Dan’s MEGA65 Digest

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest explores the MEGA65 personal computer, focusing on programming in machine language and BASIC 65, cross development, graphical capabilities like sprites and bitplane graphics, community engagement through surveys, and game development including porting classics. It serves as a technical and community resource for both new and experienced MEGA65 enthusiasts.

Programming and Development Graphics and Game Design Community and Surveys Hardware Updates Cross Development Techniques Game Porting and Development

The hottest Substack posts of Dan’s MEGA65 Digest

And their main takeaways

The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu

11 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Audio Programming Hardware Software Digital Media
  1. Audio can be generated on the MEGA65 through SID chips and Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM), which allows for reproducing real-world sounds but takes up a lot of memory space.
  2. The MEGA65 expansion board project aims to enhance the computer with features like component video output, Commodore user port, and tape port.
  3. Using audio DMA on the MEGA65, you can play digitized sound samples by controlling speaker membranes directly, even enabling playback of high-quality sound data and providing opportunities for creative sound manipulation.

Release day!

16 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Hardware Updates
  1. MEGA65 platform release v0.96 is now available for upgrade, after 14 months of enhancements to the FPGA core, MEGA65 ROM, and system software.
  2. Different instructions are provided for MEGA65 owners, Xemu emulator users, DevKit owners, and Nexys dev board users regarding upgrading to the release v0.96 version.
  3. Notable changes in v0.96 include support for Ethernet file transfer, new hardware typing event queue, and improvements to chipset, Freezer, SD card utility, and Configuration utility.

Sprite Attack!

11 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Graphics Gaming Programming Animation
  1. Sprites in computer graphics are dedicated to moving objects like spaceships or characters and were essential for video games and user interfaces on the Commodore 64.
  2. MEGA65 supports VIC-II hardware sprites and offers sprite-related BASIC commands to make it easy to use in programs, allowing for creating simple arcade games.
  3. Understanding sprite features like multicolor mode, double size options, collision detection, and managing sprite image data through tools like the Sprite Editor enhances game development on the MEGA65.

The New Hotness

11 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Software Hardware Community Testing
  1. Next batch of MEGA65 computers to ship on June 1st, 2024.
  2. v0.96 release candidate available for testing with new features and bug fixes.
  3. Mention of collaboration with The 8-Bit Guy in making a video about MEGA65.
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Survey 2023 Results

11 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Community Software Documentation Networking
  1. The MEGA65 Community Survey 2023 received 509 submissions and the owners are excited about upcoming features.
  2. Owners are interested in testing Ethernet file transfer and reviewing the 2nd edition of the User's Guide.
  3. There is a strong interest in programming on the MEGA65, with 75% expressing interest in assembly language and BASIC 65.

What I Wish I Knew About Machine Language

27 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Programming Software Hardware Education Tools
  1. Machine language programming on the Commodore 64 required understanding hexadecimal, addressing modes, and the CPU's instructions.
  2. Tools like machine language monitors and assemblers were essential for coding and debugging machine language programs.
  3. Learning machine language programming on the MEGA65 is more accessible now with resources like manuals, assemblers, and online references.

Bitmap Bonanza!

22 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Software Digital Art
  1. MEGA65's VIC-IV video chip has multiple graphics modes inspired by vintage computing history
  2. VIC-III bitplane graphics mode in MEGA65 is fun to use with BASIC 65 for drawing vector art
  3. You can save and load graphics screens in IFF-ILBM file format on MEGA65, and convert modern images to display on MEGA65

MEGA65 Survey Reminder!

11 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Newsletter
  1. MEGA65 Community Survey is closing on August 31st, 2023
  2. The survey needs a few more responses to reach its goal
  3. All responses are anonymous and free-text responses are private to the MEGA65 Steering Committee

robotfindskitten, part 2

5 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Programming Assembly Hardware Memory
  1. The MEGA65 Digest for November 2023 covers topics like implementing robotfindskitten in assembly language, updating the R5 main board hardware, and new games like Tristam Island for the MEGA65.
  2. MEGA65 enthusiasts have been giving talks at computer conferences in 2023, which you can watch online for more insights and information.
  3. The MEGA65 now supports arcade cores such as Bombjack and Bosconian, along with other ports and enhancements like Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum cores.

robotfindskitten, part 1

5 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Programming Gaming Hardware
  1. MEGA65 is introducing a new hardware-accelerated keyboard scanner for faster and more accurate typing experiences.
  2. New games like Classy and MEGApple are being developed for MEGA65, adding variety and entertainment for users.
  3. robotfindskitten, a popular game originally created in 1997, is being revisited and recreated for modern platforms, offering a fun and nostalgic experience.

Cross Development for Fun and Profit, part 1

1 HN point • 21 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Languages
  1. Vintage computers like the Commodore offer a unique and focused environment for program development without distractions.
  2. Cross development, where modern computers are used to develop programs for vintage machines, provides advantages like faster work, better collaboration, and code reusability.
  3. Tools like XC=BASIC, a cross-compiled language, enable powerful programming with the simplicity of BASIC and speed of machine code for the MEGA65.

Fun with PETSCII!

1 HN point • 12 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Programming
  1. PETSCII is a character set with 256 values for Commodore computers, including characters and control codes.
  2. Crafting murals of PETSCII art is a tradition for demos, games, and computer bulletin boards.
  3. PETSCII control codes allow for effects like changing colors, moving the cursor, and toggling character sets.

robotfindskitten, part 3

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Programming Gaming Development Hardware Data Management
  1. The MEGA65 project is making progress on the R5 main board and new games like Unicone and The Ghosts of Blackwood Manor are being released.
  2. Developers like Gurce are creating games in BASIC 65 like Way of the Imploding Foot, showcasing low resolution graphics and animated characters.
  3. When programming in assembly language for MEGA65, techniques like accepting keyboard input, generating random numbers, and avoiding duplicates are crucial for game development.