ASTRAWARE Palm OS Products 
 
Atomica Information
Current released version: 2.1 - 3rd October, 2003
Current release expires: never
Feedback to: Haemish Graham (haemish@astraware.com)
Game Info: http://www.astraware.com/games/popcap/atomica/
Recent update headlines: Atomica receives the Aurora Sound System! - Music for Palm Zire 71, Palm Tungsten series , Handspring Treo 600 or Sony UX series devices!

Copyright (c) 1999 - 2003 Astraware Ltd, 2000 - 2003, PopCap
All rights reserved.

Introduction

Make Molecules in Dr. Atomicus' Laboratory! Build up atomic power by moving atoms to make larger and larger molecules, but watch out, otherwise your test board will get so crowded with new atoms appearing that you can't move any more and.... *BOOOM*.

This official Palm conversion of the great PopCap game is just as addictive and just as challenging, and now you can take it with you anywhere!

Astraware Atomica Features:

How To Install

Use an extractor program such as WinZip on the PC or Stuffit Expander (on the Mac) to get at the Atomica files. Install the game by double-clicking the .prc file, which opens the Palm Install Tool program

Use the HotSync button as usual to install the game onto your handheld. If you have a handheld with an expansion card, you can then move the game over to it. Do this before you register the game!

Now run Atomica and tap the screen to play the game!

If you've got any queries about Atomica or the registration process, first check out our knowledge base on our website (you must be connected to the internet to access this). If this doesn't help, get in touch with us at support@astraware.com. If you've got any questions (or suggestions, we love those) about the game itself, please get in touch with us at the email address at the top of this page.

Playing Atomica - easy mode

Install and run the game on your Palm.

Tap the 'Instructions' button to get a quick reminder of what to do.

Tap the screen on 'Easy Game' to start a game!

The game will start with three atoms and three plasma fields. Tap or drag the atoms to move them around the laboratory.

Create molecules by grouping like atoms together into adjacent sets of four or six.

Each time you create a molecule you will be awarded points and the molecule will disappear.

Each time you make a move but do not create a molecule the plasma fields will turn into atoms and fresh plasma fields will be created.

You get extra points for bigger molecules, and for 'combos' - which is where you make several molecules in a row.

Make four or more molecules in a row and you will be rewarded with an atomic bomb which you can use to destroy random atoms.

The bigger the combo the bigger the atomic bomb. To detonate your atomic bomb tap on the icon in the top left hand corner of the screen.

Fill the meter on the side of the screen to complete the level but watch out for more atom types in later levels.

Game Over happens when the laboratory is too full to make any more molecules.

Playing Atomica - timed mode

Atomica comes with a harder mode built in - Timed mode!

Start a Timed game by tapping on the 'Timed Game' button on the front screen.

You can also select this by going into the menu, and selecting the 'Game Settings' option. Change the type of the game to 'Hard (Timed)' and the next game you start will be in timed mode.

Tap the screen to start a game, and the mayhem begins...

As before, you make molecules and combos to score points - but... Now you're doing it against the clock!

You have a time meter at the side of the screen. If it runs out, that's Game Over over!

Every time you create a molecule, you get a little more time added.

To play this mode well, you will need atomic precision in creating molecules!

Hidden Features

There are a few extra features we built in!

  • You can tap on two tiles separately, or we have allowed you to tap and 'drag' an atom.
  • Tap on the Professor's head to undo your last move but beware, you cannot undo directly after using an atomic bomb or finishing a level.
  • You can press scroll-up or scroll-down at any time to pause the game - and quickly access the buttons to change the sound volume or abandon a game.
  • Graffiti 'a' or 'e' abandons (or 'ends') the current game - but it does warn you first!
  • Graffiti 'g' brings up the standard game settings option box.
  • From the game settings option box, you can choose to have a clock and/or battery level meter displayed at the top of the screen.

Registering

In Demo form, you can play 10 games of Atomica for free, as you decide whether you like it or not. After these games are up, the program will display a short message reminding you to register each time you play!

If you beam a demo to someone else, and they also like the game, then they can register it either by purchasing a copy from a local store, or by purchasing online.

Registering Online:

For those that like the speed and convenience of buying of the internet, when you register for the game, you'll get a code which will unlock the game and remain valid for future upgrades. Go to the web page at http://www.astraware.com/games/popcap/atomica/ for more details.

You'll need to know your HotSync ID which you can find by running Atomica, and going into the menu, and selecting the 'Register...' option. Your HotSync ID will be filled in for you below.

When you register, Astraware will generate a key based on your ID, which will normally be sent out by email within 48 hours of you registering. When you receive your key, go to the same register option, and enter the key into the space provided.

Submit your High Scores!

Registered users of the game are entitled to submit their high scores to our Internet High Score table.

Just visit the Atomica web pages at http://www.astraware.com/games/popcap/atomica/ and select the link to view high scores.

To submit your own score, you need to go to the menu in the game, and select 'export high score'. This will provide you with a code which you can then type into our site:

http://www.astraware.com/palm/atomica/high/

You can only submit high scores once you've beaten the scores built into the game!

(Astraware reserves the right to remove this board or facility without any notice, or to remove individual names if necessary)

Astraware Products

You can find out about Astraware and the product range we have for mobile platforms by visiting our website at www.astraware.com.
Here are our top products at time of writing:

Astraware Palm Packs
GameHouse Games Pack 1Get shuffling with Nisqually, blast those blocks with Collapse and test your word power with TextTwist!
GameHouse Games Pack 2Make crazy chains in Glinx, match stunning gems in Gem Drop, and get them balls bouncing in Bounce Out!
It's A Blast! Shooting PackLet out your tension with some target practice with Galaxy Ranger, Police Range and Bang Bang!
Palm Games Pack 2001Zap!2000, Biplane Ace and Bzzz! together for under $25 - save over 25%
PopCap Games PackGet the web games revolution that is Bejeweled, plus Alchemy, Seven Seas, Mummy Maze and Atomica!
Astraware Palm Games
AbysmaIt's a race against time as you attempt to fill in the puzzle pieces before the descending bar of doom!
AlchemyTurn lead into gold in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Astro DefenceDefend your city from the asteroid threat!
AtomicaMake Molecules in Dr. Atomica's Laboratory in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Bang! Bang!Backyard blasting fun
BejeweledBejeweled is the official handheld version of the incredibly popular and addictive online game by PopCap
Big Money!Coin collecting fun in another Pop Cap classic!
Biplane AceDogfight against rival fighter pilots
BookWorm for PalmFeed the bookworm’s loquacious appetite with words made from connected letter tiles.
Bounce OutBrain bending ball matching action
Bzzz! for PalmFly-catching action for the Palm
Candy Cruncher for PalmCandy Crunching Fun
ChromaGamesGreat triple pack of classic games
Collapse!Tap matching blocks in this simple but frantic GameHouse game.
DynomiteGet prehistoric with this dino egg-citing game!
ElixirCollect valuable elixir from a stack of capsules without upsetting the balance in this ultra addictive game from Trixiam Studios.
Eye of HorusUnleash your magical powers with this Astraware puzzle game.
Galaxy RangerBe a Galaxy Ranger, Save the Universe!
Gem DropGem dropping, jewel matching fun
GlinxMake chains of gems as long as you can!
GTS Racing ChallengeBring the power of high speed car racing to the Palm of your hand!
InsaniquariumFeed fish and fight aliens in the craziest aquarium ever!
Link Letters for PalmForm chains of words by altering single letters in Astraware's version of a classic word linking game
MahjonggRelax your mind with the most authentic Mahjongg solitaire game for Palm-powered handhelds
Mars Needs CowsThe challenging PopCap puzzle game of animal abduction!
Mummy MazeEscape the maze and outsmart the mummy in this great PopCap game!
NisquallyMake lines of blocks to clear the screen and complete the level
Noah's ArkSave pairs of animals from the rising water in this great PopCap game!
Police RangePolice Range is a fast game of reactions, dexterity, accuracy and good judgment!
RicochetClassic brick blasting fun comes to the Palm in this conversion of the PC favourite.
Rooks RevengeTry to kill king in this real time chess game from ASAP Games.
Round UpMarble Moving Madness
Seven SeasShip Ahoy! Blast pirates with a broadside and navigate through dangerous waters, in this PopCap puzzle game
T-BlasterPractice your graffiti/text entry by blasting aliens!
TacTicA twist on the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game pits you against the brain
Text TwistJuggle letters to make as many words as you can in a limited time!
TipTopTipTop is a swinging new action puzzle game with plenty of Fifties style and Vegas pizzazz.
What Word for PalmWord finding fun on your palm
Zap!2000/2016Arcade gaming on the Palm has never looked so good!
Astraware Palm Applications
e.GuideYour essential TV episode guide for Palm
Timetable LiteKnow whats when with Timetable!
Timetable ProPlusThe essential tool for teachers and students, with assignment tracker

Release Revision History!

Release 2.1 : 3rd October, 2003

  • Updated to the new Aurora sound system!
  • Music from the PopCap PC version, Atomica Deluxe (requires Palm Zire 71, Palm Tungsten series , Handspring Treo 600 or Sony UX series)
  • A number of bug fixes and improvements

Release 2.01 : 7th February, 2003

  • Fixed bug which caused Hard level high score tables to be overwritten by Timed level high scores

Release 2.0 : 20th January, 2003

  • Hi Resolution Support for 320x320 capable devices!
  • Full OS5 support.
  • Improved graphics speed.
  • Added localisation support.
  • Added compatibility for future devices.
  • Fixed problems with game state not being saved

Release 1.28 : 15th July, 2002

  • Updated to use latest Astraware Libraries
  • Registration system for Samsung phones

Release 1.26 : 20th February, 2002

  • Revised with new library routines to have better support for latest devices.

Release 1.23 : 13th November, 2001

  • Fixed a bug in the game settings screen - now shows hard/easy level correctly.
  • Changing difficulty now takes affect from the next game.
  • Adjusted ranks for the retail version

Release 1.22 : 12th November, 2001

  • Another fix to prevent further cheating by pref-editing.

Release 1.21 : 9th November, 2001

  • Another small fix to prevent cheating.

Release 1.2 : 6th November, 2001

  • Greyscale palette settings added.
  • Speed improvements when drawing graphics.
  • Corrected clock display in greyscale (which was not easily visible).

Release 1.1 : 2nd November, 2001

  • New registration code screens used.
  • Combined Color and greyscale versions into one easy-to-use package!
  • Added a Beam Demo function.

Release 1.01 : 26th October, 2001

  • Improved code base
  • Faster graphics routines
  • High score export
  • In game clock and battery level meter

Release 1.0 : 1st June, 2001

  • First public release.
  • Beta timeout removed.

Feedback

If you've got suggestions about how to improve Astraware Atomica - or with reports of any problems you've had, then please contact us!

Atomica enquiries/feedback: atomica@astraware.com
Registration problems: registrations@astraware.com
General Astraware enquiries: feedback@astraware.com

 

Contributors

Programming: Haemish Graham

Graphics and Game Design: Jason Kapalka

Thanks also to the many beta testers for their helpful suggestions throughout June.

Software Licence Agreement

This is a legal agreement between you, the end user, and Astraware Limited. Read this agreement very carefully. If you do not wish to accept this agreement, you may not use Atomica on a device or software emulator.

  1. Grant Of License
    This License permits you to use Atomica on any single computer, provided the software is installed on only one handheld device at any time.

  2. Copyright
    The software is owned by Astraware Limited. and is protected by United Kingdom copyright laws, international treaty provisions, and all other applicable national laws. You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, dissasemble or otherwise attempt to discover the code and algorithms of the software.

  3. Other Restrictions
    You may not rent or lease the software, but you may transfer your rights under this license agreement on a permanent basis provided you transfer all copies of the software and all written materials and the recipient agrees to the terms of this license.

  4. No Warranty
    The software is delivered as is and Astraware Limited. makes no warranty as to its use or performance. Astraware Limited. does not, and cannot warrant the performance or results you may obtain by using the Software or its documentation. Astraware Limited. makes no warranties, express or implied, as to noninfringement of third party rights, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. In no event will Astraware Limited. be liable to you for any consequential, incidental or special damages, or for any claim by any third party.

Legal

Astraware Ltd takes no responsibility for any adverse effect that this software could cause to your machine or the data on it: backup important data before using Atomica. Atomica is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Atomica is licensed, not sold.

You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble this software.

Astraware’s and its suppliers’ entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at Astraware’s option, either (a) return of the price paid, if any, or (b) replacement of the product that does not meet the warranty and which is returned to Astraware with a copy of your receipt. This warranty is void if failure of the product has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement software product will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. These remedies are not available without proof of purchase from an authorized source.

Written permission must be obtained before distribution of this game, either in demo form or full form, through any online or offline methods. 

Copyright (c) 1999 - 2003 Astraware Ltd, 2000 - 2003, PopCap.

Astraware and the planet logo are trademarks of Astraware Limited. All rights reserved.