This is the third "real" program I wrote for Mac and the first colour one.
Two years ago I wrote a "serious" computer music program for an exam (I am studying electronic engineering in Padova, Italy).
Later I wrote a simple game for my 4-years old daughter (now six-years old) : Babylabyrinth.
In the following period I was very busy with my studies, so I had no time for programming.
About two months ago I downloaded SAT tool kit by Ingemar Ragnemalm (thank you Ingemar!), it is a sprites library to simplify writing games, and with it I found a invaders demo, eventually when I had some days (and nights) free I worked on it and I turned it in a complete game. Invaders! is the result.
It is a classic Invaders game, close to the original arcade game, the second game I played to years and years ago (the first one was BreakOut) with some small additions.
I know that exist at least three others invaders games: "Slime Invaders" by Ingemar Ranglemalm (a strange and funny invaders game, but far from the classical one), "SpaceInvader!" by Hui Dong, far from the classical one too (the problem is that this one it don't run on my powerbook because of the screen size) and a "space-invaders-da", a nice classical invaders game, with a small window.
Start a new game with "New game" in the "File" menu.
You simply control the defender with the mouse and shoot with mouse button. An advice: don't melt your mouse button clicking on it at light speed: simply keep it pressed and you will get maximal firing frequency.
It is recommended that you set the screen to b/w, 16 or 256 colours and check "fast graphics", especially on machines not faster than an LC. "Fast graphics" will not work on some screens, though.
On large screens, Invaders! may go out of memory, usually while starting up. If that happens, increase the amount of memory set for it in "Get Info" in the Finder.
This is the first release, so levels, bonuses and difficulty have not been widely tested, so any criticism or suggestion will be welcome.
Invaders! should run on any macintosh running system 6.07 or later both in B&W and in any number of colours.
4. CREDITS
Many thanks to Laura, my wife, who sustained and advised me while I was writing the game. She worked on a part of the alpha and beta testing too. I want to thank my daughter Marianna too (she is my favourite beta tester), and Marco (my 11-years old brother in law), who now is the happy owner of my old and glorious SE and second beta tester (yes, we could say that it's a family software house !).
Thanks to Ingemar Ragnemalm, who wrote animation libraries and allowed me to bring to you this game.
5. DIFFUSION
As the Babylabyrinth distribution formula worked quite well I will propose it again:
Invaders! is MixWare:
• First of all it's Shareware: if you like and use it send me 10$ (or more) to support further applications and games development (I haven't a job, and I am still studying). The best way to pay your fee is to send me an international money order from your post office.
• If you can’t send me money, then it becomes PostcardWare: send a postcard to my daughter Marianna:
Marianna Bettini
Via Umberto I, 20/a
35040 S.Margherita d'Adige (PD)
ITALY
• If you can't send a postcard, but you liked it, at least drop me a line: internet space@maya.dei.unipd.it.
The game can be included together with this readme file in any shareware-freeware collection. I'd just like to be advised of it and, if possible to receive a copy of the collection (floppy or CD).
6. AUTHOR's ADDRESS
Comments, ideas or bug reports (and fees), will be welcome.
Internet:
space@maya.dei.unipd.it (for all 1994 and at least first part of 1995)
Snail mail (for registration or if you don't have Internet access):
Simone Bettini
Via Umberto I, 20/a
35040 S.Margherita d'Adige (PD)
ITALY
7. VERSION HISTORY
-1.0.ß: first release running only on color capable macs
-1.1 : added b/w capability
-1.2 : fixed some minor bugs. Name turned to "Invaders!" in order to respect Atari copyright on "Space Invaders" name.
-2.0 : mayor revision:
Fixed several small bugs.
Partially rewritten and completely cleaned up the code.
Added another special shot.
Changed the invaders entrance and added crossing movement.
High scores now are saved as soon as registered, and not at quitting time, to avoid loss of records.
7. SOURCE CODE
I was asked to distribute the sources of the game as an example of game-writing.
I asked Ingemar's advice and finally decided to ask 20$ for them.
IMPORTANT: the offer includes JUST "INVADERS!" SOURCES, wich use Ingemar Ragnemalm SAT (Sprite Animation Toolkit) libraries. SAT is distributed SEPARATELY under the following legal terms:
"…This package is free of charge when used for freely distributable products (public domain, freeware or shareware).
With the exception of compiled shareware programs using SAT, no part of the SAT package may be sold for profit without my written permission. Commercial shareware distributors should ask for permission before including it in their distribution. If you use SAT to produce a game or program that is distributed as Public Domain, freeware, shareware, or similar conditions you should send me a free copy and mention SAT in the doc and/or "About" box.If you use SAT to produce a commercial program, you must have my written permission…" (From SAT manual)
So you must get SAT library to use Invaders! sources. If you have access to Internet this shouldn't be a problem, actually you can get it from sumex-aim.stanford.edu (that's where I got it). If you haven't you can ask directly to the author:
