ORAC is a (fairly) strong open-source 6502 checkers playing program. Its was originally written in 1981 for the PET, then later adapted for the Commodore 64, C16/+4 and VIC20. The unexpanded VIC20 version is just 3300 bytes
Main files in this archive:
orac-c64.prg - Commodore 64 version. orac-c16.prg - Commodore 16/Plus 4 version. orac-pet.prg - Commodore PET version. (BASIC 2.0, PET 30xx/2001) orac-vic8k.prg - Commodore VIC20 8k+ version. orac-vic5k.prg - Commodore VIC20 unexpanded version (PETSCII only) (just 3300 bytes!). orac88pet.prg - Original PET version, written and hand-patched on a PET. orac.s - Source code for above, compiles with CA65 or ASM502. Released as free under GPL3 licence. orac.txt - Full instructions and quick tutorial on checkers.
Commands:
Cursor up/down/left/right & SPACE - Move cursor and select move. (first the piece to move, then destination) #-# - Enter your move using square numbers. (ie. 11-15 <RETURN>) N - Put the square numbers up on the screen. Hit <RETURN> to clear numbers. I# - Set an intelligence (IQ) level. (ie. I20<RETURN>, range 0 to 39) H - Show HELP screen. (H <RETURN>) R - Resign and Restart a new game. A - Auto play, tells ORAC to play ORAC. To stop this feature, hit RETURN.
but how is this a valid scene release then? what exactly is the scene-produced aspect of it? or did you do the ports? then the ports are the actual release, and have to be dated accordingly.
Well ok the last edit of orac523.zip was last year, if you want use that as the date. But the 1981 version is in the zip. We did have a "scene" in 1981, ie cursor tape magazine! I had a few type ins published then.
11 comments
ORAC is a (fairly) strong open-source 6502 checkers playing program. Its was originally written in 1981 for the PET, then later adapted for the Commodore 64, C16/+4 and VIC20. The unexpanded VIC20 version is just 3300 bytes
Main files in this archive:
orac-c64.prg - Commodore 64 version.
orac-c16.prg - Commodore 16/Plus 4 version.
orac-pet.prg - Commodore PET version. (BASIC 2.0, PET 30xx/2001)
orac-vic8k.prg - Commodore VIC20 8k+ version.
orac-vic5k.prg - Commodore VIC20 unexpanded version (PETSCII only) (just 3300 bytes!).
orac88pet.prg - Original PET version, written and hand-patched on a PET.
orac.s - Source code for above, compiles with CA65 or ASM502. Released as free under GPL3 licence.
orac.txt - Full instructions and quick tutorial on checkers.
Commands:
Cursor up/down/left/right & SPACE - Move cursor and select move. (first the piece to move, then destination)
#-# - Enter your move using square numbers. (ie. 11-15 <RETURN>)
N - Put the square numbers up on the screen. Hit <RETURN> to clear numbers.
I# - Set an intelligence (IQ) level. (ie. I20<RETURN>, range 0 to 39)
H - Show HELP screen. (H <RETURN>)
R - Resign and Restart a new game.
A - Auto play, tells ORAC to play ORAC. To stop this feature, hit RETURN.
https://github.com/orac81/Orac-Draughts#orac-draughts
Enjoy!
@orac: can you please enter a correct release date? it's surely not 1981.
@orac: so, _YOU_ released it on 1 june 1981?
It is! First version adverised in PCW magazine June 1981. page 145.
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Personal_Computer_World.htm
Thus my handle, orac81
:-)
but how is this a valid scene release then? what exactly is the scene-produced aspect of it? or did you do the ports? then the ports are the actual release, and have to be dated accordingly.
Yes, I wrote it on an 8k PET 2001. A lot of hand assembly.
(ORAC88PET.PRG) is the original version. The c64 version came later of course.
Well ok the last edit of orac523.zip was last year, if you want use that as the date. But the 1981 version is in the zip.
We did have a "scene" in 1981, ie cursor tape magazine! I had a few type ins published then.
OK, fair enough! Thanks for the clarification!
If u want me to change it thats ok.
no worries!
I suppose the "scene" part might be hacking it down to 3.3k to run on an unexpanded vic20, which is in there..