
+-------------------------------+
|         RobotWar:2684         |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|     (c) 2021 Champ Games      |
|    https://www.champ.games    |
+-------------------------------+


*** ABOUT ***

This ROM file is a fully playable demo version of RobotWar:2684 for the Atari 2600 with the following restrictions:

- ADVANCED skill level has been disabled (NOVICE and STANDARD are included).
- Two player alternating game has been disabled (one player only).
- Two player co-op mode has been disabled.
- The select start wave feature is disabled.
- 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 Wave 1 after Wave 6 is complete.

If you enjoy the demo of RobotWar: 2684 and would like to purchase the full version, it is available either as a ROM file 
or as a physical cartridge (includes box, manual and poster) from the Champ Games store:

Full ROM from Champ Games:                  http://rom.robotwar-2684.champ.games
Cartridge from Champ Games:                 http://cart.robotwar-2684.champ.games
Champ Games store:                          http://store.champ.games

For additional information about the game:  http://robotwar-2684.champ.games

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The RobotWar:2684 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 RobotWar:2684.  The demo version of RobotWar:2684 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).  RobotWar:2684 takes advantage of this device 
to support a 2-player* alternating game with a AtariVox or SaveKey by using two joysticks plugged into the QuadTari connected to the left controller port and an AtariVox or SaveKey device 
connected to the right controller port.  Additionally, support for dual joystick control (one joystick moves your player and the other fires) is supported with a SaveKey.  In the full version,
support for 4 joysticks is supported for the 2-player co-op version, with each player using dual joysticks to move and fire!

*The 2-player alternating and co-op modes are available in the full version only.

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


* Genesis 2-button controllers *

The Sega Genesis controllers are compatible with the Atari 2600 and allow games to support 2 buttons by using the B and C buttons on the Genesis controller as button 1 and 2, respectively.

RobotWar:2684 has support for the Sega Genesis controller 2-button option.  See the "Player Control" section below for more details.


* 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 RobotWar:2684 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/

*Some older Harmony and Harmony Encore carts contain a bug in the hardware that prevents RobotWar:2684 from running properly.  If you have issues running RobotWar:2684 on your Harmony or Harmony Encore,
please reach out to the creators of the Harmony carts for upgrade options.


* 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 RobotWar:2684 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 RobotWar:2684 is a one player game only.  The full version adds two-player alternating and co-op game options.


* Skill levels *

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

- Novice:           Player starts with five lives.  Half as many enemies as Advanced.  Enemy spawn, fire and movement rate is slow.
- Standard:         Player starts with four lives.  Enemy counts are 75% of Advanced.  Enemy spawn, fire and movement rate is normal.

# Available only in the full version: #
- Advanced:         Player starts with three lives.  Enemy is at full strength and spawn, fire and move at a quicker rate.  Most like the arcade.


* Menu screens *

Move the joystick up/down to cycle through the 5 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
- Intro screen
- Scoring screen
- High scores
- Credits


*** DIFFICULTY SWITCHES ***

* Difficulty switches *

The difficulty switches enable auto-fire and dual stick control.

* Left difficulty switch *  

The left difficulty switch controls the fire mode for Player 1:

- Difficulty A:  Player 1 will automatically fire in the last direction selected.   Dual joystick control is disabled.
- Difficulty B:  Player 1 will only fire when the button is pressed.  Dual joystick is enabled (can use 2nd joystick to fire).


* Right difficulty switch *  

The right difficulty switch controls the fire mode for Player 2:  (applies only to the full version)

- Difficulty A:  Player 2 will automatically fire in the last direction selected.   Dual joystick control is disabled.
- Difficulty B:  Player 2 will only fire when the button is pressed.  Dual joystick is enabled (can use 2nd joystick to fire).


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


*** PLAYING THE GAME ***

* Object *

You are the last hope of mankind!  Guide your mutant soldier through each wave of Robotron forces and save the last human family!


* Player Control *

RobotWar:2684 supports numerous control schemes:

* One joystick, manual fire *
    - Player uses one joystick to move and fire.  
    - Difficulty switch is in the 'B' position.    
    - Hold the button to fire in the last direciton.
    - Release the button and move in a new direction and press and hold the button to fire in that direction.
    - Center joystick and press and hold button to 'fire in place' (move joystick to fire in any direction).
    
* One joystick, auto fire *
    - Player uses one joystick to move and fire.  
    - Difficulty switch is in the 'A' position.
    - Player automatically fires in the last direction.
    - Press the button and move in a new direction and then release the button to fire in a new direction.
    - Center joystick and press and hold button to 'fire in place' (move joystick to fire in any direction).

* One gamepad (Sega Genesis 2-button controller or compatible), manual fire *
    - Player uses one joystick to move and fire.  
    - Difficulty switch is in the 'B' position.    
    - Hold button B button to fire in the last direciton.
    - Release button B and move in a new direction and press and hold the button to fire in that direction.
    - Press button C to fire in the opposite direction of the current firing direction.
    - Center joystick and press and hold button to 'fire in place' (move joystick to fire in any direction).
    
* One gamepad (Sega Genesis 2-button controller or compatible), auto fire *
    - Player uses one joystick to move and fire.
    - Difficulty switch is in the 'A' position.
    - Player automatically fires in the last direction.
    - Press button B to rotate firing direction counter-clockwise.
    - Press button C to rotate firing direction clockwise.
    - Center joystick and press both B+C buttons to 'fire in place' (move joystick to fire in any direction).
    
* Two joysticks *
    - Player uses joystick 1 to move and joystick 2 to fire.
    - Difficulty switch is in the 'B' position.
    - Available with 2 joysticks only (either connected directly to the Atari or to a QuadTari connected to the left controller port).


* The Enemies *

- Grunts:       Roam the level in clunky patterns and speed up as the wave progresses.
- Hulks:        Hulk Robotrons seek out and destroy the last human family and are indestructible.
- Sphereoids:   The sphereoids move in quick dart-like patterns and will spawn Enforcers.
- Enforcers:    Spawned from Sphereoids, they track down your mutant and fire Sparks.
- Quarks:       Similar to Sphereoids except they will spawn Tank Robotrons.
- Tanks:*       Move in slow erratic patterns and will fire shells that richochet off the wall boundaries.
- Brains:       Brains will program humans into Progs.  They also launch Cruise missiles that seek out your mutant.
- Progs:        Humans 'programmed' by the brains to destroy you.

*Available in the full version only.

Additionally, there are electrodes scattered across the level that are deadly to the touch but can be destroyed with your missiles.

Destroy all of the enemies to advance to the next wave while trying to rescue as many humans as possible.

In the demo version, the game will loop back to Wave 1 after Wave 6 is completed.  In the full version, there are 256 levels to complete.

GOOD LUCK!


*** SCORING ***

You score points in RobotWar:2684 by destroying the enemy Robotrons:

- Grunt:        1,00 points
- Hulk:         indestructible
- Sphereoid:    1000 points
- Enforcers:    150 points (sparks 25 points) 
- Quarks:       1,000 points
- Tanks:*       200 points (shells 50 points)
- Brains:       500 points (cruise missiles 25 points)
- Progs:        100 points

*Available in the full version only.

You also score points for saving the humans, with the amount increasing for consecutive humans saved on a level using the same mutant:

- 1st human saved:  1,000 points
- 2nd human saved:  2,000 points
- 3rd human saved:  3,000 points
- 4th human saved:  4,000 points
- 5th+ human saved: 5,000 points

An additional reserve life is awarded every 25,000 points


*** 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.
- Left Difficulty:              Enable/disable autofire for player 1.
- Right Difficulty:             Enable/disable autofire for player 2.*

*Available in the full version only.


*** GAME OVER ***

When the last mutant life is lost and there are no more reserves, 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 enter up to 3 initials:
- Move the joystick up/down to change the current initial (blinking) and press the button to move to the next initial. 
- Move left/right to change the initial to update. Once completed, press the button after entering in the 3rd initial to register your name and be added to the list of ROBOTWAR HEROES!

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:        David Brown
Additional Music and Sounds:    John W. Champeau
Game Testing:                   Joe Champeau
                                Steve & Chris M. Ramirez

For the physical boxed release:

Packaging & Illustration:       David Exton
Publishing:                     Champ Games

