NEW HACK FOR ALLIGATA'S "DEFEND OR DIE"
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The classic "Defend Or Die" by Alligata (1985) is the magnificent version
that we can enjoy on Amstrad CPC of the "Defender" arcade developed by
Williams Electronics in 1980. Distribution for microcomputers was made by
Amsoft/Indescomp in 1985.

The programming (in assembler) was carried out by Nick Vincent (CPC),
achieving a fast software scroll through almost full screen, excluding a
marker line at the top and an area for the radar or map. He achieved a great
rate of fire, enemies, particles on the screen, despite using the firmware for
everything (slower) and even so Vincent gives the game the freneticism that
has little or nothing to envy of the arcade.

Personally, the only "downside" I find with this game is the great difficulty
of the chosen controls. In the original arcade, the Joystick only moves the
ship up and down, having a button to accelerate and another to reverse
direction. We also have the fire button, the bomb button and hyperspace to
teleport to other areas of the map.

These same controls have been retained and have been implemented in Amstrad
on fixed keys located in very convoluted positions. At least for a "one-armed"
xD person like me, I never got used to it. In Joystick we can change direction
and accelerate with Right-Left, but the 2nd fire button only duplicates the
1st. With which, we are without bombs. As if the game wasn't difficult in
itself.

Therefore, the machine code has been disassembled, analyzed and support for
the two Joystick buttons has been added. The 2nd fire button now throws the
bombs.

Also in the menu, the Keyboard Redefinition option has been programmed. You
can also redefine a Joystick-Keyboard mix, e.g. bringing Hyperspace (H) closer
to the SPC. Now the redefinition calls for the Left-Right actions, instead of
the ship's Shift and Direction Change (SPC), in the original. That behavior
has been reprogrammed.

I hope that now this fantastic game is somewhat more accessible and
enjoyable! ??

All the best!

Enrique Buzón