I'm not big on social media, as you know, but one of the reasons I remain on the cesspool that is Twitter is to follow people like Jonathan Thomas. Yep, that same dodgy fella who developed Pole Position for the Atari STe and then dared to update Lotus Turbo II in ways I never thought possible. Okay, I guess he's not a bad lad...
Anyhow, his tweets are often fascinating because he pokes within the depths of ST games. It's here that weird techniques are discovered or he experiments with probable improvements. He also playtests enhancing performance by utilising the Atari STe hardware. All this coding talk is way over my head but intriguing nonetheless.
So, onto his latest 'project', a horizontally-scrolling shooter for the Atari STe not too dissimilar to Menace, R-Type, etc. Although it's early days, Jon is using the hardware scrolling with the sprites/particle effects handled by the Blitter. There's no DMA sound but I cannot complain as he was generous in sending me an early beta lol
I asked Jon for his thoughts and ideas for what might eventually be a new Atari STe game. Although he replied having no concrete plans for a full game, he did hint toward several extremely promising goals:
A title screen (we will need a name for this!) 16x16 sprites for a selection of individual enemies Each sprite will use 10-15 predefined attack moves A couple of (2-3 minute) stages with increasing difficulty A "game completion" screen Multiple DMA sound effects Chipmusic hopefully by (fingers crossed) Dma_Sc
Having "played" this beta, I must say it's impressive along with the prospect of what's already been achieved in a short time. I really liked the feel of the joystick controls and collision detection is spot-on. Border rasters indicate the remaining CPU time for future development opportunities so demonstrate great potential. Yes, I'm excited!
If like me, you love hearing what other people are doing with their Atari STs then take a look at Jon's Twitter stream. It's amock with weird programming gizmos (that I shall never understand) as he enjoys dismantling many Atari ST games. I can only imagine the dorky fun Jon has with his Atari STe and I hope that continues.
Update: Jon has started a source repository for those interested in helping out.
Today is a great day because I've just been given the honour of playtesting a preview of Jonathon Thomas' enhanced Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge for the Atari STe. He's been working on this project for a while, on and off, to improve the original racer in a number of different ways using the often idle enhancements of the Atari STe.
After "mulling it over", he's returned to this project with fresh ideas and assistance from our (fantastic) community over on Atari-Forum. In fact, he came back stronger and managed to develop a playable release after only a few weeks!! Oh, and for those wondering yes, he is the same racing fella behind Pole Position.
Okay, let's stop and take a deep breath. Right, do you feel better now? Good. Let's view some screenshots...
The practice track. I need this more than you realise...
We begin in Italy and Mmm look at that sky!
In fact, Italy is looking a little better these days all thanks to the Atari STe palette.
Put the pedal to the metal!
Yes, everyone loved and still loves Lotus Esprit because it's a frantic racer with fast graphics, cool music, great driving mechanics and even allows another player to join in. Okay, those collisions lose too much precious speed and I hate the person who decided to leave dangerous rocks on the road but, this is a thrilling racer alright. Who doesn't enjoy zooming passed cars or sliding around each of the curvy and hilly corners?
However, there are a few limitations in the ST game that aren't immediately obvious during the frantic racing. Well, these have obviously bugged Jonathan enough for him to take on the challenge to fix them...
"It wasn't until recently that I realised how much of a massive difference there is between the Amiga and ST versions - the magazines of the time didn't seem to make much (if anything) of this difference in their reviews of the time. I've been meaning to take a closer look at the Lotus code on the ST for a number of years now, but it was upon realising the degree of difference between the two versions (along with a relatively quiet period at work) that I decided something needed to be done!"
There is no excuse for a lame port. Is this that? I'll let you decide whilst you view these screenshots...
Mexico now has a skyline quite apt to the feel of this country.
Okay, let's try not to crash into any objects when trying to grab a screenshot!
Oh, bummer!! Playing and capturing screenshots is a tough job.
Judder be gone!
It's funny, but I hadn't really paid much attention to these issues myself and it wasn't until I went back to the original that I could tell what was going through his mind. For me, the nicest improvements are to the sky and how the cars move across the track. However, the game feels fresh and is far better than I ever imagined...
1) The tracks are quite barren and devoid of much detail so the Blitter will now render the road and pit lanes with extra details to lane markings and widened rumble strips.
2) The sky was one solid colour which was okay but that has now been replaced by a 16-step gradient that makes full use of the enhanced STE palette.
3) Cars and scenery move smoothly without the old judder of side to side in 16-pixel blocks.
4) The already zippy framerate has been improved with more tweaks on the way!
5) Thankfully, the Ben Daglish chiptunes are staying but the effects are going to be replaced with samples pumped through the DMA hardware. (with a possibility of DMA sounds and YM music together!)
Also, minor improvements are being considered to the rev counter, fuel indicator and player two will soon have the new sky gradient. There is also the possibility of new and extra trackside scenery being added. Heck, he's even mentioned that there might be a few new tracks on the way too - oh yes!!
Okdoke, it's time for the last run of screenshots of this wonderful new version. Try not to drool...
Iceland and everything looks rather chilly.
Ahem, there was ice on the road. Honest.
Check out those widened rumble strips!
The CryptO'pinion?
Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge was originally programmed by Shaun Southern and Andrew Morris and is an excellent racer. However, Jon has improved it to the level Lotus should have been all along for the Atari STe and I cannot express just how exciting it's been to see this project develop, especially over recent weeks.
The new colours, speed and smoothness all help give this racer a new coat of paint so bring on the extra framerate and sampled DMA sound effects! Yes, it's shocking just how fresh it feels running on the Atari STe so I'm really looking forward to what comes next. My greetings to Jon. Watch this space for the next release...
Portal To Xenithor is a brand new flick-screen platformer currently under development by Michael Keenleyside. The adventure begins with us having survived a crash landing on a monster-infested moon colony. Our job is to kill the nasties and search for a replacement spaceship before piloting it through to a victorious escape.
It's early days, but the storyline and map designs are nicely taking shape with end-of-level cutscenes also planned to be used as the adventure unfolds. The visual style is dark and moody and soon to be enhanced by eerie music. Michael is about six months into his project and is making nice progress with the possibility of using another engine for other parts of the game. And these will use the hardware scrolling and DMA Audio of the Atari STe.
Michael is nuts about STOS Game Creator and wishes to pay homage to Francois Lionet so all development will be done using this and Missing Link/Maestro. The estimated requirements are a 4MB Atari ST with support for hard disk installation. Personally, I'm reminded of Stryx and Baal so cannot wait to see this completed!
Update: Michael has started a STOS Coders group with Francois Lionet
There's an interesting thread over on Atari-Forum about a new version of Ghouls And Ghosts under development for the Atari STe by Sascha Springer. He's teased us with images and videos of lush sprites/landscapes and smooth scrolling but has just released an early beta. This was a jaw-dropping moment and proves the potential of the Atari ST - when in the hands of talent. I cannot wait to see more and wish Sascha much success!
This download is available via Atari-Forum [requires a 4MB Atari STe w/ hdd]
Enduro Racer is one of my favourite Atari ST racers because it's fast, fun and an uncomplicated thrill. In fact, it's the classic arcade racer and our conversion is pretty good considering the age of this 1987 release!
As you can imagine, I was very excited to find out that Peter Jørgensen (Mr Manic Miner himself!) has begun the development of an enhanced update specifically for the Atari STe!! He's graciously given me the latest beta to play and it's already looking very impressive with lots of improvements both planned and also partially completed. It's much faster! :)
1) The Blitter is utilised to push a brisk framerate!
2) Expect many more colours on-screen at once.
3) Usage of the extended palette.
4) Remaster YMT music of the original ST scores by legend David Whittaker.
5) Arcade samples played using the DMA hardware.
From what I've seen, heard, and played, this is looking to be a tremendous project. To take one of my favourite Atari ST racers, and improve upon that using the STe hardware, is going to be mind-blowingly exciting.
Good luck Peter - I cannot wait to see more. Check out these screenshots and watch this space!!
It's been almost a year since I first mentioned news of Raiden under development for the Atari STe by none other than our favourite Frogger dude, Scott Clifford. Sadly, his commitments forced the project to be put on ice temporally... But, good news, he has now restarted it and is making good progress.
The initial work behind the scrolling, backgrounds, and sprites is all coming together. Also, the enemy sprite routines and placements are now being coded. Quite incredible for a one-man effort and it's a very exciting project to see in progress. I wish Scott well and cannot wait to see the next update (hurry up mate). Watch this space folks!
Okay, here is Scott's feature plan...
- Hardware scrolling is used for the entire screen - no status panel. - DMA hardware for the playback of authentic arcade music. - The Blitter will be utilised for the larger sprites. - YM chip will be used for the sound effects. - Support for the JagPad controller can be implemented. - Please note that my video was recorded using emulation (better on my Atari STe)
Droid is a platform shooter for the Atari ST by M.P. Lord about a robot who needs to escape from within fortified catacombs. It's a simple idea that looks (umm) familiar and it was a very popular public-domain game that had a sequel released in 1994. Sadly, neither made use of the enhanced hardware inside the Atari STe...
Well, rolling on in Jamie Hamshere (aka junosix) who has begun working on an upgrade designed to use the hardware scrolling, Blitter and DMA Audio. The results are outstanding and there's an early beta available to download. As a WIP, this is starting to look amazing and I cannot wait to see future updates!! Watch this space...
Update October 2020
* WooHoo!! A brand new beta is available to download! * Jamie has also posted a new video on his YouTube channel.
Samuel (aka Zamuel_a of Pac-Mania and Giana Sisters fame) is working on a third game for the Atari STe and this time it's based on "Metroid". Bear in mind, this is a work-in-progress but we can walk, jump, fire, and explore the levels using a 16-colour-limit-busting display! The Blitter will handle the sprites with hardware scrolling being utilised too for a silky-smooth display. Heck, even the analogue ports will be used (now, where's my Jag Pad?)
As you can see, it looks fantastic but Samuel is also asking for help: with music, sound effects, sprites, and level design. If you can help, please contact him directly via the Atari-Forum website. I wish him luck.
It looks like Samuel has another winner on his hands and I for one cannot wait to see how this develops over time. It's looking great so far!! Check out a couple more screenshots below and... watch this space...
Here are new videos from the current version of "AGT" by Douglas Little. A.G.T. stands for Atari Game Tools and is intended for the much under-utilised Atari STe and each video shows the potential of this engine. It's a jaw-dropper and Doug has a thread on Atari-Forum detailing more information. He also has a bitbucket website for downloads/tutorials.
Doug has an impressive history and AGT has so much gaming potential:
* Full support for the Atari STe hardware.
* 8-way (or 4-way) scrolling.
* Horizontal-only scrolling.
* Overscan- Increased resolutions.
* Vertical-only scrolling.
* Scroll rate from 0 to +/-16 pixels per frame on each axis.
* Map size up to 32768 x 32768 pixels.
* Highly configurable for different kinds of games!
I look forward to seeing how our community utilises AGT. "Happy STE coding"
An early beta of the new R-Type Deluxe has been released at STNICCC by Stephen Jones, aka Bod. It has been designed to make use of the STe hardware - Blitter co-processor, hardware scrolling and of course, DMA effects/music. It plays far better than the original game and the pictures you see here were kindly sent to me by Stephen. Thank you :)
I have really enjoyed playing R-Type Deluxe which has proven the Atari STe to be a formidable computer. The action feels smoother and much better plus the audio has a great affect at making this feel more arcade-like. This is looking to be an impressive project but please remember this is a Work In Progress. (update).
Update July 24th I know this file is already on Atari-Forum but here is my backup of Stephen's precious R-Type Deluxe source code. I'm keeping it safe until another developer attempts to continue his hard work. <download>
