Just a note about the Emulator - you do not need to create an .arduboy file to use it. You can simply drag the .hex file and the .bin file to the emulator window.
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Thanks @filmote I didn’t know that!
Additional Emulator note, the in-emulator building is broken currently do to some web domain hocus pocus. I’m trying to set up a new server soon, any sys admins that would like to help walk me through a node.js deployment is more than welcome! Happy jamming!
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What are people making? Anyone want to let the cat out of the bag?
I’ve been continuing to refine grayscale and trying to make a grayscale RPG.
I’m not planning to enter at the moment.
If I were to enter then I’d probably make a visual novel engine because the technical side of it interests me, but I don’t have a story to go with it and I’d have to argue with the upload tools first.
I am not planning on competing here as my Prince of Persia game is both advanced and so far from completion 
I do want to add some resources:
ArduboyTonesFX
ArduboyPlaytuneFX
Both FX compatible. I am using the Tones version in Prince of Persia.
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Well you could tweak Lode Runner FX a bit and add that iris out effect that’s still missing 
Quite easy to do with FX::drawBitmap()
Not sure I’ll have something to compete with. doing the code and graphics will probably take too long. I’m kind of a slowpoke
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Sounds like more time could help, should we extend the deadline?
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Now that we know the Mini will have a speaker built in, I’m more excited to see if anyone wants a composer on their team for this jam. I don’t have enough programming chops to do a game by myself but I still want to participate, and I’m much better with music. Let me know!
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I can extend the jam but the plan was to set the deadline such that I can get it to PCBway in time to include on the mini. I can check on the lead time on components but it might be there is chance to extend the deadline until final assembly.
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IMHO giving users more time for the game is more important then meeting the PCBway deadline. By the time users get their mini there might be a website to easily upload an updated collection
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It would be a real missed opportunity to showcase the games though as a vast majority of people will not update the cart.
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To be honest, I think realistically it’s going to take a while before most people are in a position to be making FX games.
So far Filmote’s the only game maker who’s actually got to grips with how the developing side of things works.
Until the information becomes common knowledge it would be a bit much to expect more casual or inexperienced developers to be doing the same.
What’s needed to kickstart things isn’t a game jam, it’s more information and tutorials in an easy to access and centralised area.
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This jam is intended for advanced developers to get their hands on some crazy hardware!
Fair point, I had forgot about that one.
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Yeah, when I saw that the goal for this jam is to use the winner as a showpiece for the Mini I bowed right out and stopped trying to work on a game. I’m definitely not advanced enough to use the FX chip well, let alone make a high quality game that incorporates it. I’ll wait for the next jam. Can’t wait to see the winner though.
The requirement to use Python on my laptop to write to the FX chip has stopped me.
Working with the Thumby IDE (web serial) has it’s issues- but it allowed me to get started very quickly. I’ve been holding out for a simpler solution.
Perhaps it’s also a mental block… A really simple, step-by-step tutorial would be lovely.
I found the examples in the ArduboyFX library GitHub really helpful when it comes to storing things and reading them from the chip. The act of actually getting the Python scripts to work on my MacBook was a bigger challenge.
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Good to hear that.
I’ve got access to a mac mini at work and see if I can make a easier solution for OSX
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