Slymoids

Slymoids is an action/shooter video game distributed by Texas Instruments (TI) for the TI/99/4A home computer system. It was programmed by James R. Von Ehr II and converted for cartridge use by John Phillips and released during the first quarter of 1984 on Solid State Software^TM Command Module. It originally sold for $29.95 (USD).

Slymoids
Slymoids (Front Cover)
Publisher(s)	Texas Instruments (TI)
Original Retail Price	$29.95 (USD)
Programmer(s)	James R. Von Ehr II converted for TI-99/4A by John Phillips
Part#	PHM 3197
Format(s)	Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module
Release	1984 (1st Quarter)
Genre(s)	Action, Shooter

Gameplay

The player in Slymoids controls a cowboy tasked with fighting off the "Slymoids" armed with his trusty pistol. These creatures approach the player either from the horizon or from the sky. The player can shoot up at the Slymoids descending from the sky, or side to side at those approaching from the horizon. The player can control his/her cowboy moving either left or right in search of the enemies. The game takes place in three different locations: 1. in a city, 2. along the coast line, and 3. in a cavern. The player gets to choose from 4 different levels of difficulty to begin the game.

Advertising Blurbs

Front Cover of Manual

You are a sharp-shooting cowboy battling hordes of alien Slymoids. Attack them on grassy slopes, in castles, and in caves. Shoot quickly before the creatures overpower you!

Triton Catalog - Spring 1984

A 1-player arcade entertainment. Fiendishly clever alien Slymoids are attacking. You're a cowboy sharp-shooter - and you've got to be, to score hits with your Slymoid Scanner and Laser Fireballs! Chase through fields, castles and caves. 3-D effects and 5 levels of difficulty enhance the fun. (Wired Remote Controllers recommended.)

Fun Facts

• Texas Instruments was concerned that the theme music that James Von Ehr II created for the game was actually stolen from another source. He had actually created it years earlier on his home-built analog synthesizer controlled by his Apple II computer.

• Programmer James Von Ehr II placed a couple of Easter Eggs in Slymoids. Inside of the castle around the swords that hang on the wall can be seen the initials JVONEHR and GVONEHR James and his wife's (Gayla) initials. Gayla is credited by James as having offered helpful design suggestions for the game.

Manual

Introduction

In this one-player game, you are a sharp-shooting cowboy-the last defense against the hordes of alien Slymoids. Use your Slymoid Scanner and Laser Fireball Weapon to locate and destroy these strange life forms. The devious Slymoids also appear in two other forms-Jelloids and Spores. Chase the Slymoids through fields, castles, and caves. But beware! The crafty Slymoids have turned spiders, bats, and even rocks against you.

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With Slymoids you can:

• Experience multi-screen graphics
• Enjoy graphics that create a 3-D effect
• Choose from 5 levels of difficulty
• Use Wired Remote Controllers (joysticks) or keyboard control
• Hear special sounds that warn you a creature is about to appear

Playing the Game

When the game begins, you are located in one of three battlefields: a grassy slope, a castle, or a cave. You can destroy some creatures with a single shot. Other creatures must be shot several times before they are eliminated. As each battlefield is cleared of Slymoids, you move to another location. If you are victorious, you progress to the next level of difficulty. Destroy all the Slymoids before they overcome your cowboys.

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Special Keys

Key	Function
AID	Goes to demonstration game.
REDO or BACK	Returns to the title screen BACK from the demonstration game.
SPACE BAR or P	Pauses during the game. Press any key to resume play.

Attacking the Alliens

Once you select your skill level, outer space forms on the display. Incubators and spores randomly appear. (Note: The number of each depends on the selected skill level.) Colored numbers appear inside the incubators and start counting down to zero. When an incubator reaches zero, two or three spores or an alien hatch, depending on the skill level you selected and the stardate. The stardates in which attacking aliens hatch from the incubators are shown here:

Level	Stardate
1 Novice	8
2 Intermediate	6
3 Master	4
4 Pro	1

Using the arrow keys or the remote controllers, maneuver your ship and begin firing on the spores and aliens. Plan your attack carefully and you'll be able to destroy a line of spores with repeated fire. When four spores cluster together forming a square, music alerts you that a large red alien has appeared. Skilled maneuvering will get you to the alien before it gets to your ship!

Each time you hit a spore, you get 50 points. A destroyed alien increases your score by 100 points, as shown here:

Screenshot of shooting an alien in The Attack

When you are in a stardate where aliens emerge from the incubators, mount your best attack. All hits are doubled! If your attack is extremely skillful and you score 500000 points, the score display rolls over and restarts at 000000. Be sure to add both scores together when calculating your total score.

At the beginning of Stardate 1, you command ten ships. Each time your ship is engulfed by an alien, your ship supply decreases by one. Your attack continues when a new ship appears. A stardate is completed when you have destroyed all the aliens and there are less than ten spores remaining. At this time, bonus points (determined by the level of difficulty and the stardate of the game) are added to your score for the remaining spores. Also, one ship is added to your supply. As the stardates increase, so must your ability to carry out a strategic attack. (Note: To start the current game over with the same level of difficulty, you can press SHIFT R (REDO) at any time during the game.)

When the aliens deplete your ship supply, the game is over. Your score appears in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. To play another game on the same level, press SHIFT R (REDO). To play again with a different level of difficulty, press SHIFT Z (BACK) to return to the selection list. Next game, see if you can increase your score, advance your skill level, spend more stardates in space, or do all three!

To deactivate all systems when you have completed your mission, press SHIFT Q (QUIT) to return to the master screen.

Downloads

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  1980 The Attack Prototype Cartridge (Pink and White Label on Black Cartridge)

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  1981 The Attack Prototype Cartridge (Black Label on Blue and Black Cartridge)

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  1981 The Attack Cartridge (Black Label on Black Cartridge)

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  1983 The Attack Cartridge (Red Label on Beige Cartridge)

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  The Attack Manual Front Cover (Old-Style)

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  The Attack Manual Front Cover (New-Style)

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  The Attack Complete Manual (pdf format)

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  The Attack MAME/MESS ROM (rpk format)

External Links

• GameFAQs: Slymoids
• Moby Games: Slymoids (TI-99/4A)
• Pixelpendant's Texas Instruments Manuals Compendium: Slymoids
• TI-99ers On-line User Group: TI-99 Cartridge Listing
• TI-99/4A Video Game House: Slymoids