Are you new to 6502, NES, or even programming in general? Post any of your questions here. Remember - the only dumb question is the question that remains unasked.
Hi everyone first time here
I've been trying to do a simple NES game for an upcoming film project for a Halloween special.
Basically I don't like asking for help I've been more of a person whos done things myself but this for me seems to be out of my realm of knowledge.
I'm looking to create a very simple and basic NES game, one level of a character jumping platforms until getting to the end of the level and a cryptic message appears.
It's very basic little bit of gameplay mostly need it for a short film and need it to feel like it's playing on authentic hardware which is why I am avoiding animating it.
Is there anyone who could possibly help or guide me the right way, Not sure if this is allowed on here or not but I'm willing to compensate anyone who would like to help out.
I haven't made any platformers myself, but people might have questions along these lines regarding your plans:
Do you want a standard left-to-right scrolling platformer or something else? Scroll horizontally in both directions? Scroll vertically? Scroll both horizontally and vertically? No scrolling at all? Auto-scrolling the entire time?
Do you want any movement mechanics beyond jumping? I assume the player character can also walk, but maybe not?
How long is the level? Do you have it planned out already?
Will there be any enemies/obstacles other than the platforms?
Do you have the graphics drawn already?
Do you want any sound effects or music? If so, do you have that done already?
For the purpose of having a game appearing in a film, it makes very little sense to develop the whole thing from scratch. A much better option would be to hack the graphics and levels of an existing game that behaves the way you want, or use an existing engine that's available for homebrewers to customize. Music and sound effects would probably be much simpler to add in post.
tokumaru wrote: Sat Sep 06, 2025 7:03 pm
For the purpose of having a game appearing in a film, it makes very little sense to develop the whole thing from scratch. A much better option would be to hack the graphics and levels of an existing game that behaves the way you want, or use an existing engine that's available for homebrewers to customize. Music and sound effects would probably be much simpler to add in post.
I thought of hacking a games graphics but I didn't want to get into copyright territory.
Dacicus wrote: Sat Sep 06, 2025 3:57 pm
I haven't made any platformers myself, but people might have questions along these lines regarding your plans:
Do you want a standard left-to-right scrolling platformer or something else? Scroll horizontally in both directions? Scroll vertically? Scroll both horizontally and vertically? No scrolling at all? Auto-scrolling the entire time?
1. Do you want any movement mechanics beyond jumping? I assume the player character can also walk, but maybe not?
2. How long is the level? Do you have it planned out already?
3. Will there be any enemies/obstacles other than the platforms?
4. Do you have the graphics drawn already?
5. Do you want any sound effects or music? If so, do you have that done already?
1. Just Jumping and yes walking
2. It's just one level until the character gets to the end of the screen then it glitches out purposely
3. no enemies want it to feel like basically an empty dungeon that feels ominous
4. yes I have a few graphics drawn
5. no music just a need a couple of sound effects
tokumaru wrote: Sat Sep 06, 2025 7:03 pm
For the purpose of having a game appearing in a film, it makes very little sense to develop the whole thing from scratch. A much better option would be to hack the graphics and levels of an existing game that behaves the way you want, or use an existing engine that's available for homebrewers to customize. Music and sound effects would probably be much simpler to add in post.
I thought of hacking a games graphics but I didn't want to get into copyright territory.
If it's all your assets, that someone else's code is making some graphics move around *in a film* is no concern of theirs. You're not even distributing the ROM hack, let alone anything resembling piracy. I think you're totally in the clear.
