This is a submission for the Postmark Challenge: Inbox Innovators.
What I Built
PostmarkGBA is a working GameBoy Advanced emulator, receiving inputs through Postmark Inbound Stream to emulate game inputs and create new emails through Postmark Transactional Stream. The result is much like "Twitch Chat Plays", but playable in your inbox!
Demo (Running Pokémon FireRed right now!)
To get started, simply send an empty mail to [email protected] to get started! You'll get a new mail with a screenshot of the current game state, and an explanation on how to control.
Everybody's playing on the same GameBoy, so collaboration is key! Why not use this thread to see if we can reach the first gym before the end of the challenge?
Code Repository
Source code is available on GitHub. Please note that the current build is heavily reliant on a combination of Raspian OS and RetroPie.
How I Built It
When I read about the challenge, I immediately wanted to make some kind of game. The first idea was some kind of AI powered Cluedo-like murder mystery, but it felt like a game everybody already knew was more fun. Hence, the GBA emulator.
Getting a recent version of Nest.JS running on RetroPie was a real pain, as well as taking screenshots of a display when in a systemd process. After realizing RetroArch also has native screenshot hotkeys, it just became a job of emulating keyboard inputs without worrying about screenshot libraries. Postmark intergration on the other hand, was done without a problem.
It's not really a team member, but I want to give special thanks to Claude 3.5 for having my back through the long night of trying all screenshot libraries in existence ;). Also my friends for the fun and drinks during development and testing.
This project is not affiliated in any way with Nintendo. GameBoy Advanced and Pokémon FireRed are registered trademarks of Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Top comments (9)
It's so simple but it's actually a great game. It is well and simple explained how users can play the game using just email. Big nostalgia feelings! I was actually the one that evolved our Squirtle :p
Hi everyone, I just wanted to give a small update. Some of you have been playing quite a lot since the announcement. We're over 1800 processed inbound emails right now, and a couple of days ago we actually beat the first gym!
Now it's time to get on to the next gym, so send a mail to [email protected] to start playing!
Thanks everyone who's been playing so far to get us through the first gym!
Let’s play together! I really enjoy this game. :)
Such a creative twist on emulation and email.....love seeing tech repurposed in unexpected ways like this...
cool idea 👀
Let's win
Can we get the first gym badge before the challenge is over🔥?
Pretty cool project honestly, love when people pull off goofy stuff like this just to see if it works. Props for sticking through the tough parts.
Very nice project, Rens! One of the only real playful projects. Sometimes it's just about creating something fun instead of useful.