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Text File
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1992-01-24
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14KB
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335 lines
M M EEEEE GGG AAA TTTTT RRRR OOO N N V V GGG AAA
MM MM E G A A T R R O O NN N V V G A A
M M M EEE G GG AAAAA T RRRR O O N N N V V G GG AAAAA
M M E G G A A T R R O O N NN VVV G G A A
M M EEEEE GGG A A T R R OOO N N V GGG A A
Megatron VGA - Evaluation Copy
Copyright (c) 1992, Stanley Design Team
[All Rights Reserved]
Programming, John Stanley
Design Assistant, Warren Rice
Share Ware Release
------------------
This version of Megatron (2.4.4) is released as Share Ware to the
software community. It may be freely distributed to Bulletin Boards
and Information Networks around the world. No fee may be charged
for this "evaluation copy" except for reasonable download charges.
No express time limit is placed on the length of time this copy can
be used. All commercial rights to the game are expressly reserved
by the author.
Evaluation Copy
---------------
The Share Ware release of Megatron is a fully functional version of
the game with one exception. The AdLib/SoundBlaster sound system has
been disabled; however the IBM PC sound system is operational. I
regret having to take this action. Too many computer hobbyist believe
that Share Ware means "IT'S FREE!" That attitude forces me to go to
the extremes of supplying them with something *tangible* as encouragement
to register their copies of the game.
Disclaimer
----------
This program is provided "AS IS" and it is without warranty. No
liability shall be assumed for direct or consequential damage caused
by the use of this software. The only claim that is made is that
there are no intentional bugs or fatal errors in any original copy of
the program that you receive directly from the author.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Assignment
----------
The year is 3015 and as the commander of an elite unit of Megatron
BattleMechs, you've been chosen to enter the labyrinth combat zone
and hunt down the adversary. At your disposal are two standard
omni-field mechs (Mad Cat and Vulture) equipped with high yield
Thorn Missiles and Pulse Disrupters.
Enter the world of Megatron and experience the highest level of
virtual reality combat available in Share Ware to date. Megatron
uses a combination of ray traced and hand drawn imagery coupled
with AdLib/SoundBlaster synthesized sound effects to bring to life
the ultimate modem combat experience. Use your skill at piloting
your mech and your raw courage to defeat your adversary and bring
glory to your unit.
Game Descriptions
-----------------
This is a 2 player game, but it can be played in a single player
mode with a synthetic adversary generated by the computer. For the
best results I recommend using two computers.
The object of the game is to hunt down and destroy your adversary.
This is not an easy task, as at the start of each game, both you
and your adversary are placed in the labyrinth at random positions.
You don't know where your adversary is hiding. All you have to work
with is a 3-Dimensional view of the corridor you are standing in, a
top down view of the labyrinth, and a changing sonar blip that can
guide you to your adversary if you interpret it properly. If you
are in a hurry, you can use your area radar to search for your
adversary. The down side to using radar is that you don't always
locate the enemy, but the enemy always locates you.
To win the game, you must hunt down your adversary and attack him
with your lasers and rockets until he runs out of energy and is
destroyed. There is only one problem, this is a real-time game,
and while you are shooting at your adversary, he gets to shoot back
at you. Whoever is fastest with their weapons and has the strongest
nerve wins. If you lose your nerve, you can turn and run away.
Sometimes this is not a bad idea. One of the best strategies of this
game is to shoot your adversary in the back!
Computer Power
--------------
This game is designed for "High End" computer systems. For best
results use a 25Mhz 386 (or faster) computer. For best screen
animation use a 1-MB [or larger] software disk-cache while playing
the game.
Megatron will function on 286 systems, but if you are connected to
someone who is using a 386 system, you won't have a chance. Sorry
286 users, but the real-time nature of this game requires serious
computer power.
Required Hardware
-----------------
You must have a VGA adapter card and a matching color monitor.
You also need a minimum of 640K RAM to run the game. Because of
the size of the game (approximately 1.5-MB) you must install it to
a hard disk drive.
Additional Hardware
-------------------
This game is designed to use both the mouse and keyboard as input
devices. Depending on the circumstances you will want to switch
between the two devices.
To play in head-to-head combat you need an open serial port with a
modem or null-modem cable connect to your adversaries computer.
Fast Start
----------
The game of Megatron uses futuristic 3-Dimensional and top-down
views of the labyrinth and your human or computer adversary. Sonar
blips tell you how close you are to your adversary: you must use
strategy to negotiate the labyrinth and get close enough to destroy
your opponent. If you are in danger of being destroyed, you can run
away and recuperate. Taunt your adversary with his cowardice for
running away, or entice him into your trap, or send any message
through the message area.
For a fast start, just type MEGA at the DOS command prompt, then
press ENTER twice. The First press will pass you through the
Copyright Notice. The second will randomly select a BattleMech for
you to use. Once you see a 3D view of the combat zone maze corridor
on the screen press F5 to start (single player) Computer Adversary
mode.
Use the direction arrow keys on the numeric keypad to guide your
BattleMech. Use HOME and PGUP to fire your weapons. The INS key
toggles your area radar on/off. Use END and PGDN to transfer energy
between your shield and weapons systems. To return to normal "Off-line"
mode press F5 again. The ESC key brings up the EXIT menu.
Game Icons and Function Keys
----------------------------
There are 6 icons used to control the game. They are arranged in
two set of vertical columns located on the left and right side of
the screen. To activate an icon place the mouse cursor over the
picture and press either mouse button. The icons are arranged as
follows.
F1 F4
F2 F5
F3 F6
Here is a description of each of the icons along with the function
key use to activate it.
F1 - Copyright Notice & User Registration. The copyright and
share ware release versions are displayed. User registration
information is also displayed on the screen.
F2 - Sound System On/Off. There are two sound systems built into
the game. They are AdLib/SoundBlaster and IBM PC sounds.
Unregistered players use the IBM PC (beep, beep, beep) sound
system. Register your copy and hear the total range of
combat effects.
F3 - Make New Maze. If you don't like the maze you are using,
you can press this key and you will receive a new maze.
F4 - Modem Control. Choose the modem port to use. Choose from
Dial Modem or Answer Modem. You can use a Null-Modem cable
by selecting the appropriate COM port and then press Done.
F5 - Computer Adversary (Single Player Mode) On/Off. Practice
fighting against the computer. This is great for homing
your combat skills. The computer is defiantly NOT a wimp!
F6 - Exit Game. Obvious.
Instant Messaging
------------------
You are always in total communication with your adversary. Once a
connection is established between the two computers, anything you
type (except for game commands) is instantly transmitted to the
other player as you type it. Hitting enter clears the message.
Energy Meters
-------------
On the left side of the playing screen is located the BattleMech
energy meter. The meter provides useful information about both
you and the adversaries power status. The meter is divided into
two set of there bar. The top GREEN bars are yours and the bottom
RED bars are the adversaries.
The first bar on the meter shows your power shield strength. The
second bar shows your current weapon energy supply. And the third
is the overall health of your BattleMech. Bars 4-6 shows the same
information as do bars 1-3 except it is for the adversary BattleMech.
Modem Control Menu - (F4)
-------------------------
Megatron gets the information it needs to communicate with another
computer from the Modem Control Menu (F4). Once in the menu, use
the mouse or function keys (F1 - F8) to select COM port, baud rate,
and modem option.
Use F1 - F2 to select the COM port to communicate through:
F1 - Cycle COM Port Up
F2 - Cycle COM Port Down
Use F3 - F4 to select the baud rate (speed) the computer should use.
F4 - Cycle Baud Rate Up
F6 - Cycle Baud Rate Down
Use F5 - F6 to Dial or Answer the Modem.
F5 - Dial Modem. You will be prompted to enter the phone number
to dial.
F6 - Answer Mode. Sit back and wait for the other player to
call you.
For direct connection through a null-modem cable, choose the proper
COM Port and Baud Rate settings. Then select DONE at the bottom of
the Modem Menu.
There External File MODEMS.INI contains the Hayes initialization
string used to program your modem for the game. Here is a transcript
of that file.
AT E1 L3 M1 Q0 V1 X1 &C1 &D2 S0=1 S7=60 S11=155
AT DT
/* this line must be present */
A simplified version of the init file is supplied with the game
(SIMPLE.INI) that works well with every modem I've tried to date.
Use it needed. At DOS prompt, type:
COPY SIMPLE.INI MODEMS.INI
If your experience problem using your modem you may need to modify
this file. For another type of modem, or to use different dialing
or answering parameters, refer to your modem handbook.
RS232 Hardware Signals
----------------------
The number of hardware signals required to run Megatron depends on
the type of connection used between computers. A direct connect
uses three pins, (2) TRANSMIT, (3) RECEIVE, and (7) SIGNAL GROUND.
Pins (2) and (3) must be swapped once between the two machines.
An auto-dial modem uses five pins, (2) TRANSMIT, (3) RECEIVE, (7)
SIGNAL GROUND, (8) DATA CARRIER DETECT, and (20) DATA TERMINAL READY.
There is not a swap between pins (2) and (3) with a modem.
There is one (1) additional pin signal provided by Megatron that
some serial cards and/or modems require. The signal is pin (4)
REQUEST TO SEND. Most machines will function properly without this
extra signal; it is included for completeness.
SPECIAL NOTE: Megatron uses pin (20) DATA TERMINAL READY to signal
the modem when to hang-up the phone line and reset to
command state. This DTR monitoring option is switch
select able on some modems. You should check your modem
for this option before making long distance phone calls
through Megatron. If this option is improperly set, the
phone will not hang-up when Megatron exits and you will
accumulate excess long distance charges.
The proper modem DTR setting is:
DTR high - process dial command and connect normally
DTR low - Hang-up phone line and reset to command state.
Video Adapter and Monitor
-------------------------
You must have an Video Graphics Array (VGA) installed in your computer
as the primary graphics device along with a matching color monitor.
Megatron does not support EGA or CGA graphic at this time. If Megatron
is run on a computer that does not have a VGA installed, it will
detect the absents of the VGA and refuse to run.
NOTE: If Megatron fails to properly detect your VGA hardware, you
can override the video hardware check by using the command line
option NOVIDEO.
(Example): MEGA NOVIDEO
This option is especially useful when playing Megatron on
computers equipped with off-brand video cards that sometimes
lack video BIOS signature.
PS/2 PLAYERS: Megatron uses full VGA graphics and will not operate
on PS/2's equipped with MCGA graphics.
Command Line Switches
---------------------
Depending on just how compatible your computer is to the IBM PC
standard, your computer may fail some (or all) of the built in
software safety checks. Here is a list of command line switches
you can use to override these tests and allow access to the game.
COM1 - Allows use of COM1 in Modem Control Menu - (F4)
COM2 - Allows use of COM2 in Modem Control Menu - (F4)
COM3 - Allows use of COM3 in Modem Control Menu - (F4)
COM4 - Allows use of COM4 in Modem Control Menu - (F4)
NODOS - Do not test the DOS version level.
NOCPU - Do not test the micro-processor type.
NOVIDEO - Do not test for VGA present before starting game.
NOMOUSE - Do not allow use of the mouse during game play.
NOSOUND - Do not detect AdLib/SoundBlaster sound card.
SPECIAL NOTE: If you choose to override the build-in hardware tests,
you do so at your own risk. If you force the game
override a test and you are wrong, you could SERIOUSLY
DAMAGE your computer!