Posted by The 8Bit Guy | Feb 19, 2019 | Blog | 41 |
Planet X3 is now available. Buy it here: Planet X3 for MS-DOS computers
Benedikt Freisen recently asked for the source code and added several new video modes to Planet X3. These include:
- Hercules 720×350 monochrome
- Plantronics ColorPlus 320x200x16
- CGA grayscale 320x200x4
- Tandy Hi-res 640x200x16
- EGA Medium-res 640x200x16
Now I’ll talk a little about how each new mode.
Hercules 640×300 monochrome
This was added to the CGA version of the game. It basically uses the same CGA artwork for the 640x200x2 mode, but scales it to make it fit the higher resolution of Hercules. Obviously this isn’t using native Hercules artwork and so it isn’t going to impress Hercules fans, but it does work and there is no need to use any sort of CGA emulator anymore to play Planet X3 on Hercules graphics cards.
Plantronics ColorPlus 320x200x16
Many later model CGA cards (such as those used in the Commodore line of PCs, for example) support a 320x200x16 color video mode, but unlike the Tandy machines, very little software is known to support it. Since we didn’t have any artwork designed for this video mode, the Plantronics mode uses the same artwork as the Tandy 160x200x16 video mode, but it does at least use the better font from the CGA 320x200x4 mode. So it actually looks a little nicer than the Tandy mode, and a LOT nicer than the regular CGA mode. Incidentally, I had to show a screenshot from the real hardware because DOSBOX doesn’t actually emulate this mode.
CGA Grayscale 320x200x4
So, this mode is a bit of an irony. It actually doesn’t work on most CGA cards. But it does work on some newer ones, and most EGA/VGA cards. Why you’d want to use it, who knows? But it actually looks a lot nicer than the usual CGA palettes. It kind of has a Nintendo Gameboy appearance to it.
Tandy Hi-Res 640x200x16
So, this mode is a very interesting hack. First of all, not all Tandy models support this mode. Only ones with 64K of video RAM do, such as the 1000TL series. To use this mode, you actually need to run the VGA version of the game. It will autodetect the Tandy video mode and use it. It actually uses the same graphics as VGA mode. This mode is twice the resolution, but half the colors. So Benedikt came up with a dithering algorithm that works surprisingly well. Unfortunately, the medium res Tandy mode (320x200x16) is the most common mode for games and is still not supported, but now there are at least two options. And I suspect this is one of the best-looking games on a high-end Tandy machine that has the hi-res mode.
EGA Medium Res 640x200x16
This mode, as you probably guessed, uses the same graphics trick from the Tandy Hi-Res mode, and thus also uses the VGA graphics set with a dithering pattern. EGA mode does require its own executable, which is PX3_EGA.
For existing owners of Planet X3, You can download the new executables here which will add the new video mode support. This is just the executables so it won’t be of any use if you don’t have the rest of the game.
http://www.the8bitguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/New_Video_Modes.zip
Also, if you haven’t already, I recommend you join the Planet X3 facebook group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/503277420168121/
Also, Planet X3 is now available for purchase in the web store, so feel free to share the word with anyone looking to pickup a copy.
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About The Author
The 8Bit Guy
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41 Comments
Pradeep Reddyon February 19, 2019 at 3:04 pm
This is really some hardware stuff which I’m interested in.
Reply
Aaronon February 24, 2019 at 8:07 am
What about a digital copy?, is it possible to purchase?
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Joe Leaveron August 10, 2019 at 11:40 am
There’s a digital copy available from the store now!
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Brandon Mingoon February 19, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Tomon February 20, 2019 at 6:02 am
Thank you David for the Info 🙂
I hope there will be a bundle package with planet x2 as well 🙂
Wish you all the best
t.Reply
Scott Fergusonon February 20, 2019 at 10:42 pm
Missed the kickstart, waiting for the retail sale
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Scott Fergusonon February 20, 2019 at 10:43 pm
Missed the kickstart, waiting for the retail sale to be released.
Enjoyed watching your videos.Reply
Fedor Alexander Steemanon February 21, 2019 at 12:47 am
Looking forward!
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Juliuson February 21, 2019 at 8:37 am
When can we buy the digital copy online for the general public?
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Michaelon February 22, 2019 at 12:48 am
Looking forward top playing the game, when it the released to the public.
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Ronon February 26, 2019 at 3:57 am
Missed the kickstart, waiting for the retail sale to be released.
Love your videos.Reply
Rachel Smython February 26, 2019 at 6:27 pm
I received the box set, but don’t have the digital download in the box. Was it sent to my email? Or where can I find it?
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The 8Bit Guyon February 26, 2019 at 7:15 pm
The download link was posted in a kickstarter update.
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Cean McCulloughon March 10, 2019 at 11:37 pm
Can I make a request for you to have S.A.M. perform? I have a cute story to go with it. It is from when I was a kid, having S.A.M. read me the books I would type into Dad’s Atari 800, one line at a time. A word I typed in that came out with a great sound! Please let me know if you’ll help my dad and I walk down memory lane.
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Ethanon March 4, 2019 at 8:57 pm
Will there be a digital version?
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DigitalDarkroomon March 9, 2019 at 6:46 am
Please provide a way for us to buy a digital version of the game. Thanks.
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Alexanderon March 16, 2019 at 1:47 pm
I ‘d love to buy a digital version of Planet X3! I did the same with X2 and the game was worth every penny. Will there be a way to buy a digital copy of the game?
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Travison March 25, 2019 at 8:01 am
Missed the kick starter looking foreward to playing planet X3 on my tandy 1000
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Luca Papalinoon April 6, 2019 at 10:51 am
Missed Kickstarter, I’ll wait for the possibility to buy a copy as soon as you are ready!!!
Please let me know when available for purchase.Reply
Dale Forsython April 11, 2019 at 4:10 am
I just order a copy on Planet X2 for the C64, and would also like a Planet X3… is there a way I can get them shipped together to New Zealand…
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The 8Bit Guyon April 11, 2019 at 7:35 am
I saw your order and it is already shipped. But Planet X3 will not be available for sale for another week or two.
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Dale Forsython April 11, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Oh well, yah win some and yah lose some lol…
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codedwrenchon July 5, 2019 at 8:19 am
Working great! With the opl3lpt too.
https://a.pste.pw/Bg5.jpgReply
Wes Ravenon April 11, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Just built the 386 of my dreams when I was a kid in the late 80s, and I can’t believe I will have a new game to install. Thank you for the immense effort, [patiently] looking forward to the public release 🙂
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Malek Masoudon April 24, 2019 at 1:05 pm
Is Planet X-3 for MS-DOS compatible with computers running Microsoft Windows? More specifically, which versions of Windows does Planet X-3 support?
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The 8Bit Guyon April 24, 2019 at 5:24 pm
It will run on Windows to the extent any MS-DOS games will run on Windows.
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gavinon July 31, 2019 at 11:21 pm
would it work with windows 10? i have a USB Floppy drive but i don’t have a ms-dos pc
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CLAYTON ALLENon December 5, 2020 at 7:59 am
DOSBOX
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Athanasiuson May 15, 2019 at 8:40 am
Hello @The 8Bit Guy
Will there be no purely digital download for this very interesting game? Unfortunately shipping rates are really high to my country…
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SirYodaJedion May 16, 2019 at 10:01 am
Can’t wait for digital purchase option (I don’t have a spare retro PC lying around, much less a floppy drive).
Any chance of a clean image of the cover that can be used to properly represent the finalized game on various wikis (such as PCGamingWiki: https://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Planet_X3)?Reply
Carlos Teixeiraon May 30, 2019 at 10:08 am
Really happy about the addition of new graphics modes! That’s awesome. I wonder about Innovation SSI 2001 support, it is also a 3 voice card since its based on the SID, and even CMS Sound support. So i’m hoping for the addition of new Sound card support too.
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Athanasiuson June 20, 2019 at 7:14 am
That’s one hell of a game, I’m really impressed! Once I’ve learned the basics of gameplay I had hours and hours of fun (and still many maps to go for!). I was reluctant at first, because I prefered a pure download version – especially as I don’t have a DOS-system anymore. But now, after experiencing the unique, very clever gameplay, the great graphics and wonderful music tracks, I have to say it’s easily worth to get the game boxed even if you don’t own DOS-computer. I like it so much I just ordered it again (boxed this time, I love that cover art!).
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Primalon June 21, 2019 at 10:55 pm
Watched your video. Great game!
Hope this comes out for Android (as keyboard, mouse and hardware controllers are supported), or at least as a Rom we could use in an emulator for Android. I’d love to play this on my Nvidia Shield TV.
Also, the isometric artwork in the manual could be an indicator of a 16 or 32 bit version in the future! 😉
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Jairoon June 27, 2019 at 7:23 pm
Hello,
Is it possible to purchase planet x3 as a download only?
I would like to try it but i have no intention of running on actual hardware
A rom file would be nice or even a steam or gog download, that would be greatReply
Luc Daigleon July 30, 2019 at 7:54 am
Hi David, I’ve purchased the game and love it! The mp3’s that came with the digital download also make great driving and exercise tunes.
Question: Can the music be used in YouTube videos if credit is given?
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Toyotavanon August 12, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Looking forward to it!
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Mikeon August 14, 2019 at 6:04 pm
Will X3 play on a Coco 2 64k?
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Pamela Denneyon May 27, 2020 at 8:31 pm
I ordered the combo box and was wondering if it would work on windows 98 dos mode.
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Anthony Lawon December 30, 2020 at 2:45 am
I just received my signed boxed copy of Planet X3 and I love it! Great box art, I like manuals, very professional and having both disk formats and the music on tape is a nice touch. I have been enjoying the game DL for the past two weeks and I can’t stop playing it.
Thank you David and to everyone else that made this possible.Reply
Konstantinon October 19, 2022 at 8:47 am
Are there any plans to produce an Amiga compatible version?
Reply
MARKon September 8, 2023 at 11:37 pm
David, it’s really difficult to find any Planet X3 game overview/detailed information of what the gameplay is like and how it works? The simplest option would be to provide the game manual as a digital download? I’ve searched heaps of sites, and there’s lots of technical info on which computer & screen-modes that it works on, but I can’t see any info on how the gameplay actually functions? Eg. What the different buildings are for, or how the terrain impedes the vehicle or not, etc. I don’t have the computer set up to play the game at the moment (by purchasing), but if you respond that there’s not a free manual/guidebook available – I’ll just buy it for the explanation of the game I guess? Thanks.
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