The Golden Flute for Windows
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This adventure game was originally written in BASIC by Delton T. Horn on TRS-80, Apple ][, and Commodore 64 computers in 1984, and is part of Horn's "Golden Flutes and Great Escapes" games collection. It was later ported to MS-DOS by Christopher E. Forman in 1995. This Windows GUI port of "The Golden Flute" is based rather loosely on Forman's DOS version, but still quite functional and faithful to its text-based counterparts.
System Requirements
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1 GHz or faster CPU.
512 MB RAM.
850 MB (for 32-bit OSes) or 2 GB (for 64-bit OSes) of hard drive space.
Windows XP, Vista, or 7; or Windows Server 2003 or 2008.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
Windows Installer 3.1 or later
Microsoft .NET Framework 4
Microsoft Visual Basic 2010 Express Edition (if you want to help develop this application. The source code is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/wingoldenflute/files/TheGoldenFluteSource.zip/download.)
7-Zip (if you want to help develop this application. The source code is in 7-Zip format [file extension *.7z]).
Release Notes
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Version 1.0.0:
* First public release of The Golden Flute for Windows.
* Attempts to re-create Delton T. Horn's original BASIC game--or rather, Christopher E. Forman's MS-DOS-based C game--and bring it to a Windows GUI environment.
* I've expanded on Forman's version a little bit by adding a storyline at the beginning and end of the game. The only downside I can think of is that reading the storyline will take a few minutes before you get to the actual gameplay. This is why I've given the user the option of skipping the storyline at the beginning.
* The movement commands and the Chariot's inventory are on the same screen.
* The "Key" command has been eliminated, as the buttons on the main play screen are pretty straightforward.
Version 1.0.1:
* Many more bugs fixed. (Hey, I'm human, okay?)
* As it turns out, the storyline screen was giving me fits. And if it gives ME fits, it'll give other users fits as well. So I just dumped that screen.
Developer's Note
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Everything in the original text-based game, I have attempted to capture in this GUI-based version. If there's something I've missed, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Of course, Windows is a GUI, and, as such, has quite a reputation for being user-friendly. I did try to keep the game as difficult in the GUI version as it was in the original text-based version (I myself won as much as I lost), but if you find it too easy (or too hard!), contact me, and I'll see what I can do about it.
Instructions
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From the game:
"Each move may be Up, Down, Left, or Right. Never leave the map boundaries! You may click 'Show Map' to see a map of the Magic Kingdom. This will not increment your move counter. If you have the Magic Bazooka, you may click 'Fire Bazooka.' To have Terak's location displayed on the map, you must visit the Oracle on Purlicon Mountain. If you are carrying the Magic Orb, he may even tell you more. (Or he may not.) The object of the game is to return the Golden Flute to the Woodlands in the fewest moves."
Conclusion
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If I thought writing my previous work, "Treasure Hunt," was hard, I was really in for a shock when I tried to translate "The Golden Flute" into a Windows game. I ran into bug after bug, and I had to jump around between so many forms to combat them all. I think I've gotten them all, but if you find one I've missed, contact me, and I'll see about fixing it.
Again, I had a little trouble finding a royalty-free image for the splash screen and about box, but I think what I found should work. But, of course, I could be wrong. If you think I'm in violation of copyright law by using this picture, just contact me and tell me about it, and I'll remove it.
Enjoy the game, and good luck! (Of course, with Windows, luck may already be on your side...)
Watch out for my next program -- "The Great Escape for Windows" -- which is yet another of Del Horn's games. Coming soon to a desktop near you!
Brandon Taylor
BT Games
