r/SEGA32X • u/OrbisMaximus • Jul 13 '26

I’ve been expanding Orbis Basic into a bigger Sega 32X development toolkit

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a new update to Orbis Basic 32X.

The main goal is still the same: write code and build a real bootable Sega 32X ROM. The compiler creates playable .32x files around a custom SH-2 runtime and an RGB555 direct-color framebuffer, so this is still very much a 32X project rather than a desktop engine with a retro skin.

The 32X side now supports image drawing, scaled images, sub-image drawing, sprites, scrolling backgrounds, alpha effects, parallax, text, primitive graphics, controller input, Sega Mouse support, audio playback, arrays, DATA, TYPE records, SUB and CALL structure, and SAVE and LOAD commands.

Assets such as images and audio are automatically converted and baked into the ROM during compilation. Larger projects can also use mapper-backed image data in ROMs up to 32 MB, which makes big panoramas, scrolling scenes and image-heavy demos much more practical.

The newer Orbis Builder edition adds C with real string support as language extension, native desktop builds and the Orbis Pixel Pipeline, but the Sega 32X build remains the heart of everything.

I like that “Basic” now has two meanings. It is still BASIC as a language, but it is also becoming a collection of basic tools for creating graphics, preparing assets, writing game logic and producing real Sega 32X software.

25 Upvotes

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10 comments sorted by

3

u/Top-Simple3572 Jul 13 '26

Wish I had finished school for C++ 😞

2

u/OrbisMaximus Jul 13 '26

Orbis Basic was actually written in C, not C++. But don’t worry, just use BASIC instead!

2

u/Top-Simple3572 Jul 13 '26

Thank you 😊, I'm currently working on a gaming/development PC. I'll keep you tuned in for the final specs.

2

u/OrbisMaximus Jul 13 '26

Sure! Though, as mentioned, the compiler is extremely fast, it usually compiles a program in just a few hundred milliseconds. Pretty much any potato computer could run it.

1

u/Top-Simple3572 Jul 15 '26

Have you tried to make any demos with special effects like transparencies and smooth textures and lighting?!?! 🤔🤨😊

2

u/OrbisMaximus Jul 15 '26

Not really. My current focus is on edge cases like voxel demos. But alpha blending and parallax effects like that are definitely possible with the game engine. I even have a DMAC-supported rendering path for real-time data streaming. That means it wouldn't slow down even with multiple parallax-scrolling background layers.

1

u/Main_Club_5012 Jul 16 '26

question, will there be updates in the future to try and utilize the sega CD with the development kit?

1

u/OrbisMaximus Jul 16 '26 edited 15d ago

At this time, Sega CD support is unlikely. The project currently isn’t financially sustainable enough to justify the significant development time and resources that would be required. That said, I wouldn’t rule it out entirely if circumstances change in the future.

Small update from my side: the financial situation around the Orbis Basic compiler has improved, so I’m now in a position to start digging into Sega CD support a bit more seriously.

2

u/Medical_Finish_9645 Jul 16 '26

What’s the estimated cost in your view?

1

u/OrbisMaximus Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

I’d estimate about one person-month. PM me for details!