Cadaver remake

jotd · 15 March 2009, 21:43

Hi,

I have started a remake of the excellent Cadaver game, based on original PC data (no rips here). I figured out a lot of the stuff. Here's an early screenshot of the remake

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TCD · 15 March 2009, 21:47

Sounds good

I know it will take a long time, but I'm looking forward to see your extra content

Best of luck that all goes well and that we see a beta soon

Dastardly · 15 March 2009, 23:17

Jotd, you're a legend. Looking forward to this loads

Shoonay · 15 March 2009, 23:59

Seriously jotd you're mad when it comes to remakes, great work, thanks!

jotd · 17 March 2009, 21:56

I'm mad about Bitmap Bros stuff, that's all. The idea behind this remake is different: the purpose is to rewrite the engine and reuse most of the original data.
Unfortunately there's a lot of stuff that I don't understand in data files. I think I'll have to recode a lot of stuff, but I think this won't show. Right now, I can navigate in all level 1 and see all items, all info extracted from original data files. I did not think it was possible, but on the other hand, it has already been done (Flashback -> Reminiscence, SCUMM VM, ...).

I'd like a Nintendo DS port of this game too.

Dastardly · 18 March 2009, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

I'm mad about Bitmap Bros stuff, that's all.

You have good taste I'd say

Quote:

I'd like a Nintendo DS port of this game too.

That would be brilliant! It would work well with stylus control as well I think.

gimbal · 18 March 2009, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dastardly

You have good taste I'd say

That would be brilliant! It would work well with stylus control as well I think.

How would you attack and jump with the stylus?

Nice going with the progress so far, but what about the level editor that you didn't want to do?

Charlie · 18 March 2009, 12:19

Excellent! All the best.

Dastardly · 18 March 2009, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimbal

How would you attack and jump with the stylus?

I don't mean JUST stylus control.

Qube · 18 March 2009, 20:44

Excellent stuff Jotd, I'm guessing you'll be using the Ami sounds n stuff as they likely were way better than the old PC ver... I was thinking how cool it would be to have a 3D Chaos remake, with loads of bells n whistles and multiplayer, but alas I'm no programmer, so that will remain a dream lol. Good luck with all your remakez. You are da 4th bro me thinks!

jotd · 18 March 2009, 21:51

Yes, the only thing I'll rip will be the sounds. Not sure I'll make an editor / use an editor to create levels (too hard with isometric stuff & also there are a lot of levels already), but the NDS port is a good goal.

Retro-Nerd · 18 March 2009, 21:53

Will you also improve the original controls, i.e. a second button support or something else?

jotd · 18 March 2009, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd

Will you also improve the original controls, i.e. a second button support or something else?

On a console port it is mandatory.

On PC, I can make it too.

The hard part now is to decide when to give up trying to guess data from original files and fill the gaps by custom data files, and also the object management engine (interactions).

gimbal · 19 March 2009, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dastardly

I don't mean JUST stylus control.

How would you use the stylus AND the buttons at the same time? Put the DS on the floor or something?

Even if a game switches from using the stylus to buttons (like mario party) it is very annoying. If you would have to use both at the same time you have to put the DS in a very cramped position in your hands.

lilalurl · 19 March 2009, 08:57

The shoulder buttons (L/R). No matter how, when you hold the DS with one hand to use the stylus with the other hand you most certainly have one of these two buttons near one finger.

TCD · 19 March 2009, 09:06

Just out of curiosity : Will JOTD make a DS port?

alexh · 19 March 2009, 09:08

I always wanted to play these games but never got round to them.... get it working and I'll be one of the first to play test it

Are the PC data files available for The Payoff too?

No chance you can get in touch with the original authors for details on the data file structure? From my experience they are always very enthusiastic that someone is still playing their games.

Dastardly · 19 March 2009, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimbal

How would you use the stylus AND the buttons at the same time? Put the DS on the floor or something?

Even if a game switches from using the stylus to buttons (like mario party) it is very annoying. If you would have to use both at the same time you have to put the DS in a very cramped position in your hands.

I would use the stylus for menu interaction, picking up objects in game etc and use the dpad for movement and the buttons for jumping and shooting etc. I don't see that as a big deal.

Qube · 19 March 2009, 23:50

@alexh - PC Payoff is avail over at oldgames.sk I believe, they have it zipped up with dosbox n stuff, but you can extract the needed data for inspection etc.

Q;

jotd · 20 March 2009, 20:37

The bitmap bros never reply to e-mails, so imagine if I ask them their source code

I'm planning a DS port which would be SDL based. But I'm waiting for the emulators to work better (i.e. emulate filesystem and be a little faster). I'm also waiting for SDL to work better on NDS

But anyway, the PC remake is far from complete (yes, it would support Payoff data).

15 March 2009, 21:43	#1
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,196	Cadaver remake Hi, I have started a remake of the excellent Cadaver game, based on original PC data (no rips here). I figured out a lot of the stuff. Here's an early screenshot of the remake

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15 March 2009, 21:47	#2
TCD HOL/FTP busy bee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Germany Age: 46 Posts: 31,598	Sounds good I know it will take a long time, but I'm looking forward to see your extra content Best of luck that all goes well and that we see a beta soon

15 March 2009, 23:17	#3
Dastardly Into the Wonderful Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: England Age: 49 Posts: 2,335	Jotd, you're a legend. Looking forward to this loads

15 March 2009, 23:59	#4
Shoonay Global Caturator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Porando Age: 43 Posts: 6,106	Seriously jotd you're mad when it comes to remakes, great work, thanks!

17 March 2009, 21:56	#5
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,196	I'm mad about Bitmap Bros stuff, that's all. The idea behind this remake is different: the purpose is to rewrite the engine and reuse most of the original data. Unfortunately there's a lot of stuff that I don't understand in data files. I think I'll have to recode a lot of stuff, but I think this won't show. Right now, I can navigate in all level 1 and see all items, all info extracted from original data files. I did not think it was possible, but on the other hand, it has already been done (Flashback -> Reminiscence, SCUMM VM, ...). I'd like a Nintendo DS port of this game too.

18 March 2009, 12:19	#8
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	Excellent! All the best.

18 March 2009, 20:44	#10
Qube Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: England Posts: 218	Excellent stuff Jotd, I'm guessing you'll be using the Ami sounds n stuff as they likely were way better than the old PC ver... I was thinking how cool it would be to have a 3D Chaos remake, with loads of bells n whistles and multiplayer, but alas I'm no programmer, so that will remain a dream lol. Good luck with all your remakez. You are da 4th bro me thinks!

18 March 2009, 21:51	#11
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,196	Yes, the only thing I'll rip will be the sounds. Not sure I'll make an editor / use an editor to create levels (too hard with isometric stuff & also there are a lot of levels already), but the NDS port is a good goal.

18 March 2009, 21:53	#12
Retro-Nerd Missile Command Champion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Age: 52 Posts: 12,442	Will you also improve the original controls, i.e. a second button support or something else?

19 March 2009, 08:57	#15
lilalurl Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: France Posts: 3,289	The shoulder buttons (L/R). No matter how, when you hold the DS with one hand to use the stylus with the other hand you most certainly have one of these two buttons near one finger.

19 March 2009, 09:06	#16
TCD HOL/FTP busy bee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Germany Age: 46 Posts: 31,598	Just out of curiosity : Will JOTD make a DS port?

19 March 2009, 09:08	#17
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,354	I always wanted to play these games but never got round to them.... get it working and I'll be one of the first to play test it Are the PC data files available for The Payoff too? No chance you can get in touch with the original authors for details on the data file structure? From my experience they are always very enthusiastic that someone is still playing their games.

19 March 2009, 23:50	#19
Qube Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: England Posts: 218	@alexh - PC Payoff is avail over at oldgames.sk I believe, they have it zipped up with dosbox n stuff, but you can extract the needed data for inspection etc. Q;

20 March 2009, 20:37	#20
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,196	The bitmap bros never reply to e-mails, so imagine if I ask them their source code I'm planning a DS port which would be SDL based. But I'm waiting for the emulators to work better (i.e. emulate filesystem and be a little faster). I'm also waiting for SDL to work better on NDS But anyway, the PC remake is far from complete (yes, it would support Payoff data).

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