> > It is if we know (or can guess) what processor is at the other end running it. > After > > all, the main programs for these games are effectively binary soup, but since we > know > > it's for a 68000 or 6502 or an ARM or whatever things fall into place pretty > quickly. > > Except it's probably a fpga or something similar so we're fucked :-) > > OG.
Yeah, it's a custom instruction set but I'm quite optimistic it can be at least partially figured out.
The game uploads what appears to be a kernel that is used to parse FIFO commands (which vary subtly between games) and a set of different programs for driving the geometry/pixel pipeline. MK4 seems to use 4:
1. Framebuffer color and depth clear 2. Transform and lighting 3. Same as (2) but for x-flipped geometry 4. Non-lit geometry? (e.g. shadows and the run meter)
The game also uploads light tables to accompany programs (2) and (3).