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https://github.com/rebelhere/alphabet-catcher

CatchAlphabets is a game for the Intel 8088, where players use a bucket to catch falling alphabets. The game ends after 10 misses, displays the score, and transitions to scrolling credits. It features custom functions, adjustable speeds, and interrupt-driven input.
https://github.com/rebelhere/alphabet-catcher

alphabet-catcher assembly-language coal game

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CatchAlphabets is a game for the Intel 8088, where players use a bucket to catch falling alphabets. The game ends after 10 misses, displays the score, and transitions to scrolling credits. It features custom functions, adjustable speeds, and interrupt-driven input.

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# CatchAlphabets Game - Computer Organization and Assembly Language (COAL)



## Project Description

**CatchAlphabets** is an interactive game developed for the **Intel 8088 microprocessor**, showcasing low-level assembly language programming skills. The game runs on **DOSBox** with NASM, allowing players to control a **bucket** and catch falling alphabets to score points while avoiding penalties. It features a main menu, dynamic gameplay, increasing difficulty over time, and creative endgame elements, making it an excellent demonstration of interrupt handling, custom functions, and real-time user interaction.



---



## Features



### **Core Gameplay**:

1. **Main Menu**:

   - At launch, a **main page** is displayed prompting the user to:

     - **Press any key (except Esc)** to start the game.

     - Pressing **Esc** displays the credits and exits the program.



2. **Bucket Mechanics**:

   - A **bucket** (`ASCII value 0xDC`) is displayed at the **bottom-middle** of the screen when the game starts.

   - The bucket can be moved using the **arrow keys**:

     - **Left Arrow** (`0x4B`): Move the bucket left.

     - **Right Arrow** (`0x4D`): Move the bucket right.



3. **Falling Alphabets**:

   - Alphabets (`A-Z`) appear at random positions in the top row and fall toward the bucket.

   - At least **5 alphabets** fall simultaneously at varying speeds.

   - The speed of falling alphabets **automatically increases** at **10 seconds** and again at **20 seconds**, tracked using the **INT 8h hardware interrupt**.



4. **Scoring System**:

   - Catching an alphabet adds **1 point** to the score.

   - The score is displayed in the **top-right corner** of the screen.



5. **Game Over Condition**:

   - Missing **10 alphabets** ends the game.

   - The player's **final score** and **total time played** are displayed in the **middle of the screen** for a few seconds before transitioning to the credits.



6. **Credits Scroll**:

   - After displaying the final score and time or pressing **Esc** at the main menu, a scrolling credits screen plays to conclude the game.



---



## How to Run

1. Install **DOSBox** and **NASM**.

2. Place the `CatchAlphabets.asm` file in your working directory.

3. Assemble the game for the 8088:

   ```

   nasm -f bin CatchAlphabets.asm -o CatchAlphabets.com

   ```

4. Run the game in DOSBox:

   ```

   CatchAlphabets.com

   ```



---



## Gameplay Instructions

1. **Main Menu**:

   - Press any key (except **Esc**) to start the game.

   - Press **Esc** to display the credits and exit.



2. **Move the Bucket**:

   - Use the **left arrow key** (`0x4B`) to move the bucket left.

   - Use the **right arrow key** (`0x4D`) to move the bucket right.



3. **Catch Alphabets**:

   - Align the bucket with falling alphabets to catch them and score points.



4. **Avoid Misses**:

   - The game ends if **10 alphabets** are missed.



5. **Time-Based Difficulty**:

   - The speed of falling alphabets increases at **20 seconds** and **40 seconds**, adding to the challenge.



---



## Code Features

- **Custom Random Function**:  

  Generates random positions and speeds for falling alphabets.

- **Real-Time Input**:  

  Hooks into **INT 9h** for responsive keyboard controls.

- **Time Tracking**:  

  Uses **INT 8h hardware interrupt** to track elapsed time and dynamically adjust difficulty.

- **Adjustable Speed**:  

  Falling speeds increase automatically based on time, adding progressive difficulty.

- **Score and Time Display**:  

  At the end of the game, the final score and total time played are shown in the **middle of the screen**.

- **Main Menu and Credits**:  

  A main menu prompts the user to start or quit. A scrolling credits screen concludes the game.



---



## Future Enhancements

1. **Bomb Mechanic**:

   - Add **bombs** that fall alongside alphabets.

   - If the bucket catches a bomb, the player experiences an **instant game over**.



2. **Power-Ups**:

   - Introduce special alphabets that grant bonuses, such as:

     - Double points.

     - Temporarily slowing down falling items.



3. **Sound Effects**:

   - Add audio cues for catching alphabets, missing them, and the game over.



---



## Credits

- **Developer**: Muhammad Rahim (Rebelhere)  

- **Special Thanks**: Ayesha Younus  



**CatchAlphabets - A nostalgic and exciting gaming experience on the Intel 8088!**



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## Contributing

Feel free to open issues or submit pull requests for improvements or bug fixes.



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## Collaboration Guidelines

We welcome contributions from the open-source community. If you'd like to collaborate on this project, please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Fork the repository.

2. Create a new branch for your feature or bug fix.

3. Implement your changes and commit them with descriptive messages.

4. Push your branch to your fork and submit a pull request.



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### Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions !



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**CatchAlphabets: Relive the thrill of coding and gaming in the 8088 era!**