Portation to Pocket PC

Jakal · Post by **Jakal** » 05 Sep 2004 14:35

God, i just hope that this is possible, ive got a ppc, and i would love to do anything about it, but programming just isnt my thing, so all i can offer is doing tests on my ppc.

Oh my god, i dont even want to imagine ottd multiplayer on ppcs using bluetooth or wlan

The14given · Post by **The14given** » 05 Sep 2004 14:43

I could also be a beta-tester. Guys, just compile it, please.

Post by **orudge** » 05 Sep 2004 15:08

Hmm, I'll download some of this next week and have a play around, even if just for fun. No guarantee I'll get OpenTTD working on it.

Doc Oc · Post by **Doc Oc** » 05 Sep 2004 16:10

The14given wrote:Guys, just compile it, please.

I did some research on the subject and came across this article:

PocketPC: An Introduction @ gamedev.net

From which I quote:

If this all looks great, and you're chomping at the bit to convert your large-scale DirectDraw-based isometric RPG title to the PocketPC, there's something you need to know.

The PocketPC API is different from the Win32 API

Sorry to throw a bucket of cold water on your plans, but if you have grand designs on simply recompiling your code and having it work, it's not going to happen that easily. A significant chunk of the Win32 API functions (around 90% of 'em, actually) aren't there.

Most of OpenTTD is standard C, so the required changes might be very localized, but at a bare minimum the Win32 GDI renderer needs to be converted to render to GAPI.

Again, this is by no means impossible... it's just a lot of work that someone's gotta do. I can't speak for other coders, but I don't believe this is very high on anyone's priority list right now.

The14given · Post by **The14given** » 05 Sep 2004 16:30

This was yers ago. The article you've posted is three years old. There were many changes from WindowsCE 3.0 to WindowsCE 4.2.

The code was made easier and the OS bases on .NET.

Here's a list of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC's new features:

* Enhanced Connection Manager user interface
* Zero Configuration connections
* Improved animated connectivity status icons
* Improved connectivity bubbles
* Always-on Bluetooth discoverability
* Use of Bluetooth modems
* Bluetooth beaming
* Auto-correct spelling
* Auto-suggest in Inbox
* One-touch turn all radios off
* 802.1x support
* Certificate Management UI
* IPSec/L2TP
* Support for Multiple VPNs
* IPv6 support
* New Today screen
* Smart Lookup in Contacts
* Windows CE 4.2 operating systems
* .NET Compact Framework
* Enhanced developer support
* 128-bit encryption strength for Crypto API
* Improved power management
* Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC 2003
* Plus! Sync & Go
* Support for Plus! Photo Story
* Windows Movie Maker 2
* Pictures
* New version of Pocket Internet Explorer
* "Jawbreaker" game
* vCard and vCal support
* Inbox signature support
* New user notifications

Just compare the specs in the article and the specs from now:

Article:

Compaq iPaq 3650 206 MHz Intel StrongARM 32 MB 320x240 12-bit color 16-bit stereo, 44 kHz, MP3 $482

And now:

Processor
Intel® XScaleTM Processor with WMMX up to 624MHz

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® Mobile 2003 Second Edition

Wireless Connectivity
Optional: Integrated 802.11b & BluetoothTM wireless technologies

Memory
RAM: up to 64MB SDRAM
ROM: up to 64MB Intel StrataFlash® memory

Display
TFT Color 16-bit, Touch Sensitive, Transflective LCD
3.5 inches
240 x 320 resolution at 65,536 colors (QVGA)

And compare the devices:

Just give a try. I'am not the only one who wants it, really.

The14given · Post by **The14given** » 05 Sep 2004 16:36

Here's a Forum for Pocketpc-developers:

http://www.pocketpcdn.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

http://pocketprojects.pocketgear.com/ub ... matebb.cgi

If you have questions with the emulator or evc++ you will get there your answers.

Doc Oc · Post by **Doc Oc** » 05 Sep 2004 17:22

lol, I'm not your enemy!

I don't object to a PocketPC port being made, quite the contrary, I might buy a Windows Mobile-based smartphone sometime next year myself. I'm just trying to get it in your head that making that port might not be as easy as you think it is.

(Support for the .NET framework, bluetooth and whatnot isn't actually relevant to any of this.)

Those forum links could be very useful if anyone attempts to make the port, thanks on behalf.

Doc Oc · Post by **Doc Oc** » 05 Sep 2004 17:39

Here are some other relevant links:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/defau ... _Times.asp
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/defau ... x_nlfo.asp

Most of the GAPI documentation seems to assume you'll be using the .NET compact framework, which will definately not be the case. Annoying as hell.

The14given · Post by **The14given** » 05 Sep 2004 18:26

Hey Doc Oc. It's okay, I didn't want you as my enemy.

I just want that this idea is supported by other people in this forum. I find it super, here. So if you can help, or if I can help, than let's do it.

I would help testing it, and the PPC Forum would it too. I just want this super game running on a mobile device. And since I'm not a programmer, I ask you for help.

Thanks

The14given · Post by **The14given** » 05 Sep 2004 18:28

But do you think it's possible to port it, even if it takes half of a year or more?

Doc Oc · Post by **Doc Oc** » 05 Sep 2004 18:32

The14given wrote:But do you think it's possible to port it, even if it takes half of a year or more?

I think it's definately possible.

I added the Windows Mobile SDK (>1GB!) to my Visual Studio install, but my attempts to compile the code immediately strand in low-level stuff that I have little or no knowledge about.

ElJefe · Post by **ElJefe** » 09 Sep 2004 07:44

I might have a way to make it work without needing to recompile it.

First get the PocketDOS Trial from http://www.pocketdos.com/

Install PocketDOS on your device.

Next copy the HardDisk directory off the CD on to your memory card.

Load up PocketDOS

Enter the HardDisk directory

Run the file called Tycoon

I get this message: Error TNT.20005: System does not have an 80386 or later processor

I can't seem to find a way around the error. I can run Setup and the file does run, so PocketDOS does work.

ElJefe · Post by **ElJefe** » 09 Sep 2004 08:10

Ahah!

I had to download a processor emulator!

Unfortunatly I now get another error...

Fatal Error TNT.10029: Couldn't Switch to protected mode, err val mode switch

If anyone wants to give it a crack the files are here:

http://www.pocketdos.com/PocketDOS/Pock ... PC_109.exe
http://www.pocketdos.com/Misc/PDOS_BOCHS_CPU.zip

There are two other processor emulators but neither one of them gets past the first error.

Thade · Post by **Thade** » 09 Sep 2004 08:19

ElJefe wrote:Ahah!
Fatal Error TNT.10029: Couldn't Switch to protected mode, err val mode switch

That's because DOS TTD uses the DOSGW4 extender.

ElJefe · Post by **ElJefe** » 09 Sep 2004 08:40

<insert blank stare>

Ok then.

The14given · Post by **The14given** » 09 Sep 2004 13:10

ElJefe wrote:Ahah!

I had to download a processor emulator!

Unfortunatly I now get another error...

Fatal Error TNT.10029: Couldn't Switch to protected mode, err val mode switch

If anyone wants to give it a crack the files are here:

http://www.pocketdos.com/PocketDOS/Pock ... PC_109.exe
http://www.pocketdos.com/Misc/PDOS_BOCHS_CPU.zip

There are two other processor emulators but neither one of them gets past the first error.

Did you try switch the resolution to 640x480. Becuse PocketDOS runs only in this mode. You need Nyditot Virtual Display or Windows Mobile 2003 SE to run it.

Jakal · Post by **Jakal** » 09 Sep 2004 16:00

Guys, trust me, it wont run in pocketdos, even tank wars runs with framerate issues, so ttd wont run for sure. We need ottd compiled for ppcs.

ElJefe · Post by **ElJefe** » 09 Sep 2004 21:34

Well...someone should do that then.

Carnivol · Post by **Carnivol** » 13 Sep 2004 16:14

Howdy!

TT´s one of my favourite games,ever , anyway, let´s drop the introduction and go straight to business.

Now,
there´s a PC dos emulator called "DosBox", it´s had an unofficial Pocket PC port.
I dunno if it runs TT/TTD, but atleast games like Syndicate and X-Com runs fine in it.
(Though, I´m having problems getting DosBox to run on my Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox 610)

Now, if you´ve got a PDA like mine, with a display resolution of 320x240, there´s a neat little program called "Nyditot Virtual Display" which allows you to fake a higher resolutions (many settings to fiddle with, so you can increase/scale desktop/font sizes and stuff, so you wont realy notice the resolution difference, but you´ll be able to run stuff that require higher resolution on the display, though they wont look as good as they would if they ran on a system with the correct resolution)

Most newer Fujitsu PDA´s comes bundled with this program, other´s will have to buy it (or give the 7 days trial a shot)

Anyway, but I, just like most others here, would propably love to see a real PDA/Pocket PC 2003 port, with evt. Bluetooth or WiFi multiplayer support and such... RIGHT!?

... okay, noticed now that someone (the14given) already mentioned Nyditot...

Tech^salvager · Post by **Tech^salvager** » 14 Sep 2004 20:08

lucaspiller wrote:Somebody was working on a Dreamcast port, but they seem to have given up now. I might download the tools over the next few days and see what I can do.....

I talked to someone over at the DCemu boards about that. he was having some problems compiling and the saves were to big for teh vmu.

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