Welcome once again, fellow travellers to yet another chat with your favourite fiend - The Balrog!...
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Programming with the Balrog
Thanks this month go to Mike
Barnard and Paul Robson for their tips on getting the most out of the Graphic
Adventure Creator. If you have any tips for getting the most out of your
adventure creator, or any tips on how to write adventures, then why not get pen
to paper, quill to parchment or finger to keyboard and write to the Balrog at
the usual address. The Balrog is especially interested in any external machine
code routines for use with PAW.
There is no practical way of achieving Noel Llopis' idea in AA51 of adding your own calls to GAC (as you can do with PAW) but you can use some of the control codes to good effect. Control codes can be incorporated into a games room or message descriptions.
These control codes are listed in chapter 9 of the manual. Letter them starting at 1="A", to 26="Z" then 27="[", 28="\", 29="]", 30="^", 31="0" to make reference easier.
Eg.
CTRL + Variable Note BASIC equivalent
D n Change screen mode n=0-2 (GAC MODE n still uses 40 columns though)
G Bell (Beep!) PRINT CHR$(7)
H Move cursor left 1 character PRINT CHR$(8)
I Move cursor right 1 character PRINT CHR$(9)
J Move cursor down 1 line PRINT CHR$(10)
K Move cursor up 1 line PRINT CHR$(11)
L CLS
N n n=Paper number 0-2 PAPER n
O n n=Pen number 0-3 PEN n
X Inverse video on/off
\ n xx n=Pen number INK n,x,x
x=letter representing a colour
(appendix B of GAC manual, two
different X's mean a flashing
colour.)
] xx Set border colour BORDER X,X
For example, 'CTRL-L, space, rest of message...' will clear the window (code
12) and print a message.
You can also change colours with these, although I would suggest setting up a
sequence to reset colours to normal in case of error - if this happens you
won't be able to read the menu or anything else! You can do this by setting up
a 'dummy' room with the following codes:-
\0AA INK 0,1
\AXX INK 1,24
N0 PAPER 0
OA PEN 1
]AA BORDER 1
Note: These are all typed with 'CTRL' pressed, except the zero which is typed
on it's own. The codes should be continuous, I have separated them to show what
each section does.
You can now experiment with the codes, eg, at the beginning of a room
description, you can change colours, make a beep, etc. If the colours go wrong,
press ESC until the menu screen, press 'B' for beginning room, delete old start
room, and type the number of the dummy room, 'ENTER', 'ENTER' to start game,
and the colours will return back to normal.
Thus your GAC games can now have sound (well a beep!), varying modes and
multi-colour descriptions!
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Balrog's Post
Role playing criticism.
"...Can I ask you through your column if anyone who plays adventures really
likes games such as The Bards Tale etc? These so-called arcade adventures
appear to be taking over. I think most adventurers like myself prefer the old
fashioned puzzle game rather than role playing. Surely, if adventures are at an
all time selling low, then these RPG's must be even lower in the money-making
market? If this is the case, how can companies justify releasing them instead
of the traditional games?..."
Jim Struthers, Blyth.
An interesting point Jim, but one on which I have to disagree with you - role
playing games in fact sell more than 'normal' adventures. I enjoyed both Bards
Tale and Ring of Darkness thoroughly. I also enjoy strategy games (aha! The
Balg plays non-adventures!) especially Laser Squad (which is similar to a real
role-playing game in some respects). Sometimes it is good to take a break from
playing an adventure game and play something different which still requires
thought and isn't just a mindless shoot-em-up. These games, especially RPGs, do
in fact sell more than adventures and they are very good in their own special
way. If you haven't tried, say the Bards Tale, I recommend you do - it really
is an epic game in both size and quality and the amount of response I have
received for the Bards Tale club illustrates this. One other good thing about
the Bards Tale is that it has introduced many new adventurers:- not only are
people reading the Balrog who never read it before because of the Bards Tale
Club, but readers are also now buying other 'adventures' on the strength of Bards
Tale. That's why I am soon to be running a 'Beginners guide to the Adventure
Game'...
Infocom swap
'...Since I wrote last I have been in touch with someone by the name of Nic
Rumsey who runs an Infocom swap service. How anyone could let an Infocom title
go I don't know, even when it HAS been solved. Obviously some do, so how about
a big plug for him. He can be found at: 167 Eastbourne Road, Lower Willingdon,
Sussex, BN20 9NB or telephone 03212 2737 between 6 and 9pm.
Dave Harvard, Fareham.
Thanks Dave for that tip. If you have any Infocom games that you no longer want
or want to get your hands on some Infocom games, then why not get in touch with
Nic and he may have the game you want. Don't forget to tell him that the Balrog
sent you!
Am I the only Mum?
'I'm a Mum and due to the fact that my dear son has gone off to London to
work and left his CPC behind, I've had a chance to start a relationship with
it. I find adventures fascinating and I completed "Forest at the Worlds
End", "Message from Andromeda" and a couple of others and
thought to myself "adventuring is easy!" then I bought Adventure
Quest, Bards Tale, Lancelot and The Hobbit, all of which have parts that puzzle
me. What I want to know is have I started to run before I can crawl? Are there
more Mums like me I wonder?'
Jackie Sterling, Glenrothes.
First, congratulations on completing Forest at the World End and Message from
Andromeda - although both are good they have some annoying word matching
exercises that can make them difficult at times. As to you running before you
can walk, perhaps you are in some respects but I wouldn't worry - you will soon
start to learn! The selection of games that you have are all very good and you
just can't expect to complete them quickly - that is the whole point of
adventure games! Look out for tips for the games, and keep trying - if you are
really stuck then write to a Lord or Lady of Adventure and I am sure they will
help you out! As to Mums in the adventure world - I am not sure how many there
are... except the HBalg and HPilgs themselves, Mandy Rodrigues and Joan
Pancott!
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Bard's Tale Club
Julian Lynne has a team with warriors each at level 35 and they have the
help of an archmage. The team's name is 'Lord'. He thinks the Bards Tale club
is a great idea, and has both the tape and disc versions of the game, but says
that the disc team is a lot more advanced than the tape version. He wants to
know what Fin's Flute and Lak's Lyre do?
Julian Lynne, 552 Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8BX Tel: (0245)
352555
'I have just finished the game after 250 hours of play and I think it's
brilliant - it was the first game I bought on the Amstrad! If anyone wants a
copy of the characters I used (40th-65th level) plus maps of every level, then
send me a disc and £1.50 to cover photocopying.'
P Clement 50 Drury Lane, Houghten Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 5ED
Steve Fox wrote in, wanting to join and also enclosed some tips on cheating -
Create your character with a bard. Don't buy anything, just exit the guild and
pool your gold then give it all to character 1, enter guild and save, then load
the merger as instructions. Now load your party into it seven times, renaming
characters in parties #2-#7 to #1-#36, then delete those who don't have cash
which leaves party 1 and numbers #1, #7, #13 and so on, create a party with
these numbers and pool the gold again, keep doing this until you have
loadsagold. Then just save your party and you have six very rich people! Also
try pooling the fire horn many times as it is a VERY useful item.
10 South view, Ty-Rhiw, Taffs Well, Mid Glam. South Wales
Stuart Whyte has written in with a clever tip for disc owners - if you use a
disc editor on the Bards Tale disc you will find all of the dungeons as files -
try swapping some file names around (such as the last level of Mangars Tower
with the cellars) and you can complete the game very quickly! Make a back up of
your Bards Tale disc first or you may find the game unplayable!
Stuart Whyte, 53 Ridgeway Road, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 7HL.
A short program written by Andrew Wright which allows Bards Tale to be
compatible with the Rom version of Protext:-
10 MEMORY &6FFF:LOAD"boot.bin",&7BD4
20 FOR x=&BE80 TO &BE8B:READ a$:POKE x,VAL("&"+a$):NEXT
30 FOR x=&7BFD TO &7C05:READ a$:POKE x,VAL("&"+a$):NEXT
40 CALL &7BD4
50 DATA 11,40,00,21,ff,b0,0e,07,cd,ce,bc,c9
60 DATA cd,7a,bc,21,80,be,22,d0,0b
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Clue Sniffing with the Balrog
We tackle some very sticky situations in this month's Clue Pot. These tips
have been sent in by Antcrusher, Adrian Forbes, Simon Netherwood, Joan Pancott,
Hazis Dolgizas and Jerome Young. Keep those clues coming in, fellow Balrogs -
remember, one day it may be YOU who's stuck and in need of help!
Boggit
At the start: Open chest, climb chest, examine diary, climb out, type in
Fordo's birthday and throw chocs to get rid of those chocolate surprises.
Colour of Magic
Part 2 Start: R, T, T to River, H, H, H, H to Stables, talk to vendor, buy
horses, get horses, R, R, R, R, W, W, H to Courtyard (see Twoflower and the
Luggage, you mount your horses and are then on the Road), W to Crest if Hill, R
to Camp-fire (see Weasel and Bravd), asked if you will tell a story for some
food, yes, H, W, W, kill troll.
Corruption
There's a perfumed letter on the shredding machine at Theresa's office. You
must take it before she returns from the Bathroom. During this time you must
also go into your Partner's office (UNLOCK DOOR WITH THE BRASS KEY you'll find
if you OPEN the DRAWER of Theresa's desk) and GET CASSETTE.
If you want to listen to this cassette go to the Car Park and in your car (GET
KEY FROM POCKET. UNLOCK BMW DOOR WITH IT) PUT the CASSETTE INTO THE STEREO of
your car.
Cutthroats
The first thing you should do is wind watch. Get the trust book when told
by Johnny. Go to the bank and withdraw $600.
Don't let McGinty see you carrying anything to do with diving or money.
Have the shark repellent ready, and have the torch lit, as soon as you enter
the water.
Once in the water, and past the shark, just keep going down. If your
co-ordinates are correct you will be at the wreck site.
Dracula
When you get to bed in the first part, the food you eat before determines
what happens to you at night:-
Attacked by a wild dog: Look around, look table, get bone, give it to dog,
return to your room.
Choked to Death: Get to bed sooner. Always close your window, and when you do
leave your room, take a candle.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Enjoy poetry, write down the second verse, press switch on Vector Plotter
and type in the appropriate word. Buy the sandwich in the pub and give it to
the dog.
Hobbit
To escape from the elves dungeon:- Throw barrel through trap door, then
jump.
Jinxter
Getting to the village: Do as above with canoe, enter canoe, S, SW, stand
and S.
The Bakery: Go to bakers shop, ask baker about job, D, open oven, get tin, put
it in oven, close oven, push button, open oven, get tin, close oven, U, show
bread to baker, U, show bread to baker. You may now leave, while doing this you
may also inspect the larder which is to the east of the bakery kitchen.
Pawn
Melt the snowman with the white.
Take and wear the Spiky boots and dig lumps with them.
Examine the fountain in the garden.
Look under the garden shelf.
Give the alchemist the rice and the lead.
Search sofa.
Wear hat.
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Just for Laughs
This bumper collection of amusing responses is brought to you by Mark
Berbezier, Simon Netherwood, Antcrusher, Grue, Stuart Whyte, Claire Smith and
Nigel Arnott themselves. If you know of any amusing responses in an adventure,
then why not send it to me and share your laugh with a Balrog...
The Big Sleaze
Typing "Fergus McNeil"
Examining the ice box at home.
Lurking
Horror
Attack the Hacker
Kill myself with knife
Jump off skyscraper roof
Mindfighter
Try removing your boxer shorts in part 4.
Rigel's Revenge
In the basement below the street, enter the bathroom. Remove clothes. Then approach guards in nude.
Sorcerer
Try casting the proximity spell (from the chest) on anybody but Belboz, or
look up the facts about Infocom and Meretzky in the encyclopaedia.
Try mixing potions.
Spellbreaker
Go down into the Dungeon and then Liskon yourself, then open the cabinet and climb into it.
Stationfall
Shoot yourself with gun
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Lords & Ladies of Adventure
Here they are again, welcoming once again Simon Netherwood, Graham Wheeler,
Bob Adams and the Grue to the most prestigious column in Adventuredom. Graham
in particular deserves a mention - he also offers to play test readers' games
so, if you have written an adventure, why not get in touch with him and he'll
tell you what he thinks of it.
Don't forget when you contact the Lords and Ladies to enclose a stamped
self-addressed envelope if you're writing or, if you're phoning, to keep your
calls to sociable hours.
Big Sleaze, Boggit, Forest at the World's End, Hitchhikers Guide, Hobbit,
Jewels of Babylon, Lurking Horror, Mindfighter, Never Ending Story, Rigel's
Revenge, Scapeghost and Very Big Cave Adventure.
Simon Netherwood, 36 Toothill Bank, Rastric, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6
3EZ. Tel: (0484) 719326
Adventure Quest, Aftershock, Angelique a Grief Encounter, Arnold Goes to
Somewhere Else, Big Sleaze, Black Fountain, Bugsy, Case of the Mixed Up Shymer,
Castle Blackstar, Castle of the Skull Lord, Crystal Theft, Cursed be the City,
Cutthroats, Dracula, Dungeon Adventure, Dungeons Amethysts Alchemists n
Everything, Enchanter, Escape from Koshima, Espionage Island, Fantasia Diamond,
Fish, Football Frenzy, Forest at the Worlds End, Frankenstein, Gnome Ranger,
Gremlins, Guild of Thieves, Haunted House, Hermitage, Heroes of Karn, Hitch
Hikers Guide, Hollow Graphic, Hollow Text, Hollywood Hijinx, Hunchback
adventure, Imagination, Inca Curse, Infidel, Ingrid's Back, Jack the Ripper,
Jewels of Babylon, Jinxter, Kingdom of Hamil, Kobyashi Naru, Lancelot, Leather
Goddesses of Phobos, Lifeterm, Lords of Time, Lurking Horror, Mansion, Message
from Andromeda, Mindshadow, Monsters of Murdac, Mordons Quest, Mountains of
Ket, Mystery of Indus Valley, Myth, Necris Dome, Never Ending Story, Nova,
Nythyhel, Pawn, Planet of Death, Planetfall, Questprobe, Rebel Planet, Rigels
Revenge, Robin of Sherwood, Robocide, Seabase Delta, Shard of Inovar, Sharpe's
Deeds, Ship of Doom, Smashed, Sorceror, Souls of Darkon, Spellbreaker, Spytrek,
Star Wreck, Subsunk, Theseus, Top Secret, Trial of Arnold Blackwood, Venom,
Very Big Cave Adventure, Warlord, Winter Wonderland, Wise and Fool of Arnold
Blackwood, Wishbringer, Wolfman and Zork I, II & III!
Graham Wheeler, 2 Burford Close, Southdown, Bath, Avon BA2 1JF. Tel between
10am and midnight (0225) 426919.
Atalan, Brawn Free, DAA n Everything, Emerald Isle, Forest at the Worlds
End, Gremlins, Fantasia Diamond, Red Moon, Heroes of Karn, Inca Curse, Jewels
of Babylon, Message from Andromeda, Mordons Quest, Mindshadow, Never Ending
Story, Planet of Death & Trial of Arnold Blackwood.
Bob Adams, 81 Uplands, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 7E8
All Infocom games!
The Grue, 64 Country Road, Ormskirk, West Lancashire L39 1QH. Tel between
7.30pm and 9pm Mondays to Fridays 0695 573141.