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Sad 7 Cities of Gold (7CoG) util is closed source

PostPosted: 14 Oct 2008, 04:48
by busybyte
Hi,

I had a look at the utility to read 7CoG map disks. Quite sad it's closed source. I'm use Linux exclusively, have Matthias Reichl's atarisio running and would really have enjoyed this utility, because 7CoG is one of my all time favorites. But setting up a VM or even a physical machine machine only for this? Naaah... not really.

I'd like to make two points in favor of opening the source code:

1) Judging from the screenshots I imagine this program as quite nice. However, it would never make Kroah become a millionaire (if he's not one already) if he decided to commercialise it. There are simply not enough people around that still play with the old equipment. And of these few, there's even fewer that actually still have a running installation (as opposed to those that get their old gear up from the basement once a year to play 3 games and then find that another disk/floppy drive/whatever component has died in the meantime).

2) I assume the data format on the map disks must be quite simple. Even the filesystem of ATR disk images is utterly simple (I wrote a little C-program to get information about ATR disk images myself). Again, it is quite unlikely that someone will use the insights gained from data structures used on 7CoG map disks to write a new killer application that earns the author millions.

On the other hand, the utility could be used -independent of the user's platform- by the few people still playing 7CoG if the source code would be available. This way the utility could be converted into a Qt application (for example) that directly runs on Linux, MacOS and even Windows.

Just my two cents...

Cheers,
busybyte :(

Re: Sad 7 Cities of Gold (7CoG) util is closed source

PostPosted: 15 Oct 2008, 01:16
by Kroah
Hi busybyte, welcome on board!

Concerning the platform/language. I use C# because the framework is a way ahead to java (and i code a lot with java). Visual Studio is a strong and stable IDE with a powerfull debugger/profiler. Even if i use eclipse/Jbuilder/..., i take half the needed time with VS and its framework than with Java. That's my experience, sorry for linux user (and Mono doesn't work well with v3.0 of the framework).

Concerning the source. You know, I don't aim to code closed source. The only reason i don't give it is... time. I don't want to give an uncommented source on my website and say "good luck to decode this". Nevertheless, if someone wants the source, i'll be glad to post it here in the forum and to discuss about it.

Here, people know they must have some knowledge of the asm 6502, the ATR disk format and of course the game to understand the source. I don't think my code is too bad, but it's always easier to read itself... :?

Even if i'm short on time, I'll be pleased to help you if needed. Ask your questions in this forum.

Have a good time with the source, and feedbacks are welcomed! :D

Re: Sad 7 Cities of Gold (7CoG) util is closed source

PostPosted: 10 Jul 2010, 16:05
by doctorfargo
I just discovered this site today - cool stuff.

Seeing the map viewer utility makes me wonder - would it be possible to create a map editor for Seven Cities?

By the way, on the topic of the Seven Cities of Gold - I'm the project leader of the Indiana Jones and the Seven Cities of Gold fan-game project. The story revolves around Indy searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold.

Indiana Jones and the Seven Cities of Gold website:
http://binarylegends.5gigs.net

Re: Sad 7 Cities of Gold (7CoG) util is closed source

PostPosted: 12 Jul 2010, 10:07
by Kroah
Hi DoctorFargo,

doctorfargo wrote:I just discovered this site today - cool stuff.
Thank you.

Do you own some kind of retro computers?

doctorfargo wrote:Seeing the map viewer utility makes me wonder - would it be possible to create a map editor for Seven Cities?
Yes, this is possible to make an Editor for Seven Cities of Gold to build maps like the New Continent.

If the demand is high enough, maybe I could plan this, but i doubt enough people will be interested.
I don't want to spend some time on it if no one will use it.

doctorfargo wrote:By the way, on the topic of the Seven Cities of Gold - I'm the project leader of the Indiana Jones and the Seven Cities of Gold fan-game project. The story revolves around Indy searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold.
It seems to be a lot like Fate of Atlantis.

Is there any playable preview of your work?

Re: Sad 7 Cities of Gold (7CoG) util is closed source

PostPosted: 12 Jul 2010, 14:37
by doctorfargo
Kroah wrote:Do you own some kind of retro computers?


A Commodore 64. :)

It seems to be a lot like Fate of Atlantis.

Is there any playable preview of your work?


The game is being done in the Fate of Atlantis style. The first playable demo is in the works right now - in beta stage at the moment. It should be finished soon - by August. I'll let you know when it's done. :)

Re: Sad 7 Cities of Gold (7CoG) util is closed source

PostPosted: 29 Dec 2010, 21:10
by doctorfargo
The demo is out!

Download it here:
http://binarylegends.5gigs.net/?p=dl

Note: This demo is of the Barnett College section of the game. Since the Barnett section is an early section of the game, there are not a lot of interactions and puzzles. Rest assured that later sections in the game will have more interactions and puzzles.