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; Spheroid v1.0              
;==============================================================

Spheroid is a puzzle game for 'classic' Amiga computers,
developed and released by Arkanix Labs.

Development originally began in 1990 (!) and it was
intended to be released as a 'Public Domain' game.

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; Machine Requirements                     
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Spheroid has been tested and should run on any OCS/ECS/AGA
Amiga with a 68K procesor, at least 1Mb of RAM and versions
of Kickstart/AmigaOS 1.3 up to 3.2.

As long as minimum memory requirments are met, it *should* also
run on KS1.2 and OS3.9 machines, but has *not* been tested.

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; Loading, Installation & Configuration             
;==============================================================

Spheroid will run from both floppy disk and hard drive and
requires no special configuration.

To boot from floppy, insert the disk in drive DF0:, turn on
your machine and the game will load and run automatically.

To play from hard disk, create a drawer called 'Spheroid' on
your chosen partition then copy the main game file, the data
drawer and this README file from the floppy to your newly
created drawer. Once the files have finished copying, remove the
floppy, then run the game file on your hard disk to load and
play.

;==============================================================
; Instructions (see separate manual for full instructions)          
;==============================================================

Controls...

On the title screen, use left and right on the joystick to
highlight an option with the red box and use the fire button
to select it.

On the title screen, press 'Del' on the keyboard to reset
the game to level 1 (the game 'forgets' which level you
reached on the last play through).

When 'Passcode' is selected on the title screen, use the
number keys (not the keypad) to enter the 4-digit code.

During play, the metal 'spheroid' can be moved around using
up, down, left and right on a joystick.

While playing a level, pressing 'Esc' on the keyboard aborts
the game and returns you to the title screen.

Between levels, game messages such as 'Out of Time!',
'Game Over!' and 'Get Ready' can be skipped with the fire
button.

Game objective...

The aim of the game is to move your 'spheroid' around the 
'maze' to reach the exit within the time limit and set number
of moves.

Time doesn't decrease if you're on the move!

The status panel shows the safe colours of 'tiles' that you
can roll the 'spheroid' over on that level. Other colours
will cause your 'spheroid' to explode and you lose a life!

The different types of tiles are shown on the title screen.
The attributes of these tiles are...

* voids
	- your spheroid falls into oblivion
	
* cracked
	- tile falls away after you move off it
	
* mine
	- tile explodes after you move off it
	
* transporter
	- transports your sphere to the other transporter on screen
	
* grooves
	- vertical & horizontal, can only move in the groove direction
	
* ice
	- slides your spheroid in the direction you were moving
	
* conveyor
	- moves your spheroid in the conveyor arrow direction
	
* bridge switch
	- activates the riveted 'bridge' tile to cross a gap
	
* colour switch
	- changes an unsafe colour tile into a safe colour tile
	
* wall
	- blocks your path
	
* exit
	- exits the level!
	
The first few levels introduce each feature and are relatively
easy! Levels should get harder as you progress!

With every 5 levels completed, you will receive a 'Passcode'
that can be entered on the title screen to skip earlier levels
in future plays.

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; Support & Donations
;============================================================== 

If you have any problems loading or playing Spheroid, find any
bugs or have any questions about the game, please contact
Arkanix Labs using the forum on our website or via the
Itch.io Spheroid page.

https://www.arkanixlabs.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=82
https://andyvaisey.itch.io/spheroid

Hopefully, you downloaded Spheroid using the dedicated
Itch.io Spheroid page.

Although the game is free to download and play, if you enjoy
playing, we would appreciate a donation towards the cost
of development, in particular the maintenance of aging hardware
used in testing this and future games.  Donate here:

https://andyvaisey.itch.io/spheroid

;==============================================================
; Copyright & Licensing     
;==============================================================

Spheroid is free to download and play.

However, the game idea, design and content remains the property
of Andrew Vaisey.  All Rights Reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024

;==============================================================
; Credits    
;==============================================================

Idea, design, code, graphics and music by:
Andrew Vaisey

Additional graphics by:
Toni Galvez

Level editor/designer by:
Ray Lejuez

Comments, suggestions and testing by:
Ryley James
Zachary Fletcher
Jon Mines
Frank Gasking
Andrew Fisher
Nick Veitch

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; EOF  
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