gbadev.org forum archive

This is a read-only mirror of the content originally found on forum.gbadev.org (now offline), salvaged from Wayback machine copies. A new forum can be found here.

Beginners > Quesions: Tetris Style Game

#10799 - Xienen - Tue Sep 16, 2003 9:07 am

It's weird going from OpenGL to GBADev. I comprehend all of the simple stuff, like pallettes, buffers, etc. What I am having a problem doing though, is deciding what Mode to work in. The game is basically a more intensely graphical tetris.
There are more going to be more sprites to render than standard tetris, so I'm worried that speed may become an issue. I'm assuming that Modes0-2 are out, because this isnt really a tile-based-game, in the general sense of the term. I'm thinking that Mode3 or Mode4 are the best choices. It'd be nicer to run in Mode3, for higher detail, due to unpalletized color, but, I have no idea how well the GBA will be able to handle all that memory copying. Any ideas on whether Mode3 is worth a chance, or should i just plan on Mode4 from the get-go?
Other question: Is memory copying just as fast as actually loading a sprite into the designated sprite area in memory? I'd rather retain control of everything, if I can do it without speed loss.

Thanks for any information,
Dayle Flowers

#10801 - Sweex - Tue Sep 16, 2003 11:07 am

"Is memory copying just as fast as actually loading a sprite into the designated sprite area in memory?". No, it is not.

If you don't have too many changing graphics you can do it in one of the bitmapped modes. Otherwise, do use a "text" background mode. You can use sprites for the blocks, and if the have fallen, draw the same sprite on a text background instead of keeping it all as sprites.
_________________
If everything fails, read the manual: If even that fails, post on forum!

#10811 - Datch - Tue Sep 16, 2003 6:51 pm

I'm only a newbie to GBA developpement but I would go with mode 3 to do a tetris game. Your background can be a full 16 bpp bitmap and you can use 256 colors sprites for your blocks.
_________________
Visit SR-388 now and get a 40% discount!

#10814 - tepples - Tue Sep 16, 2003 8:26 pm

Tetanus On Drugs uses mode 1.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.