Take on the role of Morris the millipede in this Acorn Electron game.
Introduction
Millipede is a fast arcade style game written for the Acorn Electron by Peter Scott of Bedlington, Northumberland. Since it was written on the Electron, it will run on both the BBC Model B or expanded Model A (at a higher speed to boot).
Gameplay
You play the part of Morris the millipede; the object of the game is simply to keep alive as long as possible and eat as much as you can. Millipedes, as everyone knows, have a voracious appetite. The food comes in the form of green diamonds and bonus crosses. It is not possible to eat the multi-coloured obstacles or your own body. Trying to eat these or the edges of the screen gives Morris terminal indigestion and is not recommended.
Twenty points are awarded for eating a diamond and 75 points for a cross. A bonus life is awarded if you pass level five and there are nine levels in all.
The author gives the following hints on getting a good score: "Only press a key when you want to change direction, as the millipede keeps going regardless. Start on level nine and graduate up through the skill levels as you get better. Don't take too many risks, especially towards the end of the screen as you get bonus points depending on the length you have attained."
Program Notes
9
This line can read ON ERROR GOTO 173
15-23
Main game loop
27
Function to read a character on the screen
31
Procedure to pause for a while
35
Print the score in format 00750
36
Print the level in the form 03
43
Main game loop
44
Check the keyboard and change direction accordingly
46
Move the millipede
47
Call screen sense procedure - check if you've hit an obstacle or food
48
Hit a bonus cross
49
Print centipede, update position array, make sound and reduce time
50
If a random condition is met then print cross
51
Check if you are dead, print food if you aren't
56
You are dead
58
If all lives are gone then end the game
60-62
Explode the millipede then erase it
69
Pause until you press a key
74
Completed this screen
77
Work out your length and if greater than 1 add a bonus
82
You're past level 5 - add a life
87
Draw the screen - change all colours to black to hide printing
91
Work out the delay for this screen
92
Randomise the random generator, set up the variables
100
Start the game
106
All your lives are up
107
Rub out the screen
109
Inquest on your performance
110
You are on the high score table
115
Start the printing of the high score table
126
Input your name and rank on the high score table
131
Swap variables for the score table
135
Print instructions in MODE 4
145
Input whether you want sound or not
149
Input the skill level
153
Initialise the game
158
Set the logical colours
159-160
Define the graphics characters
161-164
Set up some variables
165
Define the sound envelopes
166-167
Define colour variables and obstacle rising
173
Error - is it an escapel if it is then go back to the instructions and reset the score
174
Print the error and reset the computer to normal: END.
3rd March 1984