SDL2 Versus

== SDL2 Versus ==

SDL2 Versus is a small game that was built as part of the SDL2 tutorial series from Parallel Realities.

For more information see the tutorial series at: https://www.parallelrealities.co.uk/tutorials

This is a split screen, two player game, where players compete to win matches by either earning more points than their opponent, or defeating them in combat until they run out of lives. The players each control a spaceship that can fire bullets and rockets.

== How to play ==

The game can be played using keyboard or joysticks (the game will detect joysticks on start-up, and assign the first detected two to the players).

When starting the game (by selecting Start) from the main menu, the players will be able to configure the following:

* Number of lives

* Score limit

* Time limit (best combined with lives / score)

* Zone

* Whether aliens are present

This allows the game to be tailored in a number of ways, to the players' liking. One could even setup an "endless" game, without any limits.

Once a match is won, a new match will begin a short time later. Should "Random" has been chosen from the starting menu, the players will compete in a new, random zone.

== Combat ==

The players have a gun, with unlimited shots (although it can overheat, and will need to cool down). They also have 3 rockets each, per life. Rockets cause splash damage upon impact, and can cause a player caught in the range to spin helplessly for a brief period (this includes the player who fired the rocket!).

Touching the environment causes damage, the amount depending on the speed the player was going at the time, and also whether they were in a helpless spin.

== Items ==

Four items are available to collect during a match: Points pods add 25 to the player's score. Health fully restores the player's health. Rockets replemish the player's rockets. The shield makes the player invulnerable to damage for 15 seconds.

== Aliens ==

Alien creature exist in some zones, the red variety being able to fire bullets of its own. These can damage and kill the players. The other two horizontally and vertically, bouncing off walls. Aliens cannot be permanently killed, and will respawn after a short time. Aliens are also worth points, if killed.

== Menus ==

Use the arrow keys to navigate and change options. Press Return to enter a sub menu. Controls can be configured in the P1 Controls and P2 Controls sections (for player 1 and player 2, respectively). When redefining keys, highlight the control to change, press Space or Return, then the key you wish to use. You can also use a joystick / game controller. This must be plugged in before starting the game or it won't be detected. When changing a control, press the joystick button you wish to use. Pressing Escape will cancel the change, while Backspace will clear it.

== Other ==

Configuration is saved to a file called config.json.

== Links ==

www.parallelrealities.co.uk

parallelrealities.itch.io