Astraware Astroids : Release Notes

Astroids Release Notes

Current released version: 1.63 (9th September 2000)
Current release expires: never
Feedback to: Howard Tomlinson (howard@astraware.com)
Game Info: http://www.astraware.com/palm/astroids/
Recent update headlines: New registration system

Copyright (c) 1998,9,2000 Astraware Ltd.
All rights reserved.

Introduction

Shoot. zap zap - Aaargh! Thrust - zap - thrust, oh-no! Hyperspace. Eeek - zap zap -phew! zap zap.
You know what its all about, but here's hoping you love the game as much as I do!

Please make sure you read the information below about installing the game.

If you enjoy Astroids, please take the time to enter a review at PalmGear HQ, Handango or EuroCool.

Astroids is shareware, which means that you've downloaded it for free, but if you enjoy the game and want to keep playing then we ask you to register for it. It's now only $5, and you can find out how to register online at the Astroids registration page.

Registering removes the delay when running Astroids.

Installing the game

Astroids is available either as a standalone .prc file or as a compressed ZIP (for PC) or SIT (for Mac) file. The compressed files contain these release notes along with the .prc file.

The .prc file needs to be installed on your Palm or compatible handheld. Firstly, locate and start up the 'Palm Installer' program. On Windows this is in the 'Palm Desktop' menu in 'Programs' on the Start Menu. Using the Palm Installer program, select the .prc file. Put your handheld in its cradle (or use a HotSync cable) and press the HotSync button. During the HotSync, the Astroids game will be transferred to your handheld and will be available from the menu when you press the applications button. Tap the Astroids icon, and you're in the game!

To start a game of Astroids, tap the screen. Unless you use the Options...Control... menu choice to change them, here are the default controls for playing:

(Datebook) Left	(Phonebook) Right	(Up) Special Attack	(To Do List) Thrust	(Memo pad) Fire
		(Down) Special Defence

In the classic game, there are no special attacks, and the only special defence is your trusty hyperspace. You get three lives to begin with. When you reach 5000 points you get an extra life. You can only have a maximum of four 'spare' lives.

Also - if you get killed by an astroid or alien, and want to come back straight away to wreak sweet cold revenge, then pressing the UP button will bring you back - even if there is an astroid in the way!

Known Problems with Hacks

Astroids graphics and gameplay push the capabilities of your palm to its limits! To do this, we've had to make direct use of much of the hardware of your machine. While this causes no problem for most users, we've had reports from a few users running lots of hacks that the game reports memory problems - even when there is plenty to spare.
Since many hacks also try to use the same hardware calls, sometimes they might be incompatible. If you get the memory error, and you know that you've got enough space, then try de-activating your hacks one by one until you can narrow down which are causing the problems. So far, we have had confirmed reports that Padlockhack and Switchlock hack seem to be incompatible with Astroids.

Speed Up Hacks
There are quite a few hacks available ( Afterburner, Tornado, and I personally use Eco-Hack) which allow you to change the speed your main processor runs at. At the expense of some battery life (about 20% less) your palm can run faster by overclocking. This does not cause any problems with Astroids, and many users use these hacks to make the game run faster (or slower) than normally allowed by the standard Astroids speed settings. For those concerned with getting high up the internet high score table, using these hacks makes the game run at a relatively higher speed - so you will get a difficulty bonus added to your score!

Powerups

If you play the 'Enhanced Game' (use the 'Game Settings' menu item to change to it), there are special astroids for you to shoot - and when you do they release a powerup. These are one of:

Extra shots
Autofire
Double shots
Shots go further
Extra Life
Ship Equipped with a shield
Ship Equipped with a hyperdrive
Ship Equipped with a retro-flip
Ship Equipped with a smart bomb - which delivers a hits to every asteroid!
Ship Equipped with 'Death Blossom' - the ability to spin rapidly around - shooting in every direction.
Astroid Freeze - stops all the astroids from moving for a few seconds.

Collect as many as you like - although you can only have one defense and one offence at a time! If you get blown up, you lose all powerups - so don't! Get more information about powerups at the Astroids Powerups and Accessories page - essential reading for the discerning miner!

Registering

We think Astroids is great, and we hope that you do too! (It looks really cool on a Palm V when backlit!)

If you decide that you would like to keep Astroids on your palm, then you should register within approximately one month. Registration is available online at the Astraware Astroids registration page. Registrations for Astroids remain valid for future upgrades.

If you wish to send us a cheque (or a check), then email first so that we can advise on the most secure method.

The more times you play Astroids before you register, the longer the pause at the start of each game will be.

Registered users can send us their high score (in the form of a code which tells us how fast you palm runs too!) which we will include on our high score table! Go on, show the world what a master you are!

Version History

Version 1.63 : 9th September 2000

This version is compatible with both colour and greyscale handhelds.
New registration system

Version 1.6 : 11th March : Colour version for Palm IIIc machines : Filesize 110939 Bytes. * (but remember you've got 8 Meg now!)

Added Colour screens/icons/objects throughout
Changed thrust flames to particle method - looks cool!
Removed flat ship/background off/flat astroids options from the colour version. (You might as well use the GS!)
Version 1.6 and 1.54 bundled together now - one for GS, and one for Colour. Can both be installed together, but the colour will only work if you have a colour enabled machine!

Version 1.54 : 27th February : Filesize 66826 Bytes.

Added OS 3.5 compatibility.
Added a slight pause after using the 'force reappear now' with the offensive button, so the powerup doesn't get used straight away. (Hiroshi)

Version 1.52 : 1st February : Filesize 64423 Bytes

Changed the high score submission : Now allows scores of greater than 165,000.

Version 1.51 beta4 : 30th January 2000 (about 2 hours later...) : Filesize 64436 Bytes.

TOTALLY fixed the appearing astroid bug! ( It was caused by just on '<' instead of a '<=' - *sigh* )

Version 1.51 beta3 : 30th January 2000 : Filesize 64436 Bytes.

Full Custom Key mapping - you choose whatever keys you like to control the ship!
Game now properly supports saved/unsaved preferences, so only the essentials get backed up - faster hotsyncing!
Added ability to 'unregister' for when your permanent code comes through.
'Offensive' key used to choose when to come back.
Changed code to using multiple segments, and removed some complex maths - smaller filesize!
Hyperspace now makes you stationary after the jump.

Version 1.51 beta2 : 16th January 2000 : Filesize 66646 Bytes.

Up Key allows ship to come back straight away
Fixed speed bug which occasionally created super-fast astroids.
Up or Down key during into screen starts a new game.

Version 1.51 beta1 : 8th January 2000 : Filesize 66593 Bytes.

Control keys are now fully customisable!
Converted graphic routines to use the AstraFX code direct - results in faster sprite drawing.

Version 1.5 : 3rd January 1999 : Filesize 65991 Bytes.

Whole screen is now used for the game. (makes quite a difference!)
User can choose astroids and ship to look flat or 3d (by request from people who have blurry palms, or just blurry vision!)
Moved all the display settings into their own window.
Collision detection improved (no more unkillable astroids!)
Changed the 'back-now!' key to the 'up' button by request.
Fixed the progression of numbers of astroids to 1,2,2,3,3,4,4....
Fixed the 'twinkling' astroid so that the wrapped-bits also twinkle!
Code optimisation for improved speed, and to reduce code size.
Better error checking - with more full reports in case of graphic problems
Numerous small graphic enhancements (Did I hear the words 'Easter Egg' ?)

Astraware Products

Palm Games Pack - get Zap!2000, Astroids, Bzzz! and Fire! for your Palm at 20% off the price if you bought them separately.

Zap!2000 - A smooth colour and greyscale shoot-em-up in the best traditional style! Let out some stress on the invading aliens!
Astroids - asteroid-blasting action with authentic grey-scale and colour gameplay and sound effects as well as a high score table and an enhanced mode with powerups! A Handango Hot Product, Gear's Choice at PalmGear, PilotZone 5-plane rated game! (Shareware)
Fire! - a fast paced remake of the old 80s handheld classic, Fire! (Shareware)
Bzzz! A cute screen-tapping game of catching flies - suitable for kids and adults! (Shareware)
Timetable for Palm - An organiser for teachers and students. (Shareware)

Astraware PC Products

Bzzz! A cute game of catching flies - suitable for kids and adults!
Fire! The PC version of the 80s Handheld classic, Fire!

Thanks!

Around 30 people have emailed back feedback during testing (compliments and complaints - both good to get!) Thanks go to you ! Your emails have helped to keep the game going and progressing, as each 'great game' email makes me do another hour of programming :-)

A few of the testers have really given very major assistance with the development of the game - giving bug reports (with detailed information of how to get the bug to happen!) serious suggestions for improvements, and feedback on the overall game feel.

Main thanks goes to:

Stephen Stanway - who helped considerably with the maths required to do proper bounces when the shield is on. Without his help it could have been many more months before the game was updated.

Tim - who has sent me more than 30 pages of feedback, bugs, suggestions and cheerful comments!

Christopher, Pete, and Kevin - Who have each contributed such considerable important feedback and have been awarded a registration for the effort!

Hiroshi, who gave great feedback during the conversion to Grey!

Also thanks and a mention go to the following - who have sent either cheerful feedback or bug reports or other useful tidbits!
Corky, Rick, Frederick, Larry, Aaron, Paul, Eric, William, Roger, Gianvincenzo, David, Rich and Mike.

Legal

Astraware Ltd takes no responsibility for any adverse effect that this software could cause to your machine or the data on it: backup important data before using Zap!2000. Zap!2000 is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Zap!2000 is licensed, not sold.

You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble this software.

AstrawareÆs and its suppliersÆ entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at AstrawareÆs option, either (a) return of the price paid, if any, or (b) replacement of the product that does not meet the warranty and which is returned to Astraware with a copy of your receipt. This warranty is void if failure of the product has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement software product will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. These remedies are not available without proof of purchase from an authorised source.