Frontier 89 v4.0 by Chris Heit and Daniel Greene
Instruction Manual
Total Size=48562 bytes
NOTE:You can archive the programs, but do NOT archive any expressions, matrices, pictures, etc., or the game will not run.

Starting the game:
Make sure everything is in the FRONTIER folder, with the exception of Frontier() being in the MAIN folder.  This can be done by checking Retain Folder when sending it to your TI-89 off the TI Graph-Link.  Run frontier() from MAIN.  The screen shade fade to dark.
After a short wait, the screen should lighten again. (NOTE: Because the fading uses the contrast, users with old batteries may experience problems and have to re-adjust their contrast level.)
 
Section 1:
The Starport:
You start the game out on Earth. Use the toolbar to navigate. In the I/O Screen, the prices for goods are displayed.  Upon docking, $20 is reduced from your money for each additional crew member.
F1.Shipyard
Buy upgrades, lasers, weapons, ships, visit the stockmarket, and get clearance for launching.
F2.Bulletin Board
Look for jobs,  military missions, etc.
F3.Inventory
See what you're carrying, your ship name, its laser, your Military and Elite ranks, the crew you have, and so on.
F4.Save Game
Save your game (Only 1 saved game is possible; starting a new game and saving it overwrites the old saved game)
F5.Quit
Quits the game

Section 2
Space: The Final Frontier
After lifting off, your view is to a system map. Push F1 to bring up a list of systems. Select the desired system.  If 'out of range' is displayed, that system is too far away. (The system map has lines connecting systems, making it easy to choose a path.  Push F2 to jump through hyperspace into your targeted system.  Push F4 to read about the system you are currently in. Push F3 to fly to the star port. At the top left of the screen, the ETA (found on the ship log) is displayed. Push enter to turn off the calculator, in case your teacher is coming. When you turn it on, you will be where you left off. When the timer reaches 0, you will be brought to the starport screen.

Fighting:
Fighting is relatively simple.  The enemy will fly across the top of the screen. Move directly under it and push F1 to fire a laser. Push F2 to launch a missile, and F3 to use an energy bomb.  Push F4 to use your ECM system to stop an enemy's missile. Push enter to turn off the calculator, in case your teacher is coming. When you turn it on, you will be where you left off. Warning, interdictions have advanced AI and you must be experienced to get through.

Section 3:
Missions: Civil and Military
To complete a delivery, just fly to a station in the designated system.
NOTE: After accepting a mission, DO NOT go back to the bulletin boards. If you do, the designated system will change.
For an assassination, warp to the system and fly towards a station. The first ship you fight is him.
Bombing missions are difficult at first but then pretty simple.  Push F1 ahead of the base and the bomb will fly forward into the base. Push enter to turn off the calculator, in case your teacher is coming. When you turn it on, you will be where you left off.


Version 4.0
-Added random system generator (Thanks to Dan)
-Changed military rankings to more reasonable levels (requested by Calvin Schneider)
-Added fading (Dan's job again)
-Added shaking on missile impact and explosions (my work this time)
-Added notes on systems and ship log (F4 in space)

Version 3.0
-Removed icons
-Added interdiction (Thanks Dan)
-15 Total Systems Now (Thanks again)
-Removed Starports (they're useless)
-Removed introduction
-Added Scout Maurader

Version 2.0
-Added icons to toolbars
-Fixed dialog boxes (ESC actually DOES cancel now!!)
-Slightly changed the stockmarket
-Fixed small bugs. (You should NEVER (hopefully) receive errors)
-Added System Name and Military Ranking to the save game file.
-Added Introduction!!!
-Added teacher key in combat, bombings, and flying (the times you can't normally turn the calculator off with diamond+on)
-Other things I can't remember.
-Variables get deleted after quitting instead of cluttering up the folder.
-Removed the install program (It actually did nothing if you retained your folder)
-Only 500 byte increase!!

Future Additions
-ASM battle engine(?)
-More graphics
-3 game slots(?)
-More than one mission at a time(?)
-More military missions(?) Please send me some ideas
-Story line (I admit, the game does not really totally follow its story)
-RPG version (Frontier DELUXE) to be released separately
  +Combat, Piloting, Bargain Skills, etc.
-More things (anyone can send me their ideas)
-Improved sector generation (smaller size of maps possibly, too)


NOTE: THIS GAME CONTAINS SMIDGES OF ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER IT'S DONE USING THE EXEC COMMAND AND SHOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BAD TO YOUR CALCULATOR. IF ANYTHING DOES HAPPEN, WHICH LIKELY WON'T, I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
Lots of thanks to Daniel Greene! He really sparked some life back into this game.
Have fun with Frontier 89 and email me at grandforkian@hotmail.com for comments, questions, and ideas.

