Messages

1

General Retro Chat / Re: Your favourite homebrew game of 2020?

« on: December 28, 2020, 14:40:30 PM »

A hands up for my ATARI STe game Randomazer. I know, the ATARI ST does not get a lot of attention regarding games. But even non-ST retro fans can check out the game thanks to the "Standalone Versions" that can be downloaded and played for Windows and macOS. Give it a shot!
www.hd-videofilm.com/randomazer

2

General Retro Chat / Re: Randomazer for ATARI STe as standalone for macOS

« on: December 08, 2020, 18:07:06 PM »

The experimental Randomazer standalone package is now available for macOS as well!
https://www.hd-videofilm.com/randomazer/

I will continue to optimize and improve the concept.

3

General Retro Chat / Randomazer for ATARI STe as standalone Windows Package

« on: November 13, 2020, 13:51:38 PM »

With the Randomazer V1.01 update I am trying something new:
I know the the ATARI ST is not a very wide spread system. Setting up an emulator for an unknown system can be complicated and frustrating. Especially for a casual gamer.

For this reason I went experimental:
I have taken the great HATARI Emulator and EmuTOS and configured it in a way that Randomazer can be played almost like a native Windows game. Know knowledge about the system or the emulator needed.
I hope it works!
Check out the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tv4rPqGgqQ

Download Randomazer here: https://www.hd-videofilm.com/randomazer

Links:
https://hatari.tuxfamily.org/
https://emutos.sourceforge.io/

4

Atari Chat / Re: RANDOMAZER - new game for the ATARI STe

« on: November 08, 2020, 15:11:17 PM »

RANDOMAZER V1.01 will be available November Friday 13th at www.hd-videofilm.com/randomazer
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6-rFMufuk

5

Atari Chat / RANDOMAZER - new game for the ATARI STe

« on: May 23, 2020, 18:36:39 PM »

Hi to all ATARI STe fans here!
In case you have not seen it: a brand new game for the ATARI STe is ready for download: https://www.hd-videofilm.com/randomazer

And a boxed Version is waiting for orders https://www.bitmapsoft.co.uk/product/randomazer/

Marble-Maze action that will push your blitter!

Have some Fun!

6

Atari Chat / Re: Scolling FROGS V1.2 OUT NOW!

« on: December 08, 2019, 21:26:03 PM »

Haha! FROGS V1.2 Scrolling Frogs is out!
I did it. Does the game need it? No!
Is it ridiculous and fun? YES!!!
And I added more:
- WAY FASTER framerate on the STe
- C64 color scheme
- Additional Graphics
- a setup editor to customize your FROGS! Hahaha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-EVAdlsHXU

7

Atari Chat / Scolling FROGS and Laserball? Opinions needed!

« on: November 25, 2019, 17:38:12 PM »

Scrolling FROGS? Help! Opinions needed!
Ok, this is a big one (for me ) …
Some weeks ago I finally figured out ho to do a decent scrolling on the ATARI STe with my humble GFA basic – a first glimpse is visible as the page scrolling effect in the latest FROGS release 1.1

But I could not let go and I re-wrote the complete graphics drawing routines of FROGS using my new knowledge. For me this is first and foremost a proof of concept, of what is possible. In FROGS it is not much more than a nice effect, not really adding to the gameplay. But in theory I could apply the same idea to “Laserball 2015” and make it a completely new scrolling experience (lots of work!!!)

https://youtu.be/nD8IMFrdUj0

But the result is a mixed bag on another level:
- on an STe even with all that scrolling going on, the new logic pushed the possible frame-rate from 19 to a staggering 24 frames/second. (2 AI Frogs, Music playing)
- BUT on a standard ST missing the blitter the frame-rate drops from 15 to an unusable 8 frames/second.

So applying this to a new release would basically make FROGS a “STe-only” game.
And the same would happen to Laserball, if I use the technique there.
(having two drawing routines one for STe and one for ST would make the code very clunky)

Opinions please!
- What do you think about the scrolling effect in FROGS – does it add to the crazy action? Or is it distracting from the gameplay?
- What is more important? higher frame-rate/scrolling on an STe or playability on both ST+STe?

(Video recorded with Steem SSE emulating an standard 8mhz STe, 1mb ram)

Thanks!

8

Atari Chat / Re: FROGS for ATARI STe update V1.1 tailored to events and parties

« on: November 06, 2019, 11:01:46 AM »

Hmmm... interesting Idea!
In fact no, the shades are only carried into the menu, but not into the next round. Maybe an Addition for a next Version?

9

Atari Chat / Re: FROGS for ATARI STe update V1.1 tailored to events and parties

« on: November 05, 2019, 15:35:00 PM »

After rigorous testing at Ejagfest 2019 I can announce:
FROGS for ATARI STe V1.1 ARCADE UPDATE is out (no beta anymore!)
If contains several bugfixes and even a new screen scrolling effect. (I did it! I finally figured a way how to do a nice screen scrolling FX at least on a STe in GFA Basic!!! Ok, real good ST coders might read this with disbelieve and pity, but this is a big one for me!!! Hahaha!)
Free Download at: https://www.hd-videofilm.com/frogs

Bug fixes:
§R5411B – Bug in Auto-AI. Frogs once pushed by another frog were not picked up by the new Auto-AI even if they have never been moved by a player - Fixed.

§R3411B – Bug in Auto-AI on ST. Auto-AI did work on standard ST – Fixed.

§R3311B – Bug in MIDI Gaming. Time was not correctly displayed in slave – Fixed.

§R2811B – Bug in MIDI Gaming. End of a timer-game was not correctly reported to slave – Fixed.

§R4911B – Bug in timer-game. Game screen changing abruptly on end of timer-game – Fixed.

§R4411B – Bug in MIDI gaming. Sky was not rendered correctly on slave – Fixed.

§R23108 – Memory management on 1MB Atari STe. 1MB Memory management failed on ATARI STe causing game to crash when switching to „CLASSIC C64“ skin mode - Fixed.

§R3511B – Bogus bug numbers. In bug fix report, bogus senseless bug numbers have been used to impress readers – Fixed.

- 512K machines opened the game and crashed without warning due to to less RAM. Now the game loading is cancelled with a proper message (see new user options)

- Standard ATARI ST with Blitter (Mega ST). Blitter chip was utilized but additional animations and graphical FX have not been played – Fixed.

Known Issues:
- 1MB machines have barely enough RAM to play the game with all graphical FX. If the system is booted from hard drive, the hard drive-driver might just use some vital KBs. If so, the new scrolling FX might be omitted. Boot from floppy is recommended on a 1MB system.

New user Options:
There is a new file in the DATA folder “MEMORY.DAT” that controls memory usage in FROGS. It holds 3 numbers in KB that are seen a minimum requirement in free RAM. Users might want to experiment with these numbers on a low-RAM STe system:
◦   1st number – minimum threshold KB RAM needed to load the game at all – Default 500.
◦   2nd number – minimum threshold KB RAM to load DAM sound samples (frog fight sounds) – Default 650
◦   3rd number – Minimum threshold KB RAM to enable the screen scrolling FX – Default 750

10

Atari Chat / Re: FROGS for ATARI STe update V1.1 tailored to events and parties

« on: October 27, 2019, 12:25:14 PM »

I made a showcase video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zwWHqBDd6U

11

Atari Chat / FROGS for ATARI STe update V1.1 tailored to events and parties

« on: October 26, 2019, 13:12:17 PM »

FROGS for ATARI STe is out for almost a year.

After having the game been played on several events and especially on the massive GAME CITY VIENNA 2019 I figured it is time for an update. This update is tailored especially for event use but also hold some nice additions for a regular retro party.

- TIMER GAME: in addition to playing towards a fixed score, V1.1 introduces TIMER GAMES to get the most points within a set timeframe. The “SCORE” option now reads: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 Sec. / 3 Min. / 5 Min.

- ARCADE MODE: there always has been a “hidden” menu control.
Within the menu keyboard-key (1)-(5) switches game options and
key (6)-(0) loads setup pre-sets.
With V1.1 pressing (A) (Arcade) locks down the menu as it stands. The only option available is to start the game. However the keyboad control (0)-(9) remains active.
Pressing (A) again, brings the menu back to normal mode.

- AUTO AI frogs: A frog that is not moved within the first 15 seconds is taken over by the computer and starts to play by itself.

- Graphical tweaks: Lilly Leaves now bounce when a Frog lands on them, and the winners ceremony has some additional animation. And there is a funny surprise in the menu screen as well.

- More ponds and a new language: New pond-maps available created for the PIXELPOKAL April 2019 in Hannover. And “Froggisch” has been added to the language selection.

- Some minor bugs have been fixed.

Comments, more ideas and bug reports are welcome!
Free download at https://www.hd-videofilm.com/frogs

12

Atari Chat / FROGS IS BACK!

« on: February 03, 2019, 19:01:44 PM »

Or better to say: Jan has completed the second batch of 4-Joystick adapters!
So FROGS is again ready for being ordered and shipped at www.hd-videofilm.com/retrobox
And of course the free download is also available – with a lovely little “DONATE” button on its side.

So have fun and FROG UP YOUR LIFE!

P.S.: If you play FROGS at a party, make some videos! I would love to see a party review!!!

13

Homebrew Chat / FROGS / Zatacka ST Boxed Version incl. ST4PLAYER Adapter available NOW!

« on: December 28, 2018, 11:55:46 AM »

Big hands up to all ATARI ST fans! FROGS + ZATACKA ST + ST4PLAYER Joystick adapter and more ATARI ST boxed games and other stuff is now available:
www.hd-videofilm.com/retrobox
A webshop dedicated to ATARI ST games!  in 2018! Have fun!!!

And in case you haven´t heard about it: FROGS is a 4 player party game (www.hd-videofilm.com/frogs) But the boxed version comes with instructions how to unlock the MEGAPARTY MODE for up to 6 player action.
And if this is not enough, it also comes bundled with Zatacka ST (www.hd-videofilm.com/zatacka) – for more 4 player action.
And the ST4PLAYER adapter is compatible to several classic multiplayer player games – like Gauntlet II and Dynablaster just to name a few.
FROGS full review

Please share the news!

Disclaimer: I have read several times, that everything looks so professional. YES, I am a professional film-editor and marketing guy, and I like my things stand up to my own standards. But please keep in mind, that everything in the background is handled manually by me. I am not Amazon or Ebay so things may take a little longer. But I will try my best to give every ATARI ST fan a great and fun time!
Thomas

14

Homebrew Chat / FROGS for ATARI STe + Boxed Version

« on: December 20, 2018, 11:06:13 AM »

Here comes an update on FROGS for ATARI STe!
While the free download is out for some time, I am almost done in preparing the boxed version! And I decided to go even further:
-   FROGS will come together with Zatacka ST in the ATARI ST Multiplayer Power pack – with or without a parallel port adapter for 4 joysticks. It will be a nice flip-over box and flip over manual.
-   I have made an ANARCHO Ride box – based on my initial design study. It will come with a printed manual and printed floppy stickers. I have only printed a small number of boxes and only 5 of these will contain the 4 Floppys and a special present as the “Limited Special Edition”.
-   And I will bring back Laserball as a second edition box. Also with the printed manual.

I have extended my existing business so I can sell these Boxes in an official online store. (is there any other “software company” out there focussing on ATARI ST games in 2019???  )
Therefore all sales will be bound to EU/Austrian Tax and customer protection regulations. But please be gentle! I am not Amazon! Boxes and Joystick Adapters are made by hand. There will be just a very small stock and there might be waiting times – depending on the demand. But I will do my best to make 2019 a great year for ATARI ST fans!
I will post the link to the shop as soon as I am ready to send out the first boxes! Stay tuned!

Marry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Thomas / ANARCHO Ride Laboratories

P.S: Here is a video with FROGS on a gaming party! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFTfhOwxkYk

15

Retro News & Chat / Re: NEW ATARI STe game port “FROGS”

« on: November 26, 2018, 17:12:58 PM »

This is so cool, that box set is awesome mate, who you releasing that with?

Right now I plan to self-publish it together with Insane from Zatacka.