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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 7:44:50 GMT
I was doing some research and it appears that multi-sided or multi-disk games can't be run from the carousel. A game like Ultima IV with its 2 disks / 4 sides of data could not be launched from the Carousel, but the converted Ultima IV.d81 image could work since all four sides are copied and made to run off a single d81 image. That had me thinking and I wanted to ask this in case others might also think this is a good idea.
I was thinking it would be helpful if perhaps there was a sub forum here where people could post conversions of multi disk/sided games to single image games, as well as perhaps request specific games that they'd like to see converted to single image format. Perhaps some of the more technical members could look at the list and if any requests interest them, they could work on the conversions to single images. Also, would be a great forum if all single image conversions were made available within a single thread lets say. Then visitors could simply search that thread to see if a specific game they are looking for has already been converted to single image and is already available.
I am sure its not a simple task to convert multi disk/sided games to work as a single image otherwise we'd all be doing it. If anyone has any instructions or might be able to put together some sort of instructions (Youtube video maybe) on how to perform these conversions, that too might be useful in getting many of the multi disk/sided games converted for use through TheC64 carousel. I know if I had the ability, I'd be doing all the great RPGs as thats my favorite genre of computer gaming and let's face it, the C64 had some of the BEST CRPGs of all time!
Well, thats my thoughts. What do you think?
Thanks,
John
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Post by kugelblitz on Feb 28, 2020 8:58:46 GMT
I was doing some research and it appears that multi-sided or multi-disk games can't be run from the carousel. A game like Ultima IV with its 2 disks / 4 sides of data could not be launched from the Carousel, but the converted Ultima IV.d81 image could work since all four sides are copied and made to run off a single d81 image. That had me thinking and I wanted to ask this in case others might also think this is a good idea. I was thinking it would be helpful if perhaps there was a sub forum here where people could post conversions of multi disk/sided games to single image games, as well as perhaps request specific games that they'd like to see converted to single image format. Perhaps some of the more technical members could look at the list and if any requests interest them, they could work on the conversions to single images. Also, would be a great forum if all single image conversions were made available within a single thread lets say. Then visitors could simply search that thread to see if a specific game they are looking for has already been converted to single image and is already available. I am sure its not a simple task to convert multi disk/sided games to work as a single image otherwise we'd all be doing it. If anyone has any instructions or might be able to put together some sort of instructions (Youtube video maybe) on how to perform these conversions, that too might be useful in getting many of the multi disk/sided games converted for use through TheC64 carousel. I know if I had the ability, I'd be doing all the great RPGs as thats my favorite genre of computer gaming and let's face it, the C64 had some of the BEST CRPGs of all time! Well, thats my thoughts. What do you think? Thanks, John Actually, the best way to check for better versions is to go to csdb.dk/ and search for the game you are looking for. If you do that for Ultima IV you will find this csdb.dk/release/?id=138772 which has .d81 and even a .crt version of the game. Ideally you just check for the LATEST version of a crack, most of the time these contain fixes for putting it on one disk or one cartridge. You can also look for IDE fixes (which are a bunch of files) - you can convert these into .d81 images if one is not available. I think there are not a lot of games that are still unconverted and if so, they are usually games not worth doing or simply too complicated to do. |
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Post by ShaneRMonroe on Feb 28, 2020 17:55:15 GMT
I was doing some research and it appears that multi-sided or multi-disk games can't be run from the carousel. A game like Ultima IV with its 2 disks / 4 sides of data could not be launched from the Carousel, but the converted Ultima IV.d81 image could work since all four sides are copied and made to run off a single d81 image. That had me thinking and I wanted to ask this in case others might also think this is a good idea. I was thinking it would be helpful if perhaps there was a sub forum here where people could post conversions of multi disk/sided games to single image games, as well as perhaps request specific games that they'd like to see converted to single image format. Perhaps some of the more technical members could look at the list and if any requests interest them, they could work on the conversions to single images. Also, would be a great forum if all single image conversions were made available within a single thread lets say. Then visitors could simply search that thread to see if a specific game they are looking for has already been converted to single image and is already available. I am sure its not a simple task to convert multi disk/sided games to work as a single image otherwise we'd all be doing it. If anyone has any instructions or might be able to put together some sort of instructions (Youtube video maybe) on how to perform these conversions, that too might be useful in getting many of the multi disk/sided games converted for use through TheC64 carousel. I know if I had the ability, I'd be doing all the great RPGs as thats my favorite genre of computer gaming and let's face it, the C64 had some of the BEST CRPGs of all time! Well, thats my thoughts. What do you think? Thanks, John Actually, the best way to check for better versions is to go to csdb.dk/ and search for the game you are looking for. If you do that for Ultima IV you will find this csdb.dk/release/?id=138772 which has .d81 and even a .crt version of the game. Ideally you just check for the LATEST version of a crack, most of the time these contain fixes for putting it on one disk or one cartridge. You can also look for IDE fixes (which are a bunch of files) - you can convert these into .d81 images if one is not available. I think there are not a lot of games that are still unconverted and if so, they are usually games not worth doing or simply too complicated to do. Lemon64's forum is LOADED with posts containing links to large repositories of CRT converted games. I'm trying to find one for Ultimate Wizard, myself. |
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 18:06:38 GMT
I've been looking for the Phantasie Trilogy in single disk format so that they could be run from the carousel. So far no luck. I'm a big fan of almost all of the SSI CRPGs. I have them all complete boxed on my shelf in my game room. If anyone knows where I can find Phantasie 1, 2, and 3, Shard of Spring, Demon's Winter, Wizard's Crown, etc. in single image format, please let me know. In the mean time I'll keep looking.
Thanks,
John
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 18:52:29 GMT
Actually, the best way to check for better versions is to go to csdb.dk/ and search for the game you are looking for. If you do that for Ultima IV you will find this csdb.dk/release/?id=138772 which has .d81 and even a .crt version of the game. Ideally you just check for the LATEST version of a crack, most of the time these contain fixes for putting it on one disk or one cartridge. You can also look for IDE fixes (which are a bunch of files) - you can convert these into .d81 images if one is not available. I think there are not a lot of games that are still unconverted and if so, they are usually games not worth doing or simply too complicated to do. Lemon64's forum is LOADED with posts containing links to large repositories of CRT converted games. I'm trying to find one for Ultimate Wizard, myself. Is there software that lets you dump the game / games from an Easy Flash cart/image to a 1581 image for example? I checked out some of the Easy Flash images, but you can't make .vsf files with a .crt image. I'm setting up my carousel to have all the games load instantly, by loading them in Vice, waiting for the exact moment the game is loaded and ready to play and then creating the .vsf file, so when launched in the carousel, the game appears immediately. Again, that method won't work with .crt files, only disk images work with .vsf or at least from what I tried it appears only d64/d81 type files work as .vsf files. |
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Post by ShaneRMonroe on Feb 28, 2020 19:01:28 GMT
Lemon64's forum is LOADED with posts containing links to large repositories of CRT converted games. I'm trying to find one for Ultimate Wizard, myself. Is there software that lets you dump the game / games from an Easy Flash cart/image to a 1581 image for example? I checked out some of the Easy Flash images, but you can't make .vsf files with a .crt image. I'm setting up my carousel to have all the games load instantly, by loading them in Vice, waiting for the exact moment the game is loaded and ready to play and then creating the .vsf file, so when launched in the carousel, the game appears immediately. Again, that method won't work with .crt files, only disk images work with .vsf or at least from what I tried it appears only d64/d81 type files work as .vsf files. I've made a lot of VSF games for the carousel using .CRT files ... what issues are you experiencing? Are you including the SAVE ROM IMAGE WITH VSF (or something like that) when creating the snapshot? |
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 19:51:30 GMT
Is there software that lets you dump the game / games from an Easy Flash cart/image to a 1581 image for example? I checked out some of the Easy Flash images, but you can't make .vsf files with a .crt image. I'm setting up my carousel to have all the games load instantly, by loading them in Vice, waiting for the exact moment the game is loaded and ready to play and then creating the .vsf file, so when launched in the carousel, the game appears immediately. Again, that method won't work with .crt files, only disk images work with .vsf or at least from what I tried it appears only d64/d81 type files work as .vsf files. I've made a lot of VSF games for the carousel using .CRT files ... what issues are you experiencing? Are you including the SAVE ROM IMAGE WITH VSF (or something like that) when creating the snapshot? Yes, I included the Save Rom Image. What appears to happen is that when I make the .vsf file from an Easy Flash cart, then load the .vsf to test, the .vsf file starts from the beginning no different than the .crt original file. I'll try again, but Where in the USA is Carmen SanDiego (I used as a test) didn't seem to save the required position during loading in the .vsf file. |
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Post by ShaneRMonroe on Feb 28, 2020 20:15:09 GMT
I've made a lot of VSF games for the carousel using .CRT files ... what issues are you experiencing? Are you including the SAVE ROM IMAGE WITH VSF (or something like that) when creating the snapshot? Yes, I included the Save Rom Image. What appears to happen is that when I make the .vsf file from an Easy Flash cart, then load the .vsf to test, the .vsf file starts from the beginning no different than the .crt original file. I'll try again, but Where in the USA is Carmen SanDiego (I used as a test) didn't seem to save the required position during loading in the .vsf file. Can you give me a link to the image in question? |
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 22:14:18 GMT
Yes, I included the Save Rom Image. What appears to happen is that when I make the .vsf file from an Easy Flash cart, then load the .vsf to test, the .vsf file starts from the beginning no different than the .crt original file. I'll try again, but Where in the USA is Carmen SanDiego (I used as a test) didn't seem to save the required position during loading in the .vsf file. Can you give me a link to the image in question? |
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Post by spannernick on Feb 28, 2020 22:51:48 GMT
I managed to make a VSF file of Carmen,it loads fine..?
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 22:52:58 GMT
I just tried to save a .vsf file from a program loaded off a .d81 image. Making a .vsf file that includes the disk image for .d64 images works fine, but using .crt or even .d81 it appears not to include the cart/disk image in the .vsf. For example I just tried to save a .vsf of a .d81 game with the disk still mounted in drive 8 (drive set as 1581). So, I saved the .vsf file, but it is only 75kb which is small. The working d64 .vsf files that I made earlier are about 360kb to 650kb in size. A .vsf file that does NOT include the disk image or .crt image is about 75kb, so it seems that version 2.4 of Vice isn't functioning properly when a .vsf file is made and the box is checked to "Save the included disk image" for a d81 image. I've attached a picture of the .vsf screen so you can see I have the proper box checked. Attachments:
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 28, 2020 23:10:29 GMT
I managed to make a VSF file of Carmen,it loads fine..? Were you able to let the Easy Flash cart load to the title screen for the game, then make the .vsf file so that when loaded the .vsf file is immediately at the title screen of the game, and doesn't start the loading process from the very beginning? That was the problem I was having. Making .vsf files with d64 images mounted to drive 8, worked fine, but when using a .crt image and having VICE include the ROM file in the .vsf file, the vsf file when loaded starts from the very beginning, not the saved point when the VSF was created. |
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 29, 2020 2:31:49 GMT
Ok. So I got home from dinner and tried the Carmen SanDiego easy flash cart. I made a snapshot (.vsf) file at the main title screen, I checked the "include ROM file" and saved the file. Now when I start the .vsf file, it IS working properly. Woohoo! So that knocks out one issue. Not sure why it didn't work earlier. That leaves me with one last issue and hopefully, one I can figure out shortly as well. The remaining issue is when using a .d81 file and saving a .vsf with the include disk image option checked. The saved .vsf file does not include the .d81 file within it. It is saved as a standard .vsf of just the data within the C64 memory and processor at the time of the snapshot. The disk image is not stored as well.  Well, back to researching and testing. I hope to get this resolved. *** OK QUICK EDIT *** So, the above is still true, but I discovered something, that shouldn't affect the carousel on the mini/maxi. You can properly make a .vsf file and have the Easy Flash cart (ROM) stored in the .vcf file as expected. Then drag and drop or load the .vsf file into the Vice window and it works as it should. But... If you try it again by dragging and dropping the currently running .vsf again, then the Easy Flash cart within the .vsf file starts over from the very beginning of the load process. The only way to fix this is to completely close Vice, then re-open Vice and drop the .vsf file which is how TheC64 works anyway, so the issue shouldn't affect usage on TheC64, only if you planned on using the .vsf file on a PC running the Vice emulator and then wanted to restart the game, so you simply drag and drop the .vsf file onto the existing Vice window again. Then the .vsf file launches from the very beginning as if you just inserted the cart. Sorry for any confusion. I just wanted to write down what I discovered in case others may one day have similar issues when testing their .vsf cart files before updating their mini/maxi unit. ************************************************************************************ |
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 29, 2020 4:19:08 GMT
Ok. It seems like 1581 aka d81 files can't be stored within a .vsf file, so that kills the idea of multidisk games converted to 1581 images working in TheC64 Maxi carousel within a .vsf file. Of course you could simply use the .d81 file directly, but that can take a while to load vs. the .vsf file which can be near instant loading.
So my question is this. Since I was able to get the Easy Flash crt to work and get stored within the .vsf file, how hard would it be to take a multidisk game like Phantasie I, II or III that are already on a 1581 image and have them work on an Easy Flash cart image? Since the 1581 vsf idea doesn't seem to be possible, I'm thinking if it isn't hard to copy the files from a 1581 disk image to the Easy Flash, making use of vsf files and the .crt image would work.
The only question regarding Easy Flash that I have yet to get an answer on is whether you can save your game on them or not. Games like Phantasie I, II, and III all have save game features. I know I've seen an Ultima IV.crt for Easy Flash and that game also has the ability to save your game, so I'm guessing it is possible to save games on an Easy Flash cart, but I don't know for sure. Does anyone else know whether games put on Easy Flash cart will still be able to save their data if the original disk-based game allowed for save game support?
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Post by kugelblitz on Feb 29, 2020 10:29:05 GMT
Ok. It seems like 1581 aka d81 files can't be stored within a .vsf file, so that kills the idea of multidisk games converted to 1581 images working in TheC64 Maxi carousel within a .vsf file. Of course you could simply use the .d81 file directly, but that can take a while to load vs. the .vsf file which can be near instant loading. So my question is this. Since I was able to get the Easy Flash crt to work and get stored within the .vsf file, how hard would it be to take a multidisk game like Phantasie I, II or III that are already on a 1581 image and have them work on an Easy Flash cart image? Since the 1581 vsf idea doesn't seem to be possible, I'm thinking if it isn't hard to copy the files from a 1581 disk image to the Easy Flash, making use of vsf files and the .crt image would work. The only question regarding Easy Flash that I have yet to get an answer on is whether you can save your game on them or not. Games like Phantasie I, II, and III all have save game features. I know I've seen an Ultima IV.crt for Easy Flash and that game also has the ability to save your game, so I'm guessing it is possible to save games on an Easy Flash cart, but I don't know for sure. Does anyone else know whether games put on Easy Flash cart will still be able to save their data if the original disk-based game allowed for save game support? You absolutley have to switch OFF True Drive Emulation for .d81 images by the way because of course they are NOT running on a 1541... |
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Post by Disc Master I on Feb 29, 2020 14:02:03 GMT
Ok. It seems like 1581 aka d81 files can't be stored within a .vsf file, so that kills the idea of multidisk games converted to 1581 images working in TheC64 Maxi carousel within a .vsf file. Of course you could simply use the .d81 file directly, but that can take a while to load vs. the .vsf file which can be near instant loading. So my question is this. Since I was able to get the Easy Flash crt to work and get stored within the .vsf file, how hard would it be to take a multidisk game like Phantasie I, II or III that are already on a 1581 image and have them work on an Easy Flash cart image? Since the 1581 vsf idea doesn't seem to be possible, I'm thinking if it isn't hard to copy the files from a 1581 disk image to the Easy Flash, making use of vsf files and the .crt image would work. The only question regarding Easy Flash that I have yet to get an answer on is whether you can save your game on them or not. Games like Phantasie I, II, and III all have save game features. I know I've seen an Ultima IV.crt for Easy Flash and that game also has the ability to save your game, so I'm guessing it is possible to save games on an Easy Flash cart, but I don't know for sure. Does anyone else know whether games put on Easy Flash cart will still be able to save their data if the original disk-based game allowed for save game support? You absolutley have to switch OFF True Drive Emulation for .d81 images by the way because of course they are NOT running on a 1541... Arrrgggh..... I figured out why the .d81 files were not working. I had "True Drive Emulation" off within the configuration in TheC64 Maxi Game Tool, but when testing with Vice, I guess the config data isn't used. I checked the Vice window that pops up when testing and "True Drive Emulation" was checked still. So, I unchecked it in Vice on the PC, ran TheC64 Maxi Game Tool again, tested my Phantasie.d81 disk and it loaded fine!  Thanks for the tip, I probably wouldn't have thought to check the actual Vice install settings as I simply assumed that even when testing the Carousel would enforce its configuration settings over the ones set within Vice. |
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Post by raxrip on Mar 4, 2020 16:25:04 GMT
I made my first easy flash version of a game. (Could not find any existing EF version of it) Nobby EasyFlashNow while playing and want to jump to the next level you can do the following: In vice hit ALT+m. This should pop up the debugger. type "move 800 f00 f800" and press enter now type "g f800" and press enter. Next level should now start If anyone is a hard core gamer it would be great if you could play through it and see if everything works. This game is extremely hard to play. I made the EF version by first making a disk version of the tap (tape file) file. I believe that the tap file is the original game and I did not want to fight with some other groups disk loader etc. The tape loader is located at address $f800 so I replaced it with my own disk loader that used the kernel load function ($FFD5). After this I used the disk2easyflash tool to make a crt easy flash file. This works because the ef tool is patching the load vector at address $330 and redirect it to the ef's ram ($DF00) I do believe that this also should work on other disk games without a fast loader. |
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Post by perilousc64 on May 28, 2020 21:02:49 GMT
I was doing some research and it appears that multi-sided or multi-disk games can't be run from the carousel. A game like Ultima IV with its 2 disks / 4 sides of data could not be launched from the Carousel, but the converted Ultima IV.d81 image could work since all four sides are copied and made to run off a single d81 image. That had me thinking and I wanted to ask this in case others might also think this is a good idea. I was thinking it would be helpful if perhaps there was a sub forum here where people could post conversions of multi disk/sided games to single image games, as well as perhaps request specific games that they'd like to see converted to single image format. Perhaps some of the more technical members could look at the list and if any requests interest them, they could work on the conversions to single images. Also, would be a great forum if all single image conversions were made available within a single thread lets say. Then visitors could simply search that thread to see if a specific game they are looking for has already been converted to single image and is already available. I am sure its not a simple task to convert multi disk/sided games to work as a single image otherwise we'd all be doing it. If anyone has any instructions or might be able to put together some sort of instructions (Youtube video maybe) on how to perform these conversions, that too might be useful in getting many of the multi disk/sided games converted for use through TheC64 carousel. I know if I had the ability, I'd be doing all the great RPGs as thats my favorite genre of computer gaming and let's face it, the C64 had some of the BEST CRPGs of all time! Well, thats my thoughts. What do you think? Thanks, John Actually, the best way to check for better versions is to go to csdb.dk/ and search for the game you are looking for. If you do that for Ultima IV you will find this csdb.dk/release/?id=138772 which has .d81 and even a .crt version of the game. Ideally you just check for the LATEST version of a crack, most of the time these contain fixes for putting it on one disk or one cartridge. You can also look for IDE fixes (which are a bunch of files) - you can convert these into .d81 images if one is not available. I think there are not a lot of games that are still unconverted and if so, they are usually games not worth doing or simply too complicated to do. As a newbie. (and a non-techie) who just got an imported C64 maxi this week in the USA. ..I searched and found this thread and want to thank "kugelblitz"!! I have been trying to find a "single disk" version of an old multi-disk game called Red Storm Rising that would work..found it at csdb and it works flawlessly (thus far)! Now if someone can find and send me the keyboard overlay, I would really be in heaven
Am LOVING the maxi thus far...I have not been this excited since the TiVo first came out!!
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Post by spannernick on Jun 26, 2020 11:59:18 GMT
I was thinking what we need is a d64 image that can hold side 2 as well as side 1 so its like a d81 image but its a d64 image, so the game can run the drive in AD or True Drive emulation mode without having to swap disk images, I think a game that has 2 sides should be one image anyway.(well in my dreams.. ) I wounder if it could be possible, maybe not cause a d64 image only holds so much data, its a copy of a real C64 disk, 5 1⁄4 inch disk. I noticed one thing when AD in activated, the emulator on THEC64 Mini/Maxi is slower at loading Disk images so I was wondering if its Vice x64sc because the emulator is a lot slower when loading disk images compared to the Vice x64 emulator that has warp in its options. x64sc is more accurate and closer to how the real c64 acts like and is slower at loading disks , it would make sense RGL using it. Vice x64 2.4(Windows 10) With (TDE)True Drive Emulation enabled, took about 5 seconds to load the first part and bring up the Crack Trainer screen.(The first screen you see with the SID music playing and words going across the screen) In the C64 Maxi with (AD)Accurate Disk enabled, it took about 20 seconds to bring up the same screen. |
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Thanks for the tip, I probably wouldn't have thought to check the actual Vice install settings as I simply assumed that even when testing the Carousel would enforce its configuration settings over the ones set within Vice.
