Press any key to continue...
@paktc.bsky.social
Fun and unexpected stuff related to 2000s retro games and computing. All content is in English.
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PAKTC
Website: https://paktc.markusmaal.ee
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PAKTC
Website: https://paktc.markusmaal.ee
WELCOME TO PART 1 OF DECOMPILING FLIPNIC!
Okay, I'm joking, I don't plan to fully decompile this game, however I did discover that Ghidra is actually a pretty useful tool when you're trying to figure out certain things about the game.
Might make a repo containing the decomp if anyone's interested.
Okay, I'm joking, I don't plan to fully decompile this game, however I did discover that Ghidra is actually a pretty useful tool when you're trying to figure out certain things about the game.
Might make a repo containing the decomp if anyone's interested.
January 20, 2026 at 3:05 PM
WELCOME TO PART 1 OF DECOMPILING FLIPNIC!
Okay, I'm joking, I don't plan to fully decompile this game, however I did discover that Ghidra is actually a pretty useful tool when you're trying to figure out certain things about the game.
Might make a repo containing the decomp if anyone's interested.
Okay, I'm joking, I don't plan to fully decompile this game, however I did discover that Ghidra is actually a pretty useful tool when you're trying to figure out certain things about the game.
Might make a repo containing the decomp if anyone's interested.
Fun fact about Flipnic:
You know how if you have 1 ball left in Biology multiball, you have 30 seconds to hit the tree? Well, the game actually gives you 5 extra seconds and from the event script we can see that it's actually intended game design!
1800 frames = timer
300 frames = extra time
You know how if you have 1 ball left in Biology multiball, you have 30 seconds to hit the tree? Well, the game actually gives you 5 extra seconds and from the event script we can see that it's actually intended game design!
1800 frames = timer
300 frames = extra time
January 17, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Fun fact about Flipnic:
You know how if you have 1 ball left in Biology multiball, you have 30 seconds to hit the tree? Well, the game actually gives you 5 extra seconds and from the event script we can see that it's actually intended game design!
1800 frames = timer
300 frames = extra time
You know how if you have 1 ball left in Biology multiball, you have 30 seconds to hit the tree? Well, the game actually gives you 5 extra seconds and from the event script we can see that it's actually intended game design!
1800 frames = timer
300 frames = extra time
I think I just figured out how to decode .COL files used by Flipnic. These contain hitboxes for various areas (labelled WAL) and define bounds of the table (labelled GRD). They are just 3D models with low polygon counts.
Here's an example of what the ground and walls of Evolution stages look like:
Here's an example of what the ground and walls of Evolution stages look like:
January 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM
I think I just figured out how to decode .COL files used by Flipnic. These contain hitboxes for various areas (labelled WAL) and define bounds of the table (labelled GRD). They are just 3D models with low polygon counts.
Here's an example of what the ground and walls of Evolution stages look like:
Here's an example of what the ground and walls of Evolution stages look like:
People on New Year's Eve be like:
youtu.be/zNQqdeEyFiI?...
youtu.be/zNQqdeEyFiI?...
Congratulations! [PS2 FMV Rip]
YouTube video by Press any key to continue...
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
People on New Year's Eve be like:
youtu.be/zNQqdeEyFiI?...
youtu.be/zNQqdeEyFiI?...
Did you know that if you press SELECT while on the PSX "CD PLAYER" menu, you can see a visualizer (SoundScope)? You can also cycle between visualizations (DPad Left/Right).
You can even record macros!
X + L1 = Toggle macro
X + L2 = Load from MC
X + R1 = Start/Stop recording
X + R2 = Save to MC
You can even record macros!
X + L1 = Toggle macro
X + L2 = Load from MC
X + R1 = Start/Stop recording
X + R2 = Save to MC
December 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Did you know that if you press SELECT while on the PSX "CD PLAYER" menu, you can see a visualizer (SoundScope)? You can also cycle between visualizations (DPad Left/Right).
You can even record macros!
X + L1 = Toggle macro
X + L2 = Load from MC
X + R1 = Start/Stop recording
X + R2 = Save to MC
You can even record macros!
X + L1 = Toggle macro
X + L2 = Load from MC
X + R1 = Start/Stop recording
X + R2 = Save to MC
I have made some very needed updates for Flipnic Freecam!
Link: gist.github.com/MarkusMaal/b...
What's new?
+ Auto-detect region and offsets
+ Hide OSD option
+ Import and generate (non-animated) .FPC files
* QOL and UI improvements
* FOV trackbar now auto-syncs with the in-game value
Link: gist.github.com/MarkusMaal/b...
What's new?
+ Auto-detect region and offsets
+ Hide OSD option
+ Import and generate (non-animated) .FPC files
* QOL and UI improvements
* FOV trackbar now auto-syncs with the in-game value
December 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I have made some very needed updates for Flipnic Freecam!
Link: gist.github.com/MarkusMaal/b...
What's new?
+ Auto-detect region and offsets
+ Hide OSD option
+ Import and generate (non-animated) .FPC files
* QOL and UI improvements
* FOV trackbar now auto-syncs with the in-game value
Link: gist.github.com/MarkusMaal/b...
What's new?
+ Auto-detect region and offsets
+ Hide OSD option
+ Import and generate (non-animated) .FPC files
* QOL and UI improvements
* FOV trackbar now auto-syncs with the in-game value
In case you're wondering where the next video is, it's taking a ridiculous time to render (will probably finish tomorrow?), because it's a longplay video that's 9.4 hours long (it's been half a month in the making)
So it'll probably be uploaded some time on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.
So it'll probably be uploaded some time on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.
December 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
In case you're wondering where the next video is, it's taking a ridiculous time to render (will probably finish tomorrow?), because it's a longplay video that's 9.4 hours long (it's been half a month in the making)
So it'll probably be uploaded some time on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.
So it'll probably be uploaded some time on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.
Fun fact: Evolution/Theology stages check if you have an extra ball when respawning (this is normally done so that the voice can say "Ball saved" instead of "Ready"), even though it's not possible to hit a blue UFO on those stages.
This is not the case for 2P stages or Geometry.
This is not the case for 2P stages or Geometry.
December 19, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Fun fact: Evolution/Theology stages check if you have an extra ball when respawning (this is normally done so that the voice can say "Ball saved" instead of "Ready"), even though it's not possible to hit a blue UFO on those stages.
This is not the case for 2P stages or Geometry.
This is not the case for 2P stages or Geometry.
I've been having fun finding some new cheat codes for Flipnic. It's a bit easier for me, since I have some understanding of how the game works internally.
They are PCSX2 .pnach files, I will release these eventually.
They are PCSX2 .pnach files, I will release these eventually.
December 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I've been having fun finding some new cheat codes for Flipnic. It's a bit easier for me, since I have some understanding of how the game works internally.
They are PCSX2 .pnach files, I will release these eventually.
They are PCSX2 .pnach files, I will release these eventually.
In Flipnic, FPD files are all sorts of fun (they define fixed paths for various things, e.g. enemy movement/coins/UFOs/etc.)
For example, you can do something like this:
For example, you can do something like this:
December 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
In Flipnic, FPD files are all sorts of fun (they define fixed paths for various things, e.g. enemy movement/coins/UFOs/etc.)
For example, you can do something like this:
For example, you can do something like this:
This is a really early version of Pak, the official mascot of PAKTC!
It's a vector image made in Inkscape and looks kind of uncanny right now.
And he's got no nose, because you don't need to breathe if you live inside a computer program (yes, there is lore).
It's a vector image made in Inkscape and looks kind of uncanny right now.
And he's got no nose, because you don't need to breathe if you live inside a computer program (yes, there is lore).
November 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This is a really early version of Pak, the official mascot of PAKTC!
It's a vector image made in Inkscape and looks kind of uncanny right now.
And he's got no nose, because you don't need to breathe if you live inside a computer program (yes, there is lore).
It's a vector image made in Inkscape and looks kind of uncanny right now.
And he's got no nose, because you don't need to breathe if you live inside a computer program (yes, there is lore).
he's watching you
November 14, 2025 at 11:39 AM
he's watching you
I changed my profile picture! Here's a comparison between the two (left = before, right = after):
November 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I changed my profile picture! Here's a comparison between the two (left = before, right = after):
I made a tool to extract the PlayStation 1 startup sound (including the .VAB soundbank and a custom MIDI-like sequence)
github.com/MarkusMaal/p...
github.com/MarkusMaal/p...
GitHub - MarkusMaal/psxbios2mid: Tools to convert the PlayStation startup sound to MIDI (from PSX memory dump)
Tools to convert the PlayStation startup sound to MIDI (from PSX memory dump) - MarkusMaal/psxbios2mid
github.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I made a tool to extract the PlayStation 1 startup sound (including the .VAB soundbank and a custom MIDI-like sequence)
github.com/MarkusMaal/p...
github.com/MarkusMaal/p...
I found this is a cool project to restore the 2013-2016 YouTube UI called Rehike: github.com/Rehike/Rehike
It's basically a server you set up and route all YouTube trafiic through. It's still in development, but most stuff already works, except for live streams, which break in a funny way.
It's basically a server you set up and route all YouTube trafiic through. It's still in development, but most stuff already works, except for live streams, which break in a funny way.
October 19, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I found this is a cool project to restore the 2013-2016 YouTube UI called Rehike: github.com/Rehike/Rehike
It's basically a server you set up and route all YouTube trafiic through. It's still in development, but most stuff already works, except for live streams, which break in a funny way.
It's basically a server you set up and route all YouTube trafiic through. It's still in development, but most stuff already works, except for live streams, which break in a funny way.
what have i done
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf-_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf-_...
Flipnic soundfont performs onestop.mid [MIDI Waveform Deconstruction]
YouTube video by Press any key to continue...
www.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
what have i done
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf-_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf-_...
flipnic main menu with dark buttons
October 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
flipnic main menu with dark buttons
In case you were wondering: yes, it's possible to change the loading text Flipnic, but you are limited to 11 characters of text in UTF-8 encoding (stored inside the data section of the game executable).
October 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
In case you were wondering: yes, it's possible to change the loading text Flipnic, but you are limited to 11 characters of text in UTF-8 encoding (stored inside the data section of the game executable).
I made a website for my YT channel
It has some links to my stuff, contact info and there are also a few guides here: paktc.markusmaal.ee
It has some links to my stuff, contact info and there are also a few guides here: paktc.markusmaal.ee
Welcome!
Official website for the Press any key to continue YouTube channel
paktc.markusmaal.ee
October 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I made a website for my YT channel
It has some links to my stuff, contact info and there are also a few guides here: paktc.markusmaal.ee
It has some links to my stuff, contact info and there are also a few guides here: paktc.markusmaal.ee
Something nostalgic for TrackMania² players (that is if you've even heard this obscure soundtrack)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y775...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y775...
ManiaPlanet 1.0 - Menu Theme [Extended BGM]
YouTube video by Press any key to continue...
www.youtube.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Something nostalgic for TrackMania² players (that is if you've even heard this obscure soundtrack)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y775...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y775...
The growth of my YouTube channel has been insane this year.
I've gotten a total of 75k more views, 1k hours of watch time and 156 new subscribers.
This is more than any previous year my YT channel has existed and there are still 3 whole months left of this year.
I've gotten a total of 75k more views, 1k hours of watch time and 156 new subscribers.
This is more than any previous year my YT channel has existed and there are still 3 whole months left of this year.
September 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The growth of my YouTube channel has been insane this year.
I've gotten a total of 75k more views, 1k hours of watch time and 156 new subscribers.
This is more than any previous year my YT channel has existed and there are still 3 whole months left of this year.
I've gotten a total of 75k more views, 1k hours of watch time and 156 new subscribers.
This is more than any previous year my YT channel has existed and there are still 3 whole months left of this year.
I've managed to decode some 3D models from Flipnic's LP4 files. It isn't perfect yet (I have yet to figure out how texture coordinates are stored), but some models already look kind of accurate.
September 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I've managed to decode some 3D models from Flipnic's LP4 files. It isn't perfect yet (I have yet to figure out how texture coordinates are stored), but some models already look kind of accurate.
Flipnic File Tools - a command-line tool for working with various files used by the game (with a GUI front-end available).
Here's what it can now v.s. what it could originally do 1 month ago when I started developing it:
The plan is to eventually support all file formats.
github.com/MarkusMaal/F...
Here's what it can now v.s. what it could originally do 1 month ago when I started developing it:
The plan is to eventually support all file formats.
github.com/MarkusMaal/F...
![Flipnic File Tools 2.1
Usage ./FlipnicFileTool [filename] [options]
--input File to open
--output File to write to
--help Display help
--simple Use output that is easy to parse for computer programs
--low-memory Reduces performance to save on memory usage
--magick-path Path to ImageMagick executable (may not be needed dep. on what you're trying to do)
--ffmpeg-path Path to FFmpeg (for audio/video conversion operations)
--msg-path Path to JA.MSG file (optional)
--png Use PNG instead of BMP (for transparency and smaller file sizes)
--version Displays the version number for FlipnicLib
⏵ Flipnic Camera sequences (*.FPC)
--show-fpc* Display data from .FPC file as human-readable text
--convert-fpc-to-xml Convert .FPC file to .XML
⏵ Stage information files (*.SST)
--show-sst-resources Display all resources referenced by SST file
--show-sst-toc* Display table of contents of the SST file
--show-gimmick [name] Display a gimmick (name from TOC)
--get-pseudo-code Transform stage event into something that's somewhat human-readable
⏵ Message file (JA.MSG)
--show-messages* Display all strings stored in the file
⏵ Interleaved audio/video stream (*.PSS)
--list-pss-streams* List all available streams in a .PSS file
--extract-pss-streams Demux a .PSS file to .IPU and .INT files (output = folder)
--convert-int Convert .INT file to .WAV
--convert-pss-mov Convert .PSS file directly to .MOV file with audio streams
--pal Force 25/50 frames per second when converting video files
⏵ Video files (*.IPU)
--show-ipu Display basic information about the IPU file
--convert-ipu Uses FFmpeg to convert .IPU file to .MOV
⏵ Blob files (*.BIN)
--list-files* List a…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bcwuunjzpvyeu7zovpiohkpg/bafkreiaxfqlyvheyfeqwmx33fgcvmx4d3yvmx3u7t3fu5zd4o7fe23popy@jpeg)
September 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Flipnic File Tools - a command-line tool for working with various files used by the game (with a GUI front-end available).
Here's what it can now v.s. what it could originally do 1 month ago when I started developing it:
The plan is to eventually support all file formats.
github.com/MarkusMaal/F...
Here's what it can now v.s. what it could originally do 1 month ago when I started developing it:
The plan is to eventually support all file formats.
github.com/MarkusMaal/F...