Apeiron FAQ
AndrewWelc
[display this document using the typeface Monaco 9 for best results]
-PURPOSE------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. This FAQ is an
attempt to provide a comprehensive source of information about the game
Apeiron, and was created in response to questions that are frequently
raised by our customers. We hope you find it useful.
If there are any questions you have about Apeiron that are not
answered in this FAQ, please get in touch with us so we can include them
in future revisions.
-CREDITS------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: John Haley
Contributors: Andrew Welch, "Cajun" David Richard, Ed "DAMAGE" Ota,
Gayle Haarr
Thanks to: David Freitas
Copyright (C) 1995 by Ambrosia Software, Inc.
-FAQ HISTORY--------------------------------------------------------------
Version: 1.0.0
Created: 6/15/95
Last Revised: 6/29/95
-DISCLAIMER---------------------------------------------------------------
This document is provided as is, without any express or implied
warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of
the information contained in this document, the author assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the
use of the information contained herein.
-CONTENTS-----------------------------------------------------------------
This FAQ answers the following questions:
GENERAL
- What is Apeiron?
- What computer do I need in order to play Apeiron?
- Who makes Apeiron and how can I get in touch with them?
- Where can I obtain Apeiron?
- What is the latest version of Apeiron?
- How much does Apeiron cost, and how do I pay for it?
- Why should I register (pay for) Apeiron?
- My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
- Will Apeiron ever be ported to DOS?
- Will there be future versions of Apeiron?
- In the lower right corner of the setup screen, there is a box of
static. Is this a bug?
GAME PLAY
- How do I play?
- What are the point values for the various baddies in Apeiron?
- Is there a limit for the number of lives you are able to accumulate
in Apeiron?
- How can I pause or abort a game?
- Can I use my keyboard to play Apeiron?
- Will my joystick work with Apeiron?
- What do the different yummies do?
- Is there such a thing as a "dud" yummy?
- Is there any kind of an end to the game?
- How can I cheat while playing Apeiron?
- Do you have any hints or tips for playing Apeiron?
COMPATIBILITY
- When I start Apeiron, the screen freezes and it makes a funny sound
with the word "Pause" displayed on the screen; what's wrong?
- Does Apeiron work on a PowerMac? Is it PowerPC native?
- Does Apeiron work with System 7.5?
- When I quit Apeiron, my computer locks up, freezes or crashes. What's
wrong?
- Why doesn't Apeiron use the full screen on large monitors?
- Why does the sound occasionally break up?
- Will Virtual Memory affect game play?
HISTORY
- What does "Apeiron" mean?
- What language is Apeiron written in?
- Who did the artwork for Apeiron?
- When was Apeiron first released?
- How long did it take to create Apeiron?
-GENERAL------------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - What is Apeiron?
[A] - Apeiron is to Centipede what Maelstrom is to Asteroids. A tried and
true concept, pumped full of steroids and released for your Macintosh.
Save your quarters for your laundry.
During a port through the looking glass the mirror shatters and your
ethereal energy (you know, the stuff that allows you to get up and go to
work on a Monday morning) is trapped within one of the crystal shards.
Immediately the residents of the mushroom patch sense your presence. Lead
by the Pentipede, these critters relentlessly hunt the crystal, intent
upon sucking the trapped energy out. Luckily you are not defenseless; with
plasma cannon blazing, you must hold out as long as possible.
Mac Home Journal awarded Apeiron a full four apple review,
ComputerPlayer magazine honored us with their stamp of perfection and
Inside Mac Games rated it four joysticks. We think you'll like it too.
.....
[Q] - What computer do I need in order to play Apeiron?
[A] - Apeiron *requires* System 6.07 or later (yes, it works just fine
with System 7.5 and the PowerMacs). It also requires a 256 color/gray
scale monitor that is 13" or larger (640x480 pixels or greater).
.....
[Q] - Who makes Apeiron and how can I get in touch with them?
[A] - Apeiron is published as shareware by Ambrosia Software, Inc., a
Macintosh-only, shareware-only company. The game itself was written by
Andrew Welch, the founder of Ambrosia. To get in touch with Ambrosia, you
can use any of the following methods:
US Mail:
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
PO Box 23140
Rochester, NY 14692
Voice:
716.325.1910 (technical support)
800.231.1816 (orders only)
Fax:
716.325.3665
eMail:
America Online: AmbrosiaSW
Compuserve: 74777,1147
eWorld: AmbrosiaSW
GEnie: AmbrosiaSW
Internet: Ambro...@AOL.com
.....
[Q] - Where can I obtain Apeiron?
[A] - The latest version of Apeiron is always available in the Ambrosia
Software forums on the following services:
o America Online: While you're signed on AOL, choose Keyword...
from the GO TO menu, type AMBROSIA and hit the return key.
o eWorld: While you're signed on eWorld, choose Go to Shortcut...
from the PLACES menu, type AMBROSIA and hit the return key.
o CompuServe: While you're signed on CompuServe, use GO word
AMBROSIA to reach the Mac Vender D area, where Ambrosia
Software, Inc. maintains a forum.
o Internet: Apeiron can be found at the following sites:
mac.archive.umich.edu: /mac/game/arcade/apeiron1.0.sea.hqx
sumex-aim.stanford.edu: /info-mac/game/arc/apeiron-10.hqx
And last but not least, you can obtain Apeiron from us for $5.00 to
cover shipping & handling. You place your order by sending us a check via
US mail, faxing us your credit card number & expiration date, sending us
your credit card number & expiration date via electronic mail, or calling
our 800 number order line: 800.231.1816.
If you'd like a full color brochure featuring each of Ambrosia's
products sent to you *free of charge*, simply drop us an eMail or call us
at 716.325.1910 and we'll get it right off to you. Make sure you include
your full name, address, and country when requesting a brochure.
.....
[Q] - What is the latest version of Apeiron?
[A] - The current version of Apeiron is 1.0.1, dated 3/10/95.
.....
[Q] - How much does Apeiron cost, and how do I pay for it?
[A] - Apeiron costs $15 US funds. Apeiron has an integrated registration
system that allows you to easily register it a number of ways:
cash/check/money order/credit card via US mail, credit card via fax, or
credit card via eMail. Simply launch Apeiron, and click on the
Register... button in the splash screen that appears. You'll be
painlessly lead through the registration system.
Ambrosia Software, Inc. also has a toll free order line. If you wish
to purchase Apeiron, you can use your Visa or Mastercard and call
800.231.1816. If you are calling outside the US/Canada region, or need
technical assistance, please call 716.325.1910.
We will process your order right over the phone, and give you a
license code immediately. We will also take orders for sending disks with
the Ambrosia Software products you are interested in, so that you can try
them out and decide if you would like to purchase them (see below for more
information).
After we have processed your registration, you will receive a
license code that you enter to complete the registration process. This
code removes the shareware notices and personalizes your copy of the
product.
To enter your license code, simply double-click on the Ambrosia
Software product for which you have purchased a license. A shareware
notice will come up on the screen, with a few buttons along the bottom.
To enter your license code, click on the Enter Code... button, and make
sure you enter all of the license information exactly as it is shown.
That's all there is to it.
.....
[Q] - Why should I register (pay for) Apeiron?
[A] - We're attempting to offer high quality products at a low price, on a
"try before you buy basis." Supporting us by registering Apeiron --
assuming you like the game -- is the only way you can ensure that we will
continue to produce more high quality software distributed as shareware.
Beyond that, you will receive a license code that removes the
shareware notices and personalizes Apeiron with your name, giving you a
legal copy of Apeiron on your Macintosh.
.....
[Q] - My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
[A] - The license code you were sent is based on your name as you gave it
to us when you registered. Make sure that you are entering your name
EXACTLY as it appears on your registration confirmation. If you still
have a problem with your license code not working, please get in contact
with us and we will take care of the situation for you.
.....
[Q] - Will Apeiron ever be ported to DOS?
[A] - Ambrosia has no plans to port Apeiron, or any of our other products,
over to DOS/Windows. Sorry, not to be snobby, but we lack the know-how,
time, and inclination to undertake such a project, so it doesn't look like
it is going to happen.
.....
[Q] - Will there be future versions of Apeiron?
[A] - Apeiron is a relatively young product. We anticipate future
improvements and bug fixes as the need arises. One of the advantages of
distributing shareware is that it allows us to continually improve a
product, remaining dynamically compatible with new hardware and software.
Your license code will work on all future versions of this product.
.....
[Q] - In the lower right corner of the setup screen, there is a box of
static. Is this a bug?
[A] - Nope, that is intentional. Originally we intended it to be a
stereogram, one of those optical illusions. Supposedly, if you stare hard
enough, you'll see an image.
We never could get it to work but released it anyway. For a while we
told people it was in fact a working stereogram, and folks reported the
strangest things, but the joke is over. No, there is no picture of Elvis
anywhere in Apeiron.
-GAME PLAY----------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - How do I play?
[A] - Gameplay is rather simple. Your shooter is a small crystal on the
bottom of the screen that is controlled with your mouse. Press the mouse
button to fire. None of the other characters that appear on screen are all
that friendly, so feel free to blast away.
[Q] - What are the point values for the various baddies in Apeiron?
[A] - Apeiron Scores Breakdown:
Pentipede head segment 100 points
Pentipede body segment 10 points
Gecko 1000 points
Mushroom 1 point
Poison Mushroom 5 points
Falling mushroom 3000 points
Falling poison mushroom 6000 points
Flea 200 points *
Scorpion 1500 points **
Spaceship 500 to 3000 bonus points ***
* 200 points for the first flea. If there are more than one on the
screen at the same time, each consecutive flea is worth double the
previous one. Example: first flea = 200, second = 400, third = 800, etc.
** 1500 is the most you can get for the Scorpion. The closer you are
when you kill him, the more points he's worth.
*** The value for the spaceship can be between 500 and 3000 points.
This number is generated randomly for each appearance. Sometimes you just
have to take what you get.
.....
[Q] - Is there a limit for the number of lives you are able to accumulate
in Apeiron?
[A] - Cats are limited to nine lives, and Apeiron players are limited to
eight. If you have eight lives showing, you are maxed out. Apeiron awards
an extra man for every 20,000 points you score.
.....
[Q] - How can I pause or abort a game of Apeiron?
[A] - The Caps Lock key pauses Apeiron while you are in the middle of a
game, allowing you to take a breather or switch out to another application
if you desire. To resume a game after you've paused it, simply depress
the Caps Lock key.
The ESC (escape) key aborts the game you're playing. This is not a
"quit" key, but an "end the game because the boss is coming in to the
office" key. It is only operational when you are playing the game.
.....
[Q] - Can I use my keyboard to play Apeiron?
[A] - No, Apeiron is designed to take advantage of the flexibility of your
mouse, or similar ADB device. This way game play is as simple as point and
shoot. Be sure to keep beverages, fine china, and small infants away from
your mouse pad while playing. Sometimes you can get caught up in the
action.
.....
[Q] - Will my joystick work with Apeiron?
[A] - Apeiron uses some pretty fancy footwork to provide the smoothest
game play. Some third party ADB devices may have difficulty interacting
with the game. If you are having trouble, contact our technical service
department. Ambrosia will either solve the problem for you right away, or
contact the vendor directly and work on compatibility. Of course, the
mouse that came with your Macintosh will always work.
.....
[Q] - What do the different yummies do?
o Multiplier - You guessed it, this will multiply your bonus score.
o Psychedelic Shroom - This will put you into psychedelic-sixties
mode. Your screen will flash weird colors and everything will be
worth ten times as much.
o Coins - contain handy powerups that will give you an added
advantage. Powerups are:
- Squiggly line - Gives you guided shots.
- Diamond - Allows you to pass through mushrooms at bottom
of screen.
- Vertical orange dashes - Machine gun shots.
- Sprinkly shield - Invincibility, that says it all.
- Lock - Allows you to keep powers after you are killed.
- House cleaning - Will remove all mushrooms from the bottom
of the screen.
- Extra man - you get another life, unless of course you are
already maxed out.
[Q] - Is there such a thing as a "dud" yummy?
[A] - There are no "dud" yummie coins; you may however get a yummie coins
that you already have, or you may get an extra life.
.....
[Q] - Is there any kind of an end to the game?
[A] - No. As in life, Apeiron is a contest of survival. The longer you
last, the more fun you will have. In the end, death comes to us all.
.....
[Q] - How can I cheat while playing Apeiron?
[A] - Apeiron has several cheat codes that you can type in while the game
is paused. Here they are, and what they do:
o SNAPPLE - gives you the yummy-lock.
o PERNTS - Adds points to your score.
o NALA - The almighty sprinkly shield.
o SQUISH - Rapid fire.
o USMC - Adds 5000 to your bonus score.
o DJARUM - Allows you to pass through mushrooms.
o HECTOR - Automatically maxes out your lives, so you total eight.
o NICE BOX - Guided shots.
o MORRISON - Moves you ahead 12 levels.
.....
[Q] - Do you have any hints or tips for playing Apeiron?
[A] - Although I did not place in the Apeiron High Score contest, I do
have a few tricks up my sleave:
o The closer you are to the Scobster when you shoot him, the more
points he's worth.
o Stay away from the edges, the Scobster can surprise you.
o The Scobster always growls before he appears, that's your
warning.
o The scobster does not back track, once you make it past him,
you're safe.
o Clear away excess shrooms from the bottom of the screen to
allow room to maneuver.
o If you clear too many away from the bottom, the flea will come.
o Do not let the Pentipede touch the bottom. If he gets a
"touchdown" he invites his friends in to help celebrate.
o Be on the look out for multipliers and magic mushrooms.
o While shooting at multipliers and magic mushrooms do not lose
track of the action close at hand. If you are distracted, you
become easy prey for the scobster and Pentipede.
o Shooting coins may bounce them off the screen, wasting precious
powers.
o Be selective clearing mushrooms. You can build channels to
funnel the Pentipede into your killing zone.
o If you hit a magic mushroom, the screen will flash and all scores
are multiplied by 10. If you finish the board, the mushroom
bonus can really add up.
o If the Pentipede hits a poison mushroom, and dives to the bottom,
you should stay on the bottom yourself. The Pentipede will touch
bottom and start working his way up. Now you can get under him
and blast away.
.....
-COMPATIBILITY------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - When I start Apeiron, the screen freezes and it makes a funny
sound; what's wrong?
[A] - Congratulations, you've found Apeiron's pause function! Apeiron
uses the Caps Lock key for pausing the game; simply depress the Caps Lock
key and you'll be able to continue playing Apeiron.
.....
[Q] - Does Apeiron work on a PowerMac? Is it PowerPC native?
[A] - Apeiron works just fine on all PowerMacs. However Apeiron will never
be PowerPC native. It runs just fine under emulation, much of the game is
written in 68K assembler (and thus would have to be rewritten), and there
would be very little benefit in having a native version of the game
because the speed under emulation is just fine.
.....
[Q] - Does Apeiron work with System 7.5?
[A] - Yes, Apeiron works just fine with System 7.5. The "Before you
install" program will tell you that Apeiron "may not work with System
7.5," but it is incorrect.
The way the "Before you install" program works is as follows: there
is an internal database of programs known to work with System 7.5, and an
internal database of programs known not to work with System 7.5. If any
program is not listed in either database, the "Before you install" program
errs on the side of caution and tells you that the program "may not work
with System 7.5."
Rest assured, Apeiron works just fine under System 7.5. That's the
System version we are currently using in the Ambrosia home office while we
are playing -- I mean testing -- Apeiron.
.....
[Q] - Why does the sound occasionally break up?
[A] - Certain video cards may cause the sound to break up during fades.
This is because all video card drivers turn off interrupts while they are
changing color table entries, and some video cards do not handle color
table changes in an optimal manner. Since interrupts are off while the
video card is changing color table entries, the Sound Manager cannot
service the sound chip quickly enough, and the sound breaks up.
.....
[Q] - Will Virtual Memory affect game play?
[A] - If you have virtual memory turned on, it may slow down Apeiron's
game play. This is unavoidable; the only solution is to turn virtual
memory off before playing Apeiron.
On slower machines, virtual memory may also cause the sound to
breakup or screech on occasion. We recommend against using virtual memory
while playing Apeiron (or any other game for that matter), but it does
work.
.....
-HISTORY------------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - What does "Apeiron" mean?
[A] - Apeiron - [ancient greek] - 1. boundless-of sleep, from which it
might seem that one would never awake. 2. without an end by which to be
unloosed, inextricable. 3. Numberless, countless.
.....
[Q] - What language is Apeiron written in?
[A] - Apeiron is written in THINK C 5.0.4, with about 35,000 lines of code
total. It utilizes Ambrosia's 4 channel 22kHz Sound Tool for audio,
Ambrosia's Monitor Tool for monitor selection and special effects,
Ambrosia's Registration Tool for the shareware license code system,
Ambrosia's Blit and Animation Tools for the animation, and Ambrosia's
Widget Tool for misc. functions.
.....
[Q] - Who did the artwork for Apeiron?
[A] - Mark W. Lewis, Matt Ryan and Andrew Welch worked hard to bring you
the artwork and animation that makes Apeiron what it is.
.....
[Q] - When was Apeiron first released?
[A] - Apeiron was first released on February 10th 1995.
.....
[Q] - How long did it take to create Apeiron?
[A] - The initial (1.0.0) version of Apeiron took approximately 6 months
of coding, testing and recoding. At the office a Quadra 840AV was used,
and a PowerBook 540C was used off site.
.....
-END----------------------------------------------------------------------
Regards,
Andrew Welch
President
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
..........
For the latest versions of our software, technical support, and Ambrosia
news, stop by and visit the Ambrosia Software, Inc. support forums:
America Online ---> Keyword: Ambrosia
CompuServe ---> GO word: Ambrosia
eWorld --> Shortcut: Ambrosia