Explore the process of developing an arcade game for the Apple /// computer in assembly language during this 45-minute KansasFest 2022 talk. Delve into the unique capabilities of the Apple ///, including customizable character sets, screen splitting, and interrupt handling. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in game development for this underutilized platform, covering topics such as screen regions, blanking intervals, pointable zero-page and stack, scrolling graphics, custom fonts, and audio implementation. Gain insights into the technical aspects of retro game programming and the potential of the Apple /// as a gaming machine, despite its limited game library due to a small user base.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
APPLE /// IMPROVEMENTS
PRETTY GREAT FOR WRITING GAMES?
CUSTOMIZABLE CHARACTER SETS
THE PLAN
WHAT KIND OF GAME?
SCREEN REGIONS
SCREEN SPLITTING
BLANKING INTERVALS
APPLE /// LEVEL 2 SERVICE REFERENCE MANUAL
INTERRUPTS
INTERRUPT TIMING
INTERRUPT HANDLER
POINTABLE ZERO-PAGE AND STACK
PUSHING TO THE SCREEN
SCROLLING GRAPHICS, II VS
ROUGH SAILING
CUSTOM FONT
CHANGING THE FONT
FONT DATA LAYOUT
PIGGYBACKING AUDIO
Taught by
KansasFest
