STARFIRE.DOC - Instructions for playing Starfire. ================================================= This version of STARFIRE is distributed as Shareware. You may use this program and evaluate it for as long as you like. However, if you enjoy playing this game, it would be in your own interest to register. Registration details can be found at the end of this file. Registered users will receive an up-to-date copy of the game, along with a printed manual explaining more about the game, and Starfire Part II. Yes, that's another full game, so when you finally beat the Sloboids in the first one, you can have another crack at them in the second. Those who register are supporting the Shareware concept ... good software at a reasonable price... and Silver Lightning Software. Ultimately, registering means that better games can be produced in the future...without having to increase the price. Shareware is a good alternative to the high prices of commercial vendors, but your support is required. FILE LIST --------- Essential Files: STARFIRE.COM STAR1 .EXE FIGHT1 .SHX ENEM1 .SHX SP_MISC .SHX SHIP .SHX MOTHER .SHX LETTERS .SHX STMENU .PSX STARFIRE.PLT LEVELS .DAT Adlib/Soundblaster : STAR1 .MDI STMENU .MDI Soundblaster only : ST00 .VOC ST01 .VOC ST02 .VOC ST03 .VOC ST04 .VOC If any of these files are missing, you will not be able to play the game. You need to get another copy. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS --------------------- 286,386 or 486 PC ( 12 MHz+ recommended ) VGA Card and Monitor Also supported ( but not required ) Joystick ( recommended ) Mouse Adlib/SoundBlaster Card ( recommended ) COMPATIBILITY ------------- Video Cards ----------- Starfire requires a VGA card and monitor. Some really unusual SVGA cards may be incompatable. If you have such a card, contact Silver Lightning Software at the address below. THE STORY SO FAR... ------------------- As in just about every arcade-style game that's ever been written, the Earth is under threat. An evil, cowardly race of beings called the Sloboids, are sending huge 'Mother Destructor Craft' towards Earth carrying weapons capable of destroying entire planets. All of mankind is under threat. General Instructions -------------------- Type STARFIRE to play the game. Select which sound option you want, then which main option you want. The options are pretty self-explanatory. The first option loads STARFIRE Part I, the second ( which is only available to registered users ) loads STARFIRE Part II, the third displays several pages of informative text, the fourth allows you to print an order form, and the fifth exits to DOS. Press the fire button to begin play. Fire Button are listed below, and will be different depending on which input device you have selected You can use a joystick, mouse (the mouse driver should be previously installed), or keyboard. Joystick is strongly recommended, but feel free to try them all. When the program loads, it will auto-detect which of these devices are present. If a device is not found check your connections before trying again. At the title screen, press F1 to change player 1's control device. Press F3 to change between 1 or 2-player game. F2 changes player 2's input device (if there is a player two). In the bottom corners of the screen you will see which devices each player is using. Press F10 to exit to DOS. If you use the keyboard, the keys on the numeric keypad are used to move in different directions. The ship you control moves at two speeds. Press the same key twice to go at higher speeds. The '5' key in the middle stops you, fires, and drops bombs. If you are using a joystick, button 1 fires the main weapon, and button 2 drops bombs. Push the joystick in the direction you wish to go, and center it to stop moving. If you are using a mouse, the left button will fire your main guns, and the right button drops bombs. Push the mouse in the direction you wish to travel, and move to the original position to stop. Press (during play ) to pause the game, and any key to start again Press 'S' to toggle sound on and off. If you have a SoundBlaster, and speech is enabled, you can press 'T' to stop speech. If you need to re-calibrate the joystick during play, (this is only necessary if your processor speed changes, or if you stuff it up the first time) press 'J', and follow the instructions on the screen. During player, pressing F10 ends the game. You get 4 lives, and 1 or 2 players can play, but they take it in turns. Your mission, should you choose to accept it.. ---------------------------------------------- The objective of the game is to destroye the alien motherships that are currently headed toward Earth. Along the way you will encounter .. heat-seeking missile launchers, gun turrets, & enemy fighters. Some fighters fire back, so beware!! Avoid the various structures & pipes that protrude up from the deck. Colliding with one is instantly fatal. Dead guns are also a hazard. Use your main weapon to shoot enemy craft, gun turrets, heat-seeking missiles, etc. Your bombs can be dropped on missile launchers and guns. In the bottom left corner of the screen is your score. In the bottom right, from left to right, is the number of bombs you are carrying, a measure of your shields, & the number of lives you have remaining. Shields are damaged by missiles & bullets, and obviously if they reach zero, your craft will explode. You can collect various tokens if you shoot enough bad guys, and/or survive long enough. A flashing 'W' gives you a better weapon, an 'S' replenishes shields to full, an 'I' makes you temporarily invincible, the space ship is a bonus life, and the bomb token gives you bombs. REGISTRATION ------------ To register, simply print an order form from the main menu. Fill it in and send it to one of the addresses listed. If you do not have a printer, please specify which size disk you want, your name and address. If paying be credit card, provide the card number, expiry date, amount, and your signature ( very important ). This (unregistered) version may be distributed freely bby individuals. If you have friends, give them a copy. If you have access to a BBS or two, feel free to upload it. But please don't change this program in any way. Australia --------- SILVER LIGHTNING SOFTWARE P.O. Box 445 Willetton W.A. 6155 AUSTRALIA. Registration cost AUD$30.00 (Australia Dollars) If you live outside of Australia, please add AUD$5.00 to cover postage and handling. You can pay be cheque( Australian funds only), VISA card or Mastercard. US, Canada and Mexico Residents ------------------------------- Register by contacting : Computer SoftShop P.O. Box 3701 Omaha, Ne. 68103 USA Tel : (402) 341-8900 Registration cost US$25.00. VISA and Mastercard welcome. UK Residents ------------ Register by contacting : Testware (UK) Ltd 46 The Avenue Harrogate N. Yorks HG1 4QD Tel : 0423 886415 (anytime) or 0423 880471 ( 9 to 5 ) Registration costs œ20 + (œ3.50 VAT). Germany, Austria and Switzerland Residents ------------------------------------------ Register by contacting : Jurgen Egeling Computer Werderstr. 41 7500 Karlsruhe 76137 Karlsruhe (ab 1.7.1993) Germany ( German language version available ) Registration costs DM48.-- Enjoy.. LEGAL STUFF The author of this software will not be responsible for any loss, damage, and/or injury caused by using this software. The user of this program bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software. Starfire is Copyright (c) 1992-93 by Paul Turbett. All rights reserved. Silver Lightning Software. SHAREWARE DEALERS I am always interested in new vendors for my software. If you would like to add Starfire to your catalog, please contact Silver Lightning Software, or one of our publishers at the addresses listed above, and let us know which verison you have, so we can send you an updated version if necessary. By contacting SLS, future games and upgrades can be mailed to you directly, as soon as they are finished.