Predator 2 WHDLoad Pack

README
Short : HD Installer for Predator 2
Authors: Keith Krellwitz, Wepl, DJ Mike
Version: 1.2
Type: game/patch
Requires: WHDLoad 18, RawDIC 5, 512k chip mem

This patch applies to "Predator 2" © 1991 Image Works / Konami.

Two versions are supported:
- Image Works 2-disk release (SPS #274)
- Konami US 2-disk release

If you are upgrading from v1.1 or earlier, you will need to reinstall.

REQUIREMENTS

- Original disk or compatible disk images
  (Cracks have not been tested and are not supported)
- RawDIC 5+ for imager
- Slave requires WHDLoad 18+
- Game requires 512k chip memory
  (+ approx 1.2MB 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 F9), including on 68000 machines
- NTSC check in Konami version removed (so it works on PAL machines)
- Manual protection in Konami version removed
- Rob Northen Copylock protection in Image Works version removed
- Blitter waits added
- CPU-dependent (empty DBF and similar) loops fixed
- Stack and Ice! unpacker moved to fast memory if available
- Game bug fixed: Access fault if too many enemies on screen
- Game bug fixed: Timer screens no longer immediately skip if fire held
- Trainer/other options added - set CUSTOM1 with any of the following:
  + 1 for infinite credits
  + 2 for infinite ammo
  + 4 for immunity to enemy fire
  + 8 for immunity to friendly fire
  + 16 to enable cheat keys (screen flashes blue for on, red for off):
    * 1 or HELP to skip level
    * F1 to toggle infinite credits
    * F2 to toggle infinite ammo
    * F3 to toggle immunity to enemy fire
    * F4 to toggle immunity to friendly fire
- Frame rate limiter for fast CPUs - set CUSTOM2=1-8 to specify frame wait
  (recommended setting is 4 to approximate A500 speed)
- Color/New/Rom Icons included
- Manual included
- Source code included

HISTORY

Version 1.2 (2024-11-20) by DJ Mike
- Patch rewritten, updated to use modern WHDLoad 18 functionality
- Supported Image Works release (Mantis issue #185)
- Rob Northen Copylock in Image Works version removed
- Manual protection screen completely removed in Konami version
- Uses real files instead of disk images
- Quit key works on 68000 machines
- Blitter waits reworked
- CPU-dependent (empty DBF and similar) loops fixed
- Stack and Ice! unpacker moved to fast memory if available
- Access fault if too many enemies on screen fixed
- Fire button doesn't immediately skip if player holding fire
- Title music no longer plays twice on first load
- Disk swap screen completely skipped
- Trainers added
- Frame rate limiter added
- More icons added
- Manual updated

Version 1.1 (2006-03-08) by Wepl
- reworked for WHDLoad v10 with infos
- address error on 68000 removed (reported by Don Adan)
- source, manual and icons included
- new install script

Version 1.0 (1999-05-16) by Keith Krellwitz / Abaddon
- Initial release

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR

This patch has lacked support for the non-US release of the game for some
time, so support has at last been added. That was the easy part. ;-)

The game itself is quite CPU heavy and lacking any timing code, so on a
high end CPU or emulator it will happily run way too fast and be unplayable
as a result. There were a LOT of loops in the game that needed fixing so
they run at a sensible speed on all machines.

I've also added a frame rate limiter to the gameplay that can be enabled
to reign in the speed. I recommend a setting of 4 to approximate an A500.
However, on a real A500 the time to draw a frame varies between 3 and 6
vertical blanks, depending on the number of enemies on screen, so it is up
to you which setting feels best!

Enjoy! :-)

--- DJ Mike (20th November 2024)

         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.