Archon Help

Archon 3D Instructions

Thankyou for playing Archon 3D. This is based mainly on the original Comadore 64 version only updated to 3D. I limited the creatures to 8 instead of what the original had. I can't remember all of them anyway. Also, I added some extra play modes and some extra multiplayer options. The orginal was 2 player only. As many know, I was working hard on an "outside" RPG version, but had too many problems. Maybe I was trying too hard. This version is much simpler than the other one. Code wise anyway. Enjoy.

This game is pretty much complete unless I recieve alot of feedback on any real issue. I know the AI may seem hard at first, but after a few games, the AI can easily be beeten. Also, this game is released as shareware ... meaning that there is a demo version, and a full version. The demo is fully functional except the online options are limited. It can be played online, with up to 4 players, but not in the classic mode and the random game is dissabled. But, you can still play those modes offline. To get the full version I only ask for $5.00 . Enjoy.
The models used were provided in the Dark Basic model pack, but were modified by me. If you desire my version of them, or wish to see source code, I would like $20.00 and I will provide the full project and offer any help you desire.

At game launch, you are presented with the usual options:

New Game - Starts the default "Classic" game against 1 computer player
Continue - Continues the last saved game
Load Game- Loads a previously saved game
Setup - Changes display settings and some other advanced setup things
Multiplayer - Prepares for internet play See Multiplayer
Practice - Simular to internet play but wth extra options. See Chat Window
Just ignore the internet stuff, practice is for offline only

Play Modes

There are 3 basic modes of play:

Classic:
This is the default play mode. You will start with an overal map. Each player takes turns deciding weather to drop in another creature, or heal an existing one. If two players try to occupy the same spot, combat ensues. The map is switched to "room-mode" and other players watch as the two combatants fight for the square .... The game ends when one player controls the 4 power points.
Random:
This is an unusual game :) The computer will randomly pick a room type for combat. All players get a random creature. When ready, ALL players fight for the room. Players cannot play the same creature twice. Combat repeats 8 times... once for each creature. The player with the most wins is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the game will be extended with the computer selecting random rooms, random creatures, until a clear victory is determined.
Practice:
This mode is for offline play only. You select a room type, select all opposing creatures, and fight. Good for learning the special abilities of creatures and the limitations of various rooms.

Multiplayer Options

If you select the multiplayer game, You will be presented with these options:

Host:
Click this if you want to create or host a multiplayer game. Because I am too cheap to provide a dedicated server, you will need to find another way to inform friends of your IP address. See Chat below for one option ...
To the right on the Host Button is the name of your game. If you click on it, it may clear, but you can type anything here to identify your game. Below this is a place for your name. Click on it and enter your name as you would like it to be presented in the game.
Join:
This is a little more complicated than hosting. To the right of the Join Button is a place to enter your name. Click on it and enter your name. Below this is an IP box. Click on this and enter the IP address of the hosting computer. This game will try and maintain a contact list for you. Clicking on the contact button will cycle you through previous IP addresses you have used before.
Chat:
This will launch an IRC java client. (IRC= Internet Relay Chat). You can have your friends meet you at this site and discuss host/join IP stuff and try and sort out who will do what.... Then, switch back to the game and see what works ... This game will not work reliably if behind a firewall or router .... just a fact of life. It can be made to work, but that is beyond the scope here. To configure a router/firewall .... the website for your specific device/software as this app uses DirectPlay ports 25xx. Beyond that, I can't help at all.

Chat Window

Once you get a networked game connected, this window will appear. I call this a chat window, but its much more than that. This window also works for offline games. The large area in the center is where chat messages will appear. What you type at the bottom is your outgoing chat message. Pressing enter or clicking on the SEND button will move your message to the large window. Now for the complex items:

At the top right are some readiness buttons. Not all buttons work all the time. But, if your the host or playing offline, all buttons will be working. Clicking the red X button will remove a player from the game. Clicking the blank spot next to the red X will make a green check mark appear, showing the player is ready to play. When playing online, only the player named next this button can check it. If playing offline, this is how you decide how many computer players to play against. When all players have checked in (or when player 1 checks in if playing offline) the game starts.

At the bottom right is a map button. Clicking the image or button will do the same thing. This is how you change what kind of game you wish to play. The options are:

Classic
Random (8 room battle each room randomly picked)
Blank - combat, one room, no elements
Fire - combat, one room, Fire Element
Water
Air
Earth
Fire Water
and so on ......

Clicking on a player's name (if playing offline) will change that players creature type. Available creatures Are:

Wizard - shoots guided fireballs.
To guide your fireball, hold the left mouse button down and turn. You can also teleport out of danger.This teleportation is done by pressing the 'T' key and counts as an attack. This teleportation is random and will change your facing to face from where you teleported from. Good for getting out of danger ... sometimes. The wizard can also become invissible at will for short periods. Press the 'I' key.
Knight - Fights with Sword can catch fireballs
To attack, hold the left mouse button down. To withdraw your sword for the next attack, release the mouse button. To catch a fireball, hold the left mouse down, as if attacking, when the fireball is in the right spot, release the mouse button. The fireball will be deflected back to the casting player.
Archer - Shoots arrows. Unguided.
Imp - Can do magic sometimes. Mostly useless though. Cheap. Good for holding a power-point and forcing you opponent to waste a magic taking the spot.
Wraith - Air Elmental. Invisible while moving. Steals Health. Also floats in the air instead of sinking like other creatures. Even though it floats, it still takes damage from other elements. The wraith must be in physical contact to do damage. If the wraith should cross water or fire, or hit a wall, it will become visible.
Siren - Water Elemental. Her singing is awfull. It causes damage. Immune to water, but fire does double damage. While in water, creature is invisible. The Siren cannot move while attacking.
Salamender - Fire Elemental. Immune to fire. Shoots Fireballs (unguided). Water does double damage. While in fire, creature is invisible.
Ram - Earth Elemental. Can move walls. Can see through walls. To move walls, move next to wall and left-click to attack. The wall will be placed in motion crushing enemies on the other side.

How to fight:

Forward - Up arrow key, 'W' key, or Joystick forward.
Backwards - Down arrow key, 'S' key or Joystick back.
Turn Left - Left arrow or Joystick Left 1 button.
Turn Right - Right arrow or Joystick Right 1 button.
Straf Left - 'A' key or Joystick left.
Straf Right - 'D' key or Joystick right
Attack - Mouse Left Click or Joystick Action Button 'X'
Invissible - KeyBoard 'I' or Joystick 'Square' button
Teleport - Keyboard 'T' or Joystick 'Triangle' button

Overal Map Display (classic mode)

If playing the "classic" game. The map overview will list all players in the game. To the right of the name, will be each players overall mana level. You use mana to summon creatures or to heal creatures. You get more mana by occupying rooms with power points. Power points move about randomly to make it a bit harder to control all four at all times. Power points are represented by the white disk in each room. There are 6 rooms. The rooms at each corner of the map have only 1 element present. These rooms generally favor the main elemental creature of the same type as the room. The two middle room each have 3 elements present. No single creature has a clear advantage here. Thats also why they do not follow the general color scheme.
Keyboard Commands While In Map View:
F1 - Displays help
S - Save Game
L - Load Game
ESC - Quits the game from any screen

The flashing name on the top left is the current players turn. If this is you, all creature that you can drop into a game will be listed below the map (left to right) with a small heath bar above them showing the mana required to summon the selected creature.

To the right of the map are three other creatures. These are used to add health or mana to existing creatures, or to simply skip your turn. Once you take any action, your "turn" is done. If you tried to drop a creature into a room that's already occupied, combat will take place, unless the other creature was yours. If the other creature was your, it will be simply be replaced by your new creature.

Mouse controls
I thought to mention this because I wanted any action to be canceled. So, to prepare an action, left-click and drag the object to where desired. Dropping the object performs the expected action .... most of the time. Dropping is done by Right-Clicking. If you wish to cancel an operation, right-click someplace NOT on the map.
example:

Left-Click on the time-clock
drag onto the map
to confirm you want to skip, right-click on the map
to cancel, drag it back to where it came from and right-click

Joystick Controls:
Use the up/down/left/right to move the mouse pointer
Pressing the action (X) button simulates a left-click with the mouse.
Pressing the (Circle) button simulates a right-click with the mouse.

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Advanced Setup Options

Autostart On/Off. If on, will quickly launch as if the New Game option was pressed,
Save IP On/Off. If on, will create a list of IP addresses used for online games.
No/5/10/20 Time Limit. Ends combat in the areana and chooses a winner if no victory has been determined in this time frame.
Classic/Random default game mode. Applies if autostart enabled.
Room size 10/25/50. Number of grids accross game room. Use 10 for lower end computer systems and 50 for higher end systems. If playing online, the host setting is used by all users.
Display Options. Select best display for optimum performance.
Main. Return to main startup menu.