VCS Game Maker
This online tool is a no-code environment designed to allow someone to create a game for Atari 2600 without knowing much about programming and without installing anything on their computer.
It uses Blockly to allow the user to implement the logic using blocks and then, behind the scenes, generate a Batari Basic source code, that is then be compiled using batari-basic-js in order to generate an Atari 2600 ROM, which is emulated using Javatari.
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Development log
- Version 0.23.0 is now available!26 days ago
- Version 0.22.0 is now available!33 days ago
- Version 0.21.0: import/export images45 days ago
- Version 0.20.0 is now available!49 days ago
- Version 0.19.0 is now available!51 days ago
- Version 0.18.1 is now available!54 days ago
- Version 0.18.0 is now available!54 days ago
- Version 0.17.1 is now available!57 days ago
Comments
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hey haroldo-ok can you make a function to create lines
and be able to modify them with variables?
Depends, what kind of lines? It is possible to create vertical lines of arbitrary size using missiles or the ball; also, since it uses the standard kernel, it should be possible to change the background blocks on the fly, though there are no blocks implemented for that, yet.
I see. AFAIK, Pitfall uses the ball for implementing the vine; unfortunately, batari Basic does not support custom slopes for the ball; it is always drawn as a vertical line.
Magik [prototype]
Predict! Predict!
Made a very very small game, had to modify the generated code to move the player1 sprite around randomly on hit. Not sure if that is possible in vcs game maker yet?
https://themitchnz.itch.io/mini2600
Nice game! The "Random 1 .. 255" block should do the trick:
I couldn't figure it out, as I need the x position to be within 20-100ish otherwise it was going outside the playfield, and getting stuck by the collision. Tried using some while / if statements to get the number in the range but it wouldn't work. By hey, a perfect reason for displaying the generated code!
Having a random number return between [num] and [num] would be perfect.
Okay, opened an issue for future implementation: https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/95
Do you think you could add a hud-like feature soon? I’m thinking there could be both the score and another meter on the bottom, kind of like the Xanthiom homebrew?
It looks like it's using the playerscores minikernel... okay, I created an enhancement issue for adding support for minikernels:
https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/94
yea
Awsome update dude
I just wanna say this software has floored me. Its so cool to see more development tools in this style being created. And hopefully this will bring more attention to VCS homebrew. Since I feel like there's a lot to get out of the woodgrain warrior.
Thanks for the review! 😉
YEA
Is there a way to increase the sprite height? There is a way in VBb, so I was wondering if there was a way here?
Not yet, but it should be implemented in the future:
https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/86
Please keep me updated in case it is added
Whats VBb?
Visual Batari Basic, kind of like this but a bit more powerful
I like vcs better cuz vcs has mobile support
AtariDash is in the works and it will be platformer
ok AtariDash might be possible earlier than I thought, by using different backgrounds, background set-to blocks, always move 1+ x for player, if player x > 200 set x to 1 set background to current background (+1)
cool
Omg 0.20 is out
Wait, ataridash is even more possible with the new animation block, the only problem is making an actual level is impossible, there would need to be a feature to add multiple custom sprites
(Platformer level)
YEEEEESSSSSS YEEEEEEEEESSSS YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
Bro has got to be a robot a whole animation closer block in just a few days
a question, and the musi sequencer?
Not implemented yet, but should be implemented someday:
https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/46
Thank you for everything that you've done thus far. And hopefully I can continue to watch your improvements as its super fun to use
also if I can manipulate the looks of the sprites I'd love to know how as that would be the icing on this 128 byte cake
Very nice! Thanks for the review!😉
wow
I know the engine is quite a feat. Imagine when I get my hands on the v-blank. Then I can draw some crazy stuff
It would be amazing
Fr
Alright I'm super excited
NO MORE SPRITE MISSILE BUGS?
There were bugs??
yes
Another new uodat les go
YEAAAAAAAAAAA
Multi sprites:
color sprite:
I think it is very complex to implement all that
Oh, I also forgot the NUSIZn registers:
https://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#nus...
Though, since the tool is using the standard kernel, it won't be possible to reuse the sprite on multiple lines; still, it should be possible to use NUSIZn to change quantity and size for a single line.
https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/47
O version 0.18.0 there are now blocks for setting player width/quantity and missile width.
Bro predicted it 😱😱😱
vcs game maker in 3024
I forgot that one; https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/77
Chat is this real
Version 0.19.0 adds support for multiple player animations:
https://haroldo-ok.itch.io/vcs-game-maker/devlog/744322/version-0190-is-now-avai...
new updateeee :D
Found a really nasty bug when using nested `if` statements. Gotta fix that one as soon as possible: https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/68
OK, bug fixed.
Maybe next update could add sprites? And stuff to make different kinds of games like platformers and stuff, that'd be pretty cool
Sprites are already availale, but generating genre-specific code is an interesting idea
I mean like you could press a plus button and you could press a floor button to add a floor to the game and move it around, kind of like scratch's ui
That would be challenging, but still possible.
Or maybe there could be a sprite thats like the player tab, but when you add a thing in that tab it adds a new player-like thing and the player-like thing is an object
That would be possible, but it would have to take in mind the limited amount of RAM on the 2600
LETS GOO SOUND
BROOO SOUND YEAAAAAAAA
Nice update
random numbers, yea
Do you plan on making a downloadable offline version for mobile devices?
Maybe it could be wrapped inside an app.
Cool
This is insanly cool, are you planning on making a ds or nes game making engine?
Thanks! I have no plans for that at the moment, but could be a consideration for the future...
Cool!
Btw are you still updating this game engine?
Very slowly, but yes
cool
Hi again! When I downloaded offline version I ran into some issues :(
1. For some reason, most graphical icons are non existent (for example, those in sprite editor)
2. Most critical bug: creating variable doesn't work. I toggled developer console on for this one, but seems like nothing was traced into it
Okay, I will take a,look at this later
nice update! Could it include image to atari as a background import? 8bitworkshop IDE [atari8-800] - viewer-seurat-atari8.d.asm there are different image to atari methods. also does it have random? thanks
Hello!
wondeerful and wonderful!
Hello, again!
Random number generation is now available:
https://haroldo-ok.itch.io/vcs-game-maker/devlog/732734/version-0150-is-now-avai...
Nice
Image importing is now available!
https://haroldo-ok.itch.io/vcs-game-maker/devlog/747637/version-0210-importexpor...
great! does it automatically change the image to fit or does image need to be set a certain way beforehand? I can only see v .14 to download...
It scales down the image to fit the size of the player or background that's being replaced.
Yeah, I haven't updated the downloadable version, yet, but the online version is updated.
i see! It seems to work best on 1 bit small pixl images as here:
but is there a way to "double" the blocky graphics on screen for more detailz like in a game such as turbo arcade:
Not on Batari Basic's standard kernel; something similar to Turbo would probably require a custom kernel
New version? YEA
Hello, are there any plans for an offline version? I'm afraid to bind to the engine, in case it disappears from the network and I will not be able to make a game on atari again.
Hello; yes, there's a task to create a desktop version using Electron:
https://github.com/haroldo-ok/vcs-game-maker/issues/15
Great, I'll be looking forward to the Desktop version!
Hello; version 0.14.0 introduces a Windows version:
https://haroldo-ok.itch.io/vcs-game-maker/devlog/714253/version-0140-is-now-avai...
Hello, I am checking to see what you are working on adding right now!
I had tried real BBasic programming, but the interface is pretty hard to use, and I ended up coming back here.
Will you ever implement a sound system or other kernels? I’m really wanting to get larger sprites and add color to them.
Thanks!
Hello; my current plans would be to implement most of the features required to properly use the standard kernel, and after that, start implementing DPC+ support.
Hello again!
Version 0.16.0 has just been released, and it adds support for very simple sound effects.
So when writing this kernel of yours. What plans do you intend to support? As so I can design a game in this for the future.
Hello! In the short term, then idea is to support the standard kernel; once that works well enough, DPC+ might be the next target.
awesome thanks answering dude. You're the absolute best