SuperFly
Release 1.1 October 29, 1990
Nels Anderson
92 Bishop Drive
Framingham, MA 01701-6540
Oh, yuck! The flies are swarming into the house. Armed with
only your trusty fly swatters (in limited supply unfortunately)
and whatever else you can find around the house you are off to
battle the insect infestation. Yet for every fly you swat it
seems like more just pour in. There's only one solution...get
the Super Fly!
SuperFly is an action game with multiple rounds of play. The
object on each round is to swat the Super Fly itself, and each
round presents different obstacles that make it increasingly
difficult to end the insect menace. In addition to the main
fly swarm you'll run into a variety of other insects that will
also get in your way.
SuperFly shouldn't require much instruction to play, though
there is strategy involved especially as you get further into
the game and the bugs get smarter. Your main object should
always be to swat the Super Fly which will advance you to the
next round. The Super Fly looks distinctly different from the
other flies so he's not hard to find. If you're like most
people you'll want to jump right into the game rather than
wading through instructions. There's no reason not to; play a
few games and then come back here for some tips and full
details on the game.
SuperFly runs in 640x350, 16 color graphics mode so an EGA or
VGA video card and monitor is required. Play is done with the
keyboard so no other special equipment is required. You can
play with a mouse or joystick also though the keyboard seems
to work best.
SuperFly is distributed as Shareware -- this allows you to try
it before you buy it, but if you continue to use the game you
are expected to register. When you register, please let me
know what version you have (it's right on the title screen) and
I'd also be interested to know where you got it from. Please,
make sure you put your name and address on your letter! Or you
can use the registration form in the file "orderfrm.txt". Just
copy the file to your printer, fill it out, and mail it. If
you're not familiar with the Shareware concept, please read the
file "sharewre.txt". The registration is $15, for which I will
send you a disk with the latest version along with a set of tips
that will help you win the game. Or for $22 you can get the
"deluxe" version which includes a copy of the latest version of
the game in a binder with printed instructions.
If you have any suggestions or discover any problems with the
program you can reach me via the Xevious BBS (PCBoard) system
(300/1200/2400/9600-HST, 8N1) at 508-875-3618 or 617-449-7322.
Leave a C)omment to the sysop to reach me. Xevious is the
official support BBS for all my software and the latest versions
are always available for downloading there. There is also a
support conference for people to exchange game tips or ask
questions. J)oin conference #31 and check out the latest tips.
Also check B)ulletin #1 for the list of latest versions of all
my software.
You can also reach Xevious through RelayNet. If there's a
RelayNet board in your area send a routed message to me at node
XEVIOUS. The Shareware conference would be the best choice,
but if that's not available try TPascal, Games or even Common.
I'm also available through CompuServe's email system. Send
email to me at 71020,2613. Or join me and many other Shareware
authors in the Shareware forum (GO SHAREWARE). This forum is
shared with the IBM PCjr forum, so don't let the name confuse
you.
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* PLAYING THE GAME *
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OBJECT:
The final object of SuperFly is to eliminate the insect
invasion in your house. In shorter terms, though, the object
is simply to make it from round to round with your swatter
intact. To do this you must seek out and swat the Super Fly
before being surrounded by the bugs.
STARTING THE GAME:
You start SuperFly by running the file fly.exe, that is, you
should type "fly" on the DOS command line. SuperFly has
several command line options. The first allows you to
disable sound (you can later turn sound back on using the F3
key, Sound On/Off option). Use the option " -s" for no
sound. Another other option lets you set the level of
difficulty. Use the option " -d#" where # is 1 for normal
difficulty, 2 for advanced and 3 for expert. You can also
select difficulty levels within the game using the F5 key.
You can also select your control device from the command
line. Use " -k" to select keyboard, " -m#" to use the mouse,
and " -j" to use a joystick. When selecting the mouse you
can, optionally, also select the mouse sensitivity. This is
equivalent to setting the sensitivity with the F6 command
during the game. Use a number between 1 and 50 for the
sensitivity; 24 is the default value if you don't include a
number. For example, using " -m50" would select the mouse
with maximum sensitivity.
If you don't select your control device from the command line
you'll be prompted for your selection before the game starts.
For example, to start the game normally you would type:
fly
at the DOS command prompt. To start the game with sound
disabled, you would type:
fly -s
You can use multiple command line options. For example,
to play the game with sound off and at expert level, you
would type:
fly -s -d3
Command line option summary:
-s Sound off
-d# Difficulty level is #, where # is 1, 2 or 3
-k use Keyboard
-j use Joystick
-m# use Mouse; if # is included, set mouse sensitivity to
#, where # is between 1 and 50
SCORING:
You score 10 points for each fly you swat. Later rounds
introduce additional types of bugs. Roaches are worth 20
points and spiders are worth 40 points. A caterpillar
appears twice during the game. Swatting him earns no points
but gives you an extra swatter. When you swat the Super Fly
you get a bonus and go on to the next round. You can
recognize the Super Fly because he is green whereas normal
flies are light blue.
HALL OF FAME:
At the end of the game the high score hall of fame will be
displayed along with your score. If your score is in the
top ten you'll be prompted to enter your name for inclusion
in the list. The hall of fame is in the file "flyofame.scr"
and if you ever wish to clear the high score list all you
have to do is delete this file.
STRATEGY:
At the start of the game you have a supply of three fly
swatters. You must use your swatter to swat the flies and
other bugs that appear. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard
(or your mouse or joystick) to move your swatter around.
You can only move in four directions (left, right, up, down)
while the bugs can move in any direction. This is important
because in some rounds you'll find screens that the flies
can go through but you can't. To swat a bug you must get
next to it and then hit the arrow key that would move you
toward the bug. The swatted bug remains on the screen as an
obstacle which you must then avoid.
When using a mouse you just slide the mouse in the direction
you want to move or swat. Using a joystick you just push the
joystick handle in the direction you want to move. Holding
down either joystick button will make the swatter move at
half speed for better control.
It isn't necessary to swat every bug you see. Remember, the
goal is only to swat the Super Fly so that you can go on to the
next round. The Super Fly does not appear right at the
beginning of the round, though, so you'll have to swat other
bugs until he does finally show up. Once the Super Fly appears
it may actually be better not to swat other bugs, as that only
increases the number of bugs on the screen and makes it harder
for you to move around.
A good strategy is to try to swat bugs so the bodies form a
line; the idea is that the swatted bugs should limit your
movements as little as possible. Try to keep the center of the
screen clear if possible. Also make sure not to block all the
entrances, because if the Super Fly can't get in you'll never
be able to swat him and move on to the next round.
Twice during the game a caterpillar will appear which you can
swat to earn an extra swatter. When your swatters run out the
game is over. You lose a swatter whenever you are completely
surrounded, whether by bugs or by walls. Thus it's important
to keep from getting trapped in a corner.
Some rounds will have additional objects that may help or
hinder you. Be sure to pick up any items you find.
As soon as you swat the Super Fly you'll advance to the next
round. If you get yourself completely surrounded you will
automatically restart the current round over again, assuming
you still have swatters left. If you get into what you
consider an impossible position, you can abandon your swatter
by hitting the "A" key. This has the same effect as if the
bugs had surrounded you.
GENERAL:
SuperFly has a number of options that you can use. Most can be
used at any time during the game.
Help (F1):
To get some basic information on playing the game, hit the F1
key at any time. A one screen help message will appear that
explains the basics of the game. Hit any key to clear the help
message.
Info (F2):
Hitting F2 puts up a single screen that provides some
information on the game, the author and how to register. Hit
any key to clear the info message.
Sound On/Off (F3):
Hitting F3 at any time during the game will toggle the sound on
or off. You can use the option whenever you wish. You can
also disable sound when starting up the game using a command
line option; see the section on Starting The Game for details.
Skip Rounds (F4):
This option can only be used at the very start of the game,
before you've moved your swatter. Many experienced game
players find that after a while the first few rounds of a game
get tedious as they've played them so many times they are no
longer a challenge. Using this option you can skip up to nine
rounds. This will effect your final score to some extent,
however as soon as you finish the first round you skipped to
you will be awarded the bonus points for all the rounds you
skipped.
Select Difficulty Level (F5):
The game defaults to "normal" difficulty level. To play a
more challenging game, use the Advanced or Expert settings.
The higher levels will require you to swat more bugs before
getting to the Super Fly but you will also get higher bonuses
for finishing a level. You can also select difficulty
through a command line option; see the section on Starting
The Game for details. The level you set remains active from
game to game until you change it and you can only change
difficulty level at the start of a game.
Set Mouse Sensitivity (F6):
This command is only available if you're playing using a
mouse. Because each mouse is different, and each player is
different, it's desirable to be able to control how quickly
the mouse responds to your movements. Setting the
sensitivity lower will require you to move the mouse further
in relation to how far the swatter moves on the screen.
Raising the sensitivity will naturally do just the opposite.
You may want to experiment with different sensitivities as
it can greatly affect the difficulty of the game. You can
also set sensitivity through a command line option; see the
section on Starting The Game for details.
Select Keys (F7):
This command is only available if you're playing using the
keyboard. Not everyone likes playing using the arrow keys.
For example, if you're left-handed you may prefer using keys
on the left side of the keyboard. Whatever your reasons, if
you don't like the default keys for swatter movement, pause,
and abandon swatter you can change them with this option.
Shell to DOS (F10):
If you wish to temporarily break to DOS without quitting the
game, just hit F10. When you're done, type "exit" and you'll
be back in the game right where you left off. This command
requires that you have sufficient extra memory. If it doesn't
seem to work there probably isn't enough memory available.
Abandon Swatter (A):
Sometimes during the game you will find yourself in a situation
that is hopeless yet you are not quite completely surrounded by
flies so the game will not automatically end the round. If you
ever get in a situation like this, hit the "A" key to abandon
your swatter. If you have any swatters left you will start the
same round over again just as if you had been completely
surrounded.
Pause Game (Space):
If you need to pause the game for any reason, just hit the
space bar. The game will remain paused until you hit a key.
Quit Game (ESC):
To end the game and exit to DOS at any time, hit the ESC
(escape) key.
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* NOTE TO USERS OF SUPERFLY V1.0 *
*****************************************************************************
The only consistant complaint I got about the original version
of SuperFly was that it was "too hard". I don't know...I
finished the game several times during testing and I know of
others who have finished it as well, including one seven year
old boy who did it completely by himself without the hints file
or anything.
Anyway, what I've done is make the default ("normal") level of
play easier. Level 2 ("advanced") is equivalent to the default
level in v1.0. Level 3 ("expert") is now equivalent to level 2
in v1.0.
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* REGISTRATION *
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Please remember that SuperFly is not free software. As with
all Shareware you are expected to purchase it after you've
given it a reasonable trial.
The registration price for SuperFly is $15, for which you'll
receive by return mail a copy of the latest version, a set of
game hints and possibly another Shareware game to try out.
Several other games are available from the same author. If you
register more than one game at the same time, a discount is
available. Register the first game for $15 and then each
additional game is only $10. For example,
$15 to register SuperFly
$25 to register SuperFly plus one other game
$35 to register SuperFly and two other games
etc.
Games currently available include Mah Jongg, EGATrek, CIPHER,
Shooting Gallery and BassMap.
A deluxe version of SuperFly is also available. This includes
a storage case, printed manual plus the registered version of
the game. This version is available for $22. No discount is
available on this version.
Please include $2 shipping/handling with your order. Please
include $4 for the deluxe version or for shipping outside of
North America.
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* INCLUDED FILES *
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The following files are included in SuperFly:
FLY.EXE The runnable program
FLY.DOC This file
FLY.PIC Pictures used by the game
FLYLOGO.PCC More pictures
HOUSE.PCC Title screen picture
ARGHFLY.PCC More of title screen picture
DOOR.PCC More of title screen picture
SELECT.PCC Control device selection picture
ORDERFRM.TXT Ready to print registration form.
SHAREWRE.TXT Information on Shareware
VENDOR.TXT Information for disk vendors, etc., on distributing
SuperFly
FLY.TXT A brief description of the game and other software
available from the same author
You are free to pass this program along to friends, give it to
user groups, upload to BBS's, etc. with the understanding that
anyone who continues to use the game is required to register it.
All these files MUST be included when distributing this program.
If you archive the program for distribution through BBS's, please
use the name SFLY11.ZIP (or .LZH, .PAK, etc. as appropriate).
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* THANKS TO... *
*****************************************************************************
Thanks to Dick Olsen for providing the inspiration for
SuperFly. Dick has now come up with the initial idea for
several of my games. Also thanks to Greg Lanoue for various
additional ideas as well as for creating several of the
levels and insects. Thanks also to David Pabst for several
suggestions that are included in the game. Finally, thanks
to all those people who helped with the testing of SuperFly.
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* DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY *
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This software is sold "as is", without any warranty as to
performance or any other warranties whether expressed or
implied. Because of the many hardware and software
environments into which this program may be used, no warranty
of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. The user
must assume the entire risk of using the program. Any
liability of the seller will be limited exclusively to
product replacement or the refund of the registration fee.
*****************************************************************************
* ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS *
*****************************************************************************
This software is produced by Nels Anderson who is a member of
the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants
to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If
you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an
ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able
to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem
with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support
for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at
P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006, USA or send a CompuServe
message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
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* AVAILABLE SOFTWARE *
*****************************************************************************
Other software which I've either written or contributed to:
MAHJONGG: Solitaire game played with Chinese tiles. Supports
EGA and Hercules graphics; mouse optional. See reviews
in December 1988 "PCWorld" and April 1989 "Compute!".
EGATREK: Space strategy battle game, using full EGA graphics,
based on the classic minicomputer game. Winner of
Public Brand Software's 1988 software contest. Chosen
best star trek game by "Shareware" magazine, July 1990.
SHOOT: "Shooting Gallery" tests your aim and reflexes in a
number of different rounds of shooting. Uses MCGA
graphics mode for 256 colors and and also requires
a mouse.
CIPHER: A word puzzle game involving solving quotations that
have been encrypted. Runs in EGA or VGA graphics mode
with or without a mouse, or in text mode.
MOUSTOOL: A collection of utilities for Turbo Pascal programmers
wishing to incorporate mouse input in their programs.
Sample programs included for both EGA and CGA graphics.
Used extensively within CIPHER.
SOUNDPAS: A collection of utilities for Turbo Pascal programmers
to add music and sound effects to their programs.
Includes units for interrupt and real time sounds.
Used extensively within SuperFly.
BASSTOUR: (Written by Dick Olsen). Game that simulates a fishing
tournament, including rod and lure selection. Runs in
EGA/CGA/Hercules graphics modes. Uses many of the
utilities from MOUSTOOL.
BASSMAP: Companion program for BassTour which allows lakes to be
created or modified.
CALLDOOR: A PCBoard 14.x door that lets users view the system caller
log. Logs for any node can be viewed in reverse order
(i.e., most recent caller back) or the logs can be searched
for any string.
WAITDV: A sysop's utility that allows synchronizing of nightly
house keeping events on a multinode system. WAITDV was
written especially for systems running under DESQview: it's
DV-aware so the active task runs much faster than it would
if a non-aware wait utility was used.
TOPPERS: A PCBoard 14.x sysop utility that generates a formatted
list of the board's top users (by number of calls,
downloads and uploads). The output file has three columns,
one for each category. Graphics and non-graphics output
is available.
TOPTALK: A PCBoard 14.x sysop utility that tracks user activity in
conferences based on number of messages posted. Included
is a complete record of all user activity plus a bulletin
file of the top ten most active message posters.
GROUPERS: A PCBoard 14.x game door. Players gamble on the outcome
of the next card drawn from the deck. The game is set up
to run as a monthly contest and keeps track of current
scores, generates a current scores bulletin and an end of
month final scores bulletin.
- - - - -
SuperFly is copyright (c) 1990 by Nels Anderson. All rights reserved.
