Copyright: Created with EasyHelp/Web +44(0)973 209667


CONTENTS

This file has been created with the evaluation or unregistered copy of EasyHelp/Web™ from Eon Solutions Ltd (Tel: +44 (0)973 209667, Email: eon@cix.compulink.co.uk).

INTRODUCTION	- A brief overview of TOAG

HOW TO PLAY	- Learn how to play TOAG

WARRANTY	- Disclaimer and License


INTRODUCTION

TOAG is a revision of the ancient game of Ishido.  It's done in Egyptian style with stunning graphics and mysterious strategies.  This game has puzzled the minds of many for hundreds of years and is now available on the PC to ensure that this timeless classic will never fade.  Pit your wits against the fates and see if you are clever enough to solve the secret of the tiles.

It was believed that TOAG or Ishido was a means to divine the future.  A game of chance that also offered a glimpse of future events.  It teaches us that if we can perceive the possibilities before us we can better prepare for them in the future.  TOAG (Ishido) was a training tool for ancient prophets who sought to learn the timely craft of seeing into the future.


THE RULES

There are 72 tiles, two of each combination of six colors and six icons. For example, their is 2 Red Feathers, 2 Blue Feathers, 2 Green Feathers, 2 White Feathers, 2 Purple Feathers, and 2 Yellow Feathers.  Their are 5 other icons with the same color configuration making a total of 72 tiles.  At the start of the game six tiles are placed on the board automatically which are drawn from the bag of tiles after they have been shuffled.  To place an additional tile on the board, you must match at least one adjacent tile according to the restrictions listed below.  Each time you place a tile a random tile is drawn from the bag of tiles.  You play until either you can no longer place a tile on the board or you have emptied your bag of 72 tiles.

To match a single tile, you must match either the color or shape.

To match two tiles, you must match one shape and one color.

To match three tiles, you must match two colors and one shape OR two shapes and one color.

To match four tiles, you must match two colors and two shapes.

When placing a tile you must consider those tiles which are adjacent to the location you want to place the tile at.  You can not place a tile on top of a tile.  If the space you want to place the tile at has 3 adjacent tiles you must match all three according to the restrictions listed above and so on.  As you get further along in the game placing tiles will become increasingly more difficult.  The strategy of the game is understanding how many colors of which tiles have already been draw and which still remain in the bag.  By carefully placing key tiles on the board you can plan for the arrival of certain tiles to score greater points.  The more tiles you match with each placement of a tile the more points you will be awarded.

Tiles placed on the interior (lighter) squares score points when placed according to the number of adjacent tiles that they match.  Tiles placed outside the interior award no points (Traveling the interior of the board is a step of progress and risk, walking only at its perimeter is the safe mans journey which ultimately takes you in circles).

Matching one tile    :  1 point.

Matching two tiles   :  2 points.

Matching three tiles :  4 points.

Matching four tiles  :  8 points.

In addition to the regular score there is an increasing bonus for each four-way match starting with 25 points for the first and doubling with each four-way match thereafter.

A bonus of 5000 points is awarded at the end of the game for placing all 72 tiles and thus emptying your bag of tiles. Your Best Score is maintained by the game.

BASICS

To place a tile on the board you need only to select an empty square with the mouse.  At the bottom of the game board is the menu.  As you move your mouse over each menu item it will either high light yellow (meaning that the menu option is available to execute) or gray (meaning that the menu option is not currently available).  You will notice that your mouse cursor changes to a glove over options which are selectable, which should help when determining what you can and can not select.

The Menu has seven options on it.  Below is a description of each command.

EXIT	- as you might expect this exit TOAG and returns you to the desktop.

PLAY

A GAME	- This starts a new game of TOAG.  This option is not available while playing a game.

HOW

TO PLAY	- This shrinks TOAG to the task bar and launches this help file.

ABOUT

TOAG	- This option displays a credits screen telling you a little about who's behind the making of TOAG.

QUIT	- This command is only available while playing a game of TOAG.  It will end the game and store your current score if it happens to be higher than your current best score.

TAKE BACK

TILE	- As you are placing tiles on the board you may realize you've mistakenly placed a tile on the wrong square.  Simply select this command to remove the tile.  Your score will be adjusted accordingly and you may take back as many tiles as you wish in the order that they were placed on the board.  This could also be considered an UNDO function.

SHOW HINT	- For beginners just learning how to play this function may be invaluable.  It will place a golden ANKH in each square on the board which is a VALID placement for the currently showing tile.  If you are just learning how to play it can be very helpful to see all possible locations for a tile to better get a grasp for the rules of the game.  Once you select this function the golden ANKH's are placed on the board.  If you move your mouse off the function they are removed.  So you will need to pick your spot before moving your mouse to that location to place the tile.


WARRENTY & LICENSE
WARRANTY & LICENSE

TOAG

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

DISCLAIMER:   Locatha Industries makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, or inferable from the course of dealing or the custom of trade including but not limited to any implied warranties of MERCHANTABILITY and fitness for any particular purpose, with respect to this documentation, its quality, or its performance.  TOAG  is licensed "AS IS".  The entire risk as to its quality and performance is with the buyer.  Locatha Industries will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use or misuse of TOAG.  The use of TOAG constitutes agreement with this disclaimer and releases Locatha Industries from any form of liability or litigation.

COPYRIGHT     TOAG Copyright (c) Locatha Industries, 1998 All Rights Reserved.  This game, and the computer programs to which it relates are the property of, and embody trade secrets and confidential information proprietary to, Locatha Industries, and may not be modified or reverse engineered without the prior express written approval of Locatha Industries.

TRADEMARKS    TOAG <TM> is a trademark of Locatha Industries