Pointless Pacman changelog

PSP homebrew developer Art has released the latest version to the pointless-but-fun game, Pointless Pacman. Pointless Pacman is a clone of the original Pacman game, only with an added twist. Here's the changelog for v1f:

• Fix to flashing ghost graphic that wasn't always transparent in the right places.
• Changed special bonus fruit to start changing at level five, and the next few subsequent levels.

Get ready to enjoy more pacmania, because Art has just released Pointless Pacman v1e, an upgrade from Pointless Pacman version 1c, which we covered earlier.

Most of the changes to Pointless Pacman have been made to make it closer to the original, in the sense that some of the aspects behind the enemies and programming have been given more intention. More importantly, the game is now run in user mode, so it should run on more PSP firmware versions, though you'll still have to check if it runs on yours.

In any case, here are the changes that have happened since our last coverage of the game:

V1e (02/02/08):

• Program is now run in user mode. The program should run on more PSP firmware versions.
• Program can be paused with the HOME button, and resumed by selecting "No".
• Ghost reversing direction behaviour is more random, but can still only happen in corners.
• Appearance of fruit is based on the number of pellets left on the screen as the original.
• Pellet sound effect does not interfere with other sound effects.
• Ghost flashes bright white to warn player that energiser time is running out as the original.
• Energiser time becomes less as stages progress as the original, the effect is very gradual.
• Bugfix prevents being killed by ghost left in Pacman's starting position from last level.
• Fruit bonus will disappear if it is not collected in a certain time as the original.

V1d (01/02/08):

• Fixed bug so fruit is removed if not collected in the level it is offered.
• Added button press confirmation sounds.

As always, make sure you check the included readme for basic instructions on installation and usage of the game. That being said, try it out and see if this simplified Pacman game kills your urge to chomp on pellets.

PlayStation Portable homebrew developer Art has released a new build for his game, Pointless Pacmanm upping the version numbers to 1c. This release features a good number of bug fixes and a couple of additions.

Pointless Pacman, in case you missed the earlier versions, is a Pacman clone that initially took Art 36 hours (including the usual activities of everyday life) to create. Also, the dev noted that an "experimental slim version" is also included with with release. Anyway, here's the changelog for version 1c:

V1c (31/01/08):
Fixed Pacman control problem to act as normal Pacman game.
Added graphic representation of lives left.
Right or Left trigger toggles information display on and off.
Fixed bug that sometimes caused the ghost to freeze on the way out of it's home.
Fixed bug that sometimes caused ghost to enter home through the bottom wall.
Improvement to ensure ghost only changes direction at corners, except when an energiser pellet is eaten.
Added fruit bonus that can only occur once every level at a random time.
Shorter, and Improved intro screen.

Check out the readme file bundled with the release. After that, enjoy!

UPDATE PlayStation Portable homebrew developer Art has released a little update for the homebrew game, Pointless Pacman. Now it's on version 1b, and it sports a little bugfix:

• Fixed bug where last pellet eaten was in a corner, it was not replaced with a new one for the next stage.

There you have it, boys and girls. According to Art, a bigger map and more ghosts are on the planned additions so watch out for future releases of Pointless Pacman. In the meantime, check out the download below.

It's interesting what sort of creations some developers can come up with on short notice. Coder Art dropped by the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums earlier to announce the release of Pointless Pacman v1. This homebrew game is a clone of Namco's classic Pacman title, and very much has the same goal - eat all the pellets before the ghosts eat you. As for this release's changelog:

• Pointless Pacman for the Sony PSP 2D graphics and CD quality audio.
• Security feature to prevent removing my nickname from the intro.

A little surprised that the Time Baby creator's made such a simple game? Don't be - Art states that Pointless Pacman v1took only a total of 36 hours to create. That includes non-programming activities.

Pointless Pacman has been designed to run on the PSP Phat only. Other important details regarding this game can be found in the file bundle's readme. You may also want to visit Art's release thread over at the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums if you're interested in offering your feedback.