Mega Peril Snake v1.0

by Beau Chesluk - Digital Sheep

How To Play

Using the Level Editor

Shareware Information & How To Register

Distributing the Shareware Version

Mega Peril Snake requires your monitor to be set to 256 colors. Click here to find out how to do that.

email: sheep@kagi.com

www: http://www.phoenixutil.com/beauweb


Changing Your Graphics Mode

The method used for changing your graphics mode depends on which version of Windows you are using.

Windows 3.x

Windows 95


Changing Your Graphics Mode

Windows 3.x

1) Run Windows Setup. If the program isnt available in the program groups, you can use File|Run and run the program WINSETUP.

2) Choose Options|System Settings.

3) From the Display drop down list, Choose a driver that says it is 256 colors.  The preferred resolution for Mega Peril Snake is 800x600.

4) You may be prompted for your Windows diskettes if you have never used the driver before.

5) After Windows restarts, it should be in 256 color mode.

If  the above method doesnt work, then you should try and find the video drivers disk which came with your computer. It may have an install program which will install the necessary drivers so that you can carry out the above steps again.


Changing Your Graphics Mode

Windows 95

With Windows 95, you can often change the colour mode without restarting. Follow these steps:

1) You need to access the Display Properties Sheet. Do any of the following:

a) Right click on the desktop and choose Properties

b) In the control panel, open the Display control panel

2) Switch to the folder tab labelled Settings

3) In the Color Palette List box, choose 256 Color

4) (optional) Now would be a good time to set the display to run in 640x480 or 800x600 mode (the two best modes for Mega Peril Snake) - You can use the Desktop Area sliding bar to do this.

5) Click on OK. Windows may ask you to restart, which you should agree to doing.

You can now try running Mega Peril Snake again!


How To Play

You are in control of one of the three snakes, Mega Peril Snake (red), Ultra Peril Snake (green) or Twisted Peril Snake (blue). Each snake has the same capabilities.

At the start, your snake is stood still and waiting for you to tell it which way to go, but once it starts moving it doesnt stop until you complete the level or it dies! Your snake dies if it runs into a wall or its own body.

The aim is to eat a certain amount of food on each level. (snake food is very brightly coloured and it flashes.) However, every time you eat some food, your snake grows longer and longer, making it easier to run into your tail and die.

There are also other things, like teleports and direction controllers for you to deal with.

There are no lives, and you can try any level as many times as you want, so if you dont know what something does, then try it out! You will soon learn how the various things work, and also discover new tactics that improve your snake handling skill!

To start playing, choose Play or New Game from the menu. You will be asked if you want a one player or two player game, and then given the option to choose your keys, difficulty and snake colour.

The game knows you by name, and will remember your own personal preferred settings, and the level you are up to.


Things:

Teleports - These teleport you from one telport pad to another.

Direction Controllers  - Make your snake turn in the direction of the arrow when you go over them

Stop pads - When your snake goes over one of these, it stops until you choose another direction, allowing you time to think it over.

Shrinkers - These are green and make your snake shrink. There are two types, ones that you can only use once (they flash) and ones that you can use as many times as you like (they are part of the floor).

Expanders - The opposite of shrinkers. These ones are red. There are also one-offs and permanent ones.

Speed Up and Slow Down - These control your snakes speed. Speed-ups are cyan and Slow-downs are purple. There are one-offs and permanent ones.


Registration

For a mere $20, the complete version of Mega Peril Snake can be yours! Heres what you get:

100 new excellent levels! These hand crafted levels will give you atleast four times the enjoyment of the shareware levels. They are arranged in order of difficulty, and you can start at various stages of difficulty.

Brilliant Level Editor! This excellent level editor is very similar to a paint program, and once you grasp the basics, you can easily create beautiful levels! This editor was used to create the original Mega Peril Snake levels. Kids love it! Make levels for your friends!

Plus, you get the satisfaction that you have done the right thing. Shareware relies on peoples honesty, and your money allows us to develop new games and make them great.

When you register, we send you a code which will unlock these features. Please note that you need the shareware version in order to register it. We do not supply the game on disk.

You can register using cash, us check, uk cheque, first virtual or credit card. You can use email to send in your registration, and you will receive your registration code as quickly as possible.

For instructions on how to register, please click the payment method you want to use:

US Check,Non-UK Cash, Invoice, First Virtual, Credit Card

UK Cheque, UK Cash

Alternatively, Click on I want to register in the shareware notice window which will give you instructions.


Registration By UK Cheque or Cash

To register by UK cheque send a cheque for £15, made payable to Beau Chesluk, to:

Beau Chesluk

2 Broadway

Wilmslow

Cheshire SK9 1NB

UK

You can also pay in cash if you so desire, by wrapping £15 in thick paper to disguise it and sending it to this address, but we cannot be held responsible for cash lost in the post.

Please remember to provide the following details:

The name you want the game to be registered to - This will appear all over the game once you register it, so if you want to register it for a friend, then provide their name.

Your e-mail address if possible - this will greatly speed things up.

All other methods of payment should be directed to Kagi Software as described on that page.


Registration By Credit Card, US Cheque, Non-UK cash, Invoice or First Virtual

In these cases, you will be paying your fee to Kagi Shareware. Please run the Register program (found in the Mega Peril Snake directory) and email or post the output to Kagi.

The address of Kagi Shareware is:

Kagi Shareware

1442-A Walnut Street #392-EJ

Berkeley, California, 94709-1405

USA

Email: shareware@kagi.com

FAX: +1 510 652 6589

Remember to state the name of the person whose name should appear all over the program in the Register To field. Also, please provide an email address wherever possible as this will greatly speed things up.

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are the three accepted credit cards. When you enter your card number into the Register program, it is encrypted, so that it can be safely sent via email or post.


Distributing Mega Peril Snake

Since Mega Peril Snake is a shareware program, we actively encourage distribution of the shareware version. Upload it to BBSs! Give it to your friends! Give it to your enemies!

The 11 files required for Mega Peril Snake are as follows:

MPS.MPL

TILE.WAD

GRAPHIC.WAD
SOUND.WAD
README.TXT

LICENSE.TXT

FILE_ID.DIZ

REGISTER.EXE

REGISTER.HLP
MPS.HLP

MPS.EXE

These should all be in your Mega Peril Snake directory. Just use an archive program to compress them (they will all easily fit on one HD disk) and pass it on!

Registered Users

Users of the registered version who want to pass on the shareware version can simply copy these files as they are, as the program automatically un-registers itself when it is moved to a different computer. However, registered users should note that it is an act of software piracy to pass on your name and access code.

License Agreement


Level Editor Help

To start using the level editor, click Level Editor. If it is your first time, then you will want to make a new level file.

The level editor is very much like a paint program, but with a few major differences, like youre editing a level, not a picture. Also, there is this one fundamental rule:

A level is divided into four layers: Floors, Walls, Food and Snakes. These layers are on top of each other, and each layer may or may not contain something.

For example, you may want to have a teleport (which is a floor tile) and place a food item on top of it. Click here to find out what can go in each layer.

Click on a topic below:

Using the Tile Palette

Using the Option Palette

Drawing a Tile

Erasing a Tile

Snake Positioning

Level Properties

Background

Of course, youre probably trying to build a file of levels, so weve provided tools to help you do that as well.

List of Levels which you use to re-arrange and import levels.

Level File Properties

It may be a bit tricky at first, but the level editor is easily mastered. The level editor is all about experimentation. Have fun. Enjoy it!


The tile palette is a multiple page palette. Use the drop down list to choose which page you want. Different tiles are available on each page, apart from the last page, which is the snake positioner.


The option palette is a multiple page palette. Use the drop down list to choose the page you want.

The Display page allows you to turn off various layers to see what is underneath.

The Background page allows you to choose how the background appears.

The Properties page allows you to set the levels properties.


Level Properties

The levels properties are accessible on the properties page of the option palette. They are as follows:

Level Name - The name of the level, as it appears in the title bar and the level lists. This name must be unique for the whole level file.

Food Quota - The amount of food that the player must eat to complete the level. This figure can be halved or doubled by the players settings.

Speed - The speed of the level. What you choose here alters the speed that the user has chosen. Normal Speed will make the level go at whatever speed the user has picked.

Food to Add - The amount of food to add to the level. This is in addition to food that has been drawn on the level. If you set this to 0, then make sure that you have placed at least one food item on the level yourself. This food item will be replaced by another when it gets eaten.


Snake Positioner

The snake positioner is the last page in the tile palette. It allows you to set the starting positions of both players, and the direction that they face when they start.

The two snakes are shown in solid red and solid green. To position them, click Position and then click where you want the snake to start. Snakes cannot be placed on the edge of the map.

To choose the direction of the snake, click on the head that is facing the direction you want the snake to face.


To draw a tile:

1) Choose the tile from the tile palette.

2) Click on the level where you want the tile to appear

You can choose to use the line, circle and rectangle tools (at the bottom of the window) when drawing.


To erase a tile:

1) Choose any tile that is on the same layer as the tile(s) you want to erase

2) use the right mouse button to erase them.

You can choose to use the line, circle and rectangle tools (at the bottom of the window) when erasing.


Heres a list of what goes in each of these layers.

Floor Layer - Various floor tiles to make it look pretty, The permanent bonuses, The movement control tiles.

Wall Layer - The walls and the blocks. (both are deadly to the snake).

Food Layer - The food and the once-only bonuses.

Snake Layer - The snakes, and any fake snakes you choose to put down. (these are also deadly)


Background

Choosing the background

The Background window can be opened from the Level menu in the level editor, or the button on the Background page of the Options palette. It allows you to choose which picture you want as your background image, and how it should be shaded.

There are 14 backgrounds available, 5 brightness levels and 8 shading options. If you cant decide for yourself, there is a Randomise button which will choose for you.

Changing its appearance

In the background page of the options palette, you can choose whether the background is tiled and mirrored using the check buttons.


Import

To import levels from another file, you must have that file available. Open it using the Open button. The levels in the file will then appear in the list.

In the list, select the level(s) you want to import. You can select more than one level at once using these modifier keys:

Shift - Selects all levels between the currently selected level and the level you are clicking on.

Control - Adds the level to the selection.

Click on Import to import the level(s). They will be added to the end of your file, with the name untitled-xx.


Levels

The Levels window is available by choosing Go to levels in the Levels menu of the level editor. It allows you to jump to any level quickly, and move them around. Note that all changes made to your level file take effect immediately and cannot be undone.

Moving Levels

You can move levels around quite easily. You can select more than one level at once using these modifier keys:

Shift - Selects all levels between the currently selected level and the level you are clicking on.

Control - Adds the level to the selection.

To move the levels, you can use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to move them up/down in single steps, or you can drag and drop them to your desired location.

Other Stuff

Duplicate - Makes a copy of the level, naming it untitled-xxx

Rename - Allows you to rename the selected level.

Delete - Deletes the level(s) you have selected.

Import - Allows you to import levels from any valid Mega Peril Snake level file.

Edit - Jumps to the level you have highlighted in the editor.

Close - Just closes the window.


Level File Properties

The Level File Properties window can be opened with the file menu in the level editor.

You can give your level a name, state the author and provide a comment if you so wish.

The number of levels in the file is displayed. Also, the level files size on disk is shown. If it is growing too large, choose the Compact Now button which will free up a great amount of disk space by compressing the levels.


Players

Use this window to choose how many players you want. Make sure you understand how to play the game. Two player games are the same as one player games, but with two snakes on the play field at once. You get to make up the rules (decide whether you are going to co-operate or kill each other).


Player Profile

The player profile window is where you set the options for your player.

Control

Steering

There are two types of steering, absolute and relative. Choose which type you want from the drop down list.

Absolute steering is where you tell the snake to go up, down, left and right. These are the directions as they appear to you.

Relative steering is where you imagine that you are the snake and you tell it to turn left or turn right. You can also think of the Turn Left or Turn Right as being Turn Anticlockwise and Turn Clockwise.

Keys

You choose which keys you want from the drop down lists. Highlight the list and either pick which key you want from the list, or simply type it in.

There are also preset key arrangements available. Simply click on Use a Preset and select one.

Snake

Choose which snake you want to control. Each snake has the same ability as the others, and the only difference is the color.

Difficulty

Food Required - Set this to alter how much food you have to eat to go onto the next level.

Speed - If your snake is moving too fast for you to control it, or too slow for you to stand it, then change its speed.

Growth Rate - For harder gameplay, set the growth rate right up to 10. Otherwise, pick a slightly smaller number.

Preset options are also available.

Level

Mega Peril Snake remembers what level you were up to by the name you give in your player profile. The name of this level is shown.

The level file used is also shown. If you are using the registered version, you can change to a level file made by yourself or someone else.

If you are using the registered version, and the levels which came with Mega Peril Snake, you can choose a starting position. From the drop-down list, choose a difficulty to start from. The difficulty level makes you start a certain amount of levels into the game.


Two Player Game

Choose which two players you want to use. The drop down lists show you all the available player profiles. If there arent any, then use Setup to set up the keys, color and difficulty for each player.

Mega Peril Snake remembers what levels you can use by player ones profile. The level file used is also shown. If you are using the registered version, you can change to a level file made by yourself or someone else.

If you are using the registered version, and the levels which came with Mega Peril Snake, you can choose a starting position. From the drop-down list, choose a difficulty to start from. The difficulty level makes you start a certain amount of levels into the game.


License Agreement

GRANT: You are granted the right to make and to use unlimited copies of the SHAREWARE version of the software, however you may NOT distribute your Registered name and Magic Code which converts the shareware version to the registered version.

SALE: This software is provided as SHAREWARE and cannot be sold. This restriction does not apply to connect time charges, or flat rate connection/download fees for electronic bulletin board services. This software can not be bundled with any commercial package or distributed by itself or accompanying books or magazines, including shareware CD-ROMs, without express written permission from the author.

RESTRICTIONS: You may not: modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works based on the Software. This includes, but is not limited to, modifying any graphics, icons, menus, or other displays associated with the package. You may not remove any proprietary notices or labels on the Software.

TITLE: Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software shall remain in Digital Sheep and its suppliers or licensors. The Software is protected by international copyright treaties.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: The Software is provided on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty of any kind, including without limitation the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the Software is borne by you. Should the Software prove defective, you and not Digital Sheep assume the entire cost of any service and repair.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNDER NO LEGAL THEORY, TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL DIGITAL SHEEP OR ITS LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS OR RESELLERS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY CHARACTER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF GOODWILL, WORK STOPPAGE, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES. THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR USE OR RESALE AS ON-LINE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, DIRECT LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES, OR WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE ("HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES"). DIGITAL SHEEP SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR

HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES.

TERMINATION: This license will terminate automatically if you fail to comply with the limitations described above. On termination, you must destroy all copies of the Software.

MISCELLANEOUS: This Agreement represents the complete agreement concerning this license between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and representations between them. It may be amended only by a writing executed by both parties. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS: Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions set forth in subparagraphs (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer-Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19 when applicable, or in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause in DFARS 252.227-7013, and in similar clauses in the NASA FAR Supplement. Contractor/Developer is Digital Sheep, 2 Broadway, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1NB, UK