Space Marmoset et al. - Version 0.3 - Prerelease
by Joshua Davis
528 Wyleswood Dr.
Berea, OH 44017
jdavis@cs.oberlin.edu
http://www.oberlin.edu/~jdavis/



Introduction:

Space Marmoset et al. (SMea) is a program I am writing for the Macintosh.  It is a whimsical science-fiction adventure game.

This version of SMea (0.2.1) is pre-release.  I intend to distribute SMea as ShareWare, but THIS VERSION MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED IN ANY WAY, OTHER THAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVALUATION OF MY APPLICATION TO YOUR CORPORATION.  To that end, I hope you will find time to look at my work!  Please let me know if you would like additional copies.

Note that although you may create and save your character, using the included character file will provide you with a better quick introduction to the game (this character has a great deal of special equipment).

SMea's signature (creator code), "SMea", has been registered with Apple Computer, Inc.



Synopsis of the Game:

SMea takes the player to 13 different planets across a few galaxies.  There are a total of 34 different grids to explore.  The goal of the game is not apparent at the start.  Actually, there are multiple endings.  It usually ends up being the classic "save the universe" theme, but with a significant twist.  Look to the on-line help system for more information.



Some User Features of the Program:

Graphics in 256 colors
On-line help system
Elegant on-screen controls
Automation of some routine tasks



Some Technical Features of the Program:

Support for the required Apple events
Custom icon families and other Finder interface features
Automated file searching using PBGetCatInfoSync



Incomplete Areas and Bug Information:

SMea is largely incomplete (this version is only 0.2.1).  Because designing the graphics takes so much time (and offers little educational value), most of the pictures displayed in the game are temporary.  Also, many areas of the game, such as combat, have been programmed but still have loose ends and bugs, so I have disabled them in this version.  Lastly, the game in general is unfinished, so that it is not really much of a game yet at all.  However, I think it is fun even now to walk around and explore each planet and play with the controls.

I hope to add in the substance of the game and work on its appearance as soon as possible (by drawing into off-screen graphics worlds, for example).  Also, there are a number of additional features that I want to implement, such as sound.

There are a few cosmetic bugs in this version of SMea, but I know of no fatal bugs.



System Requirements:

SMea requires MacOS 7.0 or later.  It is very safe in 1 MB of free RAM and requires about 1.6 MB of storage (mainly for graphics).  A color monitor of at least 640 x 480 x 8 (typically 13" or 14" at 256 colors) resolution is required.  A keyboard with a keypad is recommended, but not necessary.  Although SMea is being developed on a Power Macintosh, I am currently using just an MC68k compiler, so it is not PowerPC-native.  To maximize the game's performance, quit other open applications.



About the Programming:

My knowledge of C and Macintosh Toolbox programming is entirely self-taught (although I have had several computer science courses).  I began writing the program as part of an independent study project to learn C and Macintosh Toolbox programming during the month of January 1995.  Unfortunately, I have little time to work on the program while classes are in session, which is why it has taken me about a year to come this far in the design and programming.  I am writing SMea in Symantec THINK C/C++ 7 and ResEdit 2.1.3.  I have used the following resources:

Think THINK C! by Dan Parks Sydow

From the (new) Inside Macintosh series: Macintosh Toolbox Essentials, Imaging With QuickDraw, Files, More Macintosh Toolbox, Interapplication Communication, and Text

Usenet's comp.sys.mac.programmer... newsgroups.

Apple's Developer Support WWW Server

Color MacCheese and ClarisWorks (for graphics)