Running out of RAM - an 80s BASIC programming simulator for C64

triplefox 2018-08-13 00:02

For the folks who need an emulator, here's a link to [WinVICE](http://vice-emu.sourceforge.net/windows.html), [CCS64](http://www.ccs64.com/) and [OSX VICE](http://vice-emu.sourceforge.net/macosx.html). There are also versions of VICE available in the package manager of most Linux distributions.

Interesting sim game although I was able to crash it: "string too long error in 35055". It would be fun if there were side events that happen when you write code, or it involved solving literal puzzles like in programming games(e.g. Shenzhen I/O). There is potential for a game here with interesting characters and storytelling, even.

hamrathdoesldjam 2018-08-13 05:29

@triplefox: Thanks! ^_^

I fixed that silly bug. Forgot to initialize the timer display each time. Should work now.

ceuteum 2018-08-15 01:12

Loved the game - it's BASICally (sorry) a game which would run on a real C64 as-is! I dig the feel; stylized fonts/menus really add up to the mood. There are even things like selling games to buy some coffee, asking a friend to debug, going to school and that stuff which makes you immerse a bit more :)

Having no prior experience with VICE, Basic and C64, I had to spent some time figuring out how to make it run (thanks to @triplefox for the links, though). Maybe a short tutorial with links in the description (or a comment if that's not an option) could be a time-saver for noobs like me :)

hamrathdoesldjam 2018-08-15 19:37

@Ceuteum Thanks, I improved the documentation and also wrote some instructions to help through the beginning of the game.

strugglesingamedevelopment 2018-08-15 23:17

On the surface the gameplay is a pretty simple resource/time management game, but it really sticks out from the rest of the LD entries and I had to check it out seeing that you wrote it for the C64 and added a lot of nice flavor to the context and the gameplay. With the added Plus of the provided source code maybe I'll dabble around. Huge thumbs up!

jka 2018-08-16 23:01

Really cool! This feels like one of those games I would spend an afternoon typing into my (ok, my parent's) Acorn Electron from a book as a little kid. :grin:

The gameplay is cool, although a little slow, I spent a lot of time just pressing 1. Maybe an option for spending a longer time programming would help with that.

potatolain 2018-08-16 23:42

Awesome; there are a apparently quite a few retro games this time around! I really like this - it's a little bit of a challenge to get set up, but once you get there it's a solid game. (Though apparently I need to work on my software dev skills :D) This feels like it'd be right in place back in the day, and also as a lifelong coder I really liked how you had energy/sleep/refactoring/debugging set up.

This is the 3rd retro game I know of in the competition. (I did an NES game, and there's a 2-player Genesis game called Rad Rhino out there too). It's always awesome to see.

Also... I don't know if you're interested but I did manage to get it working with a web-based emulator! I hosted it [here](http://cpprograms.net/devnull/roor/), or if you'd rather host it yourself here's all the files involved: [roor.zip](http://cpprograms.net/devnull/roor/roor.zip). Just hit space to start; it seems to work alright! It's using the [emscripten port of vice](https://github.com/rjanicek/vice.js)

Thanks for a fun entry!

hamrathdoesldjam 2018-08-17 05:33

@jka The BASIC (I could do this all the time 🤣) idea was to do a clicker game. In the end it did not work out completely, but I'll consider your idea for the extended Version.

@cppchriscpp Oh thank you! I fiddled around with c64js and jsc64, but I did not like the Resultat.

potatolain 2018-08-17 11:29

Ah, ok... I can remove the links in my comment if you'd prefer; just let me know. I didn't see any issues but I very well might've missed something as a random player. My only hope was to make this game a little more accessible since I quite liked it.

jka 2018-08-17 13:02

@hamrathdoesldjam Ah, that makes sense. It felt more like a sim game to me, which is good thing IMO :slight_smile:

hamrathdoesldjam 2018-08-17 14:06

@cppchriscpp Whatever you like. I'll replace the link with a copy on my Server later on. Also want to put the BASIC version online. ;)

potatolain 2018-08-17 14:49

Ok, I think I misread your comment as you not wanting the web version for some reason. My mistake - if you like the web version, definitely carry on! I'll keep it up at least until judging ends :)

Feel free to ping me if you need any help with setting up the basic version, too. I've worked a lot with web-based software and emulators.

nam-nguyen 2018-08-17 21:04

Hey it took me a while to get the program up and running, but then it brings me right back in the 80s, no I wasnt born, the 90s (I was technically 5 years old but that counts). Anyway, really like the way you execute the theme, it was definitely refreshing to play amongst all the LD entries this time. I don't think I earned any money while I was playing, I honestly couldnt earn anything and spent thousands of dollars. I get what youre implying there :joy: Great work!!

paulhocker 2018-08-29 03:17

how did you get this to run in the browser? big points from me for doing a c64 game

firesplash-entertainment 2018-08-30 19:22

Just played your game abfter a few problems starting it and I felt like pressing 1 and 1 again and again and... se the rest here: https://youtu.be/_MY9TNamvQ8?t=302

eric-kulbiej 2018-09-02 00:26

Your game is very nice to play. The general impact is positive. As a professional game dev I would suggest... just kidding haha Nonetheless, if you want to work on this project more I suggest making a difficulty incresing algorithm. Graphics - very nice. Controls are also working very well. Maybe you could also take a glimpse at my game? I already enlarged it into a wholesome Android game :)

udo 2018-09-04 19:10

I have to say, that's very nice for a Compo entry. I played it on the web emulator, it went fine, but I'll definitely save the image and try it on a real C64 later :smile: reminds me of my actual youth, not just the computer, but also the horrible first programming job!