It's a simple yet addictive game. A square containing 4 different colors, (or patterns if black & white), will drop from the top of the screen at a certain speed depending on the current level of play. Your job is to move it left or right and rotate it, if necessary, to place it where you want it to go. When the square is above the place where you want it to end up and it's rotated the way you want it, you can drop it using the Drop key rather than waiting for it to reach the bottom. You are trying to get 4 (or more) colors in a row, in a column, diagonally, or in a box. Try to get as many points as you can before stacking colors to the top!
Starting the Game:
Start a new game by selecting the “New Game...” option from the “File” menu..
Setting options:
You can now choose to use one of several different shapes and colors by using the pop-up menu. Try each one to see which one you like best! You can also choose how many colors (or shapes) to use, (the more colors, the higher the scores), and several other settings by selecting the “Options” item from the “Options” menu.
Check Boxes:
If the “No Stragglers (fewer points)” option is checked, all pieces above a piece that is removed will drop down to the next available spot. If the option is not checked, pieces will only drop down however many pieces were removed in that column. The game is easier if it is checked!
If the “Drop Every Level (fewer points)” option is check, every level the whole game board will drop down one level. Having this option checked will get you fewer points.
If the “Use Black & White Shapes” option is checked, only the black & white shape types can be used (patterns, no colors). This is useful if you're running on a gray-scale monitor and the colors just don't look right.
If you change the options while in the middle of a game, you will start a new game with the new options you've selected.
ColorFall Settings:
You can set other keys to use as the Left, Right, Rotate or drop keys by selecting the “Configure Keys...” option from the “Options” menu.
Game Play:
You can pause at any time by selecting the “Pause Game” option from the “File” menu.
Surprise! At levels greater than 2, some strange things can happen that may help or hinder you! You never know what's going to happen or when. Sometimes you can control these things, sometimes you can't! Good luck!
ColorFall Scoring:
Your score depends on several factors:
1. If “Show Next Piece” is checked in the menu, your score will be less.
2. If when you start a new game you check the check box “No Stragglers (Fewer Points)”, you will get about 3/4 the normal points each time you get a score.
3. You get more points by selecting to use more colors from the Pop-up menu in the Preferences dialog.
4. Your score will be increased by how many extra colors (over 4) you get in a row, column or diagonal.
The scoring is as follows:
ACROSS = 5
DOWN = 5
BOX = 8
DIAGONAL = 10
System Requirements.
• System 6.0.5 or higher
• System 7 savvy
• Runs in Color or Black & White
• Hardware: Mac Plus or better
Versions:
1.0 Initial release of ColorFall (3/31/94)
1.01 Fixed a sound problem that would slow the
game down on certain machines (4/15/94)
1.1 Changed sound routines again, fixed a
couple of undocumented features :-), added
new shapes (rather than just colors), added
routine to check screen depth and change if
necessary and added new random
happenings! (10/7/94)
Thanks!:
I want to thank Bob Bittner, Jerry Fox, Mark Hall, Steve Kayner, Garrett Lang, Sean McNiff, Casey Meaden, Isaac Reuben, Scott Sattler, Kevin Savetz and Peace Gardiner for all the help with testing and the mahvelous suggestions!
Distribution:
It's OK to upload this program to any BBS (or place on CD's) as long as the two documents accompany the game and I am sent a copy of the CD.
ShareWare:
This is shareware, an honor system which allows you to try the game before you buy. If you use this game, please send in the requested registration fee of $10. I have spent many hours developing this and would like to continue developing useful and fun shareware products in the future.
I have tested this game to the best of my ability but cannot possibly test it with every application, INIT setup, etc. If you find any problems, please let me know about it! Also, if you have any suggestions of other features you'd like to see in this game, let me know. You can contact me at this address:
John V. Holder
2862 Lowell Street
Eureka, CA 95501
or on GEnie e-mail........: JOHN.HOLDER
or CompuServe e-mail: 75040,1126
or America Online........: JohnHolder
OTHER PROGRAMS:
I have written several other shareware games and utilities. They are described below along with the price for each; price does not include disk or postage. To get the latest versions of all of these to try out for yourself, send a disk with a self addressed stamped envelope or send $5 and I will supply the disk and pay postage.
GAMES:
Escape! - Escape is a simple strategy game that's mind-bogglingly similar to an old computer game called Daleks, though there’s lots more goodies in this game! Control a guy as he runs around mazes trying to collect gems, weapons, mines and the occasional extra life, finding tunnels to pass through, while stupid, but persistant, robots attempt to smoosh him. Simple, but addictive as all get out. ($5)
ColorFall - A simple yet very fun and addictive new game! Blocks of 4 colors (or patterns for B&W) drop down; you position and rotate them where you want them and let 'em drop! Try to get 4 or more in a row down, across, diagonally or in a block... But that's not all! Random things happen during play to either help or hinder your progress, such as a falling weight, a bomb and other strange things! Try it! ($10)
SideMinder! - SideMinder! is a challenging game played against the computer. Your mission is to place 3D game pieces on the board, matching as many sides as you can. The more sides you match, the higher the score! Many different options are available, such as various playing boards, tournament mode, rotating pieces, number of colors (or patterns for B&W), and level of difficulty! Try it, you won't be disappointed! (1.02 fixes a Scoring bug and adds new game boards!) I take no responsibility for time or sleep lost due to the habit forming effects of this game! ($10)
PRODUCTIVITY:
ScrapIt ][ DA (2.0) - If you ever use Apples' Scrapbook DA, you must get this to replace it!! Features include:
• Standard Scrapbook view, Name list view and
a NEW Thumbnail view!
• Open or create different Scrap Files.
• Open ScrapBooks in the System Folder or
in the ScrapIt Folder (ScrapIt Folder in
System 7 only) by selecting from a pop-up menu!
• Import MacPaint, PICT, PICT resources, TEXT,
“snd” (Sound) files or QuickTime Movies!
• Cut, Copy and Paste QuickTime Movies!
• Export PICT, TEXT ¨or “snd ” files.
• Find an occurence of text in any TEXT item.
• Select portions of TEXT or PICT items.
• Play sounds and QuickTime Movies!
• You can name each item if you like!
• Resize the Scrap Window.
• Fit an item’s picture in the viewing rectangle
(reduce it or center it) or show it full size with the
ability to scroll to see all of the picture
• Move to different items by:
1. using the bottom scroll bar as Apple’s Scrapbook DA does.
2. choosing from a list of the names of all items.
3. choosing from an icon (thumbnail) list of all items.
4. searching for any characters in any TEXT item.
• Print PICT and TEXT items!
• Up to 1000 items per file!
• And more... ($15)
JUST FOR FUN:
QTAction 1.0 - Just released! QTAction is a Control Panel that lets you assign QuickTime movies OR sounds to certain system actions such as the System Beep, emptying the trash, Disk Eject, Disk Insert, Starting the Mac, and more!! Movies or sounds can be played at certain times, too, (on the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 hour or on the hour). Check this out!!! ($10)
