Bike or Die! v1.3h [TEST VERSION!]

(C)2004 Szymon Ulatowski @ toyspring.com

Introduction - Changes - Shareware - Installation - Rules - Controls - Performance - Level Editor - Hall of Fame - Support

Introduction

The goal in "Bike or Die!" is simple: drive your bike through the obstacle course, get all red checkpoint flags and struggle for the best time.
You can ride on everything - stones, logs, walls or even the ceilings as long as you are able to balance the bike and protect your head from touching the ground.
As the difficulty level increases, you have to perform wild jumps, flips and near-impossible stunts.
You can carefully calculate your route to the finish flag or trust your riding instinct and drive spontanously.
There are no fixed rules how to win a certain level. Often you discover shortcuts and some levels can be solved in many different ways.

Changes

Changes since 1.3g

By selecting "Other..." in Control Options you can configure any button to perform the given action, even if the it is not listed in the popup, like the alphanumeric Treo keyboard. This should work on all devices having additional buttons not known to "Bike or Die!".
Menu-Q shortcut for "Quit" (very useful on Treo 650 with Home key disabled)

Changes since 1.3c

Bug fixed: Scores submission was impossible since the last server upgrade (due to broken HTTP handling in the application)
Web Proxy support. Some operators or ISP don't allow for direct connections which breaks "Bike or Die" submissions. Now, by configuring the proxy server you may be able to submit your scores from the game. (See: Menu -> Options -> Hall of Fame -> Set Proxy)
Treo 650: "Disable other keys" (in Control Options) also disables the "Home" button to prevent accidental quitting (you can still quit from menu or use the Home key after the game is finished)
Fixed "stuttering" on Tungsten T|X (using sampled sound caused the game to pause for a split of second whenever the "free-wheeling" sound effect was started)

Changes since 1.3a

Fixed compatibility problem with LifeDrive and Tungsten T|X

Changes since 1.3

Fixed compatibility problems with Treo 600/650, Tungsten T|5, Zire 31
"Disable other keys" works again
Sampled sound volume respects the system preferences
Other minor bugs fixed

Changes since 1.2f

Enhanced sound (OS5 only)
- MP3 playback (Tapwave Zodiac only)
Optimized for ARM processors (OS5 only)
Full screen mode (most meaningful on 480x320 display)
Particle effects (dirt and gore)
Configurable "map" key
Configurable "pause" key
Automatic pause on start (option)
Closes the internet connection immediately after uploading (option)
Vibration (Tapwave Zodiac only)
Better "Recorded Games" window:
- Can display the level names
- Sorted by levels or datestamps
- Can display "orphaned" recordings (without the matching levelpack)
- Delete all recordings (in a given category) with a single tap
Delete levelpack (in the levelpack selector)
Progress bar while loading big levels
Loading big levels is usually faster (OS5 only)

Changes since 1.2b

The level map is displayed after entering a new level
Zire 31 support
Both IR and Bluetooth beaming are now supported
Up/Down in T3 Landscape mode work again
Hall of fame indicator in the Levelpack Selector (you can see which levelpacks are supported on the Internet Hall of Fame)
Bug fixed: some custom levels (from "Bike or Design") could crash the game

Changes since 1.1

Supports the Treo 600 Left/Right/Select keys
Beam levelpacks from the levelpack selector
Option to drop network connection on exit (useful when sharing one connector for network and hotsync)
Bug fixed: Was not compatible with some nonstandard launchers
Bug fixed: No auto off while replaying the game
Bug fixed: Level result databases are now marked for backup
Bug fixed: Problem with long levelpack names (the level results were not stored)
Bug fixed: Beamed recordings and levelpacks were not stored on the receiving device
Bug fixed: Possible fatal error after beating a high score when the recording options are set to "Ask"
Numerous minor bugs fixes and improvements

Changes since 1.0

Bike color selector (Options/Display)
Supports the additional Zodiac buttons
Bug fixed: Problems while submitting scores from the palm
Bug fixed: Up/Down not restarting the game in Tungsten T3 landscape mode
Bug fixed: Tungsten T3 auto off during the game
Bug fixed: Tungsten C application buttons not trapped

Shareware

This game is shareware. You should register if you use it often. The demo version is restricted to 5 levels. After registering, you will get your personal unlocking code, which will allow you to play all 25 builtin levels and the unlimited number of additional levelpacks.
Use this link to purchase the registration code on bike.toyspring.com.

Installation

Please install one of the 3 supplied "BikeOrDie-1.3h" PRC files. Any of the 3 versions will work on any device, but you will miss some features if you install the wrong file.

BikeOrDie-1.3h-Hires.prc - Will use the enhanced display capabilities of the high resolution PalmOS 5 devices. It requires most memory. Use this file if you own a PalmOS 5 device with the High Resolution screen.
BikeOrDie-1.3h-Lowres.prc - Doesn't use the high resolution, even if it's supported by the device. It has lower memory requirements. You should install it if you have a color enabled but not high resolution device.
BikeOrDie-1.3h-BW.prc - Doesn't use the color display. It is the smallest version, suitable for the oldest PalmOS devices.
BikeOrDie-Sound.prc - Required for enhanced sound effects (OS5 only).

How to upgrade:

When installed in the main memory - Just install the new prc file, don't delete the previous version.
When installed on the card - Delete the previous version from the card and install the new prc file

Compatibility: This version supports a new way of cooperation with the level editor. You should upgrade to Bike or Design v1.1 if you are using the level editor.

Note: Some older OS4-based Sony CLIE devices have the High Resolution screen, but the game will not use it. These devices are too slow to provide the acceptable framerate on a 320x320 display.

Rules

Get all checkpoint flags (red)
Finish the race by the checkered flag as soon as possible
Avoid obstacles

On some levels there is no finish flag - just get all red flags to complete the race. Similarly, when there are no red flags you can go to the finish flag immediately.

Controls

There are 5 game buttons:

Forward: push the pedals
Brake: stop the bike
Balance Left & Right: push the bike slightly to maintain balance and help with freestyle tricks
Flip: allows you to go in the opposite direction.

Use the menu Options/Control to redefine those keys. "Disable other keys" will deactivate unused application buttons.
Additional controls:

Click and drag on the screen to look around
Use the Up/Down keys to restart the game

Performance

You can try different display settings to tune the game performance. Use the menu Options/Display to change the display setting. Basicaly, you will gain performance by disabling the high resolution (OS5), additional details, textures or switching to the black and white mode.

Level Editor

Create your own levels for "Bike or Die!". See the 'Bike or Design' homepage for more details.

Internet Hall of Fame

You can send your best scores to the Internet Hall of Fame. Just use the menu Rec/Submit my best times if your palm is configured for the internet. Visit http://bike.toyspring.com/ to see your current position in the Time Trial and Freestyle Competition.

Support

Use the following e-mail address if you have any questions about this software: support@toyspring.com