VERSION HISTORY

1.2.1
 There is now an OS X version of Asteroid Storm included.
 Asteroid Storm will now remember preferences and high scores after quitting using command-Q.
 The sound level will no longer be set to maximum when AS starts up the first time, but will remain the same.
 When the invincibility is about to run out an alarm will sound to warn the player.

1.2.0
 Multishot and Rapid Shot goodies now carry over into the next level.
 Updated and Improved the Adversary AI.
 Objects encountering the system border are no longer bounced back, but rather re-enter the system on the other side.
 There is now a Guide To Goodies in the Documentation.
 Increased number of asteroids and goodies.
 General balancing and improvements.
 One new goody: faster energy recharge.

1.1.0
 Three-Level Parallax Scrolling
 Improved Adversaries
 New Goodies
 Autoshield Option (Use this if you find Asteroid Storm too hard)

1.0.1
 Fixed a bug that made Asteroid Storm crash when reaching level 11.

1.0.0
 Initial Release


Asteroid Storm by David Stark
david.stark@swissonline.ch
http://www.zarkonnen.com




DOCUMENTATION (OS X-friendly version)

INTRODUCTION
Fifty years after the devastating Interstellar League War, humanity finally is at peace, and the weapons of mass destruction have been dismantled. But now, a completely unexpected new threat has appeared: a swarm of asteroids seemingly coming from outer space, heading straight for Earth. These asteroids threaten to overwhelm the few space-defense satellites left in orbit. Therefore, a scout ship from the war that was recently discovered floating in space is put back into service. You, the pilot, are charged with destroying the larger asteroids heading for Earth, and with finding the cause for this Asteroid Storm. Asteroid Storm is an Asteroids-like game that puts you into the pilot seat of the sole vessel capable of defending Earth from the menace of the asteroid swarm. Beautiful 32-bit 3d graphics and a nasty enemy AI help distinguish this game from similar ones. In addition to the standard turn left, turn right and accelerate forwards movement commands, it also features accelerate backwards, accelerate left, accelerate right and stop buttons. The game contains an infinite amount of computer-generated levels as well as several levels with written introductions that tell you the story of your voyage into the storm. As the game progresses, you will encounter dangerous remnants of the league war and the reason for the storm itself. For more information about Asteroid Storm, consult section five. 


HOW TO PLAY
Navigating in an asteroid field is dangerous, and the danger is increased by the debris from the war that has been shooting through space for fifty years. Your sole protection are your quick reflexes, your plasma cannon and your shield. Be careful not to ram any large asteroid, for that means sure death. You might survive unshielded collisions with small asteroids and debris if the speed of impact is low and your armor is strong. Still you must make sure to conserve your armor, since armor upgrade packs are rare. So it is best to shoot down approaching threats, or if necessary, evade them. If your defenses fail you, your ship will be destroyed and the battle will be lost because there will be no replacement - your ship is the only one that hasn't been dismantled.

Movement
You accelerate by pressing the keypad 8 key. Be careful not to go too fast, for your scoutship can go very fast and you might crash into an asteroid if you're not careful. You move backwards by pressing the 2 key. You turn clockwise and counterclockwise by pressing 6 and 4. You can also strafe right and left by pressing 9 and 7. You decelerate to a stop by pressing 5. Of course, this information is only correct if you haven't changed the preferences. 

Goodies
In space you will come across supply canisters left over from the League War. These canisters, called "Goodies", can be picked up by flying into them. They can recharge, repair or rearm your ship, depending on type.

Armor and Energy
The red bar on the left side of the screen is the armor indicator of your ship. Collisions with debris and asteroids will weaken your armor. If it reaches zero, your ship will be destroyed and the game will be over. There are no "lives" in asteroid storm - your ship is the only one. Armor can be regenerated by picking up the goodies with a metallic look. The blue bar on the right is the energy indicator. Firing your plasma cannon, raising your shield and using the afterburner all deplete that energy. As your energy reaches zero, you can't do these things anymore. Unlike armor, however, energy slowly regenerates, and will regenerate completely at the start of each level. Energy can be immediately regenerated to maximum by picking up the goodies with a glowing blue look.

Weapons
You have two weapons at your disposal: the plasma cannon and nuclear missiles. The plasma cannon fires green bolts in the direction your ship is pointed. It consumes a small amount of energy. The nuclear missiles can be found in the corresponding goodies, which have two missiles inside them. These pack quite a punch, and will immediately destroy most large asteroids. However, ammunition is limited. Your supply is indicated by the numbers next to the missile icon at the lower right of your screen.

Shields
You can protect yourself from any harm by activating your shield. This is done by pressing option. Note that the shield drains energy very rapidly, so you can't just fly around with active shields all the time. Also, mind that using the shield might drain your energy so far that you can no longer fire plasma bolts until the energy has regenerated. A good way to quickly destroy asteroids (and other things) is by ramming them with your shield up. This tactic is dangerous insofar that your energy might run out just before you hit the target, so be careful. If you have a hard time activating the shields in time, use the auto-shield preference.

The Afterburner
If for some reason you need to abruptly change direction, you can use the afterburner, which delivers a powerful but energy-consuming burst of acceleration. You activate it by pressing control. Useful for evasion maneuvers, but take care not to run into anything. Shields and the Afterburner can't be activated at the same time. 

he Target Indicator
The red arrow at the lower left corner of your screen shows the direction of a random asteroid. It also indicates the direction of other, higher-priority targets. Note that the arrow doesn't show the direction of the nearest target.  You advance to the next level by destroying everything in the level you're in (except for goodies). At the start of each level, the game is paused so you can get your bearings. You end the game by pressing escape, and pause by pressing caps lock.



TIPS
Veterans from the Interstellar League War can offer you important advice for surviving your voyage.

"Use the shield to destroy your enemy, but use it only when your energy is near maximum, or it might fail at a most inconvenient time."

"Also, do not try to conserve energy by activating your shield at the latest time possible. It might just be a little bit too late once, and then you'll be gone."

"Use the stop key (5) to keep your ship from going out of control. Other evasion tactics are often too slow to keep you alive if you're going fast."

"The faster you go, the less time you have to react."

"Don't hoard your nuclear missiles - you can always get new ones."

"Use the move left/right keys (7/9) to evade enemy fire while still flying towards him."

"Don't stop moving if you face an enemy. Any idiot can hit a target that isn't moving."

"Be careful not to run into anything with your afterburner."

"Don't hesistate to use your shield. You can always stop and wait for your energy to recharge."

"There are careless astronauts and there are old astronauts. But there are no careless old astronauts."

"Keep the shields button (option) pressed during the effect of the shield goodie. This doesn't take any energy, but when the effect fails, your normal shields will activate immediately. This makes sure the effect will not fail at the wrong moment."



TECHNICAL ADVICE
You can jump to level 2-5 when starting a new game by holding down the corresponding key when you press the OK button of the introduction.

If the game won't start, check if the caps lock (pause) key is down and whether your computer runs on Mac OS 9 or better.
If the game runs slowly try the following measures in the given order:
1. Close all other running applications
2. Deactivate the "Allow processor cycling" option in the Advanced section of the Energy Saver control panel. (OS 9)
3. Reduce or deactivate VRAM (OS 9)
4. Give Asteroid Storm more RAM (OS 9)
5. Deactivate the 32-bit mode (I'm not sure if this helps)

Deactivating parallax scrolling has no effect on the game speed. If the game crashes, please tell me: david.stark@swissonline.ch. Please include the exact circumstances of the crash.



ABOUT ASTEROID STORM
Who?
I, David Stark, made everything except for:
The sounds - by iDevgames.com
The resolution switch code - by David Newberry

How?
Programmed with REALbasic 3.2.1 and 4.5. Graphics were done using Bryce 3D and Photoshop.

When?
In 2000 and 2001, the game was developed in sporadic but intense programming and graphics sessions. It was upgraded to version 1.1 in December 2001, to version 1.2 in January and February 2002. Version 1.2.1 (first OS X version) was developed in August 2002.

Why?
Because I wanted to prove to myself that I can create a functioning game.

How Much?
Nothing. Asteroid Storm is free! However, I would like it very much if you told me what you think of the game. Send me an email: david.stark@swissonline.ch. How else can I know if anybody is actually playing it?

Where?
http://www.zarkonnen.com

System Requirements
Mac OS 8.5 with DrawSprocketLib installed
Mac OS 9
Mac OS X

Minimum: G3/300, 25 MB free RAM, 12 MB free HD, 640x480 monitor capable of thousands of colors
Ideal: G4/500, 35 MB free RAM, 12 MB free HD, 640x480 monitor capable of millions of colors
See the tips section on ways to improve performance.

Legalese
I am not responsible for anything bad that happens as a consequence of you using Asteroid Storm.