What is SEUCK?
SEUCK
= Shoot 'Em Up Construction Kit
SEUCK
is an acronym for "Shoot Em Up Construction Kit".
SEUCK is an old commercial
C64 utility that allows you to create and generate your very own shoot
'em ups or other game ideas with the aid
of various sub menus pre-built into the program itself. SEUCK was swiss
army
knife of games development without needing any knowledge of code. Why
was that? It was because there is no programming language required.
Your game can be constructed
using a set of menus. sprites, objects, background graphics, sound
effects (music requires additional custom code), attack waves, player
limitations, level settings, play test and even its own disk or tape
mastering system. The tape version had its own auto boot tape with
built in SEUCK fast loader tape system. Out of many games creation
editors, SEUCK is by far the most easiest games creator for the
Commodore 64. It is also a whole lot of fun too.
Although you can make fun games with SEUCK. The editor also has its own limitations about what you can or can't
do to build your own game. Common pitfalls, are the game engine is very
limited or restricted with the number of units available for attack patterns. On the plus side, it is possible to implement
clever tricks using the attack waves. For example a boss sprite is formed of linked enemies
and will not explode as a whole set after 15 shots. The down side it it
is that you will have to kill a boss by shooting each sprite separately.
There's also the waiting time for a level to complete after shooting a
boss clean. As well as basic game play, SEUCK can also churn out some quality games productions that really
outsmart the SEUCK even without programming. Here are a few examples
(available on the TND web site) ...
Clever tricks made in SEUCK games - WITHOUT CODE:
VIOS by Carl Mason
VIOS shows quality than quantity. inside the Shoot Em Up Construction Kit. Back in
1994, Carl wrote this game, then in 2011 TND had the pleasure of
hosting the special 2011 edition of the same game. Carl made this game
as an inspiration to a lot of the classic Japanese console/arcade
mech-inspired games. VIOS was a fast paced shoot 'em up in which you
have to do battle against a deadly machine. The detail in this game is
really amazing and the tricks for the boss fights were stunning. What
made it even amazing was that *no programming tricks were used* .
Barakon by Alf Yngve

Back in 2010. Alf Yngve showed more of his talent by creating a mean
beat 'em up using SEUCK. Barakon was a fun beat 'em up which you have
to do battle against an evil army, the Confederate Militia. The way to
get through the battle is to use your bionic battle fists. SEUCK does
have its own limitations. It is still possible to make beat 'em ups
with this editor. This game did really well in the Official C64 SEUCK
Compo 2010 and made second place.
C'notte D'Knight! by Aldo Chiummo

Finally, if you wanted to make a Fire Trap type of game set in Medieval
times this game proves it possible. C'Notte D'Knight has you as C'Notte
who has to climb up the castles and rescue the princess. There are
enemy guards and other hazards which get in your way. The game's design
is quite stunning, and the game, itself is also fun to play.
Sideways SEUCK
In 2008, Jon Wells created a Sideways Scrolling SEUCK. This tool
still had the same limitations as the original SEUCK, but it scrolled
sideways. The Sideways SEUCK allowed gamers to create their own
sideways scrolling shoot 'em ups. The majority of those were mainly
space shooters. However, here are 3 more games that stood out well with
Sideways SEUCK:
Dream World by Gaetano Chiummo

This was a nice push scrolling shoot 'em up, with a sad tale. It was
about a boy who was very naughty and got no presents for Christmas. He
enters a magical world and attempts to collect toys, while he faces the
deadly monsters and other critters. This is a nice cartoon caper push
scroller.
Zombie Brain Eaters by Andy / Arkanix Labs

SEUCK is not only designed for shoot 'em ups. What about Operation Wolf
type of games?. Zombie Brain Eaters is exactly one of those in which
you have to fight deadly zombies - and avoid getting bitten by them
otherwise you will lose a life. This game has some really nice
graphics, and the monsters are scary.
Barney by Wile Coyote

The final choice for this category has to be one of the best looking
sideways SEUCK games I have ever seen. It isn't a shoot 'em up, but a
collect 'em up instead. You play Barney, a cowfish who has to navigate
through the coral reef collecting pearls and also avoiding dangers that
lurk inside the reef. Barney has only one life, which can be short
lived - unless of course you play the game well.
What
about the SEUCK
Compo?
The Official C64 SEUCK Compo was first
launched by Akira, at shmups.com, but eventually passed the gauntlet to
TND to host the compo. Since 2009, the Official C64 SEUCK Compo has
been quite successful and it has been continuing (with breaks between)
through to 2020. The competition invited people to write and
submit their own SEUCK games without allowing enhancements at first. A
few years later the competition allowed innovative game enhancements
for compo entries. There have been a lot of amazing entries over the
past several years.
This will be the final SEUCK Compo on the TND web site.
Click
here to return to top menu
Finally the history of the compo is over. Now let's get to the fun part
... Aim + Categories.
Like with the past few competitions the
aim of the
Official C64 SEUCK Compo 2021 is to create and generate a fully
playable game, with aid of using the Shoot Em Up Construction Kit or
the Sideways Scrolling SEUCK. The objective is to make any kind of game
genre that you think might stand out in front of the crowd. It will be
worth it, since last year's winner managed to create something quite
original, well presented and a whole lot of fun. The prize was a fully
enhanced version of the game. If you win this year's compo, the same
thing can happen to you.
Here is what is what is suggested for the compo entries (although it is not compulsory):
Presentation and design
-
Front end presentation should have at least a logo and credits, rather
than a full page with just plain text. SEUCK's front end is very
restrictive for designing and creating your very own front end. To
create a logo, you can use the character editor
in the title screen editor to create chars that form a logo. The
easiest way would be to use characters that you don't need (using the
Edit Character Set option in the EDIT FRONT END menu. Then manually
construct the logo in the front end editor. You might want
to use the Action Replay M/C monitor to change the rolling bar colours
if there are colours that you don't want. You may use SEUCK School
enhancement Action Replay tips to change colours if you want to.

Good quality game design and originality
-
Game content should stand out well. There should be nice graphics, and
the sprites should be clear to see when playing this game. Graphics
should have some time spent on them. Rendering PC made graphics/models
of your
own, then converting those to C64 is one
good option. Exploring other background and sprite graphics can be
quite helpful as well. Alienator uses a clever example of
creating an Operation Wolf style game. It's highly playable and good
fun. Also Dodo's Deep Doo Doo shows that you cannot only make shoot 'em
ups using SEUCK/Sideways SEUCK. There is no harm in experimenting with
new ideas and perhaps bringing those out. :) Another
important key is playability. The game should be playable, addictive
and fun. Make sure your game has at least one collectible item for the
player to grab.
Regarding
graphics: You are welcome to use Charpad/Sprite pad and import into
SEUCK if you think this method is easier for drawing graphics/sprites ;)

Enhancements and use of SEUCK Redux is welcome but not essential
This year's Official C64 SEUCK Compo is not only open to SEUCK game
developers who cannot code, but also it is open to programmers who like
to
enhance their own or friends SEUCK creations. You are welcome to add
some enhancements from the SEUCK
School tips (or some of your own ideas) into your games, use the
KickAssembler, SEUCK Redux framework or do whatever you like to the
game to make it
stand out. However, you must prove that the game was made in SEUCK.
This can be done by sending the SEUCK All Data file or raw version of
the game along with the enhanced version.

Nucleo 448 used SEUCK Redux as a little collaboration project outside the SEUCK Compo.
Every entry will get music
Like
with every C64 SEUCK Compo. Every entry that gets submitted will
feature a
piece of music on the title or in game music (please request title, in
game or both when
submitting). This year, I would like to do exclusive music for compo
entries as a way to say a big thank you. If want to supply your own or
friends's music for your production. Please feel free to do so.
DMC V4.0 one of TND's all time favourite music programming utilities.
Click
here to return to top menu
Last
year's winner was Eleanor Burns with Synthia in the Cyber Crypt.


The winner's game will get full
enhancements
as a prize and will be emailed to them first before the prize package
(at the end of the compo) has been launched on D64 on the TND SEUCK
Compo 2021 page and richard-tnd.itch.io as a free download some time in June/July 2021.(Time dependant)
Depending on the type of game's compatibility, The
prize version of the game will be tested on SEUCK Redux (If suitable)
and showed to the winner - if suitable the platform will be used. Otherwise the prize will be on
standard SEUCK engine with additional enhancements. Either way this
will include:
- Front end presentation with author's credits and music
- Additional in game enhancements where necessary
- Hi Score table (depending on the game type)
-
Full digital tape master with loading picture by an active C64 graphican and music mastered with
TapeToolBuild, Tape Master Pro or Freeload (The winner will get to pick the loader they
would like to use) :)
The prize
version of game will be respectably submitted to the game author before
release with the SEUCK compo prize package in July/August 2021
Click
here to return to top menu
Last
updated: 25th December 2020
Please read these rules carefully:
How
entries should be submitted:
-
Entries are
Remote Email based and can
only be submitted to: richardcbayliss@gmail.com
-
Submissions should be .D64, .TAP, or PRG format. If you submit VICE
snap shots, please let the webmaster know which version of VICE was
used otherwise if you cannot save your game to .D64, after loading the
VICE snapshot try this as a guide line:
Disk
1. Go
to Settings / Drive Settings / Enable True Drive Emulation
2.
Go to Settings / Drive Settings / Drive Settings / Select one of the
1541 disk options. Then click on OK. The disk drive should then reset
3.
Go to File / Attach Disk Image / Drive 8 / Create a new D64,
by
typing in nameofprog.D64 then click on CREATE IMAGE, then
click
ATTACH
4. Go to the SEUCK
Storage menu. Ensure menu shows disk and select SAVE FINISHED GAME and
type in the filename of your game.
5. Wait some time
for the disk to save. You'll see a clock on the bottom right side of
the screen
6. After the clock
has finished. Wait a couple of seconds. Then go to FILE / DETACH DISK
IMAGE
7.
Ensure the snapshot is still saved on your PC. Don't delete it as you
might need it again. Re-attach the D64 and then HARD or SOFT RESET the
VICE C64 and type in:
LOAD "*",8,1
Your SEUCK game
should load and run after 3 or 4 minutes
Tape
1. Create a TAPE
(.tap) image, by selecting FILE / ATTACH TAPE IMAGE, save as
NAMEOFGAME.TAP and then ATTACH it
2. In the SEUCK Storage menu, select CHANGE DEVICE.
3. Go to FILE / DATASETTE CONTROL and select RECORD
4.
In SEUCK select SAVE FINISHED GAME, enter the name of your game, being
saved and wait patiently. After a few seconds or so a clock will appear
on screen while writing to .tap
5. After finished recording from tape. Go to file DETACH TAPE.
6.
Attach Test load your tape in VICE for your game to load. Depending on
which version of SEUCK you should either have the blue+yellow loading
stripes turbo or the multi-coloured loading stripes turbo.
Your SEUCK game should load
and run after 3 or 4 minutes
Competition rules
- Maximum number of entries = 3.
- Your
entry must be your own / group's work. Please credit those who
collaborated with you on the title screen. We are not fussed about your
own cracktro style intros.
- You are allowed to add your own enhancements to your creation
with additional code/SEUCK school if you wish to. KickAssembler
framework and SEUCK Redux platforms are also allowed to be used.
- Avoid using trade-marked/copyrighted material such as existing graphics from commercially released games.
- Avoid adding too many enemies/sprites on screen. This will result
to SEUCK slowdown syndrome, which could make the game unplayable
- Please keep it clean. We don't want games that involve scenes of adult nature or bad language i.e. sexual swear words.
- Do not release your game compo entry for download until after your entry has been uploaded on to the showcase.
- Your
entry must be non-commercial - Compo entries submitted will be
downloadable from this site as soon as they have been submitted
- Think outside the box. Make your game really stands out. We want quality over quantity.
- Do not make a request
for additional code/enhancements from the organiser of this
competition. The entire game project should solely be your own work.
- Do not use this competition, entrants or its organisers for bullying, raving, political or abusive behaviour.
- Once your entry has been submitted and uploaded, you are not allowed to update your entry
- Avoid using existing sound effects from example games / blank SEUCK.
- Avoid using existing attack wave patterns from example games.
- The compo organiser is also allowed to enter the competition
- Do not submit updated versions
of previously released games. You may recycle graphics to make a new
game or sequel, but it should not be the same game.
- Have fun and be creative and innovative. We love creativity.
When
submitting - Please
provide the following:
Name of game: What is the name of your
game?
Author: You can use your real
name, or if you prefer, you can use a handle/pseudo name
Musician (if any): If your game already has
music added to it, it is wise to credit the musician
Modifications (if
any) What
enhancements have you added to this game. (If any)
Extras: Does the
game come with an ending, multi part, loading picture, intro, etc. Either way, this
is still allowed :)
Instructions:
Please also give
brief instructions on how the game should be played. A full story, etc.
- Competition
starts on 25th December 2020
- Last
submission date is 30th April 2021 (with possible deadline extensions)
- Vote sheets will
be available some time after the closing submission of the compo.
HAPPY BLASTING
AND HAVE FUN!
Click
here to return to top menu
SEUCK COMPO 2021 ENTRIES:
Enjoy the showcase, and may the best game win this year's compo.
This is also the very last SEUCK Compo run by TND, so it is your last chance to submit until 30th April 2021.
Entry #1:
Their Machine
SEUCK version: Original (vertical scrolling)
Game design and graphics: Raul Gubert
Music: Raul Gubert
Enhancements/mods: N/A
Extras (If any): PDF intros and raw build of the game


Instructions:
The Machines have arrived to bring filthy meanings and psychotic
propaganda here in our world. Majestic machines are scattered through
the entire planet, vomiting globes that are probably spores of crude
life.Their life, our death. Discover and destroy, survive and
understand. Their Machines are evil, stop them.
Entry #2:
Bee Insect Attacking
SEUCK version: Sideways Scrolling SEUCK
Game design and graphics: Roberto Ricioppo
Music: Roberto Ricioppo
Enhancements/mods: N/A
Extras (If any): N/A


Instructions:
You are a killer bee. Your territory is being invaded by various
insects and other enemies. Your task is to shoot your stinger at the
enemies that get close by. You had better watch out though. The enemies
will attempt to fight you back with their own firepower. If you get hit
3 times, you are finished. Can you save your territory from being
infested by the enemies, or will your territory become theirs?
Click
here to return to top menu
Results and Prizes
The Official C64 SEUCK COMPO 2021
RESULTS
SEUCK
WITH MUSIC
SEUCK Buster V2.0
The
latest utility that allows you to add optional title and in game music
to your own front end or in game music on your SEUCK or Sideways SEUCK
game creation. Also includes a classic SCR
packer by F4CG for compressing your SEUCK titles. Full
instructions/note file are
provided on the D64.

PREVIOUS SEUCK COMPOS
Sideways
SEUCK Compo 2010
The official Sideways
Scrolling SEUCK Compo, which I ran in
2010.
Also features:
POUR LE MERITE by BAMSE
(Compo winner)
Standard SEUCK
Compo 2010
The official Vertical
Scrolling SEUCK compo, which I ran in
2010
Also features:
THE MAGE by Gaetano Chiummo
(Compo winner)
Sideways SEUCK
Compo 2011
After
the success of the last Sideways SEUCK Compo in 2010, I did it again
with yet another sideways SEUCK Compo in 2011. Which was yet again,
another successful competition.
Also features:
FORGOTTEN FOREST by Alf Yngve
(Compo winner)
SEUCK Compo 2013
After
a long break in 2012, with not so much going on ;)... This competition
started as a mixed SEUCK compo, and was quite a success. Catering for
both normal, and sideways scrolling versions of SEUCK.
Also features:
SHEER EARTH ATTACK by Gaetano
Chiummo
(Compo winner)
SEUCK Compo 2014
The second mixed SEUCK Compo
which was launched in 2014.
Also features:
DOUBLE OR NOTHING
by Alf Yngve
(Compo Winner)
SEUCK Compo 2015
Another quite successful mixed
SEUCK Compo 2015. Despite having to
increase the deadline now and then for submissions.
Also features:
ABYSSONAUT
by Ant Stiller
(Compo Winner)
Sideways SEUCK
Compo 2015
A mini SEUCK compo, which
catered for only the sideways scrolling SEUCK
compo.
Also features:
RETRO RETO PAN by
Errazking
(Compo winner)

SEUCK Compo 2016
A very successful mixed SEUCK
Compo 2016, which also ran over to start
of the year 2017. Some real stunning entries also.
Also features:
BORDER BLAST 3 by
Alf Yngve
(Compo Winner - Back to Basics)
The Spanish SEUCK Compo 2017
Run
by Errazking, which I stepped down for a year or so. Features a whole
lot of new SEUCK compo entries and also catered for other systems as
well as the Commodore 64. Some nice games, some pretty old ones as well.
Also features:
VALKYRIE 2 - The
Templar by
Eleanor Burns - The Winner of Spanish SEUCK Compo 2017 :)

SEUCK Compo
2018
A themed based Shoot 'Em Up
competition
Also features:
VALKYRIE 3 - The
Night Witch by Eleanor Burns
(Compo Winner)

SEUCK Compo 2019
A great SEUCK
game creation compo which was run last year. It featured some excellent
game titles mostly made from the standard SEUCK. There were a couple of
Sideways Scrolling SEUCK entries also. The official C64 SEUCK Compo
2019 was the most successful competition in the SEUCK category of all
time.
Also features:
Fulgur by Alf
Yngve
(Second runner up)

SEUCK Compo 2020
A good SEUCK
game creation compo which was run last year. It featured some decent
game titles mostly made from the standard SEUCK. There were a couple of
Sideways Scrolling SEUCK entries also a true winner: Synthia in the Cyber Crypt by Eleanor Burns

OTHER SEUCK RELATED LINKS
The
SEUCK Vault
A
SEUCK fan web site, run by Andrew Fisher, featuring a large archive of
previously seen/unreleased SEUCK games. Also includes some additional
articles, tips and tricks.
SEUCK School
My
very own SEUCK enhancement tips page, including various POKEs and
assembly / ML listings to help boost the improvement of SEUCK game
creations. Also includes the C64 framework for SEUCK, and a few other
cool tips.
Sideways
Scrolling
SEUCK
Jon
Well's adaptation of the original Shoot Em Up Construction Kit. Create
C64 games, which can scroll across the screen instead of
downwards. Also comes with an example game demo called 'Breakthrough'.
Current version only scrolls from left to the right, but is still worth
checking out. Included on the page, Imaginator and Nyaaaah! 11, for you
to play or work files, which you can muck around with.
Martin Piper's SEUCK Redux Framework
Martin
Piper's open source framework for SEUCK games, and other bits. With
this frame work, you are able to make SEUCK games more stable, and use
better pixel perfect collision. You will be required to use the ACME
cross assembler compiler (Martin's version is available with his full
download pacakge), and a lot of
programming knowledge.
Italian SEUCK Tutorial Page
SEUKC Tips on how to make a SEUCK game in Italian by Gaetano and Aldo
Chiummo
Click
here to return to top menu