Gunfright for C64 and more!

Pegaz · April 2017

After Knight Lore and Pentagram, Gunfright also arrived for the C64/128, Plus 4 and Atari 8 bit.
The stunning speed, especially in the C64 version, of course on the C128 works even better.
Here's what the author says:
"Again this is all CPU grunt (the only hardware sprite is used on the title screen and no hardware scrolling is used) but the speed is still very good. The C64 version is around the speed of the Amstrad and MSX versions and the C128 version is around the speed of the Spectrum version. The Plus4 versions speed sits between the C128 and C64 versions. "

Here's the videos:

Pobbit · April 2017

I don't know enough about performance differential of the 6502 CPU to really appreciate how hard it is to get it running on these computers, but it feels like a missed opportunity to make a full colour playing area. If it's going to run worse or no better than the Speccy version, and still be monochrome, then I can't see the appeal.

Pegaz · April 2017

@Pobbit

So, basically you want a multicolor 3d isometric game, faster than the Spectrum version, on 1-2 Mhz cpu? ;)
This is a excellent port, from the Atari source code, based on a z80 to 6502 conversion maded by Mariusz Wojcieszek from Poland.
There is no doubt that this is an extraordinary achievement, much like the Pentagram before, based on a same method.

Pobbit · April 2017

Doesn't need to be faster! Just seems a shame that it doesn't play to the strengths of those machines. Back in the day, straight speccy ports were looked at less favourably

mel the bell · April 2017

Pobbit wrote: »

I don't know enough about performance differential of the 6502 CPU to really appreciate how hard it is to get it running on these computers, but it feels like a missed opportunity to make a multi brown playing area. If it's going to run worse or no better than the Speccy version, and still be monochrome, then I can't see the appeal.

there changed it for you, its what you shouldve said

Pobbit · April 2017

Pegaz wrote: »

@Pobbit
This is a excellent port, from the Atari source code, based on a z80 to 6502 conversion maded by Mariusz Wojcieszek from Poland.
There is no doubt that this is an extraordinary achievement, much like the Pentagram before, based on a same method.

Ah, OK, I hadn't realised it was a source port, so almost an emulation. That explains why it's kept the monochrome look. I had been thinking they had written an engine from scratch and then taken a specific decision to keep the mono playing area. Obviously, switching to double-wide pixels for more colour would require a big rewrite.

Pobbit · April 2017

mel the bell wrote: »

Pobbit wrote: »

I don't know enough about performance differential of the 6502 CPU to really appreciate how hard it is to get it running on these computers, but it feels like a missed opportunity to make a multi brown playing area. If it's going to run worse or no better than the Speccy version, and still be monochrome, then I can't see the appeal.

there changed it for you, its what you shouldve said

Nothing wrong with a bit of brown. Especially when cowboys are involved.

MatGubbins · April 2017

It is great that these conversions have happened, it shows that these machines could handle the game - if they would've sold in great quantity back in the 80s, that's a different matter.
As to playing to the strength and graphics of the machine, yes, I would like to see a chunky browns/red/yellow buildings C64 version of Gunfright, looking at Ultimate's Outlaws it could be quite good. I'm not knocking the conversions, they look great and well done to the programmers for cramming another Spectrum Ultimate game onto their machine.

Has anyone here yet decided to convert Staff of Karnath, Entombed, Blackwych, Outlaws, Dragonskulle, or dare I say it..... Imhotemp to our Spectrum? Would the conversions be a wonderful sparkle of colourclashing attributes or bog standard monchrome with the odd bit of colour in status panel. Please... let us use the keyboard to play the game! :)

mel the bell · April 2017

MatGubbins wrote: »

Has anyone here yet decided to convert Staff of Karnath, Entombed, Blackwych, Outlaws, Dragonskulle, or dare I say it..... Imhotemp to our Spectrum? Would the conversions be a wonderful sparkle of colourclashing attributes or bog standard monchrome with the odd bit of colour in status panel. Please... let us use the keyboard to play the game! :)

dont want em, they are awful, they arent even ultimate games really

ewgf · April 2017

I never liked Gunfright (well, any Ultimate game after Alien 8, really), but it's good that it's been converted to other machines.

But it does disappoint me that whereas iconic Spectrum games like 3D Deathchase, and Skooldaze have been converted in recent years by fans to other machines, we rarely or never see iconic C64/CPC/BBC/etc games converted to the Spectrum.

mel the bell · April 2017

ewgf wrote: »

we rarely or never see iconic C64/CPC/BBC/etc games converted to the Spectrum.

thats cos theyre rhubarb compared to the speccy :P

Luny · April 2017

I always appreciate a good port, as I know how hard it is to do. But I do agree that a like for like conversion does make playing a bit of a waste. Surely a C64 conversion should have more brown in it ;)

Gunfright for C64 and more!

Comments