Short Circuit

THE SPECTRUM GAME DATABASE

SHORT CIRCUIT

PUBLISHER
Ocean

AUTHOR
Paul Owens

YEAR
1987

DESCRIPTION
There are two connected games in this one package. The first is
an arcade-adventure, and the second is simply a straight arcade
game.

CONTROLS & INSTRUCTIONS
Please see the inlay card text.

CHEATS

SEQUELS/PREQUELS
None.

INLAY CARD TEXT
SHORT CIRCUIT TM

Its program code and graphic representation are the copyright of
Ocean Software Limited and may not be reproduced, stored, hired
or broadcast in any form whatsoever without the written
permission of Ocean Software Limited. All rights reserved
Worldwide. Short Circuit runs on the Spectrum 48/128 micro
computers.

THE GAME
Number 5 is alive! - a robot in the SAINT (Strategic Artificially
Intelligent Nuclear Transport) series has gone haywire. A
million to one chance has resulted in a lightning bolt striking
the automaton and bringing it consciousness.

Now the scientist who put him together wants to take him apart
again to find out what went wrong. The President of Nova Robotics
wants to capture him before the weapons he is carrying kill
millions of civilians - and the security chief wants to blow him
up so that he can get home in time for dinner.

You are Number five... You are alive and you aim to stay that
way!

LOADING
The game is divided into two parts which must be loaded
separately (in 48K version). There are 3 programs stored on the
cassette. Side 1 contains the 48K version part one and two; Side
2 the 128K version.

1. Place the cassette in your recorded ensuring that it is fully
rewound.
2. Ensure that the MIC socket is disconnected and that the volume
and tone controls are set to the appropriate levels.
3. If the computer is a Spectrum 48K or Spectrum + then load as
follows.
Type LOAD "" (ENTER). (Note there is no space between the two
quotes). The " is obtained by pressing the SYMBOL SHIFT and P
keys simultaneously.
4. Press PLAY on your recorder and the game will load
automatically. If you have any problems try adjusting the volume
and tone controls and consulting Chapter 6 of the Spectrum
manual.
5. If the computer is a Spectrum 128K then follow the loading
instructions on-screen or in the accompanying manual. Follow on
screen information for further details.

NOTE
Both parts of the 48K version may be loaded and played
independantly.

CONTROLS
The game is controlled by either keyboard (redefinable) or
joystick and is compatible with most interfaces.

KEYBOARD

PART I PART II
Default selection Default selection
A - Select A - Lazer Fire
S - Up S - Jump
X - Down X - Duck
N - Left N - Backward
M - Right M - Forward

JOYSTICK
PART I PART II
UP JUMP
^ ^
| |
LEFT<---+--->RIGHT BACKWARD<---+--->FORWARD
| |
V V
DOWN DUCK
FIRE-SELECT FIRE-LAZER

Symbol Shift and Q simultaneously to quit

GAME PLAY

PART I
The action is divided into two parts... First you must help No.5
escape from the Nova complex having collected the 3 essential
"Jump" and "Lazer" accessories. To achieve this you must solve
a variety of problems - opening doors and duping the security
robots.

COMPUTER LINK
To aid this task you are equipped with the ability to "Log on"
to a computer terminal and load in six additional function
programs (only three per terminal). Find a terminal and while in
contact with it, press select; now download function programs by
following the prompts on the printer display.

SELECT FUNCTION
Pressing select while NOT in contact with any furniture will
change the function program to be used (which appears between two
arrows on the status display).

Pressing select while IN contact with any furniture will run the
function program (These programs are easy to use and it is
helpful to follow the prompt on the printer at all times).

E.G. Pressing select whilst in contact with a palm tree, with the
search function.

Printer display ......... Searching
Palm
Found a .....
(POUND SIGN)1 coin take Y/N

Now press Y or N to obtain the (POUND SIGN)1 coin which may be
used elsewhere in the program.

PART II
Having escaped from the Nova complex flee for your life and shake
off your persuers by jumping over obstacles and wildlife in the
cross country chase. Avoid contact with the guards and security
robots at all costs - remember they're out to disconnect you! use
your lazer if you have to but remember the "Robot Code" and keep
a wary eye on the conscience level.

STATUS AND SCORING
+-----------------------+--------------+
| | SHORT |
| 1 | CIRCUIT |
| | +--------+ |
| | | 5 | |
+-----------------------+ +--------+ |
| |
| +--------+ +--------+ +--------+ |
| | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | |
| +--------+ +--------+ +--------+ |
+--------------------------------------+

1. Scrolling message display. 4. Score.
2. Conscience (Part II only). 5. Currently active program
3. Clock (Part I Only). (part I only).

PART I
Points are awarded for the completion of tasks that need to be
overcome to escape from the factory.

PART II
Points are given for distance travelled, disabling security
guards and pursuing Robots, extra points for avoiding damage to
the wildlife.

ROBOT ..................... 2000
GUARD ..................... 1000

In this game there is only one life... Your own!

HINTS AND TIPS
PART I
* There are 3 terminals which are special.
* Reading can be an enlightening experience.
* Most objects have logical uses.
* Make a map... you'll probably need it.
* Patience is a virtue.

PART II
* Jumping while moving forward enables two obstacles to be
cleared.
* Duck to avoid the birds.
* You can get through this whole section without hurting any
wildlife or hitting any obstacles.... Practice makes perfect.
GOOD LUCK NO.5.

This software product has been carefully developed and
manufactured to the highest quality standards. Please read
carefully the instructions for loading.

IF FOR ANY REASON YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY IN RUNNING THE PROGRAM, AND
BELIEVE THAT THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE, PLEASE RETURN IT DIRECT
TO:

MR. YATES, OCEAN SOFTWARE LIMITED, 6 CENTRAL STREET, MANCHESTER
M2 5NS.

Our quality control department will test the product and supply
an immediate replacement if we find a fault. If we cannot find
a fault the product will be returned to you at no charge.

Please note that this does not affect your statutory rights.

CREDITS
Designed and programmed by Paul Owens, Produced by D.C Ward.
(C) 1987 Ocean Software Limited.
Short Circuit is a trademark of Tri-Star Pictures, Inc. and PSO
Presentations.
(C) 1986 Tri-Star Pictures, Inc. and PSO Presentations. All
rights reserved.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS ONLY ONE CASSETTE TAPE. THE LARGER
PACKAGING HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AS A STANDARD FOR THIS AND FUTURE
PRODUCTS. WE MAY FROM TIME TO TIME INCORPORATE TWO TAPES OR
POSSIBLY A DISK.


SCORES RECEIVED

URL

GENERAL FACTS
Short Circuit is, of course, based on the film of the same name.

NOTES