Barrack 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 Barrack, 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 Barrack 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: Greg Lovette
Contributors: Andrew Welch, "Cajun" David Richard, Gayle Haarr
    Thanks to: David Freitas

Copyright ©1995-6 by Ambrosia Software, Inc.


FAQ History
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FAQ Version: 1.0.3
          Created: 3/1/96
Last Revised: 6/3/96


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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*** Please read the Ambrosia FAQ for general Ambrosia-related questions ***

This FAQ answers the following questions:

GENERAL
  ¥ What is Barrack?
  ¥ What computer do I need in order to play Barrack?
  ¥ Who makes Barrack and how can I get in touch with them?
  ¥ Where can I obtain Barrack?
  ¥ What is the latest version of Barrack?
  ¥ How much does Barrack cost, and how do I pay for it?
  ¥ Why should I register (pay for) Barrack?
  ¥ My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
  ¥ Will there be future versions of Barrack?

GAME PLAY
  ¥ How do I play Barrack?
  ¥ What are all of those crazy balls? 
  ¥ What is the best way to use the cluster magnets?
  ¥ Why do only some of the balls make a sound at the beginning of a level?
  ¥ How are scores calculated in Barrack?
  ¥ When do I lose and gain lives in Barrack?
  ¥ How do I grab a yummie on the screen?
  ¥ A Yummie Cake landed in already-cleared area and then sunk with a strange sound.  I didn't get any yummies out of it! Why? Why? Why?!
  ¥ How is a nuke ball detonated?  What must I do?
  ¥ What happens to a ball when it is nuked?  What are the benefits?
  ¥ What are the glass balls used for? Shouldn't something bad happen when they shatter?
  ¥ Does a glass ball's damage carry over into the next level?
  ¥ What is that trail following Bosco the shark?
  ¥ How can I pause or abort a game?
  ¥ Do you have any hints or tips for playing Barrack?
  ¥ Are there cheat keys in Barrack?

COMPATIBILITY
  ¥ When I start Barrack, a paused screen appears and it makes a funny sound; what's wrong?
  ¥ Does Barrack work on a PowerMac?  Is it PowerPC native?
  ¥ When I am playing Barrack, my computer locks up, freezes or crashes. What's wrong?
  ¥ Why does the sound occasionally break up?
  ¥ Will Virtual Memory or RAM Doubler affect game play?

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


General
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[Q] - What is Barrack?

[A] - Barrack is an addictively abstract Macintosh action game.  It has been known to cause mouse hemorrhages.  Meticulously crafted by Greg Lovette, Barrack is a game that is hard to pigeonhole. It exhibits a precarious balance between action and strategy; thinking and reflex. The feeling you get from playing Barrack is an eccentric harmony between the automatic, mind-numbing pleasure of Tetris and the kind of action found in Maelstrom. The result is that you'll be left with sweat on your brow. 

Barrack features stunning artwork, intense action, vibrant 8-channel stereo sound effects, and the addictiveness that comes standard in an Ambrosia game.

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

[A] - Barrack works on any Macintosh with a 256 color display, 13" or greater and at least 3.8mb of free memory.  A 68040 or PowerPC Macintosh is recommended, but not required.

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

[A] - Barrack is published as shareware by Ambrosia Software, Inc., a Macintosh-only, shareware-only company.  The game itself was written by Greg Lovette.  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)

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[Q] - Where can I obtain Barrack?

[A] - The latest version of Barrack is always available in the Ambrosia Software, Inc. 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.

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

      Because our focus is distributing software electronically, we do not send our products out on disk.  If you do not have access to any of the aforementioned digital watering holes, you can still obtain our products however.

      We've made arrangements with the PD/Shareware distributor EDUCORP so that they carry the full line of up-to-date Ambrosia products.  To order an Ambrosia Software, Inc. product sent to you on disk, please call EDUCORP at 800.843.9497.

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

[A] - The current version of Barrack is 1.0.3, dated 6/5/96.

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

[A] - Barrack costs $15 US funds.  Barrack 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 Barrack, 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 Barrack, 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.

      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 Register Barrack application, and follow the instructions that are presented to you.  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) Barrack?

[A] - We're attempting to offer high quality products at a low price, on a "try before you buy basis."  Supporting us by registering Barrack -- 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 Barrack with your name, giving you a legal copy of Barrack 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 there be future versions of Barrack?

[A] - We consider Barrack a "done" work.  We will of course continue to maintain the game by fixing bugs and adding ancillary features, but we will not be making changes to the basic game itself.

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Game Play
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[Q] - How do I play Barrack?

[A] - Move your barrier gun with the mouse.  Fire a barrier with the mouse button.  Use the orientation key to change shooter direction.  If the barrier makes it safely across the screen, a section of screen is cleared.  Your mission is to clear 80% of the screen area, advancing to the next level.  Look out for the balls and good luck.

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[Q] - What are all of those crazy balls?

[A] - Here is a list of the various balls found in Barrack:

      ¥ Pawn balls - Your basic bumpy red enemy ball. They're here to cause you trouble.

      ¥ Orange balls- These orange meanies absorb others momentum.

      ¥ Nuke balls - Population control.  Trap em into a small area and they detonate clearing the area.  They also take any other trapped balls with them.  

      ¥ Sentry eye ball - These guys roam the play area, hunting your barrier.

      ¥ Ooze balls - These ooze balls are ticking time bombs.  Disarm them quickly by trapping in a small area.  They split into Pawn balls but also the very occasional nuke.

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[Q] - What is the best way to use the cluster magnets?

[A] - Cluster magnets are fired two-at-a-time onto opposite walls.  They affect the polygrain metals found in the Pawn balls, pulling them out of your way. They've also been known to confuse Sentry ball's vision giving you just enough time to sneak a killer barrier shot through.  Be sure to fire the barrier in the opposite direction to the magnets or they will be wasted.   It may take some practice, but it's worth it -- magnets are very useful in higher levels.  

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[Q] - Why do only some of the balls make a sound at the beginning of a level?

[A] - There are a certain number of new balls "born" with sound and animation at the start of each level.  The rest are carried over from the last level.

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[Q] - How are the scores calculated in Barrack?

[A] - Here's the breakdown:

    - Regular Points:

         ¥ For each % of screen turf cleared:
            Levels: 1-4    10 points
                    5-9    20 points
                  10-14    30 points 
                  15-19    40 points
                  20-24    50 points 
                 ... continues with 10 points added every 5 levels
          
         ¥ Nuke detonation points: 500 points for each detonated ball

    - Bonus points (ie: multiplier-friendly points):

         ¥ Time bonus: Starts at 3000 points, 100 points added each level

         ¥ Over-achiever bonus: 
               100 points for each percentage over 80%
              1000 points for each percentage over 90%
              2500 points for each percentage over 95%
             20000 points for a perfect 100% clearance

         - For instance, an 83% clearance would earn 300 points
            
         - A 96% clearance would earn:
                  1000 points (for the 90%) 
               + 5000 points (for the 95%)
               + 2500 points (for the 1% above 95)
               = 8500 points

         ¥ Isolation bonus: 100 points for each ball isolated

Bosco deaths earn bonus points (added to time bonus).

         ¥ A regular Bosco death earns 800 bonus points .  This is accomplished by isolating Bosco into an area with no enemy balls.

         ¥ A glass Bosco death earns 2500 bonus points.  Trap Bosco in an area as it is cleared by a shattering glass ball.

         ¥ A nuclear Bosco death earns 5000 bonus points.  This is accomplished by detonating a nuke ball while Bosco is swimming through the area.  Takes really good timing (or luck), but watch the clock.  You may waste more time than his head (uhh.. fin) is worth.

Killing Bosco while on an "I keel you!" rampage is worth 10x the normal point value!  So nuking Bosco while on a rampage earns 50000 bonus points -- with a x4 multiplier: 200,000 bonus points!
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[Q] - When do I lose and gain lives in Barrack?

[A] - A life is lost when one of two events occur:

         ¥ Your shooter hits Bosco's fin
    
         ¥ Any enemy (including Bosco's fin) hits your barrier before it completes its travel.

      Both result in the loss of one life.

    - New lives are earned when:

         ¥ A key yummie is picked up (worth 1-5 extra lives)
        
         ¥ New lives are also earned by scoring points, here's the lowdown:
             - Levels   1-4 every 5000 points
             - Levels   5-9 every 6000 points
             - Levels 10-14 every 7000 points
             - Levels 15-19 every 8500 points
             - Levels 20-24 every 10000 points
             - Levels 25-29 every 12500 points
             - Levels 30+   every 15000 points
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[Q] - How do I grab a yummie on the screen?

[A] - A yummie is yours when:

      ¥ It collides with your barrier (NOT your shooter).  Skill is required to fire a barrier that both intercepts yummies and clears a chunk of screen area.

      ¥ It is captured.  This tactic is useful for grabbing a bunch of yummies flying around the screen at once.  Just capture them in the area that is cleared with your shot and they're yours.

      In both cases, you'll hear an "Ohhhh baby" sound when a yummie is nabbed.

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[Q] - A Yummie Cake landed in already-cleared area and then sunk with a strange sound.  I didn't get any yummies out of it! Why? Why? Why?!

[A] - Yummies must be harvested in unplowed parts of the playing field. If you clear an area before the cake lands, you lose the yummie.

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[Q] - How is a nuke ball detonated?  What must I do?

[A] - Nuke balls are highly unstable and claustrophobic enemies.  Use this to your advantage by trapping them into a small area.  As the area is reduced, the nuke will become increasingly agitated until detonation.  Upon detonation, the entire area is cleared and accompanying enemies will be destroyed.

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[Q] - What happens to a ball when it is nuked?  What are the benefits?  

[A] - When a ball is nuked it disintegrates into subatomic particles.  It goes on to a better place where all balls may live in peace among their people.  Each nuked ball is worth 500 points. But, the important thing to realize is that the ball is permanently removed from game play.  It is a chance to exercise population control -- an art form that plays into the strategy of the game.  There is indeed more to nuking than just the extra points. 

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[Q] - What are the glass balls used for? Shouldn't something bad happen when they shatter?

[A] - Glass balls are also a large part of Barrack's strategy.  If used properly, they will sacrifice their lives to earn you very high over-achiever bonuses.  If not shattered properly, they will be lost forever.  So, yes something bad does happen if the player ignores or just randomly breaks the glass balls.

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[Q] - Does a glass ball's damage carry over into the next level?

[A] - No, at the end of the level, any remaining glass balls are "healed".  In the next level, it once again takes three "hits" to shatter them.  A "hit" is a collision with either your barrier or with another glass ball.

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[Q] - What is that trail following Bosco the shark?

[A] - That's the ash from his cigar falling as he cruises the play area.  And, yes, it is a cigar.

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

[A] - The Caps Lock key pauses Barrack 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 pizza's here" key.  It is only operational when you are playing the game.

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

[A] - Oh yeah!

      ¥ Speed and dexterity are rewarded with high bonus scores.

      ¥ Over 95% completion pays off big time in over-achiever bonus.  To
         accomplish this, get as close to 80% as possible (being VERY
         careful not go over).  Then, in one shot, take out as much area
         as possible.

      ¥ Isolate pairs of glass balls with the same damage level and they
         will shatter each other.  This is also especially useful in
         scoring big over-achiever bonuses since after shattering, the
         glass balls dissipate and their enclosing area is cleared.

      ¥ Keep a supply of Laser cartridges around for sticky situations.

      ¥ Time your barrier shot carefully to get the highest multiplier
         possible.

      ¥ Stay close to shore or risk feeling the wrath of Bosco... when you
         see a fin, stay alert.

      ¥ Bosco, mighty as he may seem, is not invincible.

      ¥ Use magnets in later levels to clear a path for your barrier.  But
         be sure to fire a barrier before the magnets overheat and
         dissipate.

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[Q] - Are there cheat codes in Barrack?

[A] - Maybe.

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Compatability
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[Q] - When I start Barrack, a paused screen appears and it makes a funny sound; what's wrong?

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

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

[A] - Yes and yes.  Barrack is 100% PowerPC native, but ships as a "fat" application, so the same version will run on 68K Macs as well.

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

[A] - The Barrack versions 1.0.0 and 1.0.1 had a bug in the them that would cause a crash when playing the game. Barrack version 1.0.2 fixes this problem, and is available as a full application or an upgrade patch in our forums.

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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 or RAM Doubler affect game play?

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

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

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

[A] - Nothing really.  The name is a concept.  It fits the general theme of the game and does not exist as a singular noun, verb or adjective in the English language.  Do not use in essays or other important documents.

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[Q] - What language is Barrack written in?

[A] - The game itself is about 12,000 lines of straight C.  The graphics toolkit upon which it was built is another 4500 lines of mostly C code and some special case mixed-mode assembly.  Ambrosia's Sound_Tool was used for 8-channel binaural sound effects and Monitor_Tool for monitor and depth selection.
 
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[Q] - Who did the artwork for Barrack?

[A] - Mark Conge did all of the artwork in Barrack, except for the "Bosco" caricature, which was done by Mark Inman.

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[Q] - When was Barrack first released?

[A] - Barrack was first released in March of 1996.

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

[A] - Rewriting the base code and creating the initial prototype took about 6 months.  After teaming up with Ambrosia, the 1.0.0 version of Barrack took an additional 12 months of coding, testing and debugging.  This includes the creation and placement of artwork.

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End
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