README file for Speed-Kar ... by PLBM Games
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
File Updated:  January 17, 2004


Registration information located at the bottom of this file.

You can register at:  http://www.plbm.com

Cheat Mode is Alt-F3 (registered version only).


System Requirements:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This program requires an IBM PC or compatible with at least VGA.

In general, faster systems will run the program more efficiently.

If the game is running too slow, press F4 to toggle on and off
frame dropping, which will improve performance on slower systems.


Sound Blaster Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This program contains routines to play digital sound on a Sound
Blaster or compatible card.  However, this program does NOT
contain autodetection routines.  This program relies upon the
BLASTER= variable being set appropriately in your environment.
If the BLASTER= variable is set incorrectly, the program may
crash.  If the BLASTER= variable is absent the program will
NOT attempt to use Sound Blaster sound.

Additionally you will need to have free EMS memory to hear
all digital sounds (they're too big to fit in conventional
memory).  The sounds deemed "most important" to game play
will be loaded into conventional memory on a first-come, first-
served basis.  To hear ALL sounds you will need enough EMS
free to fit the file RKSFX.DBO.  Check free EMS with the
MEM command under DOS.


Controls:
~~~~~~~~~
Cursor keys:  maneuvers your your car in 4 directions
Ctrl/Space/CR:  emit a few puffs of smoke


Additional Keys:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[P] - pause the game ([P] or enter to restart)
[J] - toggle joystick on/off
[Ctrl-J] - calibrate joystick
[F1] - Review this file (HELP)
[F2] - Display high score chart
[F4] - Toggle frame dropping (for slower computers only)
[F5] - Toggle sound on/off
[F10] - Quit game, go to menu
[ESC] - Quit game, go to DOS


Game Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~
Speed-Kar is a tribute old simple action games of the 1980s and
features a scrolling maze where you must play a variant of
"Capture The Flag" by maneuvering your car around the maze to
capture the flags (wow!) and avoid being run over ("tagged")
by the enemy cars.

Additional hazards include stones and other obstacles that may
destroy your car if you bump into them.

As you drive your car uses fuel at a constant rate.  When you
run out of fuel your car coasts down to a much slower speed and
avoiding the enemy cars becomes nearly impossible.  Nearly...

If the following enemy cars get too close you can spend a
little bit of your fuel to emit a puff of smoke and hopefully
buy yourself some time while they are confused.

Each successive level features more enemy cars, different flags,
different rocks, and different levels of speed, both for your
car and the enemy cars.

Every so often you will have a "CHALLENGE" stage, wherein the
enemy cars will remain still until either you gather up all
the bonus flags or else your fuel runs low.  If you die during
a Challenge stage you will be advanced to the next Regular
stage immediately, if you have any remaining cars.


Play Hints:
~~~~~~~~~~~
To help get the most speed while going through turns and around
corners it is helpful to always keep one of the cursor keys
depressed.  If you are going upwards and want to "jig" around
a bend then you will do so at a higher overall speed if you
continue to hold the UP key rather than try to manually
maneuver.

Your Radar screen at right is invaluable in locating flags you
still must pick up as well as in avoiding the enemy cars.
Enemy cars show up red while the flags show up green.  Your
location is depicted by a white cross (+ sign).

In the lower right corner you can see how many cars you have
left as well as what stage you are currently on.


Classic vs Extended Mode
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Extended mode plays just like the Classic mode with the addition
of a number of "goodies" that are available on certain levels.

Extended mode goodies currently available:

- SLO - slows down enemy cars for 5-10 seconds
- STOP - stops enemy cars from 5-10 seconds
- DOLLAR - extra points depending on how well you're doing
- GAS - adds 1/4 tank to your gas (fuel also adds to bonus at end)
- FAST - you get an extra boost of speed for 10-20 seconds

To offset the benefits from all the above goodies, the enemy
cars move faster in Extended mode.

Also, there is a 50% chance that the map will be flipped side-to-side,
further adding to the excitement of the game.

Both play modes are provided in the hopes that you will
enjoy the game enough to send in your registration fee.  :)


Scoring:
~~~~~~~~
Capturing flags:                               100,200,300...1000
	(each extra flag is another 100 points)
Capture Special Flag:  points multiplier goes to X2 (or more!)
End-Of-Stage Fuel Bonus:                       Per fuel remaining

If you die while capturing flags, the current flag value reverts
to only 100 points and grows upwards from there.

You will receive an extra car at 30,000 points and one additional
bonus car for every 50,000 points scored after that.  Therefore
bonus cars will be awarded at the following points:

	 30,000 - first bonus car
	 80,000 - second bonus car
	130,000 - third bonus car
	180,000 - fourth bonus car
		etc...

When you wreck all of your cars the game is over.


Internet Support:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contact support@plbm.com for support via email.  You may also check
the following site for upgrades:

		http://www.plbm.com


Credits:
~~~~~~~~
This program was written by Kurt W. Dekker and is distributed
by PLBM Games.  You may contact Kurt via email at kwd@plbm.com

Thanks to John Price and Chris Desalvo for great encouragement
and motorcycle trips to Balboa Peninsula to play Rally-X and
eat Pizza Pete's great pizza.

SpeedKar is Copyright (c) 2004 PLBM Games and Kurt W. Dekker.


Ordering Information:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To order the full version of this game, send $9.95 registration fee
plus your email address to:

	PLBM Games                                   <sales@plbm.com>
	PO Box 10342                                 <http://www.plbm.com>
	Costa Mesa, CA  92627
	USA
    
You may also visit our website and order online with a credit card.

Include your name, address, phone number and email to ensure rapid
delivery.

All orders are fulfilled VIA EMAIL ONLY - NO DISKETTE WILL BE SENT!
<EOF>
