California Games
multi-event sport game for Commodore 64, 1987
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INTRODUCTION
"Hey, trasher! Dontcha ever wear knee pads?" "Didja see that? He
caught some air on the half pipe! Radical!"
Welcome to California. Home of the most radical sports in the world.
Rad, bad and aggro. You're about to hit the beaches, parks and streets
of the Golden State to go for trophies in everything from surfing to
bike racing. CALIFORNIA GAMES(tm) gives you the hottest sports. And
the most aggro competition. You even have to pick your own sponsor.
So pull on those knee pads. You're about to get into the most fun
you've ever had since Mom hid your skateboard. CALIFORNIA GAMES(tm) is
going to take you from surf to the turf. From the pipe to the parks.
Are you gonna love it, or what?
We'll start you off in the heart of Hollywood, with skateboards in hot
competition on the radical Half Pipe. Then we'll rocket up to San
Francisco for the high-flying Foot Bag and some really wild footwork.
After that, it's down to the beach for two of the coolest sports we've
got in California. There's an awesome Roller Skating obstacle course,
followed by the king of coastal competition, Surfing. You'll be
shooting the tube and carving the biggest breakers around.
Over at the dirt track, you'll pump the pedals of a BMX racing bike.
And your moves had better be bad. For the grand finale, you'll go to
Yosemite where you'll be flinging the fantastic Flying Disk. That's
six massive events. You're gonna have your hands full. Not to mention
your feet.
You're about to get into the wildest games of them all...CALIFORNIA
GAMES. It's only, like, the most totally awesome game in the world.
OBJECTIVES
CALIFORNIA GAMES is a challenge of skills for one to eight players.
The object of the game is to win trophies in each individual event.
Players can also compete for the top trophy in overall competition.
CALIFORNIA GAMES includes six exciting events: Half Pipe Skateboard,
Foot Bag, Surfing, Skating, BMX Bike Racing and Flying Disk. You can
practice or compete in any single event, compete in all the events, or
even set up your own competition using events that you choose
yourself.
Each player chooses a sponsor for the competition. You are judged on
each event and a record is kept of your score. Trophies are awarded to
the top scoring competitors.
If you break an event record, CALIFORNIA GAMES will save your name and
display it on a special high score screen. Improve your skills in each
event, compete with your family and friends and become a California
Champion.
THE GAMES
Half Pipe Skateboarding
{Epyx-style silhouette of a skateboarder} It's time to get air on
the half pipe. Skateboarding is definitely an awesome event, combining
strength and coordination - often with amazing results. You'll be
riding a skateboard in a specially built half-pipe. You'll have a 1:15
minute time period, or three falls, to build up speed and succesfully
complete stunts. Points are awarded for each stunt, and the highest
score wins the event.
OBJECT: The object of the half-pipe is to ride the board back and
forth on the ramp, performing stunts with proper timing and execution.
* Press the FIRE BUTTON to launch your board and start the event.
* To gain speed, move the joystick UP when the skater is going up the
side of the ramp, then move the stick DOWN when the skater is going
down.
* To perform a stunt, move the joystick as shown in the diagram. Pay
attention to timing, because you'll fall if you move the stick too
soon, too late, or if you hold it too long. After three falls, the
event is over.
|-- --|
Tap joystick | | Tap joystick
Right to start < > Left to start
Aerial Turn | | Aerial Turn
|-- --|
Press the FIRE |- || {this is the} || --| Press the FIRE
BUTTON to start< || {half pipe} || >BUTTON to start
Hand Plant |-- \\ // --| Hand Plant
/ \\ // \
\ \\______________// /
Tap stick Right to |_ / -------------- \ _| Tap stick Left
start Kick Turn \ \/ to start Kick
Turn
* To start a kick turn, move the joystick as indicated on the diagram
above. Earn maximum points by waiting until the last moment to
start the turn, and holding the joystick until the moment you'd wipe
out.
* To start an aerial turn, tap the joystick in the direction indicated
above. To perform this move succesfully, you must be in the air off
the edge of the ramp before tapping the joystick.
* To perform a hand plant, press and hold the FIRE BUTTON just as you
reach the top of the ramp. The skater will plant his hands and flip
the board over his head. Wait to release the button until the board
arcs over and returns to the ramp. Earn maximum points for pressing
the button at the last moment, and releasing it at the last moment.
SCORING: You score points for each stunt completed succesfully. Your
score increases with the amount of risk you take. For example, if
you hold a turn until the last moment you get more points than if you
pull out early when it's safer. Some stunts are more difficult and
earn higher scores than others.
Stunt Minimum Maximum
Kick Turns 100 300
Hand Plants 400 700
Aerial Turns 400 999
STRATEGY: It's important to build up the right amount of speed before
trying a stunt. You can gain speed by doing a "fakie". To fakie, hold
the joystick up or down for the full duration of the ramp (from top to
bottom). Remember that you'll wipe out if you go too fast. Above all,
be sure to get plenty of practice on the half pipe. This event takes
experience to get the timing down just right.
Foot Bag
{Silhouette of a person kicking a foot bag} This is probably the
most laid back event, but don't lose your cool, it isn't easy. The
Foot Bag event is like juggling with your feet. In this event you have
to keep a juggling bag in the air for 1:15 minutes, without using your
hands. Success is all in the timing. If you time your kicks correctly,
you'll keep the bag bouncing high in the air. Score extra points by
performing stunts. The highest score wins the event.
OBJECT: Hacking at the sack with your feet, knees and head, you must
try to make as many kicks as you can before time runs out. And
remember, you get extra points for every stunt you perform.
* Press the FIRE BUTTON to kick the bag into the air and start the
event.
* As the bag falls back toward the ground, press the FIRE BUTTON to
kick again just before the bag reaches your foot.
* To perform a head butt, press the FIRE BUTTON just before the bag
drops below the level of your head.
* Move the joystick as indicated in the diagram to control other
movements.
Jump
/\
||
Move Left <==()==> Move Right
||
\/
Turn Around
(About face)
* Several types of kicks are possible, including inside kicks, outside
kicks, jumping reverse kicks, knee kicks and back kicks.
* To perform different types of kicks, move to new positions
underneath the bag while it's in the air. For example, move to the
right so the bag will drop next to you (but not too far). Now press
the FIRE BUTTON when the bag approaches and you'll perform an
outside kick.
* Other kicks are performed by positioning yourself in different ways.
Discover the ways to perform all the kicks by trying various
movements during practice.
SCORING: You earn points for each stunt or kick performed
successfully. More difficult stunts, like turning around while the bag
is in the air, earn higher scores. You lose time if you drop the bag
or kick it off the screen. You also earn points for consecutive kicks
completed without allowing the bag to touch the ground. Earn bonus for
catching the sack when thrown from offscreen. Here are some stunts to
try by combining different kicks and moves:
Any Kick: (10 pts.)
Half Axle: (250 pts.) Any two kicks with a half spin in between.
Full Axle: (500 pts.) Any two kicks with a full spin in between.
Horseshoe: (500 pts.) Left back kick + right back kick.
Jester: (2000 pts.) Left jumping kick of right jumping kick.
Double arch: (2500 pts.) Left outside kick + right outside kick
+ left outside kick.
Doda: (5000 pts.) Left outside kick + head butt + right outside
kick.
Off Screen Catch: (1500 pts.)
STRATEGY: The more complicated kicks and stunts you can complete
before time runs out, the higher your score will be. Special bonus
points are awarded for variety, so use as many different stunts as you
can.
Surfing
{Silhouette of a surfer} Surfing began as the sport of Hawaiian
kings; now it rules the California coastline. From Santa Cruz to
Rincon Point, surfers and their colorful boards dot the miles of
sun-splashed beaches. And you're about to join them. You'll shoot the
curl, shred the tube and probably even eat a little sand (when you
wipe out). It's going to be hot. You'll be there. And you'll be
awesome.
OBJECT: Competition surfing is a game of staying near the curl of the
wave and manouvering your board smoothly at high speeds. Ride the face
of the wave, moving back and forth, in and out of the tube. "Use" as
much of the wave as you can before your ride comes to an end.
* Press the FIRE BUTTON to catch a wave and start the event.
* Hold the joystick LEFT to avoid wiping out at the beginning of your
ride.
* To steer the board to the surfer's left, move the joystick LEFT.
* To steer the board to the surfer's right, move the joystick RIGHT.
* Hold the FIRE BUTTON down to make sharper turns. Note that sharp
turns slow you down.
* If you go too close to the bottom of the wave, you'll either wipe
out or end your ride by leaving the wave.
* To end your ride cleanly, go over the top of the wave.
* If you go over the top and turn your board around in the air, you
can catch the wave again (but you'll wipe out if you come back at a
bad angle).
* You'll get 1:30 minutes for the event or 4 wipeouts. You earn more
points for longer rides, so try to ride each wave as long as you
possibly can.
SCORING: You're the scored for the length of your ride, the number of
turns you make and your speed each time you turn. You also earn higher
points from the judges for riding in the tube (underneath the curl of
the wave), and riding near the break. "Catching air" scores extra
points: ride up to the top of the wave until the end of your board
clears the crest, then turn and continue your ride.
STRATEGY: Your final score is based on how well you "use" the wave.
Riding along straight, far out in front of the break counts for very
little. Take risks. The more risks you take to do your stunts, the
more points you will earn. Making cutbacks (180-degree turns), moving
up and down the wave and doing 360's (complete circles) all earn high
scores. Earn maximum scores for high speed turns, especially if you
complete them near the top of the wave or near the break.
Roller Skating
{Silhouette of a skater} Roller skating is hot. Anyone can skate and
almost everyone does, with a feeling of freedom unlike any other
sport. And CALIFORNIA GAMES skating is as radical as you can get. The
trick is to skate down a beach boardwalk without falling. You'll have
to avoid cracks in the sidewalk, grass, sand, puddles of water, shoes
lying in your path and more. You'll have to squat to miss flying
beach balls. You'll even have to jump over missing pieces of the
sidewalk!
OBJECT: The object in roller skating is to avoid the obstacles and
cover the course in the best possible time, with as many stunts as you
can perform during the event.
* Press the FIRE BUTTON to start the event.
* To begin skating, roll the joystick to the UP position. Then roll
the joystick to the DOWN position. Continue rolling between these
two positions to gain speed.
* Move the joystick as shown in the diagram to perform other skating
moves.
Counter Clockwise
Spin (360dgr) _ <---\ Left Foot
|\ --\ \ Forward Thrust
\ \ |
\|-----| | |
| | | |
|coast| | |
| | | |
|_____| | |
/ / /
/ <-/ / Right Foot
|/ --/ Forward Thrust
Clockwise Spin -
(360dgr)
* To squat, hold the FIRE BUTTON.
* To jump, release the FIRE BUTTON
* Try to avoid all the obstacles. You're allowed three falls. On the
third fall you are disqualified and your race is over.
SCORING: Score points for each obstacle you avoid. Earn double points
for jumping over obstacles. Earn the highest scores for 360's while
jumping obstacles.
Avoiding Obstacles: 10-30 points
Jumping Over Obstacles: 20-60 points
Spinning Jump Over Obstacles: 40-120 points
STRATEGY: You'll score points for each object you succesfully avoid or
jump over, so be careful - speed is less important than staying on
your feet. Remember that you earn points for spinning jumps over
obstacles (jumping and spinning at the same time). Complicated moves
lead to high scores. But be careful not to fall more than twice, or
you'll be out of the competition.
BMX Bike Racing
{Silhouette of a BMX racer} BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross. It also
stands for radical action and challenging competition. In this event,
riders use strong, lightweight bicycles to race on an action-packed
course in the California desert. There are plenty of jumps, bumps and
dips. (Rows of low bumps are called "Whoop-ti-dos"). You'll need
speed, a good sense of timing and a heavy dose of endurance.
OBJECT: The object of the game is to cover the course in the fastest
possible time, performing stunts and avoiding or jumping over
obstacles. The fastest dare-devil rider will win the event.
* Move the joystick RIGHT to start the event.
* Move the joystick UP to steer left.
* Move the joystick DOWN to steer right.
* Move the joystick RIGHT repeatedly to increase your speed.
* Press the FIRE BUTTON to jump.
* Move the joystick LEFT to do a wheelie.
* To begin a jump, move the joystick LEFT as you ride onto a hill or
ramp.
* When you're in the air, use the joystick to perform stunts:
- Move the stick UP to do a table top. Hold the stick as long as
possible then release the joystick to put the bike down.
- Move the stick DOWN to do a 360-degree turn.
- Move the stick LEFT to do a backward flip.
- Move the stick RIGHT to do a forward flip.
* Timing is important to perform stunts and jumps. You must time the
start and finish of each move to complete it succesfully. If you're
not back in a "centered" position by the time you land or complete
your stunt, you will crash.
* You're allowed one "serious" fall or three "easy" falls before
you're out of the race. If you flip and land on your head, it's a
serious fall.
* At the end of the course, press the FIRE BUTTON to stop. You earn
bonus points for stopping on the finishing pad.
SCORING: Try to complete the course within the 2:00 minute time limit.
The faster your time, the higher your score will be. You also get
points for each stunt, with bonus points for holding stunts as long as
possible. Here's a table of the minimum and maximum points awarded for
each stunt:
Stunt Minimum Maximum
------------- ------- -------
Wheelie 100 200
Jump 200 400
Table Top 500 1000
360 Turn 1000 2000
Backward Flip 1500 3000
Forward Flip 3000 6000
STRATEGY: When you complete the course, you get 60 points for each
second left in the time limit. So finishing the course in the fastest
possible time is important, but the highest scores go to the riders
who perform the most daring stunts. Make a 6000-point forward flip,
and you've probably got a lock on the first place trophy.
Flying Disk
{Silhouette of a person throwing a frisbie} To serious competitors,
the plastic saucer invented by two Californians in 1947 is called a
"flying disk". Of course, you may know it by another name. Originally
spelled Frisbie, the disk's most popular name originated at Yale
University, where students first started tossing empty pie plates made
by the Frisbie Pie Company one hundred years ago. Now molded from
light and flexible plastic, the flying disk is a common sight whirling
through the air at beaches and parks everywhere in California, and
it's the perfect challenge of skill and timing to wind up the
competition in CALIFORNIA GAMES.
OBJECT: The object of the Flying Disk is to throw accurately to the catcher
at the other end of the field. Score extra points for difficult catches.
* Press the FIRE BUTTON to start the event.
* You get three attempts to throw and catch the disk.
* Try to throw the disk far enough to reach the catcher standing at
the other end of the field.
* Use the bar at the bottom of the screen to make your throw. The bar
has three colors: red, yellow and green. Use the green area for the
most powerful throw.
* Tap the joystick LEFT to start swinging your arm back. When the
needle reaches the green section of the bar, tap the stick RIGHT.
When the needle reaches the green section on the right side of the
bar, tap the stick LEFT again to release the disk.
* The display at the top of the screen helps you move the catcher to
intercept the disk after it has been thrown.
* As the disk flies across the field, move the joystick LEFT or RIGHT
to run toward the the point where you think the disk will land.
* To catch the disk, you must meet it with your hands. Note that your
hands are extended only when you're running or diving.
* To attempt an overhead standing catch, hold the joystick UP to reach
up for the disk.
* To dive after the disk, press the FIRE BUTTON.
SCORING: Points are awarded for the throw and the catch. For the
throw, score points with the accuracy and the height of the toss. The
fewer steps the catcher has to run to meet the disk, the more points
are awarded for the throw. Points are scored for catching the disk as
follows:
- 150 pts. for a catch while running right.
- 250 pts. for a catch while running left.
- 250 pts. for a catch while diving right.
- 350 pts. for a catch while diving left.
- 350 pts. for a catch over your head.
****vvv****
[ Merged text for Flying Disk Strategy and California Games Scoring. ]
- STRATEGY -
Throwing accuracy is the key to winning the Flying Disk (of course, it
also helps to make a good catch!). To get the best possible score,
throw the disk so the catcher doesn't have to move far to reach it,
then make a diving catch or an overhead catch.
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Some useful keyboard shortcuts
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[PAUSE] - stop/continue game
[F9] - quick load game state
[F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
[F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
[ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
[PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)