Tunnels of Doom

Tunnels of Doom
Tunnels of Doom Manual (Front Cover)
Publisher(s)	Texas Instruments (TI)
Original Retail Price	$59.95 (USD)
Programmer(s)	Kevin Kenney
Composer(s)	Frank Scheffel
Part#	PHM 3042
Format(s)	Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module
Release	1982 (2nd Quarter)
Genre(s)	Adventure, Role-Playing Game (RPG)

Tunnels of Doom was a simplistic Role-Playing Game (RPG) released by Texas Instruments (TI) during the second quarter of 1982. It became popular with those who played Dungeons and Dragons on paper. Similar to the Adventure series of games written by Scott Adams, the game required a cartridge and either a cassette tape or floppy disk to play. The floppy or cassette-based game originally retailed for $59.95 (USD).

Gameplay

After loading the game and database either from the cassette tape or the floppy disk, the player creates his/her party between 1 and 4 characters, that will explore the dungeons throughout the game. The player selects the number of floors the dungeon has, between 1 and 10, after which the dungeon is randomly generated. Larger sized (aka: number of floors) dungeons take longer to generate than smaller ones.

The game always starts off with the party in the shop right above the first floor of the dungeon. The player has enough gold to outfit his/her party in the shop. After making essential purchases for his/her party, the player then leaves the shop to go on the adventure.

Each floor of the game contains approximately 20 rooms and 2 sets of stairs. Rooms are connected by hallways. Inside of rooms, the player has a top-down view of the room, it's walls and contents. Rooms contain a randomly generated number of monsters to be destroyed, usually between 1 to 5, but occasionally contain 0. Rooms may also contain other items such as a single treasure, or a chest containing multiple treasures. The center of rooms may also contain a living statue of a fountain. In hallways, the game changes into a 3-D view.

The game has two adventures to choose from, "Pennies and Prizes" and "Quest for the King." Pennies and Prizes is meant for the younger players while the Quest for the King is a much more complex version of the game. The game also had a game editor that could be used to create one's own adventure.

Advertising Blurbs

Front Cover of Manual

Enter a world of fantasy where your instincts and imagination determine your chances of survival. Your journey is about to begin -- prepare yourself.

Back Cover of Manual

You are about to enter a labyrinth of tunnels and rooms where all the myriad realms of fantasy coexist to challenge all would-be heroes. With the Tunnels of Doom Solid State Software^TM Command Module and one of the many cassette- or diskette-based games, you can enter into a journey beyond your imagination.

For your convenience, two games, Pennies and Prizes and Quest for the King, are included with the module. Look forward to future Tunnels of Doom games.

Manual

Introduction

You are about to take your first step into the unknowns of the Tunnels of Doom where all the myriad realms of fantasy coexist to challenge all would-be heroes. Descending deeper and deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels and rooms, you are faced with innumerable monsters blocking your path and guarding treasures. You are a member of a rescue party, or perhaps, an unsuspecting soul trying to escape from the murky depths. No matter what the circumstance may be, you must gather all your strength and wits to survive the Tunnels of Doom.

Tunnels of Doom is a role-playing adventure that stimulates your imagination and challenges your survival instincts. You are not just a spectator but an active member of the party entering the dark, mysterious depths. You are in control of what happens to your players, and eventually, you become the character journeying through the Tunnels of Doom.

To play Tunnels of Doom, you need both the Tunnels of Doom Solid State Software^TM Command Module and a cassette- or diskette-based Tunnels of Doom game. The module contains the general program instructions which are customized by the particular cassette tape or diskette game you use with it. For your convenience, two games, Pennies and Prizes and Quest of the King, are included with the module.

Using this Manual

This manual is designed as a guide and reference book for all Tunnels of Doom data-based games. Although the majority of the manual concentrates on the Quest of the King game, the information pertains to all Tunnels of Doom games with some games having minor variations.

To play Tunnels of Doom, you need the Tunnels of Doom Command Module and a diskette- or cassette-based game. If you are using a diskette-based Tunnels of Doom game, you need a TI Disk Drive Controller and TI Disk Memory Drive (sold separately). If you are using a cassette-based game, you need a cassette tape recorder and a TI Cassette Interface Cable; refer to the "Loading Cassettes" section for instructions.

The two Tunnels of Doom games which have been included with this Command Module - Quest of the King and Pennies and Prizes - are described in this manual. Quest of the King is discussed in detail. Pennies and Prizes is a simplified version of Quest of the King and is only briefly explained.

"Saving a Game" explains how to save a game that you can continue at a later date. To save a game, you need a separate cassette tape or diskette; then follow the directions in "Saving a Game."

Special key functions have been set up for all Tunnels of Doom games. These are listed in a "Special Key Functions" section for easy reference. In addition, a "Vocabulary" section explains the meaning of words discussed throughout the manual. These words may change from one game to another, but the majority of words exist in all Tunnels of Doom games.

Now that you are familiar with this manual, let's begin our journey through the Tunnels of Doom.

Special Key Funtions

Note that the key sequences required to access special functions depend on the type of computer console you have. These keystroke sequences are summarized below.

TI-99/A	TI-99/4A
↑ E, ← S, → D, ↓ X	↑ E, ← S, → D, ↓ X	Move your party through hallways and rooms. Move your players during combat. Move the cursor before firing a ranged weapon.
Shift X(↓)	FCTN X(↓)	Moves your party down a flight of stairs.
Shift E (↑)	FCTN E(↑)	Moves your party up a flight of stairs.
Shift A (AID)	FCTN 7 (AID)	Displays the Command Summary of special key functions.
Shift R (REDO)	FCTN 8 (REDO)	Changes information and enters new information. Refuses monster's price during negotiations.
Shift Z (BACK)	FCTN 9 (BACK)	Returns from looking at a status report, map, or Command Summary.
Shift V(PROC'D)	FCTN 6 (PROC'D)	Proceeds to the next display or action. Leaves the store.
Shift T (ERASE)	FCTN 3 (ERASE)	Erases your selection if pressed before you press ENTER.
Shift S (←)	Shift S (←)	Moves the cursor to the left, deleting each character.
ENTER	ENTER	Inputs information. Passes a player's turn during combat. Leaves a treasure in a room. Returns from buying items in a store's subcategory, from using an item, and from selecting an item at a living statue.
Shift W (BEGIN)	FCTN 5 (BEGIN)	Goes to the game selection display.
Shift Q (QUIT)	FCTN = (QUIT)	Returns to the master title screen
K	K	Saves a game.
1	1	Shows player status report.
2	2	Shows party status report.
3	3	Shows monster status report.
F	F	Fires a ranged weapon
M	M	Shows the map.
N	N	Negotiates with monsters during a battle.
U	U	Enables a player to use a magic item.
W	W	Changes a player's weapons.
C	C	Checks for secret doors.
B	B	Enables the party to break through a door.
L	L	Enables the party to listen at a door which is adjacent to and facing the party.
O	O	Changes party formation.
T	T	Trades items between players except during a battle.

Using the Solid State Software^TM Command Module

Before you use the Tunnels of Doom game package, a cassette recorder or the TI Disk Memory System must be properly attached to the computer and turned on. (See the User's Reference Guide or the Disk Memory System owner's manual for complete set-up instructions.)

An automatic reset feature is built into the computer. When a module is inserted into the console, the computer returns to the master title screen. All data or program material you have entered will be erased.

Note: Be sure the module is free of static electricity before inserting it into the computer (see page 38).

External links

• CRPG Addict: Tunnels of Doom
• Ed Burns Tunnel of Doom Tribute Page
• Everything₂: Tunnels of Doom
• Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Tunnels of Doom!
• Moby Games: Tunnel of Doom
• TI-99/4A Video Game House: Tunnels of Doom