Space Base - PC Game - FINISHED

[Sjaak]

I've you haven't checked out the amazing homebrew Space Base build yet, go do it now.......go on, I'll wait here.....




Since all the artwork, music and sound effects are shared, we have everything to create a software version of the game. So far I've created a small lo-res version. Not sure if I want to keep it at 320x240 or go for a high resolution game (1024x768).



For now I've got most of the physics stuff working and I created a nice shader to have a reflection of the playfield on the chrome ball.

[jimmy2x2x]

excellent work!

would a rotated 16:9 (or 16:10) ratio be a better fit for the originals playfield?

I love the idea of this and hopefully I can play it at some point

Thanks for sharing

[BadMouth]

Awesome! 

I say go high res.  You're re-creating real world stuff with high quality artwork, not a low res arcade game.
The scanlines and curvature do it a disservice IMO.

[Le Chuck]

And if you could use this art that'd be great



Give me a few and I'll get a high res version sent to you.  I hadn't planned to upload all the release files until the unit was complete but I'll send it over to you for this.  It'll be two different files, the bezel and the playfield, that way the bar can be behind the foreground asteroids.   

The scanlines and curvature do it a disservice IMO.

Concur. 

[Sjaak]

Yes, I already changed the artwork, the game looks like this now:

[yotsuya]

Do it hi-res. What is the control scheme?

[wp34]

Ditto on the hi-res.

Man I'm going to need a corner of my game room for Sjaak reproductions...

[Le Chuck]

Ditto on the hi-res.

Man I'm going to need a corner of my game room for Sjaak reproductions...

Or you could just build the actual Space Base unit cough cough

[wp34]

Good point. 

Ditto on the hi-res.

Man I'm going to need a corner of my game room for Sjaak reproductions...

Or you could just build the actual Space Base unit cough cough

[lamprey]

Looks good!

If you contemplating resolutions, I'd suggest being about to go up to 4k for a bit of future-proofing.

Looking forward to checking it out when you are done! 

[Sjaak]

Not done yet, but here is something to give you an idea. Very basic controls: A, Z, K and M. You can move around, but the holes don't work yet. Physics should be okay.

Download here

To run the game, you need the following runtimes:

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4
• Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 4.0

You might also need DirectX 9.0c.

[Le Chuck]

Can't get it to run.  When I execute it plays about a 1/2 second of sound then cuts out and nothing comes up on the screen.  I checked that I had all the recommended programs you listed installed and even did repair installations.  No dice. 

[lamprey]

Can't get it to run.  When I execute it plays about a 1/2 second of sound then cuts out and nothing comes up on the screen.  I checked that I had all the recommended programs you listed installed and even did repair installations.  No dice.

I have all the updates installed on my dev machine at work and I don't get anything. The cursor shows busy for a second, then nothing.

I'm running 8.1 on this machine and the error is in KERNELBASE.dll, if that helps at all.

EDIT: Here is the .Net error from the event log:

Exception Info: System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException Stack: at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32, System.String) at System.IO.FileStream.Init(System.String, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, Int32, Boolean, System.IO.FileShare, Int32, System.IO.FileOptions, SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES, System.String, Boolean, Boolean, Boolean) at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(System.String, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, System.IO.FileShare, Int32, System.IO.FileOptions, System.String, Boolean, Boolean, Boolean) at System.IO.StreamWriter.CreateFile(System.String, Boolean, Boolean) at System.IO.StreamWriter..ctor(System.String, Boolean, System.Text.Encoding, Int32, Boolean) at System.IO.StreamWriter..ctor(System.String, Boolean) at DynamicClass.(System.String, Boolean) at 豂巋伂釹䯙梤.뙥ｴ胔魳牫荗꺃Ꜥ(System.String, Boolean) at 匷⓸ⲑ皗䫿�.Activate(Boolean) at 熙ቤ㩇㧷ꅊ枀緗ⵘ.LoadContent() at Microsoft.Xna.Framework.DrawableGameComponent.Initialize() at DynamicClass.(System.Object) at Ｅᫀ鿺�჎承헜.찯㺕໥㑴蠦(System.Object) at 熙ቤ㩇㧷ꅊ枀緗ⵘ.Initialize() at Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Game.Initialize() at DynamicClass.(System.Object) at 橅ਫ瘕댳斱䋬ㆷ閂.䑢ῤ䬲쁣ᠹᯙ⑞枥(System.Object) at 乫娯쑰갶摗Ήừ碈.Initialize() at Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Game.RunGame(Boolean) at DynamicClass.(System.Object) at 垠᧡샣䰖쑸큘⫃⽔.꠲蝩䢺䘯翸䔭�镟(System.Object) at 猭䤉痸⟄럁.츮᱆ꯋ雽衍쀘(System.String[])

[jimmy2x2x]

Same here, had everything installed - did a repair install - doesnt run at all for me (win 7 x64)

[Sjaak]

Same here, had everything installed - did a repair install - doesnt run at all for me (win 7 x64)

Sorry, my mistake. Uploaded a new version that should fix the bug.

[lamprey]

Sweet, works like a champ!

[jimmy2x2x]

Working now, thanks - Music is great!

Im sure you know about the obvious bugs with the ball leaving the ramp and controls not working as expected

(Hold down A until the ramp is past hole 4, then hold down Z)

keep up the great work!

[Le Chuck]

You might want to take a look at the ICB program that is in the Space Base folder I linked to you, the ball behavior in that one is pretty good.  Might give you some ideas for yours. 

[Generic Eric]

I would enjoy seeing the asteroids randomly floating around in space.   Same with the star field.  Looks neat so far though.

[Le Chuck]

I would enjoy seeing the asteroids randomly floating around in space.   Same with the star field.  Looks neat so far though.

Take acid before you play.  Simplest solutions are often the best. 

[dgame]

640x480 is the highest resolution of my arcade monitor. If it supports 320x240 or 640x480  I am good. Will try it later. Thanks!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Nice work Sjaak.  I'll need to try this one!

I recently tried the actual game this is based on: "Ice Cold Beer" earlier this year and loved it.

D

[dgame]

I like this game. Never played ICB before. This version would probably do well in bars today, or even as a phone app using the gyroscope tilt sensor. The sound and voice work is charming. The higher resolution can make the ball and play field look more realistic. Could we also get a low resolution version for arcade monitors as well? I will continue to test regardless. Thanks!

[BadMouth]

I like this game. Never played ICB before. This version would probably do well in bars today, or even as a phone app using the gyroscope tilt sensor. The sound and voice work is charming. The higher resolution can make the ball and play field look more realistic. Could we also get a low resolution version for arcade monitors as well? I will continue to test regardless. Thanks!

Top was cut off on my 1600x900 laptop screen, but I wasn't going to say anything since I was the first one to yell high-res! 

[thatpurplestuff]

Will definitely be building one when the plans get released, and will definitely be putting this on my arcade!  Awesome!

[eds1275]

This is a great substitute for those that can't afford or have space for the real deal, but if you have the means I strongly encourage everyone to build the "real" one.

That being said, I haven't shared all the audio but I will send it to you Sjaak if you tell me where to put it.

[Sjaak]

Top was cut off on my 1600x900 laptop screen, but I wasn't going to say anything since I was the first one to yell high-res! 

New version here, with a game.ini file, some of the wormholes work and there is some debug info on the screen. Physics adjusted a little bit. Use the "R' key to reset the game.

If you want to play fullscreen, set the Width and Height to your screen size, Fullscreen=true and Vertical=true

When playing in a window, the ideal resolution is 820x1024, but 615x768 may also work.

[Generic Eric]

I would enjoy seeing the asteroids randomly floating around in space.   Same with the star field.  Looks neat so far though.

Take acid before you play.  Simplest solutions are often the best.

I can't relate.

Just imagine the possibilities!  If you keep the ball in one spot for more than 10 seconds, the asteroid could float towards the ball to obstruct your view.  In a super easy mode, a satellite could guide the way.  Everyone has done a fantastic job, just thinking out loud.

[pbj]

Runs fine here.  I've never played Ice Cold Beer - what's the objective?  Get the ball into the holes in the numbered sequence?  Once I get a ball in 1 nothing happens.

[Le Chuck]

Runs fine here.  I've never played Ice Cold Beer - what's the objective?  Get the ball into the holes in the numbered sequence?  Once I get a ball in 1 nothing happens.

There are ten target holes that light sequentially as you progress through.  Bonus points based on how fast you hit the hole.  Bar automatically returns to bottom and reloads upon score or lost ball.  After hitting the ten hole the game should begin to move the bar further with each input thereby increasing difficulty.  Also, after each ten hole the amount of time bar can remain static before automatically raising on its own should decrease. 

[Sjaak]

Runs fine here.  I've never played Ice Cold Beer - what's the objective?  Get the ball into the holes in the numbered sequence?  Once I get a ball in 1 nothing happens.

Yeah, it's not done yet....

[Xiaou2]

I had an ICB.  I looped at least once... but, I think I made at least two 10 spot rounds in a row... and dont recall any controller difference.

 What you may be refering to... is what happens when the controllers are not moved for several seconds. The game will auto raise the bar a few millimeters... and repeat this climb every time the time limit is passed.

 However, once you beat the 10th hole...  the time limit for non-movement... may decrease... as well as possibly increasing the bars auto-raise amount.

 To make each tap of your controller equate to more movement would make it impossible for a smooth and fair gameplay experience.   The hole spacing is too tight in upper areas to allow such low resolution control.

[Le Chuck]

To make each tap of your controller equate to more movement would make it impossible for a smooth and fair gameplay experience.   The hole spacing is too tight in upper areas to allow such low resolution control.

Good point.  Increasing the speed at which the bar moves is reasonable tho. 

[thatpurplestuff]

I know it's not too common, but if you were able to add spinner support that would be pretty sweet.  I have dual spinners (in boxes right now, but will be in a CP at some point in the future haha) and this gameplay seems to lend itself to dual spinner controls.  Just throwing it out there!

[PL1]

I know it's not too common, but if you were able to add spinner support that would be pretty sweet.  I have dual spinners (in boxes right now, but will be in a CP at some point in the future haha) and this gameplay seems to lend itself to dual spinner controls.  Just throwing it out there!

While we're throwing ideas out there, another possibility to consider is a dual analog inputs.

That would allow people to use either two Warlords-style paddles, two analog joysticks that only use one axis, or one analog joystick turned like Q*Bert.


Scott

[Le Chuck]

I say keep the input digital. Part of the challenge of the game is that the machine controls the climb rate of the bar. If bar speed is user variable that will flatten gameplay somewhat IMO.

[Sjaak]

I say keep the input digital. Part of the challenge of the game is that the machine controls the climb rate of the bar. If bar speed is user variable that will flatten gameplay somewhat IMO.

I think different control schemes change the difficulty of the game, so I'm keeping it digital. Also I'm trying to do an copy of the original. Same control scheme, same scoring, etc...

But for anyone building the actual cabinet, it shouldn't be hard to include analog control or spinners.

[Xiaou2]

Digital is best for this scale.

 The original is leaf switch based.. for very quick responses.    The motor is geared, but Im almost 100% certain that the voltage / speed is set in stone (non variable).   Variable speed motor control can or at lease used to be expensive... as well as cause additional maintenance issues.

 The gearing might make it apear otherwise.. it it had momentum at play... but I dont think there was much if any after-drift.

 If you use an analog stick... in digital form, it would be too much stick travel.   In full analog... it probably would make the game much easier...

 However... if you made the game using a bowling ball... the mass difference may be great enough to warrant the additional control.

 Also, Not sure that i remember the bar actually increasing in speed either.  I think the no-move penalty timer is the only real change.  Again.. I dont think the motor speed was there... and also, you often need a little wait time for the ball to roll or stop rolling.  As well as the tight hole spacing issue.

 What could be done... is to make only one side move... or both move in different directions,   as well as a random movement element.  This is one of the many things I had in mind for my designs.

[Sjaak]

Another update.

All the wormholes work and there is a light behind the one you're aiming for. Timer, bonus, score and lives not functioning yet.

[dgame]

Nice! Things get serious at Wormhole 4. The lights were needed for low res play. Thanks! Are they going to flash like in ICB?

[Sjaak]

Nice! Things get serious at Wormhole 4. The lights were needed for low res play. Thanks! Are they going to flash like in ICB?

I don't know if the real Space Base has flashing, so not sure yet.

[Le Chuck]

Nice! Things get serious at Wormhole 4. The lights were needed for low res play. Thanks! Are they going to flash like in ICB?

I don't know if the real Space Base has flashing, so not sure yet.

Yes, but not like ICB. Ours borrows a lot from the original but isn't a straight clone. You'll be seeing different features and game play elements that will hopefully enhance the experience beyond what ICB is able to deliver.  You'll all have to wait tho, as our focus is on getting the physical unit produced.

Of course sjaak is free to take this project in whatever direction he wants since it is his so sky is the limit really, but it might end up different than Space Base once complete.

[Sjaak]

Final update for the moment. (20MB download)

OK, the game is done. Rules are pretty basic for now. I'm gonna wait for the real cabinet and then make a new version with all the correct rules and features (and blinking lights).

I think I never finished a project this fast...of course it helps if all the graphic and sound work is already done 

I did make this amazing chrome sphere though

[rockyrocket]

Sweet!, thank`s to all involved.

[dgame]

Looking good!

Ball drop detection may be a little generous though. Start a new game and press A three times and K two times. The bar is almost half over the lowest hole and the ball still falls in.

Thanks again, cool game.

[Le Chuck]

Final update for the moment. (20MB download)

OK, the game is done. Rules are pretty basic for now. I'm gonna wait for the real cabinet and then make a new version with all the correct rules and features (and blinking lights).

I think I never finished a project this fast...of course it helps if all the graphic and sound work is already done 

I did make this amazing chrome sphere though

Looks super with the high res art, nice work on everything!  Makes me that much more motivate to get the real one going.  Also, the space bar didn't actually start the game for me like the display said, it was some other button, I was mashing to get it start. 

[Sjaak]

Looks super with the high res art, nice work on everything!  Makes me that much more motivate to get the real one going.  Also, the space bar didn't actually start the game for me like the display said, it was some other button, I was mashing to get it start.

Thanks, can't wait to see what you have in store. Hope to see some new pictures soon 

You can exit the title screen using SPACE. To start the game, press 'S'. I've made a new version which should be more clear.

Update here

What's new:

• A bit of glow for the 7-segment display
• Configuration menu (access in attract mode using TAB) with 'laser action'
• Controls can be customized in game.ini

[pbj]

Nice work.  How can I get rid of the credits screen?

[dgame]

Nice update. Getting used to the ball drop mechanics. Have to cover most of the unwanted wormhole's top half with the bar or the ball drops in.
Can we get dual joystick support in the future? Thanks!

[thatpurplestuff]

Just wanted to chime in and say thanks for such a great game... got to the 10th hole last night but I choked and couldn't sink it!  Makes me very stoked to build one of these bad boys once the plans are done!

[Xiaou2]

Tried it on my laptop a bit ago. 

 Not bad...  but so ya know, the physics of your game are way off.

 Your ball mass is more akin to a bowling ball... with slow acceleration & deceleration.

 The ICB Arcade uses a low mass ball that accelerates very quickly.  The extra mass of your ball seems to make it more interesting. .. but its doudtful that most will make a 20ft tall version to get the same effect.

[Sjaak]

Just wanted to chime in and say thanks for such a great game... got to the 10th hole last night but I choked and couldn't sink it!  Makes me very stoked to build one of these bad boys once the plans are done!

Thanks for playing  Haven't gotten past 7 yet.

Can we get dual joystick support in the future? Thanks!

I think that can be arranged, you mean actual windows joysticks, right?

[dgame]

Dual joysticks not duel joysticks. Yeah, actual windows joysticks like on a typical two player MAME cabinet. 

[Sjaak]

Just a quick reminder that some options in the game can be changed in the configuration menu (TAB). Use the up/down keys to move the options 'laser' and press enter to blast the option to another value.



Download the complete game here.

[gb_phil]

Sjaak,

Awesome project...as always. I just downloaded the latest version and tried changing the controls in the ini file but for some reason they aren't taking. I tried changing the up and down to other letters and also tried to change the start button to a different letter and no joy. I have to go back in and change it all back the way it was for the same to play. Any idea what I might be doing wrong? Changing the display stuff works just fine but the controls aren't working for me for whatever reason.

[Sjaak]

Sjaak,

Awesome project...as always. I just downloaded the latest version and tried changing the controls in the ini file but for some reason they aren't taking. I tried changing the up and down to other letters and also tried to change the start button to a different letter and no joy. I have to go back in and change it all back the way it was for the same to play. Any idea what I might be doing wrong? Changing the display stuff works just fine but the controls aren't working for me for whatever reason.

No problem here at all, I just changed the right up and right down to J and N. Are you trying to use special keys??? If so then take a look here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.xna.framework.input.keys.aspx

[gb_phil]

Sjaak,

Awesome project...as always. I just downloaded the latest version and tried changing the controls in the ini file but for some reason they aren't taking. I tried changing the up and down to other letters and also tried to change the start button to a different letter and no joy. I have to go back in and change it all back the way it was for the same to play. Any idea what I might be doing wrong? Changing the display stuff works just fine but the controls aren't working for me for whatever reason.

No problem here at all, I just changed the right up and right down to J and N. Are you trying to use special keys??? If so then take a look here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.xna.framework.input.keys.aspx

Decided to try it again and noticed that the keys have to be capitalized. I never knew...LOL. I also learned that the up arrow key has to be typed as "Up". Not "up" or "UP". I've messed with many ini files over the past year and never knew that. So now the game works on my cabinet with the two joysticks working the lever. Freaking awesome! The only other thing I haven't figured out is how to change the start key to the number 1. Obviously I tried "1" and that didn't work. Also tried "NumPad1" for kicks and that didn't work. It's not a big deal since I can just start the game with my first fire button but I am interested in knowing how to get "1" to work if it's possible.

I've been looking for a game like this ever since I first saw Ice Cold Beer six months or so ago for the first time. I did find an Ice Cold Beer game online somewhere (I think someone sent you the link in a previous post) but at the time I couldn't figure out how to remap the keys. I've since learned about AHK in HyperLaunch HQ so now I need to get both of these babies added to my Hyperspin. Thanks again for releasing this to us. I'll be watching your build thread too.

[Le Chuck]

I'll be watching your build thread too.

The build thread is mine, IDS, and EDS1275's. 

[gb_phil]

I'll be watching your build thread too.

The build thread is mine, IDS, and EDS1275's.

Sorry about that Le Chuck! I browsed the thread a couple of days ago but didn't take note of who was doing what. I subscribed to the thread a few mins ago and I plan on going back and reading everything today or tomorrow.

[Sjaak]

Decided to try it again and noticed that the keys have to be capitalized. I never knew...LOL. I also learned that the up arrow key has to be typed as "Up". Not "up" or "UP". I've messed with many ini files over the past year and never knew that.

It's different depending on the software. In some applications, you can probably type "UP", "up" or "uP", but in this case you need to be exact. I could add a lot more code to catch the different spelling, but that would mean more work for me 

use D1 for the '1' key

[gb_phil]

Decided to try it again and noticed that the keys have to be capitalized. I never knew...LOL. I also learned that the up arrow key has to be typed as "Up". Not "up" or "UP". I've messed with many ini files over the past year and never knew that.

It's different depending on the software. In some applications, you can probably type "UP", "up" or "uP", but in this case you need to be exact. I could add a lot more code to catch the different spelling, but that would mean more work for me 

use D1 for the '1' key

Perfect! It works now. I did think of another question though. The credits screen that pops up requires the space key to be pressed. Is there any way for me to modify that key or skip the credits screen or something? I don't have space mapped to any of my arcade controls. I do keep a little bluetooth keyboard nearby but when I have people over I normally hide that since the arcade controls handle 99% of the front end and MAME.

[Sjaak]

Decided to try it again and noticed that the keys have to be capitalized. I never knew...LOL. I also learned that the up arrow key has to be typed as "Up". Not "up" or "UP". I've messed with many ini files over the past year and never knew that.

It's different depending on the software. In some applications, you can probably type "UP", "up" or "uP", but in this case you need to be exact. I could add a lot more code to catch the different spelling, but that would mean more work for me 

use D1 for the '1' key

Perfect! It works now. I did think of another question though. The credits screen that pops up requires the space key to be pressed. Is there any way for me to modify that key or skip the credits screen or something? I don't have space mapped to any of my arcade controls. I do keep a little bluetooth keyboard nearby but when I have people over I normally hide that since the arcade controls handle 99% of the front end and MAME.

I will keep this in mind for version 2.0.

[SegaOutrun]

i love this! Ive always dream of owning an ICE COLD BEER machine.

Thank you for sharing.

I second the ability to change the spacebar on the credits screen.

[Sjaak]

i love this! Ive always dream of owning an ICE COLD BEER machine.

Thank you for sharing.

I second the ability to change the spacebar on the credits screen.

No problem, this will be in the next version of the game.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Finally got around to trying this...  Great work!

However, not sure if I missed it, but what are the commands to configure the joystick mappings?  Does it even support joysticks at this time?

Thanks in advance!

DeLuSioNaL29

[Sjaak]

Finally got around to trying this...  Great work!However, not sure if I missed it, but what are the commands to configure the joystick mappings?  Does it even support joysticks at this time?

Thanks in advance!

DeLuSioNaL29

No joystick support, unless you use an ipac. When the real Space Base is done, I'll create a new version with all the bells and whistles, but I wanted this version to be finished before the end of 2014 (for the UCA).

[Le Chuck]

I wanted this version to be finished before the end of 2014 (for the UCA).

I find the physics too far off to consider this for a nomination based on the software alone.  Since the music and art are from another ongoing as of yet unfinished build I personally don't think it should be considered based on the merits of those - fully acknowledge I am a very biased party - especially since this doesn't contain the completed products of either. 

That aside, I'm glad to have it as it helped me see how things were fitting together and did give me some motivation to get off my kiester and start making some physical headway on the build.  I don't speak for the other involved parties, EDS1275 and IDS, but that's where I fall on it. 

[Sjaak]

For anyone who is interested in the code for the game: GitHub

[meyer980]

Nice of you to share on GitHub, Sjaak!