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-
- XYPHR
- version 2.0
- Copyright 1992 Eugene Lin
- -------------------------
-
- INTRODUCTION
-
- Xyphr is a high-quality arcade style game featuring spectacular 256-color
- VGA graphics, mouse control, dozens of audio effects, multiple levels of
- play, and a high-speed sprite system capable of manipulating and displaying
- up to 1000 sprites simultaneously, in sizes up to 255x255 pixels.
-
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-
- Xyphr requires a computer running or emulating MS-DOS 3.3 or higher
- with a (physical or software-emulated) 8086, 8088, 80286, 80386, 80486,
- or p5 microprocessor and a VGA or MCGA or compatible display adapter.
- A hard drive (or ramdisk) and mouse are highly recommended. It is also
- recommended that Xyphr be executed outside of a multitasking environment
- (such as Windows, Desqview, and OS/2).
-
- HOW TO PLAY
-
- In Xyphr, you are in control of one of the most agile and powerful space
- vehicles in the solar system. Your mission: find out what's out there, and
- kill it. Over the course of your journey into the stars, you will encounter
- an endless barrage of alien attacks, covering the entire spectrum of organic
- and non-organic weapons of destruction. Armed with your wits and a two-
- million watt laser cannon, you must DESTROY ALIEN INVADERS. They will come
- at you with everything they've got, so be alert. From the ground and the
- sky, a shower of energy pulses, fireballs, and other unwholesome projectiles
- will rain down upon you. To protect your vehicle (and your life), your
- ship is equipped with the best shield the space program can afford. Keep an
- eye on the shield meter. When it's gone, you're gone! Good luck, and good
- hunting...
-
- GAME CONTROLS
-
- Arrow keys or mouse - move your ship
- Shift key or left button - fire laser cannon
- ESC - quit
- p - pause
-
- * Note: Make sure that CAPS LOCK is off.
-
- LEVELS
-
- Level one: PYROS
- You'll begin your misson in a fiery wasteland, where you'll encounter
- strange alien spacecraft and the native fire demons. The level is guarded
- by a giant, fire-breathing phoenix.
-
- Level two: MOOT
- The terrain is familiar: trees and shrubbery. But the denizens of this
- world are by no means ordinary. From towering robots to flying jellyfish
- killer satellites, you'll have to be lucky to survive. Be amazed by the
- two-headed, multi-segmented dragon boss.
-
- Beyond level two await four more levels of excitement, each with its own
- unique look and feel. If you enjoy this game, please register. It will
- allow you to see and do much more, starting with:
-
- Level three: LURAY
- Submerged in the murky depths of a long-forgotten cavern, you'll come
- under the attack of stealthy bats and hidden machine gun installments.
- Watch out for the stalactites and stalagmites! And be warned: rocks can
- form much more than pillars...
-
- Levels four through six: ???
- At this point, your adventure has only begun! You'll travel from the
- very bottom of the ocean to the infinite reaches of space before saving
- the galaxy. Unbelievable action!
-
- ERROR MESSAGES
-
- FILE ERROR - one or more of the game files are missing. Make sure you
- haven't accidentally renamed or deleted any files. Try unzipping the
- original XYPHR20.ZIP file.
-
- MEMORY ERROR - your computer does not have enough free conventional
- memory to run Xyphr. Un-install any unneccessary TSRs, or, if you
- are operating under a multi-tasking environment such as Windows 3.x,
- OS/2, or Desqview, allocate more conventional memory to Xyphr in its
- configuration file.
-
- SHAREWARE
-
- This software is user-supported. I, the author, get no dollar compensation
- for my efforts unless you, the user, choose to register. Registration
- entitles you to the enhanced version of Xyphr, with all of its extra features
- and its FULL SIX LEVELS. The enhanced program includes, above the
- shareware version's features:
- - sound can be turned off during play
- - mouse control can be disabled
- - "cheat feature": skip level to boss enemy
- - option to continue play after last life ends (three times per game)
- - four difficulty settings
- - four additional levels of play, for a total of SIX LEVELS
-
- With your support, I will be able to continue development of new and
- more exciting games for the MS-DOS operating system.
-
- TO REGISTER
-
- Print out the file REGISTER.DOC, and complete it. Or, print your name,
- address, phone number, and disk format on a sheet of paper. Mail the
- information, along with $20.00 (U.S. funds, check or money order) to me at
- the following address:
-
- Eugene Lin
- 200 Lincoln Road
- Horseheads, NY 14845-2266
-
- Please allow up to four weeks for delivery.
-
- If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, contact me at
- the Massachusetts Institute of Technology through the Internet at
- elin@athena.mit.edu. I will be checking this electronic mail account daily.
-
- TECHNICAL INFORMATION
-
- All of Xyphr's graphics functions were written in assembly language. The
- remainder of the program was written in C. No floating-point math was used.
- The 256-color VGA graphics utilize BIOS functions for mode initialization
- (mode 13h) and palette setting. The animation and background graphics are
- updated using direct memory access for maximum speed. Timing is achieved
- from the system clock (which may or may not be accurate in virtual 86
- machines).
-
- **********************************************************
- ** YOU MAY FREELY UPLOAD THIS GAME TO YOUR FAVORITE BBS **
- ** OR GIVE COPIES TO YOUR FRIENDS **
- ** Provided it is sent in its original ZIP format **
- **********************************************************
-
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