Nectar Collector is a game consisting
of 2 files which MUST be loaded into
Superior Software's Repton Infinity.
You MUST have Repton Infinity before
you can use these files and play the
game Nectar Collector.
Included are two files: G.Nectar and
G.Nectar2
They are levels 1 to 4 and 5 to 8
respectively. They can be loaded by
pressing L on the Repton Infinity menu
followed by Nectar and Nectar2. Normal
Repton Infinity keys apply with RETURN
acting as the Push/Stop nectar key.
Also sent to me were two further files
containing exactly the same screens but
the difference being that you can skip
levels during the game by pressing TAB.
At the request of the author I have
held these files back. I shall release
them into the TBI pool at a later date
(this means when I get chance to sort a
disc out!!)
Here is a letter from Alex Card: Alex Card
97 Heath View
Leiston
Suffolk
IP16 4JN
2.8.93
...... Nectar Collector was written
using Repton Infinity by Superior
Software a couple of years ago and was
the runner up in their "Design a Game
Competition".
Nectar Collector appeared in Acorn User
where the author of Repton Infinity
described it as having the best
animation of any game on the BBC (a bit
over the top perhaps but I am still
proud of it). Originally Superior
planned to release it on the Play it
Again Sam series but they couldn't get
the game working without the full
Repton Infinity program so had to give
up on the idea. I have contacted Steve
Hanson (MD of Superior Software) and
asked his permission to offer the game
to BBC PD libraries, he kindly agreed,
so here it is.
As I sold my BBC a while back to enter
the dizzy heights of the Archimedes I
am no longer able to play the game but
still have fond memories of my dear old
BEEB and hope that Nectar Collector
will appeal to your customers. Here's
an outline of the game...
Hummy has a problem, he has lots of
ravenous chicks to feed and even more
enemies to avoid. Your mission (should
you choose to accept it) is to push
drops of nectar into the rainbows
which magically transport them to the
chicks store. Fill the larder and press
TAB to escape to the next level before
all hell breaks loose.
The most deadly and persistant enemy,
they will chase you anywhere. One sting
is too much for a tiny hummingbird.
Stupid but annoying creatures that
wander seemingly aimlessly but should
be avoided at all costs. Block them in
or drop a bat on their heads.
Harmless in themselves since they are
asleep during daylight hours, but
should Hummy fly underneath them they
will awake and fall from their perches.
Tarry too long and they'll flatten him
in the process.
Beautiful but deadly.
These spinning, shiny objects may look
attractive but have a nasy habit of
rebounding nectar drops at Hummy so
that he meets a very sticky end.
Slow but never give up. They eat nectar
and lay eggs which are vulnerable for a
while but quickly hatch into new
spiders.
Others for you to discover plus many
problems to be solved.
Picking up a swat makes wasps run away
like scared little bunnies as you can
kill them for a short while. However
the effect lasts only for a short time
and then the screen will flash as they
are about to turn back on you, madder
than ever.
These can be pushed along in any
direction. Very useful for blocking.
A map is provided for each of the eight
levels. You WILL need to use them.
The raison d'etre for hummingbirds.
Push the drops into the rainbows to
feed the chicks. They can also be
magically cotrolled so that you can
stop a droplet by releasing the push
key <RETURN> at any time. This is
sometimes necessary.
Hummy can pollenate them by flying over
them so that they turn into nectar.
No use until the Magidrop is collected.
Each level has a Magidrop on it, when
collected all the buds bloom. The
Magidrop is the whizzy looking one and
yes there are only 4 colours used in
the game!!!.
You must fill the "chick's larder" with
nectar. As each drop is delivered they
will tweet for more until their
appetites are satisfied, but beware,
once the larder is full, everything
hits the fan. The wasps become even
more numerous and furious. All you have
to do is press TAB to escape to the
next level but can you do it with your
adrenaline pumping, when you are all
fingers and thumbs and a swarm of wasps
on your tail???.
Think it's easy don't you? Well let me
tell you this. Nectar Collector may
start off easy, but it gets
progressively harder until level 8
which to my knowledge has only ever
been successfully completed by one
person..... ME. Nobody at Superior
Software managed it, are you up to the
challenge? It may look cutesy, but
appearances are deceptive.
I have a few requests:
My name and address is included so that
users can send me their comments, tell
me they love it or hate it or think
they have improvements for the game.
I may be prepared to send the code,
sprite and map files that make up the
game. Also, as this is probably my only
chance of being famous for 15 minutes,
it'd be nice to get a bit of credit for
the three months solid work that went
into the game, plus the extra 3 weeks
spent designing the last four levels
after Steve Hanson called to tell me he
planned on releasing it on the PIAS
series that was never to be.
I'd also like the following personal
message included:-
"This is for all my brothers in 6502,
hope you enjoy Nectar Collector",
please don't send any money but if you
can beat all 8 levels you are
exceptionally talented. I have moved on
from the dear old BEEB but still have
fond memories of it and haven't yet
found a game to match EXILE on the
Archie. Take the BEEB to the year 2000
and beyond. Alex Card."
Letter teletexted by: