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Post by bob on Aug 22, 2016 13:46:36 GMT -5
I have created a new cartridge for the Vectrex that effectively upgrades it to 32 bits and allows you to write Vectrex games in interactive interpreted BASIC. The cartridge, which I call the Vectrex32 SmartCart, is based on the Microchip PIC32. It’s a 32 bit microcontroller that runs at 200 MHz, has a floating point unit, 2MB of flash, and 512KB of RAM. By comparison, the Vectrex’s 6809 is an 8/16 bit processor with 8KB of ROM and 1K of RAM. The BASIC interpreter and the game run on the PIC32. There’s a dual-port memory chip readable and writable by both the PIC32 and the 6809. The PIC32 writes 6809 machine code into the dual-port memory and the 6809 runs it. Thirty times per second, the PIC32 writes the instructions needed to draw the screen, play sounds, and read the controller. Since the game logic is running on the PIC32, games can be far more sophisticated than anything the Vectrex could do alone. The SmartCart also has a USB interface. When connected to a PC, it appears as a mass storage drive and a serial port. The drive holds BASIC programs and the serial port can be used with a terminal emulator. You can interactively debug a BASIC program (my version of BASIC supports breakpoints, single-stepping, printing out variables, and more). You can also interactively change things on the screen, e.g. you can experiment to get your shapes looking right and moving right. The SmartCart provides advanced graphics features like sprites, scaling, rotating, and clipping. I’ve written extensive documentation and built a web site, Vectrex32.com, to provide support and create a community of Vectrex32 users. People will be able to discuss programming and swap games that they’ve written. Here's a demo video: As of this writing, I’ve had 20 SmartCarts manufactured and I’m selling them on eBay. If there’s demand, I’ll make more. - Bob Alexander
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 22, 2016 15:02:20 GMT -5
This sounds really exciting.
If there ends up being robust game programs written for this system certainly more than 20 units will be necessary. .. But having so few available might inhibit the production of such game programs, if there is a chance that only 20 people might ever play the game.
.. How are you playing Moon Lander in the demo video? Is this existing software or is it uniquely written for the Vectrex32? Is there other game software ready to go right now on this platform? .. Is there, (or could there be) an emulator written for vector arcade games?
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Post by binarystar on Aug 22, 2016 15:17:19 GMT -5
Wonderful!
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Post by hcmffm on Aug 22, 2016 15:36:38 GMT -5
Your Vectrex32 is a great thing, Bob! The real time debugging and changing shown in the video is amazing and very cool. I really hope that numerous people including developers will purchase this cartridge! $150 is a fair price and I've just ordered a copy. What you'll need to make your Vectrex32 really fly is a good game. Elite, BA++|e Zone, Stellar 7, or similar, there are still many desired ports on the list. With 512kB RAM a lot can be done, I guess.
There had been cartridges with modern processors under development in the past, but yours is the most mature one and even is for sale in small quantities! Great! Thank you for your excellent effort in developing the Vectrex32, Bob!
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Post by bob on Aug 22, 2016 15:36:51 GMT -5
.. How are you playing Moon Lander in the demo video? Is this existing software or is it uniquely written for the Vectrex32? Is there other game software ready to go right now on this platform? .. Is there, (or could there be) an emulator written for vector arcade games? I have no idea how big the Vectrex market is, and making these boards is expensive, so I only wanted to commit to 20. I hope you're right that I'll need more. :-) I wrote the Lunar Lander game in BASIC specifically for the SmartCart. I haven't written any other games yet. It sounds like you're suggesting porting something like MAME's vector graphics game code to the SmartCart. That's very intriguing; I'll have to think about it. - Bob
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 22, 2016 16:37:51 GMT -5
I have no idea how big the Vectrex market is, and making these boards is expensive, so I only wanted to commit to 20. I hope you're right that I'll need more. :-) I wrote the Lunar Lander game in BASIC specifically for the SmartCart. I haven't written any other games yet. It sounds like you're suggesting porting something like MAME's vector graphics game code to the SmartCart. That's very intriguing; I'll have to think about it. Thanks for the speedy answers Bob. Yes Vector MAME is the nearest example of what I was talking about. Like hcmffm says, you need just one big hit game to make this cart a big hit with the (non-programmer) gamers. But an emulator could provide more than that, if it was fully functional on several (or all) vector arcade games. 20 carts might be more than enough for the potential programmers, but there will definitely be non-programmers buying these, (most likely including myself, momentarily) and I'm sure you will sell these 20 quickly.
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Post by vtk on Aug 22, 2016 19:32:43 GMT -5
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Post by geoanas on Aug 23, 2016 3:46:01 GMT -5
Amazing work !
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Post by Mayhem on Aug 23, 2016 6:55:06 GMT -5
Sadly I'm still debating it, instead of obvious purchase, due to the use of the Global Shipping Program :/
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Post by vectrexroli on Aug 23, 2016 7:40:48 GMT -5
What a great project!
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Post by Vectronic on Aug 23, 2016 10:32:12 GMT -5
I have just purchased one myself. I think this is going to be exactly what I need to finally get myself into game development. The real-time computer to Vectrex interface really makes this shine. I have a small netbook PC I could set up next to my Vectrex (or on my lap), and this will be an ideal setup for me. I've learned a bit of BASIC a long time ago, so it would be more familiar to me than learning ASM or C+ from scratch. I just love the idea of finally taking the leap to start programing my own games and stuff for the Vectrex. Also the fact that this super-cart seems to able to create games well beyond homebrewers' current limitations gets me even more excited. Sure these super-games may only run on this cart, but I'm fine with that. I am very interested to see what people come up with.
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 23, 2016 10:47:35 GMT -5
Does the Vectrex32 SmartCart REQUIRE that a PC be hooked up at all times?
For someone with no programming experience, is GSBASIC a reasonable place to start? Or could one expect to get up to speed using other commonly available and accessible BASIC environments, starting from scratch?
Does it make sense for someone with no programming skills and no desire to learn programming to buy the Vectrex32 SmartCart at this time?
I have quite a few questions along these lines and other types of questions, but not sure I should clutter this Announcement thread with them.
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Post by bob on Aug 23, 2016 10:57:50 GMT -5
The SmartCart does not have to be hooked up to a PC. The SmartCart has a "disk" drive on it. If there is a file called Autorun.bas, that program will be loaded and run when the Vectrex/SmartCart is turned on. In the SmartCarts I ship out, Autorun.bas displays a menu of the other BASIC programs on the drive and lets you select and run them - no PC is required.
I've been programming for 40 years. I really am unable to judge whether GSBASIC is a reasonable place to start programming. I suggest you read the manual(s) and see if they make sense to you.
If you don't want to program the SmartCart yourself, I suggest you wait and see what programs other people write before buying one (unless you really, really want the Lunar Lander game I wrote). You can register on the forums at Vectrex32.com, subscribe to the Game Swap forum, and get notifications when people post games there.
You can also post your other SmartCart-related questions there.
- Bob
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Post by VECTREXER on Aug 23, 2016 11:48:19 GMT -5
Incredible work Bob. Thanks for your project. The Vectrex has needed a more general purpose coprocessing upgrade for a while.
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Post by bob on Aug 23, 2016 11:51:17 GMT -5
Incredible work Bob. Thanks for your project. The Vectrex has needed a more general purpose coprocessing upgrade for a while. You mean like for 30 years? ;-) - Bob
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