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<title>Starfighter gameplay manual</title>
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<img src="sflogo.png" alt="Starfighter">
<h1>Gameplay Manual</h1>
</center>
<h2>License Agreement</h2>
<pre>
Project: Starfighter
Copyright &copy; 2003 Parallel Realities
Copyright &copy; 2012 Guus Sliepen, Astrid S. de Wijn and others
Copyright &copy; 2015 Julian Marchant
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 3
of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
</pre>
<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>Project: Starfighter is an old school 2D shoot 'em up. In the
game you take on the role of a rebel pilot called Chris, who is
attempting to overthrow a military corporation called Weapco.
Weapco has seized control of the known universe and currently
rules it with an iron fist. Chris can no longer stand back and
watch as millions of people suffer and die. He steals an
experimental craft known as "Firefly" and begins his mission to
fight his way to Sol, freeing key systems along the way. The game
opens with Chris attempting to escape a Weapco patrol that has
intercepted him.</p>
<h2>Controls</h2>
<p>Menus</p>
<ul>
<li>Arrow Keys - Highlight option</li>
<li>Control / Enter - Select menu option</li>
</ul>
<p>Intermission Screen</p>
<ul>
<li>Mouse or Arrow Keys - Move cursor</li>
<li>Left Mouse Button or Control / Enter - Selected option</li>
<li>Right Mouse Button or Space - Toggle planet orbit On / Off</li>
</ul>
<p>In Game</p>
<ul>
<li>Arrow Keys - Control Firefly</li>
<li>Ctrl - Fire primary weapon</li>
<li>Space - Fire secondary weapon</li>
<li>Shift - Toggle Primary Weapon Concentrate / Spread (see Weaponry)</li>
<li>P - Pause / Unpause</li>
<li>Escape - Flee (not possible until all primary missions completed)</li>
<li>Escape whilst paused - Quit to title screen</li>
</ul>
<p>Joystick and Gamepad support</p>
<ul>
<li>Stick or Hat - Same as Arrow Keys</li>
<li>Button 1 / 4 - Fire primary weapon / Select menu option</li>
<li>Button 2 / 3 - Fire secondary weapon / Select menu option</li>
<li>Button 6 / 8 / 9 - Toggle Primary Weapon Concentrate / Spread</li>
<li>Button 10 - Pause / Unpause</li>
<li>Button 5 / 7 - Flee (not possible until all primary missions completed)</li>
<li>Button 5 / 7 whilst paused - Quit to title screen</li>
</ul>
<p>Note - Keys cannot be changed</p>
<h2>How to Play</h2>
<p>When first starting Project: Starfighter you will see the text
scrolling introduction. You can either wait for this to finish or
you can skip it by pressing ctrl or space.</p>
<p>The title sequence will begin. Once the menu is shown (or you
opt to skip to it by pressing space or ctrl) you may select from
the options shown:</p>
<ul class="menu">
<li>Start New Game</li>
<li>Load Game*</li>
<li>Continue Current Game*</li>
<li>Options</li>
<li>Quit</li>
</ul>
<p><i>* Will only be shown if there are saved games
available.</i></p>
<dl>
<dt>Start New Game</dt>
<dd>This will start a new game.</dd>
<dt>Load Game</dt>
<dd>This will bring up a list of currently available games to be
loaded, along with the planet that the game was saved in. This
option is only shown when there is at least one saved game
available.</dd>
<dt>Continue Current Game</dt>
<dd>This will automatically load the most recently saved game. This
option is only shown when there is at least one saved game
available.</dd>
<dt>Options</dt>
<dd>This will show a list of game options. Options for sound, music
and an auto save slot can be changed. Music and Sound can be
switched to either On or Off. The Auto Save Slot allows the
player to select a save slot that will automatically be updated
when the player finishes a mission. This can be switched from
None to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. When this option is set to a number,
that save slot will be used to save a game at the end of a
mission. Note that any currently existing game will be
automatically overwritten.</dd>
<dt>Quit</dt>
<dd>This will quit the game. Quitting is immediate, without prompting
(the game can also be quit at anytime by clicking the close
button of the window).</dd>
</dl>
<h2>Loading and Saving Games</h2>
<p>Games can be loaded from the title screen. When there are
saved games available, the option "Load Game" will be shown.
Selecting this will show a list of available games to be loaded.
Select a game from the list to load, you will then be taken to
the Intermission screen. To go back, selected Back to Main
Menu.</p>
<p>Games can be saved in two ways. The first way is to save a
game on the Intermission screen. Move the cursor to the Save Game
icon and select it. You will see a list of five game slots that
can be used to save a game to. Click one of these and then click
the "Save" button to save the game. The second way is to use the
Auto Save function. This will automatically save your game after
you have successfully completed a mission. To make use of this
feature you must choose a save slot that you wish to auto save
into. This can be done on the title screen in the options section
or on the intermission screen at the options section.</p>
<h2>Getting Missions</h2>
<p>In each System, the player can get missions by going to the
Comms section of the Intermission screen. Here allies will inform
you of tasks that need to be performed and what planet these
tasks apply to. Once the player has decided which task they will
perform, they must go to the corresponding planet in the system
(see Moving Around for more details). Once stationed at the
planet click "Start Mission" to proceed to the mission briefing
screen. The "Start Mission" icon will not be shown if the mission
of the planet has been completed.</p>
<h2>Mission Briefing</h2>
<p>Before the beginning of each mission you will be presented
with a mission briefing screen. This will outline the mission's
primary and (if any) secondary objectives. It will also inform
you of mission restrictions, such as time limits. Once you have
read this, press ctrl or space to continue</p>
<h2>Completing Missions</h2>
<p>Each mission in the game has one or more objectives tied to
it. These objectives are either Primary or Secondary objectives.
In order to complete the mission, the player must complete all
the primary mission objectives. For example, when the game begins
Chris is fleeing a WEAPCO patrol. The primary objective for this
mission is to destroy all the enemy fighters. Once this is
achieved the Firefly will leave the sector and the mission will
be marked as a success.</p>
<p>One thing to note is that some missions will have both Primary
and Secondary objectives. In this case, the Firefly does not
leave the sector if all primary mission objectives are complete
and secondary objectives remain. The player may then attempt to
complete remaining secondary objectives or press Escape to leave
the sector. Secondary objectives are optional.</p>
<p>During the mission you will see messages appearing at the
bottom of the screen. These messages can be related to items that
you pick up, as well as mission related information.</p>
<ul>
<li><font color="#FFFFFF">White messages</font> are standard for picking up items such as cash and power ups.</li>
<li><font color="#00FF00">Green messages</font> signify successful completion of mission objectives.</li>
<li><font color="#00FFFF">Light Blue messages</font> give further details about Primary mission requirements.</li>
<li><font color="#FF0000">Red messages</font> indicate mission failures, warnings and wing mate ejections.</li>
<li><font color="#FFFF00">Yellow messages</font> give further details about Secondary mission requirements.</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Target Arrow</h2>
<p><img src="arrowNorthEast.png" align="left" alt="Target Arrow">
The Target Arrow can be used to locate enemies and point you in
the direction that the enemy craft is. You can toggle the Target
Arrow between three mode by pressing "T" on the keyboard: Off,
Mission target only, and All targets. This arrow is very useful
for finding enemies that are evasive (such as transports) on
missions that require you to destroy all present craft. Simply
follow the arrows to find the enemy. The arrows will not be
displayed when you are within the immediate vacinity of the
target. On certain missions (such as Bosses) the mission target
arrow will initially point towards a certain target that is part
of the mission objective. The target's current remaining shield
is also displayed in the bottom right hand corner of the
screen.</p>
<h2>Moving Around Systems</h2>
<p>To play a mission in Starfighter you must be stationed at the
relevant planet. To get to the planet you require, you will need
to click on the planet whilst viewing it on the Show System
section of the Intermission screen. Travelling between planets
can be dangerous, but luckily Spirit is a peaceful place and
there are no chances of interceptions, so travel is
instantaneous.</p>
<p>Other systems are not as friendly and whilst travelling to a
new destination the player runs the risk of being intercepted by
a WEAPCO patrol. After Spirit the player will select a planet to
travel to by clicking on it with the mouse. "Destination",
followed by the planet's name will appear in the bottom right
hand corner of the screen. A new icon labelled "Go To
Destination" will also appear. Clicking this icon will make the
player travel to the destination planet.</p>
<p>Travelling to new planets is represented at the bottom of the
screen by the two planets (the one being travelled from and the
one being travelled to). A red bar will fill up as the journey
progresses. The speed the bar fills up will vary occurring to how
far away the planets are from one another. At any point during
this time the planet can be intercepted (see Interceptions). Once
the red bar has filled up completely the journey will be
completed and you will be stationed that the new planet.</p>
<h2>Interceptions</h2>
<p>Interceptions can take place whilst travelling between two
planets within a system. When the player is intercepted they will
go directly into a mission-like scenario. The objective of this
interception is to clear all attacking forces. Once this is done,
the player will be free to leave.</p>
<p>Interceptions also serve other purposes - Sometimes the WEAPCO
patrol may have slave transports with them. One of the objectives
of a later system is to rescue a certain amount of slaves. This
is only possible during interceptions.</p>
<p>One important thing to remember is that any damage the player
receives during an interception will NOT be repaired until they
have reached the destination planet. Therefore if the player is
heavily damaged during one interception that damage will still be
present if they are attacked again. This can make interceptions
very dangerous.</p>
<h2>Weaponry and Upgrades</h2>
<p>During the course of the game you will receive money. Money is
gained from destroying enemy craft and picking up cash spheres in
game (please be aware that due to the nature of the game cash is
not earned for destroying ships during Interceptions).</p>
<p>Money can be used to upgrade the Firefly and purchase
additional ammunition for weapons. Items can be purchased from a
shop on the Intermission screen.</p>
<dl>
<dt>Temporary Upgrades</dt>
<dd>
Temporary upgrades are used to boost the Firefly's ability to
be powered up. For example, at the start of the game the
Firefly can only be powered up to fire two plasma bolts are
once. By purchasing an upgrade for the Firefly, you can allow
for power ups to enable you to fire a maximum of up to five
plasma bolts at once. Note that this only affects power ups and
these will still be ammunition limited. To upgrade your default
weapon, you will need permanent power ups (see below).
</dd>
<dt>Permanent Upgrades</dt>
<dd>
These power ups are more expensive than temporary upgrades, but
are permanent. Whereas a temporary upgrade requires you to make
use of power ups on an ammunition limited base, permanent power
ups are not limited. This is highly useful when facing heavily
shielded and tough opponents, with no means of getting plasma
ammo or transports in sight! When you power up your permanent
weapon, your powered up weapon level will also be automatically
upgraded if it is less powerful than your new current power up
level.When the Firefly's Primary Weapon has been upgraded to
its maximum output (3 plasma cannons) the player can toggle the
output type by pressing Shift. The output type can either be
Concentrate (the default firing type) or Spread. Various
situations can call for varying the output type.
</dd>
<dt>Secondary Weapons</dt>
<dd>
As well as primary weapons and temporary upgrades, the Firefly
is also capable of using a secondary weapon. At the start of
the game this is a rocket launcher. Like the other weapons in
the game this can be upgraded by purchasing a new weapon from
the shop. At the start of the game, a Double Rocket Launcher
and Micro Rocket Launcher are available for purchase. Secondary
weapons are used in the same way the rocket launcher is used
(Space to fire). However the Laser Cannon and Charge Cannon
work differently.Neither the Charge Cannon or the Laser Cannon
are ammunition limited (unlike the other rocket based weapons).
The Charge Cannon works by the player holding down the Space
bar and releasing it. A meter at the bottom of the screen shows
how much charge has been built up. The Laser Cannon works by
the player holding down the Space bar to fire a stream of laser
fire. It is prone to overheating and must be allowed to cool
after usage.
</dd>
</dl>
<p>Certain weapons and upgrades will not be available to you
until later in the game, so remember to save your money for
them.</p>
<h2>Item Spheres</h2>
<p>When an enemy craft is destroyed they will sometimes release
ammo and cash spheres. Certain enemy craft will release power up
spheres that can give your weapon a temporary boost. The
following are spheres that can be picked up during missions:</p>
<table summary="Description of all item spheres.">
<tr>
<td><img src="dollar.png" alt="Cash"></td>
<td><b>Cash</b> - Provides you with an additional cash bonus.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="rocket.png" alt="Plasma Ammo"></td>
<td><b>Plasma Ammo</b> - Increases your current plasma ammo.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="rocketAmmo.png" alt="Rocket Ammo"></td>
<td><b>Rocket Ammo</b> - Increases your current rocket ammo.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="heart.png" alt="Shield Sphere"></td>
<td><b>Shield Sphere</b> - Replenishes your shield reserves.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="plasmaDamage.png" alt="Plasma Power"></td>
<td><b>Plasma Power</b> - Boosts your plasma power.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="plasmaAmmo.png" alt="Plasma Output"></td>
<td><b>Plasma Ouput</b> - Boosts the amount of plasma shots you can fire.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="plasmaRate.png" alt="Plasma Coolor"></td>
<td><b>Plasma Cooler</b> - Increases your plasma firing rate.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="superCharge.png" alt="Super Charge"></td>
<td><b>Super Charge</b> - Five way spread, massive power and cooling (rare).</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h2>Cut Scenes</h2>
<p>During the course of the game mini cut scenes will be shown
after certain missions. These scenes serve to extend the plot of
the game and provide the player with gameplay tips. If you wish
to skip a cut scene press Escape. It is advised that you only
skip cut scenes if you have already seen them.</p>
<h2>Ending the Game</h2>
<p>The game is over when the Firefly's shield units are reduced
to 0 (zero), or a Primary Mission objective is failed. At this
point, you will see the Game Over screen. To continue, press Ctrl
or Space. You will then be taken back to the title screen. In
certain missions the game will end if Sid Wilson is killed.</p>
<h2>About</h2>
<p>Parallel Realities started off writing games on the Amiga
using AMOS and then, later, Blitz Basic 2. Games written included
the BOTSS Trilogy and most notably TANX Squadron. TANX Squadron
was awarded Amiga Format's contributor prize of the month in the
summer of 1999. Project: Starfighter originally started life on
the Amiga but was never completed. Development began again for
Linux in 2002 with this being our first C program. The game
matured quickly from the initial ideas and this is the finished
product. We do hope you enjoy playing it.</p>
<p>Project: Starfighter<br>
Copyright &copy; 2003 Parallel Realities<br>
Copyright &copy; 2012 Guus Sliepen, Astrid S. de Wijn and
others<br></p>
<p>Created using the <a href="http://www.libsdl.org">SDL
library</a>.</p>
<p align="right"><a href="http://starfighter.nongnu.org">http://starfighter.nongnu.org</a></p>
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