Very solid matey! )

thanks - Neil

Cheers for the comments Neil, nice to know the current release is proving stable and useful. Look forward to your "Sparse Invaders" Cool title !

That looks like a rather nice version of Space Invaders to me.

suggest changing the aliens so that they are pants.

Lookin' good Neil! Dig the custom, multi-coloured font!


Absolutely. If we can get some Source up on the Wiki (and possibly annotate/mark it up) who knows, we might attract even more coders from outside the Beeb world!

As for the game itself, as Samwise says, if you need Forums/Wiki pages setting up, just shout.

And even if we make the game available as a 'free download' (which would be great!) there's no reason why we couldn't also upload a WAV file of the recording, plus downloadable tape inlays and labels, so if folks want to create their own, physical copy of the game, they can (will upload an example inlay in a sec).


Did you say Development House? Don't tell me you actually managed to rope some of your programming colleagues into dabbling with the Beeb too? :-O


Ooh great - does this mean I can transfer you from the 'No Way Jose' table to the 'Tenative' table on my attendee record? ;o)

Like it?

The Micro Power/Program Power cover being sparse on colour too - is that for the Elk in mono?



(but seriously, this is all looking good!)

Heheh ... actually, idea is that even if you only have access to a b&w laser printer, you can still run off the cover as intended.

Anyway, I've just noticed that there already appears to be a game called Sparse Invaders for the Amstrad CPC!
http://tacgr.emuunlim.com/downloads/fil ... recid=3646

So if Neil is onboard with Paras' suggestion of changing the invaders into underpants, then perhaps 'Pants Invaders' could become a reality ...

Edit: oh yeah, forgot to say HELL YES in response to Neil's offer of posting a WIP disc image!!

oh my lordy... Hahaha

I only started to write the PANTS invaders games (like it!) as test code for my next game. Just to get it working. LOL Now I have to completely finish it, and and only then would it will be worth the COMPLETELY ACE GAME COVER that Dave has done!! That's FAB matey - love it!!

I'll work on getting a complete beta together - then post it, so you guys can have a bash. Would be good to get feedback regarding the progress of the levels. Most of it is easy to change, apart from the max speed of the invaders, as I will have increase the size of the block draw. Oh (entering nerd mode) might try that, then when the last few are there, increase the speed by a whole pixel! COOL!
I suppose what I'm concerned about is the frame rate - as I still have the bullets, and bases to code. There is still quite a lot of frame rate left, my aim here is to keep it within the frame, so the bullets and player move smoothly. ALSO I haven't taken into account the frames when calculating the positions etc... short cuts to keep the code down.

I have decided to add a high score to the game, I will try and get focused on this over the weekend... but it will be a few weeks before I dare place a WIP for you (to play) , before XMAS thou! I have to say, at present - it's feeling quite good, but I'll get it finished and then post it on here!

I have to say, I was then thinking the forum was a little quiet, haha, oh how wrong was I! So, thanks guys for showing so much interest and more thanks for Dave's wonderful Game advert! I am going to sound like Blakey out of the 'on the buses' - but 'that's make my day, that has!'

Cheers, Neil

Cue joke (delete if considered in bad taste):

"What's do Sparse and Pants have in common?"

"They both contain arse!"

The joke's not offensive, but the grammar ... well ...

AYBABTU

How comma you say that, is there a connected joke about colons and semi-colons? Time we put a full stop to it, before there's a catapostrophe. Don't quote me!