Denis Hruza's
Space Duel FAQ
Contents
Space Duel - Overview
Targets
Game Versions (Modes)
1 Player Fighter mode
1 Player Station mode
2 Player - Separate Fighter mode
2 Player - Fused Space Station mode
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Overview
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Space Duel is a one- or two-player game with a color X-Y (vector)
video display.
X-Y Video (vector) Display:
This screen displays dazzling color and unique visual effects in a
spectacular multi-dimensional display. Unlike most raster monitors, an
X-Y monitor is capable of a very dark playfield with bright, crisp
game graphics. There are 3 color guns which make up the basic colors
red, green, blue. These gun colors combined also create the basic
colors used in most X-Y games: yellow, pink, cyan and white.
For more information on Vector displays try Jess Askey's - Atari
Vector Game Page. Great page dedicated to the X-Y displays.
In the first wav, spinners enter and break into 2 smaller pieces when
shot. Each piece splits into 2 smaller pieces when shot again. Each of
these pieces is destroyed when shot again. Other targets split apart
in the same manner when shot. Here are the amount of items per wave
according to the difficulty setting of the game:
Easy - In the beginning of the first wave, 3 targets appear on the
screen. Targets increase by one in each new wave.
Normal - Space Station action is the same as Easy. Fighter action
has 4 targets in first wave. Targets increase by 2 in each new wave.
Targets move faster and more targets enter.
Medium and Hard - 4 in First wave. Increase by 2 in each new wave.
As difficulty increase, targets move faster and more targets appear.
At the end of each wave, a bonus wave begins and a low humming is
heard. BONUS LEVEL and the number of points for that level, flash on
the screen. A box appears and the screen edge and ships cannot leave
that boundry. Fuzzballs, Stars and Saucers enter and attack the
player. The targets can go out of the boundries of the box and wrap
around as in a normal wave. Stars that exit one side of the screen
re-enter the other side as Fuzzballs
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Space Duel Targets
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The following objects enter from the screen edge. Split into 2 smaller
targets first time shot. Each target splits into two smaller targets
next time it is shot. Each of these targets is destroyed next time
shot.
Target - Scoring - Wave Target First Appears
-Spinner
20/50/100 - Wave 1
- Octahedron
20/50/100 - Wave 2
- Cube
20/50/100 - Wave 4
- Pentagon
20/50/40 - Wave 7
- Book
20/50/100 - Wave 10
- 8-Pointed Star
20/50/100 - Wave 13
- Hexagon
20/50/100 - Wave 16
- 5-Pointed Star
200 points - Bonus
Enters from screen edge when a few targets remain
If it leaves the screen it returns as a Fuzzball
- Fuzzball
200 Points - Bonus
Enters from screen edge and tracks ship
Fuzzballs will travel in an arc and curves
- Mine
100 Points - Wave 1
Enters from screen edge, tracks ship and speeds up as game play
prgresses
When shot it stops and changes color
If hit enough times it turns white and can be destroyed
- Saucer
300 Points - Wave 1
Enters screen from edge when targets are less than the wave number
Shoots at targets and ships
- Saucer
300 Points - Wave 1
Enters screen from edge when targets are less than the wave number
Shoots at targets and ships
Enter as a pair (Red and Green) and shoot at, but do not destroy,
each other
Targets between pair are shot
As play progresses, distance between pair increases
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Game Versions
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Space Duel offers players a choice of four different games versions.
2 One-player versions and 2 Two-Player versions
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1 PLAYER
This is the first version. Your a lone fighter and it's you against
everybody. This is the same type of game mode as Asteriods. Player
controls consist of ROTATE LEFT, ROTATE RIGHT, THRUST,SHIELDS and FIRE
pushbuttons. The 1 player controls are color coded red to match the
players ship color. The right side of the deck is the 1 player side
(why?) Sheilds protect a ship from all saucer shots and collisions.
Shields wear out with time or if hit by targets.
One hit and it's all over. Your allowed 4 shots on the screen at one
time. So make em count.
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1 PLAYER
Space Station
The second 1 Player version consists of 2 ships connected together by
a "fuse". This is considered the "Space Station" version. The scores
of the two ships are combined and there's only so many objects per
wave so your score isn't actually doubled, just your fire-power. You
have control of the guns of each ship but only the thrust controls on
the one one (red) ship. This makes playing a little more interesting:)
You can get a real mean pinwheeling effect going. The ship is easy to
get back under control, but you have to be careful of the other ship
which always seems to be in the wrong spot. Although not easy at
first..this configuration is controlable.
Space stations have twice as much shield energy. This mode also allows
each ship to sustain one hit without being destroyed. When one of the
ships is hit it's outter hull breaks off, it's onscreen shots are
reduced to 1 and the ship is slower to react. The other ship remains
at a rate of 4 shots onscreen. What is the "fuse" you ask. It's
exactly what it's called. When one of the ship sustains it's 2nd hit
and is destroyed, the linking fuse is lit.....Need I say more?
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2 PLAYER
Separate Fighters
This version consists of separate fighters and scores for each player.
All the other rules go out the window. Be ready with those shields.
Hit once and your destroyed. Forget about the saying from Crossbow
"Don't shoot your friends!". It's kill or be killed. Shooting your
friend here means 500 points. They're destroyed but they'll be back
without losing ship. You can really agravate the hell outta somebody
in this mode. Might turn into a real brawl. :) You can shoot the other
player right before the bonus wave and keep out of the bonus wave.
If one player loses all of his ships before the other player, his last
ship returns as a damaged ship. It is possible to earn a bonus ship
while damaged
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2 PLAYER
Space Station
This version is the same as the 1 player space station except for one
thing. That madman on the other set of controls flinging you around
aimlessly! If you didn't lose your mind playing the 2 player fighter
mode...your gonna loose it here. Both players have thrusters.
Tug-a-war anybody? This requires teamwork....for about the first 10
seconds then watch out! :)
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I WILL be adding more to this page. Stop back some time :)
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king@arcade.org
Last updated 3/28/96
Created and maintained by Denis Hruza
