* Creatures and Objects in the Mazeworld (Abyss Scenario)
* Credits
* Version History
* Legal Stuff
* Contacting Farfetch Sofware
** About Mazeworld Abyss **
Mazeworld Abyss is a real-time point-of-view arcade game unlike any other. It combines the great design of arcade games of the past with innovative, experimental game-play of the future. In addition to its unique game-play, it features beautiful texture-mapped graphics rendered at up to 60 frames per second. Mazeworld Abyss is the successor to Farfetch Software's earlier games, Mazeworld and Mazeworld Catacombs.
Mazeworld Abyss is actually two games in one...
In the 'Abyss' scenario, the player or players try to make it to the bottom of the Abyss, a ten level domain full of strange hostile creatures, to defeat the evil Death Shades by closing the Dark Breach. Along the way the players must collect gems, light lava lamps, solve puzzles and outrun the dreaded Eashire Cat. They'll have to dodge the energy projectiles thrown at them from all sides by 10 different kinds of creatures, all of which behave differently. Score as many points as you can, and see as many sights, but most people will never make it to the bottom of the Abyss.
The new 'Mega Mash' scenarios are even more interesting. 'Mega Mash' is a simulation where two or more opposing groups of creatures try to take over a maze level. Creatures attack creatures on opposing teams to try to 'assimilate' or 'convert' them to their own team. When a team loses a level, that team comes back stronger on the next level, so that the difficulty level adapts in favor of the losing team. This keeps things interesting, even if only one human player is participating.
Mega Mash is fun for one player, or two players can play on the same Mac at the head of opposing armies. Mega Mash is also a fascinating simulation just to watch in demo mode; it's a bit like looking into a tropical fish tank, if the fish were all darting around the coral reefs shooting lightning bolts at each other. You have to pay the shareware fee to actually play Mega Mash, but you can watch it in demo mode before you register by selecting "Choose Scenario" from the File menu and then selecting the appropriate scenario. It makes a great screen display.
** Important Information **
Mazeworld Abyss is by Michael R. Howard of Farfetch Software. You can send comments, suggestions or bug reports to the author at <farfetch@kagi.com>. For screenshots and news, visit our web page at <http://members.aol.com/farfetch/>. There will probably be a few updates to the game to add features, so if there are any features you'd particularly like to see then be sure to send in your suggestions.
Mazeworld Abyss is Shareware. If you like Mazeworld Abyss and keep playing it, you should send in the registration fee. As Farfetch Software is trying to further the cause of great low-cost software, the registration fee is only $10 US.
After you send in your registration fee you will recieve registration information and a code which will allow you to unlock the game. After you enter your registration code, your maximum shields in Abyss will be 100%, as opposed to 50% before you register. Also, you will be able to play the Mega Mash scenarios. You can see Mega Mash in demo mode by selecting "Choose Scenario..." in the File menu and then selecting one of the Mega Mash scenarios.
Kagi Software handles the shareware payments for Mazeworld Abyss. You can now pay for Mazeworld Abyss on the Web using Kagi's secure web server. Just launch your favorite web browser and go to <http://order.kagi.com/?8N>. If your web browser supports secure transactions, follow the link to the secure page <http://order.kagi.com/?8N&S> (same address with an '&S' at the end).
You can also use the Register program that comes with Mazeworld Abyss to fill out an order form and then email, fax, or snail-mail it to Kagi. You can choose to pay by credit card, check or other means. The Register program allows you to copy your filled-out order form to the clipboard and paste it into your email program for sending. Your credit-card information is scrambled so that it is somewhat secure for sending over the Internet. You can also save the order form as a text file or print it out in order to fax it or mail it to Kagi.
After Kagi informs us that you've paid your shareware fee, Farfetch Software sends you your registration information and code. Please allow 3 to 4 days to recieve your shareware codes via email. Snail-mail takes longer and is more costly; please give us an email address if at all possible.
Here's where to send the order form generated by the Register program (this information also appears in the form itself):
Email: shareware@kagi.com
FAX: +1 510 652 6589
Snail-mail:
Kagi Shareware
1442-A Walnut Street #392-8N
Berkeley, California, 94709-1405
USA
Please send comments about the program directly to Farfetch Software at <farfetch@kagi.com>; the above addresses are for ordering only. As the ordering process is automated to keep costs down, Kagi does not accept voice phone orders.
** System Requirements **
Mazeworld Abyss runs only on Power Macintoshes. It requires 256-color or better graphics, 4.5 Megs of free RAM and System 7 or later. It also requires Apple's ObjectSupportLib library, which is already installed on most Power Macs.
** Quick Start: Controlling the Game **
Install Mazeworld Abyss simply by putting the Mazeworld Abyss folder wherever you want on your hard drive. Run Mazeworld Abyss by double-clicking the application.
If your monitor supports both 256-color and thousands-of-colors graphics, you'll be asked to choose which graphics mode you want to use for the game. Using 256-color graphics allows faster rendering of the graphics, often resulting in smoother movement on screen. Using thousands of colors mode makes the graphics look better, but rendering graphics in thousands of colors mode takes longer and may result in less smooth movement.
For the fastest rendering and smoothest movement, remember to quit other applications while playing Mazeworld Abyss. You can also increase rendering speed by decreasing the size of the view window, as described below.
Use "Choose Scenario..." in the File menu to choose the scenario you wish to play. You can choose from the standard Abyss scenario or several different Mega Mash scenarios. You can't actually play Mega Mash until you register, but it's fantastic to look at in demo mode, so take a look.
Use command-N (or New Game in the File menu) to start a new game. While playing, the screen will be blanked and the menu bar hidden. At any time, you can use the escape key to go back and forth between play mode and desktop mode.
By default, Abyss is set up to use the keys on the numeric keypad to control movement, and the shift key to fire. You can configure the movement controls for the game by selecting "Configure Player 1" from the Options menu . You'll need to return to desktop mode first, using the escape key, if the menu bar is hidden.
Note that there are options to configure the controls for four different players; normally, you'll be using player 1. To change the movement keys, select a box by clicking in it with the mouse, then press the key you want to use for that movement. At the moment, you can select either keyboard control or mouse control.
A word about keyboard controls: the Macintosh can generally only recognize two keys being held down at a time, not counting modifier keys like the shift key and command key. Since you'll often need to do things like hold down the "move left" and "turn right" key and fire at the same time, it's a good idea to use a modifier key like the shift key for your firing key. That way, the Mac can recognize all three keys at once.
You can create additional view windows representing additional players by selecting "New Player" from the File menu. For these windows, you would choose "Configure Player 2," "Configure Player 3," etc., to configure the controls. Unless you have a joystick, it may be difficult to play with more than one player, as again the Mac can generally only recognize two keys being held down at once. One option is for Player 1 to use the keyboard and Player 2 to use the mouse. Mouse control is a little limiting, but it works. In future version we hope to use Apple's Input Sprocket to provide better support for multiple input devices.
You can change the size of a player's view window by using the size options in the Window menu. Using smaller window sizes results in faster frame rates. You can get an idea of your frame rate by looking at the "Frame Time" readout at the bottom of the view window while playing. Smaller numbers are better; ideally you should see 1 or 2 most of the time, or at most 3. If you see numbers greater than 3, try playing in 256-color mode, or reducing the size of the window, and make sure you've quit all background applications.
As with any well-behaved Mac application, you can hit command-Q at any time to quit.
** The Abyss Scenario **
The goal of the Abyss Scenario is to descend through ten levels and finally defeat the evil Death Shades by destroying the Dark Breach. Since surviving to the last level is quite a challenge, the real objective is probably to get as far as possible, score as many points possible and see as many sights as you can, before your nearly-inevitable death.
Each level of Abyss is randomly generated when you play. You'll usually see the same creatures and objects on a level, but the layout will be different each time.
Most of the creatures you will encounter in the Mazeworld have become hostile, and will attack you by generating various kinds of energy projectiles. You'll need to dodge these projectiles and shoot back. Some creatures can be destroyed with one shot; others take more. You need to zap the creatures to get the color gems that some of them carry. Don't worry about zapping creatures; they'll be regenerated later, at which point they'll often exact their revenge.
Various objects must be found and used in order to proceed through the levels. You can pick up some objects by moving onto them, but sometimes the objects are protected, hidden by a dark field or protected by a Rune. Often you'll need to find another object to get at the object you want to take. On each level you must ultimately find the Down Arrow, which takes you down to the next level.
You'll have to think on your feet, as time is always of the essence. Watch out for the Eashire Cat, you own personal Nemesis, who will hound you through all the levels if you're too slow!
See below for a list of creatures and objects, what they do and how to use them. It's a good idea to read this section (so that you really know what's going on).
** The Mega Mash Scenarios **
The Mega Mash scenarios are quite a bit different than the standard Abyss scenario. In Mega Mash, creatures attack creatures on opposing teams to try to 'assimilate' or 'convert' them to their own team. Eventually, one team controls the whole level. When a team loses a level, that team comes back stronger on the next level, so that the difficulty level adapts in favor of the losing team. Mega Mash is fun for one player, or two or more players can compete on the same Mac at the head of an army of creatures. It's also fun just to watch as a simulation while in demo mode.
Each team in Mega Mash starts out with a certain number of creatures of a certain kind.
Creatures on different teams have a different appearance, but they share the same behavior. Creatures attack creatures on opposing teams to try to convert them to their own team. When a creature on one team zaps out a creature on an opposing team, that creature is converted, and when it is regenerated in a neon tube about five seconds later it will belong to the team that zapped it.
Players are exempt from conversion. When a player is zapped in Mega Mash, he or she only remains dead for five seconds, and then is regenerated on the same team. Of course, by then, the player's whole team may be wiped out, in which case the player will not return to play until the next level. (See below for an explanation of what happens on the next level.) Note that while the player is dead in Mega Mash, he can move around and see what's going on!
There are four possible teams designated by color. Blue team consists of Colorful Snails, red team consists of Eyeball Mushrooms; green team is made up of Gypsies, and white team is made up of Death Shades. So, for example, if a Snail kills an Eyeball Mushroom, in approximately five seconds that Eyeball Mushroom will return in a blue Neon Tube as a Snail. If it then goes on to get killed by an Eyeball Mushroom, it'll come back as an Eyeball Mushroom. When playing Mega Mash, the player can keep track of how many creatures are currently on his team by looking at the Creatures readout below the main view.
Creatures automatically change lava lamps near to them to their team's color. Controlling lava lamps is important, because lava lamps in turn control the Neon Tubes that re-generate creatures. If a lava lamp currently is currently blue, it belongs to blue team, and the neon tube next to it will regenerate only blue team creatures (ie, snails).
If a team no longer has any lava lamps of its team color, and no longer has any creatures alive that might convert any lava lamps, then that team's creatures can no longer be regenerated and the team has therefore lost the level. When a team has lost a level, a "team death wave" goes through the maze to indicate that team's great sadness. When a team dies, any players on that team die. However, they'll come back on the next level... with a vengeance, as we'll see in a moment.
When one team has gained control of the whole level by eliminating other creatures and lighting all the lamps to it's own team color, then all the teams go on to the next level. That's where things get interesting.
Each team comes back on the next level with the normal number of creatures. However, any team that loses a level gets an extra "Drone" in the next level. Drones are basically more powerful creatures that are exempt from conversion. They look like larger versions of the players of a team (in other words, like big floating marbles). They have more hit points than regular creatures and fire faster, more powerful energy projectiles.
As losing teams get stronger in the next level, they get an opportunity to even the score. This keeps the game interesting, even if only one human player is participating. The objective of Mega Mash is to win as many levels as possible. Rarely will one team win on all levels.
At the beginning of each level, there is a dark breach for each team, which brings the team's initial allotment of creatures into the maze. Each team starts out with no drones on the first level.
Usually a team loses while it has creatures in limbo waiting to be regenerated. If there is more than one team still fighting it out, those creatures will come back belonging to the other surviving teams.
When all the levels in a Mega Mash game have been played, a statistics window appears showing how many levels each team won and which team won overall.
It's probably worth noting that players can shoot and move through creatures of their own team, but not through enemy creatures. It's often good strategy to hide behind your own team's creatures. The player's view is elevated somewhat, so he can see as much of the action as possible.
Beginners may want to start out with the two-team, three level scenario. See if you can win on all three levels.
** Creatures and Objects in the Mazeworld (Abyss Scenario) **
(This catalog of the creatures in the Mazeworld applies mainly to the Abyss scenario; creatures behave differently in Mega Mash.)
Creatures In General: Creatures usually are hostile. Different kinds of creatures attack in different ways. They may carry color gems, which you need to get inside dark fields (see below). Creatures drop their gem when they are destroyed, although another creature can pick it up. You'll need to zap them to defend yourself and get the gems. Creatures don't stay dead for long; their energy travels around and is eventually regenerated by neon tubes of a particular color, when the neon tubes are active.
Lava Lamps: You must light the various lava lamps in order to activate the neon tubes on a level. Light lava lamps by shooting them. Usually there are two lava lamps of a particular color per level; activating them both turns on the Neon Tubes of that color. Neon Tubes in turn regenerate monsters. Yes, that's a bad thing... but you need to do it to get the monsters' color gems (see "Creatures in General", "Color Gems").
Neon Tubes: Neon Tubes, when activated, re-generate creatures. They are activated by sets of like-colored lava lamps; see "Lava Lamps".
Color Gems: Color gems are used to dispel dark fields so you can get at what's inside them. To use a color gem, you must pick it up by moving onto it, and then take it to one or more dark fields of a matching color.
Dark Fields: Dark Fields may hide other objects, like lava lamps, life jewels, Condensed Snails, or Runes. You need a like-colored color gem to get at the contents; see "Color Gem."
Down Arrow: The down arrow, when you move onto it, takes you down to the next level.
Life Jewels: Life jewels regenerate your shields by 50% when you take them.
Runes: Runes are objects of a particular shape that can block access to other objects, such as the down arrow, or a lava lamp, or a Rune Key. Runes are outline shapes, the corresponding Rune Keys are the same but smaller solid shapes.
Rune Keys: Rune Keys are used to unlock runes, often to get at another Rune Key so you can unlock another Rune. Similar to color gems and dark fields, you take a Rune Key to a matching Rune dispel it. See "Runes" above.
The Death Wave: The death wave may surround an object, often a Rune Key. To take the object you must trip off the Death Wave, which will then start expanding through the maze level. Often after tripping the Death Wave, you'll have to unlock several Runes in sequence. The Death Wave damages you while you're in it, so it's a good idea to stay ahead of it.
Small Snails: Collecting a small snail gives you 5000 points.
Small Eyes: Collection a small eyes gives you 10000 points.
Eyeball Mushrooms: The first creatures you encounter in the Mazeworld, Eyeball Mushrooms are probably the least dangerous. They fire a single, relatively slow-moving energy projectile and can be killed with one shot.
Amoeboids: Amoeboids move around the maze, and suck you up if you allow them to get too close, doing damage until you kill them. They can be killed with one shot.
Eashire Cat: The Eashire Cat lurks sleeping on most levels; if you stay on a level too long, the Eashire Cat will wake up and chase you around until you leave. It can only attack at short range. The Eashire Cat cannot be destroyed, only evaded.
Evil Rats: These giant white rats fire a fast projectile and take several hits to kill.
Jellyfish: Jellyfish fire a stream of projectiles but can be killed with one shot.
Gypsies: These green creatures wander around, evading you. They fire a slow projectile and require several hits to kill.
Seahorses: Move very quickly.
Larsonians: Also known as "Alpha Centauries" or "Green Guys", these unfriendly fellows are like jellyfish but with more hit points.
Death Shades: Death Shades shoot a wall of energy; they're vulnerable during the time they take to recharge.
Players: Other players look like big 'ol' floating marbles.
** Credits **
Mazeworld Abyss is by Michael R. Howard
Original Mazeworld Artwork by Michael R. Howard
Additional Artwork by Jason Lewis
Some additional wall graphics by the Hubble Space Telescope
Special thanks to Trisha and Nolan.
copyright (c) 1996, 1997 by Michael R. Howard
** Version History **
Preview Version 0.5 5/11/1997
Initial preview release to the Internet.
Preview Version 0.51 5/26/1997
Modifications to player movement; higher maximum speed with longer acceleration/decceleration curve.
Modified sound file to eliminate annoying background noise from neon tubes.
Added crude application icon.
Modifications to levels 3 and beyond. (Preview only contains levels up to 3.)
Preview Version 0.52 5/26/1997, a little later in the day
Increased player turn speed; included modified sound file.
Preview Version 0.7 6/18/1997
Game play changes; included levels 1 through 6. This will probably be the final release of Mazeworld Abyss.
Version 1.0 7/10/1997
Introduction of Mega Mash! Added shareware stuff. Elevated the player a bit so you can see all the lovely projectiles coming at you. Numerous final gameplay additions and modifications. A few bug fixes.
** Legal Stuff **
Mazeworld Abyss is provided on an "As Is" basis. Farfetch Software makes no guarantee or warantee as to the product's suitability for any purpose. Farfetch Software accepts no responsibilty for anything bad that might happen to your computer while using this product.
Mazeworld Abyss is Shareware (and ridiculously inexpensive shareware, we might add). If you like the game and keep playing it, you should send in your registration fee. Mazeworld Abyss may be distributed freely for no charge, provided it is kept in its original, unmodified form, complete with all accompanying documentation.
