ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY is the second episode in an interactive
fiction series that began with the 2001 comp entry EARTH AND SKY, and
will continue with its third episode in Fall 2003. However, it isn't
necessary to have played EARTH AND SKY in order to understand and enjoy
ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY.
Like its predecessor, this game contains a variety of ways in which the
PC (player character) can converse with NPCs (non-player characters),
but with one added feature. ASK <npc> ABOUT <topic> and TELL <npc> ABOUT
<topic> are still available as conversation commands, as is the more
general TALK TO <npc>. The latter will initiate a pre-scripted dialogue
between PC and NPC, based on what's currently happening in the game.
When an NPC takes the initiative to address the PC, the game will by
default present a menu of possible replies, asking the player to select
one of these. (Remaining silent is always an option as well.) The new
feature in this episode is that players who don't care for menus can
type MENUS OFF, in which case the PC will answer the NPC with a
pre-scripted reply. Menus can be reactivated by typing MENUS ON.
ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY is designed so that it cannot be put into an
unfinishable state.
For best performance, I advise running ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY in a
maximized window, at a resolution of at least 1024x768. You can still
run the game in a smaller window, but you may not see all the graphics.
Those graphics, by the way, were designed on a white background, and
that's where they'll look best. However, they are full-alpha PNGs, so it
is possible to use them against any color background. [PC Users with
older nVidia graphics cards should note that an occasional display
problem may cause even full-alpha PNGs to display on a rectangle colored
one shade lighter than the background. This problem can be corrected by
altering your color settings to "True" (32-bit) color.] I've also found
that using a suitable comicbook font, such as Windows' "Comic Sans MS",
can heighten the experience of the game, so try that if you wish.
I love getting feedback. What you liked, what you didn't like, what
horrible bugs you've found -- send it all to me at
[email protected].
***
As always, grateful acknowledgement is due to Graham Nelson for creating
Inform and its excellent documentation, notably the fourth edition of
the Inform Designers Manual. Now that I'm using Glulx, I acknowledge
further debts: to Andrew Plotkin for creating the virtual machine, to L.
Ross Raszewski for the Blorbifier, and to Adam Cadre and Marnie Parker
for adding to Plotkin's documentation. Thanks as well to Adam for his
flags.h library extension, and to Brendan Barnwell for his help
deciphering Inform's mysterious adjudication process. The AskTellOrder
library, which allows syntax like TELL EMILY TO FLY, was written by
Irene Callaci, and modified for Glulx compatibility by Emily Short and
Dan Shiovitz. Also, a tip of the hat to the crew on #glulx and #inform
at ifMUD, who always came through when I needed them.
Lots of the fonts used for title pages and sound effects are courtesy of
Blambot fonts at
http://www.blambot.com.
All the chapter-head quotes are from Emily Dickinson.
My wife Laura is unfailing in her support of my work, and she is an
instrumental part of making these games happen.
ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY is dedicated to my mom, who bought me comics
when I was a kid and still does today.
And finally, my warmest and humblest thanks to the best and the
brightest, my betatesters: Admiral Jota, Suzanne Britton, Jenny O'Brian,
and Emily Short. Each of them provided a ton of useful feedback on an
entirely volunteer basis, without which this game would be a much more
painful experience. They rule.
***
This is Release 1 of ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY, entered into the 2002
IF competition
ANOTHER EARTH, ANOTHER SKY is freeware, meaning that it may be freely
distributed as long as it is unaltered and no profit is made from its
distribution.
