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The Best of Select: Games 9
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shades
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1994-08-27
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Space Shades (tm) Version 3.00, Copyright 1989,90,91,94 Rich Frank.
---------------
DEMO: Type DEMO at DOS to run DEMO.BAT.
QUICK START: Type "SHADES" at DOS and enter game number 1.
"P"<space> and F1 bring up help screens.
TUTORIAL: Print this document and follow the tutorial section below.
Important note: People have had success playing Space Shades without
reading this document. The "P"<space> command will bring up a list of
all commands needed to complete a game. The Demo explains the game.
The most frequently misunderstood portion is the use of the directory
("DF", "DN", "DS", "DK") and directory lock ("L1", "L4", etc..) commands.
Please learn how to use these commands. You will quickly get lost
in space without them.
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NEW WITH 3.0
Deluxe version released as shareware. Alien landscapes have been released,
bug fixes, registration fee reduced to $10.00. Space Shades has been
recognized by CompuServe Magazine as a 'Top-10' most popular shareware
game for DOS.
NEW WITH 2.0
The EGA/VGA Graphics version has been released as Shareware. Space Shades
is now available in Graphics, Color text and Monochrome text. All versions
are two player compatible over the modem. Improvements include a much
improved 1 player computer enemy especially on Skill level 3. Bug fixes.
INTRODUCTION:
Space Shades places you in the cockpit of a space cruiser. You control
your ship, a space station, and a spy remote while exploring planets in
preparation for your encounter with a hostile enemy. Space Shades is
designed to provide the feel of a flight simulator, while presenting
bit-mapped images of the objects you see when operated in graphics mode.
During play, you look directly out a window into 3D Space. Provided with a
navigation computer, you have complete freedom to fly wherever you want.
You can loop around your station, fly into the Sun, or crank up your ships
speed to .9 SOL. Your mission will be to seek out your enemy and destroy
him before he takes over the galaxy. That is his mission also.
Start with one allied planet and a space station before guiding your ship
off into uncharted territory. You can expand the number of your planets by
fighting for their alliance. Go ahead and enjoy yourself: Collect the
spoils of easily earned victory over defending planetary Hornets. It won't
be so easy to destroy your main opponent, Tin Head.
Once you locate your enemy, Space Shades practically becomes a different
game. Your ship and the enemy ship have nearly the same capability so it
should be an even match. He's fast, but probably a Tin Headed robot. With
a little style, a lot of nerve, and a some items picked up at a few of your
planets, you can send him home.
There are two current releases of Space Shades, a Graphics release and a
Character based release. The Character based release of Space Shades is
shareware, and supports all standard IBM video hardware because it runs in
text mode. A Graphics version is now avilable as shareware.
The two versions play identically, only the presentation is different.
GRAPHICS
High-Res EGA/VGA 16 color graphics. Objects appear as bit-mapped images
while operating in graphics mode. After you capture a planet, you can view
an animation sequence which shows some detail of your new planet (Deluxe
version).
CHARACTER BASED SPACE SHADES
Space Shades supports text mode on non-EGA/VGA video. Functionality is not
lost while playing the game in text mode, partly because the same 3D
projection is used. CGA and MDA text mode versions allow Space Shades to
be small enough to be placed on bulletin boards.
TWO PLAYER GAMES
After you've destroyed Tin Head a few times, you may develop a desire for
more lively prey. Call a human enemy using your modem. While you are
torpedoing your "friend" during a chase through the cosmos as he scrambles
to his station for cover, put on your Space Shades, as you will be cool.
Graphics versions are two player compatible with Character based versions,
so your MDA dingy can go up against the toughest Super-VGA battleship. For
information on starting two player games, see the DOS command line example
below. The Federation player will be asked to enter a phone number for
modem games, while The Kartezion player's modem will answer automatically.
FEATURES
Fast 3D projection. (Even on a 4.77 MHZ PC)
Three skill levels.
Adjusts screen update rate to utilize high performance computers.
64,000 configurations for new galaxies.
Single or Dual player modes.
Original music score.
EGA/VGA 640x350 16 color animation. (Graphics version)
Save game almost anywhere.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS/SUPPORT
IBM PC, AT, PS/2 or compatible required.
MDA/CGA/EGA/VGA/MCGA video in text mode.
Requires EGA or VGA for graphics mode.
Modem (1200 bps or higher) or null modem required for two player games.
Supports math coprocessor if available.
340k (text) 512k (graphics) available system RAM.
1.2 Meg space for Deluxe version if installed on HD.
If you have any additional questions or comments, contact Rich Frank on
CompuServe, user id 73030,302.
INSTRUCTIONS:
The object of the game is to find the enemy cruiser and destroy him before
he destroys you. You will first need to learn to control your weapons and
navigate in 3D space. Not all of the galaxy is visible at any one time, so
you will need to search for your enemy.
Use the cursor keys to turn your ship. <Home> will get you moving. After
you move around a bit, and eventually move out of your home system, you
will discover that you need to use the directory commands ("DF", "DK",
etc..) to find your way back. The directory commands bring up a list of
objects you have discovered and allow you to fly to them using the lock
("L#") and goto ("GT#") commands. Whenever you bring up a list of objects
using a directory command, there will be a number assigned to each item in
the list. Use this number to reference the item using commands such as
lock ("L#") and goto ("GT#").
The Space Shades screen shows a projection of 3D space. At any given time
you see a distance of 350 units. The total size of the galaxy is
approximately 1000 by 1000 by 1000 units, containing about fifty objects.
At the start of the game, you will be able to see your station, your home
system, and possibly one or two star systems close by. It is probable the
enemy is out of sight, but not definite. The locations of the stars and
planets depends entirely on what game number you select when you start.
At the beginning of the game you can capture neutral planets, a fairly
simple task. While you are exploring, your enemy is capturing neutral
planets as well. Before too long, either you will find your enemy or he
will find you. That's when real fighting starts. Weapons include lasers
and torpedoes. During battle, watch your energy closely. Energy is
everything: Getting hit with zero energy means you lose the game. Regain
energy from your planets and the station.
The Screen and Keyboard commands are explained in detail below. A tutorial
is available below to help you learn to control your ship. Once you learn
to control your ship, go on a search for planets to capture. Remember F1
and P<space> bring up help screens.
Table for the following sections of this document:
1) The DOS command line. 4) Command reference.
2) Example Space Shades screen. 5) Space Shades tutorial.
3) Keyboard control. 6) Advanced instructions/Tips.
1) DOS command line: SHADES [-option1 -option2 ...]
Example 1 player game: 'SHADES -s'. (-s Turns off sound)
Example 2 player: 'SHADES -c1' or 'SHADES -c2 -k'. (One player must type -k)
Example: Description:
-# -1, -2, -3 Skill level 1 (easy), 2, or 3 (difficult).
-b -b1200,-b2400 Transfer rate for two player games, specify -b
before -c or -d. Default 1200 BPS. Maximum