Using Arcade Mode

1.5 introduces arcade mode. Need help getting started? Read this official guide for more information!

Introduction

One of the new features included in the 1.5 update is arcade mode. Arcade mode slightly modifies the game to play more authentically like an actual arcade game - player options are more limited, a second player can trade off with the first player between lives to compete for a high score, and multiple options can be tweaked to make the game easier or harder.

Enabling arcade mode also makes the game utilize 3 more buttons: one for depositing a token, one for playing a 1 player game, and one for playing a 2 player game. These buttons are mapped to the "5", "1", and "2" keys, respectively. They cannot be changed at the moment, but custom keybinds are planned for a future update.

(NOTE: Enabling arcade mode will disable achievements.)

Creating the .ini File

Arcade mode cannot be enabled through the game itself. To turn arcade mode on, a .ini file needs to be created in the game's local save directory. Here is how to navigate to the game's save directory:

1. Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to open the Run program.

2. Type in "%localappdata%" and press OK.

3. Open the folder named "Annalynn". (If you do not see this folder, run the game. It will be made automatically after the game is opened for the first time.)

Once you are in this directory, a .ini file can be made. The file's name must be "arcade.ini" for the game to recognize it. A template file containing all the necessary information can be downloaded here[pastebin.com].

.ini File Contents

Aside from simply turning arcade mode on, the .ini file also contains multiple lines for adjusting options or keeping track of statistics. The names of the values cannot be changed, but the numerical values that are associated with them can.

This is what the file's contents should look like by default:

The .ini file is split up into three sections:

[Active]

Only used to contain the "On" option. If On is set to 1, arcade mode will be enabled. If set to 0, arcade mode will be disabled and the game will play normally.

[Options]

This section is for multiple options that can be tweaked to your preference. Any changes will take place the next time the game is booted up after the file is saved. Unless otherwise specified, options can be set to "1" for enabled or "0" for disabled.

Random_Mode_Available

Simply enables or disables the option to play random mode on the main menu.

Can_Skip_Cutscenes

With arcade mode enabled, the standard functionality for the start buttons has been tweaked to be more authentic to an arcade experience, such as disabling pausin and preventing cutscenes from being skipped. If you would still like to be able to skip cutscenes, you can hold down the jump button to skip them if this option is enabled.

Credit_Requirement_Option

By default, the game can be freely played as many times as the player wishes. If you would like to have the game require "tokens" to be deposited to be played, however, there are some options in place for this. The game requires one credit to play, and changing this option will affect how many tokens are needed for a credit:

• 0: Free play/infinite credits (default)
  
• 1: 1 token, 2 credits
  
• 2: 1 token, 1 credit
  
• 3: 2 tokens, 1 credit
  
• 4: 3 tokens, 1 credit
  
• 5: 4 tokens, 1 credit

Continues_Allowed

If disabled, players will not be able to continue the game after getting a game over.

Starting_Lives

Determines how many lives the player is given when starting a new game. Can be anywhere between 1 and 5. Set to 3 by default.

Bonus_Lives

If set to a value between 0 and 3, the player will only be able to obtain that many bonus lives throughout their playthrough. Any other value lets the player infinitely collect bonus lives when point thresholds are met.

Bonus_Life_Points_Table

Changes what point thresholds need to be met before the player is rewarded with extra lives. This option can be set to the following values:

• 0: 1st life at 20,000 points, 2nd life at 80,000 points, 3rd life and beyond every 160,000 points (default)
  
• 1: 1st life at 10,000 points, 2nd life at 50,000 points, 3rd life and beyond every 100,000 points
  
• 2: 1st life at 30,000 points, 2nd life at 100,000 points, 3rd life and beyond every 200,000 points

[Stats]

This section is just for keeping track of any statistics for games played while arcade mode is enabled. Changing their values does not affect the game at all; this is just for internal records.

Tokens_Deposited

The amount of tokens that were "deposited" (or rather, how many times the deposit key was pressed).

Credits_Used

The amount of credits that have been used to start or continue a game. Does not increment if free play is enabled.

Games_Started_Campaign

How many times a game was started for campaign mode.

Games_Continued_Campaign

How many times a continue has been used in campaign mode.

Games_Started_Random

How many times a game was started for random mode.

Games_Continued_Random

How many times a continue has been used in random mode.

[◈KeatonGamer◈]

Can you add service mode? Would definitely add to the style of arcade machines.

[Oretal]

Would people be allowed to run this version of the game in, let's say, a pizza place for profit? If so, would they need to ask you for permission first?

[Tempest]

I was not able to find the folder using the described method. However, I was able to find the folder by using Windows File Explorer and typing in C:users\(username)\appdata\local. I then learned about out to make an .ini. You have to first create a .txt file then rename to .ini during save as, and it will then become a configuration file.

[Tempest]

When I type the %localappdata% and click OK, Windows asks me, "How do you want to open this file?" If I select "notepad", there is no Annalynn folder. I have played the game 4 times. What am I doing wrong?

[MrCrossa]

Nvm, look in the comptdata folder inside the SteamApps folder and look for the folder with the game's Steam Game ID (1508460)

[MrCrossa]

What's the path on Linux? I want to try this on my Steam Deck.

[Kobun42]

Yeah... this game's definitely going in a MAME cabinet if I ever get around to making one.

[Rixor12]

Some awesome stuff, definitely looking forward to playing around with this.

But if you don't mind, I'd like to make a couple suggestions for some things to potentially add to this mode.

I think you should have the option to enable some of the cheats for this mode, such as the harder AI. I also think it would be cool be able to customize the general game speed (Not just Annalynn's speed, but the snake's and hazards speed as well), although I don't know how hard that would be to program. Still, an awesome move that I wish more games of this style would implement. Keep up the great work.

[Nate Candles]

Heh, just realized you basically emulated a dipswitch. Good stuff.

[Eksdad]

Me and my arcade cabinet thank you for the update!