Hello Everyone:). This is a letter Zeograd (Author of Hu-Go!, co-author of
hu-c) asked me to post for him on the list since he can't post using his
e-mail address:
Just a word about all of the current need for new pce software.
The magic kit and HuC are here for several years/months, and I'm happy to
see that non coders people begin to be interested in homegrown games/hacks.
Personnaly, I'm much more interested in creating new games rather than
hacking existing ones, and for several reasons.
First of all : Legality. Indeed, I'm not sure all compagny would like to
see their games modified and certainly spread all around the world. If we
want to keep them as allies, we'd better not bother them (even if emulation
may not please them and even if we're doin remixes of their titles with HuC,
ok :)
Second point : Difficulty. Nothing's impossible, ok. Unfortunalty, things
can be very difficult and take several years to accomplish what you all want
(a translation on a real system).
I think that the font won't be a big problem, as romaji character are part
of the usual japanese font (even if there, they take 2 character for
enconding and representation..). But the extraction will be tough !! While
it can be quite simple to extract ASCII text from a rom/iso with a relative
searcher and a minimum knowledge of the researched language. I don't see how
I (for example), non japanese reader, could distinguish a japanese string
from a code sequence or a bitmap .. It would require the disassembly of the
code, at least partially, and a perfect understanding of the text related
code.
About the subtitle/voice problem. Adding subtitle would not only require a
good disassembly but a total one followed by a recompilation. We would have
to add our own code to the previous one and no more to touch data inside the
existing dump. Else, as to changes voice : if voices are recorded in the cd
tracks, there's nothing easier than replacing an audio track by one made by
ourselves. However, since this method can't be used for long dialogues, many
games use the built-in Adpcm features. So, in order to find out the adpcm
sound sequence by ourself, we'll have to find someone able to read 4-bit =>
16-bit adpcm opcode fluently :) Here too, another disassembly and deep
searching is needed ...
Motivation : Now you've seen how hard it was (tell me if I'm wrong but I
fear this is as hard as said), imagine a group of people taking care of it.
At the end, could they possibly sell their hacking ? especially if helped by
several pce scener ? And won't they see their creation spread for free after
1 sales if any ? hmm ... so they would doing it for free .. why not, but
doing THIS for free may seems .. ridiculous, seen the among of time/money
spend.
So, what is my opinion ?
Together, we can make great things. Spending 15 min a day while being 100
is kinda like having a single man working 24 hours per day, without eating,
having all knowledge when needed and so on ..
In my opinion, this kind of virtual guy is the one able to create new
games.
You won't hurt anyone and you'll show that the pc engine scene is a able
to bring really NEW stuff. Not old (but excellent) remixed existing games
but real new ones.
I feel both a bit sad and happy. Sad to see that players only realize now
that there are possibilities to create new games but happy to see that
players are aware of it :)
I you all are ok to bring a part of your work/knowledge/talent in order to
create one or rather several little ones (which will be easier and funnier
for a beginning IMHO) ..
What do YOU think of this ?
furthermore, I inform you that I set up a system of account to upload your
own pc engine creation on my new site (www.zeograd.com [P.S. : I didn't want
such an egocentric name for my site but squatters forced me into doing me