5 bits workinggit status!

Variable and menu option added.

Atari/display_static.asm

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 OptionsScreen
  dta d"Welcome to Scorch v. "
  build  ; 4 bytes from scorch.asm (fancy method) :)
- dta                          d"  (un)2000-2024"
+ dta                          d"  (un)2000-2025"
 
 .IF TARGET = 800
    dta d" Please select option with "

Atari/inputs.asm

@@ -23,10 +23,8 @@ getKeyAfterWait
 ;--------------------------------------------------
     .IF TARGET = 800
       lda SKSTAT
-      cmp #$ff
+      and #%00000100  ;  any key  
-      beq checkJoyGetKey       ; key not pressed, check Joy
+      bne checkJoyGetKey       ; key not pressed, check Joy
-      cmp #$f7                 ; SHIFT
-      beq checkJoyGetKey
     .ELIF TARGET = 5200
       lda SkStatSimulator
       and #%11111110
@@ -137,8 +135,8 @@ StillWait
       beq StillWait
     .IF TARGET = 800
       lda SKSTAT
-      cmp #$ff
+      and #%00000100  ;  any key  
-      bne StillWait
+      beq StillWait
       lda CONSOL
       and #%00000110           ; Select and Option only
       cmp #%00000110
@@ -186,10 +184,8 @@ KeyAutoReleased                ; autorepeat
     and #%00000101             ; Start + Option
     beq QuitToGameover
     lda SKSTAT
-    cmp #$ff
+    and #%00000100  ;  any key  
-    jeq nokeys
+    jne nokeys
-    cmp #$f7                   ; SHIFT
-    jeq nokeys
 
     lda kbcode
     and #%10111111             ; SHIFT elimination

Atari/interrupts.asm

@@ -336,6 +336,8 @@ StartPressed
          jsr _SetDLIproc
 .endm
 .proc _SetDLIproc
+    LDA #$00
+    STA NMIEN
     LDA #$C0
     STY VDSLST
     STX VDSLST+1

Atari/lib/MACRO.ASM

@@ -44,9 +44,11 @@
          .MACRO VDLI
 ;	VDLI #WORD
 ;	Initialises Display List Interrupts
+         LDA #$00
+         STA NMIEN
+         LDA #$C0
          LDY # <:1
          LDX # >:1
-         LDA #$C0
          STY $0200
          STX $0201
          STA NMIEN

Atari/textproc.asm

@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ OptionsNoUp
     cmp #@kbcode._left  ; $6 ;cursor left
     bne OptionsNoLeft
     ldx OptionsY
+    bne NoPlayersOptL
+    jsr SelectNextGradient.TeamOff
+NoPlayersOptL    
     dec OptionsTable,X
     lda OptionsTable,X
     bpl OptionsMainLoop
@@ -112,8 +115,10 @@ OptionsNoUp
 OptionsNoLeft
     cmp #@kbcode._right  ; $7 ;cursor right
     bne OptionsNoRight
-
     ldx OptionsY
+    bne NoPlayersOptR
+    jsr SelectNextGradient.TeamOff
+NoPlayersOptR
     inc OptionsTable,X
     lda OptionsTable,X
     cmp #5  ; number of columns in options
@@ -140,8 +145,24 @@ OptionsNoTab
 .endp
 
 .proc SelectNextGradient
-    lda OptionsY    ; if "Wind" option selected
+    lda OptionsY
-    cmp #$03
+    bne NoTeamGame
+    lda OptionsTable  ; OptionsY=0
+    cmp #$02    ; 4 players
+    beq TeamCorrect
+    cmp #$04    ; 6 players
+    beq TeamCorrect
+TeamOff
+    lda #0
+    beq NoTeam
+TeamCorrect
+    lda TeamGame
+    eor #$34    ; 'T' character
+NoTeam
+    sta TeamGame
+    rts
+NoTeamGame
+    cmp #$03    ; if "Wind" option selected
     bne NotWind
     lda WindChangeInRound    ; wind change after each turn (not round only) flag
     eor #$1f    ; '?' character
@@ -197,6 +218,8 @@ NoGradientLoop
     sta OptionsHere+128
     lda FastSoilDown
     sta OptionsHere+88
+    lda TeamGame
+    sta OptionsHere+8
 
 YPos = temp2
 XPos = temp2+1
@@ -2135,4 +2158,82 @@ zeroth_talk
     rts
 .endp
 
+;-------------------------------------------------
+.proc _calc_packed_display
+; Find Nth packed string inside a [len][packed-bytes] stream.
+;
+; in:
+;   TextNumberOff = index (0..)
+;   LineAddress4x4 = base address of the packed stream (points to first len byte)
+; out:
+;   LineAddress4x4 = address of selected record (points to its len byte)
+; trashes: A, X, Y, temp, temp2
+;
+; Record size in bytes = 1 + ceil(len*5/8)
+; where `len` is the 1-byte character count (max 63).
+;-------------------------------------------------
+@idx = temp+1
+    lda TextNumberOff
+    sta @idx
+    beq done
+
+next_record
+    ldy #0
+    lda (LineAddress4x4),y
+    sta temp            ; len (low byte)
+
+    ; advance past len byte
+    inw LineAddress4x4
+
+    ; temp2 = len*5 + 7
+    lda temp
+    sta temp2
+    lda #0
+    sta temp2+1
+
+    ; temp2 = len*4
+    asl temp2
+    rol temp2+1
+    asl temp2
+    rol temp2+1
+    ; temp2 = len*5
+    clc
+    lda temp2
+    adc temp
+    sta temp2
+    lda temp2+1
+    adc #0
+    sta temp2+1
+    ; +7 for ceil
+    clc
+    lda temp2
+    adc #7
+    sta temp2
+    bcc @+
+    inc temp2+1
+@
+    ; >>3 (divide by 8)
+    lsr temp2+1
+    ror temp2
+    lsr temp2+1
+    ror temp2
+    lsr temp2+1
+    ror temp2
+
+    ; LineAddress4x4 += temp2
+    clc
+    lda LineAddress4x4
+    adc temp2
+    sta LineAddress4x4
+    lda LineAddress4x4+1
+    adc temp2+1
+    sta LineAddress4x4+1
+
+    dec @idx
+    bne next_record
+
+done
+    rts
+.endp
+    
 .endif

C64/textproc.asm

@@ -376,6 +376,84 @@ DisplayAngle
 zeroth_talk
     rts
 .endp
+
+;-------------------------------------------------
+.proc _calc_packed_display
+; Find Nth packed string inside a [len][packed-bytes] stream.
+;
+; in:
+;   TextNumberOff = index (0..)
+;   LineAddress4x4 = base address of the packed stream (points to first len byte)
+; out:
+;   LineAddress4x4 = address of selected record (points to its len byte)
+; trashes: A, X, Y, temp, temp2
+;
+; Record size in bytes = 1 + ceil(len*5/8)
+; where `len` is the 1-byte character count (max 63).
+;-------------------------------------------------
+@idx = temp+1
+    lda TextNumberOff
+    sta @idx
+    beq done
+
+next_record
+    ldy #0
+    lda (LineAddress4x4),y
+    sta temp            ; len (low byte)
+
+    ; advance past len byte
+    inw LineAddress4x4
+
+    ; temp2 = len*5 + 7
+    lda temp
+    sta temp2
+    lda #0
+    sta temp2+1
+
+    ; temp2 = len*4
+    asl temp2
+    rol temp2+1
+    asl temp2
+    rol temp2+1
+    ; temp2 = len*5
+    clc
+    lda temp2
+    adc temp
+    sta temp2
+    lda temp2+1
+    adc #0
+    sta temp2+1
+    ; +7 for ceil
+    clc
+    lda temp2
+    adc #7
+    sta temp2
+    bcc @+
+    inc temp2+1
+@
+    ; >>3 (divide by 8)
+    lsr temp2+1
+    ror temp2
+    lsr temp2+1
+    ror temp2
+    lsr temp2+1
+    ror temp2
+
+    ; LineAddress4x4 += temp2
+    clc
+    lda LineAddress4x4
+    adc temp2
+    sta LineAddress4x4
+    lda LineAddress4x4+1
+    adc temp2+1
+    sta LineAddress4x4+1
+
+    dec @idx
+    bne next_record
+
+done
+    rts
+.endp
 ;-------------------------------------------------
 
 

README.md

@@ -37,13 +37,14 @@ Compilation: (requires mads newer than 2023-09-13)
 - `mads scorchC64.asm -o:scorchC64.prg` for C64 version (WIP, not playable yet)
 
 Update of the official Atari 8-bit cartridge from Mq:
+- turn off the computer, insert Scorch cartridge
+- turn the computer while pressing OPTION key. The cart will pass control to the boot process.
 - boot `scorch_fl.atr` from e.g. SIO2SD, SIO2PC or a large floppy
-- insert the cartridge
 - do what the flasher application says on the screen.
 - do not despair if something goes wrong, just reboot, the reinsert cart, etc.
-- it is smoother with QMeg OS, because there you can insert the cart, turn on your Atari, jump to the QMeg menu, and boot the `scorch_fl.atr` from there. No need to insert the cart into the running Atari.
 
-WARNING | ADVERTENCIA |警告 | AVERTISSEMENT | चेतावनी  | WARNUNG | ПРЕДУПРЕЖДЕНИЕ | UWAGA | POZOR !!!
+WARNING | ADVERTENCIA |警告 | AVERTISSEMENT | चेतावनी  | WARNUNG | ПРЕДУПРЕЖДЕНИЕ | UWAGA | POZOR
+
 This is not an official cart manufacturer's (Mq) flasher, it is a collective and separate community effort. Be responsible, don't drink and flash your car(t). Better yet, do not flash it at all. In fact, to preserve the historical value of the artifact we strongly discourage from opening the game box and inserting the cartridge anywhere, especially into unauthorized orifices.
 
 
@@ -77,6 +78,16 @@ With the advent of [fujinet](https://fujinet.online/) we are thinking about maki
 
 ## Changelog:
 
+###### Version 1.52
+2025-01-20
+
+Fixes for extremely rare bugs.
+
+1. Better keyboard handling (thanks Gorgh).
+
+2. Very rare interrupts problem fixed.
+
+
 ###### Version 1.51
 2025-01-15
 

artwork/pack_talk5.py

@@ -0,0 +1,224 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Pack Scorch talk texts into 5-bit stream.
+
+Reads artwork/talk.asm and generates artwork/talk_packed.asm.
+
+Design goals:
+- Keep the original artwork/talk.asm as editable source of strings.
+- Generate a MADS-friendly .asm include with:
+  - .proc talk (namespace-compatible)
+  - talk5_alphabet (32 chars)
+  - talk5_data: records of [len][packed bytes...]
+  - constants (NumberOfOffensiveTexts, etc.) copied verbatim
+  - hoverFull/hoverEmpty blocks copied verbatim (uncompressed)
+
+Bit packing:
+- 5-bit codes are packed LSB-first.
+- For each string record:
+  - 1 byte length (0..63)
+  - packed bytes little-endian (first char in bits 0..4)
+
+The decoder in 6502 should read 5-bit codes from the low bits.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Iterable, List, Tuple
+
+
+# 32-symbol alphabet.
+# Note: We intentionally omit 'X' to make room for punctuation.
+# Order must match the decoder table.
+ALPHABET = " ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZ'!,-.?"  # length must be 32
+
+
+_DTA_STR_RE = re.compile(r"^\s*dta\s+d\"(.*?)\"\^\s*(?:;.*)?$")
+
+
+def _iter_lines(path: Path) -> List[str]:
+    return path.read_text(encoding="utf-8", errors="replace").splitlines()
+
+
+def _find_section(lines: List[str], start_pat: re.Pattern[str], end_pat: re.Pattern[str]) -> Tuple[int, int]:
+    start_idx = None
+    for i, line in enumerate(lines):
+        if start_pat.search(line):
+            start_idx = i
+            break
+    if start_idx is None:
+        raise ValueError(f"Start pattern not found: {start_pat.pattern}")
+
+    for j in range(start_idx + 1, len(lines)):
+        if end_pat.search(lines[j]):
+            return start_idx, j
+    raise ValueError(f"End pattern not found: {end_pat.pattern}")
+
+
+def extract_talk_strings(lines: List[str]) -> List[str]:
+    # Only pack strings inside `.proc talk` up to the `LEND` marker.
+    proc_start, _ = _find_section(lines, re.compile(r"^\s*\.proc\s+talk\b"), re.compile(r"^\s*\.endp\b"))
+
+    lend_idx = None
+    for i in range(proc_start, len(lines)):
+        if re.match(r"^\s*LEND\b", lines[i]):
+            lend_idx = i
+            break
+    if lend_idx is None:
+        raise ValueError("LEND marker not found inside .proc talk")
+
+    strings: List[str] = []
+    for line in lines[proc_start:lend_idx]:
+        m = _DTA_STR_RE.match(line)
+        if m:
+            strings.append(m.group(1))
+
+    if not strings:
+        raise ValueError("No talk strings found to pack")
+
+    return strings
+
+
+def extract_constants_block(lines: List[str]) -> List[str]:
+    # Copy constant definitions from after LEND up to `.endp` (inclusive of constants, exclusive of .endp).
+    proc_start, proc_end = _find_section(lines, re.compile(r"^\s*\.proc\s+talk\b"), re.compile(r"^\s*\.endp\b"))
+
+    lend_idx = None
+    for i in range(proc_start, proc_end + 1):
+        if re.match(r"^\s*LEND\b", lines[i]):
+            lend_idx = i
+            break
+    if lend_idx is None:
+        raise ValueError("LEND marker not found inside .proc talk")
+
+    # Keep from LEND line through the line before `.endp`.
+    return lines[lend_idx:proc_end]
+
+
+def extract_tail_after_talk_proc(lines: List[str]) -> List[str]:
+    # Copy everything after `.endp` for talk proc. This includes hoverFull/hoverEmpty.
+    _, proc_end = _find_section(lines, re.compile(r"^\s*\.proc\s+talk\b"), re.compile(r"^\s*\.endp\b"))
+    return lines[proc_end + 1 :]
+
+
+def validate_alphabet() -> None:
+    if len(ALPHABET) != 32:
+        raise ValueError(f"ALPHABET must be 32 chars, got {len(ALPHABET)}")
+    if len(set(ALPHABET)) != len(ALPHABET):
+        raise ValueError("ALPHABET has duplicate characters")
+
+
+def pack_string_5bit(s: str, mapping: dict[str, int]) -> bytes:
+    if len(s) > 63:
+        raise ValueError(f"String too long ({len(s)}): {s!r}")
+
+    out = bytearray()
+    out.append(len(s) & 0xFF)
+
+    bitbuf = 0
+    bitcount = 0
+
+    for ch in s:
+        try:
+            code = mapping[ch]
+        except KeyError as e:
+            raise ValueError(f"Character {ch!r} not in alphabet") from e
+
+        bitbuf |= (code & 0x1F) << bitcount
+        bitcount += 5
+
+        while bitcount >= 8:
+            out.append(bitbuf & 0xFF)
+            bitbuf >>= 8
+            bitcount -= 8
+
+    if bitcount:
+        out.append(bitbuf & 0xFF)
+
+    return bytes(out)
+
+
+def format_dta_bytes(data: bytes, indent: str = "    ", per_line: int = 16) -> List[str]:
+    lines: List[str] = []
+    for i in range(0, len(data), per_line):
+        chunk = data[i : i + per_line]
+        nums = ",".join(f"${b:02x}" for b in chunk)
+        lines.append(f"{indent}dta b({nums})")
+    return lines
+
+
+def generate_output(
+    source_path: Path,
+    strings: List[str],
+    constants_block: List[str],
+    tail_lines: List[str],
+) -> str:
+    mapping = {ch: i for i, ch in enumerate(ALPHABET)}
+
+    packed_records: List[bytes] = [pack_string_5bit(s, mapping) for s in strings]
+
+    out_lines: List[str] = []
+    out_lines.append("; AUTO-GENERATED FILE - DO NOT EDIT")
+    out_lines.append(f"; Generated by {source_path.name} -> pack_talk5.py")
+    out_lines.append("; Source: artwork/talk.asm")
+    out_lines.append("")
+
+    out_lines.append(".proc talk")
+    out_lines.append("; 5-bit packed talk strings (len + packed bytes)")
+    out_lines.append(f"talk5_alphabet dta d\"{ALPHABET}\"")
+    out_lines.append("talk5_data")
+
+    for rec in packed_records:
+        out_lines.extend(format_dta_bytes(rec))
+
+    out_lines.append(";")
+    out_lines.append("; Constants copied from source")
+    out_lines.extend(constants_block)
+    out_lines.append(".endp")
+
+    if tail_lines:
+        out_lines.append("")
+        out_lines.append("; Tail copied from source (uncompressed)")
+        out_lines.extend(tail_lines)
+
+    out_lines.append("")
+    return "\n".join(out_lines)
+
+
+def main(argv: List[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Pack artwork/talk.asm into a 5-bit blob for MADS.")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--src",
+        default="artwork/talk.asm",
+        help="Path to source talk.asm (default: artwork/talk.asm)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--out",
+        default="artwork/talk_packed.asm",
+        help="Path to output .asm include (default: artwork/talk_packed.asm)",
+    )
+
+    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
+
+    validate_alphabet()
+
+    src_path = Path(args.src)
+    out_path = Path(args.out)
+
+    lines = _iter_lines(src_path)
+    strings = extract_talk_strings(lines)
+    constants_block = extract_constants_block(lines)
+    tail_lines = extract_tail_after_talk_proc(lines)
+
+    content = generate_output(src_path, strings, constants_block, tail_lines)
+
+    out_path.write_text(content, encoding="utf-8")
+    print(f"Wrote {out_path} ({len(content.encode('utf-8'))} bytes text)")
+    print(f"Packed {len(strings)} strings")
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

artwork/sfx/rmtplayr_modified.asm

@@ -156,20 +156,11 @@ rmt_init
     stx ns
     sty ns+1
     pha
-;    IFT track_endvariables-track_variables>255
-;    ldy #0
-;    tya
-;ri0    sta track_variables,y
-;    sta track_endvariables-$100,y
-;    iny
-;    bne ri0
-;    ELS
     ldy #track_endvariables-track_variables
     lda #0
 ri0    sta track_variables-1,y
     dey
     bne ri0
-;    EIF
     ldy #4
     lda (ns),y
     sta v_maxtracklen
@@ -202,10 +193,13 @@ ri1    lda (ns),y
 rmt_silence
     lda #0
     sta $d208
+    sta $d208+$10
     ldy #3
     sty $d20f
+    sty $d20f+$10
     ldy #8
 si1    sta $d200,y
+        sta $d200+$10,y
     dey
     bpl si1
     lda #FEAT_INSTRSPEED
@@ -611,9 +605,9 @@ qq2a
     ora #2
     tax
 qq3
-    cpx v_audctl
+;    cpx v_audctl
-    bne qq5
+;    bne qq5
-qq5
+;qq5
     stx v_audctl
 rmt_p5
 ;    lda v_ainstrspeed

artwork/talk.asm

@@ -101,23 +101,23 @@
     dta d"I LET YOU HIT ME!"^
     dta d"SUCKER SHOT!"^
     dta d"I DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE ANYWAY."^
-    dta d"-<SOB>-"^
+    dta d".-SOB-."^
     dta d"WAS THAT AS CLOSE AS I THINK IT WAS?"^
     dta d"JOIN THE ARMY, SEE THE WORLD THEY SAID."^
     dta d"IT WASN'T JUST A JOB, IT WAS AN ADVENTURE!"^
     dta d"I DIDN'T LIKE VIOLENCE ANYWAY!"^
     dta d"I THOUGHT YOU LIKED ME?"^
-    dta d"CTO XYEB"^
+    dta d"RUSH B!"^
     dta d"I THINK THIS GUY'S A LITTLE CRAZY."^
     dta d"SOMEHOW I DON'T FEEL LIKE KILLING ANYMORE."^
     dta d"HEY! KILLIN' AIN'T COOL."^
     dta d"GEE... THANKS."^
     dta d"I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!"^
-    dta d"911?"^
+    dta d"NINE ONE ONE?"^
     dta d"OH NO! HERE I BLOW AGAIN!"^
     dta d"I'LL BE BACK..."^
     dta d"I'VE GOT LAWYERS!"^
-    dta d"CALL 1-900-SUE-TANK."^
+    dta d"CALL MY LAWYERS!"^
     dta d"YOU BIG DUMMY!"^                 ;(sanford and son)
 LEND
 NumberOfOffensiveTexts=55

artwork/talk_packed.asm

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+; AUTO-GENERATED FILE - DO NOT EDIT
+; Generated by talk.asm -> pack_talk5.py
+; Source: artwork/talk.asm
+
+.proc talk
+; 5-bit packed talk strings (len + packed bytes)
+talk5_alphabet dta d" ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZ'!,-.?"
+talk5_data
+    dta b($04,$24,$95,$0d)
+    dta b($10,$a6,$4a,$40,$4a,$a5,$73,$20,$16,$1c,$d9)
+    dta b($11,$f8,$55,$2d,$0b,$20,$25,$10,$d0,$4a,$a0,$1e)
+    dta b($0f,$24,$15,$30,$5e,$6b,$a9,$00,$98,$ce,$06)
+    dta b($08,$36,$0d,$fa,$24,$de)
+    dta b($11,$24,$15,$0e,$02,$4b,$c5,$81,$79,$93,$2b,$1b)
+    dta b($08,$e1,$ca,$ba,$f6,$de)
+    dta b($09,$03,$af,$00,$04,$0b,$14)
+    dta b($0a,$34,$ac,$02,$28,$4a,$73,$03)
+    dta b($0e,$25,$50,$d0,$30,$98,$e8,$49,$3a,$37)
+    dta b($0d,$f8,$55,$2d,$0b,$a0,$2f,$4c,$ba,$01)
+    dta b($07,$22,$b8,$1c,$d2,$06)
+    dta b($0a,$0f,$16,$07,$6e,$22,$65,$03)
+    dta b($09,$28,$00,$14,$00,$0a,$1e)
+    dta b($07,$03,$05,$79,$ca,$06)
+    dta b($07,$81,$d2,$30,$d6,$06)
+    dta b($0f,$24,$15,$0e,$68,$70,$ab,$cf,$51,$db,$06)
+    dta b($0d,$c9,$01,$fc,$aa,$04,$26,$8c,$b2,$01)
+    dta b($0c,$34,$ac,$02,$02,$40,$69,$95,$0d)
+    dta b($0c,$2d,$ac,$02,$1a,$06,$24,$60,$0f)
+    dta b($0d,$cb,$bd,$b1,$38,$58,$ee,$8d,$e5,$01)
+    dta b($23,$46,$be,$06,$50,$61,$4c,$4f,$80,$4a,$90,$14,$24,$30,$69,$10)
+    dta b($20,$50,$40,$51,$29,$de,$7b)
+    dta b($18,$e4,$01,$fc,$2a,$30,$a5,$30,$c0,$ea,$58,$98,$03,$1a,$dc,$fa)
+    dta b($12,$f8,$55,$2d,$0b,$78,$95,$d2,$00,$50,$91,$c5,$03)
+    dta b($11,$37,$50,$3a,$03,$68,$81,$d2,$00,$f0,$ab,$1f)
+    dta b($16,$46,$96,$92,$0b,$07,$4f,$82,$a4,$19,$03,$13,$bd,$47,$37)
+    dta b($21,$b7,$80,$f1,$5a,$01,$c9,$01,$58,$c2,$28,$a0,$83,$89,$de,$a3)
+    dta b($80,$3e,$b0,$12,$63,$1b)
+    dta b($2a,$09,$b0,$67,$0b,$a0,$a8,$80,$d9,$0a,$63,$e0,$19,$e0,$02,$0c)
+    dta b($ac,$81,$e4,$00,$45,$05,$b4,$27,$5d,$72,$c7,$03)
+    dta b($12,$13,$bd,$0b,$e6,$6b,$05,$c8,$32,$61,$19,$d4,$03)
+    dta b($1e,$aa,$4e,$0a,$2e,$7a,$80,$3c,$80,$5f,$05,$14,$25,$b7,$00,$7e)
+    dta b($15,$04,$59,$3e)
+    dta b($0f,$ec,$bd,$05,$5e,$a5,$40,$14,$f6,$ee,$06)
+    dta b($10,$ec,$bd,$05,$9e,$2d,$12,$50,$54,$64,$f1)
+    dta b($1f,$a7,$96,$39,$c1,$45,$81,$ea,$09,$c6,$6b,$c9,$1d,$60,$9e,$04)
+    dta b($24,$39,$57,$e4,$07)
+    dta b($10,$ad,$48,$89,$c1,$40,$32,$4d,$da,$c2,$f4)
+    dta b($14,$a8,$c8,$02,$ce,$2b,$13,$b8,$47,$51,$72,$c7,$7b,$0f)
+    dta b($23,$e4,$39,$4d,$c1,$7d,$52,$62,$0e,$12,$05,$69,$3a,$4d,$41,$00)
+    dta b($2c,$d9,$02,$e4,$ab,$8e,$78)
+    dta b($16,$82,$bd,$47,$38,$80,$21,$39,$0e,$6c,$7a,$ac,$b8,$51,$36)
+    dta b($11,$34,$ac,$02,$28,$4a,$93,$83,$99,$e6,$c4,$1b)
+    dta b($14,$09,$4c,$14,$18,$03,$86,$05,$4a,$8b,$03,$f8,$d5,$0d)
+    dta b($1d,$09,$4c,$14,$18,$03,$b3,$85,$89,$00,$7e,$55,$82,$7a,$18,$06)
+    dta b($34,$b8,$b5,$01)
+    dta b($1f,$09,$dc,$e7,$48,$91,$e0,$a2,$40,$01,$45,$69,$02,$51,$29,$7d)
+    dta b($0e,$90,$57,$e6,$07)
+    dta b($1b,$e4,$39,$4d,$01,$0d,$ab,$00,$8a,$d2,$04,$b0,$c8,$f9,$5c,$60)
+    dta b($0c,$7b)
+    dta b($18,$f7,$55,$46,$00,$45,$69,$82,$16,$56,$01,$f8,$55,$d0,$02,$f9)
+    dta b($24,$09,$d0,$c7,$08,$c0,$af,$02,$fa,$00,$2b,$c1,$16,$d0,$30,$98)
+    dta b($69,$d2,$22,$41,$60,$cf,$95,$0d)
+    dta b($1b,$09,$8c,$57,$19,$01,$13,$06,$59,$00,$7e,$95,$03,$51,$29,$b8)
+    dta b($08,$7f)
+    dta b($1d,$0d,$03,$f1,$9a,$00,$69,$02,$91,$ce,$29,$12,$50,$14,$1c,$c0)
+    dta b($af,$ca,$e9,$01)
+    dta b($16,$e4,$39,$4d,$81,$79,$f2,$14,$0a,$82,$78,$95,$82,$56,$36)
+    dta b($15,$28,$4c,$1a,$00,$0b,$c0,$a6,$49,$03,$07,$22,$08,$bc,$01)
+    dta b($1d,$14,$a5,$09,$d2,$04,$f8,$55,$09,$84,$0c,$c9,$81,$e7,$c0,$1c)
+    dta b($4f,$0e,$e4,$01)
+    dta b($24,$14,$a5,$09,$e6,$90,$a5,$38,$10,$92,$d3,$14,$88,$74,$40,$71)
+    dta b($af,$1e,$04,$cc,$93,$a0,$4e,$0f)
+    dta b($26,$09,$4c,$14,$18,$03,$2f,$31,$d0,$30,$a0,$55,$ca,$42,$c1,$4d)
+    dta b($14,$01,$fc,$aa,$04,$82,$bd,$47,$3c)
+    dta b($1a,$49,$37,$70,$9e,$73,$01,$08,$59,$c2,$02,$f8,$55,$09,$4c,$18)
+    dta b($65,$03)
+    dta b($18,$2d,$b4,$00,$66,$48,$04,$2c,$f7,$c6,$02,$f8,$55,$f0,$2a,$dd)
+    dta b($16,$09,$a0,$07,$0b,$c0,$af,$82,$e2,$d4,$c3,$00,$86,$e4,$36)
+    dta b($24,$e8,$5d,$4d,$00,$7e,$15,$b0,$b4,$0a,$78,$ae,$80,$30,$e4,$9b)
+    dta b($13,$e0,$57,$25,$60,$09,$ce,$0f)
+    dta b($24,$30,$48,$9a,$dc,$01,$69,$82,$59,$07,$02,$f3,$96,$42,$c1,$7c)
+    dta b($52,$be,$eb,$bd,$07,$ee,$d1,$0d)
+    dta b($04,$f5,$a0,$0d)
+    dta b($06,$21,$c8,$83,$36)
+    dta b($09,$21,$84,$73,$10,$42,$1b)
+    dta b($0c,$49,$37,$d0,$0a,$a3,$c9,$9d,$0d)
+    dta b($05,$ef,$19,$ef,$01)
+    dta b($03,$0f,$6d)
+    dta b($05,$a5,$94,$b5,$01)
+    dta b($06,$21,$8c,$81,$36)
+    dta b($1c,$09,$a0,$40,$0b,$48,$14,$5c,$54,$1c,$a0,$28,$50,$80,$02,$84)
+    dta b($c5,$4d,$0f)
+    dta b($20,$cf,$15,$80,$12,$05,$23,$38,$20,$6b,$72,$00,$bf,$2a,$c1,$45)
+    dta b($8f,$15,$40,$02,$f6)
+    dta b($06,$0f,$01,$f7,$36)
+    dta b($07,$ee,$51,$d0,$ca,$06)
+    dta b($05,$af,$0e,$e4,$01)
+    dta b($11,$0f,$01,$f7,$38,$70,$8f,$82,$70,$42,$72,$1e)
+    dta b($1b,$c1,$3d,$8a,$8a,$04,$cf,$15,$20,$12,$2d,$13,$50,$54,$00,$a9)
+    dta b($93,$7a)
+    dta b($08,$e7,$3d,$22,$70,$f1)
+    dta b($08,$a8,$30,$08,$5a,$d9)
+    dta b($16,$26,$c8,$72,$0b,$63,$1c,$0c,$59,$0b,$03,$f7,$49,$46,$3c)
+    dta b($13,$b2,$b4,$d2,$44,$91,$80,$a2,$02,$02,$0b,$ed,$6d)
+    dta b($07,$0f,$81,$16,$dc,$06)
+    dta b($07,$e4,$bd,$7a,$d0,$06)
+    dta b($12,$ae,$5c,$40,$02,$e6,$c0,$95,$0b,$c4,$6b,$c2,$03)
+    dta b($20,$14,$a5,$09,$d2,$04,$14,$15,$50,$1c,$e1,$a0,$61,$f0,$1c,$c3)
+    dta b($c0,$c8,$54,$1c,$f1)
+    dta b($0b,$b6,$48,$0c,$4c,$75,$0e,$7b)
+    dta b($12,$14,$15,$60,$02,$05,$2c,$10,$0c,$66,$70,$c7,$03)
+    dta b($16,$17,$61,$40,$5e,$99,$00,$05,$08,$8b,$03,$f4,$81,$56,$3e)
+    dta b($0f,$49,$37,$70,$5e,$72,$07,$90,$77,$9d,$07)
+    dta b($17,$49,$db,$02,$ce,$a3,$20,$00,$11,$08,$30,$a5,$b0,$e4,$8e,$07)
+    dta b($08,$43,$06,$f8,$58,$f0)
+    dta b($04,$f0,$dd,$0d)
+    dta b($04,$22,$99,$0d)
+    dta b($04,$22,$b4,$0d)
+    dta b($05,$f9,$b9,$b5,$01)
+    dta b($1f,$09,$4c,$f4,$2a,$23,$da,$16,$c0,$d2,$a4,$c5,$15,$02,$e8,$03)
+    dta b($0d,$83,$f6,$9a,$07)
+    dta b($2a,$09,$dc,$c0,$16,$a0,$48,$be,$7a,$10,$a0,$a8,$00,$1b,$18,$2b)
+    dta b($18,$3c,$03,$28,$2a,$60,$a2,$40,$de,$f5,$de,$03)
+    dta b($14,$17,$05,$0a,$6e,$98,$80,$a2,$40,$81,$7b,$69,$96,$0f)
+    dta b($24,$2d,$b4,$00,$66,$48,$04,$50,$54,$64,$d1,$04,$88,$02,$48,$c0)
+    dta b($13,$b0,$b4,$0a,$a0,$28,$4d,$0f)
+    dta b($1e,$89,$ea,$09,$54,$9d,$14,$3c,$57,$c0,$33,$80,$a2,$37,$0b,$20)
+    dta b($01,$4f,$ef,$3d)
+    dta b($17,$09,$cc,$52,$40,$00,$42,$a6,$83,$28,$60,$e9,$20,$ea,$bd,$07)
+    dta b($13,$ed,$b5,$86,$3f,$48,$13,$50,$14,$28,$c0,$af,$7e)
+    dta b($11,$09,$b0,$42,$01,$7e,$15,$a0,$44,$41,$2b,$1b)
+    dta b($0c,$b3,$8e,$55,$24,$98,$e8,$d1,$0d)
+    dta b($1d,$09,$90,$44,$9c,$a6,$e0,$06,$47,$01,$7d,$80,$25,$5b,$40,$70)
+    dta b($f8,$06,$ec,$01)
+    dta b($07,$be,$cf,$27,$ba,$07)
+    dta b($24,$37,$4c,$40,$51,$a0,$20,$4c,$30,$d8,$9b,$05,$84,$09,$12,$a0)
+    dta b($28,$b9,$05,$12,$05,$37,$cc,$0f)
+    dta b($27,$ea,$25,$07,$28,$2a,$20,$c8,$86,$39,$98,$a5,$00,$8a,$0a,$b8)
+    dta b($4f,$32,$02,$28,$2a,$18,$cc,$90,$88,$07)
+    dta b($2a,$89,$82,$1b,$a6,$d3,$14,$a8,$3a,$29,$08,$40,$3d,$c1,$41,$a2)
+    dta b($e0,$86,$09,$82,$03,$81,$d8,$e2,$68,$95,$65,$03)
+    dta b($1e,$09,$90,$44,$9c,$a6,$80,$a5,$55,$80,$4d,$8f,$15,$37,$0a,$08)
+    dta b($0e,$df,$80,$37)
+    dta b($17,$09,$50,$f4,$ea,$41,$14,$e0,$57,$01,$4b,$ab,$10,$d0,$ca,$07)
+    dta b($07,$b2,$4e,$04,$c4,$06)
+    dta b($22,$09,$50,$94,$dc,$02,$14,$a5,$09,$4e,$c5,$7a,$82,$00,$58,$a2)
+    dta b($94,$15,$30,$64,$c8,$d8,$03)
+    dta b($2a,$f3,$b5,$82,$de,$05,$09,$90,$e7,$34,$05,$a6,$14,$06,$58,$5a)
+    dta b($05,$ac,$c4,$58,$72,$07,$04,$87,$db,$93,$c5,$03)
+    dta b($18,$a8,$e0,$0d,$56,$62,$2c,$39,$0d,$42,$72,$9a,$82,$f1,$1e,$f3)
+    dta b($0e,$a7,$14,$ef,$3d,$a0,$28,$b8,$35,$3d)
+    dta b($1f,$49,$db,$02,$4c,$60,$ac,$38,$10,$1c,$01,$09,$8c,$e0,$34,$05)
+    dta b($a7,$50,$50,$e1,$06)
+    dta b($0d,$2e,$b9,$02,$9e,$2b,$e0,$b9,$f2,$01)
+    dta b($19,$0f,$01,$f7,$36,$40,$45,$16,$90,$80,$60,$ef,$82,$70,$42,$72)
+    dta b($1b)
+    dta b($0f,$49,$33,$06,$44,$01,$22,$8c,$e5,$bd,$07)
+    dta b($11,$49,$db,$02,$ce,$a3,$80,$85,$8b,$8b,$9c,$1b)
+    dta b($10,$23,$30,$06,$1a,$06,$2c,$5c,$5c,$e4,$dc)
+    dta b($0e,$f8,$55,$20,$d2,$01,$a4,$b6,$86,$37)
+;
+; Constants copied from source
+LEND
+NumberOfOffensiveTexts=55
+NumberOfDeffensiveTexts=62
+NumberOfPropagandaTexts=21
+VeryFunnyText=79
+.endp
+
+; Tail copied from source (uncompressed)
+hoverFull dta d"MY HOVERCRAFT IS FULL OF EELS!"^
+hoverFullEnd
+hoverEmpty dta d"RUNNING OUT OF EELS"^
+hoverEmptyEnd

constants.asm

@@ -64,10 +64,15 @@ areYouSureText
     .ELIF TARGET = 5200
         dta d"#END? Y-1/N-0#"
     .ENDIF
-
 lineClear
     dta d"              "
 
+; Additional texts - Teams
+Player_Header
+    dta d"Player"
+Team_Header
+    dta d"A-Team" ; :)
+
 TankColoursTable        .BYTE $58,$2a,$96,$ca,$7a,$ed
 ;TankStatusColoursTable  .BYTE $54,$24,$92,$c4,$74,$e4  ; standard order
 TankStatusColoursTable  .BYTE $74,$c4,$24,$e4,$54,$94   ; Adam's order
@@ -615,7 +620,7 @@ CreditsStart
     dta   d"You were playing"^
     dta   d"Scorch"^
     dta   d"Warsaw, Miami"^
-    dta   d"2000-2024"^
+    dta   d"2000-2025"^
     dta   d" "*
     dta   d"Programming"^
     dta   d"Tomasz 'Pecus' Pecko"^
@@ -679,7 +684,7 @@ CreditsEnd
 .IF TARGET = 5200
   ; Atari 5200 splash
   NewSplashText=*
-    dta d" 2024  atariage", $4e, "com "  ; $4e - non blinking dot
+    dta d" 2025  atariage", $4e, "com "  ; $4e - non blinking dot
 .ENDIF
 
 .endif  ; .IF *>0

grafproc.asm

@@ -1422,22 +1422,35 @@ notZero
     sta plot4x4color
     tya
     tax  ; save Y
-    mwa #talk LineAddress4x4
+    mwa #talk.talk5_data LineAddress4x4
-    jsr _calc_inverse_display
+    jsr _calc_packed_display
 
-    ; now find length of the text
+    ; record starts with length byte
-@     iny
+    ldy #0
     lda (LineAddress4x4),y
-    bpl @-
+    sta fx
-    iny
+    inw LineAddress4x4 ; point to packed payload
-    sty fx
 
     txa  ; load Y
     tay
+    jmp Display4x4AboveTankPacked
+.endp
+
+;--------------------------------------------------------
+.proc Display4x4AboveTankPacked ;
+    ; Displays packed texts using PutChar4x4 above tank and mountains.
+    ;parameters are:
+    ;Y - number of tank above which text is displayed
+    ;fx - length of text
+    ;LineAddress4x4 - address of packed payload
+
+    lda xtankstableL,y
+    sta temp
+    lda xtankstableH,y
+    sta temp+1
+    jsr Calculate4x4TextPosition
+    jmp TypeLine4x4Packed.noLengthNoColor
 
-    ;jsr Display4x4AboveTank
-    ;rts
-    ; POZOR !!!
 .endp
 
 ;--------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1627,6 +1640,115 @@ EndOfTypeLine4x4
     rts
 .endp
 
+;-------------------------------
+.proc TypeLine4x4Packed ;
+;-------------------------------
+    ;this routine prints packed line of length `fx`
+    ;packed payload address in LineAddress4x4
+    ;starting from LineXdraw, LineYdraw
+
+    lda #14 ; default length of 4x4 texts
+    sta fx
+
+variableLength
+    lda #$ff  ; $ff - visible characters, $00 - clearing
+
+staplot4x4color
+    sta plot4x4color
+noLengthNoColor
+
+    ; init packed bitstream
+    ; Reuse ZP vars:
+    ; - LineAddress4x4 is the packed byte pointer (advanced during decoding)
+    ; - Multiplier/Multiplier_ are used as bit buffer/state
+    lda #0
+    sta Multiplier
+    sta Multiplier+1
+    sta Multiplier_
+
+    ldy #0
+    sty LineCharNr
+
+TypeLine4x4PackedLoop
+    ldy LineCharNr
+
+    jsr _packed_get5bits
+    tay
+    lda talk.talk5_alphabet,y
+    sta CharCode4x4
+    mwa LineXdraw dx
+    mva LineYdraw dy
+    mva #0 dy+1  ;    dy is 2 bytes value
+    jsr PutChar4x4 ;type empty pixels as well!
+    adw LineXdraw #4
+    inc:lda LineCharNr
+    cmp fx
+    bne TypeLine4x4PackedLoop
+
+    rts
+.endp
+
+;--------------------------------
+; Packed 5-bit bitstream decoder
+;
+; Uses a 16-bit shift register where the lowest bits are the next bits to read.
+; Bytes are appended little-endian (LSB-first) at bit position PackedBitCount4x4.
+;--------------------------------
+.proc _packed_get5bits
+    ; ensure at least 5 bits available
+    lda Multiplier_
+    cmp #5
+    bcs have_bits
+
+    ; read next byte and append at current bit count
+    ldy #0
+    lda (LineAddress4x4),y
+    sta temp2            ; new byte
+    lda #0
+    sta temp2+1
+    inw LineAddress4x4
+
+    ldx Multiplier_
+    beq append_ready
+append_shift
+    asl temp2
+    rol temp2+1
+    dex
+    bne append_shift
+append_ready
+    lda Multiplier
+    ora temp2
+    sta Multiplier
+    lda Multiplier+1
+    ora temp2+1
+    sta Multiplier+1
+
+    lda Multiplier_
+    clc
+    adc #8
+    sta Multiplier_
+
+have_bits
+    lda Multiplier
+    and #$1f
+    sta temp2
+
+    ; shift register right by 5
+    ldx #5
+@   lsr Multiplier+1
+    ror Multiplier
+    dex
+    bne @-
+
+    lda Multiplier_
+    sec
+    sbc #5
+    sta Multiplier_
+
+    lda temp2
+    rts
+.endp
+
 
 ;--------------------------------
 .proc AreYouSure

scorch.asm

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 
 ;---------------------------------------------------
 .macro build
-    dta d"1.51" ; number of this build (4 bytes)
+    dta d"1.52" ; number of this build (4 bytes)
 .endm
 
 .macro RMTSong
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ AdditionalZPvariables = $20
     .zpvar MeteorsRound     .byte  ; set 7th bit - block meteors in round
     
 
-FirstZpageVariable = $50
+FirstZpageVariable = $4f
     .zpvar DliColorBack     .byte = FirstZpageVariable
     .zpvar ClearSky         .byte  ; $ff - Crear sky during drawmountains, 0 - no clear sky
     .zpvar PaddleState      .byte  ; old state 2nd button for 2 buttons joysticks
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ FirstZpageVariable = $50
                                    ; (0 - round only, >0 - each turn)
     .zpvar FastSoilDown     .byte  ; 0 - standard, >0 - fast
     .zpvar BlackHole        .byte  ; 0 - no, >0 - yes
+    .zpvar TeamGame         .byte  ; 0 - no, >0 - Teams
     .zpvar XHit             .word
     .zpvar delta            .word
     .zpvar HowMuchToFall    .byte
@@ -189,7 +190,7 @@ FirstZpageVariable = $50
     HotNapalmFlag = FunkyBombCounter  ; variable reuse!
     displayposition = modify
     LineAddress4x4 = xcircle
-    ;* RMT ZeroPage addresses in artwork/sfx/scorch_str9-NTSC.rmt
+    ;* RMT ZeroPage addresses in artwork/sfx/rmtplayr_modified.asm
 
 ;-----------------------------------------------
 ; libraries
@@ -534,7 +535,7 @@ noingame
 ;----------------------------------------------
     icl 'ai.asm'
 ;----------------------------------------------
-    icl 'artwork/talk.asm'
+    icl 'artwork/talk_packed.asm'
 ;----------------------------------------------
 TankFont
     ins 'artwork/tanksv4.fnt',+0,384   ; 48 characters only

scorchC64.asm

@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ noShellDelay
 ;----------------------------------------------
     icl 'ai.asm'
 ;----------------------------------------------
-    icl 'artwork/talk.asm'
+    icl 'artwork/talk_packed.asm'
 ;----------------------------------------------
 TankFont
     ins 'artwork/tanksv4.fnt',+0,384    ; 48 characters only

weapons.asm

@@ -399,19 +399,15 @@ nexttext
     bcs @-
 
     sta TextNumberOff
-    ; all text start from `talk` and end with an inverse.
-    ; we go through the `talk`, count number of inverses.
-    ; if equal to TextNumberOff, it is our text, printit
     lda #$ff
     sta plot4x4color
-    mwa #talk LineAddress4x4
+    mwa #talk.talk5_data LineAddress4x4
-    jsr _calc_inverse_display   
+    jsr _calc_packed_display
-    ; now find length of the text
+    ; record starts with length byte
-@   iny
+    ldy #0
     lda (LineAddress4x4),y
-    bpl @-
+    sta fx
-    iny
+    inw LineAddress4x4 ; point to packed payload
-    sty fx
     mwa tempXROLLER temp    ; X coordinate of hitpoint
     ; calculate position of message 
     jsr Calculate4x4TextPosition
@@ -436,7 +432,7 @@ nexttext
     dec LineXdraw+1
 DisplayMessage
     ; display propaganda message
-    jsr TypeLine4x4.noLengthNoColor
+    jsr TypeLine4x4Packed.noLengthNoColor
 
     ldy #7
     jsr PauseYFrames