Hacks, gripes and insights from someone behind the curtain.
Preparing and teaching a class is tough work. Especially when you’re sort of learning the material just before hand. Overall I think it was a good class. I was a little sad that only 3 people showed up for the second session, but oh well. I had a blast putting it together and am all sorts of jazzed up about other GBA projects. You can find the aftermath on the nycresistor wiki.
Next up, work on the GBA demo, my GBA version of portal, cobosoda, and get back to 100% on blip.tv.
Back in the saddle after a hectic couple of weeks. Here’s what happened in bullet form.
Good busy is good. I like good busy.
Furiously preparing for gameboy class. I’m super-psyched (two times) about it. Last night I got the old skoolest of ‘tro routines working, good old raster bars. I’ll up a screenshot later tonight.
Raster bars are one of my favorite effects because they’re quite a hack. It looks like they’re moving, but in reality you’re not drawing anything at all. They take advantage of the palette modes and of the horizontal and vertical blank interrupts. During each vertical blank you adjust an array of colors the length of the screen. During each horizontal blank you set the color of palette 0 to a color stored in the array (according to the vertical line register). The color changes while the horizontal line is drawn to the actual screen, and repeat.
Tonight I work in one of the tiled modes and will put together the simple elements of a an actual game. I think that’s where the class will leave off for next time. I’m documenting stuff on a wiki, but it’s not 100% up to date.
I’ve clearly been neglecting me for work. I’ve taken on some new responsibilities and getting refocused is taking more energy. My twitters and tumblrs have gone silent as a result. On my list of me things to do:
Two good things, I’ve still been able to make some time for the gym. It definitely helps with the stress. I’ve been able to make it to all the nyc resistor meetings. (Sorry if i was a little smelly yesterday resistors, i came straight from the aforementioned gym)
Look at me! I’m a teacher! I expect all seven of you that read my tumblog to come to my class. I know who you are, don’t think I don’t.
