And suddenly, out of the blue, there is a new contest, organized by the French/English website
Passion MSX. In a way, there are quite a few similarities with the popular
MSXdev contests, the biggest difference will be the target platform: MSX2. Maybe this is simply the answer to the ongoing discussions surrounding MSXdev, no matter how easy (and fun) it may be to create MSX1 games, many people feel the MSX2 is a bit neglected. This is especially true when you keep in mind that the people who are working on an MSX1 entry for MSXdev are probably going to spend all their time on this MSX1 entry, which leaves them with little to no time for MSX2. In a way it's remarkable: years ago MSXdev provided a platform to boost MSX1 activity after this system seemed completely neglected, and now this new contest may do the same for MSX2. The interesting question of course could be whether two contests could coexist at the same time, if you consider that for bigger projects a team of developers may need to make a choice between the two contests. Time will tell.
The contest in general:
- Deadline: 30 June 2009
- Jury: SuperCobra, Mars2000you and Daniel Vik
- Quite a whopping amount of prize money: €433 for the winner, €333 for the runner-up and €233 for the third place!
A summary of the specifications of game submissions:
- Format: ROM, up to 512KB (4-MegaROM)
- Allowed mappers for Megaroms: Konami without SCC, konami with SCC, ASCII 8KB and ASCII 16KB
- Any programming language is allowed, but assembly is prefer for obvious reasons.
- Strict MSX2 compatibility, a submitted game needs to be fully compatible with the following MSX2 configuration:
- CPU : Zilog Z80A (or clone) running at 3,579 MHz inside the MSX Engine
- VDP : Yamaha V9938
- PSG : AY-3-8912 or compatible sound chip (Yamaha YM2149)
- Cassette interface: 1200/2400 baud
- Memory Mapper system
- RAM : 64 KB (memory-mapped)
- VRAM : 128 KB
- A game entry should be able to run on MSX2+ and MSX turbo R as well. If not: Penalty points will be applied.
- For sound and music, PSG is the De Facto chip to use
- Outside and after the contest you are free to release an enhanced version with for example support for MSX-MUSIC, SCC, Moonsound, V9958, Graphics9000 etc. These bonuses will not be taken into account for the actual contest though.
- Just like MSXdev, original games are preferred, but non-original concept games will be also accepted. In all cases however, the game should be original work. Recompiled, previously released or hacked games are not allowed. Obviously, ripping music, graphics or other material without permission of the original authors is also not allowed.
- In the submitted package, the following elements need to be present: the ROM file, an English manual, a sticker for the ROM cartridge. Only the game itself will be judged however.
- All submitted games will become freeware. This also applies to any enhanced versions released after the contest and outside the contest.
- The developers are not allowed to distribute unfinished or finished versions of the game before the end of the contest.
More details can be read on the Passion MSX website. If you decide to enter this contest: may the force be with you!
Relevant link:
Passion MSX - Passion MSX2 contest 1
