Wibstars

[Back of cassette cover:]

AT LAST - I WAS REALLY MOTORING!

But I was behind schedule and I had customers waiting. Another trip like
this one and I could be out of business! I pulled into the delivery bay
and braked hard. Could I make it?

COULD ANYONE???


Billy Wibstar - Enterpreneur.

That's what it said on my card.

I'd got the idea after counting up the number of computer games in the local
software shop. Then I worked out how much they were worth - and I started
dreaming pound coins. I borrowed some start-up money from Dad. At first he
thought it was a wind-up. Then he saw I meant business. He handed over the
cheque with a sad smile on his face - as though that was the last he thought
he'd see of the money.

Day One - arrived at the wholesaler in my brand new van- total bedlam.
I even had to get my own stuff off the racks with a forklift and send it up
to despatch, where I could load it into the van. Those guys in despatch are
crazy! The stuff came down the delivery chute so fast I couldn't keep up.
When I drove out there was a litter of computer parts and cassette cases all
over the floor. I hadn't left the warehouse - and I was already losing money!

The drive to my first drop was a nightmare. One of my competitors beat me out
of the wholesaler's gates and I couldn't get past him. What made it worse -
the idiot had left his back doors open! I had to dodge a steady shower of
debris as it came tumbling out. Didn't do my van much good. I finally got to
the shop, unloaded the van and pressed the button for the lift. That's when
my problems really begin.

No - I don't want to talk about it! Try it yourself - you'll see why!


Objective and setting.

Wibstars is about the successful operation of a computer goods distribution
company. The player must collect products from a central warehouse and then
deliver them to his customers. The trick is to stay in business AND make a
profit!


Gameplay

Wibstars is a one-player game for keyboard or joystick. If you opt for
keyboard, you may define your own keys or accept the default key definitions.
These are:

Up = Q
Left = O
Down = A
Right = P
Fire = Enter

The first stage of Wibstars requires you to collect the goods to deliver to
your customers. The goods in question are cassettes (costing 5 pounds), discs
(costing 10 pounds) and computers (costing 100 pounds). You start in business
with 200 pounds, and the program will not allow you to spend more than this.

To collect your goods, move the fork lift truck (FLT) into contact with one
of the stacks of goods. As long as you continue the joystick or keyboard
command for leftward movement, the FLT will automatically pick up goods.
As soon as you release the FLT, it will take its load to the waiting skip.
When you have enough goods, take the FLT to the exit. If you run out of money,
the FLT will automatically go to the exit and initiate the next phase in the
program.

In the despatch bay, your goods will drop from overhead chutes and you must
catch the goods in your van as they fall. When all of your goods have been
released from the chutes, the Wibstars program will automatically take your
vehicle to the next screen.

The next screen gives you a scrolling bird's eye view of the road and a map
of the area. You have to drive to a shop and deliver your goods. There is a
competitor's van right in front of you. You will be showered with computer
goods and junk from the rear of his vehicle. Avoiding the junk, which will
damage your van and cost you money, you can catch the cassettes, discs or
computers by driving over them. You can then sell them when you reach the
shop. Different shops pay different prices for goods, and you can discover
the good payers by exploration.

In the unloading area of the shop, your task is to move the goods via a
series of lifts and conveyors from your van to the office. Your driver must
be immediately adjacent to the back of the van, facing towards it. Press
Fire. You will then be able to choose the type and value of package to be
unloaded. When the package is out of the van, the man must kick it towards
the lift. In front of the lift is a conveyor, and in front of that is a
lift-call pad. The man must tread on the pad and change its colour to call
the lift. You must then get the package onto the conveyor, so that is goes
into the lift. If it goes under the lift, go back to the van and get another
package. At some point in the game you may wish to use the lift-call button
at the bottom of the lift-shaft. You can put a package in the lift, or travel
in it yourself, but the lift will not accept you and a package. You will only
get paid for what you deliver to the office. To get through this part of the
game you need to keep your wits about you.

When your van is empty, take the man to the rear of the vehicle and press
fire as though you were trying to get another package. The driver will then
get back into the van and drive away. If you are still in profit you will
go immediately back to the scrolling street screen. You can then return to
the warehouse. The game ends if you have made a loss.