Copyright: StackBlitz Copyright ® 1995 The Code Zone


Contents
Rules Summary

In StackBlitz, you have stacks of three pieces dropping down in a column.  As the stacks are dropping, you can rearrange them.  The pieces will not change orientation, just position in the stack.  Once the stack reaches the bottom of the column, it can not be moved.  Try to eliminate the pieces by matching at least three pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.  Go to the StackBlitz Rules page for more information on StackBlitz scoring.

StackBlitz Rules

StackBlitz Options

StackBlitz Commands


Game Rules
Object of the game

The object of StackBlitz is to score as high as possible by eliminating pieces.  Match at least three pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to eliminate them from the board.

Piece Description

There are six stackable pieces.  Each dropped stack will consist of any combination of three pieces. . .

In addition, there are three other special pieces which will drop:

Once this Piece Bomb is dropped, it eliminates the one piece it touches. . .

Once this Color Bomb is dropped on a piece, it will eliminate all of the pieces which match the touched piece. . .

Once this Column Bomb is dropped, it will eliminate a whole column. . .

Scoring

Scoring is based upon the color of the pieces being eliminated.  Located on the main playing screen is a column showing what each piece is worth if you eliminate it.  The score of a piece is based upon how often it will appear.  You will proceed to a new level after eliminating 10 stacks (stacks can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).  Scoring will change each level.

For example, the following setup shows three yellow pieces vertically. . .

Assuming you are on the first level and each yellow piece is worth 1 point, you will receive 3 points for eliminating these pieces.  If you had a fourth piece, you would receive 4 points.

The following setup shows three yellow pieces horizontally. . .

You will receive 1 point for each piece plus 2 bonus points for building a horizontal stack.  Thus, you will receive a total of 5 points!  If you had a fourth horizontal matching piece, you will receive 6 points.

The following setup shows three yellow pieces diagonally. . .

You will receive 1 point for each piece plus 3 bonus points for building a diagonal stack.  Thus, you will receive a total of 6 points!

The bonus points will also increase as you progress to a different level.

Game Over Conditions

The game is over when the board is filled with game pieces and three piece stacks cannot be dropped.

Hints

You gain bonus points for eliminating your pieces horizontally or diagonally.

Don't always eliminate the common pieces.  By trying to set up the rarer pieces, you may find you gain more points.

Try different stack piece setups (see the Options tab in the Options dialog box).  Although you are playing the same game, playing with different pieces will change some of your strategies.

Help Contents

StackBlitz Options

StackBlitz Commands


Game Options
How to set Options

To bring up the Options dialog box, choose the "Options..." menu item from the "Game" menu.  If any option is changed in the Option dialog box, the current game being played will be abandoned.  If you do not wish to abandon the current game, select the Cancel button and return to the game.

The Options dialog box is broken up into various sections shown by the tabs at the top of the dialog box.  Clicking on a tab shows the options available for that topic.  For example, the "Extras" tab allows you to choose the background color or texture of the game, and to change the sound options.

Tab Descriptions

Options Tab

Stack Piece Names

The "Stack Piece Names" list box shows the names of the various playing pieces available.  Clicking on a name in the list box selects the new pieces and previews them in the "Stack Piece Preview" area.

Keys Tab

The Keys tab allows you to customize your keys which control piece movement.  For each key movement below, select a keystroke in the list box.

Piece Left

Moves the stack to the left while it is dropping.

Piece Right

Moves the stack to the right while it is dropping.

Rotate Up

Rearranges the pieces in the stack by placing the lowest piece in the stack on the top.

Rotate Down

Rearranges the pieces in the stack by placing the top piece in the stack on the bottom.

Drop Piece

Instantly drops the stack to the bottom of the column.  Use this keystroke after you have positioned the stack and rearranged the pieces.

Extras Tab

The Extras tab allows you to change the background of the main game window, or to change the sounds used in the game.  Changing the options in the Extras tab does not affect the rules of the game.

Screen Background

The box framing the "Screen Background" list box shows the current background color or texture of the screen.  Highlighting the name of a color or texture in the list box will preview the new background color or texture of the game window.

Game Sounds

Game Sounds Enabled

The "Game Sounds Enabled" check box turns the game sounds on or off.  This option is checked on by default.  Un-checking the box will turn the game sounds off.  If this option is turned off, the rest of the controls below it are disabled.

If your system does not have any sound support (i.e. you are not using a windows-hosted sound card), this option will not be available.

Path...

The Path... button allows you to choose a sound file to be played during a game event.  The game events that can have sounds attached are listed above the button.  You can associate any windows wave file (*.WAV) with a game event.

Test

The Test button plays the sound associated with the game event selected in the list box above the button.  If there is no sound associated with the event, or the selected file is invalid, no sound will be played.

Help Contents

StackBlitz Rules

StackBlitz Commands


Game Commands
How to Move Pieces

Moving pieces in StackBlitz is accomplished by using the keyboard keys (see the Keys tab in the Options dialog box).  Once the stack has reached the bottom of the column (or cannot drop any further), the stack is locked into position.  The default settings for the keys are. . .

•	Piece Left - Left Arrow Key - Moves the stack to the left while it is dropping.

•	Piece Right - Right Arrow Key - Moves the stack to the right while it is dropping.

•	Rotate Up - Down Arrow Key - Rearranges the pieces in the stack by placing the lowest piece in the stack on the top.

•	Rotate Down - Up Arrow Key - Rearranges the pieces in the stack by placing the top piece in the stack on the bottom.

•	Drop Piece - Space Bar - Instantly drops the stack to the bottom of the column.  Use this keystroke after you have positioned the stack and rearranged the pieces.

Menu Commands

Game Menu

New

Starts a new game.  Abandons any game currently in progress.

Hitting the F2 function key on the keyboard will also start a new game.

Show High Scores...

Shows the high score table.

Options...

Brings up the Options dialog box.  Abandons any game currently in progress if any options are changed.

Exit

Quits the game.

Hitting the Alt key plus the F4 function key on the keyboard will also quit the game.

Help Menu

Index

Brings up the main help index.  The help index gives you an introduction to the game and a quick synopsis of the rules.

Hitting the F1 function key on the keyboard will also bring up the main help index.

Game Rules

Displays an in-depth version of the rules.  The Game Rules page provides play examples and hints.

How To Play

Brings up the help page you are reading now.

Balloon Help

Toggles the help balloons on and off.  The help balloons display quick information about each menu item along with a quick synopsis of the rules.

Balloon help is a check-able toggle.  Choose it to turn the balloon help on.  Choose it again to shut it off.

Hitting the Alt key plus the F1 function key will also toggle the balloon help on or off.

About StackBlitz...

Information about the product

Panic Button

If you want to quickly pause and minimize the game, hit the Escape key on the keyboard.

Help Contents

StackBlitz Rules

StackBlitz Options