sopwith(6) Games Manual sopwith(6)
NAME
sopwith - classic aerial combat shoot em up game
SYNOPSIS
sopwith [ -n | -s | -c | -l | -j host ] [-glevel] [-f] [-2] [-x] [-q] [-p]
DESCRIPTION
Sopwith is a classic 1980s shoot 'em up originally developed by BMB CompuScience. This modern port is a derivative of the original source
code released by its original author, David L. Clark. This port can run using the SDL library to display on screen. Features include emula-
tion of the original PC speaker sound effects using digital sound output, working networking and various extra features that were included
by the author in the released sources.
AUDIO
As of version 1.7.3, audio is now DISABLED by default. Audio can be enabled using the -p flag (see below). Once you're in the game, you
will also have to use the S key to turn on sound effects.
CONTROLS
The standard controls are as follows:
comma/left arrow
pull up
slash/right arrow
pull down
period/down arrow
flip plane
Z decrease speed
X increase speed
space fire machine gun
B drop bomb
H autopilot plane to home base
Z launch flare (if missiles are enabled)
X fire missile (if missiles are enabled)
S turn on sound effects
Ctrl+C quit
Ctrl+C Ctrl+C Ctrl+C
quit immediately
OPTIONS
-n Start a single player game in novice mode
-s Start a single player in expert mode
-c Start a single player vs. computer game
-l Start a network game listening for a network connection
-j host
Start a network game, connecting to another listening host as specified by host
-glevel
Start the game on the indicated difficulty level. For instance, use -g2 to start the game on level 2. The default is level 0.
-f Start in full screen mode if possible.
-2 Double-size the display window
-x Enable missiles
-q Disable audio, the default behavior
-p Enable audio
-e Turn off intense explosions
AUTHORS
Originally written by David L. Clark for BMB Compuscience
Modern SDL/Gtk+ port By Simon Howard
HISTORY
Sopwith was originally designed as a demonstration game for the Imaginet Networking System developed by BMB CompuScience of Canada. The
system failed to become popular but Sopwith became a popular game for the IBM PC and compatibles. A sequel "Sopwith 2" was actually a newer
version rather than a different game, but included many extra features, such as Oxen and birds. Sopwith was also ported to the Atari. The
original author, David L. Clark, later created Sopwith - The Author's Edition with several extra features including missiles. This version
of sopwith is based on the source for the Authors Edition.
sopwith(6)