This is hopefully the ultimate Jet Set Willy adventure.

The game engine is designed to be an exact replica of the one used in the original game. The difference is that this emulator stores the screen layout and game graphics in easy to edit text files. This means you can create your own screens and add them to the game. I will keep the most up to date set of screens available for download at the above address so that other fans of Jet Set Willy can enjoy your creations. If you have enough spare time, feel free to create a whole region of screens with a common theme.

Provided there is always someone designing extra screens for the ever expanding game 'universe', you need never be bored again! Just keep exploring the game until you have collected enough items to buy another mansion.

If you do intend to design new screens for the game, please refer to further down this file.

David Brooks

 Playing the Game:

Aim:

The same as in the original Jet Set Willy. Try to collect all of the objects scattered around the game (A task which is ludicrously difficult). Explore as many screens as you can while avoiding being killed by falling too far, touching a killer block or being caught by an enemy.

 Controls:

Joypad / Joystick = Move left and right

Joypad / Joystick button one = Jump

O / P keys = Move left and right

Space / Z keys = Jump / Jump forward

Escape = Show in game menu

 Cheats:

For testing purposes only:

On the title screen, press SPACE instead of ENTER and you can start on any screen by typing the 4 letter code for the screen. e.g. type 0035 to start on screen lev0035.txt.

Versions:

V0.7 First release on the Internet

V0.7B Improved frame rate control, added item counter and lives counter.

V0.7C Added joystick control and calibration, some other minor changes

V0.7D Added Configuration program to make the game easier to set up, some other minor changes

V0.7E Screens now use any background colour. Conveyor belts are now animated. Title screen now flashes.

 V0.7F Added Game Over screen, walking down slopes fixed, some other minor changes

Tips for designing levels:

If you are thinking of having a go at creating some screens for Willy's Universe then you might like to bear the following in mind so that any nice screens you create will be suitable for inclusion without needing any alterations.

If you do put together any levels, please send them to me; I will be happy to add them to Willy's Universe.

The process of creating your own screens is pretty simple. Each screen requires one text file containing screen layout, graphics and various other attributes. Firstly, copy the example text file (egLEVEL.txt) and rename it something like: LevTEST.txt. For Willy's universe to recognise your screen file it must be named LevXXXX.txt (XXXX can be any 4 characters). Next edit the file in a text editor. The file contains descriptions of what each line of data means and how to change them, so it should be pretty straight forward. Once you have finished editing your text file you can safely delete all the description lines as they are no longer needed. Then you need to modify an existing screen file so that your screen follows on after that one (remember to backup any files you modify).

Please try to design your screens to specifically follow on from an existing screen so that they can be easily incorporated into the game. This will also result in a more logical progression of screens for anyone playing through the game.

Don't place solid walls at the edge of a screen where they could be jumped at from an adjacent screen. This will probably result in Willy becoming stuck inside the wall.

Always specify a valid destination screen for leaving your screen in all four directions, even if it seems impossible to leave the screen by some routes. It might be a good idea to create a death pit screen and always dump Willy on that screen if he leaves one of your screens by a seemingly impossible route. This will prevent an error in the case of a freak happening sending Willy off your screen in a way you didn't think was possible.

If you consider any of your screens to be worthy of inclusion in the next release of Willy's Universe, e-mail them (along with details about where they should be located in Willy's Universe) to dave_b@lineone.net

Disclaimer

This program is provided as is without any warranty.

As far as I am aware there are no bugs in this program that could result in loss of data, however I recommend you make a back up of any important data on your computer before using this program. This is a sensible thing to do before running any new program for the first time. I will accept no responsibility for any damage caused through use of this program. If you do not agree to this then do not use the program.

This is only a BETA version and is not complete. Minor bugs do exist in this program and I am aware of this and working on improvements.

You may distribute this program provided it is kept unmodified and together with any accompanying text files and no fee is charged.