Developing a Retro-Roguelike Game for Multiple Platforms in C

Summary

Creating a game that runs smoothly across different vintage and modern computers is a complex and ambitious challenge. Can I achieve it? Let me tell you the story so far; the process, obstacles, and solutions involved in making a roguelike dungeon crawler playable on systems like the Commodore 64, Commodore PET, and even more constrained machines.Why Build Games for Multiple Platforms?Many enthusiasts collect old computers just for their nostalgic value. However, having these hardware collections provide playable experiences affords fresh ways to enjoy and preserve their unique quirks and capabilities.My goal was to develop a game that can run on, if not all, then at least across numerous systems, utilising each machine’s features while managing constraints like memory, graphics, and input methods. First Approach: Using TRSE to Compile for Multiple Target SystemsThe journey began with TRSE, a development environment supporting a huge number of vintage computer systems. My plan was to develop a text-based roguelike that could run on various hardware by compiling code for each target. ProblemsTRSE is broadly based on Pascal, unfamiliar territory for me, especially when I take long breaks from the environment.Many older computers had incomplete or inconsistent text support in TRSE libraries as most people in the community generally develop for each systems graphics hardware.Differences in hardware standards like ASCII character mapping caused compatibility headaches, especially on pre-1980s machines. Lessons LearnedMultiplatform development on vintage hardware is additionally complicated compared to today because system standards and capabilities vary widely, even from the same company, using the same processor.Support libraries are not always fully fleshed out in ways that match your vision, or might need adaptation for different systems.TRSE is an amazing and pretty recent voluntary project so support for certain machines needs to come from the community.Transitionin...