Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Cara Quinn
Hi Thomas, actually that was Josh with that note, but I'm actually in full 
agreement with him. :)

So there ya go!…

Smiles,

Cara :)
---
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On Apr 22, 2013, at 9:44 AM, Thomas Ward  wrote:

Hi Cara,

Thanks for that thoughtful post, and it certainly makes a lot of
sense. Its something I've more or less discovered the hard way over
the last couple of years in developing my Evolution Engine, and
developing specifically for a certain platform or OS is something I'm
coming to respect.

For example, about four years ago I tried all the so-called write once
run anywhere type languages and found inevitably they all had issues
that made them unsuitable for what I wanted to do. C# .NET is a good
programming language, especially if writing for Windows, but the
minute you port a game to Mac handy Windows Forms which are so handy
on Windows is completely inaccessible using VoiceOver because Mono
doesn't provide the necessary bindings to Cocoa we need for access.
Java has a similar problem. Its a great language, but if you try and
write a GUI using Swing all hell breaks loose with screen readers
since Jaws has problems with Swing on 64-bit versions of Windows,
Window-Eyes 7.5.x and earlier have problems with Swing based Java
apps, and I don't think Supernova supports Java period. With Python
its easy to support Cocoa, GTK+, etc using the available modules, but
Python programs are Python interpreter specific. If you compile a
Python program for say 2.7.3 then your intended platform better have
Python 2.7.3 on it because having a version of Python too new or too
old will result in your program not running. So its not exactly all
that portable either.

Like you said a developer is going to spend more time with hacks
trying to get the OS or runtime to conform to his or her individual
comfort zone when they could save themselves a lot of headaches in the
long run just by writing platform specific code to begin with. On
Linux, for example, using C++ and SDL is by and large the best option
for a game developer. If he or she needs an accessible GUI then using
GTK+ 3 is the way to go. For Windows DirectX and the standard Windows
API is the way to go. for Mac using Cocoa for a GUI, OpenAL for audio,
etc is the way to go. Instead of forcing the platform to conform to
some standard a developer needs to conform to the platform be it Mac,
iOS, Windows, Linux, whatever.

I guess a lot of the reason why people try to use hacks is because
they simply don't want to invest the time or the money in directly
supporting the OS or technology in question. I don't own an iOS
device, and I don't own a Mac. Yet I am getting requests to support
one or both of those operating systems. I was hoping there was a
cheaper way of doing it than paying $1200 for a new Macbook etc and
getting all the software and development kits required, but through my
own investigations plus your  excellent post I know there isn't any
other way to do it. Want to support a Mac you have to own a Mac and
write software for a Mac. That's all there is to it.

Cheers!


On 4/22/13, Draconis  wrote:
> Hi Tom,
> 
> Technically, you may be able to do some development on Windows, but
> ultimately, you'd still need a Mac and Xcode for the final compilation and
> submission to the App Store.
> 
> I also have some doubts on the accessibility of apps developed with Mono,
> but that is merely speculation on my part. Just about all of these
> third-party development tools…really for most platforms…end up making
> inaccessible software.
> 
> Speaking from experience, you're going to end up with more headaches trying
> to make a platform conform to your habits, than to adapt your habits to the
> platforms you're developing for…and that goes for development in either
> direction. .net isn't designed for Mac, any more than Cocoa is designed for
> Windows. It's best to learn and work within the differences of various
> platforms, IMO. You'll spend less time in the long run learning each
> platform's differences, than trying to get, what are essentially hacks,
> working the way you want.
> 
> Marco Arment, an iOS developer for whom I have the utmost respect, talked
> about this a few months ago in terms of web site development. (Marco was the
> main developer for Tumblr in its first several years). He spoke about how so
> many people will spend days, weeks, even months, trying to install themes
> and plugins for WordPress or Drupal or some of these other CMS packages out
> there, spend time hacking the code or writing their own plugins, etc
> etc…just because it is their comfort zone. That doesn't count time that will
> be lost when, inevitably, plugins or themes they are using break when the
> cores of those packages are updated. In reality, they could've made their
> own custom CMS that was exactly tailored to their needs and fully under
> their control in far less tim

Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Charles,

Right. I guess I should have specified that any work on rewriting the
BSC games would obviously have to come later. Its not like I'd drop
everything and rewrite them right now. However, people being people
they might jump to that conclusion which was not my intent. My intent
was merely to find out if people would like to see this happen
eventually.

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, Charles Rivard  wrote:
> I think the message has been to take them on, but not until projects that
> have been uncompleted have been finished.  Don't have gamers wait for
> projects that we have been waiting on.  Game production is slow.  Don't slow
>
> it down more by taking on more work.
>
> ---
> Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Charles Rivard
I think the message has been to take them on, but not until projects that 
have been uncompleted have been finished.  Don't have gamers wait for 
projects that we have been waiting on.  Game production is slow.  Don't slow 
it down more by taking on more work.


---
Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
- Original Message - 
From: "Thomas Ward" 

To: "Gamers Discussion list" 
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 11:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider



Hi Ron,

Thanks. However, don't get your hopes up. Right now I am thinking out
loud as it were and seeing where the communities feelings are on the
matter. By and large the general consensus seems to be forget about
the BSC Games, do your own thing, and don't worry about trying to
rewrite these games. At least that is the message I am getting.

Michael Feir's heartfelt message the other day is a case in point. He
is right. I have a lot of work to do on my own projects without taking
on any more work right now, and something like Mysteries of the
Ancients is probably going to be a far better game than say Hunter for
a number of reasons such as it takes advantage of a full 2d
environment, has multiple weapons with ranged attacks, uses analog
jumps, is written in pure C++, and is being developed for a modern
operating system to begin with. His point was that taking on the BSC
games would only become a distraction and I can probably do better by
doing my own thing.

For all those reasons I probably won't be rewriting the BSC Games
myself. As someone said with a lot of new up and coming developers
using BGT someone is bound to write another Space Invader clone like
Troopanum or an arcade game like Hunter eventually. Those games are
fairly simplistic from a programming point of view and therefore I
could leave it to new developers to try their hand at it if they wish.
:D

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, Ron Kolesar  wrote:

Hi to you tom.
If you're going to need a beta tester please look this way.
The only thing that I am worried about right now is that when this pc 
goes

I'll like most would have to jump to win 8.
I like most have down loaded my bsc games and threw them on the external
drive for future storage.
Since getting hooked on the flight simulator I haven't been playing to 
many


of the hand to ear games.
I never could get trhough level nine but I like most about BSC's games 
was

the accuracy and the speed while under pressure.
I wish who ever takes on the classic game to up grade them the best of
luck.
Now go blind friendly games.



Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
"that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Dark,

Well, installing the VB 6 libraries is only half the problem. Yes, a
person can do so and the games will run on Windows 7, but there are
still compatibility issues that can and do effect the operation of
your games.

For example, on Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 when User
Account Control is enabled programs can not save data files to
c:\Program Files and c:\Program Files X86. Those are considered
restricted areas of the OS and this makes sense considering that is
where the majority of where your programs are stored and viruses and
other malware will infect your system. However, because the BSC games
etc were written for Windows 98, Millennium, XP they have the nasty
habit of saving data files to c:\Program Files which is an absolute
no-no on newer Windows operating systems. Installing VB 6 libraries
will not correct this problem.

The other issue is that I have read there are some Windows 8 users
that can not get games like Troopanum 2.0 to run on Windows 8. They
have all the dependencies and it still will not run. It gives an
error, and I don't know what the problem is. However, these and other
problems are going to continue to be a problem for those of us who do
choose to upgrade. So, no, just installing the VB 6 libraries are not
going to be a one size fits all solution unfortunately.

As for the fact that GMA Games, Jim Kitchen, Jeremy Kaldobsky, etc
will probably continue using VB 6 for a long time you are probably
right. I don't doubt that. However, what we have here is a conflict of
interests, and one with technical consequences attached.

What I mean by that is there is a big difference here between an
average computer user such as yourself and a programmer and technical
support specialist like myself. You only use your computer for average
day to day tasks like reading email, browsing the internet, listening
to music, playing games, and obviously XP is fine in that capacity.
You are free to upgrade or not upgrade per your choice. I make money
by offering home technical support in my area, and I also make money
by developing software on the side. So it behooves me to A, keep my
skills up to date, and B, to install and use the same software my
clients and customers will be using. I may not particularly like
Windows 8 personally compared to Windows 7, but professionally it is
not a choice of upgrade or not. If I don't I might as well look for a
different line of work, because every single laptop and desktop at my
local Walmart has Windows 8 on it and my clients and potential clients
will be buying one sooner or later.

What I am saying is while you personally might not have any reason to
upgrade to Windows 8 any time soon some of us may have to upgrade or
use it in a professional capacity. While it is certainly possible to
keep an older PC around for playing games or perhaps run XP in a
virtual machine that's hardly a perfect solution. If I happen to bring
my laptop along and it is running Windows 8 I don't want to boot up a
virtual machine that runs slower than a turtle with three broken legs
just to play a game because that eats a lot of memory and CPU power
unnecessarily. Likewise if I am somewhere and the computer with all my
games on it is at home it isn't exactly going to do me a lot of good.
So the ideal solution is these games should be upgraded to support the
newer operating systems while remaining backwards compatible for XP
users.

Cheers!

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
HI Dark,

Well, it would be nice if someone could maintain the dependencies, but
that of course will never happen. Microsoft hasn't released the source
code for the Visual Basic Runtime libraries and nor are they ever
likely to. Writing a new VB 6 runtime would be a huge undertaking
which wouldn't really address all the problems with the software
anyway.

For example, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 all use a
security feature called User Account Control, (UAC,) which these games
do not support. Unless the developers are willing to rewrite their
code and make it UAC compatible it won't matter weather you use the
original VB 6 Runtime libraries or write them holy from scratch as the
problem is in the programs themselves.

As for rewriting the games I am probably not going to do it. I was
merely seeing where the communities feelings were, and see how many
people were seriously interested in seeing these games continued being
supported past May 15.

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, dark  wrote:
> Hi tom.
>
> the problem I can see with a rewrite, is that of time. It is still possible
>
> to run the old games on newer versions of windows by installing the
> dependencies, and as has been pointed out, you do have other projects in the
>
> works, and a complete rewrite of these games, (especially with cross
> platform compatibility), would take considderable time.
> myself, i'd prefer to just see all the libraries and dependencies looked
> after, rather than the major task of updating everything.
>
> Beware the grue!
>
> Dark.
>
>
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi James,

That is true, but since Microsoft is a huge money making corporation
naturally they are going to do whatever possible to continue selling
you their software and services. They've already made all or most of
the money they are going to ever make off of XP so have to sell you
Windows 7, Windows 8, and so on to continue making money for
themselves. As long as money is the primary goal of such companies
they are going to continue pushing their products on people weather
they really want them or not.

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, James Bartlett  wrote:
> Hello Dark
>
>   Very well put. I hate how windows pushes there producks on people
> when ever they come out with a new oprating system. I have 3 computers with
> win xp, win 7 and win 8 and I still perfur to use my computer with xp then
> the other 2, and with all the people that still perfur xp over any other oS
> I think it will still be a minit be for anything realy changes. Well I at
> leas hope so grin.
>
> Bfn
> James
>

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Ron,

Thanks. However, don't get your hopes up. Right now I am thinking out
loud as it were and seeing where the communities feelings are on the
matter. By and large the general consensus seems to be forget about
the BSC Games, do your own thing, and don't worry about trying to
rewrite these games. At least that is the message I am getting.

Michael Feir's heartfelt message the other day is a case in point. He
is right. I have a lot of work to do on my own projects without taking
on any more work right now, and something like Mysteries of the
Ancients is probably going to be a far better game than say Hunter for
a number of reasons such as it takes advantage of a full 2d
environment, has multiple weapons with ranged attacks, uses analog
jumps, is written in pure C++, and is being developed for a modern
operating system to begin with. His point was that taking on the BSC
games would only become a distraction and I can probably do better by
doing my own thing.

For all those reasons I probably won't be rewriting the BSC Games
myself. As someone said with a lot of new up and coming developers
using BGT someone is bound to write another Space Invader clone like
Troopanum or an arcade game like Hunter eventually. Those games are
fairly simplistic from a programming point of view and therefore I
could leave it to new developers to try their hand at it if they wish.
:D

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, Ron Kolesar  wrote:
> Hi to you tom.
> If you're going to need a beta tester please look this way.
> The only thing that I am worried about right now is that when this pc goes
> I'll like most would have to jump to win 8.
> I like most have down loaded my bsc games and threw them on the external
> drive for future storage.
> Since getting hooked on the flight simulator I haven't been playing to many
>
> of the hand to ear games.
> I never could get trhough level nine but I like most about BSC's games was
> the accuracy and the speed while under pressure.
> I wish who ever takes on the classic game to up grade them the best of
> luck.
> Now go blind friendly games.
>
>
>
> Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
> "that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."

---
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Cara,

Thanks for that thoughtful post, and it certainly makes a lot of
sense. Its something I've more or less discovered the hard way over
the last couple of years in developing my Evolution Engine, and
developing specifically for a certain platform or OS is something I'm
coming to respect.

For example, about four years ago I tried all the so-called write once
run anywhere type languages and found inevitably they all had issues
that made them unsuitable for what I wanted to do. C# .NET is a good
programming language, especially if writing for Windows, but the
minute you port a game to Mac handy Windows Forms which are so handy
on Windows is completely inaccessible using VoiceOver because Mono
doesn't provide the necessary bindings to Cocoa we need for access.
Java has a similar problem. Its a great language, but if you try and
write a GUI using Swing all hell breaks loose with screen readers
since Jaws has problems with Swing on 64-bit versions of Windows,
Window-Eyes 7.5.x and earlier have problems with Swing based Java
apps, and I don't think Supernova supports Java period. With Python
its easy to support Cocoa, GTK+, etc using the available modules, but
Python programs are Python interpreter specific. If you compile a
Python program for say 2.7.3 then your intended platform better have
Python 2.7.3 on it because having a version of Python too new or too
old will result in your program not running. So its not exactly all
that portable either.

Like you said a developer is going to spend more time with hacks
trying to get the OS or runtime to conform to his or her individual
comfort zone when they could save themselves a lot of headaches in the
long run just by writing platform specific code to begin with. On
Linux, for example, using C++ and SDL is by and large the best option
for a game developer. If he or she needs an accessible GUI then using
GTK+ 3 is the way to go. For Windows DirectX and the standard Windows
API is the way to go. for Mac using Cocoa for a GUI, OpenAL for audio,
etc is the way to go. Instead of forcing the platform to conform to
some standard a developer needs to conform to the platform be it Mac,
iOS, Windows, Linux, whatever.

I guess a lot of the reason why people try to use hacks is because
they simply don't want to invest the time or the money in directly
supporting the OS or technology in question. I don't own an iOS
device, and I don't own a Mac. Yet I am getting requests to support
one or both of those operating systems. I was hoping there was a
cheaper way of doing it than paying $1200 for a new Macbook etc and
getting all the software and development kits required, but through my
own investigations plus your  excellent post I know there isn't any
other way to do it. Want to support a Mac you have to own a Mac and
write software for a Mac. That's all there is to it.

Cheers!


On 4/22/13, Draconis  wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> Technically, you may be able to do some development on Windows, but
> ultimately, you'd still need a Mac and Xcode for the final compilation and
> submission to the App Store.
>
> I also have some doubts on the accessibility of apps developed with Mono,
> but that is merely speculation on my part. Just about all of these
> third-party development tools…really for most platforms…end up making
> inaccessible software.
>
> Speaking from experience, you're going to end up with more headaches trying
> to make a platform conform to your habits, than to adapt your habits to the
> platforms you're developing for…and that goes for development in either
> direction. .net isn't designed for Mac, any more than Cocoa is designed for
> Windows. It's best to learn and work within the differences of various
> platforms, IMO. You'll spend less time in the long run learning each
> platform's differences, than trying to get, what are essentially hacks,
> working the way you want.
>
> Marco Arment, an iOS developer for whom I have the utmost respect, talked
> about this a few months ago in terms of web site development. (Marco was the
> main developer for Tumblr in its first several years). He spoke about how so
> many people will spend days, weeks, even months, trying to install themes
> and plugins for WordPress or Drupal or some of these other CMS packages out
> there, spend time hacking the code or writing their own plugins, etc
> etc…just because it is their comfort zone. That doesn't count time that will
> be lost when, inevitably, plugins or themes they are using break when the
> cores of those packages are updated. In reality, they could've made their
> own custom CMS that was exactly tailored to their needs and fully under
> their control in far less time.
>
> This particularly hit home to me recently, when I decided to heed his advice
> and built the CMS for the new Draconis site, (whose launch is immanent by
> the way), from scratch. It was a daunting idea to start with, but in the
> end, didn't take all that long to do…and certainly far less than if I'd
> stuck 

Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Ron Kolesar

Hi to you tom.
If you're going to need a beta tester please look this way.
The only thing that I am worried about right now is that when this pc goes 
I'll like most would have to jump to win 8.
I like most have down loaded my bsc games and threw them on the external 
drive for future storage.
Since getting hooked on the flight simulator I haven't been playing to many 
of the hand to ear games.
I never could get trhough level nine but I like most about BSC's games was 
the accuracy and the speed while under pressure.

I wish who ever takes on the classic game to up grade them the best of luck.
Now go blind friendly games.



Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
"that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."
-Original Message- 
From: Thomas Ward

Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 12:10 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi Jim,

That's actually what I am thinking. Since Justin has made it difficult
to get at his sounds and nuked the source code for the games I think
I'd be better off just buying the sounds and music necessary and
writing my own games with similar themes as the BSC titles. If I
created a game called Alien Invaders it would be similar to but not
exactly like Troopanum. If I wrote a game called Explorer it might be
kind of like Hunter but not exactly like it. Since I would essentially
be starting from scratch anyway might as go all the way and start over
from a clean slate as they say.

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, Jim Kitchen  wrote:

Hi Thomas,

If you were going to remake the BSC games but not with the same sounds and
not from the original code, why not make the same game only with your
title?

BFN

 Jim

All computers wait at the same speed.

j...@kitchensinc.net
http://www.kitchensinc.net
(440) 286-6920
Chardon Ohio USA
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Jim,

That's actually what I am thinking. Since Justin has made it difficult
to get at his sounds and nuked the source code for the games I think
I'd be better off just buying the sounds and music necessary and
writing my own games with similar themes as the BSC titles. If I
created a game called Alien Invaders it would be similar to but not
exactly like Troopanum. If I wrote a game called Explorer it might be
kind of like Hunter but not exactly like it. Since I would essentially
be starting from scratch anyway might as go all the way and start over
from a clean slate as they say.

Cheers!

On 4/22/13, Jim Kitchen  wrote:
> Hi Thomas,
>
> If you were going to remake the BSC games but not with the same sounds and
> not from the original code, why not make the same game only with your
> title?
>
> BFN
>
>  Jim
>
> All computers wait at the same speed.
>
> j...@kitchensinc.net
> http://www.kitchensinc.net
> (440) 286-6920
> Chardon Ohio USA
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Draconis
Hi Tom,

Technically, you may be able to do some development on Windows, but ultimately, 
you'd still need a Mac and Xcode for the final compilation and submission to 
the App Store.

I also have some doubts on the accessibility of apps developed with Mono, but 
that is merely speculation on my part. Just about all of these third-party 
development tools…really for most platforms…end up making inaccessible software.

Speaking from experience, you're going to end up with more headaches trying to 
make a platform conform to your habits, than to adapt your habits to the 
platforms you're developing for…and that goes for development in either 
direction. .net isn't designed for Mac, any more than Cocoa is designed for 
Windows. It's best to learn and work within the differences of various 
platforms, IMO. You'll spend less time in the long run learning each platform's 
differences, than trying to get, what are essentially hacks, working the way 
you want.

Marco Arment, an iOS developer for whom I have the utmost respect, talked about 
this a few months ago in terms of web site development. (Marco was the main 
developer for Tumblr in its first several years). He spoke about how so many 
people will spend days, weeks, even months, trying to install themes and 
plugins for WordPress or Drupal or some of these other CMS packages out there, 
spend time hacking the code or writing their own plugins, etc etc…just because 
it is their comfort zone. That doesn't count time that will be lost when, 
inevitably, plugins or themes they are using break when the cores of those 
packages are updated. In reality, they could've made their own custom CMS that 
was exactly tailored to their needs and fully under their control in far less 
time.

This particularly hit home to me recently, when I decided to heed his advice 
and built the CMS for the new Draconis site, (whose launch is immanent by the 
way), from scratch. It was a daunting idea to start with, but in the end, 
didn't take all that long to do…and certainly far less than if I'd stuck with 
our old WordPress-based system.

Just my two cents.

On Apr 21, 2013, at 10:53 PM, Thomas Ward  wrote:

> Hi Cara,
> 
> Right. Yeah, I read some of the SDK documentation for iOS and know I
> would have to use some Objective C to access the libraries for the
> library, but could use standard C++ for everything else.
> 
> However, I was wondering if you have looked at Mono for iOS.
> Apparently there is now a Mono version for iOS, and developers can
> write .NET code in C# and run it on iPhones and iPads. However, I
> can't get much info on that because the Mono Framework for iOS is
> commercial and I don't have an iPhone to test it in any case. So all I
> know is its possible for Windows developers to write apps for iOS with
> the write tools, but don't know any details of how to do it.
> 
> Cheers!
> 
> 


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Mich
Hi tom. as some one who really enjoys audio games I would be willing to 
support this eather by donation or bying the new games out right if and when 
they would get made. having said all this though I have not played Troopanum 
I did play hunter once though. also I am running windows xp and i have a 
laptop running windows 7. but my main pc runs windows xp. so I am happy to 
hear that these games would be still able to work on xp pc's. as has all 
ready been pointed out alot of the comunidey still has xp pc's so the 
chances of these games not beaing able to be played on these systems is 
quite small but i am not shure about windows 7 and 8 and future windows 
systems. so in short I would forshure support this project. well these are 
my thoughts. from Mich.
- Original Message - 
From: "Thomas Ward" 

To: "Gamers Discussion list" 
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:12 PM
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider



Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread James Bartlett
Hello Dark

Very well put. I hate how windows pushes there producks on people
when ever they come out with a new oprating system. I have 3 computers with
win xp, win 7 and win 8 and I still perfur to use my computer with xp then
the other 2, and with all the people that still perfur xp over any other oS
I think it will still be a minit be for anything realy changes. Well I at
leas hope so grin.

Bfn
James


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread dark

Hi tom.

the problem I can see with a rewrite, is that of time. It is still possible 
to run the old games on newer versions of windows by installing the 
dependencies, and as has been pointed out, you do have other projects in the 
works, and a complete rewrite of these games, (especially with cross 
platform compatibility), would take considderable time.
myself, i'd prefer to just see all the libraries and dependencies looked 
after, rather than the major task of updating everything.


Beware the grue!

Dark. 



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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread dark

Hi tom.

Personally, i don't see what is wrong with just installing vb6 libraries. 
Aprone, Jim, and lots of other devs, (including several in the indi 
community), still use vb6, so it'll be around for a good while. I have no 
intention of buying a newer version of windows until it really serves any 
practical purpose to do so, and even if microsoft the scummy gits like to 
kick support to the kirb, that doesn't mean everyone has to follow sute. On 
that basis, I fully intend to keep on playing vb6 games on future versions 
of windows even if I need to update the libraries and dependencies myself.


on this basis, well why should I wish to pay, or a developer wish to spend 
his/her time remaking games when you can still run the originals? The 
reality is what ever microsoft say, vb6 will still be around long in the 
future, as an example, just look at something like Eamon deluxe.


Beware the grue!

Dark. 



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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-22 Thread Jim Kitchen

Hi Thomas,

If you were going to remake the BSC games but not with the same sounds and not 
from the original code, why not make the same game only with your title?

BFN

Jim

All computers wait at the same speed.

j...@kitchensinc.net
http://www.kitchensinc.net
(440) 286-6920
Chardon Ohio USA
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Cara Quinn
Hi Thomas, not sure about Mono but will check it out this week.

Smiles,

Cara :)
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On Apr 21, 2013, at 7:53 PM, Thomas Ward  wrote:

Hi Cara,

Right. Yeah, I read some of the SDK documentation for iOS and know I
would have to use some Objective C to access the libraries for the
library, but could use standard C++ for everything else.

However, I was wondering if you have looked at Mono for iOS.
Apparently there is now a Mono version for iOS, and developers can
write .NET code in C# and run it on iPhones and iPads. However, I
can't get much info on that because the Mono Framework for iOS is
commercial and I don't have an iPhone to test it in any case. So all I
know is its possible for Windows developers to write apps for iOS with
the write tools, but don't know any details of how to do it.

Cheers!


On 4/21/13, Cara Quinn  wrote:
> Ah, quick clarification; in regarding to coding in C++ on iOS, you still
> will need to know some Objective C to work with the necessary libraries for
> the iOS devices.
> 
> Other than that you can code in C++.
> 
> HTH
> 
> Cara :)
> ---
> View my Online Portfolio at:
> 
> http://www.onemodelplace.com/CaraQuinn
> 
> Follow me on Twitter!
> 
> https://twitter.com/ModelCara

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Cara,

Right. Yeah, I read some of the SDK documentation for iOS and know I
would have to use some Objective C to access the libraries for the
library, but could use standard C++ for everything else.

However, I was wondering if you have looked at Mono for iOS.
Apparently there is now a Mono version for iOS, and developers can
write .NET code in C# and run it on iPhones and iPads. However, I
can't get much info on that because the Mono Framework for iOS is
commercial and I don't have an iPhone to test it in any case. So all I
know is its possible for Windows developers to write apps for iOS with
the write tools, but don't know any details of how to do it.

Cheers!


On 4/21/13, Cara Quinn  wrote:
> Ah, quick clarification; in regarding to coding in C++ on iOS, you still
> will need to know some Objective C to work with the necessary libraries for
> the iOS devices.
>
> Other than that you can code in C++.
>
> HTH
>
> Cara :)
> ---
> View my Online Portfolio at:
>
> http://www.onemodelplace.com/CaraQuinn
>
> Follow me on Twitter!
>
> https://twitter.com/ModelCara

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Ron Kolesar

I never could make it through level nine of hunter.
But had no problems with any of the other levels.



Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
"that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 9:09 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

they are good games, I like them never got through hunter or pipe2
but the troop games are really good.

At 11:41 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:
Why is there so much focus on the fact that these are old games?  The 
question should be, "Are they good games?"  Just because they have been 
around for a while, does that mean that they should not be updated if 
someone is willing to take the time and effort?  I do think, however, that 
Ark of Hope and Raceway should be completed before this project is 
undertaken.  The reason is that people have already bought these unfinished 
titles and have been patiently waiting.  This is not an intentional 
criticism, nor do I expect games immediately.


---
Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
- Original Message - From: "Sarah Haake" 
To: "Gamers Discussion list" 
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider



Hi,

since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a good bit 
of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time for rewriting 
these titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them can do so for years 
to come, and after that time I hope we have more things to play than these 
games.


Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which wait for 
completion for quite a long time now after all. I really don't like the 
idea of you spending time on these old games, which also would lead to 
more postponing of your own titles. I'd rather see your own titles finally 
completed than remakes of BSC titles.
And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the current 
versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way to get them 
running.


Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for others to 
get these games after the company closes, which would be enough to keep 
them alive in my opinion.

Best regards
Sarah

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Cara Quinn
Ah, quick clarification; in regarding to coding in C++ on iOS, you still will 
need to know some Objective C to work with the necessary libraries for the iOS 
devices.

Other than that you can code in C++.

HTH

Cara :)
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On Apr 21, 2013, at 7:05 PM, Cara Quinn  wrote:

Michael,

I'm not Thomas but I can say that for iOS, using the accelerometer / gyro / 
compass in addition to the touch screen to control movements in games is very 
easily done.

Oh, and Thomas, you'd asked me some days ago about porting C++ code to iOS… 
This is also very easy to do as you can actually code in straight C++ for iOS. 
YOu can also mix C++ and Objective C pretty much at will, with only a few 
exceptions.

HTH

Cara :)
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On Apr 21, 2013, at 3:31 PM, michael barnes  wrote:

Well, Thomas.
I think the games are fine the way they are.
However if they could be ported to iOS, and Mac it might be something worth 
investing into.
However I have some questions that I would like to ask you off list concerning 
the matter of game developement of games.
I think it would also be great to be able to not just use the touch screen on 
these games but to be able to move the phone around and to be more involve then 
the current versions.


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Cara Quinn
Michael,

I'm not Thomas but I can say that for iOS, using the accelerometer / gyro / 
compass in addition to the touch screen to control movements in games is very 
easily done.

Oh, and Thomas, you'd asked me some days ago about porting C++ code to iOS… 
This is also very easy to do as you can actually code in straight C++ for iOS. 
YOu can also mix C++ and Objective C pretty much at will, with only a few 
exceptions.

HTH

Cara :)
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On Apr 21, 2013, at 3:31 PM, michael barnes  wrote:

Well, Thomas.
I think the games are fine the way they are.
However if they could be ported to iOS, and Mac it might be something worth 
investing into.
However I have some questions that I would like to ask you off list concerning 
the matter of game developement of games.
I think it would also be great to be able to not just use the touch screen on 
these games but to be able to move the phone around and to be more involve then 
the current versions.


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson

That's the one area where Emulators have the original beat.



But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Thomas Ward

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:25 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi Bryan,

Lol! Yeah, really. I wouldn't want a game that crashed, restarted, or
emulated the NES problems. I had enough issues with the blinking
screens and general flakiness with my original unit that I wouldn't
want a repeat performance.

On 4/21/13, Bryan Peterson  wrote:

No thanks.



But thou must!



-Original Message-
From: shaun everiss
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:08 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well a nes remake from the aspect of the nes, in fact I'd like games
where you would play from the prospective of a machine, arcade, nes,
etc right down to the various  issues it had.
ocationally you may have to restart it.
or kick it.
and if you lost or it totally mangled itself, you always had the
option of smashing it and then getting another when you restarted the
sim 


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
Air Fortress actually blended a couple different genres. Then of course 
there was Guardian Legend.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Thomas Ward

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:19 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi Shaun,

When it comes to the issue of retro remakes in general I totally agree
with you. There are a lot of Atari and NES games that haven't been
remade into an audio game version like Asteroids, Mousetrap,
Centipede,  Zaxxon, etc which seems to me to be a better thing to do
than rewrite the BSC games just because they have never been tried
before, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.

The classic NES is really the place where all the great side-scrollers
like Megaman, Castlevania, Ninja Turtles, Double Dragon, Legend of
Kage, Contra, Air Fortress, etc all got started. Just right there that
would be enough to keep me busy for the next ten years, and all of
them are better games than the BSC games in my opinion.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:

well if troop was going to be made again then 2,1 was ok but it was
for completeness.
pipe1 was ok, but again pipe2 was the real game, pipe1 was just kept 
round.

as a different style.
I myself would like to see some of the arcade games you play on the
old big machine units like asteroids etc.
I'd also like to see remakes of some of the nes/ gameboy and early
games as I never got to play them.
I would like to alsosee remakes of some of the interactive fiction
titles like cosmoserve and a few other things I guess.
Though I think we are seeing the end of an era of gaming, we have
always stayed on a simple basis.
still.



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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Bryan,

Lol! Yeah, really. I wouldn't want a game that crashed, restarted, or
emulated the NES problems. I had enough issues with the blinking
screens and general flakiness with my original unit that I wouldn't
want a repeat performance.

On 4/21/13, Bryan Peterson  wrote:
> No thanks.
>
>
>
> But thou must!

> -Original Message-
> From: shaun everiss
> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:08 PM
> To: Gamers Discussion list
> Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
>
> well a nes remake from the aspect of the nes, in fact I'd like games
> where you would play from the prospective of a machine, arcade, nes,
> etc right down to the various  issues it had.
> ocationally you may have to restart it.
> or kick it.
> and if you lost or it totally mangled itself, you always had the
> option of smashing it and then getting another when you restarted the
> sim 

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Shaun,

When it comes to the issue of retro remakes in general I totally agree
with you. There are a lot of Atari and NES games that haven't been
remade into an audio game version like Asteroids, Mousetrap,
Centipede,  Zaxxon, etc which seems to me to be a better thing to do
than rewrite the BSC games just because they have never been tried
before, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.

The classic NES is really the place where all the great side-scrollers
like Megaman, Castlevania, Ninja Turtles, Double Dragon, Legend of
Kage, Contra, Air Fortress, etc all got started. Just right there that
would be enough to keep me busy for the next ten years, and all of
them are better games than the BSC games in my opinion.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> well if troop was going to be made again then 2,1 was ok but it was
> for completeness.
> pipe1 was ok, but again pipe2 was the real game, pipe1 was just kept round.
> as a different style.
> I myself would like to see some of the arcade games you play on the
> old big machine units like asteroids etc.
> I'd also like to see remakes of some of the nes/ gameboy and early
> games as I never got to play them.
> I would like to alsosee remakes of some of the interactive fiction
> titles like cosmoserve and a few other things I guess.
> Though I think we are seeing the end of an era of gaming, we have
> always stayed on a simple basis.
> still.
>

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson

No thanks.



But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:08 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well a nes remake from the aspect of the nes, in fact I'd like games
where you would play from the prospective of a machine, arcade, nes,
etc right down to the various  issues it had.
ocationally you may have to restart it.
or kick it.
and if you lost or it totally mangled itself, you always had the
option of smashing it and then getting another when you restarted the
sim 

At 11:38 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:
Except nowadays there are NES style controllers that ca conect to a PC. So 
you can still get that controller feel on an emulator without having to 
worry about the NES messing up on you, which they do from time to time (the 
dreaded blinking screen anyone?)



But thou must!
-Original Message- From: Desiree Oudinot
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:04 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi,
This is a really tough call. On one hand, I do think that these games
will always have their place, even just for nostalgia's sake. But is
that enough to update them to run on modern systems? My gut reaction
is to say no.
I think that part of the nostalgia of these games may be just
that--playing them on older systems. For example, although I have a
Nintendo emulator on my computer, when I'm in the mood to play
Millipede or Duck Hunt or TMNT, I borrow my sister's NES system for a
bit and go at it. there's something about the feel of the controller
in my hand that pressing buttons on a computer keyboard doesn't give
me. It takes me back to when I was a kid and playing those games.
Likewise, although this is obviously slightly different, if I ever
upgrade to a system that's incompatible with the old titles from BSC,
or even older stuff like Grizzly Gulch or even some of the old DOS PCS
demos I have lying around, I'm going to keep an older computer around
just for this purpose.
At the moment, both my desktop and laptop are running Windows 7. I
have no plans to upgrade to 8 for a long time to come, and by then I'm
sure there will be another version of Windows that's the most modern
anyway. Besides, since Windows 7 will be supported for another 10
years at least, I'm not worried that I'll lose my access to these
games. I can see myself most definitely retiring one of my machines,
putting it in storage, and dusting it off if I want to play some old
games. I actually have an old tower that has Windows XP on it, but it
needs a new fan. If I really wanted to, I could fix that up and use it
for a gaming machine. That, to me, would be the equivalent of what I
do now when I occasionally play Nintendo games. there's something
exciting about that for me.
So, no, I don't think any of these games should be flushed down the
toilet and treated with derision, but I don't think it's necessary to
get bogged down in specifics, either. The world is always moving
forward. Let's try to make our audio games do the same.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
The thing that disappointed me about Troopanum 2 was the lack of a cool 
ending theme the way classic Troop had.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Ron Kolesar

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:07 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

As a beta tester for pipe version two known as blast chamber.
I'll just say this.
Blast chamber beats classic pipe hands down and so dose the version two of
troopanum.
Bot troopanum and alien outback has their good points and their bad points.
But the one thing I like about BSC games or blind software's games is that
they test your accuracy and your speed under pressure.
The faster you are and the more accurate you are the higher points you will
ear and can brag to your fellow players.
Now if we're going to up grade the games so that they can be played in win
eight or what ever comes around, we'll have to figure out a way to keep the
online score boards.
The only thing with Blast chamber is that we had to keep a few things out of
a realistic sewer so not to scare away the younger players.
But it still ended up as a cool replayable game to waste one's time away
with.



Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
"that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 9:01 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well if troop was going to be made again then 2,1 was ok but it was
for completeness.
pipe1 was ok, but again pipe2 was the real game, pipe1 was just kept round.
as a different style.
I myself would like to see some of the arcade games you play on the
old big machine units like asteroids etc.
I'd also like to see remakes of some of the nes/ gameboy and early
games as I never got to play them.
I would like to alsosee remakes of some of the interactive fiction
titles like cosmoserve and a few other things I guess.
Though I think we are seeing the end of an era of gaming, we have
always stayed on a simple basis.
still.

At 11:11 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Shaun,

Well, I don't know that it would take ages to do. Games like Troopanum
are actually pretty simple from the perspective of an experienced
programmer. I'd say six months tops for a game like that. So time
isn't really the issue. It is the issue of having to invest in new
sounds and music which people wouldn't want to do since they have the
games already.

So it seems to me the best thing to do is if I were to create a Space
Invaders clone it would have to be an original game. Since it needs
new sounds and music I would design it with its own game story,
challenges, and could market it as Alien Invasion or whatever I called
it.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out
> for them again.
> the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read
> the offer email properly.
> if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but
> rewrites?
> that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
> I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson

Narc. There was a cool game.



But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:01 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well if troop was going to be made again then 2,1 was ok but it was
for completeness.
pipe1 was ok, but again pipe2 was the real game, pipe1 was just kept round.
as a different style.
I myself would like to see some of the arcade games you play on the
old big machine units like asteroids etc.
I'd also like to see remakes of some of the nes/ gameboy and early
games as I never got to play them.
I would like to alsosee remakes of some of the interactive fiction
titles like cosmoserve and a few other things I guess.
Though I think we are seeing the end of an era of gaming, we have
always stayed on a simple basis.
still.

At 11:11 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Shaun,

Well, I don't know that it would take ages to do. Games like Troopanum
are actually pretty simple from the perspective of an experienced
programmer. I'd say six months tops for a game like that. So time
isn't really the issue. It is the issue of having to invest in new
sounds and music which people wouldn't want to do since they have the
games already.

So it seems to me the best thing to do is if I were to create a Space
Invaders clone it would have to be an original game. Since it needs
new sounds and music I would design it with its own game story,
challenges, and could market it as Alien Invasion or whatever I called
it.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out
> for them again.
> the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read
> the offer email properly.
> if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but
> rewrites?
> that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
> I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss
well if you want to make remakes thats fine I just wouldn't rate them 
high on my list of things to buy.


At 11:55 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Well Thomas, what I really want to see from you is the completion of
the projects you've already committed to doing. You simply shouldn't
take on yet more endless stuff right now. I even question the wisdom
of your involvement with whatever will become of Audyssey Magazine.
You've come close to complete meltdown a number of times even with
what you're already tackling. Even once you've finished James North's
stuff, you then need to work on at least a couple of your own projects
completely unhindered by any obligations. Once you've been able to do
that letting your full creative potential out of the box, I think
you'll feel a whole lot less pressured and more stable. The albatross
hanging around your neck is quite heavy enough. I very much worry that
this community will lose what passes for its patience and that this
could cost us your efforts and good will. Too many developers have
burned out already. I'd much rather live in a gaming community with
you being ultimately successful than with you ending up just another
tortured and bitter burn-out. I want you to reach a state where you
feel completely free to develop whatever your creative muse suggests
to you unhindered by any other obligation. You'll doubtless do
splendidly with The Montezuma's Revenge and Raceway replacements. I
eagerly await the day when you release those finished creations
proving all your doubters dead wrong. I haven't given up on you there.
But I'm thinking beyond that. What I really want to know is what
precisely is a full-blown genuine Thomas Ward epic game experience? I
know the answer to that same question from pretty much every other
game developer since 1996 when I started Audyssey. You, however, due
to an act of well-intentioned generocity gone wrong, are still a
fragile mystery. I don't know you nearly as well as I feel I know
other developers despite keeping careful watch on your postings. From
what I hear and the betas I've experienced, I think you have the skill
to come up with some awesome stuff. I'm expecting something very
different and interesting when you at last answer the question of what
a full-blown completely finished epic Thomas Ward creation is like.
However, I'll only get to find out whether I'm right if you get all
the other stuff squared away and done first. Given how things have
gone, I think that's going to be a long and uncertain journey.

On 4/21/13, Thomas Ward  wrote:
> Hi Al,
>
> Yes, the wrestling game started out as a remake of the old Piledriver
> game for Dos, and obviously is still in active production. However,
> that is a good case in point.
>
> The reason I began rewriting Piledriver is my new laptop is a 64-bit
> machine and Piledriver will not run on it because it is an old 16-bit
> Dos application. If there were several accessible wrestling games
> around I wouldn't have bothered, but there are just Piledriver and
> Wrestling League Manager which won't run on 64-bit Windows. So writing
> the wrestling game makes sense.
>
> With a game like Troopanum I have to ask, "where is the
> justification?" There is Alien Outback, Troopanum, Judgment Day, Dark
> Destroyer, and so on. Even if we lose Troopanum people can still buy
> Alien Outback or download Dark Destroyer from the USA Games site for
> free. So it is hard to justify rewriting Troopanum for free let alone
> charging for it.
>
> Cheers!
>
> On 4/21/13, Allan Thompson  wrote:
>> Hi Tom,
>> For my two cents...
>> I would say that  many of the old games would not be worth a remake.
>> However, why not get a more detailed  opinion from the list. I am sure
>> when
>> people talk about wanting an old game remake, that they  are thinking of
>> maybe two or three games on average.
>> So maybe it would help you better if you  set up a top three games list,
>> and
>> see which  three old games  out of a list you make of the ones you want
>> to
>> work on, so that you would get a clear indication of what people might be
>> actually talking about  in terms of remakes. Like you said, you really
>> don't
>> want to have to do remakes of space invader like games etc and so forth.
>>
>> Personally, I am not much for any of the games  so far listed, so no, I
>> probably wouldn't bother  donating or paying attention to the remake of
>> such
>> things.
>>
>> The exception for me is the wrestling game you talked about some weeks
>> back.
>> I would definitely pay to see that game come to life, and it is also a
>> remake too, right?
>>
>> al
>> "The truth will set you free"
>> Jesus Christ of Nazareth 33A.D.
>
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss
they are good games, I like them never got through hunter or pipe2 
but the troop games are really good.


At 11:41 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:
Why is there so much focus on the fact that these are old 
games?  The question should be, "Are they good games?"  Just because 
they have been around for a while, does that mean that they should 
not be updated if someone is willing to take the time and effort?  I 
do think, however, that Ark of Hope and Raceway should be completed 
before this project is undertaken.  The reason is that people have 
already bought these unfinished titles and have been patiently 
waiting.  This is not an intentional criticism, nor do I expect 
games immediately.


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Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
- Original Message - From: "Sarah Haake" 
To: "Gamers Discussion list" 
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider



Hi,

since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a 
good bit of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time 
for rewriting these titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them 
can do so for years to come, and after that time I hope we have 
more things to play than these games.


Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which 
wait for completion for quite a long time now after all. I really 
don't like the idea of you spending time on these old games, which 
also would lead to more postponing of your own titles. I'd rather 
see your own titles finally completed than remakes of BSC titles.
And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the 
current versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way 
to get them running.


Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for 
others to get these games after the company closes, which would be 
enough to keep them alive in my opinion.

Best regards
Sarah

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss
well a nes remake from the aspect of the nes, in fact I'd like games 
where you would play from the prospective of a machine, arcade, nes, 
etc right down to the various  issues it had.

ocationally you may have to restart it.
or kick it.
and if you lost or it totally mangled itself, you always had the 
option of smashing it and then getting another when you restarted the 
sim 


At 11:38 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:
Except nowadays there are NES style controllers that ca conect to a 
PC. So you can still get that controller feel on an emulator without 
having to worry about the NES messing up on you, which they do from 
time to time (the dreaded blinking screen anyone?)



But thou must!
-Original Message- From: Desiree Oudinot
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:04 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi,
This is a really tough call. On one hand, I do think that these games
will always have their place, even just for nostalgia's sake. But is
that enough to update them to run on modern systems? My gut reaction
is to say no.
I think that part of the nostalgia of these games may be just
that--playing them on older systems. For example, although I have a
Nintendo emulator on my computer, when I'm in the mood to play
Millipede or Duck Hunt or TMNT, I borrow my sister's NES system for a
bit and go at it. there's something about the feel of the controller
in my hand that pressing buttons on a computer keyboard doesn't give
me. It takes me back to when I was a kid and playing those games.
Likewise, although this is obviously slightly different, if I ever
upgrade to a system that's incompatible with the old titles from BSC,
or even older stuff like Grizzly Gulch or even some of the old DOS PCS
demos I have lying around, I'm going to keep an older computer around
just for this purpose.
At the moment, both my desktop and laptop are running Windows 7. I
have no plans to upgrade to 8 for a long time to come, and by then I'm
sure there will be another version of Windows that's the most modern
anyway. Besides, since Windows 7 will be supported for another 10
years at least, I'm not worried that I'll lose my access to these
games. I can see myself most definitely retiring one of my machines,
putting it in storage, and dusting it off if I want to play some old
games. I actually have an old tower that has Windows XP on it, but it
needs a new fan. If I really wanted to, I could fix that up and use it
for a gaming machine. That, to me, would be the equivalent of what I
do now when I occasionally play Nintendo games. there's something
exciting about that for me.
So, no, I don't think any of these games should be flushed down the
toilet and treated with derision, but I don't think it's necessary to
get bogged down in specifics, either. The world is always moving
forward. Let's try to make our audio games do the same.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Ron Kolesar

As a beta tester for pipe version two known as blast chamber.
I'll just say this.
Blast chamber beats classic pipe hands down and so dose the version two of 
troopanum.

Bot troopanum and alien outback has their good points and their bad points.
But the one thing I like about BSC games or blind software's games is that 
they test your accuracy and your speed under pressure.
The faster you are and the more accurate you are the higher points you will 
ear and can brag to your fellow players.
Now if we're going to up grade the games so that they can be played in win 
eight or what ever comes around, we'll have to figure out a way to keep the 
online score boards.
The only thing with Blast chamber is that we had to keep a few things out of 
a realistic sewer so not to scare away the younger players.
But it still ended up as a cool replayable game to waste one's time away 
with.




Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
"that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 9:01 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well if troop was going to be made again then 2,1 was ok but it was
for completeness.
pipe1 was ok, but again pipe2 was the real game, pipe1 was just kept round.
as a different style.
I myself would like to see some of the arcade games you play on the
old big machine units like asteroids etc.
I'd also like to see remakes of some of the nes/ gameboy and early
games as I never got to play them.
I would like to alsosee remakes of some of the interactive fiction
titles like cosmoserve and a few other things I guess.
Though I think we are seeing the end of an era of gaming, we have
always stayed on a simple basis.
still.

At 11:11 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Shaun,

Well, I don't know that it would take ages to do. Games like Troopanum
are actually pretty simple from the perspective of an experienced
programmer. I'd say six months tops for a game like that. So time
isn't really the issue. It is the issue of having to invest in new
sounds and music which people wouldn't want to do since they have the
games already.

So it seems to me the best thing to do is if I were to create a Space
Invaders clone it would have to be an original game. Since it needs
new sounds and music I would design it with its own game story,
challenges, and could market it as Alien Invasion or whatever I called
it.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out
> for them again.
> the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read
> the offer email properly.
> if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but
> rewrites?
> that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
> I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss
true scot, I'd actually like to hear a remake of some old arcade 
games but not from the aspect of a computer because we have so many, 
I'd actually like an arcade machine sim with inserting coins, etc, etc, etc.

each life was a coin and every so often you would have to load one in.
you could run out of cash, or whatever.

At 11:21 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Following on from the point Sarah just made, I'd say that if and when
these titles become less easy to acquire or less easy to get up and
running, there will be some advantages. People who're just starting
out and experimenting with development need challenges. At the moment,
if someone knocks out a space invaders clone with simple game play
that's just intended to kill a spare 10 minutes, there's little appeal
to pick that up as there's a bunch of existing titles already nailing
it. Then, there's the type of people who'd enjoy hunting down these
older titles if and when they become less prevalent for the nostalgia.
None of this is intended to be disrespectful, they're all good games
in their own right and they've laid foundations, but really, as a
player I'm craving deeper mechanics and more exploration, and that's
where my money would be going. If it was advice you were looking for
Tom, mine would be to use your chops for something that counts,
something that'll move the community forward rather than sideways. In
time, there'll be budding developers who'll get a kick out of tackling
a retro remake style version of these games.

Scott


On 4/22/13, Sarah Haake  wrote:
> Hi,
>
> since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a good bit
> of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time for rewriting these
>
> titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them can do so for 
years to come,

>
> and after that time I hope we have more things to play than these games.
>
> Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which wait for
> completion for quite a long time now after all. I really don't 
like the idea

>
> of you spending time on these old games, which also would lead to more
> postponing of your own titles. I'd rather see your own titles finally
> completed than remakes of BSC titles.
> And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the current
> versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way to get them
> running.
>
> Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for others to get
>
> these games after the company closes, which would be enough to keep them
> alive in my opinion.
> Best regards
> Sarah

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss
well if troop was going to be made again then 2,1 was ok but it was 
for completeness.

pipe1 was ok, but again pipe2 was the real game, pipe1 was just kept round.
as a different style.
I myself would like to see some of the arcade games you play on the 
old big machine units like asteroids etc.
I'd also like to see remakes of some of the nes/ gameboy and early 
games as I never got to play them.
I would like to alsosee remakes of some of the interactive fiction 
titles like cosmoserve and a few other things I guess.
Though I think we are seeing the end of an era of gaming, we have 
always stayed on a simple basis.

still.

At 11:11 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Shaun,

Well, I don't know that it would take ages to do. Games like Troopanum
are actually pretty simple from the perspective of an experienced
programmer. I'd say six months tops for a game like that. So time
isn't really the issue. It is the issue of having to invest in new
sounds and music which people wouldn't want to do since they have the
games already.

So it seems to me the best thing to do is if I were to create a Space
Invaders clone it would have to be an original game. Since it needs
new sounds and music I would design it with its own game story,
challenges, and could market it as Alien Invasion or whatever I called
it.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out
> for them again.
> the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read
> the offer email properly.
> if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but
> rewrites?
> that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
> I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Ron Kolesar
I would be willing to support you on up grading the games since windows is 
being up dated to win 8.

Tom and for the rest of the game and simulator companies out there.
I like something that is as real as possible.
When I work on a project with sighted partners I alsays ask them to close 
their eyes and to see how they could get the same info across to a blind 
person for the main part sees through their ears.
Tom, I'd be willing to help out when and were ever the game designers like 
yourself and otheres could use me.
It would be nice to have force feedback written into the game but just up 
date the games so when and if we're force to jump to eight we wouldn't have 
to leave our favorites

behind.
Hope this makes sense.


Ron and current Leader Dog boz who states
"that a service dog beats a cane paws down any day of the week."
-Original Message- 
From: Thomas Ward

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:12 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
LOL I know. It's because the connecter inside starts to come loose. There 
are even systems that can play games from multiple consoles I.E. NES and 
Super NES together. I own one but it has some quirks that I don't like. For 
one thing it's extremely hard to remove the games once they're inserted. And 
in the case of SNES games it can sometimes take several tries to get the 
game into the slot in suc a way that te system registers it. Moreover it 
messes up the audio in some NES games.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Desiree Oudinot

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:01 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Really? I didn't know that. That's something I'll have to take a look
into. Lol, yes, the blinking screen. that and the fact that it usually
takes about 8 tries to get any game to work properly.

On 4/21/13, Bryan Peterson  wrote:

Except nowadays there are NES style controllers that ca conect to a PC. So
you can still get that controller feel on an emulator without having to
worry about the NES messing up on you, which they do from time to time 
(the


dreaded blinking screen anyone?)


But thou must!
-Original Message-
From: Desiree Oudinot
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:04 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi,
This is a really tough call. On one hand, I do think that these games
will always have their place, even just for nostalgia's sake. But is
that enough to update them to run on modern systems? My gut reaction
is to say no.
I think that part of the nostalgia of these games may be just
that--playing them on older systems. For example, although I have a
Nintendo emulator on my computer, when I'm in the mood to play
Millipede or Duck Hunt or TMNT, I borrow my sister's NES system for a
bit and go at it. there's something about the feel of the controller
in my hand that pressing buttons on a computer keyboard doesn't give
me. It takes me back to when I was a kid and playing those games.
Likewise, although this is obviously slightly different, if I ever
upgrade to a system that's incompatible with the old titles from BSC,
or even older stuff like Grizzly Gulch or even some of the old DOS PCS
demos I have lying around, I'm going to keep an older computer around
just for this purpose.
At the moment, both my desktop and laptop are running Windows 7. I
have no plans to upgrade to 8 for a long time to come, and by then I'm
sure there will be another version of Windows that's the most modern
anyway. Besides, since Windows 7 will be supported for another 10
years at least, I'm not worried that I'll lose my access to these
games. I can see myself most definitely retiring one of my machines,
putting it in storage, and dusting it off if I want to play some old
games. I actually have an old tower that has Windows XP on it, but it
needs a new fan. If I really wanted to, I could fix that up and use it
for a gaming machine. That, to me, would be the equivalent of what I
do now when I occasionally play Nintendo games. there's something
exciting about that for me.
So, no, I don't think any of these games should be flushed down the
toilet and treated with derision, but I don't think it's necessary to
get bogged down in specifics, either. The world is always moving
forward. Let's try to make our audio games do the same.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Desiree Oudinot
Really? I didn't know that. That's something I'll have to take a look
into. Lol, yes, the blinking screen. that and the fact that it usually
takes about 8 tries to get any game to work properly.

On 4/21/13, Bryan Peterson  wrote:
> Except nowadays there are NES style controllers that ca conect to a PC. So
> you can still get that controller feel on an emulator without having to
> worry about the NES messing up on you, which they do from time to time (the
>
> dreaded blinking screen anyone?)
>
>
> But thou must!
> -Original Message-
> From: Desiree Oudinot
> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:04 PM
> To: Gamers Discussion list
> Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
>
> Hi,
> This is a really tough call. On one hand, I do think that these games
> will always have their place, even just for nostalgia's sake. But is
> that enough to update them to run on modern systems? My gut reaction
> is to say no.
> I think that part of the nostalgia of these games may be just
> that--playing them on older systems. For example, although I have a
> Nintendo emulator on my computer, when I'm in the mood to play
> Millipede or Duck Hunt or TMNT, I borrow my sister's NES system for a
> bit and go at it. there's something about the feel of the controller
> in my hand that pressing buttons on a computer keyboard doesn't give
> me. It takes me back to when I was a kid and playing those games.
> Likewise, although this is obviously slightly different, if I ever
> upgrade to a system that's incompatible with the old titles from BSC,
> or even older stuff like Grizzly Gulch or even some of the old DOS PCS
> demos I have lying around, I'm going to keep an older computer around
> just for this purpose.
> At the moment, both my desktop and laptop are running Windows 7. I
> have no plans to upgrade to 8 for a long time to come, and by then I'm
> sure there will be another version of Windows that's the most modern
> anyway. Besides, since Windows 7 will be supported for another 10
> years at least, I'm not worried that I'll lose my access to these
> games. I can see myself most definitely retiring one of my machines,
> putting it in storage, and dusting it off if I want to play some old
> games. I actually have an old tower that has Windows XP on it, but it
> needs a new fan. If I really wanted to, I could fix that up and use it
> for a gaming machine. That, to me, would be the equivalent of what I
> do now when I occasionally play Nintendo games. there's something
> exciting about that for me.
> So, no, I don't think any of these games should be flushed down the
> toilet and treated with derision, but I don't think it's necessary to
> get bogged down in specifics, either. The world is always moving
> forward. Let's try to make our audio games do the same.
>
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Charles and all,

Correct. My current projects such as Raceway would absolutely have to
come first. No question about that. At this point I was merely gauging
interest in the idea of updating and reselling the BSC games at some
unspecified future point in time.

As to your question about why people are focused on the fact these
games are old it is true. Many people have been playing them for
years, and they will still run on systems running Windows 7 for plenty
more years to come. I think the general agreement is people would
rather see new games than an old game in a new form.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, Charles Rivard  wrote:
> Why is there so much focus on the fact that these are old games?  The
> question should be, "Are they good games?"  Just because they have been
> around for a while, does that mean that they should not be updated if
> someone is willing to take the time and effort?  I do think, however, that
> Ark of Hope and Raceway should be completed before this project is
> undertaken.  The reason is that people have already bought these unfinished
>
> titles and have been patiently waiting.  This is not an intentional
> criticism, nor do I expect games immediately.
>
> ---
> Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Michael Feir
Well Thomas, what I really want to see from you is the completion of
the projects you've already committed to doing. You simply shouldn't
take on yet more endless stuff right now. I even question the wisdom
of your involvement with whatever will become of Audyssey Magazine.
You've come close to complete meltdown a number of times even with
what you're already tackling. Even once you've finished James North's
stuff, you then need to work on at least a couple of your own projects
completely unhindered by any obligations. Once you've been able to do
that letting your full creative potential out of the box, I think
you'll feel a whole lot less pressured and more stable. The albatross
hanging around your neck is quite heavy enough. I very much worry that
this community will lose what passes for its patience and that this
could cost us your efforts and good will. Too many developers have
burned out already. I'd much rather live in a gaming community with
you being ultimately successful than with you ending up just another
tortured and bitter burn-out. I want you to reach a state where you
feel completely free to develop whatever your creative muse suggests
to you unhindered by any other obligation. You'll doubtless do
splendidly with The Montezuma's Revenge and Raceway replacements. I
eagerly await the day when you release those finished creations
proving all your doubters dead wrong. I haven't given up on you there.
But I'm thinking beyond that. What I really want to know is what
precisely is a full-blown genuine Thomas Ward epic game experience? I
know the answer to that same question from pretty much every other
game developer since 1996 when I started Audyssey. You, however, due
to an act of well-intentioned generocity gone wrong, are still a
fragile mystery. I don't know you nearly as well as I feel I know
other developers despite keeping careful watch on your postings. From
what I hear and the betas I've experienced, I think you have the skill
to come up with some awesome stuff. I'm expecting something very
different and interesting when you at last answer the question of what
a full-blown completely finished epic Thomas Ward creation is like.
However, I'll only get to find out whether I'm right if you get all
the other stuff squared away and done first. Given how things have
gone, I think that's going to be a long and uncertain journey.

On 4/21/13, Thomas Ward  wrote:
> Hi Al,
>
> Yes, the wrestling game started out as a remake of the old Piledriver
> game for Dos, and obviously is still in active production. However,
> that is a good case in point.
>
> The reason I began rewriting Piledriver is my new laptop is a 64-bit
> machine and Piledriver will not run on it because it is an old 16-bit
> Dos application. If there were several accessible wrestling games
> around I wouldn't have bothered, but there are just Piledriver and
> Wrestling League Manager which won't run on 64-bit Windows. So writing
> the wrestling game makes sense.
>
> With a game like Troopanum I have to ask, "where is the
> justification?" There is Alien Outback, Troopanum, Judgment Day, Dark
> Destroyer, and so on. Even if we lose Troopanum people can still buy
> Alien Outback or download Dark Destroyer from the USA Games site for
> free. So it is hard to justify rewriting Troopanum for free let alone
> charging for it.
>
> Cheers!
>
> On 4/21/13, Allan Thompson  wrote:
>> Hi Tom,
>> For my two cents...
>> I would say that  many of the old games would not be worth a remake.
>> However, why not get a more detailed  opinion from the list. I am sure
>> when
>> people talk about wanting an old game remake, that they  are thinking of
>> maybe two or three games on average.
>> So maybe it would help you better if you  set up a top three games list,
>> and
>> see which  three old games  out of a list you make of the ones you want
>> to
>> work on, so that you would get a clear indication of what people might be
>> actually talking about  in terms of remakes. Like you said, you really
>> don't
>> want to have to do remakes of space invader like games etc and so forth.
>>
>> Personally, I am not much for any of the games  so far listed, so no, I
>> probably wouldn't bother  donating or paying attention to the remake of
>> such
>> things.
>>
>> The exception for me is the wrestling game you talked about some weeks
>> back.
>> I would definitely pay to see that game come to life, and it is also a
>> remake too, right?
>>
>> al
>> "The truth will set you free"
>> Jesus Christ of Nazareth 33A.D.
>
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
And I'm sure Thomas wants them off his back as quickly as reasonably 
possible. LOL.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Charles Rivard

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:41 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Why is there so much focus on the fact that these are old games?  The
question should be, "Are they good games?"  Just because they have been
around for a while, does that mean that they should not be updated if
someone is willing to take the time and effort?  I do think, however, that
Ark of Hope and Raceway should be completed before this project is
undertaken.  The reason is that people have already bought these unfinished
titles and have been patiently waiting.  This is not an intentional
criticism, nor do I expect games immediately.

---
Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
- Original Message - 
From: "Sarah Haake" 

To: "Gamers Discussion list" 
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider



Hi,

since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a good bit 
of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time for rewriting 
these titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them can do so for years 
to come, and after that time I hope we have more things to play than these 
games.


Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which wait for 
completion for quite a long time now after all. I really don't like the 
idea of you spending time on these old games, which also would lead to 
more postponing of your own titles. I'd rather see your own titles finally 
completed than remakes of BSC titles.
And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the current 
versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way to get them 
running.


Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for others to 
get these games after the company closes, which would be enough to keep 
them alive in my opinion.

Best regards
Sarah

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Charles Rivard
Why is there so much focus on the fact that these are old games?  The 
question should be, "Are they good games?"  Just because they have been 
around for a while, does that mean that they should not be updated if 
someone is willing to take the time and effort?  I do think, however, that 
Ark of Hope and Raceway should be completed before this project is 
undertaken.  The reason is that people have already bought these unfinished 
titles and have been patiently waiting.  This is not an intentional 
criticism, nor do I expect games immediately.


---
Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
- Original Message - 
From: "Sarah Haake" 

To: "Gamers Discussion list" 
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider



Hi,

since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a good bit 
of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time for rewriting 
these titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them can do so for years 
to come, and after that time I hope we have more things to play than these 
games.


Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which wait for 
completion for quite a long time now after all. I really don't like the 
idea of you spending time on these old games, which also would lead to 
more postponing of your own titles. I'd rather see your own titles finally 
completed than remakes of BSC titles.
And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the current 
versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way to get them 
running.


Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for others to 
get these games after the company closes, which would be enough to keep 
them alive in my opinion.

Best regards
Sarah

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
Except nowadays there are NES style controllers that ca conect to a PC. So 
you can still get that controller feel on an emulator without having to 
worry about the NES messing up on you, which they do from time to time (the 
dreaded blinking screen anyone?)



But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Desiree Oudinot

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:04 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi,
This is a really tough call. On one hand, I do think that these games
will always have their place, even just for nostalgia's sake. But is
that enough to update them to run on modern systems? My gut reaction
is to say no.
I think that part of the nostalgia of these games may be just
that--playing them on older systems. For example, although I have a
Nintendo emulator on my computer, when I'm in the mood to play
Millipede or Duck Hunt or TMNT, I borrow my sister's NES system for a
bit and go at it. there's something about the feel of the controller
in my hand that pressing buttons on a computer keyboard doesn't give
me. It takes me back to when I was a kid and playing those games.
Likewise, although this is obviously slightly different, if I ever
upgrade to a system that's incompatible with the old titles from BSC,
or even older stuff like Grizzly Gulch or even some of the old DOS PCS
demos I have lying around, I'm going to keep an older computer around
just for this purpose.
At the moment, both my desktop and laptop are running Windows 7. I
have no plans to upgrade to 8 for a long time to come, and by then I'm
sure there will be another version of Windows that's the most modern
anyway. Besides, since Windows 7 will be supported for another 10
years at least, I'm not worried that I'll lose my access to these
games. I can see myself most definitely retiring one of my machines,
putting it in storage, and dusting it off if I want to play some old
games. I actually have an old tower that has Windows XP on it, but it
needs a new fan. If I really wanted to, I could fix that up and use it
for a gaming machine. That, to me, would be the equivalent of what I
do now when I occasionally play Nintendo games. there's something
exciting about that for me.
So, no, I don't think any of these games should be flushed down the
toilet and treated with derision, but I don't think it's necessary to
get bogged down in specifics, either. The world is always moving
forward. Let's try to make our audio games do the same.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
Well they'd have to be. As Tom said Justin either lost or deleted the source 
code. And anyway the original language would be incompatible with IOS and, 
from what I've heard, there are serious compatibility issues with newer 
versions f WIndows.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:55 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out
for them again.
the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read
the offer email properly.
if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but rewrites?
that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

At 10:49 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:
Agreed. They were and are good games that shouldn't be allowed to die if 
that can be prevented.




But thou must!
-Original Message- From: shaun everiss
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:43 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well they are old classics, I say keep the classics alive myself.
the rest can come as they do.

At 10:27 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Tom,

I personally would say scrap those old games, and proceed with your own 
ideas. I mean as it is, you have a game that is not finished.. I don't 
know if you're planning to go on with MOTA, or if it's in the trash can, 
but I was highly interested in that title. We do not have enough adventure 
type games out there for the blind, and I'd like to see more. Pipe, 
Troopanum, Hunter, all had there run. They're like from 2001/2003, and 
they're old news. Make your own games, and bring what you have to the 
table.. Don't focus on the past.

Just my two cents worth.

Ryan

-- Original Message ------
From: Thomas Ward 
To: Gamers Discussion list 
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:12:07 -0400

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new pla

Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Scott,

All good points. The only reason I was tossing this offer out there
was to see how people felt about it. I know there is a lot of anxiety
over Justin leaving. People worried if their games are compatible with
Windows 8, people  wondering what will happen if they can't afford the
key generator and their keys run out, and so on. I was merely seeing
how many people were interested having those issues solved, or would
be willing to just let go and move on. :D

On 4/21/13, Scott Chesworth  wrote:
> Following on from the point Sarah just made, I'd say that if and when
> these titles become less easy to acquire or less easy to get up and
> running, there will be some advantages. People who're just starting
> out and experimenting with development need challenges. At the moment,
> if someone knocks out a space invaders clone with simple game play
> that's just intended to kill a spare 10 minutes, there's little appeal
> to pick that up as there's a bunch of existing titles already nailing
> it. Then, there's the type of people who'd enjoy hunting down these
> older titles if and when they become less prevalent for the nostalgia.
> None of this is intended to be disrespectful, they're all good games
> in their own right and they've laid foundations, but really, as a
> player I'm craving deeper mechanics and more exploration, and that's
> where my money would be going. If it was advice you were looking for
> Tom, mine would be to use your chops for something that counts,
> something that'll move the community forward rather than sideways. In
> time, there'll be budding developers who'll get a kick out of tackling
> a retro remake style version of these games.
>
> Scott

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Al,

Yes, the wrestling game started out as a remake of the old Piledriver
game for Dos, and obviously is still in active production. However,
that is a good case in point.

The reason I began rewriting Piledriver is my new laptop is a 64-bit
machine and Piledriver will not run on it because it is an old 16-bit
Dos application. If there were several accessible wrestling games
around I wouldn't have bothered, but there are just Piledriver and
Wrestling League Manager which won't run on 64-bit Windows. So writing
the wrestling game makes sense.

With a game like Troopanum I have to ask, "where is the
justification?" There is Alien Outback, Troopanum, Judgment Day, Dark
Destroyer, and so on. Even if we lose Troopanum people can still buy
Alien Outback or download Dark Destroyer from the USA Games site for
free. So it is hard to justify rewriting Troopanum for free let alone
charging for it.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, Allan Thompson  wrote:
> Hi Tom,
> For my two cents...
> I would say that  many of the old games would not be worth a remake.
> However, why not get a more detailed  opinion from the list. I am sure when
> people talk about wanting an old game remake, that they  are thinking of
> maybe two or three games on average.
> So maybe it would help you better if you  set up a top three games list, and
> see which  three old games  out of a list you make of the ones you want to
> work on, so that you would get a clear indication of what people might be
> actually talking about  in terms of remakes. Like you said, you really don't
> want to have to do remakes of space invader like games etc and so forth.
>
> Personally, I am not much for any of the games  so far listed, so no, I
> probably wouldn't bother  donating or paying attention to the remake of such
> things.
>
> The exception for me is the wrestling game you talked about some weeks back.
> I would definitely pay to see that game come to life, and it is also a
> remake too, right?
>
> al
> "The truth will set you free"
> Jesus Christ of Nazareth 33A.D.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Scott Chesworth
Following on from the point Sarah just made, I'd say that if and when
these titles become less easy to acquire or less easy to get up and
running, there will be some advantages. People who're just starting
out and experimenting with development need challenges. At the moment,
if someone knocks out a space invaders clone with simple game play
that's just intended to kill a spare 10 minutes, there's little appeal
to pick that up as there's a bunch of existing titles already nailing
it. Then, there's the type of people who'd enjoy hunting down these
older titles if and when they become less prevalent for the nostalgia.
None of this is intended to be disrespectful, they're all good games
in their own right and they've laid foundations, but really, as a
player I'm craving deeper mechanics and more exploration, and that's
where my money would be going. If it was advice you were looking for
Tom, mine would be to use your chops for something that counts,
something that'll move the community forward rather than sideways. In
time, there'll be budding developers who'll get a kick out of tackling
a retro remake style version of these games.

Scott


On 4/22/13, Sarah Haake  wrote:
> Hi,
>
> since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a good bit
> of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time for rewriting these
>
> titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them can do so for years to come,
>
> and after that time I hope we have more things to play than these games.
>
> Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which wait for
> completion for quite a long time now after all. I really don't like the idea
>
> of you spending time on these old games, which also would lead to more
> postponing of your own titles. I'd rather see your own titles finally
> completed than remakes of BSC titles.
> And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the current
> versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way to get them
> running.
>
> Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for others to get
>
> these games after the company closes, which would be enough to keep them
> alive in my opinion.
> Best regards
> Sarah

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread michael barnes

Thomas.
Can I get a email for you?

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread john

Here's my thoughts:
	I dont personally feel that I would spend money on these 
games at the current time, though this may change, especially 
given how much I'm on muds lately. I would really like to see 
them stay available in their current form, though. Perhaps a 
developer could host them on an official website under a 
subsection?
	I'm not sure how the sounds and music are licensed, but I 
couldn't see it taking a huge amount of work to get them (or at 
least a good portion of them) into a functional form. Again 
though, that's presuming its legal to do so.


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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Shaun,

Well, I don't know that it would take ages to do. Games like Troopanum
are actually pretty simple from the perspective of an experienced
programmer. I'd say six months tops for a game like that. So time
isn't really the issue. It is the issue of having to invest in new
sounds and music which people wouldn't want to do since they have the
games already.

So it seems to me the best thing to do is if I were to create a Space
Invaders clone it would have to be an original game. Since it needs
new sounds and music I would design it with its own game story,
challenges, and could market it as Alien Invasion or whatever I called
it.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out
> for them again.
> the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read
> the offer email properly.
> if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but
> rewrites?
> that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
> I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Allan Thompson
Hi Tom,
For my two cents...
I would say that  many of the old games would not be worth a remake. 
However, why not get a more detailed  opinion from the list. I am sure when 
people talk about wanting an old game remake, that they  are thinking of maybe 
two or three games on average.
So maybe it would help you better if you  set up a top three games list, and 
see which  three old games  out of a list you make of the ones you want to work 
on, so that you would get a clear indication of what people might be actually 
talking about  in terms of remakes. Like you said, you really don't want to 
have to do remakes of space invader like games etc and so forth. 

Personally, I am not much for any of the games  so far listed, so no, I 
probably wouldn't bother  donating or paying attention to the remake of such 
things.

The exception for me is the wrestling game you talked about some weeks back. I 
would definitely pay to see that game come to life, and it is also a remake 
too, right? 

al
"The truth will set you free"
Jesus Christ of Nazareth 33A.D.
  - Original Message - 
  From: Thomas Ward 
  To: Gamers Discussion list 
  Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 6:12 PM
  Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Shaun,

Which is why the questions. As far as I am concerned Alien Outback is
as good as Troopanum and its always possible Draconis will produce a
new version for Windows, Mac, and iOS which would make the time and
money spent on a Troopanum remake kind of pointless. Hunter is OK, but
I could probably write something better. After all, Hunter doesn't
take much advantage of a 2d environment and has been discussed many
times on list having more 2d elements like vines, trees, and cliffs to
climb is something sorely lacking in audio games and Hunter is pretty
old school when it comes to audio games. Perilous Hearts and Mysteries
of the Ancients are redefining how people think of side-scrollers and
we should keep that trend going.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, shaun everiss  wrote:
> hi tom.
> I don't think I'd spend cash on remakes, these games are classics, we
> have enough space invadors clones out there for troop 1 2 etc.
> alien outback is almost the same format as troop2.
> good old games but.
> pipe 1 and 2, had their day, sure I'd like to keep them alive for as
> long as I can but really I don't want to spend loads and loads of
> cash for a remake.
> hunter in 3d form would be cool but then its quite old as it is.
> the word games maybe but we have hangman from jim kitchen.
> I'd like to keep classics going but for entire rewrites um?
> its a pitty justin doesn't have a way to decript those files but then.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Desiree Oudinot
Hi,
This is a really tough call. On one hand, I do think that these games
will always have their place, even just for nostalgia's sake. But is
that enough to update them to run on modern systems? My gut reaction
is to say no.
I think that part of the nostalgia of these games may be just
that--playing them on older systems. For example, although I have a
Nintendo emulator on my computer, when I'm in the mood to play
Millipede or Duck Hunt or TMNT, I borrow my sister's NES system for a
bit and go at it. there's something about the feel of the controller
in my hand that pressing buttons on a computer keyboard doesn't give
me. It takes me back to when I was a kid and playing those games.
Likewise, although this is obviously slightly different, if I ever
upgrade to a system that's incompatible with the old titles from BSC,
or even older stuff like Grizzly Gulch or even some of the old DOS PCS
demos I have lying around, I'm going to keep an older computer around
just for this purpose.
At the moment, both my desktop and laptop are running Windows 7. I
have no plans to upgrade to 8 for a long time to come, and by then I'm
sure there will be another version of Windows that's the most modern
anyway. Besides, since Windows 7 will be supported for another 10
years at least, I'm not worried that I'll lose my access to these
games. I can see myself most definitely retiring one of my machines,
putting it in storage, and dusting it off if I want to play some old
games. I actually have an old tower that has Windows XP on it, but it
needs a new fan. If I really wanted to, I could fix that up and use it
for a gaming machine. That, to me, would be the equivalent of what I
do now when I occasionally play Nintendo games. there's something
exciting about that for me.
So, no, I don't think any of these games should be flushed down the
toilet and treated with derision, but I don't think it's necessary to
get bogged down in specifics, either. The world is always moving
forward. Let's try to make our audio games do the same.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Sarah Haake

Hi,

since these games work under Windows 7, and since Windows 7 has a good bit 
of years ahead of it, I'd say don't invest so much time for rewriting these 
titles. Everyone who wants to keep playing them can do so for years to come, 
and after that time I hope we have more things to play than these games.


Besides, you have enough of work to do with your own games, which wait for 
completion for quite a long time now after all. I really don't like the idea 
of you spending time on these old games, which also would lead to more 
postponing of your own titles. I'd rather see your own titles finally 
completed than remakes of BSC titles.
And no, I wouldn't spend money for remakes, since I have the current 
versions and will keep playing them as long as I find I way to get them 
running.


Much more important for me would be to have a possibility for others to get 
these games after the company closes, which would be enough to keep them 
alive in my opinion.

Best regards
Sarah 



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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss
I also aggree however I don't know if I'd actually would shell out 
for them again.
the reason I even thought like I did origionally was before I read 
the offer email properly.

if these were just straight ports with modification thats fine but rewrites?
that would take ages to do and new sounds etc.
I'd have to start paying more for games I already had.

At 10:49 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:
Agreed. They were and are good games that shouldn't be allowed to 
die if that can be prevented.




But thou must!
-Original Message- From: shaun everiss
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:43 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well they are old classics, I say keep the classics alive myself.
the rest can come as they do.

At 10:27 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Tom,

I personally would say scrap those old games, and proceed with your 
own ideas. I mean as it is, you have a game that is not finished.. 
I don't know if you're planning to go on with MOTA, or if it's in 
the trash can, but I was highly interested in that title. We do not 
have enough adventure type games out there for the blind, and I'd 
like to see more. Pipe, Troopanum, Hunter, all had there run. 
They're like from 2001/2003, and they're old news. Make your own 
games, and bring what you have to the table.. Don't focus on the past.

Just my two cents worth.

Ryan

-- Original Message --
From: Thomas Ward 
To: Gamers Discussion list 
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:12:07 -0400

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
Agreed. They were and are good games that shouldn't be allowed to die if 
that can be prevented.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: shaun everiss

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:43 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

well they are old classics, I say keep the classics alive myself.
the rest can come as they do.

At 10:27 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Tom,

I personally would say scrap those old games, and proceed with your own 
ideas. I mean as it is, you have a game that is not finished.. I don't know 
if you're planning to go on with MOTA, or if it's in the trash can, but I 
was highly interested in that title. We do not have enough adventure type 
games out there for the blind, and I'd like to see more. Pipe, Troopanum, 
Hunter, all had there run. They're like from 2001/2003, and they're old 
news. Make your own games, and bring what you have to the table.. Don't 
focus on the past.

Just my two cents worth.

Ryan

-- Original Message --
From: Thomas Ward 
To: Gamers Discussion list 
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:12:07 -0400

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss

hi tom.
I don't think I'd spend cash on remakes, these games are classics, we 
have enough space invadors clones out there for troop 1 2 etc.

alien outback is almost the same format as troop2.
good old games but.
pipe 1 and 2, had their day, sure I'd like to keep them alive for as 
long as I can but really I don't want to spend loads and loads of 
cash for a remake.

hunter in 3d form would be cool but then its quite old as it is.
the word games maybe but we have hangman from jim kitchen.
I'd like to keep classics going but for entire rewrites um?
its a pitty justin doesn't have a way to decript those files but then.

At 10:12 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Michael,

Which is why they would have to be rewritten from scratch to begin
with. The language used for the original versions isn't compatible
with iOS or Mac OS. So something like Object C would be needed for
versions running on Mac OS and iOS.

Anyway, you can certainly write me off list and ask  your programming
questions. If I know the answer I will do my best to answer it. :D

On 4/21/13, michael barnes  wrote:
> Well, Thomas.
> I think the games are fine the way they are.
> However if they could be ported to iOS, and Mac it might be something
> worth investing into.
> However I have some questions that I would like to ask you off list
> concerning the matter of game developement of games.
> I think it would also be great to be able to not just use the touch
> screen on these games but to be able to move the phone around and to be
> more involve then the current versions.
>
> ---
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> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org.
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>

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread shaun everiss

well they are old classics, I say keep the classics alive myself.
the rest can come as they do.

At 10:27 AM 4/22/2013, you wrote:

Hi Tom,

I personally would say scrap those old games, and proceed with your 
own ideas. I mean as it is, you have a game that is not finished.. I 
don't know if you're planning to go on with MOTA, or if it's in the 
trash can, but I was highly interested in that title. We do not have 
enough adventure type games out there for the blind, and I'd like to 
see more. Pipe, Troopanum, Hunter, all had there run. They're like 
from 2001/2003, and they're old news. Make your own games, and bring 
what you have to the table.. Don't focus on the past.

Just my two cents worth.

Ryan

-- Original Message --
From: Thomas Ward 
To: Gamers Discussion list 
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:12:07 -0400

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

---
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please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.

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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
Agreed. I'll certainly donate wheI can. Unlike some I feel games like these 
are worth saving.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: Ian McNamara

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:32 PM
To: Gamers Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Hi Tom, I think this is a great idea, there are some good games as you say 
that have been ether abandoned or just not written due to developers going 
and other things. Castle quest got abandoned due to justin and bsc games 
being let down and it sounded like it was going to be a great title. I would 
be up for this kind of project being done and would definitely buy the games 
again.


Ian McNamara
---
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi Ryan,

Agreed. Although, I must say MOTA is not scrapped. Its being updated
as we speak, and I am hoping to hear back from my voice actress soon
with a batch of voice work for the game. So its not scrapped just a
bit different.

Cheers!

On 4/21/13, Ryan Conroy  wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> I personally would say scrap those old games, and proceed with your own
> ideas. I mean as it is, you have a game that is not finished.. I don't know
> if you're planning to go on with MOTA, or if it's in the trash can, but I
> was highly interested in that title. We do not have enough adventure type
> games out there for the blind, and I'd like to see more. Pipe, Troopanum,
> Hunter, all had there run. They're like from 2001/2003, and they're old
> news. Make your own games, and bring what you have to the table.. Don't
> focus on the past.
> Just my two cents worth.
>
> Ryan
>

---
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Bryan Peterson
Remember, they would have to be rewritten from scratch inorder for that to 
happen.




But thou must!
-Original Message- 
From: michael barnes

Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:31 PM
To: gamers@audyssey.org
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

Well, Thomas.
I think the games are fine the way they are.
However if they could be ported to iOS, and Mac it might be something
worth investing into.
However I have some questions that I would like to ask you off list
concerning the matter of game developement of games.
I think it would also be great to be able to not just use the touch
screen on these games but to be able to move the phone around and to be
more involve then the current versions.

---
Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org
If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to 
gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org.

You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org.
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list,
please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. 



---
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Ian McNamara
Hi Tom, I think this is a great idea, there are some good games as you say that 
have been ether abandoned or just not written due to developers going and other 
things. Castle quest got abandoned due to justin and bsc games being let down 
and it sounded like it was going to be a great title. I would be up for this 
kind of project being done and would definitely buy the games again.

Ian McNamara
---
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread michael barnes

Well, Thomas.
I think the games are fine the way they are.
However if they could be ported to iOS, and Mac it might be something 
worth investing into.
However I have some questions that I would like to ask you off list 
concerning the matter of game developement of games.
I think it would also be great to be able to not just use the touch 
screen on these games but to be able to move the phone around and to be 
more involve then the current versions.


---
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You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
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Re: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Ryan Conroy
Hi Tom,

I personally would say scrap those old games, and proceed with your own ideas. 
I mean as it is, you have a game that is not finished.. I don't know if you're 
planning to go on with MOTA, or if it's in the trash can, but I was highly 
interested in that title. We do not have enough adventure type games out there 
for the blind, and I'd like to see more. Pipe, Troopanum, Hunter, all had there 
run. They're like from 2001/2003, and they're old news. Make your own games, 
and bring what you have to the table.. Don't focus on the past.
Just my two cents worth.

Ryan

-- Original Message --
From: Thomas Ward 
To: Gamers Discussion list 
Subject: [Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:12:07 -0400

Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

---
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You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
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All messages are archived and can be searched and read at
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list,
please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.

How to Sleep Like a Rock
Obey this one natural trick to fall asleep and stay asleep all night.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/517467fe8255f67fe7f49st02vuc
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[Audyssey] A Possible Offer To Consider

2013-04-21 Thread Thomas Ward
Hi all,

In light of what is happening with Blindsoftware.com, formally BSC
Games,  I thought I would throw an offer out here that some of you
could consider and think about. Perhaps offer up your advice or
suggestions regarding this matter.

Based on my discussions with Justin via email he does not have the
source code for any of his games or software on the Blindsoftware.com
site, and all of the sound effects for said games are locked in pack
files that are encrypted. This means if a developer, any developer,
wanted to update those games he or she would have to start over from
scratch. Since all the games were written in Visual Basic 6, a
language no longer officially supported on newer Windows platforms all
the games would have to be rewritten anyway. However, considering the
sounds and music are encrypted and need to be repurchased it could get
expensive rewriting these games from scratch. This of course leads to
two important questions I have regarding these titles.

First, do you really want to see a developer spending time writing a
modern remake of these games. After all, there are currently a lot of
Space Invader clones out there like Judgment Day, Alien Outback, and
of course Troopanum so is it really worth it to rewrite Troopanum to
keep that game going?

Second, would you, the community, be willing to spend money on a
modern remake of Hunter, Pipe, Troopanum, etc if one was made? This
might be through donations or actual sales of the software, but is it
worth your money to have newer updated versions of these games?

Third, seeing that new sounds and music would have to be purchased it
wouldn't exactly be like the original. These would be strictly modern
remakes of the games with new sounds, new music, and would in their
own way be different games. Would you be interested in these games
even if they were a bit different from the BSC versions you have now?

The reason I am asking these questions is over the years I've seen a
lot of audio game developers come and go such as Danz Games, BSC
Games, PB Games, Lighttech Interactive, etc. Every time a developer
goes they leave behind a number of games people still want to play but
the games are no longer being updated or supported. It strikes me what
we need is something comparable to the mainstream Retro Remakes site
where interested audio game developers take on some of these abandoned
projects and either update or rewrite them to keep them available in
the community. I'd be willing to do this myself if there is enough
interest in the project.

In the end I think it comes down to what Cara was asking a few days
ago on the Audyssey List. If you, the community, want game developers
to continue writing and supporting accessible games you need to make
it worth their time. So the big question is are these games worth my
time and your money to make sure they work on Windows 8 and beyond as
well as bring them to new platforms?

---
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You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org.
All messages are archived and can be searched and read at
http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list,
please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.