home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD School House 9
/
CD School House 9.0 - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso
/
pc
/
games
/
mac
/
__the_arcade__
/
macman1_0_2
/
macman1_0_2.docs
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-03-20
|
8KB
|
195 lines
DOCUMENTATION FOR MACMAN CLASSIC 1.0.1
[this file looks best with 3-space tabs in Edit or the THINK C editor]
UPDATE
Macman 1.0.2 is an update that fixes (finally) the speed problem, and adds
several new features. Macman 1.0.1 was designed to fix a problem with the
game being too fast on faster Macs (especially Quadras) but for fairly
technical reasons the method used to do this was "fatally flawed." This time
however a new method was used to ensure the same speed between Macs and a
tweak option (to speed up or slow down the game) was added to provide
further control. See TECHNICALLY SPEAKING for a more thorough explanation.
Using this method, no Slow Game option is necessary so there is only one
Play menu choice.
Due to popular demand, a new dialog box allows you to customize the control
keys (See Set Controls╔ under SETTINGS MENU) used to control macman. In
addition, your choice of keys (among other things) is saved in a preferences
file (actually in the resource fork of Macman) so that you don't have to
reset them each time you start up the game. If you are one of those who
have stuck with Macman even though the speed problem continued to exist,
thank you and my sincere apologies.
COMPATIBILITY
Macman was written on a Macintosh SE running System 6.0.7. It should run on
a Mac Plus or later without modification. Because of calls made to the
Sound Manager, you probably need to be using System 6.0.x or higher. I have
had one report that Macman crashed on a Mac Plus. I am unable to test on
a Plus, but one suggestion would be to keep the sound turned off (although
System 6.0.7 should support the sound routines called by Macman). With the
sound off, earlier versions of Macman ran on a 512Ke without crashing, so I
can't blame the 128k ROM.
I have had some problems with the sound. Although the sine waves used to
make most of the sound effects sound perfect on my SE, it sometimes is
reduced to just a soft buzz on faster Macs. Anyone know why?
It is compatible with MultiFinder (100K partition recommended) and System
7.0. If you find any compatibility problems please see how to contact the
author below.
It has been tested on a Mac SE (of course), a Mac IIci under System 7.0, a
Mac II under System 7.0, and a Mac IIcx under System 7.0.
Macman 1.0.2 will no longer run on a Mac 512Ke (even with sound off) because
of calls made to the revised time manager. (Revised Time Manager is
available only with System 6.0 or higher, which excludes the 512Ke.)
THE GAME
Most of you should already know how to play the game because it is
remarkably similar to a famous arcade game. The object of the game is to
munch as many dots, energizers, vulnerable ghosts, and fruits as possible
while avoiding ghosts who are not vulnerable.
An extra life is rewarded for every 15,000 points accumulated.
THE CONTROLS
The default controls are:
[Y] up [B] down [G] left [H] right
See Set Controls╔ to customize keys. In addition, the space bar pauses the
game. After pausing, you can restart by hitting either the space bar or
any of the control keys. Any click of the mouse will end a game currently
in progress.
THE MENUS
APPLE MENU
About Macman╔ gives you information on how to register your copy of
Macman and optionally, how to obtain the C source code.
GAME MENU
Play Play one game at the settings chosen.
EDIT MENU
For desk accessories only. Note: desk accessories can only be used when
no game is currently in progress since a mouse click will end a game.
SETTINGS
Turn Sound Off toggles between "Turn Sound Off" and "Turn Sound On".
Tweak Speed╔ brings up a dialog box allowing you to adjust (tweak)
the speed of the game. For more, see TECHNICALLY
SPEAKING.
Set Controls╔ brings up a dialog box allowing you to customize the
direction keys. Click on the arrow of the direction
you want to customize and press the key you want to
use. Click Okay when done.
The other items correspond to levels of the game. For example, a game
starting at cherries will progress through each level as each board is
completed. Whichever option is checked is the level the game will start
at. Note: key is the highest level, so every level after the key will
be another key level.
CHEAT
Three Lives, etc. whichever option is checked is the number of men you
will start the game with.
Make Invincible toggles between "Make Invincible" and "Make Vincible."
When Macman is invincible, he can still eat vulnerable
ghosts but he cannot die. The only way to end a game
if Macman is invincible is with a mouse click.
Four ghosts, etc. default is four enemy ghosts. You can adjust this, but
you must have at least one (why would you want less?).
PREFERENCES
Only the following settings are saved:
1) Whether the sound is on or off.
2) What level you prefer to start at.
3) The "tweak" value.
4) The keys you choose to control macman.
Cheat menu settings are not saved.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Fast mac owners were understandably impatient that no fix to Macman seemed
to slow the damn thing down. The culprit: I was using a simple counting
loop to delay the game. Countless factors affected the speed of this
counting loop (and those Quadras can count FAST), which made it ultimately
unworkable. The solution: the revised Time Manager. A time manager task
is installed in the TM queue. The task is primed with a delay value of
a number of milliseconds. Then the game completes one cycle (moves all
characters) and if time has not expired, it waits until time expires before
going on. Using this method allows Macman to run consistently with all
Macs (within the accuracy limits of the time manager.) The tweak value is
in milliseconds and is subtracted from the delay value. Cherries level
(with a tweak value of zero) uses a 25 millisecond delay, which decreases
1 millisecond per level but never goes below 12 milliseconds.
SHAREWARE
This game is shareware. I'm not looking to get rich, but I do ask that
you send $8 with your name and address to register your copy of Macman if
you like the game or can otherwise find it in your heart to send it. With
your name and address I will notify you of any updates to Macman or other
releases. (See HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR for my address.) Share this
game with whomever you like, but please include this documentation and
do not distribute altered versions.
SOURCE CODE
If you are looking for programming techniques or just want to peek under
the hood, the commented THINK C source code for Macman is available. It
may not be the best C code in the world, but it isn't the worst, and it
does work.
For your convenience, you can request the source code three ways.
1) Send $15 for the code on an 800K floppy
2) Send $15 for a printout of the code
3) Send $10 and an 800K floppy for a copy of the code.
Please let me know which you want. This will also register your copy of
Macman.
HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR
Any comments, suggestions, complaints, compatibility reports,
registrations or requests are greatly appreciated and should be sent to
me at the following address:
John Butler
2061 Vinton Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
I can also be contacted on America Online (JohnB42414) or CompuServe
(76366,723).
RELEASE HISTORY
3-11-92 Macman 1.0
3-16-92 Macman 1.0.1 (new option to slow game by varying amounts)
3-20-92 Macman 1.0.2 (Synchronized the timing to allow consistent
play on all Macs. A tweak value added to slow
or speed up the game. Customized directional
control keys added. Preferences are saved from
game to game.)
THANK YOU
Special thanks to: Andrew Cohen, Jean Tantra, and Michael S. Walborn.