ASTRAWARE palm os products 
 
Atomica Information
Current released version: 1.26 - 20th February, 2002
Current release expires: never
Feedback to: Haemish Graham (haemish@astraware.com)
Game Info: http://palm.astraware.com/atomica/
Recent update headlines: Speed improvement. High score export! Optional Clock and Battery display!

Copyright (c) 1999,2000,2001 Astraware Ltd, 2000,2001, PopCap
All rights reserved.

Introduction

Make Molecules in Dr. Atomicus' Laboratory! Build up atomic power by moving atoms to make larger and larger molecules, but watch out, otherwise your test board will get so crowded with new atoms appearing that you can't move any more and.... *BOOOM*.

This official Palm conversion of the great PopCap game is just as addictive and just as challenging, and now you can take it with you anywhere!

Astraware Atomica Features:

How To Install

Use an extractor program such as WinZip on the PC or Stuffit Expander on the Mac to get at the Atomica files. Install the game by double-clicking the prc file.

Use the HotSync button as usual to install the game onto your handheld.

Now run Atomica and tap the screen to play the game!

If you've got any queries about Atomica or the registration process, first check out our frequently asked questions page on our website (you must be connected to the internet to access this). If this doesn't help, get in touch with us at support@astraware.com. If you've got any questions (or suggestions, we love those) about the game itself, please get in touch with us at the email address at the top of this page.

Playing Atomica - easy mode

Install and run the game on your Palm.

Tap the 'Instructions' button to get a quick reminder of what to do.

Tap the screen on 'Easy Game' to start a game!

The game will start with three atoms and three plasma fields. Tap or drag the atoms to move them around the laboratory.

Create molecules by grouping like atoms together into adjacent sets of four or six.

Each time you create a molecule you will be awarded points and the molecule will disappear.

Each time you make a move but do not create a molecule the plasma fields will turn into atoms and fresh plasma fields will be created.

You get extra points for bigger molecules, and for 'combos' - which is where you make several molecules in a row.

Make four or more molecules in a row and you will be rewarded with an atomic bomb which you can use to destroy random atoms.

The bigger the combo the bigger the atomic bomb. To detonate your atomic bomb tap on the icon in the top left hand corner of the screen.

Fill the meter on the side of the screen to complete the level but watch out for more atom types in later levels.

Game Over happens when the laboratory is too full to make any more molecules.

Playing Atomica - timed mode

Atomica comes with a harder mode built in - Timed mode!

Start a Timed game by tapping on the 'Timed Game' button on the front screen.

You can also select this by going into the menu, and selecting the 'Game Settings' option. Change the type of the game to 'Hard (Timed)' and the next game you start will be in timed mode.

Tap the screen to start a game, and the mayhem begins...

As before, you make molecules and combos to score points - but... Now you're doing it against the clock!

You have a time meter at the side of the screen. If it runs out, that's Game Over over!

Every time you create a molecule, you get a little more time added.

To play this mode well, you will need atomic precision in creating molecules!

Hidden Features

There are a few extra features we built in!

  • You can tap on two tiles separately, or we have allowed you to tap and 'drag' an atom.
  • Tap on the Professor's head to undo your last move but beware, you cannot undo directly after using an atomic bomb or finishing a level.
  • You can press scroll-up or scroll-down at any time to pause the game - and quickly access the buttons to change the sound volume or abandon a game.
  • Graffiti 'a' or 'e' abandons (or 'ends') the current game - but it does warn you first!
  • Graffiti 'g' brings up the standard game settings option box.
  • From the game settings option box, you can choose to have a clock and/or battery level meter displayed at the top of the screen.

Registering

If you purchased a copy of the game on a CD from a store, then it will come pre-registered!  If so.. please find the accompanying details with the CD to find out how to register your purchase to get upgrades!

If you beam a demo to someone else, and they also like the game, then they can register it either by purchasing a copy from a local store, or by purchasing online.

If you downloaded the game straight from the internet, from Astraware's web pages, or from one of the popular Palm download sites, then your copy is in 'Demo' form. Demo means that you can play 10 games for free, and then decide whether to register it or not. After these games are up, the program will display a short message before each game. 

In Demo form, you can play 10 games of Atomica for free, as you decide whether you like it or not. After these games are up, the program will display a short message asking you to register or purchase a full version from a shop!

Retail Copies

This and other great Astraware games are available to purchase straight from a store - you'll get a CD with pre-registered copies of the games - no hassle - and makes a great gift!

Registering Online:

For those that like the speed and convenience of buying of the internet, when you register for the game, you'll get a key which will unlock the game and remain valid for future 1.x upgrades. Go to the web page at http://palm.astraware.com/atomica/
for more details.

You'll need to know your HotSync ID which you can find by running Atomica, and going into the menu, and selecting the 'register' option. Your HotSync ID (or username) will be filled in for you below.

When you register, Astraware will generate a key based on your ID, which will normally be sent out by email within 48 hours of you registering. When you receive your key, go to the same register option, and enter the key into the space provided.

Submit your High Scores!

Registered users of the game are entitled to submit their high scores to our Internet High Score table.

Just visit the Atomica web pages at http://palm.astraware.com/atomica/ and select the link to view high scores.

To submit your own score, you need to go to the menu in the game, and select 'export high score'. This will provide you with a code which you can then type into our site:

http://www.astraware.com/palm/atomica/high/

You can only submit high scores once you've beaten the scores built into the game!

(Astraware reserves the right to remove this board or facility without any notice, or to remove individual names if necessary)

Astraware Products

You can find out about Astraware and the product range we have for the Palm-powered platform by visiting our website at www.astraware.com/.
Here are our top products at time of writing:

Astraware Palm Packs
It's A Blast! Shooting Pack Let out your tension with some target practice with Astraware's collection of great screen-tapping games!
Palm Games Pack 2001 4 games for under $25 - save over 25%
PopCap Games Pack PopCap Games are sweeping the web, and now Astraware brings the top games to the Palm
Astraware Palm Games
Alchemy Turn lead into gold in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Astro Defence Defend your city from the asteroid threat!
Atomica Make Molecules in Dr. Atomica's Laboratory in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Bang! Bang! Backyard blasting fun
Bejeweled Bejeweled is a Palm version of the incredibly popular and addictive online game by PopCap
Big Money! Coin collecting fun in another Pop Cap classic!
Biplane Ace Dogfight against rival fighter pilots
Bounce Out Brain bending ball matching action
Bzzz! for Palm Fly-catching action for the Palm
Collapse! Tap matching blocks in this simple but frantic GameHouse game.
Eye of Horus Unleash your magical powers with this Astraware puzzle game.
Galaxy Ranger Be a Galaxy Ranger, Save the Universe!
Gem Drop Gem dropping, jewel matching fun
Mad Gab ...It's not what you SAY, it's what you HEAR!
Mahjongg Relax your mind with the most authentic Mahjongg solitaire game for Palm-powered handhelds
Mars Needs Cows The challenging PopCap puzzle game of animal abduction!
Mummy Maze Escape the maze and outsmart the mummy in this great PopCap game!
Nisqually Make lines of blocks to clear the screen and complete the level
Noah's Ark Save pairs of animals from the rising water in this great PopCap game!
Police Range Police Range is a fast game of reactions, dexterity, accuracy and good judgment!
Round Up Marble Moving Madness
Seven Seas Ship Ahoy! Blast pirates with a broadside and navigate through dangerous waters, in this PopCap puzzle game
TacTic A twist on the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game pits you against the brain
Text Twist Juggle letters to make as many words as you can in a limited time!
Zap!2000 Arcade gaming on the Palm has never looked so good!
Zap!2016 The essential showcase for your 16-bit color Palm
Astraware Palm Applications
e.Guide Your essential TV episode guide for Palm
Timetable Know whats when with Timetable!
Timetable Plus The essential tool for teachers and students, with assignment tracker
Timetable Pro The essential tool for teachers and students

Release Revision History!

Release 1.26 : 20th February, 2002

  • Revised with new library routines to have better support for latest devices.

Release 1.23 : 13th November, 2001

  • Fixed a bug in the game settings screen - now shows hard/easy level correctly.
  • Changing difficulty now takes affect from the next game.
  • Adjusted ranks for the retail version

Release 1.22 : 12th November, 2001

  • Another fix to prevent further cheating by pref-editing.

Release 1.21 : 9th November, 2001

  • Another small fix to prevent cheating.

Release 1.2 : 6th November, 2001

  • Greyscale palette settings added.
  • Speed improvements when drawing graphics.
  • Corrected clock display in greyscale (which was not easily visible).

Release 1.1 : 2nd November, 2001

  • New registration code screens used.
  • Combined Color and greyscale versions into one easy-to-use package!
  • Added a Beam Demo function.

Release 1.01 : 26th October, 2001

  • Improved code base
  • Faster graphics routines
  • High score export
  • In game clock and battery level meter

Release 1.0 : 1st June, 2001

  • First public release.
  • Beta timeout removed.

Feedback

If you've got suggestions about how to improve Astraware Atomica - or with reports of any problems you've had, then please contact us!

Atomica enquiries/feedback: atomica@astraware.com
Registration problems: registrations@astraware.com
General Astraware enquiries: feedback@astraware.com

 

Contributors

Programming: Haemish Graham

Graphics and Game Design: Jason Kapalka

Thanks also to the many beta testers for their helpful suggestions throughout June.

Legal

Astraware Ltd takes no responsibility for any adverse effect that this software could cause to your machine or the data on it: backup important data before using Atomica. Atomica is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Atomica is licensed, not sold.

You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble this software.

Astraware’s and its suppliers’ entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at Astraware’s option, either (a) return of the price paid, if any, or (b) replacement of the product that does not meet the warranty and which is returned to Astraware with a copy of your receipt. This warranty is void if failure of the product has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement software product will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. These remedies are not available without proof of purchase from an authorized source.

Written permission must be obtained before distribution of this game, either in demo form or full form, through any online or offline methods. 

Copyright (c) 1999,2000,2001 Astraware Ltd, 2000,2001, PopCap.

Astraware and the planet logo are trademarks of Astraware Limited. All rights reserved.