There is a game on the iPhone called Lights Out where the object of the game is to light up or knock out all the lights in a 5x5 grid. When a square is selected that square and its four immediate neighbours, above, below, and to each side invert. There is no wraparound. The object of the game is to get all the squares black.
At the risk of revealing my age, I saw a hand held version of this game in the early 1980's.
When mastering any new programming platform, this application becomes the standard with which I start. I know the logic, so the problem merely becomes getting the thing to run under the new platform. I wrote this in 2005 while fighting my way through the very steep learning curve of Embedded C++. Previous platforms for this program have been, ZX81, BBC Micro, DOS, Windows and finally Windows Mobile. Next stop Linux!
It is an example of minimalist programming on WM. Written in Embedded C++ as a Win32 application it is targetted at ARMv4 chipsets. As such it should run on all PPC versions from Windows Mobile 2002 onwards. The menu is limited to two main items, so WM 5/6 will display it as a WM 5/6 app. Minimalist programming means it can be distributed as as a single .EXE file of a mere 9.5 Kb in size. The DLLs it calls are already on your device, there is no need for a .CAB installation.
It has 5x5, 7x7 and 9x9 grids, all are solvable.
I hope you enjoy it. It will keep you quiet but it might drive you totally nuts!
UPDATE!!! Now works with 480x800/240x400 devices, see later posts for the details.
UPDATED!! Version 1.2 released.
Changes: 11x11 grid added. It is solvable, but it took me a while to figure it out!. You may need a stylus as fingers may be a bit too awkward. For that reason, I do not intend to go to 13x13 and beyond.
The short display glitch on initial program load now fixed.
Game and drawing code optimised. (There are often better and faster ways to do things, if you take the time to look.)
UPDATED!! Version 1.3 released.
Now also runs on both Pocket PC and SmartPhone devices. Now runs on any sized screen, even those that have not been released yet! The blank screens that were reported in later posts are now a thing of the past. Here's the method, take the width and height of of the client area and size the game to 90% of smaller of the two. Why did I not think of that in the first place?
SmartPhone users:- Welcome aboard! Image attached below: The white square is the target square. Move it to the square you want to change with the D-Pad/Arrow buttons, then press 'Enter' to change it. Smartphones prior to Mobile 6.0 may not have the 'File Explorer' application. (It depends on the OEM build). In this case, use ActiveSync. Connect to your phone and drop the unzipped 5x5.exe file via the 'Explore' option into the \Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Games\ directory, and it will appear alongside Solitaire and BubbleBreaker in the games menu of your device. Smartphone 2002/2003 users need to use \Storage\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Games\
Pocket PC users won't see any change, just tap the square you want to change. The program looks at which platform it is running on, and behaves accordingly.
UPDATED!! Version 1.4 released. - The Knight's Gauntlet.
Just when you thought you've mastered it, the Knight's Gauntlet is firmly thrown down. Selecting Knights from the main 5x5 menu, changes the pattern of squares that are inverted to those a knight's move away in chess, (two forward, then one to the side), as per the Knights image below. Up to 9 squares will invert on each move. As per changing the grid size, toggling the knights game on and off will restart the game.
All four grid sizes are solvable, but you are warned, it is a lot harder than the normal cross game.
It was only a small change to the game logic, and this program was all ready to go in September, but I would not release it, until I had proved to myself that it could be done. A brute force attack can be used to break the 5x5 Knight's game but as the grid gets bigger the problem grows exponentially. A quad core processor running a console C++ application, using the SSE3 PC registers (XMM) macros to play one move on the entire board in one machine instruction, was not enough.
I had to use a special version of the mobile program that could dump the state of the board and moves out to a file to be analysed by the PC later by a suite of programs that could combine boards together by the thousands. All good fun!
On and off, it has taken me three months to find the knights solutions to the 7x7, 9x9 and 11x11 games.
UPDATED!! Version 1.5 released. Now with demo mode.
For those who think it is impossible, let the demo mode show you how to do it.... But there is a slight twist........ You will be shown the same solution for each puzzle each time, but the moves are shuffled and they may also be reflected or rotated, just to confuse matters further. Shuffling the moves, rotating, or reflecting, logically, has no effect on the final result.
Happy puzzling!
18th Feb 2010 update fixes WinMo 6.5.3 Dialog box issue mentioned in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=635063
23 June 2011 CE version added. Note this version is for Windows CE, ARM powered devices only, as is displayed in the last of the images below. Don't run this version on a WinMo device the display will look awful! As an extra caveat, it will only run properly if the OEM of your CE device has built the OS with components that are expected by the 'Standard' version of the SDK as used by EVC 4.0.
Any screenshot?
Thanks!
Nice little game.
Small problem
Hi,
I'm probably missing something here, but I get a white screen without anything I can actually do with it (using Omnia).
Any help?
Grief that is going to be addictive.
So simple yet so tricky at the same time.
works fine on a SQVGA (320x320) device to, and im after 1 minute angry ....
very nice; solved 5x5 - 9 clicks. going to try to crack 7x7
this is lot's of fun & a little tricky!
nice game
Does not work with my HTC Touch HD (WVGA 800x480)
I got a white screen.
stephj said:
At the risk of revealing my age, I saw a hand held version of this game in the early 1980's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL at remark above ^^
Nice little time waster you have here! Thanks!
Anybody thown their phone out the window in frustration yet?
To the members having trouble with high resolution devices, it was only written to run on 'standard' Pocket PC screens, 240x320 portrait/landscape and 240 square devices.
Sorry it doesn't work properly on larger screens. I'll have a look at it. I may have to borrow one of these later wizzo phones from someone, and find out what's going wrong, or I'll see what's in the WM6 SDK emulator.
May take a while, but I'm on it. Watch this space.
doesn't work on touch diamond 2 with 800x480?
any solution you might know?
anybody??
seems like a great hit, this game.....
tnx in advance
marcel
I have downloaded the WM 6.1.4 SDK from Microsoft's site. It includes a 800x480 device image.
The bad news is the program produces the effect mentioned above. i.e white screen, and nothing.
The good news is exactly that, the bug can be reproduced. This will allow me to step through it, figure out exactly what the hell is going wrong, and fix the code.
This may take few days to sort out, more later.
Fixed! Now works on 800x480 devices as well, in landscape or portrait. Use the zip file in the original post at the top, it has been updated with the new program.
The reason for the fault was that 800x480 devices return a bigger value for the long side of the screen when using GetClientRect();
The program did not recognise this value and could not figure out whether it was landscape, portrait or square, which fouled up the WM_PAINT code.
The code automatically centres the grid in the window, so that bit was OK.
Have fun, until a new screen format comes along.........
This little game is f***ng addicting!
Thanks a lot!
Keep up the good work!
[email protected] said:
Hi,
I'm probably missing something here, but I get a white screen without anything I can actually do with it (using Omnia).
Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Samsung Omnia and I get the same problem when starting 5x5. What to do?
HOLLY BALLS! lol this game is addicting and hard. i am yet to beat it!! haha. great game thanks!
It is a kind of drug........
Reply to GreenOmnia
GreenOmnia,
This program will run on 480x800 devices as marcelvanblankers above can confirm. The problem may be that you still have the old version of 5x5 active in your phone.
On a PC you can run multiple versions of Word, Excel etc. until you run out of memory. Under WM only one version of any program is allowed to run at any one time. When a program starts it looks for the same named process. If it finds it it, it activates that copy, and then kills itself. Later versions of WM may correct this, but earlier programs still run to these rules. If you load a new version of the program to your phone and have the old version still active in memory, when you run the new one you only reactivate the old one.
Listen up everybody! Think about the above paragraph. If you have understood it, that is a real WM pearl of wisdom!
To fix the problem, if your version of WM has Task Manager, use that to kill the running version of 5x5, or use Settings->System->Memory->Running Programs and then select 5x5 and end it. Delete all versions of 5x5 from your phone, then reload the new version from the top post in this thread and retry it.
If all this still doesn't work, I will post a test program to run on your device that reports the actual size of the client area window.
We'll take it from there.
Related
I wrote this little program, called SensorMaze. It generates mazes and allows you to steer a little blue dot using the movement sensors in the HTC Diamond. It is based on the original SensorTest program and since it has been a while since I programmed for any PDA, it is a bit simple.
Usage:
Try to send the blue dot to the red dot by tilting your Diamond in the required directions.
Commands:
- New Maze: create a new maze in the same level
- Next Level: increase the complexity.
As mentioned, it is my first attempt, so there is still some work that needs to be done.
TODO:
- Implement timer, so you can compete against yourself
- remove the "Position" text and replace with timer output
- MessageBox instead of Dialog ?
- Replace the blue dot with a "ball" like structure
- Release the source code (after cleaning it a bit more)
Question:
When I try to use MessageBox from my code, the MessageBox fails to close and I can never get back to the Shell without a reset. Any one any idea what I could be doing wrong here ?
Changes ( 07-Aug-2008)
- Replaced the target with a cheese and the moving dot with a mouse icon.
- Added some text to show the current level.
- Initial level is lowered, so that kids could play it too.
Screenshots are provided in the attached .png files. I also added the sources, so that other people can see how you can use the acceleration meter
If you like my applications, consider a donation to Koushik.
After all it is thanks to his (and the many other developers) work and readiness to share it that I can write these programs. I (currently) still get enough satisfaction in writing these programs.
just tested, awsome little game! keep working on this! perhaps add some vibration and sound feedback, maybe change the dots to somthing like a mouse and some cheese? if you changed it to a ball it may be too simaler to teeter?
Adam
cgeboers said:
Question:
When I try to use MessageBox from my code, the MessageBox fails to close and I can never get back to the Shell without a reset. Any one any idea what I could be doing wrong here ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had any issues using C#.Net ... what are you writing in? The only thing I can think of is to make sure the MessageBox is shown from the same thread that created the form.
Really like the concept - gave it a play, and it works well! Looking forward to new and improved versions!
Great, Cheers dude
Some screens would be nice!
SensorMaze - suggestions
Thanks for the reviews. I will implement the changes, like the mouse and the cheese. I am currently working on an other "gadget" application, as soon as that one is finished I will take care of it.
As for the question about the MessageBox, I use C++ in this program and have a workaround, so I will let it at rest for the moment.
I will try to get some screendumps too later.
cgeboers said:
I wrote this little program, called SensorMaze. It generates mazes and allows you to steer a little blue dot using the movement sensors in the HTC Diamond. It is based on the original SensorTest program and since it has been a while since I programmed for any PDA, it is a bit simple.
Usage:
Try to send the blue dot to the red dot by tilting your Diamond in the required directions.
Commands:
- New Maze: create a new maze in the same level
- Next Level: increase the complexity.
As mentioned, it is my first attempt, so there is still some work that needs to be done.
TODO:
- Implement timer, so you can compete against yourself
- remove the "Position" text and replace with timer output
- MessageBox instead of Dialog ?
- Replace the blue dot with a "ball" like structure
- Release the source code (after cleaning it a bit more)
Question:
When I try to use MessageBox from my code, the MessageBox fails to close and I can never get back to the Shell without a reset. Any one any idea what I could be doing wrong here ?
Changes ( 07-Aug-2008)
- Replaced the target with a cheese and the moving dot with a mouse icon.
- Added some text to show the current level.
- Initial level is lowered, so that kids could play it too.
Screenshots are provided in the attached .png files. I also added the sources, so that other people can see how you can use the acceleration meter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have other sensor game.
SensorMaze mouse
I love this little game. However I found that in challenging myself and advancing the game to higher levels, the little white mouse became rather difficult to see as he became smaller. Perhaps changing the colour f the mouse or the colour of the paths in the maze. Currently the mouse and the maze are the same colour. other than that the game is great.
Awesome program, but I feel like I'm epileptic now, the screen was constantly flickering during it, I think it's a compatibility issue with my Raphael.
Awesome program
hmmm...wasn't able to get it working.
Got error (Unable to load Sensor DLL).
Any ideas?
sensor
unable to load DLL? can u tell me how to fix it?
that's a fun little game, thanks
Nice man : D
Hi, when i try to lunch the game, i got sensor dll, what shell i do to run the game ? i have samsung omnia i900
fadoody said:
Hi, when i try to lunch the game, i got sensor dll, what shell i do to run the game ? i have samsung omnia i900
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to replace the sensor.dll file with the Samsung's...it is preinstalled with HTCs. Change that file and it should work fine.
I replaced sensor.dll with Samsung's .. but the problem is still persisting.. what shall i do now?
It would be nice if this could work on our LGs.
(the working LG sensors.dll created by iamspv at thread number 471591 in this forum.)
10/16/08--
It is 12:00 central time (17:00 GMT I think) and I will close voting at 5:00pm Central Time (22:00 GMT) today. So that leaves you just 5 Hours to make your vote. I will try and post the winner up here later tonight, or you can check yourself at www.gudensoft.com.
Thanks!!
10/14/08--
First, thanks for all the great ideas. I would love to develop all of these if I could, but we have to decide on just one of the programs! So, Since I couldn't add a poll to this thread, I added it to HERE.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
I bet I know which will win, but who knows? The poll will end Thursday or Friday (depending on if it is a close race or not).
Thanks
Gudy
10/10/08--
Hey guys,
I want to know what cool program, functionality, or software you would like to see created. I am a .net programmer (among others) and would like some ideas of projects you would like to see. I would like to stay away from a graphic intense program and involved games, so think functionality, usefulness, fun, etc. If I get some good ideas, I will then add a poll, vote on the best one, then build it. I will release it under my donationware license which means it will be free. Right now I am finishing up my Golf Gps program (and will continue to support), but will start this project once we get it deceided. So Shoot me your ideas!
Gudy
cool a programmer who need ideas
I have proposed something here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434925
though it would maybe not appear as a grateful program for a developper ( a toolkit for other programs), it could be a good way to have a large diffusion through many config panels in different programs
it was just an idea
Wishlist
Hi,
Maybe simple for .NET, but for me impossible to do (without performance/battery penaulty) with basic4ppc or mortscript. And thats all I can handle.
What I would like to have is a program that enables me to execute programs when specific events occur. I'd like to know when AC power gets connected/disconnected, when there is a change in screen orientation, and when a headset gets connected/disconnected and so on. Maybe even when an internet connection through WIFI is available/unavailable.
Also I'd like to know is a specific BT device is connectable/conneted. I'd like to know if a specific WIFI network is connectable/connected. I'd like to know if I'm at a specific location. All event driven, without a performance consuming programing loop or battery drain.
Yeah, all or even some of those options would make my digital mobile life so much easier
Good luck huntig for input, if you ever get bored contact me and make me happy
Cheers,
Cacti
le_cactus said:
Hi,
Maybe simple for .NET, but for me impossible to do (without performance/battery penaulty) with basic4ppc or mortscript. And thats all I can handle.
What I would like to have is a program that enables me to execute programs when specific events occur. I'd like to know when AC power gets connected/disconnected, when there is a change in screen orientation, and when a headset gets connected/disconnected and so on. Maybe even when an internet connection through WIFI is available/unavailable.
Also I'd like to know is a specific BT device is connectable/conneted. I'd like to know if a specific WIFI network is connectable/connected. I'd like to know if I'm at a specific location. All event driven, without a performance consuming programing loop or battery drain.
Yeah, all or even some of those options would make my digital mobile life so much easier
Good luck huntig for input, if you ever get bored contact me and make me happy
Cheers,
Cacti
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doable, handy, not a massive undertaking, I like it! Not sure I would go the .net route on something like this, as really a GUI is not required (except for settings maybe) and the overhead is large with .net. Certainly will add it to the list. Keep them coming!!
t0k0m0k0 said:
cool a programmer who need ideas
I have proposed something here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434925
though it would maybe not appear as a grateful program for a developper ( a toolkit for other programs), it could be a good way to have a large diffusion through many config panels in different programs
it was just an idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be pretty difficult unless all of developers used the same programming langauge/technique. The only real feasable way I see this working would be developers using a common set of graphics. That would be more of a graphic undertaking instead of programming. I do like the idea, but pretty hard to impliment.
Thanks
Gudy
I would love to see something like Launchy for launching apps and files etc. as well as quick search of various types online. I'm guessing the on the fly search would require too much processing power, but if it's doable it would be awesome.
http://www.launchy.net/
I'm interested in new ideas too. I also use B4PPC.
Here's a few ideas:
-A tamagotchi, really. I was about to try this out tonight but Paint hates me.
-An app launcher like PetitLaunch on PalmOS. It's something that can pop from any app (hardware button) and when you type in extra letters it filters which apps are shown. I got this started and I can give you the files if you want.
-Pursue the development for Tippy. The source is on Nicbou.com/downloads if you want it.
-A time clock. A friend of mine notes down how long he works to make sure he doesn't get screwed and it takes him several minutes every week. He doesn't have a Pocket PC but maybe someone would be interested in something that tracks the hours you work and calculate the salary. I almost did this too.
And don't forget to share the source! If you need any help with B4PPC I'm here
galt said:
I would love to see something like Launchy for launching apps and files etc. as well as quick search of various types online. I'm guessing the on the fly search would require too much processing power, but if it's doable it would be awesome.
http://www.launchy.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds simular to the app launcher listed in the next post, seems like there is a theme going on here, you all need some sort of good app launcher.
Gudy
I'd like the Launchy features for search-on-the-fly off on board apps and file launching, but ever more for different site searches (google, maps, wikipedia, live, youtube, Amazon, etc).
N1c0_ds said:
I'm interested in new ideas too. I also use B4PPC.
Here's a few ideas:
-A tamagotchi, really. I was about to try this out tonight but Paint hates me.
-An app launcher like PetitLaunch on PalmOS. It's something that can pop from any app (hardware button) and when you type in extra letters it filters which apps are shown. I got this started and I can give you the files if you want.
-Pursue the development for Tippy. The source is on Nicbou.com/downloads if you want it.
-A time clock. A friend of mine notes down how long he works to make sure he doesn't get screwed and it takes him several minutes every week. He doesn't have a Pocket PC but maybe someone would be interested in something that tracks the hours you work and calculate the salary. I almost did this too.
And don't forget to share the source! If you need any help with B4PPC I'm here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to look up tamagotchi, either I am too old, or just out of the loop to know that 10 million of these things were sold! Wow! That could be fun, but would take a pretty fancy AI type system to really be fun.
A form of Tippy is already out there, 1-calc has some of the features built in already.
A time clock could be cool, maybe a stop watch type thing perhaps?
Never used B4PPC, I mainly use C# and Visual Studio. It looks like the old Visual Basic for desktops. And last but not least, depending on the project, I more than likely will release the source.
Thanks!!! Keep'em comin!
Gudy
File Explorer Needs Help
Has anyone wanted to see a preview image in explorer's folder??
I'm not talking about fexplorerext2. although it is a fantastic enhancement; it takes a long time to load the preview immages.
I have a better idea (well, actualy MS thought of it first)
THUMBS.DB
for every folder that has an image file, this dll is created to replace cache of images. this way ou do not have to load it everytime and scale them down for thumbnail view. it is already there specificaly for each folder.
This alows the explorer to show a preview of the first image in the folder (or last created/accessed)
This is whatt I think WinMo is lacking - windows. lol.
I do not care much for the tabbed browsing. it hurts my head. too much scroling and not enough info. Icons work better I think, and waste less space on an already small screen.
well, that's been on my wishlist for a very long time. a dll that ataches to the already existing explorer making it work better.
Thanks for workin g on something new
program that makes led lights flash when phone rings would be nice
Interesting...I will have to think about how to tackle that. It would basically take a new file explorer (like total commander). This might be a bit larger than I want to tackle, but will research it a bit before ruling it out.
GUdy
bedaweed said:
program that makes led lights flash when phone rings would be nice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be very difficult as not every device handles the leds the same. Also, not every device has the same leds (color, # of, etc). I think No2Chem has a int. driver, but think it is only for the titan. Would be cool though...
Gudy
a system-wide launcher dock program like that on the velocity 103 PPC..
here's the URL for the review and video of the app (and the phone)
-------------------------------------------------------------
a new top bar replacemeent/notification system much like the "android Notification Drawer" it can replace the bubble (multiple) notifications icon when you got multiple and simultaneous notifications.. and also make it finger friendly (unlike M2D, no need to go back to homescreen to check email/sms previes and also calendar events, calls, etc.. also unlike big taskbar - from the touch phones, this'll have previews)
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys&eur (at the 2 minute mark) , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-YcGNyJds
mjg7876 said:
Interesting...I will have to think about how to tackle that. It would basically take a new file explorer (like total commander). This might be a bit larger than I want to tackle, but will research it a bit before ruling it out.
GUdy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fexplorer2 is basically a dll that works with the original file explorer context menu. there is a small exe that overwrites the original explorer to make it think that the explorer"s context menu has already been opened.
in a way it maybe possible to write a new dll and two exe
EXE 1 to replace the file explorer
EXE 2 to make thumbs db
DLL (conte4xt menu that alows to view as thumbnails/list etc ; as well as launching the second exe to make a thumbsdb)
maybe you can get some help from Hou Ming, the guy that made that program before.
it would be cool if you could get some of the old emus like pocket gba and pocket snes with window 6.1 I know i would be happy.
le_cactus said:
... when AC power gets connected/disconnected, when there is a change in screen orientation, and when a headset gets connected/disconnected and ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been looking for a program that would stop the music (S2P, Audio Manager, or WMP etc...) if during playback of the music the headset is removed. Or for instance, when the device is on vibrate and you connect headset, it automatically changes profile to normal or something.
Another one is when I dock my device (or connect AC basically), I'd like clock program (or home screen, or photo slideshow, etc...) to come up automatically.
A feature that I miss from my older phones is the ability to set them to beep every minute during a phone call.
Now these are very general and not specific features. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me!
Thank you,
SiNAra
ytsejam_ said:
a system-wide launcher dock program like that on the velocity 103 PPC..
here's the URL for the review and video of the app (and the phone)
-------------------------------------------------------------
a new top bar replacemeent/notification system much like the "android Notification Drawer" it can replace the bubble (multiple) notifications icon when you got multiple and simultaneous notifications.. and also make it finger friendly (unlike M2D, no need to go back to homescreen to check email/sms previes and also calendar events, calls, etc.. also unlike big taskbar - from the touch phones, this'll have previews)
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys&eur (at the 2 minute mark) , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-YcGNyJds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The launcher on the 103 looks a lot like manilla, I know it is diff, but to me it seems mainly by presentation, not functionality. I do however like the notification top bar like that on android. Not sure how difficult taking over the top bar would be. I will do some digging.
S.V.I said:
Fexplorer2 is basically a dll that works with the original file explorer context menu. there is a small exe that overwrites the original explorer to make it think that the explorer"s context menu has already been opened.
in a way it maybe possible to write a new dll and two exe
EXE 1 to replace the file explorer
EXE 2 to make thumbs db
DLL (conte4xt menu that alows to view as thumbnails/list etc ; as well as launching the second exe to make a thumbsdb)
maybe you can get some help from Hou Ming, the guy that made that program before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me a link to this? The only thing I could find (quickly) was sketchy at best. Still seems a bit much, but would like to know more about this Fexplorer2 thing before nuking the idea.
Gudy
Updated: 2009-01-03, 21:05 (GMT+1)
Me and Swoop2 is creating a Tetris game for us HTC Touch Diamond users out there in need for a great one! Why I wanted to create a new Tetris game for the HTC Touch Diamond was because all of the Tetris games out there got some flaws (imo); not supporting VGA resolution, visually looking bad, running slow etc.. The closest thing I got was TeKnowMagic Tetris, but I wasn't satisfied either way. There's simply no Tetris game out there filling my requirements.
DiamondTris so far:
VGA resolution
Moving pieces - with the wheel sensor or via the on-screen buttons
Rotation of pieces - with the enter button or via the on-screen buttons
Line completion and destruction
Statistics: score, hi-score, level, lines done/remaining
Difficulties: easy, medium, hard (different speeds)
What needs to be done:
Some minior GUI tweaks
Sound effects
Settings (sounds, controls)
You'll need .NET Framework 3.5, which you'll find here
Changelog:
DiamondTris_20090103.cab:
Installs on device or internal storage
Creates a shortcut in Programs\Games
Pause function implemented
DiamondTris_20090102.cab:
New, better looking on-screen buttons
Added some statistics
Disabled piece rotation by tilting the device (needs further tweaking)
Application icon added
+1
sounds like a fairly simple and easy project... if only i had listened in class...
Why don't you get some pledges to encourage a developer
I would pay around £3 for a tetris game designed for our device
Not loads, but if enough people were too pledge their support...
hays said:
Why don't you get some pledges to encourage a developer
I would pay around £3 for a tetris game designed for our device
Not loads, but if enough people were too pledge their support...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good idea.
i'll let hays pay £3 for a Tetris game
(and i suppose i could chuck a few quid in as well )
Of course I'm in for some donations if this game is created
I started a very basic Tetris app for my touch diamond a while ago - just as a play around as my first Windows Mobile application. It uses the wheel for moving the current piece left and right and I was going to have a go at using the accelerometer to turn the piece clockwise/anticlockwise (i.e. a flick to the left or right).
I've never used OpenGL or anything so it was just done using a timer and the graphics object off the OnDraw event. I got as far as creating the grid, drawing the pieces, moving them around and knowing when lines were completed, etc. Still had a lot to do but it was a proof of concept more than anything else.
I'm just a normal application developer and develop form based applications and back end stuff. If I can get to where I am with my effort in the time I have, then someone who knows how to write games properly could easily do something really good.
Swoop2 said:
I started a very basic Tetris app for my touch diamond a while ago - just as a play around as my first Windows Mobile application. It uses the wheel for moving the current piece left and right and I was going to have a go at using the accelerometer to turn the piece clockwise/anticlockwise (i.e. a flick to the left or right).
I've never used OpenGL or anything so it was just done using a timer and the graphics object off the OnDraw event. I got as far as creating the grid, drawing the pieces, moving them around and knowing when lines were completed, etc. Still had a lot to do but it was a proof of concept more than anything else.
I'm just a normal application developer and develop form based applications and back end stuff. If I can get to where I am with my effort in the time I have, then someone who knows how to write games properly could easily do something really good.
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Ah, that sounds great! Got any plans on continuation of your work? Onscreen buttons instead of accelerometer sounds even better imo, and is easier to do I think..?
Care to share your source? I can have a look at it myself and see if I can get into Mobil application programming too... or at least someone else here can continue on your base work.
I do plan on finishing it at some point - though I'm not 100% sure when! I don't mind sharing the code anyway, so once I'm back home I'll try and remember to put it on here.
Swoop2 said:
I do plan on finishing it at some point - though I'm not 100% sure when! I don't mind sharing the code anyway, so once I'm back home I'll try and remember to put it on here.
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Sounds cool. Looks like I might get a good weekend after all! Do... not... forget... the... add... the source code!
Here's the source code. It is VERY much a work in progress. I started it as a windows application and ported it over to WinMob6. Here's a list of things that I know I still needed to do:
1. Optimise the graphics to get rid of the irritating flicker.
2. Add the piece rotation.
3. Add the score and level display, etc.
4. Decide on the size of the grid (considered leaving it customisable).
5. Add score saving and option saving, etc.
6. Add some backing music.
They're the things I can remember off the top of my head anyway. Lemme know if you have any ideas or questions, etc.
Swoop2 said:
Here's the source code. It is VERY much a work in progress. I started it as a windows application and ported it over to WinMob6. Here's a list of things that I know I still needed to do:
1. Optimise the graphics to get rid of the irritating flicker.
2. Add the piece rotation.
3. Add the score and level display, etc.
4. Decide on the size of the grid (considered leaving it customisable).
5. Add score saving and option saving, etc.
6. Add some backing music.
They're the things I can remember off the top of my head anyway. Lemme know if you have any ideas or questions, etc.
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Sweet! I'm at home now, downloading all the requried applications to put up a proper environment here... big packages, so it'll take a while until I'm set.
I'll see if I can manage to do anything, and in case - I'll get back to you
Hi there again Swoop2!
Just tweaked the grid some, added some stats + onscreen buttons (stretched until later ;P) and changed some minor stuff. Here's my latest source. Thanks for sharing!
There's still bunch of stuff to tweak and add. Adding rotation to the game would make it fairly playable. The screen flickering is quite annoying, but perhaps we'll manage to get it working right in the future
Also adding a screenshot of how it looks with the current source.
EDIT: removed the source code, since there's a newer one out there.
Hi Sibbor
That's looking pretty good mate - I like it! I already have some ideas on how to fix the flicker - for the majority of the time anyway. Rendering the image as a bitmap in the background and then just drawing that should hopefully work like a double buffer or something. Also, only invalidating the relevant part of the screen instead of all of it should make a difference too. It worked for my other application anyway.
I'll try and have a play with it this week and send you an update
Swoop2 said:
Hi Sibbor
That's looking pretty good mate - I like it! I already have some ideas on how to fix the flicker - for the majority of the time anyway. Rendering the image as a bitmap in the background and then just drawing that should hopefully work like a double buffer or something. Also, only invalidating the relevant part of the screen instead of all of it should make a difference too. It worked for my other application anyway.
I'll try and have a play with it this week and send you an update
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Sounds great! Made a few more changes but haven't got the latest source available here at work. I'll see if I can get time to upload it later. Otherwise it doesn't matter too much.
I reacted at the code where the grid updates, but have too less experience with WM6 and .NET to actually optimize this to a grade where we'll have no flicker at all. So with other words: I'm looking forward to your anti-flicker code !
I should finally have some time to look at this at the weekend so if you have an updated version can you post it on here?
Swoop2 said:
I should finally have some time to look at this at the weekend so if you have an updated version can you post it on here?
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Hi again mate! Good to hear. Sadly I haven't been able to get too much done since last time, but I'll attach the current source now.
Thought about the rotation and how to create it. Had an idea where you could destroy the current piece when rotating, and creating a new - rotated - piece at the given location. You got any ideas about it otherwise?
I've been looking for a decent Tetris game for Diamond/TP myself.
Question: are you planning on implementing the scrollwheel to move the pieces? I think that would be a nice touch.
Good luck on this. I'll donate to the cause when you guys have something.
hefman said:
I've been looking for a decent Tetris game for Diamond/TP myself.
Question: are you planning on implementing the scrollwheel to move the pieces? I think that would be a nice touch.
Good luck on this. I'll donate to the cause when you guys have something.
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The requested function is already supported We'll make sure to setup donations when we're ready
this is definately a worth while project, i wasted my time for about 3 hours looking for a nice tetris game 4-5 days ago and came up with very nasty looking basic tetris clones.
which all sucked, id donate £5-7 just for saving me the time!!
thanks
CDMA Tetris
I am so all about Tetris.
I also spent some time looking for some decent versions of Tetris but they all flopped.
I cannot wait till you guys complete this.
Hi Everyone,
I don't know if I'm just reinventing a wheel here but I encountered a problem with screen lock software and prying eyes. Basically it doesn't take long for repeated use on a single part of a touch screen to be visible at certain angles.
I had one idea to help prevent this and made a quick demo/beta app.
Wondered if anyone on here had any thoughts on the project before I commit too much time into it.
I'll work on screen shots...
The installation is pretty painless - there isn't one (lol) - just unzip the exe and run, make sure you have .NET 3.5. There's a ABOUT page displayed (with a real exit menu) and details / default PIN.
Comments welcome, but remember its the concept on display, not the desing (and distinct lack of graphics).
More Information
It is obviously developed for touch screen devices without a keypad, which I imagine circumnavigates this problem.
It has been tested in the emulator on 320 screens, and on Touch HD. I'll try it on the Magicinan, and Hermes later.
If anyone would develop such app, it would be great ! I was searching for months for something like this. Please, if anyone can develop such app for WVGA screen (SE Xperia X1) it would be great & very appreciated.
For avoiding the mess with downloading, unzipping, copying to emulator dir, running the emu etc, it's usually wise to post screenshots so people immediately grasp the idea.
Hello to all!!
It has been a while since I possess telephones under Windows mobile and also, since I navigate it fabulous forum!
When I discovered this forum, I was really very satisfied to have purchased my first one HTC because I had the impression to be a member of a big family!!!!
I thank all the active persons and all the developers on this forum which allowed me to return my phone different from the others and to pull the best!!!
But today, I have to say that I am a little disappointed … I have purchase since a few months a HTC HD Mini because this phone is in my opinion, the best compromise between power, technology, size and still under Windows mobile 6.5.
The HD2 pleased me a lot, but too big for my use … Thus this small phone was really the one that I waited!
Why am I disappointed? Simply because the screen of this phone has a HVGA resolution screen (320x480) and because this one is not current. Everything the magnificent developments which are realized today continues to support the resolution QVGA / WQVGA / VGA / WVGA but not the HVGA.
I find it very it's a pity. Today, I have the impression to be thrown rejected by this HTC community simply because I possess a telephone which is slightly different from the others. And nevertheless, as I said it higher, it is a HTC, he possesses characteristics to envy nothing to the others and he turns under Windows mobiles 6.5. His only defect (if we can say that it is a defect) is the resolution of its screen.
Sirs developers, you who often put your efforts in the service of the others by carrying your applications in various resolutions, could think to us? We who are not competent to develop but who we who support you and we who as want you to pull the maximum of their Windows mobile phone???
Thanks to all by advance !!
Sorry for my English…. It is a resverso translation
You just speak right out of my heart!!!
Devs, please think of us!
In my perspective, I think the hardest part of creating a program, is that he run according to the expected result. The hardest part is to encode the program algorithm.
Then, adapt the same program at different screen sizes is much less difficult! Especially when that program is already adapted to a resolution of 240x320 (QVGA) and a resolution of 480x640 (VGA). From there, I think adapting this program to the resolution of 320x480 (HVGA) is no longer a question of difficulty, but just a question of willingness.
Please gentlemen developers and programmers, think of us when you create your great applications!
Maybe it is true that we are not likely to have a HD Mini, but the fact remains that it's a great phone, branded HTC and running Windows Mobile 6.5.
I do not want to offend anyone, I just want to share my sentiment.
Kind regards, JBS68
Sorry for my English…. It is a google translation
please think of us!
TT_TT
Helle to all !!
Just a small message to promote the subject!
Unless a moderator wants to stick it?
Yes, it can be done, but it can be an awful lot of extra work. If you are going to try and develop an application that will run on as many different platforms as possible, this will have to be done at design time before you have written a single line of code. Trying to retro fit this to an app you have already created, can almost involve a complete rewrite.
Firstly, if you do not have such a device to hand, on which to test the program, you will have to get Visual Studio to create a device with the correct screen size for the emulator to run. HVGA is not one of the stock emulator images. Having created it, when you start it up under the emulator, even Windows Mobile gets a bit confused, see the attached image HVGA. It tries to centre the WM 5.0 stock wallpaper in the screen area, leaving the pale blue gap visible at the top and bottom.
Running the 6.5.3 images as 320x480 makes them virtually unusable, as the Titanium user interface completely screws up; see the second image HVGA65. The 6.5.3 Windows icon 'Start' button does nothing when pressed, you are completely stuck, because you cannot get control panel to run in order to turn the Titanium stuff off.
At least you can test programs against WinMo 5.0 on 320x480.
In the list of applications in my signature below, 5x5 will run perfectly on a HVGA device. Originally, users of Samsung Omnias (240x400) just got a blank screen. The program was originally hard coded to deal with standard QVGA screens in landscape or portrait. Ooooops! Large parts of the program had to be rewritten. It is now designed to dynamically scale the grid to 90% of the shortest side of the client area, and centre itself accordingly. It will now run on any sized screen, even those that have not been released yet! It was a lot of work to make it do this.
Sudoku player will work, but it does not resize, it just positions itself in the middle of the screen. To get this to scale to full size as per 5x5 would involve an enormous amount of work. The drawing would have to be made dynamic as would the font(s) used by the program. It currently gets away with just using the system font, yes let's hear it, lazy programming. It only just fits on a square 240x240 screen.
Siglog is just an app that fills text areas with data; its main purpose is to display and log data; the UI is not that important. It is not optimised for any screen layout, and will just appear in the top left 240x320 area of the screen.
At some stage I might improve Sudoku Player and Siglog so that they have totally dynamic displays, but I have to ask myself, is it really going to be worth all the effort involved?
stephj said:
Yes, it can be done, but it can be an awful lot of extra work. If you are going to try and develop an application that will run on as many different platforms as possible, this will have to be done at design time before you have wriiten a single line of code. Trying to retro fit this to an app you have already created, can almost involve a complete rewrite.
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To begin, thank you for taking the time to read and answer my thread !
I must say that I too am a bit of development. Of course, not at the level of what you do, but I trained alone and I develop professional visual basic macros (especially for Excel)...
On the first point, I completely agree with you, if the resolution was not taken into account at the begin, it is often difficult to integrate in the future without having to write everything.
For the second point, I did not that you need an emulator for other resolutions, and looking at the pictures, I understand that it is not easy to exploit these emulators!
Now, I'm not asking that all applications be re written to make them work on my phone, but when you develop new applications, consider this resolution (if possible!)
I see that there are applications that are developed with the interface SENSE. And although those can easily be adapted (I think).
Another example, when an application interface is based on a skin with areas for displaying datas (example, with a XML file format) could also adapt more easily.
In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to reply to this topic and thank you for trying to take into account this resolution in your developments.
Of course, you may also make use, it is my pleasure to test your beta applications and to return you feed-back about them !
For the latter point, it depends: do you want a maximum of community HTC uses your applications? So the answer is yes ....
Anyway, thank you for everything, cordially, JBS68