
+-------------------------------+
|        Spiders Arcade         |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|     (c) 2025 Champ Games      |
|    https://www.champ.games    |
+-------------------------------+


*** ABOUT ***

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

- The game is for 1 player only (no 2-player alternating mode).
- ADVANCED and CHALLENGE skill levels have been disabled (NOVICE and STANDARD skill levels only).
- 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 ends after stage 6 is completed.  In the full version, there are 99 stages to complete.


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

Full ROM from Champ Games:                  https://champ.games/store/ols/products/rom-spiders-arcade
Cartridge from Champ Games:                 https://champ.games/store/ols/products/cart-spiders-arcade
Champ Games store:                          https://champ.games/store

For additional information about the game:  https://champ.games/spiders-arcade

You can also view the online manual of the full version here:  https://champ.games/game-manuals

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The Spiders 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 Spiders Arcade.  The demo version of Spiders Arcade 
has disabled the high scores and SaveKey functionality and is available in the full version only.

- 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).  Spiders Arcade takes advantage 
of this device by supporting two controllers plugged into the QuadTari connected to the left controller port and an AtariVox or SaveKey device connected to the right controller port
for two-player alternating modes.  

- 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 is a list of multi-carts that Spiders 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/

*Some older Harmony and Harmony Encore carts contain a bug in the hardware that prevents Gorf Arcade from running properly.  If you have issues running Gorf Arcade 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 is a list of emulators that Spiders Arcade has been tested with and the current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v6.7+)              Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600
StellaDS (v7.2+)            Yes                 https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/StellaDS/releases
Stellarator                 No                  https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Javatari                    No                  https://javatari.org/


* 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
Atari 2600+	            Yes*                https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus
Atari 7800+	            Yes*                https://atari.com/products/atari-7800
RetroN 77 (cartridge slot)  No                  https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
RetroN 77 (SD card)         No+                 https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
Atari Gamestation Pro       No                  https://www.myarcadegaming.com/products/atari-gamestation-pro

*Requires firmware 2.0.1.5 to be installed on the Atari 2600+ or Atari 7800+.  More info can be found on Atari's website here: 
 https://atari.com/blogs/newsroom/updating-atari-firmware
 
+The latest community firmware of the RetroN 77 is using Stella 6.6, but since Stella 6.7 is required for Spiders Arcade it is currently not compatible.  
When the community build is updated to Stella 6.7, Spiders Arcade should be compatible with the RetroN 77 from an SD card.  

Additional details on the RetroN 77 community build can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/topic/289929-stella-6-on-the-r77-the-eagle-is-landing/

Additional details on the Atari 2600+ and Atari 7800+ firmware updates can be found at https://forums.atariage.com/forum/424-atari-26007800


*** GAME OPTIONS ***

* Players *

The demo and full version of Spiders Arcade has a 1-player mode only.  The full version adds support for a 2-player alternating mode 
(players alternate turns and attempt to get a higher score than the other player).


* Skill levels *

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

- Novice:           Player starts with 5 lives.  First bonus is awarded at 15,000 points.  Spiders spawn less frequently and move slower than STANDARD.  
                    There are less cocoons to destroy per level.
- Standard:         Player starts with 5 lives.  First bonus is awarded at 20,000 points.  Spiders spawn less frequently and move slower than ADVANCED.  
                    There are less cocoons to destroy per level than ADVANCED.
# Available only in the full version: #
- Advanced:         More difficult than STANDARD.  Player starts with 3 lives and first bonus is awarded at 25,000 points.  More enemies that spawn and move faster.
                    Gameplay and difficulty is most like the arcade.
- Challenge:	    More difficult than ADVANCED.  Challenge mode includes additional enemies and power-ups!

* Menu screens *

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

A short demo of the gameplay will start after the Credits screen.


*** DIFFICULTY SWITCHES ***

The left difficulty switch controls whether the players use auto-fire:

- Difficulty A:  Players have auto-fired disabled (similar to the arcade version).
- Difficulty B:  Players can continuously fire by holding down the button.

The right difficulty switch controls whether or not the spider belt is reduced after your ship is destroyed.

- Difficulty A:  Spider belt is not reduced after your ship is destroyed. (similar to the arcade)
- Difficulty B:  Spider belt is reduced slightly after your ship is destroyed.


To start a new game from the title screen, either press RESET or joystick 1 button.

*** OBJECT ***

The object of Spiders Arcade is to stop the invasion of the enemy spiders as they spawn from the constantly growing web and advance towards your shooter.
Move your shooter left and right using the joystick and press the fire button to launch a missile to destroy the enemies.  A level is completed when 
all spiders and cocoons are destroyed after the WEB POWER is empty.  If you let a green spider pass you, the green spider belt at the bottom will 
start to fill up.  When it is completed, the game is over.

Good luck!


*** PLAYING THE GAME ***

CONTROLLER OPTIONS

Spiders Arcade is played with the joystick controller.

Use the joystick to move your shooter left and right and press the fire button to launch a missile.  You can only have one missile on the screen at a time.
Destroy the cocoons before they spawn spider eggs that will hatch the attacking spiders and shoot the advancing spiders before they sneak past your shooter. 

WEB POWER

Each level has a WEB POWER that is displayed in the upper-left hand corner.  This shows how many cocoons are left to spawn in the current level (not including
the cocoons already on the screen).  Once the WEB POWER is empty, new cocoons will no longer appear and will instead start advancing towards the bottom of the screen.

COCOONS

At the start of a level, seeds are spread out on the top of the screen and will grow into cocoons.  A web will start growing from the cocoons, creating a 
protective barrier.  The cocoons will spawn spider eggs which will hatch into spiders that will attack your ship.  Shoot the cocoons to eliminate them and 
any webs that are attached.  Destroy all cocoons to advance to the next level.

SPIDERS

Once cocoons spawn spider eggs, they will hatch into spiders that will descend towards your ship.  Shoot them before they reach the bottom or the spider belt
will increase.

SPIDER BELT

As spiders sneak past your defenses, a green spider belt will start to grow at the bottom of the screen.  If this spider belt is completed, your game will end
immediately so don't let too many spiders get by!

SUPER WEB

On some levels, a super web is randomly launched from a cocoon and will quickly move towards your ship.  If it touches your ship, you will lose a life.  
If you are skilled enough to destroy the super web, the spider belt will be decreased by one unit.

SHIELDS

On the later levels, the spiders will fire light blue shields when they begin their attack to protect them from your missiles.  The shields are deadly  
and take multiple shots to destroy.  On the higher levels, red shields will also be launched from a cocoon when it is destroyed.

WHITE SPIDER

When there is one cocoon remaining, it will spawn into the end level white spider.  Shoot this spider to earn big bonus points (1,000 - 5,500 points).
The number of points awarded depends on the level. 

*** END LEVEL ***

Once all cocoons are destroyed and the white spider is destroyed or avoided, the next level will start with more cocoons and faster enemies.  

In the later levels, the Spider Queen will make her appearance, with a different gesture depending on what level you have completed.

If your ship is destroyed before the level is complete, you will have to start the level over.  

*In the full version, the starting WEB POWER will depend on the skill level and how many cocoons you were able to destroy:

NOVICE:    If you have destroyed 50% of the cocoons, the WEB POWER will be 50% of the original amount.
  	   If you have destroyed 25% of the cocoons, the WEB POWER will be 25% of the original amount.

STANDARD:  If you have destroyed 25% of the cocoons, the WEB POWER will be 25% of the original amount.

On ADVANCED and CHALLENGE mode, the WEB POWER is always 100% of the original amount when you restart a level.

*available in full version only

*** SCORING ***

The scoring for destroying the enemies (seeds, cocoons, spiders, the super web and end level spider) depends on which level you are currently on.
The scores for each are displayed at the beginning of the level.

The first extra life is awarded depending on the skill level:

- Novice:      15,000 points
- Standard:    20,000 points
* Advanced:    25,000 points
* Challenge:   25,000 points

Additional extra lives are awarded at 50,000 points and every 50,000 points after that.

*available in the full version only

*** 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/disables auto-fire.
* Right Difficulty:             Enable/disables spider belt replenishing when a ship is destroyed.

*full version only

*** GAME OVER ***

When all a player's lives are lost and there are no reserves, GAME OVER will be displayed.

In the demo version, the game will also end once you have completed stage 8.  In the full version, there are 100 levels to complete.


*** 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 HIGH SCORES!

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


*** CREDITS ***

Programming and Design:     John W. Champeau
Graphics and Design:        Nathan Strum
Music and Sound Effects:    John W. Champeau
Testing:                    Jurgen Oster, Steve Ramirez, Nathan Withee, and Joe Champeau

For the physical boxed release:

Art & Illustrations:        Dave Dries
Packaging and Layout:       Nathan Strum
Publishing:                 Champ Games

For more information, please visit our website at https://champ.games and follow us on 
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/champdotgames
