X-Git-Url: https://git.distorted.org.uk/~mdw/newkind/blobdiff_plain/419dfc818f70155e4be4b0bd0d15c3d47b4d7653..HEAD:/readme.txt diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt index 0a21095..e610500 100644 --- a/readme.txt +++ b/readme.txt @@ -1,300 +1,300 @@ -Elite - The New Kind Release 1.0 --------------------- ----------- - -Revision date: 22 July 2001 - -This is release 1.0 of Elite - The New Kind. -For changes since previous releases see below. - -newkindb.zip contains a compiled version of the code designed to run under MS Windows 95/98/NT using the Allegro graphics library and DirectX. - -newkind.zip contains source code for Elite - The New Kind. -If you want to recompile the game then please note the following... -a. The .wav and .dat files are not included in the source distribution to keep the size down, they can be found in newkindb.zip. -b. You need the WIP version of Allegro to compile the code. - -The latest versions of the source and executable can always be found on the New Kind website... -http://www.newkind.co.uk - -To run the supplied executable you will need DirectX installed. Windows 98/ME/2000 and NT 4 (with latest service pack) come with this. -If you are using Windows 95 and you haven't already installed DirectX you will need to do so. -The DirectX runtime can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. (www.microsoft.com/directx). - -Two pieces of music are included in Elite - The New Kind. The Elite Theme and The Blue Danube. -The Elite Theme was composed by Aidan Bell and the Blue Danube was composed by Strauss. -I spent a long time hunting for the best MIDI versions of these pieces I could find. -To appreciate them properly you will need a decent Soft Synth Midi driver installed and set as you prefered Midi and Sound device. - -Keys you can use... -Press Y or N on the intro screen. -Press Space on the ship parade screen. - -F1 - Launch when docked, Front View when in flight. -F2 - Rear View -F3 - Left View -F4 - Right View when in flight. - When docked, Buy Equipment for ship. - Use up and down arrow keys to select item, return/enter key to buy. -F5 - Display Galactic Chart. -F6 - Short Range Chart. -F7 - Show information on selected planet. -F8 - Buy and sell items on the stock market. - Use up and down arrow keys to select item, right arrow key to buy, left arrow key to sell. -F9 - Commander information. -F10 - Inventory. -F11 - Options screen (Save Game, Load Game, Game Settings, Quit). - Use up and down arrows keys to select option, return/enter to select. - - A - Fire. - S - Dive. - X - Climb. - < - Roll Left - > - Roll Right - / - Slow Down -Space - Speed up. - - C - Activate docking computer, if fitted. - D - De-activate docking computer if switched on. - E - Active ECM, if fitted. - H - Hyperspace. - J - Warp Jump. - M - Fire missile. - T - Target a missile. - U - Un-target missile. -TAB - Detonate energy bomb, if fitted. -CTRL+H - Galactic Hyperspace, if fitted. -ESC - Launch escape capsule, if fitted. - P - Pause game. - R - Resume game when paused. - -On The Chart Screens --------------------- -D - Select a planet and show distance to it. -F - Find planet by name. -O - Return cursor to current planet. -Cursor Keys - Move cross hairs around. - - -On The Game Settings Screen ---------------------------- -From the Options Screen (F11) you can enter the Game Settings Screen. From here you can change -a number of settings that control how the game looks and plays. Use the cursor keys to select an option -and the Enter/Return key to change it. The options can be saved as default for future games by pressing Enter -while on the Save Settings option (NB this is not necessary if you want to change the settings just for -the current game). Game settings are held in the newkind.cfg file which should be in the same directory -as the newkind.exe file. - - - -Release 1.0 - Changes since Beta 3.0 -==================================== - -- Rocks, alloys and boulders no longer stop you from engaging the jump drive. - -- Stopped tactics routine from being called while on the intro screens. - -- Ramming ships was causing little damage to player's ship. Now fixed. - -- Switching views while in space now switches stars around. - -- Moved all Allegro specific graphic functions into alg_gfx.c - -- Moved keyboard handling routines into keyboard.c - -- Moved file handling routines out of alg_main.c into file.c - -- Added screen to allow player to set the game options from within the game. - This means the player no longer has to hack newkind.cfg directly. - -- Tidied graphics routines and removed all references to HDC. - -- Fixed movement of crosshairs on chart screens so that they are clipped properly. - -- Added explosion, cargo cannisters and alloys to the game over screen. - -- Added escape capsule sequence. - -- Added option for instant dock vs. auto-pilot docking. - -- Fixed bug that allowed an enemy craft to launch multiple escape capsules. - -- Fixed asteroids so that they move slower and don't try to evade attack. - -- Added rock hermits. - -- Tweaked the tactics routine again. - -- Added limited joystick support (digital only at the moment). - -- Added beep sound when missile target is locked. - -- Added low pitch beep sound when missile is unarmed. - -- Added Energy Low message when enegry levels reach critical. - - - -Beta 3.0 - Changes since Beta 2.1 -================================= - -- Fixed bug that allowed lasers to fire too rapidly. - -- The console was not being updated (i.e no of missiles) after a saved commander was loaded. Now fixed. - -- Added planet auto-select on chart screens ala NES. - -- Asteroid mining implemented. - -- Exploding ships now release alloys. - -- Fixed bug that caused enemy ships to only fire when at close range. - -- Thargoids can now appear. - -- Witchspace ambush added. - -- Anacondas now release worms and sidewinders when attacked. - -- Attacked ships can now release escape capsules. - -- Objects other than cargo cannisters can now be scooped. - -- Corrected condition indicator code. Was previously showing yellow even after danger had passed. - -- Added ability to pause game (P key pauses, R resumes). - -- The Cougar (a cloaked ship) can now appear. - -- The second mission is now playable. - -- Fixed bug that allowed enemy ships to fire from bizare angles. - -- Rewrote tactics routines. New code now based on NES Elite. - -- Docking computers now use full auto-pilot rather than just instant dock. - -- Space station now launches shuttles and transporters bound for the planet. - - - -Beta 2.1 - Changes since Beta 2.0 -================================= - -- Added code to set legal status to clean and fuel to maximum after using an escape capsule. - -- Fixed enemy missile targeting so that other ships don't blow themselves up. - -- Fixed speed of enemy ships which were moving too slowly in previous versions. - -- Added game speed control option to newkind.cfg. - - -Beta 2.0 - Changes since Beta 1.1 -================================= - -- Fixed bug in enemy tactics which caused ships to run away. - -- Set the max speed of player's ship to 0.30LM. - -- Added code to display version number on options screen. - -- Corrected spelling of "Feudal". - -- Enabled docking computers (instant dock for the moment). - -- Added hyperspace sound. - -- Changed code to display number of credits instead of bounty. - -- Set hyperspace count down to 15. - -- Added Suns, cabin temperature and fuel scooping. - -- Added left and right views when in flight. - -- Enabled use of Energy Bomb, activated with TAB key. - -- Changed scanner slightly, added code to display objects in different colours. - -- Fixed warping of stars in rear view. - -- Enabled Escape Capsule, use ESC key to abandon ship. - -- Enabled Galactic Hyperspace. - -- Added use of 'O' key on chart screens. - -- Added ability to find planets by name. - -- Added Windows icon created by Marcus Buchanan. - -- Added code by Thomas Harte to anti-alias lines and improve hidden surface removal. - -- Added option to newkind.cfg to enable anti-alias code. - -- Added the first secret mission, hunt the Constrictor! - -- Fixed equipment buying so that refund is given on existing lasers. - -- Changed colour of fuel limit circle from white to green. - -- Put some colour on the Local Chart screen. - -- Changed look of ship lollipops on the scanner to look more like the original. - -- Changed incoming laser sounds, one for hitting shields and one for hitting the hull. - -- Fixed asteroids so that they travel in straight lines. - -- Changed creation of ships so that the appear at more random locations. - -- Removed the Constrictor and the Cougar from the ship parade intro. - - - -Beta 1.1 - Changes since Beta 1.0 -================================= - -- Fixed bug in load and save routine which caused the player to aways return to Lave. - -- Fixed bug in equipment buying screen. Buying military lasers for the side or rear view - would cause mining lasers to be fitted instead. - -- Renamed files to be all lowercase. This should ease ports to other OSes. - -- Removed #include of windows only allegro files from alg_main.c - -- Added #ifdef around use of GFX_DIRECTX in alg_main.c to allow compilation on non Windows OSes. - - - -Work in progress -================ - -The following features have not yet been implemented but are being currently worked on. - -- C64 Elite style scoring. - -- Trumbles (from C64/NES Elite). - -- View of docking bay after docking. - -- Loading of different consoles not yet fully implemented. - -- Enhance joystick support, i.e. use of more buttons and analogue control. - - -Known Problems -============== - -- Bits of hidden surfaces on ships sometimes show through. - -- Buying more than 255gs of Gold/Platinum doesn't work. - It didn't in the original Elite either. Broken as designed. - - -Have fun! - -Christian Pinder. - -http://www.newkind.co.uk +Elite - The New Kind Release 1.0 +-------------------- ----------- + +Revision date: 22 July 2001 + +This is release 1.0 of Elite - The New Kind. +For changes since previous releases see below. + +newkindb.zip contains a compiled version of the code designed to run under MS Windows 95/98/NT using the Allegro graphics library and DirectX. + +newkind.zip contains source code for Elite - The New Kind. +If you want to recompile the game then please note the following... +a. The .wav and .dat files are not included in the source distribution to keep the size down, they can be found in newkindb.zip. +b. You need the WIP version of Allegro to compile the code. + +The latest versions of the source and executable can always be found on the New Kind website... +http://www.newkind.co.uk + +To run the supplied executable you will need DirectX installed. Windows 98/ME/2000 and NT 4 (with latest service pack) come with this. +If you are using Windows 95 and you haven't already installed DirectX you will need to do so. +The DirectX runtime can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. (www.microsoft.com/directx). + +Two pieces of music are included in Elite - The New Kind. The Elite Theme and The Blue Danube. +The Elite Theme was composed by Aidan Bell and the Blue Danube was composed by Strauss. +I spent a long time hunting for the best MIDI versions of these pieces I could find. +To appreciate them properly you will need a decent Soft Synth Midi driver installed and set as you prefered Midi and Sound device. + +Keys you can use... +Press Y or N on the intro screen. +Press Space on the ship parade screen. + +F1 - Launch when docked, Front View when in flight. +F2 - Rear View +F3 - Left View +F4 - Right View when in flight. + When docked, Buy Equipment for ship. + Use up and down arrow keys to select item, return/enter key to buy. +F5 - Display Galactic Chart. +F6 - Short Range Chart. +F7 - Show information on selected planet. +F8 - Buy and sell items on the stock market. + Use up and down arrow keys to select item, right arrow key to buy, left arrow key to sell. +F9 - Commander information. +F10 - Inventory. +F11 - Options screen (Save Game, Load Game, Game Settings, Quit). + Use up and down arrows keys to select option, return/enter to select. + + A - Fire. + S - Dive. + X - Climb. + < - Roll Left + > - Roll Right + / - Slow Down +Space - Speed up. + + C - Activate docking computer, if fitted. + D - De-activate docking computer if switched on. + E - Active ECM, if fitted. + H - Hyperspace. + J - Warp Jump. + M - Fire missile. + T - Target a missile. + U - Un-target missile. +TAB - Detonate energy bomb, if fitted. +CTRL+H - Galactic Hyperspace, if fitted. +ESC - Launch escape capsule, if fitted. + P - Pause game. + R - Resume game when paused. + +On The Chart Screens +-------------------- +D - Select a planet and show distance to it. +F - Find planet by name. +O - Return cursor to current planet. +Cursor Keys - Move cross hairs around. + + +On The Game Settings Screen +--------------------------- +From the Options Screen (F11) you can enter the Game Settings Screen. From here you can change +a number of settings that control how the game looks and plays. Use the cursor keys to select an option +and the Enter/Return key to change it. The options can be saved as default for future games by pressing Enter +while on the Save Settings option (NB this is not necessary if you want to change the settings just for +the current game). Game settings are held in the newkind.cfg file which should be in the same directory +as the newkind.exe file. + + + +Release 1.0 - Changes since Beta 3.0 +==================================== + +- Rocks, alloys and boulders no longer stop you from engaging the jump drive. + +- Stopped tactics routine from being called while on the intro screens. + +- Ramming ships was causing little damage to player's ship. Now fixed. + +- Switching views while in space now switches stars around. + +- Moved all Allegro specific graphic functions into alg_gfx.c + +- Moved keyboard handling routines into keyboard.c + +- Moved file handling routines out of alg_main.c into file.c + +- Added screen to allow player to set the game options from within the game. + This means the player no longer has to hack newkind.cfg directly. + +- Tidied graphics routines and removed all references to HDC. + +- Fixed movement of crosshairs on chart screens so that they are clipped properly. + +- Added explosion, cargo cannisters and alloys to the game over screen. + +- Added escape capsule sequence. + +- Added option for instant dock vs. auto-pilot docking. + +- Fixed bug that allowed an enemy craft to launch multiple escape capsules. + +- Fixed asteroids so that they move slower and don't try to evade attack. + +- Added rock hermits. + +- Tweaked the tactics routine again. + +- Added limited joystick support (digital only at the moment). + +- Added beep sound when missile target is locked. + +- Added low pitch beep sound when missile is unarmed. + +- Added Energy Low message when enegry levels reach critical. + + + +Beta 3.0 - Changes since Beta 2.1 +================================= + +- Fixed bug that allowed lasers to fire too rapidly. + +- The console was not being updated (i.e no of missiles) after a saved commander was loaded. Now fixed. + +- Added planet auto-select on chart screens ala NES. + +- Asteroid mining implemented. + +- Exploding ships now release alloys. + +- Fixed bug that caused enemy ships to only fire when at close range. + +- Thargoids can now appear. + +- Witchspace ambush added. + +- Anacondas now release worms and sidewinders when attacked. + +- Attacked ships can now release escape capsules. + +- Objects other than cargo cannisters can now be scooped. + +- Corrected condition indicator code. Was previously showing yellow even after danger had passed. + +- Added ability to pause game (P key pauses, R resumes). + +- The Cougar (a cloaked ship) can now appear. + +- The second mission is now playable. + +- Fixed bug that allowed enemy ships to fire from bizare angles. + +- Rewrote tactics routines. New code now based on NES Elite. + +- Docking computers now use full auto-pilot rather than just instant dock. + +- Space station now launches shuttles and transporters bound for the planet. + + + +Beta 2.1 - Changes since Beta 2.0 +================================= + +- Added code to set legal status to clean and fuel to maximum after using an escape capsule. + +- Fixed enemy missile targeting so that other ships don't blow themselves up. + +- Fixed speed of enemy ships which were moving too slowly in previous versions. + +- Added game speed control option to newkind.cfg. + + +Beta 2.0 - Changes since Beta 1.1 +================================= + +- Fixed bug in enemy tactics which caused ships to run away. + +- Set the max speed of player's ship to 0.30LM. + +- Added code to display version number on options screen. + +- Corrected spelling of "Feudal". + +- Enabled docking computers (instant dock for the moment). + +- Added hyperspace sound. + +- Changed code to display number of credits instead of bounty. + +- Set hyperspace count down to 15. + +- Added Suns, cabin temperature and fuel scooping. + +- Added left and right views when in flight. + +- Enabled use of Energy Bomb, activated with TAB key. + +- Changed scanner slightly, added code to display objects in different colours. + +- Fixed warping of stars in rear view. + +- Enabled Escape Capsule, use ESC key to abandon ship. + +- Enabled Galactic Hyperspace. + +- Added use of 'O' key on chart screens. + +- Added ability to find planets by name. + +- Added Windows icon created by Marcus Buchanan. + +- Added code by Thomas Harte to anti-alias lines and improve hidden surface removal. + +- Added option to newkind.cfg to enable anti-alias code. + +- Added the first secret mission, hunt the Constrictor! + +- Fixed equipment buying so that refund is given on existing lasers. + +- Changed colour of fuel limit circle from white to green. + +- Put some colour on the Local Chart screen. + +- Changed look of ship lollipops on the scanner to look more like the original. + +- Changed incoming laser sounds, one for hitting shields and one for hitting the hull. + +- Fixed asteroids so that they travel in straight lines. + +- Changed creation of ships so that the appear at more random locations. + +- Removed the Constrictor and the Cougar from the ship parade intro. + + + +Beta 1.1 - Changes since Beta 1.0 +================================= + +- Fixed bug in load and save routine which caused the player to aways return to Lave. + +- Fixed bug in equipment buying screen. Buying military lasers for the side or rear view + would cause mining lasers to be fitted instead. + +- Renamed files to be all lowercase. This should ease ports to other OSes. + +- Removed #include of windows only allegro files from alg_main.c + +- Added #ifdef around use of GFX_DIRECTX in alg_main.c to allow compilation on non Windows OSes. + + + +Work in progress +================ + +The following features have not yet been implemented but are being currently worked on. + +- C64 Elite style scoring. + +- Trumbles (from C64/NES Elite). + +- View of docking bay after docking. + +- Loading of different consoles not yet fully implemented. + +- Enhance joystick support, i.e. use of more buttons and analogue control. + + +Known Problems +============== + +- Bits of hidden surfaces on ships sometimes show through. + +- Buying more than 255gs of Gold/Platinum doesn't work. + It didn't in the original Elite either. Broken as designed. + + +Have fun! + +Christian Pinder. + +http://www.newkind.co.uk