Demolition Division

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Demolition Division is an educational software title aimed at students learning simple division facts with answers ranging from 0 to 9. Demolition Division is a collaborative effort between Developmental Learning Materials (DLM) and Texas Instruments (TI). DLM created several educational titles they termed Arcademic software, an amalgamation of the words arcade and academic. The intent of these Arcademic titles was to make the program entertaining enough to keep the learners playing for long periods of time. It was released in the first quarter of 1983 on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module cartridge. It originally retailed for $39.95 (USD) and was co-programmed by Brenda Lehman, Debbie Perich, and Mary Anne Six.

Demolition Division
Demolition Division Manual Cover
Demolition Division Manual (Front Cover) [1]
Publisher(s) Developmental Learning Materials (DLM) with Texas Instruments (TI)
Original Retail Price $39.95 (USD)
Programmer(s) Brenda Lehman, Debbie Perich, and Mary Anne Six
Part# PHM 3116
Format(s) Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module
Release 1983 (1st Quarter)
Genre(s) Educational, Mathematics

Gameplay

Enemy tanks approach from the left side of the screen. They shoot on the player's guns and barricades on the right of the screen. The object of the game is to place the correct answer for the division problem of the tank on the corresponding gun that the tank is approaching. The game requires skill (being able to quickly determine the correct answers to the division problems) and strategy (being able to selectively attack the tanks that are approaching the barricades faster. The player can adjust the answer by selecting the correct numeric key on the keyboard, or by using the arrow up key E (↑) or arrow down key X (↓) to adjust the answer already displayed by one digit either up or down. The play then shoots at the enemy tank by pressing the Space Bar, Q, or Y keys. The player clears the level by destroying all enemy tanks. If a tank reaches the barricade, the round ends.

Advertising Blurb

From the Front Cover

An arcade game format provides fun and challenge while increasing math skills in division of problems with answers from 0 to 9. Suitable for children from grades 3 through 11.

Triton Catalog

Four tanks advance menacingly toward your four cannons. Your only ammunition: the answer to each tank's division problem. You must fire rapidly with correct calculations to stay ahead of the enemy. Builds Division skills. A DLM program. Ages 10-12. (Joysticks recommended.)

Manual

An Open Letter from Developmental Learning Materials

CONGRATULATIONS on purchasing an ARCADEMICTM SKILL BUILDERS IN MATH program-software that provides fun while practicing basic math skills for players of all ages. This innovative game combines fast action, colorful graphics, and an arcade game format with learning that creates persistence and involvement found in arcade game players.

This game is based on a theory of combining proven educational techniques with a highly motivating format that challenges the player to learn. The game control options allow the control of the speed at which the game is played, the numbers that appear in the problems, the length of each game, and the mode-whether controlled by joysticks or keyboard-in which the game can be played. These options maximize the fun and learning by providing:

  • SUCCESS IN LEARNING-rather than preventing errors, success in these games is reflected by improvement. Starting players where they "aren't" (usually producing high rates of errors) and then moving back or ahead to provide success maximizes learning as well as creates challenge. Poor performance is not viewed by players as failure but as a challenge to improve.
  • INDIVIDUAL NEEDS-selecting the appropriate numbers for the problems in this format will help players "want" to learn. They will find needed repetitious drill as fun and stimulating as other types of learning.
  • HIGH RATE OF LEARNING-players must employ the best strategy under exciting circumstances to make rapid responses while being given immediate feedback to meet the challenge of the game.
  • EVIDENCE OF IMPROVEMENT-players have an unlimited ceiling on performance, immediate feedback on performance that continues to challenge, and a framework for success.

We know you will see the difference with this software! Players will be fascinated with the game while working toward the overall objective: to increase correct responses (hits) and decrease incorrect ones (misses) to basic arithmetic problems.

Your ARCADEMIC SKILL BUILDERS IN MATH program makes learning fun, exciting, independent, and successful. Your players will like learning!

Developmental Learning Materials

A Note To Parents

Developmental Learning Materials and Jerry Chaffin and Bill Maxwell of the University of Kansas have developed six programs to help your child learn the four basic math operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Four programs emphasize each of the math operations, and two programs develop discrimination between math operations by presenting problems in both addition and subtraction or in multiplication and division. In all six programs, an arcade game format uses colorful graphics and lively action to create an exciting, involving atmosphere for learning.

Demolition Division, one of the six Solid State Cartridges, can help your child increase speed and accuracy in division problems with answers from 0 to 9. Demolition Division is learning combined with fun. By playing the game, your child learns and improves essential division skills. The arcade game format of Demolition Division is a fast-paced, battleground version of attackers versus defenders. Green tanks that have division problems on their sides are the attackers. The defenders are a battery of four blue guns, each controlled by your child, that "equalize" the tanks with the correct answer. Different levels of skill and problem difficulty challenge your child to improve speed and accuracy. Demolition Division's colorful graphics and "electronic" sound effects enhance the action and add to the excitement.

As the game is played, the total of "hits" (correct answers) and "misses" (incorrect answers) is continuously updated and displayed at the bottom of the screen. At the end of the game a RECORD YOUR SCORE screen appears, giving the totals for that game and the lowest and highest game totals for the session. But whatever the score, your child is gaining valuable practice in solving simple division problems each time she or he plays Demolition Division.

Your Child and the Computer

The Texas Instruments Home Computer is a rugged, durable device designed for easy use and care. Teach your child to give the computer the same good care and respect he or she would give a television set, record player, or any piece of electronic equipment:

  1. Keep snacks and beverages away from the console.
  2. Don't hammer on the keyboard or place heavy objects on it.
  3. Don't touch the cartridge contacts. These are recessed in the cartridge to help prevent accidental soiling and/or damage.

The letters and numbers on the keyboard are arranged in the same order found on standard typewriter keyboards. If your child is not familiar with a typewriter or has not used your Home Computer before, take a few minutes to acquaint him or her with the keyboard. Point out the row of number keys at the top and the rows of letter keys below. Show your child how to insert the cartridge and select the activities. If your child is using Wired Remote Controllers, or joysticks, show him or her how to connect the joysticks to the console and practice using the joysticks in an activity. This brief "tour" of the computer will help reinforce correct procedures and instill confidence as your child starts out in a new world of computers.

Today, computers are involved in almost every aspect of life. Working with this cartridge can help your child become familiar with computers and their operation. Since computer-enhanced instruction is more common in the classroom every year, this knowledge can give your child an important advantage.

Playing Demolition Division

When the game begins, four green tanks are displayed along the left edge of the screen. Each tank has a different division problem on its side. Four blue guns, each behind a red barricade, are displayed along the right edge of the screen. As a tank advances toward a gun, it makes a low sound, and fires a shot that crumbles part of that gun's barricade.

The object of Demolition Division is to "equalize" the attacking tanks before they reach the guns and destroy them. To do this, your child places the answer to a tank's division problem beside the gun opposing that tank and fires the gun. The gun fires a small blue shell that arcs toward the tank. When the answer beside the gun is correct, the shell equalizes the tank, and a hit is scored.

Equalizing a tank causes it to explode into a pile of green rubble. After a tank is equalized, another tank with a new problem takes its place at the left edge of the screen, and the attack continues.

When Your Child Misses a Problem

When the number displayed beside a gun is not the correct answer to a tank's problem, the gun shell explodes without hitting the tank, and a miss is scored. If a tank is not destroyed before it reaches a gun, the tank blasts the gun into a pile of blue rubble.

After a gun is destroyed, the screen turns black for a few seconds. Then the display returns, and four tanks with new and different division problems appear along the left edge of the screen. Simultaneously, four guns with intact barricades appear on the right edge of the screen, and the game continues. If three guns are destroyed before the game's time limit expires, the game is over.

Correct Answer Clues

Demolition Division has a special "hint" feature that provides clues to correct answers. If your child displays an answer that is too low, the gun's shell explodes in front of the tank. Displaying an answer that is too high causes the gun's shell to explode behind the tank.

Options Available in Demolition Division

When your child selects Demolition Division, the DLM title and copyright screens appear, followed by an instruction screen which says PRESS ANY KEY TO PLAY. When this instruction screen appears, your child has two choices. One choice is to begin a preset game. Pressing any key on the computer keyboard begins a game at a skill level of 7 with addition problems using numbers from Oto 9. This preset game lasts for two minutes and is played on the keyboard.

A second choice is to alter these preset options to fit your child's individual learning needs or preferences by pressing AID. For example, your child may want to play the game for a longer period of time or to use the Wired Remote Controllers (joysticks) rather than the keyboard. (For details on changing program options, see "How to Select Options.")

Note: The preset game is intended to challenge your child to discover existing skills and knowledge. Some children may want to continue to play using the options designated in the preset game, and other children may want to adjust the game options. Help your child determine what options are appropriate by watching him or her play the first game.

Game Options in Demolition Division

Skill Level (1-9): the speed at which the game is run. The slowest speed is 1, and the fastest is 9.
Problem Range (3, 6, 9): the answer range in the division problems. For problems with answers from 0 to 3, press 3. Press 6 for problems with answers from Oto 6, and press 9 for answers from 0 to 9.
Run Time (1-5): the length of time of the game. Games can run from 1 to 5 minutes.
Joystick Control (Y /N): the use of the keyboard or of the optional joysticks (Wired Remote Controllers) to play the game. Press Y for Yes if your child wishes to use joysticks. (See page 10 for the way in which game play is altered when joysticks are used.) To play using the keyboard, no change is necessary because the preset game uses the keyboard and N is already recorded on the screen.

Note: The ALPHA LOCK must be in the OFF position (up) when joysticks are used.

How to Select Game Options

When the instruction screen appears with the statement PRESS ANY KEY TO PLAY, you may change the preset game options by pressing AID. A screen which lists each of the options by number appears.

Demolition Division Game Control Options screen

Follow the steps below to select the game options you want.

  1. Press the number of the Game Control Option you wish to change. The cursor then moves to the line for that Game Control Option and flashes alternately with the previously selected number or letter.
  2. Type the number or letter of the variation you want for that option.
  3. Change as many options as you want.
  4. When you have completed your selections, press 5 to EXIT GAME CONTROL and to return to the instruction screen. Press any key to begin the game, which is now programmed according to your chosen options.

Note: Pressing QUIT resets the computer to the preset options for the game. For example, if you want to use joysticks, you must select the joystick option when you first begin to play.

Operating the Guns with the Keyboard

Pressing the S (←) or G key positions moves the answer toward the bottom of the screen. Pressing the D (→) or J key moves an answer toward the top of the screen. Pressing the Q or Y key or the SPACE BAR fires the gun beside which an answer is displayed.

To display an answer, press the appropriate number key. Also, the number displayed may be increased by pressing the E (↑) or H key or decreased by pressing the X (↓) or N key.

Operating the Guns with Joysticks

When the joysticks are used to play Demolition Division, there is one important difference in how the game is played. With the joystick option, the answer displayed beside a gun is controlled by the computer.

First, determine which tank's problem is correctly answered by the number appearing beside a gun. Then position the answer beside the gun across from that tank by moving the joystick lever up or down. When the answer is in position, fire the gun by pressing the FIRE button on the joystick.

Sometimes the answer appearing on the screen answers more than one tank's problem. In this situation, firing the gun opposite the closest tank containing the correct problem is the best strategy. Otherwise, the correct answer for the closest tank may not appear again before the tank destroys the gun.

Note: The ALPHA LOCK must be in the OFF position (up) when joysticks are used.

Length of Time of the Game

When the game has been played for the time period selected, the game ends and the RECORD YOUR SCORE screen appears. To begin another game, press any key or press AID to change game options. (Note: If the three cannons are destroyed before the time limit of the game runs out, the game is also over.)

Score Keeping

Demolition Division keeps score of hits and misses in two ways. As the game is played, hits and misses are tallied one by one in the scorekeeping area at the bottom of the screen. At the conclusion of the game, the RECORD YOUR SCORE screen appears, showing total hits and misses for the game just completed, the lowest score, and highest score for each session.

Changing Play in the Middle of a Game

To alter the options during the game, press T to terminate the game. When the RECORD YOUR SCORE screen appears, press AID to change any options and to begin a new game.

Continuing Play at the End of a Game

When the Record Your Score screen appears, press any key to begin playing again or press AID and choose any of the options available with Demolition Division. For example, you might choose to increase the speed at which the game is run or lengthen the time of play.

Downloads

  • Demolition Division Cartridge (Black)

  • Demolition Division Cartridge (Beige)

  • Demolition Division Manual Cover

  • Demolition Division Manual Complete (pdf format)

  • Demolition Division MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)

References

  1. ↑ "TI99ers On-Line User Group: TI-99 Cartridge Listing". 

External Links

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