Retro Video Gamer

[align=center:13mrg3wf][size=240]Christmas Carol

vs.

The Ghost Of Christmas Presents [/size]

[size=180]'Twas the night before Christmas...[/size]

While Santa and his elves were busy getting ready for their most important night of the year, an Evil Snowman broke into Santa's Workshop and stole some of the presents! With no time to lose, Santa has sent his most trusted and resourceful elf, Carol Greenleaf, to confront the Evil Snowman and bring back the stolen gifts.

Meanwhile, the Evil Snowman has hidden the loot deep in the Frozen Ice Cube Caverns on top of the Himalayan Peaks. The caves are haunted by the Ghost Of Christmas Presents, who is very fond of wrapped packages and will not easily part from his newly acquired treasure.

You must guide Carol through the dark and frozen cave and help her retrieve all the presents before the Evil Snowman returns, and without attracting too much attention from the Ghost Of Christmas Presents.

(http://www.techunlimited.net/xmas_carol/pix/xmas_carol-play.gif)

[size=180]WEBSITE! (//http)[/size][/align:13mrg3wf]

A new take on Pacman then?

Looks cool.  I see that it can be downloaded. Are there plans for a release in cart?

Quote from: "TrekMD"Looks cool.  I see that it can be downloaded. Are there plans for a release in cart?

Not sure, there is a thread about this on AA too I think. Ask him!

I just checked in AA.  It seems there are plans for a release, so I posted something on there.    Thanks!

Yes, it is a bit early but the page for this game is up.  Ordering details will be given after this weekend as the game is being shown at CGE.

Christmas Carol vs The Ghost of Christmas Presents (//http)

(http://www.christmascarolthegame.com/images/box-cover.png)

(http://www.christmascarolthegame.com/images/stages/stage-1.gif)

Just merged your post into the existing thread 

Good that it's getting a proper release!

Quote from: "The Laird"Just merged your post into the existing thread  :-  Go figure! 

Quote from: "TrekMD"

Quote from: "The Laird"Just merged your post into the existing thread  :-  Go figure!

It was about 6 or 7 posts down from yours!!! 

Quote from: "The Laird"

Quote from: "TrekMD"

Quote from: "The Laird"Just merged your post into the existing thread  :-  Go figure!

It was about 6 or 7 posts down from yours!!! 

Search function, not manual search.  The search function should have been able to find it.

I hear this game is now available for purchase!!!

Quote from: "The Laird"I hear this game is now available for purchase!!!

Where did you hear that?  Nothing had been posted on AA when I last checked or on the Inty sites I visit!  I want to get this and Space Patrol...they are going to sell them both!

EDIT:  I just checked the official page and it still says "coming soon."

I popped on AA yesterday and the guy (DJ EZ is it?) had Christmas Carol now available to order as his status there!!! 

Quote from: "The Laird"I popped on AA yesterday and the guy (DJ EZ is it?) had Christmas Carol now available to order as his status there!!! 

Interesting.  Not according to their page.  Oh well. 

Looks very similar to Pengo.

I agree with Console Compulsive. My first thought was Pengo. Nice looking game.

Quote from: "onthinice"I agree with Console Compulsive. My first thought was Pengo. Nice looking game.

I don't know if the gameplay is similar to Pengo just yet.  I've downloaded the test ROM to see.  Just waiting on a microSD card so I can play this and several other games.

Nice that they put a test rom out for others to try.

Played this on the Intellivision emulator Nostalgia.

Quote from: "onthinice"Played this on the Intellivision emulator Nostalgia.

So, is it like Pengo?  I haven't been able to try it out yet.

I do not want to ruin your review but will say it plays like a free roaming Pac Man.

Quote from: "onthinice"I do not want to ruin your review but will say it plays like a free roaming Pac Man.

I won't do a review of it until it is released, so no worries. 

Great! I was just really curious but it is on a computer instead of the Intellivision. So I will be waiting for your review!

The reason for the delay in the release of Christmas Carol is that they discovered a software glitch that they are having to fix.  It crashed the game.  If all goes well, they should be ready for release next month. 

Too bad about the glitch but at least they found it before shipping.

Quote from: "onthinice"Too bad about the glitch but at least they found it before shipping.

Well, they found out after selling them at CGE!  So, now they've had to devise a way to exchange carts, etc.  At least the number sold at CGE was relatively low compared to what they'll sell online.

I did not play much of the rom. I wonder if the glitch is present. At times it seemed slow but that could have been the computer or emulator.

Quote from: "onthinice"I did not play much of the rom. I wonder if the glitch is present. At times it seemed slow but that could have been the computer or emulator.

Good question.  Quite possible.  You do have to do some specific stuff for it to crash, though. I can't remember what it is now!

Thanks for the update on the game's status!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that this game is now on sale.  You can go to the site below to order:
Christmas Carol for Intellivision (//http)

Really look forward to reading your review! 

Quote from: "The Laird"Really look forward to reading your review!  :)  I just placed the order for it.  I have tried the demo ROM and it is a fun game.  It may look like Pengo but it plays nothing like it. 

Hello, I am DZ, the programmer of the Christmas Carol game.  I found this forum by chance when looking through my visitors' logs.

I'm very flattered by the excitement and the comments so far, thanks!  I really hope you guys enjoy the game.  I think it's a lot of fun.

For the administrators, we can provide a review copy if you are interested in writing up a review of the game.  Just contact us at <info@CarolVsGhost.com>.

Thanks again for the interest.  I'm very excited to finally have the game out in people's hands, and I can't wait to hear what they think of it.

    Cheers!
     dZ.

Quote from: &quot;dzfoo&quot;Hello, I am DZ, the programmer of the Christmas Carol game.  I found this forum by chance when looking through my visitors' logs.

I'm very flattered by the excitement and the comments so far, thanks!  I really hope you guys enjoy the game.  I think it's a lot of fun. 8)

Stuff like this make me want to get an Intellivision myself so keep up the hard work!

Thanks for the welcome. I can't wait to read TrekMD's review of the game. :(
- It crashed at the start of the boss level--always--so there was no way to beat the game.
- It's been fixed and tested thoroughly, and the version for sale now works correctly.

Also, about the demo ROM:
- It's a very old version of the game.  In fact, it was actually an unfinished port of Pac-Man I was working on that I themed for Christmas and then changed to a full game.  That version was made in two weeks.
- The demo has only one level, and although the game-play is basically the same, many elements of the final version are missing.
- The final version for sale has 8 different levels, very cool cut scenes, and improved graphics and animations.

If you guys had trouble running the demo, or if it seemed slow, it may have been an artifact of the emulator.  I can assure you that the final version runs silky smooth on the Intellivision.

For example, the video trailers posted on the site (//http) are actually cut-scenes from the game.

     Regards,
      dZ.

I love those videos!!!!  8)

Awesome looking game. Now I want an Intellivision! 

Hey DZ and welcome to RVG!  Yes, I already placed the order for the game and I can hardly wait to get it.  :) 

Really glad for the updated information. Thanks everyone!

OK, the short review is written and I'm working on a feature one.   

I saw this shared elsewhere, so I wanted to share this video of the evolution of the title screen for the game here as well...

http://vimeo.com/54165189 (http://vimeo.com/54165189)

Oh yeah, I should post everything over here also. I just don't want to be seen as a troll that's plugging his stuff all the time. 

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;Oh yeah, I should post everything over here also. I just don't want to be seen as a troll that's plugging his stuff all the time.  :)

In that case, check out the latest review, this one from the Classic Game Room:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQtRRDXjh1Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQtRRDXjh1Y)

Oh, and don't forget about the High Score Championship: 

Christmas Carol vs. The WORLD! (//http)

It starts this Saturday, December 1st.

    dZ.

Following Laird's example on Impulse X,  here is my short review of Christmas Carol and The Ghost of Christmas Presents!

[size=140]Review[/size]

Can you save Christmas?  That is the question you are asked when you read the manual to this holiday title for the Intellivision.  You play the role of Carol Greenleaf, an elf who has been tasked by Santa Claus to recover the presents the Evil Snowman has stolen from his shop.  The Evil Snowman has taken the games into Frozen Ice-Cube Caverns in the Himalayas and this is where you must go.  The Ghost of Christmas Presents assists the Snowman by haunting the caverns to protect the presents.  Though his touch won't kill you, the Ghost will take any presents you've recovered back into the caverns forcing you to start again.  Of course, the Evil Snowman doesn't leave the Ghost to do all the work.  He enters the caverns seeking to freeze you with his touch.  Thankfully, Santa's magic will thaw you back a limited number of times so you can continue your mission.  To assist you on this mission, the caverns have been filled with magical snowflakes that you can use to confuse your enemies temporarily, giving you an opportunity to avoid their touch.  Elves love candy and there is plenty of bon-bon candy Carol can pick up as she moves through the caverns for extra points.  Should Carol pick up all the objects on each cavern without being frozen, she is awarded bonus points.  Christmas Carol is a fantastic title for the Intellivision.  The title screen has a beautifully rendered Christmas tree and it plays "Carol of the Bells."  You can choose practice levels or get into the game itself.  You can practice in all but the final level of the game.  There also are some very entertaining intermissions every two levels that always make me smile.  This is another winner that no Intellivision owner should be without.

[size=140]Score: 9/10[/size]

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;[size=140]Review[/size]

Can you save Christmas?  That is the question you are asked when you read the manual to this holiday title for the Intellivision.  You play the role of Carol Greenleaf, an elf who has been tasked by Santa Claus to recover the presents the Evil Snowman has stolen from his shop.  The Evil Snowman has taken the games into Frozen Ice-Cube Caverns in the Himalayas and this is where you must go.  The Ghost of Christmas Presents assists the Snowman by haunting the caverns to protect the presents.  Though his touch won't kill you, the Ghost will take any presents you've recovered back into the caverns forcing you to start again.  Of course, the Evil Snowman doesn't leave the Ghost to do all the work.  He enters the caverns seeking to freeze you with his touch.  Thankfully, Santa's magic will thaw you back a limited number of times so you can continue your mission.  To assist you on this mission, the caverns have been filled with magical snowflakes that you can use to confuse your enemies temporarily, giving you an opportunity to avoid their touch.  Elves love candy and there is plenty of bon-bon candy Carol can pick up as she moves through the caverns for extra points.  Should Carol pick up all the objects on each cavern without being frozen, she is awarded bonus points.  Christmas Carol is a fantastic title for the Intellivision.  The title screen has a beautifully rendered Christmas tree and it plays "Carol of the Bells."  You can choose practice levels or get into the game itself.  You can practice in all but the final level of the game.  There also are some very entertaining intermissions every two levels that always make me smile.  This is another winner that no Intellivision owner should be without.

[size=140]Score: 9/10[/size]

Fantastic stuff Trek! I would love to play this at some point!

If you go to the contest page, you can download the ROM and play through emulation.  Maybe not the same thing as the real console, but you get to test the game that way.

Wow! Thanks for that review!

You know I have to ask... Why the 9 and not a 10?

   dZ.

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;You know I have to ask... Why the 9 and not a 10?

   dZ.

LOL  It's the rating scale that we use.  A 10 is a game that is deemed perfect.  9 is an excellent title, a go get it game.  :)

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;You know I have to ask... Why the 9 and not a 10?

   dZ.

LOL  It's the rating scale that we use.  A 10 is a game that is deemed perfect.  9 is an excellent title, a go get it game.  :)

Ah, I see.  I can live with that. 

    dZ

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;You know I have to ask... Why the 9 and not a 10?

   dZ.

LOL  It's the rating scale that we use.  A 10 is a game that is deemed perfect.  9 is an excellent title, a go get it game.  :)

Ah, I see.  I can live with that.  :)

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;You know I have to ask... Why the 9 and not a 10?

   dZ.

LOL  It's the rating scale that we use.  A 10 is a game that is deemed perfect.  9 is an excellent title, a go get it game.  :)

Ah, I see.  I can live with that.  :)

You know, my original vision included incidental music during the intermissions, and a simple rendition of "Winter Wonderland" during the level (which is why it ends with the jingle when you pick up all the presents).

However, I had a technical problem getting the music tracker to behave with the sound effects engine simultaneously (both built by different people), so I had to scrap that at the last minute.

I did get a few "jingles" here and there.

My next game will have more and better music.

    dZ.

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;You know, my original vision included incidental music during the intermissions, and a simple rendition of "Winter Wonderland" during the level (which is why it ends with the jingle when you pick up all the presents).

However, I had a technical problem getting the music tracker to behave with the sound effects engine simultaneously (both built by different people), so I had to scrap that at the last minute.

I did get a few "jingles" here and there. :)

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;You know, my original vision included incidental music during the intermissions, and a simple rendition of "Winter Wonderland" during the level (which is why it ends with the jingle when you pick up all the presents).

However, I had a technical problem getting the music tracker to behave with the sound effects engine simultaneously (both built by different people), so I had to scrap that at the last minute.

I did get a few "jingles" here and there. :)

In retrospect, for a first project, I think it was overly ambitious.  I wanted to put in it everything I ever wanted games to have, including a bunch of cut scenes, music score, practice mode, boss level, the works!

I was afflicted with a classic Second System Syndrome.  Made worse by the fact that I didn't know how to do any of it!

Left to my own devices, I could have continued on it for another year; if it weren't for some level-headed people (and my limited technical knowledge) reining in my ambitions, it probably would not have been completed.

That it received so much praise from you and others is just unbelievable.

    dZ.

Goes to show the good job you did.  That means that we have to look forward to your next project because I'm sure it will be a blast! 

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;Goes to show the good job you did.  That means that we have to look forward to your next project because I'm sure it will be a blast!  :)

I make games for the 9 year-old kid that I was, when I first dreamt of becoming a game programmer.

   dZ

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;Goes to show the good job you did.  That means that we have to look forward to your next project because I'm sure it will be a blast!  :)

I make games for the 9 year-old kid that I was, when I first dreamt of becoming a game programmer.

   dZ

Excellent!  Can't wait to learn more!  ;)

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;Following Laird's example on Impulse X,  here is my short review of Christmas Carol and The Ghost of Christmas Presents!

[size=140]Review[/size]

Can you save Christmas?  That is the question you are asked when you read the manual to this holiday title for the Intellivision.  You play the role of Carol Greenleaf, an elf who has been tasked by Santa Claus to recover the presents the Evil Snowman has stolen from his shop.  The Evil Snowman has taken the games into Frozen Ice-Cube Caverns in the Himalayas and this is where you must go.  The Ghost of Christmas Presents assists the Snowman by haunting the caverns to protect the presents.  Though his touch won't kill you, the Ghost will take any presents you've recovered back into the caverns forcing you to start again.  Of course, the Evil Snowman doesn't leave the Ghost to do all the work.  He enters the caverns seeking to freeze you with his touch.  Thankfully, Santa's magic will thaw you back a limited number of times so you can continue your mission.  To assist you on this mission, the caverns have been filled with magical snowflakes that you can use to confuse your enemies temporarily, giving you an opportunity to avoid their touch.  Elves love candy and there is plenty of bon-bon candy Carol can pick up as she moves through the caverns for extra points.  Should Carol pick up all the objects on each cavern without being frozen, she is awarded bonus points.  Christmas Carol is a fantastic title for the Intellivision.  The title screen has a beautifully rendered Christmas tree and it plays "Carol of the Bells."  You can choose practice levels or get into the game itself.  You can practice in all but the final level of the game.  There also are some very entertaining intermissions every two levels that always make me smile.  This is another winner that no Intellivision owner should be without.

[size=140]Score: 9/10[/size]

Brilliant stuff, sounds like a great game and one i really want a bash on..

Seriously need to look at my Intellivision and try and fix it or buy another one.

Quote from: &quot;zapiy&quot;

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;Following Laird's example on Impulse X,  here is my short review of Christmas Carol and The Ghost of Christmas Presents!

[size=140]Review[/size]

Can you save Christmas?  That is the question you are asked when you read the manual to this holiday title for the Intellivision.  You play the role of Carol Greenleaf, an elf who has been tasked by Santa Claus to recover the presents the Evil Snowman has stolen from his shop.  The Evil Snowman has taken the games into Frozen Ice-Cube Caverns in the Himalayas and this is where you must go.  The Ghost of Christmas Presents assists the Snowman by haunting the caverns to protect the presents.  Though his touch won't kill you, the Ghost will take any presents you've recovered back into the caverns forcing you to start again.  Of course, the Evil Snowman doesn't leave the Ghost to do all the work.  He enters the caverns seeking to freeze you with his touch.  Thankfully, Santa's magic will thaw you back a limited number of times so you can continue your mission.  To assist you on this mission, the caverns have been filled with magical snowflakes that you can use to confuse your enemies temporarily, giving you an opportunity to avoid their touch.  Elves love candy and there is plenty of bon-bon candy Carol can pick up as she moves through the caverns for extra points.  Should Carol pick up all the objects on each cavern without being frozen, she is awarded bonus points.  Christmas Carol is a fantastic title for the Intellivision.  The title screen has a beautifully rendered Christmas tree and it plays "Carol of the Bells."  You can choose practice levels or get into the game itself.  You can practice in all but the final level of the game.  There also are some very entertaining intermissions every two levels that always make me smile.  This is another winner that no Intellivision owner should be without.

[size=140]Score: 9/10[/size]

Brilliant stuff, sounds like a great game and one i really want a bash on..

Seriously need to look at my Intellivision and try and fix it or buy another one.

There will be plenty more to read on this game once the full review is posted.   
You should give it a spin on an emulator in the meantime.  Well worth it. 

Quote from: &quot;zapiy&quot;

Quote from: &quot;TrekMD&quot;Following Laird's example on Impulse X,  here is my short review of Christmas Carol and The Ghost of Christmas Presents!

[size=140]Review[/size]

Can you save Christmas?  That is the question you are asked when you read the manual to this holiday title for the Intellivision.  You play the role of Carol Greenleaf, an elf who has been tasked by Santa Claus to recover the presents the Evil Snowman has stolen from his shop.  The Evil Snowman has taken the games into Frozen Ice-Cube Caverns in the Himalayas and this is where you must go.  The Ghost of Christmas Presents assists the Snowman by haunting the caverns to protect the presents.  Though his touch won't kill you, the Ghost will take any presents you've recovered back into the caverns forcing you to start again.  Of course, the Evil Snowman doesn't leave the Ghost to do all the work.  He enters the caverns seeking to freeze you with his touch.  Thankfully, Santa's magic will thaw you back a limited number of times so you can continue your mission.  To assist you on this mission, the caverns have been filled with magical snowflakes that you can use to confuse your enemies temporarily, giving you an opportunity to avoid their touch.  Elves love candy and there is plenty of bon-bon candy Carol can pick up as she moves through the caverns for extra points.  Should Carol pick up all the objects on each cavern without being frozen, she is awarded bonus points.  Christmas Carol is a fantastic title for the Intellivision.  The title screen has a beautifully rendered Christmas tree and it plays "Carol of the Bells."  You can choose practice levels or get into the game itself.  You can practice in all but the final level of the game.  There also are some very entertaining intermissions every two levels that always make me smile.  This is another winner that no Intellivision owner should be without.

[size=140]Score: 9/10[/size]

Brilliant stuff, sounds like a great game and one i really want a bash on..

Seriously need to look at my Intellivision and try and fix it or buy another one.

Don't forget that the ROM is available for free.  The cartridge game makes for a great collectible (and playing it on the Intellivision console with overlays and all enhances the experience), but you can try it out on an emulator.

Check out our Christmas High Score Championship page for more information:
http://www.CarolVsGhost.com/cvw2012/ (http://www.carolvsghost.com/cvw2012/)

I really don't like emulators but do want to play this badly

Quote from: &quot;The Laird&quot;I really don't like emulators but do want to play this badly

Without the console, I guess that's the only way you can at least get a taste for the game. 

Quote from: &quot;The Laird&quot;I really don't like emulators but do want to play this badly

I hear you.  If you get your Intellivision to work, I'll be more than happy to sell you a cartridge copy of the game.

In the meantime, feel free to check out the ROM.  I packaged it 3 ways: by itself (for power users), in a Windows emulator bundle, and in a Mac OSX bundle.  The bundles come with nice installers that set up everything, so that you don't have to play with configurations or missing libraries.

   dZ.

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;

Quote from: &quot;The Laird&quot;I really don't like emulators but do want to play this badly

I hear you.  If you get your Intellivision to work, I'll be more than happy to sell you a cartridge copy of the game. ;)

Quote from: &quot;The Laird&quot;

Quote from: &quot;DZ-Jay&quot;

Quote from: &quot;The Laird&quot;I really don't like emulators but do want to play this badly

I hear you.  If you get your Intellivision to work, I'll be more than happy to sell you a cartridge copy of the game. ;)

Whoops!

I finally figured out the HTML coding and got the featured review for this up today:

http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/index. ... =xmascarol (http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/index.php?page=xmascarol)

Hope you like it!

Quote from: &quot;The Laird&quot;I finally figured out the HTML coding and got the featured review for this up today:

http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/index. ... =xmascarol (http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/index.php?page=xmascarol)

Hope you like it!

Wow, I am honoured and flattered by the wonderful review. :-)

I am very glad that you like the game so much, and I hope that others enjoy it as much.

And for those who are not really into Intellivision, why not give it a try? – the ROM is available for free, with a bundled emulator, on the webpage.

Cheers, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I will be playing it through emulation when I go to PR for vacation so I can compete.  ;)  Glad you like it.