various comments (a.k.a. dull monologue coming up)

Hi there ,

With all the comotion going on lately, here's some generic comments on
various subjects. this is not targeted at any one or any post in
specific, nor is it supposed to provoke heavy discussion.
These are just general things. for those who're interested, i'll be
opening a personal blog soon on which you can follow my day to day
work on various projects (vectrex, colecovision, atari2600,etc.) as
well as more general stuff.

RASTER/VECTOR:
As for raster/vector issue, i'm both pro/con... with debris i wanted
to explore the raster stuff, with colorclash the intergration of
overlay and gameplay (and box production) (as a matter of fact i also
have done a vector version of colorclash), my next project is 100%
vector based, and the other ideas i have are either 100% vector or 50%
vector/50% raster based.
I think if the project suits a partly use of raster-stuff, i'll surely
won't go out of the way in using it. however, i agree with the point
that the cool thing about our dear vec is ofcourse the vector display
(and the corny usage of overlays).

DEBRIS EE:
i spent a wholelot this time on packaging and shipping this time (27
euros per US shipment and 21 euros shipping costs for EU shipping
costs to ensure the best possible shipping was used) and aside from
the issues mentioned here, they all arrived in good condition.
still its sad to see that no matter how much you try, stuff still
seems to endure a lot of torture during sending.

Debris EE was ready with the normal edition. the long delay was for a
large part due to people suggesting cool box ideas, and me having go
through the whole process of finding a proper box producer/printer,
making a cutting design and mold for the box and the actual printing
of it. surely it won't account for the whole period, but a large part
of it. since 90% of the exclusives were either given away by me, and
most other owners were actually the ones that suggested the special
boxes, i figured to go explore how to make a really great box.

BOX STUFF:
however, i'm not sure if i'll ever go through that process again, as
it was kind of a nightmare to make them and expensive as well.
The positive thing about both debris and colorclash is that i learned
a tremendous lot on all aspects of classic game development and
production.

VECTREX SCENE / VECTREXNEWS.COM:
I've tried to build a good website that covers a lot of stuff on the
vectrex for 2 reasons. 1) to gather a lot of scattered bits and pieces
in one place, if only for myself, 2) to provide a good website for
others to enjoy. I'm doing my best to gather good
articles/interviews/review/news/etc. and as a fan of the vectrex and
the vectrexscene i applaud all new games/hardware coming out and
respect the many people working on such projects (most developers that
know me, also know i'm always as much enthousiastic about their stuff
as i am on some of my own stuff i'm working on, sometimes even more
(in the case of Spike's circus for example) and giving their products
a good amount of attention and publicity. For any new stuff coming out
(from myself or others), i'm always waiting for others to write their
reviews and publish it as it comes in. I've received a lot of postive
response on the website, as well as my other projects like the
maintaining of the FAQ and the rarity guide (soon to be updated).

From the majority of positive comments i got on my efforts, i take it
its appreciated in general. Anyone interpeting my efforts differtly,
i'm very sorry you feel this way about it, and there are probably
things why you feel this way (either narrow mindedness or being
paranoid by nature, or some things in my presentation which make you
feel like this). If there is any way to change presentation of
things,etc. or new things you'd like to see please let me know by
email and i will take your comments to heart. Also i'm glad to take on
any news, or even people who'd like to help out on maintaining it.


FUTURE PROJECTS / IN CLOSING:
In closing, even though i've taken some mental blows on some of the
issues that i've faced the last few weeks. Surely its devistating to
see some things that you've worked on with passion not end up the way
they are supposed to.

Having said that, i truely love the vectrex system and i like
developing for it even more, so i'm definitely working on some new
products. Surely i learn things with each new thing i do, so it wil
undoubtly reflect in future products.

I'm not sure about the way they'll appear onto the scene. i've got a
few ideas/projects that will have a free download release along with
some cheap affordable-for-all release, and some projects that will
simply require more production work because i feel it serves the
product (as for examplewith colorclash, where i felt i could only
release it with overlay). In all cases, the product will probably
dictate the type of release.

I love to try out new stuff and do new things on different classic
systems, each with their own restraints. I like to try new things on
the vectrex and see where i can take it. So far i've worked
(publically and non-publically) on completely different things on the
vectrex. Anything from 3d vector landscapes, raster stuff,
overlay/gameplay intergration, non-interactive graphics effects, 3d
texturemapping/raycasting, vector-only games, a whole bunch of vectrex
tools (some of which i have shared with fellow developers) and many
many more aspects (many of which you'll probably read about on my
upcoming blog) just to see where i can take it, even though it might
not always be the same direction you like to see it go.

Any of you can think about me and my efforts what you will. Surely its
not always nice to read people disrespecting or not appreciating your
efforts or you as a person (even though most of you have never met
me). I like to surprise myself with the projects i'm working on (not
only on the vec, but also other classic platforms) and totally enjoy
the pleasure of achieving something which i personally thing is great
on any of these platforms. If you call that being an egocentric
b*stard, i'll be wearing that title with pride! Everybody is entitled
to an oppinion and I have no intent of convincing you otherwise.

Kind regards,

Martijn

PS> don't mind the tons of spelling errors.

Anything but a dull message Martijin. Any while I did have problems with
some things, I also am very happy to have your projects as part of the
Vectrex universe.

I think that you and other developers out there will always find the users
and fans of the Vectrex platform will have personal viewpoints on how things
should be accomplished. Thankfully it seems most of you developers,
authors,designers, packagers, and graphics artists out there have allowed
just enough of the feedback in to help a good idea become a great idea and
seen through to completion.

So for those of you who have shipped a complete project in one form or
another I say THANK YOU. For the others I suggest you try your hand at a
project or a two. The very act of working though an idea on the Vectrex
platform or any other platform will only increase your respect for those who
have gone before you. The act itself and may even help to open your
pocketbook to support future efforts from others.

Martijin keep up the good work. If you decide to pay some notice to public
comments them temper them with the knowledge that most people have not
ascended to you particular peak yet. We don't really know how hard that
path is until we have traveled it. As some other authors has said in the
past, sometimes idea development in a vacuum is a good thing.

Sincerely,

Chris
cromero at romero dot org

"Martijn Wenting" <info RemoveThis @vectrexnews.com> wrote in message
news:2rlda254rtimnkkc5nuhsq363h6u6lcfha@4ax.com...
> Hi there ,
>
> With all the comotion going on lately, here's some generic comments on
> various subjects. this is not targeted at any one or any post in
> specific, nor is it supposed to provoke heavy discussion.
> These are just general things. for those who're interested, i'll be
> opening a personal blog soon on which you can follow my day to day
> work on various projects (vectrex, colecovision, atari2600,etc.) as
> well as more general stuff.
>
> RASTER/VECTOR:
> As for raster/vector issue, i'm both pro/con... with debris i wanted
> to explore the raster stuff, with colorclash the intergration of
> overlay and gameplay (and box production) (as a matter of fact i also
> have done a vector version of colorclash), my next project is 100%
> vector based, and the other ideas i have are either 100% vector or 50%
> vector/50% raster based.
> I think if the project suits a partly use of raster-stuff, i'll surely
> won't go out of the way in using it. however, i agree with the point
> that the cool thing about our dear vec is ofcourse the vector display
> (and the corny usage of overlays).
>
> DEBRIS EE:
> i spent a wholelot this time on packaging and shipping this time (27
> euros per US shipment and 21 euros shipping costs for EU shipping
> costs to ensure the best possible shipping was used) and aside from
> the issues mentioned here, they all arrived in good condition.
> still its sad to see that no matter how much you try, stuff still
> seems to endure a lot of torture during sending.
>
> Debris EE was ready with the normal edition. the long delay was for a
> large part due to people suggesting cool box ideas, and me having go
> through the whole process of finding a proper box producer/printer,
> making a cutting design and mold for the box and the actual printing
> of it. surely it won't account for the whole period, but a large part
> of it. since 90% of the exclusives were either given away by me, and
> most other owners were actually the ones that suggested the special
> boxes, i figured to go explore how to make a really great box.
>
> BOX STUFF:
> however, i'm not sure if i'll ever go through that process again, as
> it was kind of a nightmare to make them and expensive as well.
> The positive thing about both debris and colorclash is that i learned
> a tremendous lot on all aspects of classic game development and
> production.
>
> VECTREX SCENE / VECTREXNEWS.COM:
> I've tried to build a good website that covers a lot of stuff on the
> vectrex for 2 reasons. 1) to gather a lot of scattered bits and pieces
> in one place, if only for myself, 2) to provide a good website for
> others to enjoy. I'm doing my best to gather good
> articles/interviews/review/news/etc. and as a fan of the vectrex and
> the vectrexscene i applaud all new games/hardware coming out and
> respect the many people working on such projects (most developers that
> know me, also know i'm always as much enthousiastic about their stuff
> as i am on some of my own stuff i'm working on, sometimes even more
> (in the case of Spike's circus for example) and giving their products
> a good amount of attention and publicity. For any new stuff coming out
> (from myself or others), i'm always waiting for others to write their
> reviews and publish it as it comes in. I've received a lot of postive
> response on the website, as well as my other projects like the
> maintaining of the FAQ and the rarity guide (soon to be updated).
>
> From the majority of positive comments i got on my efforts, i take it
> its appreciated in general. Anyone interpeting my efforts differtly,
> i'm very sorry you feel this way about it, and there are probably
> things why you feel this way (either narrow mindedness or being
> paranoid by nature, or some things in my presentation which make you
> feel like this). If there is any way to change presentation of
> things,etc. or new things you'd like to see please let me know by
> email and i will take your comments to heart. Also i'm glad to take on
> any news, or even people who'd like to help out on maintaining it.
>
>
> FUTURE PROJECTS / IN CLOSING:
> In closing, even though i've taken some mental blows on some of the
> issues that i've faced the last few weeks. Surely its devistating to
> see some things that you've worked on with passion not end up the way
> they are supposed to.
>
> Having said that, i truely love the vectrex system and i like
> developing for it even more, so i'm definitely working on some new
> products. Surely i learn things with each new thing i do, so it wil
> undoubtly reflect in future products.
>
> I'm not sure about the way they'll appear onto the scene. i've got a
> few ideas/projects that will have a free download release along with
> some cheap affordable-for-all release, and some projects that will
> simply require more production work because i feel it serves the
> product (as for examplewith colorclash, where i felt i could only
> release it with overlay). In all cases, the product will probably
> dictate the type of release.
>
> I love to try out new stuff and do new things on different classic
> systems, each with their own restraints. I like to try new things on
> the vectrex and see where i can take it. So far i've worked
> (publically and non-publically) on completely different things on the
> vectrex. Anything from 3d vector landscapes, raster stuff,
> overlay/gameplay intergration, non-interactive graphics effects, 3d
> texturemapping/raycasting, vector-only games, a whole bunch of vectrex
> tools (some of which i have shared with fellow developers) and many
> many more aspects (many of which you'll probably read about on my
> upcoming blog) just to see where i can take it, even though it might
> not always be the same direction you like to see it go.
>
> Any of you can think about me and my efforts what you will. Surely its
> not always nice to read people disrespecting or not appreciating your
> efforts or you as a person (even though most of you have never met
> me). I like to surprise myself with the projects i'm working on (not
> only on the vec, but also other classic platforms) and totally enjoy
> the pleasure of achieving something which i personally thing is great
> on any of these platforms. If you call that being an egocentric
> b*stard, i'll be wearing that title with pride! Everybody is entitled
> to an oppinion and I have no intent of convincing you otherwise.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Martijn
>
> PS> don't mind the tons of spelling errors.