Thank you for obtaining a copy of Fracas! A lot of time went into this project, so I hope it brings you some enjoyment. Instructions for the game are built-in; select the items under the "help" menu to learn the basics, and set the keys to whatever you prefer. When you're done, select "New Game" from the "File" menu to get going.
Optimization for your computer
----------------------------
Fracas prefers Macintoshes with a 68040 chip in them or a Power Macintosh. If you're using a lower-end Macintosh, the game may not perform as well as you'd like. If this is the case, try the following things to make the game play faster:
• Be sure "fast animation" is enabled, if it doesn't cause problems for you.
• Uncheck the "high-quality music" item in the "options" menu. This will cause the music to not sound quite as nice, but it won't eat up as much of your computer's efforts.
• Switch to 16 colors or even black and white in your "Monitors" control panel.
• Disable the music via the "options" menu. Playing music in the background takes at least 25% of your computer's efforts. The music really adds to the game, however. Don't do this unless you have to.
Troubleshooting
--------------
If you experience problems playing Fracas, try the following steps before sending me an email:
• Try trashing your Fracas Preferences file and your Fracas Registration file. It's possible they were corrupted, or were from an earlier version of the game when the format was different. Note that if you are a registered user, you will lose your registered status by trashing your registration file. Just re-enter your registration codes when starting the game again.
• Try re-installing the game. Maybe you've got a corrupt file somewhere.
• Version 1.5 should work fine with virtual memory and packages such as RAM Doubler, but earlier versions reportedly had trouble with these things. Try disabling them.
• Double check the "optimizations" section above, and make sure you're not demanding too much from your machine.
• If all else fails, try increasing Fracas's memory partition.
System Requirements
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• 68030 microprocessor or better. I suppose it would work with an '020, but it would be ugly. Fracas is a "Fat Binary" and runs natively on Power Macs.
• At least a 640 by 480 screen (i.e., 13" monitor or a 500-series or better PowerBook)
• System 7 or higher
• Sound Manager 3.0 or higher
• 4.7 megs of free disk space
• 5 megs of free memory
Two Player Mode
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Fracas is, by default, a single-player game, but two players may play cooperatively or against each other as well (just make sure you both agree on how you're playing!) To play with two players, make sure the keys for players 1 and 2 are set to something you'll remember, and then check the "Two Player" option in the Options menu. After you complete your two player game (which will occur after both players have died,) the Two Player option will automatically be unchecked again. If you want to play another two player game, remember to check the two player option again first.
Use care when selecting the keys for a two player game. Remember that the mac's keyboard can only detect two non-modifier keys down at once, so it would be smart to be sure both players are using a modifier key (that is, shift, option, command, or control) as their fire key. Otherwise, one player could quite easily keep the other from moving, and that's not much fun. Another nice way to avoid this problem is to have one player use the mouse for control.
The bonus balloons act a bit differently in a two player game. If you run over a balloon that has your face on it, you will receive an extra life and some bonus points. If you run over a balloon with the other player's face on it, nothing will happen if the other player is still alive... but get this... if you run over this balloon and the other player is dead, it will bring him back to life! This works out kinda nice if you have two players of varying skill, and want to bring back a player that died early on just to be a nice guy.
Controls
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Don't you hate it when someone else was using your computer and changed all the keys on your favorite game? Well, at least Fracas has a way around this. If you have the controls set up just the way you like it (by using the items in the "options" menu), you can save the current control settings to a file by selecting "Save Control Set" under the FILE menu. Then, if somebody messes up your settings, just select "Open Control Set" to bring them back.
Note that you don't have to save your control set to prevent it from disappearing the next time you play. Fracas remembers what you last had the controls set to.
Recommended
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Get the latest Sound Manager extension if you don't already have it. It will improve the game's performance.
Suggested Hardware
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• Stereo speakers
• Gravis Gamepad or ChoiceStick (you can play just fine with the keyboard or mouse, I just think using a pad gives it more of an arcade feel)
Registration
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If you enjoy this game, we'd really appreciate it if you send us the $15 registration fee. This game is the result of a lot of people's nights and weekends. Please take the time to click on the "Register!" button.
Registration will entitle you to a code to "unlock" the game; that is, all the annoying reminders to register will be gone, and you'll be able to play levels higher than five. I'll also give you all of the secret cheat codes for the game as well.
About Cerberus Development
--------------------------
Check out our web site at http://www.transy.edu/~cerbdev/ for the latest news on the Macintosh and PC divisions of Cerberus Development! The Mac division (us) is working on a 3D car racing game with carnage, "Speed Demon" which you'll want to check out. The PC division has some cool games in development as well, including Qotile, a game based on Yar's Revenge, and Juggernaut, a War Sim / RPG set on a bizarre alternate world. You can also snarf Blitz!, a freeware DOS screensaver there!
Credits
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This game would be nowhere near as cool as it is without the help of several people:
Kerri Willard was responsible for all of the artwork.
Brandon Franklin, a.k.a. CyberCerberus of Cerberus Development/PC Division, did a great job composing the music.
Ingemar Ragnemalm developed the Sprite Animation Toolkit, which I used to simplify the game's animation and sound handling. Many thanks to Ingemar for making such a great tool free to the shareware development community.
Antione Rosset developed Player Pro, which I used to handle the music playback in the game. Many thanks for his help, and for making such a great library freely available.
Nikol Software provided the routine to handle the scrolling credits in the "about" box.
Oh, and I did the coding (what was left of it).
Legal junk
---------
The information and code provided hereunder (collectively referred to
as "Software") is provided as is, without warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event
shall Cerberus Development or its suppliers be liable for any damages
whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential,
loss of business profits, or special damages, even if Cerberus Development
or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for
consequential or incidental damages, so the foregoing limitation may
not apply.
This Software may be copied and distributed royalty-free subject to
the following conditions:
1. You must copy all Software without modification, and must include
all files contained in the original package. This includes any
and all instructional documentation, disclaimers, descriptions,
and/or product upgrade notes.
2. You agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Cerberus Development
and its suppliers from and against any claims or lawsuits, including
attorneys' fees, that arise or result from the use or distribution
of this Software product.
3. You may not include this Software in any CD-ROM archive or any similar
storage/distribution endeavor without the express permission
of Cerberus Development. Contact me at fkane@sierranet.net for permission; I won't
ask for much except maybe a copy of the archive when it's released.
Fracas is not a free product; it is distributed as shareware to allow you to evaluate it at no risk. If you enjoy the game, you are obligated to register it. Registration is only $15, and we offer several payment options to make it as easy as possible. Click the "Register!" button at the beginning of Fracas to begin the process.
Registered users of Fracas enjoy the following benefits:
- Play above level 5 will be enabled.
- All annoyances to register the game are disabled.
- The game is personalized in your name.
- You are given the secret cheat codes and undocumented features.
- You feel good all over for supporting shareware, and encouraging shareware authors to continue to provide quality software at no risk to the consumer.
Reward
-------
Since you were a good doobie and read this entire thing, I'll tell you one of the hidden features in Fracas. Holding down the "j" and "b" keys while on the title screen will activate the "Secret JukeBox Mode," which will let you listen to music from any level of the game. If you register the game, I'll tell you the rest of the undocumented features!
