this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2024

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Homebrew Tool 'NESMaker' Changes Name, Announces SNES Development Is Coming | Time Extension (www.timeextension.com)

submitted 2 months ago by ktec to c/[email protected]

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Retro Game Forge will include support for SNES development.

Update on NESMaker:

NESMaker, a popular software development tool for creating original NES games, is set to evolve. Now known as Retro Game Forge, it's expanding its capabilities beyond the classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), announcing support for developing games on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

Previously, NESMaker provided users with an accessible suite of tools and editors necessary for game development without overwhelming them with technical complexities. This user-friendly interface has enabled many creators to bring their homebrew NES games to life. With this update, Retro Game Forge aims to carry on that tradition while adding compatibility for the more advanced 16-bit SNES.

Enhancing the Developer Experience

The graphical user interface (GUI) designed for SNES development in Retro Game Forge promises a streamlined and intuitive experience, keeping with the approachable front end creators have come to appreciate. This move not only caters to those already familiar with NES development but opens up opportunities for developers interested in exploring more complex console architectures.

Expansion into Marketplaces and Porting Capabilities

Granato's announcement also includes plans for expansion beyond game creation alone. The virtual arcade, The Retro Verse, will transform into a marketplace allowing creators to sell their games on cartridges without the need for crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter. Creators are expected to receive royalties from the sales, though the revenue split remains undisclosed at this time.

Additionally, BitMask Publishing's services have expanded to facilitate game porting efforts across various consoles and platforms such as Switch, Steam, Xbox, iOS, Android, Mac, PC, and Linux. This includes titles like Steel Legion and Crabbie Attack for the Nintendo Switch.

Community Reactions & Future Potential

Community responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with enthusiasts eager to see more homebrew SNES game development thanks to this new tool. It's hoped that Retro Game Forge will empower creators by simplifying the process of porting existing NES titles over to the 16-bit platform.

Do you have a game idea that's just been waiting for a tool like this?

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Legal action from Nintendo forcing them to shut down when?

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 months ago (1 children)

As long as they aren't utilizing Nintendo's IP, then there wouldn't be any grounds to shut it down. I have not looked at this project, but I assume it's just some homebrew tools with a nice interface. Homebrew tools have existed forever.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

This.
Let alone those tools can be used from within nintendo, and have been in the past.
As somebody who helps manage a part of homebrew tools, im totally fine with that. Means they did something right and it means nintendo wont just shut it down and believes it is useful too. So good job on you then!

Now if they used some ip, or copyrighted code, in the tools, then its game over. Instantly.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Legal action based on what?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, this seems to be a common pitfall for popular tools/projects. I get that the creators pour an astounding amount of effort into these things, so it's not unusual to desire compensation for your work.

That said, it pretty much guarantees that your little project has no chance of continuing to stay off Nintendo's radar anymore.

As an aside, I also really dislike this slow shift in the hacking/modding culture away from the "everything should be free" ideology. Every hobby does not need to be turned into a job or supplemental income stream folks!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Every hobby does not need to be turned into a job or supplemental income stream folks!

Likely a byproduct of cost of living going up faster than wages

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Thats an excuse of an argument and you know it. Things like yuzu and cemu had no reason to turn a profit like they did for what they had. The devs were fine and yet they did what they did. And on the other end of the spectrum there are homebrew devs that need money ( and i donate to ) but dont sell their stuff because its better free.

I never tried to make a profit out of priiloader or any of my successful free projects either, despite wanting more money sometimes.

There is a difference between a product and a project.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Holy shit, you made Priiloader?

Kickass, thank you so much for helping 11 year old me not completely destroy his Wii in the name of boredom.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

I wouldn't call it an excuse, but a possible explanation.

Prior generations increasingly needed dual incomes to support a middle class life. Now, even that isn't enough... people are needing "side hustles" to stay afloat.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

I wonder if they ever fixed having user passwords in plaintext. I honestly thought the days of seeing my password in a recovery email were long-gone.