DOS Games Discussion

I've been trying to make one of these for eons, but haven't gotten very far. Inspired by Tien's hardwork, I decided to give it another go... there isn't a lot and I apologize in advance for the horrible graphics.

The zip contains the source, a build batch file, some "map" text files, and a few goofy images. To use, create a dosbox folder and extract the contents as.
Movement is limited to the arrow keys. 'q' to quit. Moving into the object north of the starting point will allow entry / exits, but if one ventures into the object to the far left, one will have to use 'q' to exit the "game."

pausing for a few seconds *should* open up a small status window showing the x and y coordinates within the text map.

https://infotomb.com/5ctvv I haven't tried this host before, but it was the first that didn't require registration, yet actually provide a link.

Cheers.

That's pretty nice! I got stuck in the second town because the exit doesn't seem to work (although I suppose that this is what you refer to in your instructions about pressing the Q key to exit).

It's also neat that the character sprite has rotations, although I expected a single tile for the player character (and other characters if they were present of course) in this type of game (like in the Ultima series and such).

I'm quite fond of these old style graphics, although I haven't actually played many RPGs of this kind.

Keep it up, would be interesting where this project is heading to

I like the fact that you could load the characters in.

It gives a very powerful tool of using your best drawing tools.

For instance you could use Paint or Photoshop.

In the end I could see you making very realistic good graphics.

By the way, you coding is way over my head hehe

Thank you both for the feedback - it's much appreciated.

@MrFlibble - I didn't think of rotating images; I'll have to research that. I've always wanted to pay homage to the old school Dragon Quest series... it's the series that got me hooked on the genre.

@Tien - my coding is noobish; I've been putzing around off and on with C since the mid 90s; only in the last few years have I progressed further than "hello world." It takes time and hands on practice... don't get discouraged.

Jesus Christ!hehe

Thank you for the encouragement @pseudocoder.

I'm trying to continue my studies like my parents always wanted.

So I learned enough to make this second program from Borland C++ 2.0.

It is my own hello world.

What makes me really interested in this package is its advertisements.

Supposedly this package that costs $134.30 is "for professionals".

In fact this is the exact quote from the package I ordered "Borland C++ is for professional C++ and C developers who want a powerful, fast, and efficient compiler with which to create just about any application, including Microsoft Windows applications. Also with Borland C++, you get both AT&T's C++ version 2.0 and ANSI C." - exact quotes extracted from Borland C++ 2.0 bundle which contains Borland C++ 2.0, Borland Turbo Assembler 2.5, Borland Turbo Debugger, Borland Turbo Profiler.

I'm not selling mine however I have seen another copy floating around on eBay for $250 or so for the exact same thing if I remember if you ever are interested.

Thank you Jesus I though it costs all I have I seek knowledge and do not sell it and such!

http://www.mediafire.com/download/6bdz3 ... 2NDPRO.EXE

Because it is the professional version, no source code here hehe

tienkhoanguyen wrote:Because it is the professional version, no source code here hehe

JIC, even if a programme is commercial it doesn't mean it can't be open source.

For example, Red Hat Linux and it successor Red Hat Enterprise Linux are commercial operating systems yet they are remains open source, allowing for freeware derivatives.

Also John Carmack is an avid advocate of free software and has open sourced many of his games so far (which are still commercial and sold).

Jesus Christ!hehe

Jesus!hehe

Well, I have been programming in Borland Turbo C 2.01 (free version).
I have also been programming in Borland Turbo Assembler 5.0 (paid).
However I never felt like a professional until now.

Whether that feeling is valid or just my imagination is subjective.

However, the package really is strict.

Instead of 500 pages or so I now have 3000+ pages to study.

So maybe it is a better programming language?



Well, Borland's license statement is professional and strict.

I can only distribute the program that I create with Borland in executable.

It specifically says "You may distribute programs which your create and which contain routines from Borland's sample programs and toolboxes, in executeble form only without restriction or fee."

Well, since I am learning from Borland's sample programs and deriving my own program from it that is my restriction.

Jesus Christ!hehe

It depends on if you could make a living.

If you give for free all the time and nothing comes back.....
.......then you have to sell even your computers and no more games DEMOs.

So I don't know why companies like Circuit City goes out of business.

However, I still remember them well.

They used to let you buy thousands of dollars with up to six months to pay.

However, I had good credits at the time.

I guess being that generous and getting nothing back gets you into trouble.

I think they filed for bankruptcy and still have some Circuit City left open.

I see stores move much of my life unless it is a shutdown.

Bankruptcy used to be common when I was growing up.

Now things are stricter.

You cannot buy as much in advance.

It always has to be pay first.

So the burden is the other way around.

Anyways, Thank God welfare gives me foodstamps.

Thank Jesus social security gives me disability income for my condition.

Thank Mary for my family who does the footwork since I can't.

The only thing I can do at the moment is this little DEMOs daily.

If I made one person happy and well with my little program, I am happy.

However, I might not be around much longer if it weren't for fundings.

I know I appreciate the people who are my patrons, clients, customers.

I am not that smart that I know all the definitions however I try my best.

tienkhoanguyen wrote:It specifically says "You may distribute programs which your create and which contain routines from Borland's sample programs and toolboxes, in executeble form only without restriction or fee."

Well, since I am learning from Borland's sample programs and deriving my own program from it that is my restriction.

Ahh, that's why it is. Sorry for misunderstanding your previous message!

Jesus Christ!hehe

Being "labelled" as a professional means nothing if you are eating trash.

If being a professional means I am digging through the trash to eat forget it.

hehe

So I guess I will keep it open source and use what I have been doing:
Borland Turbo C 2.01
Borland Turbo Assembler 4.1

Thanks for the feedback

Without your feedbacks, contributions, and such I would not have a home.

Thank you Jesus, Mary, and God#!!

tienkhoanguyen wrote:So I guess I will keep it open source and use what I have been doing:
Borland Turbo C 2.01
Borland Turbo Assembler 4.1

Just to make it clear, with all my appreciation of open source software (and John Carmack's talents ) I would hate to suggest something that limits your creativity!

So if you need to keep a programme closed source, please do that! In fact, as I don't really understand the differences between the programming language packages that you use, I'm certainly in no position to suggest anything in that department.

But of course as an end-user I like the idea of open source software because this makes it possible for everyone (with the required programming skills) to build upon a programme.

Jesus Christ!hehe

Jesus!hehe In that case (just kidding) hehe

Well, actually on the serious side:

"Supposedly" Borland C++ 2.0 is more powerful than what I have been use.

The examples given so far in the books are indeed extremely complex.

It is really way over my head for the most part.

There is also the limitation of how many lines it can compile from source.

Seeing it is a so called "professional" product you would think unlimited lines.

I guess it has to do with DOS memories and such.

Well, in theory you should be able to compile a lot.

This is especially since there is 1MB usable.

My programs are limited to 150kb to 200kb in source code.

The output has been seen to go up to about 128 kb so far.

So I am still missing that 800 kb to make 1MB.

I think this is called segmentations.

You can only access a quarter of the segments at a time.

Actually the segments are split into four parts.

Data Segment
Code Segment
Extra Segment
Stack Segment

So I guess all four parts are being used already and the code is limited.

So I am stuck on the code segment for my programming.

A trick I haven't learned yet is swapping out from hard drive new games.

So lets say you finished a level.

Then I would swap in a new part of four segments for the next level.

Anyways, the point is this is DOS and I am limited either way.

It shouldn't make a difference what language I use if I am really talented.
But, that is for God to decide and for me to find out hehe

Well, at least now I have my options opened.

If one day I complete my studies and see Borland C++ 2.0 is needed?

Then maybe I will close my source per term of the agreement.

However, for the time being I have myself and my mom to think about.

People are paying tax dollars to support me in my home.

So I can't just let them have nothing while I eat.

Thank you Jesus I have talent although using ancient languages! hehe

Here's a small update; this one tries out a crude combat system. The maps are still the same, but I *think* I fixed the exit point for the leftmost object in this one.

latest zip

There's still an annoying quirk where sometimes the character moves after a battle, and sometimes it takes 10,000 'q' presses before it registers. I wish I knew how to debug under dos... I'm stumped.

Arrow keys to move and 'q' to quit.

Cheers.

oops; forgot - the "combat" is auto right now.

Jesus Christ!hehe

You did a great job on the graphics system.

I am impress and proud of you @pseudocoder.

I like the cute cow like looking animal hehe

The text are marvelous.

Wow.

Amazing.

tienkhoanguyen wrote:I love tacos!hehe

You did a great job on the graphics system.

I am impress and proud of you @pseudocoder.

I like the cute cow like looking animal hehe

The text are marvelous.

Wow.

Amazing.

Thank you for the kind words my friend. I really like your demos... how others do things is helpful.

My artistic ability is pretty bad; I'm tone deaf and cannot use imaging programs to save my life. If you're interested, I used tile studio to make the graphics stuff. anvil studio is a handy application for making midi files - the older versions were anyway.

I haven't found an easy to follow source for playing midis, but I did discover one for playing wav files using C. The source compiled fine using BC 3.1 too.

Happy Coding.

Jesus Christ!hehe

Hello pseudocoder. I was wondering how you are doing with everything? I haven't heard from you in a while. Are you still working on your project? Don't give up if you haven't heard a lot from others. I know being a developer that feedback is important. You don't want to be programming if it is not something you enjoy. You need to do it if you really enjoy it.

That reminds me my real parents once taught me many years ago and it stuck to always keep studying. I have been studying the Borland Turbo C 2.0 textbooks and finally found out how to understand some of the stuffs in there. I still don't know everything!

One thing I will stress is reading the textbooks without the exercises is boring. You just have to wait until you are interested enough to experiment and do your own exercises to "reinforce" the concepts. hehe