Spectrofon #16 20 декабря 1995

Игры

Expertise - a detailed analysis of the game "Hacker".

          EXPERTISE

  Andrew Shkolnikov, 1995
Game: Hacker.
Manufacturer: Activision.
Year: 1985.


           If builders

        construction of buildings as well

        as programmers write

        program, First Hall
        tevshy woodpecker would destroy

        civilization.


         Weinberg's Second Law.


   "Good afternoon. For
access to a computer network of the corporation "Magma", please 
enter your password. 


   Password is incorrect. For
get help, type "H".

   Help. Access password was recently changed. As
new password using the secret location of the test set.


   Password is incorrect. You have exhausted the permitted 
number of attempts password. Five seconds

Your terminal will be disconnected from
Network Corporation Magma. Count
gone ... "


   But with such a dialogue with the stubborn defense program 
starts the first game company Novels "Activision" about the 
adventures of the restless Hacker. (Just want to apologize to 
those members of this illustrious race, who prefer to write with

one "to", but, in my opinion, with two
"To" somehow exotic.)


   Both games Novels, as they say, not trivial - they are not
Hit casually label type
"Hodilka-sobiralka. The "Hacker" is a lot of simulators
(In the second "Hacker" is even
simulator VCR
very realistic band interference
when you stop frame), strong
sourdough maze arcade
adventyury, and in the first 'Hacker'
also has economic and
elements. In it you will have to
build optimal sequence of purchases and sales
(More exchanges), a process that
itself is very reminiscent
passage of the maze. (Like
Just as in modern
IBM-ovsky adventyurah often
caught "labyrinth" of the dialogues.) Apparently, a good game, 
as and good theory are usually born at the junction of genres.




   As I've said in the Novels of this it is about the 
adventures of Hacker - hacker. This Hacker constantly

chases on its own, to put it mildly, head prilyucheny. In the 
first game, referred to in this issue of spectrophone, "he

gets into your computer corporation monster "Magma", and the 
second He has already threatened to banks

Pentagon data ("Scorpion"
it is certainly not the teeth), and
then even leads to the rustle of the Soviet military base 
somewhere in the Siberia. According to the logic of events, if 
there was a third part, There he would single-handedly broke

the combined fleets and Targon
artangov, led by Darth Vader.


            *


   Thus, we consider now the first game of Novels. It is our 
Hacker, whose role is to play, of course, you tried to get into 
a top-secret computer network of a certain corporation "Magma 
has been successfully otfutbolen, because they do not know the 
new (and perhaps, too old) password

access, but due to accidental
crash protection system still got where you wanted. Since 
system reliability is often disables other systems. 


   A like-it merely
play with other people's robots, and even
had no idea what to scrape to get involved. What other robot, 
you ask? Here we have know (that's all it turns out during the 
game) that the corporation "Magma" engaged in the development 
of terrestrial mineral resources on a global scale, and

its mines are connected by a complex network
underground tunnels, paved
even under the oceans, not to mention
on the continents. But the tunnels are constantly run hither 
and especially for of the developed robots with

cacophonous name SRU.
Is an abbreviation of
"Subterranian Remote Unit" means something like "Underground
mobile device. "Each
robot SRU operates a human operator. The robot is equipped with 
infrared vision, a pair of manipulators and adapted for 
carrying small loads. Apparently, Robots are usually used SRU

to oversee all sorts of arrangements or express orders.



   Here the robot and wanted to drive through the tunnels our 
Hacker. Surely he did not mean absolutely nothing wrong. But 
since so he is fortunate that, shortly before

connect to a network started
some very important developments
closely related not only to corporations "Magma", but all our 
poor pitted ball. Therefore, Hacker, just

Dorval to the robot immediately received secret instructions
very unusual properties,
intended for all robots
(In the sense - for their operators)
corporation. However, it is better to
order.


   So, start playing, you
Of course, you do not know where the secret test set, and 
therefore - do not know password.


   Over time, you know him and
able, deceiving protection immediately
begin to control a robot.
And while you are - beginner, and at first
should consider the device a robot
and pass the test.


   Careful Corporation Magma
united these two problems together:
You show a drawing robot
then in turn call
its component parts, and you should
show them the cursor in the drawing. You can make mistakes - 
you just say, say it is not

there, and asked to enter again. However, if you have made at 
least one mistake, you have to pass

test on the new one. To facilitate
You this Sisyphean task, I remembered school lessons and drawing
somehow tried to show in
picture, where a robot that.



At the same time you can try to guess what I had on
drawing a mark. Hopefully, with
this information, you will learn
take the test more quickly than I had learned. Just one more 
suggestion: not too lazy to write the name

robot (including the serial number)
and the names of its component parts.
Believe me - you this extremely
useful in the game.


   But here's the test finally passed.
Now it is only necessary to point out
world map border day and night
(Which, in general, almost none on
that is not affected) - and you can
to start the game. But first
look at me more game
screen.



   The main part of it is
world map divided into cells. On both sides of these cells can 
pass (or may not take place), the tunnels of underground 
utilities. These tunnels form quite a complex network, so that

I strongly advise to devote some
while compiling maps of the network.


   Robot's position on the map
denotes a blinking cursor. In
help novice cartographer
robot equipped with a scanning system - extending from the 
cursor to short segments show where he can go, that is what

side of the point in which the robot, moving the tunnels.
The system is very convenient, so that
Use it while you can -
equipment from the company "Magma" is clearly not Japanese, and 
after some time scanning system starts to act up, if not

refuse.


   In addition, the map shows
small rectangles - is
City - habitat Spyware
which are discussed ahead. Until
just pay attention to
cross near the town somewhere in the
Switzerland - that I draw it.
But most importantly it is not so, and
that, with the city next to the cross You have to start 
communicating with spies. 


   The upper third of the screen is divided into three parts. 
Right - the compass, showing in which direction the robot is 
turned "face." In the middle - kind of robot eyes.




Underground, as is known, with views not rich, so that in an 
underground status is only possible There are two images - a 
tunnel or a dead end. But already on the surface can admire the 
scenery. 


   And the left is a list of commands
which can give the robot. All
These commands are entered on the first
letter. Consider them.


   PRG - it's not the team, but simply a sign that the robot 
can move. UP and DWN - respectively up and down - lifting and 
lowering back into the tunnel. They can be

available only in urban areas
(Or under). IR - Infrared Illuminator - used to
surface, if dark. CLL -
ringing an agent.

And finally, MSG - if flashing
this team, so from the headquarters
Corporation has received some
message, you need to press "M" and
read it. In general, these
message simply enter the Course
cause or warning of some regular shit.
However, to postpone the unpleasant news is not - until the 
message not taken, the robot can not move.



   To move the robot
First, expand its "face" in
the desired direction. To do this,
just tilt this desired
side of the joystick - the robot will turn. But if you tilt the
joystick in the direction in which
already looking robot, the cursor is on
map shift, although the remains
and mark the former position -
robot is programmed for one
step (if, of course, he can go in this direction), but from a 
place has not moved. Now press

fire, and the robot moves. Naturally, we can similarly
program and move the robot
on any number of steps, but
in a straight line. And to cancel the program, simply move
the joystick back.


   Incidentally, note
that programming, and movement accompanied by sound
signals. It is useful to you,
if you have to go blind
- Apparatus "Magma" seems
worthless and out of
down with frightening speed. Remember: the shift of one cell to
horizontal - two-way (respectively, two "clicks") and on
Vertical - one.

As for the hardware robot, you do not even have time
to verify the first law of Chisholm: everything
can be damaged, spoiled. And,
Of course, do not forget a consequence
from it: all that can not spoil, spoiled, too.


             *


   Starting the game, you'll immediately receive a message from 
the headquarters of the corporation. That's what it says: 
"Drilling is nearing completion. Layers of magma reached. The 
first experiments demonstrate the possibility of successful use 
of differential temperature between the magma and the surface 
as a source energy.



Thus, the available
Corporation Magma was
virtually unlimited source of energy, which makes it possible 
for world domination. " 


   "Aha!" - Do you think the role of hakkera.Ocherednye 
applicants ... " Exactly; unfortunately, the enemies are not 
asleep. But it's flowers. Read message further.



   "Attention!" Seismic
studies indicate the possibility of abrupt temperature 
equalization and, as Consequently, shifts the earth's crust

and destruction of continents. All robots from corporations are 
prohibited closer to the area of ​​drilling. "



   That's how things are. How would say Chip Dale - one good,
that can not be worse.
Of course, Hacker immediately is filled with noble indignation, 
and decides to thwart the villains, but at the same time, too, 
in passing, more and save mankind. And for that goes to the 
nearest city, which is a Swiss (I was tagged cross on the map).



   Reaching the city, you get
second message. It says that some spies captured
pieces of torn paper that outlines a plan "Magma" - this whole 
idea of ​​drilling and energy source. Must

redeem their paper, until he
do not fall into the hands of federal
agents. To this end, the robot is given a standard amount
for such operations.


The amount is not specified, but according to my
observations it is somewhere between fifteen to twenty thousand 
green. 


   From what is becoming clear that Hacker finally
sweep conscience. Instead,
so with all this "standard
the sum of "chasing the robot to the nearest store, he begins 
to search for spies, fearing that others, these messengers of 
the firm intercept evidence first.



   The matter is further complicated by the fact
spies caught choosy. To sell their part of the plan for
accepts money only Swiss. All the others want something in 
return. Fortunately, objects to share a lot:

Every spy, sell or trade
its part of the plan, decides more
a little extra money and offers
You buy him two more things.
These things can be very different
- From the ticket for 200
dollars to a Swiss chalet for
9500.


   It is curious that spies prefer to speak in native languages
or dialects, which creates a certain inconvenience. 
Unfortunately, Russian is not among them, so I

in their ignorance, even
I do not know what they're actually
actually say. If anyone of my readers knows French, Greek, 
Japanese, etc. - Very please write to tell

spies. And I can only say that it begins to Japanese
with the word "watacushi", that sort of
would mean "I".


   Yet to understand Spyware
is not difficult. The fact is
that they themselves sell items
they are called in English, and
wring price in dollars. A
with respect to the documents, then there
even easier: If a spy agree
he immediately pick up an exchange of
and will extend to you a piece of paper.


   Of course, the standard amount
all of these purchases are not enough -
it would be ridiculous to expect such
generosity of the accountants of the corporation. But this is 
not necessary. Total pieces of paper ten -, respectively, need 
only nine purchases. What? Choosing an optimal sequence of 
purchases and exchanges, just and necessary for the successful 
completion game. (By the way, perhaps you

surprised that parts of the document
ten and eleven cities.
Over time you will know who is waiting for
You are in the eleventh city.)


   Keep in mind that one and the
The same thing may well be willing and
two or more agents. Clearly,
that one of them will have
look for some replacement. For example, from a Swiss chalet 
will not give up three spies. But one of the They willingly 
accept in exchange for cheap and chronograph, is not required 
anyone else. So all these complex patterns of purchases and 
exchanges, as I said earlier, are strongly reminiscent of a 
walk through a maze numerous dead ends.



   Actually the process of trade
agent is wrong. You rise to the surface, if
it's dark, turn infravision key ("I") and send
ring ("C") - immediately
poslyshatsya steps, but after a while,
cautiously looking around, you will
spy.


   With the advent of spy
menu in the left
top of the screen
changes. From previous
there are only UP
(Do not know why), and
DWN. But added
YES and NO, and EVI (Evidence)
and INV (Inventory). On command
EVI You can see already
collected part of the document (output
pressing "Enter"). A INV is used to trade for
scroll through the list of available items. If you want to 
offer some object spy in exchange for part of the instrument -

press "Enter". A buy or not
buy something from a spy, you can
by choosing "YES" and "NO".

   By the way, if you believe solonovskim "500 games" when the 
spy charge an exorbitant price for the item, with

it is possible to bargain by using the key "J". In my opinion,
this is fiction, but just in case
and inform this dubious information.


             *


   So, you've learned to trade
with spies. Now the problem looks quite simple, is not it?
Maps of tunnels and by the "educated bet," looking like
bargain with the capricious spies, not departing from the 
budget. 


   But, of course, an experienced player
wait a minute to relax, it is reasonable
Assuming that the main trouble lies ahead. And, of course
it would be quite right.


   Most likely, you will not have time
bypass and five towns of the eleven, as will a message
firm, announcing the first trouble. It turns out that a sudden
started to act up scanners, allowing to determine where to be
go robot - as you remember it
shows the very short otrezochki departing from the cursor.
Just remember now, and remains
- No more no otrezochkov
will be a map and it becomes twice as difficult.


   But even if the card you already
ready, do not hurry to rejoice.
For some time - and scanners
denied completely. Then
only and it is hoped to
map. You'll have to walk blindly (ie, robot
Of course, sees the wall in front of him

or tunnel, but how many will benefit from it), focusing on
clicks. I repeat once again: the vertical side of the cell - one
click, horizontal - two. A
do this "