VMU development: Difference between revisions
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=== Overview === | |||
Developing standalone games for the VMU is both a challenging and rewarding development feat. On one hand, it's not the easiest embedded device or to target, given that it doesn't have a C compiler and has its own set of hardware eccentricities. On the other hand, the device features a rich instruction set, 3 different clock sources, a FAT filesystem, and many different peripherals which can be leveraged by a developer, making it something of a Sega Saturn of little 8-bit gaming devices. | |||
While there is an active an ongoing effort within the scene to lower the barrier of entry into VMU development and to get more high-quality tutorials and materials out there for newbies, this page will hopefully serve as an entry point for what is currently available. | |||
=== Hardware === | |||
A high-level overview of the VMU's hardware and peripherals can be found [[VMU_hardware_overview|here]]. | |||
=== Programming === | |||
Since there is no C compiler for the VMU's 8-bit Sanyo CPU, development is traditionally done in Sanyo LC86k assembly language; however, it is now possible to write C code indirectly targeting the device via emulation of the ARM Cortex A23 CPU. | |||
==== LC86k Assembly Code ==== | |||
==== C Code ==== | |||
=== Architecture === | |||
=== Testing === | |||
==== Emulators ==== | |||
==== Physical Device ==== | |||
=== References === | |||
Here are some reference resources to get started | Here are some reference resources to get started | ||
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* [http://slum.online/dreamcast/ Slum Online development] | * [http://slum.online/dreamcast/ Slum Online development] | ||
* [[VMU Emulators#ElysianVMU|ElysianVMU]] - Emulator, File Manager, Debugger | * [[VMU Emulators#ElysianVMU|ElysianVMU]] - Emulator, File Manager, Debugger | ||
* [https://github.com/wtetzner/waterbear Waterbear] - VMU Assembler | * [https://github.com/wtetzner/waterbear Waterbear] - VMU Assembler, Disassembler, VMS tools | ||
* VMU documentation in PDF: [[:File:VMU.pdf]] | * VMU documentation in PDF: [[:File:VMU.pdf]] | ||
{{DCWiki:Stub}} | {{DCWiki:Stub}} | ||
Revision as of 17:58, 27 December 2022
Overview
Developing standalone games for the VMU is both a challenging and rewarding development feat. On one hand, it's not the easiest embedded device or to target, given that it doesn't have a C compiler and has its own set of hardware eccentricities. On the other hand, the device features a rich instruction set, 3 different clock sources, a FAT filesystem, and many different peripherals which can be leveraged by a developer, making it something of a Sega Saturn of little 8-bit gaming devices.
While there is an active an ongoing effort within the scene to lower the barrier of entry into VMU development and to get more high-quality tutorials and materials out there for newbies, this page will hopefully serve as an entry point for what is currently available.
Hardware
A high-level overview of the VMU's hardware and peripherals can be found here.
Programming
Since there is no C compiler for the VMU's 8-bit Sanyo CPU, development is traditionally done in Sanyo LC86k assembly language; however, it is now possible to write C code indirectly targeting the device via emulation of the ARM Cortex A23 CPU.
LC86k Assembly Code
C Code
Architecture
Testing
Emulators
Physical Device
References
Here are some reference resources to get started
- Marcus Comstedt's VMU Programming Site
- link Dmitry.gr VMU hacking
- Slum Online development
- ElysianVMU - Emulator, File Manager, Debugger
- Waterbear - VMU Assembler, Disassembler, VMS tools
- VMU documentation in PDF: File:VMU.pdf
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