README for Defendguin

by Bill Kendrick
bill@newbreedsoftware.com
http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/

Version 0.0.2b (ALPHA RELEASE)


April 10, 2000


DESCRIPTION
-----------
  "Defendguin" is based loosely on William's classic arcade game, "Defender."
  Some recognizable stars in the realm of operating systems should be fairly
  obvious.


STORY
-----
  A certain monopoly-owning bad guy has been cloned hundreds of times by
  an unknown alien race.  They are now attacking earth, kidnapping little
  penguinoids and converting them into Wind^H^H^H^H mutants.  Helping them
  on their way are some other nasty alien ships, of which there are plenty...


DOCUMENTATION
-------------
  Important documentation for "Defendguin" is contained in multiple files.
  Please see them:

    AUTHORS.txt    - Credits for who made this game.
    CHANGES.txt    - Changes since the previous versions of "Defendguin."
    COPYING.txt    - The GNU Public License, which "Defendguin" is under.
    INSTALL.txt    - Instructions on requirements, compiling and installing.
    README.txt     - (This file.)  Game story, usage, rules and controls.
    TODO.txt       - A wish-list for this version of "Defendguin."


RUNNING THE GAME
----------------
  Just type "./defendguin" to get started.

  The program accepts some options:

    --disable-sound     - If sound support was compiled in, this will
                          disable it for this session of the game.

    --fullscreen        - Run in fullscreen mode.
                          (Note: Under Linux, if this doesn't work, 
                          you will need to run the game as root.)

    --help              - Display a help message summarizing command-line
                          options, copyright, and game controls.

    --usage             - Display a brief message summarizing command-line
                          options.

  A screen will appear stating that the game is loading.  When prompted,
  press any key to go to the title screen.


TITLE SCREEN
------------
  At the title screen, you can choose to begin either a ONE PLAYER, or
  TWO PLAYER game, go to the OPTIONS screen, or EXIT the program.

  Use the [ UP ARROW ] and [ DOWN ARROW ] keys to choose an option, then
  press [ SPACE ] or [ ENTER / RETURN ].


OPTIONS
-------
  THE OPTIONS SCREEN IS UNAVAILABLE IN THIS RELEASE.


GAME CONTROLS
-------------
  The following controls are available:

  [ LEFT ARROW KEY ]     -- Point your ship left and thrust left.

  [ RIGHT ARROW KEY ]    -- Point your ship right and thrust right.

  [ 1 ]                  -- Thrust in the direction your ship is pointing.

  [ 2 ]                  -- Reverse the direction your ship is pointing.

  [ UP ARROW KEY ]       -- Move your ship up.

  [ DOWN ARROW KEY ]     -- Move your ship down.

  [ SPACE ]              -- Fire lasers.

  [ CTRL / SHIFT / ALT ] -- Fire a smart bomb.

  [ ESCAPE ]             -- Quit the game, return to the title menu.


PLAYING THE GAME
----------------
  When you begin the game, your ship appears over some icy mountains
  which are crawling with penguinoids (the good guys).  A number of alien
  ships are flying around above the ground.

  MOVEMENT
  --------
    If you move left or right, your ship will slide to the opposite side of
    the screen (so that you can see more ahead of your ship).  As you fly
    around, everything passes by around you.

    If you move up or down, your ship simply raises or lowers.

  RADAR
  -----
    At the very top of the screen in the center is a radar screen.  You can
    see the "entire" planet, including what you see on the rest of the screen,
    in the center, outlined in green.

    Miniature versions of your ship, the penguinoids, and the aliens are
    also visible on the radar.

  ALIENS
  ------
    UFO'S
    -----
      The little green alien ships are the ones which abduct penguinoids.
      For the most part, they mind their own business.  They occasionally
      shoot at you, and are especially agreesive when trying to catch a
      penguinoid.

      When they start abducting a penguinoid, you'll hear a special sound.
      You'll also notice an alert box appear over the penguinoid on the
      radar screen.

      The UFO takes a moment to beam up the penguinoid, and then begins
      flying upwards towards space.  If they reach the top of the screen,
      the screen will flash, you'll hear a pop, and they will have converted
      into a horrible mutant penguinoid alien!

      If you manage to shoot down the UFO before it gets to the top, the
      penguinoid will start falling.  If it falls too far, it will die!
      (The screen will flash and you'll hear a "splat!" sound.)  If it
      doesn't fall too far, it will be safe.

      Your best bet is to shoot the UFO, and then fly towards the penguinoid
      to catch him.  If you do, simply fly down to the mountains and he'll
      jump off your ship and thank you (or you'll tell him to be careful).
      (You get more points for doing it this way, too!)

      Be careful!  You can shoot penguinoids and kill them, too!

    BOMBERS
    -------
      These rainbow-colored alien ships fly gracefully up and down,
      and occasionally spit out mines.  Other than that, just don't run
      into them and shoot them when you get the chance.

    MINES
    -----
      Bombers drop these spikey grey balls.  They can be in the sky or at
      ground level, so be careful!  If you get to close, they'll start
      flashing.  Note: you can't shoot them!

      After floating for a few moments, they disappear with a 'pop.'

    PODS
    ----
      Pods are purplish, rotating, berry-shaped aliens which fly about
      randomly.  If you shoot them, they release a bunch of swarmers,
      and you'll hear a special sound.  They don't proactively attack.

    SWARMERS
    --------
      When you shoot a pod, these little redish balls appear.  If you're
      nearby, they'll start hunting you down, shooting agressively.
      Try to attack these from afar, otherwise they'll gang up on you.

    BAITERS
    -------
      If you take too long to complete a level, Baiters begin appearing.
      (They yell out at you: "You will be absorbed!")  They relentlessly
      persue you, so watch your radar and blast them as quickly as you
      can!


  WEAPONS
  -------
    LASERS
    ------
      When you fire lasers, by pressing [ SPACE ], they streak across the
      screen, destroying any aliens (except mines!), OR PENGUINOIDS!, in
      their path.

      Lasers are unlimited, and you can shoot many by hitting [ SPACE ]
      repeatedly.

    SMART BOMBS
    -----------
      When you begin the game, you have three smart bombs.  When you use
      one (by pressing [ CTRL ], [ SHIFT ] or [ ALT ]), the screen flashes
      and all aliens and alien bullets on the screen will explode.

      Your ship, as well as penguinoids, are not adversely affected.


  ADVANCING LEVELS
  ----------------
    Even level is split into 3 sections:

      * Beginning
        UFO's and other aliens appear.

      * 30 seconds later (or after the first wave is destroyed)
        More UFO's appear.

      * 15 seconds later (and every 30 seconds thereafter)
        A baiter appears.  This means you're taking too long to complete
        the level!


  ONE-UPS AND EXTRA SMART-BOMBS
  -----------------------------
    Every time you surpass 10,000 points, one additional ship and one
    additional smartbomb are added.


  GAME OVER
  ---------
    Once the game is over, the words "GAME OVER" appear on the screen.
    Simply press [ ESCAPE ] to return to the main menu.
