"The purpose of this window is to allow a new adventure game to be constructed, or an existing one be modified.
The adventure is a game where a player has to navigate their way through an initially unknown world, collecting and using objects with various attributes, and interacting with characters, ranging from the benign through profiteering to downright dangerous. The object is to reach a finish point, having survived the hazards of the game.
The following elements of a game can be defined by the game author using this window:
The Overall Game - a name for the game, the story and plot behind the game and the size of the playing map:
(SEE Game Name and Edit Story)
(SEE Map Size)
The Game Map - the network of 'roads' (or 'paths', 'corridors', 'passages' or whatever you wish to call them) around which the player moves:
(SEE Drawing the Basic Map)
(SEE Describing each Cell)
Special Map Features - obstacles and other features such as gates, one-way routes and dark areas:
(SEE Defining Map Features)
Player Attributes - the qualities which a player can possess and the initial values to which they are set:
(SEE Player Attributes)
Inanimate Objects - Things which can be used in the game such as weapons, food, money, etc, their attributes and where they are initially located:
(SEE Defining Objects)
Animated Characters - 'Living' and normally mobile characters that can be either beneficial or harmful to the player:
(SEE Defining Characters)
Management Functions - Loading and Saving games, and generating games for distribution to others:
(SEE Management Functions)
Report Functions - Printing the game map and data on cells, objects and characters.
(SEE Report Functions)
Help related to other windows in this application can be accessed from those windows. For instance, defining inanimate objects and animated characters each have the own windows with more detailed help topics on those windows."
Game Name and Edit Story
"Before a game can be saved the game must be named. This is done by inserting some meaningful text in the text box at the top right hand of the window.
A story can also be written to help introduce a new player to the game. This will be displayed when the game is first loaded. To do this, click the 'Edit Story' (Alt+S) button adjacent to the game name. This will bring up another window allowing a story to be written and edited.
A summary can also be written. This is used to describe the game when the 'About' button is clicked on the opening screen. Click the 'Edit Summary' (Alt+Y) button adjacent to the game name.
For more details on the text editing window, use the HELP function on that window."
Map Size
"Ideally, before drawing a map, it is best to define the size of the game in cells. A game can be a minimum of 10 wide by 10 deep (100 cells) to a maximum of 69x69 cells (4761 cells). Game areas can be rectangular in either 'Portrait' or 'Landscape' format. Use the 'Map Size' (Alt+S) menu function to define the required size. Sub-menus under this offer a choice of Change Width (Alt+W) or Change Height (Alt+H) - the menu items each show the current map size: eg, Change Width (10) means the current width is 10 cells.
It is possible to change the game size after you have started defining a game - increasing the size is no problem, but reducing it may cause you to lose important details, or require extensive editing where features have been truncated at the new edges.
Attempting to save a game with illogicalities so generated will prevent the game from being saved:
(SEE Management Functions)
Basic disjoins betweens cells can be corrected:
(SEE Drawing the Basic Map)
References to Features outside the game (eg Dark areas, jump points and switched gates) can also be corrected:
(SEE Defining Map Features)"
Drawing the Basic Map
"The game map which you are creating is shown on the left of the window. An area of 8x8 cells is shown, although you can use the scroll bars (or cursor keys) to move the view of the screen and see other parts of the game map.
There is also a cursor on the map, which can be moved by means of the arrow keys, or by clicking the mouse on a particular square. At the bottom of the map, information is provided on the name of the current cell and details of any objects or characters that are located on it.
The first step is to create the basic 'road' layout of the game map - the routes which the player is allowed to take. The possible cell road icons are shown in the box in the middle labelled 'road type selector'. Roads can be inserted in one of three ways:
1. Click on the required road icon in the selector box, and click the 'Insert Road' (Alt+I) button.
2. Double clicking on one of the road type selector icons will put that icon in the currently selected cell on the main map.
3. Double clicking on a cell of the main map will put the currently selected road icon into that cell.
The road layout must be logical in that a road leading out of one cell must be matched with a road into the adjacent cell. Whilst 'illogical' maps can be drawn in the drafting stage, at the time of saving any illogicalities are highlighted, and the game cannot be saved until they have been resolved.
Furthermore, there is a choice of 2 'scenes' for the road layout - either 'Indoors' or 'Outdoors' - toggle between these two sets of icons by using the 'Change Scene' (Alt+C) button in the Road Type Selector Window.
On selecting a road type for a blank cell a default Place Name is generated. For more information on describing cells:
(SEE Describing each Cell)
For placing and editing additional map features (ie gates, jumps etc):
(SEE Defining Map Features)"
Describing each Cell
"Each cell on the map can be given a name - a default value is provided in the 'Place Name' text box below the map display. This can be edited to the name of your choice.
A more detailed description can also be written by clicking the 'Edit Long Description' (Alt+L) button. This will bring up another window allowing a long description to be written and edited.
For more details on the text editing window, use the HELP function on that window.
It is not necessary to describe any objects or characters that you may place in that cell, although 'hints' could be used to warn of imminent monsters or invisible objects:
(SEE Defining Objects)
(SEE Defining Characters)"
Defining Map Features
"A wide range of map features are available for overlaying on an existing road, accessible through the Menu bar.
Under the Map Features (Alt+M) menu item, the following are available:
Insert Start
Insert Finish
(SEE Start/Finish Features)
Insert Safe-haven
Insert Invisible Hazards
(SEE Haven/Hazard Features)
Insert Jumps
(SEE Jump Features)
Insert Gates
(SEE Gate Features)
Insert One-Way Route
(SEE One-Way Features)
Any of these features can be removed using the Remove Feature function:
(SEE Removing Features)
It is stressed that before any of these features can be inserted on the map, an appropriate roadway on which they can lie must first have been defined. The cursor must be located on the map at the point where it is desired to insert the feature. Particular features can only be inserted on particular road types and the system will prevent illegal placement.
Under the Dark/Light (Alt+D) menu item a further range of functions associated with dark areas and lights can be accessed:
(SEE Dark Features)
At the bottom left of the map window is a button named 'Goto Link' (Alt+G). This button is only enabled when the cursor is on a jump, a dark area, a switched gate or a switch (for a gate or dark area). Pressing the button moves the cursor to the 'other end' of the feature:
From one end of a jump to the other
(SEE Jump Features)
From a switched gate to its switch
OR from a gate switch to its gate
(SEE Gate Features)
From a dark area to its light switch
OR from a light switch to its dark area: (SEE Dark Features)"
Start/Finish Features
"INSERT START (Alt+M,Alt+S)
This is the point from which the player always starts a new game. One (and only one) start point MUST be defined for each game. It is denoted by a green 'S' in a circle.
INSERT FINISH (Alt+M,Alt+F)
This is the point which the player is striving to find - arrival at this point completes the game. One (and only one) finish point MUST be defined for each game. It is denoted by a red 'F' in a circle.
Starts and Finishes can only be inserted on straight roads with no junctions.
Failing to define a start or finish will result in an error being generated when saving:
(SEE Management Functions)"
Haven/Hazard Features
"INSERT SAFE-HAVEN (Alt+M,Alt+H)
A safe-haven is a place where no game character can go, and can thus be regarded as being safe for the player. They are denoted by an 'H' in circle (outdoors) or in a square (indoors).
INSERT INVISIBLE HAZARD (Alt+M,Alt+I)
An invisible hazard is a place where the player's energy (or stamina or other chosen description of the first attribute) is sapped very quickly to the point of death if the player remains there. This hazard could be any that the author defines - poison gas, magic spell or radioactivity.
Such cells are denoted by a skull and crossbones on the create game window, but when playing the game the same 'H' as is used for a safe-haven is displayed, adding an element of risk for the player to enter such a square. Havens and Hazards can only be inserted at crossroads.
Objects can be defined which protect the player against these hazards:
(SEE Defining Objects)
Characters may or may not be able to survive in hazards:
(SEE Defining Characters)"
Jump Features
"INSERT JUMPS
'Jumps' are where the player can move from one cell to another non-adjacent cell in a 'jump' move. This feature could be used for a physical tunnel or underbridge, or a more tenuous teleportation or 'magic' jump, or a more imaginary airline flight or subway train journey.
Jumps are denoted by a lightning flash in a circle, and may only be located in dead-ends.
Once the first end the jump has been defined (with the 1st End command - Alt+J, Alt+1), the 2nd end of it must then be defined (Alt+J, Alt+2) before it is possible to define another 1st End.
Failing to define both ends of a jump will result in an error before saving:
(SEE Management Functions)
Characters may or may not be able to use jumps:
(SEE Defining Characters)"
Gate Features
"INSERT GATES
There are two different types of gate:
Locked Gates Switched Gates
There are four functions to defines both the gates and the keys/switches which control them:
LOCKED GATE (Alt+M, Alt+G, Alt+L)
A locked gate will prevent a player from entering that cell unless they possess (and use) the appropriate key or a master key (if such an object has been defined).
It is denoted by a key symbol in an oval. Gates can only be inserted on straights with no other feature or junction.
Until a Key for the Gate has been defined, this function is disabled.
KEY FOR GATE (Alt+M, Alt+G, ALt+K)
Once a locked gate has been defined, the player must then define the key for it. This uses the Edit Objects function:
(SEE Defining Objects)
(NOTE: Once the key has been defined, if the map cursor is moved onto a switched gate, the key as defined in the inanimate objects list will be highlighted.)
SWITCHED GATE (Alt+M, Alt+G, Alt+G)
Alternatively, a gate may be one operated by a remote switch. This is denoted by a plan view of a gate.
Gates can only be inserted on straights with no other feature or junction.
Until a switch is defined, this function is then disabled.
GATE SWITCH (Alt+M, Alt+G, Alt+S)
Each switched gate must have a switch to operate it. Switches can only be inserted on corners and are denoted by a graphic of a lever switch. Switched gates are defined as being initially either closed (Alt+C) or open (Alt+O), and the graphic shows them in position (Up for closed, down for open). To change the initial setting the gate must first be removed:
(SEE Removing Features)
If a gate has been defined without a switch or key as appropriate, the pre-save validation will prevent the game from being saved:
(SEE Management Functions)
Characters may or may not be able to go through gates of either type:
(SEE Defining Characters)"
One-Way Features
"INSERT ONE-WAY ROUTE (Alt+O)
One-way routes can be defined, where the player can only normally go in one direction: these could be interpreted as cliff faces, walls, moving escalators, etc.
They are denoted by a ramp and wall: players can go up the ramp and down the wall but not the other way.
Objects can be defined which overcome these obstacles (eg ropes):
(SEE Defining Objects)
Characters may or may not be able to go over such obstacles:
(SEE Defining Characters)"
Removing Features
"REMOVE FEATURE (Alt+M, Alt+R)
Features which have been inserted can be removed using this function. The cursor must first be placed on the appropriate on the map for removal and the command invoked. A confirmatory message box will appear before the feature is removed.
The removal of one end of a jump will also remove the other end of it, if defined.
The removal of a switched gate will also result in the removal of its switch. It is not possible to remove switches themselves - the feature they control (gate or dark area) must be removed first. For detail on removing dark areas:
(SEE Dark Features)"
Dark Features
"Cells can be specified as being dark. Each dark cell has a light which is controlled by a switch. A dark area (and its switch) can be removed once defined, and to aid map drawing all the lights can be 'switched on'.
The functions to define dark/light areas are under the Dark/Light menu heading:
INSERT DARK AREA (Alt+D, Alt+D)
Place the map cursor on the desired square. Invoking the function will define the square as dark. Once invoked, the command is disabled until a switch is defined.
INSERT LIGHT SWITCH (Alt+D, Alt+S)
Place the map cursor on any corner. Invoking the function will define a switch, either Off (Alt+F) or On (Alt+N) - shown in position up for off, down for on.
If the lights are switched off, a dark blue square will be displayed in the dark area. In the game itself, players will not be able to determine what is in the area until they either find the light switch, use a torch or similar object, or obtain an object which makes their vision infra-red.
(SEE Defining Objects)
REMOVE DARK AREA (Alt+D, Alt+R)
Placing the cursor over a dark area and selecting this function will remove a dark area and its switch. The switch cannot be removed directly.
LIGHTS ON/OFF (Alt+D, Alt+L)
Clicking this menu function toggles an overall light switch (only available in game design). A tick mark against the menu item indicates that the lights are on. This is to aid designing the game."
Player Attributes
"The box headed 'Initial Player Attributes' in the top right hand corner of the screen is used to define the attributes with which the player is blessed at the start of the game. Each attribute can be set to a level using the scroll bars as follows:
ATTRIBUTE VALUES
Minimum: In a range from 0-12, this is a fixed element of the initial value of that attribute.
+ Random: In a range from 0-12, this is a random element of the initial value of that attribute.
The minimum and random elements together generate the initial value of that attribute. For example:
A setting of 9 minimum and 0 random will always generate a value of 9.
A setting of 0 minimum and 9 random will generate a value from 0 to 9.
A setting of 9 minimum and 9 random will generate a value from 9 to 18.
If the minimum value is set to 0, the attribute will not initially appear in the playing game.
ATTRIBUTE EFFECTS
There are five attributes which all have default names, and are used in the game in the following way:
1st attribute: Default: ENERGY
This is the amount of energy possessed by the player. It decrements by 1/10 of a unit for each cell moved. It decrements rapidly in hazard areas, and by varying amounts when fighting creatures.
(SEE Defining Characters)
It can be restored by using objects which are defined as increasing this attribute. Therefore, objects such as food must be defined for a player to have any chance of survival.
(SEE Defining Objects)
You could rename this attribute Stamina, Power, Life, etc.
2nd attribute: Default: SKILL
This is ability of the player to fight successfully. The skill level of the player will depend upon the use of objects which have an effect on skill.
(SEE Defining Objects)
You could rename this attribute Strength, Shields, Weapons, etc.
3rd attribute: Default: WILLPOWER
This is the ability of the player to bargain for selling and buying. The more willpower, the lower the price at which you can obtain objects from other characters, and the higher the price you can sell at.
(See Defining Characters)
You could rename this attribute Acumen, Flair, etc
4th attribute: Default: LUCK
This attribute has two effects:
The lower your luck, the more likely the chance that another character will take pity on you and give you an object.
An element of luck is consumed to determine the outcome of fights, so the higher your luck the greater the chance of winning fights.
(SEE Defining Characters)
You could rename the attribute Magic, Random, etc
5th attribute: Default: TORCH-LIFE
This is the amount of life in an object defined to light dark areas. You should define one such object (eg Torch). Other objects can be defined to replinish this life (eg Batteries, Fuel).
(SEE Defining Objects)
You could rename the attribute Torch Fuel, Charge, etc
Under the attributes is a list of the objects which the player holds at the start of the game. This list is maintained by the Edit Objects function below.
(SEE Defining Objects)
OTHER ATTRIBUTES
Players also possess the attributes of Sight and hearing. These both start as normal in all games, but can be improved or worsened as follows:
SIGHT
Infra-Red: Player can see in the dark and see invisible objects.
Blind: Player can see nothing.
HEARING
Ultra-sonic: Has acute hearing - can hear characters in adjacent cells.
Deaf: Can hear nothing - no sound effects."
Defining Objects
"Things which can be used in the game such as weapons, food, money, etc, their attributes and where they are initially located are defined by the Inanimate Objects box on the middle right of the window.
If a new game is selected, or the Create map window invoked without specifying a game, 3 default objects are shown (Torch, Battery and Food). These can be edited or deleted as desired.
The 6 buttons in this box are used to control the definition of objects as follows:
NEW A new object can be created. The Edit Object window is invoked.
EDIT An existing object must be selected in the list box before clicking this button to invoke the Edit Object window.
COPY An existing object must be selected in the list box before clicking this button which will copy the selected object and invoke the Edit Object window.
See the HELP on the EDIT OBJECT WINDOW to obtain further information on editing objects, be they new, copied or existing.
PLACE This button is only enabled if the object is defined as being on the ground. Clicking the button will place the object on the ground at the present position of the map cursor.
DELETE/UNDELETE. Clicking the DELETE button will mark the selected object for deletion. The button will then change to UNDELETE. Whenever an object marked for deletion is selected, the button will display UNDELETE. Clicking UNDELETE will restore the object and the button will display DELETE.
SHOW WHERE. This button is only enabled if the object is defined as being on the ground. Clicking this button will move the map cursor to the position of the object."
Defining Characters
"'Living' and normally mobile characters that are either beneficial or harmful to the player can be defined in the box in the bottom right of the window.
If a new game is selected, or the Create map window invoked without specifying a game, 3 default characters are shown (Standard Missionary, Trader and Fighter). These can be edited or deleted as desired.
The 6 buttons in this box are used to control the definition of objects as follows:
NEW A new character can be created. The Edit Character window is invoked.
EDIT An existing character must be selected in the list box before clicking this button to invoke the Edit Character window.
COPY An existing character must be selected in the list box before clicking this button which will copy the selected character and invoke the Edit Character window.
See the HELP on the EDIT CHARACTER WINDOW to obtain further information on editing objects, be they new, copied or existing.
PLACE Clicking the button will place the character at the present position of the map cursor.
DELETE/UNDELETE. Clicking the DELETE button will mark the selected character for deletion. The button will then change to UNDELETE. Whenever an character marked for deletion is selected, the button will display UNDELETE. Clicking UNDELETE will restore the character and the button will display DELETE.
SHOW WHERE. Clicking this button will move the map cursor to the position of the character."
Management Functions
"Under the File menu heading are a number of management functions, described below:
NEW (Alt+F, Alt+N)
If an existing game is being edited, the system will ask if you wish to save it first - if so, SAVE AS is invoked. A new game will be created with default objects and characters, and a blank map of 10x10 cells.
This will save the game over the existing file name, if one has been specified, otherwise SAVE AS will be invoked.
SAVE AS (Alt+F, Alt+A)
This function will ask for a filename - an extension of sg0 (sg-zero) must be used to save defined games. (NOTE: sg1 through sg9 are used to save player games). The game will then be saved
OPEN (Alt+F, Alt+O)
A file selection window will appear, listing only files with sg0 extensions. Selecting one will enable it to be loaded.
This will create a directory with a complete set of files and support programs for the distribution and installation of the game."
Report Functions
"Under the Report heading of the main menu, the following report functions are available:
PRINT MAP (Alt+F, Alt+M)
A full window map of the game is displayed on a page-by-page basis. This can be printed (Press PRINT button) or not (Press CANCEL button). This is a useful method of seeing a larger area of map.
PRINT CELL DATA (Alt+F, Alt+D)
Definitions and descriptions of all cells are printed out.
PRINT OBJECT DEFINITIONS (Alt+F, Alt+O)
Definitions and descriptions of all objects are printed out.
PRINT CHARACTER DEFINITIONS (Alt+F, Alt+C)
Definitions and descriptions of all characters are printed out."
