Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with 8bit

How do I create an atari style computer game 8 bit image from a photo?

lamby — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:26:02 -0800

How do I create an atari style computer game 8 bit image from a photo? like the opening credits of the IT crowd like this

The old style 8 bit blocky type like mario

I want to take a photo and convert it to an 8 bit image that still sort of looks like me. Anyone know of any web page or software that does it?

ate bit

god particle — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:48:24 -0800

How do I go about making visuals like those used in 8-bit/chiptune shows? I've only been to a couple chiptune shows but they always seem to incorporate a visual element (via a projector) and it always has a certain style/aesthetic to it that I'm interested in learning how to create.

Here are some examples (youtube links):
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What hardware/software/techniques/etc are they using? How do I get started? To me, it looks like the visuals in the videos are produced by different means, but I'm not sure.

gc wants to make the bleepy bloopy sounds =(

gc — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:22:02 -0800

Tracking software makes me weep. Help me find a simple program for making music on my computer. I've played around with nanoloop, LSDJ, LittleGPTracker, and a couple of Mac trackers. I find trackers obtuse, like I need to have grown up with a Commodore 64 as my only means of communication with the outside world. But it seems like trackers are the way to get to sound I want. I've read some of the guides online, and I'm sure with practice I'll start understanding the programs (I hope), but there's got to be a better way. Here's what I'm looking for:

* A music program that will allow me make music easily. Something point-and-click is preferred.

* Classic 8-bit sound.

* Mac is my preferred platform (and thus, I know about Garageband), but Windows and Ubuntu are both close at hand.

I have Garageband 08 installed. I don't have a USB keyboard, and using my MacBook keyboard for realtime input is awkward. Otherwise, I'm open to suggestions for GarageBand.

I suppose what I'm looking for is Mario Paint, but you know, a little more flexible. And something that doesn't make me feel like I'm 13.

Where can I find pixelated clothes?

drew3d — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:11:12 -0800

What pixelated clothing can I obtain that would complement my new pixelated ThinkGeek "8-bit" Necktie? I'm thinking about using the tie as part of a Halloween costume. But I need more. A t-shirt with pixel designs is OK, but even better would be something where the pixelation is part of the design, like with the necktie. Ideally the store selling the clothes would be online and ship quickly to the USA. Pixel shirts? Pixel pants? Pixel hats? Anything?

I want to learn 6502 assembly

aparrish — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:16:32 -0800

Help me identify tools and resources for learning 6502 assembly language. My burgeoning interest in 80s-era home computers and video game consoles (along with an existing interest in programming) compels me to learn 6502 assembly language. There are lots of resources on the web for this—too many, in fact, which is the problem. I'm having trouble sorting through them all.

What I'm looking for is a straightforward tutorial (written for someone with a moderate level of programming experience), coupled with a good tool for assembling 6502 code and some kind of visual debugger/emulator/whatever that will help me see what my code is doing.

I know there are lots of emulators out there for systems that use the 6502, but I'm specifically looking for something that can show me registers and memory contents; I want to be able to run simple assembly programs and see what they're doing without writing graphics code or whatever. (Although I'd like to learn how to do that too, eventually.)

Mac OS X tools are preferred, but I have Boot Camp so XP stuff would also be fine.

An easy way to do 8-bit art?

drezdn — Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:36:15 -0800

I was interested in making a flash animation that looks like an 8 bit nintendo game, and was wondering if there's an easy way to do 8 bit art?