Battle Chip

An experimental audio-networked Battle Ship clone for 16k ZX Spectrums.

Tested to work on rubber-key Issue 3B and Issue 6A hardware (does not work on Issue 2s) using a 3 metre audio cable.

I have no idea if it works on other-issue/128k/+2/+3/clone/recreated machines (untested).

REQUIRES REAL HARDWARE: I don't know of any emulators that allow real-time audio between sessions/hosts, so it probably won't be playable emulated.

USE AT OWN RISK: this requires connecting two ZX Spectrums together by their EAR sockets using an audio cable. I've had no issues (so far on rubber-key Spectrums), and it seems electrically safe to do so, but do so at your own risk! I take no responsibility for damage.

How to set up

Load software on two ZX Spectrums.

Connect them together via their EAR sockets using an audio cable (mono is ideal, stereo worked between two rubber-key Spectrums).

One computer must choose to be Player #1 and the other must choose to be Player #2.

Player #1 has the first turn, while Player #2 will initially wait for a turn to occur.

Pressing SYMBOL SHIFT when asked for input (your turn) or Listening (opponent's turn) will QUIT the game and return to the menu. This is useful if you've both selected to be the same player (you can't both go first or wait first) and need to restart without resetting the machine, or any other reason.

How to play

The game is basically a Battle Ship clone.
Each player has a board of chips placed randomly that their opponent cannot see.

Each player takes turns attacking a grid reference and their opponent responds if they've missed, hit a section, and if an entire chip has been destroyed. They each mark their own reference board to keep track of their misses, where sections have been hit or entire chips destroyed.

Each player has the same chips made up of different sizes:

4 section chip (x2)
3 section chip (x1)
2 section chip (x2)

Making a total of 15 sections that can be hit.

The first player to destroy all 15 sections of their opponent's chips wins.

Version History

version 0.1
- Initial release
- Known not to work on Issue 2 ZX Spectrums