Alter Ego: Male Version manual
- Alter Ego: Male Version
- manual
ALTER EGO(tm)
A Fantasy Role-Playing Game About Life
Conceived and Created by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D.
Complete Instructions for the Apple(r) II series, IBM(r) PC/PCjr,
TANDY(r) 1000, Commodore(r) 64(tm)/128(tm), and Apple(r)
Macintosh(tm).
ACTIVISION
HOME COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Alter Ego was designed and written by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D.
Produced by James Charne
Apple and IBM versions programmed by Kottwitz & Associates, Kerry
Shetline and William Kubeck
Macintosh and Commodore versions programmed by Unimac, Inc., E. C.
Horvath
Additional programming by Mark Hahn
Original graphics by Jersey Cow Software Company, Inc.
Macintosh graphics adapted by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D.
Creative consultants: Sarah Kortum & Allan Lundy, Ph.D.
This manual was written by Elizabeth Metzger Armstrong with
contributions by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D., and James Charne.
Special thanks to Lawrence Schick, Vincent Solimine, Jr, Allison Hale,
Theresa Favaro, Peter Patel, Garry Kitchen, Sam Nelson, Patricia Daley
and Vince Desi for their contributions.
Because of the authenticity of the life experiences explored in the
program, Alter Ego contains explicit material which may not be
suitable for computer users under the age of 16. Parental discretion
is advised. Players have the option of skipping these experiences.
(c) 1986 Activision, Inc.
Commodore 64(tm)/128(tm) are trademarks of Commodore Electronics Ltd.
Tandy(r) is a registered trademark of Tandy Corp. IBM(r) PC(tm) and
PCjr(tm) are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.
Apple and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computers Inc.
ALTER EGO
Here's a chance to replay your life again and again, each time with a
different personality. This time around, you can be a wealthy
entrepreneur who will do anything to get ahead. Or take on the life
of a broke, but happy poet. Or fulfill your dream of being the most
popular person in your high school with a date book filled up for the
next five years.
In Alter Ego, YOU create the character you want to be--your "alter
ego"--and then live out your alter ego's life from birth through old
age. So be a kid again, get back at those snobs from high school, do
all those things Mom and Dad wouldn't let you do or go back and marry
that long-lost love you let get away.
With Alter Ego, you play the game of LIFE.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH ALTER EGO
Alter Ego is a fantasy role-playing game. It presents you with a
series of "life experiences"--episodes--which take you through a
simulated lifetime in seven life stages: birth and infancy, childhood,
adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, middle adulthood and old age.
Here's what you can do:
* Create a character. Base it on your own personaliyu, that of
someone you know or one you've always wanted but never dared to
be.
* Live out your fantasies without the risks.
* Play alone or in a group.
* Live through hundreds of realistic life experiences, from
infancy to old age.
* Relive your childhood, your adolescence--any stage you wish.
* Be an instant adult.
* See the world from your kids', your parents' or your spouse's
eyes.
* Take a break from life, then pick it up again from where you
left off.
The computer keeps "score" of how you are doing, just in case you
thought nobody was noticing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCING ALTER EGO
The Making of Alter Ego. Male and Female Versions. It's Only a Game.
The Game Voice and Alter Ego's Biases. Life in the Fast Lane.
PLAYING THE GAME OF LIFE
The Life Map Screen
A GAME OF ALTER EGO
The Personality Profile
Life Stages
Life Experiences
Life Choices
Staying in Character
Your Alter Ego's Life Status
Financial Joys and Woes
Taking a Break From Life
GETTING STARTED FOR THE APPLE II
Loading Instructions. Beginning the Game. The Controls.
GETTING STARTED ON THE IBM PC/PCjr AND TANDY 1000
Loading Instructions. Beginning the Game. The Controls.
GETTING STARTED ON THE COMMODORE 64/128
Loading Instructions. Beginning the Game. The Controls.
GETTING STARTED ON THE APPLE MACINTOSH
Loading Instructions. Beginning the Game. The Controls.
GAME PLAY
Escaping from an Episode
Stopping the Game. Saving a Game. Resuming a Game.
CRIB SHEET
ALTER EGO CONTROLS CHART
INTRODUCING ALTER EGO
THE MAKING OF ALTER EGO
In order to provide players with a cross section of experiences from
life in general, rather than the author's life alone, Alter Ego's
creator, psychologist Dr. Peter J. Favaro, interviewed hundreds of men
and women about their most memorable life experiences. He examined
the interviews and looked for common experiences, then chose the
experiences that many people shared.
The scoring in Alter Ego is based on evaluations by Dr. Favaro and a
group of fellow psychologists. In Dr. Favaro's own words, "We feel
that from any one response, it is almost impossible to give an
accurate picture of someone. We also feel that, given the fact that a
person makes several HUNDRED responses while playing Alter Ego, we
have a better chance of guessing what that person might be like."
MALE AND FEMALE VERSIONS
Because men and women have different kinds of experiences while
growing up, Alter Ego has a male version and a female version. This
doesn't preclude women from playing the male version or men from
playing the female version. After all, it's just another way to
create an "alter ego." This manual has been written to apply to both
the male and female versions. Each version is sold separately.
IT'S ONLY A GAME
The world in which Alter Ego operates is based on the real world, but
IT IS NOT THE REAL WORLD.
Alter Ego is first and foremost a game. It was designed to be
entertaining, not clinical. There are certain insights that can be
gained from playing the game, but life improvement or self-analysis
should never be the goal of playing.
Throughout the game, you will be asked to respond to episodes.
Remember that your responses belong to your alter ego. So be as wild
and crazy or sweet and gentle as you like.
Although many of the comments made in the game ring true to life, take
them with a grain of salt. Remember, it's only a game.
GAME VOICES: YOUR CONSCIENCE AND THE NARRATOR
There are two voices that will be talking to you throughout your alter
ego's life. The voice that makes comments directly to you is your
"conscience." The voice that evaluates you and reviews your life is
the "narrator."
The narrator is almost a separate character, with very definite
opinions about the choices your alter ego makes.
Keep in mind that the narrator's comments are designed to challenge
you, to provoke different response patterns and provide unexpected
surprises in your life.
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
Alter Ego lets you make choices and take chances you might not
otherwise have in real life.
In the real world, nearly everyone acts recklessly from time to time
without suffering the consequences. But people who regularly make
reckless choices are likely to pay the price. Alter Ego works the
same way. If you're going to live a reckless life, be prepared to
accept the possible (or inevitable) consequences.
PLAYING THE GAME OF LIFE
The object of Alter Ego is to step into the role of an alter ego and
live through his or her life. After loading the game, you'll be asked
to complete a personality profile questionnaire and pick a life stage
at which to begin the game.
As you advance through each life stage, you'll "live through" true-to-
life experiences called "episodes" by picking symbols located on a
Life Map Screen. These symbols represent either "life experiences"
(social, intellectual, emotional, physical, familial and vocational)
or "life choices" (high school and college, risks, relationships,
work, major purchases, marriage and family).
You'll be asked to respond to episodes by picking moods and actions or
answering questions.
The choices you make throughout the game mold the behavior and
personality of your alter ego. This will also determine the
directions his or her life will take and the kinds of experiences he
or she will have. It's a lot like traveling "the highway of life."
Each time you get to an intersection, you decide which way to turn or
if you want to turn at all--just like real life, with all its twists
and turns.
Alter Ego keeps records of how you are doing in 12 separate
characteristics: Calmness, Confidence, Expressiveness, Familial,
Gentleness, Happiness, Intellectual, Physical, Social, Thoughtfulness,
Trustworthiness, and Vocational. At any time during the game you can
check your alter ego's characteristics on a "Status Screen."
You'll also get a chance to build up your resources--by earning money
at a job, receiving gifts, investing wisely and winning prizes. After
the CHILDHOOD stage, you'll also have to cope with living expenses and
impulsive spending habits. You can check the state of your resources
throughout the game.
THE LIFE MAP SCREEN
The Life Map Screen is the "road map" of your life. As you grow
older, this screen will reappear each time you enter a new life stage.
1. The "Life Experiences" symbols are located in the middle of the
screen. They contain life's "unexpected little surprises" over which
we have little or no control.
2. The "Life Choices" symbols are located on the sides. They
include experiences that give you a little more control over your
life, such as whether or not to have a relationship or an affair, get
married, attend college or apply for a job. Since life gets more
complex above the BIRTH AND INFANCY stage, the number of choices
you'll be able to make as you get older will increase and vary.
You'll notice new symbols on the screen as a result.
A GAME OF ALTER EGO
THE PERSONALITY PROFILE
Every time you begin a new game of Alter Ego, you must first complete
a personality profile, a series of statements to which you must
respond "true or false." There are no "right" or "wrong" answers.
Your answers will be used only as the basis of your alter ego's
personality when he or she enters the world.
You'll be given three options for answering the questions:
1. SELECT MY ALTER EGO'S PERSONALITY. This method is recommended.
It lets you fill in the answers from scratch. This is the most
thorough way to play the game, because you get to choose your alter
ego's personality yourself.
2. LET THE COMPUTER SELECT MY ALTER EGO'S PERSONALITY means the
program will automatically assign a random personality for your alter
ego. This is the quickest method to advance into the game. However,
you will miss out on the opportunity to give your alter ego the start
in life that will make it yours alone.
3. LET THE COMPUTER SELECT MY PERSONALITY, THEN LET ME EXAMINE OR
EDIT IT means the computer fills in all the answers, but you can
change them or leave them as is. Once the computer has answered all
the questions for you, you may want to look through to make sure your
alter ego has answered the questions just as you would want.
If you choose to have the computer assign a random personality for
you, the game will begin. If you choose to complete the profile
yourself or review/edit the computer's answers, you must complete it
before beginning the game.
Just as there is a certain amount of unpredictability in each of our
personalities at birth, so too is there unpredictability in your alter
ego's personality. Even if you answer the questions in the profile
the same way for each game you play, your alter ego is not likely to
have the same personality twice.
Caution: Once you begin the game your alter ego's personality profile
is fixed. So, before you begin, it's a good idea to go back and
review your answers.
LIFE STAGES
THE SEVEN STAGES IN ALTER EGO
1. BIRTH AND INFANCY
2. CHILDHOOD
3. ADOLESCENCE
4. YOUNG ADULTHOOD
5. ADULTHOOD
6. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
7. OLD AGE
Each life stage has its own set of life experiences and life choices.
As you get older, you'll find new, previously-unavailable experiences
and life choices. For example, this game doesn't let you attend
college until you're past the ADOLESCENCE life stage.
Each of the disks for Alter Ego contains two or three life stages. No
matter at which life stage you start, once you begin the game you must
proceed through each life stage chronologically from that point. To
mold your alter ego's character as fully as possible and get the most
fun out of the game, it's best to start at BIRTH AND INFANCY, but you
can begin your alter ego's life at any stage.
Your Status Screen will begin at the same life stage from which you
choose to begin the game.
At the end of each life stage, the game "narrator" will ask if you
want to continue or stop. If you choose to continue, you'll
automatically enter the next life stage. If you want to stop, you'll
have the option of saving the game at that point, to be retrieved at a
later time, or quitting the game entirely.
TESTS
In the CHILDHOOD life stage you'll be given several "tests" as a way
of evaluating your alter ego's grammar school education. Remember,
this is your alter ego taking these tests, so answer them the way you
think he or she would respond.
Pssssssssst! You'll find a crib sheet at the back of this manual.
YA GOTTA GROW UP
In Alter Ego you cannot prolong your adolescence--or any other life
stage--however much you try (at least not chronologically). As soon
as you reach a certain age, you must continue to the next life stage,
unless you decide to stop the game. And you can't go back in time
without starting a new game.
You'll complete a life stage only after you reach the minimum age for
the next sequential life stage. You can check your age any time by
picking the status screen symbol ([BAR CHART]).
If you play through all the life experiences at one life stage and
still haven't advanced to the next stage, spend some time with the
life choices. You will have to play a "fair share" of life choice
symbols, particularly in life stages 3 through 7 (above the CHILDHOOD
stage), to reach the age necessary to move to the next stage.
The chart below lists experiences typical for each life stage. Think
of them as guidelines, rather than strict sets of experiences. After
all, life is filled with little unexpected surprises.
ALTER EGO LIFE STAGES
Stage Experiences
----------- -------------------------------------------------------
BIRTH & Love and support from parents; nourishment; learning
INFANCY appropriate ways to get attention; learning how to
control aggressive impulses; sharing attention with
siblings and other family members; learning to crawl,
walk upright and speak.
CHILDHOOD Initial moves toward independence; going to school
alone; getting good grades; controlling behavior in
class; making friends; developing first opposite-sex
relationships; managing an allowance.
ADOLESCENCE Acceptance by a peer group; first date; initial career
decisions; first job; managing money; acquiring first
trappings of success (clothes, records, etc.);
controlling possible self-destructive impulses and
resisting temptation; managing the stress of physical
changes; accepting rejection; rebelling against
authority.
YOUNG Deciding on a career; finding a place to live;
ADULTHOOD developing long-term, opposite-sex relationships;
acquiring initial trappings of adult financial success
(automobile, house, etc.); deciding whether to remain
in college or try to find a job; marriage decisions.
ADULTHOOD Managing stress in long-term relationships; resisting
the temptation of outside relationships; learning to
tolerate bad habits of friends and lovers; decisions on
raising a family; acquiring the trappings of adult
success (home, better car, vacations); disciplining
children; managing fatigue; taking care of body;
dealing with feelings of getting older; possibly
dealing with first major illness; managing job-related
stress.
MIDDLE Coping with family problems; raising children;
ADULTHOOD maintaining and improving career; preparing for
retirement; renewing relationships; managing older
children.
OLD AGE Remaining active and healthy; reacting to societal
pressures to "act old;" remaining financially secure
and physically healthy.
LIFE EXPERIENCES
HAVING EXPERIENCES
In Alter Ego the "Life Experiences" symbols represent major areas of
life experience. Since it's difficult to place an experience in just
one category, you'll find that some overlap. The symbols give you
only a general sense of what you might expect to find underneath.
You'll only get one chance to play through a specific life experience.
Sometimes you'll have to meet certain requirements before you can have
a life experience. For example, the game might check your
relationship status. Some social symbols will allow "singles" only,
while others will request "couples only."
Each life stage has a limited number of experiences. Once you live
through them, they're gone from the current game, and you won't be
able to go back and relive these experiences again.
How to Pick Experiences
Alter Ego will permit you to pick experiences in any order; however,
they are arranged in a general ascending chronological order. Follow
the path upward in each life stage. Experiences further up the screen
are more typical of older people than those lower on the screen.
It is unlikely that you'll be able to play through all the episodes
available in a given life stage. As soon as you reach a certain age,
your time runs out for that life stage, and you'll have to move on.
AREAS OF LIFE EXPERIENCE
Symbol Area What it Means
-------------- ------------ ----------------------------------------
[FOUR FACES] SOCIAL Experiences that involve etiquette,
manners, interpersonal interaction,
social skills, making friends and the
like.
[HEAD W/BRAIN] INTELLECTUAL Experiences that reflect both "book
smarts" and common sense.
[HEART] EMOTIONAL Situations that reflect characteristics
of your alter ego's personality, as
displayed on the status screen
(calmness, confidence, expressiveness,
etc. See page 11 for a complete list.)
[X-RAY] PHYSICAL Experiences related to self-care or
physical health.
[FAMILY CREST] FAMILIAL Experiences with your mother, father,
siblings and other relatives. These
will determine, in part, your own
effectiveness as a parent.
[WORKER] VOCATIONAL Experiences that happen to you at work.
They are bound to have an effect on your
earning power.
LIFE CHOICES
Making Choices
Unlike the "Life Experiences," you can play the "Life Choices" again
and again during one game, whenever you feel the need to influence a
certain area of your life (maybe you want to raise your intellect or
come out of your shell and have a relationship).
You'll find a different episode each time you go back to a life choice
symbol. The symbol doesn't disappear after you play it, but there is
a limit to the number of times you can go back to that symbol.
Not all life choices are available to you at all times. For example,
if you're a male, you can't become engaged unless you have the
resources to purchase your fiancee a ring. In fact, you can't even
become engaged unless you have a steady. You won't get a girlfriend
unless you first meet someone and ask her out; even if you ask, she
may not go out with you if your social skills aren't high enough.
As in life, you can't avoid making "life choices" in Alter Ego.
Otherwise, you won't be able to grow up.
AREAS OF LIFE CHOICE
Symbol Area What it Means
-------------- -------------- ----------------------------------------
[BAR CHART] STATUS SCREEN Tells you where you stand in 12 criteria
(See page 11). Gives your marital
status and age, what material
possessions you have collected and what
kind of job you currently hold. This is
your "life score."
[HOURGLASS] LIFETIME Gives your current age.
[PENNANT AND HIGH SCHOOL Experiences that would normally happen
"HS" BULLHORN] in high school.
[MOUNTAIN RISKS You can choose to take risks or not, but
CLIMBER] you never know what it could lead to.
Risk-taking may even be dangerous and
lead to an early demise. Here you'll be
asked only if you want to STOP or
CONTINUE.
[HANDSHAKE] RELATIONSHIPS You can make a date, break a date,
become the guy or girl about town or opt
for a bit of romance. This symbol is
full of potential for finding that mate
for life.
[HAMMER AND WORK When you want to apply for a job, your
NAIL] personality and job qualifications will
be reviewed. Even if you have the right
skills, the job may be filled. In this
area, perseverance pays off.
[GRADUATION COLLEGE These contain college experiences.
CAP]
[ROLLS-ROYCE] MAJOR PURCHASE One way to increase your social status
is by purchasing the trappings of
success. These may include electronic
gadgets, cars, boats, or other material
possessions. If you don't have cash,
you can opt for an easy credit plan.
[BRIDE AND MARRIAGE After you have met that special someone,
GRROM] you might want to settle down with your
love for a life of marital bliss.
[BRIDE, GROOM, FAMILY After you've been married for a while,
CHILDREN] you might want to bring a bouncing
bundle of joy into the world. After the
blessed event, you may have to suffer
through many of the things that you made
your parents suffer through.
LANDING A JOB
Whenever you select the WORK symbol from the choice symbols, you'll be
given a list of jobs from which to choose and be asked to identify a
job for which you want to apply. To land any job, you must have
earned the necessary skills and attributes required by the job.
For example, in ADOLESCENCE you may want to be a drug store clerk,
which requires a certain degree of social skills, trustworthiness and
intelligence. Even if you have high ratings in the social and
trustworthiness areas, an intelligence rating that was too low would
keep you from getting this job.
Don't get discouraged if you get rejected the first time around.
You'll just have to work a little harder to strengthen your weak
areas.
Note: If you drag your feet, you may find that the job you want has
already been filled.
STAYING IN CHARACTER
Occasionally, you may respond to a question only to have the game
narrator tell you "that didn't make sense." This may happen to you
more often in the earlier life stages.
This is because Alter Ego expects you to put yourself in an age-
appropriate role and act "in character." For example, in the
childhood life stage, if you make a response that seems out of
character or inappropriate for a young child, the narrator will tell
you to try another set of responses. If you pick a set of choices
like "PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE and TELL HIM THAT YOU LOVE HIM," the
narrator will tell you "bad choice."
Sometimes you'll find that none of the choices available are ones
you'd pick and that they don't "fit" your character. Not to worry.
Since people are more complex, it is impossible to provide everyone
with the exact choice they would pick. You'll just have to compromise
a little and choose a response that comes close to the one your
character would choose.
YOUR ALTER EGO'S LIFE STATUS
Throughout the game, your life will be analyzed by either your
"conscience" or the game's "narrator." At the end of each life stage,
this voice will assess your life to that point, based on 12 criteria,
located on a "status screen." These are outlined below.
These characteristics are measured on a continuum. This means that,
as you acquire points on one end of the continuum, your score on the
opposite end of that continuum decreases. For example, if you have a
high "confidence" score, you'll probably be told you don't suffer from
a "self-doubt" problem.
STATUS SCREEN CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristic What it Means
--------------- --------------------------------------------------
CALMNESS Your ability to remain cool under stress. (The
opposite of "calmness" is "anxiety.")
CONFIDENCE How sure you are about the decisions you make.
(The opposite of "confidence" is "self-doubt.")
EXPRESSIVENESS Your ability to say what is on your mind and get
what you want, without hurting someone else's
feelings. (The opposite of "expressiveness" is
"withholding.")
FAMILIAL Your relationship with your mother, father,
siblings and other relatives. Your success will
influence your effectiveness as a parent. (You'll
be measured by how good or bad your relationships
are on a high-low scale.)
GENTLENESS A measure of your mildness and tenderness. (The
opposite of "gentleness" is "hostility.")
HAPPINESS A measure of how seriously you take life and how
positively you view the world. (The opposite of
"happiness" is "sadness.")
INTELLECTUAL Measures "book smarts" and common sense. (Here
you'll be measured from high to low.)
PHYSICAL Your general physical health and well-being.
(You'll be measured from high to low.)
SOCIAL Your success in social skills, etiquette, manners,
interpersonal interaction and making friends.
(You'll be measured from high to low.)
THOUGHTFULNESS Your ability to think before you act and,
indirectly, your sense of judgment. (The opposite
of "thoughtfulness" is "impulsiveness.")
TRUSTWORTHINESS Your honesty and sense of ethics. (The opposite
of "trustworthiness" is "deviousness.")
VOCATIONAL Your ability to work at a job. (You'll be
measured on a high-low scale.)
STATUS SCREEN PROGRESS
Anything above 50 means your alter ego is on the strong side in that
area; anything below 50 means you're on the weak side in that area.
For example, if your Gentleness characteristic is 25%, it probably
means you've chosen rather aggressive responses up to that point in
your life.
Every time you make a response in Alter Ego--by choosing an episode,
mood or action or answering a question--you may affect more than one
score. Some scores may go up; some may go down. For example, if you
cheat someone on a business deal and make tons of money, your
happiness score may go up, but your trustworthiness score may go down.
These scores affect the options you'll have throughout your life. The
computer will check each characteristic score and present you with
opportunities, depending on your previous responses.
Scores are not necessarily "good" or "bad." As in real life, some
characteristics are better suited to certain situations than others.
You'll find that each end of the continuum for each characteristic
offers advantages and disadvantages.
In Alter Ego, you can't have it all. Even if you live the life of a
saint (with only an occasional slip), you'll never reach 100 points on
every characteristic. It's up to you to decide what's important.
For example, if you maintain a low gentleness score throughout the
game and you come to a situation where you have to ask someone
politely for a favor, you may not be granted that favor. Being low in
gentleness means that your aggressiveness is high. So you are unable
to ask nicely for the favor. But when it comes to applying for a job,
low gentleness means high aggressiveness and a greater likelihood of
getting the job.
Affecting your Status Scores
You can affect your status scores by the way you respond and by making
life choices. For example, you can strengthen characteristics by
combining life experiences with life choices. Let's say that you are
trying to get a date by selecting the RELATIONSHIPS symbol
([HANDSHAKE]). But the game voice keeps telling you that the girl or
guy isn't interested. What's a poor social outcast to do?
A wise strategy might be to select the SOCIAL symbol ([FOUR FACES])
several times. Play through the episodes and then go back to the
RELATIONSHIPS ([HANDSHAKE]) symbol when you've increased your social
status. You may find that potential mates are very forgiving after
you have improved your social behavior.
But remember, it's not enough just to play through the SOCIAL symbol a
few times if you don't improve your ways. If you take the time to
learn some social graces, your social score will improve.
FINANCIAL JOYS AND WOES
Once you are past childhood, you will have to contend with living
expenses. (Sorry, there's no avoiding it.)
Throughout the game, the program automatically deducts a percentage of
your salary (if you have a job) and/or resources for every year past
childhood.
If your alter ego is impulsive, the program assumes he or she is a
free-spending type of person and automatically deducts a higher
proportion.
Always check the Status Screen for an update on your Resources and
Impulsiveness. Remember, Impulsiveness is the opposite of
Thoughtfulness. If you have a low Thoughtfulness score, it means your
Impulsiveness is high.
TAKING A BREAK FROM LIFE
If you grow tired of "life," you can always "take a break," save the
game and then pick up your life later right where you left off. Or if
you just can't take it anymore (perhaps you're getting bored with your
chosen alter ego and want to create a new character), you can call it
quits. Refer to the chart on page 21 for instructions for how to take
a break.
GETTING STARTED ON THE APPLE II
* Use either joystick or keyboard to play Alter Ego.
* If you are using a joystick, use button 0 to confirm selections; use
joystick button 1 to move between life choices and life experiences on
the Life Map Screen and to escape from an episode.
Note: Generally, joystick button 0 is the button closest to you and
joystick button 1 is the one farthest from you when the cord is
running out the back of the joystick. The placement of these buttons
may vary from joystick to joystick.
* If you are using the keyboard, either type I (move arrow up), J
(move left), K (move right) and M (move down) or press the arrow keys
to move the arrow, then press the space bar to make a selection.
Press esc to move between the middle and side symbols and to escape
from an episode.
LOADING INSTRUCTIONS
* Insert Alter Ego Disk #1, label side up, into the disk drive. If
you're using a joystick, insert the joystick into the joystick port.
* Turn on the computer and monitor or TV.
BEGINNING THE GAME
* After the title screen appears, type in any name for your alter ego
and then press RETURN.
* Type "J" for joystick or "K" for keyboard.
Next you'll choose a method for completing the personality profile
questionnaire. A screen will display these options:
Select my own personality.
Let computer select my personality.
Let computer select my personality then let me examine or edit it.
Load a previous game.
* Move the cursor (arror) to the box next to the choice you want and
press joystick button 0 or the space bar.
* You may load a previous game only if you have saved one and want to
continue that game where you stopped. To do so, select "load a
previous game" and then pick a game from the list which will appear on
the screen.
* To complete the questionnaire, use the joystick or keyboard to
choose your answers (true or false). Then press button 0 or the space
bar to record your answer.
After filling in the box next to your answer, the computer
automatically moves to the next question.
* The arrow will automatically move to CONTINUE when you get to the
bottom of a page. To move to the next page of the personality
questionnaire, press joystick button 0 or the space bar.
* To return to the previous page (to review a question or change an
answer), move the arrow to REVIEW at the top of the page and press
joystick button 0 or the space bar.
* On the last page of the questionnaire, the arrow automatically moves
to BEGIN GAME after you answer the last question. Press joystick
button 0 or the space bar to begin the game.
* Use the joystick or type I and M or press the arrow keys to pick a
stage of life at which to begin the game. Press joystick button 0 or
the space bar.
* Follow the on-screen instructions for switching and/ore turning over
the disk, if necessary.
* If you begin at BIRTH AND INFANCY, the last screen you see before
beginning the game is the "baby" screen. That's you!
* Press joystick button 0 or the space bar. You are now ready to be
born.
* If you begin at any age later than BIRTH AND INFANCY, your life will
begin at the Life Map Screen.
THE CONTROLS
* Use the joystick or keyboard to move the arrow around the Life Map
Screen to pick a symbol. Once you have selected a symbol, press
joystick button 0 or the space bar.
* Move the arrow along the lines connecting the screen symbols to move
from one symbol to another.
Not all the symbols are displayed on the screen at any one time.
* To uncover additional life experiences above the top of the screen,
move the arrow to the top of the screen and either press the up arrow
key or move the joystick up.
* To uncover more life experiences below the bottom of the screen,
move the arrow to the bottom of the screen and press the down arrow
key or move the joystick down.
* Press esc or joystick button 1 to switch from the middle to the side
symbols.
* Press esc or joystick button 1 again to switch back to the symbols
in the middle of the screen.
* When you get to the symbol you want, press joystick button 0 or the
space bar.
* To respond to an episode, point to your answer and then press
joystick button 0 or the space bar.
GETTING STARTED ON THE IBM PC/PCjr & TANDY 1000
Use the keyboard to play Alter Ego. Press the arrow keys to move the
cursor (an arrow) and the space bar to make a selection.
Note: You can play Alter Ego with or without an IBM color graphics
card. Without a graphics card, you will see text instead of symbols
on the Life Map Screen.
LOADING INSTRUCTIONS
* Insert your Disk Operating System (DOS) disk into the disk drive.
Turn on your computer, the drive and monitor or TV.
* When the drive stops spinning and you see the a> message, remove the
DOS disk from the drive and insert Alter Ego Disk #1, label side up,
into the disk drive.
* Type: ALTEREGO and press RETURN.
BEGINNING THE GAME
After the title screen appears, type in any name for your alter ego
and then press RETURN.
Next you'll choose a method for completing the personality profile
questionnaire. A screen will display these options:
Select my own personality.
Let computer select my personality.
Let computer select my personality then let me examine or edit it.
Load a previous game.
* With the arrow keys, move the arrow to the small box next to the
method you want, then press the space bar.
* You may load a previous game only if you have saved one and want to
continue that game where you stopped. To do so, select "Load a
previous game" and then pick a game from the list on the screen.
* To complete the questionnaire, use the arrow keys to choose your
answers (true or false) then press the space bar. This is the same
way you picked a questionnaire method, described above.
After filling in the box next to your answer, the computer
automatically moves to the next question.
* The arrow will automatically move to CONTINUE when you get to the
bottom of a page. To continue to the next page of the personality
questionnaire, press the space bar.
* To return to the previous page (to review a question or change an
answer), move the arrow to REVIEW at the top of the page and press the
space bar.
* On the last page of the questionnaire, the arrow automatically moves
to BEGIN GAME after you answer the last question. Press the space bar
to begin the game.
* Press the arrow keys to pick a stage of life at which to begin the
game, then press the space bar.
* Follow the on-screen instructions for switching the disk, if
necessary.
* If you begin at BIRTH AND INFANCY, the last screen you see before
beginning the game is the "baby" screen. That's you!
* Press the space bar. You are now ready to be born.
* If you begin at a stage later than BIRTH AND INFANCY, your life
stage will begin at the Life Map Screen.
THE CONTROLS
* Use the arrow keys to move the arrow around the Life Map Screen to
pick a symbol. Once you have selected a symbol, press the space bar.
* Move the arrow along the lines connecting the screen symbols to move
from one symbol to another.
Not all the symbols are displayed on the screen at any one time.
* To uncover additional life experiences above the top of the screen,
move the arrow to the top of the screen and press the up arrow key.
* To uncover more life experiences below the bottom of the screen,
move the arrow to the bottom of the screen and press the down key.
* Press esc to switch from the middle to the side symbols.
* Press esc again to switch back to the screen symbols (life
experiences) in the middle of the screen.
* When you get to the symbol you want, press the space bar.
* To respond to an episode, point to your answer and press the space
bar.
GETTING STARTED ON THE COMMODORE 64/128
Use the keyboard or a joystick. (The joystick must be plugged into
port #2.) Move the joystick or press the arrow keys to move the
cursor (a black arrow). Press the joystick button or RETURN to make a
selection. Press RUN/STOP to escape from an episode.
LOADING INSTRUCTIONS
* Turn on you computer, disk drive and TV or monitor.
* Insert Alter Ego Disk #1, label side up, into the disk drive.
* If you have a Commodore 128, type: GO 64, then press RETURN. When
the screen prompts you to answer "yes" or "no," type "Y."
* Type: LOAD "*", 8,1 and press RETURN.
Note: The rest of the Commodore 64/128 instructions assume you are
using a joystick. If you're using the keyboard, press RETURN when the
manual tells you to press the joystick button.
BEGINNING THE GAME
* When the title screen appears, select "BEGIN A NEW GAME" or "RESUME
A SAVED GAME."
* You may load a previous game only if you have saved one and want to
continue that game where you stopped. If you load a previous game,
you'll next pick a game from a list of saved game files on the screen.
* If you begin a new game, type in any name for your alter ego and
then press RETURN.
Next you'll choose a method for completing the personality profile
questionnaire. A screen will display these options:
Select my own personality.
Let computer select my personality.
Let computer select my personality then let me examine or edit it.
* Move the arrow to the method you wish to use and press the joystick
button.
* To complete the questionnaire, move the arrow to the answer of your
choice (TRUE or FALSE) and press the joystick button.
After pressing the joystick button to register your answer, the
computer automatically moves to the next question.
* The arrow will automatically move to CONTINUE when you get to the
bottom of a page. To continue to the next page of the personality
questionnaire, press the joystick button.
* To return to the previous page (to review a question or change an
answer), move the arrow to REVIEW at the top of the page and press the
joystick button.
* On the last page of the questionnaire, the arrow automatically moves
to BEGIN GAME after you answer the last question. Press the joystick
button to begin the game.
* The seven stages of life automatically appear on the screen. Move
the arrow to the stage of life at which you wish to begin the game and
press the joystick button.
* Follow the on-screen instructions for switching and/or turning over
the disk, if necessary.
* If you begin at BIRTH AND INFANCY, you'll see a baby symbol on a
screen. That's you! Press the joystick button to begin the game.
* If you begin at a stage above BIRTH AND INFANCY, your life will
begin at the Life Map Screen.
THE CONTROLS
* Move the arrow around the Life Map Screen to pick a symbol. Once
you have selected a symbol, press the joystick button.
Not all the symbols are displayed on the screen at any one time.
* To uncover additional life experiences above the top of the screen,
move the arrow to the top of the screen, above the three center
columns of symbols (life experiences), and press the up arrow key or
move the joystick up.
* To uncover more life experiences below the bottom of the screen,
move the arrow to the bottom of the screen, below the three center
columns of symbols (life experiences), and press the down arrow key or
move the joystick down.
* When you get to the symbol you want, press the joystick button.
* To respond to an episode, point to your answer and then press the
joystick button.
GETTING STARTED ON THE APPLE MACINTOSH
Use the mouse to move the cursor (an arrow). Press the mouse button
and then release it to make a selection. (This is called "clicking
the mouse.") Move the arrow to switch back and forth between the
middle and side symbols automatically. To escape from an episode,
click the mouse over the "Escape" box, located on the lower right
corner of the screen.
LOADING INSTRUCTIONS
* Plug the mouse into the mouse port.
* Turn on the computer, then insert Alter Ego Disk #1 into the disk
drive.
You'll see the title screen, followed by the welcome screen.
* Point the arrow at "New Game," "Resume Game" or "Quit."
If you pick "New Game," you'll be asked to enter your name and then
pick a method for filling out the personality profile questionnaire.
If you pick "Resume Game," you'll see a list of the games you've
saved. Click the mouse over the game you want. Click over Open, then
follow the screen instructions for switching disks, if necessary.
If you pick "Quit," the computer ejects the disk from the drive.
BEGINNING THE GAME
* You'll be instructed to "Please enter your name." Type any name for
your alter ego, then press RETURN.
* Move the arrow to the questionnaire method you want and click the
mouse.
The method you chose will be highlighted.
* To complete the questionnair, point the arrow at the small circle
next to the answer you want for each question (true or false) and
click the mouse. The circle next to the answer you chose will be
filled in.
* You'll find one question on a page. To turn the page, move the
arrow to Next and click the mouse. To return to a previous page, move
the arrow to Previous and click the mouse.
* On the last page, you'll see the phrase Begin Game. Move the arrow
to Begin Game and click the mouse.
A Menu Screen will appear:
[SCREEN SHOT]
Infancy is highlighted, indicating that it is the stage at which you
will begin the game.
* To begin the game at BIRTH AND INFANCY, move the arrow to "Open" and
click the mouse.
The Life Map Screen will appear with one symbol--a baby, ready to be
born. That's you.
* Point the arrow at the baby and click the mouse. The screen will
disappear and some text will appear.
* Move the arrow to "Continue" and click the mouse.
When you have finished playing the birth episode, the life map screen
will reappear. The baby symbol will be gray, indicating you have
played through that episode.
Note: Each time you complete a life experience, the symbol turns gray,
indicating that you've used up that experience for this game. No life
experience symbol may be played more than once in one game.
* To begin at the CHILDHOOD stage, move the arrow to Eject and click
the mouse to eject Disk #1 from the drive.
* To start life at the ADOLESCENCE or EARLY ADULTHOOD stages, insert
Disk #2. To start at the ADULTHOOD, MIDDLE ADULTHOOD or OLD AGE
stages, insert Disk #3.
* When either disk #2 or #3 is loaded, point to the life stage at
which you want to begin the game, click the mouse, then select Open.
(If you insert the wrong disk by mistake, don't worry. Just point to
Eject and click the mouse.)
* Follow the instructions on the screen to begin the game.
THE CONTROLS
* Use the mouse to move the arrow to the symbol you want--either a
middle or side symbol.
* Press the mouse button once to confirm your choice. The symbol will
be highlighted, and the episode will begin.
* To respond to an episode, move the arrow to the circle next to the
answer you want and click the button. The circle will turn black.
* Episodes take up more than one screen. To move to the next screen,
move the arrow to Continue and click the mouse.
* To uncover additional symbols:
1. Move the arrow to the "up" arrow located just to the right
of the mid-screen symbols and hold the mouse button down until
you uncover additional symbols.
or
2. Move the arrow to the small square to the right of the
symbols, press the button and (with the button held down) slide
the square up or down.
Sometimes all the text in an episode won't fit on the screen. Here's
how you can tell:
1. After you make your choices, the Continue box does not appear.
or
2. The text goes all the way to the bottom of the screen.
To "scroll" the text (move the text up and off the screen, so you can
read the rest of the episode or question), move the arrow to the up-
and-down arrows or to the small white square to the right of the
middle symbols. Click the mouse to scroll the text.
* To eject a disk from the drive, press ["CLOVERLEAF" KEY] and SHIFT
simultaneously, then press 1 or select the Eject option on the screen
that lists the stages of life available on that disk.
GAME PLAY
This section covers additional game play instructions. For most
operations, you'll find easy-to-follow, on-screen instructions.
For instructions not covered on the screen or for instructions
specific to your computer system, refer to the chart on page 21 or the
system-by-system instructions on pages 13 to 18.
ESCAPING FROM AN EPISODE
Alter Ego lets you escape from an episode any time you change your
mind about wanting the experience you have selected, entered and begun
reading.
You can escape from an episode by hitting a "panic button." These are
described for each system in the chart on page 21, under "Escape from
an episode."
Whenever you escape from an episode, the symbol covering the episode
will disappear from the screen, and you won't be able to go back to it
furing the game. You'll then return to the Life Map Screen.
Remember, if you lead a reckless life, be prepared to suffer the
consequences. If your choices lead to your demise and you want
another chance at life, hit the "panic button" when you see your death
announced on the screen.
STOPPING THE GAME
You can stop the game at any time, but you must do so while you are
between episodes.
SAVING A GAME
Since it takes many hours to get through life in Alter Ego, it's a
good idea to save your game at regular intervals.
You'll save all games on the program disk (Disk #1, label side up) and
only when you are between episodes. When necessary, follow the
instructions for switching or turning over the disk.
You can save a game either in the middle or at the end of a life
stage. After you save your game, you'll return to the point at which
you left off.
RESUMING A GAME
Once you save a game, you can later pick up your life where you left
off.
Note: You cannot save, resume, or end a game in the middle of an
episode.
CRIB SHEET
WHO IS THE INVENTOR OF THE TELEGRAPH?
S. Morse
WHO WAS THE AUSTRIAN-BORN FOUNDER OF THE ETHICAL CULTURE SOCIETY?
Adler
WHO TAKES OVER AS PRESIDENT IF BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE-
PRESIDENT DIE?
Speaker of the House
WHO FOUNDED THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR?
Samuel Gompers
WHO WAS THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?
John Adams
WHO WAS THE FIRST RULER TO CONSOLIDATE THE SLAVIC TRIBES?
Rurik
WHICH OF THESE SCIENTISTS IS CREDITED WITH THE DISCOVERY OF OXYGEN?
Priestly
WHO WROTE THE GREAT GATSBY?
F. Scott Fitzgerald
WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF MODERN CHEMISTRY?
Louis Pasteur
WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF MODERN PSYCHIATRY?
S. Freud
WHO WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN IN SPACE?
Alan Shepard
ALTER EGO CONTROLS
Apple II IBM PC & PCjr. Commodore Macintosh
64/128
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Control Keyboard or Keyboard Keyboard or Mouse
joystick joystick (alone
or together)
Disk swapping? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Disk flipping? Yes No Yes No
Move cursor I, J, K, M Arrow keys Arrow keys Mouse
arrow keys Joystick
Joystick
Make selection Space bar Space bar RETURN Click mouse
Joystick Joystick button
button 0
Travel Must move Must move Move cursor Move cursor
"highway of along lines along lines
life"
Escape from esc esc RUN/STOP "Escape" box
episode
Save game Control S Control S RUN/STOP "Save"
save option "Save as" on
File Menu
Maximum # 4 4 5 10
games can save
on program
disk (Disk #1
label side
up)
Resume old "Load Previous Game" from "Resume Old "Resume Game"
game questionnaire method screen Game" from on File Menu
title screen
LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER
We're working hard to design the kind of computer software you want.
And we'd love to hear your comments. So drop us a note at the address
below, and we'll put you on our special mailing list. If you'd like
to find out about our newest computer software, call 800-633-4263
ANYTIME ON WEEKENDS. In California, call (415) 960-6044/5 (WEEKDAYS
ONLY).
Write to:
Consumer Relations
Activision, Inc.
P.O. Box 7287
Mountain View, CA 94039
COPYING PROHIBITED
This software product is copyrighted and all rights are reserved by
Activision Inc. The distribution and sale of this product are
intended for the use of the original purchaser only and for use only
on the computer system specified. Copying, duplicating, selling or
otherwise distributing this product without the express written
permission of Activision are violations of U.S. Copyright Law and are
hereby expressly forbidden.
ACTIVISION LIMITED 90-DAY WARRANTY
Activision Inc. warrants to the original consumer purchaser of this
computer software product that the recording medium on which the
software programs are recorded will be free from defects in material
and workmanship for 90 days from the date of purchase. If the
recording medium is found defective within 90 days of original
purchase, Activision agrees to replace, free of charge, any product
discovered to be defective within such period upon receipr at its
Factory Service Center of the product, postage paid, with proof of
date of purchase.
This warranty is limited to the recording medium containing the
software program originally provided by Activision and is not
applicable to normal wear and tear. This warranty shall not be
applicable and shall be void if the defect has arisen through abuse,
mistreatment or neglect. Any implied warranties applicable to this
product are limited to the 90-day period described above. If the
recording medium should fail after the original 90-day warranty period
has expired, you may return the software program to Activision Inc. at
the address noted below with a check or money order for $7.50 (U.S.
currency), which includes postage and handling, and Activision will
mail a replacement to you. To receive a a replacement, you should
enclose the defective medium (including the original product label) in
protective packaging accompanied by (1) a $7.50 check, (2) a brief
statement describing the defect, and (3) your return address. EXCEPT
AS SET FORTH ABOVE, THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NO OTHER
REPRESENTATION OF CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE SHALL BE BINDING ON OR OBLIGATE
ACTIVISION. IN NO EVENT WILL ACTIVISION BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR
MALFUNCTION OF THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND, TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN IF
ACTIVISION HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY
LASTS AND/OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS AND/OR EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU
SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM
STATE TO STATE.
WARNING
Any attempt to duplicate this product may damage it. Such damage is
not covered by the warranty. Please see next page for complete
warranty. U.P.S. or registered mail is recommended for returns.
Please send to:
WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS
Consumer Relations
Activision, Inc.
2350 Bayshore Frontage Road
Mountain View, CA 94043
ACTIVISION
HOME COMPUTER SOFTWARE
