AstroPak

Contents

Description
Requirements
Changes
Installation
Registration
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AstroCastle Overview
AstroStorm Overview
Control Layout
Setting Preferences
Copyright
Description
AstroPak includes two old-school style arcade shooters for the PalmOS, AstroCastle and AstroStorm. AstroCastle is inspired by the classic Cinematronix game Star Castle. AstroStorm resembles the Vectrex game Mine Storm.
Requirements
AstroPak requires PalmOS 3.0 and above and devices capable of 4 color grayscale and 160x160 resolution. Currently there are no known PalmOS models that cannot run AstroPak, but not all have been tested. Newer high-resolution devices like the Clies need to run the AstroPak programs in low-resolution compatibility mode. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions on how to do this. AstroPak currently does not run on Handeras.

If your device does not meet the requirements, a dialog box explaining the error will appear and then the programs will exit.

Changes
  • Version 1.2221.1
    • Improved compatibility with hi-res devices.
    • Modified AstroStorm graphics.
  • Version 1.2027.1 - Changed icons.
  • Version 1.1730.1 - Fixed a bug that caused the programs to forget they were registered on some devices.
  • Version 1.1314.0 - Fixed crashing bug that sometimes occurs when the registration code is entered.
  • Version 1.1008.0 - Games now pause after a menu or dialog box is cleared.
  • Version 1.1004.0
    • Added left-handed control.
    • Improved gray-scale spark drawing.
  • Version 1.1003.0 - Fixed spark color problem.
  • Version 1.0929.0 - Improved spark animation.
  • Version 1.0816.0 - Improved performance for slower color devices.
  • Version 1.0806.0 - Added option to turn off the background bitmaps.
  • Version 1.0726.0
    • Added pause feature.
    • Fixed annoying behavior when entering hi-score initials.
  • Version 1.0722.0
    • Improved frame rate.
    • Added pause.
    • Fixed Palm III and Handera bugs.
    • Fixed New Game and Hyperspace sound bugs.
  • Version 1.0714.1 - First version of AstroPak released.
Installation
Gray-scale
If you have a gray-scale device, use the Install Tool that comes with the Palm desktop software to install the files AstroCastle.prc and AstroStorm.prc on your device.

Color
For color devices, install the files AstroCastle_color.prc and AstroStorm_color.prc. If you have an older device like the Palm IIIc and the games have choppy animation, try installing the gray-scale versions or use a CPU over-clocking program like FastCPU to boost performance.

Registration
The demo period expires after 5 days from time of installation. After this period, the programs will not function without a registration code.

Please visit the Old School Software Website at http://www.oldschoolsoftware.com/ for information on how to purchase a registration code via the Web for only $9.95. After obtaining a personal registration code, select Help->Register... from each of the application menus and enter your code in the dialog box. The programs will immediately be fully functional. Please note that you will be purchasing one registration code that will work for both AstroCastle and AstroStorm.

Note: press the silk-screened Palm Menu button usually located in the lower-left corner of the graffiti writing area to display the application menu.

AstroCastle Overview
AstroCastle is a vector graphics shooter similar to the classic Star Castle made by Cinematronics in the early eighties. The idea is simple, avoid the drones and shoot the castle before it shoots you. But first you must destroy enough of the protecting ring segments to expose it. Be careful since this also makes your ship vulnerable to the castle's deadly blaster cannon!

New ships are awarded at 20, 40, 80, 120, and 160 thousand points.

AstroStorm Overview
This game resembles an Asteroids variant included with the Vectrex video game system titled Mine Storm. Not only do you face fixed course mines, but also ones that follow you, shoot back when destroyed, or both.

A new ship is awarded when the castle is destroid.

Control Layout

Palm Buttons Actions (right-handed) Actions (left-handed)
Date Book Rotate left Fire
Address Rotate right Thrust
To Do List Thrust Rotate left
Memo Pad Fire Rotate right
Page Up New game or pause New game or pause
Page Down Hyperspace (AstroStorm only) Hyperspace (AstroStorm only)

Setting Preferences
Difficulty level, number of starting ships, maximum number of bullets, sound, and background options can be set from the preferences dialog box by selecting Options->Preferences... from the applications' menu.

Note: press the silk-screened Palm Menu button usually located in the lower-left corner of the graffiti writing area to display the application menu.

Copyright
AstroPak, AstroCastle, and AstroStorm are the copyright of Marshall Ramsey and may not be sold without his expressed, written permission. This software may not be reverse engineered, disassembled, or modified in any way. The unmodified self-extracting archive or zip file may be redistributed freely. See the included copyright.txt file for additional rights and restrictions.

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