netris32 is an extreme version of the classic Tetris. It is offers a rich set of customisable features, including:
o TCP/IP Networked Play
o Dual Player Support
o Multiple Levels
o Piece Preview
o Column Lineup
o * NEW * UNIQUE Ghost Mode
o Animation
o Customisable Penalties
o Customisable Speed Controls
o and much more...
o Windows 95/98/NT Compatible
Brief Description of Operation (Help)
=====================================
I hate writing help files (who doesn't) so this will only be a brief description of the operation of netris32.
netris32 allows the user to customise most aspects of their game. I have found that most people have their own quirky setups they like so I have accomodated for this by storing all values into the Registry for later use.
Keys
====
I will make the keys customisable (at some stage), but for now.
In single player and networked mode:
Up Arrow: - Rotate
Left Arrow: - Move left
Right Arrow: - Move right
Down Arrow: - Move down
Space: - Drop piece
In dual player mode:
Player 1:
W: - Rotate
A: - Move left
D: - Move right
S: - Move down
Space: - Drop piece
Player 2:
Up Arrow: - Rotate
Left Arrow: - Move left
Right Arrow: - Move right
Down Arrow: - Move down
Enter: - Drop piece
Start
=====
To begin a game select the "Game-->Start" option from the menu or press the toolbar icon that looks like a standard "PLAY" symbol (">"). This will always restart the game and put into effect any configuration changes that have been made.
Pause
=====
Select "Game-->Pause..." or the standard "PAUSE" symbol ("||"). You can also press the "P" key to pause the game. Activating pause again returns to normal operation.
Two Player
==========
To begin a two player, make sure the "Game-->Two Player" menu option is selected or the two player icon is sunken before restarting a game.
Network Play
============
For network play you must have TCP/IP communications on your machine. You also need to have someone else running a version of netris32 to play with (obviously!). You must decide if you want to be the Server (the person whose machine will be connected to) or the Client (the person who is going to connect to the other machine).
Network Server:- Select the "Game-->Network Settings" menu option or select the equivalent toolbar icon. From this simply make sure that the port settings in the server configuration part of the dialog is the same as that which the client will use. Normally, you should NOT need to modify this. When satisfied, close this dialog and select the "Game-->Start Server" menu item or equivalent toolbar icon. If the server is running correctly, the toolbar icon should remain sunken.
Network Client:- Select the "Game-->Network Settings" menu option or select the equivalent toolbar icon. From this dialog make sure that the port settings in the client configuration part of the dialog is the same as that which the server is setup to use. Also make sure that the IP Address is set to that of the server you are connecting to. If you are unsure of what this is, check with your system administrator (though they may not be too pleased you are playing netris32 on their network :)
NOTE: You must start the Server BEFORE you start the Client...a client cannot connect to a server which does not exist!
When a connection has been established, the Network Settings toolbar icon will become grayed to show that network reconfiguration is not possible while connected. In this mode of operation, configuration changes on either machine will result in BOTH machine being updated so no single player can set their netris32 up with an unfair advantage.
To disconnect from the network, simply reselect the menu option which enabled the network connection in the first place.
Game Aids
=========
Piece Preview
=============
Selecting the "Aids-->Piece Preview" menu will toggle the display of a piece preview display in the window by the side of the board.
Lineup
======
Selecting the "Aids-->Line Up" menu will toggle the display of a lineup display at the bottom of the display board.
Ghost Mode
==========
Select the "Aids-->Ghost Mode" menu will toggle the display of a "ghost" piece that shows the outcome of the turn IF you drop the piece at its current location. That is, the system determines how the piece would fall onto the current board configuration.
Animations
==========
Selecting "Options-->Animation" menu will toggle the animation mode. In this operation when the user drops a piece, it is shown dropping down onto the current board. When deselected, this does not occur and the next move is immediately moved onto.
Sound
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Selecting the "Options-->Sound" menu will toggle the use of sounds during play. netris32 is setup to work off your current sound configuration.
Highlight
=========
Selecting the "Options-->Highlight" menu will toggle the highlight mode. In this mode when the user completes a turn, the system will highlight any completed rows momentarily before moving onto the next turn.
Penalty
=======
Selecting the "Options-->Penalty..." menu will bring up a penalty dialog that allows the user to configure the penalty settings. This includes switching ON or OFF whether or not to use penalties (applies to two player and network play), and if using penalties, how they should operate. Normally, when a player completes more than 1 row a penalty row is inserted into the other player's board.
Completes 1 Row --> No affect
Completes 2 Rows --> Insert 1 Row
Completes 3 Rows --> Insert 2 Rows
Completes 4 Rows --> Insert 3 Rows
The dialog contains an option which allows the user to specify how many empty blocks will be contained in each of the newly inserted rows of the other player. This should be configured to taste.
Speed
=====
Selecting the "Options-->Speed..." menu will bring up a Game Speed dialog that allows the user to configure the game speed. The switch ON or OFF whether or not to use speed increases, and also configure the initial and final speeds (in milliseconds). The dialog also allows the user to specify at what interval the system should speed up from its current speed towards its final speed by 50 ms.
Level
=====
Selecting the "Options-->Level..." menu will bring up a Level Configuration dialog that allows the user to specify whether levels are ON or OFF. netris32 uses levels to deterime how many rows (starting from the bottom) will be filled at the start of the game. The operator can configure this so that the game moves onto a new level every time a specified number of rows has been reached. The operator can also control how many free blocks are in the preset rows, and also if the game speed should be reset everytime a new level is reached. The use of levels provides for some fun network and two player operation as well as challenging single player gameplay.
HighScores
==========
Selecting the "Options-->High Scores" menu will bring up the current high score list. These values are stored in the registry so that they can be recorded from game to game.
License Agreement
=================
netris32 is Copyright ⌐ 1998 Rhett D. Jacobs. All Rights Reserved.
netris32 is Ideaware. Basically this means that to buy a copy of netris32 you must send an idea for a new computer program that you would like to see written to enable@altavista.net. In exchange for this idea you will be granted a license to use the software. For full terms and conditions see the file license.txt. For more information on Ideaware see the file ideaware.txt.
Contacting the Author
=====================
Please send all netris32 related e-mail (Bugs/Comments/Suggestions) to:
rhett_jacobs@altavista.net.
Please don't bother sending a bug report unless you can easily repeat the conditions that lead up to the bug.
Send all Ideaware ideas for any other software (see Ideaware) to:
enable@altavista.net
Where is the online help ?
==========================
The online help is still waiting to be written. If anyone wants to write it I might put you on my list of people that get free copies of software that I write.
