Gateway to Apshai - Sega Genesis Upscale

Epyx’s Gateway to Apshai is a game I grew up playing on my Commodore 64 back in the 80’s. It was the first dungeon crawler I ever played and is still fun to play today.

These are my initial thoughts as to what I would like to see in a 16-bit port. Palettes need to be resolved, graphics need further refinement, and additional detail will be added as I get a better sense of what is possible.

This is not the first time I have done a rescale of this game, last year I mocked up a 1-bit Arduboy port.

View fullsize

1-bit Arduboy descale.

View fullsize

Gateway to Apshai hero - Lot’s of opportunity to infuse character into this sprite.

View fullsize

Dungeon Map.

This project is in it’s infancy so I don’t want to advertise the potentials just yet, but as always, there is a chance that this project could continue to grow. Here’s to hoping!

GameMaker Development - Bedroom added

I really had a feeling that if I rendered Faux’s place in pixels, it would be perfect stage for a game that focuses on our relationship and our ongoing efforts to grow a life together.

The next step in this project will be to start mapping out the exterior garden. Plenty of photos were taken at peak season to ensure a grand interpretation. With fall fast upon us, the colder weather should provide plenty of incentive to want to revisit that warmth. I am excited to start growing our pixel garden in the warmth of the studio.

I promise I will also have more papercraft projects coming soon!

View fullsize

Faux really knows how to put a room together and she also made the quilt on the bed!

GameMaker Progress - Coloring has begun

I have been having such a great time with my papercraft designs that I had taken a break on other projects such as my graphics for a possible GameMaker game. What exactly this game could be has yet to be determined but as an exercise in “pixellating” a real-life location, I am beginning to see some real success.

View fullsize

I am especially proud of the linoleum in the kitchen. Ezra the cat is always demanding to be fed.

View fullsize

Cheeseburger the cat likes to follow me around the trailer and beg to be picked up.

View fullsize

The final area I worked on, is the hallway, studio and bathroom areas. More clutter, erm details will be added to the studio shelves at some point.

Hallway, Studio, Bathroom Outlines Complete

Very excited to see continued progress on this project. I promise colour and details will follow but I must first outline the kitchen and the bedroom. I force myself to stay at this limited level of detail in order to remain flexible in the overall design. Also, it has been said, that you can't help but get better as you practice your pixelwork. By the time I have completed outlining, I am hoping I will have gained enough skill to fill in the gaps.

The trailer is beginning to take shape!

Here is a sample of the in-game door functionality. Doors allow for "privacy".

The final two rooms are smaller than the "first two" but are both full of interesting details so I will avoid the impulse to start rushing. This is a labour of love!

My 8-Bit Future

The Living Room *ruffed* out. Bruce, the Blue Heeler, says hello.

Trying to distinguish feminine from masculine in 8-bits is a challenge.

Faux's trailer is the world map. The limitations of the NES will ultimately determine the level of detail I am able to give to this world.

NES 8-bit game design has always been on the bucket list. I am hoping NESmaker will be the key to giving it a go. Getting familiar with a different graphics mode is always exciting to me, and the opportunity to tell a meaningful story with an old Nintendo makes the whole prospect that much more attractive.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 31 - FINAL

It was a lot of had work but I have finally completed the Retro Challenger for 2016. It was a fun experience as always. Perhaps one day I will team up with a programmer and Super Mario will find another home on the Commodore.

But that'll be for another Challenge. Thanks a million for all the support!

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 29

Thought I was finished? So did I, well almost. The SMB3 experience would not be complete without the Battle Game which is a shout out to the original Mario Bros. game.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 27

I felt Canadian's in the 80's were quick to abandon old computer tech in favour of game consoles and eventually PCs. I was playing with my Commodore 64 for years after it had fallen out of favor. The 16-bit computer era practically passed us by. There is a lot of beauty wrapped up in limitation so I believe I will continue to appreciate what 8-bit and 16-bit system do.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 25

I remember playing Super Mario Bros 3 for the first time. I rented it from out Canadian Tire (CT rented out games in our small town). I remember it like it was yesterday. My younger sister and I sat in front of our television and were transfixed as we played through the whole experience. I always had similar times with the Commodore so it only seems fitting to pay tribute to two of my favourite systems.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 23

Mario reaches the final bonus stage before reaching the castle.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 21

The leaf is green on the map screen and in the Mushroom Houses but red in the game. I wonder why this is?

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 19

The NES uses 2x2 tiles (16x16px) to define its world whereas my Commodore version uses 3x2 tiles (12x16px). This can make certain objects, like the rotating hammer especially challenging and interesting to translate.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 17

Mario takes a break from stomping Goombas to play a card game with Toad.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 14

World 1-6 represents the final numbered level in the Grass Lands. Do you remember all the other areas hidden in World 1? Stay tuned for the answer!

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 12

Mario goes spelunking, takes a dip, and flies into coin-filled clouds in World 1-5.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 10

It is nice to see a change of palette as Mario braves this fire-filled fortress.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 9

While I don't know if the Commodore can move this many pixels at once, the demoscene knows.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 8

Mario has discovered another Mushroom House, this one more secret than last.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 7

This level focuses on platforms and brick assets. Mario receives his first 5-up of the game.

Retro Challenge 2016/10 - Day 6

Today's entry represents a well deserved break for both Mario and myself.