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Show I he halt Lake Tribune, Thursday. October 7. 1982 KB 5 There Are Differences in Asteroids Home Version Michael Blanchet of Asteroids is very similar in appearance to the arcade version, but there are differences. The chief differences 'and subsequent new challengesi arise from the limitations of the memory and the lack of joystick agility in the home. To better understand the idiosyncrasies of Atari's home Asteroids. a little technical explanation is in order. A typical arcade game is actually a very specialized computer, programmed to execute a complex series of commands. Your home video game system performs a similar function, but it does not possess the memory capability engineered into the costlier arcade machine. (Memory capability, in simple terms, is the amount of information the computer can process at any given moment.) A Laudable Job The engineers at Atari have done a laudible job of bringing Asteroids to the home medium, but the lack of work space has led to some quirks in the program. At first glance, your ship appears to be a white triangular vessel. Under closer inspection, you will discover a darkened square around the triangle. The computer defines that square as your ship. So what you think is a close call with an oncoming Asteroid may actually be a fatal collision. Condition yourself to account for the "invisible part of your ship when maneuvering among the Asteroids. Anulhcr program idiosyncrasy By Atari's home version occasionally manifests itself when a UFO appears and your fighter is pointing directly East or West. For no apparent reason, your shots will pass right through the UFO. You will have to alter your position liefore you can stop it. Joystick Controller A joystick controller is used instead of the array of buttons used in the arcade version. Handling the control stick is the first (and probably the biggest) hurdle to be cleared. To initiate clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, the joystick must be moved either East or West. Once a flight course is chosen, you can thrust your ship on the desired direction by pushing the joystick northward. To fire, depress the red button. Each time the red button is pushed, your ship shoots two missiles. It is wise to keep your ship relatively close to center screen for a number of reasons. The joystick is rather cumbersome when you attempt tricky maneuvers. It is far safer to spin in place and aim at oncoming Asteroids. Trajectory Vertical At the beginning of each game (and in every subsequent new round), the Asteroids materialize on the edges of the screen. Their trajectory is, more often than not, vertical. It is rare that any Asteroid (save for a few small fragments) deviates drastically from this north to south (or south to north) flight path. Their behavior leaves you with a relatively uncluttered area in the center of the screen. The home video ship is somewhat larger than the arcade ship in relation to the size of the playfield. This reduces your reaction time and makes flying about the screen hazardous. There are three special functions on the Asteroids cartridge hyperspace, shields and flips. These are activated by pulling the joystick toward you (South). llyperspace Option The hyperspace option (games one through eight), instantly moves your ship to another spot on the screen. Hyperspace is a risky way of jumping out of danger. Since you hav e no control of where your ship will reappear, you may find that you have jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. That's why I prefer to forget hyperspace. It takes control out of my hands and allows the computer to decide my fate. In games nine through 16, the shields option is offered in lieu of hy perspace. The shileds feature is an excellent defensive tool. Indestructible Shield When the control handle is pulled back, your ship is cloaked with an indestructible shield for two to three seconds. Asteroids will pass right through your ship when sheilds are up. Once the shields disappear, a moment must elapse before they can be implemented. But remember that your ship is incapable of moving or firing w hen it is cov ered by shields. Experiment with the shields to see exactly how long they are effective. The flip feature (games 17 through 24 prov ides a quick way to execute a 180 degree turn. Its only Library Circulation Rose This Summer Special to The Tribune FARMINGTON The circulation of books and other materials in the Davis County Library system has continued to rise during June, July and August, members of the librarys governing board were recently told. Del Russell, library secretary, said circulation throughout the system was up 18 percent in June, 14 percent in July and 12 percent in August, as opposed to the figures for each of the three months last year. In the Farmington headquarters branch, she said, circulation of materials was up 32 percent in June, 27 percent in July and 19 percent in August. In the Clearfield Branch, circula tion gains in June and July were more modest and August showed a slight decline in the number of books and materials borrowed by library patrons. Clearfield circulation for June was up 12 percent and for July was up 5 percent, Mrs. Russell said. For August, the branch experienced a 2 percent decline in the number of items borrowed. Each of the three months was characterized by an increase at the Bountiful branch. Materials circulated were up 18 percent in June, 18 percent in July and 21 percent in August. Mrs. Russell said bookmobile 23 circulation was also up percent in July and 18 percent in August. strategic advantage is when an Asteroid is approaching the rear of y our ship. The tactic of "lurking" a staple of the arcade Asteroid player) does BOWL Cper game with thiB coupon and a friend, group or family. (Regular Price 1.35 per game) Otfer expire Oct. 18 pro shopIpecIals Video Lessons Bowling STEVE BUELL Balls P.B.A. PRO BOWLER like . tC ILYlle . AMF Ebonite m I Columbia $1A0 0f " I I mm mm mm mm mm mm ftata PBA Pro pur avfi 3 X pa mm CtiiWvi&.CO U y r ..T where everyone ha MORE FUN FOR LESS MONEY Jfc 30 So. 130 E. N.S.L Exit 315-31- 7 298-870- 0 Q Week Arts it's pirinv. 6.30 prn SaturdaY (a one- i nce r-rTvi- - not work well on the home version. This is due to the unresponsive nature of the controller and the limited amount of airspace available for flying. 4:00 pm Ballet 0 D |