MSXDev'07 specs - discussion

By pitpan

Prophet (3155)

27-09-2006, 18:21

Read it in a different way: cancelations/registered projects.

By snout

Ascended (15187)

27-09-2006, 18:41

Artrag - what you're doing now is exactly why I think this discussion is premature. Based on the projects announced and the 3 cancelled you assume that only 7 games will be released and you suggest that perhaps some more of those games might be cancelled as well. MSXdev'04 and '05 had many surprise entries, why would '06 be an exception on that? Even the cancellations/delays are not new this year... I'm sure some 'surprise entries' did not make it, and 'Cosmic Battle' had been delayed to (hopefully?) this year. Operation Wolf - an entry from MSXdev'06 - was not announced before its launch. It's just way to early to draw conclusions like this.

By pitpan

Prophet (3155)

27-09-2006, 18:52

Of course, I know first hand that there are several projects going. Would they make it for MSXdev'06? I don't know. But I'm sure that everybody will try hard to make MSXdev'06 the best game development contest ever!

By mars2000you

Enlighted (6451)

27-09-2006, 19:17

This discussion is interesting for the MSXdev team, because each opinion about the future 2007 rules has his importance even if some arguments are not so good as other arguments, but that's the essence of a discussion !

As the discussion here has already showed it, viejo and me have different approaches. The feedback from other gamers and developers gives us a more complete vision. So I can now see more questions to discuss than in the beginning of the discussion.

I can summarize the discussion in different questions :

1 - Do we need a specific MSX1 contest and a specific MSX2 contest ?

2 - Do we need a special 'normal' roms contest and a Megaroms contest ? (this question is actually not the same than the first question)

3 - Do we need to extend the RAM size for the 'normal' roms contest ? 32 or 64 Kb ?

4 - Do we need to extend the ROM size for the 'normal' roms contest ? 64 Kb in other words ?

5 - Do we need to add bonus points for extra features in the context of the 'normal' roms contest ?

6 - Do we need to add penalties for games that can't be played on a MSX1 with only 16Kb RAM ?

7 - Do we need to add limitations in the context of a Megaroms contest ?

8 - Do we need to add limitations in the context of a specific MSX2 contest ?

9 - Do we need to create a system of pre-registration ?

10 - Do we need to host on the MSXdev site also games developed outside the contests ?

Don't expect though that the MSXdev team wil decide the 2007 rules here and now. It's not the moment to decide that, we must first see the final results of the 2006 edition. And we prefer to discuss that in private area, as the team is composed with 3 MSX fans, who have different experiences and points of view. But our thinking on this matter can take in account the reactions on this forum, so I think the discussion can continue.

By pitpan

Prophet (3155)

27-09-2006, 19:53

What if these questions are included in a poll? Then it would be possible to implement a votation system: every contestant will be able to vote once for each finished entry. Make it YES-NO questions and it will be a quite democratic solution

By drbyte

Supporter (6)

27-09-2006, 20:01

Hello everybody.

I use to read this forum, but I never have registered until now. I hope I can help with my points of view.
I'm specially interested in these things about the MSX-Dev rules. Maybe next year I decide to make an entry.
To start, I think is not premature to discuss about next year's contest. The rules for the current contest weren't discussed. The rules appeared suddenly. So, the same thing can be expected for next year unless people start talking about it.
Of course, who organize the contest has the power of setting the rules in the way their prefer.
But also developers should give their opinion. Developers are who make the great effort, who make a game or not. So, it would be nice if developers were allowed to say what they prefer for next year.
This is a forum, a place where people can express their opinions and suggestions.
As MSX-Dev is a great event, all arguments are interesting.

By jltursan

Prophet (2619)

27-09-2006, 20:09

btw, are you making any of those 'secret' entries or what?

Ahem!...still not enough "project" to be "secret", I'm afraid
Seriously talking, none of the projects I'm (very slowly) working on have reached the 75% of the main engine and for me it's a must; but who knows...

By pitpan

Prophet (3155)

27-09-2006, 20:18

Remember: MSXtreme is the solution for all your MSXdev issues! Just C-O-D-E. Is there anything else than MSX? NOPE!

Seriously, I'm looking forward to see some of your projects! I hope that you'll make it on time!

By wolf_

Ambassador_ (10096)

27-09-2006, 21:04

for what it's worth:

1 - Do we need a specific MSX1 contest and a specific MSX2 contest ?

I think only MSX1 is nicer, but it's a hard question. I don't think that MSX1 and freestyle MSX2 should compete in the same group in any case.

2 - Do we need a special 'normal' roms contest and a Megaroms contest ? (this question is actually not the same than the first question)

Maybe, but only when you can expect a decent amount of entries in both groups. Additionally, makers of smaller ROMs could perhaps expand their ROMs with more artwork in order to make the game bigger? ( <- controversal, I know )

3 - Do we need to extend the RAM size for the 'normal' roms contest ? 32 or 64 Kb ?

please do And if ppl want a reason, they've been living under a rock yesterday

4 - Do we need to extend the ROM size for the 'normal' roms contest ? 64 Kb in other words ?

Together with the internal RAM, wouldn't that require a memmapper? 48kb ROM + 16kb RAM doesn't need a mapper, so *if* there is to be a limit, this would be a practical one. More than 48+16 and you need a mapper.. so the size of a game becomes less relevant.. 4M ROM? Why not? If you have the artwork and content for it..

5 - Do we need to add bonus points for extra features in the context of the 'normal' roms contest ?

Seems like a nice idea, at least that's why we add SCC music this year.. and some MSX2 palettes!

6 - Do we need to add penalties for games that can't be played on a MSX1 with only 16Kb RAM ?

Only if the rules state that 16kb is the minimum. If the rules state that one may use 32k or 64k RAM, then what's the point of giving penalties when ppl obey the rules?

7 - Do we need to add limitations in the context of a Megaroms contest ?
Such as? The more 'high-end' scene would like to squeeze every drop out of the possiblities, when a rule limits things to, say, 2M ROM and 16kb RAM then that's like having a creamcake with a 2meter radius, with only one small cherry on top of it.. how fun is that?

8 - Do we need to add limitations in the context of a specific MSX2 contest ?

Think twice before organising an MSX2 contest specifically!

9 - Do we need to create a system of pre-registration ?

Can't be realised. I'd only like to see ppl who'll participate saying that they're participate. Atm we're discussion this because Viejo's got worried about 'only' 7 entries sofar.

10 - Do we need to host on the MSXdev site also games developed outside the contests ?

That's up to you.. but I guess every internet site on this planet can host things that are free to host. But if you're referring to games like Dash/Lux .. well, dunno. That's all related to how you see your future. Do you remain to be only an anual contest? Or do you intend to become a gamedev portal?

pff...

2-1
0-3
2-1
2-1
3-0
3-0
1-2

mmm...

By wolf_

Ambassador_ (10096)

27-09-2006, 21:07

In any case, I highly agree with sjoerd on page 3, ROM-size defines the scale of the game, RAM defines the amount of terror for the programmer and gamedesigner. Raise RAM and make coders happy, I'd say ..