I decided it might be fun to "knock out" a game or two.

as all they seem to want to teach me is database access I realised I was going to have to teach myself this stuff.

I've got clear in my mind the static background, scrolling background and scrolling foreground.

The trouble is I would really rather avoid useing a massive set of tiles to program the play area itself.

Is there anyway I can draw the level, mask the fella and then use a simple(ish) set of calls to see if my non-discript charicter should stop falling now please.

Then that opens up the head ach of acurately locating enimies die when you tutch this thing, things etc.

I think I may need to use a whole new approach but it's got me beat.

Any help on this would be very cool as I refuse to start a program until I know exactly how I inteand to go about it.