NAME

       sopwith - classic aerial combat shoot em up game

SYNOPSIS

       sopwith [ -n | -s | -c | -l | -j host ] [-f] [-glevel] [-2] [-x] [-q] [-p] [-e]

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 LibSDL and Gtk+ libraries 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 disabled by default.  Audio can  be  enabled  using  the  -p
       switch.   Once  you're  in  the game, you will also have to use the S key to turn on sound
       effects.

CONTROLS

       The keys for controlling the player's plane are defined in the file ~/.sopwith/keys.   The
       standard controls are as follows:

       comma  pull up

       slash  pull down

       period flip plane

       Z      decrease speed

       X      increase speed

       space  fire machine gun

       B      drop bomb

       H      autopilot plane to home base

       V      launch starburst/flare (if missiles are enabled with -x)

       M      fire missile (if missiles are enabled with -x)

       S      turn on sound effects (if sound is enabled with -p)

       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

       -f     Start in full screen mode if possible.

       -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.

       -2     Double-size the display window

       -x     Enable missiles

       -q     Turn off sound (quiet)

       -p     Turn on sound (play music)

       -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)