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Bug Hunt for Atari 8-bit Computers FAQ

by BHodges

Version  1.0
Created  07/08/11

This document Copyright 2011 by Brian Hodges.  It may not be placed on any
web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. 

Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is 
strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

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Table of Contents

I.     Introduction
II.    Background Story
III.   Getting Started
IV.    Gameplay
         A.  Overview
         B.  Basic Strategies
         C.  Scoring
         D.  XG-1 (Light Gun)
V.     Game Review
VI.    Version History
VII.   Contact Information

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I.     Introduction

This is a FAQ for the Atari 8-bit Computer game Bug Hunt.  It contains
information on playing the game and a mini-review.

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II.    Background Story

Here is the background story from the instruction booklet:

"It's late at night and you're still in the lab, working out the bugs in your
newest computer board.  If you can just clean up the last noisy circuit, you'll
finally be recognized as a true Atari Game Designer.

Suddenly, real bugs start popping up everywhere, crawling all over your
motherboard.  How can you finish your work?  You grab your light gun and start
shooting!

More and more bugs pop out - flies, roaches, termites, ants, spiders.  They
race faster and faster over your board.  You've got to destroy them before they
drive you crazy!"

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III.   Getting Started

Before powering on your Atari, make sure the XG-1 light gun is plugged into
controller port one.

On the title screen you have the option of playing a one or two player game.
You select which one by shooting your choice with the light gun.

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IV.    Gameplay

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.  Overview

The object of the game is simple: shoot the bugs!  The game is broken up into
waves.  During each wave, bugs will appear on the motherboard.  A bug will only
stay on screen for a short while before disappearing.  Hitting a bug will kill
it (each bug only needs a single shot) and earn you points.  When you miss you
will see a small burst hit the motherboard.  You have unlimited ammo but don't
just fire wildly because progression is based ENTIRELY on ACCURACY!

At the end of each wave, if you've reached a certain accuracy threshold (see
Scoring section for specifics), you will continue to the next wave.  Otherwise,
you will be awarded a performance rating based on your score and your game will
end.

During a two player game, players will alternate turns playing one wave at a
time.  An arrow will point to the score of the player that is currently
"active".  Once a player has been eliminated, the other player will continue
playing until he also no longer meets the accuracy threshold.

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B.  Basic Strategies

-  Smaller/Faster bugs are worth more points than Bigger/Slower bugs.

-  Each of the eight squares will never have more than one bug at a time.

-  On levels one and two the accuracy thresholds are so low that you can pretty
   much shoot at anything that pops up.

-  On the later levels (four and up) divide the screen in half and only shoot
   at targets on one side.

-  Once you reach level six, you need to hit four of every five shots to move
   on.  What I do is wait patiently for large, slow moving targets.  Once I've
   hit FOUR of those (with ZERO misses) I keep aiming for the easier targets
   until my first miss, then I stop firing and wait for the level to end.

-  If you need a breather, you can pause the game by pressing the Select key.

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C.  Scoring

/=======================\
|  ACCURACY THRESHOLDS  |
|---------+-------------|
| Wave    | Percentage  |
|---------+-------------|
|      1  |         25% |
|---------+-------------|
|      2  |         33% |
|---------+-------------|
|      3  |         50% |
|---------+-------------|
|      4  |         66% |
|---------+-------------|
|      5  |         75% |
|---------+-------------|
|      6+ |         80% |
\=======================/

/==============================\
|         POINT VALUES         |
|----------------+-------------|
| Bug            | Points      |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Ant          |   3,000 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Big Bug      |     300 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Butterfly    |     300 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Caterpillar  |             |
|     (fast)     |   2,000 pts |
|     (slow)     |     500 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Fly          |     300 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Frog         |     100 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   G-Bug        |   2,000 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Roach        |             |
|     (fast)     |   2,000 pts |
|     (slow)     |     500 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Spider       |   2,000 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Termite      |   1,000 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Tick         |   1,000 pts |
|----------------+-------------|
|   Weevil       |   1,000 pts |
\==============================/

/===========================================\
|            PERFORMANCE RATINGS            |
|------------------+------------------------|
| Rank             | Points Required        |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Trouble Shooter |   100,000+ pts         |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Technician      |   90,000 to 99,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Engineer        |   80,000 to 89,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Programmer      |   70,000 to 79,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Hobbyist        |   60,000 to 69,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Hacker          |   50,000 to 59,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Manager         |   40,000 to 49,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Director        |   30,000 to 39,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  Vice President  |   20,000 to 29,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  President       |   10,000 to 19,999 pts |
|------------------+------------------------|
|  C.E.O.          |        0 to  9,999 pts |
\===========================================/

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D.  XG-1 (Light Gun)

Tips

-  The XG-1 will only work on older, standard definition CRT television sets.
   It will NOT work on computer monitors or HD TVs.

-  According to the Atari XE Owner's Manual, the XG-1 is most accurate at a
   distance of 3-5 feet from the screen.

-  Make sure you are squarely in front of the TV.

-  When aiming down the sight, you want the square to cover your target.

-  Increasing the screen brightness will increase the light gun's accuracy.

-  Interestingly, it's possible to play Bug Hunt using the Atari Light Pen
   (CX-70 or CX-75).  Unfortunately there is no way to calibrate so there will
   be quite a bit of offset.

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V.     Game Review

Bug Hunt is Atari's answer to Nintendo's Duck Hunt.  It is one of the three
pack-in games included with the Atari XE Gaming System and makes use of the
XG-1 Light Gun.

The object of the game is to shoot bugs as they appear on a motherboard that
has been divided into eight squares.  There is an option for two players, but
there are no other game modes so the game gets old quickly.  

You have unlimited ammo BUT progression depends entirely on accuracy.
Unfortunately that's a problem because the XG-1 isn't as accurate as say the
NES Zapper and there's no calibration option so your shots will seem a little
off from where you aim.

The graphics also seem really dated compared to Duck Hunt (which was released
three years prior).  In Bug Hunt everything is green or black, kind of like
those old Apple II monitors.  The bugs themselves are well rendered and the
frame rate never stutters, even with multiple bugs onscreen at once.

While Bug Hunt is fun in short bursts, gamers looking for a deeper Atari 8-bit
light gun experience should give Crossbow a try.

Pros

+  Two player mode available.
+  The bugs are well rendered.
+  One and two player modes.

Cons

-  Progression depends on accuracy and the XG-1 isn't the most accurate
   light gun.
-  The green/black monochrome graphics remind me of those old Apple IIe
   monitors.
-  You'll get bored quickly.

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VI.    Version History

1.0   07/08/11   Completed FAQ.

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VII.   Contact Information

You can contact me at Bhodges080@aol.com

Please leave constructive comments.  I especially appreciate emails letting me
know if I have made a mistake, missed anything, or if you have any ideas for
improving this FAQ.

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End