First video reveal of Planet X2 for the Commodore 64
My mother-in-law passed away this week, so I haven't gotten any video work done. So I thought I'd let out a preview of the game I've been working on to keep your retro appetites wet. I've been working on this for months now. However, I was building the game in separate pieces, such as the music routine, the tile editor, the map editor, etc. It's now finally coming together so you can see how I envisioned it to be.
I'm not ready for beta-testers yet. But I could use some input on some different ideas I had to see what would be more popular. So maybe you guys could answer these questions for me:
1) Format: Originally I wanted this to be on a cartridge only. However, it's looking like that would push the game price up to around $50 or more per game. I don't know what people would be willing to pay for something like that. So give me an idea what is a reasonable price for the game, and also how the price should vary if it were released on floppy disk, or digitally for a download. Also, would a digital release devalue your feeling of owning a cartridge version of the game?
2) Ports - If this game becomes popular, I would want to consider porting it to other platforms. I wanted to briefly mention other platforms I've thought of and what challenges and benefits there would be. I'd like to hear your vote as to which other platform(s) should be prioritized.
The Commodore 128 is an obvious target because porting would be super easy. However, the only real advantage would be the extra RAM and thus I could possibly include a more sophisticated soundtrack. The soundtrack I'm using now is designed to fit inside 2K, because memory is highly constrained on this game. But I could allocate a lot of extra RAM on the 128.
The Commodore Plus/4 would be another easy port. However, there wouldn't be any significant advantages on this machine other than a little extra color. The Plus/4 wasn't super popular so there probably isn't much demand for it.
The Apple II series is also 6502 based, so maybe 50% of the game logic would port over without any re-write. But it would be a significant challenge to get the game working on that platform, especially being I'm not all that familiar with programming it. The music would probably disappear unless I supported the mockingboard.. all of this would be a huge challenge for me.
The Atari 8-Bit systems would be about the same amount of work as the Apple II. It is 6502 based, but the graphics and sound are totally different.
The Nintendo Entertainment System is also 6502-based, and would also present even more challenges because it has no keyboard. So I'd have to change the entire interface to the game to deal with that.
MS-DOS computers (I'm thinking IBM XT and AT machines) would make a good target. But it would require a total re-write, but at least I do know how to code in x86 assembly. But I do think the user-based is much larger, and obviously the game would work on much newer and faster machines besides a 286. The question is... which graphics to support? VGA seems like a no-brainer. But I don't think it would offer any significant experience difference over EGA. However, considering how basic the graphics are, I think the game would probably play well with CGA. But then there is also the Tandy 1000 to consider.
I'm afraid the Amiga, and Tandy CoCo, and the Macintosh would be off the table. I simply don't know how to code for those CPUs
3) OK.. so the next question has to do with the maps. I've been debating on whether or not the player should be able to see scaled previews of the entire maps. I mean, part of this game is meant to deal with exploration. So if you have seen a preview of a map, that takes something away from the exploration. However, Ultima did give the users cloth maps of Brittania. I plan to include at least 20 different maps in this game that the player will be able to select, adding more variety to the game play. But should the be able to see them before they play them?
I will have more questions eventually. But I'd like to start with people's opinions on these 3 questions.
Comments (24)
I remember that most of the Fun in player FirePower ( <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Power_(video_game)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Power_(video_game)</a> ) was actually the fact that you had absolutely no idea of the complete layout of the map (even though it was actually only a 64x64 tiled map) and the fact that there were only 5 maps IIRC - you'd have to play the game many, many times until you'd get even the slightest grasp on where stuff was. This changed when I created a map viewer and then a map editor for it.. playing on self-created (and therefore well-known) maps was way less fun...
My condolences for your loss! I am so glad to see this project. I loved your Planet X video. I have been really excited to see retro gaming for the Commodore take off, such as with the recently successful "Unknown Realm" on Kickstarter (<a href="http://kck.st/2hAZK8B)." rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://kck.st/2hAZK8B).</a> Here are my thoughts on your 3 questions: 1) I don't always have $50, but when I pledged for Wasteland 2 I laid it down for that sweet boxed copy! I'm highly tempted to do the same thing here. A digital release would in no way devalue the "collector's edition" category of a full boxed unit for me. The more people who can play your game, the better I say, and that will also mean more who will want to get the physical release when they fall in love with it. 2) I still have a Commodore 128, so that's the prime contender for me. A NES release would be pretty cool, but honestly, this game, as wide an audience as it deserves, will first appeal to those with huge C=64 nostalgia (like me) so that's what I'm looking forward to. I guess it depends on how fun and challenging you would find the translation process? I think a digital release (see answer 1) should satisfy the "wide distribution" needs. It was the C=64 emulation on my PC that got me to dust off my old machine. 3) I'm SO glad you asked this question. What this game needs is a Sword-of-Fargoal-like "fog" mechanic, where your map fills in as you explore. Of course, I think /every/ game needs that, so.... Anyway, this gives such a sense of exploration and accomplishment for me as a player! Then, a whole-map preview is possible without spoilers. As for the cloth maps, those were cool (I have a couple Ultima ones) but were just detailed enough to whet the appetite and not detailed enough to spoil anything. Good luck for your project, and I can't wait for the Kickstarter!
Condolences to Leslie (is that your wife's name) and your family. I love the music to the new game btw.
The only analoge I have is w/ vinyl records. I buy vinyl all the time because I really like the experience of opening the record, putting it on the turntable, and reading through the liner notes while it plays. Most of these records also come w/ a digital copy which I gladly add to my collection as well. If I'm buying a record I'm buying it because I want not just the content, but the experience of handling and playing the record. I feel the same would apply to a cartridge/floppy game.
Ok, sounds great! 😀 I'd buy it!
My condolences! I would pay 50$ for boxed versions for plus4 (yay!), MS-DOS, and NES! 👍 The game looks great, it has a nice atmosphere to it! Will it have RPG elements, and a story? I could not understand the gameplay completely just from watching the video.
No.. No RPG elements other than the general look and feel. It is, at it's heart, a real-time-strategy. So think StarCraft, WarCraft, Age of Empires, etc. I'm sure I'll come up with some sort of back-story.
My condolences to you and yours
I would purchase the DOS port and I would spend up to $50 on it!
Sorry for your loss. This game looks amazing by the way :)
First: I'm sorry for your lost. My sincerest condolences Now to your questions: 1. I would like to have a cartridge. But I know that a lot of people use an emulator. So for them a binary version would be interesting. But with this in mind what about copy protection? I think that wouldn't be possible. I would pay 25$ for a cartridge. 2. I'm more a"Commodore guy", so all platforms like C128, plus4 or c116 would be great. 3. To see the complete map before playing could take away the "surprise". Would it be possible to see just a rough view to the map? Just asa much as is it need to get curious. Sorry for my bad English ;-)
Can't you create a ROM cartridge on which you can upload multiple images from a Windows/Mac computer and then switch between images by a simple interface?
Sorry for your mother in law.
1. No, I would pay $50 on a worthy game regardless of format. 2.MS Dos should be the first port followed by Apple //. There are tons of Apple // collectors out there. 3. Let me explore it, the cloth maps only gave a super basic prevue anyway if you remember it hardly gave you much information, let alone any dungeons or go info.
Sorry to hear about your loss. On format, I love the idea of a cartridge release, but unfortunately a $50 per copy does dampen my enthusiasm. I think the idea of upgrade packages is a great idea. I know we discussed option about copy protection. But the more I think about it, the more I dislike that idea. Firstly, most schemes can be easily defeated. Secondly, I do belief, especially on a physical media release, that people have a fair right to make backup copies for personal use. And thirdly, going through too much effort to protect the software I believe backfires and discourages people. And fourthly, the kind of people who collect these vintage machines fall into two distinct categories. The first is those who simply want a piece of nostalgic history but aren't overly invested, the second type are those who are really passionate about these machines. I for one am in the second category, hence why I have a few original games in original boxes. I could have easily just downloaded .d64 files, but I tracked down NIB disks instead. You get two distinctly different markets and as such two distinctly different solutions. So on that I would propose you do make a digital download available for those who want to run on emulators and flash devices. But then I would offer an upgrade package that comes as a physical disk, with a box and manual, and access to a digital download. I would also have this upgrade option be personally signed by David as the 8-Bit Guy. If I was buying a physical copy (which I would), I just want a perk that the digital option doesn't include. On to the issue of porting. I think systems that are easy to port to that's a no brainer. As a C128 owner I would love a version that supports it, though VDC support is tricky. If you do VDC support though you do get perks if I'm not mistaken. In addition to resolution, you can up the CPU to 2MHz mode which probably wouldn't change too much, but might make some aspects of gameplay smoother. As for other commodore machines, I don't have experience with them so I can't say. But I do have an 8-bit Atari and and AppleII. The Atari machine should be straightforward to port. Yes it's graphics and sound work a little differently, but they are basically comparable in what they can do. I am very in favor of DOS support, especially EGA. I never grew up with the DOS machines, but it's such a popular platform, especially if you have the experience. I hear you on the 68K machines. I have no experience with them either. They are a rather small market comparatively.
My deepest condolances to you and your family. I think you have a lot to gain on porting to MS-DOS and MCGA which everybody can play either on real systems and in DOSBox on all other platforms. This would keep much of the retro aspect and make it relevant to both your channel. I'm thinking Dune2 and WarCraft 1 type of gameplay. Revealing only areas by exploring/radar facility (and cheat codes 😜). The graphics gives you loads of opportunities with 320x240 at 256 colours. Music wise I could then help out rendering both MT/CM music as well as GM/GS and possibly Adlib/OPL-3 linking further to all the items you have reviewed on 8-Bit Keys. Maybe even track some MODs/XMs too. There are people out there you could team up with to speed up the coding process. I bet many would help out without requiring too much in return. I'm in it for the fame and glory for instance. :)
Condolences for your loss and hope you and your love ones are well. As for the game, I'd pay 50 bucks in a heartbeat for the C64 cartridge but I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff. Just got my OG breadbox C64 2 weeks ago as well as a SD2IEC adapter to play disk games. Likely you can release a disk image for emulators or anyone with an SD2IEC for a more limited price (maybe put on a cool USB drive in a case or something) for like 5-10 (digital only and digital on USB key) plus maybe a cartridge option (or see if it has interest). I would also suggest porting to Atari (I would love to hear the difference between the POKI and the SID chip) but I'm biased (just got an 800XL as well). NES seems like a lot of work if you have to get around the keyboard and I'm just not really into Apple II but I guess its just me. In any event, even a C64 image would work for me, glad to support and good luck :)
My condolences for your loss. I'm not sure how much I would pay for a cart, but I would certainly pay for a download in a variety of formats, including D64 or even just the cart ROM image that I could flash onto my own EEPROM (which raises questions about the cart internals, format, etc). I would enjoy the ability to play on either an emulator or real hardware. Perhaps the "standard" release could be digital download in some popular formats, and a physical cart could be a "premium" option? The other hardware that I have are NES and Atari 800. I think NES is probably the more interesting, but despite not having one, I think the Apple II is the more obvious platform for collectors. Not knowing the details of the game makes it hard to assess this, but I would think that art-oriented maps that provide general overview about the shape of the game world would be the best balance between utility and spoiler mitigation. If this is robot probes exploring an alien world, it might make sense that there are low-res flyover maps to help guide the path of exploration without giving away exactly what will be found where.
Since I don't own a physical Commodore, I'd like a digital release so I can play it on an emulator
Family and health come first, so no worries (nor would I have really noticed any significant gap between videos -- there has been a lot of great content lately). Can you give a brief synopsis of this game? Very cool and admirable to see someone still programming for an ancient system (especially in assembly!). I don't have any access to a C64, but if there was some form of digital download and a C64 emulator available to play it on, I'd be more interested that way.
Sorry for your loss, Dave. :(
Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. That's no fun! The game looks interesting! Looking forward to watching your progress. To answer your request: I can't speak for others, but unfortunately for my part I'm in a space-constrained living situation, so most of my retro computing happens in emulators out of sheer pragmatism. The cartridge version would be out for me on those grounds; a floppy version would be possible to load into an emulator; a download version would be ideal.
looks cool but I dont have any of those machines to play it on so my vote is for digital download
My condolences about your mother-in-law. To answer your questions... 1) Cartridge would probably be cool and the best option for owners of the original hardware C64, but for emulator users it probably wouldn't work too well. To cover the widest custom base, you might consider offering multiple formats (with varying prices based on your costs). A digital distribution in a format similar to the one you obviously used in the video demo might be good for emulator users. An audio cassette would be cool for cost conscious hardware owners with cassette decks. An alternate digital distribution might be an audio file recording of the audio cassette version (that someone could record to their own cassette and then play back through the C64 cassette player). Floppy would be cool from a retro perspective, but I wonder how many hardware C64 owners also have a working floppy drive. 2) MS-DOS would probably be the best port candidate, at least in terms of widest audience. 3) Would it be possible to only show the areas in a map that you've already visited and show blank space in the map for unexplored areas? That was a technique of many similar games if I recall.