Parsec
| Parsec | |
|---|---|
 Parsec Manual (Front Cover) | |
| Publisher(s) | Texas Instruments |
| Programmer(s) | Jim Dramis and Paul Urbanus |
| Part# | PHM 3112 |
| Format(s) | Solid State Software Command ModuleTM |
| Release | 1982 (3rd Quarter) |
| Genre(s) | Space, Shooter |
Parsec is a TI-99/4A original video game created by Jim Dramis and Paul Urbanus, who was a summer intern at the time. [1] Parsec was release in the third quarter of 1982 and was published by Texas Instruments (TI), and was released on Solid State Software Command ModuleTM. The original price was $39.95. Parsec is perhaps, the most known and loved video game made for the TI-99/4A. The TI Solid State Speech SynthesizerTM enhanced gameplay by adding alerts and warnings, but the game could be played without it.
Contents
Manual
Introduction
You are the commander of the starship PARSEC patrolling an alien planet. Suddenly, the onboard computer announces that you are about to come under attack by small alien fighters and large, heavily armed, hostile alien cruisers!
The fighters are highly mobile, and unless they are eliminated by your laser, they fill the screen, restrict maneuvering of your craft, and may cause a deadly collision. The cruisers are highly aggressive and their armament devastating. Armed with photon missiles, they track your ship and fire on it. You must outmaneuver and destroy them with accurate fire from your ship's laser. If you survive the waves of alien craft, do not let down your guard, for you also have to blast through an asteroid belt or refuel your ship, demanding the utmost in skillful flying.
The Parsec Solid State Cartridge is a challenging, exciting game packed with thrills. Danger and excitement are brought on with each new attack. Some of Parsec's features include:
- Waves of attack from seven different alien craft.
- Challenging flights through refueling tunnels.
- Asteroid belts through which you must blast a path for your starship.
- Synthesized speech to warn of approaching alien craft or when it's time to refuel.
- Three different lifts to vary the speed at which the ship moves vertically.
- Increased difficulty levels to challenge you.
Parsec is a one-player game which tests your skills and strategy. Movement of the ship on the screen may be controlled by the arrow keys on the keyboard or by the Wired Remote Controllers.
Parsec is designed to work with or without the Texas Instruments Solid State SpeechTM Synthesizer (sold separately). However, the Speech Synthesizer must be attached to activate the voice of the computer. The voice enhances the game by simulating an onboard computer in your starships. It warns you of oncoming alien craft and refueling tunnels, and it congratulates you for good performance.
Getting Started
After you select Parsec, the title screen appears. Press any key to leave the screen and go to the game, or wait a few seconds and the title screen ends automatically and is replaced by a space scene.
On the screen the patrolling starship, Parsec, is cruising above the surface of the planet. Directly beneath the surface of the planet is the command PRESS FIRE TO BEGIN. Below this command the word FUEL and an orange band indicate how much fuel your patrol ship has. An arrow at lower right indicates your score.
Under the current score is the word TOP, which indicates the highest score in the series of games currently underway.
To control the speed of the vertical movement of your ship, choose from three LIFTS. Lift 1 is the slowest and is generally used when refueling. Lifts 2 and 3 are used for combat. The game always starts in Lift 3. Change Lifts simply by pressing the 1, 2, or 3 key. The Lift your ship is using is displayed at the bottom center of the screen.
Directly to the left of the Lift indicator is the remainder of your fleet. You begin patrol with five ships. If your current ship is destroyed during the course of the game, one of the reserve ships automatically takes its place to continue fighting. The total number of ships in your fleet is the sum of the ships in reserve at the lower left of the screen plus the ship involved in combat.
Controlling Your Ship
Your ship can be vertically or horizontally maneuvered for fighting by pressing the arrow keys. Pressing the ←(S) key cuts the rockets in your ship back to an idle, and your ship drifts back to the left. Pressing the → (D) key increases the rockets' thrust and accelerates the ship to the right. Pressing ↑ (E) or ↓ (X) moves your ship up or down to maneuver you into firing position or out of danger of being hit by an alien ship, a photon missile, or an asteroid. To fire the starship's laser, press the Period (.) key. You may also press a or Y to fire; however, the ship will not move while you are firing with these two keys.
If you are using the Wired Remote Controllers, move the lever right or left to maneuver the ship horizontally on the screen, and move the lever forward (toward the FIRE button) or backward (away from the FIRE button) to maneuver vertically on the screen. Press the FIRE button to activate the laser.
Stopping the Game
If at any time in the game you wish to stop the action, press the P key (for pause) and hold it down momentarily. The screen action stops and the words TIME WARP ACTIVATED appear directly below the planet surface. Press any key to resume the game.
