Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

The easy way ain't so easy.

I tried adding a bit of code to the delay loops to wait for X milliseconds of system clock time, but unfortunately, the system clock only tics big chunks. Waiting for the smallest increment of the clock means that the standard delay loops take 200 seconds to finish.

I've got more work per delay loop now. Oh, well. Can't be any harder or duller than making the FTL map for SE4 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Title Sequence Done.

Gah! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif I can see why you don't want to touch the actual program file. Very dusty in here.

I'm glad I don't have to use Gw-basic, or it would take me forever!
Got me a nice Ascii-graphical editor/interpreter, with breakpoints and copy-paste. All the luxury features from 1987 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Well! Kudos to Avalon Hill, for a very nice program structure!
Lots of stuff per line, but organized.

Game itself Done.
All done!

I've converted the delays in the game from being based on processor cycles to being based on the system clock.
No matter how fast your computer, the delays will be the same length.

If you happen to find anything that is still going too fast, let me know, and I'll find them for you.

Also:
- During any delay, press the enter key to continue immediately.
- The first line of midwayp.bas now includes a "delay factor" variable definition. Adjust this to suit. Higher values mean shorter delays, lower for longer. non integers are allowed.

[ 28 March 2002: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

[ 28 March 2002: Message edited by: geoschmo ]</p>

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

I hereby nominate Suicide Junkie for Chief Code Monkey. Any seconds? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Awesome work. I can't wait to try it out. This was the game that got me interested in strategy games to begin with.

Geoschmo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

I played one game. Couldn't quite understand what was going on, though.

I sent every freaking plane there was out to smash one of the J's carrier Groups, and nothing seemed to happen.
My ships were getting blown out of the water from what I can only assume were unseen enemies.

Midway was hit, but survived, and when the game ended, I had a total of Eight Aircraft and zero ships remaining.

Marginal loss for me.
Seems I destroyed 2 CV's dished out Heavy Damage to 2 more, and did nothing to the Last carrier. Maybe all its fighters died ramming my ships or something?

[ 28 March 2002: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]</p>

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

It has been so long since I played it I can't remember. I'll have to play with it and put together a little readme file.

I think you have to arm your planes or something. Mayeb you sent them with no bombs?

Geoschmo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

For those of you who don't want to mess with any programming language, Here is the Compiled Version

Hey, I did manage to Stomp four of five enemy carriers, and scare off the Last one.

If you write up a decent description for each of the options, I could squeeze that into the in-game help menu.

Well, this time I did much better (I think)
Midway was wiped out, but did not fall http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif
3:1 kill ratio in planes, sunk all 5 enemy ships with the Yorktown as the only casualty (light damage to my other ships)

Apparently CAPs are defensive patrols, and help you survive http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Yes, that much I do remember. CAPs are Combat Air Patrols, and they are absolutly necessary for your carriers to survive. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Sheesh SJ, a compiled Version? You are amazing. I suppose next you are going to rewrite it into a two player PBEM game? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Geo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

I was just kidding really, but why do you say it would be unfair? Both sides are relativley equal at the start.

In fact there's way now to play the Japanese side against the computer controlling the US forces. I don't remember yet how to do it. Wish I still had my instruction book. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geoschmo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Thank you SJ. I look forward to playing this game yet again. Man, it has been so long, I hope I remember how. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>In fact there's way now to play the Japanese side against the computer controlling the US forces. I don't remember yet how to do it. Wish I still had my instruction book.<hr></blockquote>
Well, then. If its already in the code, it will stand a chance of happening. Not sure how the details of turns and time passage will work though.

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

The game would be a little unfair with human competition, wouldn't it?

What I might do is:
- colorize it. Make the water rippling blue, midway green, ships grey.
- Fix some of the sound effects (I can't hear the taking-off noises right now, just the dropping bombs)
- Move the combat results into a scrolling list on the right side of the screen.

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

New Compiled Midway

Added:
- Colored map
- Colored damage notices
- More sounds enabled
- Added delays to previously unknown sections
(Damage reports now stay onscreen long enough to notice)

PS: I've been creamed in the Last two games I tried.
In the first one, my ships never knew what hit them.
The second one, I got first-strike and unloaded everything I had. They nuked midway to glass. I sent everything I had at them again. They nuked my ships.
Very very annoying. I only succeeded in doing Light Damage to four of five enemies.

[ 29 March 2002: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]</p>

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Very cool! I like the scrolling delay bar.

I looked thorough the program and can't find any function to control the Japanese force. I am wondering if that was a separate .bas file that came with the game back in '82 but wasn't included in the zip I downloaded on the on the underdog website.

How hard would it be to disable the sounds entirely? Can it be added as an option somewhere? Since they come from the PC speaker I can't turn them off like I can with sounds coming from my soundcard speakers. (The wife doesn't care for the chirps and whistles. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )

Geoschmo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

Hey

Someone send me the file, or repost it. Tried to get it, and my browser kept timing out.

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

I don't think it's appropriate to post on Shrapnels server. But if you email me I'll send it to you.

Geoschmo

Re: Off Forum: Midway code repair
 

I had to reboot the server just now.
Try again in 5 minutes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

PS: just go to imagemod server. You can browse for what you need.

I've uploaded the sound-optional Version to that server, in both EXE and BAS form.