The Equalizer

I notice there's also a mention (near the end) of Manic Miner: The Boardgame!
 
(I think it's a joke though.)

Hey folks,  I just got an email sharing this upcoming Kickstarter project.  I'm pretty jaded with KS (lots of failed projects costing me a fair few quid) but, I have to say, this is pretty tempting!
 
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/952953995/1060297311?ref=766032&token=72c3cda6
 
What d'you think?  A waste of time or a bit of fun? :)

Ooh, I think I'll try this out after lunch - it has to be better than work, right? :P
 
I hope it's not too difficult though!

Ooh, I think I'll try this out after lunch - it has to be better than work, right? :P
 
I hope it's not too difficult though!

Yeah, I always wished cartridges were more popular over here way back when.  I had quite a few for my VIC20 but that was mainly because the computer was old and the carts were super cheap!
 
I'm interested to try the kids patience a little.  I'm going to show them the ubiquitous "20 goto 10" and see how they respond.  After that, if all goes well, I think I'll dig out one of those Usborne Space Games books or something.  Those 'games' were usually fairly short listings... I'm under no illusion that any of the kids will be willing to type huge DATA statements! 

I'm just gonna drop this here. It's an edited version of the original MM, like MM3 and MM5, the graphics and enemies haven't been modified. MMHARD.z80
 
Cavern Names :
1. The Pyramid Entrance
2. The Melting Iceberg
3. The Collapsed Plains
4. The Dried-Up Aquifer
5. The Plumbing Store
6. The Cloning Facility
7. The VAT
8. United Kongdom Customs
9. The Germopharmacy
10. The Apple Orchard
11. Finding the Perfect Insurance
12. The Pronce's Palace
13. And Down the Trash Chute...
14. Space Game Tutorial Level
15. The Art Gallery
16. 
17. The Factory
18. Ameobological Site
19. Localizing Ray Deflector
20. The Pharaoh Gravestone

The "rubbish old game" thing actually comes from one of my kids who describes anything pre-Playstation as exactly that!  For him, these old games are a complete anathema.  Personally, I actually prefer MM to JSW (please don't shoot me!).
 
That article sounds really intriguing.  I can actually see that in practice with other old games and systems that I've let the kids play.  Half the time, I have to repeatedly explain why touching the screen doesn't 'work' or smile through gritted teeth while hearing for the umpteenth time "why do I keep dying at that bit?"!
 
Up until now, I've only taken in consoles as they're a bit more approachable and robust (in terms of simplicity) for the wee ones.  I just decided to try out a Speccy with a couple of the kids as they're pretty geeky (like me at that age) and I think they're probably ready to accept the idea of typing in commands and the like.  If all goes well, I'm hoping to get them to type in a BASIC game or two...

:) Yes the pokes would silence the 'in game' tune permanently although they would not turn off the other in game effects such as 'falling' or 'fatal accident' effects.
 
I'd not say "rubbish old game" though personally ;) It was really one of the best early platform games around which launched a whole host of other games...
 
There was a school of thought on this I read a few months ago about what was termed if I remember correctly "Manic Miner Syndrome" in that the 'small people' who were only used to modern consoles and save points etc, could not deal with MM, they would for instance walk into a fatal fire cell such as a green plant, and then do it again. Fair enough the first time but then surely you'd 'remember' not to do it again ? :unsure: I'm unable to find said article at the moment although it was only a paragraph or two. I think it points out how forgiving (relatively) modern games are in some ways.
 
Having said that its far far easier to modify or alter an older game in most cases to fix things or change/amend anything compared to a newer game where there is no editor available, depends on how said new game was constructed though I guess partly. :)

Yeah, that was to be a last resort but I was hoping to retain the sounds in the game.  I want to keep some of the atmosphere of the game - silence would bore them.  The thing is, I have a couple of kids with Autism.  The incessant piercing tones of the tune would just drive them up the wall!
 
Switching of the tune with the key press is perfect.  I can play the tune, they can all have a laugh at my rubbish old game and then I can switch it off so that they can concentrate on the game itself. :)
 
I don't go back to work for a wee while yet but I'm actually pretty excited to share this with them... It'll certainly make a change from them obsessing over Pokemon!

Most welcome. :)
 
There is also the simple ability in about 95% of emulators to mute all sound via either their menu or an option, although this might not be exactly what you need.

Sorry, I should've been clearer.  I meant the in-game music. :)
 
I didn't realise one could switch the music off with a key press... I feel a bit daft now!
 
Thanks for sharing the POKEs too.  A couple of the kids will be fascinated by that.  They'll think their hard core hackers!

Welcome! :D
 
The title screen or in game ?
 
You can toggle in 'in game' music on/off via H,J,K,L or Enter.
 
If you do not mind using a poke or two in an emulator you can turn it off a bit more permanently:
 
Title Screen: POKE 37635,0: POKE 37636,0
 
In Game Tune: POKE 34904,0 : POKE 34905,0
 
Note these apply to this version (the Software Projects one) not the more commonly used Bug-Byte version.
 
The 'jump' , 'fall' and 'accident' sound effects are still present but the four pokes above will effectively silence the 'tunes' as such.

Hiya.  I wonder, is there a version of this but without the music?  I want to take this into my After School Club to show the wee ones what I used to play but I know the music will distract them too much from appreciating the game play.
 
PS:  Sorry my first post is a 'noob' question!

JSW Corner, a simple website of my design kindly hosted by Xabier V

View File Manic Miner Updated
We are pleased to release a mildly updated Spectrum version of Manic Miner.
 
1. The new loading screen I put together here has been used.
 
2. The code was again assembled using a 'real' speedlock loader for both its intended use (on a real machine) and for tape loading fanatics too. This is not intended as any form of 'protection' it is simply to cut down loading time from approx 3m15s to 2m30s. :) Only the game code is loaded rather than an emulator 'built' one as that would load all the memory which is not needed.
 
3. The game code was based on the Software Projects release rather than the more common Bug-Byte one, the reason for this was simply as the Software Projects release was later so it made more sense to base it on the 'last' code as such.
 
4. The 'typewriter' cheat was removed. The Software Projects version was "typewriter" instead of "6031769"
 
5. To make the game a bit more initially friendly, Willy starts with seven lives instead of three however:
 
6. There is no bonus life awarded every 10,000 points any more.
 
7. Minor detail: The scrolling message was slowed down a fraction so its more readable.
 
8. Minor detail: The scrolling message was altered very slightly to correct a few concerns:
 
 


 

In essence the changes are to capitalisation, spacing and the 'forgotten' pause keys.
 
Enjoy. :)
 
Note: Load in 48K mode
Submitter Spider Submitted 02/01/2015 Category JSWMM Releases