LUNAR CORPS in 16K

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ts_mike
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:42 pm

LUNAR CORPS in 16K

Post by ts_mike »

Name of Software: Lunar Corps

Author: /u/Droid_Mike (reddit.com)

Release Date: July 30,2019

Requirements (eg. 1K, 16K, AY Card, Hi-Res Scheme): 16K

Description:

This project was a winning entry for the http://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations 4th annual BASIC month contest. It is a modification and enhancement of an original Apple II Lunar Lander demonstration that was posted in the reddit forum early this month. I thought you guys might be interested in the project. Here is the official description from the reddit.com web site:

This is my entry for the r/retrobattlestations BASIC Month 4 contest. It has been converted to a fully interactive game with a demo/attract mode. I went a little overboard on it, but it was a labor of love. I always wanted to be an astronaut when I was growing up, and the Timex Sinclair 1000 was my first computer that I ever owned. This project was a match made in the heavens!!

When I saw /u/FozzTexx's Apple II program, I immediately thought that it would be perfect for the Sinclair ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000's character graphics. The question would be if it would be fast enough to run the code well enough. Judicious use of the FAST mode (which turns off the screen) and reducing the sprite and background resolution made it work. It's still a bit sluggish with the additional game code, but it works enough to play and is quite fun. I found it to be quite addictive.

FEATURES:

Fully Interactive game with demo mode, cumulative scores, campaign mode, and military rank calculations

Realtime gameplay with accurate physics!

12 landing missions on 4 different worlds!

Real quotes from the Apollo moon landings and a simluated Apollo Guidance Computer display make you feel like you are really there!

Demo mode attracts passing by gamers!

Finish the tour of duty and retire with a pension!

EASTER EGGS:

There are not so hidden ways to "hack" into the system to find a "practice mode" with a flat surface, and the ability to select the misison of your choosing. Finding how to access these easter eggs is left as an exercise for the reader. (HINT: Look at the code!)

NOTES:

There will be 60 seconds of blank screen at the beginning of the game to build the lunar surface. Please do not be alarmed by it.

Controls are quite sluggish. You will have to hold the keys down or press them a few times to register. The Sinclair ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000 does not have a keyboard buffer

Don't overdo it on the sideways thrust. One burst will adjust your speed a good chunk, and it takes some time to see a difference in the lander trajectory. If you hold down the key for a long time, you will overshoot your target. You can see a burst of flame from the side when the sidways thrust burn registers. One or two burns are often all you need! Just a little dab will do ya!!

Use your guidance computer (The "A" key) often. It tells you everything you need to know to land safely.

Keep your landing velocity under 1.5 in each direction and watch your fuel!!

Whether playing on a real computer, online, or on a standalone emulator, post your scores and rankings here for ultimate bragging rights!!!

Let me know of any bugs or issues!

Screenshots:
Screenshot.jpg
Download link (if available for download):
Source Code: https://github.com/droid-mike/LunarCor ... 1000_ZX-81
.P File (For Emulators): http://awarisoft.x10host.com/lunar_corps/lunar_corps.p
.WAV File (To load into the real thing!): http://awarisoft.x10host.com/lunar_corps/LunarCorps.wav
PLAY THIS GAME ONLINE FOR *FREE* ON THE WEBSITE I HASTILY CREATED USING A JAVASCRIPT SINCLAIR ZX-81 EMULATOR: http://awarisoft.x10host.com/lunar_corps/

Commercial / Public Domain / Freeware / Other - please specify? GPL Freeware

Link to Discussion thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlesta ... for_timex/
Attachments
lunar_corps.p
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