What do YOU want?!!

[foegelle@sleepy.cc.utexas.edu (Michael Foegelle)]

There, that should get someone's attention!  Actually, the full question 
should be something like, "What program or type of program would you most 
like to see written for your Apple II?"  

Basically, here's the scoop.  Many of you have seen my Columns //e, and I've
written a number of other minor programs for Apples, not the least of which is
my own BBS software.  At any rate, I released Columns VGA for the IBM about
two months ago and have not seen a single registration yet!  With the better
resolution, etc, Columns VGA really does make Columns //e look a bit sad, 
although game play is much the same.  Basically I'm beginning the get the idea
that most IBM users aren't into registering ShareWare.  Maybe it's because 
there is so much stuff out there that unless it's something really new and
spectacular, like DOOM from ID software, they don't figure it's worth anything.
At any rate, I'm now considering what my next big programming project should
be, and considering the difference in response from the two computer communi-
ties, I see no reason why I shouldn't write something neat for the Apple.

I have a couple of small projects I'm working on right now, including a
binary file editor utility package that will make patching files and other 
such chores a lot easier.  It will include search and replace, binary and
text edit modes, machine language disassembler (at least 6502 and probably 
65c02; not sure about 65816 for the GS), and then some file utilities like
copy, move, delete, file attribute changer, etc.  It has a Shrinkit-like 
directory interface and a full page hex display.  I've already found the
incomplete version invaluable in patching programs to run on the hard drive.
I also have a couple of other small things in the works that I may or may not
complete one day soon.

So, back to the big question.  What do YOU want to see on your Apple?  I don't
want to get into a HUGE project, and I don't want to do something that I won't
see any return on, but here's your chance to get in on the ground floor, so to
speak, and indicate what type of game, utility, etc, you'd like to see.  Don't
ask for DOOM on an Apple, it just won't happen.  We've got to live with our
limitations, and unfortunately, graphics and speed are a bit of a problem.  
(NOTE:  There is the option of taking advantage of new technology (i.e. 
accelerators) just like new IBM programs take advantage of high end machines
and leave the low end users out...  That means that people without Zips, etc
in there machines wouldn't be able to use the new program (typically only 
games here) adequately.  Also note that I don't have an accelerator on my GS
yet, so that's out for now, although I do have an 8 MHz //e.)  Also, I've
enjoyed being able to give things to the many 8-bit users out there who are
always feeling left out by all the GS stuff, so in some respects I'd rather
write an 8-bit program than a GS one.  

One program I've been WANTING to see for a long time is a "Xybots" clone,
where you see your character from behind, walking through a 3-D maze and
battling robots (or other enemies) real-time.  Except when moving from block
to block in the maze, each area or 'room' is always seen from the same 
perspective.  It's not quite the same as Wolfenstein or something like that, 
but it was a great game in the arcade.  Obviously, VGA resolution would be
nice for a game like that, and the GS would still give a pretty nice looking
screen.  Double-hires would really be pushing it though.  To get enough 
resolution for the characters, etc, would require almost the whole screen, 
making updates slow and leaving little or no room for a map screen.

Anyway, that's my thoughts on the subject, and I welcome any and all creative
and constructive responses.  After all, unless I go home and my mailbox is
full of registrations for Columns VGA, I might as well be writing you a new
program rather than goofing off playing games or something!

Michael Foegelle
  
-- 
   Michael Foegelle  | Call Wunderland BBS! |   foegelle@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
    University of    | (512) 472-0544  8n1  |   foegelle@utaphy.ph.utexas.edu
   Texas at Austin   | 14.4kbaud, v.32/bis  |   GEnie:   M.FOEGELLE2
  Physics Department | 500 megs on a //e!   |   > Ask me about Columns //e! <