![\"Image\"\/](\"https:\/\/retrorendezvous.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/LOM-ScreenExample3.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Image\"\/](\"https:\/\/retrorendezvous.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/LOM-ScreenExample2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI never completed the game but did remember these landmark graphics. The technique that the author Mike Singleton used was “Landscaping” – using scaled graphics shown as a first person perspective view. It was unique at the time – definitely moving computer graphics forward several notches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The challenge I’ve set for myself is can this be done on the Beeb with Basic? I’m only interested in getting as far as having a grid of locations, the player being able to move in one of the 8 compass directions and having a simple landscape view implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The code I have developed so far is in a link at the bottom of this post which includes:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) The player grid set up, currently 16 x 16. Each location has a number representing a tree or mountain or just an empty space. The player grid is displayed at the moment for diagnostic purposes, showing the position of the player, with a note at the top of the screen showing which direction the player is facing.
2) The player being able to look in one of the 8 compass directions (using numbers 1-8) and move with the key “m”.
3) Some procedures to draw scaled mountains and trees. (adapted from graphics code with thanks to Dominic Pajak) . The current code just shows a demo of these scaled graphics being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an example of scaled graphics I have developed so far. The tower from the code below has been removed for now to save memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have a Graphics Extension ROM (GXR) – so am using some of this extended command set in my code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The big challenge is being able to represent the “landscaping” technique. I suspect this will be quite challenging squeezing it into memory, but I want to give it a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily this technique is outlined in detail on this web page (see below), where Christopher John Wild has put a lot of work into understanding the game and breaking it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.icemark.com\/tower\/landscaping.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s my Mode 1 version, where I’ve gotten to the point with displaying three elements; mountains, trees and towers shown in a perspective mode. The player grid is shown as a 15 x 15 grid. Use N,E,S and W keys to face in different directions and the “M” key to move one square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following link<\/a> will take you to the Owlet editor with the code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Image\"\/](\"https:\/\/retrorendezvous.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ScaledGraphics.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/retrorendezvous.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FoundTheDragon-1024x817.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"