On
December 19th, 2006 we started the
MSX Resource Center MEGA Challenge, challenging MSX developers around the world to compete for a brand new
One Chip MSX computer in three different and potentially overlapping categories:
- MSX2 game development challenge
Objective: Create a game for the MSX2 platform. It's as simple as that. All genres are allowed, and only your imagination is the limit. With various MRC challenges as a warmup, the time has come to let a nice batch of new MSX2 games see the light of day. All you have to do is obey the following maximum specifications:
- 64kB RAM
- 128kB VRAM
- Max 512kB ROM or one (1) 720kB disk
For audio support, PSG, SCC(+), MSX-MUSIC, MSX-AUDIO (max 256kB) and Moonsound (max 640kB) sound chips and combinations thereof are all allowed. None of these sound chips are mandatory, so a game only supporting PSG or a game only supporting Moonsound are both valid entries. The game should function on these minimal specifications, but enhanced features for e.g. the MSX2+, GFX9000 and/or turboR are allowed.
- History theme challenge
Objective: Create a game or demo in a historical setting. Take, for example, the Ancient Egypts, Dinosaurs, the Roman Empire, Greek Mythology, Caverns or Chinese Dynasties. In other words: get inspired by major events and eras in world (pre-)history and surprise the MSX community with your creativity! Will you make the next King's Valley or B.C. Quest?
This discipline has no minimum specifications, but - like previous challenges - has the following maximum specifications:
- MSX turboR
- 512kB RAM
- GFX9000
- Any combination of general MSX soundchips (see those mentioned above) allowed
- No storage size and medium limitations
- 64x48 challenge
Objective: Create a game or demo that uses the center 64x48 pixels of the screen. Optionally, you can chose to use SCREEN 3 in full-screen. This smaller screen size allows developers to experiment with graphical effects that are usually impossible on an MSX (full screen). Think of the possibilities when using less than a quarter of the regular MSX screen! Think of the amount of VRAM and sprites available! What kinds of smooth and stunning graphical action can you achieve on this reduced size screen?
Like the History discipline, this discipline has no minimum specifications, but - like previous challenges - has the following maximum specifications:
- MSX turboR
- 512kB RAM
- GFX9000
- Any combination of general MSX soundchips (see those mentioned above) allowed
- No storage size and medium limitations
Today, we come with good news and (relatively) bad news. To start with the latter: we have extended the deadline of the MSX Resource Center MEGA Challenge. Although one great entry (
Ball Quest) has already been submitted and several developers have let us know they are working on finishing their entries as well a tough and difficult start of the year prevented us from giving the challenge the attention it deserved.
We have therefore decided to increase the stakes and move the deadline of the MRC MEGA Challenge with one full year to June 27th, 2008. On this day the MSX computer system will celebrate its 25th anniversary, so what better way to celebrate our beloved computer being around for a quarter of a century than with a nice pile of new MSX releases?
The good news is that we can now reveal which other prizes we are going to give away to the best entries. We had already announced the first prize would be a new One Chip MSX computer. Now, we can reveal there are two more prizes to be won: a One Chip MSX and... another One Chip MSX. Yes, you have read it correctly the first time: in the MSX Resource Center MEGA Challenge we are going to give away not one, not two, but
three One Chip MSX computers! So, in this new situation not only do you have 3 times as much chance to win a One Chip MSX by joining the challenge, you also have a full extra year to develop and polish an entry that is likely to win a prize!
You can send in your entries to
mega@msx.org until June 27th, 2008, 23:59 CET. Developers that send in their entry to the MRC MEGA Challenge before the initial deadline of June 27th, 2007 will receive a full bonus point in the final results. A jury that is to judge the entries is at the moment still to be formed and will be announced on the MSX Resource Center in the future.
So, developers, are you ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the MSX computer system in style? Start your engines and join MSX Resource Center's MEGA Challenge!
