GASBAG

The "GASBAG" game is a classic MS-DOS game developed in QuickBASIC 4.5 (QB45) by Branislav Juhás in early May 2021.

It provides an engaging balloon shooting experience where players control a shooter at the bottom of the screen, aiming to shoot falling balloons. The game progressively increases in difficulty, providing a challenging and entertaining gaming experience.

User Manual

How to Play

Run the Game:

• Ensure your MS-DOS environment is ready.
• Compile the source code in QB45.
• Execute the compiled program.

Controls

• Left Arrow Key: Move the shooter to the left.
• Right Arrow Key: Move the shooter to the right.
• Spacebar: Shoot balloons.

Objective

• Shoot balloons to earn points.
• Avoid allowing balloons to reach the bottom of the screen.

Game Flow

1. Game Start:

   • The game begins with a menu offering options like Start, Continue, and Restart.

2. Scoring:

   • Increment your score by shooting balloons.

3. Game End:

   • The game concludes if a balloon reaches the bottom.

4. Leaderboard:

   • After each game, the top three scores and times are displayed.

Enjoy the "GASBAG" game and aim for the top of the leaderboard!

Setup and Compilation

Environment

• Ensure you have an MS-DOS environment or use an emulator.
• Use QuickBASIC 4.5 (QB45) for compilation.

Compilation

1. Open the QB45 environment.
2. Load the provided source code into the editor.
3. Compile the program.
4. Run the compiled executable in the MS-DOS environment.

Technical Documentation

Code Overview

The code is organized into subroutines and functions to enhance readability and maintainability. Here's an overview of key aspects:

Aspect	Description
Global Variables	Variables like SHOOTERX, RUNNING, and SCORE store essential game state information. Arrays such as BULLET() and BSCORE() manage bullet coordinates and top scores.
Constants	Constants like TRUE, FALSE, and EMP are defined for clarity in the code.
User Interaction	The game relies on user input through arrow keys and the spacebar.
Game Logic	The core game logic involves shooting balloons, moving the shooter, and updating scores.
Menu System	The menu system provides options for starting, continuing, and restarting the game.
Leaderboard	The leaderboard displays the top three scores and times after each game.
Timers	Timers control various aspects of the game, including balloon falling speed and shooting intervals.
Modular Structure	The code is organized into subroutines and functions, enhancing readability and maintainability.
Overall Functionality	The game offers a classic shooting experience with interactive menus, scoring, and leaderboard features.

Subroutines and Functions

Here's a detailed breakdown of key subroutines and functions:

Name	Description
CTIMEDO	Increments timers for game events.
MENU	Displays the game menu and handles user input.
PRINTMENU	Prints the menu options on the screen.
GIVESCORE	Records and updates the player's score.
LEADERBOARD	Displays the top scores and times.
RUNGAME	Main game loop controlling the game flow.
STARTGAME	Initializes game variables and starts the game.
BRISE	Moves the bullet upwards on the screen.
CTIMEDO	Updates timers for game events.
FALLB	Moves the falling balloon down the screen.
SHOOT	Initiates the shooting action.
MOVE	Moves the shooter left or right.
PRINTMENU	Displays the game menu.
SUMBALLOON	Handles balloon creation and falling.
XERA	Checks if the bullet hits a balloon.

User Interaction

The game's interactivity is based on user input:

User Input	Description
Arrow Keys	- Left Arrow Key: Move the shooter to the left. - Right Arrow Key: Move the shooter to the right.
Spacebar	Shoot balloons.

Game Logic

The core game logic involves:

Logic Component	Description
Shooting Balloons	Players shoot balloons to earn points.
Moving Shooter	Players can move the shooter left or right to aim at falling balloons.
Scoring	The game increments the player's score for each successfully shot balloon.
Balloon Falling	Balloons fall from the top, and the game ends if a balloon reaches the bottom.
Timers	Timers control various aspects of the game, ensuring smooth gameplay.

Menu System

The game includes a menu system with options:

Menu Option	Description
Start	Initiates a new game.
Continue	Allows the player to continue a paused game.
Restart	Restarts the game from the beginning.

Leaderboard

The leaderboard displays the top three scores and times:

Leaderboard Entry	Description
Position	Position in the top scores.
Score	The player's score.
Time	The time at which the score was achieved.

Timers

Timers are essential for controlling various aspects of the game:

Timer	Function
CTIMEDO	Increments timers for game events.
CTIMER(1)	Controls the speed of shooter movement.
CTIMER(2)	Manages the shooting interval.
CTIMER(3)	Controls the falling speed of balloons.

Modular Structure

The code is modular, divided into subroutines and functions for clarity:

Module	Description
Shooting	Functions related to shooting balloons and managing bullets.
Movement	Functions handling movement of the shooter and falling balloons.
Menu System	Subroutines for displaying and handling the game menu.
Scoring	Functions related to scoring and updating the leaderboard.
Initialization	Subroutines for initializing game variables and starting the game.

Overall Functionality

The game offers a complete and engaging experience:

Functionality	Description
Shooting Experience	Provides a classic balloon shooting experience.
Interactivity	Responsive to user input through arrow keys and the spacebar.
Scoring System	Tracks and updates the player's score.
Menu Options	Interactive menu with options for starting, continuing, and restarting the game.
Leaderboard	Displays the top three scores and times after each game.