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Parsec To Be Released As Open Source
Mark Bainter writes "The Parsec creators have announced today that they are going to release the Parsec project source code early next month. From the site: 'The source release will include platform support for Win32, MacOS X, and Linux, and contain both OpenGL and Glide rendering code. It will include almost everything that has been part of the earlier LAN-Test releases, as well as our new client/server code that is already far along in development. However, it is our hope that this release will be picked up by the Parsec community for further development, supported by members of the original Parsec Project. This release will be the last official release of the original Parsec Project. It had been our intention to achieve a full-featured release including Internet game play in 2002. However, we were always doing this in our spare time, and since it is taking us too long to reach our original goal, we do not want to keep the Parsec community waiting any longer and have thus decided that it is time to change Parsec's development model to an open source approach.'"
I mean really - how hard would it be to put a one line description about what the Parsec project is in the article body?
Parsec project: Fast-paced multiplayer cross-platform 3D Internet space combat
There... That didn't hurt too much, did it?
but how does this compare to VegaStrike, which is already open sourced ( and written by a friend of mine , shameless plug )
I can't find anyplace to download the ROM, and even if I grab my old TI, I'm not sure how to grab the ROM image, anyway.
FOr the curious:
PARSEC: PHM 3112 - Released 3Q/1982 - MSRP $39.95 -- A game cartridge programmed by James E. Dramis with help from TI Summer employee Paul Urbanus (Urbanus also authored or co-authored Jumpy, Jungle Hunt, Pole Position, Disko, PLATO Interpreter, Grand RAM and Line-by-Line Assembler for Mini Memory). Released in August 1982 at a retail price of $39.95. Featured a synthesized voice patterned after that of college student Aubree Anderson. Game consisted of a Space ship traveling through asteroid belts, attacks by Alien ships and other hazards. Perhaps the most popular game ever to come out of the Texas Instruments Consumer Products Division for the 99/4A. Fully bit mapped graphics, excellent joystick control, clear speech synthesis and very challenging.
User Comments: Fly into combat with the starship Parsec. Destroy rebel alien fighters and cruisers by out maneuvering them and laying down withering fire from you laser. Then try to survive the deadly asteroid belt. Parsec is made to work with or without the speech synthesizer. With it, it enhances the game by simulating an onboard computer in your starship. It warns you of oncoming alien craft and refueling tunnels, and it congratulates you for good performance. There are increasing levels of difficulty to challenge your strategy and skills as a starfighter. With great graphics, color, and action this is one of the best modules for the TI. Try it and you're hooked.
(ref: http://timeline.99er.net/id22.htm)
I'm not shy, I'm stalking my prey
I think my parents still have mine in their basement. Ahh, those were the days, programming in basic and praying that the tape (a regular audio tape) recorded your information properly. I even had the speech synthesizer, and there was a mountain climber game that used it a lot, Alpine was the name I think, that was fun.
m
You can get emulators here (there is even a Linux version):
http://www.ricks-graphics.co.uk/area99/links.ht
We are going to do a full source release in early May 2003 NOT next month as stated in the article.
This is mainly due to some preperation work.