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Robots of the Arena By Daniel M. Kent
Version 1.0
Copyright information:
This games is the intellectual property of Daniel Martyn Kent. Permission
is granted to duplicate and distribute freely so long as no profit is
gained by the copier and all files in this archive are present and
unchanged. The game MAY be included on PD collections sold for profit so
long as I am informed (This includes magazine coverdisks)
Introduction
There are two things you must know about Robots of the Arena:
(1) It features robots.
(2) They exist in an arena.
Actually there is more than that. Each player controls a robot.By issuing
their robots a sequence of commands, the players attempt to score as many
points as they can while preventing their opponents from achieving their
objectives.
The Setup Window
When the game is first started, you will be presented with the setup
window. Here you name the robots and decide what objects you want in the
arena.
Robot settings:
Each robot has an id and an owners name.The id is displayed on the map of
the arena so that you can tell one robot from another. It can be up to 2
characters long. By default, each robot simply has a number.
To change the id of a robot, click on the string gadget, delete the
previous id and type a new one. Each player should also put their name in
the larger string gadget next to their robot to prevent arguments later
on...
Object settings:
There are a variety of objects that can exist in the arena. The sliders
at the bottom of the setup window adjust the number of each that will
be placed in the arena. If the sliders are left on zero then built in
defaults will be used.
The objects, in order, are:
Movers (red arrows): These act like conveyor belts, moving whatever
moves onto them in the direction indicated.
Crates (crates) : Crates can be pushed around. If they fall into a
pit they are destroyed.
Teleports (Big T) : Anything moving onto a teleport is moved to a
random postion on the map.
Blocks (stripy) : Cannot be moved of affceted in any way.
Crystals (blue) : pushing a crystal down a pit scored 1 point for
the player involved. A new crystal will then appear
Red crystals (red) : Same as crystals but worth 2 points.
Pits : Robots cannot move onto pits. See notes for other
objects.
Make sure there are always some crystals and pits otherwise points cannot
be scored.
Once you have completed the settings, click the OK button to go to the
main game screen.
The map window
This shows you what is going on in the arena. The robots have their id's
on them. A robots facing is shown by the yellow stripe on their front.
The program editor
Rather than controlling their robots in real time, each player gives
their robots instructions for the next few seconds of gameplay.
Once all the players have given their instructions, all the robots
follow their programs.
The progran editor is used by each player in turn to set their robots
program. Each program consists of 8 intructions chosen from:
Forward Back Turn left Turn right Wait
These are pretty self explanatory. To add an instruction to the list,
click on one of the arrows of on the wait circle in the center.
If you make a mistake, click the CLR button to clear the program
and start again. Remember that the left and right arrows DO NOT move the
robot but turn it on the spot.
The aim of the game is to push crystals into pits so you must plan your
route carefully. You may need to manouver the crystals into position
before finally pushing them in.
Notes
To quit, click the close gadget on the setup window or on the map window.
The game continues forever in this version so decide on a points total to
play to, set a time limit or play to a certain number of turns to decide
a winner.
If you find a bug, want to tell me what to improve about the game or just
want to give encouragement then you can contact me by:
Email: dan@hinstock.demon.co.uk
SnailMail: 3 Chester Road
Hinstock
Near Market Drayton
Shropshire
TF9 2SY
ENGLAND
If you send a reasonable cash donation then I will send you a disk with
the latest version of "robots" and some of my other games.
I will also make a custom version of the game if you want so you can have
a personal version. Just let me know what changes you would like and what
the defaults should be.
If anyone makes some better graphics sets for the game then please send
them to me so I can include them with the game rather than my amateur
attempts. Please do not distribute different graphics sets with the game
until I have seen them.
Magazines: If you want to use my game on a cover disk/CD then let me know
and I'll do you a custom version with bonus features and your magazine
logo featured.
Bugs:
A loop of movers causes a crash. I'm working on this but in the meantime,
in the unlikely event that loop is formed, just click the maps close
gadget and select "new map"
NEXT VERSION:
Bigger and better screenmodes (I'm running on a TV at the moment so can
only use Hires and stay sane)
Bigger Maps
Variable numbers of robots
more objects
Better robot graphics
Destruction version where you can damage other robots.
Upgrades for robots (either collected or purchased)
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for reading my first ever program documentation.
Daniel M. Kent