Megahits 3/Megahits 3 (1994)(GTI - Rhein-Main-Soft)(DE)[!].iso/strategie/atoms2/atoms2.doc

Text File | 1994-10-14 | 8KB | 177 lines

   Welcome to Atoms, the Second.

BACKGROUND:
   The original Atoms was (to the best of my knowledge) for the Atari ST,
and supposedly it sucked.  I never saw it, but given the quality of the
other programs for that platform, I'd probably agree.
   The first atoms for the Amiga was written by John Grivin, with help from
a few of his friends.  It is also available on Aminet, and should be in the
same directory this one was.  I highly recommend it, but only if you have a
European Amiga.  Even if you have PAL mode on as the Workbench resolution,
an NTSC machine will not only miss the bottom row of atoms completely, but
it may lock up sometime during the game.  Not sure why.  Just stops respond-
ing to mouse clicks and menu selections.  *shrug*

   ANYWAY....
   This version was prompted by the previous.  All code is original.  Most
ideas are not.  (:  But this one works with both NTSC and PAL machines. It
does NOT, however, display any extra rows in PAL mode.  (See Future Options)


LOADING:
   Quite simple.  From Workbench, double-click on either the New_Atoms icon
or the Nuclear_Atoms icon.  It should load automatically.  If it doesn't,
check to make sure you have certain libraries in your libs: dir, such as
'diskfont.library' and 'mathtrans.library'.  Also, make sure the data file
'bank1.abk' is in the same directory, or you'll have to specify where it is
every time the program is run.


OPTIONS:
   There are several options, represented by icons along the left-hand side
of the screen, once the game is loaded.  The first thing you should do, how-
ever, is to click on the grid.  If you have your screen offset differently
from mine, your mouse will be limited to an area partially off the screen.
Clicking on the grid enters 'mouse alignment mode'.  As soon as the text
instructions at the top of the screen finish scrolling, move the mouse
pointer to the upper left-hand corner of the screen and click either button.
This will re-align the mouse area for your particular screen.  (Sorry about
this part, it'll be automatic in the future)
   The first icon on the top of the column is the 'GO' icon.  This one
starts the game.  The next 4 icons indicate how many players will be parti-
cipating in the game itself.  Only one of these can be selected at one time.
   The next icon is the 'BLOCKS' icon.  When selected (default position),
there will be several grey blocks placed randomly on the board before the
game starts.  These blocks act as sections of the grid which have been cut
out.
   The next icon down is the 'Atoms' icon.  It selects whether or not to put
3 atoms of each color on the board randomly before each game.  Note that in
certain positions, some may explode (see 'PLAYING THE GAME' further down)
and possibly 'take over' other atoms, resulting in a disproportionate amount
for two or more of the players.  This is part of the game.  Life isn't fair.
(:
   The next icon is the 'SOUND EFFECTS' icon.  When this icon is up, all
non-background sounds will cease.
   The icon below that one is the 'MUSIC' icon.  Currently, there is no
musical soundtrack, so this does nothing but look nice.  (:  (See Future
Options)
   The final icon is the 'STOP' icon.  Select it to exit the program.


PLAYING THE GAME:
   Objective:  To eliminate all of your opponent's atoms from the board.

   Each player places one atom on his or her turn.  Each square on the grid
has a visible number of adjacent squares (NOT counting those with BLOCKS in
them).  If a square has at least one atom for each adjacent square, it will
explode, sending one atom into each adjoining location.  All squares receiv-
ing a new atom as a result of an explosion will take on that atom's color.
   You may only place atoms on either empty squares, or squares of your
color.
   The mouse cursor will turn the color of the player whose turn it is.  If
the cursor is yellow, it means the game is calculating.
   To abort the game before all players are eliminated, click on the STOP
icon.  You will be returned to the beginning of the game.
   To place an atom, simply click with either mouse key on the square you
have chosen.


New Atoms vs. Nuclear Atoms:
   The difference is in speed and cosmetics.
   Basically, Nuclear Atoms leaves the explosions up on the screen until all
exploding is completed for the turn.  It's also a bit faster, since it does
NOT show the changes to the surrounding squares until all exploding is done.
New Atoms, of course, looks a bit nicer, but you may not care.  (:


FUTURE OPTIONS:
   I plan on adding:

 o - Background music, randomly selected each game from about 5 tunes.

 o - Optional background graphics, scrolling by in multi-layers underneath
     the grid and icons.

 o - Automatic mouse alignment.  (Really sorry about this one)

 o - An extra row or two when in PAL modes.

 o - Double the number of rows when interlaced.



OTHER SOFTWARE:
   Look for the following software from me in the near future:

 o - Spreadsheet.  A PD spreadsheet comparible to Paradox and other similar
     commercial software.  Includes links to other spreadsheets, cell
     commands and calculations, multiple reports for each spreadsheet,
     ARexx scripts, a clipboard, etc.  The PD version will have up to 10
     on-screen spreadsheets at a time, with up to an additional 10 hidden
     linked-in spreadsheets.  Should be available September or October of
     1994.

 o - MassArc.  A new form of archiver, capable of compressing anything
     (including gifs, sound samples, and EXECUTABLES!) down to one third or
     less of the original size.  PD version will have no more than half of
     the equations, and won't have many of the options I'm putting in the
     registered version.  Unknown as to how soon it'll be available.
     Probably by the end of '94 or beginning of '95.

 o - Other miscellaneous games similar to this one.


CREDITS:
   I believe in giving credit where credit is due.
   It's due to John Grivin, without whom I would have never known of this
game.  Take some time to check out his version of this.  It's worth it just
for some of the comments in the docs he wrote.  (:
   It's also due to the other miscellaneous people at Halibut Software who
are mentioned in the docs as having credit.
   It's due to me for spending all this time writing another version.  (:


COPYRIGHT:
   Well, I guess I have to do this part.
   All code herein is copyright by myself, Jesse McClusky, as of August 16,
1994.  This includes both the New_Atoms and Nuclear_Atoms files, their
associated .info files, bank1.abk, and this document file.  Premission is
granted to FREELY distribute these files, provided the following conditions
are met:

   1 - No more than MINIMAL media costs ($5 US for floppies max, PD CD's
okay up to $25 per CD)

   2 - Not a single bit is changed in any of these files

NO assurances or warranties of any kind are either made or implied as to the
suitability of this software for your system.  Any form of damage done, both
due to regular use and also abuse of this program is in no way my fault.
I have not intentionally written any part of the code contained herein with
malice or intent to do harm, but there may be some strange equipment/OS
combination which causes it to do so. (Just covering my bases here)

Oh, and using this program implies agreement and compliance with the afore-
mentioned rules.


If you wish to include this program in a commercial venture, or wish to hire
me as a programmer *grin*, or simply have a bug/comment/suggestion, I can be
reached at:

   Internet -  [e-mail]


If you wish to send me money or wish to register this game and thus support
my efforts to upgrade it and put forth more awesome PD software, send mail
to:

   ACI PD Registration and Public Relations
   13035 110th Avenue N.E.
   Kirkland, WA  98034
   (USA, of course)

Make checks payable to Jesse McClusky.