Radio Electronics
September 1983

VIDEOGAMES column
Danny Goodman, contributing editor


"ROLLING YOUR OWN"

[...] For those who like to program their own games, there is another game 
system - and a darn good one at that - that has been open to user programming 
for years.  And you don't need assembly language or a computer to get anywhere.  
I'm talking about the unit that started out as the Bally PROFESSIONAL ARCADE, 
more recently known as the ASTROCADE (shown in figure 1 [no figure 1]).

    The system has had a long and checkered career in the volatile videogame 
industry.  As we go to press, the future of AstroCade is unsure as they attempt 
to extricate themselves from Chapter XI.  But that's not what this story is 
about.

    As a good many of the estimated 120,000 Astrocade owners know, the 
ASTROCADE, in addition to playing some of the graphically and sonically best 
videogame cartridges ever, is programmable in Basic with the help of the BASIC 
language/cassette-interface adapter.  In recent times, this accessory and well 
prepared BASIC tutorial/reference manual has been included as standard 
equipment with the unit.

    The open access to the Astrocade has caused a closely knit and loyal 
following of Astrocade enthusiasts to band together in users groups and in open 
exchange of information via the major news pipeline for Astrocaders called THE 
ARCADIAN, a monthly newsletter published by Bob Fabris (3626 Morrie Dr., San 
Jose, CA  95127).  Each issue contains program listings and more advanced 
programming tips from experienced users like Andy Guevera.

    Andy has taken his interest in the Astrocade up to the assembly-language 
level (Z80 microprocessor).  But in so doing, he has left tracks for others to 
follow.  He now produces a plug-in cartridge called the MACHINE LANGUAGE 
MANAGER (The Bit Fiddlers, P.O.Box 11023, San Diego, CA  92111-0010), which 
guides the way for novice programmers.  You'll still need to know Z80 machine 
language, but in the manual that comes with the cartridge, Andy recommends some 
introductory books.  Machine language allows you to program faster action 
within the limited built-in RAM of the Astrocade.  But there is still plenty 
going on in BASIC.

    The 114-page ASTROCADE SOURCEBOOK (635 Los Alamos Ave., Livermore, CA  
94450), produced semi-annually by Richard Houser, lists practically every one 
of the hundreds of third-party programs available - a large percentage of them 
in Basic on cassette.  Most of these tapes have been designed by dedicated 
hobbyists with a love for the capabilities of the Astrocade system.  Every once 
in a while, one of these hobbyists finds a programming specialty.

    George Moses, for example, had unlocked the secrets to the three voice 
music synthesizer of the Astrocade.  His company (George Moses Co., P.O.Box 
686, Brighton, MI  48116) offers several cassettes of straight music (Scott 
Joplin rags, Christmas carols, Bach and more) playable through the console's 
synthesizer.  For the musically creative, he also has a music assembler program 
to let you try your hand at it.

    George, by the way, produced the continuously running musical score for one 
of the first third-party game cartridges for the Astrocade, a family-oriented 
game called TREASURE COVE by SPECTRE SYSTEMS (Box 1741, Dearborn, MI  48121).  
Brett Bilbrey, one of the principals at SPECTRE, was attracted to the Bally 
system back in 1977 (in the days of the Fairchild CHANNEL F and dedicated ATARI 
videogames) because he could do things with the BASIC cartridge that no other 
videogame could let him do.  Since then, Bret and a few others have turned what 
was a hobby interest into a career designing games for the Astrocade.

    With the right system, imagination, and a strong desire to master the 
technical side of programming in BASIC or (preferably) machine language, 
rolling your own videogames is certainly within almost anyone's reach.


[Transcribed by Richard Degler]