Karl Quappe =========== Contents of the package ----------------------- The Vectrex version is provided as a downloadable zip file, which contains following files: - Karl_Quappe.bin Vectrex compatible binary, playable on vectrex or an emulator. This binary has all code for "permanency" enabled. To use this binary with a VecFlash or VecMulti (or otherwise using PB6) device hold any button pressed during startup to skip the corresponding code) - otherwise the device will cause errors and the game won't start. - Karl_Quappe_np.bin Vectrex compatible binary, playable on vectrex or an emulator. This binary has all code for "permanency" disabled. Even using a VecFever device - this version does not save options or highscores. - KarlQuappe.txt This readme - KarlQuappe (directory) The sourcecode to the game. For further information look at the readme inside that folder. Getting started ------------ a) Insert the cartridge and power up your vectrex or b) put the binary (corresponding to your "flash" card) onto the card. Insert the card and power up your vectrex. Permanency ---------- The game was developed to allow highscores and options to be saved to attached "devices". Supported devices are: - One wire eprom DS2431A A cartridge with such a device connected to the PB6 pin of the cartridge port can be used to store highscores and options. The device will be automatically recognized. - VecFever If the game is run from a VecFever cartridge, options and highscores can be saved to that device. The device is automatically recognized. The auto detection code needs to access the PB6 pin of the cartridge port. Since some available multicard implementations also use PB6 to communicate, this feature may cause trouble if Karl_Quappe is run form such devices (namely VecFlash and VecMulti - but maybe others). There are ways to circumvent these problems: a) use the binary "Karl_Quappe_np.bin" - this has all PB6 communication disabled b) while the game is started press any button until "Karl_Quappe" is displayed (the circling title). If the cartridge is started with a button pressed, all PB6 access is circumvented. c) in case of the VecMulti you can also "double" the "Karl_Quappe.bin" ROM - so that it is 64kB instead of 32kB. The VecMulti actually supports bankswitching and on access of PB6 it switches the 32kB bank to an "empty" bank. To accomodate that - double the ROM. Copyright --------- The game Karl_Quappe for Vectrex is released as public domain. The source code is also public domain - in so far that I am able to (see accompanying Readme). You are explicitly allowed to look at the code and reuse it or even learn from it. You are explicitly allowed to make copies of the game and spread it. You can put it onto multicard collections or even distribute it as a package on its own. Please do not abuse this generous gesture. Instruction ----------- Introduction ............ Karl needs to get home quickly! His way home is encumbered with dangers. First he must cross a highway - avoid cars, trucks and other vehicles. Than he must cross a rapid river to finally reach his home.Mortal enemies try to enhance their diet with fresh frog-meat, can you outsmart them? Rumors have it, there is even a (frog-)damsel in distress, can you rescue her? Starting Karl Quappe .................... Cartridge - Make sure your Vectrex is switched off. - If you have a Karl Quappe Cartridge, insert it into the Vectrex Cartridge port. - Turn your Vectrex on. VecMulti - select Karl Quappe in your VecMulti - start it VecFlash - or possibly other mutli carts - select Karl Quappe - start it - after the initial bootup screen of vectrex keep any of the buttons 1-4 pressed to skip over code, which interferes with PB6 based bankswitching multi-cards. Title screen ............ While the title is displayed you can the buttons of joystick 1 to procede to different sections. BUTTON 1 Starts the game with the current selected options. BUTTON 2 Displays the current high scores. Using the Joystick (left/right) displays either the competition or the hardcore high scores. BUTTON 3 Immediatly enters the next attract mode "level". (The attract mode will be entered automatically after the title screen has been displayed a certain amount of time) BUTTON 4 Enters the options menu. Options ....... While the title screen is displayed, press button 4 to enter the options screen. You can navigate the menu using the joystick (up/down). To alter an option use either joystick (left/right) or press any button. To leave the menu enable the "BACK" entry and press any button. If you are using a VecFever, pressing button 4 while on "BACK" entry will exit to the VecFever menu (thus pressing 4 and 4 while the title is displayed sends you back to VecFever). In the options menu you can chose the following entries: - number of players - game mode - music on/off - level (for training mode) - reset storage PLAYERS Chose the number of players (one or two). If you select a two player game the game mode automatically switches to "COMPETITION", since only that mode supports a two player game. Two players play alternately after each live. GAME MODE There are three different game modes. COMPETITION is the default game mode. - high scores can be achieved and saved to the cartridge - 1 and 2 player games are possible - each player has 5 lives - every 10,000 points a new live is awarded - the game always starts at level 1 TRAINING - high scores are not supported - only 1 player games are possible - each player has 5 lives - every 10,000 points a new live is awarded - game can be continued after final death (score is reset) - the game starts at level 1 - after once reaching 40,000 points in COMPETITION mode you can enter freely what level you would like to train HARDCORE - special hardcore high scores can be achieved and saved to the cartridge - only 1 player games are possible - each player has 1 live - no extra live is awarded - no in game specials can be found MUSIC ON/OFF An option to switch of the music. This applies to both ingame music and title music. LEVEL Once you achieve a score of 40,000 points or higher in COMPETITION mode. You can enter a start level for your TRAINING mode games. RESET STORAGE The Cartridge memory can be erased. This resets the cartridge memory to its default values, with no highscore and all options are reseted. This also resets (if applicable) VecFever storage. BACK will exit to the title screen. If you are using a VecFever pressing button 4 will exit to the VecFever menu. Gameplay ........ Using the joystick you can move Karl across the screen. The player must guide Karl his home. First Karl must cross a road where he has to find his way over street occupied by different vehicles. Touching such a vehicle is fatal. After an intermediate pause in the middle of the screen, Karl has to cross a river using a series of different objcts like logs and turtles or even crocodiles he can jump on. And finally reach his home. (5 different homes per level) Hazzards and Helpers Street Touching any part of any of the following car is instant death to Karl. - Caterpillar - Race cards - Speedcar - Car - Van Water These object in general can be jumped upon. - Log Save to be used for transport. - Turtle Beware, some turtles dive. If a turtle dives while Karl is on its back, Karl drowns. - Crocodile You can jump on the back of a crocodile and use it as transport. But beware, if you go to close to its mouth you will become dinner! - Otter Otters may swim in the water. Beware! Otters are known to snatch unaware frogs of right of the edge of a log! - Girls There are rumors that there might be girls lingering near the water, waiting for a suitable mate. If you happen to see a girl - jump for it! Home Different objects can be inside a home. - Fly Flies are food - you get 200 bonus points. - Crocodile The crcodile wants to eat you. Once the full head of a crocodile is visible in a home - it becomes a death trap! - Occupants If a home is already occupied by a "brother", you can not enter it any longer, doing so anyway will result in deatch. Others - Snake For a snake frogs are delicious diet. If Karl happens to be near a snakes mouth - he will be eaten! Scoring - each jump forward (up) 10 points (backwards -10 points) - finish a level befor the timer runs out, the timer rest gives bonus scores (10 points per tick) - reach home with a girl carried (200 points) - catch a fly in the home (200 points) - complete a level (500 points) - ... Possible deaths - running out of time - get run over by a vehicle - drown in the water - get drowned by a turtle dive - getting carried out of bounds - missing your home - trying to enter an already occupied home - get eaten by a snake - get eaten by a crocodile in the water - get eaten by a crocodile in your home - get eaten by an otter Emulation --------- The game KarlQuappe uses some features that are not emulated by all emulators. The best emulation known can be viewed using Vide. The graphics using e.g. ParaJVE look broken. The game functions normally though. Thanks ------ VTK For his support and enthusiam throughout the development phase of the game. Also - your testing really helped to shape the outcome of KarlQuappe. Thomas Sontowski For his tips and his wonderfull VecFever device. It is a pleasure to use it as a development tool! George Anastasiadis Also your enthusiasm, testing and spreading word over to you greek colleagues. Jacek Selanski For additional testing and refining some of the graphics. Me - Malban :-) For building Vide - it is a fantastic development tool for vectrex. It's a little bit hard to get into - but at least I didn't have any difficulties at all. The support for VecFever and the possible trial/error rapid prototyping/development opportunities - I do not want to miss. Also Vecci (which is even harder to get into) allows very efficient vector drawings and placing them into the code. [I do not even mention the YM, SFX and the new Arkos Tracker/player stuff] More Info --------- There is a blog concering all things "Vide": vide.malban.de If you would like to have more information about "vectrex" in general - and its homebrew "scene" go the the "Vide" homepage and look under the section "links".