Interest in developing an open-source N64 game?

[Paul]

I mentioned this on an unrelated thread, and decided it would be best in a thread of it's own.  Some time ago, I managed to acquire a copy of the N64 SDK and user manuals, and have a load of resources and sample code for building binaries for the N64.  So I could potentially write my own open-source N64 game.

Would there be any interest in a project like that?  It would need to be a community effort, to help with programming, 3D modeling and animation, level design, texture artwork, music, sound effects.

Also, any suggestions for what type of game it should be?  Note that such a game would need to be low-poly, not high-poly; closed, blocky landscapes, not hi-res open areas; and sparse environment, not containing lots of particles.  Mario64 (not the Star Road mod) is a good example of optimized design techniques.  Obviously I couldn't achieve something that sophisticated on my own, but who knows what could be accomplished over time with a community effort?

[Tom.K]

I could try with texture artwork and level design, but are you (or we) going to have enough time to work on this?

[Paul]

Well, this would be a long-term community project, not something I would spend a lot of time on in the immediate future (I would mainly direct efforts and compile the pieces together).  So far, not looking like there would be much interest in it anyway.  I'll probably build some simple demo ROMs at some point down the road here and see if that sparks any interest.

Another way to do this might be to write an open-source, low-poly, optimized game for another platform (Android or OUYA, for example), using sound MVC techniques, and then port it to the N64 later.  This might be something more people would get behind.

Anyway, just getting a feel for how much interest there might be in something like this.

[androidlove]

I very much love free roam platformers. It's been slim pickings with just Epic Mickey available and no Banjo Threeie. I'd love to contribute design ideas, art, and music.

[Epic_bubble]

I would love to help. I can make music but Im not sure how the N64 handles music. Is it all midi based or could audio files (mp3, ogg etc) be used? Since we wont be using cartridges rom sizes should not be much of  a concern.

Heres an example of a track I did recently. http://soundcloud.com/bubblegumballoon/spewer-bubblegumballoon-remix

EDIT: I can make sound effects too if needed.

[Paul]

I'm actually not sure what format N64 music is in.. I'll have to look.  I assume it is something like MIDI though.

There is still a size limit (96 MB I think, but I'd have to check to be sure), due to usable address ranges.  That said, hacks like hi-res textures are possible by not actually modify the ROM, but rather adding special functionality into a video plug-in to replace whats compiled into the ROM with something external to the ROM.  In theory, a special audio plug-in for "hi-res audio" could be used in a similar fashion.  But to run in most emulators (or even flashed onto a cartridge and played in a real N64) it will have to stay within the size constraints.

What I'm thinking of doing is starting with an old-school 3D game for Android or OUYA, written with sound MVC principles to allow easy porting to other platforms.  This would likely be more readily supported, and if designed correctly it could eventually be ported to the N64 SDK without too much of a headache.

[Rotary Heart]

I would love to help. I can make music but Im not sure how the N64 handles music. Is it all midi based or could audio files (mp3, ogg etc) be used? Since we wont be using cartridges rom sizes should not be much of  a concern.

Heres an example of a track I did recently. http://soundcloud.com/bubblegumballoon/spewer-bubblegumballoon-remix

EDIT: I can make sound effects too if needed.

A little out of topic, but great work with that! In someway it remember me to those capcom games

[androidlove]

Nice job Epic_bubble. There are some fun things going on. I felt like I was progressing through a level.

Here's something thematic from me.
http://www.4shared.com/mp3/w7E5o8Nb/CosmicFanfare.html [nofollow]

Here's a texture example.