Fish Dish
(c) Copyright 2002 by Ari Feldman
Artwork (c) Copyright 2000 by Ari Feldman
http://www.arifeldman.com


Introduction:

Poor Salmon Fishdie has just hatched and is very hungry. All alone in the deep
blue ocean, Salmon must rely on his speed and wits to snag a meal and grow big
and fat. Unfortunately, life in the wild isnt easy because the ocean is a tough
place. Salmon must constantly be vigilant and watch out for bigger, more powerful
fish and even worsesharks! Can you help Salmon fill his belly without him filling
someone elses?


Game Description:

Fish Dish is a humorous arcade game version of Darwins survival of the
fittest theory. In it, the player controls an on-screen character in the form of a
small fish named Salmon Fishdie. The player must maneuver Salmon so that he
can gobble up any fish that are smaller or equal in size to Salmon while avoiding
larger, predatory fish that periodically appear. The more fish that Sal eats, the
larger he grows. Unfortunately, for Salmon, his predators grow as well, making it
progressively more dangerous for Salmon to survive.

The goal of Fish Dish is very simple: the player scores points by eating other fish.
When the player exhausts all of Salmons lives, the game ends.


Game Characters:

Salmon Fishdie - The player-controlled character. Salmon starts the game as
a small, round fish with two large eyes on the same side of his face. Salmon's
main ambition in life is to eat. As such, he travels the ocean looking for fish to
eat that are smaller or equal to him in size while avoiding bigger and meaner
fish. The more Salmon eats, the more he grows. In fact, Salmon can grow up
to 7x his original size. However, even at his largest size, Salmon manages to
retain the boyish good looks he had when he was a small fry. In other words,
he looks more or less the same as he did at the start of the game. The player
controls Salmon with the arrow keys and can move Salmon in four possible
directions: up, down, left, and right.

Salmon Fishdie Angel - This divine, winged fish appears whenever Salmon
gives up the ghost and becomes another fish's meal. Salmon is inherently
good so he gets to go upstairs to that big ocean in the sky and swap his fins for
a pair of wings.

Bad Tuna - Potential predator or meal, depending on Salmons size at the
time of contact. Bad Tuna are a particularly tasty species of tuna that are
known for their voracious appetites for Salmon. Bad Tuna are easily identified
by their purple and lavender color scheme and large fins.

Blue Angels - A species of uncanny beauty, and like many of the fish
described here, they are both a threat and meal to Salmon. Blue
Angels are triangular in shape and blue in color.

Gold Diggers - A small species of fish known for their brownish-gold coloring.
Gold Diggers are very fond of smaller Salmon but the feeling is not mutual;
Salmon hates the taste of Gold Diggers. However, if hungry, Salmon considers
Gold Diggers to be excellent sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals and will
eat them if given the chance.

Gray Sharks - A small and notoriously cowardly species of Shark. Gray
Sharks are sharks only in name, as they tend to startle easily. Although they
often prey on young Salmon, Salmon just as often preys on them. Despite
their meek demeanor, Gray Sharks freely roam the ocean and rely on their
great speed to avoid danger.

Green Meanies - Another potential predator and meal of Salmons. Plentiful
and hearty, Green Meanies are one of Salmons favorite dishes. When not
being hunted, Green Meanies are one of smaller Salmons greatest threats.
Green Meanies are small, green, and round and are easy to spot no matter
how many fish are in the sea.

Happy Clams - A species of giant clams that are occasionally found on the
ocean bottom. Although immobile, Happy Clams can prove very dangerous to Salmon
if touched.

Head Hunter Fish - A scourge of the sea, Head Hunter Fish are feared far
and wide for their razor-sharp teeth and even nastier composure. Head
Hunters love to eat Salmon, especially if hes big and fat. Head Hunter Fish
are big, round, and tan in color.

M.C. Hammerhead - The oversized bully of Salmons underwater neighborhood.
M.C. Hammerhead is a giant Hammerhead Shark who knows no fear
and who will eat any fish he comes across. A skilled hunter, M.C. always
appears when you least expect him to. Gray in color like most sharks, M.C.s
size is equaled only by his obsession for Salmon.

Red Devils - One of the smallest fish in the ocean and Salmons easiest meal.
Dark red in color, Red Devils are a small and stupid species of fish that wanders
the ocean aimlessly. No one knows why or how they got such a horrible
name but to Salmon they are simply known as dinner.

Starfish - Starfish are frequently found at the bottom of the ocean, alone and
in pairs. When hungry, they float up to the surface in the hopes of finding food.
A lazy species, they only eat what fish they run into. Unfortunately for
Salmon, they would prefer to eat him over other types of fish.

