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BOATZ by Neil King
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Competition Entry ID: 417cf6a1c1b28
Competition Category: Scorched Earth
Contact Email       : Neil@contactking.com

Language : Dark Basic
Coding   : Neil King
Graphics : Neil King
3D Models: Neil King
Sound FX : From a purchased CD including Royalty Free
           samples (many years ago when I played with
           'Klik N Play'). The terms and conditions state
           that I can use the samples for my own software.
Music    : Kindly written for this game by Paul Dawson (my 
           brother-in-law) and his excellent studio. We were
           going for a 'sea shanty' type tune, but with a
           difference. Equipment used includes Novation
           Supernova II, Quasimidi Quasar, various keyboards
           and modules (too many to mention) and Sytrillium
           Cooledit 1.2
Source   : I have included the FULL source code for you to
           publish, although I am afraid it may not be
           wonderfully readable due to the speed at which I
           had to code it! Hopefully some of the routines
           will be helpful to others.

History
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I only started coding this game 4 days ago as I thought I
would be too busy to take part (full time job, single parent
etc). Anyway, I was once addicted to the Commodore Amiga
game 'Tanx' which is the same concept as 'Scorched Earth'. I
thought that it would be good to create a similar game in 3D.
So as not to be too close the original I chose to use ships
instead of tanks (hence 'Boatz').
I am embarrassed to say this is actually the first game I
have completed in Dark Basic since purchasing it about two
years ago.

Features
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= 3D game which is written to work on old low spec 3D
  video cards and reasonably low spec machines
= Landscape deformation when hit
= Various wind directions (indicated by the clouds)
= Computer controlled opponent
= 3 skill levels
= Great music which changes as you play
= Several different 'death' sequences
= Hopefully its a game you can just pick up and play when
  you feel like it. Not huge or complex. The sort of game
  that I like playing!

Instructions
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= From the title screen, click on the level of difficulty
  to start the game.
= You can rotate the camera view around the playing area by
  using the cursor keys.
= Move your mouse pointer to the top of the screen for your
  boat controls. They includes forward, back, left and
  right, angle of elevation and velocity controls for your
  cannon. Plus, of course, the fire button (or use the space
  bar).
= Take it in turns with the computer to fire at each other
  until one of you is sank.
= Tip1: Watch which direction the wind is going as it will
  affect your shot
= Tip2: Your shots will decrease in power if you hit the
  landscape but sometimes it is still easier to shoot
  through a mountain than shoot over it.
= You can quit at any time by pressing the ESC key.

Future Enhancements
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When I have the time I intend to implement these features:
= 2 player option (very important)
= Options screen (to turn on and off music, sound fx, wind
  and change the level of detail)
= Even more variations in the music
= More animated 'death' sequences
= Best of 3 or 5 matches
= Convert the whole thing to Dark Basic Professional and
  maybe add network play!

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy the game. 

(C)Copyright Neil King, 2004