I offer for download the last “public” alpha version, that I will most probably do for Vectorblade.
This version is still using less than 64kB of memory – so with the appropriate hardware you can try this version.
I tested it with:
a) VecFever
b) Mateos device
c) Clockwork PB6 64kB bankswitch (64kB eprom)
VecFlash and VecMulti are NOT working.
While I think VecFlash supports only 32kB roms, I “think” VecMulti doesn’t like the default PB6 bankswitching in ROM. I have not tried it, but I believe VecMulti bankswitching must be done in RAM.
Some words to this alpha release.
This version is more a test version:
– VecFever saving (and DS 2431a saving for that matter) is DISABLED
this means upon each start of the game you must calibrate (joytick up down, button press – next stage)
– upon start you can enter the start level (button 1 finish)
1-24 “normal” levels
level 25 boss 1
level 28 test 1
level 29 test 2
level 30 boss 2
level 31 boss 3
level 32 boss 4
level >32 crash do not do that!
– upon start of the game you enter the shop, you have 5000 credits, to leave the shop go to “done” and press button 3
If you discover bugs which are reproducable – please tell me. You *might* make recomendations what I should change – but I do not promise I will listen.
I have the endgame pretty fixed in my mind.
This version is not THOROUGHLY tested. I played it thru and did not discover any catastrophical bugs.
But before the game is finished there will be heaps and heaps of playtesting done.
My current “vision” for the endproduct is:
– do 100 full scaled “hardware” editions (box, manual, overlay, cartridge (96kB) )
– after these 100 I will make no more (no, I do not accept any orders, and I will make no list, and I don’t know when this will happen)
– at some stage I will release all code and bins as public domain – this also means, if anyone wants at that stage some “new hardware” – you are welcome to do so yourself.
Download:
Also a blabbermouthy video about current affairs…
Malban
The Vectrex world is a better place – Thank you for your time and efforts Malban.
Only had a few goes tonight. This game is really addictive. Some small “issues” I immediately found.
1) The screen title after the calibration screens showing the title Vector and the crossed blades appear too dim compared to calibration screens and actual gameplay.
2) For the shop, you say press button 3 to exit. However, what only became obvious after hitting button 3 many times is that you have to have “DONE” in the selected row.
Yeah, I changed the blades slightly and now they are dimmer. But as said in the video – I most probably will not keep the title screen anyway – so I didn’t bother …
Shop – correct. I will change that – certainly – the “intro” with level select was only for debugging purpose – and the shop selection had been done quite some time back now – so I was pretty used to it… didn’t mention it further…
So,,, You are not that cycle obsessive after all when code completion before physical death is on the line. Or better put,,, code completion along with some vacation time too! 🙂
ahhh… I am still “obsessed” with that…
But I also know that VB can not be kept in that range if you as an evil player provoke it.
Drawing twenty enemies with the player having a 4 shot + scoopies – the enemies attacking and shooting up to 10 shots themselves….
This will always be slightly lower than 50Hz – but I count situations like that as “not my fault” 🙂
Once again a VERY nice video. Thanks for making of them.
You’re great! Thanks for your work!
Loving the clipped scroller, very very nice
I tried it out on VF, works well, I like it!
It would be nice if the fire button could be changed from button 4, after many years, that one’s the least sensitive on my controller.
That should be feasable 🙂
Really great! I love the possibility to select the levels to see all the bosses.
Hot candidate for the best Vectrex game ever 🙂
How do I manage to get to the store during the game? Will I get there after beating some levels?
After every fifth level you get to visit the shop…
I have heard the VecMulti has the 64KiB banks reversed, so that could be the problem.
… it also gets 12 DCNTRL patches with the VecFlash ROM patcher tool (also for VecMulti). Unfortunately I can’t test it.