The idea of publishing dedicated console games has always called to computer programmers, and I'm no exception. In fact, some of the early computers I programmed on (TI-99/4a, C64, Atari 800XL, and, of course, the Amiga) were very console-like in their support of sprites, bit-planes, screen resolutions, and so on. However, actual dedicated gaming consoles were much more difficult to develop for--that is, without getting into serious home-brew activity. (I remember my first 3DO, and I had no desire to crack that console open.)
Enter the HYDRA Game Development Kit. This hw/sw package allows you to write some pretty sophisticated video games using a C-like language by interfacing the kit to your own PC. You can also write directly to the HYDRA without a PC using a derivative of the BASIC language. That's a quick way to get a taste of console programming!
At the cost of $199, the kit comes with quite a bit, including:
- HYDRA console w/128k EEPROM and a variety of I/O options
- PS/2 Mouse and Mini Keyboard
- Nintendo-compatible gamepad
- USB programming cable
- 128k Re-programmable game card to store your games and applications
- Blank "Experimenter" card to design your own add-on hardware
- Book and CD-ROM of source code to support your coding efforts
Be sure to check out the XGameStation website for more details. Honestly, this looks like quite a neat little package.
I’d love to find this under the tree on Christmas morning!
- Hap Aziz