Vector War XI - Preparations & Discussions

[playvectrex]

I don't think the game violence in that one is any worse than Minecraft really, and my kids are certainly old enough to know the difference now between game and real life. That said, we don't have the game, and I'm not sure if I'd buy it on my own. If you all decide to include it though, I might be forced to buy it xD. Perhaps if I did, the author could share a binary with me to ensure I have the game for VWXI.

For those that have played it, does it translate well for a high score game?

[playvectrex]

Looking over at some of the games I do have:
- Vector Pilot
- Vector Patrol
- Frontier
- Big Blue
- The new updated Dark Tower game
- Keyboard Hero (Academy 2018)
- Robot Arena (if enough people have VecFever)

[fruktodlaren]

Oct 4, 2021 13:44:28 GMT -5 tatanga said:

Last year we talked about "USA Zombie Apocalypse" as a homebrew game. I would be very happy if we could include it this year.

I second this. But I am afraid that game is not available to buy anymore not even as a download. That kind of makes it hard to have it in the lineup is it automatically excludes new players who cant get it.
But perhaps one could reach out to the developer and they could release a "competition binary" of the game as a download. Malban did that with Karl Quappe a few years back.

[tatanga]

As far as I can tell, the physical copy is still for sale. Since points can actually be collected, the game is quite suitable for competition - in my view.

[hcmffm]

Thank you for your comments and feedback on USA Zombie Apocalypse. I'll contact the developers of USA Zombie Apocalypse and will ask them for a binary. If this works out the game is in. If it doesn't work out, we'll see.
EDIT: I've just sent out a mail to AR Vectrex (Alx, Romuald, and Staxx).

Oct 5, 2021 12:04:47 GMT -5 tatanga said:

... Since points can actually be collected, the game is quite suitable for competition - in my view.

A while ago I've seen a review for USA Zombie Apocalypse and there seems to be some inaccuracy and randomness in the game. But we can give it a try.

My counting wasn't quite right: It's not just one more game that is needed for Vector War XI but two. Let's assume that USA Zombie Apocalypse works out there's still room for one more original game or one more homebrew game.

Oct 4, 2021 16:39:15 GMT -5 playvectrex said:

Looking over at some of the games I do have:
- Vector Pilot
- Vector Patrol
- Frontier
- Big Blue
- The new updated Dark Tower game
- Keyboard Hero (Academy 2018)
- Robot Arena (if enough people have VecFever)

All the games that you mention here are good candidates. Vector Pilot and Frontier have been played in previous Vector Wars, so I'd prefer one of the other games in our list. With Big Blue, new Dark Tower game, and Keyboard Hero I'm not sure whether they are suitable for competitions. Requirements are:
- Some kind of scoring for comparison
- Difficulty that ramps up to prevent marathoning
- Some but not too much randomness (o.k. - Flipper Spinball is an exception)
- Score is displayed at end of game for a short while to take a picture.

For Vector Patrol and Robot Arena I'm pretty sure that all these requirements are fulfilled. Can someone make a statement for the above games Big Blue, new Dark Tower game, and Keyboard Hero?

[VectorX]

Big Blue has eight trophies max to grab (/your score will be at about 400 points, more or less by then). Not everyone can do it so I'd say that one's ok and it doesn't even take an hour and a half to get them all so the gameplay's not that long.

[playvectrex]

I honestly have yet to really play Big Blue, which is one reason I'm suggesting it (I want to devote some time to it). It is however no longer available for sale IIRC, but I've got copy 251 so plenty were sold. Your call on that one... I remember joining VWIX and not being able to play Frontier because I didn't have it... so when I could afford it last year I bought Frontier and Big Blue together  You have to plan ahead for Vector War!

Vector Patrol is still available for purchase, but really though... it's probably already too late for anyone to try to order something and get it shipped from overseas.  Kristof has been known to supply a binary if you purchase the game though, but I don't know if he would do that for everyone.  You might need to specify it's for Vector War XI.

Keyboard Hero is exactly how it sounds... Guitar Hero but for the 4 buttons of the controller. It has a finite ending. Your goal is to miss 0 notes. Depending on when you miss them, your combo score is higher... so if you miss 1 halfway through, your combo will be much lower by the end. But if you miss 1 right at the end, well then you have a much higher score overall. There is a maximum of score of 727 if you hit all 196 notes with 0 misses.

As for the new Dark Tower, since the old one was playable in the past... from the description I'd say the new one is as well with different maps even. Chris Malcolm worked with Sean Kelly on it, so we could probably ask him if one of the new maps is suitable.  Available from Sean's website (link below). Possibly this is another one that might be acceptable to receive a binary after purchase.  Here's the description from Vectrex Fans Unite:

Dark Tower is arguably the most well-known unreleased GCE Vectrex title there is. I'm fairly certain I found the first prototype copy of it many years back (I honestly don't even remember where I got it from) and made a few simple copies of it for friends and such. Since then, several others have offered loose cartridge copies for sale from time to time. Today, for the FIRST TIME, the game finally receives it's just desert - a complete, boxed with manual and overlay release!

I have two theories about Dark Tower as it's stood for the past nearly forty years. I feel like either the game was only about 99% complete and lacked a little bit of polish that may have been applied at the end of the programming cycle OR the original programmer was simply told he couldn't use any more memory. At 12k, the game was already the largest of any GCE Vectrex title at the time.

There were two things I felt the game was lacking. First, when you finally beat the game, there wasn't any real fanfare, celebration or reward - it just kind of ended. Second, it had no replayability value as everything is located in the same place every time you play. With the help of Chris Binarystar, we remedied both of these issues!

When you plug in this Dark Tower cartridge, you are greeted with a glimpse of the tower you will be searching for and asked to choose the original or the enhanced version of the game. The original version is untouched and exactly as the original programmer left it back in 1983. The enhanced version contains several new features such as new maps to play on, the ability to give yourself extra (or infinite) lives to complete your quest, six different skill levels and, most importantly, a proper ending if you are able to complete the game. Chris and I spent a lot of time on a really cool animation sequence that you are shown INSIDE of the Dark Tower once you complete the quest!

Anyway, the game is now available on my website at www.vectrexmulti.com and soon on eBay (it's more expensive on eBay).

[hcmffm]

Thank you for your opinions and background info, VectorX and playvectrex! If everyone agrees I'd say BigBlue is in. Let's wait till the weekend and see.

As written above, I've contacted AR Vectrex and asked them for a binary version of their USA Zombie Apocalypse. Until now I haven't received any reply. Here, let's also wait a bit more and see.

[tatanga]

Is it a new requirement that homebrew games must be available for free in order to be in the Vector War?

In this case I would suggest Hyperspeed. Simple but hypnotic.  

[VectorX]

Oct 9, 2021 13:38:12 GMT -5 tatanga said:

Is it a new requirement that homebrew games must be available for free in order to be in the Vector War?

No, it just makes things a little easier.

[hcmffm]

Until now, noone disagreed with BigBlue. So BigBlue is in and game list for Vector War XI is complete:

List of MB/GCE games in VW11:
1. Pole Position
2. Scramble
3. Solar Quest
4. Star Trek/Star Ship
5. Tour de France
6. Web Wars

List of homebrew games in VW11:
1. Either Gyrostronomy or Gyrostrology (Vectrex Academy, Peer)
2. Get that beer (Vectrex Academy, literally)
3. KnightEx (Alexander von Knorring)
4. Galaxy Wars / Space Launcher (Binarystar, Chris Malcolm)
5. USA Zombie Apocalypse
6. BigBlue

Notes:
- Alexander von Knorring has provided a binary for KnightEx (thank you very much, Alexander!)
- I still have to contact Chris Malcolm and Chris Parons and ask them for a "compedition" of Galaxy Wars / Space Launcher and Big Blue, respectively.
- I haven't received any reply from AR Design (USA Zombie Apocalypse).

[fmml]

I like to see Big Blue. It has been a while I played it. I remember play sessions require more time than most Vectrex games. Somebody mentioned it takes about 1,5h to beat it. Thats acceptable for me. The game is awesome! Looking forward to give it another go!

Not sure about Zombie though...
It only has sold for a short time, for a (relatively) high price and my impressions werent that great.
If its on the list though, I am gonna play it. Wouldnt be the first game I learn to appreciate via VW.

Maybe reconsider one of the Xmas cart games like people mentioned before. They are free for download.They are all great. Stocking Filler, Parcel Panic and the Asteroids Clone come to mind.

[fmml]

Regarding asking Chris and Chris for competition bins.

Big Blue sold iirc more than 500 units including a budget version. In my eyes it would be wrong to ask Chris to make it available to the public because of the tournament.

Regarding Galaxy Wars.why not grab a copy from the other Chris and support the developer. There is still time.

www.ebay.de/itm/Galaxy-Wars-SL-Vectrex-/203624067961?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

[vectrex360]

I purchased a Vectrex again last week from a lady in New York on eBay. I hope it gets here soon so I can polish up my skills! Although it’s her first eBay sale and it’s been 6 days since I made the purchase with no response. I’m starting to get worried that it’s not coming.

[hcmffm]

fmml : Thank you for your good comments. People here want to play USA Zombie Apocalypse so let's have it a go and see. With the free binaries you're right - I guess most people here have a copy of both BigBlue and Galaxy Wars/Space Launcher at hand.