2 ms·
The 6800 predates the game. Defender used the standard Williams sound board from the pinball games. Basically, it received sound requests and blasted them o
by ddingus 5y ago
The 6800 predates the game. Defender used the standard Williams sound board from the pinball games.
Basically, it received sound requests and blasted them out through a big, mono amp. These iconic sounds were used in Defender along with some new ones.
- cmrdporcupine 5y agoReading the source. It's amazing what this game does without sprite hardware, just pushing pixels.
- ddingus 5y agoSeriously! The 6809 is a powerful 8 bit CPU. In addition to just pushing pixels, the higher level engine is a master class in priorities, tradeoffs to maximize player action, given arguably limited resources. The better features in that CPU were all employed to great effect. The sound system, plays one sound at a time. The right sounds happen at the right times, conveying a ton with just one sound channel. Baddies are moved out of the field of play at times to keep frame rates up. Single buffer, screen draw happening on alternating upper, lower regions to avoid display artifacts, tearing and such. So many great choices!