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SarahJaneAvory

@sarahjaneavory.bsky.social

4.7K followers 1.6K following 270 posts

#Writer, #coder. Code C64 games in my spare time. Released my #BrileyWitch #C64 #RPG via http://itch.io. Also owner of 3 cats. https://sarahjaneavory.itch.io/

itch.io.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · Nov 12

For those that don't know, I started programming in the 80s on machines like Commodore VIC20 and C64... and after a lifetime of programming all sorts of consoles and computers, my spare time is now spent making C64 games... and it's a lot of fun!😃🥰

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 1d

It's a Spectrum Next, so it's actually 8 bit... 😉

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 1d

Spectrum Next #Delphian progress: from walking around to flying across a planet, to flying into space... Now I just need to optimise the starfield code a little... then add the planets and the sun when in space. Still, I'm making progress... 😀😎

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 2d

After losing my partner of 28 years, I felt the need to do something fresh and different. But I'm enjoying this. Might even port some of my C64 games (like Briley).

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, it's the number of vbls it takes to update, so 3 = 20fps, 4 = 15fps.

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 3d

I watched the movie Don’t Look Up yesterday, and there are times I wish it could be real. At times this planet feels totally messed up, so perhaps a reset would be good for the planet.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 3d

Spectrum Next #Delphian progress: decided not to code going into space, but to land the ship (with auto landing) and exit to walk around. Walking around has a different screen surround, plus a larger view (and it runs a bit faster too). 😀

Next step: flight into space and adding a starfield... 🙂

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 5d

Yes, Delphian is a space trader where you can explore the galaxy and visit planets, and buy or find ship upgrades.

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 5d

Spectrum Next #Delphian progress: been working on the transition into space, and it's almost there... just needs a starfield, planets, the sun... Oh well, one step at a time...

I've also been rearranging code to use RAM banks so I only bank in code that's needed. Anyway, starfield next!😀

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 9d

Spectrum Next Delphian progress: I have a long, long to-do list, so I started working on the transition into space. Sky darkens as you gain altitude, and I'll need to add background stars.

I also have this mad idea to somehow get ship interiors working, because why not?

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Reposted by SarahJaneAvory

kereD @iamkered.bsky.social · 9d

Here ya go 😄

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 9d

Yes, you get to shoot things too. Other ships, asteroids, and aggressive drones on the surface. Plus thinking of adding some resource gathering too, a bit like NMS.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 10d

Spectrum Next #Delphian progress: various changes, and it's starting to feel like a game. Controls and movement are now interrupt driven, so it'll always fly at the same speed no matter what the frame rate. Also added a compass and map coordinates, and added some cockpit graphics, but still WIP.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 12d

Well, I did code that game... 🙂

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 13d

For speed, I had to do a straight 256x128 texture. I tried it with a map and tileset, but it was laughably too slow.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 13d

That's the idea. I did a space trader game named Delphian on the C64 back in the 80s, but it was never released... So now I'm making a new version.

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 13d

Spectrum Next #Delphian progress: added some flight controls (so had to add pitch up/down), and added a few more sprites, so here's me flying around a bit. I think I can live with the frame rate, and perhaps I can optimise the code a bit more. 🙂

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Reposted by SarahJaneAvory

Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 14d

Jimmy Kimmel's Monologue now has 14.3 MILLION VIEWS on YouTube.

It would be a shame for you to share it

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1tj...

Jimmy Kimmel is Back!

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live

www.youtube.com

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 14d

I did experiment with GCR encoding on the Amiga, but that was only done on the Amiga. The idea was for of copy protection (mixing GCR and MFM on the same track), but the duplication plants couldn't copy the disks, so I had to abandon the idea.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

I'm having to push myself to do some retro programming, otherwise, I just stare at the TV, flicking through Netflix and not really in the mood to watch anything. It's almost like I feel I'm not supposed to enjoy anything... They say time is a great healer; I hope so...

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

Update for Spectrum Next Delphian: it runs a bit faster now, so I'm adding an object system for handling drawing different sprites. Sprites also need to be Z-sorted as currently they are not (I cheated on the last video). Once I have the next update working, I'll post another video.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

Well, minus the textured floor.

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

Yes, that's the idea.

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

No, it's long gone. 🙁

SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

www.timeextension.com/news/2025/09...

Core Design Legend Sarah Jane Avory Is Cooking Up Something Pretty Special For Spectrum Next

The unreleased C64 space trader Delphian is being revived

www.timeextension.com

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SarahJaneAvory @sarahjaneavory.bsky.social · 16d

I've never done tutorials. As for tools, I use my own, so I can't comment on others. But I'm sure if you search, there's plenty of info out there.

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