The Neverending Story
"A Boy who needs a friend finds a world that needs a hero"
The Story
The computer game follows the main theme of the film and is set in Fantasia,
a world of the imagination facing extinction by the "All consuming Nothing",
eroding its very fabric and condemning it to oblivion. It is in desperate
need from the "Real World" someone to believe in it and thus renew its life.
That someone is a small boy, Bastian Balthzar Bux, who discovers a dusty old
book on the shelves of an antique book shop. The title is "The Neverending
Story" and it chronicles the ever changing fortune of the people of Fantasia.
Bastian takes the book and blowing the dust from its jackets reveals the
front cover depicting "Auryn" the silver and gold medallion symbolizing the
strength of Fantasia. On reaching school he avoids his teachers, climbs into
an abandoned attic and settling himself down on an old rug begins to read
the compelling tale.
The many peoples of Fantasia are gathered to seek audience with their
Empress, but are dismayed to find her ill and weak. "Cairon", the physician
gives them encouragement,, telling of a hero, a small boy from the planes
by the name of Atreyu - the only person who can find the saviour of
Fantasia. In the game you take the part of Atreyu and only through your
endeavours will the kingdom be restored to its former glory!
The main characters that you will encounter are listed below and you must
judge whether they will help you or hinder your quest.
The Tree Travellers
Rockbiter, Teenyweeny and Nighthob, these three friends are on their
way to Ivory Tower, home of the Empress, to see her.
Gmork the Werewolf
The main servant of the "Nothing". He will use all his powers to catch the
one person who can stop his master from destroying Fantasia - so don't
dawdle.
The Empress
The eternal, ever youthful, ruler of Fantasia. She lives at the very top
of the Ivory Tower.
Morla - The Ancient One -
The oldest inhabitant, Morla is an enormous earth covered tortoise who
lives in the "Swamps of Sadness".
The Gnomes
Engywook and Urgll, live in the Southern lands.
Falkor
The Luckdragon, a huge white dragon who will lend assistance to
anyone who carries Auryn.
Artax
The faithful steed of Atryu.
The Game
"The Neverending Story" is a graphic text adventure with illustrations for
some locations, some Events and all objects. Experienced Adventurers may
not wish to read the following explanations but for all others it will enhance
the understanding and enjoyment of the game.
If you haven't played an adventure game before, don't be put off, its not
difficult and will give hours of enjoyment. You are embarking on a voyage of
discovery with problems to solve, obstacles to avoid, characters to meet and
an ultimate goal (in this case to save Fantasia from the "Nothing"). In most
ways it isn't any different from other game types - only in the method of
presentation and the way you interact with it.
The computer will describe to you, in words, your current location, the
characters and any objects that are there. Once you have decided what to do
(in this game you take the role of the hero, Atreyu) you instruct the computer
by typing in your request in a limited form of English. The format of the
words the computer understands is explained later in "The language", but it
has been deliberately kept simple to allow more room for game data. If the
computer can understand what you have typed it will perform the required
action and describe the results to you.
The game is split into three parts (there is over 100k of code and data
altogether) which must be played in order (You cannot begin part II after
you have completed part I and so on). The three sections are divided up by
storyline and any objects that you are carrying when you finish a part will
be retained for possible use in the next one (It is important to remember
this if you come across an object, but can find no use for it in the current
part).The use of graphics in this game is quite different to some adventure
games. Firstly every object has a small illustration; up to five can be carried
at one time and they will be displayed at the top-right hand of the screen. If
at any time, you have an companion by you (either Falkor or Artrax) then
their picture will appear at the bottom of the display area. Large illustrations
for locations or depicting events appear in the top left of the screen and
approximately on third of these are of the "Event" type. It should be noticed
that none of the graphics are designed to replace the text but to enhance it.
[Missing illustration of game screen]
The Language
You control Atreyu by instructing the computer in a restricted form of plain
English, however there are a few simple rules to bear in mind:
1 Every instruction must have a verb. Some of the "verbs" that the computer
understands are not strictly English verbs, so it is helpful if you regard a
"verb" as a word which causes an action.
2 Some "verbs" need a "noun" to operate on - e.g. GET AURYN "Get" is the
verb and "Auryn" is the noun.
3 The program will pick out the words it "understands" from a sentence and
if it finds a word that isn't in its vocabulary, the computer will tell you what
it is.
4 If you wish to type in more than one sentence at a time you can separate
them with the word "and" e.g. Get the apple and go East.
5 You need only type the first three letters of a word for it to be
understood.
Here are the most commonly used words to get you started.
Look (or L)
To look around. This redisplays the description of the current location (it is
done automatically if you move to a new location).
North (or N)
North East (or NE)
East (E)
South East (or SE)
South (or S)
South West (or SW)
West (or W)
North West (or NW)
These are movement verbs that are used most often. You can type just the
direction or place the word "Go" in front (it makes no difference). Of
course the program will only let you move in a specified direction if it is
possible.
Get/Drop
For picking up or dropping an object.
Inventory
This instruction displays in text format a list of the objects that you are
carrying (You can also reference this on the objects illustration display).
Time
If you spend too long contemplating your net move (and the game is not on
pause) then "Time" will pass and anything typed in and "Left" will be
interpreted.
General Advice
1 Draw a map - Unless you have an unusually good memory it will be
enormously helpful to chart your progress.
2 Everything you come across in the Adventure will have a use -
you only have to find out what it is!
Good Luck
The Neverending Story
It's program code, graphic representation and artwork are the copyright
of Ocean Software Limited and any may not be reproduced, stored, hired
or broadcast in any form whatsoever without the written permission of
Ocean Software Limited. All rights reserved worldwide.
Acceptable Verbs
GO
NORTH
NORTH EAST
EAST
SOUTH EAST
SOUTH
SOUTH WEST
WEST
NORTH WEST
UP
DOWN
DROP
ATTACK
LIGHT
ENTER
IN
PULL
LOOK
GET
TAKE
INVENTORY
EAT
FLY
CLIMB
BLOW
RIDE
SMASH
HIT
OUT
READ
REMOVE
OPEN
CUT
UNLOCK
LOCK
CLOSE
TIE
FASTEN
SAY
Special Verbs
WAIT Use if you want to just let time pass.
PAUSE To pause the game if you leave the game unattended without doing
this time will still continue.
QUIT To end the game in progress.
We wish you many hours of enjoyment with "The Neverending Story".
The Neverending Story
(c) Neue Constantin Filmproduktion GmbH 1984.
Licensed to Ocean Software Limited by Licencing Corporation of America (U.K.).
Game design and programming by Ian Weatherburn.
Produced by D.C. Ward. (c) 1985 Ocean Software Limited.
