Mars Rising FAQ
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Purpose
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      FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions.  This FAQ is an attempt to provide a comprehensive source of information about the game Mars Rising, and was created in response to questions that are frequently raised by our customers.  We hope you find it useful.

      If there are any questions you have about Mars Rising that are not  answered in this FAQ, please  get in touch with us so we can include them in future revisions.


Credits
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           Author: David Dunham
Contributors: Andrew Welch, Matt Slot , Jason Whong
          Thanks: David Wareing

Copyright ©1998 by Ambrosia Software, Inc.


FAQ History
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FAQ Version: 1.0.0
          Created:  2/1798
          Revised:  3/11/98


Disclaimer
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      This document is provided as is, without any expressed or implied warranties.  While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this document, the author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.


Contents
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*** Please read the Ambrosia FAQ for general Ambrosia-related questions ***

This FAQ answers the following questions:

GENERAL
  ¥ What is Mars Rising?
  ¥ What computer do I need in order to play Mars Rising?
  ¥ Who makes Mars Rising and how can I get in touch with them?
  ¥ Where can I obtain Mars Rising?
  ¥ What is the latest version of Mars Rising?
  ¥ How much does Mars Rising cost, and how do I pay for it?
  ¥ Why should I register (pay for) Mars Rising?
  ¥ My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
  ¥ Will Mars Rising ever be ported to DOS/Windows?
  ¥ Will there be future versions of Mars Rising?
 
GAME PLAY
  ¥ How do I play?
  ¥ What are the point values for the various rebel forces in Mars Rising?
  ¥ Is there a limit for the number of lives you are able to accumulate in Mars Rising?
  ¥ How can I pause or abort a game?
  ¥ What do the different Power-Ups do?
  ¥ Can I cheat while playing Mars Rising?
  ¥ Do you have any hints or tips for playing Mars Rising?

COMPATIBILITY
  ¥ When I start Mars Rising, the screen freezes and it makes a funny sound 
     with the word "Pause" displayed on the screen; what's wrong?
  ¥ Why does the sound occasionally break up?
  ¥ Will Virtual Memory or RAM Doubler affect game play?
  ¥ Will my joystick work with Mars Rising?
  ¥ After I quit Mars Rising my desktop icons are all screwy, what can I do?



HISTORY
  ¥ What language is Mars Rising written in?
  ¥ Who created Mars Rising?
  ¥ When was Mars Rising first released?
  ¥ How long did it take to create Mars Rising?




General
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[Q] - What is Mars Rising?

[A] - Developed by David Wareing, Mars Rising is the hottest shooter to hit the MacOS this century. The vertical-scrolling game puts one or two players in the cockpit of the prototype Vac-Fighter. Armed with a Wave Motion Gun and a bottom-mounted explosive payload delivery system, the Vac-Fighter is one hot piece of hardware - the perfect fighter-bomber for settling interplanetary disputes.

	    Terran military assets on Mars and in Martian space were attacked in a devastating and overwhelming surprise attack. All but Deimos have been lost. Despite the magnitude of the loss and bewilderment as to how the Martian Defence Force could have seized control of the planet so easily, Terran Command has ordered a stategic retaliatory action against key Martian facilities. You are to strike from Deimos using prototype Vac-Fighters.

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[Q] - What computer do I need in order to play Mars Rising?

[A] - A PowerPC Macintosh capable of displaying 256 colors or greys, at a minimum resolution of 640x480 pixels (usually a 13" display).

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[Q] - Who makes Mars Rising and how can I get in touch with them?

[A] - Mars Rising is published as shareware by Ambrosia Software, Inc., a Macintosh-only, shareware-only company.  The game itself was written by David Wareing, who also wrote Swoop and cowrote, with Alex Metcalf, Bubble Trouble.  To get in touch with Ambrosia, you can use any of the following methods:

                        Ambrosia Software, Inc.
                        PO Box 23140
                        Rochester, NY 14692

                        Tel:  716.325.1910 (technical support)
                                800.231.1816 (orders only)

                       Fax:  716.325.3665

     America Online:  AmbrosiaSW
         CompuServe:  74777,1147
                   GEnie:  AmbrosiaSW
                 Internet:  help@AmbrosiaSW.com (technical support)
                                register@AmbrosiaSW.com (orders only)

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[Q] - Where can I obtain Mars Rising?

[A] - The latest version of Mars Rising is always available in the Ambrosia Software forums on the following services:

      ¥ America Online:  While you are signed on AOL, choose Keyword... from the GO TO menu, type MGM (for our games) or MUT (for our utilities) and hit the return key.

      ¥ CompuServe:  While you are signed on CompuServe, use GO word AMBROSIA to reach the Mac Vender D area, where Ambrosia Software, maintains a forum.

      ¥ Internet: Visit the Mars Rising web site at  http://www.MarsRising.com/ or visit Ambrosia   at http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/ or our ftp site at ftp://ftp.AmbrosiaSW.com/

    ¥ Hotline: Visit our Hotline server at hotline://hotline.AmbrosiaSW.com/

      Because our focus is distributing software electronically, we do not send our products out on disk.  If you do not have access to any of the aforementioned digital watering holes, you can still obtain our products however.

      We've made arrangements with the PD/Shareware distributor Arizona Mac Users Group so that they carry the full line of up-to-date Ambrosia products.  To order an Ambrosia Software, Inc. product and have it sent to you on disk, please call AMUG at 602.553.8966.  You can also fax your order, or any questions about ordering, to 602.553.8771.

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[Q] - What is the latest version of Mars Rising?

[A] - The current version of Mars Rising is 1.0.1, dated 17 March 1998.

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[Q] - How much does Mars Rising cost, and how do I pay for it?

[A] - Mars Rising costs $20 US funds.  Mars Rising has an integrated registration system that allows you to easily register it a number of ways: cash/check/money order/credit card via US mail, credit card via fax, or credit card via eMail.  Simply launch Mars Rising, and click on the Register... button in the splash screen that appears.  You'll be painlessly led through the registration system.

      If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can register electronically via our web site.  Please have your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit card handy.  Simply fire up your Web browser and point it at Ambrosia's Web site: http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/.  Once our home page has loaded in, click on the Online Registration icon, and follow the easy, step-by-step registration instructions from there.

      Ambrosia Software, Inc. also has a toll free order line that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Please have your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit card handy.  Please note that this is an order-only line, staffed by non-Ambrosia people.  They will not be able to answer any technical support questions.  Inside the US and Canada, please call: 800.231.1816.  Outside of the US and Canada, or for technical support, please call 716.325.1910.

      After we have processed your registration, you will receive a license code that you enter to complete the registration process.  This code removes the shareware notices and personalizes your copy of the product.

      To enter your license code, simply double-click on the Register Mars Rising application, and follow the instructions that are presented to you.  To enter your license code, click on the Enter Code button, and make sure you enter all of the license information exactly as it is shown.  That's all there is to it.

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[Q] - Why should I register (pay for) Mars Rising?

[A] - The unregistered version of Mars Rising will let you play to level four only, so you should register if you want to play the full 28 levels of the game.  Also, we're attempting to offer high quality products at a low price, on a "try before you buy" basis.  Supporting us by registering Mars Rising -- assuming you like the game -- is the only way you can ensure that we will continue to produce more high quality software distributed as shareware.

      Beyond that, you will receive a license code that removes the shareware notices and personalizes Mars Rising with your name, giving you a legal copy of Mars Rising on your Macintosh.

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[Q] - My license code is invalid; what's wrong?

[A] - The license code you were sent is based on your name as you gave it to us when you registered.  Make sure that you are entering your name EXACTLY as it appears on your registration confirmation.  If you still have a problem with your license code not working, please get in contact with us and we will take care of the situation for you.

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[Q] - Will Mars Rising ever be ported to DOS or Windows?

[A] - Ambrosia currently has no plans to port Mars Rising to DOS/Windows.

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[Q] - Will there be future versions of Mars Rising?

[A] - Mars Rising is a young product. We anticipate future improvements and bug fixes as the need arises. One of the advantages of distributing shareware is that it allows us to continually improve a product, remaining dynamically compatible with new hardware and software. Your license code will work on all future versions of this product. 




Game Play
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[Q] - How do I play?

[A] - Gameplay is rather simple. You are the Vac-Fighter on the screen, you can move up, down and back and forth (default keys - Arrow keys).  Everything coming at you from the top of the screen is hostile and can be shot with your cannons (default key - Command).  Rebel ground forces can be taken out with your bombs.  The crosshairs in front of your ship are the bomb sights, when they light up red, bombs away!  (default key - Option). Collect power-ups and stars as they appear. Gain points and kudos.  Liberate Mars from the forces of tyranny.

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[Q] - What are the point values for the various rebel forces in Mars Rising?

[A] - Martian Defense Force (Air Command):

      Buzzsaw..........................50
      Flipping Otto...................100 
      UFO.............................100
      Mine Layer......................200
      Mace............................300
      Mine............................300 
      NeoHarrier......................400
      NeoZeppelin.....................400
      NeoApache.......................500          
      GhostRider......................500
      Batfink.........................500
      Barrier.........................???

     Martian Defense Force (Ground Command):

           Shielded Pill Box...............100
      Pill box........................100
					 Parked Aircraft.................100
						Tank............................200
						Radar...........................200
						Reactor.........................300
					 †bertank........................300
      Fuel Truck......................400
						Turret..........................500

     
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[Q] - Is there a limit for the number of lives you are able to accumulate in Mars Rising?

[A] - You can have up to 12 lives, including the active life.  You get a free life at the first 10,000 points, then 30,000 points, and then every 30,000 + 10,000 for each new ship, so each new ship is progressively harder to get.

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[Q] - How can I pause or abort a game of Mars Rising?

[A] - The Caps Lock key pauses Mars Rising while you are in the middle of a game, allowing you to take a breather or switch out to another application if you desire.  (To show the menu bar, move the cursor to the top of the screen.)  To resume a game after you've paused it, simply depress the Caps Lock key.

      The ESC (escape) key aborts the game you're playing. This is not a "quit" key, but an "end the game because the boss is coming in to the office" key. It is only operational when you are playing the game.

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[Q] - What do the different Power Ups do?

[A] - ¥ Auto Fire - An extra set of bullets are fire with each shot.

          ¥ Shot Power - Gives you more shots: your shot stream is wider.

          ¥ Rear Power - Allows you to shoot enemies behind your Vac-Fighter.

          ¥ Bombs - Gives you more bombs per payload.

          ¥ Speed - Makes your Vac-Fighter more agile.

          ¥ Lock - Automatically passes power ups to your next Vac-Fighter, good only once.

          ¥ Bonus Multiplier - Multiplies all scoring values.  Destroy all ground targets to grab these goodies.

          ¥ Smart Bomb - Destroys all hostile targets.

          ¥ Shields - Replenishes damaged Vac-Fighter shields.

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[Q] - Is there any kind of an end to the game?

[A] - Mars Rising has 28 pulse pounding, muscle cramping, heart stopping levels.

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[Q] - How can I cheat while playing Mars Rising?

[A] - There aren't any cheat codes in Mars Rising.  You can jump to higher levels by option clicking One Player or Two Player.

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[Q] - Do you have any hints or tips for playing Mars Rising?

[A] - Here are a few tips from our own Matt "Carpal Tunnel" Slot:

¥Use pauses in the action to hold the fire key and charge your cannon. Try to aim it for maximum effect when you do; wait for enemies to line up on the screen and take out several at once. 

¥Enemies that make multiple shots tend to cluster them. If you can stay in the same spot while they target you, the shots will come in a straight line and are easier to avoid.

¥Moving down when your ship is at the bottom of the screen shortens the crosshairs. This is good for getting any pesky ground targets that may slip by.

¥Be sure to get the ground targets as soon as possible, especially turrets which fire multiple shots at once. If you can position your crosshairs while firing at incoming ships, you can even take out both at once.

¥Destroying all the ground targets on a level (after the first) releases bonus points or multipliers. These are a great way to increase your score and earn extra lives, but don't let them distract you. 

¥Don't get caught at the bottom of the screen, especially in a corner, or the maces will follow your ship and pin you. Instead, fly toward the top of the screen to draw them toward you. If you charge your weapon on the way up, you can usually sweep back under and destroy them in a cluster.

¥Neo-harriers and other "intelligent" enemies tend to follow your ship, and even get behind you. Use the Rear Powerup to kill ships both in front and behind you. Notice that enemy ships can't turn clockwise over the 12 o'clock position -- sweep left and right quickly to keep them off balance and unable to shoot.

¥If you charge an enemy, you can always back away faster than his shots move (doubly so if you have the Speed Powerup). It's easy to keep the screen clean of light enemies by circling toward the bottom of the screen.

¥When fighting the large enemies (medium level bosses), be sure to clear out the smaller enemies as much as possible. Use the break between his forward shots and rear shots to weave from one side to the other.

¥Option-click the "Player 1" or "Player 2" button to specify a level at which to start. This way you can practice on those levels you find difficult, or get a sneak peek at the later levels.

     


Compatability
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[Q] - When I start a game of Mars Rising, the screen freezes and it makes a funny sound with the word "Pause" displayed on the screen; what's wrong?

[A] - Congratulations, you've found Mars Rising's pause function!  Mars Rising uses the Caps Lock key for pausing the game; simply depress the Caps Lock key and you'll be able to continue playing Mars Rising.

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[Q] - Why does the sound occasionally break up?

[A] - Certain video cards may cause the sound to break up during fades.  This is because all video card drivers turn off interrupts while they are changing color table entries, and some video cards do not handle color table changes in an optimal manner.  Since interrupts are off while the video card is changing color table entries, the Sound Manager cannot service the sound chip quickly enough, and the sound breaks up.  See the question below regarding Virtual Memory for more information.

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[Q] - Will Virtual Memory or RAM Doubler affect game play?

[A] - If you have virtual memory turned on or are using the RAM Doubler extension or a similar memory managment utility, it may slow down Mars Rising's game play.  This is unavoidable; the only solution is to turn virtual memory or RAM Doubler off before playing Mars Rising. There is no substitute for using real memory.  See the READ ME file included with the game for suggestions on how to speed up Mars Rising.

      On slower machines, virtual memory or RAM Doubler may also cause the sound to breakup or screech on occasion.  We recommend against using virtual memory or RAM Doubler while playing Mars Rising (or any other game for that matter), but it does work.

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[Q] - Will my joystick work with Mars Rising?

[A] - It sure will.   Mars Rising 1.0.1 directly supports Input Sprockets and will recognize any controller you choose, as  long as you have the Input Sprocket Enabler for your particular device in your system folder.

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[Q] - After I quit Mars Rising my desktop icons are all screwy, what can I do?

[A] - This was a problem with the 1.0.0 version of Mars Rising, if you are using OS 8 or later this is fixed in the 1.0.1 release, go to any of the above mentioned sources for the 1.0.1 updater.


 

History
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[Q] - What language is Mars Rising written in?

[A] - Mars Rising was written in C/C++.  It utilizes Ambrosia's Sound Tool for audio, Ambrosia's Monitor Tool for monitor selection and fading, and Ambrosia's Registration Tool for the shareware license code system.

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[Q] - Who created Mars Rising?

[A] - Mars Rising was programmed and designed by David Wareing, with thanks to Alex Metcalf.  Level design by Sheryn Wareing and David Wareing.  Artwork by David Wareing, Sheryn Wareing and John Sledd of Sledd Studios.  The music was written by Eric Speier of Speier Music Studios. 

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[Q] - When was Mars Rising first released?

[A] - Mars Rising was first released on January 12th 1998.

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[Q] - How long did it take to create Mars Rising?

[A] - Mars Rising took over two years for David to write, from beginning, through testing and up to release.




End
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