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Jul - Posts by Tamkis
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Tamkis
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Posted on 12-19-13 04:15:20 PM, in SAGE Returns for 2014! Link
(I'm surprised no one's made a thread for this yet, especially since apparently this news was announced almost a month ago at the time of this writing.)

It's an unfortunate fact that SAGE, the Sonic Amateur Games Expo, an annual event where budding computer programmers and game designers showcase their Sonic the Hedgehog and other videogame related fan-games, did not even occur this year (2013), due to poor communication and planning between those running the event. Strong Gust from SonicUnited.org recently announced that SAGE is already in the works for 2014; however, with a major twist compared to previous incarnations of the event in previous years. Unlike previous years, where the events always took place annually during mid to late Summer and on different web hosts per year, this and future SAGE events will be taking place bi-annually on one, single website for now on: Sagexpo.org. Game pages, as well as pages for all other booths (for fan music, art, etc), will now all be hosted on this site, instead of entrants having to make an offsite booth/page. Furthermore, all pages have a comments section, so that entrants can have feedback on their works. The new website allows entrants to change their page content on-the-fly, and the website, which is WordPress CMS-based, is skinnable and dyanmic enough to be used for future SAGE events. "Act 1" of SAGE 2014 will be occuring February 23rd – March 1st 2014, and I am assuming that "act 2" will be sometime during Summer 2014.

To quote Strong Gust about all of this:
Originally posted by "Strong Gust"

Despite a lot of effort from several individuals, SAGE hasn’t taken place this year [2013]. The plans for it somewhat fell through. With that being said, SAGE will be taking place early next year [2014]. Overbound administrator at Sonic Fan Games HQ and myself have been building up a site that will last for many years to come, easily reskinnable and ready to go. SAGE will be steadily taking place twice per year. The first act of 2014 will be taking place February 23rd – March 1st. Expect to see all of the features you’ve come to love from past SAGE events returning.

As usual, there will be an IRC chat accessible via SAGE’s interact page with the option to use an IRC client to connect.

Using WordPress’s powerful CMS platform, myself and Overbound have created a site which allows game authors to edit their game pages in real time. No longer will game authors have to go through the trouble of finding a server to host their booth on. We simply ask that you upload your game download elsewhere.


The rest of Strong Gust's post can be read here. A stub, public page, with information for SAGE 2014, has already been created by those organizing the event at Sagexpo.org. (At least it is more informative than the stub created there for 2013, which was just a Billy Hatcher egg, and nothing else!)
===========

Personally, I am excited for these changes, and to see SAGE rise again, better than before, considering that SAGE 2013 never happened. I do not really care much for the fan art or music; just the fan games. Some of the fan games created for the event in the past have been over-the-top and excellent, such as Sonic Before/After the Sequel. I was planning on submitting an entry for SAGE 2013 for the second demo of a Sonic CD Breakout fangame that I am creating, but it obviously never happened. Guess I should start working on Demo #3 for Act 1 in my spare time (after taking care real-world college obligations) . It's too bad that Act 1 is taking place from February 23rd – March 1st 2014, which is a college week. Why couldn't they run it when most college students are on Spring Break ?

I'm curious. Is anybody else here at Jul working on a Sonic fangame? And do you think that SAGE will swim this year instead of sink? What noteworhty fan games are in the works for act 1?

____________________
"For he who serves his fellows, is of all his fellows, greatest"
--- Urner E. Goodman

Tamkis haz a tech/software engineering blogg!
Tamkis
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Posted on 12-19-13 07:22:55 PM, in SAGE Returns for 2014! Link
Originally posted by Lunaria
I don't know, while I agree that Sonic fan games are bad I don't think mario ones are any better. The thing is, it's just a whole lot more obvious in the sonic ones due to the mechanics attempted, as Kak64 pointed out. There's a lot to making a competent platformer in general though, and that's where most fan games fail. (And SMW hacks. :> )


Well, there are some fan game made with fan-game engines which take care of the mechanics aspect for developers, so that they can focus on level design aspects, instead of reinventing the wheel and coding an engine from scratch. Specifically, I am mentioning Sonic Worlds for 2D games and SonicGDK for 3D games. Sonic Before the Sequel and Sonic After the Sequel were made on these engines. Sonic Classic by Hez is also a good fangame.

There will always be both the good and the bad in these kinds of things.

____________________
"For he who serves his fellows, is of all his fellows, greatest"
--- Urner E. Goodman

Tamkis haz a tech/software engineering blogg!
Tamkis
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Posted on 12-26-13 02:26:50 AM, in Is Christmas nice to you? Link
Christmas was very nice to me this year , so I voted Si!
Tamkis
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Posted on 12-26-13 03:37:04 AM, in Merry Christmas Link
I did not get much for Christmas, but I am glad for what I did receive from my parents. In an email, father asked earlier this month what I wanted for Christmas, much to my surprise, so I told him. With father financially struggling with mother's expensive medical treatments (she has dialysis, diabetes, and other related medical complications), I kept it simple and practical, and asked him for only a Ti-89 Titanium calculator and some money. I received both. The Ti-89 is to upgrade from my Ti-84 SE for my engineering-level calculus and math classes, and the money is for incoming college expenses. I received both and also some sugar-free candy, some clothes, and a Tracfone minutes card from my parents, much to my surprise . Quantitavely, the amount of gifts was small, but I am not complaning.

It wasn't so much the gifts that I was really looking forward to; it was social and family gatherings which I looked forward to most. This was my first year at a University dorm and at the new University for the Quest of the Bachelor's Degree, so coming back to home for the season and not having to worry about buying food, studying for tests, and just taking a break was just what I needed from the stress from last semester. Earlier during the break, I voluntarily and thoroughly cleaned up the house, since it really needed it. On Dec 20, father offered to take a few good high school/Eagle Scout friends and I to Pizza Hut in order to catch up and to eat. Father was our Scoutmaster back in the day in our Boy Scout Troop. On Dec 21, a few high school friends and I went to dinner, played some air hockey at the mall's arcade, and then watched Anchorman 2 in theaters (which is hilarious BTW). And today, the family and I visited my aunt's house, with other members of the family visiting too. With being introduced to the stress of a whole new college and to dorm life for the first time, it was nice to briefly return back to familiar faces and surroundings.

For the rest of the break (which ends Jan 13), I plan on just catching up on my hobby software engineering projects and rom hacking, and searching for an internship for the summer .
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Posted on 12-26-13 03:42:47 AM, in MEREY CHRIDTMAS EERRYBODY Link
Originally posted by Kak64
Originally posted by Rambly
me
Santa what happened to you...


What happened to Santa Clause? He joined the NSA...
Tamkis
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Posted on 12-28-13 01:10:37 PM, in How many VMs you have? (last edited by Tamkis at 12-28-13 01:10:59 PM) Link
Originally posted by GuyPerfect
I have two VMs set up in VirtualBox, though I rarely use them. One's a Windows XP installation for when I need to install stuff that I don't want bogging down my main machine, and the other one's running a Linux web server for when I need to host files.


Similar here, I only have 2 VMs, and I rarely use them. One is an XP x86 VM and the other is a Windows 95 VM, both for running software incompatible with my host x64 machine. Technically I "have" a 3rd VM, which is hosted by the University and is accessible via VMWare, for accessing my network drive and for utilizing some of the University's software. However, upon logon, a giant disclaimer yells at you saying that all activity is monitored. I dare not use it for anything other than school/work related stuff .

I use VMWare.
Tamkis
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Posted on 12-31-13 04:58:26 PM, in NSA leak reveals US government is leaving backdoors on lots of PC tech Link
ArsTechnica wrote about and expanded upon the original article.

Originally posted by BMF54123
And how do we know products from foreign companies are clean? Who's to say the Chinese government isn't inserting backdoors of its own, for example?


The Arstechnica article talked about this, too


A frequent defense of what the NSA does with its bag of tricks is that in many ways it is no different from what other countries (including China, Russia, and France) try to do to the United States and other countries via their intelligence organizations. These documents show the key way the NSA is different—its vast technical resources and ability to essentially put itself into the supply chain for technology flowing to the rest of the world. US officials have long suspected China of doing the same thing with hardware from companies such as Huawei and ZTE, but these documents essentially spell out that "interdiction" is part of the US intelligence strategy, too.

The exposure of the techniques and capabilities of the NSA creates another problem for the agency, in that it provides those hard-to-get-at organizations the TAO was created to go after with an idea of how the NSA has targeted and will target them. It also creates a problem for companies like Cisco and Juniper, who now face the same sort of scrutiny the US and others put Huawei under for its connections to the Chinese military. Even if Dell, HP, Cisco, and Juniper had no hand in creating the backdoors for their products, the Snowden documents will undoubtedly be used against them the next time they try to sell hardware to a foreign government.


I'm not looking forward to the future at all and 2014, if all of this kind of activity increases without retaliation from the people and (what's left) of the honest parts of the courts fighting for us, the common people...
Tamkis
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Posted on 01-02-14 04:46:54 PM, in SM64 Level Importer Thread (Skelux Branch) Link
I have a bug to report for the latest version:





<object width="420" height="315"><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/hNZM3KeGdkg?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

Using the new v1.9S of the ObjImporter on a rom previously used with v1.8.1S destroys proper Koopa behavior, for all sub types of Koopas (KTQ, normal sized, &c). I noticed that after I used the rom with the new v1.9, and after the v1.9 of the utility automatically patched collision improvements, Koopas borked. Basically, it appears as if v1.9 patched over the previous v1.8 collision patch, causing... problems. Luckily, I have made a backup before using v1.9, so I didn't lose anything. However, for those other hackers who made the same mistake without a backup... ouch .

Could this be fixed? Or is there a way to prevent the v1.9 version from automatically applying the collision improvements?
Tamkis
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Posted on 01-03-14 07:57:24 PM, in SM64 Level Importer Thread (Skelux Branch) Link
Originally posted by Celux
Originally posted by Tamkis
I have a bug to report for the latest version:

snip

Using the new v1.9S of the ObjImporter on a rom previously used with v1.8.1S destroys proper Koopa behavior, for all sub types of Koopas (KTQ, normal sized, &c). I noticed that after I used the rom with the new v1.9, and after the v1.9 of the utility automatically patched collision improvements, Koopas borked. Basically, it appears as if v1.9 patched over the previous v1.8 collision patch, causing... problems. Luckily, I have made a backup before using v1.9, so I didn't lose anything. However, for those other hackers who made the same mistake without a backup... ouch .

Could this be fixed? Or is there a way to prevent the v1.9 version from automatically applying the collision improvements?


Sounds like a strange problem, I had better get on to fixing that as soon as possible. Don't worry, I can easily detect errors in a ROM and automatically fix them upon being opened. I was also hoping to have 48MB rom level scripts automatically ported to 64MB as of 1.9.1, but if there are other more urgent changes it will have to wait for 1.9.2.


The weird part was yesterday night, after importing an updated Sketchup drawing of an older level into the rom, the Koopa problems disappeared... Whether my issue was a bug or a fluke, IDK
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Posted on 04-13-14 06:05:09 PM, in The General Project Screenshot/Videos Thread... Link
A quick POC of a Knuckles Chaotix hack I have been working on lately on and off, using my old SonED2 Object Defintion files and mine and other's research for the game. I have been updating my ObjDef files to include the subparms and more graphics for SonED2.

Currently, I only have Introduction Level #1 done... but with working path swappers and loops!

<object width="420" height="315"><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/ExXJyX5mLvM?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

Nothing big yet, and no clue where this hack will go. (Some of the vanilla Chaotix level layouts are huge and awkward.)
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Posted on 07-03-14 09:27:52 PM, in Getting freelance work (last edited by Tamkis at 07-03-14 09:31:51 PM) Link
Have you tried networking out with fellow friends and business with professional websites such as LinkedIn? It could not hurt to make a profile, or even to make a professional software engineering portfolio website, like mine.

Also, I would strongly recommend keeping in touch with your academic advisor from your university, and to stop by at your university's career center and keep in touch with a career counselor. My academic advisor regularly emails me relevant internships and job opportunities in the software engineering and electronics engineering sectors. In fact, I just earned an 12month contract internship as an electrical technician with his help, which should pay for most of my university bills in the next. It's full-time, $20/hr, 40hrs/wk.

EDIT: Added stuff
Tamkis
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Posted on 07-26-14 01:51:31 PM, in Bowser64 - Advanced SM64 Memory Editor Link
Okay... but you have not exactly said what it does! You can't just post an opening thread without an explanation of what it does and its features.

Just to clarify, what does it do?
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Posted on 08-17-14 11:17:33 PM, in I've made a game too: Ultra Air Hockey (last edited by Tamkis at 08-10-15 01:11:14 PM) Link
Video

Many of you may not know, but I am currently attending a university in order to pursue a B.S. Degree in Software Engineering, with plans to get into video game design at the local Schell Games in Pittsburgh or another video game development I studio. I own a personal portfolio website called EagleSoft Ltd, which specializes in retro homebrew video game development and modern indie games.

Over a period of 3 months, during Spring 2014, I made my first real, original, video game with sprites, physics, and music, in QB64(GL) for PC. Essentially, it is an air hockey game with major twists, including trippy chiptune music, exciting pre-rendered 2D & 3D art, multiplayer, intelligent AI, and most importantly, powerups! Full details about the video game, as well as media and a download, can be found at its appropriate page on my website.

C&CC Welcomed!
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Posted on 08-18-14 11:02:33 PM, in Prototypes! (last edited by Tamkis at 08-18-14 11:04:11 PM) Link
Found a PAL, German prototype of Nuclear Stike 64 on eBay. Looks like the real deal, with pics of the PCB, and TV snapshots. 5 Days left on the auction, currently at $41.00 for bid, and looks like will be a cheap auction.

Has been this dumped before? I may bid it, and dump it for the community, since I have some monies.
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Posted on 03-09-15 09:16:14 PM, in Do we have any coders here? (last edited by Tamkis at 03-09-15 09:18:28 PM) Link
I have used the following languages in the past:


  • QBasic/QB64 (http://www.qb64.net/)

  • C/C++/C#

  • Java

  • Some Motorola 68k, MIPS R4300i ASM

  • Some lua



I'm shying away from QBASIC these days due to needing to get more experience with real, industry-standard programing languages. C I am currently learning for making Genesis homebrew with the SGDK (https://code.google.com/p/sgdk/), use C++ for university work and eventually for N64 LibDragon homebrew, and use C# for Unity3D development. Java I only use for uni work (I loathe Eclipse). I've used some M68k asm and MIPS R4300i in the past for Genesis/N64 rom hacking, and lua for modding Sonic Robo Blast 2.

Portfolio website - (http://www.eaglesoftltd.com/)

EDIT: Added links (apparently I have forgotten Jul BBCode since my last visit )
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Posted on 03-11-15 06:40:35 PM, in Rom hacking, resumes and portfolio (last edited by Tamkis at 03-11-15 07:01:03 PM) Link
So I am currently looking for video game design internships in my area. Previously, when I renovated my portfolio website to be more professional, I threw out my rom hacking projects and utilities due to fear of possible legal consequences or being stigmatized by employers and portraying a negative impression as a haxor; however, now that I am finding difficulty in getting jobs, am considering putting the stuff back up. 2 years ago, I found and discovered this RHDN thread about rom hacking and resumes. I am currently inactive in rom hacking, and am moving more towards homebrew and indie video game development.

I would like to hear other people's 2nd opinion on the subject of rom hacking, resumes, and portfolio websites. Should I really put back up my rom hacking utilities on my portfolio website and on my resume? Should I also put back up my incomplete rom hacks (as patches), or would that be going too far? What's your experience and suggestion on the matter? I did once get a technician job at a local avionics firm after stating that one of my hobbies is "tinkering with retro video game consoles on both the hardware and software levels", but am worried how this would be conveyed in a video game dev setting. Current portfolio website

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Typos/BBCode tags
Tamkis
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Posted on 08-10-15 03:15:11 AM, in Youtube Google+ Comments (last edited by Tamkis at 08-10-15 03:16:28 AM) Link
Originally posted by Schezo
Originally posted by krutomisi
copying pasta that crap all over isn't going to make a difference
and I personally don't foresee the g+ integration ever going away

they'll prob fix some of the more broken features
but like since when has youtube, facebook or anything else removed an unwanted UI update


I know it's not gonna make any difference, but copypasta aside, it's still a somewhat interesting comment, as it shows the current bugs/problems/"abuse possibilities" of this new comment system.

In any case, most of the "popular" videos have these types of comments now.



GOOD. NEWS! Google+ integration with Youtube commenting (and other services) is now dying!
Youtube Video
TechCrunch article


Can't wait for the full effects take place, so that I can comment again without having to sign up for Google+ . (Stuck out for the past 2 years commentless by not signing up for Google+)
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Posted on 08-10-15 03:34:47 AM, in Rom hacking, resumes and portfolio Link
(Wow, I almost forgot about this thread during the flurry of the the Spring 2015 semester and then a crazy summer, and surprised to see a few responses today. I miss this corner of the internet known as Jul)

Thanks for the advice! I eventually decided to put back up the rom hacking utilities on the website (and LinkedIn IIRC), but not the actual wrong hacks (because they were... notoriously bad). Two utilities I used to have in the SM64 hacking section of Jul, so I will update the links/pics for those threads now that I overcame the dilemna.

A few weeks after this thread, the Uni's ACM chapter (Association of Computing Machinery, computer programming club) and I took a field trip to a local game dev studio, Schell Games, and asked one of the employees (in a non-illegal sounding manner) about how they (and others in the industry) might view Rom hacking, as well as about their internship opportunities (for which I applied for earlier in winter). The employee asked why I would do this (going along with one of the topics of the day of motives for making certain video games) and I replied "to breath new life in old video games with new levels and content", to which he replied "many people like playing and tinkering around with retro video game consoles, and that sounds technically impressive" (paraphrase). Also he replied that the internship positions were full, and they look more for seniors . So it sounds like it is okay, if you go about it smartly. (Blog post about the trip.)
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Posted on 08-10-15 01:21:22 PM, in I've made a game too: Ultra Air Hockey (last edited by Tamkis at 08-10-15 01:22:05 PM) Link
Old topic is old, but a colleague and I decided to make a 3D, DX version of the game for a class project in Unity3D last Fall. Essentially, it is like the 2D version, but with more powerups, more music, better controls, and more modes (Normal 1 vs 1 Air Hockey, a Pinball mode, and a 4P Battle Mode). We also recently ported and published the game to Android, and I am working on a final port of the 2D version to the Sega Genesis as a homebrew title.

Project Page
Trailer Video
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Posted on 08-26-15 03:02:29 AM, in SM64 Midi Preview Soundfont Link
Originally posted by Lyskar
Hm. I'll wait a few weeks, then probably close the thread if it's just totally offline.


Overcame previous moral/professional dilemna a few months ago of whether I should keep my ROM hacking utilities on my personal/professional portfolio website, and have decided to permanently keep this and other ROM hacking utilities, and it could only help in the job search. The DL links and video in the OP are now fixed and pointed to my newer website.

Enjoy!
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Jul - Posts by Tamkis


Rusted Logic

Acmlmboard - commit 47be4dc [2021-08-23]
©2000-2022 Acmlm, Xkeeper, Kaito Sinclaire, et al.

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