File	Date	Author	Commit
dat	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[66ed9f] Remaining subdirectories committed
doc	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[66ed9f] Remaining subdirectories committed
gfx	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[66ed9f] Remaining subdirectories committed
oldstuff	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[66ed9f] Remaining subdirectories committed
snd	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[66ed9f] Remaining subdirectories committed
LICENSE	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[4781fc] Changeover from CVS
Makefile	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[4781fc] Changeover from CVS
README	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[4781fc] Changeover from CVS
bigbang.py	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[4781fc] Changeover from CVS
spacecommander-glx.py	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[4781fc] Changeover from CVS
spacecommander.py	2010-01-22	dou9st3r	[4781fc] Changeover from CVS

Read Me

NEWS

Started working on this again. 1/15/2010


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

There is no need to install anything at the
moment. The game should be run from its default
directory.

Copy the directory wherever you want and launch
the game from there. There is a Makefile that
runs bigbang.py. You should run that once at
least to create a galaxy for the game to use.
There is no need to use the Makefile, you can
just run "python bigbang.py" followed by
"python spacecommander.py" and it should
hopefully work.


DEPENDENCIES

You need a recent version of Python and some
support libraries. The game is currently being
written using Python v 2.4.3 but it may work
with newer or older versions with some minor
tweaking. I intend to be using Python 2.5 and
PyGame 1.8 shortly.

Python 2.4.3 -> http://www.python.org
PyGame 1.7 -> http://www.pygame.org
Numeric 22.0 -> http://www.pfdubois.com/numpy/

Basically you need a pretty complete Python kit. Most
Linux distributions should have everything that you need
and Windows / OSX users will be able to install it all
with a small bit of effort.

To play the MIDI score in Linux you have to install and
configure Timidity due to some old code in sdl-mixer which
is a pre-dependency of PyGame. If the game crashes and
complains about midi, just comment out the MIDI line
in spacecommander.py to disable it.

As to performance issues. I pass the buck. If it runs
too slowly then get a faster computer, better graphics
card, better operating system, whatever.

The idea of writing this in Python is to have a compromise
between ultimate performance and the ability to understand
and tinker around with the code.

You could try reducing the number of stars in the galaxy
by editing bigbang.py also.

Feel free to re-write the game in hand optimized assembler,
but you must send me a copy of your code per the LICENSE :-P


RUNNING THE GAME

Linux: ./spacecommander.py

Windows: double-click on the file

Problems: try "python spacecommander.py"

Python is an interpreted language and if it crashes for
some reason it should provide a line number and error
message. Simply open the file with a text editor, go
to the line, try and find the problem, and then seek
outside help if required. There is plenty of good
information on the World Wide Web. If you can fix the
problem, just do so and send me an email describing
the issue and how you resolved it.


KEYBOARD COMMANDS

ESC / Q: Quit the game
Left / Right: Yaw
Up / Down: Pitch
PgUp / PgDN: Roll

MOUSE CONTROL

Hold down the right mouse button for Yaw and Pitch
Hold down the middle mouse button for Roll and Pitch
Mousewheel will increase / decrease thrust


BUGS

Submit bug reports *and code fix* to the author.


COPYRIGHT

Unless noted otherwise, all content and media is:
(c) Copyright 2006 by B. Douglas Hilton ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
You are free to copy and distribute the materials within the
terms of the LICENSE. If you choose not to accept the LICENSE
then I RETAIN SOVERIGN COPYRIGHT OF ALL CONTENT AND MEDIA
subject and punishable to the fullest extent of the 
FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

That being said, I hope you enjoy messing with the program ;-)

WARRANTY

This software comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY. Please
refer to the LICENSE file for more information.


LICENSE

Released under the GNU General Public License. Review
the LICENSE file for the complete details.


COLLABORATION

I may not be available to always work on this. Use the GPL
to make this the game everybody has been waiting for.
Help make it happen!

Enjoy!
B. Douglas Hilton
2010/01/22