Emerald Hunt

Collect the emeralds to pass each level.

Emerald Hunt

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Author: Scott Powell (of Evolutionary Systems)

Email: [email protected]

Version: 1.3a (Shareware)

Date: 14/11/1998

Install Notes

Simply use the PalmPilot Install Tool to install the 'hunt.prc' file

onto your pilot.

Instructions

Start a new game by selecting the menu 'New Game', then a menu item

for the level of difficulty you want. The screen is then filled with

objects, which will be animated until everything is reasonably stable.

The 'bulldozer' (you) is then placed on the screen, and you're ready

to go.

Objective:

You have to collect enough points to finish the level. You get

one point for collecting an emerald (light coloured squared shaped

object), and five points for a diamond (dark coloured square

shaped object). Your target number of points is displayed at the

top of the screen.

Status Display:

At the top right hand side of the screen are three numbers. These

are described as follows:

'T:'

- your current target (in points). When this

gets to zero you have won!

'G:'

- number of Grenades left.

'A:'

- units of air left in your air tanks.

Game Control:

* You are the bulldozer. You simply tap to whatever side of the

bulldozer you wish to move towards. Or you can drag the pen

around the screen, and the bulldozer follows you.

NOTE: the screen only scrolls when you lift the pen. This is

for better control.

* To set off a grenade move to the position you want to lay the

grenade and press the hardware 'down' button. Once you move away

the grenade pin is pulled, and you must get at least two cells

away from it to not get blown up.

Object Types:

-------('free' objects, ie. that aren't fixed to a position)------

* Boulders

These objects fall if not supported, and roll off round topped

objects. Be careful not to get crushed by one. Also you can

push a lone boulder left or right.

* Emeralds

These are the light shaded square shaped objects. Just move

into them to collect them. These also fall and roll like

boulders, and can also kill you.

* Diamonds

These are the dark shaded square shaped objects, and behave

like Emeralds, except that they are worth 5 points, and can

be CRUSHED by objects falling on them.

* Bombs

These are easy to recognise (have a little fuse above a round

looking object). The explode if something lands on them, or

if they land on something else. They fall just like boulders.

If you are within one cell distance from one when it explodes

you will die. Also you can push a lone bomb left or right.

* Water

Water is easy enough to recognise. Water will fall and spill

over when it can, and will tend to form pools. If you go into

water you must have some air in your tanks. If you stay under

too long you will drown. Water can drop onto you and spill

over you, ie. it will not kill you like a boulder.

* Bugs

Be afraid, very afraid of bugs. They will explode if they get

to within a cell distance from you - killing you in the

process. They roam around where ever there is empty space. You

can kill them by dropping something on them, or blowing them

up.

--------('fixed' objects, ie. don't move, don't fall)-----------

* Brick

Bricks are PERMANENT. They can't be destroyed in an explosion,

and don't move.

* Stone

These are the round-topped brick-like objects. These can be

destroyed in an explosion. Falling objects will also roll off

them.

* Air Canister

Move into these to collect them (like Emeralds & Diamonds).

You get 20 units of air for each one.

* Grenade

Move into these to collect them.

* Dirt

Dirt supports falling objects, but you can destroy dirt by

moving into it. Be careful as this will likely cause

landslides.

Building Your Own Levels

There should be a file included in the package (ZIP file) called

'mkgame.exe'. This is a Windows 95 console application. Use this to

make PDB files which you can download onto your Pilot. There is a

sample level called 'sample.txt' (source), and the final output

'sample.pdb' (pre-built using mkgame.exe).

You simply edit up a text file (make a copy of the sample) and then

run mkgame.exe. If you run 'mkgame' without any parameters it shows

you what parameters it expects. The sample level has comments inside

it to describe how you 'paint' your level.

This level builder is admitedly very simple, but it does the job.

Revision History

14/11/1998 1.3a Fixed 'assertion failure' bug.

Changed behaviour of Bugs (now explode within 1 cell distance)

09/06/1998 1.3 Expiry timeout stuff removed. Program now delays when

a new game is started, if not registered.

21/02/1998 1.2a 'About' information changed.

27/06/1997 1.2 New 'Load Game' feature + Win95 Level builder

Now extends evaluation period if upgrading from

previous version.

22/05/1997 1.1 Fixed 'Fatal Error' bug.

17/05/1997 1.0 Initial release

Credits

thanks to:

- John J. Lehett for the GNU 'C' port.

- Wes Cherry for 'PILRC'

Standard Disclaimer Stuff

This program is presented 'as is'. We take no responsibility in any loss of data

or productivity in case of operating failures.