User:Jivetiger/sandbox

Starch is a computer game written by Mark Dixon for the Acorn Archimedes computer. It featured a 3D playing area, digitized sound, speech and music. The object of the game was to help the principal characters complete tasks related to laundry duties in the company in which they worked. The game supported either one or two simultaneous players. In one player mode the second character would be controlled by the computer. The game used a 256 color screen mode.

Starch was rated in the top ten games of 1990 by BBC Acorn User Magazine and described as probably the only original concept to have hit the games scene in that year. Starch was retailed through Dabs Press which was closely associated with the publisher Alien Images.

Game Play
Starch saw two manual workers, Harry and Dave, on a frantic clothes-cleaning night shift. . There were five different levels to complete, each consisting of a specific task. In order to complete a task the player had to work out how to operate various pieces of machinery controlled by buttons, levers and ropes. In addition to the two main characters the game also included a computer controlled character called Sam that attempted to stop the progress of the main characters. Each level ended when the available time expired or a specific 'Quota' had been met. Following the completion of each level the two characters would be shown in the manager's office. If the level had been successfully completed then they would jump up in the air in celebration. If the level had not been completed then the manager would pull a lever that caused a trap door to be opened, while uttering the words "you're fired!"

Level 1
The first level involved the main characters collecting bags of washing from two chutes. In order to reach the bags a small trolley needed to be maneuvered into position by pulling a lever. Sam sometimes appeared and pulled a rope which caused the chutes to be blocked.

Level 2
The second level involved the collection and washing of clothes. The main characters placed bags into washing machines that would spin for a small amount of time before popping open. Bonus points were available if the clothes were washed in the second tier of available machines. This level provided an opportunity for each player to steal the clothes that had been placed into a machine by the other player.

Level 3
The third level of the game introduced a washing line which was used to dry the clothes. The characters were required to cross between two buildings using one of two available balloons, which allowed them to float between each side of the playing area. As with all other levels the Sam character often appeared to prevent progress.

Level 4
The penultimate level of the game featured a steam iron which the characters had to use to iron the washed and dried clothes. Only one steam iron was available and a lever was used to release the iron once the clothes had been pressed.

Level 5
The final level featured the storage of the ironed clothes within a double height locker unit. The characters were required to manipulate several pieces of equipment in order to access all available lockers. A conveyor belt was used to deliver the bags of clothes to the characters. This could be stopped by the Sam character, in which case it needed to restarted.