Creativity - epic: a chronological report on the creation of the game "Courier - 2".

                                         
 Some thoughts about     
 "Courier - 2"  Alex Xor, 10/9/1999 
                                         
1. "Kypbepy - 2" - most likely to be!    
                                         
2. The hero probably wasn’t subjected to redrawing.
no, because  main artist is now in
army, maybe some new ones will be added
details in his movements.                  
                                         
3. Things are even worse with music.
Our musician has long since moved away from Speccy and
I’m unlikely to force him to write anything. B
in general, if someone helps, I will be very grateful
grateful. And what kind of group is this?
such in the person of one programmer?!       
                                         
4. The hero will be controlled from
using the arrow, i.e. where he “poked”, that-
Yes, he ran - it’s fashionable now.  Oso-
It will be especially convenient for mouse owners.     
                                         
5. Advancement on the game screen and its
the viewing will be something like this
the same as in Lemmings.  In general I will
view other options. In short I
and I still don’t know how all this will turn out
really watch :)6. I don’t know yet how it will be given
task for the hero. There are two options:        
 a) the task is given automatically when
moving the arrow to the right place, for example
measures, to plant a bomb you need a cursor
put under the hero, then below
the image of a bomb will flash on the screen (if
you have it), well, to use
To attack this bomb, you need to press "fire".
Most likely I will do so that I can
take the already placed bomb.  Approximately
the same will happen with the box.  Box on
this time it will be possible to explode;           
 b) the task is given by pressing the right
mouse buttons (on the keyboard you will have to
enter an additional key, what to do
It seems to me that it’s not very convenient) when determining
cursor position (see above). Bye
I'm leaning towards the first option, what about you?    
                                         
7. For a slight increase in dynamism
I’ll make games so that the hero, for example,
oxygen was running out, for which it would be necessary
collect oxygen cylinders.  One
a cylinder, say, will last for 10 minutes
chickpeas                                     
                                         
8. For now, the goal and meaning of the game will be
involve transferring information from one
places to another (perhaps these will be com-
pewters). The amount of information that
the hero will be able to endure, willdepend
from the capacity of his memory in order to increase it
need to pack suitcases with extra
no memory. Information can be transferred
at one time, or maybe in ten - to whom
what you like. The most important word in this
point - first!  If I don't think of anything
more interesting, then this is the most important word
will disappear.                                 
                                         
9. The game will be in Russian.          
                                         
10. I am still tormented by the question of what to do
any enemies for the Courier? And if you do, then
I still don’t know if I can do this. Still,
which I don’t know yet whether I will use
Should I get a second screen?  Because to my shame I
I've never worked with him before! In short, in
we live, we'll see.                           
                                         
11. A surprise awaits you at the end of the game. First
2 (3) people who sent a word or
the inscription you will read at the end
games, a money transfer will be sent, and in
I'll still think about what size.             
                                         
12. Perhaps I’ll take an example from our company
computer genius and will also do the same
weekly progress report.
It will just be interesting to read later. Well
Well, I think I’ll end this for now.  After all
before I start programming the passage
children still have a lot of time, I justnow
I am in our valiant army.       
__________________________________________
                                         
 Courier 2. The Lost World.        
 (c) 1996-97, 1999-2002,         
 Alex Xor/Perspective group        
                                         
  I won’t say that all the best things are...
is in Vologda, this is not so.  But also Peter
has long since given up its former positions. B rev-
Well, accept the next "epic", but
already from another author.                   
                                         
March 10 2k                              
                                         
  Official start of work on Courier
March 2 - 10, 2000. Not official much
earlier, - October 9, 1999, still in ap-
Mii began to think about how it would be (see trans-
second part of the article).                       
  Now I’m looking through all kinds of information
mation. I’m studying a little, I’ll take note
some tricks of smart people.  I'm picking up
to myself the programs that I will use -
Xia. Today, it is assumed
but, it will be:                           
                                         
 Zasm 3.10 (I liked it);          
 Art Studio (well, where would we be without it?);          
 Sprites Generator 5.3 (not bad);  
 Spriter 1.04 (very cool, but glitches:();   
 That's all for now.                              
                                         
May 4 2k                                 
                                         
  Two months later... Much water has passed under the bridge,
but things are moving very slowly, and if
more precisely, they practically do not move. I can
estimate the shift to be somewhere around 1%. It seems o not-
efficient reporting is out of the question.
Currently I am working on game design.
of the field. In general, I draw sprites and that’s it
such. Because I'm minding my own business,
therefore, progress is very small.  Ooh
I miss Tinker so much now! How-
you are my artistic abilities, you
will have to be assessed during the game. Although
I know I borrowed some “details”
from a pro, otherwise it would be really bad.     
  They seem to be writing the script, they promised music
write, but about the beautiful inter-
Level screensavers I have large onace-
nia, because there was news from the man all the way from
5February this year! If everything fails -
xia, then you will have to use the developments
Tinker'a, in principle, are also quite good. To sa-
I haven't started programming yet. 
                                         
June 24 2k                               
                                         
  I had to take a break for about 4 weeks
on his commander, brought it to mind.  Like
brought it. No more distractions now!  Now
I'm drawing again, mostly dynamics.  For this
time, communication with HorrorSoft was established and
Maxidrom, so it’s possible with graphics
there will be no problems, but with music
problems :(                                  
                                         
June 27 2k                               
                                         
  Today I'm in a mood where
I want to think about nothing and everything,
and if I get carried away somewhere, in advance
I'm sorry. I recently read articles here
(the old ones are true, but this is a separate topic -
conversation), which prompted me
to the following thoughts, or rather pushed
to their presentation. I agree with those who
against the writings of the same type of dems! No, pro-
tive demomaking I have nothing, but me-
I'm amazed by the fact that people saw
something cool and let's prove it to everyone -
"After all, II can do that too!” Is this necessary?
to whom? The laurels of the winner will still be enough
the firstborn is excited! I am for (with both hands and but-
gami) really cool demos that
I want to watch it more than once or twice. Yes if
even they made their demo, so give it to me
people should learn, publish your sources
ki, write a detailed article on cool effects
fectam. (In this case I would like to thank
Sergei Kolotov,who helps many
to people. Thanks Serzh.) But over that de-
mo that the user will watch in total
once, the authors probably fought more than once
day. So wouldn't it be better to spend your energy?
for something more worthy and get
fame another way? Why, in my opinion, is it good
position on the IBM platform (even if it
shit), but because programs are not written there
only for yourself, and for what is needed
someone else! Is it really on the Spectrum?
there are no programs that would be needed
to many? I doubt it so much! Their half-
but, just write a demo three weeks before
party is much easier than fiddling with quality
Vienna program for more than one month.             
  So I started writing a toy (God grant me
add it), I know that Spectrum lived
without her he will live just as long, but I
I still want to add something new to
people were pleased to see it, a
Maybe they’ll still play. Someone kputu- meforged (though I don’t know who) for my per-
new game (The Last Courier), I know - in
she has many shortcomings, but still I am her
I did and not a lot of people played with it. A
can many demo makers boast -
Xia, that they made some kind of game?  Yes,
That's right, they can't! In this case you can
quote one proverb: “No one, never,
doesn't kick a dead dog."  This means
that if they kick you, it means they noticed, a
it means you are alive and significant. So let us
we will all be alive and benefit us all
and our favorite platform!            
                                         
September 18 2k                           
                                         
  Even more water has flown under the bridge... Shifts from the game
there is no swarm, but there have been a lot of common troubles -
th. 07/29/2k I got married (in the regiment of married people
arrived), managed to lie in pain for 23 days
nitsa and, on top of everything else, lost his job!
I hope all the adventures are over now
and I will be able to create to the fullest.         
                                         
September 26 2k                           
                                         
  Yesterday I received a letter from Fatman`a, in it
This is already the second edition of the script for Courier.
There are two more of my scripts. I'm in favorI'm having a hard time, I don't know what to choose!  More
I'm mostly inclined towards my last choice.
ahty, but Fatman didn’t do too badly either!
The most interesting thing is that all scenarios are different.
I see the full name of the Courier as -
"Courier 2. The Lost World." But I'm not sure.
With music and cross-level graphics
bad, from the people involved in this
hearing, not a breath.                          
                                         
October 26 2k                            
                                         
  They published their own newspaper, and it was political
graphy! Started programming. De-
I bark the interface: arrow and all that. I think
I'll start with the general procedures first, a
also to procedures requiring speed.
When I finish the basics, I'll start editing.
torus of stages. Maybe I’ll distribute it too
remove, as in the case of the first Kypbe-
rum But does anyone need this? Long used
fecal material of Slava Mednonogov, where is he
explained how to display sprites through the stack
without prohibiting interruptions. I remember that somewhere
I read it, but I don’t remember where.  I still read it
2 years have already passed before the army!  Found -
"Epic" in ZX-Format #8.               
                                         
October 27 2k                            
                                         
  Smart man Slava Copperlegs!First
couldn't understand how he did it, but then
it seems to have arrived, maybe in its own way.  Here
if Slava told about all his hits
I would teach the people a lot! While re-
sewed interruptions not to cut off, because I have
not "Raven" :) If there is Mouzon in the future
brake, you will have to do it with permission
no interruptions, but so far so good. Mu-
no languages, no graphics :(                
                                         
November 4 2k                              
                                         
 Maxim Muchkaev regarding the newspaper:       
 - The idea is not bad in principle. Carry on
work and people will flock. I posted yours
Internet address, so be prepared for
I'm swimming! The most important thing is to print interesting
and current material! If there are any
then ask questions, I will help as best I can.
                                         
  Thanks Max! Do you know how flattering it is to hear
good reviews about your work!
Of course we will try.  But an obstacle
as always, there are two things that
mu never has enough - it's time and
money!                                  
                                         
March 7 2k1                              
                                         
  Wow! Quite a bit of time has passed! Already
Three issues of the newspaper were published. So to the game
didn't start. The stage editor is ready for
95%, but this was done before the New
year. I finally found the music. HelpedSer-
gay Gulyaevfrom Kotlas. Still no graphics
:( This is not an easy thing to do right away
everyone. Here we need to teach lamers and gas-
that, and the family in the end.           
                                         
May 17 2k1                               
                                         
  The hero began to look right/left, i.e.
on the sides.                             
                                         
July 5 2k1                               
                                         
  Marks time, turns around.    
                                         
August 7 2k1                            
                                         
  I started running, albeit just one step.
                                         
August 16 2k1                           
                                         
  Runs at full speed, collectsobjects, but not
uses them. Change climb to 1
cube, something is wrong.                    
                                         
August 19, 2k1                           
                                         
  Must be done if the hero is standing on a bomb
be, when he has more than 5 of them, so,
so that he takes it after he puts it down
bomb. I think I did.                     
                                         
August 23, 2k1                           
                                         
 Full movement.  Items used
I never learned how to use it.  Now he-
the swarm can be stopped while moving,
if you “click” the mouse one more time, where
doesn't matter.                                
                                         
September 19 2k1                          
                                         
  Glitch! When it doesn't reach the edge of the screen
one cube and tries to turn around.      
  Killed!                                  
  There are still problems with sounds.  Natural-
especially when set to music.  Now
I'm struggling with this.  Will it be possible to get rid of it?
I know.                                    
                                         
September 20 2k1                          
                                         
  I read materials about game genres.  Mo-
maybe we'll do something else.  Actually
we came up with it, but can we do it?                 
  Today I found out that Macros released their
MSF #22, but a month has already passed from the date
release, but didn’t tell me anything.  Probably
I'll be offended :)                                
                                         
October 7 2k1                            
                                         
  A little break... Needed at the root
rework the entire “engine”, because  enemies
he won't pull it. Well, let's work.    
  Most likely the second project of a new game
will not take place, the people do not move, and I
I can't do everything...        
                                         
October 8 2k1                            
                                         
  There was a glitch in ZASM 3.10!  Permanent
an error appears in the loaded assembler -
files: "Repeat very big", although there
there is no such thing in sight! Who knows what it's like
being treated?October 15 2k1                           
                                         
  I'll probably have to go back to the version from
09/19/2001, because I didn't succeed
The speed is still not enough.  I will use
use the second screen. Crap! Only me-
lost a thousand...                           
                                         
October 16 2k1                           
                                         
  In connection with the transition to the second screen,
I am reworking the entire internal structure
games. I wouldn't wish such a job on anyone.
tie.                                     
                                         
October 27 2k1                           
                                         
  During this period I did not play, ha-
zeta took everything...                       
                                         
November 11 2k1                            
                                         
  Another break...                       
                                         
November 19, 2k1                            
                                         
  Stopper because of myignorance of how to work
thief with a second screen! Okay Joker by-
could.  Thank you.  The problem is not settled yet
everyone, now there is not enough memory.          
                                         
November 21 2k1                            
                                         
  Kasik called from Voronezh.  We were chatting somewhere
then 2 hours long distance!  Cool kid.
There would be more of these on Speccy!             
                                         
December 7 2k1                            
                                         
  A small glitch. The hero passes where
shouldn't do this.  Fixed it, but
Another glitch was immediately discovered. His then-
aka "soaked".                            
                                         
December 9, 2k1                            
                                         
  Did the job with four moctukamu (but
no more) in one stage. Now it can be
put it on the grass, etc.  Of course we should
check, but in theory it works.        
                                         
December 11 2k1                           
                                         
  New glitches. Falls whereno need.  Is-
rules                                  
                                         
December 12 2k1                           
                                         
  We got to the point of planting a bomb...           
                                         
December 23, 2k1                           
                                         
  Make a reduction in the number of bombs yourself
explosion, etc.                             
                                         
December 26 2k1                           
                                         
 Glitch with the bridge. Sometimes it doesn't show
his real condition.  It seems because of the bomb-
would.                                      
                                         
December 27 2k1                           
                                         
  When planting a bomb, for some reason you can
put up a bridge, although this should not be done
it is impossible. Fixed something, but maybe a glitch
remained, although I can’t find it again.  
                                         
December 30 2k1                           
There is some kind of glitch left when you try
build a bridge, but don't do it, a
you turn around and run, the hero is still the same
but it puts a bridge where we tried.
Needs to be removed! Next year probably :) 
                                         
January 12 2k2                            
                                         
  The explosion will have to be replaced with sprites,
because. There are too many glitches with this.  Again
just killed time! And the explosion procedure for Se-
Regi Kolotova was cool! Sorry I didn't
could use, maybe in the future
I'll find a use for it.                        
                                         
January 27 2k2                            
                                         
  Again a significant gap. 10th "Paragraph"
I took it away, I hope not in vain. Now I don't remember
what did you stop with? We must remember!      
                                         
January 28 2k2                            
                                         
  You need to start inserting phrases like:
“Where is my O2”, etc.                      
                                         
January 29 2k2                            
Redraw the label sprites to
Everyone had the same size.  This is for
speed so as not to bother.       
                                         
February 10 2k2                           
                                         
  I changed the mouse speed a little, otherwise
when you put on a real pussy, she
runs too fast.                   
  I'm so slow with the game, it's just terrible!      
                                         
February 12 2k2                           
                                         
  New glitch when planting a bomb and un-
bopote.                                  
                                         
February 21 2k2                           
                                         
  I've fixed so many things in the last week.
glitches that I don’t even remember all of them.      
                                         
March 3 2k2                              
                                         
  Almost all the inscriptions are done.  Bombs explode
he crouches when he is tired.           
                                         
March 4 2k2                                         
  At the end of the work you need to check for
meth rarely used and unused
procedures. Make sure that after a pause the
set the initial value of the bombs, what-
danchikov, oxygen.                     
                                         
March 9 2k2                              
                                         
  Make the top of the grass with increased brightness
stu, but somehow it’s not beautiful.            
                                         
March 23 2k2                             
                                         
  I lost three days to switch to pe-
Some sprites with interrupts enabled.
Moved... Slava Copper the best!        
  My option for starting the procedure second
interrupts like this:                       
                                         
;IM_2                                                         
;Start work in second interrupts                          
 ORG IM_2                                              
        D.I.                                                    
        EX (SP),HL                                            
        LD (adr_ret+1),HLPOP HL                                                
        LD (IM2_SP+1),SP                                      
        PUSH BC ;printing procedures                         
 ; sprites must be                     
 ;match case                     
 ; BC (POP BC)                             
SP_IM2 LD SP,#8AFF ;can be anything,                        
 ;only wisely!                           
PUSH AF                                               
        PUSH HL                                               
        PUSH DE                                               
        PUSH BC                                               
        PUSH IX                                               
        EX AF,AF`                                             
        PUSH AF                                               
        EXX                                                   
PUSH HL,DE                                         
;Exit from second interrupts                                   
exitim2 POP DE                                                
        POP HL                                                
        EXX                                                   
        POP AF                                                
        EX AF,AF`                                             
        POP IX                                                
        POP B.C.                                                
        POP DE                                                
        POP HL                                                
        POP AF                                                
IM2_SP LD SP,0                                               
        EI                                                    
adr_ret JP 0                                                  
                                         
  Death from a bomb and almost from
lightning.                                  
                                         
April 14 2k2                            
                                         
The 11th “Paragraph” is almost done.  Shift
move bricks one pixel to the left (in the game
of course :)).                              
                                         
April 16 2k2                            
                                         
  The computer is broken :(                   
                                         
April 17 2k2                            
                                         
  Fixed it :)                             
                                         
April 24 2k2                            
                                         
  I started drawing the stages. Well, it's difficult
do it! I remember from the first Kypb-
I wonder how much time it takes.   Here
where the team is needed! Guys didn't help me
glee :(                                    
                                         
April 26 2k2                            
                                         
 Work with sounds, they are a little glitchy. 
                                         
May 4 2k2                                
                                         
  Break for the holidays.Finished today
draw the last stage.  But they are still needed
break in!                              
                                         
May 11 2k2                               
                                         
  We don't pass the 3rd stage!  B 4th add
bombs.  Do not place objects under lightning
it's glitches! Some glitches with the explosion.
There is a shift in the coordinates of the hero and
explosion in the wrong place. For some reason, re-
began to show the number of bombs and suitcases
kov after the break!                         
  Corrected!                            
                                         
May 13, 2k2                               
                                         
  Glitch when taking multiple items
in a row. If these are bombs, then everything is fine,
if there is something else, then glitches!       
                                         
May 14 2k2                               
                                         
  Looks like it's fixed.  Glitch when you move
in another stage, the initial coordinates are given
They are not the same. Probably needs to be recalculated
also in relation to the hero’s turn.    
                                         
May 15 2k2                                         
  Fixed it!                              
                                         
May 16 2k2                               
                                         
  For some reason you can't put a bridge under
star!                                 
  Corrected.                              
                                         
May 18 2k2                               
                                         
 Bo second stage add one bomb.    
                                         
May 19 2k2                               
                                         
  Do not place objects under the zipper.
Too boring and no time :(        
  I had to remove the bubbles when they appeared
hero, but it looked beautiful. Memory ocbo-
was fighting, but a small raisin was removed
ka :(                                    
                                         
May 20 2k2                               
                                         
  We don't pass the 3rd stage!  B 4th add
bombs. There are generally some problems with the 5th,
It's even possible that a glitch has been found. B 6th do-add bombs. We pass the 7th. Glitch from 5th
removed!                                   
                                         
May 21 2k2                               
                                         
  B 3rd add bombs, now it seems like pro-
let's go. We passed the 4th, but didn’t clear it in the 5th
sign! 6th simplify, otherwise it’s too much
difficult!                                  
                                         
May 23 2k2                               
                                         
  All stages are passable!                   
                                         
May 27 2k2                               
                                         
  Do a better job with lightning deaths.
                                         
May 28 2k2                               
                                         
  It seems to have been corrected.                        
                                         
May 30, 2k2                               
                                         
  Finish the work in the “Save Game” window.
Exit."May 31 2k2                               
                                         
  Gave Vovka Muhuhy 2CD.  The game is saved
will be in the file "courier2.!"                
                                         
June 2 2k2                               
                                         
  I draw pictures for installations, title
etc. Damn, I'm not an artist, where is he?
really needed!                             
                                         
June 4 2k2                               
                                         
  I'm working with the title screen. Not everything is
understand that a satellite revolves around the Earth
nick, but I say, I'm not an artist :(        
                                         
June 8 2k2                               
                                         
  The satellite seems to have completed its flight.       
                                         
June 9, 2k2                               
                                         
 Improve the Earth sprites! Add (to-
work) script.June 17 2k2                              
                                         
  The file on page 1 changes again.  Not
Enough memory. I had to remove another one
phase (and from the very beginning there are already two) twisting
of the changing Earth. Now it doesn't turn so smoothly -
xia :(                                    
                                         
June 25 2k2                              
                                         
  A daughter was born! Hello, cool!!!  Te-
I'm dad :)                           
                                         
June 28 2k2                              
                                         
  I'll make statistics for the saved game! In-
tepecho, how many hours have you lost! U
me like a pro :), for the first two or three
each stage takes 10 minutes.              
                                         
June 29 2k2                              
                                         
  All packed inscriptions (titles) occupy
6816 bytes.                            
                                         
June 30 2k2                                         
  I'm starting to assemble the game!                 
                                         
July 1 2k2                               
                                         
  Some glitches...                      
                                         
July 3 2k2                               
                                         
  Damn, what kind of misfortune is this?
I can put together a game!                       
                                         
July 6 2k2                               
                                         
  This is starting to piss me off!  All by
works separately, everything in the heap does not work
melting :(                                  
                                         
July 7 2k2                               
                                         
  There seems to be some progress.         
                                         
July 9 2k2                               
                                         
  Some kind of glitch with the game. Second time
you can't play. Probably going badsome kind
page.  Got it.  Now it's buggy when
death of a hero. Sometimes the turn is not correct -
but it works.                             
                                         
July 11 2k2                              
                                         
  You need to compile the game again.           
                                         
July 13 2k2                              
                                         
  Glitch, for some reason the menus don't work,
when I placed the bomb!  Make a delay
in front of tutpamu.                           
                                         
July 14 2k2                              
                                         
  Yes! I made it! 0:14:43. HURRAY!!!      
                                         
          I T O G I            
                                         
November 19, 2k2                            
                                         
 Despite the fact that copyright extends already
since 1996, most of the game has beenmade starting from the end of 2001, ending
according to the numbers you saw, 2002
year. Almost half of the work was
carried out from 6 am to 7.30 am.  Not
want to try?                      
  The competition where my
The game has already started a long time ago. Judging by the first
responses - questionnaires, people like the game,
but still not for everyone.  Yes, what time do I
he spent on it, now not only for me, but
and you know. I hope the Courier is now for-
fighting for the brand name :)                 
  Behind us is a very long period of
her life, so we can say for sure
what was used when writing the game.   
                                         
 Software:                           
 - Zasm 3.10;                            
 - BGE 3.05;                             
 - Hrust 1.3;                            
 - Laser Compact 5.2;                    
 - Sprites generator 5.3;                
 - Spriter 1.05;                         
 - Some articles of electronic magazines.
                                         
 Hardware:                           
 - KAY-256 Turbo. Cool computer!         
                                         
Earth food:                        
 - Student snack (a package of milk and ba-
tone);                                    


 - Some stocks of canned food.           
                                         
 Spiritual food:                      
 - Playing some toys on the Spectrum
(Hexxagon 1.2, Black Raven, etc.);      
 - Reading articles about the Spectrum; 
 - Correspondence with friends.                 
                                         
 P.S. I conveyed all my greetings to whomever I wanted
in the game. And I haven’t done this to you yet, so...
look for him, he's here somewhere...       
                                         
 P.P.S. I must also say something not pleasant.
A huge FAC flies to the city of Yoshkar Ola.
To whom? I hope he understands himself. Damn it -
live in your head that they say I'm a cool artist and
I'll draw everything for you.                        
                                         
 P.P.P.S. I hope at least someone gets there
the end of the game, because there is something there.