GOLD MINE 4.0                                                   
                                                                
This  is the latest version of  a game I wrote  in the heyday of
the Spectrum - the original 16K version reached the Top 20 chart
in autumn 1983, and has been much developed since.              
                                                                
A 48K version, and  early SAM version, appeared on  the Sinclair
User covertape in 1990. Unfortunately the SU  duplicators failed
to include the  SAM auto-loader, so it just reported "OK"  after
loading!                                                        
                                                                
SAM versions use lots of extra colours (thanks to PALETTE LINE),
S-T-E-R-E-O  sound effects  from  the  SA-1099 sound  chip,  and
bigger  mines to explore. The character set was designed by Mark
Summerfield, formerly  of MGT, now  a mature student  at Swansea
University.                                                     
                                                                
The listing is extensively commented and includes several useful
procedures  - ENTER_FONT copies  a font to  DATA statements, and
LOAD_FONT  reads and initialises a  character-set. VIEW and LOOK
can be used  to examine the program. WINDOW  resets the expanded
main screen,  and SH stops  the sound  effects if you  break in.
RUN will re-start with no need to load files.                   
                                                                
The 1993 SAM  version 4.0 has an  extra 'end game' once  all the
original survey area has been mined  out - a new survey  reveals
extra deposits, but risks are greater and parts  of the old mine
may collapse  without warning. Will you  survive to collect your
pension???                                                      
                                                                
A  good score  is  anything above  70.  There  are four  playing
levels and you  can configure your own choice of  keys, or use a
joystick or the cursor arrows.                                  
The program was written between 1983 and 1993 by Simon N Goodwin
- the original Spectrum version was published by  DkTronics. The
SAM  version may be freely distributed as  long as it is not cut
down in  any way and the  copyright messages remain  intact. SAM
Supplement readers are allowed to  extract procedures for use in
their  own  programs, providing the source is attributed  if the
program is distributed to other users.                          
PLAYING TIPS                                                    
                                                                
Include bends in your tunnels to limit the effects of floods and
rock-falls. Be careful not to flood or block the lift-shaft.    
                                                                
All that  glitters is not  gold! Approach deposits  carefully to
minimise  damage.  Sometimes a  rock-fall  may  break previously
inpenetrable rock, allowing a new route.                        
                                                                
Use existing  tunnels whenever  possible. The  miner tires  much
more quickly when digging new shafts, especially if lots of gold
is being carried.                                               
                                                                
Don't overload the lift. The safe maximum is 15 nuggets plus one
miner - if you try to carry more you may fall to your death.    
                                                                
Have fun!                                                       
                                                                
Simon N Goodwin, 4th January 1993.