COVER

About Photosensitive Seizures

A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Even people who have no history of seizures or epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause these “photosensitive epileptic seizures” while watching video games. These seizures may have a variety of symptoms, including light-headedness, altered vision, eye or face twitching, jerking or shaking of arms or legs, disorienta-tion, confusion, or momentary loss of awareness. Seizures may also cause loss of consciousness or convulsions that can lead to injury from falling down or striking nearby objects. Immediately stop playing and consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Parents should watch for or ask their children about the above symptoms—children and teenagers are more likely than adults to experience these seizures. The risk of photosensitive epileptic seizures may be reduced by sitting farther from the television screen, using a maller television screen, playing in a well-lit room, and not playing when you are drowsy or fatigued. If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult a doctor before playing. Other Important Health and Safety Information The Xbox Instruction Manual contains important health and safety information that you should read and under-stand before using this software.

Avoid Damage to Your Television

Do not use with certain televisions. Some televisions, especially front- or rear-projection types, can be damaged if any video games, including Xbox games, are played on them. Static images presented during the normal course of gameplay may “burn in” to the screen, causing a permanent shadow of the static image to appear at all times, even when video games are not being played. Similar damage may occur from static images created when placing a video game on hold or pause. Consult your television owner’s manual to deter-mine if video games can be played safely on your set. If you are unable to find this information in the owner’s manual, contact your television dealer or the manufacturer to determine if video games can be played safely on your set.

The Story .................................

The Alpha ...............................

Enemies ..................................

Controls ..................................

Menu .....................................

H.U.D and Weapons..................

Single Player ...........................

Multiplayer Co-Op ...................

Multiplayer Versus ....................

Credits ...................................

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CONTENTS

UNC CHARLOTTEGame Design and Development

STORY

You are the pilot of the Alpha Morph, a ship that can transform matter into energy and vice-versa. An evil alien force is attack-ing Earth from another dimension. You must defend humanity. The first battle takes place in our Solar System, near our star, Sol. The Alpha’s power is initially limited. Your ship draws enough power to operate from the Sun, but you quickly realize this limited supply will not be enough. Each enemy ship you destroy releases energy back into the universe. If you seize this energy quickly enough, it becomes yours. When controlled by your ship, this energy can be morphed into vicious weapons and impenetrable defenses. The more energy you collect, the mightier the Alpha. Once enough energy is absorbed, your ship can travel to the next dimension. You will search every corner of existence for those who seek to destroy humanity, and when you find them they will have to withstand the awesome power of the Alpha. Can you lead mankind to victory, or does doom await us all?

You start in a solar system and progress through four additional dimensions. In each dimension new enemy alien ships emerge. Only when you have powered up the Alpha sufficiently, will the gateway to the next dimension open. You must keep this gateway open long enough to pass through. In the final dimen-sion, the player will face the Dreamwraith, the source of the alien aggression. If you win, a wormhole will open leading him home, back to Earth.

In the near future...

The Skrahn aliens have attacked the Earth. Through sheer luck, our world’s defense forces managed to capture an experimental Skrahn

prototype. Upon examing this otherworldly tech-nology, Earth’s scientists realize it may hold the key to preventing the planet’s annihilation. The vehicle is capable of extracting raw kinetic energy from its surroundings and transforming that energy into mat-ter, allowing the ship to travel through hyperspace. However, a Skrahn attack proves too much for Earth’s defenses, and the craft is deployed prema-turely before the energy conversion is finalized. As the pilot, you must single-handedly engaged the Skrahn swarm and, assimilating the energy they leave upon destruction, finish the modifications to the ship. Whenever the ship is modified suf-ficiently, hyperspace travel becomes possible. Their energy is your strength. Your greatest weapon is your vessel: the Alpha Morph. Keeping your energy level balanced between your ship system is all that the fate of humanity hinges on. Piloting the Alpha Morph, do you have what it takes to travel through hyper-space and defeat the Skrahn in their home world, en-suring the safety of Earth and the survival of mankind?

THE STORY THUS FAR

—4—

THE ALPHA

The Alpha Morph has four ship systems: lasers, missiles, a shield, and thrusters. Each of these systems make up a portion of the craft itself.

The lasers are embedded in the nose cone. The missiles are part of the wings. The shield is housed in the body of the ship. The thrusters make up the aft portion of the Alpha Morph. Various thrusters are placed around the ship for maneuvering. As each system morphs, the corresponding portion of the ship changes. What makes Alpha Morph special, and dangerous, is that it is unstable. If you do not collect enough en-ergy, you become just another piece of space junk, and a black hole will appear with your name on it. It is up to you to know how to manage your har-nessed power, and know the right moves to defeat your enemy, move forward, and save the galaxy from the growing threat.

THE ALPHA

—5—

RUSHERS – These small, fast enemy ships are difficult to hit, but only do light damage. They are easily destroyed with any weapon. They usually appear in large numbers and attempt to swarm the player. Their kamikaze-style attacks can be overwhelming in sufficient numbers. They don’t have any type of ranged weapon.

GRUNTS – These tough medium-sized ships can really take a hit. Grunts can not be destroyed in one shot on the earlier stages, but can on later stages after the player has upgraded their weapons. They can move well, but avoiding a rocket is difficult for these armored warriors. They won’t engage in suicide attacks, but don’t shy away from a little laser fire either. On ad-vanced levels they will show immunity to certain attacks.

SPACECRAFT CARRIER – This ship keeps its distance as best it can and launches wave after wave of basic enemies. However, it can be easy to catch, since its size makes it rather slow.

ENEMIES

—6—

BLASTERS – As large as the Alpha, these crafty opponents will use cover and ranged attacks to try and ambush the player at every turn. Blasters use lasers at close range and launch missiles from farther away. Their ships aren’t very maneuverable, but are tough to take out. Occasionally, these ships will have a trick up their sleeves, such as teleportation.

JUGGERNAUT – This ship is big, slow, and has its own shield. While it can fire rockets and lasers, it will usu-ally attempt to crush the Alpha by crashing into it. The goal is to kill off several waves of smaller enemies to gain enough energy to kill of the juggernaut by making high speed passes. The lasers of the juggernaut can only adjust their firing direction at a certain rate, so it is to avoid most of the fire by moving fast.

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CONTROLS

Back <

Movement L

Toggle Downgrade _

Thruster ]

Toggle Upgradesl

XBox Dashboard

—8—

CONTROLS

Y Repulsar

X Boost

A Missiles

x Fire Lasers

` Drop Energy

> Start/Pause/Menu

C Movement Strife

—9—

MENU

PLAY GAME – Enter the game and begin the action.

EXIT – Exit back to the Xbox Dashboard

CREDITS – View the talent at Hatching Disaster to bring you Alpha Morph. Visit hatchingdisaster.com for more.

PURCHASE GAME – Purchase Alpha Morph from the Xbox Live Arcade Marketplace.

INSTRUCTIONS – Get a quick view of the basic gameplay and controls of the game.

OPTIONS – Change Difficulty, Volumes, and Control Inversion

Missile System

Laser System

Shield System

Energy Core

Thruster System—10—

H.U.D and WEAPONS

A – UPGRADE PROGRESSION – This bar shows your progression of level advancement. When the bar is full, an energy gate opens to the next level.

B – UPGRADE COUNT – This bar indicates your current ship level, when it is full, you are ready to progress to the next level.

C – PORTAL TIMER – This bar will indicate if your ship is unstable. If Green the next level is in sight. If Red, a black hole is in danger of forming, transporting you back one level.

D – PLAYER SHIP – This is the player ship on screen. It will be cen-tered and be the main focus of play.

E – ENERGY HUD – This menus indicated the energy levels and upgrade levels of your ship.

A

B

D

E

—11—

SINGLE PLAYER

In single-player, you pilot the Alpha against the swarm of aliens bent on destroying humanity. Collect energy packets your ene-mies leave behind in order to upgrade your ship. When you up-

grade your ship sufficiently, a gateway to the next stage will open. Maintain your upgrade level long enough for the gateway to form completely. If you lose an upgrade, the gateway will close. By the same token, if you lose too many upgrades in a stage, a wormhole to the previous one will begin to open. Increase your upgrade level to remain in the current stage before the wormhole opens entirely.Using and upgrading your ship systems takes energy, so mind your energy levels. If you don’t have enough energy, one of your sys-tems will be automatically downgraded to provide you with it.”

—12—

MULTIPLAYER Co-Op

In cooperative play, each player controls their own Alpha on a local split-screen. Players can team up to protect each other if they desire. To advance to the next stage

in cooperative mode, each player must upgrade their ship sufficiently. However, it only takes one player to cause both to open the wormhole to the previous stage. Players can jettison energy behind them for the other to pick up.

—13—

MULTIPLAYER PvP

Xbox LIVEPlay anyone and everyone, anytime, anywhere on Xbox LIVE®. Build your profile (your gamer card). Chat with your friends. Download content at Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Send and receive voice and video messages. Get connected and join the revolution.

ConnectingBefore you can use Xbox LIVE, connect your Xbox 360 console to a high-speed Internet connection and sign up to become an Xbox LIVE member. For more information about connecting, and to determine whether Xbox LIVE is available in your region, go to www.xbox.com/live/countries.

Family SettingsThese easy and flexible tools enable parents and caregivers to decide which games young game players can access based on the content rating. For more information, go to www.xbox.com/familysettings.

In player-vs-player mode, each player pilots an Alpha in space. Players start with additional energy and some sys-tems already upgraded. There are no enemies: only one Alpha can emerge victorious in these battles.

—14—

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERG. Michael Youngblood

PRODUCERKeith Dublin

LEAD DESIGNERNick Crook

TECHNICAL ARTISTShawn Kirsch

LEAD DEVELOPERRob Warrick

QUALITY ASSURANCEHenry Van Eseltine

LEAD ARTISTAndrew Lichtenhan

with music provided by Michael Davis

CREDITS

For more information on Alpha Morph, hatching disaster, or the UNC Charlotte Game Design and Development

Program, please visit:

http://playground.uncc.edu/and

http://hatchingdisaster.com/

—15—

QUICKSTART

Y Repulsar

X Boost

A Missiles

> Pause/Menu

C Movement Strife

Back/Pause <

Ship Movement L

Toggle Downgrade _

Thrust ]

Toggle Upgrades l

x Laser Fire

` Drop Energy

Missile System

Laser System

Shield System

Energy Core

Thruster System