Ben Larson released a new Atari 2600 homebrew game to the public.

Here is what he wrote:

After many years of being sidetracked doing other stuff (getting married, moving, grad school, getting java certified, taking up other hobbies, getting sidetracked ‘playing’ rather than programming), I decided to get back to do some atari 2600 programming and finally finish my ancient and dusty game ‘Incoming!’ once and for all. I’m committed to finishing it this time around.

So without further ado, here’s the latest beta version. I’ve added moving clouds, reworked the tank graphics to give it a little more cartoony feel, made the wind more realistic (i.e. using a real X-vector deceleration now instead of just modifying the initial X vector), fixed some bugs, etc.

Personally I think the wind is a bit too strong now, but you guys can tell me what you think. The computer AI isn’t all that sophisticated and seems to struggle now in high wind / high elevation situations…

Ben

P.S. also, sorry for no PAL version yet. i’m sorry, es tut mir leid, lo siento, and je suis desolee.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=119084

“Blue Screen of Death” bounces the Windows flag around the screen for a while, and then eventually you get “the blue screen of death.”

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=119137

Fort Apocalpyse has updates his Atari 2600 game “Delta Force Sniper”.

Changes:

* done – Variable speed: Speed up the cursor until it gets close to the target, then slow it down slightly for more precision. It’s how Sega made House of the Dead 3 work without a light gun.
* done – level 2 and higher (but no jacket) – Headshots: I found I was aiming right between where the eyes would be, even if it cost me more time. I think it’s a human instinct. If you can kill the guy by shooting anywhere else, make a head shots only stage, where the bad guy has a vest.
* done – level 3 and 6 – Selectable variation: One bullet game: Make it count.
* done – level 5 – 7 – Selectable variation: Wind. Fight the elements – try to steady your hand.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118973

Fully functioning game. Very loosely based on the description of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta (a.k.a. Delta Force) snipers as described at the bottom of p.116 of Inside Delta Force by Eric L. Haney.

Move the target off the screen to view the four sides of the building that you are sniping (white=front, red=building’s left or sniper’s right, black=back, green=building’s right or sniper’s left). You must quickly find the target (randomly placed on one of the sides) and shoot it, which is not easy. If you don’t shoot the target in time, the target moves and your life meter decrements (this symbolizes the amount of time you have to terminate the target). If you shoot 2 targets you get to level 2, 4 for level 4, etc. Targets move more quickly in later levels. You also can move and then press the button to move quickly (unless your target is locked on, and then the fire button is only for firing).

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118973

The game title itself is a german description of the game’s objective: to search for a specific pattern, but notmally it’s used by the police. The expression “Rasterfahndung” itself was the german “bad word of the year 1980” and may be translated to “dragnet investigation”.

Fort Apocalpyse has been going on with his development of Waterskier.

The current version is out as source code only, as he is having compiling issues. The compiler is getting stuck in an infinite loop.

If anyone can help with this, feel free to do so. The source is written in batarBasic.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117201&st=25

Fort Apocalypse improved his Waterskier game once more.

Release notes:

Added an “avoid the jetski” minigame (is somewhat random whether you get that or shark) and basic boat and jetski sound (no other sounds yet), although sound needs suggestions/work.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117201

Fort Apocalypse seems to have his speedrun shoes activated. Here are the release notes for his updated Waterskier game.

Release notes:

v1.1
First version with fixed compiler and attempt at bad sunset colors (help needed if you have ideas!).

v1.2
this version has a boat that picks you up. you have to grab the handle without getting run over by the boat. changed colors a little.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117201

Fort Apocalypse has posted two udpates of his homebrew game “Waterskier” in the meantime.

Release notes:

v0.6:
Here you go… old school colors (except for top which I need to figure out) and ramp.
v1.0
Faster gameplay depending on level. Dot become “ski” that you have to pick up for points or jump for points.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117201

Fort Apocalypse has posted an update to his homebrew game “Waterskier”.

Release notes:

bug in after 3 dies fixed (wasn’t calling return enough). life counter used when hit enemy (which makes it a little too hard to fall for now).

Shark minigame added (try to fall to see it- if you survive you ski again).

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117201