Rolling Thunder

mcgeezer · 21 April 2022, 23:20

Might get wrong for it but in the zone is Rolling Thunder unfucked featuring the replacement of some heavy lifting CPU routines with those from our beloved blitter, several other routines changed along with some other Amiga centric fun to make the game run more than 7 frames a second.

Big thanks to CodeTapper for telling me the infamous story of how Tiertex left what is likely 80% of the finished source code on the original disk (idiots).

Big thanks to Asman for doing a stellar job of actually disassembling and commenting on the game and allowing me to peek at his work, amazing stuff.

I'll probably do a Youtube video featuring the changes - loads more improvements could be made, if the masses want it.

Geezer - Over and out and back to Devil's Temple.

Oh before I forget... you'll need an A500 with 0.5 slow ram.

jotd · 21 April 2022, 23:31

I wonder how many Tiertex games could be improved like that. Recognizing their fake blits and replace the routines by real blits.

Probably easier said than done, but with memory watches watching screen CPU writes it the routines could be found easily.

Going to test that. Great job & great find!

Galahad/FLT · 22 April 2022, 00:24

I think the only way anyone will see any difference is to have a side by side video.

Either way, a rewrite is the only way this game sees justice, I can't imagine there is anything to learn from Tiertex or worth saving.

mcgeezer · 22 April 2022, 00:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galahad/FLT

I think the only way anyone will see any difference is to have a side by side video.

Either way, a rewrite is the only way this game sees justice, I can't imagine there is anything to learn from Tiertex or worth saving.

Rewriting the game for an A500 with one eye on the arcade is a very tall order, the hardware between them is chalk and cheese, even a stock A1200 will struggle, possible maybe at 25fps.

What is apparent is that the game isn't a port from the Atari ST, but of the ZX Spectrum. They really did cash in on this one.

DanyPPC · 22 April 2022, 07:00

Thanks mcgeezer

Gryfon · 22 April 2022, 07:09

Interesting read - thanks again @McGeezer.

fryguy · 22 April 2022, 08:28

Thanks! I only played Rolling Thunder on the C64, but thanks for improving the Amiga version it looked way too slow.

CFou! · 22 April 2022, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgeezer

Might get wrong for it but in the zone is Rolling Thunder unfucked featuring the replacement of some heavy lifting CPU routines with those from our beloved blitter, several other routines changed along with some other Amiga centric fun to make the game run more than 7 frames a second.

interesting i will check it out

Tigerskunk · 22 April 2022, 09:45

Nice job, mate!

Retroplay · 22 April 2022, 10:30

"bogroll.exe"

Minuous · 22 April 2022, 12:45

Thanks, it is more playable now; one thing I still miss from the coin-op though is the different coloured enemies (eg. the ones that need 2 bullets are blue and gold in the coin-op).

I also noticed some corruption of the score area on my system, see screenshot, which only affects the currently active player.

DanyPPC · 22 April 2022, 17:39

I tested the game on WinUAE but also on my A1200 (standard 2MB) and 030 Blizzard.
In all cases I don't hear any sound (tested F1/F2 keys).
On A1200/030 is too fast, but also on base A1200.

VincentGR · 22 April 2022, 20:52

Awesome!!!

Thanks mc.

manossg · 22 April 2022, 20:58

Very cool stuff, thanks guys!

d4rk3lf · 22 April 2022, 21:13

I remember, reading somewhere in this forum, where people seriously discussed how Tiertex managed to make game that slow.

Something like.. you actually need to put an effort to make it that slow.

zzbylu · 22 April 2022, 21:14

Gameplay: [ Show youtube player ]

S. Campbell · 22 April 2022, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanyPPC

I tested the game on WinUAE but also on my A1200 (standard 2MB) and 030 Blizzard.
In all cases I don't hear any sound (tested F1/F2 keys).
On A1200/030 is too fast, but also on base A1200.

Same here, tried loads of emulator settings from basic A500 upwards, all totally silent. It moves like greased lightning, but there ain't no thunder.

mcgeezer · 22 April 2022, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by S. Campbell

Same here, tried loads of emulator settings from basic A500 upwards, all totally silent. It moves like greased lightning, but there ain't no thunder.

And here's me thinking I was doing you all a favour by removing the sound hahahah....

If I have time I'll look at the sound routines to see if I can fix them and re-release with a few other changes.

saimon69 · 22 April 2022, 21:52

I can see at least a 30% improvement, care for a proper mod track?

mcgeezer · 22 April 2022, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by saimon69

I can see at least a 30% improvement, care for a proper mod track?

Sure, bash it over... don't spend too much time on it, you can't polish a turd.

21 April 2022, 23:20	#1
mcgeezer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sunderland, England Posts: 2,702	Rolling Thunder Might get wrong for it but in the zone is Rolling Thunder unfucked featuring the replacement of some heavy lifting CPU routines with those from our beloved blitter, several other routines changed along with some other Amiga centric fun to make the game run more than 7 frames a second. Big thanks to CodeTapper for telling me the infamous story of how Tiertex left what is likely 80% of the finished source code on the original disk (idiots). Big thanks to Asman for doing a stellar job of actually disassembling and commenting on the game and allowing me to peek at his work, amazing stuff. I'll probably do a Youtube video featuring the changes - loads more improvements could be made, if the masses want it. Geezer - Over and out and back to Devil's Temple. Oh before I forget... you'll need an A500 with 0.5 slow ram.

22 April 2022, 12:45	#11
Minuous Coder/webmaster/gamer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canberra/Australia Posts: 2,630	Thanks, it is more playable now; one thing I still miss from the coin-op though is the different coloured enemies (eg. the ones that need 2 bullets are blue and gold in the coin-op). I also noticed some corruption of the score area on my system, see screenshot, which only affects the currently active player. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Minuous; 22 April 2022 at 13:10.

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21 April 2022, 23:31	#2
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,161	I wonder how many Tiertex games could be improved like that. Recognizing their fake blits and replace the routines by real blits. Probably easier said than done, but with memory watches watching screen CPU writes it the routines could be found easily. Going to test that. Great job & great find!

22 April 2022, 00:24	#3
Galahad/FLT Going nowhere Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: United Kingdom Age: 50 Posts: 8,986	I think the only way anyone will see any difference is to have a side by side video. Either way, a rewrite is the only way this game sees justice, I can't imagine there is anything to learn from Tiertex or worth saving.

22 April 2022, 07:00	#5
DanyPPC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Italy Posts: 729	Thanks mcgeezer

22 April 2022, 07:09	#6
Gryfon Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 97	Interesting read - thanks again @McGeezer.

22 April 2022, 08:28	#7
fryguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Skarabörg, Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 1,019	Thanks! I only played Rolling Thunder on the C64, but thanks for improving the Amiga version it looked way too slow.

22 April 2022, 09:45	#9
Tigerskunk Inviyya Dude! Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Amiga Island Posts: 2,770	Nice job, mate!

22 April 2022, 10:30	#10
Retroplay Lemon Curry ? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Denmark Age: 49 Posts: 4,079	"bogroll.exe"

22 April 2022, 17:39	#12
DanyPPC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Italy Posts: 729	I tested the game on WinUAE but also on my A1200 (standard 2MB) and 030 Blizzard. In all cases I don't hear any sound (tested F1/F2 keys). On A1200/030 is too fast, but also on base A1200.

22 April 2022, 20:52	#13
VincentGR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Greece Posts: 289	Awesome!!! Thanks mc.

22 April 2022, 20:58	#14
manossg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Greece Posts: 992	Very cool stuff, thanks guys!

22 April 2022, 21:13	#15
d4rk3lf Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia Posts: 1,645	I remember, reading somewhere in this forum, where people seriously discussed how Tiertex managed to make game that slow. Something like.. you actually need to put an effort to make it that slow.

22 April 2022, 21:14	#16
zzbylu Saberman Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Kielce/Poland Posts: 327	Gameplay: [ Show youtube player ]

22 April 2022, 21:52	#19
saimon69 J.M.D - Bedroom Musician Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: los angeles,ca Posts: 3,519	I can see at least a 30% improvement, care for a proper mod track?

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