Tuesday 2 July 2013

Sheepoid DX / Woolly Jumper (C64) (2013)


System Requirements

* A Commodore 64/128/GS (Limited) (PAL).
* A joystick/joypad.
* A VDU preferably connected to a loud sound-system.


Downloads

The retail version of Sheepoid DX / Woolly Jumper is currently not available for free download. You can buy the game on cartridge from RGCD here, or as a download, tape and disk from Psytronik Software here.


Introduction

After two years simmering away on the back burner, RGCD and Psytronik are proud to announce the release of two specially enhanced games from The New Dimension; the graphically-overhauled Sheepoid DX (featuring all new art by Trevor "Smila" Storey) and the final full version of Woolly Jumper (with proper jumping physics added by Dr. Martin "Enthusi" Wendt).


Sheepoid DX

Planet Earth is facing a major threat - yet again! This time from a giant mothership from outer space. It is armed with deadly laser cannons that are pointing directly at our little blue-green planet. Our scientists have tried to contact the beings on board but all they got in response to our signals were a series of angry bleating sounds. It turns out the ship is being run by ALIEN SPACE GOATS!! And they are threatening to invade our planet in order to make it their own. Gibber!!


Luckily, our clever scientists have come up with a plan to thwart the alien threat. They have built a vortex machine capable of transporting two sheep-sized animals onto the alien ship - and so they did just that! Two specially modified Sheepoids have been armed and transported onto the mothership. Thanks to their magno-hooves the Sheepoids landed safely inside the ship, one on the ground and one on the right-hand wall. Now they are ready to save the Earth from world domination.


Woolly Jumper

Once upon a time in a farmyard there lived a mischievous little sheep named Pepito. One day, Pepito snuck away from the farmyard and into the adjoining woods. There he found some strange mushrooms growing by an old pear tree. Pepito decided to eat the mushrooms along with some of the rather over-ripe pears that were scattered on the ground. Before very long Pepito started to feel strange ... Very strange indeed! The world started to spin around him and before he knew what was happening, Pepito found himself in MINDSPACE!



Loading Sheepoid DX / Woolly Jumper

To play the games (all retail versions include a digital download) you will need either a real C64 (and a method of transferring the files over to it) or an emulator. For emulator users, we recommend VICE, as it works on a variety of systems and is very user friendly. Just download the emulator and drag and drop the .d64 file into the open program window (or attach the .crt image from the file menu).


GS Compatibility

Sheepoid DX and Woolly Jumper are PAL only games, and have been confirmed working on the C64, C128 and C64GS (although a second joystick is required in port one to activate the smart bomb in Sheepoid DX).


Playing Sheepoid DX

This is a game for one player only. Your mission is to guide your Sheepoids through 24 different levels inside the Space Goat's mothership. Armed with a bleating pulse ray, you must bleat at the enemies that appear in the current vortex which you are fighting your way through. During the fight, your Sheepoids will encounter fellow sheep – who have obviously been sucked into the zone by accident. If you pick up a fellow sheep, it will award you a smart bomb. You can only carry one bomb, until it has been used. Avoid shooting at fellow sheep otherwise you will lose points from your score. Also, be careful not to shoot your own Sheepoids! Can you shoot your way through 24 levels, and save the world, or will the Space Goats claim victory and conquer Earth. Good luck Sheepoid – mehehehh the force be with you. Baaaah!


Health Warning!

Sheepoid DX consists of strobe effects that are guaranteed to MELT YOUR BRAIN! Well, not quite, but they may affect those who suffer from any condition in which strobe lighting is unsuitable. It is advised that if you do suffer from a condition like this, you should disable the in game strobe effects for more comfortable gameplay.


Controls

Use a joystick in port 2. Up and down moves the sheepoid on the right hand side of the screen, and left and right moves the sheepoid on the bottom. Fire makes both sheepoids shoot simultaneously.

SPACE - Detonate Smart Bomb. (C64GS - Press fire on Joystick port 1 for Smart Bomb).


Playing Woolly Jumper

This is where you come in. You must guide Pepito through 16 levels of Mindspace and get him out his nightmare and back to reality. Pepito can jump onto platforms but make sure you avoid hazards like meathooks and spikes. Pepito cannot swim either so make sure you avoid the water at the bottom of each level.


Each level of Mindspace is guarded by assorted aliens, including green Martians, blue Penguin ships, Space Chickens and Wiggly Worms. Pepito can shoot balls of wool at the nasties, which can be increased in size using a power-up. The larger the ball of wool you shoot, the more points you will earn.


The Objects

A series of falling objects will appear in the game. Pepito can pick those objects up which will affect the gameplay. (Note: Not all objects are useful!)

Super gun (Yellow): This will increase the bullet size and speed power of the bullet which Pepito shoots.
Protection (Pink): Pepito will be wearing a miner's hat for a short period of time, to make himself invincible from the aliens and space chickens.
Drencher (Blue): If Pepito collects this object all power ups will be drained, restoring Pepito to the state he was at the start of the game.
Whistle: At the end of each level of this game, this object MUST be collected so Pepito can call his rocket and 'TAKE OFF' to the next planet of mindspace.


Controls

Use a joystick in port 2. Left and right moves Pepito forwards and backwards, up makes him jump. Press fire to shoot.


Gameplay Video

Below is a short gameplay video recorded using the VICE emulator showing both games being played from cartridge. The footage was recorded by Stefan Nowak.



Credits

The following people made this game possible.

Code & Design
Richard Bayliss (TND)

Support & Additional Programming
Dr. Martin Wendt (RGCD)
Georg Rottensteiner (RGCD)

Graphics
Trevor Storey
Shaun Pearson
Steven Day

Music & Sound Effects
Richard Bayliss (TND)

Cartridge Conversion
Dr. Martin Wendt (RGCD)

Box Artwork & Design
Trevor Storey
Steven Day

Project Management, Manual & PAL Testing
Dr. Martin Wendt (RGCD/Onslaught)
Jason Mackenzie (Psytronik)
James Monkman (RGCD)

Cartridge Hardware
Tim Harris (Shareware Plus)
Raymond Lejuez (C64 World)

Sheepoid DX and Woolly Jumper were both developed by The New Dimension, Copyright 2013. The Sheepoid DX/Woolly Jumper compilation is an RGCD/Psytronik production, Copyright 2013. Published on 64KB C64 cartridge by RGCD, 2013. Published on disk, cassette and download by Psytronik Software, 2013.

RGCD/Psytronik Software are proud supporters of the Made in Creative UK initiative, and this cartridge and software was developed, published, assembled and packaged in the United Kingdom.


Ordering The Official Cartridge/Disk/Tape/Download

The cartridge version is available to buy from our shop. The 64KB PCB is housed in a classic black cartridge shell, and the game comes complete with a printed manual and a vinyl RGCD sticker.


The cartridge version is available in two packaging types, a standard card carton and a more expensive 'deluxe version' that comes in a plastic case (a Universal Game Case with a specially cut foam insert to hold the cartridge as shown below). The standard version is priced at £22, whereas the deluxe version costs £27. Shipping is £4 for UK/Europe and £5 for the rest of the world. A digital version of the game will also be sent out to all customers following receipt of payment.

Please note that Psytronik Software are also selling the game on premium/budget disk, tape and as a download for £9.99, £4.99, £4.99 and £1.99 respectively (plus shipping) via their Binary Zone Retro Store.

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