Fathom

Fathom is an Imagic created action video game for the TI-99/4A. It was programmed by Neil Mckenzie and released 3rd quarter of 1983 and released on Solid State Software^TM Command Module. It sold originally for $39.94 (USD) as part number PHM 3222.

Fathom
Football (Front Cover)
Publisher(s)	Imagic
Original Retail Price	$39.95 (USD)
Programmer(s)	Neil McKenzie
Part#	PHM 3222
Format(s)	Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module
Release	1983 (3rd Quarter)
Genre(s)	Action

Gameplay

The goal for the player in Fathom is to ultimately rescue Neptune's daughter, Neptuna. She has been kidnapped by the sea Titans and is being held captive against her will. The player controls either a dolphin who navigates through the sea, or a bird who navigates the skies. The goal is to collect the missing pieces of Neptune's trident. As a bird, the player needs to tough all of the clouds while avoiding running into other birds in the air which will reduce the players energy level. As a dolphin, the player needs to touch the seahorses which reveal the trident pieces. Touching octopuses, sharks, and seaweed will also cause the player to lose energy. Once all the trident pieces have been collected, Neptuna will be released.

Advertising Blurbs

Front Cover of Manual

Free Neptune's daughter! Change from a seagull to a dolphin and search the skies and seas for the missing pieces of Neptune's magical Trident. Avoid perilous obstacles on your way. Find all the Trident pieces and you can free Neptina!

Triton Catalog - Spring 1983

Rescue Neptune's daughter. She's chained to a sunken ship, her father powerless to help because his enemies have broken his magical Trident into three pieces. You travel the sky and the sea in search of the pieces, all the while fighting off obstacles to save her! (Speech Synthesizer and Wired Remote Controllers recommended.)

Fun Fact

There are 9 levels in the TI-99/4A version of Fathom compared to the Atari 2600's 7 levels. A special message from the programmer is revealed after completing all 9 levels of the game.</ref>

Manual

Introduction

Rescue Neptune's daughter, Neptina! Chained to the bow of a sunken ship, she awaits her freedom. Her father is powerless to save her because his enemies have broken his magical Trident into three pieces. You, Mortal, must travel to the heights of the heavens and the depths of the sea in search of the scattered pieces. Touch clouds and seahorses until you find the magical stars that become a part of the powerful Trident.

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With Fathom, you can

• Transform into a seagull or a dolphin
• Enjoy multi-screen graphics in this one-player adventure
• Hear realistic sound effects that enliven the action
• Advance through nine levels of play as your skills improve
• Use the Joystick Controllers or thekeyboard
• Have fun with synthesized speech that simulates the excitement of flight and underwater exploration

Note: Fathom is designed to work with or without the Texas Instruments Solid State Speech^TM Synthesizer (sold separately). However, the Speech Synthesizer must be attached to the computer to activate speech capabilities.

Downloads

• 

  1979 Football Cartridge (black label on black cartridge)

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  1982 Football Cartridge (red label on black cartridge)

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  1983 Football Cartridge (red label on beige cartridge)

• 

  Football Manual Front Cover

• 

  Football Manual Complete (pdf format)

• 

  Football MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)

External Links

• Giant the Bomb: Fathom
• MobyGames: Fathom
• TI-99ers On-line User Group: TI-99 Cartridge Listing
• TI-99/4A Video Game House: Fathom]