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Post by sj on Jun 13, 2012 12:39:34 GMT -5
^ Didn't see that one coming.
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Post by VectorX on Jun 13, 2012 12:43:34 GMT -5
Indeed not!
"You are full of surprises, Master Baggins Pelonis!"
-The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (mostly)
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Post by ledzep on Jun 13, 2012 17:35:08 GMT -5
Ya, I just put a pre-order in for Hellhole/Vectosis spinner on the Fury site. Can't wait!
It would seem that if that controller takes off (and it damn well should) that someone should come out with a Spinnerama II that works with his spinner controller. He told me that it uses buttons 1 and 2 which is why there are only two buttons on the controller (3 and 4) and also why Vectosis games will also accept standard joystick controllers.
I wonder how the Atari 5200 gets away with swapping it's analog stick for a trackball, what the signals look like to the game.
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Post by TrekMD on Jun 13, 2012 17:43:19 GMT -5
I just sent the email to preorder both of those games as well.
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Post by VectorX on Jun 13, 2012 17:45:34 GMT -5
It would seem that if that controller takes off (and it damn well should) that someone should come out with a Spinnerama II that works with his spinner controller. You might try telling that to Christopher Tumber yourself. I saw where he finally just emerged out of nowhere the other day  He told me that it uses buttons 1 and 2 which is why there are only two buttons on the controller I assume that means it was made to work with Tsunami, the Tempest clone. So for those who have this new controller, along with the ROM... |
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Post by ledzep on Jun 19, 2012 13:52:55 GMT -5
No idea. From what George said it doesn't work the same way (Tsunami needed the Atari Driving Controller), it's taking over buttons 1 and 2 and leaving just buttons 3 and 4 for any button-specific needs. Sounds perfect for a modern Tempest, though, while something like the Star Trek arcade game needs a spinner + 3 buttons so I suppose that's out.
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Post by fury on Jun 19, 2012 15:37:11 GMT -5
The spinner portion of the Vectrosis Controller will most likely work with any Vectrex spinner game. I believe they all utilized the connections for buttons 1 and 2. The problem is that these games relied on the other controller port for buttons. So you would not be able to use the buttons on the Vectrosis Controller. You would have to use buttons on a regular controller plugged into the other port, which is totally undesirable in my opinion.
The fix for these older games is quite simple. I believe it would require the spinner control (buttons 1 and 2) to be changed from port 2 (left side) to port 1. Also, if any of these games used buttons 1 or 2 on the other controller, then that is an automatic limitation on compatibility. Furthermore, I know that some of the Spinnerama GCE-converted games use the player/game selector screen requiring buttons 1/2 for selections. I'm not positive on how each and every spinner game (converted GCE or original homebrew) is set up, but I can check.
Please post a listing of all known Vectrex spinner games and links if available, and I will post a compatibility list here. Again, I don't believe that any pre-existing spinner game will be totally compatible. That is totally unavoidable because the older spinner games were made to be played with an existing Atari controller that had no button support for our purposes. I do believe that some of the games can be made 100% compatible with the above-described port switch in the code.
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Post by TrekMD on Jun 19, 2012 15:55:36 GMT -5
I do believe that some of the games can be made 100% compatible with the above-described port switch in the code. That would be awesome! |
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Post by VectorX on Jun 19, 2012 18:02:03 GMT -5
^Yes, I agree! Please post a listing of all known Vectrex spinner games and links if available, and I will post a compatibility list here. I think these are them. I don't have a link though: Armor Attack Bedlam Cosmic Chasm Mine Storm Mine Storm 2 Omega Chase Omega Chase Deluxe Pole Position Rip Off Solar Quest Star Castle |
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Post by vectrexmad on Jun 19, 2012 18:23:29 GMT -5
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Post by fury on Jun 19, 2012 19:19:45 GMT -5
Ok, thanks, I'll start looking into this tonight. And yes, the spinners have the same resolution.
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Post by VectorX on Jun 19, 2012 19:28:49 GMT -5
Cool, I either didn't know Colorclash Slim had that option or I just forgot about it |
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Post by fury on Jun 20, 2012 10:22:19 GMT -5
GCE MODIFIED
Just to quickly handle all GCE-conversions...none of them have spinner functionality for a 2nd player, so they are all setup to be 1-player spinner games only. All, with the exception of Pole Position, have the standard selector screen. The number of players is chosen with Button 1, but this is a non-issue as just mentioned. Some also have game options that are chosen with Button 2. If you choose to play any game other than "Game 1", you would need to plug in a standard controller to change it and then replace it with the Vectrosis Controller. So that is at least a slight incompatibility with some of them.
Otherwise Armor Attack, Rip-Off, and Star Castle would work. The spinner would control rotation, and the two buttons would be thrust and fire. That is to say, they would work if the code is changed to accommodate the spinner on port 1.
Mine Storm (II), Pole Position, Cosmic Chasm, Solar Quest, and Bedlam would not work because these games require 3 or 4 buttons during game play. These games are incompatible.
HOMEBREWS
Rounders
90% compatible as-is. Once the game is started, it is 100% compatible. The Vectrosis Controller rotates the in-game paddle and the right button launches the ball. Issue is starting the game. He has it setup where you can choose from 3 different skill levels, but these are currently read from the left port only. Seems a simple fix, and his code is available at the link provided in a previous post. It would be ideal if the game would simply start by pressing Button 3 for Intermediate or Button 4 for Expert. That said, with a 2nd controller in the left port you can choose the setting and start the game, then simply go to Vectrosis in the right port and play it with full compatibility. Interestingly enough, this game is setup just the opposite of the other spinner homebrews. Here the spinner is in the right port, controller in the left. But the ball can be launched with Button 4 through either port and that's why it works with the right button on the Vectrosis Controller.
Tsunami
Exactly what I've been describing. Spinner controls are setup for the left port only, with firing on the right port only. This will need to be corrected in the code by the author in order for it to work properly with Vectrosis.
Omega Chase
The version I'm testing doesn't seem to have spinner support at all. If there's another version available, point me to it.
ColorClash Slim
Someone who has this will have to chime in here and let us know how the controls are setup.
VectRace and Vaboom
I believe both of these are for modified paddles rather than spinners. Didn't test them.
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Post by VectorX on Jun 20, 2012 11:47:32 GMT -5
Well, it sounds like you've quickly made some progress already |
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Post by VectorX on Jul 2, 2012 19:39:01 GMT -5
Hey, how about Wormhole on Vectopia?
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