ZXNet эхоконференция «spbzxnet.games»

Здраствуй, All!

вот. в 3х частях, потомучто слишком здоровый.
я там повыкидывал немоного, но *самое* оставил.
Зацените (кто инглиш понимает) новеллу, и отрывки кельтских
сказаний про Кухулина.


What is Tir Na Nog

Tir Na Nog is a Gaelic phrase meaning Land of Youth, the Celtic
Other World. This game is about the exploits of the great Hero,
CUCHULAINN, following his departure from the world of the Li-
ving and his entry into Tir Na Nog. His subsequent attempts to
locate and re-unite the fragments of the Seal of Calum form the
basis of a vast interactive Adventure, set in the magical land-
scapes of Celtic mythology.

What's on the Screen

The game of Tir Na Nog has been designed and executed as a com-
puter movie. The main character stands 56 pixels tall and is
controlled via the keyboard; a total of 64 frames are required
for the complete animation of the figure. In addition, the game
is populated with a multitude of similarly animated adversari-
es, all moving and acting independently.

The action is presented as though a camera is aimed at the
central figure, who is situated in a complex landscape. The de-
tailed scenery in the fore- and middle-grounds, and the conti-
nuously animated scenes on the horizon, scroll past him as he
moves left and right.

The entire world scene may be viewed from all 4 directions.
This is achieved by allowing the player to move the position of
camera, causing the view to be re-drawn from the new angle.

In addition to walking left and right, the hero can carry up to
4 objects, which he can pick up or drop at will - his current
inventory is shown in the status area at the bottom of the
screen. He can also 'thrust' with any of these objects when en-
gaging in combat.

Also in the status area is information concerning the present
general location in the game-world; a compass showing the cur-
rent orientation of the camera; any information volunteered by
other creatures in the game.


How Tir Na Nog Works

The Option Screen is presented at the start of the game or upon
request via the keyboard; the screen offers the following choi-
ces:

1. Enter the game.
2. Save the current game.
3. Restore a game.

Note that returning to the option screen from a current game
will leave the game-world intact - upon re-entry, nothing will
have changed unless a previously saved game has been restored.
This allows a game to be saved at a critical point without
destroying it. The only way to completely restart the game is
to reload it.

When saving or restoring a game, a version number will be asked
for - this is to ensure that the right game is restored so keep
a note of version numbers; if you are using a Microdrive, you
will also be asked for the drive number:

The Keyboard has the following assignments:

The 4 Corner keys will cause the man to 'thrust' with one of
the objects he is carrying.

Alternate keys on the bottom row will cause the man to walk
left and right.

Alternate keys on the second row up will change the camera po-
sition 90 degrees left or right.

Alternate keys on the third row up will cause the man to pick
up an object or drop a specific object.

Keys on the top row allow the player to nominate one of the ob-
jects he is carrying, for dropping, thrusting etc. The current-
ly nominated object is indicated by an asterisk.

In addition, there are special function keys:

Pressing symbol shift and 4 will enter auto-run mode until
pressed again.

Pressing symbol shift and 5 will freeze the game until pressed
again.

Pressing symbol shift and 6 will return to the options screen
to allow a game to be saved.


How to play Tir Na Nog

There are many facets to the land of Tir Na Nog, and, likewise,
the game can be played on many levels, and in many different
ways. Each player will adopt the strategies and attitudes to
the game that suit his or her temperament - for, while there is
a single overriding goal in Tir Na Nog, the paths to reach that
goal may well be infinite.

However, as a guide, we will describe some of the elements in-
volved in Tir Na Nog, and, in the next section, give a few
hints on play.

Exploration - The land of Tir Na Nog is vast and complicated,
and the paths, scenery and incidental landmarks are continuous-
ly mapped by the program. Therefore, the first major objective
of the game is simply to find your way about. There are several
features in the program to help you do this (as well as several
to hinder you!), but the most invaluable aid will be a pencil
and paper...

Interaction - Throughout Tir Na Nog, you will discover a varie-
ty of creatures - actually, some of them will discover you!
Most of them will not be at all friendly, but some of them can
be persuaded, by one means or another, to help you. However, on
occasions, it will be impossible to avoid combat, and your ef-
fectiveness in this area is governed by a series of combat ru-
les which take into account the qualities of all the objects
that are being carried and the object currently selected as a
weapon - you will have to work out the rules for yourself.

The Quests - The main objective of Tir Na Nog is to locate and
re-unite (and then activate), the fragments of the Seal of Ca-
lum. The difficulty, however, is not simply in the locating,
but in persuading the current owners to give them up! In addi-
tion, there are more than a score of secondary quests that will
probably need to be completed in order to be in a position to
solve the main Quest, plus some rather onerous tasks which ot-
her inhabitants may set on you. As you may appreciate, a comp-
lete solution may take months, perhaps years...

Generally - As in everyday life, a host of problems must be
overcome just to make the smallest of steps forward. So it is
in Tir Na Nog as you will discover... many solutions will de-
pend on what is currently being carried or what you have done
previously in the game; some solutions will require a good deal
of 'lateral' thinking and even, on a few occasions, a little
research in your local library!


Some Useful Information On Playing

Penalties - Since the Hero Cuchulainn has already departed the
Land of the Living, it is, of course, impossible to kill him
(and, likewise, he has no need to eat)! However, if another
creature in the game successfully attacks you or you perform
some action which is harmful to yourself, the shade of the Hero
will be dissipated (eventually) and will reform at the Gateway
to Tir Na Nog - naturally, everything being carried will be
dropped. It is as well to remember that, for the same reasons,
no creature can actually be killed by you, only deterred and
daunted for a little while...

Pathways - Tir Na Nog is a jealous land and dislikes intrusion,
even by its own inhabitants. Therefore, all mobile creatures,
including you, are confined to the numerous paths and roads
that criss-cross Tir Na Nog.

Doorways - So many doors are there in Tir Na Nog, that it has
often been called Tir Fosgladach, the Land of Opportunity, be-
cause of the number of openings that exist. Doors can lead to
caves or tunnels; some doors will instantly transport you to
another part of the Land; some are locked and keys are not al-
ways obvious; some doors are invisible but that you will see
for yourself...

Note that, to walk through a door; it must be on your pathway,
so if you pass a likely opening, change the camera position so
that the doorway is immediately to your left or right.

Weapons, Treasures and Other Objects - The location and selec-
tion of objects play a major part in Tir Na Nog. Every object
in the game (and there are hundreds) has certain attributes so-
me are more powerful than others, some are apparently worthless
but nevertheless indispensable. They can be found in a variety
of places - lying in the road, guarded in caves, buried beneath
the ground or in the keeping of some other creature. All ob-
jects form a part of the combat system but some are well worth
getting rid of...

Sidhea-Bruidhin - The Tongue of the Sidhe is the language from
which Gaelic eventually developed - it is a mysterious speech,
sometimes fey and harsh, sometimes melodic and seductive. Thro-
ughout this game, where the Sidhe names are more evocative,
they have been used.


Со всеми....
Anton Popov