Nes Development Kit
in The Brewery
Hey all.
This idea has run through my mind a few times since I have started working on my most recent project. I was wondering what the interest would be in an NES dev kit. The kit would be all inclusive to get someone up and running developing for the NES. It would have all the tools I have created for my own development use including:
-Flashable NES cartridge Easily configurable NES dev cartridge (dip switches instead of soldering pads to select things like horizontal/vertical mirroring)
-Custom ROM programmer and transfer cable (connects to computer via usb and to dev cart via a proprietary connection. Cartridge can be programmed in a matter of a few seconds without being removed from the dev system)
-Transfer software for the computer to connect to the programmer and provide services like ROM erase, dump, burn, verify.
-A well written tutorial to get people started, as well as a useful reference guide
-Well documented code and example programs for beginners and intermediates alike to understand how things work
-A few different software tools for users to choose from and documentation on how to use them and pros and cons of all of them (cc65, asm6, nesasm, etc.)
I wanted to gauge people's interest in this, and if it is high enough I would put resources into creating this and also starting a kickstarter to help fund this.
Feel free to reply with ideas, or at least if you'd be interested in something like this or not!
-mham
This idea has run through my mind a few times since I have started working on my most recent project. I was wondering what the interest would be in an NES dev kit. The kit would be all inclusive to get someone up and running developing for the NES. It would have all the tools I have created for my own development use including:
-Flashable NES cartridge Easily configurable NES dev cartridge (dip switches instead of soldering pads to select things like horizontal/vertical mirroring)
-Custom ROM programmer and transfer cable (connects to computer via usb and to dev cart via a proprietary connection. Cartridge can be programmed in a matter of a few seconds without being removed from the dev system)
-Transfer software for the computer to connect to the programmer and provide services like ROM erase, dump, burn, verify.
-A well written tutorial to get people started, as well as a useful reference guide
-Well documented code and example programs for beginners and intermediates alike to understand how things work
-A few different software tools for users to choose from and documentation on how to use them and pros and cons of all of them (cc65, asm6, nesasm, etc.)
I wanted to gauge people's interest in this, and if it is high enough I would put resources into creating this and also starting a kickstarter to help fund this.
Feel free to reply with ideas, or at least if you'd be interested in something like this or not!
-mham
Comments
As far as "tech support", the hardware is really just plug and play, it would be very well documented to figure out how to use it, probably include some videos and tutorials. But in terms of coding, there isn't going to be a way to ever have documentation that answers every possible question someone will have. Professionally, I work as a programmer and there are still times I run into problems where this is no documentation on a certain problem and I am left to figure it out on my own.
That is the beauty of a forum like this; so people can ask their question to knowledgeable people willing to give them a helping hand.
The dev tools give the people using it a springboard to start, and when they reach complexities in a specific game or project, they will probably just end up bringing it to a forum.
On the other hand, there are always people who just like to play with the hardware, or want to feel the retro approach to development. But I'd say these are separate goals from making a game.
So, my vision of a modern NES SDK is a free software package, with an optional HW counterpart, which could be just as well replaced with a regular Flash cart like PowerPak.
If you made the tutorial/examples/software side into a real programming book that might do well enough. Not something I would use but I would support a kickstarter to get it printed.
Originally posted by: bunnyboy
If you made the tutorial/examples/software side into a real programming book that might do well enough. Not something I would use but I would support a kickstarter to get it printed.
I would love this in electronic or printed form!!!
I think the thing is that I am very nostalgic and I enjoy being as true as possible to how things were done "back in the day". I wrote the ROM for one of my homebrew z80 computers completely by hand (by flipping switches!)
So I am more inclined to seeing the progress of a game being built on actual hardware. For lack of a better word it's more tactile for me, and it seems truer to the process. I understand this is not the same for most people i'm sure.
i think it is a really great idea. if your kickstarter had a sponsorship level that i could snag a good project/workbook that really helped new people see progress while developing understanding of the hardware thru different lessons, i could totally get behind that. like one of those radio shack circuit project toys but for nintendo, thats exactly what ive been looking for.
Originally posted by: fatalfuryspecial
like one of those radio shack circuit project toys but for nintendo, thats exactly what ive been looking for.
Thanks for your feedback! If I was to go through with making a dev kit like this, my goal would be $100 price point. And that is everything to get someone started with developing on actual hardare. I like this idea of a workbook that you all have suggested. I think this is something I could do, and perhaps some of you who are well know nes devs could contribute to in some capacity (just a suggestion). It most certainly would not be and end all be all encycolpedia with everything there is to know about the nes, but I think a book that encompasses all the topics that go in to how the nes works, developing for the nes, testing on hardware, all the while giving example code for the reader to try out, is a great idea.
I'm not looking to make loads of money off of this program. I am passionate about the nes and retro gaming and I am sure tht there are plenty of developers out there with ideas that they could bring to the nes but just don't know where to start.
It's one of my dreams to see a resurgence in development for the nes and to see more games urfacing for the console.
an 8-bit style game on an iphone is just not the same as if it were played on a nintendo.
i will keep the community updated as this idea progresses!
As for the shop...
I like to tinker with the hardware in my spare time. And there are plenty of these shops that do this same kind of stuff online already, but I just like doing it! I think it will be something fun that I can include my girlfriend on (she is an artist). She has a passion for games as well and she also has an eye for design so I think this is a little venture that will make both of us happy!
I like to take on a lot, but I try to take on things that make me happy! (also, with taking on a lot, if you get bored or overwhelmed with one of the things, you can jump to something else and come back to it).
Originally posted by: GradualGames
Are you going to make this development kit, start your store, and build a homebrew game all in parallel? If so, I truly tip my hat to you sir. I barely have enough time with a day job and everything else to just make the homebrew games I want, and those take years. If you ended up having to prioritize, I'd say make the game. Just my two cents!
Without teachers, the world cannot grow.
As always I will keep everyone posted on the progress of this kit, as well as the game!