XGalaga, a new port on the tablet

[jlbrd]

Hello,
Based on Xgalaga, a space-invader like game with additional features to produce a more interesting game, the maemo port has on-screen buttons to increase gameplay.
It's the first release and I would like some feedbacks. Available on : https://garage.maemo.org/projects/xgalaga

http://qdevelop.org/divers/xgalaga-screenshot-mini.png

EDIT: For admins: Is it possible to copy this post on "News" forum to appear on "Maemo planet" ?

[aflegg]

If you update the ApplicationCatalog2006 wiki page, my RSS feed will pick it up and that's aggregated on the planet.

Alternatively, sign up for a maemopeople.org blog.

[jlbrd]

Thanks, I added xgalaga and pengupop projects on ApplicationCatalog2006 wiki page.

[cicamargoba]

jlbrd i have some questions:
This galaga is based on free Xgalaga?
I cross-compile xgalaga, but i can't see the bottom ship

Can you share the sources with me?
o can you tell me how resize the screen on xgalaga..

Best Regards

[jlbrd]

It's based on xgalaga-sdl (http://sourceforge.net/projects/xgalaga-sdl/), itself a port of xgalaga. This version based on SDL is most easy to port. But I rotate all coordinates to play in the height of the Nokia. I will publish the sources in few days after cleaning.

[cicamargoba]

I'l be waiting for the sources :)

[jlbrd]

The sources are publihed on garage. I have made some modifications from original xgalaga-sdl:
- Rotate all coordinates x and y to play in the height of the tablet
- Increase the size of all images (+ 50%)
- Add the printing of hightscores on the title screen
- Certainly others modifications forgotten

Jean-Luc Biord

[Texrat]

yaHOOOO!!!! I love Galaga! I will be glad to test this and offer feedback. :)

[uczmeg]

I wanted to give this a go, but when I try to install it is telling me I have'nt got libxpm4.

Where do I find that?

[Texrat]

This post claims the libxpm4 dependency problem was fixed in an earlier version:

http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/maemo/developers/18044

However, I'm also experiencing the problem still and trying to hunt down the library. Found lots of references, but no file. :(

[gisborne]

I would like to play this on my N800. It installed fine, but nothing happens when I launch it. There is just a zombie process.

[fredoll]

start it from xterm and I suppose you'll find out quite easily (especially if a lib is missing)

Fred

[fredoll]

This post claims the libxpm4 dependency problem was fixed in an earlier version:

http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/maemo/developers/18044

However, I'm also experiencing the problem still and trying to hunt down the library. Found lots of references, but no file. :(

You'll find it in "Red Pill" Mode in the application manager

Fred

[Texrat]

Thanks Fred.

So... general questions: what is this library? Why isn't it part of the OS, or the Xgalaga install?

[gisborne]

start it from xterm and I suppose you'll find out quite easily (especially if a lib is missing)

dsp_protocol_open_node(): Could not open pcm device file /dev/dsptask/pcm3

It says that twice, then:

Fatal signal: Segmentation Fault (SDL Parachute Deployed)

[fredoll]

It looks like sdl can't access the sound interface ...

[Texrat]

Thanks to Fred's help I got the game running on the 770 (haven't tried N800 yet). My feedback:

-in general, nice effort! the game behaves for the most part just like arcade versions

-the player's ship however is not very responsive. It moves too sluggish in relation to enemy fire. I think the entire game should be sped up a little.

-I would prefer an option to use all hardware buttons (like d-pad) rather than soft buttons. I find the current controls a bit too awkward.

-good idea to rotate the screen, however, the distance is a just a bit too great between enemies and player. Maybe split the difference between screen dimensions and lower the enemy by that amount.

-I suggest slightly reducing number of enemy shots, at least on early screens.

-Do enemy ships ever pick up player ship to provide opportunity for doubling fire? I never saw it.

Anyway, great effort! :)

[gisborne]

It looks like sdl can't access the sound interface ...


Weird. My sound just stopped working. Following a reboot, xgalaga now runs.

[jlbrd]

For the problem with libxpm4, i have created a post for this : http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=36203#post36203

Thanks Texrat for your feedback.

My port is made with the spirit of original xgalaga. I think that the actual gameplay is good however it's slow on the 770. The screen size is similar of the original. I have just doubled the size of sprites to increase visibility. All bonus as doubling fire are present because I have not modified the rules of the game. I will add the optionnal possibility to use the d-pad but I think that the gameplay will decrease.
For all problems with N800, i have just a 770 and it's not possible to me to test or modify for this tablet. If it's work on 800, it's good. Otherwise, I can nothing.

[Texrat]

Could the sprites be a little brighter? Maybe even a tiny bit larger.

Overall, if one thing was improved I would want it to be sprite speed.

Anyway, I hope that this doesn't come off as griping. I'm very happy you at least went to the trouble! :)

[toby]

:D Installed libxpm4 and then xgalaga and it fired up first time. Thanks for this!

Ooops, should say this is on a stock n800

[jlbrd]

I have modified the game by deletion of all stars on background. The gameplay is the same and the speed is increased. Can you test this version please?

EDIT: The version is now know as 0.0.6 on garage (https://garage.maemo.org/projects/xgalaga/).

[jlbrd]

I have added on garage the libxpm4 required by xgalaga package.

[menega]

Thanks, but not working yet... (at least for me) :confused:
Error message in Application manager log when trying to install in a N800:

/usr/bin/dpkg-deb -f '/var/tmp/libxpm4_3.5.2-2.1_armel.deb'
Package must have "Section: user/FOO" to be considered compatible.

any idea?

[jlbrd]

For the N800, try ti install http://repository.maemo.org/pool/maemo3.0/free/binary/libxpm4_3.5.4.2-3_armel.deb

[menega]

For the N800, try ti install http://repository.maemo.org/pool/maemo3.0/free/binary/libxpm4_3.5.4.2-3_armel.deb
Yes, this is the one I tried to install unsuccessfully...

[jlbrd]

This package seems to be the good package for the N800. But I have only a N770 and I cannot help you more. Sorry

[uczmeg]

For the N800, try ti install http://repository.maemo.
org/pool/maemo3.0/free/binary/libxpm4_3.5.4.2-3_armel.deb

On my N800 I get unable to install, incompatible application package.

[aflegg]

You won't be able to install that directly on a normal N800.

The options:


Upload XGalaga to the extras repository (http://maemo.org/maemowiki/ExtrasRepository) - then the Application Manager will resolve the dependencies itself automatically.
Enable Red Pill mode (http://hildon-app-mgr.garage.maemo.org/redpill.html) to install "system" libraries without an error message.
Install libxpm4 from the command line: apt-get install libxpm4, as root.


HTH,

Andrew