Interview with CyberWarriorX... (11/30/98)

<EliteGamer>CyberWarriorX , first I want to thank you for your time, for those that don't know you, tell us who you are, and how you are connected to the emulation community.
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I'm the Dos Maintainer for the Super Nintendo emulator called "Snes9x". I'm currently planning a release of it very shortly.
<EliteGamer>I have heard that you only recently started working on Snes9x, how long have you been working on it, and how did you come to work on it?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I've been working on it since about close to the end of October. It pretty much started out when I asked Gary about if he was still looking for a new maintainer. (that's when he had currently resigned as the Dos Maintainer) I've been working on and off on the Port, adding new features as I've felt necessary.
<EliteGamer>So Gary left, and you have filled in, though it isn't much about you, can you tell us why Gary left?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, from what Gary told me(and from what I've heard and read), there was a real problem trying to spend the time maintaining and adding new features, etc. to the Dos Port. If you didn't already know. He's the main man in charge. He's done a lot of the SFX, DSP1 coding, as well as sending sources to all the other Maintainers, and pretty much keeping it together. He also does the Linux Port, and used to do the Dos Port. So he was quite a busy man. He also got sick of the Dos Port. (I'm sure due to the Mario Kart crashing problems)
<EliteGamer>We realize you have only been taking care of that for a short time, have you made any really great strides in the code since starting?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I've created a fully functional config file loading/saving/creating (although some people might argue it's easy to do). I've also been working on DSP1(which works great right now) as well as doing some massive tweaking to ADSR(which should really sound a lot better when I'm finished).
<EliteGamer>I am guessing that most people have no idea what DSP1 and ADSR are... could you briefly explain what they are (you don't have to go into great lengths)
<CyberWarriorX>Alright. DSP1 was a type of math co-processor that was originally supposed to be included when the Snes first hit the streets. It never was, but instead was added to a number of games. Those include Super Mario Kart, Pilot Wings, and Battle Racers(Japanese). ADSR(which stands for Attack Decay Sustain Release) is a set of rules which by the sounds follow. Let's just say, without them, sounds would just keep going.
<EliteGamer>So are those things that are "incorrect" in the main code? or just not done correctly in the port? (I guess that might be best asked, does then your code go back to Gary, so it can be added to the main code?)
<CyberWarriorX>Well, it's somewhat incorrect in the main code. When Gary implemented it, he made the sound volume change linearly(or in straight lines). Of course, that's a little faster, but it's still somewhat inaccurate. The ADSR routine I'm using is based on OpenSPC's ADSR which was created by Butcha. If you've listened to any music from OpenSPC, you'll understand what kind of bass and treble increase you get. Right now though, there is still a lot of bugs in my ADSR code, so I doubt it will be sent to Gary until I get it all fixed. I'll leave in both ADSR's for release so if the user doesn't like the one, they'll choose the other.
<EliteGamer>Any big surprises coming in the next release? (such as a new working game, or anything)
<CyberWarriorX>Well, DSP1 emulation will be a lot more complete then any other emulator so far. Expect Super Mario Kart to work 100%, as well as Pilot Wings to work partially. (but better then before) Also, Battle Racers will be close to 100%. As well, 48mbit mapper support might be included. (used by games such as Tales of Phantasia)
<EliteGamer>I played Super Mario Kart... and it dose that weird bounce off the track thing... when you say 100%, does that mean, that will stop doing that? :>
<CyberWarriorX>Right. I managed to fix the old problem with op06 which caused the other racers to appear wrongly. Although, I'm still waiting for Gary's DSP1 code which has that bug fixed.
<EliteGamer>Great! Also you mention ToP, it should be playable?
<CyberWarriorX>Yeah, Gary told me 48mbit mapper support is working. He said that there was some bugs happening here and there though.
<EliteGamer>Great.. one game that people have mentioned they would like see working is StarFox... it uses a special chip (so I have heard)... can you tell us a bit about that, and what the status is?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, Starfox uses a chip called the Super FX chip. From what I remember, it's a special graphics chip, which can enable the programmer to make games with fast 3D effects. Gary had worked with a former(not sure) Argonaut employee to try to get it working. From what he said, even the Argonaut guy couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. But I know that there was an agreement where Gary would get Starfox 2 if they could get Star Fox fully working. So it will be interesting to see what happens.
<EliteGamer>Alright, what other programming experience do you have (other than Snes9x)
<CyberWarriorX>Well, before Snes9x, I worked on the SPC-700 emulator called OpenSPC. (a very good one might I add :) ) Before then, I worked 3 months on a little crappy game. (which never was completed) I have about 2 years of Turing experience (a language that most people haven't heard of) as well as about 1 year of C experience and very limited Assembly knowledge.
<EliteGamer>Are you a programmer by profession? if not what work are you in?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I'd like to think I am, but I'm currently unemployed. I work sometimes doing technical maintenance on people's computers, etc.
<EliteGamer>To dive in to your personal life.... how old are you? married? any kids?
<CyberWarriorX>Nope. I'm actually quite young compared to what people think. I'm currently 17 years old. (I turned that on the Nov 26th) So, I'm not married, and for sure, don't have any kids :)
<EliteGamer>HighScool/College? Where are you geographically located?
<CyberWarriorX>I'm taking a half-year break from High School currently. (I'm in grade 12) So it makes maintaining the Dos Port much easier :) I'm from a little town just outside of Kitchener, Ontario. (Canada)
<EliteGamer>Around here we don't have an option of taking time off for HighSchool ;> - What other hobbies/interests do you have?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I love writing stories/poetry, I'm really into sports, and most of all, I love playing video games :)
<EliteGamer>What is your favorite console?
<CyberWarriorX>It's really a hard choice. I really enjoyed my younger days with the good, old Nintendo. But I'd have to say that a lot of my favorite games were on Super Nintendo.
<EliteGamer>What unemulated game/system would you most like to see?
<CyberWarriorX>Well since bleem has filled my want for a PSX emulator, I'd really like to see a N64 emulator fully working sometime in the future.
<EliteGamer>What is your favorite game of all time (any system/arcade)
<CyberWarriorX>Hmmmm... It's a really hard choice. It'd really have to say that Mega Man X3 was my ultimate favorite.
<EliteGamer>What do you feel has been the biggest step for emulation (since you have been in the community?)
<CyberWarriorX>I'd say bleem. It will be the first complete PSX emulator. Also, it will set the standard as to what will happen to any more commercial emulators.
<EliteGamer>What do you hate most about emulation? (any piece of it, including but not limited to.. people, competition, etc)
<CyberWarriorX>All the ignorant people which like to make our(emulator author's, News site Maintainer's, elite gamer interviewer's ;) ) lives miserable by harassing us constantly.
<EliteGamer>Where do see see emulation going in the short/long term... Shane (Retro Radio).. seems to think it will be going to an Underground warez scene soon... you thoughts?
<CyberWarriorX>I'm not really too sure. I think it may go the other way around. (as it was intended to) I remember when I first got into emulation, it was mainly a warez kind of scene.(which pretty much everyone ignored) Only the "elite" really got the ROMs, etc. Now it's going more main-stream. And it's starting to scare a lot of companies.
<EliteGamer>A question from PoleStar : What new secret features will be in the next release of Snes9x
<CyberWarriorX>There may be included a secret command-line type easter egg. Although, I may leave it off until the next release after this one.
<EliteGamer>I heard a picture done by myself might make it in to snes9x at some point, I would be interested in seeing that, if it ever did :> Is there any "competition" between snes9x team, and zsnes, or any other snes emu?
<CyberWarriorX>Yeah *holds a laugh*, you can bet it'll make it into Snes9x fairly soon. (just have to implement the easter egg). Well... I think if there's any "competition", it's more of a friendly competition. Ultimately, we try to help each other by exchanging code, ideas, info, docs, etc.
<EliteGamer>Do you think Snes9x and ZSnes might ever merge? (like psyke and psemu pro)
<CyberWarriorX>Hmmm... I won't say it's not possible, but I don't think that's in our best interests right now. (Snes9x and Zsnes) I feel we actually get more done this way.
<EliteGamer>I personally agree... "friendly competition" will make both teams work harder... as SNES is getting closer to being emulated 100%, what do you think you will do next? (once snes9x is "done")
<CyberWarriorX>I'm not totally certain, but I'm planning on making some sort of game. (probably an RPG I've been planning for some time) I may also try making a sequel to the popular Nes game "Kings of the Beach".
<EliteGamer>If you make one of those, will it be a stand alone game? or are you talking about making a ROM?
<CyberWarriorX>Yeah, it will most likely be a Dos RPG. (unless I feel like making something small like KotB sequel) Also, I already have most of the storyline written out, and I'm sure a lot of RPG fans will like this one :)
<EliteGamer>I can tell ya, I am a HUGE RPG fan.. so if you need beta testing ;> -- How do you like being "famous" or do most people still not know who you are, since you are kinda new?
<CyberWarriorX>Sure... haha. I'll let you know. (email me, we'll talk :) ) Well, it's really a different experience. I've also learned it isn't easy being in the spot I'm in and have learned to work for my reputation. I'm also fairly sure people who know Snes emulation know who I am. (I remember when Snes9x Dos 1.12 was released, I got loads of email from people thanking me for taking up the port, etc.)
<EliteGamer> What type of music do you primarily listen to?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I mainly listen to a Punk band called MxPx. They've written some really excellent songs. I really encourage people to check them out :)
<EliteGamer>do they have a webpage for you to plug?
<CyberWarriorX> www.mxpx.com
<EliteGamer> What do you think of those groups that "released" snes ROMs ( anthrox, napalm, etc ), and the 'demo' intros they stuck in the ROMs?
<CyberWarriorX>Well... I have mixed feelings on them. I like how they've dumped some of the classic ROMs I remember I used to play. Although, I disagree with a lot of their ethics. (I also really hate those Intro's, they're really annoying!)
<EliteGamer>Is it true that Brywalker and Myself kicked yer ass in multiple games of Tetrinet? and if so, how could you let those losers beat you?
<CyberWarriorX>Well, I don't know about that... ;) I also remember distinctly that I beat you two the majority of the time :)
<EliteGamer> Umm.. (/changes subject)... Is there anything else you would like to add before the close of this interview?
<CyberWarriorX>I'd like to add that this was an extremely long interview, and I hope people actually read this instead of emailing me ;)
<EliteGamer>CyberWarriorX I thank you for your time, and good luck on the future of Snes9x!
<CyberWarriorX>Thanks. :) And thanks for interviewing me... it was uhh... long :)
<EliteGamer>Punk Ass... ;>

Like I said at the beginning.. it is long, and not much comes out of it.. but you do you expect, it's not like it snes9x lacks sound, and we are all waiting on it... it is already a great emulator ;>

Also : CyberWarriorX is requesting information on building a Snes Cartridge Reader and also any info on modifying a Snes Game Genie to Support Super Mario RPG. I need this all for a possible attempt at dumping some games that haven't been dumped. (mainly Mario RPG and Mega Man X2)

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