Aliens Related: Looking for programmer to work on Sentry Gun terminal program!

[Rook 3]

I've long been trying to find somone to make a replica of the Sentry Gun program from the movie Aliens.

The "screen accurate" ones currently available run on newer computers.

Nobody has made an "ideal" one that will run on the OLD school computers with no system specs to speak of.

Here's the ideal:

Has to run on an 8086-80386 PC with 640k of ram maximum.
(The old Gridcase computers).

Graphics should be as close to screen accurate as can be done within the limits of the hardware (remember, 3d graphics cards in laptops hadn't been invented yet. ).

Should be "moderately interactive," meaning a person should be able to tab through the system settings as seen in the film (even if in reality they don't do anything).

When you get to the "Ammunition" and "Temprature" screen, the ammo counters should count down, and the temp should rise.

When the ammo is depleted, the temp gauge will fall until it reaches zero, then automatically reset and count down (and up) again.

So, anyone up to the challenge?

Russ

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

I've long been trying to find somone to make a replica of the Sentry Gun program from the movie Aliens.

The "screen accurate" ones currently available run on newer computers.

Nobody has made an "ideal" one that will run on the OLD school computers with no system specs to speak of.

Here's the ideal:

Has to run on an 8086-80386 PC with 640k of ram maximum.
(The old Gridcase computers).

...

Russ

Hey Russ, why does it have to run on such an old machine ? Just for screen accuracy ? And I bet that Basic wouldn´t do the trick, I´d say that if you wanted to have graphics and such it sure would have to be programmed in Assembler. You might want to try a programmers forum, there are folks that specialize in programming small yet unbelievably complex graphics applications especially keeping the limitations of the older machines in mind.

Michael

 

[Eyes Only]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=34353&highlight=sentry

 

[Rook 3]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

The idea is that one would be able to run it on an older GRiD "laptop" computer.

The flash based program created by Mike is great... but there's no way in heck you'll be able to run it on a system running MSDOS 5.0 or 6.0.

To clarify a programmer's "wish list", it should have...

1) Ability to select which gun you'll assign the "terminal" to (A-D)
This will in turn change the letter displayed at the top of the screen.

2) The ability to not only tab through each option, but make individual changes/selections. They're just a graphical element and have no real function after "armed" is chosen.

3) Shot counters that count down, and if possible, temp gauges that go up as well.

4) Flashing "Critical" ammo level when the ammo countdown reaches a certain point. When ammo is depleted, temp gauge, slowly decreases to zero. And then simulation resets with full ammo and runs until exited.

5) Be able to run on 720k Disk systems, as well as the "newer 1.44mb" disks (Grid 15XX series and newer).

This would make for a "functional" prop, for those Aliens fans who own a GRiD notebook.

The DOS program seen on the screens below were done by an aliens fan, but aside from the ability to select certain settings and flashing "Critical" on the final screen, there's no other "functionality." The bullet counters don't function and the temprature gauges do not either.

 

[exoray]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

It's not so much programming in BASIC as it it programming in 16 bit...

It can be programmed in a bunch of different languages, it would just need to be compiled and made to run under DOS or another compatible 16 bit OS...

 

[Clutch]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

Looks like a CICS program to me.

 

[MattMunson]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

Exoray beat me to it. In fact, I don't even think you COULD do it in basic. C would be the way to go, if you ask me. You could do it in assembly, but why bother? Honestly, for someone who knew what they were doing vis-a-vis those interface blocks, that could be cranked out in an afternoon.

 

[noble]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

It would be nice if it could run on a Gridcompass also.

Mine has 384k bubble ram and Dos 2.11 with 5.25 external floppy drive.


Though thinking of selling it and getting my Gridcase4 tempest running.

At least it has an internal 720k floppy.

 

[asok]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

You could also use Pascal. Just need to find an older ver that does not bloat the code. Does the floppy still work?

 

[b26354]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

I threw out a box of old DOS programming manuals a couple of years ago

Setting a custom character set and drawing the screens wouldn't be that hard to do. It's just knowing where in the address space to stick them. If you'd asked me to do it in 1991 I would have said "no problem"

To do it now you could start with MS-DOS running in a vm-ware shell. Finding an old copy of Borland TurboC would help as well.

 

[trekker670]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

I can program in basic. It's been about a year, but I'll probably come right back to me. Everything does look very much like basic (color and font wise and least).

 

[hyperdyne]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

I programmed one up years ago that would run on an older machine. Due to lack of interest I stopped. Had much of it done. Yes it was compiled 16-bit and used bios graphic calls so it would run on pretty much any old DOS box.

 

[noble]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

I'd be willing to help compensate the person who wants to do it.

 

[101radioman]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

almost willing to bet a few of us over at AL would. Nice to have the grid do something other then sit in corner.

 

[Rook 3]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

Exactly. That's why I asked. I mean, I'm just fine running Autoduel or Elite on mine... but I REALLY want a sentry gun terminal program on the thing.

Jim, how far along were you, and how much work would it take to finish?

Do you happen to have any screen shots or anything showing what you had thus far?

Russ

 

[Rook 3]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

bump?

 

[hyperdyne]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

I had much of the graphics done. I cant remember if I was working on the temperature bars or what. It was awhile back.

Let me dig out what I had. I can probably give you the code if someone wants to pick up where I left off.

 

[hyperdyne]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

Ok I dug out the code and took a screenshot (literally!).

Here is what I had finished so far.

The colors are correct, here is a shot of my screen with a flash:

I only worked on the gun armed screen. I dont have the setup screen at all. The temp bar goes up and down so far. No key interactivity, but that isnt hard to add at all (I was saving that for after the graphics). I also needed to create custom number fonts for the ammo count, and I only got the "zeros" done before shelving the project.

But it is all written in native C with bios calls that should run on any DOS video card. I even put in a hercules mode but never tested it (never got the grid computer).

 

[eaviii]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

Very cool- I would be happy to help on this if it's needed- Program mainly in DarkBasic but it should do nicely. Seems like much is done already but let me know if I can help in some way-

Cool project- Thanks Rook for pointing out the thread-

Doc

 

[noble]

Re: Aliens Related: Can anyone program in BASIC anymore?

Great!

I would get set up with Rook then, I'm sure he can walk you through all

the details.

There's plenty of people willing to compensate you for your time.