How Long Now?

[hitchcockgreen]

The Android operating system can easily port C++ programs under a layer of Java. There's a Canadian hacker that has ported dozens of DOS games to homebrew (java) under the PS3.

How long, and how much effort would it really take to port a game like battlezone to either platform now?

On one hand, it kind of dates the game. But on the other, it opens it up for players on whole new levels that weren't even imagined when it was released.

I can see this game living on for several more years, and even gaining more players, but under different platforms than the PC.

[FirBirGir]

I believe Battlezone, like so many Windows games, uses the windows API. That won't be available with Android or any other OS. Anything written in pure ANSI C is easy to port but when an application uses the operating system APIs, it increases the work effort to port considerably.

Eddy

[hitchcockgreen]

Programming isn't my forte, but from what I understand windows apps can be ported using OpenGL.
Given android is just Linux I'd think it would at least be possible.

Of course, who would want to play BZ on a phone or tablet?

[Blunt Force Trauma]

I really don't see DM being fun on a phone. However, to limit lag, I have played many strat games where the players agreed to not actually involve their ship in the fighting. Then you have a very complex RTS similar to Company of Heroes or Starcraft. That could be great fun on a larger phone or tablet.

By the way, Grinder and I have recently played several times where we limited our dynamic offensive ships to the Badger, howitzer, minelayers and APCs. That also greatly minimizes the lag by reducing the amount of ships in the game. It's also vaguely mimics a turn-based strategy game with an injection of live action.

What about phones and tablets using windows 7?

[hitchcockgreen]

What about phones and tablets using windows 7?

No a phone would not be fun to play bz on. A tablet might be workable since you can dock them to a keyboard, but still...

Windows 7 tablets? Don't know. Haven't really tried with one. I've tried on a small netbook, and getting used to the resolution wasn't a big deal. Kind of like the old days.

Touchscreen tablets like some of the ones Windows 7 is on, and the ones that will be built for Windows 8 might be interesting. I just don't see playing it with all touch interface.

At least on a jailbroken PS3 you can attach a keyboard and mouse or try using the controller.

[FirBirGir]

A Win7 tablet with a Intel x86 processor would run BZ. An Arm processor won't run it, BZ wasn't compiled for any other type processor.

Eddy

[hitchcockgreen]

Hmmm well that may be a problem for both the PS3 and Windows 8 tablets. It will, however, run on 64 bit and IA64 processors.

Back when OtherOS was an option on the PS3 I gave it a go with ubuntu. There were only a handful of distros that were tailor-made for the PS3.
It was slow as hell, since Sony didn't want to open up developer's ability to utilize the GPU. A PS3 only has about 256MB of RAM, but the GPU is pretty powerful.

Hackers have at least started figuring out how to utilize the GPU....and reinstate the OtherOS ability. I haven't tried it yet, since even getting BZ to run on Ubuntu desktop was a pain in the a** and in the end I just gave up trying.

[FirBirGir]

Starting out with a relatively small processor and RAM then add a Windows emulator to play BZ and I'd say it's not worth the effort.

The Atom processor is still the x86 architecture so it is compatible with most apps. It's the ARM processors that phones and tablets use that causes problems. I have some touchscreen Chumby's that use an ARM and run linux but few Linux apps work on them since they are compiles for the x86 processor.

Eddy

[{911}scrapmkr]

as somebody who is actively programming on the Android platform, bz on that phone would suck

you have to be able to handle things like text messages, alerts of all kinds, not to mention who'd a thunk it. ... phone calls.

you'd likely go into spaz mode trying to win a battle and suddenly getting a text from some friend about where to meet.



yes it has been too long since I've been on here.

between the health issues in my family(all resolved and great outcomes!)

and the hosue getting hit by lightening on father's day. Sheesh been a busy boy

[Grinder]

Hey scrappy i was wondering when you might come back. Glad to hear things are getting better.

[hitchcockgreen]

Ditto that, Scrappy. Glad everyone is ok!

[Dx.]

"the hosue getting hit by lightening"

Man that sounds bad.

[hitchcockgreen]

I've had close calls, and a relative who had ball lightning go through their picture window, but no direct hits.
just earthquakes.
Hope it didn't do too much damage.

[Dx.]

Lightning struck Loki's house a while back, melted down the wiring in the walls.

[hitchcockgreen]

Ouch. Sounds pricey.

[Dx.]

I'm sure it was but i believe his home owners ins. paid for it.

[{911}scrapmkr]

Hey guys,

things are slowly coming back to "normal" the girls are back in school. going home early to see a guy about fixing the damn Chimney.

the outside AC unit was nailed(5k) insurance paid for all of that. they have been really nice to deal with.

still waiting on parts for a vizio tv that was 3 months old. GRRRRR

at any rate. I hope to be back into bz pretty soon. I've been playing WorldofTanks.com cmdr. wayne got me hooked on it.

ww2 tank game. it is fun. but no sniping LOL

I have to DL that latest BZe

oh, the mrs. is good to go from her Breast Cancer surgery etc. we are all good. Just trying to get her sister healed up from her battle with a completely unrelated variety of breast cancer. Sheesh, we need a do-over on last year.

[hitchcockgreen]

[Driving Park]

I would buy a tablet/iPad for that alone.

[hitchcockgreen]

For a couple buzz you can grab an app on the Android Market to connect a PS3 controller through Bluetooth pairing to your android device to play games.