   ,---,  ,---,  ,-------,   ,--------, ,----------, ,---------, ,-------,  
   |    \/    | /   ___   \ |  _______| |___    ___| |   ______| |   __   \
   |  |\  /|  | |  |___|  | |  \_____       |  |     |  |___     |  |  |  |
   |  | \/ |  | |   ___   |  \_____  \      |  |     |   ___|    |  '-'  /
   |  |    |  | |  |   |  |        \  |     |  |     |  |        |  ,-,  \
   |  |    |  | |  |   |  | ,------'  |     |  |     |  '-----,  |  |  \  \
   |__|    |__| |__|   |__| |________/'     |__|     |________|  |__|   \__|
,------,  ,--,        ,------,   ,--------, ,----------, ,--------, ,-------, 
|   _   | |  |       /   __   \ |  _______| |___    ___| |   _____| |   __   \
|  |_|  / |  |       |  |__|  | |  \_____       |  |     |  |__     |  |  |  |
|   _  |  |  |       |   __   |  \_____  \      |  |     |   __|    |  '-'  /
|  | |  \ |  |       |  |  |  |        \  |     |  |     |  |       |  ,-,  \
|  `-'  | |  |_____  |  |  |  | ,------'  |     |  |     |  '----,  |  |  \  \
|______/' |________| |__|  |__| |________/'     |__|     |_______|  |__|   \__|
                             __________________
                            |__________________|
                                |  |    |  |
                                |  |    |  |
                                |  |    |  |
                                |  |    |  |
                             ___|__|____|__|___
                            |__________________|


                         Version V11.2 (3.11.1997)

                 (C) Copyright 1995/96 by Alexander Ivanof

                            Diamond productions

                               - Shareware -


,------------------------,
| INSTALLATION & STARTUP |
`------------------------'
 Just extract the whole archive to any directory you like.
 (e.g. arj x MblastII.arj c:\games\mblaster)

 To start the game simply type : 'BLAST' - intro + game
                                 'MAIN'  - just the game

 Parameters :
              NET X - start a network session (X = number of computers)
              FAST - the game becomes faaaaast
	      NOSOUND - if you have problems with your soundcard, use this
			option to turn the sound off

,--------------------------,
| COPYRIGHT & DISTRIBUTION |
`--------------------------'

 Copyright
 ---------
 MasterBlaster II is copyrighted (C) 1995/96 by Alexander Ivanof.
 That means that you are NOT ALLOWED to modify the programs and
 documentations in any way. Especially you MUST NOT REMOVE the documentation
 or any other file.

 You are NOT allowed to use this software or any part of it for any other
 purpose than that one mentioned in this documentation, this also includes 
 any images.

 MasterBlaster II is SHAREWARE !



 Distribution
 ------------
 The unregistered MasterBlaster II package is freely distributable. That
 means you are allowed to re-distribute this package as long as you follow
 these points:

 - Any re-distribution has to include all files in this archive, without any
   modifications. You are NOT allowed to add or remove any files to/from the
   archive.

 - This package may be freely distributed via BBSs, InterNet/UseNet, software
   libraries on CD and other similar electronic channels. You MUST NOT include
   it on any CD that is selled for more than 30 US Dollar (or an equivalent in
   other currencies).

 - Disk/CD magazines and services that charge extra for file transfers may NOT
   distribute it without written permission by Alexander Ivanof !
   (See "How to contact the author") 

 You are NOT allowed to distribute your registration code or the file OWNER.REG
 in any way! It contains your personal data and may only be used by the user
 who's name is encrypted into the file.



,------------,
| DISCLAIMER |
`------------'
 By using this product, you accept the FULL responsibility for any damage or
 loss that might occur through its use or the inability to use it. The
 developer of the software can NOT be held responsible.



,-----------,
| SHAREWARE |
`-----------'
 This product is SHAREWARE. "Free distributable" only says that you do not have
 to pay for copying or re-distributing the unregistered version of the
 program. You are allowed to test this product for 30 days. If you like it and
 decide to use the product regularly, please read the chapter "HOW TO REGISTER" 
 and pay the shareware fee.

 If you get registered you will receive a letter or E-mail with your
 PERSONAL registrationcode : no disks or CD - so shipping is free for you !
 (read chapter 'HOW TO REGISTER')
 
 The advantages of the registered version:

 -up to EIGHT players (network,multiplayerdevice)
 -5 more hero sprites to choose from 
 -no more nerveous breaks in the game
 -everything totally configurable (teammode,level options...)
 -up to 50 musictracks     (read chapter 'MODIFYING THE GAME')
 -include your own SFX/GFX ( "     "          "      "    "  )



,---------------------,
| WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT |
`---------------------'
 A short introduction to Master Blaster II. 

 This game is based on the idea of Dynablaster. You can play with up to 8
 oponents at the same time. The plan is to survive and kill all the
 other enemys - but note: Life is what happens when you start making plans.

 You can do this by placing bombs on the ground. They will destroy the
 brick walls around you and may even release some extras to collect.



,-----------,
| MAIN MENU |
`-----------'

 Start bombing: Let the action begin !
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Change settings: Change a LOT of settings for the game.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Highscores: Have a look at the highscores.
 ~~~~~~~~~~
 Quit to DOS: Very lame !
 ~~~~~~~~~~~



,--------------,
| OPTIONS MENU |
`--------------'
 Here, it is possible to configure the game the way you and your
 friends like it most.

 (*) - registered version only !!!

 Player options: Select the number of players, names, teams,...
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Game options: (*)Change major game settings like gametime,teammode,shop...(*)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Level options: (*)Select the number of extras hidden in the game.(*)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Audio options: Select the music or CD-ROM track you want to listen to.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Save options: (*)Save ALL options so that you do not have to change them
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~  the next time you play.(*)



,-------------,
| PLAYER MENU |
`-------------'

 Number of players: Guess what ?!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Number of monsters: Monsters will be controlled by the computer.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Active player: Change this switch to switch to another player.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                The next five items are related to the active player:

 Name: Give your hero a name !
 ~~~~

 Hero: Select your favorite game-sprite.
 ~~~~

 Control: Choose the controlling device for the player. Joy 1 and joy 2 are
 ~~~~~~~  your normal analog joysticks connected to your gameport.
          Multi 1-8 are the digital ports of the Multiplayerdevice (see
          chapter 'MULTIPLAYERDEVICE')
          Keyboard are the normal cursorkeys + space.
          If you want to play with two people on the keyboard, you have to
          use "key left" and "key right" - NOT KEYBOARD !

 Startmoney: The amount of cash the player has at the beginning.
 ~~~~~~~~~~

 Team: You can select the team to which the player belongs to. (Alpha, Beta,
 ~~~~  Gamma or Delta)


 NOTE: You can only leave this menu, if the players do NOT have the SAME hero
       or controlling device !



,-----------,
| GAME MENU | (only available in the registered version !)
`-----------'

 Wins needed: Number of goblets you need to win the whole game.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~
 Time: How long you blast one bombing session.
 ~~~~
 Mode: There are three modes: With "Normal" the game everybody fights for
 ~~~~  himself. With "Team" you can choose if you want to join
       a team and play together with other players: "Team hard" is the normal
       team mode. You play until all members of one team are dead, each
       survivor gets a cup. With "Team easy" the whole team wins regardless of
       the number of people left on the playfield.
       If you are playing in teams you can also transfer coins within the
       team.

 Shop: Here you can buy extras after each round if you've collected
 ~~~~  enough cash of course.

 Wheel 'o' Fortune: The Wheel 'o' Fortune starts after each round and gives 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  one player a bonus of one coin.

 Shrinking: To turn off the shrinking at the end of the blastingtime, 
 ~~~~~~~~~  turn this switch to OFF.

 Fast-Ignition: This is for the remote controlled bombs. If you turn this
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~  switch to on, bombs activated with a controller will explode
                immediately. Otherwise, they will react like a normal bomb
                after being activated.



,------------,
| LEVEL MENU | (only available in the registered version !)
`------------'

 Select the amount of every extra in the game. "Auto" will automatically
 adjust the number of extras to the number of players.



,----------,
| CONTROLS |
`----------'

 In the MENUS you can move the pointer with your mouse and change the settings
 by presing the left and/or right mousebutton.


 In the GAME you may use the following keys:

 P - pause the game
 ESC - quit
 Cursorkeys - controls for the keyboard player
 Space - keyboard player drops bomb
  
                     W
                   A + D  - CTRL  - controls left keyboard player
                     S

 Numeric block:      8
                   4 + 6 + 0 - controls right keyboard player
                     5



,--------,
| EXTRAS |
`--------'

 In the game you can collect different extras or you can buy some of them
 in the shop :

 Coin : With coins you can buy extras in the shop after the game
 ~~~~
 Smiling bomb: Gives you one extra bomb. Also disables the time bomb and
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~  the remote controlled bomb.

 Smiling flame: Increases the range of your explosions.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Shoe: Makes you run faster. (only 3 times)
 ~~~~
 Clock: This is the time bomb.
 ~~~~~  With this item, you can drop a bomb by pressing your firebutton and
        ignit it by releasing the button! You should run away AFTER pressing
        the button but BEFORE releasing it :-) Of course only one bomb at the
        time can be controlled this way. Collecting this disables the Remote
        Control bomb !

 Remote control: This is a movable time bomb.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Press the button to release a bomb. With the button pressed,
                 you can now move the bomb with your joystick and ignit it
                 after releasing the button. If you have turned on the item
                 "fast-ignition" in the game menu, the bomb will explode
                 immediately after your released the button. Otherwise it will
                 be droppped like a normal bomb. This disables your time bomb!

 Superman: With this extra, you can push normal (!!!) brick walls around
 ~~~~~~~~  and even crush other players with it. Disables pneumatic hammer.

 Ghost: After collecting this item, there's only one pixel left, now move
 ~~~~~  through everything, including brick walls, bombs, explosions, etc.
        You will get visible again after you press the firebutton and release
        a bomb. (Always keep in mind to hold down the button if you've
        collected a timbomb or remote control bomb before!) You will also get
        visible if you run out of time. Ghost disables Yin-Yang.

 Yin-Yang: A blue shield will appear around you. Now you can resist one
 ~~~~~~~~  explosion or skull.

 Bomb kicking: You can push bombs by running against them.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Pneumatic hammer: You can destroy walls for a few seconds by touching them.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  This extra disables superman.
 
 Skull: Immediate death!
 ~~~~~
 Stop sign: Freeze all other players for a short time. In teammode only the
 ~~~~~~~~~  players of the other teams will stop. 

 Money bag: Three coins !!!
 ~~~~~~~~~

 Ankh: Only available in teammode: Reactivate every teammember !!!    
 ~~~~~

 Questionmark: Several things could happen if you collect it.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~  The funny ones :
               -Money bag
               -Coin
               -Yin-Yang
               -Bomb kicking
               -Pneumatic hammer
               -Stop

               But there are also some diseases:
               -Inverse control
               -Slow down
               -Darkness (well,no real disease)
               -Small bomb range
               -Fast bomb explosion
               -No bombs
               -Stop yourself
               -Wall bomb (when your bombs explode, they will leave bricks
                           and one coin in the middle)
               -Diarrhoea (your button will be pressed permanently)

               The diseases will vanish after a while. If you are infected
               your hero has flickering pixels around himself.

               OF COURSE YOU CAN INFECT OTHER PLAYERS BY TOUCHING THEM !!!



,--------------.
| HOW TO SCORE |
`--------------'

 For every goblet you get you receive 100 points.
 Winning the whole match counts 200.
 Every kill increases your score by 50.
 Getting killed decreases your score by 25 !
 If you get killed by your own bomb you will loose 75 points !  (Stupid !)
 Last but not least : for every questionmark you collect you get 25 points -
 for your braveness :-)



,--------------,
| NETWORK PLAY |
`--------------'

 To play Master Blaster II in an IPX/SPX network you have to start your
 network and then type : 'BLAST NET X' - where X is the number of all
 computers you want to connect. (e.g. BLAST NET 3 for 3 computers)
 You can link up to 4 computers together.
 One computer will be the main computer. On this machine you can choose all
 options. After clicking on 'Start bombing' they will be transferd to all the
 other connectet computers. Then the player menu will appear on the next
 machine, so the owner can add players. And so on...
 NOTE: You can only choose the players on THIS machine - not for the others !
  


,-------------------,
| MULTIPLAYERDEVICE |
`-------------------'

 This is a quite simple device connected to the parrallel port of your
 computer. It allows you do connect up to 8 DIGITAL joysticks to your computer.
 So you can play Master Blaster II up to EIGHT players (e.g. one keyboard,
 two analog PC-joysticks,three digital joysticks and two network players)
 Supported are normal digital joysticks with a 9-pin connector (known from
 AMIGA, C64, Atari, etc...)
 You can easily solder yourself such a multiplayerdevice.
 Please read therefor the MULTI.TXT and examine the MULTI.GIF.
 (run MPDTEST.EXE to see, if your device works correctly)

 If you are interested in purchasing a complete multiplayerdevice, please
 contact the author.
 There are three different sizes of the device :4,6 and 8 players
 The prize depends on how many people are interested.(15-30$,20-50DM)



,--------------------,
| MODIFYING THE GAME | 
`--------------------'

 By modifiying the game, you accept the FULL responsibility for any damage or
 loss that might occur through it or the inability to use it. The developer of
 the software can NOT be held responsible.
 No garantee is given for anything - so better keep a unchanged copy of the
 game !


 To modify the SFX: You can include your own musicsample by editing the file
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  MUSIC.CFG. The sample has to be 8-bit, unsigned, plane,
                    raw, not longer then 64000 bytes and has to be in the
                    MUSIC directory. Type in the name of the sample, and in
                    the NEXT line type in the sample rate.
                    Then you can choose your favourite sample in the
                    AUDIO-OPTIONS menue. (Up to 50 tracks)
                    NOTE: The sample MUST have the suffix .MUS - which must
                          NOT be added to the name in the music.cfg file.


 To modify the GFX: Style your own hero. Start a graphic program compatible to
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  *.IMG file format. Load TESTMAN.IMG and edit the hero.
                    Save it with a different name into the GFX directory.
                    (E.g. LOOSER.IMG)
                    Run "IMGTOMAN FILENAME.IMG Name" to REPLACE the current
                    hero 'Name' by your hero. (E.g. IMGTOMAN COP.IMG Policeman)
                    Valid names to replace: Chinese,Punker,Sunnyboy,Policeman,
                                            Spy,Fireman,Diver,Robocop,Worker,
                                            Prisoner
                    If you do not want to loose the old heros, better make
                    a copy of all the *.MAN files from the GFX directory.
 


,-----------------,
| HOW TO REGISTER |
`-----------------'
 To register, please send 20$US or 30DM to the following address:
 (NO FOREIGN CHEQUES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

 Alexander Ivanof
 Am Dorfanger 2
 D-58644 Iserlohn
 Germany

 You may also transfer the money if you do not trust in mailing money :

 Bank    : Sparkasse Iserlohn 445 500 45
 Account : Alexander Ivanof 18502872

 Your have to include your FULL NAME and ADDRESS. If you've got an E-mail
 address, you may specify this as well. Please note if you want to receive
 your registration code by E-Mail.

 Within 2 weeks you will receive your registration code. To unlock any
 version of Master Blaster II (ALSO FUTURE ONES) simply start the game by
 typing : 'MAIN CODE XXX...XXX' where XXX...XXX is YOUR code !
 (e.g. MAIN CODE A$IF22%KFLO$!P*?31)
 This will be saved to a file called OWNER.REG, so you only have to type in
 your registration code once.

 You are NOT allowed to redistribute either your code or the OWNER.REG file
 in any way!

 If you any problems with it, feel free to contact the author.
                       


,---------------------------,
| HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR |
`---------------------------'
 If you have any comments, new ideas or found any bugs, feel free to write.
 to this address:

    Alexander Ivanof
    Am Dorfanger 2
  D-58644 Iserlohn
    Germany


 e-mail address :

    Alexander.Ivanof@Diamond-pro.com


 Phone-number:

    02374/70632 (Germany)

    ++49 2374 70632 (International)



,---------------------,
| Diamond productions |
`---------------------'
 Diamond productions are delivering high quality shareware products right to
 your computer (IBM-PC / Amiga)

 To contact Diamond productions :

 WWW : HTTP://WWW.DIAMOND-PRO.COM
 info e-mail : info@diamond-pro.com

 Other great products of Diamond production:

 Diamond Caves  - the ultimate Boulder Dash clone (AMIGA only)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 Diamond Caves II - the ultimate Boulder Dash clone (AMIGA aviable/PC soon)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Master Blaster - the ultimate Dynablaster clone (AMIGA only)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Maniac Ball  - the ultimate Breakout clone (AMIGA only)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~


,---------,
| CREDITS |
`---------'
   Andreas Ivanof (gfx)
   Holger Brensing (sfx,betatesting,ideas)
   Norman Ruppert (betatesting,ideas)
   Olaf Leppert (betatesting,ideas)
   Peter Elzner (betatesting,gfx,WWW-support)
   Carsten Schulz (Multiplayerdevice)
   
 and to all you AMIGA USERS out there who support me !
 (Look out for the Amiga version of Master Blaster II)

 ! THANK YOU VERY MUCH !



,---------------------,
| SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS |
`---------------------'
 - IBM or 100% comparible 486/33 or better
 - MS-DOS 5.0 or higher
 - 3 megabytes of RAM or more
   (500k of conventional memory,
    2 megabytes of EMS memory)
 - SVGA card
 - hard drive with 4 megabytes free space
 - Creative Sound Blaster card/Pro or 100% compatible
 - Microsoft compatible mouse and mouse driver
 - Joystick(s)

 also supported:
 ---------------
 - IPX/SPX compatible network
 - CD-ROM
 - Multiplayerdevice (c) 1996 by Carsten Schulz
 


,---------,
| HISTORY |
`---------'
 MasterBlaster history:

 -1995: first release of Master Blaster on the Commodore AMIGA

 -6.26.1996: first release of Master Blaster II on IBM-PC

 -7.18.1996: Version 1.0

 -8.20.1996: Version 1.05 - Mousedriver bug fixed

 -8.26.1996: Version 1.1 - Network fixed

 -10.1.1996: Version 1.11 - Sound bug fixed

 -3.11.1997: Version 1.12 - another sound fix

