Wizmo_v1.0.lha

README
Short : HD Installer for Wizmo
Author: DJ Mike (djmike@crystalmike.com)
Version: 1.0
Type: game/patch
Requires: WHDLoad 19, RawDIC 5, 512k chip mem

This patch applies to "Wizmo" © 1989 Kingsoft.

Thanks to Chris Gleisberg for supplying the original.

REQUIREMENTS

- Original disk or compatible disk image
  (Cracks have not been tested and are not supported)
- Slave requires WHDLoad 19+
- RawDIC 5 for the imager
- Game requires 512k chip memory
  (+ approx 615k other memory for preload option)

FEATURES

- Game loads fully from HD
- Uses real files, which can be compressed with Propack/CrunchMania/FImp/XPK
- Quit game at any time (default key F10), including on 68000 machines
- Highscores stored to disk
- Save system expanded so up to 10 separate savestates can be accessed
  (during game, press L to load or S to save, then 0-9 to choose slot)
- Stack moved to fast memory if available
- Game bug fixed: Access fault on highscores, due to bad keyboard read
- Interrupts fixed to work safely (unsafe use of a0 register)
- Stray Atari ST ROM accesses patched
- Blitter waits added x4
- CPU-dependent timing fixed in music player and keyboard routine
- Trainer/other options added - set CUSTOM1 with any of the following:
  + 1 for infinite lives
  + 2 for infinite power
- Color/New/Rom Icons included
- Hints included
- Source code included

HISTORY

Version 1.0 (2025-02-12)
- Initial release

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR

There weren't many issues to fix with the game. The disk uses a dual format
to support running on both Atari ST and Amiga. The ST version is on side 0,
while the Amiga loads from side 1 but borrows the graphics from the ST side.
This leaves lots of extra space for the Amiga to add exclusive sound effects
and music, thus taking advantage of the superior Paula chip.

The save system originally used an entire floppy just to store one snapshot!
I've reworked this, as it was easy to extend it to support multiple saves.
During the game, press L to load or S to save, and you'll be shown a list of 
slots to choose from. Amusingly, entering these menus always resets the 
enemies on screen, even if you press Escape to cancel!

Besides that, there were some stray accesses to the Atari TOS ROM still in
the Amiga version, and the interrupts didn't work correctly with WHDLoad due
to expecting a0 to always stay set to $dff000. Plus the usual suspects like
CPU-dependent timing and missing blitter waits.

Greetings and thanks to Chris for the original disk, to the folks at the EAB
forum for help investigating the disk image, and to the contributor who
wishes to remain anonymous for supplying hints and testing the game!

Enjoy! :-)

--- DJ Mike (12th February 2025)

         Bug report form, full WHDLoad package and other installs:
                          http://www.whdload.de

THIS PACKAGE COMES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO USE, RESULTS AND
PERFORMANCE OF THE PACKAGE IS ASSUMED BY YOU AND IF THE PACKAGE SHOULD PROVE
TO BE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING,
REPAIR OR OTHER REMEDIATION.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, CAN THE AUTHOR BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE
CAUSED IN ANY USUAL, SPECIAL, OR ACCIDENTAL WAY, ALSO IF THE OWNER OR A
THIRD PARTY HAS BEEN POINTED AT SUCH POSSIBILITIES OF DAMAGE.