Megadrive programming

[AmiNeo]

Hey guys, as you all know I'm in uni and very much getting into the programming scene. I'm still in the early stages but enjoying it all very much.

One of the golas I have set myself is that I would like to, at any time in the future, be able to create a game I can run on my megadrive, say on an everdrive?

Does anyone know how I'd go about this for future reference? What language they used back then? where I can find a compiler? etc?


Look forwards to absorbing your knowledge and opinions

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EDIT: 3007 POSTS!!!

 

[commodorejohn]

I believe it was typically C and 68k assembler. Any 68k-capable C compiler will do as long as you link it with some proper startup code, but there are some existing community-made devkits out there with everything set up. SpritesMind is an excellent resource, both for files and for the forums.

I've never gotten far into Megadrive/Genesis development, myself, but it looks like a nice straightforward design, shouldn't be too hard to understand. And it packs quite a decent array of hardware for a 1988 console

 

[Zetr0]

C and 68k asm all the way!

you would be best looking at cross compiling with the use of an emulator and say Context and MegaDrive compiler - but have a look around there could well be a suit to run on a linux or windows platform.

to get the game on the Megadrive you could look at binary code stored on a reprogrammable rom OR a EverDriveMD.... perhaps even a MegaCD CD... but that has files needed for a disk structure - but it would be perhaps the cheapest method of getting you programs tested on original hardware before programming a ROM

(thats probably where I would start in terms of making a development for the megadrive)

 

[commodorejohn]

The documentation for the Sega CD seems to be a lot less complete and readable than for the console, last I checked, I wouldn't start there. For just the console, emulators and Everdrive are probably your best bet.

 

[AmiNeo]

Ive nicked everything available for download from spritesmind

Will have a tinker in my free time. Once I'm more into Java and the exams are over, I'll start learning some C

 

[commodorejohn]

C/C++ takes some getting used to, but once you've learned about the pitfalls and how to generally avoid them, it's a treat. I've never used a language that put fewer obstacles in your way (aside from assembler, of course.)

 

[AmiNeo]

Sounds good. We have a java exam in little over a week and admittedly im a little behind because weve had such a mess with the tutors and clients being so disorganised on the website projects, (read: over stressed) so will need to be doing some catch up on that.

We then have to develop a small fortune cookie style app for courseworks, which asks the user for various pieces of info, and gives them a fortune or voucher for the restuarant or something based on what they put in.

 

[AmiNeo]

Had a Java mock today which highlighted how much behind I've let myself fall. I'm doing great on concepts and terminology but the actual code and syntax I need more practice with. 1 week to go

 

[AmiNeo]

Havent posted back here in a bit... Did okay on the exam, not got my final mark yet but expecting around 65% + not great but it passes me and given the exam was this early in the year im happy. I'd probably have gotten more like 80% if I took it now. Could have managed 90 something if theyd left it until end of year... :dry: lol