Phase 1: 68000 Assembly Through Custom Chip Programming

Phase 1 introduces you to 68000 assembly programming through creating 16 complete games. Each game teaches one core programming concept while building a playable, engaging experience that showcases the Commodore Amiga’s revolutionary custom chip architecture and multimedia capabilities.

Learning Philosophy: One Concept, One Game

Each game in Phase 1 focuses on a single core programming concept:

1. Copper Chase - Copper coprocessor and color bar control
2. Bit Harvest - Mouse input and blitter operations
3. Wave Rider - Mathematical functions and sine wave generation
4. Pulse Rider - Audio programming and sample playback
5. Beam Trace - Vector graphics and line drawing
6. Gradient Match - Color palette manipulation and gradients
7. Pendulum Path - Advanced physics and circular motion
8. Data Stream - Memory management and data flow
9. Flock Flow - Swarm behavior and multiple object control
10. Wave Transform - Real-time parameter modification
11. Sector Sweep - Radial graphics and polar coordinates
12. Wave Harmony - Multi-channel audio synthesis
13. Vector Voyage - 3D mathematics and perspective
14. Wave Shield - Collision detection with complex shapes
15. Scan Speed - Performance optimization and timing
16. Copper Crown - Advanced custom chip integration

Why 16 Games?

Focused Learning: Each game concentrates on one concept, preventing overwhelming complexity while ensuring mastery.

Immediate Application: Every 68000 instruction you learn serves a purpose in your current game project.

Portfolio Building: Graduate with 16 complete games showcasing different skills and techniques.

Genre Diversity: Experience various game types, from action to puzzles to simulations.

Progressive Complexity: Start with simple concepts and build to advanced techniques.

Amiga-Specific Advantages

Custom Chip Architecture: Master the legendary Agnus, Denise, and Paula chips that revolutionized home computing.

Copper Coprocessor: Learn to program the unique copper chip for real-time display effects.

Blitter Operations: Utilize hardware-accelerated graphics operations for efficient rendering.

4-Channel Audio: Create rich soundscapes using Paula’s advanced audio capabilities.

32-Bit Processing: Experience the power of the 68000’s true 32-bit architecture.

Game Development Structure

Each game follows the same learning pattern over 32 lessons:

Foundation (Lessons 1-8)

• Set up the game structure and memory layout
• Initialize custom chips and display modes
• Implement core mechanics and controls
• Add input handling (mouse, joystick, keyboard)

Enhancement (Lessons 9-16)

• Add visual polish with custom chip effects
• Implement game state management
• Create scoring and progression systems
• Add collision detection and physics

Polish (Lessons 17-24)

• Integrate 4-channel audio and samples
• Optimize performance using hardware acceleration
• Add advanced visual effects
• Create menus and user interface

Mastery (Lessons 25-32)

• Professional-quality polish and refinement
• Advanced optimization techniques
• Special effects and hardware tricks
• Complete game packaging and testing

Technical Skills Covered

Assembly Programming: Complete 68000 instruction set, addressing modes, and programming techniques.

Custom Chip Programming: Copper lists, blitter operations, sprite control, audio DMA.

Audio Programming: 4-channel sample playback, synthesis, audio effects, MOD music.

Memory Management: Chip RAM vs Fast RAM, DMA considerations, memory allocation.

Game Architecture: Vertical blank interrupts, state machines, object management, collision detection.

Optimization: Cycle counting, memory bandwidth optimization, hardware acceleration.

Platform-Specific Features

Copper Programming: Real-time display list programming for dynamic visual effects.

Blitter Operations: Hardware-accelerated memory operations and graphics rendering.

Planar Graphics: Efficient bitplane-based graphics system with up to 32 colors.

Hardware Sprites: 8 dedicated sprite objects with automatic collision detection.

Audio DMA: Direct memory access audio system for high-quality sound reproduction.

Amiga Heritage

Demo Scene Techniques: Learn the methods used in legendary Amiga demos and intros.

Commercial Game Development: Professional techniques from classic Amiga games.

Multimedia Pioneer: Understanding the system that defined digital multimedia.

Creative Computing: The platform that launched a thousand digital artists and musicians.

Learning Outcomes

By completing Phase 1, you will:

• Write fluent 68000 assembly code for the Amiga
• Create complete games from concept to completion
• Master custom chip programming and hardware acceleration
• Build a portfolio of 16 finished games
• Understand professional Amiga development techniques
• Be prepared for advanced topics in Phase 2

Assessment

Progress is measured through:

• Completion of each game (playable and engaging)
• Code quality, organization, and documentation
• Understanding of concepts demonstrated in code
• Creative use of Amiga hardware features
• Technical proficiency growth across projects

Each game serves as both a learning exercise and a portfolio piece, demonstrating your growing mastery of 68000 assembly programming and the custom chip programming techniques that made the Commodore Amiga the most advanced multimedia computer of its generation.