Robots of the Arena   By Daniel M. Kent
---------------------------------------
            Version 1.0

Copyright information:
This games is the intellectual property of Daniel Martyn Kent. Permission is granted to duplicate and
distribute freely so long as no profit is gained by the copier and all files in this archive are
present and unchanged. The game MAY be included on PD collections sold for profit so long as I am
informed (This includes magazine coverdisks)

Introduction
------------

There are two things you must know about Robots of the Arena:
(1) It features robots.
(2) They exist in an arena.

Actually there is more than that. Each player controls a robot. By issuing their robots a sequence of
commands, the players attempt to score as many points as they can while preventing their opponents
from achieving their objectives.

The Setup Window
----------------

When the game is first started, you will be presented with the setup window. Here you name the robots
and decide what objects you want in the arena.

Robot settings:
Each robot has an id and an owners name. The id is displayed on the map of the arena so that you can
tell one robot from another. It can be up to 2 characters long. By default, each robot simply has a
number. To change the id of a robot, click on the string gadget, delete the previous id and type a
new one. Each player should also put their name in the larger string gadget next to their robot to
prevent arguments later on...

Object settings:
There are a variety of objects that can exist in the arena. The sliders at the bottom of the setup
window adjust the number of each that will be placed in the arena. If the sliders are left on zero
then built in defaults will be used.

The objects, in order, are:

   Movers (red arrows): These act like conveyor belts, moving whatever moves onto them in the
                        direction indicated.
   Crates (crates)    : Crates can be pushed around. If they fall into a pit they are destroyed.
   Teleports (Big T)  : Anything moving onto a teleport is moved to a random postion on the map.
   Blocks (stripy)    : Cannot be moved of affceted in any way.
   Crystals (blue)    : pushing a crystal down a pit scored 1 point for the player involved. A new
                        crystal will then appear.
   Red crystals (red) : Same as crystals but worth 2 points.
   Pits               : Robots cannot move onto pits. See notes for other objects.

Make sure there are always some crystals and pits otherwise points cannot be scored.

Once you have completed the settings, click the OK button to go to the main game screen.


The map window
--------------

This shows you what is going on in the arena. The robots have their id's on them. A robots facing is
shown by the yellow stripe on their front.

The program editor
------------------

Rather than controlling their robots in real time, each player gives their robots instructions for
the next few seconds of gameplay. Once all the players have given their instructions, all the robots
follow their programs.

The progran editor is used by each player in turn to set their robots program. Each program consists
of 8 intructions chosen from:

   Forward   Back   Turn left   Turn right   Wait

These are pretty self explanatory. To add an instruction to the list, click on one of the arrows of
on the wait circle in the center. If you make a mistake, click the CLR button to clear the program
and start again. Remember that the left and right arrows DO NOT move the robot but yurn it on the
spot.

The aim of the game is to push crystals into pits so you must plan your route carefully. You may need
to manouver the crystals into position before finally pushing them in.

Notes
-----

To quit, click the close gadget on the setup window or on the map window.

The game continues forever in this version so decide on a points total to play to, set a time limit
or play to  a certain number of turns to decide a winner.

If you find a bug, want to tell me what to improve about the game or just want to give encouragement
then you can contact me by:

Email:  dan@hinstock.demon.co.uk

SnailMail:  3 Chester Road
            Hinstock
            Near Market Drayton
            Shropshire
            TF9 2SY
            ENGLAND

If you send a reasonable cash donation then I will send you a disk with the latest version of "robots"
and some of my other games. I will also make a custom version of the game if you want so you can have
a personal version. Just let me know what changes you would like and what the defaults should be.

If anyone makes some better graphics sets for the game then please send them to me so I can include
them with the game rather than my amateur attempts. Please do not distribute different graphics sets
with the game until I have seen them.

Magazines: If you want to use my game on a cover disk/CD then let me know and I'll do you a custom
version with bonus features and your magazine logo featured.

Bugs:
A loop of movers causes a crash. I'm working on this but in the meantime, in the unlikely event that
loop is formed, just click the maps close gadget and select "new map"

NEXT VERSION:

Bigger and better screenmodes (I'm running on a TV at the moment so can only use Hires and stay sane)
Bigger Maps
Variable numbers of robots
more objects
Better robot graphics
Destruction version where you can damage other robots.
Upgrades for robots (either collected or purchased)

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for reading my first ever program documentation.

Daniel M. Kent