[File] Manic Miner Updated

[Spider]

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Manic Miner Updated

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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:

 

. . . . . .Written by Matthew Smith ©83 SOFTWARE PROJECTS Ltd. . .Guide Miner Willy through 20 lethal caverns. . .Q,E,T,UorO=left. . .W,R,Y,IorP=right. . .SHIFT-SPACE =Jump. . .A pause. . .Bonus Life for each 10000 points. . . . . . . . . .

 

. . . . . .Written by Matthew Smith ©1983 SOFTWARE PROJECTS Ltd. . .Q,E,T,U or O=Left. . .W,R,Y,I or P=Right. . .Shift to Space=Jump. . .A,S,D,F or G=Pause. . .H,J,K,L or Enter=Tune On/Off. . .Guide Miner Willy through 20 lethal caverns. . . . .

 

In essence the changes are to capitalisation, spacing and the 'forgotten' pause keys.

 

Enjoy. :)

 

Note: Load in 48K mode

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• Submitter
  Spider
• Submitted
  02/01/2015
• Category
  JSWMM Releases

 

[Dasse]

Nice update! love it! :)

[Spider]

Nice update! love it! :)

Thank you. :) :) :)

 

Announced on the WOS site too here

[Spider]

Very minor update. There are *no* code changes to this, only the loading screen was slightly tweaked to move the jswmm logo and a border added around Matthew's copyright.

 

[The Equalizer]

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!

[Spider]

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!

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.

[The Equalizer]

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!

[Spider]

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.

[The Equalizer]

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!

[Spider]

:) 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. :)