DAD.PRG - making BombBloke

I’m a dad, I love retro (especially Atari ST), I build stuff, AI helps me get shit done. I’m building a game and a pixel art sprite tool.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

This is what I'm building right now and I'm super-proud of how it's coming together. Not sure how well it comes over in the video but I've really put effort into making everything feel just right.

[koalasoft @koala_software]

So I thought I'd show off the level editor I've been working on for Bomb Bloke, my puzzle game running in an Amstrad CPC464 mode 0 style on modern hardware. Let me know what you think in the comments. I can't wait to see the levels people build.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

This is one of the first things I got after moving on from the world of Atari STs and Amigas, because F1GP was amazing. The sequel blew me away. An absolute banger of a game. Geoff Crammond is a legend.

[PeteZach @oldyzach]

Hello retro folks 😎 How you doin' ? ☕️

Grand Prix 2 (1996, MS-DOS)

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@zcichy A CRT is the right choice for many reasons. Try playing Kick Off Atari ST on a modern monitor, the input lag will kill you.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@thedecypher That’s the one I was waiting for!

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

Say the first thing that comes into your mind seeing these two pictures.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

Who can remember the slightly naughty spine text that got ST Format into trouble?

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@AgentNightRaven Can I just say that’s an excellent dinosaur. I love low poly stuff as you’d probably guess from my feed full of retro.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@KevinBalban You were smarter than me it seems. My ports crapped out requiring some soldering fun to fix.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

Literally the worst hardware design known to man. Not so bad if you only played single player but if you had to swap the mouse out for a joystick, not good. What were Atari thinking? Did you have to repair yours? Drop your horror stories below!

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@BeanJuiceStudio Honestly for me it’s the process of iterating and tweaking a mechanic to feel just right. Those tiny micro adjustments that are barely perceptible but make a huge difference.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@ChristopheC1980 A fine machine though I was an Atari ST guy myself.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

Honestly I’m open about using AI as part of the process of building my game - not the art but the code. Nothing wrong with it. And AI is great to help you learn stuff. So ignore the oddballs who object. They were never going to buy the game. Most people don’t give a shit about AI so just do what gets the right game out in the right time. Good luck, and consider your game wishlisted.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@IndieGameNews1 Well yeah but if you have to replace it once a week I’m not sure that’s saving money!

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@KevinBalban Yeah think so. Most later games simply wouldn’t run but the Space Ace and Dragons Lair games at least gave you half the game. Though paying £45 in 1990 for half a game is not my idea of a good investment…

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@IndieGameNews1 @AtariCrypt Worth it. Same vibe as driving in Vice City and staying in the car till the song finishes.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@IndieGameNews1 @AtariCrypt It absolutely slaps. Enjoy the earworm!

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@IndieGameNews1 Oh god those absolutely couldn’t take any punishment. Think I might have had one at some point and yeah, a bit mushy as well as the micro switches weren’t great if I recall.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@KevinBalban Yeah I think those are rare as rocking horse shit. Of course then you have some STs (pre STe) with a single sided floppy drive. Only got half the ST Format cover disk that way.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@IndieGameNews1 @AtariCrypt Gonna have to drop the tune aren’t I. Excuse the Amiga on an Atari ST account…
https://t.co/ngAs50lEgn

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@IndieGameNews1 I had the original one of these, damn thing was as indestructible as a Nokia 3210. I had a bloody good go at destroying it though!

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

I think you need to get it out, get it working and post some photos for me to drool over.
STfm - the f was for floppy drive and the m was for the tv modulator. The first STs had neither, there are a few STf machines that have a floppy but no tv output.
Sorry, I went full autist.

[DAD.PRG - making BombBloke @dad_prg]

@KevinBalban Lucky git - sadly I only had an STfm. Still absolutely loved it of course, incredible machine that changed my life.