Breakout

Super Breakout for the Psion 5 v1.00 September 1997 This is a version of the classic computer game Breakout. The object of the game is to use the paddle at left to bounce the ball into the bricks at the right until all the bricks have been cleared, advancing you to the next skill level. Bricks are worth more points apiece as you reach the rows further to the right, but the ball will move slightly faster when it is bounced back from a brick further from the paddle. You may control the direction of the ball by controlling where the paddle hit the ball. 1. Installation Instructions Unzip and transfer the "Breakout" folder into the psion's "System/Apps" folder using PsiWin and the Windows Explorer. You may need to select "view all files" from the explorer in order to see the Psion system folder. As soon as this application sits in its own Breakout folder within the Apps folder, it should appear as an icon on the Extras bar. 2. How to Play ACTION KEYS ------ ---- UP q, Q or UP ARROW DOWN z, Z or DOWN ARROW STOP SPACE BAR PAUSE p or P SOUND s or S QUIT q or Q 3. Registration This program is shareware. Enjoy it, playtest it, and then send me a few bucks if you like it. If you do, I'll send back a password to disable the registration reminders. I'd suggest sending U.S. $10 to $20, but feel free to send more. As I'm getting a doctorate in philosophy, I naturally need all the money I can get (somehow thinking through philosophical problems is much easier when I can afford good beer). Seriously though registrations allow me to keep bug fixes and updated releases in the pipeline. If there's enough interest I might have some ideas for future program enhancements: spiffier animation routines and some challenge levels (hit the bricks in order for extra points) and so on. Or maybe I'll tackle Sideways Tetris. 4. Feedback and bug reports Email your bug reports, comments, suggestions and whatnot to me at "rohrer@darkwing.uoregon.edu" In this first release I've left most of the program un-error trapped, so please describe any errors as fully as possible and send it along. 5. Tips (are graciously accepted) Pressing the up or down key more than once will accelerate the paddle's movement in that direction (up to a point--don't overwork your keyboard). You can use the opposite direction key to brake as well. Use the space key to stop the paddle on a dime. Turn off the sound if the beeps sound weird--your batteries are getting low. Learning to aim will require some careful observation and experimentation, but there is no randomness in the underlying routines. In addition to controlling where the ball hits the paddle, you may put english on the ball by hitting it with a moving paddle. Try to aim the ball behind a layer of bricks and you may rack up lots of points very quickly as the ball bounces between brick layers. In addition to the keys described in the help window, I have left some of my debugging tools in place as easter egg functionality. Happy hunting! 6. Version History 01 September 1997 V1.0 13 September 1997 V1.01