## Welcome

The **#retrogamedev IRC channel** at [Libera](https://libera.chat/) is a friendly place to:

* ask questions about game development for retro systems
* share your projects (including *WIP*)
* get inspired in **all game development for classic systems**!

## News

* **2024-01-02**: this website goes online and the IRC channel starts operating in *beta*.

## FAQ

### Why not Discord/Telegram Group/other instead of IRC?

Those are valid options, if you don't mind using a proprietary protocol controlled by a for profit company. IRC is a simple and open protocol supported by lots of tools with many different clients aimed to different kinds of users and, more importantly, not controlled by a single entity.

Matrix and XMPP are good options as well, but we are focusing on IRC at this time.

### Is there a code of conduct?

Not officially, but we can agree on a few points:

* Be considerate
* Be respectful
* Be constructive
* Use common sense

### Can I promote my game in the channel?

Yes, you can! Promoting your projects, completed on in progress, is encouraged. Just don't make it in a way that could be perceived as spam.

### Is the channel focused on a specific system?

No, is not. All retro game development is welcome! The definition of what qualifies as *retro* is a bit tricky, though. In doubt, just assume it is OK.

### How do I share code snippets, screenshots, etc on the channel?

You can use, for example:

* [pastebin](https://pastebin.com/): for short code snippets.
* [imgur](https://imgur.com/): for screenshots.

If you have a [Mastodon account](https://joinmastodon.org/), you can use it to share images / short videos as well.

## Links

Do you have a link that could be included here? Please let us know!

### 8-bit

* [Codebase 64](https://codebase64.org/): "... the number one source of articles on Commodore 64 programming".
* [Programming at MSX.org](https://www.msx.org/wiki/Category:Programming): the programming section on the MSX Resource Center.
* [Assembly Language for the ZX Spectrum](http://www.breakintoprogram.co.uk/programming/assembly-language): resources by Dean Belfield.
* [MT Engine MK2 for the ZX Spectrum](https://github.com/mojontwins/MK2): a framework composed by a modular engine coded in C and a powerful toolchain to make games for the ZX Spectrum.
* [CPCTelera](http://lronaldo.github.io/cpctelera/): an integrated development framework for creating Amstrad CPC games.
* [MK1 for CPC](https://github.com/mojontwins/MK1_Pestecera): a port of the MK1 framework from the ZX Spectrum to the Amstrad CPC.
* [NESdev Wiki](https://www.nesdev.org/wiki/Nesdev_Wiki): the source for all your NES programming needs.
* [MK1 NES](https://github.com/mojontwins/MK1_NES):  a framework composed by a modular engine coded in C and a set of tools to create simple games for the NES platform.
* [Development at SMS Power](https://www.smspower.org/Development/Index): dedicated to studying, programming, hacking of Sega 8-bit hardware and software.

### 16-bit

* [Super Nintendo Development Wiki](https://wiki.superfamicom.org/): a wiki to collect all the SNES docs in one place.
* [build-ia16](https://gitlab.com/tkchia/build-ia16): IA-16 GCC toolchain (DOS 16-bit).
* [Notes on Color Graphics Adapter](https://www.usebox.net/jjm/notes/cga/): snippets of code on how to program the CGA with GCC (using the IA16 port).

### 32-bit

* [DJGPP](https://www.delorie.com/djgpp/): complete 32-bit C/C++ development system for Intel 80386 (and higher) PCs running DOS.
* [256-Color VGA Programming in C](http://www.brackeen.com/vga/): five-part tutorial on VGA programming for the DOS operating system.

## Contact

This page is maintained by **reidrac** on IRC, you can contact:

* on IRC (Libera)
* via email on: `retrogamedev-irc@usebox.net`

This page is available [via git](https://git.usebox.net/retrogamedev-irc-web/about/). Patches are welcome!