Porting Homeworld from PC to PSP...

[Jack_6428]

Hi guys, last week i got the idea to port this great RTS from PC to the PSP...

I think it could be possible...since the Homeworld source-code is said to be quite user friendly. Basically fans ported the game to Linux and MAC OS. I thought, why not port it to the PSP ? To have a great game on the go ? Since there is no real space game on the system.

About the game:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

In terms of hardware, Homeworld system requierments are:
PII 233 or equivalent
RAM: 32 MB
Video Memory: 4 MB
Hard Drive Space: 150 MB

Recommended specs are:
PII 350 or equivalent
RAM: 64 MB
Video Memory: 12 MB
Hard Drive Space: 400 MB

The PSP's hardware is (the port would work on all PSP's apart from Phat):
CPU: 333Mhz
RAM: 64MB Main Memory, 4 MB embedded DRAM
Video Memory: 2MB
Resolution: 480x272
Hard Drive Space: Depends on Memory Stick, maximum is 16GB

For controls:
Best way would be to make the Analog stick perform as a mouse, and adapt the micro-management system to the PSP

You could also allow the user to assign shortcuts to the digital pad, ex:

Default:
Up - Launch Menu
Left - Build Menu
Right - Research Menu
Down - Game View

Custom:
Up - Sphere formation
Left - Claw Formation
Right - Wall Formation
Down - Custom Formation

and etc.

You could require that the user must be holding down the L or R triggers to rotate the camera, and assign the ^/X/O/[] buttons as so:

Default Config:
L - Focus on current ship
R - Orbit Camera
X - Left Click
O - Right Click/Context Menu
[] - Move Command
^ - Attack Command

Custom Config:
L - Left Click
R - Right Click/Context Menu
X - Attack Command
O - Orbit Camera
[] - Focus on Current Ship
^ - Move Command

As for rendering options, D3D will be probably unavailable. DirectX is not coded into the infrastructure and I believe the system either uses OpenGL or a custom API. Best bet is to go with Software rendering in the meantime (the game allows it).

I think if we lowered the resolution of the movies and audio (compressing, etc.), lowered texture quality a bit...the PSP should handle the game well. Mainly, the source code is available for free...

Right now i have these things to work with:
PC
PSP-2000 with CFW (warranty is way over due)
Homeworld game for PC
Homeworld game sourcecode with manuals/documents
Random tools and apps which will be needed for work

What do you guys think ? Possible ? I would love to have one of my favourite games on the PSP... I think it could get finished by Christmas if everything goes according to plan...perhaps later..So far over the net i found 3 people who are willing to help... if someone here helped aswell..we could become a team and work on it together...

Ive set up my blog for that with the thought:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

THANKS for any replies and help!