Games World
Paul Brett with the latest gaming news.
32bit Games
One minor problem with the new Iyonix computer from Castle is the lack of games. Many existing games simply won't run on a new 32bit only computer, perhaps when the Aemulor 26bit emulator for the Iyonix is launched the situation will improve. However the first developer to deliver 32 bit games is none other than Michael Foot. We featured a 26bit version of one of these games (Cybertron Mission) in the last issue. However for the benefit of Iyonix owners, and indeed all RISC OS users, this issue we are including the full set of 32bit neutral games.
These will run directly on the Iyonix, users of older machines will need to install the new Toolbox and System modules which can be found in the Software.Toolbox archive in this issues DiscWorld. So in sequence the new 32 bit games are:
Chuckie Egg
Controls
- Up - a
- Down - z
- Left - ,
- Right - .
- Jump - Space
- Hold - H
- Abort - Escape + H
- Quit - Escape (only from menu screen)
Configuration
Inside the game application directory is a configuration file named !Config. Loading this into a text editor will allow you to change the game options. Initially, the options are set to:
- Lives=5
- Level=0
Changing the value after the equals sign (=) will allow you to change the number of lives and the initial level you start with. This game will run on all RISC OS computers from ARM250, RISC OS 3.xx to StrongARM, RISC OS 4.xx.
Cybertron Mission
Playing Cybertron Mission
On entering the stronghold of Fort Cybertron, you will be instructed as to which objects to find on each level. Once you have collected all the treasure (only one item on level one), run in search of the room containing the safe. Touching the safe advances you to the next level. There are a total of 16 rooms on each level, in the form of a 4x4 grid. You are well advised to draw a map as the layout of the levels is designed to confuse you! The treasure can be in any one of these rooms, and to pick up an item, simply move over it. It will then appear in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to signify that you are carrying it!
On the first level, your only adversaries are the Spinners. These do not fire back, but later on you will meet the Clones with their rapid firepower, and still later the Cyberdroids which are more intelligent. A good score is over 32,000!
Game Controls
- @lt; - Left
- > - Right
- A - Up
- Z - Down
- M - Fire
- Esc - Stop game
- F12 - Leave game
You can fire and move diagonally by holding down two direction keys together.
Configuration
Inside the game application directory is a configuration file named !Config. Loading this into a text editor will allow you to change the game options. Initially, the options are set to:
- Lives=4
- Level=1
Changing the value after the equals sign (=) will allow you to change the number of lives and the initial level you start with.
This game will run on all RISC OS computers from ARM250, RISC OS 3.xx to StrongARM, RISC OS 4.xx. At present there are no sound effects.
DareDevil Dennis
So you think you could be a stuntman? Well, test your skills against these hazards and see if you're still game. There are only three different scenes in this movie, so you shouldn't find the going too tough! There's no denying that the money's good, but the question you should be asking yourself is will you live to spend it?
If you can ride a motorcycle - and wetbike - two of the frames should be child's play, but for the snow scenes, you'll need to be of Olympic class. Well, as I said, the work isn't easy, but the lifestyle's great (if you have a lot of style, you may get to have a life as well) and the rewards are out of this world...
Game Controls
- Shift = Accelerate
- Space = Jump
- Return = Stop
- Escape = Quit (only from menu screen)
Features
- FULL SOUND ("interrupt driven music" while loading)
- 100% Machine Code
- High score table
- Original gaming concept
- On screen scoring
- 30 Multi-colour sprites
- 3 Scenarios (land, sea, snow)
- 6 skill levels (novice-Ace)
- Fast smooth mode 2 graphics
- 6 intermediate stages giving 36 skill levels
- Automatically gets harder as you get better.
Configuration
Inside the game application directory is a configuration file named !Config. Loading this into a text editor will allow you to change the game options. Initially, the options are set to:
- Lives=3
Changing the value after the equals sign (=) will allow you to change the number of lives you start with.
This game will run on all RISC OS computers from ARM250, RISC OS 3.xx to StrongARM, RISC OS 4.xx. The selections on the menu screen can only be chosen by pressing an upper case letter (as per the original game).
Guardian
Controls
- Up - A
- Down - Z
- Thrust - SHIFT
- Reverse - SPACE
- Fire - RETURN
- Smart Bomb - TAB
- Hyperspace - H
- Quit - ESCAPE (only from menu screen)
Configuration
Inside the game application directory is a configuration file named !Config. Loading this into a text editor will allow you to change the game options. Initially, the options are set to:
- Lives=2
- SmartBombs=3
Changing the value after the equals sign (=) will allow you to change the number of lives and smart bombs you initially start with.
This game will run on all RISC OS computers from ARM250, RISC OS 3.xx to StrongARM, RISC OS 4.xx. The sound effects are not correct.
Other games releases
As well as looking at new 32bit releases, we have also been looking at a couple of games written in BASIC. Neither of these are new releases bit they are games that I have not encountered before. Since they are written in BASIC these should run on any RISC OS computer including the MicroDigital Omega and the Iyonix.
Desdemona
The rules of Desdemona are simple. By clicking with Select on any legal square, players must try and fill the board with pieces of their colour. This is achieved by surrounding enemy squares in any one of the eight possible directions. Surrounded pieces convert to the colour of their encirclers'. Good squares to capture include the corners and edges as these are harder to surround. When the board is full the player with most squares of his or her own colour remaining is the winner.
Getting Started
Install Desdemona on the icon bar by double-clicking the Desdemona icon in the filer window. From the iconbar menu you can find information about the current release of Desdemona, and can quit the application when you're done.
Click Select on the icon to open the main window. The configuration of the game is set by the row of buttons along the top of the window. The first button brings up a high-score table of the top five scores recorded. The second button brings up a window from which the Human and Computer player options can be set. Note that you can only set the 'Smart' computer level in the registered version of the game. The final button is used when a game is running, and passes a move when it is impossible to play.
The Replay Window
The third button is the Replay button, which brings up a window controlling
aspects of replaying the game. During play, the progress of the game is
stored in memory by Desdemona. Clicking on Start, End or the arrow buttons in
the Replay window redraws the board at stored turns of the game. By using the
The Game Controls
Start new game
This wipes the board, clears the game memory and starts a new game with Black as Player One. Once this is clicked, options and replay functions are greyed out.
Resume old game
If a game is held in memory then this button can be used to restart it. This is useful if a game has been ended and consequently either the Replay window has been used to alter the current position or computer-player options have been changed.
End current game
This ends the game in progress, but stores its details. Ended games can be restarted easily from the same point. This can be useful if you want to change the number of players or computer difficulty.
Desdemona requires RISC OS 3.1 (or above) and 96K free to run.
This application is Shareware, which means you may not distribute it, modify the code or alter any other part without the permission of the author. To continue to use the application after a short trial period, you must register it by sending �4.00 to the address below. Details can be found on the website. The registered copy has a harder computer opponent and no annoying warning window. Future upgrades to Desdemona, such as extra graphics, better computer players or added features, will be made available to registered users.
Constructive criticism, ideas for improvements and general comments are welcome.
This file for use with Desdemona version 2.00. � Little Yellow Moon Software 1993-2002.
48 Sycamore Grove
New Malden
Surrey KT3 3DQ
UK
www.lym.iconbar.com
SantaCool
I must say that I am rather impressed with the graphics on this game, although its not a full finished game, in fact its more of a "technology demo" it is very playable, and not as easy as it looks either. The author is Andy Spence so he can tell us more.
"This is a demo pre-release of what is to become a public domain, bit-map platformer. The aim of this release is to see if their is enough interest in it to see the project through to the end.
Because my coding is so bad, I would advise that this games only runs at a playable speed on a SA RiscPC. However if it runs too slow on your computer and you are /that/ desperate you can always go to the level data at the end of the !RunImage file, and reduce the 'delay' variable to increase the speed. It is usually set to "delay=2".
The Idea
You play Santa, who happens to be wearing an incredibly expensive pair of 'Ray-Bans' which makes him cool,... apparently. Avoid all hazards, moving and static. Collect all the bonuses on each level before following the arrowed sign to the next level. Throw the switches to reveal and open hidden doors to finish the level.
- There are three types of baddies: Tortoises, penguins & robins. Penguins can waddle faster and robins fly.
- Watch out for the spikes and snow boulders.
- Throw the switches to open hidden doors.
- There are four types of bonuses: Rings, Gems, Candy Sticks & Christmas Puds.
- There is no sound supported.
- There are only four levels at present and you only have three lives to complete them. Have fun!
The Keys
The Main Menu:
- Use the left and right arrow keys to select the options.
- Return to activate them.
- Note that the 'Options' menu is nonexistant as yet.
In-Game:
- Left arrow key : Left
- Right arrow key : Right
- Up arrow key : Jump
- Return : Activates switches
- Escape : Ends game to menu
Final Note
Please do not alter this game or remove this, or any files from it. This game is freeware and may be passed around freely, as long as no changes are made and no part of the game is used else where (Especially the graphics). To contact me, send an email to: ag99@argonet.co.uk. More info is available at Acorn Gaming.
Rounding off
That is it for this volume of RISC World, hopefully there will be more exiting gaming news to report by the time RISC World Volume 4 issue 1 comes out.
Paul Brett