Amiga Plus Extra 1996 #3/AmigaPlus_CD-ROM-EXTRA_Nr.3.bin/aminet-spiele/zwei spieler/sneech mini/sneech/sneech.doc

Text File | 1992-09-02 | 20KB | 498 lines

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Sneech Demo Version 2 By Paul Burkey (c)1995 Daisy Software
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Paul Burkey (2.10.95)
Before you read this document may I first add that this document and the
game itself were written a long time ago. I haven't had time to edit this
doc file to include the new version extras!! Let me tell you this...
I have been putting too much time into this game!!! It has changed a lot
since this demo, so much so that I can't do another mini demo like this
because theres so much to it. I will be doing a cut down latest version
so if you run a PD Library or you simply want to see a better demo before
you Register then you should get in contact with me and I'll sort you
out with a much better version.

Here is a short list of new features...

10 players instead of 8, 6 human players using Joystick adaptor, Team modes,
Ramps, Viruses, Save and load games, Statistics screen, Better graphics,
20 or so shop items, Loans, 20 different computer players with different
styles, Ice, Holes, Extra Lives, Open Doors!
.... And much more .....

If you think this demo is good but you think it's not worth registering then
you will miss out on the best ever multi player game ever written!!!!!!

Order the Bigger demo first if you have to by sending a disk and S.A.E to
the address below....

The full price game is still only £5.

The rest of this document was written (20.4.95)..........
********************


This is a shareware game demo and can be spread my any means as long as
this document file is supplied. and you don't charge any more than normal
PD rates. If anyone can upload this archive (Demo+docs) onto there local
BBS then please do so. This demo on Coverdisks or CoverCD's and can be
spread by any other means. I want as many people to see this game as I
can. A lot of people have praised my work on this game already but I
know there will be a lot of people who wont see it!! So please help!!

The full game takes up most of a disk and because of this I wasn't going
to make a demo version but due to a little persuasion from a few friends
I was encouraged to spread a cut down version to all you Amiga Users!
I must admit it's not everyone's Cup of Tea but it might keep a few of
you quiet for a few minutes!

To Reduce the size of the Game from 450k+ which is much to large to
be spread by coverdisks etc. I had to simplify the game which in
turn reduced the amount of graphics and eliminated the need for
some large samples (I will explain exactly what is missing later in
this document). It takes a while to un-squash the graphics so please
wait while it un-squashes. The full game does not have this pause so
I'm sorry to keep reminding you but if you play this game a lot it
would be in your interest to buy the full game it really is worth it.

******* Why should I buy the Full Game? Explained **************

I have been testing the demo for the past few days and making a few
changes here and there. It just doesn't have the same appeal to it
that the full version has. This is Demo Version 2. I have not made
this demo using the latest Sneech Version because it takes too long
to cut down and test. Instead this is the original Demo that has been
'spruced' up a bit. The computer players are faster smoother and
the code is a bit smaller.

I have also used one of the new game modes 'Auto Size' this has become
quite a popular part of the game. This means that you don't have to
pick up the 'White Parts' that are used for gaining size. In this mode
you just grow slowly, so if you are getting small then just get out of
the way and wait until you are a bit bigger. This also means that the
game is more exiting because you dont have to bother picking up all the
size pills which means you can just get stuck in!!!!

I have limited the amount of game time and extra reverses to stop the
game becoming too repetitive. With the extra weapons and protective
equipment that is available in the full game each game is different and
each player including the computer players have there own tactics!

Some people buy an Extra Life which costs $700 this eliminates the
chance of going out too quick the extra life doesn't have to be used
and can be kept for the next game, also if you don't use the extra life
you will gain interest money for the next game, you gain interest on
all equipment not used and money in the bank!

The super scooper is an option on the full game which saves you $230
and also makes it easier to trap the computer players by looping round
speed up pill and other goodies.

Buy as many bombs as you like and go straight in for the kill or wait
until someone is small and vulnerable and finish him/her off! You can also
buy bomb deflects that protect you from bombs and deflect the blast back
causing damage to your opponent! All other shop extras are listed later
on in this document.

Longer games or longer leagues give the better players more chance of
winning, so you can still win if you make one or two bad games. You
can also change any of the other factors of the game like turning off
the blockers or speeding them up to make it really interesting. Set the
initial size up to say 50 to avoid those early disasters. Turn the initial
speed up to a nice level so you can go in for the kill straight away
instead of having to gain speed first (this is also essential if your
computer is not so quick ie, A500). Turn the slip-mat power up a bit
that makes the game more interesting. You can also turn off the size
pills and see who really is the better player. Remember when you cause
someone to crash into you, you will gain some size!

One of my favorite parts of the full game is where a player is chosen
at random to be 'IT' and a 150 points bonus is given to whoever can kill
him. If he lives to the end of the game he wins the points as well as
a cash bonus! This is great fun when you have 9 players trying to kill
you off!

I could go on about all the extras in the full game all day but I can't
and won't. If you like the game and play it as much as I do you will
buy the full version anyway. I am always improving it so by the time
you get hold of this demo (Today is 20-4-95) I have probably added much
more to it.  If you do register for the full version you will get the
very latest version. I will also keep you up to date with improvements
and include any good ideas you have for the game.

Oh well if that doesn't persuade you nothing will! If I don't get a
good response from this game I will have to retire from writing
games and get a proper job instead! Sob Sob?

****************************************************************

If you enjoy this game and want the full version then send a Cheque
or Postal Order for 5 UK Pounds payable to me at:-

    Paul Burkey
    32 Cottage Close
    Little Neston
    South Wirral
    L64 9RB

Other currencies are wellcome ie. Bank Notes. Send approx £6+ worth.

You don't have to write a letter if you dont want to. As long as
you send your name and address, that's all I need. It would also
help if you told me what setup you run it on ie A500, A600, A1200
HardDrive Etc. Could you also tell me where you got hold of this demo!

     Contents
     --------

      1. Introduction.
      2. History of worm games.
      3. Feature List.
      4. Setting Up.
      5. The Game!
      6. The League and Money System.
      7. End of Game and Rating System.
      8. Full Game Extras!!!!!
      9. Last Bits.


1. Introduction
---------------

Sneech is a fast paced 'Worm Game' game for up to 6 (full game only)
players at a time. You can also play against 9 computer players (full
game only) depending on the amount of human players...and is as far as
I know the first game ever to allow all 10 players to play simultaneously
 on screen. This is why the game is so much fun to play.

The game has been played and tested for about 6 months now and in
this time many changes and additions have been made. So the game
has adapted to suit the needs of many people.

When you first play Sneech it might seem at first to be just
another Worm / Tron game. You might find it too difficult or fiddly
to play. Please? Stick at it and you will soon get the hang of it.
The game was really designed to be used by 2-6 human players but it
can be played by 1 player.

But for best results play in a darkened room with the sound turned
up to full and just sprinkle 4-6 humans and add 2 or more computer
players for taste! Also the later in the day the better! Office
hours will do but I recommend you use up as much bed time as you can!

Before I continue, there are some known bugs in this version! Sometimes
you will find the odd block or piece of 'worm' left on the screen. The
Full game has a few procedures that check the screen for 'spare' bits
when an explosion happens. These procedures were taken out to save on
the size of the file. All I can say is that the full game has worked
well in the past few months, and I don't have the time to spend weeks
getting this demo working perfect! It all adds to the randomness? of
the game anyway! and you are going to get used to randomness when you
meet the Random Factor in the full game!!!!!!!!!!!

******* Demo.......................

This version doesn't Accept 6 human players using an adaptor but
the full version does. The full game has a total of 10 players but
this demo only has 8.........

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2. History Of Worm Games
------------------------

I think everyone at some time has seen a worm game before and I think
most people who have ever programed have written one. I have always
found these games great fun to play but they are almost always
designed for 1 player. I decided to write a version myself but I would
have to change some rules and add some interesting ideas of my own...


3. Feature List
---------------

Here are a list of the features in this Version....

     Up to four Human Players (2 Joysticks) + (2 on keyboard)
     Up to 7 Computer players (Depending on No. of Humans!)
     Computer Players have different tactics!
     You can control your own speed by collecting the speed pills
     There are Slow-down Pills If you get too fast!
     You gain length by picking up size pills,
     You loose length by Crashing!
     Pick up bombs and then crash into another player!
     Blockers Appear to make the game more interesting (Avoid)
     Slip-Mats That let you slide smoother.
     Reverses can be used if needed
     Super Scooper for easy object pickup!
     This demo is limited to 4 games per league.
     Auto Parts mode is ON.


4. Setting Up
-------------

Controls:-

There are 8 sets of Icons for setting up your players. The four on
the left can be human players or computer players or off and the
four on the right can be computer players or off.

Firstly choose how many players you need by selecting the control
Icons these will cycle from...

Off, Joy1, Joy2, Left Keyboard, Right Keyboard, Computer.

Some people might find the keyboard controls harder but with
practice there not too bad :-

          Left Keyboard    Right Keyboard

    Up           Ctrl          Curs-Up
      Down        L Shift          Curs-Down
      Left          L Alt          Curs-Left
     Right        L Amiga          Curs-Right


Colours :-

Now Select your colours by clicking the colour Icons. With the computer
Players this will also change the tactics and difficulty but I won't
spoil it by letting you know what these are but I will say...

     Blonde, Black, White, Orange      (Harder)
     Pink,   Blue,  Red,   Green       (Easier)

There is nothing stopping you from having an 8 player game when
your all Black! or one player against 7 yellows!


Names:-

Now you can change the names of the human players by clicking on
the name and entering the new name?

Now Click on the Go Button to start the league......


5. The Game
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The game itself lasts for 5 minutes. At the start of the game your
name will be shown as well as the amount of points the other
players could get if they were to kill you!

Then after the countdown the game will start!

     The game is split into 3 time periods these are :-

     Green        Start off Period     (Get going!)
     Blue        Game Time         (Kill everyone!)
     Red        Extra Time         (No pills!)

The object of the game is to kill off all the other players as
quickly as possible. And at the same time collect as many money
tokens as possible.

You have until the end of the Green period to start moving in any
direction you want. After this you will automatically move in a
random direction.

You must avoid the walls, Blockers, yourself and the other players.
If you do crash you will simply shrink. When you shrink to nothing
you are killed-off and out of the game. The game continues until
all the players are dead or the time is up, in which case you will
simply shrink to your death! (Nice Happy Instructions Hey!).

To aid you on you journey you will find Speed Pills (Black) these
pills will last for a short while and you will eventually slow back
down to normal. You will have to keep collecting these to maintain
a decent speed preferably faster than everyone else but not too
fast or else you will be a fool to yourself! If you do go too fast
you can either be very careful until it wears off or you can
collect the Slow-Down Pills (Black-Yellow) to put on the breaks.

You can gain points by killing people. If you do kill someone you
will get their kill bonus as displayed at the start of the game. If
you don't kill them but they just bash into you they will shrink by
Approx 10% and you will gain some of what they have lost. You will
also increase your destruction bonus. You also get a bonus for how
fast you go and how large you get.

Look out for the Slip Mats you will travel across these at a faster
pace, so be crafty and use them.

You will also be able to collect the Free Bombs that will appear
during the game. When you have a bomb you will be allowed to crash
into another player and blow away some of there tail. This can also
be used to finish them off if they get to the 'Tiddler on the lose'
stage! But you wouldn't do that to one of your friends would you?


6. The League and Money System
------------------------------

During the game small green tokens will appear. This is where you
get your money. Sometimes small yellow tokens will appear. The
yellow ones are money boxes and they explode when you touch them,
sending approx. 4 green money tokens out around that area for you to
collect. When someone is killed off before the extra time period
approx. 4 green tokens will be left behind. If that player was the
second to last player to die, then approx 4 yellow money boxes will
appear. As you can see, the best way to collect money is to kill
everybody else off!

This Demo is set to 4 x 5 minute games per league. Depending on how
much money you collect you will be given some equipment to help you
during the game.

Extra Speeds :- $400     Maximum of 2 Demo only

This Lets you start off the game on a faster speed. You will slow
down again so you will need to top it up again.

Super Scooper :- $230

This lets you pickup objects easier. You will be given one of these
if you can't afford anything.

Reverse :- $250          Maximum of 1 Demo only

If you have reverses and you are ever trapped completely (that is
on all 3 sides), you will be reversed and the tail becomes the head
and the head becomes the tail.


7. End of Game & Rating System
------------------------------

At the end of the league the winner is the player with the highest
Rating. This is usually the player with the most points but it does
take into account other factors.

The rating system gives a fair rate for how well you have played on
a whole and was added to the game for the Hi-Score table which is
only in the full game.

     The rate takes into account:-

     No. of Human Players.
     No. of Computer Players.
     Money left after last game.
     Points.


8. Full Game Extras!
---------------------

Your Version of the Full game is waiting on my desk in an envelope.
All I need is your address and a cheque for 5 pounds and it will be
winging it's way to you!

Here are a few things to expect when it arrives :-

     Up to 10 'worms' at a time.
     6 can be controled by humans using a joystick adaptor.
     Arena is 20% Bigger!!!!
     Full control over the game options ie,
     Play Practice Game or up to 25 Games in a league.
     Games Can last 3-20 minutes.
     The Speed Pills can Pop up Quicker.
     Lowest Speed Can be set higher.
     Money interest.
     You can start off with size (10-200).
     The Size Pills Can be turned On?

     Blockers can be More or less Frequent or turned off.
     Slip mats, More or less Frequent or turned off.
     Slip mats stronger!

     Door keys, when a door key is picked up they all open and you
     can then pass through them and appear on the other side.....

     In-Game documentation.
     No hanging around for the graphics to decompact.
     Top 20 Hi-Score Table Automatically Saves to disk.
     Save Game options and Game Set-Up.

     Probably a lot more things by the time you get hold of this demo!

I am working on.....

     Keep a record of each player in a file. It will store your name etc.
     so you can then choose your name from a list instead of typing it in.
     It will also keep a record of How many games you've had Average Rating.
     Distance traveled in meters! Amount of kills. Plus any other requested
     Statistics. A Best Players to date list can then be shown.

     Save Long Leagues.
     Gambling Option.
     Loan Shark!
     Learner mode.
     Team games where you can play in pairs.
     Tunnels and ramps.
     Game statisticks.
     More 'Hi' tables ie, Fastest, Longest etc.

     Many more suggestions are being considered.

Shop section:-

     You can control what you spend your money on.

     Buy Extra Start-off Speeds
     Buy Extra Start-off Size
     Buy Reverses.
     Buy Bombs.
     Buy Bomb Deflectors to protect yourself.
     Choose to buy Super Scooper or save the money!
     Buy a Stunner to stun the first player to touch you.
     Buy a No-Dead-Money to stop other players cashing in on you.
     Buy a Pass-Through so that you can drive through yourself.
     Tip off the Random Factor?
     Buy an * EXTRA LIFE! * to bring you back from the dead.
     Plus interest on any money not spent and equipment not used.

Other Extras include :-

     Special Last Screen Arena with Blockers already set up.
     Special 'IT' bonus prize!
     Extra Sound Samples.
     The Incredible Random Factor!

I will also send demos of other games I have done like Peg It,
Shroom Gammon and Jelly Othelly.


9. Last Bits
------------

I hope you like this game because I have spent a lot of time making
very small changes to it during the last few months. If you don't
like it then why not let me know why or even let me know what you
think I could do to improve it.

I could add an option to link another amiga up and utilise the
joystick ports and maybe even let you use the second keyboard to
allow 8-12 human players!

If I get asked by enough people I will alter the program to allow
12 players ie. 6 Human 6 Computer!!! I just didn't think anyone
could be that keen on my little worm game.

Oh well that's it for know.....

Thanks for reading and thanks for playing my game. I hope you like it
and I also hope you will help me out by sending your donations and
also your ideas. If you do register for the full version and you send
any good ideas I will put you name on the Sneech titles screen....




Thank you, Paul Burkey