ColecoVision GhostBlaster

[newcoleco]

Juin 17, 2009.

Dear ColecoVision fans,

I've done already 10 years of ColecoVision programming and this year is also the 10th anniversary of CCJVQ, the videogame collectors club I did join in year 2000. To celebrate both 10 years, I've started a new game project and I've made videos about it, showing the steps in the development.

Before viewing the videos, ask your doctor... you may experience eye popping!

Videos and binaries are available here :
http://newcoleco.dev-fr.org/p4155/2009-06-14-colecovision-ghostblaster.html

Don't be shy, try the prototypes by yourself and give your opinion about it.

The first batch of cartridges will be available in August 2009, and should be ready for the special CCJVQ meeting (August 8 or 15).

[le geek]

Looking good!

[diggs130]

looks interesting and thanks for sharing~

[newcoleco]

Thanks, what do you like the most?

[newcoleco]

I appreciate your time checking the video/rom of this game project in development.

The big part of the game engine is done : camera movement, collisions with walls, floor, roof, and pick up collectable items. I'm very happy with the result... and hope to finish it in time.

Some people are asking already for a cartridge of this game. The game is not ready yet, but should be done in time for the special CCJVQ meeting in August 2009 organized by Sylvain deChantal co-founder of CCJVQ. At this event, a bunch of cartridges will be available... and you can join us and bought a cartridge too before anybody else, but to be sure I'm making enough cartridges, ask me to prepare one for you for this occasion. The second batch will be published by me and someone else... because I expect now a high demand for this game with all the positive feedback I'm getting so far.

[newcoleco]

I have started a list of names for those who want this game in cartridge format.

http://www.ccjvq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9421

I did released a ROM file of this game, it's the beta version number 2... it's beta version because you can get stuck in a level and need to reset the console. So, for those who want to play the game right now and give your honnest feedback on it, go ahead and try it. The final version will be done monday morning, August 10 2009. Send me a reply here or at my email address : newcoleco@yahoo.fr

http://www.ccjvq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=65724#65724

Please note : There is 2 endings - one good if you are not scared, and one bad if you didn't eliminate all the ghosts and run away. And because of the size of the music, graphics, and the game itself, these endings are still pictures with text... but at least there is 2 endings. Enjoy!

[Steve W]

I'm shocked that the TI video chip in the Colecovision could scroll that well, and that fast. In fact, I think the level scrolls a little too fast. I guess I'd need to see how it goes when there's enemies on the screen. So far, it's looking pretty amazing!

[newcoleco]

I've already 50 names in my reservations list for this game. I'm starting today to make the cartridges, collecting money and prepare a bunch of envelops for shipping the next day.

Thanks for your support to the Coleco homebrew scene. And thanks to all my Coleco friends who helped me during years. And good continuation CCJVQ, I wish you another 10 great years!

[GOLDEN KEYS]

I've already 50 names in my reservations list for this game. I'm starting today to make the cartridges, collecting money and prepare a bunch of envelops for shipping the next day.

Thanks for your support to the Coleco homebrew scene. And thanks to all my Coleco friends who helped me during years. And good continuation CCJVQ, I wish you another 10 great years!

how do i get a copy and how much are they?

[newcoleco]

how do i get a copy and how much are they?
It's essentially a loose cartridge for $30 plus shipping. It may sounds expensive, that's why I've decided to not print anything like a box or a manual to raise up even more the price. A manual will be available eventually online at my new web I'm about to start because Geocities is closing its web hosting service.

There is a reservation list of about 50 names now, so if you want a copy, because I don't think I can make tons of them, ask for one now. The first cartridges are released this week.


For US, it's $35US for the looses cartridge with shippping.
For Canada, Quebec and Ontario, it's $40CND for the loose cartridge with shipping.
For Canada, all provinces, it's $45CND for the loose cartridge with shipping.

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't know much about the possibilities of the Colecovision, but I like the smooth and fast scrolling speed shown here. Waiting to see more!

[newcoleco]

I don't know much about the possibilities of the Colecovision, but I like the smooth and fast scrolling speed shown here. Waiting to see more!Well, basically, ColecoVision is not lucky about RAM, only 1K, and about video chip, NMI, 4 sprites in a row limit, no smooth scrolling possible hardware... With that said, I've manage to make a fun game using part of video memory as memory to store the level and still keep the game engine running very fast.

I've delayed the first batch to fix a few bugs, one did crash the game for no apparent reason. Now the bugs are fixed, and I'm taking this week-end to test the game a last time before really making the cartridges.

In the hope you will like it!

Take care everyone.

[newcoleco]

Long time no see... well, I've already shipped about a dozen of carts, and that's great!
I need to order more labels for the later batch.


* WHAT'S NEW? *

- There is a downloadable "print-it-yourself" manual in pdf format
- There is the source code of the game itself

http://newcoleco.dev-fr.org/p4155/2009-06-14-colecovision-ghostblaster.html

[newcoleco]

* WHAT'S NEW *

1. The rom file is available, check for Day 12 in my blog

2. The source code of the game is also avaible in my blog.

3. A "print-it yourself" manual is also available in my blog.

4. I've contacted Marat about ColEm difficulties to play well my games and he said that he will fix that in the next version... which I think will be version 2.6


Blog link : http://newcoleco.dev-fr.org/p4155/2009-06-14-colecovision-ghostblaster.html


>> I've already shipped more than a dozen of cartridges. I'm still getting a few orders for this game. Thanks for your support!

[digitalpress]

Daniel,
thanks for sending a copy of the game along to the store! We'll hook it up for the next NAVA so everyone can check it out and enjoy it.

[Aswald]

I have the game- thanks, newcoleco!

As far as the technical aspects go, YouTube cannot do this game justice. The incredibly smooth multi-plane scrolling almost makes Matt Patrol look like Front Line. The gems, the bricks, the blocks, the moon- you'd swear you were playing an NES game, not a CV.

You really wonder just what the CV itself would have been capable of in later years, like the 2600 and NES. It is now plain to see that it could have clearly stood up to the NES.

Imagine a newcoleco/Opcode project, fully using both programmers' talents?

[newcoleco]

Daniel,
thanks for sending a copy of the game along to the store! We'll hook it up for the next NAVA so everyone can check it out and enjoy it.
I'm happy to hear that you did get the game. Have fun with it, you know it glows in the dark!


...YouTube cannot do this game justice. The incredibly smooth multi-plane scrolling almost makes Matt Patrol look like Front Line. The gems, the bricks, the blocks, the moon- you'd swear you were playing an NES game, not a CV.

You really wonder just what the CV itself would have been capable of in later years, like the 2600 and NES. It is now plain to see that it could have clearly stood up to the NES.
That's a huge compliment! Thanks to you!

And for those who tried the game, but can't really pass the 3rd level, I've made a video showing game footage for the first 3 levels with comments to help you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwp91w0u6c&hd=1

And I've done a second video showing you how you can beat the boss level in less than a minute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zef8dOF8mhk&hd=1

Take care!

[newcoleco]

I'm going to collect quotes from those who already played the game and like it. If you want to make a punchy quote, please do so.

[newcoleco]

Go to NAVA, this september 26th, 2009, and try the game for yourself.

I'm about to make a new video about a GhostBlaster contest, I didn't give the details yet, I'm thinking of what the contest should be. Whatever it can be, it will requiert a video response based on you playing the game, with an emulator or not, and the price is a rebate equals to the cost of a cartridge. So, if you already have a cartridge but want to win the rebate anyway, you can. Check sometimes my youtube channel.

[newcoleco]

I know that some of you, specially Micky, did play GhsotBlaster at the DigitalPress store during the NAVA event, September 26, 2009.

Give me your feedback about the game, I want to know your first reactions!

[newcoleco]

Well, some people did actually particiapte to my contest about GhostBlaster... in the hope to win a free cartridge.

For those who never heard of this contest, well, the deadline is midnight, October 15, 2009... that's today!

Look at my Youtube channel "newcoleco" for the details.

[newcoleco]

That was the last contest, I hope you did enjoy it.

I'm sorry but I'll was to stop the production of this game in cartridge format, but you can still play the rom file. Please enjoy playing homebrew Coleco games as well as the commercial ones.

At the moment I'm typing this message, I have about 4 cartridges left for sale, contact me by email before december if you want the cartridge in time for the holidays season.

As a side note, I didn't know there was a podcast talking about Ghostblaster, I did find it by accident actually by looking for probable new Coleco things going on.

[starsoldier1]

That was the last contest, I hope you did enjoy it.

I'm sorry but I'll was to stop the production of this game in cartridge format, but you can still play the rom file. Please enjoy playing homebrew Coleco games as well as the commercial ones.

At the moment I'm typing this message, I have about 4 cartridges left for sale, contact me by email before december if you want the cartridge in time for the holidays season.

As a side note, I didn't know there was a podcast talking about Ghostblaster, I did find it by accident actually by looking for probable new Coleco things going on.

Thanks for the contest dude. Ghostblaster is easily one of the best Coleco games I ever played!

[newcoleco]

March 11, 2010

The GhostBlaster PAL version is done. I've to make about 10 cartridges of this version, and I'm very happy to finish the project.

And for those who want to make their own box for th game, someone did a pretty good design you can print and use for your cartridge at http://colecoboxart.com

Have a nice day!