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 emulation 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)