MacPipes FAQ

Last revised: August 24, 2002

Dear MacPipes user,

the file you are about to read is intended to be the primary source of information about MacPipes and its purpose is to answer to common questions about the game (FAQ stays for "Frequently Asked Questions"). If you have any questions about MacPipes, please check if it's not already answered in this FAQ or in the rest of the game help before contacting me. Thank you.


Contents

This FAQ file currently answers the following questions:


Frequently Asked Questions

Q - How many built-in levels are there in MacPipes?
A - There are 32 "different" levels (96 counting the three difficulty settings), but the game in fact never ends; starting from level 33 the difficulty (represented by the increased number of obstacles and the reduced completion time) increases constantly reaching a maximum at level 38; from that point on, you will play with the same level layout.

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Q -How's the scoring in MacPipes?
A - You start earning points when the water start flowing in the pipeline. The "start" and the "end" pipe segments give you 50 points. The other pipes give you (100 + 10 * P) points, where P is the pipeline length, i.e. the number of pipe segments already filled with water, including the one for which the score is being computed. In other words, if the water filled 5 pipe segments, the 6th give you (100 + 10 * 6 = 160) points. The pipes marked with "+5000" give you 5,000 points (easy enough). Bonuses (those marked with a ?) can give you a score bonus between 500 and 5,000 points. Unused pipe segments subtract 100 points each. When you complete a level, the remaining time is converted in bonus points (100 points for each second left). If you connect more pipes than the minimum required for passing a level, you are then rewarded with an extra 500 points for each additional pipe. Loops (those made using the "cross" shaped pipe segments) are worth 1,000 points each. Finally, you get a level bonus of (1,000 * N) points, where N is the number of the level you passed. The maximum score achievable in MacPipes is 9,999,999.

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Q - What's the meaning of all those "?" marks?
A - They are bonuses. Just bomb them to reveal their content (but be careful, you may also be disappointed ;-).

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Q - Why doesn't the game take advantage of large monitors?
A - Well, I know it can be quite ridiculous to see a stamp-like game window lost in the middle of a 19" monitor screen but you always have the option to play the game in full screen mode (640x480). There is in fact a historical reason that somehow justifies the reduced game window. MacPipes was originally designed on a Macintosh SE in times when color Mac owners were still an elite. When adding color graphics I left the window size untouched. Another reason is that enlarging the playing grid would have altered the basic gameplay.

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Q - How can I turn off the MacPipes demo?
A - The demo starts automatically every time the scrolling message ends, but it can be stopped by clicking the mouse. In addition, it can be launched at any time by selecting "Start Demo" (command-D) from the Game menu. In the current release of MacPipes there is no option for preventing the demo to start.

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Q - I'd like to be able to continue placing pipe parts on the grid while the water is flowing in the pipeline. Can you add this feature?
A - No. I know that's how the game Pipe Dream works but, you know, that's just another game. In fact, MacPipes was not inspired by the Lucas game. The idea behind it is much older. See the read me file for the whole story. In general, no changes to the basic gameplay are in my plans.

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Q - How can I connect or use those cross-shaped pipes with a hole in the middle?
A - They are just obstacles. They stop the water flow if connected to your pipeline. Avoid them or destroy them with bombs.

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Q - I cannot pass level 18, although I'm sure I have connected the required number of pipe segments. What I'm supposed to do?
A - Level 18 introduces the "end" pipe segment. It is placed in a random position at the start of the level. You must connect your pipeline to this segment, if present, in order to pass the level.

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Q - Pipe segments with an arrow in them: how do they work exactly?
A - Pipe segments marked with an arrow start appearing on level 8. They are "one-way" pipes, i.e., the water can flow through them only in the direction pointed by the arrow. You should connect to the pipeline only those segments whose arrow points towards the normal direction of the water flow. When the flow encounters a wrongly placed "one-way" segment, it just stops as if there is no pipe at all in that place.

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Thank you for reading this FAQ.

If you have further questions that you'd like to see answered here, please contact me.