[Nodtveidt]

Yeah yeah, so I haven't posted in awhile...sue me. :D I was busy in the FB scene at first but slowly dropped out because of many factors. Anyways, I recently became re-interested in TG16 programming, and decided what better way to get the practice I need again than to write one of the most difficult types of games for this console: an RPG. Anyone familiar with the console will remember that there were very few RPGs and those that there were were almost always either action-based or on CD (often both, like Exile). So cutting to the chase...I'm sure all of you remember DarkDread's most well-known RPG: Mysterious Song. Well, although it couldn't be preserved 100% accurately, I've been able to port it to the TG16 as a CD game. The port is about 25% complete right now. Here's a couple of screenshots to illustrate:


The original title screen had to be resized, but the text overlay it had on it became corrupted so I had to remove it. The copyright details are still available, however.


Had to move this dialog off of the title screen at first but I'll probably put it back there later on. :)


When you select "New Game", you get a choice between "Original", which plays identically to the original Mysterious Song, or "Balanced", which is a more balanced version that is somewhat easier. This is similar to how Final Fantasy Origins handled new games, and was where I got the inspiration for it.


Audition mode, where you can check out all the redbook tracks. :D Just a fringe benefit but this was mainly a coding test to see if I could nail down this stuff correctly.


Part of the introductory dialogue. I hadn't imported the original game font at this point yet.


This was an early test of the mapper I had written for the game. You would not believe how difficult it is to code for this machine, guys...


Mapper working correctly but missing NPC sprites. Note the tiles are different than the original game...the original game used 20x20 tiles which are illegal on this hardware (and also impossible to port over), so I used a different tileset instead. Also, due to some limitations of the compiler I'm using, some of the colours are incorrect. That has to be solved using hardcoded palette data...not hard to do but a pain in the keyster to make them due to the colour palette rules (9 bit colour, which means 3/3/3 bits for red/green/blue). In any event, all of the original sprites have been preserved as closely as possible (Spear is missing a couple of colours due to the reduction to 16 colours but otherwise...he still looks like Spear).

This game will be freely downloadable as the original was. It should be playable on actual hardware (it's a Super CD which means you'd need a TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo/PC Engine Duo-RX or a TG16/PC Engine setup with the CDROM attachment and a 3.0 upgrade card) as well as most popular TG16 emulators (Magic Engine plays the game perfectly, hu6280 plays it but with some sprite glitches, so far unable to test it on Hu-Go though...). Also, it will be available for "sale" as a CDROM...the game is still free but shipping and materials are not. :)

So...what do y'all think? :)
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If you play a Microsoft CD backwards you can hear demonic voices. The scary part is that if you play it forwards it installs Windows. - wallace

[Terry]

I think this project looks excellent! I don't exactly see the point in a TG16 remake though... Surely a windows/linux/osx version would have more appeal?
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http://www.distractionware.com

[Verious]

Does anyone still own a functioning Turbo Graphics 16? I figured they had gone the way of the dodo.

[Nodtveidt]

Because a Windows/Linux/OSX remake would be far too easy. :D I could convert the whole thing over the weekend in FB for Windows and Linux but that would just take all the fun out of it. :) Besides, there's a pretty sizeable TG16/PCE scene that's begging for new traditional RPGs since the system had very few of them during its time. I figured this would be a good place to start.
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If you play a Microsoft CD backwards you can hear demonic voices. The scary part is that if you play it forwards it installs Windows. - wallace

[Terry]

Well, if it's that easy, please do that too! It doesn't play that well through DosBox or VDMSound. This was one of my favorite QB RPGs (along with Arc and Untitled). It would be great to play it again, especially if it was a little easier.
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http://www.distractionware.com

[Nodtveidt]

Well okay then...I'll see if I can do an FB conversion this weekend, provided nothing gets in the way. Got a pregnant wife to take care of so it might take a little longer than this weekend but I'll see if I can pull it off. :)
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If you play a Microsoft CD backwards you can hear demonic voices. The scary part is that if you play it forwards it installs Windows. - wallace

[tcaudilllg]

Congratulations! :D

My eyes went wide when I saw the test map graphics. Good job! Will you be animating them, too?

[Nodtveidt]

People on the Magic Engine forum were asking about animated tiles as well. I'd have to say that it's something I'm going to try for but if I can't do it then I'm not worried about it. It's eye candy, so it's saved for last. Right now I'm just trying to nail down a completely working engine. This hardware is a real challenge to code for and after doing it for this long, I've really gotta tip my hat to the people who did it back in the day when this stuff was being sold. Many people have tried to discourage me from making an RPG for this machine, as aside from run-and-gun games, it is easily the most difficult genre of game to code on it...
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If you play a Microsoft CD backwards you can hear demonic voices. The scary part is that if you play it forwards it installs Windows. - wallace

[DeveloperX]

[Mandrake]

Why port it to linux? Isn't there a Linux TG-16 emulator out there? I think it would be a wasted effort then, if an emulator exists for that platform.
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"Well, last time I flicked on a lighter, I'm pretty sure I didn't create a black hole."-
Xmark

http://pauljessup.com

[Nodtveidt]

HuGo exists on many platforms and is the second best TG16 emulator available. In addition, it supports ISO images directly (Magic Engine does not and the author has stated that he never will support them).
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If you play a Microsoft CD backwards you can hear demonic voices. The scary part is that if you play it forwards it installs Windows. - wallace

[BadMrBox]

Why are you doing a remake of MS Nek? I remember an argument you had with DD on the Darkboard, that you thought it was stupid of him and the others to make an new version of the game. I'm not dissing the project, I'm just curious.
Changing the subject;
Congratulations to you and your wife. Do you know if its a boy or a girl?
Changing again;
I just have to ask about VPlanet. Is it dead?
Well, best of luck to you/ Box
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[Nodtveidt]

[Mandrake]

[DeveloperX]