CompuServe Messages

>> AFAIK you are still limited to eight [sprites] on any horizontal [raster] line … Yes, that's generally true, although more have been created in "ghost" mode by flipping on the interlace signal… >>I think the original idea was to use them to extend the character set … Doubt it. The concept of a "movable object block", or sprite, allows an object to pass across a background with no need to refresh the background picture to make it reappear. It could be argued that such a general concept has wide application: for example, to create a mouse pointer or a modest-sized "requester box" over a background screen. But I think that the chip design was almost totally aimed at game usage: things to shoot at, and missiles to do the shooting. Commodore targeted the VIC-II chip for sales into the video game market, not just for the 64. –Jim