C64 Studio, created by Georg Rottensteiner, remains a top choice for Commodore 64 developers. Built on the .NET framework, it supports both assembly and BASIC V2 projects. The latest version, C64 Studio 8.1, brings a wave of upgrades, fixes, and helpful tools for coding and asset creation.
Project-Based C64 Development
C64 Studio offers a structured, project-based workflow. Developers can use the built-in ACME-style assembler to write code. Output options include raw binaries, .prg, .t64, .d64, and cartridge formats like .bin and .crt. These support common configurations such as 8k, 16k, and MagicDesk.
Emulator Integration for Debugging
The IDE connects directly to VICE, allowing for real-time debugging. Developers can monitor variables, memory locations, and CPU registers. Other emulators work too, provided they support launch arguments.
Built-In Tools for Graphics and Media
Beyond code, C64 Studio includes editors for character sets, sprites, and media. Users can export data for use in games or demos. This makes it easy to build and test visual assets inside the same environment.
What’s New in Version 8.1?
Version 8.1 brings extensive updates:
- Assembler Improvements: New features like
!Filland enhanced pseudo op support help streamline code output. - ZX81 BASIC Support: Early support includes number encoding, float handling, and extended character sets.
- Graphic Screen Editor Updates: Fixes and new export options improve output quality and reliability.
- BASIC Editor Fixes: Cursor handling, label background coloring, and renumbering bugs are now resolved.
- User Interface Tweaks: Expanded undo history, new theming options, and improved drag-and-drop behavior enhance workflow.
Smarter File and Media Handling
The file manager has received several upgrades. It now supports IFF and TZX formats, recognizes Koala images, and handles binary-to-BASIC conversions more reliably. Exporting data for PRINT statements or memory-writing tasks is now easier and more accurate.
ZX81 Support in Progress
The addition of ZX81 BASIC support shows a shift toward multi-platform development. Work continues on number formats, floating-point values, and compatibility tweaks. C64 Studio is expanding while staying rooted in retro development needs.
Quality of Life Fixes
Many behind-the-scenes bugs have been fixed. These range from charset export errors to broken GUI elements. Disassembler tweaks, color improvements, and BASIC checksumming tools now work more reliably. New options like “Find References” with zone display and customizable sorting in the label explorer also help developers stay organized.
