Color Cycling is a classic technique that brought life to early video games and computer art.
This episode we examine the mechanics behind Color Cycling, a method used to create animations and visual effects without using extra processing power or memory – and by looking at examples from games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Shovel Knight, we can see how developers maximized the limitations of their hardware.
We also break down the technical side of things, specifically focusing on how Amiga bitplanes and computer color palettes functioned to produce these iconic visuals. From complex landscape scenes to simple object animations, this breakdown covers the fundamental engineering that made these retro graphics possible.
Sources:
https://www.markferrari.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt-AxAqlrOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb1xrYORwuY&t=137s
https://amiga.lychesis.net/specials/ColorCycling.html
Music Credits:
Crystal2 – C.Korge/Xography
Hangover – Void/Reality
Hubbard – NEO Software
WVChild – NEO Software
Starport – Purple Motion/FC
X-Out Loading Music – Chris Huelsbeck
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#ColorCycling #retrogaming
