Tank 8 as FPGA?

fpgaarcade

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All,

It has been suggested to move Tank 8 into an FPGA implementation.

I have now looked at the manual that is available here: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10025

Reading through the manual and browsing the schematics it appears to be an all TLL - no CPU construct. However, looking at the parts list and PCB layout in the manual it is evident that this game uses a 6800 CPU and some game PROMs. But there is not a single trace of how it is all connected in the manual's text or in the detailed schematics (compared for instance with Ultra Tank).

I also quickly discovered that there is a MAME version of Tank 8 – which indicates that Tank 8 is CPU based.

My ambition has always been to do non-CPU games only – mainly because they are difficult to replicate in MAME like environments and don't require me to emulate processors. Still, Tank 8 has a lot of logic in the TTL domain including TV graphics so it is in a grey zone and could make sense to transfer to FPGA.

However a couple of key items are required:
1) The full manual and schematics – anyone?
2) The PROM's contents (graphics, decode, 6800 program code) – anyone?
3) An FPGA/vhdl version to emulate the 6800 processor – should exist; otherwise I just have to read the 6800 code manually and create an fpga version of the code without the need to emulate the 6800 processor (maybe a better option)
4) Someone who is interested in deploying the Tank 8 implementation in a real cabinet

Br /mattias
 
However a couple of key items are required:
1) The full manual and schematics – anyone?
2) The PROM's contents (graphics, decode, 6800 program code) – anyone?
3) An FPGA/vhdl version to emulate the 6800 processor – should exist; otherwise I just have to read the 6800 code manually and create an fpga version of the code without the need to emulate the 6800 processor (maybe a better option)
4) Someone who is interested in deploying the Tank 8 implementation in a real cabinet

Brief update:
PROM contents found on Mame ROM download sites including the MAME driver/code which could give some hints on schematics as well. Hopefully I will be able to get in contact with the Mame contributor for Tank 8. The Mame chat forum has been very helpful so far.
 
Would this also make Sprint 8 possible?

Not by default. But if I manage to implement Tank 8 with CPU in FPGA then it should be easier to take on Sprint 8. But, I cannot find any manual for Sprint 8 here at KLOV.

Also, out of curiosity (since I am not an arcade gamer myself) - is it not possible to use the Mame versions of Tank 8 and Sprint 8 in arcade cabs? Or are there some limitations in game feel?

br /mattias
 
Any updates on this? Just curious :D

Limited/no progress I am afraid. I have connected with some Mame experts to get guidance on how to read Mame code. The Mame code hopefully could give me a clue to what the missing parts of the PCB schematics looks like - how the CPU side interacts with the classic TTL logic parts of the game. I have started to look into this - but job, summer and "life in general" has gotten in the way. There is also the complexity of using a CPU core in fpga (which i have never done before) which will add some lead time. I also need to finish Monaco GP - sound parts and interfaces. So, undefined future as of now. Maybe sometimes into next year or luckily late this year. When it happens i will post.

btw - is it not possible to use the existing PC Mame version in a cabinet?

br /mattias
 
Limited/no progress I am afraid.

Why don't you try implementing something simple like super breakout. When you get that going, you can modify the 6502 core to do 6800 and then work from there towards tank8.
 
btw - is it not possible to use the existing PC Mame version in a cabinet?

I don't know of any reason you couldn't do this game in a cabinet using MAME. But for such a simple game with such a dedicated layout and controls, well, few would bother.

People "put up with" MAME's limitations generally as a trade-off for being able to have a LOT of games in one cabinet.

A precious few people have built dedicated versions of games using MAME when there's little other alternative to getting what they want.

I personally like the *idea* of having a Tank 8 in a cabinet using all modern hardware, but not necessarily enough to have *only* a Tank 8 taking up that much space. If there were a few other games that could be played in the same hardware that were cool, I'd consider it.

FWIW, I do actually own a similar cabinet...a 4 player Hot Rod (Sega driving game). Love it.


--Donnie
 
I'd love to see something happen with this too. A repro or custom Indy 800 or Sprint 8 would be tough to build given you'd have to chase down 8 steering wheels, shifters and pedals, but given they're just simple one-axis joysticks I can see someone ambitious making their own 8 pairs of tank controls, it would be within possibility for someone with decent metal working skills
 
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I'd love to see something happen with this too. A repro or custom Indy 800 or Sprint 8 would be tough to build given you'd have to chase down 8 steering wheels, shifters and pedals, but given they're just simple one-axis joysticks I can see someone ambitious making their own 8 pairs of tank controls, it would be within possibility for someone with decent metal working skills
Totally want to
 
Actually, thinking out loud here, one could possibly use button-top joysticks like those used in claw machines and just make some kind of adapter to limit it to one axis. Though I imagine rounding up 16 of them wouldn't be easy or cheap regardless.
 
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