═══ 1. About Tic Tac Toe ═══ Tic Tac Toe is a new variation on the traditional game. There are three different boards to choose from: the original 3 x 3 tic-tac-toe game, a more challenging 3 x 3 x 3 game, and a thought-provoking 4 x 4 x 4 game. The 3 x 3 game is easy to play. The object of the game is to be the first player to line up three pieces in a row. The 3 x 3 x 3 game is more complicated. The object is the same, but now, instead of the two-dimensional horizontal, vertical, and diagonal rows, the game is three-dimensional. The 4 x 4 x 4 game is a challenge for any player. With 16 squares and more than 70 possible winning rows, not only is it difficult to figure out where your opponent is trying to attack, but it is difficult to plan your own attack. Rules of the game: The game board is a 3 x 3, 3 x 3 x 3, or 4 x 4 x 4 grid of squares. To win, you must line up three pieces in a row: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. In the 4 x 4 x 4 game, you must line up four pieces in a row. During your turn, you can occupy any free square. Players alternate taking turns until either one player wins or no free squares remain. If neither player wins, the game is a draw. The opponent's piece is always red. If you do not have a color monitor, red pieces appear white and blue pieces appear black. Strategy and hints: The only way to beat a smart opponent is to create a split, where you line up two (or three) pieces in a row, in two places on the board. Then, regardless of where your opponent moves, you will win on the next turn. Of course, your opponent will be trying to create a split as well, so be aware. By lining up two (or three) of your pieces in a row, you can dictate your opponent's next move. He or she must try to block your win. Use this strategy to control your opponent's moves until you can create a split. In the 3x3 game, you should always be able to force a draw, regardless of who moves first. In the 3x3x3 game, if you move first, you should be able to win every time. In the 4x4x4 game, either opponent should be able to win. Clearly, the player who moves first has the advantage, but a smart second player can win a significant number of games. Related information: Playing the game Keys help Copyright notice ═══ 2. Playing the game ═══ The object of TicTactics is to be the first player to line up three playing pieces in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. In the 4 x 4 x 4 game, you must line up four pieces in a row. The following section explains how to play the game. To choose a board type: From the Options menu, choose the type of board you want: 3 x 3, 3 x 3 x 3, or 4 x 4 x 4. To Start a New Game: br. From the Game menu, choose New or press Ctrl+N. To Occupy a Square: Move the pointer to the desired location, and click the left mouse button. ═══ 3. Copyright notice ═══ Entertainment Pack for OS/2 Tic Tac Toe Version 1.1 All rights reserved. Copyright (C) Peter Wansch, 1994 January 28, 1994 Vienna, Austria ═══ 4. Help for Game ═══ Use the Game menu commands to start a new game. ═══ 4.1. Help for New ═══ Choose New to start a new game. You can start a new game at any time, even in the middle of a game. ═══ 5. Help for Options ═══ Use the Option menu commands to set the board layout or to switch the sound on or off. ═══ 5.1. Help for 3 x 3 ═══ Choose 3 x 3 to set the board type to 3 x 3. ═══ 5.2. Help for 3 x 3 x 3 ═══ Choose 3 x 3 x 3 to set the board type to 3 x 3 x 3. ═══ 5.3. Help for 4 x 4 x 4 ═══ Choose 4 x 4 x 4 to set the board type to 4 x 4 x 4. ═══ 5.4. Help for Beginner ═══ Choose Beginner to set the level of play to the Beginner level. ═══ 5.5. Help for Master ═══ Choose Master to set the level of play to the Master level. ═══ 5.6. Help for Player starts ═══ Choose Player starts if you want to make the first move. ═══ 5.7. Help for Computer starts ═══ Choose Computer starts if you want the Computer to make the first move. ═══ 5.8. Help for Sound ═══ Choose Sound to switch the sound on or off. ═══ 6. Help for Help ═══ Use the Help menu to obtain help information. ═══ 6.1. Help for General help ═══ Choose General help to get general help for the program. General help provides general information about Tic Tac Toe. ═══ 6.2. Help for Keys help ═══ Choose Keys help to see a list of keys and a description of the function of the keys. ═══ 6.2.1. Keys help ═══ CONTROL KEYS Ctrl+N Starts a new game. HELP KEYS F1 Gets help Esc Views previous Help panel or ends help if only one panel has been viewed. Alt+F4 Ends help or ends program. SYSTEM KEYS Alt+Esc Switches to the next program. Ctrl+Esc Switches to the Window List. WINDOW KEYS Underlined letter Moves among the choices on the action bar and pull-downs submenu or executes the function chosen. Alt+Underlined letter Executes the function chosen immediately. ═══ 6.3. Help for Help index ═══ Choose Help index to display the help index. The help index lists the titles of the help information that is available. ═══ 6.4. Help for Using help ═══ Choose Using help to obtain information on how to use the Help facility. ═══ 6.5. Help for Product information ═══ Choose Product information to view a dialog that displays information about Pegged, such as version number and copyright notice. ═══ 6.5.1. Help for Product information dialog ═══ This dialog displays information about Tic Tac Toe, such as version number and copyright notice. Related information: Help for OK ═══ 6.5.2. Help for OK ═══ The OK button closes the product information dialog.