Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!olivea!apple!robg
From: robg@Apple.COM (Rob Griffiths)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Re: OIDS: The good, the bad, the ugly.
Summary: A differing opinion on OIDS...
Message-ID: <49605@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 25 Feb 91 15:42:27 GMT
References: <148370@tiger.oxy.edu>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 43


In article 3270, wirehead@oxy.edu (David J. Harr) offers his insights on
OIDS...I agree with most of his points, but would like to add my own $0.02...

First, the copy protection issue.  Yea, I don't like it. BUT it's easily
removed (legally, too!) by simply mailing in your registration card.  Once
this is done, they send you a "copy-option" code which will (supposedly, I
haven't gotten mine yet!) remove the copy protection.  You can then play
from the hard disk without the floppy in the drive.  Incidentally, this is
about the least painless (in my opinion) method of copy protection -- no
code wheel, no dark-burgundy colored text to read, no protected files on
the hard disk -- just insert the floppy, and you're set.

On the issue of joystick/mouse/keyboard controls, I also found the default
keys difficult to use.  But the authors have (very nicely!) implemented a
keyboard customization routine.  You can choose the keys you want to use.
I found it much simpler to change to a Continuum-like setup:
   Z = turn left; X = turn right; C = recharge shields; / = thrust; . = fire;
   , = fire atomic bomb (or somesuch mega-weapon); <space> = shields on 
Using these key selections, it's relatively easy to "thrust, use your shields
rotate you craft, and fire, all at the same time."   Also, using a mouse would
be >>very<< difficult -- there are caverns and passages that require very
small changes in the angle and thrust of the ship -- this would be hard to
do well, if rotation was done via mouse in one hand, and thrust on the
keyboard.  I'll stick to the keyboard, thank you!

Finally, the colors ... yea, they're a little bit odd.  But you only have to
look at them for about 5 seconds per game.  Big deal.  At least they're
colored -- a black and white dialog box would look somewhat out of place.
I realize they're probably not in compliance with Apple's Human Interface
Guidelines.  Maybe version 2.0 will be different...

In summary, this is by far the smoothest arcade-style game yet for the Mac (at
least that I've had the chance to see).  It combines elements of Choplifter,
Defender, Gravitar, Asteroids, and who knows what else.  Fairly difficult, but
very addictive...

-rob.

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Of course these are my opinions...You think my employer would trust me to
speak for them?  No way!
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