README File for Star Fortress - 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.


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 STFSFX.DBO.  Check free EMS with the
MEM command under DOS.


Primary Controls:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cursor Left/Right - rotate your ship
Alt/Up/Down - thrust (to move your ship)
Ctrl/Space - fire your gun

Alternate keys (useful on laptop computers):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[K][L][;]['] also function as Left/Right/Thrust/Fire, respectively.

During joystick or mouse play, the keyboard keys are also active,
allowing you to use a combination of input devices.


Additional Keys:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[P] - pause the game ([P] or enter to restart)
[Ctrl-J] - calibrate joystick
[F1] - Review this file (HELP)
[F2] - Display high score chart
[Alt-F3] - Enable cheat mode (registered version only)
[F5] - Toggle sound on/off
[F10] - Quit game, go to menu
[ESC] - Quit game, go to DOS


Scoring
~~~~~~~
Points are added for efficiently destroying the central cannon
within the fortress.

	Damaging a shield segment:			 10 pts
	Destroying a shield segment:		 25
	Destroying a spark					250

Fortress destruction bonus:  1000 pts, PLUS:
		+100 pts for each damaged shield still on the fortress
		+200 pts for each UN-damaged shield still on the fortress

For every 10,000 points you earn, you will receive an extra bonus
star fighter (life).


Play Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~
Your goal is to destroy the central cannon within the Star Fortress.
Each level features a more aggressive Star Fortress with nastier
defense elements.

Defense elements include the rotating shields, the heat-seeking
guided "sparks," and the central cannon's own fireballs.

You will receive more bonus points if you destroy the central cannon
while there are a lot of shields still remaining around it.
Thus accurate shooting is rewarded.

Destroying all the outer shields makes the Star Fortress regenerate
a new inner shield ring and move the others outwards.  This also
increases the difficulty of the game.

Destroying a roving spark earns you some points, but it also increases
the difficulty of the game.

NOTE THAT THE EDGES OF THE SCREEN WRAP AROUND!!!  THIS IS USEFUL!

When all your star fighters have been destroyed, it is GAME 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

Star Fortress was started as an EGA-mode project in 1992 and
languished on an obscure hard drive until it was re-discovered
in late 1998.  After the addition of "template color," digitized
SoundBlaster(tm) sound, and the other standard PLBM Games user
interface features, it was declared complete within only a few
weeks in early 1999, and is our 23rd commercial game title.

Star Fortress 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>
