Welcome, fellow retro gaming aficionados, to a journey through time and technology. It all began nearly four decades ago, on a cold Christmas eve, when I unwrapped my very first computer: the Commodore 116. Bundled with a sluggish tape drive and a handful of game tapes, it was a humble beginning to my lifelong love affair with computing.

Despite the frustrations of its rubber keyboard and limited memory (a measly 16kb!), I was undeterred. Armed with determination and a BASIC tutorial, I dove headfirst into the world of programming, crafting my own small programs and games with fervor.

But as two years passed, I found myself hitting a wall. The constraints of the Commodore 116 became too stifling, and I knew it was time to level up. Enter the Commodore 64—a game-changer in every sense of the word. With more RAM, real sprites, and that unforgettable SID sound chip, it was a revelation.

Of course, I indulged in my fair share of gaming, and one title that held a special place in my heart was Boulder Dash. As its 40th anniversary approached, I felt inspired to pay homage to this timeless classic with a fan game of my own: Diamond Dave.

What began as a simple homage soon evolved into a labor of love. Starting with a single screen and a wandering block, I meticulously added pixels until Rockford himself materialized before my eyes. The screen expanded, scrolling was implemented, and soon, Diamond Dave began to take shape.

In this blog, I invite you to join me on my journey of game development—warts and all. From the initial spark of inspiration to the creation of sprites and level maps, I'll be sharing the highs and lows, the moments of laughter and frustration, as Diamond Dave comes to life.

So buckle up, fellow adventurers, and prepare to embark on a nostalgic quest like no other. Stay tuned for updates, insights, and maybe even a few surprises along the way. The adventure awaits!

Until next time, happy gaming!

fNX