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-
-
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- VGABomb.Exe
-
-
- Version 4.2
-
- (c) Sept., 1989
-
- by
-
- Rad Delaroderie
- PO Box 1991
- Columbus, Ga.
- 31902
-
- written in
-
- Turbo Basic
-
-
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-
- *********************
- Program Requirements:
- *********************
-
- 128K RAM
- VGA Graphics
- DOS 2.0 or later
- IBM or compatible
-
- NOTE: An EGA Graphics version, called EGABomb, is also available.
-
-
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-
-
- *************
- Idiosyncrasy:
- *************
-
- My programming philosophy is that a program shows its first sign of
- failure the moment you have to pick up a user's manual to see what to
- do next. With this in mind, let me make a few points, and then you
- should never have to read this file again. If you do, leave me a
- scathing message.
-
- I can be contacted at the PO Box listed above, or at
-
- Columbus Connection BBS
- 1-404-687-7309
- Rad Delaroderie
-
-
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- *************
- Packing List:
- *************
-
- This package, whether ZIPped or ARCed, should contain the following files:
-
- VGABomb.Exe (The executable program file)
- VGABomb.Doc (This documentation file that you're reading now)
- RadCat.Txt (A catalog of other available RAD Software programs)
-
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- ********************
- Program Description:
- ********************
-
- VGABomb.Exe is a graphics game in which two players (or one with a
- split personality, like me!) fire artillery shells at each other under
- a moonlit star-filled night sky in high resolution VGA color. This
- VGA version displays colors that I'll bet you've never seen before in
- any game program!
-
- Each scene's layout is determined by many different random factors,
- including left & right elevations, mountain shape and size, wind
- factor, specific artillery piece positioning, and other factors that
- guarantee a unique and unpredictable situation no matter how many
- times you play.
-
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- ******************
- Using the program:
- ******************
-
- The game is started by typing "VGABomb" and pressing ENTER. You are
- presented with a title screen with copyright and author information
- and an explanation of the game. At the bottom right of this screen,
- you are asked to enter a number from 1 to 9 to set the speed of the
- game action to your particular computer.
-
- After a few games, you will find a comfortable speed setting for your
- computer, and you can conveniently start the program by typing
- "VGABomb x" where x is the speed setting you like to use. The game
- will then set the speed for you automatically.
-
- NOTE: Rather than having to remember that speed setting and entering
- it each time you play, you can start the game by creating a batch file
- with an ascii text editor that would start the game with the number
- already preset.
-
- For example, you could create a batch file called "PlayBomb.Bat" that
- contained the following two commands:
-
- Echo off (if you have DOS 3.3, type "@Echo off" instead)
-
- VGABomb x (Substitute a number from 1 to 9 for "x".
- Make sure there is a space between
- "VGABomb" and the number you enter)
-
- Put this batch file in the same sub-directory as VGABomb. From then
- on, simply type "PlayBomb", and the batch file will execute VGABomb
- with the speed already set for you.
-
-
- *****************
- Playing the game:
- *****************
-
- Two players, each with an artillery position, fire shells at each
- other. Each position starts out with 100 men, but every time you fire
- your gun 10 of your men desert because they can't stand the noise.
- The same thing happens to your enemy when his gun is fired. There are
- two implication of this: First, you only have 10 shots before your
- position is deserted; second, the longer you take to destroy your
- enemy's position, the less credit you get, because there's less men to
- kill (due to the similar desertion factor on the other side). So it
- behooves you to get a bull's-eye as soon as possible.
-
- Each time one destroys another's position, a game summary is displayed
- and you're asked if you want to play again. At the end of 10 games,
- the game is automatically ended with a Final Game Summary and the
- overall rating of each position, indicating who won. Final ratings
- are determined by a formula that weighs 1) The number of games won
- and 2) The total casualties of each position. Usually, whoever won
- the most individual games will come out on top in the final ratings,
- but not always!
-
- The game action and keyboard use is fairly self-explanatory. The
- arrow keys (to select and adjust angle and speed), and the enter key
- or space bar (to shoot) are all that's needed to play the game itself.
-
- In addition, F1 lets you reset a scene if the program gives you a
- really difficult one (happens every great once in a while), and Esc
- lets you quit anytime. If you've completed at least one game when you
- Esc, the game will display the Final Statistics summary with whatever
- info is available at that point.
-
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-
- ********
- Request:
- ********
-
- I love compliments. I welcome critiques. I'm open to suggestions.
- I'll listen to advice. I'll consider criticisms. I'll ignore
- sarcasm. I'll seethe over insults. No matter what, I encourage
- feedback one way or the other. The bottom line is that someone else's
- point of view always gives me a wider perspective on my work. So if
- you have something to say, make the effort and get in touch with me.
-
-
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-
- *************
- Expectations:
- *************
-
- If you find yourself enjoying the limited version of this program
- regularly, and you are any kind of gentleman or lady, please send a
- miserly $5 for a full-featured version of a program that is
- commercially worth a lot more than that. Make sure you specify the
- program name and version number! Also, specify the type floppy disk
- you need. (Use the order form at the bottom of the accompanying
- RadCat.Txt file)
-
- Finally, if this is the limited version, you are encouraged to freely
- distribute copies of this program for others to review. However,
- please make sure to include this VGABomb.Doc file and the RadCat.Txt
- file along with the VGABomb.Exe file.
-
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-
- ********
- History:
- ********
-
-
- VGABomb.Exe
- Version 1.0
- Oct., 87
-
- Original version
-
-
- VGABomb.Exe
- Version 2.0
- September, '88
-
- * A little smaller, much faster, and a few little bugs squashed.
-
-
- VGABomb.Exe
- Version 3.0
- May, '89
-
- * Extensive code optimization.
-
- * A little faster, and a few more little bugs squashed.
-
- * More realistic trajectory.
-
-
- VGABomb.Exe
- Version 4.0-
- August, '89
-
- * Some code optimization.
-
- * Now allows you to enter a speed setting as a command line
- parameter when executing the program at the DOS prompt.
-
- * Slightly larger playing screen.
-
- * Minor changes in key choices.
-
-
- VGABomb.Exe
- Version 4.1-
- August, '89
-
- * Some more code optimization.
-
- * Minor screen display changes.
-
- * Use of colors exclusive to VGA graphics
-
-
- VGABomb.Exe
- Version 4.2
- Sept., '89
-
- * Further code optimization
-
- * Limited version released
-
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- End of VGABomb.Doc File
-