Sorry for releasing another version a day after the previous one, but I bought myself a nice gamepad and therefor had to add joystick support




2025-07-13

• Added joystick support through the functions 'joyx', 'joyy' and 'joybutton' (examples/help/joystick.n7)
  

2025-07-12

• Added the 'sgn' function
  
• enginea: lots of functions added, listed in EngineA.pdf
  
• s3d: The color set with S3D_Color now blends with mesh colors
  
• s3d: S3D_SetPerspectiveCorrection now accepts the parameter S3D_NICE for better visuals
  
• Added some new games and demos from the forum to the examples folder
  

Here are two examples that I wrote yesterday. They show you how you can create and display a 3D version of a tilemap.

Today is a busy day (on a train trip right now), but tomorrow night, when my vacation has started, I shall write one or two more examples where I add a player and some enemies. The tilemap library will be used for collision handling.

If something is unclear, just ask Looking at the maps in the tilemap editor can be helpful.

Attached Files

  3dtm.zip (Size: 52.87 KB / Downloads: 9)

I have been testing AI just to see how "clever" it is in creating games.

This is my first attempt at an AI created Space Invaders.

Notes: Even though I specified Naalaa as the base code, there were several "generalised" commands produced, that needed to be changed to N7. The game is FAR from complete... When using AI, you have to be specific in what you need, not just "create space invaders". The more info you give to the AI the better the results.

This attempt has multiple rows of animated invaders; A scoring system (plus hiscore - no saving); Level system (speed increases after each level). No sound (sound files included); No shields; No Super Invader. This is bare-bones.

Over all, it took maybe an hour or so to complete the game. In this instance, AI, has done fine job. Learning to be specific with AI was interesting... I might try some other types of "simple" 2D games... But, I do not think I will rely on AI to create 'all' my games... After all, I would like to eventually learn something... lol

Let me know what you think about AI and its usefulness in regards to N7?


  invaders.zip (Size: 142.98 KB / Downloads: 5)

(https://copilot.microsoft.com/)

The history of video game is very fascinating. Continue. I asked:
Learning the history of video game is so entertaining. Please continue. What is the trend of hardware and games in 1976?

Coplliot replied:
Absolutely—1976 was a **pivotal year** in the early history of video games, marking the transition from the first generation of simple home consoles to more sophisticated arcade and home systems. Let’s break it down:

# ? Video Game Trends in 1976

### ? Hardware Trends

- **Explosion of Home Consoles**: After the success of Pong, many companies entered the market with **dedicated home consoles**. These were often based on the **General Instrument AY-3-8500 chip**, nicknamed “Pong-on-a-chip.”
  - ? **Coleco Telstar** was the best-selling home console of the year.
  - ?️ Atari and Magnavox released new models of their Pong-style systems.

- **Birth of the Second Generation**:
  - ? **Fairchild Channel F** was released in late 1976—the **first programmable home console** with **interchangeable ROM cartridges**.
  - It also introduced the use of a **microprocessor**, setting the stage for future consoles like the Atari 2600.

- **Arcade Hardware Advances**:
  - Arcade machines began shifting from **electro-mechanical (EM)** to **pure video games**.
  - Companies like Sega and Taito pushed the limits of **transistor-transistor logic (TTL)** to create more dynamic arcade experiences.

---

### ?️ Software/Game Trends

- **Arcade Games Gaining Ground**:
  - In the U.S., video arcade games began to **overtake EM games**, though EM was still dominant in Japan.
  - Notable releases:
    - **Sega’s Road Race** – introduced pseudo-3D forward-scrolling graphics
    - **Sega’s Heavyweight Champ** – the first hand-to-hand fighting game
    - **Midway’s Sea Wolf** – one of the top-grossing arcade games in the U.S.
    - **Taito’s Speed Race** – a major hit in Japan (released as *Wheels* in the U.S.)

- **Rise of Computer Games**:
  - The **Altair 8800** and other microcomputers sparked a hobbyist software scene.
  - Games were often shared in BASIC or via early networks like **PLATO** and **ARPANET**.
  - ? **Adventure (Colossal Cave Adventure)** was released—**the first interactive fiction game**, which would inspire the action-adventure genre.

- **Pinball Comeback**:
  - Despite video games growing, **pinball machines** with solid-state electronics (like Bally’s *Wizard*) surged in popularity, especially in arcades.

---

### ? Global Snapshot

| Region | Trend |
|--------|-------|
| **United States** | Home console boom, arcade video games rising, pinball resurgence |
| **Japan** | EM games still strong, but Sega, Taito, and Namco began focusing more on video |
| **Europe** | Still catching up, but hobbyist computing and arcade imports were growing |

---

### ? Why 1976 Matters

- It was the **bridge year** between the Pong era and the programmable console era.
- It marked the **birth of genres**: racing, fighting, interactive fiction.
- It laid the foundation for the **arcade golden age** (1978–1983) and the **second generation of consoles**.

---

(https://copilot.microsoft.com/)

I still want to learn more about the video game history in the past. And my question: 

About video game industry, can continue now, what happend about the trend of video game industry in 1975?

Copliot answered:
Absolutely—let’s take a look at how the video game industry has evolved from **1975** to **2025**, a 50-year journey from blinking pixels to billion-dollar ecosystems. ??
 
## ? 1975: The Dawn of the Industry

In 1975, the video game industry was still in its **infancy**, but several key developments laid the groundwork for what would become a global phenomenon:

### ? Key Trends in 1975
- **Microprocessor Revolution**: Games like *Gun Fight* by Midway were among the first to use microprocessors, allowing for more complex gameplay and animation.
- **Home Consoles Emerge**: Atari released its home version of *Pong*, distributed through Sears under the Tele-Games brand.
- **Arcade Innovation**: The arcade scene was transitioning from simple paddle games to more diverse genres like racing and shooting.
- **Early RPG Influence**: On university networks like PLATO, early role-playing games inspired by *Dungeons & Dragons* began to appear.
- **Hardware Competition**: Companies like Magnavox, Atari, and Epoch (Japan) began competing in the home console space.

> ? In short: 1975 was a year of **technical innovation**, **early commercial experimentation**, and the **first signs of genre diversity**.

## ?️ 2025: A Hyperconnected, AI-Driven Industry

Fast forward to today, and the industry is nearly unrecognizable in scale and complexity—but still driven by creativity and technology.

### ? Key Trends in 2025
- **Mobile Gaming Dominates**: Over 50% of global gaming revenue comes from mobile platforms.
- **AI in Game Development**: Studios are using AI to generate art, write code, and personalize gameplay.
- **Cloud Gaming Expands**: Services like NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming are making high-end games accessible without consoles.
- **Remakes & Nostalgia**: Reboots of classic franchises (e.g. *Final Fantasy VII*, *Resident Evil*) are booming.
- **Indie Growth via Platforms**: Tools like Roblox and Steam empower indie developers to reach massive audiences.
- **Esports & Streaming**: Esports viewership is expected to reach 600 million globally, with huge sponsorship deals.
- **Challenges**: Oversaturation, rising development costs, and audience acquisition remain major concerns.

> ? In short: 2025 is defined by **AI, mobile dominance, cloud access, and creative reinvention**—but also faces growing pains from its own success.

## ? Then vs. Now: A Snapshot

| Year | Key Tech | Main Platform | Popular Genres | Industry Focus |
|------|-----------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
| 1975 | Microprocessors | Arcades & early consoles | Pong, racing, shooting | Hardware innovation |
| 2025 | AI, cloud, mobile | Mobile, PC, cloud | Open world, multiplayer, remakes | Monetization, scale, personalization |

Here's a really nice Android game:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...Dungeon.gp

I've finished the two previous Oceanhorn games on Nintendo Switch. I found this one the other day and purchased the ad free version immediately. They're action RPGs, like Zelda. This one is more of a dungeon crawler though.

(https://copilot.microsoft.com/)

I want Copliot to continue the story of video game industry. Thus, I asked again:
I am still interested in learning the video game history, how about 1974? What is the trend of video games, hardware and the video game industry? What happend in 1974 which was important?

Copliot continued:
Absolutely—1974 was a fascinating and pivotal year in the early history of video games. It was a time of **rapid innovation**, **industry shakeups**, and the **emergence of new genres and technologies**. Here's a breakdown of the key trends and events:


## ? Video Game Trends in 1974

### ?️
 1. **Arcade Games Diversify Beyond Pong**
- The market was flooded with **Pong clones**, leading to the first mini crash in the industry.
- Developers began exploring **new genres**:
  - **Racing**: *Gran Trak 10* (Atari), *Speed Race* (Taito)
  - **Combat**: *Tank* (Kee Games)
  - **Sports**: *TV Basketball* (Taito/Midway), *Baseball* (Ramtek)
  - **Light gun shooters**: *Balloon Gun* (Sega)

### ? 
2. **Early Computer Games Emerge**
- *Maze War* and *Spasim* were developed—early examples of **first-person shooters** and **3D multiplayer games**.
- *Star Trader* and *Wander* introduced **strategy and interactive fiction**.


## ? Hardware & Technology in 1974

### ? 1.
 **ROM and TTL Circuits**
- *Gran Trak 10* was one of the first games to use **ROM chips** to store graphics and track data.
- Most arcade machines still used **transistor-transistor logic (TTL)**—custom-built hardware for each game.

### ? 
2. **Intel 8080 Microprocessor**
- Released in 1974, the **Intel 8080** was a major leap forward.
- It paved the way for **programmable microcomputers** and would later power early home computers and arcade systems.


## ? Home Consoles & Industry Events

### ?️ 
1. **Magnavox Odyssey Expands**
- The **Odyssey**, the first home console, was released in Europe.
- Other companies began releasing **Pong-style home systems**, like the **Ping-O-Tronic** in Italy and **Home T.V. Game** in the UK.

### ⚖️ 
2. **Patent Wars Begin**
- Magnavox and Sanders Associates sued Atari and others for **patent infringement** over Pong and Odyssey technology.
- This lawsuit shaped the legal landscape of the industry for years.


## ? Industry Shakeups & Milestones

- **Atari** bought out its “rival” **Kee Games**, which was actually a secret subsidiary used to bypass distribution restrictions.
- **Namco** purchased Atari Japan, beginning its rise in the industry.
- **Sega** sponsored the first national video game tournament in Japan.
- **Play Meter** and **Game Machine** magazines launched, marking the start of dedicated trade publications.


-## ? Notable Games Released in 1974

| Game            | Developer      | Genre                    |
|------------------|------------------|----------------------------|
| *Tank*          | Kee Games        | Multiplayer shooter        |
| *Gran Trak 10*  | Atari            | Racing                    |
| *Speed Race*    | Taito            | Scrolling racing          |
| *TV Basketball*  | Taito/Midway      | Sports                    |
| *Clean Sweep*    | Ramtek            | Ball-and-paddle (Breakout precursor) |
| *Maze War*      | NASA students    | First-person shooter      |
| *Spasim*        | PLATO system      | 3D space sim              |
| *Star Trader*    | People's Computer Co. | Strategy/trading    |

[Full list of 1974 games](https://videogamehistory.fandom.com/wiki...ed_in_1974)


## ? Why 1974 Mattered

- It was the **bridge year** between Pong clones and the **golden age of arcades**.
- It introduced **new genres**, **new hardware**, and **new business models**.
- It laid the groundwork for **home gaming**, **competitive play**, and **intellectual property battles**.

(https://copilot.microsoft.com/)

I want to learn more about the video game history. Thus, I asked:
About video game history, what special events happend about the trend of video games and hardware in 1973?

Copliot answered:
# 1973 Video Game Trends and Hardware

1973 marked a pivotal year in gaming, as the industry transitioned from isolated experiments to a burgeoning commercial market. Coin-operated “Pong” clones ignited the first arcade craze, home consoles gained traction, and early networked systems planted seeds for multiplayer gaming.

---

## Arcade Market Expansion

- **Pong licensing and launches** 
  In January, Atari licensed Pong to Midway (as Winner), and in March Atari rolled out Pong nationally to U.S. coin-op distributors. 

- **First fad for video games** 
  The craze for paddle-and-ball games spread beyond the U.S. to Japan and the U.K., with dozens of variants exhibited at trade shows by year-end.

- **Exhibitions and prototypes** 
  - August: American Computer Chess Championship crowned Chess 3.5 on a CDC 6400 as champion. 
  - September: Kansai Seiki showcased Playtron—the first prototype using color graphics (never released). 
  - November: Music Operators of America show featured over a dozen Pong clones in Chicago.

---

## Home Console Market

| Console                  | Units Sold (1973) | Revenue (Retail) |
|---------------------------|-------------------|------------------|
| Magnavox Odyssey          | 89,000            | $4.6 million    |

- The Odyssey remained the sole home system on the market, selling nearly 90,000 units and proving consumer appetite for in-home video games.

---

## Software Distribution & Networked Games

- **Type-in listings** 
  Popular mainframe titles like *Star Trek* and *Lunar Lander* spread via printed BASIC listings in computer magazines.

- **PLATO system innovations** 
  At the University of Illinois’s PLATO network, users experienced some of the earliest multiplayer and social gaming environments, foreshadowing MUDs and MMOs.

---

## Financial Performance Snapshot

| Category                  | Units Shipped      | Estimated Revenue        |
|----------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|
| U.S. Arcade Cabinets      | 50,000–70,000      | \$20 million–\$77 million |
| Worldwide Home Consoles    | 89,000 (Odyssey)    | \$4.6 million        |

---

**Key takeaway:** 1973 transformed video gaming from niche technology demos into a true entertainment industry—arcades boomed on Pong clones, home consoles proved viable, and nascent networked games hinted at the future of multiplayer online play.

There is no its information in the manual.