saturn development tools for windows

[marc]

Hmmmmmm, been thinking about having a go at some basic game design for a while now......where better to start than the saturn, if that sounds cracked take a look at this site.....they have templates that you can alter with code and loads of tips..wow!!!!

segaxtreme.net/content/satdev/tutorial/SaturnGameTutorial.htm#downloads

bernies big idea could become a reality, watch this space.........
can just see it.... part shooter part platformer, bernie shoots shit out of his mouth, he has to collect as many golden handshakes as possible before being fired......... enemies are angry gamers shooting saturns and dreamcasts......Top buzz.......

[mick_aka]

Ive experemented with the stuff on that site, pretty interesting.
I have the original macintosh Dev software from abck in the day as well as the more rescent windoze stuff.

If you want to code properly for a Saturn you need to attempt to get the old Macintosh hardware, with the windows stuff your coding for a RISC processor on a system that struggles to properly emulate it, the old macs used PowerPC RISC processors.
And how ironic it is that games emulation on the mac is so shite!

[marc]

could you send it to me somehow? how big is it? I am a mac user and would rather the old kit than turn my cheese grater into a pc!!!!! its a dual core ppc

I am not joshing , this could be a good idea, a group forum effort or something.....

[mick_aka]

You will need classic running though, no OSX when this came out

I will sort it when I return home from work

[Radiant Saturn]

I've got an older Power Mac 8100 AV in the closet. I wasn't even aware that there was a dev software for the Mac.

[mick_aka]

As far as im aware (could be totally wrong) all the earlier Saturn Dev systems were mac based, I too have an old powermac somewhere (a 9600 with a G3 upgrade card if I remember correctly) that may have to become a dedicated Saturn dev kit ;D

[marc]

admin said:

And how ironic it is that games emulation on the mac is so shite!

Macmame does not work on my mac 'cause I'm on 10.3.8 only runs on Tiger.....upgrade methinks......

[Radiant Saturn]

That's cool that it was Mac-based. I dug that old Power Mac out last night and it still works. I'm surprised since it's been in storage for the better part of 7 or 8 years.

[Yart]

I know I'm reviving an old topic but hey! Ya know, this sounds like a great idea and I've been thinking about homebrewing for a console lately.

I'm a PC user, who has no (real) programming experience (besides some fool arounds in Game Maker's GML language and a "Hello World!" application in C++) but hey! I'd try to contribute somehow. Be a good learning experience for some of us. I have fooled around with Game Maker enough to know how a game works so there's a start.

In fact... you know what? I want to finally learn how to actually program. I'll try my hand at this. Anyone in? I'd love to get something going, especially with you guys.

Also is there a way to run a game on a Saturn without burning it off onto a CD for a test play? I'm sure there's a cart out there that allows a PC to connect to it right? (I don't exactly have a million CDs to waste on test builds or even just learning how to program...)

I also heard there was a way to allow your Saturn to play CD-RWs. I doubt it's healthy on the system though...

As far as project goes, I love marc's idea.

EDIT: I downloaded and installed SaturnOrbit. Just letting it compile everything now while I head to bed.

[superdeadite]

If you really want to do some serious Saturn Dev, you should try to get a Psy-Q.

www.psygnosis.org/history/SATURNPSYQ/

Basically get the cart and disc, and you can turn any Saturn into an actual Dev Saturn. They can be expensive, but are far more reasonable then the other Saturn Dev hardware like the Sophia.

[marc]

superdeadite said:

If you really want to do some serious Saturn Dev, you should try to get a Psy-Q.

www.psygnosis.org/history/SATURNPSYQ/

Basically get the cart and disc, and you can turn any Saturn into an actual Dev Saturn. They can be expensive, but are far more reasonable then the other Saturn Dev hardware like the Sophia.

Cool, never seen one for sale as far as I can remember, but I wasn't looking I suppose.
This seems like an interesting piece of kit.....Nice link!!!!!!

[mick_aka]

I've seen them on fleaBay in the past go for stupid money, I don't mind a few hundred for a complete dev console/machine but the Psy-Q seems really expensive for what it is.

[superdeadite]

Well the main alternative is the Sophia Systems Dev box. But getting one thats fully complete and functional is extremely difficult. I hear their CD-ROM drives break very easily. The Psy-Q just needs any old Saturn, a much more convient solution.

[Madroms]

Well, you really don't need those dev kits if you want to make some (easy) great stuff, just grab the SaturnOrbit and read the examples to learn how to. getting the dev kits will not be a better/easier way for dev. Also don't forget you need more than one dev kit: one for the sound, one for the other parts,... and if you got them with the docs, it will not be so easy.

To test your program, just mount your .iso and test it with SSF.


In fact, I began to code for the Saturn some months ago. I never made saturn code, nor c code, but I now know how to do basic stuff (text, 2D backgrounds, PCM sample) [you will get a really great stuff soon ]. Examples are a really great help. Start playing with them, modifying them,...
If you want to test your creation on a real saturn, you can burn the .iso or you can send a binary file (if not too big) to your saturn via an Action Replay+PC-COMM card (ISA slot).

About the saturn libraries: there are the SBL and the SGL. Beware. Start playing with the SGL (easier and more recent). Also, all the SBL examples on SaturnOrbit will not compile correctly (this is what happened for me), so you can't test the compiled .iso. you must change some stuff in the compil process (something I don't understand as I am a noob on c). In any case, you can always ask people over at SX (check my recent posts there asking for help ).

[marc]

Saturnorbit seems like a cool bit of software, sadly windows only. I might get a pc laptop just to run this.
I am more into the idea of modifying code and making stylistic changes to do simple but fun shmups......probably the best place to start programming.....