Re: Why retroprogram?

I like trying to "retroprogram" myself. Why? I guess I just think that it is
cool to see the old classic games do something different. Maybe put a back
door code in so I can't lose when my friends come over.

My current project is changing the speech in Wizard of Wor (ick!
Non-Vector!) to say different things like "I will kick your A**, Worrior!"
or some other humorous things. (side note: Why WOW? Because I have the
hardware).

All in all, it's just like other hobbies... why build model cars? Why go
skiing? Why climb a rock wall? Why bungie jump? It's all in what we enjoy
doing. And perhaps in this case, it is something that very few people in the
world do, so you are unique. And as someone else said, it is much easier
than today's hardware and software.

I can't think of an OBVector! Oh, no! Sorry guys!
-Commander Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: Josh McCormick <jmccorm@galstar.com>
To: <vectorlist@lists.cc.utexas.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 12:50 PM
Subject: Re: Why retroprogram?

> > This always makes me wonder why people do such things. Why document the
> > Tempest code? Why write new games for obsolete hardware? I'm not saying
> > these activities are bad, but why do them?
>
> I have quite a number of answers to this, in no particular order:
>
> I'd like to program a game. For me, retroprogramming a game is a much more
> achievable goal than writing a modern one. I've got 20k to work with. The
> hardware is much simple to deal with. The results don't have to be as
> spectacular (as far as graphics and sound, anyhow). It is just more
> achievable to write something good on a simple box.
>
> But in reverse, it is also challenging. You've charting a lot of virgin
> territory and squeezing the most you can out of something that is
> hopelessly dated by today's standards. Doing the research to get to point
> X so you can go onto point Y. (Did I use "virgin" and "squeezing" in the
> same paragraph?)
>
> Retroprogramming has a major cool factor to it. Wrote a game? So what.
> Wrote a game that goes inside a Star Wars cockpit? Cool!
>
> It's taking something you like, and turning it into something you like
> even more. Maybe adding value to something. Instead of having a "Dig Dug",
> you now have a Dig Dug that'll also play X, Y, and Z. Maybe it's also a
> bit of 'leaving your mark'.
>
> There's also the recognition that goes along with it. Hey, take a look at
> what this guy did! I got his ROMs and now my Pole Position acts like a
> River Raid!
>
>
Received on Tue Sep 28 13:30:25 1999