Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Want to talks about games you like, would like to see developed on the Oric, it's here.
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iss
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Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by iss »

Hello, my fellow Oric gamers!

1983... an Apple][ computer... a 15-years-old teenager touches the keyboard for first time...
He looks in a book and types-in some BASIC lines, what a surprise - on the display appears a circle!
The lesson is over and someone inserts something black and rectangular into the cube next to the computer...
Grrr... grrr... after a while, on the display, a little hero starts running chased by the same-sized little bad guys.
WOW, this is a GAME and it's AMAZING, INCREDIBLE :shock:
But how was actually made this wonder? Hm, I will make this game ... one day! 8)


So a dream was born. Year after year, I made dozens of tries to make Lode Runner for my favorite Oric ...
every time the result was just another game but NOT the Lode Runner! :cry:

The latest try was in 2016 (iirc, I've sent to @Chema and @Dbug a very unfinished demo) but failed again -
the bad guys were moving differently and for some levels this is crucial important!
End of Story!

But wait, on 9 May 2021, @0xC0DE6502 twitted a message about his
"Lode Runner for BBC Micro disassembly" and port to Acorn Electron!
When I saw the absolutely brilliant commented source it was clear for me: there will be New Real End of my Story!
I rewrote my 2016's rendering engine, updated it with one more sprite size and combined it with the original enemy control logic.

And today I'm happy to share with you that my 38-years-old dream come true! I'm playing "original" Lode Runner on Oric!

Some technical data:
- supports 3 sprite sizes 08x10 (MSX), 10x10 (BBC Micro), 10x12 (extended from Apple]['s 10x11).
- because of Oric's Hires 240x200 the whole level fits exactly only with 08x10-sprites, for other two sizes fast screen pan is used.
- configurable color themes (simple BG/FG color or BG+alternating odd/even lines FG colors).
- 434 levels ready to play.
- level editor.

Everything works just fine!
Remaining are just small details like: better sfx, bg-music, title screen, so stay tuned and expect the release really soon!

Here we go again and keep dreaming:

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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by ibisum »

Goodness! The envy I had for my C64 friends back in the day, with their LodeRunner'ing all day .. Ha! FINALLY we can show them the Oric can do it too .. just gotta track them all down and rub it in .. ;{)
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by Chema »

Great news!!! When will it be available?
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by Bugbloke »

Looks superb!! 8) Very exciting to see this game progress!
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by musepat »

Great work ! 8)
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by Symoon »

I recall I had been shown a secret early attempt a while ago, glad to see it being released soon :)
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by xahmol »

Haha! Load Runner! Have the original (and still working) Commodore 64 floppy still. One (of my admittingly very few) not 'unofficial copied' games.
Curious how the Oric version will compare soon, but great to have another game where I can do a side by side comparison on two screens with the C64 version running at the same time as the Oric version.
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by iss »

Chema wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:03 amWhen will it be available?
I plan a short vacation, so probably in July.
xahmol wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:01 amCurious how the Oric version will compare soon, but great to have another game where I can do a side by side comparison on two screens with the C64 version running at the same time as the Oric version.
Of course the Oric is better! :D
Seriously, it will be really interesting such comparison. Another detail is that the original levels for MSX and Apple have some small differences. May be it will be interesting too to prepare a summary with all 'internal' info which I found during the development.
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by dizzy33 »

Great job Raxiss !!! Again !
Will it be compatible with the IJK egoist ?
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by coco.oric »

One of the games i've played a lot on my Apple II, i bought around end of 1984, with 2 drives ... and dropped my oric atmos
I'll be happy to play it again. However, if i'm not sure but it need 2 buttons on the stick !
coco.oric as DidierV, CEO Member
Historic owner of Oric, Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga
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iss
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by iss »

@dizzy33: Yes, the game works excellent with IJK-egoist.
coco.oric wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 6:08 amHowever, if i'm not sure but it need 2 buttons on the stick !
Well, it depends - the original MSX/BBC/C64 versions work with 1-fire button joysticks, other (like Apple) use 2-fire-buttons. The tricky detail is when you want to dig at left but the hero is facing right - I improved the control of the joystick and it work as expected. Also I've added the ability for dig-left and dig-right with 2 keyboard buttons independent from where you are facing - just like it was on Apple][.
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by coco.oric »

the original MSX/BBC/C64 versions
hummm, copies from the apple ii best seller in fact
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by iss »

Some update!
The startup menu/setup is mostly done!
setup.png


It took longer time than foreseen but (IMHO) it's worth :).
Programmed in 90% assembler it includes:
- Fast blit of pre-rendered TrueType fonts with 1 pixel horizontal resolution;
- Fast animations player;
- Re-written and optimized PT3 player with independent volume control;
- Brand New Sound FX player - compatible with AYFX generator with independent volume control;
- Brand New Audio mixer for simultaneous Music and SFX playback;
- New VU-meter like widget.

Attached is the TAP used in the above video. In this demo any IJK joystick works too.
Please try it in emulator or preferably in real Oric and share your opinion - any feedback is highly appreciated!

I have good feelings about the release date ;).
Attachments
demosetup.tap
(29.39 KiB) Downloaded 192 times
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Chema
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by Chema »

Looks terrific! Congratulations!

As soon as I have some free time, I will give it a try!
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Re: Lode Runner for Oric by [raxiss]

Post by Dbug »

Interesting set of options :)
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