C64 Development Today
Hobby software development for the Commodore 64 is regaining its popularity. More and more folks (including myself) are returning to code, write music, and pixel graphics for this vintage instrument. My intention with this article is to get YOU (the c64 enthusiast) active again. It’s time to show that you’re still the coder, musician, graphican who you used to be.
Have you ever thought of returning? There is no better time than now, as you’re probably sitting at home, due to COVID-19 lockdown.
Development today is a lot easier than it was in the eighties. Using modern computers with cross-platform tools for development is very convenient. There will of course be hardcore enthusiasts who will not agree, clinging on to working on the real hardware as they have in the past. This article is for people like me having nostalgic fun in a sort of modern way.
What you need
You will need a Windows, Linux, or Mac PC, a cross compiler, an emulator, and a text editor of some kind. And a lot of free time, which you may now have.
For coding
I suggest using the Sublime text (text editor), Kick Assembler (cross-assembler), VICE (c64 emulator) development combo put together by Swoffa/Noice.
This combo gives you a syntax highlighted editor with a one-click build/execute/debug in VICE, combined with the incredible Kick Assembler. In case you have ever coded for the c64 you HAVE TO TRY THIS, this is what brought me back four years ago. (I wasn’t super active over these 4 years, but am playing around with 6510 coding regularly since)
VICE Tip: use the setting inject to ram (Settings/Autostart settings/PRG autostart mode) to instantly start your program without having to wait for it to load.
Other complete development bundles you might try:
For debugging
For debugging you can use the built-in monitor in the VICE emulator, and set breakpoints vi an input file. Users of Kick Assembler can generate the breakpoint file on compile time with the help of a simple macro.
There are some handy disassemblers as well:
- Infiltrator (Win only)
- Regenerator (Win only)
For packing
Packing your data is also a piece of cake with these tools:
Tip: using packers has never been easier than now, thanks to a Kick Assembler plugin.
For loading
Using an IRQ loader has never been easier than today. There are two loader systems out there that have a build tool that builds a complete d64 image for you from a simple to use config script. All you need to do is configure loading blocks in the script that will get loaded sequentially with one simple jsr call. And yes you guessed it with compression included!
Should you need more control over your loading, you can use Bitbreaker’s loader Bitfire or Krill’s similarly called Krill’s loader.
Plus: to edit your disk images try using DirMaster (Win only).
For understanding
As a coder, I’m regularly reading the following coding references:
- codebase64.org the number one source of articles on c64 coding.
- Ninja’s reference instructions, registers, and kernel.
- CSDB forums should you get stuck you are very likely to find an answer in the archives or someone will help you for sure.
For learning
- Examples, tutorials: tnd
- Nice tutorial: dustlayer.com
- Nice set of tutorials for beginners: 6502.org
- Coding tutorials (incl. demo coding): antimon.org
For graphics
For graphics, you can for sure use any of the popular graphics programs out there, but some ready-made editors include the limitations of the VIC graphics modes.
- mcDRAW (online)
- petscii editor (online)
- spritemate (online)
- Multipaint (recommended by Grass)
- Project One (by Oswald/Resource)
- Timanthes (might not work anymore)
- HermIRES (hires editor)
- Charpad (FreeEdition)
- Spritepad (Sprite editor)
- Cuneiform (Char editor)
- Petmate (PETSCII editor)
- Pixcen (Bitmap editor)
- PicCon (Image converter)
Update: check this retro gallery for some wonderful artwork.
For music
For music composing the best cross-platform tools out there are:
- the iPad only Sidtracker64. (This is the fastest to get productive with)
- the multi-platform deflemask
- the multi-platform Goattracker, tutorial.
- the Win/Mac Cheesecutter.
JCH has created a remarkable side by side comparison of c64 music editors. Don’t forget to check out his awesome site: chordian.net.
Tip: Our musican Vincenzo recommends using Hermit’s Sidwizard on a real c64.
For the community
Yes, there are several platforms where we share our c64 related productions. Most important of which are:
- CSDB the Commodore Scene Database contains all scene related material ever released. You will be surprised at the number of releases being published there daily. (Check the top demos section to get your dose now)
- pouet.net the number one demoscene related website.
- Facebook group c64.com
- Facebook group Amiga C64 Scene Intros Demos
- Youtube channel RetroDemoScene
- Youtube channel Demoscene ’n’ Stuff
Diskmags are still being released:
For parties
Yes, demo parties do still exist, the most exciting of which is the X Party held every second year in Someren, Nederland where the greatest teams like Booze, Censor, Oxyron, etc. are expected to release a demo.
Notable c64 only parties are:
A list of recent/upcomming events can be found here.
Recent notable demo releases (latest first)
- Stacked by Padua youtube
- Remains by Booze Design youtube
- Out of Contex by Artline Designs youtube
- Bump Up by Lethargy youtube
- Demolution by Lethargy youtube
- The Last Truckstop 3 by Fairlight youtube
- Two Sided by Atlantis youtube
- The Elder Scrollers by Booze Design youtube
- Rivalry by Fairlight & Bonzai & Genesis Project youtube
- The Dive by Genesis Project
Tip: All time top c64 demos are listed here.
Top recent game releases
- L’abbaye Des Morts youtube (RGN GCA 2019 #1)
- Legend of Atlantis youtube (RGN GCA 2018 #1)
- Portal C64 youtube (RGN GCA 2018 #2)
- Super Mario Bros youtube (RGN GCA 2019 #3)
- Doc Cosmos youtube (RGN GCN 2019 #4)
- Organism youtube (RGN GCA 2018 #5)
- Pains’n’Aches youtube (RGN GCA 2018 #6)
- Digiloi youtube (RGN GCN 2019 #8)
- Wolfling youtube (RGN GCN 2019 #6)
- Run Demon Run youtube (RGN GCA 2019 #10)
(Retro Gamer Nation / Gamer’s Chose Awards = RGN GCA)
Strepto of Astral/Braincontrol/Lethargy
