Astrasoft Fire95 Information

Thankyou for Downloading and trying Fire!

Version 1.4 - Released 17/3/98
Fire! runs only in Windows 95

To Play The Game:

You need to change to the folder which was created for fire! (The default is C:\Program Files\astra\fire95) Double click on the file to start the game.
Just press Space (or CTRL-'s') to start the game and use the keypad numerals 1 and 3, or the cursor keys to move left or right. Pressing escape exits the program. (Note - there are harder levels available!)

What's new in Version 1.4

Installing and Running

Fire is compiled using Visual Basic 5. It should require that there is a 'resource' directory, where all the sound samples are stored. This will have been created for you already.

You will also need some windows files. You may have these already on your system - especially if you download software frequently.

IF YOU GET AN ERROR when you try to run the game - then you will need an update of your windows files.
get the Visual Basic Runtime Update file free and direct from Microsoft which should fix your problems. It is 1.2Mb in size. Sorry - blame Microsoft!

There have been a few reports (about 1 in 2000 users) that an error occurs when the game is run despite installing the above file. This may be because you have older versions of certain windows libraries. If you come across an error - then PLEASE LET ME KNOW! - I need to know what causes these errors before I can fix them. Please include in your email what hardware you have, what software you use - and when it was installed.
 

SCORING

You can see the high scores for all difficulty levels by select 'High Scores' from the menu.
The points score you get depends on how many you save, and the difficulty level. The points are weighted to be worth the same amount in any difficulty level. My High score so far is over 1500 Points, But then, I've had just a little bit of practise......

Pah - this is too easy!

Really ? Well, I'd have to agree with you, that when you've practised a while, the first 50 or so men are easy to save. Well, just F2,F3 or F4 to select a harder setting, or choose a higher difficulty from the menu.

My best score on the hardest setting is 780 saved. My description would be "rather challenging..."

FreeWare!

This version of Fire is freeeware (although a postcard would be nice - see below).

If you wish to distribute copies of this game on a CD-ROM, upload it to bulletin boards, or include it at a public domain library, then you MUST contact me first. Any distribution MUST include this file.

Note that although the compiled executable is freeware - the source code is not. Any attempt to decompile or reverse engineer this software is a breach of copyright. If you really want to know how it works - then ask me! 

Online Information.

More information is stored on the Astrasoft Websites: (NB: You will need to be connected to the internet!)

Plug for other Astrasoft products

There is currently one other released game by astrasoft for the PC: Bzzz!
Bzzz! is a frantic point and click game where you control a frog trying to catch flies in a limited time....
If you like Fire - you'll LOVE Bzzz!
Please Visit the Bzzz! Homepage Here!

Also in the pipeline is Chorus  - an OCX addin for Visual Basic which brings the power of your machine's sound to the fingertips of any VB programmer - allowing you to play up to 16 stereo .wav files simultaneously - each with its own volume and pan settings!
 

If you really like the game, and decide that it deserves some money, then I won't complain, although I do not ask for anything for this game (unlike some of the other Astrasoft products)

A postcard from wherever you live would be reasonable for this game! (although Cheques are really nice!) 

Howard Tomlinson        
Foxwist Green Farm
Foxwist Green
Whitegate
Northwich
Cheshire
United Kingdom
If you REALLY LIKE Fire! - then a registration is now available over the internet - visit the FIRE page for details!

Copyright and Disclaimer

Fire! is copyright by Astrasoft (UK) December 1997
Astrasoft cannot be held liable for any damage which results from use or misuse of any of its products.
Written by Howard Tomlinson - email Fire@mystro.demon.co.uk
Graphics by David Oakley.
Testing By Graham Harrison & Larry Dyde.
Last Updated: 17/3/98