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The Project 64 etext of the Decathlon help file. Original Windows(R)
help file obtained from the Activision C64 15 Pack was supplied by
Fandango. Converted by the Basic Bombardier. Some of the information
in this etext is assumed to be close enough to the original hardcopy
version until an orginal can be converted, which is likely to be
called DECAT10B.TXT.

DECAT10A.TXT, March 1996, etext #19

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Decathlon

Contents

 General Description   [ 1.0 ]
 How To Play           [ 2.0 ]
 Scoring               [ 3.0 ]
 Hints                 [ 4.0 ]
 Game History          [ 5.0 ]



[ 1.0 ] General Description

"If it's just a game, why am I so out of breath?"

Because of ten very physical events. And two on-screen contestants who
will bend your biceps and trigger your adrenaline. When the
competition begins, you'll see.

And feel.



[ 2.0 ] How to Play

Basics

How to Start

Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 for the number of players. In multi-player mode,
the first and third decathletes compete against the computer. Single
players always compete against the computer.

Press S or A for Single Event or All Events

In Single Event press 1 - 0 to pick your event. Press F7 to return to
menu.

In All Events press the joystick button to advance to the next event
once the current event ends.



Single Event Play

If S is selected, a menu appears. Press the keyboard number
corresponding to the event in which you wish to compete.

After completing an event, press the joystick button to repeat that
event, or F7 to return to the menu.



All Event Play

If A is selected, press the joystick button to advance to next event
once current event ends.

To return to initial selection screen, select Restart Game from the
File menu.



Special Highlights

Strength Bar -- Registers your relative running or approach speed
throughout each event. The faster you move, the closer the bar moves
to the right-hand limit.

Real-Time Clock -- Counts the minutes, seconds, and fractions of
seconds during all races.

Scratch Line -- Don't cross the scratch line before pressing the
joystick button for appropriate events. (See "Events", below)

Distance Measure -- Distance is measured on-screen in meters for
appropriate events.

Current Contestant -- The number 1, 2, 3, or 4 appears directly next
to the strength bars to remind contestants which decathlete is
competing.



Events

100 - Meter Dash -- One opportunity. The quicker your time, the higher
your points.

Long Jump -- Three attempts allowed. Begin with a 30-meter running
start, then press the joystick button just before you reach the
scratch line.

Shotput -- Three attempts allowed. Move as quickly as you can to the
scratch line, then press the joystick button.

High Jump -- Allowed a maximum of three attempts at each height. Run
the 30-meter approach, then press the joystick button to jump.
Successfully "clear" a height and the crossbar raises.

400-Meter Race -- One opportunity. A middle-distance race.

110-Meter Hurdles -- The hurdles are at 10-meter intervals. You won't
be disqualified for "spilling" a hurdle, but it will slow you down.
Press the joystick button to jump the hurdle.

Discus -- Three attempts allowed. Approach the scratch line as quickly
as possible, then press the joystick button.

Pole Vault -- Allowed a maximum of three attempts at each height. Run
to the vault pit and plant your pole by pressing the joystick button.
Continue to move the joystick as you vault, and, at the peak, press
the joystick button again to release the pole. Successfully clear a
height and the crossbar raises.

Javelin -- Three attempts allowed. Run to the scratch line, then press
the joystick button.

1500 - Meter Race -- One chance in this final event. Pace yourself,
then, give it your all!



Current World Records

See how you compare to these world records. (As of 8/9/95)

Men's Decathlon

 Event              Record      Holder              Year
 100-Meter Dash     9.85 Sec    Leroy Burrell       1994
 Long Jump          8.95 m      Mike Powell         1991
 Shotput            23.12 m     Randy Bames         1990
 High Jump          2.45 m      Javier Sotomayor    1993
 400-Meter Race     43.29 Sec   Butch Reynolds      1988
 110-Meter Hurdles  12.91 Sec   Colin Jackson       1993
 Discus             74.07 m     Jurgen Schult       1986
 Pole Vault         6.14 m      Sergel Bubka        1994
 Javelin            95.66 m     Jan Zelezny         1993
 1500-Meter Race    3:27.37     Noureddine Morcell  1995
 Overall Points:    8,891       Dan O'Brien         1992

Women's Heptathlon

Women compete in a 7-event Heptathlon, rather then the 10-event men's
decathlon. A 200-meter race is run instead of the 100-meter dash, a
100-meter hurdles is run in lieu of the 110-meter hurdles, and an 80
-meter race is run instead of the 1,500-meter race. Also, the women do
not compete in the pole vault, javelin, or run the 400-meter race.

 Event              Record      Holder                     Year
 200-Meter Dash     21.34 Sec   Florence Griffith Joyner   1988
 Long Jump          7.52 m      Galina Chistyakova         1988
 Shotput            22.63 m     Natalya Lisovskaya         1987
 High Jump          2.09 m      Stefka Kostadinova         1987
 100-Meter Hurdles  12.21 Sec   Yordanka Donkova           1988
 Discus             76.81 m     Gabriele Reinsch           1988
 800-Meter Race     1:53.28     Jamila Kratochvilova       1983
 Overall Points:    7,291       Jackie Joyner-Kersee       1988



Keyboard

Function Key Description F7 Return to menu during Single Event Play

- The numeric keys 1 through 0 are used to select the number of
players and specify which single event to play.

- The A and S keys are used to select All Events or Single Event.



Joystick

Rapidly move joystick to the left and right to run or approach the
scratch line. Press the joystick button to jump or throw. See Events
for more information on how to play each event.



[ 3.0 ] Scoring

Earn points for each event. Screen displays event score following each
attempt, and total score after each event. Score 1,000 points during
any attempt, and a musical tribute will be your reward. Only the
highest event score is added to your total.



[ 4.0 ] Hints

You might try holding the joystick differently to see which way is the
easiest for you to get speed and power.

In the long jump, shot put, javelin, and discus events, try to get a
good first score, then really push yourself on the next two attempts.
Since you already have a score, there is no chance of scoring zero
points.

In the 1500-meter race, you do not need to run at top speed for the
first 1300 meters. Pace yourself and only move the joystick or tap the
keyboard as fast as necessary to keep yourself at the top speed
allowed for that part of the race.



[ 5.0 ] Game History

David Crane, Designer and Programmer

"The idea for Decathlon was to have a video game that people could
actually work up a sweat playing - it was meant to be different than
what people normally associated with 'video game'. The 'wiggle'
joystick interface game was fairly unique at the time, too. We made it
so that you really had to work to get your athlete to move." Anyone
who's tried finishing "All events" will certainly testify that you can
work up a sweat quite easily playing Decathlon!

The Commodore 64 version was essentially the same game as the Atari
2600 version, with improved graphics and sound.

In addition to Decathlon, David Crane also worked on Little Computer
People Project and Pitfall. He is still working in the computer game
industry for a company he co-founded called Absolute Entertainment.

 {gold}  10,000 points!
 {silver} 9,000 points!
 {bronze} 8,600 points!

When Decathlon was originally released, consumers had the ability to
join the "Club of Champions". A score of 8,600 to 8,999 earned a
Bronze medal, 9,000 to 10,000 earned a Silver Medal, and 10,000 or
more won you the prestigious Gold Medal. (Colors may vary.)

NOTE: This offer is no longer valid! Please do not send correspondence
regarding this offer.

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End of the Project 64 etext of the Decathlon help file.

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