Dreamcast Software Development Standards

Dreamcast Software Development Standards/Ver.1.00E

#### 9. Options

> Recommended: Options should be provided whenever possible, unless they would destroy the character of the game or if the game is a transplant of an original that has no options.

> Standardized: In race or action games where it would disturb the user to have the Start/Option button bring up the Options Screen and then return to the Title, such as in an RPG/Adventure, the options can be set by an Options command from within the game.

9.1 Options

> Standardized: The following options are standard for arcade transplants and others.

> `LEVEL (of difficulty) EASY >NORMAL< HARD`

> `PLAYERS (number of) 1 2 >3< 4 5`

> `CONTROL (button setting)`

> `RAPID (continuous shooting) >ON< OFF`

> `AUDIO (output setting) >STEREO< MONAURAL`

> `SOUND (test) >BGM01<`

> `SE02`

> `VOICE00`

> `Initialize Settings (return to initial settings)`

> `EXIT`

> Prohibited Terms: "Default" or "Reset" to refer to the initialization of settings and the initial settings.

> Recommended: Considering the many users who play on monaural TVs, the Stereo/Monaural selection should be provided whenever possible.

9.2 Storing Option Settings

> Recommended: Option settings should be backed up (saved) if possible.

> Recommended: If the option settings are to be backed up according to the above, save should be executed while traversing the Options Screen.

> Recommended: If the same data is to be used to play in another environment, the Stereo/Monaural setting should not be saved (masked from the save data).

> Recommended: Despite the existence of the backup data, the option settings should be retained after soft reset.

9.3 Stereo/Monaural Audio Output Settings

> The initial Stereo/Monaural setting should match that in the Boot ROM as mentioned in 3.2 Audio Output Settings Upon Loading an Application.

> Recommended: When a user changes the audio output setting in the application's Option Screen or otherwise, the Main Unit's Boot ROM setting should be immediately changed to correspond.

> As used in the procedures of 3.2, 9.2 and 9.3, the Stereo/Monaural setting refers to Main Unit setting, and other option settings refer to the saved data (if present).

9.4 Advancing to the Next Screen

> Recommended: When EXIT is selected and any action button is pressed, or when a Start/Option button is pressed from any location in the Options Screen after a Start/Option setting, operation should revert to the Start/Option Selection screen instead of to the Sega Logo and Title Screen.

Dreamcast Software Development Standards

Copyright SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD, 1998