Ok. So you can finally update pico8 on pocket chip without having to flash by typing the following in terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install chip-pico-8
Also thought some of you may be interested in the following link regarding a 'console' version of pico8 that is being released for $29.
https://getchip.com/pages/chip
That's pretty cool. But we have that, it's called the Pi build. ;)
Does this mean that anyone with an armhf device can install it for free ?
Ordered. I was craving the NES classic, and it's over $250 from scalpers on amazon (from the original $60), and the pocket chip pico-8 console kit is half that. I like my pocket-chip, but my old eyes want a much, much bigger screen.
My understanding is the license is for the chip hardware; I hope/suspect that next thing inc is kicking back to Zep for the pleasure.
The announcement says that PICO-8 is free for all CHIPs and PocketCHIPs. That doesn't sound like it applies to all armhf devices. Whether it's technically possible to copy it off of NTCo's servers I don't know, but it sounds like that'd be unauthorized use. http://blog.nextthing.co/pico-8-now-free-for-all-c-h-i-p-s
I can confirm that upgrading the chip-pico-8 package on a non-flashed PocketCHIP works. It's 0.1.9.
@salah, the ARM builds for CHIP probably won't work across all ARM devices, the base ARM CPU chips are manufactured by two different companies (Broadcom and Allwinner).
The pico8_dyn binary on my Raspberry Pi 3 is linked against the VCHIQ video driver library for the Broadcom chip, so it would only run on platforms that have that library installed.
ldd pico8_dyn | grep vc libvchiq_arm.so => /opt/vc/lib/libvchiq_arm.so (0x7691e000) libvcos.so => /opt/vc/lib/libvcos.so (0x76904000) |
Awesome, just what I was looking for...
I can double-confirm that the update command does get you 0.1.9 without having to flash everything. Nice!
sudo apt update && sudo apt install chip-pico-8 |
Well, I wish I'd known that before all of the headache. Gonna have to remember that for future versions! :D
Have a PocketCHIP already and ordered the Console package a few days ago! Can't wait!
Quick question to any pocket chip owners...
Do you get periodic slowdown in PICO8? Every 30 seconds or so, it seems to lag for a second or so. Seems independent of workload, and even happens in simple games.
It's no just pico8, also happens in the few emulators I've installed and also doom... For me anyway.
Would appreciate if someone can check. I've posted on the official forums, a few others have indicated they get the same but there isn't widespread acknowledgement and I'm not sure if it's common to all chips (and some people either haven't noticed or don't care), or if there's a bad batch of chips...
@Felictous
I just received my PocketC.H.I.P. 3 days ago and haven't noticed any slowdown within any of the packaged applications or when playing games on PICO-8.
I haven't fully explored what the P-CHIP is capable of doing, but at present it seems to work as intended as far as performance.
However I have had instances where the keyboard went a little wonky within PICO-8 and would not let me SHIFT keys. A reboot of the system fixed the issue, and it could have been something to do with my messing around with the FN key.
Since you mention you use emulators I would check (if it's possible) to make sure they aren't starting at bootup and sitting in memory taking up space, in the background, while you are operating other application.
Other specs and notes.
My P-CHIP is the updated 4gb model running the last stable version (AFAIK).
So, maybe, if you are using the older 2gb there could be lack of space... Possibly???
Also, IF, you updated the firmware version to the latest it could be a bug within the new F.W. since it's in ALPHA phase.
felicitious: yes, mine does this too. Its really annoying. I thought the 0.1.9 update might help, but it doesn't seem to.
I only really use my PC for Pico-8, so can't comment on whether it happens in other software.
you could sit there with "top" open in a terminal and see what process pops to the top of the list when that framerate drop happens?
Thanks for the replies. @geistvonpa, I've tried various configurations and most recently reflashed to 4.4 and checked pico8 straight from reflashing.
Theres been the suggestion on the official forum in relation to mednafen (emulator) that it's related to sound buffer size, but increasing that that hasn't made any difference for me.
@ametecha - I'm a relative noob to Linux so not sure how to get top running and viewable with pico8 also running - by the time I switch apps, the slowdown is over.
I've benched my chip using sysbench and it fits within the benchmarks posted on the forum, so doesn't seem like it's my chip being bad, and with minsofts confirmation as well as other anecdotal reports I'm surprised more people aren't seeing it; either not all chips are affected, or it's not something some people are sensitive to. I know I'm particularly sensitive to slowdown in games so maybe I just notice it more.
I'm going to contact Next support and see what they say. I'm disappointed tbh, as they're marketing the pocket chip as a Pico8 machine, but if it can't run it properly it's a bit of a cheek.... Hopefully it's something they can fix.
damn, this sucks, i ordered my pocketchip last month. i was so excited. any word on a fix?
@felicitous blue
I have noticed sporadic lag within PICO-8 game play.
I'm still running factory stock firmware (4.3).
And now for a PCHIP bashing Diatribe:
I have to say that I have spent a significant amount of time on the PocketCHIP; my main reason and purpose for using the PCHIP is strictly PICO-8.
However I find it rather frustrating as far as the interface (Touch Screen), even after using xinput to calibrate the pointer.
The PCHIP is useful for those who travel and want to whittle away the boring hours coding. However I still find a small Netbook/laptop more convenient.
The PocketCHIP does a lot of things but it does none of them well enough for me to want to use it on an indefinite regular basis.
The keyboard alone makes my thumbs hurts after 20mins of continuous use; hence I've switched to my Rii but now I have something else to carry around. It's also pretty pointless for fast paced SHMUPS or any diagonal directions because it means pressing even harder as you try to press 2 direction keys simultaneously.
The keyboard, is constantly changing or not working correctly after switching from the File Browser, Terminal and PICO-8 which is a constant pain to correct because it requires the PCHIP to reboot.
The Constant Jittery motion when scrolling using the scroll bar makes it impossible to read documents which then forces you to use the Down arrow or constant screen tapping to scroll.
The inconvenient way a right click needs to be initiated (CRTL+TOUCH).
Xinput can simulate right click but then screws something else up, such as just touching/tapping in general.
The System has too many bugs, and I think I've experienced most, to be a reliable source for constant interaction.
Sorry for this diatribe of me bashing the PocketCHIP but I felt it might help anyone wanting to purchase a unit strictly for PICO-8 purposes.
All good points of the PocketCHIP and I agree with all of them...but I don't use the PocketCHIP as a computer. If I wanted a computer, I'd use a laptop or desktop, as you alluded to.
My experience playing Pico8 games on the PocketCHIP has been wonderful. Outside of that, I haven't pushed my PocketCHIP to do much more other than run a few emulators.
I too bought the PCHIP for Pico-8 and I haven't had any issues at all playing any cart that is version appropriate. A slight lag or hiccup here and there? Sure, but not so frequently that it makes playing unbearable. Plus my computer and phone hiccups all the time too.
I boot up my PCHIP almost daily to see what new games there are to play, and I almost exclusively play P8 games on the PCHIP. It's my indieGameBoy. The biggest issue with PCHIP and Pico8 is the version and that people have to update to play anything recent, but that should work itself out naturally.
If you're looking to get the PocketCHIP as a pocket computer then yes, it's something to be desired. It's not going to replace your laptop or desktop...it's not intended to. But if you're seeing it as a Pico8 machine, then it's fine. And it's also $70.
I just received mine and I'm so happy !
As you guys my PChip is mainly for Pico-8 programming.
I noticed some keyboard problems as @geistvonpa and others.
random problem.
I have a question, how can I transfer all my Pico-8 program from my PC to my PChip ? (If it's possible)
Thanks
I finally got a chance to play PICO8 on my PocketCHIP and I would say the lag is not too bad. The framerate drops every so often. It's not "lag" in the latency sense.
It is likely due to the CPU downclocking itself to control heat.
The solution, besides installing a heatsink and/or a fan, is likely to downlock the CPU on purpose and optimize the geese out of PICO8's source code.
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