SOFTWARE MANUAL
SiCoDe Software
 http://sicode.ticalc.org
iNNoVATioN in TI-BASIC
 sicode@bigfoot.com
FILE INFORMATION:
Lords
The TI-83's Premier Fantasy Strategy Game

0.0 INDEX


1.0 ABOUT PROGRAM NAME
1.1 What is Ground Assault?

In November 1998 SiCoDe released Ground Assault, a new strategy game for the TI-83. This was far superior to anything on offer at the time, beating Daniel Simms earlier Command & Conquer game hands-down. SiCoDe wanted Ground Assault to remain the TI-83's premier strategy game but it became clear from an early stage that the game's engine wasn't up to it being too slow and unwieldy as well as having quite inefficient code. Therefore SiCoDe decided to release a new one. The result was Lords.
Utilizing a new engine based on the GAWar Engine used in Ground Assault Lords has set new standards in TI-83 strategy gaming.
In October 1999, SiCoDe ported Lords and GA to the TI-82 bringing high quality strategy to this platform.
Features include,

1.2 Version History 1.3 Future Plans

Lords is being replaced by several new SiCoDe strategy games. Find out about these at SiCoDe's website, at http://sicode.ticalc.org


2.0 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
1) Unzip the file LORDS.ZIP into any directory, usually your Link Software's directory (e.g. C:\WINLINK).
2) Run your Link Software and send the file LORDS.83G to your TI-83.
3) Run the program prgmLORDS to begin.
4) Visit SiCoDe's website at http://sicode.ticalc.org for news and program updates.

To install the Ground Assault Level Editor (GAEdit)

1) unzip the file LORDS.zip
2) Send LORDSEDT.83P to your TI-83
3) Run prgmLORDSEDT


3.0 GAME CONTROLS
On the options screen...

"Enter"    Select Option

In the main game...

"2nd"    Select Unit / Move / Attack
"ALPHA"    De-select unit
"CLEAR"    End Turn
"MODE"    Pause
"DEL"    Quit

In LORDSEdt...

"ENTER"    Select Unit
"CLEAR"    Clear Map
"GRAPH"    Quit


4.0 ADVANCED
Contents

 4.1 Unit Descriptions
 4.2 Tutorial
 4.3 Basic Strategy
 4.4 Creating Custom Levels

-< 4.1 Unit Descriptions >-

 -< Tree  Cost: -   >-

       O
    OOO     The tree is the only resource on the map
    OOO     you have to collect. Each tree is worth
 OOOOO  2 wood. It costs an energy to cut one down.
       O

 -< Castle Cost: -   >-

 O   O   O
 OOOOO  The Castle is used to build all the
 OOOOO  units in Lords. However, it needs to be
 O   OOO  defended because it hasn't got much health.
 O   OOO

 -< Peasant Cost: 2 gold   >-

   O  O    The peasant is used to chop down trees
   OO      to be units and to make paths through
   OO      forests. The peasant cannot attack, it
 O  O      can only defend.

 -< Pikeman Cost: 5 gold 5 wood  >-

          O
   O  O    The pikeman is the strongest unit in the
   OO      game. This means it is also the most
   OO      reliable, though it is not invicible.
 O  O

 -< Archer Cost: 2 gold 4 wood  >-

          O
   O      O   The archer is the only unit in the game
   OOOO   that can attack 2 squares only. This means
   OO   O   it can hide behind trees! An archer attack
 O  OO      only takes away from the enemy.

 -< Swordman Cost: 2 gold 2 wood  >-

   O     O  The swordman is the cheapest fighting unit
   OOO     in the game. It is used to defend peasants
   OO       and archers, and also to bulk up an army.
 O  O

-< 4.2 Tutorial >-

PLAYER 1
1)  Start up Lords.
2)  Select New Game
3)  Select "Slot 1"
4)  Select "Level 1" and watch the TI-83 draw the battlefield
5)  When the level has loaded, you can see a black box cursor. Move it using the cursor keys.
6)  Bored? Try selecting a piece of scenery... move the cursor to a tree and press "ALPHA".
7)  The tree's stats appear in the sidebar. Notice it's trademark lack of health.
8)  Okay, now move to your castle and press "2nd". You should see the cursor disapper and a picture of a peasant appear in the little box on the sidebar. You can build a unit by pressing up or down. If you wanted to cancel you would press "ALPHA". Try building a Peasant.
9)  Then you are asked where to place it. If you pressed "left" on the cursor keys to place it, it wouldn't place it because the castle is at the edge of the map. The only place you can place it is to the right, so press "right" on the cursor keys. Notice how 2 gold has been taken away from your gold supply. Select the Peasant by pressing "2nd".
10) It is waiting for orders for movement (by pressing the cursor keys it will move into a certain direction). Cancel by pressing "ALPHA". If it was next to an enemy you would press "2nd" to make it fight.
11) Now select the Peasant again by pressing "2nd". Press "2nd" again and a message will appear in the status bar "Chop where?". Press "Right" and notice the tree to the right of the peasant disappear. Also notice that your energy has decreased by 1 and your wood supply has increased by 2. The calculator has automatically deselected the peasant, so select it again and press right to move it.
12) Now we will build something a little more dangerous. Press "ALPHA" to deselect the peasant and select your castle again. Keep pressing "Down" until the image of the archer appears in the little box. Press "2nd" to select the unit, then press "Right" to place it.
13) Move the units around until you run out of energy. Press "Clear" to end your turn. This will save the map's status onto your game 'slot' (in this case, slot 1). To reload a previous game all you have to do is choose the slot under which it was played. Hand the calculator to Player 2...
PLAYER 2
14) If you haven't been watching Player 1, ask how to select,  build and move units, and how to chop down trees. Now take it in turns to build, and move units.
15) TO ATTACK: The attacking player selects a unit (if it is next to an enemy unit) by pressing "2nd" and then "2nd"  again. A message will appear in the status bar "Attack who?". Press the appropriate cursor key as if you were moving normally onto the defending unit's square. The calc will calculate the battle and both units will lose health (except an archer). If one unit's health reaches 0 it is destroyed and removed from the battlefield. (N.B. it costs 1 Energy to attack).

This is the end of your tutorial. Sorry if it doesn't make sense, but it should give you the ability to play Lords reasonably well! :)

-< 4.3 Basic Strategy >-

Lords is a relatively simple strategy game. But don't think that means you need to use simple strategies! Here are some pointers...

1) Advance as soon as possible. This will make you gain ground and put the other player on the defensive so you do not have to defend your base as heavily.
2) Attack first! This increases your chances of winning a one-on-one combat!
3) Overwhealm the enemy with units - A few Pikemen to neutralise the enemy's, and Swordmen to get through to attack the base.
4) Defend your base using the least amount of units as possible. This will leave units free to attack.
5) Attack from two directions at once so the enemy has to commit units to knock out one group. Then charge with the other one!
6) If you are playing defensively you can stay out of their range (3 squares = 3 energy) which will let you build reinforcements and make the other player commit themself to a strategy (also they cannot use the "attack first" bonus on you, wait till it's your turn to attack!).
7) If you block off all exits of an enemy base, you can stop them building units!

-< 4.4 Creating Custom Levels >-

Run the program LORDSEDT. Choose what slot you want to save in and you're off!

"ENTER" or "2nd" - Change unit/feature
"GRAPH"   - Exit
"CLEAR"   - Clear Map


5.0 TROUBLESHOOTING & SUPPORT
5.1 Troubleshooting 5.2 Known Bugs/Problems 5.3 Contacting Support

SiCoDe will always try to rectify any problems you have with this software. If you do run into any difficulties just email sicode@bigfoot.com or use our online form to contact us. Please describe the problem fully in order to help us understand the problem.


6.0 FURTHER INFORMATION
6.1 About SiCoDe

SiCoDe is a group of programmers who program for various TI calculators in the TI-BASIC language. We also program ASM applets that can be used with TI-BASIC programs. SiCoDe aim to continually provide high-quality TI-BASIC programs. These are frequently considered to be inferior in all ways to ASM programs and we aim to eliminate this misconception!
SiCoDe is an affiliate of the TI-BASIC Quality Alliance which means that quality is assured in our products.
Further information about SiCoDe can be found by visiting our website at http://sicode.ticalc.org. SiCoDe can be contacted at sicode@bigfoot.com.

6.2 Credits

Programmed by - Matt Hall
TI-82 Port by - Robert Maresh
Original Game Idea - Matt Hall
Title Screen Artwork - Matt Hall
Graphic Design - Matt Hall
Program Engine - Matt Hall
Editor Programmed by - David Hall

Uses SiCoDe GAWar Engine

6.3 Acknowledgements
SiCoDe wishes to thank...

End Of Document