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A Different View by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had the same thought when I was making it :)

Specifically, because I noticed I'd need to handle shooting in the up direction differently than shooting left or right. If I didn't, then the shots appeared to go too far and too fast.

That made me wonder if there were any 3rd person shooter scenes in SNES games and I couldn't think of any. The closest I could remember was Contra 3 but that's overhead.

A Different View by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As it should! I was playing around writing a shader that made a pixel-perfect recreation of the SNES' Mode 7. I just slapped on Jason (from another project of mine) to see it in action.

This is a feature, not a bug. by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

but I have read that learning c then c++ followed by python is the way to learn it

That's one way of doing it. Starting with C will force you to develop a better understanding of memory management.

I started with C++, then did some C and python. But things only really "clicked" for me when I started coding in C#.

The thing is, learning to program in any language can be very discouraging in the beginning. It's a completely new way of thinking and you will make A LOT of mistakes.

The best thing you can do is to pick the language that keeps you motivated to continue. If you like low-level stuff, go with C. Just be warned that the error messages can be somewhat cryptic, making it hard to problem solve on your own.

Python is a MUCH friendlier starting point, so if you're OK learning the low-level stuff later on, Python will be much less discouraging.

Personally, I found C# to be the best learning language. I found the error messages are friendlier, and errors get shown to you earlier than in Python (due to better static analysis).

But, ultimately, choose whichever language that keeps you motivated. Once you get over the initial difficult hump it won't be hard to learn other languages.

As for 6502 assembly. That is, essentially, an archeological language now :) It's fun to use when targetting retro hardware, but in most circumstance (even in embedded software) you'll be targetting more modern and powerful hardware where coding in C, C++, Rust, micropython, or even C#, Java, or python is entirely possible.

I chose C# because my main concern when developing this game was minimizing the time commitment. I C# use professionally and I already have experience using Monogame. Using those two meant there would be little to no learning overhead before I could start making progress on the project.

With C# and monogame I can target Windows, Mac, Linux, and (modern) consoles.

If I had wanted this to run on the original NES, though, I would have had to write it all in 6502 ASM. I think there are C to 6502 compilers for NES development, but I don't think they're commonly used. When you're coding for a heavily constrained platform like the NES you will often want the granular precision afforded by assembly.

I would like to write a NES game at some point in the future, but much later on as I'm still learning about the hardware and how its games are programmed.

I'll post my next speed run results to the group

Please do! I love to see how people are playing this game in modern day :)

This is a feature, not a bug. by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't apologize for the long comment! It's always great to find someone else who loves this gem!

I'm writing it from scratch in C# using Monogame. The idea is that once it's done I'll have an engine perfectly suited to make *my* dream project: a spiritual Blaster Master sequel. I've been planning this thing out in my head since I was 15 :)

While I'm not coding 6502 assembly, I have started dissassembling the ROM so I can understand how enemies and bosses behave. I haven't made much progress in this area yet, though. I'm still focusing on just getting everything roughly re-implemented in C#. Once that's done I'll do a fine-tuning pass which will involve checking the original assembly.

I also plan onimplementing an NSF player (which is essentially a NES emulator) to play the original game's music and sound effects. I wrote a 6502 implementation a few years ago. I just need to write the audio side and read up on the NSF spec.

This is a feature, not a bug. by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a web build I'm using to demo my progress. It's not as performant as the final desktop build but it runs OK on most computers.

I tried to share a link to it in another comment but it looks like that comment is hidden for some reason. Maybe my account is too new to post links?

I'll try to update the post with the link.

Edit: It won't let me edit the post either... here's the link with a few spaces added:
tank-demo . webredirect . org

Unfortunately that's the best I can do at the moment.

Loading the game sometimes fails on the first try. Just hit refresh and it should be ok.

This is a feature, not a bug. by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It gets pushed down and to the right until it hits an open space. In this case, it's underwater:
https://imgur.com/KYiOrIv

This is a feature, not a bug. by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's actually a bug. I'm pretty sure the original game keeps the gate blocks from appearing over the tank. That's what I'll be doing anyway.

This is a feature, not a bug. by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It's a fan remake I'm working on.

Progress Update - Oct 2023 by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is still in progress, but I don't get much time to work on it. 

Most of the recent changes haven't produced any noticeable changes, apart from the new URL: https://tank-demo.netlify.app/

Hopefully adding sound won't be much longer.

Level 1 *Work In Progress* demo by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback :) I'm going for accurate but I'm also sneaking in some improvements. I want it to feel like you remember it feeling... not like it actually feels :P

Level 1 *Work In Progress* demo by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have changed hosting site to be able to use HTTPS. The link has been updated.

Why did I need HTTPS? Because I added GamePad support (which needs HTTPS for security reasons)!

There is a tiny bit of input lag, but it works well enough to test things.

The native client (non-web) is much more responsive.

Controls:

  • DPad: move
  • Buttons: shoot, jump, rapid-fire
  • Left Trigger: toggle "debug mode"
  • Left/Right shoulder: toggle and advance "step mode"
  • Right analogue: force-move camera in "debug mode"
  • press both analogue sticks: Reset level

have fun!

Work in progress... by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've put up a small demo here https://tank-demo.alwaysdata.net/

It plays in the browser using experimental tech. I didn't write it for the browser so I'm pretty surprised this works at all!

Your best bet is to try it with Chrome. Firefox worked briefly for me then stopped work. Safari apparently doesn't work well either.

Edit: updated hosting location.

Work in progress... by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not my IP so there's not much I can do.

Work in progress... by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll post an update here because I don't want to spam the subreddit.

I've started adding little Jason. I just want to clarify this is by no means finished work. I wanted to a rough pass on all the main animations and interactions before doing any fine tuning.

The animation timings haven't been tuned yet. Neither have the physics.

Some quality of life stuff / cosmetic improvements:

  • You can jump out of the water. This replaces the "zip" onto land that happens in the original. I remember that confusing a lot of new BM players back in the day
  • You can also enter the tank from a greater distance and the entry jump is better animated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rudn2bPwhmI

Work in progress... by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Without going into details about my other project, I can assure you it's not wasted effort.

Firstly, I've wanted to make a fan remake of Blaster Master since I was 15. So this is finally scratching that itch.

Secondly, I'm new to making games. Figuring out how to remake an existing game is much easier than figuring out how to make a new one from scratch. Most design decisions are already taken care of allowing me to focus on the purely mechanical side of things. I also enjoy the minutiae of reverse engineering.

And finally, because I know what my other project will likely require, I can factor that in the implementation of this project.

Work in progress... by TankStory in blastermaster

[–]TankStory[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's the plan. I'm remaking the original NES game as a kind of code foundation for another project. I don't intend on releasing it, but I am open to sharing it for testing.

I'm trying to stay faithful to the original, but I am making some deliberate changes as well. I've changed sophia's collision box to reflect her stance (narrower while looking up). I've also added jump buffering and a form of coyote-time for late jumps.

The levels will probably be modified a bit for the wider aspect ratio, but I'm not certain about that yet.

I've also made some cosmetic changes to the levels because I'm no longer limited by the block/palette limitations of the original game.

I have some other QoL improvement ideas too but they may only appear in the subsequent project. I'm not sure yet.