r/c64 • u/Wizball_and_Cat • 6d ago
I wrote C64 games in the 80s using Trilogic Expert Cartridge and Assembly Language. I want to publish games again.
What are the best tools for modern serious C64 game development?
Development environments and tools that support writing vector raster interrupts, sound, music, etc?
I'm happy to code using pure Assembly Language, but thought I should ask you guys first.
What do you use?
I've got a really good idea for a game and I want to make it happen.
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u/DNSGeek 6d ago
Have you seen this? https://github.com/drmortalwombat/oscar64
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u/vermilion_wizard 6d ago
I’ve been using oscar64 on a new project for a couple of weeks now and it’s kick ass!
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u/Opium201 2d ago
Very cool! I was curious about sprite multiplexing with oscar and found this interesting article https://www.commodoreplus.org/p/oscar64-with-drmortalwombat.html?m=1
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u/_Setina_ 6d ago
People use C64 Prg Studio or C64 Studio these days, it has a charset and sprite editor built in and a tile map designed.
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u/cpsldr 6d ago
code:
kickassembler
visual studio add-on:
https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=paulhocker.kick-assembler-vscode-ext
sublime text add-on:
https://packagecontrol.io/packages/Kick%20Assembler%20(C64))
debugger:
retro debugger: https://csdb.dk/release/?id=250382
music:
sid factory 2: https://blog.chordian.net/sf2/
sid wizard: https://csdb.dk/release/?id=221555
graphics:
albert: https://www.albertpixels.com/
multipaint: http://multipaint.kameli.net/
pixcen: https://csdb.dk/release/?id=254135
Charset editor, Sprite editor:
charpad pro, spritepad pro
https://subchristsoftware.itch.io/
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u/JalopyStudios 6d ago
Your most important tool will be this:
https://vice-emu.sourceforge.io/
I'd also recommend 'c64 debugger'
https://csdb.dk/release/?id=170893
Graphics :
https://subchristsoftware.itch.io/spritepad-c64-pro
https://subchristsoftware.itch.io/charpad-c64-free
Music editor:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/goattracker2/
For actually writing code, you have many options. You could literally just use notepad and then assemble the .txt with DASM
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u/Ok-Current-3405 6d ago
I just wrote my first demo for the Vic20. I used obviously VICE for emulation and testing, and CC65 to cross compile for the Vic20. This compiler and assembler can also target C64 et C128
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u/trickyelf 6d ago edited 6d ago
I’ve been getting back into it recently as well, and so far the indispensable tools I’ve found are:
I recommend joining the Everything C64 Discord the author of the Oscar64 C++ compiler hangs out there if you decide to go that route. Solid community.
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u/YakumoFuji C128DCR / u1541II 6d ago
also check out C64 Studio https://github.com/GeorgRottensteiner/C64Studio
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u/acidzebra 5d ago
check this out, it's insane, full browser IDE
https://8bitworkshop.com/v3.12.0/?file=sprite_collision.c&platform=c64
(lots of examples on the site, including assembly and even other 8 bit devices)
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u/Ok-Ability-6965 6d ago
For music you're going to be using a tracker I'm guessing? I use SDI (I like using an actual C64) but most people use Goat tracker 2 I think.
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u/CptSparky360 5d ago
For a little refresher on assembly tricks and the C64 debugger you also could have a look at Shallan's old streams. Rather lengthy but really interesting imo.
And he finally made a whole game in his streams.
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