Fly Escape is a boot sector game developed by Krzysztof Krystian Jankowski ^ P1X, released version 1.0 on May 18, 2024. The game runs on Intel 286 processors in 16-bit real mode and features a simple yet engaging game-play experience in a VGA 320x200x256 graphics mode.

The objective of the game is to control a fly, avoid spiders, and collect flowers to advance through levels.

No Operating System needed! You boot the PC from a floppy and that's it. Any Intel/AMD processor supported since 1987!

Video Booting on the classic EeePC

Size Matters

Look at this GIF image:

The size is exactly 512 bytes or the same as Fly Escape binary.
It is the size of first sector and the limit of a boot-sector program.

Features

• VGA Graphics: Runs in 320x200 resolution with 256 colors.
• Double Buffering: Smooth rendering with minimal flickering.
• Player Control: Control a fly, avoiding spiders and collecting flowers.
• Randomized Levels: Entity positions and rotations are pseudo-randomly generated.
• Collision Detection: Accurate pixel-based collision detection.
• Multiple Levels: Progress through increasing levels of difficulty.
• Life System: Start with 4 lives; lose a life when colliding with spiders.
• Entity Types: Different entities with unique behaviors:
  • Spiders: Dangerous enemies to avoid.
  • Flowers: Collect these to advance to the next level.
• Animated sprites: Three sprites each 8x7 pixels in 2 frames
• Level and live indicator: Dots in top-left of the screen and a line under fly.
• Keyboard Controls: Rotate the fly to navigate through the game environment.
• Compact Size: Entire game fits within a 512-byte boot sector.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Intel 286 processor or emulator
  • https://www.qemu.org/
  • https://86box.net/
  • https://bochs.sourceforge.io/
    
  • https://copy.sh/v86/
  • https://www.bootsector.games/
• Blank floppy disk or emulator capable of booting from a 512-byte boot sector
• Tested on:
  • QEMU i386
  • 2007: Asus EeePC 701 (real floppy) See video in action
  • 86Box:
    • 1987: IBM PS/2 Model 80, 386 16Mhz, 2MB Ram (Works perfectly fine!)
    • 1984: IBM AT, 268 6Mhz, 256KB RAM (Slow, but playable)

Installation

• Write the game to a bootable floppy disk or configure your emulator to boot from the provided game image.
  • For older systems (286) use dedicated image
• Insert the floppy disk into your system or configure the emulator to use the game image.
• Boot the system from the floppy disk or emulator to start playing the game.

Controls

• SPACEBAR: Rotate the fly to navigate the screen.
• ESC: Restart game after loosing all lives.

Gameplay

• Objective: Control the fly, avoid spiders, and collect flowers.
• Lives: You start with 4 lives. Colliding with a spider decreases your life by one. If you lose all lives, the game restarts. Line under fly indicates lives left.
• Level Progression: Collect flowers to advance to the next level. Each new level spawns more enemies, increasing the difficulty. Current level number indicated by a dots on a top-left corner of the screen.
• Start Over: After you eventually dies the screen pauses so you can take a photo/screenshot of your accomplishment! Press ESC to restart game.

Acknowledgements

• Developed by Krzysztof Krystian Jankowski ^ P1X
• Inspired by classic 8-bit and 16-bit era games

Enjoy playing Fly Escape and challenge yourself to reach the highest level!