Preferences Dialog

The Spades Deluxe preferences control how you interact with the game environment and allow you to define your “network persona”. This dialog does not control how the game is played (Rules Dialog), or which players you play against (Opponents Dialog).

Depending on whether you've engaged the internet play or not, you may not see some of the options discussed below.

Environment

Hide Desktop
When checked, the game window is set against a plain black background.

New Game Clears Score Pad Window
When checked, the Score Pad window is cleared each time you begin a new game.

Trick Remains on Table Until Mouse Click
When checked, you must click the mouse to begin the next trick. This allows you more time to review the cards played.

Show Game Messages
When checked, messages such as “Your Lead” will be displayed at the bottom of the game window.

Show Nil Animations
When checked, a short animation will be displayed when your opponents bid nil and pass cards. On some configurations Spades Deluxe can crash when this takes place. Turning off this option avoids that crash.

Speed
This pop-up menu controls the pace of the game. Faster settings affect things like how fast the cards are dealt and the time between tricks.

Sound and Speech

Play Music at Startup
When checked, a short tune is played when Spades Deluxe first starts up.

Play Movie at Startup
When checked, the Freeverse logo movie will play if it is available.

Use Sound Effects
When checked, sound effects such as the shuffling of cards will be used. This preference also controls whether or not sound effects are used when playing network games on The Freeverse. 

Use Talking Voices
When checked, players will “talk” to you. Not only will they speak their bid and they’ll also let you know what they think of you’re skills!

Use Speech Recognition
When checked, you can speak a cards name and it will be played. For example, saying “Four of Hearts” will cause Spades Deluxe to play as if you had clicked the four of Hearts. (Assuming you have that card!)

You must have Apple Speech Recognition version 1.5 or later installed as well as a working Plaintalk microphone to use Speech Recognition.

Use Talk Bubble Sound Effects
When checked, a tiny "blup!" noise is played whenever a talk bubble appears on screen. In solo games, talk bubbles will only appear if you have Use Talking Voices turned off.

Bubble Duration
Determines how long a talk bubble will stay visible before automatically vanishing.

Network Persona

Initials
Lets you set a three character abbreviation of your name for use within the game where space is limited.

Puppet
This is the plug-in,  or “puppet” that represents your character to other network players. If you change this in the middle of a network game, the other net players will immediately see the change.  Additional puppets are available from the Freeverse website and especially the Freeverse CD-ROM available on the web site.  If you do not have the puppet someone in your network game has chosen, the game will automatically substitute one you do have.

Show Rules when Joining Net Games
When checked, you will be asked if you want to see the rules in use whenever you join a game. This can be useful when playing with an unfamilar host. Of course, even if this option is turned off, you can view the rules at any time by opening the Rules dialog (in the Game menu).

Allow Host to Change Location
When checked, if the Host changes locations, and you have the new location, your location will switch.  If unchecked, you will always play in the room you prefer.

Hide HMS Freeverse When Hosting
When checked, the HMS Freeverse window will auto-hide when you join or host a new network game.

Chat With:
     Floating Window - Allows you to chat in a floating, resizable, scrolling chat window. Color codes each players chat.
     Talk Bubbles - This allows you to chat via a one line text entry line at the bottom of the main screen.  All incoming chat will be displayed in cartoon-like talk bubbles appearing by each characters head.  The advantage of this is that it give you full chat and network play all within the context of the one 3D game window.
     Both - Will enable both forms of chat, if you have the monitor space, why not? ;-)