So what do we know about SmileBASIC 3.3?

New non-DLC features * BGMPAUSE - Pause BGMPLAY * BGMCONT - Continue BGMPLAY * SNDSTOP - Stop all BGMPLAYs and BEEPs * CLIPBOARD - Copy and paste buffer access * BIN$() - Convert to Binary * MILLISEC - Extra precision version of MAINCNT * 8x8 and 32x32 BG tile modes High Quality Sound DLC (~$5) ^[1] * "FFT - Fast Fourier transform" * "IFFT - Inverse Fourier transform" * "BIQUAD - BiQuad Filter" * "Waveform stream playback" * Available at 3.3.0 release * When these commands are present on a system without the DLC purchased, they run with no operation. * Images are shown using the commands to make simulated sound hardware setups, and it is suggested on the official site that "SmileBASIC can become a synthesizer! SmileBASIC can become a vocoder!" with the aid of these commands. (Japan only) Namco Bandai IP Collaboration ([~$1/$2] each game^[3]) * Includes both graphic and music assets * Downloading a program with the materials to a non-Japanese copy will remove them from the package. * Limitations are placed on the use of the content, such as not permissible to create an exact copy of a particular game. PTC Big (Wii U version - tentative title) ^[2] * Release date (Japan) is some time after 3.3.0 * USB keyboard support * 800x480 screen size mode * Multiple TOOL programs loaded at once * Larger GRP size available * OPTION COMPAT allows some specification of compatibility mode * Program editing screen, others utilize greater display space * 3 times faster run speed (than 3DS) * Wii remote/Nunchuk/etc. as controllers, BUT * Some features have to be removed due to hardware, including - Microphone access - Local wireless - 3D visuals * In place of local wireless, same-system play (using the multiple controllers) * 64MB available memory (3DS: 8MB) -/- 75x44 text console -/- 1024x1024 GRP Most of this information comes from Japanese magazine features, as well as the Japanese site. Translation and awareness credit Kouyama. [1] http://i.imgur.com/myEWGEB.jpg [2] http://i.imgur.com/kV7yhb6.jpg http://smileboom.com/special/ptcm3/ev1510t/ http://www.famitsu.com/news/201510/17091001.html http://smileboom.com/press/20151017petitcom_en/ [3] Specific prices for each game's assets: Galaxian: 100 yen Galaga: 200 yen Xevious: 200 yen Pac-Man: 100 yen Dig-Dug: 200 yen Mappy: 200 yen

Neat

Okay, thanks! So still no release date, huh? I'm basically waiting for the 32x32 BG support before I start any major work on my game, because I'd rather not code a workaround and then have to rewrite it all once the update releases.

Uh it might have been stated as Spring 2016. But as usual I don't want to sound too sure on that.

I think is was said to be this year. So not more than 3 weeks from now.

Yeah the Spring thing might have been for BIG.

Winter 2015 is the slated 3.3.0 global release date. Spring 2015 is the estimated Japanese BIG release date. I was gonna make a megathread but it's too late oh well

Couldn't help but notice that it says microphone access will be removed. Are they trying to say that the mic only works for the gamepad or that it won't be accessible at all? The latter is totally unfortunate because that means BIG would be completely closed-off to outside communication, as SmileBoom stated they have no intent to include Wii U/3DS communications. Everything would have to go through the server unless we find some better way.

Couldn't help but notice that it says microphone access will be removed. Are they trying to say that the mic only works for the gamepad or that it won't be accessible at all? The latter is totally unfortunate because that means BIG would be completely closed-off to outside communication, as SmileBoom stated they have no intent to include Wii U/3DS communications. Everything would have to go through the server unless we find some better way.

NOOO! If that happens, there's going to be some some serious backlash!

Couldn't help but notice that it says microphone access will be removed. Are they trying to say that the mic only works for the gamepad or that it won't be accessible at all? The latter is totally unfortunate because that means BIG would be completely closed-off to outside communication, as SmileBoom stated they have no intent to include Wii U/3DS communications. Everything would have to go through the server unless we find some better way.

Uh I mean you could hand it off to your 3DS account. Let me... check. I'm not too sure about that either. The Wii U does have a microphone, right?

Couldn't help but notice that it says microphone access will be removed. Are they trying to say that the mic only works for the gamepad or that it won't be accessible at all? The latter is totally unfortunate because that means BIG would be completely closed-off to outside communication, as SmileBoom stated they have no intent to include Wii U/3DS communications. Everything would have to go through the server unless we find some better way.

Uh I mean you could hand it off to your 3DS account. Let me... check. I'm not too sure about that either. The Wii U does have a microphone, right?

Yes, but using your 3DS server slots requires the server. The Wii U Gamepad does have a mic and audio jack but it says in the OT up there that microphone access will be disallowed to some extent.

Some BIG images One of the gamepad modes. Notice the bottom-left. The editor doesn't scale the graphics up to fit or anything, you get a nice presentation like this. Our Wii U speed test stats. 3DS as of 3.2.0, for comparison. I couldn't find anything confirming either way the microphone, but I also don't have access to all the resources. Edit: Just got confirmation from rei_nntnd that the microphone isn't supported, unfortunately.

So, are SmileBASIC (3DS) and BIG programs compatible with each other? As in, a 3DS program could be run on BIG? How would that work, if so? Maybe HARDWARE would also be able to return 2 for Wii U? After all, you can't LOCATE outside of console boundaries, so theoretically, BIG programs wouldn't be compatible with 3DS...

And also, what's the deal with the multiple smile buttons? One will probably be equivalent to the 3DS's Smile Tool, but what about the other one? Will it be blank, same as the other button (by default), or will it be a different tool entirely? Maybe a shortcut manager or a convenient calculator? What's also interesting is the BIG gamepad screenshot, which shows the MIC indicator. That probably suggests that 3DS and BIG programs WILL be compatible with each other, but the MIC command would be nulled out on BIG. The bottoms on the bottom left of the gamepad are also interesting, but I think those just clone the TV screen to the gamepad like most other Wii U games have. The "-" button on the top left of the gamepad is also interesting. Maybe it's a zoom button, and the editor screenshot is zoomed in, so it looks bigger? Also, the save and load slot buttons on the bottom are interesting, but I find it odd how they didn't place them on the left menu... One final thing I find interesting is that the editor doesn't have the same font as on the 3DS. In fact, that font seems to be 16x16, instead of 8x8 on the 3DS. You can especially notice this, since the line/column indicators on the editor are actually part of the font, but on the screenshot they match with the indicators on the 3DS, but double the size, with the actual code having more detail than the indicators.

So, are SmileBASIC (3DS) and BIG programs compatible with each other? As in, a 3DS program could be run on BIG?

3DS programs will run normally on WiiU just by scaling the display up, and for Wii U to 3DS I think OPTION COMPAT will make it run in some way that makes it work well on both or prevents you from using Wii U only features. So, it's kind of up to the programmer to make their programs work on both systems, I guess. And HARDWARE should be able to tell you what system is being run on, yes.

And also, what's the deal with the multiple smile buttons?

TOOL programs have slightly elevated privileges (access to other project folders), so there is benefit in having multiple loaded at once. (As well as, say, one person makes a super nice spreadsheet program that you use to keep track of stuff, but you still want the Smile Tool for references. This isn't possible on 3DS.)

The bottoms on the bottom left of the gamepad are also interesting, but I think those just clone the TV screen to the gamepad like most other Wii U games have.

...Right. This is display modes for the 2 screens, because there are different ways to possibly configure the top and bottom layout and not all programs have the same requirements for them.

Also, the save and load slot buttons on the bottom are interesting, but I find it odd how they didn't place them on the left menu...

I figure it's just easier than typing out SAVE and LOAD for specific slots.

Hopefully there will be a way to transfer the Namco assets out of the Japanese version via something like PetitModem so everyone else in the world can play the games made using them.

I mean, it depends how they do the detection. You might be able to just <redacted>. I don't think the Namco DLC will actually sell that well, so... I think it's just best to see how it plays out, because even Smileboom is just trying out having DLC and chances are they can't enforce it as well as they need to.

You have to use some kind of DLCOPEN command or something to even use the assets. They're REALLY heavily protected. Also, is it just image compression or is the 16x16 font ugly? Hopefully they bring it more in line with the 3DS font. EDIT: Something else that most people seem to miss: the Namco DLC will be sold as each game separately, about 100 yen each game IIRC. The first six will come out with 3.3.0, and the rest later.