
+-------------------------------+
|        Lady Bug Arcade        |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|     (c) 2021 Champ Games      |
|    https://www.champ.games    |
+-------------------------------+


*** ABOUT ***

This ROM file is a fully playable demo version of Lady Bug Arcade for the Atari 2600 with the following restrictions:

- The game is 1 player only.  The full version adds 2 player alternating and versus modes.
- ADVANCED skill level has been disabled (NOVICE and STANDARD are included).
- CHALLENGE! skill level has been disabled.  This skill level adds randomly rotating doors and the spider which can rotate the doors when pursuing the lady bug!
- Only four insects are featured; the full version featues 8 unique insects plus the bonus spider!
- The Maze Color editor is disabled in the demo version.
- One custom maze is included (plus the arcade maze).  The full version features 5 unique mazes plus the arcade maze.
- SaveKey functionality has been disabled, but high scores are still maintained for each skill level during play until the game is turned off.
- The game loops back to Part 1 after Part 8 is complete.

If you enjoy the demo of Lady Bug Arcade and would like to purchase the full version, it is available either as a ROM file 
or as a physical cartridge from the Champ Games store:

Full ROM from Champ Games:                  http://rom.lady-bug-arcade.champ.games
Cartridge from Champ Games:                 http://cart.lady-bug-arcade.champ.games
Champ Games store:                          http://store.champ.games

For additional information about the game:  http://lady-bug-arcade.champ.games

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The Lady Bug Arcade Demo ROM can be played on NTSC or PAL60 systems.  Please ensure that the version you are playing matches the TV type of the monitor you are using.

* AtariVox and SaveKey *

The AtariVox and SaveKey are devices that allow high scores and game settings to be saved when playing Lady Bug Arcade.  The demo version of Lady Bug Arcade will detect a SaveKey but the save 
functionality has been disabled and is available in the full version only.

- For more information about the AtariVox:          https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1045
- For more information about the SaveKey device:    https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1194


* QuadTari *

The QuadTari is a device that allows you to plug up to 4 joysticks and other compatible controllers to an Atari console (2 joysticks per port).  Lady Bug Arcade takes advantage of this device 
to support a 2 player alternating or versus game with a AtariVox or SaveKey by having 2 joysticks plugged into the QuadTari connected to the left controller port and an AtariVox or SaveKey device 
connected to the right controller port.

- For more information about the QuadTari:          https://www.bitethechili.com/quadtari/


* Multi-carts *

Multi-carts are special cartridges that plug into a real Atari 2600 (or compatible) and allow you to play various ROM files either on an SD card or via WiFi.

Here are a list of multi-carts that Lady Bug Arcade has been tested with and the current compatibility.  
Where applicable, the version in () indicates the minimum BIOS requirement for the multi-cart.  

Multi-carts                 Compatible?         Website
----------------------      ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Harmony (v1.06+)            Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html      
Harmony Encore (v1.06+)     Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html
Unocart                     No                  https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/uno-2600-cartridge
PlusCart+                   No                  https://pluscart.firmaplus.de/pico/


* Emulators *

An emulator is a special program that runs on a PC that emulates an Atari 2600, allowing you to play ROMs on your computer.  

Here are a list of emulators that Lady Bug Arcade has been tested with and the current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v6.0.1+)            Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Stellarator                 Yes                 https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Javatari                    No                  https://javatari.org/
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases


* Emulator consoles *

An emulator console is a physical game system that emulates an Atari 2600.  These systems allow you to play ROMs on devices like HD televisions (or in some cases, on the go).  
Some of these systems allow you to play game ROMs via an SD cart or even have a cartridge slot.  

Emulated Console            Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
AtGames Flashback           No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-9
AtGames Flashback Portable  No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-portable-2019
RetroN 77 (cartridge slot)  No                  https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
RetroN 77 (SD card)         Yes*                https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
Atari 2600+	                No                  https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus
Atari Gamestation Pro       No                  https://www.myarcadegaming.com/products/atari-gamestation-pro

*requires the firmware of the RetroN 77 to be upgraded.  Details can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/topic/289929-stella-6-on-the-r77-the-eagle-is-landing/
                                        

*** GAME OPTIONS ***

* Players *

The demo version of Lady Bug Arcade has a 1 player mode only.  The full version adds 2 player alternating turns and a 2 player versus mode where one player controls the 
lady bug and the other player controls the insects!


* Skill levels *

To select the skill level, move the joystick left and right from the TITLE screen:

- Novice:           Player starts with 5 lives.  Timer speed and insect speed is slower.  Less insects on the first part.
- Standard:         Player starts with 4 lives.  Number of insects, timer speed and movement speed is normal.

# Available only in the full version: #
- Advanced:         Player starts with 3 lives.  Insect timer and speed is faster than Standard.
- Challenge!        In the Challenge skill level, the doors will rotate randomly every 4 seconds.  Also, the 4th insect to enter the maze is the spider who will pursue
your lady bug more agreesively than the other insects and can also rotate the doors as well! 


* Menu screens *

Move the joystick up/down to cycle through the 4 menu screens. If you do not move the joystick or start a game, the screens will cycle through after a certain amount of time.

- Title screen
- Instruction screen
- High scores
- Credits


*** DIFFICULTY SWITCHES ***

The left difficult switch is not used in Lady Bug Arcade (although it will most likely be used in the final version for additional game options).
The right difficulty switch is used to select the blend method used when drawing the maze:

- Difficulty A:  Draw the maze with alternating color lines (no flicker).
- Difficulty B:  Draw the maze by blending colors, allowing for 3 unique colors per line with minimal flicker.

To start a new game, either press RESET or joystick 1 button.


*** MAZE SELECTION ***

When a new game starts, the Maze Selection screen is displayed.  Press left or right to cycle through the 2 available mazes (arcade and custom) and press the button to continue.
* In the full version, there are 5 custom mazes to choose from (and you can select to play with all mazes or random mazes), plus you can change the colors of the maze.


*** PLAYING THE GAME ***

The object of Lady Bug is to guide her around the maze and collect all of the flowers (white dashs) and bonus items while avoiding the roaming insects and poison skulls.

At the beginning of each part, the following is displayed:

- The bonus veggie and it's worth in points.
- Three letters that can be used to spell out EXTRA or SPECIAL (see below).
- Three hearts that can be collected to increase the bonus multiplier.
- Two to six poison skulls that the lady bug must avoid (but can also use against the insects by leading them into a trap).

Use the joystick to move the lady bug around the maze.  Throughout the maze are doors that lady bug can push against to rotate.  This allows the lady bug to block off 
the path of appraoching insects and seek a safe area.


* Timer *

The timer moves around the border of the maze.  When it makes a full cycle, another insect will enter the maze (up to four).  Once the fourth insect enters the maze, 
the bonus veggie will appear in the middle.  Eat the bonus veggie for big points and also freeze the insects for a few seconds while you try to finish the maze.


* Hearts *

Collect the hearts when they are BLUE to increase the bonus multiplier (2x, 3x, 5x).  The number of points for collecting the flowers and other bonus items will be
multiplied by this value.


* Letters *

Collect letters when they are YELLOW to spell out the word EXTRA.  If you are able to collect all 5 letters in EXTRA, the current part will end and you will earn an extra lady bug.

Collect letters when they are RED to spell out the word SPECIAL.  If you able to collect all 7 letters in SPECIAL, the level will end and you will be able to participate
in the Veggie Harvest Bounty!


* Veggie Harvest Bounty *

In the Veggie Harvest Bounty, the lady bug has a set amount of time to eat as many veggies as she can and boost her score!  Once the timer expires, the next part will start and
you can try to spell out SPECIAL again for another feast!


* Poison Skulls *

Colliding with the poison skulls will cost a life, but try to guide the insects into the poison to send them back to the center where they will be trapped until the timer makes a full cycle.


*** SCORING ***

- Collect a flower:         10 points X multiplier (2x, 3x, 5x)
- Collect a bonus item:
    - Blue item:            100 points X multiplier
    - Yellow item:          300 points X multiplier
    - Red item:             800 points X multiplier
- Collect veggies:          1,000 - 9,500 points (based on the type of veggie)
    

*** CONSOLE SWITCHES ***

During a game the console switches do the following:

- Reset:                        Restarts the game with the current skill/# of players/options.
- Select:                       Ends the current game and returns to the title screen.
- Color/BW (PAUSE on a 7800):   Pause the game; press or flip the switch again or press the joystick button to resume.
- Right Difficulty:             Select the maze drawing type (2 color, no flicker or 3 color with minimal flicker).


*** GAME OVER ***

When all of the lady bugs have been caught and there are no reserve, GAME OVER will be displayed.


*** HIGH SCORE ***

If the current player achieves a high score for the current skill level, the high score entry screen is displayed. 

Use the joystick to guide the lady bug around the maze to add up to 6 letters and symbols:
- Move over the "RUB" symbol to remove the last character.
- Move over the "CLR" symbol to clear out all characters.
- Move over the "END" symbol when you are finished. 

*The high score entry will also end when the timer has made a complete cycle.

NOTE: SaveKey support has been disabled for this demo.  In the full version, game settings and high scores (for each skill level) can be saved to an AtariVox or SaveKey device.


*** CREDITS ***

Programming and Design:     John W. Champeau
Graphics and Design:        Nathan Strum
Music and Sound Effects:    Bob Decrescenzo


For the physical boxed release:

Packaging & Illustration:   Nathan Strum
Publishing:                 Champ Games




