[REDUCED RES] Blue and Gold

[Xalthorn]

Here we go, my first attempt.  I think this might be the busiest little thing I've done, and the screen is filled with all sorts of things going on (you run out of space real fast with such a low resolution).

It has a 3D ball shape thing, with a scrolltext running through the middle.  The background constantly changes shade and there are a bunch of shaded rectangles moving over it.

Code: Me
Font: Me and Photoshop
Graphics : Me (and Photoshop if we're being fussy)
Music: "2 x the squarebeam" by Anders Dator Felix Dator from modarchive.org
Tools:
PTC Ext (Rbz) (I think... I followed the freebasic installation tutorial on here)
ufmod.o music player thing
bin2bas (Rbz) to create includable music
Jim's BMP loader and my exporter to throw it back out as an includable
upx  to compress the executable

[EDIT] Modified executable to run at 640x480 fullscreen
[EDIT] Did some optimising on the code to deal with slowdown issues for some people.. hopefully the changes were enough
[EDIT] Another tweak to make the music start *after* the initialisation routine

[Ghost^BHT]

Pic looks good wont run - not even open on my Vista machine.

[Xalthorn]

Oh dear

I used upx to compress the executable, I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

[hellfire]

Doesn't work here on xp either. Maybe you are trying to do 320x240 fullscreen or something?
The screenshot looks very promising

[Xalthorn]

Yep, it's 320x240 fullscreen... is that a problem for vista?

[zawran]

I am using XP, and it will not run here either. And its probably because my monitor will not go fullscreen on 320x240. Its a 24 inch lcd, and a lot of lcd monitors even smaller ones cannot do that kind of size fullscreen. So either you will have to do it in a window, or double it up to 640x480 which most monitors might still do.

[Xalthorn]

I'm reworking it to do 640x480 now, so hopefully that will solve the issue.

[benny!]

Runs smooth here (XP) - didnt tried the older version though.

Intro is cool - nice "dithered vector bobs" plus scrolly and
background!

  I like your work!

[hellfire]

Cool!

[Xalthorn]

To do this one, I wrote a little framework that handled all the dithering, colour selection, and scaling to full size.  I'll be using the framework for my other ideas as well.

I wrapped the framework into a ready to use freebasic program and was going to post it in the main challenge post, but then I read that you're not allowed to use other people's code, so would that be pointless?  Also, at what point does 'someone else's code' apply?

I'm keen to see what other people can do with low resolution and colours and it would be a shame for their imagination and ideas to be held back by the hurdle of getting such a thing on the screen.

The framework gives you a small 160x120 work area (with a dot() function to handle correct positioning) so you essentially do all of your work in this and let the framework do the grunt work.

If it would be utterly pointless or cause more harm than good during the challenge, then I won't post it until after the challenge has finished.

[Hotshot]

Excellent and I love that ball spin around and the scroller fonts is clear to see.

welldone   

 

[Xalthorn]

Thanks for the comments folks

Time to work on the second one now I think

[benny!]

@xalthorn:

About posting your source. I think it is totally ok to post it - and it
is also totally ok if others use it. As long as they give you credit for
that - and make it clear - what part is their own work - and what
part of their production is realized by external code (dlls ...).

You may NOT use other peoples code, except things like dlls, fmod,
gl setup and other utilities.. You must list the tools/utility code you used.

In my eyes - the competitions and challenges here are primarily that
ppl learn something, have fun and instead of playing arcade do some
creative work ;-)

So, if you want to share your code - its great. If other ppl want to
use your code and give you credit - it is fine, too. People can than
judge - if the "rest" of code of their production is worht to be voted
or not.

Just my 2cts.

[Shockwave]

Share the code by all means, however I am sorry but if someone was to take the render engine from your demo their entry would be disqualified, this has unfortunately happened in the past.

The allowed external source code is limited to things like dlls, libs, screen setup routines, music players.

The problem would be that rendering the screen as chunky pixels was part of the challenge, if people can't do that then they at least have the option of making a low res entry.

@ any more further queries of the rules via PM to me please. Thanks!

I know your heart is in the right place though Xalthorn, it's a completely magnanimous gesture on your part, just unfortunately not in the rules


As far as your demo is concerned, I love it!
Really nice rendering of vector balls and it's all totally smooth Good choice of music too!

Considering that the comp hasnt been running for long, your intro is extremely good.

[Naptha]

I would like to see this framework in any case, I for one have no idea how to do dithering for instance and would love an example.

If I made an entry it'd be in c++ anyway, so I'd be rewriting any code if it's in freebasic.  And since I have no expectation of winning, being disqualified is not as much of an issue as learning how to do it in the first place. 

Also, I liked this entry a lot, it ran no problem on XP here. 

[Xalthorn]

Share the code by all means, however I am sorry but if someone was to take the render engine from your demo their entry would be disqualified, this has unfortunately happened in the past.

The allowed external source code is limited to things like dlls, libs, screen setup routines, music players.

I figured that would be the case, which is why I asked before posting.

The problem would be that rendering the screen as chunky pixels was part of the challenge, if people can't do that then they at least have the option of making a low res entry.

Doh! of course

@ any more further queries of the rules via PM to me please. Thanks!

I know your heart is in the right place though Xalthorn, it's a completely magnanimous gesture on your part, just unfortunately not in the rules

In that case, I'll wrap it all up in a little tutorial with samples and post it at the end of the challenge.

As far as your demo is concerned, I love it!
Really nice rendering of vector balls and it's all totally smooth Good choice of music too!

Considering that the comp hasnt been running for long, your intro is extremely good.

Thanks

I was pleased with the new things I've learned whilst doing this (I've never done dithering or image based fonts before) so keep bringing these challenges on

[rain_storm]

Cool blits Xalthorn and its great that you are willing to share your routine. Working on a second entry you say? Yeah this really is a fun challenge aint it

[AnimalMother]

Looks very cool and the colors are very good chosen.

[Rbz]

Another nice entry, well done 

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Very cool and well done!
The demo slowed down when there were many letters on screen at once though.