View Full Version : New NES game Armed For Battle (real time strategy)
NEW:
Armed For Battle is now available in either a Loose Cartridge or Cartridge In Box!
Details and purchase information is at infiniteneslives.com (http://www.infiniteneslives.com/aux18.php)
The Demo is available at my Development Blog - http://1010howe.blogspot.com/
Tutorials on How To Play (these videos show the new look of the game):
Castle/Kingdom View (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiedM5uhWTE)
Upgrade Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS54Nn491Gk)
World View (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpVNQYMmZFA)
Battle View (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdhQSAPhnsc)
Hi all, I'm here to post about the game I'm creating for NES, a real time strategy called Armed for Battle.
Trailer 1 - showing Castle View where you build your town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7V_CSzbwaI
(this view has been modified just a bit for the final product)
Trailer 2 - showing World View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oilPleLInr4
Trailer 3 - showing Battle View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEzaI2w_xC0
I hope you like it, and look forward to any comments. If you'd like to know more about this game, please check out this interview (http://www.retrogamenetwork.com/2013/05/10/rgn-exclusive-interview-with-frank-westphal-creator-and-programmer-of-upcoming-nes-homebrew-game-title-armed-for-battle/#more-5480) at RetroGameNetwork.com, which will talk more in depth about the gameplay, and it also gives a bit of background for this project.
And if you care to read more, there's this page (http://un8bg.com/?p=414)at un8bg.com.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/rizz1010/afbBrochureRedux_zpsb8abe3a2.png (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/rizz1010/media/afbBrochureRedux_zpsb8abe3a2.png.html)
Satoshi_Matrix
06-03-2013, 03:19 PM
RTS on the NES! Who'd have thought? I'd like to try this myself. Do you plan on releasing a demo?
I understand you're likely doing your best here, but this game.......looks like a Apple II+ or Commodore 64 title, not the standard of an NES game. It's just your background tiles. They're extremely dull. I was hoping for something that looks like Fire Emblem or Famicom Wars, but these visuals don't get me excited for the project at all. While of course, nobody plays NES games for their graphics, that's the one area that immediately stands out as needing work.
It also looks rather complicated. I'm a big fan of the GBC's RTS Warlocked. Have you seen that? Granted the NES is far too slow to run Warlocked, but perhaps some of its ideas can be lifted and intergated into your homebrew project?
homerhomer
06-03-2013, 03:33 PM
What tools did you use to build this game?
Thanks
RTS on the NES! Who'd have thought? I'd like to try this myself. Do you plan on releasing a demo?
I understand you're likely doing your best here, but this game.......looks like a Apple II+ or Commodore 64 title, not the standard of an NES game. It's just your background tiles. They're extremely dull. I was hoping for something that looks like Fire Emblem or Famicom Wars, but these visuals don't get me excited for the project at all. While of course, nobody plays NES games for their graphics, that's the one area that immediately stands out as needing work.
It also looks rather complicated. I'm a big fan of the GBC's RTS Warlocked. Have you seen that? Granted the NES is far too slow to run Warlocked, but perhaps some of its ideas can be lifted and intergated into your homebrew project?
Hi, thanks for your interest. I haven't made demo decisions quite yet, even though the game is kinda getting close. It's a few months out (I'm hoping for a release of 11-12-13).
The background issue - it's kinda tricky. While I would like to have tiles that show more texture, the way I'm doing my 'walkers' that roam around on the screen with the castle, I'd have to add in a lot of code that manages the sprite background priority, and I'm already pushing my limits with how big the code bank is. I also wanted to have a little less clutter when numbers are being shown for troops at the buildings, and weapon totals at buildings, etc.
I'll take a look at Warlocked - it's not a game I'm familiar with.
What tools did you use to build this game?
Thanks
Hi, for coding, I use Context and asm6.
For graphics, I use tile layer pro.
Nothing special for sound - I just add the necessary song data into program, and then let my sound engine play it.
CoteRangers
06-03-2013, 03:59 PM
Hey, that sounds interesting. I'm personally not good at Real-Time Strategy, but I do like to see an RTS game on the NES, since I don't think they're very common on the system. Good luck on your project!
It also looks rather complicated. I'm a big fan of the GBC's RTS Warlocked. Have you seen that? Granted the NES is far too slow to run Warlocked, but perhaps some of its ideas can be lifted and intergated into your homebrew project?
I almost forgot to mention... I'm hoping there won't be too many issues with complication - when the cursor is on a building, instructions such as "Train Archer" or "Build" will appear. Once a player gets the basic ideas down, it should be quite straightforward. Another example - on the upgrade screen, you'll see 2 upgrades next to an Archer. They are upgrades related to archers (faster training, and improving archer battle tactics). Again, instructions will appear on the upgrade screen, so that you know exactly what you are upgrading.
I went and checked out some of the Warlocked game. Pretty cool. Which gameplay features were you referring to when you talked about some of the ideas being integrated into my game?
The instruction manual is in progress, and I wanted to share a sample. I have been hesitant to give out any official release date, but I can tell you that the end is in sight. At the very least, there will be a demo by the end of the year - maybe sooner. If you PM me with your email, I will add you to a list that gets contacted at the time of demo release, cartridge release, etc.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/rizz1010/AfBManual23_zpsdf1363ee.png (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/rizz1010/media/AfBManual23_zpsdf1363ee.png.html)
Satoshi_Matrix
11-07-2013, 09:32 PM
have you taken a look at Warlocked? I'm sure the GBC and NES are quite different in terms of programming limitations, but I still feel Warlocked may be able to give you some ideas you could incorporate into your game.
have you taken a look at Warlocked? I'm sure the GBC and NES are quite different in terms of programming limitations, but I still feel Warlocked may be able to give you some ideas you could incorporate into your game.
Thanks for pointing out Warlocked. There's not much I can alter at this point - the design is pretty much set, and I don't have any more 'new' code to add. I'm working out bugs, and working on the fun factor right now. I did watch some warlock, and was amazed at a few of the similarities though with my game. I appreciate the game suggestion - it's something I might pick up down the road. :)
I hope to have another youtube video at some point, which will show some changes that have been made since the release of those 3 trailers.
swlovinist
11-08-2013, 09:36 AM
Your game looks great. When it is available, please sign me up for a copy.
skyrunner14
11-09-2013, 12:57 PM
This looks really awesome! I'll definitely want to buy a copy once it's released. One thing real quick: Your link to the first video in your post instead leads to the third video.
This looks really awesome! I'll definitely want to buy a copy once it's released. One thing real quick: Your link to the first video in your post instead leads to the third video.
Hi there - please PM me your email, and I will be happy to keep you up to date with announcements.
I really appreciate the comments, and thank you for pointing out my error with the link - it's fixed.
Doommaster1994
11-13-2013, 09:15 PM
Do you need music in your game? I have been dying to compose at least one game for the NES!
Do you need music in your game? I have been dying to compose at least one game for the NES!
I'm afraid all music is completed (for this one). Maybe a future game could be a possibility. Do you use famitracker or something like that? If so, I'd have to research how to take an output file from famitracker and turn it into something my game's sound engine can use.
Doommaster1994
11-14-2013, 09:13 AM
I would appreciate that! I am kind of learning NES programming, but it would be a long time before I would be able to program my own games. I do use Famitracker but I know how to write in Music Macro Language and can possibly write in assembly if I have to. Out of curiosity who did the music, or was it you?
I would appreciate that! I am kind of learning NES programming, but it would be a long time before I would be able to program my own games. I do use Famitracker but I know how to write in Music Macro Language and can possibly write in assembly if I have to. Out of curiosity who did the music, or was it you?
That sounds cool - do you have any samples?
The music in my game was all by me - it had mixed comments (luckily more of the comments were giving praise). I felt like the quality got better as more songs were produced.
I now have a development blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com/). I'm hoping to add some sort of content weekly - if I have nothing new to talk about, I will add old stuff, which might be scans from when I was designing parts of the game on paper. I used to go nuts over the Nintendo Power articles that had to do with game development, so maybe you'll find this to be cool.
The latest entries in the blog feature a preliminary sketch for the box artwork, and an interview from pixlbit.com.
Atarileaf
12-17-2013, 05:37 PM
Very nice indeed. Reminds me a lot of Broderbunds Ancient Art of War, one of my absolute favorite old DOS PC games.
Armed For Battle now has a demo you can download!
The demo is at my blog (the blog is very new too, so please check it out):
http://1010howe.blogspot.com/
My youtube channel has 4 tutorial videos that will show you how various parts of the game are played. You will also see the newer look of the game in the videos:
Castle/Kingdom View (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiedM5uhWTE)
Upgrade Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS54Nn491Gk)
World View (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpVNQYMmZFA)
Battle View (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdhQSAPhnsc)
If you have any additional questions about how gameplay works, please contact me, or you can add the question to the comments section of the video.
Hope you like it!
My blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com) has been getting updated about every week or two. Please check it out.
I will have the game with me again at this year's Midwest Gaming Classic (http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/) (April 12 near Milwaukee).
If you don't want to miss the release of this game, or other significant updates,
please PM me with your email address.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/rizz1010/1010%20Howe%20Blog/AFBfrontsidebackbox_zps7b574507.png
Please check out my blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com) for the latest updates!
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/rizz1010/1010%20Howe%20Blog/IMG_8866_zpscd71fa64.jpg
As always, please PM me if you'd like to be on my contact list for important announcements.
I have a new demo now available on my blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com). In this demo, you'll get a look at the new resource collection, new battle casualty scene, new music on transition screens that didn't have music before, and the new building found in the game. My blog has been getting updated about every week or so. As always, please send me your email if you'd like notification when the cartridge is released. Thanks!
Limited Edition will be released in May! Check out my blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com) for details. Contact me (easiest way is to use my blog's contact form) if you want notification when the release is here!
I have some exciting things to share.
The Official Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glFVBmsM9K8)
(featuring a few parts of the gameplay you likely have not yet seen)
The auction for 29 Limited Edition copies. (http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=128092)
Pictures of the Limited Edition items (http://1010howe.blogspot.com/p/limited-edition.html)
The auction will end on June 5th (less than a week), so check out the info above soon!
Armed For Battle is now available in either a Loose Cartridge or Cartridge In Box!
Details and purchase information is at infiniteneslives.com (http://www.infiniteneslives.com/aux18.php)
Thanks for looking!
Armed For Battle (http://www.infiniteneslives.com/aux18.php) will be at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo (http://retrogamingexpo.com/) happening next weekend!
At the Infinite NES Lives booth, you can come see and demo the game. You'll also be able to save on shipping AND get an additional $5 off with the coupon at my blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com/).
I'm very excited to be in attendance this year at the show!
Sale coming up!
Armed For Battle (http://www.infiniteneslives.com/aux18.php) will be $5 off from Black Friday through Cyber Monday (11/28 - 12/1).
If you haven't been to InfiniteNESLives lately, 2 other homebrews have been added to the products page. (http://infiniteneslives.com/products.php)
Tanooki
11-21-2014, 09:28 PM
You don't happen to have some kind of a basic manual for the demo do you? I feel like I'm missing something with the scouts as it's just so slow and it appears just one pops up on the map even if I have more than that.
You don't happen to have some kind of a basic manual for the demo do you? I feel like I'm missing something with the scouts as it's just so slow and it appears just one pops up on the map even if I have more than that.
Thanks for the question. There's a couple things that might help.
There's a tutorial video for world view which talks about using scouts (there are 4 tutorial videos covering the various screens in the game)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpVNQYMmZFA
Otherwise, you can view the full manual or the quick start guide on my blog (http://1010howe.blogspot.com/p/screenshots.html).
I'm happy to answer anything specific that comes to mind.