Welcome to my little place on the web.

I'm a software developer and occasionally when time allows, I like to blog about my various coding project here. I also like to tinker with home automation, retro gaming and more.

I have also shared some of my software, which I hope may be of use to others. It's on my software page.

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Update to nellyfish.com

I haven't posted for a while, as I've been busy porting my games across to iOS. I should have some news on this very soon. In anticipation to the iOS release I have made an update to the nellyfish.com site.

nellyfish.com

It was just a one page site linking to Google Play. This has now been updated to have a details page for each game with screen shots, reviews and links to the various app stores (when available). It's using HTML5. There is also a nice zooming effect that was done using CSS keyframe animation, as follows... read more

Update to Spikes Galore

Another week, another update. This update has integrated Google Play Games services.

The Google Play Game services will allow you to unlock achievements and submit your top score to a shared leaderboard. Give it a go!

googleplaygames.png

It's available on Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nellyfish.spikesgalore or via htt... read more

Minor update to Spike Galore

Just pushed out a new update via Google Play. After some great feedback, I realised it was quite impossible. This update allows the game to start a little easier, but don't worry, if you get more then 10 it will get difficult again.

Also if you remove the ads, you get 3 extra bonus game modes!

It's available on Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nellyfish.spikesgalore or via http://nellyfish.com

... read more

Narrative screens in Dave Dangerous

I have been asked how I created the Narrative screens in Dave Dangerous. So, if you're interested, please read on.

If you have been following my blog, you would know that a few months back I created my first Android game, and my first Java project. This would not have been possible without the great tutorials over on KiloBolt.com. I would strongly recommend you have a look.

advedangerous_narrative.png

Before the first level, I wanted to create a storyline. This was ... read more

Leaning Java - Android game development

I have been meaning to learn Java for a while a now, but as usual it’s all about finding the time. Over the last few weeks I have been fortunate enough to come across the brilliant Java tutorials over on Kilobolt.com. Not only do they cover Java basics, but they continue to step you through creating your own framework for game development. Then port them across to Android via the Android Studio IDE.

kilobolt.png

At the end of the tutorial you have a one level robot platform game, shown above. The development has gone fairly smoothly. ... read more

Arcade games list

With all the thousands of arcade games, what games are on your list? Here are my favourites. What have I missed ? Comment below.

Ms. Pac-Man
1942
'88 Games
1941 - Counter Attack
64th. Street - A Detective Story
720 Degrees
A.B. Cop
After Burner II
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
Alien Syndrome
Aliens
Altered Beast
APB - All Points Bulletin
Arkanoid
Arkanoid - Revenge of DOH
Arkanoid Returns
Asteroids
Asteroids Deluxe
Bad Dudes vs. Dragonninja
Bad Lands
Bagman
Balloon Brothers
Batman
Blasteroids
Bloo... read more

Arcade build - Marquee and bezel fitted

The cut perspex has arrived from acrylic-online.co.uk. I'm pleased to say that it fits the marquee and bezel gaps perfectly.

For the marquee I borrowed the great design from angel88888 over on the overclock.net forums. His post is here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1436501/hyperspin-arcade-machine-lots-of-pics

arcadebuild4_1.JPG

I had to crop the image a bit of fit my cabinet. Cropped version is at the bottom of this post.

To print, I just used my inkjet printer, it came out pretty well (in 2 piece's). You can just see t... read more

Arcade build - Games!

I have finally ordered the Perspex bezel and marquee for the arcade machine. So while I wait for them to arrive, I thought it would be a good time to talk about the software that I am using for my arcade machine.

My original plan was to use the fantastic HyperSpin frontend. If you have not heard of it, I would highly recommend you check it out here - http://www.hyperspin-fe.com

I have spent a fair bit of time downloading and configuring this frontend for MAME and various old game consoles. It has been running really quite well on my main computer. However when I copied the files... read more

Arcade build - Painting and wiring

The monitor arrived and I'm pleased to say it fitted perfectly. Next step was to paint the cabinet before fitting buttons etc.

For painting, I used a wood primer then a black gloss, applied with a mini gloss roller. I am fairly pleased with the result. However the paint was a single coat gloss, so went on a little thick. I think a liquid gloss may have given a smoother result. But still, I'm pleased with the outcome.

arcadebuild2.jpg

Keeping my costs down, I had an old arcade joystick that I made many years ago. This allowed ... read more

Arcade build - Construction

Happy new year everyone. I hope everyone has had a great break.

For a long time now, I have been planning to build an arcade cabinet, but never got round to it. This was partly due to not really having the space for it and also the amount of time to create the plans, cut the mdf, etc. However, while on eBay a few months ago I came across a seller called 'richsbartoparcades'. He sells quite a few flat pack cabinet designs. I was sold on his slim version which comes in two parts. Sounded perfect. So that was my Christmas present from the wife.

... read more