ChipWits: Robot-Programming Fun - Bring Your Brain!

KlausBreuer · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:16 am Post subject: Klaus Breuers ChipWits :)

Hi everybody!

First things first: my windows-port of the classical ChipWits:
http://www.breueronline.de/klaus/chipwits/

Yes, I'm an Old Fart. I read about ChipWits waaay back, in the final version of the great magazine 'Creative Computing' (December '85).
(You can read this magazine online: http://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/ For some reason, this december version hasn't been entered yet - except, of course, for the ChipWit review).

I was delighted. What a great idea! I photocopied the review and decided I'll write a port of it (into DOS, back then). I carried the photocopy around for about 15 years before I finally lost it (the photocopy, that is). Wink

In 2006 I found an original mac version of ChipWits on eBay. For about the same price, I got an old Mac SE, on which the game could run.
Joy!
Finally, I could start converting the ChipWit version - into Windows, using the Delphi language. And thank heavens for digital cameras - I made a *lot* of screenshots, and thus managed to create pixel-exact graphics. I started in October 2006, and had the first version finished in November. Yes, well, I do have work to do, and couldn't work on ChipWits every day (much as I would have loved to do).
Piotr from Poland pointed me to a windows emulator capable of running ChipWits under Windows, which made working on this a lot easier (and I corrected some graphic flaws, thanks to the ability to do screen shots now).

Now, in February '07, the original port is done. I managed to create all the maps, all the ChipWits, and the program itself. I did add some additional functions such as better editing, breakpoints, and debugging.
The system can easily be extended - all data (graphics, sounds, maps, brains) are simple to modify.

In December, I got an email from Doug: "Hope you’re not too bummed that Mike and I are relaunching ChipWits ourselves".
On the contrary, I was delighted! Especially to hear from Doug (and later Mike), the original authors.

Thus, I'm now doing a lot more ChipWits than before - both some more small changes in my port (such as walking backwards from a breakpoint to see exactly why you ended at a certain chip, for example), and happily testing the new version of ChipWits - bughunting is fun Very Happy

Ciao,
Klaus

PS: Any ideas, changes, requests, etc to my version - simply post here or email me. And before you ask: yes, I'll make the source available. I wrote it in a simple way, non-OOP, because I will use this to learn other languages - simply by writing a new version in that language. And since not all languages are OOP-orientated...
_________________
http://www.breueronline.de/klaus/chipwits/

"What, I need a *reason* for everything?" -- Calvin
"Should I or shouldn't I? Too late, I did!" -- Hobbes

dougsharp · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 192

Klaus,

It is very flattering that you have done such a great job of recreating the original ChipWits. I plan to steal ideas from you once we get the standalone ChipWits out the door.

In early March I will be implementing an XML file structure for ChipWits files. At that point we'll work together to make sure your program can read and write standard ChipWits files.

And, yes, I am going to increase the number of chips on a panel to 60 like it should be.

Happy IBOLing, Doug

KlausBreuer · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Doug!

I'd be honored if you steal my improvements Wink

I'm looking forward to seeing the XML structure, although I'm currently exceptionally busy with several things, and haven't managed to do anything ChipWits-related in quite a while. It might take a week or even three before I can continue messing about with it Sad

Greetings from Oktoberfestcountry,
Klaus
_________________
http://www.breueronline.de/klaus/chipwits/

"What, I need a *reason* for everything?" -- Calvin
"Should I or shouldn't I? Too late, I did!" -- Hobbes

SirMungus · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 4:36 am Post subject:

Klaus,

I am stunned! What a faithful representation. Wow!

I found an Apple II emulated version about six months ago, and was disappointed at how it was downsized to fit the Apple II. How nice to see a near-perfect port of the original Mac version to Windows.

Outstanding.

dougsharp · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 192

Klaus's ChipWits is a real labor of love. He's told me his job has really consumed him recently. I'll email him when I make the next big drop.

KlausBreuer · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

Wow, thanks for that great feedback, guys!
Makes me feel much better ;)
_________________
http://www.breueronline.de/klaus/chipwits/

"What, I need a *reason* for everything?" -- Calvin
"Should I or shouldn't I? Too late, I did!" -- Hobbes