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TIGSource ForumsCommunityDevLogsMinerVGA remake in HTML5
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vlaube
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« on: October 24, 2011, 04:46:48 AM »

Hi everyone. I'm the new guy. Smiley

I already posted in a couple of other threads, but this is my very first own topic.
I didn't bother to document my projects before, but after discovering the TIGSource Forums and the DevLogs in particular, I wanted to try to be more open about the stuff I develop. My current project is almost finished, but feel free to join me while I write about the last few hurdles. Here goes my story:

After successfully creating a remake of the 1980 game "Miner!" for the PET and Commodore 64 computers (which you can play here) I decided to take the the next logical step and create an HTML5 remake of "MinerVGA".

"MinerVGA" is an old DOS game that was originally released in 1989 by Harrell W. Styles. You are a miner with the goal to run a successful mine and eventually marry the girl of your dreams. You can find the original game here (zip) and play it directly on Windows, with DOSBox on Linux or Boxer on a Mac.

I try to get as close as possible to the original game with the remake, but with only limited information about the inner workings of the game this is pretty hard. Example: to estimate the distribution of random numbers I play the game over and over, while my girlfriend takes notes, until I have enough data to infer an algorithm that comes close to the original. This process is very time consuming and may lead to inaccurate or just plain wrong results.
I found a guy who runs a decompilation service and tried to raise about $200 to pay for the decompilation of MinerVGA, but the fundraiser failed.

Now I'm just completing the game as best as I can with the limited knowledge I have.

Here is a current screenshot of the game, I will probably post a working version later this week:


« Last Edit: December 16, 2011, 10:36:46 AM by Pyr0 » Logged

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« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2011, 05:39:59 AM »

I remember this game. Hmmmm. Good luck!

Example: to estimate the distribution of random numbers I play the game over and over, while my girlfriend takes notes
I think if my boyfriend wanted me to do this, I'd probably tell him it's a solo activity. Smiley

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vlaube
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« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2011, 09:26:28 AM »

I remember this game. Hmmmm. Good luck!

Example: to estimate the distribution of random numbers I play the game over and over, while my girlfriend takes notes
I think if my boyfriend wanted me to do this, I'd probably tell him it's a solo activity. Smiley

Thanks. I'm glad that my girlfriend is that understanding Smiley

The result of the note taking is this chart with probabilities:



Unfortunately the probability of some items (for example the pump) depends on the mining depth, which I have no data about.
I will probably fake that part...
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« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2011, 11:11:11 AM »

I wish the earth was >50% platinum, silver, and volcanic. Shit would look way cooler.  Smiley Hand Thumbs Up Right
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« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2011, 12:16:17 PM »

I wish the earth was >50% platinum, silver, and volcanic. Shit would look way cooler.  Smiley Hand Thumbs Up Right

The green 22% segment is actually sandstone, sorry for the confusing colors.
But 15% silver would still be pretty awesome. Hand Money Right Hand Money Left
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« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2011, 12:59:59 PM »

Another development reverse engineering post:

To discover hazards before stepping on them instead find precious metals, you can use a lamp and a torch. The game keeps track of the number of moves you make carrying the items and eventually they used up and are removed from the inventory.

Since I don't have access to the source code, I wrote a script that simulates repeated (50 times) pressing of right and left. Then I ran the script over and over, counting how many times it executed in total.
This way I found out that the initial level is 1500 for the torch and 2000 for the lamp. Smiley

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« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2011, 03:09:23 PM »

Good news everyone, the game is almost done!

Here is a playable beta version: Link

The sound only works in Firefox for now, I still have to figure out how to make it work in other browsers. The rest of the game is pretty much finished.

It seems like I'm having a hard time to let go of the game. Could this be perfectionism? Huh?
With almost 2500 lines of code this is my biggest gaming related project yet and I'm looking forward to your comments.
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2011, 09:42:22 AM »

Yay, the sound now also works in Chrome.
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2011, 09:58:19 AM »

this is awesome!

i'd never heard of the original, thanks for resurrecting it for us.  i'd be curious to know this game's place in mining video game history.  seems pretty ahead of its time.
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vlaube
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« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2011, 12:36:27 PM »

this is awesome!

i'd never heard of the original, thanks for resurrecting it for us.  i'd be curious to know this game's place in mining video game history.  seems pretty ahead of its time.

Interesting that you mention that, actually I'm planning to write an article about the history of mining games. Smiley
Let me know if you have any favorites you would like to hear mentioned.

I haven't really started the research yet, but the following games come to mind:

Some of these are only marginally related and I'm not sure if they end up in the final article...
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« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2011, 06:11:27 AM »

There is lots of stuff missing, but here is a first overview of the history of mining games.
Pleas post if you have any comments, additions or corrections.  Coffee

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« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2011, 06:15:43 AM »

Loved this game back in the day. But damn was it hard.
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vlaube
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« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2011, 06:18:38 AM »

Loved this game back in the day. But damn was it hard.

They don't make games quite like this anymore. Smiley
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« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2011, 10:35:38 AM »

I might as well call this done.

Play it here!
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« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2011, 05:06:14 PM »

Sticky the last finished game in DevLogs? What do you guys think?
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« Reply #15 on: December 17, 2011, 05:08:04 PM »

Sticky the last finished game in DevLogs? What do you guys think?

Cool motivator and gives the games some attention.  Hand Thumbs Up Right
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« Reply #16 on: December 17, 2011, 05:21:35 PM »

I'm in favor!  Hand Thumbs Up Right

Also,
game became unresponsive at the game over screen. Couldn't put my name in or press a key to continue Sad
« Last Edit: December 17, 2011, 05:27:25 PM by Jakman4242 » Logged

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« Reply #17 on: December 17, 2011, 05:38:52 PM »

game became unresponsive at the game over screen. Couldn't put my name in or press a key to continue Sad

I also have this issue.

Also, pressing p and then a directional key with a bucket equipped is supposed to remove the water in that direction, right? In my experience, the water sticks around, and I end up moving onto it and then dying.

edit; I am dying because I'm running out of money, so nvm. The water graphic remains, but I think it's counting as a normal tile.
edit2: nope, water persists indefinitely except for the step immediately after bucketing it. Is this intended functionality?
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J. R. Hill
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« Reply #18 on: December 17, 2011, 05:40:00 PM »

Awesome work!



Sticky the last finished game in DevLogs? What do you guys think?
My Word!
Brilliant!

Someone should put you in charge of things around here.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2011, 06:25:18 PM by J. R. Hill » Logged

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« Reply #19 on: December 18, 2011, 03:38:34 AM »

Sticky the last finished game in DevLogs? What do you guys think?
My Word!
Brilliant!

Someone should put you in charge of things around here.

I agree, Derek should make him a mod or something.
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