Hamsters v1.00b
----------------
Copyright (c) 1993 Gregory G. Taylor
All rights Reserved.
InterQuest Productions
Shareware Version 1.00b released 1-1-94
300Kb of pure rodent MADNESS! Please distribute as much as possible.
I : Lemmings(tm) Look-a-Like
----------------------------
Before I write up this documentation I would like to explain the obvious.
This game resembles--strongly resembles--it's inspiration, Lemmings(tm) from
Psygnosis LTD. I loved Lemmings(tm), Oh No More Lemmings and Lemmings 2 - The
Tribes; and thus thought that it would be a fun programming project to venture
into the field of "Interactive Rodent Simulations"(IRS). There are many flight
simulators and many football simulators, but only a few rodent simulators. I
felt that this is a highly neglected and important facet of computer simulation
that should not be lightly touched upon. So, Psygnosis has some competition
in the Interactive Rodent Simulation field, at last. If you register this game
and still don't have enough levels of rampant rodent madness, I strongly
encourage purchasing of the "Lemmings" series, especially "Lemmings 2 -
The Tribes", which is the benchmark by which all future IRSs will be judged.
InterQuest Productions is not at all affiliated with Psygnosis, and this game
contains no part of any Psygnosis code.
'Lemmings', 'On No, More Lemmings' and 'Lemmings 2 - The Tribes' are all
registered trade marks of Psygnosis LTD.
II : Getting Started
--------------------
GAME REQUIREMENTS :
VIDEO : VGA
SOUND : NONE
REQUIRED CPU : 386 20mhz (it will actually try to run on slower machines, but
it will be VERY slow)
RECOMMENDED CPU : 386 33mhz
486 25mhz (for 'turbo' command)
INPUT DEVICE : MOUSE (Microsoft compatible)
MEMORY : about 512k
Type "HAMSTERS" at the dos prompt. After the intro there are some options.
PLAY : this option will start play at the current level that you are at.
LOAD : this will load a saved game.
SAVE : save a game.
QUIT : quits (requires both mouse buttons to be pressed).
III : Game Play
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The plot of the game is that a whole ton of hamsters have escaped their
cages (as hamsters are so prone to do) and they are now trying to survive in
a multitude of environments, and you must help 'em out. To do this you must
click on the icons at the bottom of the screen, and then click on a specific
hamster, this will assign that hamster that task. After having the hamsters
do a lot of tasks you can eventually get them to the exit(s). Each level has
a required number of hamsters that you have to save in order to go to the next
level. Be aware of devious traps that often take many a hamster life. There
is a time limit, so move quickly.
Here's a break down of the "12 Tasks of Hamsters" :
SLEEPER : the number one thing hamsters do with their time, this will block all
hamsters walking into him and make them turn around.
ANTI-GRAVITY : this will reverse gravity for that hamster. They can't do many
other tasks while on the ceiling, but it is useful sometimes.
ROCK CLIMBER : this one climbs a wall that is too steep to walk up normally.
STICKY ROLLER : curls up into a big hairball and rolls along any surface,
sticking to the walls, floor, and ceiling.
CATAPULTER : sits in one spot and throws any hamster that walks by him.
DIVER : a hamster survives a fall better if they dive it rather that just
plummet. It doesn't help them swim however.
RAMMER : this one will run until it hits a wall then it will knock out a tunnel
in the wall. (be careful, if this one falls, he goes unconscious, or
dead after less falling time)
JACK-HAMMERER : digs straight down.
BURROWER DOWN : burrows a hole diagnally down.
BURROWER UP : burrows a hole diagnally up.
FOOT BRIDGER : builds a foot-bridge for the hamsters to walk on.
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTOR : blows up after a random amount of time.
f1-10, /, and * are keyboard substitutes for the different tasks.
The four other icons on the screen are :
Stop sign : Pauses game. (or space bar)
Watch : "Turbo" option, runs game at top speed for it's CPU. (or press 't')
Faucet : Increases the flow rate of Hamsters coming into level.
Bomb : Blows up all remaining hamsters. * requires both mouse buttons to be
pressed *
There are several blocks in each graphics style that act as "steel". These
blocks cannot be dug though, blown up, or removed from the map in any way, so
you might as well not try. This un-dig-ability has confused some players,
so I thought I'd take the time to mention it in the new version manual. If
you can't dig though a block, it is probably steel, and you might want to
find a new way to solve the level. For a more in depth study of the steel
blocks and their effects, more levels and graphic styles are required. And
you are probably thinking...
IV : Where Do I Find More Levels?
---------------------------------
I figured 15 levels would be nice for starters, but if you really want to
save hamsters by the boatload, you'll want to order the bonus levels. There
are 65 bonus levels, for 80 levels in all. The additional levels have 6 more
graphic styles and more levels with the previous 3; and there is a plethera of
new traps and puzzles. They are much more challenging and worth your dollars.
65 levels, 6 new graphic styles, all for $20.00 (U.S. currency only please)
NOTE - fee includes postage and handling.
print out "orderfrm.txt" to get your register your copy.
V : Credits
-----------
Who wrote this game? Who helped? Who playtested it? -- all burning
questions, here are the answers...
Programmed by :
Greg Taylor
Some Graphics Code by :
Scott Host (courtesy of Cygnus Software)
Level Design by :
Greg Taylor
Dave Hutchings
Additional Levels by :
Russ Mansky
Jason Love
Josh Orellana
Inspiration :
Lemmings(tm) from Psygnosis LTD.
Fred the hamster
Special Thanks :
Scott Host
Dave & Aaron for their hamster ideas
Playtested by :
Vince Cirelli
the House-O-Plenty folk
Lorina Sparks
Dave Ritter
Gabor Torok
Ryan Nelson
and others...
This Manual by :
Greg Taylor
VI : The Crystal Ball
---------------------
InterQuest Productions is a multimedia game company, in that we write IBM,
role-playing, and board games. We don't have the cash to print our RPGs or
board games yet, but as soon as we do, you'll find InterQuest Productions RPGs
and board games in your local gaming store.
Shareware Distributers : Write IQP for latest version of Hamsters.
VII : Bug Reports
-----------------
If you find a bug, send me word...
Hamsters - Comments
InterQuest Productions
P.O. Box 12011
Pleasanton, CA 94588
VIII : The NEW Version
----------------------
In the last two versions on the game, players have complained about the
difficulty of the first level as compared to the others. I didn't want to
change it, but so many people complained about it that I decided to change
it just a bit to simplify it. There are also a few other adjustments and
bug fixes that aren't in 1.00 and 1.00a.
If you STILL can't pass level one, either (a) you haven't read the section
of this manual about CONTROLLING Hamsters or (b) the section describing STEEL
and its effects. Try reading those sections and try it again. It's really
not that hard.
(we have playtested all 15 levels several times, they are all possible.
Honest.)
The registered version contains more easy levels, so even if you haven't
passed the shareware version, the registered will be easy on you. But it
also has many harder levels for those Lemmings(tm) fans who can pass a level
in two seconds flat. In short the registered version is easier AND harder,
has much more cool graphic styles, traps, and is well worth your hard earned
shareware dollar. Order NOW!!! All of your life you have had an
uncontrollable urge to register your copy of Hamsters, at last you can. This
is IT, your chance to register Hamsters has finally arrived! Print out
'orderfrm.txt' with your favorite word processor, or by typing:
'copy orderfrm.txt prn' or 'print orderfrm.txt'
at the dos prompt. It's that simple. Don't you wish taxes were this easy?
I hope you like the game, I do. Keep your eyes peeled for more from
InterQuest Productions...
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