Webster and the Spider-Bots
A downloadable game
This game is for the ZX Spectrum Next computer.
Background
The world of the Spider-bots was once a peaceful world. This was until one day a new Botsoft security patch was released.
Being very security conscious, all bots installed the patch, but the upgrade failed corrupting the bots. Fortunately Webster and his friends were offline. Upon boot-up Webster noticed this corruption and ignored the patch.
Unfortunately the only fix for the corruption was destruction! The problem now was how to rescue his friends whilst avoiding the homicidal infected bots!!
Gameplay
Guide Webster in this multi-scrolling action shooter, to rescue the friendly bots whilst fending off the infected bots.
Set over 10 progressively difficult levels, Webster will face a number of different challenges and enemies. But don't worry Webster isn't defenseless, in addition to upgradeable firepower, Webster can also control time!!!
Sounds exciting huh... Download to learn more, and help Webster in his heroic quest.
Controls
Webster is controlled using both a keyboard and a Kempston mouse. The keyboard is used to move, whilst the mouse is used to move the weapon reticule and fire/slow-down time.
Keyboard:
- W - Move up
- S - Move down
- A - Move left
- D - Move right
- Q - Toggle pickups
- R - Pause/Unpause game
- Space - Create savepoint
Mouse:
- Direction - Move weapon reticule
- Left Mouse Button - Fire weapon
- Right Mouse Button - Slow-down time
Credits
- Coding - Rob Moran
- Graphics - Emcee Flesher & Rob Moran
- Music - Darryl Sloan
- Music Shorts - SmithCoder, Voodo, Dev & Jrrs
- Play testing and feedback - Adrian Sinclair & Bret Bapstarcade Pritchard
- CSpect - Platform used during development
- sjasmplus - Assembler used for development
- Dezog - Z80 Debugger used for development
- Remy's Sprite Tool - Used for sprite and tilemap development
- GIMP - Used for static graphics
- Tiled - Used for level planning and creation
- Shiru's AYFX Editor and Player - Used for sound effect development
- NextDAW - Used for music development
Feedback
I hope you enjoy playing this game as much as I've enjoyed creating it. Please leave any comments below, also if you encounter any bugs please leave a description and whether it can be replicated.
Enjoy,
Rob.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- Webster and the Spider-Bots Now ReleasedJun 07, 2024
- Webster and the Spider-Bots UpdateMar 13, 2024
- Webster & the Spider-Bots Beta Demo - 25/06 UpdateJun 25, 2023
- Webster & the Spider-Bots Beta DemoJun 18, 2023
Comments
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Just in case you may have not noticed. TechnoShed Software have kindly published physical limited editions of Webster and the Spider-Bots, with all profits to the Stroke Association. Please note, collection only from Crash Live!
https://technoshedsoftware.com/
Awesome game, so good i made some covers for you to download.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lx3k1A4ITLNLmWaR0K2f5cpa93qqbxPT
Thanks Bret👍
Absolute cracker of a game, great control system too (aswd+Mouse). The music and graphics are top notch, the attention to detail in the menus. I reckon this will be a Crash Smash, easy!
Thanks for the nice comments 👍 What level are you up to?
Currently on level 4, I like how the new enemies and mechanics are telescoped in with each level.
I've tried to increase the difficulty with each level, by introducing new enemies and hazards. Hopefully level 4 won't be too difficult👍
Is it possible for a source code release at some point? 'Dougie Do' helped me a lot to understand audio and music playback for the ZX Next.
Glad that Dougie Do helped in your development journey. I will release the Webster source code eventually, hopefully this will help further as it includes a number of new elements including scrolling, mouse support...
Just to let you know, that the source code and assets for Webster are now available at https://github.com/robgmoran/WebsterSource
Hope you fine it useful.
Thanks for making it available.
ZX Next is a great developer community!
You're welcome 👍
An awesome game !
Thanks for the video, glad you like it. I thought I made the first level too easy, but maybe not😉 Try using slow down more, helps gets out of tricky situations.
Very fun... I did a LIVE play of the game today. Thanks Rob for the cool game. tj
Thanks for the video. Was fun watching the video whilst providing comments. Let's have some more live plays :)
so far reminds me of robotron, alien breed and gauntlet
Really like this. Love the use of mouse and keys that works really well. I think it could do with some continue points maybe. I know its old school back to the begining but maybe a spawn when you die at the electric floor part. Also the game runs/plays better at 60htz over hdmi than 50htz over vga. I think with a killer atmospheric soundtrack this game could be awesome. i havent finished it yet...its tough,, :)
electric floor is brutal may need tweaking?
i was finding it hard to get through the doors sometimes.
Love the slow mo mechanic
great demo though, really look forward to your progress with this. thank you
Thanks for the feedback, glad you're enjoying it.
You're not the only one that mentioned continue points, also I was considering this myself. As a result I'm looking at the best way to implement this without making it to easy.
Also someone else mentioned the doors, so again I'm looking at how this could be made easier.
With regard to the electric floor. The trick is to use the slow-time mechanic, as you can't outrun the electric current. Once you use that it's easy :)
Physical version?
Not sure yet, depends on demand. But again you're not the first person to ask, so could be😀
this is so cool - played on an n-go and love it!
Good news, glad you liked it. Did you manage to complete the level?
haha not yet! the elecrtrified floor keeps getting me! Will keep trying
Try using the slow-time mechanic when moving between the stripped blue blocks, as these blocks are safe points ;)
its wicked hard! One the electric floor theres 2 squares where the electric current is static until I realised you can shoot the blue circla pds to turn blue (freeze)? that made it a little easier - but the next stage with the bots that run at you then run awat! WTAF! Any those little flying bots. Man theyre killer! Not got past them yet. Another hour lost but I'll be playing it again today for another hour. MUST COMPLETE!
Good news you're progressing😀 The actual game will have a more gradual difficulty level, the demo was to demonstrate and test a number of mechanics. Good luck with the later sections😉