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1993-08-28
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LUNACY!
The Manual.
Program by Roderick Martin
Program written in STOS Basic
Copyright 1990--Network 23 Software
This program (version 1.0) can be freely distributed
in its unaltered state ONLY if accompanied by these
(unaltered) documents and this copyright statement.
WARNING NOTE: (a) This program will not run if the disk
is write-protected. LUNACY! needs the
write-protect off to create and update the
high score file. (b) The high score file
must be in the same directory as the LUNACY!
program (the high score file is created the
first time you run LUNACY!)
I. Introduction and Overview
LUNACY! is a game reeking of originality (it's my first
STOS attempt...gimme a break!). Little blocks of different
shapes fall from the sky and you slide them left or right
and rotate them so they complete full rows. These rows are
then deleted and all partial rows above fall to take its place.
Your goal is to complete as many rows as possible so the blocks
don't reach the top. The game is over when a new block cannot
be placed at the top of the screen.
II. Shareware
I have spent a lot of time on this game and have several
other ideas for programs (a paint accessory for STOS, a MULE-
type game, the list goes on) and would appreciate a small
donation. If you use this game and would like to recieve
free improvements (see Improvements) in the future, send
$10.00, or what you feel the program is worth to:
Network 23 Software
7 Sarah Avenue
Springfield, IL 62703
If you send me $10.00 or more (I can dream, can't I?!),
I will notify you when I have a new LUNACY! version, then
all you have to do is send me a disk and I will send it back
with the new LUNACY! version and updated doc's. If you send
less than $10.00, please include a blank disk and I will mail
you a delay-less version of LUNACY! (please send enough to
cover postage to mail the disk back to you!)
III. Title Screen
When LUNACY! is first booted, you're greeted with a title
screen and a familiar theme song (if it's unfamiliar you
either don't have STOS or haven't listened to all the music
supplied with it). I find the music accessory included with
STOS to be pitiful and once able to afford it, I will purchase
Maestro and add original music to this program (send in that
registration!)! For those of you who have downloaded this
game or have not registered, there is a 20 second delay before
you can proceed with the game. You will know when to proceed
to play when a "PRESS MOUSE TO BEGIN" appears.
Press either mouse button.
IV. The Main Screen
This is where most of the action takes place. There is
what looks like a closed door at the top left. That is the
Preview screen...more on that later. The long black area is
the game board. To the right of the game board and below
center is the information cluster. Along the left side are
four arrows and a clock. Beside them are letters (or in the
case of the down arrow, nothing). These are the current key
assignments for moving the blocks. A blank space indicates
the space bar. The clock stands for Pause. These assignments
are best suited for right-handers, but can be changed. To the
right of these are HIGH SCORE for the current session, SCORE
for the game in play and a LEVEL and ROW counter. The LEVEL
counter tells you what level you're on (suprise!) and the ROW
counter tells you how many rows you've deleted. Also on this
screen are five buttons...INFO, SETUP, EXTRAS, TOP TEN, and
START. Any of these can be clicked on with the mouse. When
you do so, a window opens with new information over the
information cluster. You can click on any button in sequence
with some restrictions (see INFO). If you want to return to
the information cluster, either START a game or right click.
A. INFO
Pressing the INFO button gives you information on this
version and where to send registration information. There
are two screens of information and you must be in the second
screen for the other four buttons to have any affect. To
get to the second screen, right-click after you've seen all
you've wanted to see on the first screen.
B. SETUP
A fun screen. Your first option here is INSTRUCTIONS
...left-click here to read a quick overview of instructions
and the buttons on the main screen. Right-click to get to
the second screen.
CONFIGURE KEYS allows you to change the default setting
of the movement and pause keys. Click on CONFIGURE KEYS and
each choice will highlight. Press any alphanumeric keys
(arrow keys won't work) and go through all the selections.
The program will not allow you to choose the same key for
any two functions (don't mess with the computer's mind!).
If you make a mistake, just go through the process again.
SAVE CONFIGURATION FILE will create a file that will
load when LUNACY! is booted and will hold movement key
selections, SOUND on/off, PREVIEW on/off, and other infor-
mation so you don't have to do all this every time you
load this program. DON'T TRY IT! It won't work...this
option will ONLY be supplied to registered users ($10.00
or more). The only way to guarantee you'll get this
option is to register! It may not be included in updated
versions I allow for upload.
C. EXTRAS
An extra-special screen. Currently there are two
options. More will be added later to enhance LUNACY! (see
Improvements). Once again, I can't guarantee these options
will be available - and if they are, you can save the cost
of downloading each new version by registering.
SOUND is actually an inaccurate label for this option.
When SOUND is on (the default) you will hear a music sound-
track throughout the game. If SOUND is off, the music will
be replaced by sound effects. I figure if you want no
sound at all, you can turn down the monitor volume.
PREVIEW activates the preview mode. When this option
is clicked on, the PREVIEW door opens and during the game
will display the next piece to fall. LUNACY! can be much
more difficut with this option off.
D. TOP TEN
Clicking on this button will display the TOP TEN scores
of all-time. They are stored on disk, and the disk cannot
be write-protected because of this. They are stored in the
file LUNACY.HI. If this file is absent, LUNACY! will create
a new one (just in case someone you really don't care for
blows you away and you don't care to stare at their score
till the end of time).
V. High Scoring
If you succeed in getting a high enough score (which
isn't too hard in the beginning), a high score list is
displayed when the game is over. A cursor indicates where
you type your (or any other) name for posterity. All characters
typed will be in all caps. If you type a wrong charater,
Backspace will move the cursor back.
NOTE: If you type eight characters - be SURE the eighth
character is correct before you type it. Once you type the
eighth character, the name is saved and you cannot correct it.
If you don't get on the high score list, the game resets
to the beginning.
VI. Improvements
The fun stuff! I have so many ideas on additional options
for LUNACY! Below is a small description of what registered
users may expect in the future...
SAVE CONFIGURATION FILE - Allows you to save your favorite
settings (keypresses, preview on/off, sound on/off, other
options on/off as they are added).
REPEAT GAME - Play the same game over with the same pieces.
This option is great for two people battling for championship
status (also see below).
DIFFICULTY LEVELS - How about pieces falling from somewhere
other than the top of the screen? Or pieces that don't rotate
in a predictable manner? Or being able to start at faster
speeds?...these are all possibilities!
Two other ideas may take some time to develop...
TWO PLAYER GAME - Two screens, identical pieces, and two
players playing at the same time. WOW! Whoever places the
alloted number of pieces fastest gets a bonus!
??? - An idea I have that would make LUNACY! an entirely
different game! An object would randomly appear on the
screen. If you can maneuver a piece over the object before it
disappears, you can do something special. Delete a row, place
a piece of your choice...or the alternative, a mouth that
swallows that four-long piece you've waited sooo long for! ;-)
VII. Overview of the Keys
MOVE LEFT - moves the block one space to the left.
MOVE RIGHT - moves the block one space to the right.
ROTATE - turns the block 90 degrees clockwise. A future
option might allow you to choose the direction it turns.
DROP - when this key is pressed, the block will fall
down onto the blocks below. Once pressed, the block cannot
be turned or moved left or right as it falls. To what
advantage? POINTS! The higher and faster you can position
the block and let it drop, the higher your points will be!
PAUSE - temporarily halts the game. Any key continues.
VIII. Final Notes
This is my first professional attempt at a game. At least
it's my first completed attempt. Please support shareware!
Since this is my first attempt, I have tried my hardest
to debug. Please leave me messages here on GEnie if you find
any bugs that I have overlooked. My GEnie address is:
R.MARTIN22
Also, please let me know what you think of the game and/or
improvements you'd like to see. You can either write me at
the address above or leave a message in the STOS topic of the
bulletin board...Category 30, Topic 4.