TankDuel - single tasking arcade game

Version 1.00 (July - September 1996)

By Graeme Scott  1996

Modded by Stephen Scott April 2009

This game should work on most versions of RISC OS, native or virtual. The more
recent your machine, the better it will run. However, sound modules may not work
on more recent versions of RISC OS.

Introduction

Tank Duel is a game for up to four players. The premise is simple. Just
blow up your opponent, using the cover of the landscape to protect yourself.
The landscape is fully customisable, using the menu provided on startup.
Gameplay continues until there is either one or no tanks left (in the event
of a draw) in the arena. Each player gains a point for shooting another
tank. The points scoring is shown on the startup menu.

At the end of the game, holding down the spacebar will make the menu appear
more quickly. Good for players who are losing their temper and are impatient
to have another game!

To exit to the menu, press Q. To exit to the desktop, select the Exit to
Desktop option on the menu screen.

Technical limitations/bugs

The game will work only on machines fitted with Risc OS 3.5 and above i.e.
the Risc PC and A7000+. The game uses a special hi-res screen mode, and is
written in Basic V, so it would play like a dead horse on anything below
these machines. Sorry about this, but isnt it time you upgraded?

The game has a few bugs in collision detection. If you graze past an object
like a tree for example, then you may end up getting stuck, due to the
points collision system getting confused. The only solution is to take your
time. You will eventually be set free. The bullets also move very jerkily,
and affect the reliability of their collision with objects, such as other
players.

Controls

Players 1 - 3: keyboard
Player 4: mouse

                Player 1     Player 2    Player 3     Player 4
                  green       red         blue         grey
Turn left          Z            1           :         Mouse left
Turn right         X            2           @         Mouse right
Accelerate         F            6           P         Select
Brake/reverse      C            3           -         Adjust
Fire               G            +           +         Menu

The player 3 keys are a little wonky. Perhaps in a later version, this and
other problems may be addressed.

Things you should know

The tank sprites are actually polygon graphics rotated realtime. They are
not sprites. The only sprites are the three tiles used to build the arena
(trees, grass, brick). The rest are done with BASIC graphics commands.

We know this game is not perfect, but it should provide a little bit of
fun for a short time.

Contacting us

This game, and any further updates, are available from www.sassquad.com.
