Astraware Bejeweled!

Alchemy Information

Current released version: 1.0 (June 2001)
Current release expires: never
Feedback to: Howard Tomlinson (howard@astraware.com)
Game Info: http://www.astraware.com/palm/alchemy/
Recent update headlines: First Release!

Introduction

Alchemy is the palm version of the online game that's taking America by storm!

Simple to play, impossible to put down, Alchemy will have you playing in every spare second you have!

Astraware Alchemy Features:

Addictive gameplay.
Faithful conversion of the online game.
High quality graphics and animation, in either greyscale or color.
Sound effects.
Two difficulty modes.
High score table.
Hint option to show valid moves.
Undo feature.
Work your way through many ranks, all the way up to Grand Alchemical Master.
Animated graphical instructions included to get you started.

How to install

Use an extractor program such as WinZip on the PC or Stuffit Expander on the Mac to get at the Alchemy files. Choose whether you want to install the greyscale game or the color game, and install either alchemy-colour.prc or alchemy-greyscale.prc by double-clicking that file.

Use the HotSync button as usual to install the game onto your handheld.

Now run Alchemy and tap the screen to play the game!

If you've got any queries about Alchemy or the registration process, first check out our frequently asked questions page on our website (you must be connected to the internet to access this). If this doesn't help, get in touch with us at support@astraware.com. If you've got any questions (or suggestions, we love those) about the game itself, please get in touch with us at the email address at the top of this page.

Playing Alchemy - Easy Mode

Install and run the game on your Palm.

Tap the 'Instructions' button to get a quick reminder of what to do.

Tap the screen on 'Easy Game' to start a game!

The screen will start with just one block in the center of the screen. In the top left hand corner is a colored rune - tap it with your stylus, and drag it next to the block. It will fix in place, and another rune will appear.

The aim of the game is to turn the whole screen into gold, by placing runes onto every grey square. Once you manage this, the whole board clears, you get bonus points, and you start over with a couple more runes or colors....

The rules for placing runes are simple. You must place them next to at least one other block or rune, and it must match every one it touches in either color (shade) or in shape.

If you find that there isn't a place you can put the rune, then you will have to discard it, by dropping it in the forge, which is in the top right hand corner. Every time you do this, the forge will fill up - and it can only hold three runes! If you try to place a fourth, the game will be over. Luckily, every time you place a valid rune, the forge will empty by one, and if you get a complete line, the forge will empty!

Sounds simple?

Well, it is! But... to clear a complete board requires more thought than it initially appears! If you accidentally surround a space with three different rune/color combinations, you won't ever be able to fill in that space, unless you are lucky enough to get a grey block (which can go anywhere) or a bomb - which you can use to destroy one of the offending runes.

In later levels you get more and more possible runes, and more colors! Let's hope you're up to the challenge!

Hidden Features...

There are a few extra features we built in!

You can undo a move by tapping on the wizard's hat, or by doing a graffiti 'u' or a backspace.
You can just tap on the tile where you want to drop a rune!
Type a graffiti 'h' during the game to get a hint - it will highlight all of the potential moves.
Graffiti 'a' or 'e' abandons (or 'ends') the current game - but it does warn you first!
Graffiti 'g' brings up the standard game settings option box.

Registering

You can play 10 games of Alchemy for free, as you decide whether you like it or not. After these games are up, the program will display a short message asking you to register.

When you register for the game, you'll get a key which will unlock the game and remain valid for future 1.x upgrades. Go to the Alchemy web page at http://www.astraware.com/palm/alchemy/ for more details.

You'll need to know your HotSync ID which you can find by running Alchemy, and going into the menu, and selecting the 'register' option. Your HotSync ID (or username) will be filled in for you below.

When you register, we will generate a key based on your ID, which will normally be sent out by email within 48 hours of you registering. When you receive your key, go to the same register option, and enter the key into the space provided.

Astraware Products

Astraware has many Palm products available! If you like Alchemy, then check out some of our other software!

Astraware Palm Packs
Palm Games Pack 2001	4 games for under $25 - save over 25%
It's a Blast! Shooting Games	Let out your tension with some target practice with Astraware's collection of great screen-tapping games!
PopCap Games Pack	PopCap Games are sweeping the web, and now Astraware brings the top games to the Palm

Astraware Palm Games
Zap!2000	Arcade gaming on the Palm has never looked so good!
Zap!2016	The essential showcase for your Visor Prism or Palm m505
Biplane Ace	Dogfight against rival fighter pilots
Mahjongg	Relax your mind with the most authentic Mahjongg solitaire game for Palm-powered handhelds
Fire!	Save the people from the fire!
Bzzz!	Fly-catching action for the Palm
Bang! Bang!	Backyard blasting fun
MadGab	...It's not what you SAY, it's what you HEAR!
Galaxy Ranger	Be a Galaxy Ranger, Save the Universe!
Police Range	Police Range is a fast game of reactions, dexterity, accuracy and good judgment!
Bejeweled	Bejeweled is a Palm version of the incredibly popular and addictive online game by PopCap
Mummy Maze	Escape the maze and outsmart the mummy in this great PopCap game!
Seven Seas	Ship Ahoy! Blast pirates with a broadside and navigate through dangerous waters, in this PopCap puzzle game
Atomica	Make Molecules in Dr. Atomica's Laboratory in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Alchemy	Turn lead into gold in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!

Astraware Palm Applications
Timetable	Know whats when with Timetable!
Timetable Pro	The essential tool for teachers and students
Timetable Plus	The essential tool for teachers and students, with assigment tracker
e.Guide - the episode guide	Your essential TV episode guide for Palm

Release Revision History

Release 1.0 : June 2001

First Public Release
Beta Timeout removed

Feedback

If you've got suggestions about how to improve Astraware Alchemy - or with reports of any problems you've had, then please contact us!

Alchemy enquiries/feedback: alchemy @astraware.com
Registration problems: registrations@astraware.com
General Astraware enquiries: feedback@astraware.com

Contributors

Programming : Howard Tomlinson

Graphics and Game Design: Jason Kapalka

Thanks also to the many beta testers for their helpful suggestions throughout March.

Legal

This game is extremely addictive, and Astraware can take no responsibility for any problems that your addiction causes.

Astraware Ltd takes no responsibility for any adverse effect that this software could cause to your machine or the data on it: backup important data before using Alchemy . Alchemy is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Alchemy is licensed, not sold.

You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble this software.

Astraware�s and its suppliers� entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at Astraware�s option, either (a) return of the price paid, if any, or (b) replacement of the product that does not meet the warranty and which is returned to Astraware with a copy of your receipt. This warranty is void if failure of the product has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement software product will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. These remedies are not available without proof of purchase from an authorized source.

Written permission must be obtained before distribution of this game, either in demo form or full form, through any online or offline methods.

Alchemy and the game design are copyright of PopCap