Interstellar Click Patrol – User Manual
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1. Introduction

Interstellar Click Patrol is an interactive Windows desktop game where players aim and click to destroy incoming UFO targets while avoiding decoys and
surviving progressively harder levels.
The game challenges your reflexes, accuracy, and strategy through multiple object types, visual effects, obstacles, and power-ups.

This manual explains how to install, run, and play the game, and describes every system, feature, and option available.
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2. Installation & Setup

   * System Requirements

     - Windows 8 or later
     - .NET Framework / .NET Desktop Runtime
     - 2 GB RAM
     - Mouse required

   * Installation

     - Place the game folder anywhere on your computer.
     - Ensure all files remain in the same directory.
     - Run the game using:
         AliensGame.exe

   No additional setup or installation is required.
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3. Starting the Game

When the game opens, you will see the **Main Game Window**, which includes:

   Play Area (the large animated field where UFOs appear)
   Score and Status Bar
   Controls Panel (pause, restart, quit, etc.)
   Timer and Level Display
   Lives Indicator
   Autosave & Sound Options

Click **OK** to begin.
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4. Objective

Your goal is to:

   Destroy real UFOs
   Avoid clicking decoys
   Maintain your lives
   Score as many points as possible
   Progress through levels
   Unlock rewards
   Survive as long as you can
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5. Gameplay

   * Mouse Controls

     - Left Click on UFOs → Damage or destroy them
     - Left Click on Power-Ups → Activate special effects
     - Avoid Clicking Decoys → Counts as a miss
     - Click inside the Play Area only

   * Targets

     # Real UFO Types

       | Type           | Description   | Speed     | HP     | Points               |
       | -------------- | ------------- | --------- | ------ | -------------------- |
       | **Small UFO**  | Tiny, agile   | Very Fast | Low    | Low base, high bonus |
       | **Medium UFO** | Standard size | Medium    | Medium | Medium               |
       | **Large UFO**  | Big and slow  | Slow      | High   | High base, low bonus |

     # Decoys

       Grey circles that mimic UFOs.
       Clicking them:

         - Reduces lives
         - Breaks hit streaks
         - Gives no points

     # Power-Ups (Blue Orbs)

       | Power-Up         | Effect                               |
       | ---------------- | ------------------------------------ |
       | **Slow Time**    | UFOs move slowly for several seconds |
       | **Freeze**       | Everything stops briefly             |
       | **Bonus Points** | Instant score reward                 |

       Collect them by clicking.
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6. Scoring

   * Basic Points

     Each UFO gives points based on:

       - UFO Type
       - Hidden value
       - Size bonus

   * Bonus Systems

     - Hit Streak

       Consecutive hits build a multiplier:

         # Higher streak = more points
         # Misses reset streak

     - Fast Hit Bonus

       Clicking UFOs quickly after they spawn gives extra points.

     - Quick Destroy Bonus

       UFOs killed very early grant a time bonus.

     - Tiny Target Bonus

       Small UFOs award bonus accuracy points.
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7. Lives System

   You start with **5 lives**.

   You lose lives by:

     - Clicking decoys
     - Clicking empty space too many times
     - Letting certain events time out (rare)

   The game ends when lives = 0.
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8. Levels & Difficulty

   * Level Timer

     Each level lasts 30 seconds.

     When the timer reaches 0:

       - Level increases
       - New UFOs spawn
       - Difficulty increases

   * Difficulty Changes

     Each level modifies:

       - UFO count
       - Speed
       - Decoy chance
       - Obstacle interactions
       - Spawn variety

   * Level Rewards

     Special achievements trigger at:

       - Level 3
       - Level 5
       - Level 10

You will see reward messages across the play area when unlocked.
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9. Visual Effects & Environment

   * Includes:

       - Animated starfield
       - Floating planet
       - Scrolling clouds
       - UFO lights and rotation
       - Bounce physics
       - Explosion and spark effects

     These effects are cosmetic and enhance gameplay immersion.
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10. Obstacles

    Obstacles appear on the field as solid rectangles.

    UFOs:

      - Bounce off obstacles
      - Speed up on collision
      - Change direction

    Obstacles increase challenge and unpredictability.
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11. Controls Panel

    | Button               | Function                     |
    | -------------------- | ---------------------------- |
    | **Pause**            | Stops all game movement      |
    | **Resume**           | Continues gameplay           |
    | **Stop Game**        | Ends current session         |
    | **Restart**          | Full reset (level 1)         |
    | **Quit**             | Closes the game              |
    | **View High Scores** | Opens score file             |
    | **Mute / Unmute**    | Toggles sound                |
    | **Auto Save**        | Saves progress automatically |

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12. Saving & Loading

    * Manual Save

      The game saves:

        - Score
        - Level
        - Lives
        - Rewards unlocked
        - Difficulty values

    * Autosave (Optional)

      If enabled:

        - Game saves on exit
        - Savegame loads automatically on startup

    * Saved Files Location

        %LocalAppData%\UFO_Spotter\
          savegame.txt
          scores.txt
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13. High Scores

    At the end of each game:

      - Your score is added to **scores.txt**
      - You can view high scores using the “View High Scores” button

    Scores are stored permanently unless you delete the file.
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14. Sound Effects

    Sound (WAV files) plays for:

      - Hits
      - Misses
      - Level-ups

You can mute/unmute anytime.
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15. Tips for Better Scores

    - Focus on small UFOs for big bonuses
    - Don’t panic-click: misses cost lives
    - Use power-ups to stabilize chaos
    - Watch UFO bounce patterns
    - Maintain long hit streaks
    - Avoid decoys aggressively
    - Save “Freeze” for crowded screens
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16. Troubleshooting

    * Game Runs Slowly

        - Lower your screen resolution
        - Close other programs
        - Disable background animations (future option)

    * No Sound

        - Ensure WAV files exist in the game folder
        - Check Windows volume mixer
        - Ensure sound is not muted in-game

    * Save Not Loading

      Check:

        %LocalAppData%\UFO_Spotter\

        Ensure `savegame.txt` exists.
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* 17. Credits

      * Developer: PeatSoft
      * Website:    https://hwiegman.home.xs4all.nl/InterStellarClickPatrol.html
      * Email:      hwiegman@xs4all.nl


