Mini XY asteroids

There seems to be some confusion as to what this FPGA and daughter board can do. It is not a multigame per se. It can run at this time, Asteroids (Without some sounds) and Asteroids Deluxe. The FPGA is either setup for Asteroids hardware or for Asteroids Deluxe hardware with VHDL code not both at the same time, then the rom for the game that the hardware is setup for is placed in an Eeprom on the daughter board and plugged in. The daughter board contains this Eeprom for code, A serial Eeprom for high score saves (not implimented at this time) a DAC, a +-15v dc dc converter for the correct XY signal voltages and associated circuitry for size and position control of the signals for the monitor. It also contains a 1.5W audio amp and volume control for an external speaker.

It's not software emulation, but as true a representation of the hardware as possible without making a large board with all TTL chips. Now the way this is setup makes it a nice platform for most of the B/W XY games. I don't see any reason why Asteroids, AD, LL, Battle Zone, Red Barron and more couldn't be run on it dedicated. I suppose possibly if someone wanted to write some VHDL code and got intimate with the hardware they could make this thing dance and make a multi out of it. I'd be happy to see that too. It could also run Vectrex hardware too I am sure and probably some color XY games, but it only has one output for Z so the game would be in black and white.

Hope this clears things up a tad.

I know there are some multi games which use an eprom that is twice the size needed for the original game, say 32k instead of 16k, and this is split into two banks which can be controlled with a simple switch. Is something like that possible here with Asteroids and AD?
 
There seems to be some confusion as to what this FPGA and daughter board can do. It is not a multigame per se. It can run at this time, Asteroids (Without some sounds) and Asteroids Deluxe. The FPGA is either setup for Asteroids hardware or for Asteroids Deluxe hardware with VHDL code not both at the same time, then the rom for the game that the hardware is setup for is placed in an Eeprom on the daughter board and plugged in. The daughter board contains this Eeprom for code, A serial Eeprom for high score saves (not implimented at this time) a DAC, a +-15v dc dc converter for the correct XY signal voltages and associated circuitry for size and position control of the signals for the monitor. It also contains a 1.5W audio amp and volume control for an external speaker.

It's not software emulation, but as true a representation of the hardware as possible without making a large board with all TTL chips. Now the way this is setup makes it a nice platform for most of the B/W XY games. I don't see any reason why Asteroids, AD, LL, Battle Zone, Red Barron and more couldn't be run on it dedicated. I suppose possibly if someone wanted to write some VHDL code and got intimate with the hardware they could make this thing dance and make a multi out of it. I'd be happy to see that too. It could also run Vectrex hardware too I am sure and probably some color XY games, but it only has one output for Z so the game would be in black and white.

Hope this clears things up a tad.

Since the VHDL code is different per different arcade machines, To rewrite the VHDL code would it in a sense step away from the true representation of the hardware. Basically it would make the multi game less of what the true hardware does for that single game.

Possible solutions are:
Multiple FPGA for multiple games
Larger FPGA you can squeeze in alot into 4 million gates.
Reprogam the FPGA every time you switch games.

As the project sits, It is still an interesting project. As the OP noticed, There a great want for a multi vector PCB solution.
 
Since the VHDL code is different per different arcade machines, To rewrite the VHDL code would it in a sense step away from the true representation of the hardware. Basically it would make the multi game less of what the true hardware does for that single game.

I personally think so.

Possible solutions are:
Multiple FPGA for multiple games
Larger FPGA you can squeeze in alot into 4 million gates.

All possible, but not in the scope of this project.

Reprogam the FPGA every time you switch games.

Yep, You also need to program the correct game code into the Eeprom. Not super practicle if you want to switch games constantly.


As the project sits, It is still an interesting project. As the OP noticed, There a great want for a multi vector PCB solution.

This project was not about a multi pcb solution so it's probably not going to appeal to those wanting that. If I had the money to invest I certainly could make it happen, but not high on my list of things to make. Although if someone said here is the money make it happen I'd be much more motivated :) . Still, I think if someone wanted a mult XY they should just use a Ras-Pi and mame with a Dac and be done. If they want something that is as true to the hardware as possible then this is more for them.
 
I know there are some multi games which use an eprom that is twice the size needed for the original game, say 32k instead of 16k, and this is split into two banks which can be controlled with a simple switch. Is something like that possible here with Asteroids and AD?


Almost anything is possible if you have time and money (My Dad used to tell me that when I was a kid). So short answer sure. Long answer - You'd have to mess with the VHDL and get intimate with the hardware. For my project it's not something I am going to mess with right now. I'd design a whole new pcb if I were to make some sort of multi game. Probably with a Jamma connector and more robust.
 
This project was not about a multi pcb solution so it's probably not going to appeal to those wanting that. If I had the money to invest I certainly could make it happen, but not high on my list of things to make. Although if someone said here is the money make it happen I'd be much more motivated :) . Still, I think if someone wanted a mult XY they should just use a Ras-Pi and mame with a Dac and be done. If they want something that is as true to the hardware as possible then this is more for them.

While i love the raspberry pi..i would use a real computer if i was going that direction..

So the big question is how much money would it take to make you motivated?. I see the talent and i wonder if an investment is made will the investment come back?
 
While i love the raspberry pi..i would use a real computer if i was going that direction..

So the big question is how much money would it take to make you motivated?. I see the talent and i wonder if an investment is made will the investment come back?

I'm not sure what you mean by "Will the investment come back" . I certainly can't tell you if all the people that say "I'll take one" will actually buy one. So like any investment you have risks. If you're suggesting I would somehow not be serious or pull a scam I have all kinds of references for work I have done. This is mostly a hobby for me so if I'm not getting paid and I'm motovated that means it's something I'm interested in and want for myself. If I'm getting paid then it's a job and the motovation is money. I'm sure you wouldn't go to your job and do work if they didn't pay you unless you really liked what you were doing. I don't mean to sound like a pompous ass, but those are the facts of life.

If someone was "Serious" about investing or, even better, investing and doing leg work, I'd be happy to put together something with numbers. I think bussiness is best left to PM so I won't get into any numbers here.
 
Just to clear the air..
I am not questioning your talent nor your capacity to do this project.
I dont mine investing dollars to break even on arcade projects.

It is the projects i invest in and get a negative return that gives me issues..
 
Given the popularity of the RPi-Jamma board, I would assume there would be similar interest in a RPi-Vector board. The Zektor ZVG has become very rare and a new generation vector board is needed.

A similar multi-vector effort not using RPi has been on-the-books for many years now and most of us have given up hope.

Similarly, there is a following of vector-heads who'd like to see a dedicated Cinematronics multi-game and/or FPGA replacement for the CCPU board.

If a Raspberry Pi3 can run VectorMAME and be attached to another PCB providing either BW XY or COLOR XY signals to the appropriate vector monitor, that would be "popular" and worth the effort, IMHO.

Evolve your ideas and there will be more interest from the community. https://trmm.net/MAME

>> from what I've seen, however, I'm unsure that the RPi has the speed/processing power to provide flutter-free images and sound ... ??

23357406086_23c1c5c5be.jpg
 
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I know I'd put some type of support behind such a project. I'd love to see a multi-fpga or other kind of work eventually find itself into the market for those looking for these types of games.

Hell, if you have an FPGA with a swappable daughter-board that would work as well.

Something is better then nothing at the start.
 
I know I'd put some type of support behind such a project. I'd love to see a multi-fpga or other kind of work eventually find itself into the market for those looking for these types of games.

Hell, if you have an FPGA with a swappable daughter-board that would work as well.

Something is better then nothing at the start.

Here are some pictures so you can get a better idea of what is going on. The board on the right is the Cyclone II FPGA board (You can get them on ebay for under $20) the board on the left is what I call the Vector Game PCB. The Cyclone board is loaded with the VHDL of the hardware for the game you want to run, for example Asteroids, AD, LL, Red Barron, Etc, Etc. The game Rom is loaded into the Eeprom on the Vector Game pcb and plugged in. Want to change to a different game? Reload the Cyclone board with another games hardware VHDL, reprogram the Eeprom on the Vector Game PCB and there you go. Not exactly a multi game, but I guess closer than anything at the moment from what I am hearing.
 

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Also just in case you wanted a little bit better picture of the XY monitor PCB's.. I actually didn't think the Asteroids vector board would get all the attention it has. I was pretty proud of my monitor.
 

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Also just in case you wanted a little bit better picture of the XY monitor PCB's.. I actually didn't think the Asteroids vector board would get all the attention it has. I was pretty proud of my monitor.

You should be proud. But I want more than a picture. I want a set of boards to turn my Mac Plus into a 9" B&W vector monitor!
 
Similarly, there is a following of vector-heads who'd like to see a dedicated Cinematronics multi-game and/or FPGA replacement for the CCPU board.

From a conversation a while ago.

Making a multi Cinematronics CCPU isn't the problem. It is making a universal sound board which is the issue.

While waves sound can be digitized. It not the same as the Original and originality is the goal.
when it comes to FPGA.
 
You should be proud. But I want more than a picture. I want a set of boards to turn my Mac Plus into a 9" B&W vector monitor!

A vector monitor? Or the actual cabinet with the monitor? :) The control panel could be on a cord. Not sure the Mac Plus keyboard was deep enough for arcade buttons. But it would be cool having it look like a Mac still.
 
I was thinking just a monitor for my test bench but yeah it sure could be a complete system. There are so many out there that doing a deflection and HV board design would be worthwhile (wink wink nudge nudge).
 
I was thinking just a monitor for my test bench but yeah it sure could be a complete system. There are so many out there that doing a deflection and HV board design would be worthwhile (wink wink nudge nudge).

These boards work fine with 9" crt's I have seen and tested them on. The hardest part is rewinding the vertrical winding on the yoke. I've gotten pretty good at it. I did plan on making a kit or selling some monitors at some point.
 
These boards work fine with 9" crt's I have seen and tested them on. The hardest part is rewinding the vertrical winding on the yoke. I've gotten pretty good at it. I did plan on making a kit or selling some monitors at some point.

Please do! I'd be interested depending on the price.
 
From a conversation a while ago.

Making a multi Cinematronics CCPU isn't the problem. It is making a universal sound board which is the issue.

While waves sound can be digitized. It not the same as the Original and originality is the goal.
when it comes to FPGA.

So getting the game play is not a problem but the sounds are hard to duplicate in a digital format? Is it hard to duplicate the sounds if you are just duplicating one game vs trying to do a multi?
 
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