New Spectrum 128K game
Current status:
It's been many years since I've done anything for the ZX Spectrum, so I am starting a new game for the 128k model, this will most likely be my last game.
Some years (many years) ago I did two games, in which not everything went as it should:
- Ragnablock (CEZ GS): Great times because people who met there and was a return to the spectrum in the "modern" era, but game wasn't fun and was tedious in the brick stages.
Page in CEZ
- Journey to the centre of Earth - Extended (Topo Siglo XXI): The project was started to add stages 4 and 5, existing in the 16 bits versions of the game, to the ZXSpectrum. The experience was great because I could work with the original graphic designer from Topo Soft, AF, but the game lacked again playability and had some serious issues with collision detection with the turtles in stage 4.
Page in WOS
Some years later I started a new project with the MojonTwins but was never finished and died in the early development stages (Karate Twins).
So as summary, I am starting a new game for my dear ZX Spectrum (my first computer was the Spectrum plus 48K).
For fun, I'm developing it for the 128k models using the second available video page, although this has several disadvantages/limitations, since it's contended memory and really complicates the use of additional memory. This means that in the main game loop, you don't have more available memory than on a 48k, because the second video page has to be fixed at #C000, while you alternate between working with the faulty page at #4000 and the alternative one at #C000.
The game will be a horizontal shooter with smooth scrolling and color, because I've always wanted to make a game like this for the Spectrum. It's in earlystages with a lot of work ahead.
For development, I'm using Julian Albo's Pasmo as the assembler, and for graphics, ZX Paintbrush and Tiled to generate the tile map for the levels.
I'll look for some collaboration on the sound once it's finished, since I'm not very familiar with trackers or music creation in general (in previous projects I was able to count on Beyker's invaluable help).
