Exile (ECS) map

[DeAdLy_cOoKiE]

Originally Posted by JohnnyWalker

If you send me the Exile ECS sprites I can colour correct them easily. I'd like to decode the entire text as well. It would be nice to have the whole raw materials, even if they're not much use without some code to put them all together

I agree, the samples are in the zone. It would great if you (or anyone else) would try and decode the rest of the text. The sprites were useless so I deleted them. I have seen the thread though, including some of ECS sprites, but it seems as if they are incomplete. Perhaps this could be re-done properly? I'm not interested in the AGA version to be honest.

I'm pretty certain about the color shifts, it's one of Exile's technical features I suppose.

The BMP version of the map is the same, I have it zipped in a 5MB file (It's 156 MB unzipped). It would be nice to have it hosted somewhere (for the purpose of backup - I will send it to you if you want it). The map on HOL is a PNG version to reduce size. PNG is NOT the same quality as BMP (you'll start to notice when you zoom in/out).

[terryhan]

I'm only getting my ideas about an algorithm from second-hand sources - mainly http://exile.acornarcade.com/devel.html.

There's about 1.5K of bitmapped "map", stored in triangular regions. This encodes the complex bits like the ship and a few important locations elsewhere. The rest of it is generated by code. The algorithm takes X and Y as input, and outputs one a tile value (0 to 255, or perhaps less). It accounts for rock strata, water levels, rooms, corridoors, etc. Fantastic!

The algorithm is hideous. It has lots of things like: Get X shift left twice (*4) EOR with Y shift right add Y multiply by 2 if < 20 then .... Ghastly! It had a couple of K or code like that. Staggering. I did work out how the graphics were stored, and how to generate maps.

[DeAdLy_cOoKiE]

That is for the BBC version, that algorithm does not apply to other versions. The map of exile is generated in similar fashion like other games (well not quite).

By the way, I want this thread to stay serious, and in context with the subject: game map/2d remake of Exile ECS.

I've played the existing (unfinished) remakes (I like what James Howat did with the particles/wind/water), I've had a conversation with the game author before and I think I know how he feels about an exact remake, I've already visited various exile related sites. I'm interested in having the RAW materials online (map/samples/sprites) as well, and I hope Johnny can help here, and someone to see if they can hack/decode part of the gamecode (captain paranoia, where are you?). And ofcourse, someone with EXPERIENCE, that is able to get that map working in a game engine of some sort, in a manner which I described above.

Maybe then someday we will be able to play the game on PC in high resolution, and maybe with additional features (which could be discussed from there on: multiplayer, level editor etc.).

Update: Exile messages, samples attachments (Bmp version of the map is too big for attachment, is currently in the zone)

Update 2: Sprites ripped/rastered by Gifgit.

Update 3: Transparent map.

[NPI]

the HoL map is huge !!!

anyone ever finished Exile?

[stainy]

I`ve got extremely close... meaning I could see the big machine and stuff.. still have the .uss, need to get back into it and complete!!

[JohnnyWalker]

Coolio! I'd forgotten about this thread for a while! I think I'll try and write a program that will automatically decode the entire text file!

[DeAdLy_cOoKiE]

Some stuff I've done in photoshop:

[JohnnyWalker]

Nice!

[Grimbog]

any ongoing news with this? been an avid fan of exile since the demo was first release in AP... or was it in AF... ah crap...

[gizmomelb]

there was a nice multi-page spread and interview with (Peter Irvin?) in issue #30 of the paper magazine 'Retro Gamer' (I think issue #32 is in the UK newsagents at the moment).

[stainy]

Yeah. might scan it and up it here if anyone wants it

[JohnnyWalker]

I want it!!! (If you still have it!)

[Grimbog]

Hi guys, sorry to resurrect this thread but I'm looking to create a small hobby project for Exile using the Unity engine, and ended up ripping the sprites again.

Why? Nothing major - I noticed two things with the original rips 1. the alignment was slightly off, and two of the colour palettes were incorrect.

It took a while but managed to get them and you can find these attached. I've done two versions of each type - the first with a simple black background and the second with two transparent layers - the red background is used on those map tiles for when the copper gradient is generated in game to give that colour effect as you go vertically deeper in to the level.

Originally Posted by DeAdLy_cOoKiE

Update: Exile messages, samples attachments (Bmp version of the map is too big for attachment, is currently in the zone)

Update 2: Sprites ripped/rastered by Gifgit.

Update 3: Transparent map.

DeAdLy_cOoKiE, not sure if you're still active on the board, but it would be really awesome if you still have that file? - I'l try to message you separately.

I've attempted to remap the level using Maptapper, but its not matching those tiles - I guess that its related to the fact that those sprites are a mixture of sizes ranging from 8/16/32 but Maptapper can only use one size across the collection of tiles (I believe). Anyone got any suggestions?

My thinking right now was to do this by hand, and simply overlay the map taken from HOL, and then use Unity with a tile mapping util to slowly go through and add it all in. Finally add a Copper layer in the background and maybe some parallaxed items... nothing major.

[trixster]

Great thread. A new version of exile would be amazing, it has to be my favourite game. I remember getting it was a kid on the BBC, there really was nothing else like it. I still can't quite understand why the Archimedes never saw a port of it.

[Jason H]

Someday, I'll sit down to seriously tackle the game. Played it on the CBM64 before, such an awesome game. Thanks for the map.