Black Widow
v1.0 (October 8th, 2012)
 
By S. Borgquist aka. Sokurah.
Website: http://tardis.dk/wordpress/
E-mail: retrohead@tardis.dk


'Black Widow' is a vector arcade game where the player takes the titular role of a
Black widow spider defending a web from invading bugs. The player must move the spider
around the web while simultaneously shooting/avoiding various bugs and collecting the
bonuses that appear after the enemies are eliminated. The spider is controlled using
eight keys or a D-Pad controller or dual-stick gamepad; one being used to move
the spider, and the other one is used to control the direction you shoot.

The original arcade game was developed by Atari and released in 1982, but has now
been remade with glowing vector graphics (can be turned off, though), while retaining
its great and frantic gameplay.


Gameplay description (from Wikipedia)
-------------------------------------
The game is a fixed shooter and is very similar to Robotron: 2084 by Williams.
Unlike Robotron, Black Widow does not have as many enemies on-screen. However, the
gameplay has been characterized as just as intense as its Williams counterpart.
This is because in order to destroy certain enemies, the player must lure other
enemies into destroying them. It is further differentiated by the Bug Slayer,
a bug that helps the player eliminate enemies, with only loss of potential points
being the only consequence. The Bug Slayer can help the player in tough situations,
but can also prevent the player from achieving the number of extra lives necessary
to endure later, more difficult, rounds. Also, other enemies appear on the playing
field as eggs, laid by other enemies. The player can move these eggs off the playing
field to both eliminate the enemy and receive points, before it reaches maturity.
Coloured lines on the web will allow or restrict movement of both player and enemies. 


Enemies and Scoring
-------------------
* Grub Steak ('$') - Tag these for 500, 250, 100, or 50 points—the sooner the better.
* Mosquito - Lays an egg on '$', but if shot, becomes '$'.
* Hornet - Lays an egg on '$', but if shot, becomes '$'.
* Beetle - Eats '$', but if shot, becomes '$'.
* Egg - Grows to become hornet or spoiler. Must be pushed off the web to score 500,
1000, 1500, 2000, or even 2500 points.
* Spoiler - Invulnerable.
* Grenade Bug - Explodes if shot. The resulting chain reaction from multiple Grenade Bug
is very dangerous and can encompass over 80% of the level at some times, depending on how
many Grenade Bug are involved.
* Rocket Bug - Invulnerable. Launches "rockettes" at black widow from the other bugs
it tags. Shoot rockettes to score 100 points each.
* Thunderbug - If shot, it breaks formation and attacks. If shot again, it explodes.
* Bug Slayer - Harmless to the player and invulnerable. The Bug Slayer competes with the
Black Widow for food. Beat it to its flashing prey for points



Installation:
-------------
On Windows; Unpack the ZIP file and you'll end up with a folder called 'Black Widow'
which contains the game files. Run the file with the spider icon to run the game.
The game has been tested on, and works on (at least) Windows XP, Vista & Windows 7.

NOTE:
The normal Windows version uses DirectX, but I've included an OpenGL version in the
archive too. It hasn't been tested more than a few minutes, but if you get a low
framerate in the DX version you can try the OGL version instead. Perhaps it's better.
Note that you can't select fullscreen mode in the OGL version.

On Mac; Mount the DMG file and drag the game to where you want it.
Run the game from the program which is identified by an icon with a spider on it.

The game will write a configuration file to the game folder.
To reset the settings just delete this file. A new one will be written instead.


Controls:
---------
Use the ARROW keys to controls your spider,
and ASDW to fire in each of the four directions. 
All keys can be redefined to whatever you want.

The game can also be played with a gamepad, and I can confirm it works with
my Logitech Precision controller and my Wired Xbox 360 USB for Windows gamepad.
It seems to work with a Sony Dual-Shock controller too - if you lower the
sensitivity from the configuration menu. I can't guarantee it works with any
other gamepads, but give it a try - it might work.


Legal Blurb:
------------
This game is FREEWARE and must remain freeware. The game can generally be distributed
however you want, as long as all the files are included and unchanged. It shouldn't be
sold or given away on any kind of compilation without my permission. I would like to ask,
that if you're going to include this game on a CD for a magazine or somewhere else, that
you contact me first – I would like to know what kind places my little project goes.
...also it shouldn't be asking too much, but then I'd also like a copy of the magazine or CD.


Copyright:
----------
This remake was programmed by Søren Borgquist - AKA. Sokurah, 2012.
The music was written by Alan Bostrup - AKA. Space Fractal

Copyright and intellectual property for the original game is held by Atari who made the
original arcade game in 1982. The original game was programmed by Bruce Merritt.


...also, thanks to my testers; Bob, Jason, Nick & Darryl.


Version history.
----------------
v1.0 - 08 October 2012
Initial release.


