
===== Cosmos Remake =====

http://www.sinistersystems.com/cosmos

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This is a freeware game. You may play it and copy it around as much as you please. 
If you want to sell it though, ask for permission first.

Unzip everything into a folder. Run "Cosmos.exe". If you get any odd messages and
the game won't run, try installing microsoft's vc+ 2005 sp1 components at:

http://www.sinistersystems.com/geeny/release/vcredist_x86_sp1.exe

Quotes from the site:

===== About =====

Cosmos is an experimental remake of the classical ZX Spectrum game. Essentially 
a demonstration of geeny engine, which is the reason why the source code is 
included with the project, its playability is still under question. 

Cosmos tries to be a combination of arcade action and very light-weight strategy 
game. The player controls the construction and defense of the gargantuan 
intergalactic starbase, named Kyplos, invented by the diplomatic race of 
Kalaktians to serve as the policing force in their pirate-ridden sector of 
Cosmos. 

A political decision was made, however, as it often is the case in such 
circumstances, the funding was then later cut down by the bureaocrats, before 
the construction was finished. Many components of the Kyplos are therefore still 
missing, and, most importantly, its hull integrity is unable to withstand 
hyperspace ejection. 

To raise additional funds, the construction yard has been selected as a 
hyperspace node. Defending the convoys en-route through the node, the Kyplos 
collects insurance fees, thus gaining resources for project completion. The 
players final goal is to seal the Forecity with a dome and make the colossus 
stable enough for interstellar travel. 

In exchange for the credits, other components of the Kyplos may also be 
upgraded, such as: Photonics, the rear turbine with 11 beam coils, which serves 
both as the stations drive and cannon, the Core, which powers everything from 
laser batteries to shields and production, and the Factory where Kyplos support 
fighters are built and then stationed inside the three Docking bays. 

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Instructions

Only mouse is used to control the game. In tactical (zoom in) view, it serves as 
a joystick, allowing the player to aim and fire the beam cannon (left button), 
in other views, it moves the cursor or haircross on the map. In strategical view 
(zoom out), right button is used to zoom in the map (switch to tactical). 

In tactical view, the right button is used to zoom out, or, if left button is 
already pressed (firing), to release the energy stored in blast cannon coils. 
The blast cannon coils are only available when Photonics are upgraded, and may 
only be released when the coils are fully charged. 

Left clicking outside the map in strategical view, when the triangular cursor is 
flashing, activates the gui control underneath. The blue triangle control in the 
left bottom corner of the screen brings up the Mainframe Interface. Clicking the 
triangle again, or right clicking anywhere else in the screen, shuts down the 
Interface. 

Left clicking a triangle on the right side of the screen launches a support 
squad from the dock. Clicking it again will cause the squad to start with 
docking procedures. Right clicking it opens the Mainframe Interface on the squad 
dock. 

When a convoy is ready to jump in, the bars on the left side of the screen light 
up, listing all the important ship types and counts in the convoy. To allow the 
convoy to pass, left click the red-and-yellow bar beneath the list. The convoy 
has to be cleared in five seconds, otherwise the reward will start to decrease 
at a rate of 1% per second, down to the minimum of 50%. 

After the convoy has jumped out, the remaining net value of the convoy is added 
to the funds account, minus the defense cost (any repairs on your squad ships, 
shield loss and weapon consumption) or any collateral damage penalties (in 
short, do not damage the /listed/ ships of the convoy. Escort ships are not 
protected by insurance.) If the account drops beneath 0, negative interest 
strikes in. As long as the sum exceeds 100000 credits, however, those extra 
credits may be used to build additional support ships, and to upgrade the 
Kyplos, including its Forecity Dome. 

The production is automatic. In the Mainframe Interface, select a module to be 
upgraded. Click on the Upgrade button to toggle upgrade on or off. Modules 
being upgraded are listed on top of the main screen of Mainframe Interface. No 
more than two modules may be listed at any time. 

Also with the use of the Mainframe Interface, docking bays may be configured to 
build a certain ship type (Factory allowing). Building is disabled by default, 
and may be toggled on or off with the Build switch. The number of ship slots 
depends on the upgrade level of the docking bay. 

To pause/unpause the game, press space key. While holding the fire button, the 
game can not be paused. During pause in tactical view, a detailed info about any 
ship on the screen may be summoned when moving the cursor around. 

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Published by Sinister Systems, in December 2007
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http://www.sinistersystems.com


Designed and created by Charon@SinisterSystems/Matija Kostevc
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http://www.sinistersystems.com/charon


