Apeiron FAQ
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Purpose
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      FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions.  This FAQ is an attempt to provide a comprehensive source of information about the game Apeiron, and was created in response to questions that are frequently raised by our customers.  We hope you find it useful.

      If there are any questions you have about Apeiron that are not answered in this FAQ, please get in touch with us so we can include them in future revisions.


Credits
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          Author: John Haley
Contributors: Andrew Welch, "Cajun" David Richard, Ed "DAMAGE" Ota, Gayle Haarr
    Thanks to: David Freitas

Copyright ©1995 by Ambrosia Software, Inc.


FAQ History
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         Version: 1.0.5
         Created: 6/24/95
Last Revised: 11/15/95


Disclaimer
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      This document is provided as is, without any express or implied warranties.  While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this document, the author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.


Contents
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This FAQ answers the following questions:

GENERAL
  ¥ What is Apeiron?
  ¥ What computer do I need in order to play Apeiron?
  ¥ Who makes Apeiron and how can I get in touch with them?
  ¥ Where can I obtain Apeiron?
  ¥ What is the latest version of Apeiron?
  ¥ How much does Apeiron cost, and how do I pay for it?
  ¥ Why should I register (pay for) Apeiron?
  ¥ My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
  ¥ Will Apeiron ever be ported to DOS?
  ¥ Will there be future versions of Apeiron?
  ¥ In the lower right corner of the setup screen, there is a box of static. Is this a bug?

GAME PLAY
  ¥ How do I play?
  ¥ What are the point values for the various baddies in Apeiron?
  ¥ Is there a limit for the number of lives you are able to accumulate 
     in Apeiron?
  ¥ How can I pause or abort a game?
  ¥ Can I use my keyboard to play Apeiron?
  ¥ What do the different yummies do?
  ¥ Is there such a thing as a "dud" yummy?
  ¥ Is there any kind of an end to the game?
  ¥ How can I cheat while playing Apeiron?
  ¥ Do you have any hints or tips for playing Apeiron?

COMPATIBILITY
  ¥ Does Apeiron work on PowerMacs running System 7.5.2?
  ¥ When I start Apeiron, the screen freezes and it makes a funny sound 
     with the word "Pause" displayed on the screen; what's wrong?
  ¥ Does Apeiron work on a PowerMac?  Is it PowerPC native?
  ¥ Does Apeiron work with System 7.5?
  ¥ When I quit Apeiron, my computer locks up, freezes or crashes. What's
     wrong?
  ¥ Why doesn't Apeiron use the full screen on large monitors?
  ¥ Why does the sound occasionally break up?
  ¥ Will Virtual Memory affect game play?
  ¥ Will my joystick work with Apeiron?


HISTORY
  ¥ What does "Apeiron" mean?
  ¥ What language is Apeiron written in?
  ¥ Who did the artwork for Apeiron?
  ¥ When was Apeiron first released?
  ¥ How long did it take to create Apeiron?


General
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[Q] - What is Apeiron?

[A] - Apeiron is to Centipede what Maelstrom is to Asteroids. A tried and true concept, pumped full of steroids and released for your Macintosh. Save your quarters for your laundry.

     During a port through the looking glass the mirror shatters and your ethereal energy (you know, the stuff that allows you to get up and go to work on a Monday morning) is trapped within one of the crystal shards. Immediately the residents of the mushroom patch sense your presence. Lead by the Pentipede, these critters relentlessly hunt the crystal, intent upon sucking the trapped energy out. Luckily you are not defenseless; with plasma cannon blazing, you must hold out as long as possible.

     Mac Home Journal awarded Apeiron a full four apple review, ComputerPlayer magazine honored us with their stamp of perfection and Inside Mac Games rated it four joysticks. We think you'll like it too.

.....

[Q] - What computer do I need in order to play Apeiron?

[A] - Apeiron *requires* System 6.07 or later (yes, it works just fine with System 7.5 and the PowerMacs*).  It also requires a 256 color/gray scale monitor that is 13" or larger (640x480 pixels or greater).

* Note: You'll need Apeiron 1.0.2 in order to play it properly on PowerMacs running System 7.5.2.

.....

[Q] - Who makes Apeiron and how can I get in touch with them?

[A] - Apeiron is published as shareware by Ambrosia Software, Inc., a Macintosh-only, shareware-only company.  The game itself was written by Andrew Welch, the founder of Ambrosia.  To get in touch with Ambrosia, you can use any of the following methods:

                        Ambrosia Software, Inc.
                        PO Box 23140
                        Rochester, NY 14692

                         Tel:  716.325.1910 (technical support)
                                  800.231.1816 (orders only)

                        Fax:  716.325.3665

     America Online:  AmbrosiaSW
          CompuServe:  74777,1147
                   eWorld:  AmbrosiaSW
                    GEnie:  AmbrosiaSW
                 Internet:  help@AmbrosiaSW.com (technical support)
                                  register@AmbrosiaSW.com (orders only)
.....

[Q] - Where can I obtain Apeiron?

[A] - The latest version of Apeiron is always available in the Ambrosia Software forums on the following services:

      ¥ America Online:  While you are signed on AOL, choose Keyword... from the GO TO menu, type AMBROSIA and hit the return key.

      ¥ eWorld:  While you are signed on eWorld, choose Go to Shortcut... from the PLACES menu, type AMBROSIA and hit the return key.

      ¥ CompuServe:  While you are signed on CompuServe, use GO word AMBROSIA to reach the Mac Vender D area, where Ambrosia Software, maintains a forum.

      ¥ Internet: Visit our web site at http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/ or our ftp site at ftp://ftp.AmbrosiaSW.com/

      And last but not least, you can obtain Apeiron from us for $5.00 to cover shipping & handling.  You place your order by sending us a check via US mail, faxing us your credit card number & expiration date, sending us your credit card number & expiration date via electronic mail, or calling our 800 number order line: 800.231.1816.

      If you'd like a full color brochure featuring each of Ambrosia's products sent to you free of charge, simply drop us an eMail or call us at 716.325.1910 and we'll get it right off to you.  Make sure you include your full name, address, and country when requesting a brochure.

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[Q] - What is the latest version of Apeiron?

[A] - The current version of Apeiron is 1.0.2, dated 11/15/95.

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[Q] - How much does Apeiron cost, and how do I pay for it?

[A] - Apeiron costs $15 US funds.  Apeiron has an integrated registration system that allows you to easily register it a number of ways: cash/check/money order/credit card via US mail, credit card via fax, or credit card via eMail.  Simply launch Apeiron, and click on the Register... button in the splash screen that appears.  You'll be painlessly lead through the registration system.

      If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can register electronically via our web site.  Simply point your browser at http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/ then click on the Online Registration icon.  You'll be led through a quick and easy registration process.

      Ambrosia Software, Inc. also has a toll free order line. If you wish to purchase Apeiron, you can use your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit card and call 800.231.1816. If you are calling outside the US/Canada region, or need technical assistance, please call 716.325.1910.

      We will process your order right over the phone, and give you a license code immediately. We will also take orders for sending disks with the Ambrosia Software products you are interested in, so that you can try them out and decide if you would like to purchase them (see below for more information).

      After we have processed your registration, you will receive a license code that you enter to complete the registration process. This code removes the shareware notices and personalizes your copy of the product.

      To enter your license code, simply double-click on the Ambrosia Software product for which you have purchased a license.  A shareware notice will come up on the screen, with a few buttons along the bottom.  To enter your license code, click on the Enter Code... button, and make sure you enter all of the license information exactly as it is shown.  That's all there is to it.

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[Q] - Why should I register (pay for) Apeiron?

[A] - We're attempting to offer high quality products at a low price, on a "try before you buy basis."  Supporting us by registering Apeiron -- assuming you like the game -- is the only way you can ensure that we will continue to produce more high quality software distributed as shareware.

      Beyond that, you will receive a license code that removes the shareware notices and personalizes Apeiron with your name, giving you a legal copy of Apeiron on your Macintosh.

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[Q] - My license code is invalid; what's wrong?

[A] - The license code you were sent is based on your name as you gave it to us when you registered.  Make sure that you are entering your name exactly as it appears on your registration confirmation.  If you still have a problem with your license code not working, please get in contact with us and we will take care of the situation for you.

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[Q] - Will Apeiron ever be ported to DOS?

[A] - Ambrosia has no plans to port Apeiron, or any of our other products, over to DOS/Windows.  Sorry, not to be snobby, but we lack the know-how, time, and inclination to undertake such a project, so it doesn't look like it is going to happen.

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[Q] - Will there be future versions of Apeiron?

[A] - Apeiron is a relatively young product. We anticipate future improvements and bug fixes as the need arises. One of the advantages of distributing shareware is that it allows us to continually improve a product, remaining dynamically compatible with new hardware and software. Your license code will work on all future versions of this product. 

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[Q] - In the lower right corner of the setup screen, there is a box of static. Is this a bug?

[A] - Nope, that is intentional. Originally we intended it to be a stereogram, one of those optical illusions. Supposedly, if you stare hard enough, you'll see an image.
     
     We never could get it to work but released it anyway. For a while we told people it was in fact a working stereogram, and folks reported the strangest things, but the joke is over. No, there is no picture of Elvis anywhere in Apeiron.


Game Play
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[Q] - How do I play?

[A] - Gameplay is rather simple. Your shooter is a small crystal on the bottom of the screen that is controlled with your mouse. Press the mouse button to fire. None of the other characters that appear on screen are all that friendly, so feel free to blast away.

[Q] - What are the point values for the various baddies in Apeiron?

[A] - Apeiron Scores Breakdown:

      Pentipede head segment                   100 points
      Pentipede body segment                    10 points
      Gecko                                   1000 points
      Mushroom                                   1 point
      Poison Mushroom                            5 points
      Falling mushroom                        3000 points
      Falling poison mushroom                 6000 points
      Flea                                     200 points *
      Scorpion                                1500 points **
      Spaceship                        500 to 3000 bonus points ***

      * 200 points for the first flea. If there are more than one on the screen at the same time, each consecutive flea is worth double the previous one. Example: first flea = 200, second = 400, third = 800, etc.

    ** 1500 is the most you can get for the Scorpion. The closer you are when you kill him, the more points he's worth.

  *** The value for the spaceship can be between 500 and 3000 points. This number is generated randomly for each appearance. Sometimes you just have to take what you get.
     
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[Q] - Is there a limit for the number of lives you are able to accumulate in Apeiron?

[A] - Cats are limited to nine lives, and Apeiron players are limited to eight. If you have eight lives showing, you are maxed out. Apeiron awards an extra man for every 20,000 points you score.

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[Q] - How can I pause or abort a game of Apeiron?

[A] - The Caps Lock key pauses Apeiron while you are in the middle of a game, allowing you to take a breather or switch out to another application if you desire.  To resume a game after you've paused it, simply depress the Caps Lock key.

      The ESC (escape) key aborts the game you're playing. This is not a "quit" key, but an "end the game because the boss is coming in to the office" key. It is only operational when you are playing the game.

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[Q] - Can I use my keyboard to play Apeiron?

[A] - No, Apeiron is designed to take advantage of the flexibility of your mouse, or similar ADB device. This way game play is as simple as point and shoot. Be sure to keep beverages, fine china, and small infants away from your mouse pad while playing. Sometimes you can get caught up in the action.

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[Q] - What do the different yummies do?

     ¥ Multiplier - You guessed it, this will multiply your bonus score.

     ¥ Psychedelic Shroom - This will put you into psychedelic-sixties mode. Your screen will flash weird colors and everything will be worth ten times as much.

     ¥ Coins - contain handy powerups that will give you an added advantage. Powerups are:
          - Squiggly line - Gives you guided shots.
          - Diamond - Allows you to pass through mushrooms at bottom of screen.
          - Vertical orange dashes - Machine gun shots.
          - Sprinkly shield Ñ Invincibility, that says it all.
          - Lock - Allows you to keep powers after you are killed.
          - House cleaning - Will remove all mushrooms from the bottom of the screen.
          - Extra man - you get another life, unless of course you are already maxed out.

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[Q] - Is there such a thing as a "dud" yummy?

[A] - There are no "dud" yummie coins; you may however get a yummie coins that you already have, or you may get an extra life.

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[Q] - Is there any kind of an end to the game?

[A] - No. As in life, Apeiron is a contest of survival. The longer you last, the more fun you will have. In the end, death comes to us all.

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[Q] - How can I cheat while playing Apeiron?

[A] - Apeiron has several cheat codes that you can type in while the game is paused. Here they are, and what they do:

      ¥ SNAPPLE - gives you the yummy-lock.

      ¥ PERNTS - Adds points to your score.

      ¥ NALA - The almighty sprinkly shield.

      ¥ SQUISH - Rapid fire.

      ¥ USMC - Adds 5000 to your bonus score.

      ¥ DJARUM - Allows you to pass through mushrooms.

      ¥ HECTOR - Automatically maxes out your lives, so you total eight.

      ¥ NICE BOX - Guided shots.

      ¥ MORRISON - Moves you ahead 12 levels.

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[Q] - Do you have any hints or tips for playing Apeiron?

[A] - Although I did not place in the Apeiron High Score contest, I do have a few tricks up my sleave:

      ¥ The closer you are to the Scobster when you shoot him, the more
         points he's worth.

      ¥ Stay away from the edges, the Scobster can surprise you.

      ¥ The Scobster always growls before he appears, that's your warning.

      ¥ The scobster does not back track, once you make it past him, 
         you're safe.

      ¥ Clear away excess shrooms from the bottom of the screen to 
         allow room to maneuver. 

      ¥ If you clear too many away from the bottom, the flea will come.

      ¥ Do not let the Pentipede touch the bottom. If he gets a 
         "touchdown" he invites his friends in to help celebrate.

      ¥ Be on the look out for multipliers and magic mushrooms.

      ¥ While shooting at multipliers and magic mushrooms do not lose 
         track of the action close at hand. If you are distracted, you 
         become easy prey for the scobster and Pentipede.

      ¥ Shooting coins may bounce them off the screen, wasting precious 
         powers.

      ¥ Be selective clearing mushrooms. You can build channels to 
         funnel the Pentipede into your killing zone.

      ¥ If you hit a magic mushroom, the screen will flash and all scores
         are multiplied by 10. If you finish the board, the mushroom
         bonus can really add up.

      ¥ If the Pentipede hits a poison mushroom, and dives to the bottom,
         you should stay on the bottom yourself. The Pentipede will touch
         bottom and start working his way up. Now you can get under him 
         and blast away.

   .....


Compatability
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[Q] - Does Apeiron work on PowerMacs running System 7.5.2?

[A] - Yes, however you will need Apeiron 1.0.2 in order to play it properly on PowerMacs running System 7.5.2.  An updater is available if you have an earlier version of Apeiron.  You'll find it at any of our digital watering holes (see the "Where can I obtain Apeiron?" question for details).

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[Q] - When I start Apeiron, the screen freezes and it makes a funny sound with the word "Pause" displayed on the screen; what's wrong?

[A] - Congratulations, you've found Apeiron's pause function!  Apeiron uses the Caps Lock key for pausing the game; simply depress the Caps Lock key and you'll be able to continue playing Apeiron.

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[Q] - Does Apeiron work on a PowerMac?  Is it PowerPC native?

[A] - Apeiron works just fine on all PowerMacs*. However Apeiron will never be PowerPC native.  It runs just fine under emulation, much of the game is written in 68K assembler (and thus would have to be rewritten), and there would be very little benefit in having a native version of the game because the speed under emulation is just fine.

* Note: You'll need Apeiron 1.0.2 in order to play it properly on PowerMacs running System 7.5.2.

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[Q] - Does Apeiron work with System 7.5?

[A] - Yes, Apeiron works just fine with System 7.5.  The "Before you install" program will tell you that Apeiron "may not work with System 7.5," but it is incorrect.

      The way the "Before you install" program works is as follows: there is an internal database of programs known to work with System 7.5, and an internal database of programs known not to work with System 7.5.  If any program is not listed in either database, the "Before you install" program errs on the side of caution and tells you that the program "may not work with System 7.5."

     Rest assured, Apeiron works just fine under System 7.5.  That's the System version we are currently using in the Ambrosia home office while we are playing -- I mean testing -- Apeiron.

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[Q] - When I quit Apeiron, my computer locks up, freezes or crashes. What's wrong?

[A] - The original release version of Apeiron, version 1.0.0, had some date sensitive coding (for the high score contest) that started causing this problem after June 1st, 1995. Apeiron version 1.0.1 fixes this problem, and is available as a full application or an upgrade patch in our forums.

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[Q] - Why doesn't Apeiron use the full screen on large monitors?

[A] - Some people have asked that Apeiron take advantage of screens larger than the standard Apple 14" monitor.  Apeiron already does: it centers the game window on such larger screens, and puts a border around the game play area.

     If Apeiron expanded to fill the entire size of a large-screen monitor, game play would be altered radically because it would be much easier to play the game with a larger game play area.  In short: though it could be done, it won't be done because we want game play to be consistent no matter what machine you play Apeiron on.
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[Q] - Why does the sound occasionally break up?

[A] - Certain video cards may cause the sound to break up during fades.  This is because all video card drivers turn off interrupts while they are changing color table entries, and some video cards do not handle color table changes in an optimal manner.  Since interrupts are off while the video card is changing color table entries, the Sound Manager cannot service the sound chip quickly enough, and the sound breaks up.

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[Q] - Will Virtual Memory affect game play?

[A] - If you have virtual memory turned on, it may slow down Apeiron's game play.  This is unavoidable; the only solution is to turn virtual memory off before playing Apeiron.

      On slower machines, virtual memory may also cause the sound to breakup or screech on occasion.  We recommend against using virtual memory while playing Apeiron (or any other game for that matter), but it does work.

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[Q] - Will my joystick work with Apeiron?

[A] - Apeiron uses some pretty fancy footwork to provide the smoothest game play. Some third party ADB devices may have difficulty interacting with the game. If you are having trouble, contact our technical service department. Ambrosia will either solve the problem for you right away, or contact the vendor directly and work on compatibility. Of course, the mouse that came with your Macintosh will always work.
.....


History
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[Q] - What does "Apeiron" mean?

[A] - Apeiron - [ancient greek] - 1. boundless-of sleep, from which it might seem that one would never awake.  2. without an end by which to be unloosed, inextricable.  3. Numberless, countless.

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[Q] - What language is Apeiron written in?

[A] - Apeiron is written in THINK C 5.0.4, with about 35,000 lines of code total.  It utilizes Ambrosia's 4 channel 22kHz Sound Tool for audio, Ambrosia's Monitor Tool for monitor selection and special effects, Ambrosia's Registration Tool for the shareware license code system, Ambrosia's Blit and Animation Tools for the animation, and Ambrosia's Widget Tool for misc. functions.

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[Q] - Who did the artwork for Apeiron?

[A] - Mark W. Lewis, Matt Ryan and Andrew Welch worked hard to bring you the artwork and animation that makes Apeiron what it is.

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[Q] - When was Apeiron first released?

[A] - Apeiron was first released on February 10th 1995.

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[Q] - How long did it take to create Apeiron?

[A] - The initial (1.0.0) version of Apeiron took approximately 6 months of coding, testing and recoding. At the office a Quadra 840AV was used, and a PowerBook 540C was used off site.

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End
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