NIGHTMARE PARK |
Programmed 2009 by Stephen Wood.
Based on the original classic taken from a Commodore PET listing credited to Bob Chappell on 15 April 1980.
Requirements:
- Touch screen Windows Mobile Pocket PC with 320x240, 320x320, 400x240, 480x480, 640x480 or 800x480 screen resolution.
- Microsoft .net compact framework 2.0 or better.
Background:
To save this excellent game from extinction in the annals of history, I have decided to resurrect it by coding it for a common mobile device. Its one of the first computer games I played at the school computer club I used to go to and it is still awesomely playable.
I have kept the game authentic by translating the code from the original Commodore PET listing and additionally by ripping the Commodore PET character set (PETSCII) from a PET ROM chip.
This game is suited to most Windows Mobile Pocket PCs because the PET characters are 8x8 pixels with a screen size of 40x25, making 320x200 which Windows mobile Pocket PCs are a minimum (320x240) or upwards thereof (using screen doubling such as 640x480 (or even 800x480!)).
The game can also be played on a PC equipped with a suitable Windows Mobile device emulator.
Language Options:
Available languages in-game are currently English and German. The language can be switched by using the "Speech Bubble" button (near the Info button) when the game is on the Title screen.
Game Play:
Things you need to know for game operation are:
1) "Stay on the path". :)
2) When on Multiplying Lurgi / Zigzaggers (head for the 'E' - for Exit!) or on the Nightmare Park path (head for the EXIT!), tap the screen in the area you wish to move, for example, tap top middle to go North, tap far left or far right to go left / right etc.
3) When on Stampeding Unicorns or Stingers, simply tap the left or right hand side of the screen to dodge left or right.
4) Other mini games require the soft keyboard which will appear automatically at the bottom of the screen when needed.
5) Be quick with your eyes on the flash of the Gorillas name or during the Maniacal Memory
Tester.
6) On the (Lion behind the) Doors mini-game, tap the door you wish to choose to open.
7) Tap the Info button to see the Info / About screen. Tap it again to get back to the game.
8) Tap the Run Stop button to quit the game.
...oh yeah ... and ...
9) ABANDON HOPE ALL YE WHO ENTER!
Credits:
I have been unable to track down Bob Chappell whose name is at the top of the 1980 npark.prg listing available off the Internet (under ICPUG lists) but I hope, Bob, you don't mind. Please get in touch if you come across this.
I have also been unable to track down anyone who was connected to Breadhill Software who appeared to sell this commercially in the early 1980s.
Thanks to the guys on the BASIC4PPC forums for hints, tips and testing (and hopefully enjoying!).
Thank you to 'mhc' who kindly translated the game into the German language. GOOD JOB! VIELEN DANK!
Thanks to 'pachuquin' for his Orientation Library functionality. GREAT LIB!
Thanks to the guys who made the VICE emulator with which I run the original npark.prg to see the code and how it ran.
Dedications:
Dedicated to the unique design of the Commodore PET chicklet keyboard.
Contact:
Email: therealeasterbunny@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.therealeasterbunny.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Dev: http://www.basic4ppc.com/forum/share-your-creations/4083-nightmare-park-retro-classic-game.html