Game of the Winds is an easy to learn solitaire board game. It is a fascinating and challenging game which makes a lot of fun. The game is also well suited for children since the rules are simple.
Game of the Winds is also known as Mahjongg because the tileset of the traditional Chinese Mahjongg board game is used. This has lead to the name of this game. The Chinese Mahjongg game is also known as "Pung chow" meaning "Game of the Winds".
2. Game Basics
When you start Game of the Winds, 144 tiles are arranged on the board in several layers. Each tile is marked with a colored icon. There are always 4 tiles which are marked with the same icon. The arrangement of the tiles is determined by the layout which has been chosen before the start of the game. The distribution of the tiles on the board is randomly chosen. However, it is ensured that there is a solution for every game.
3. Rules
The aim of the game is to remove all tiles from the board. Tiles can be removed from the board by selecting two matching tiles. Two tiles match if they are marked with the same icon. Tiles are selected with a mouse click.
A tile can be selected with a mouse click if it is not locked by other tiles. A tile is locked if there are other tiles on top of it. Moreover, it is locked if there are tiles next to it on the right or left side.
The tile which is selected first will be drawn inverted. Moreover, it will be shown in an additional info window. If a second tile with the same icon is selected, both tiles will be removed from the board. Game of the Winds will issue an alert sound if a tile which is locked or marked by a different icon is selected.
If you do not find another tile with the same icon, you can deselect the already selected tile by another mouse click.
To remove all tiles from the board, you must always act strategically. Otherwise, it might happen that it won't be possible to remove all tiles since some tiles are mutually locked.
4. Variants
Game of the Winds comes with 20 different board layout files. The level of difficulty varies from one board layout to the other. Before starting the game, the arrangement of the tiles can be chosen by selecting one of the layout files. You can construct additional board layouts by using the integrated board layout editor.
The icons of the tiles can be chosen from 3 different tilesets.
The different game variants make Game of the Winds a diversified and entertaining game for young and old players.
4.1. For Children
The tilesets which come with Game of the Winds are well suited for children. The tileset "Letters" supports the learning of the alphabet. The tileset "Shapes" trains the differentiation of shapes and colors.
4.2. Mahjongg
The demanding tileset "Mahjongg" makes Game of the Winds a challenge. The tiles differ only in details and require the player's concentration. The tileset "Mahjongg" contains 2 groups with 4 tiles which all carry different icons such as the "Season" and the "Flowers" tiles. A tile from the "Flowers" group must be selected with another tile from the "Flowers" group. The same is required for "Season" tiles.
Season Tiles
Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring
Flower Tiles
Orchid, Plum, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo
4.3. Challenge
A stop watch is displayed during the game in a separate window which shows the current playing time. It is started when you begin with a new game. The 10 best players may enter their names into the high score list. This makes Game of the Winds a real challenge. If you want to play without pressure you can hide the stop watch during the game.
5. System Requirements
Game of the Winds requires System 7.0 or later. It runs on a Macintosh equipped with any 68K or PowerPC processor. It is best played with your monitor set to 256 colors. However, it also supports black and white monitors.
6. Shareware
Game of the Winds is shareware which means that you can try the software before paying for it. If you like Game of the Winds and you want to keep it, you must register your copy and send in the registration fee.
6.1. Registration
You can register Game of the Winds in 3 different ways. Please choose the way which is most convenient for you:
1. Registration with credit card, check, or cash via Kagi shareware service
2. Register Online via the internet with your credit card
3. Paying cash directly to the author
Game of the Winds 2.1 is free for already registered user of Game of the Winds.
6.1.1. Registration with Credit Card, Check, or Cash via Kagi
Registration and payment processing for Game of the Winds is handled by Kagi Shareware. The registration fee for Game of the Winds is US $10.
Paying for Game of the Winds is fairly simple. Open the program "Register Game of the Winds" that accompanies Game of the Winds. Enter your name, your email address, and the number of single user licenses you wish to purchase. Save or copy or print the data from the "Register Game of the Winds" program and send the data and payment to Kagi. More specifics on the "Register" program to follow.
If paying by Credit Card or First Virtual, you can email or fax the data to Kagi. Their email address is sales@kagi.com and their fax number is +1 510 652-6589. You can either copy the data from "Register" and paste into the body of an email message or you can save the data to a file and you can attach that file to an email message. There is no need to compress the data file because it's already pretty small. If you have a fax modem, just print the data to the Kagi fax number.
Payments sent via email are processed within 3 to 4 days. You will receive an email acknowledgement when it is processed. Payments sent via fax take up to 10 days and if you provide a correct internet email address you will receive an email acknowledgement.
If you are paying cash or by a US Dollar Check you should print the data using the "Register Game of the Winds" application and send it to the address shown on the form, which is:
Kagi
1442-A Walnut Street #392-9L
Berkeley, California 94709-1405
USA
You can pay cash by choosing from a wide variety of currencies but at present if you pay by check, it must be a check drawn in US Dollars. Kagi cannot accept checks in other currencies, the conversion rate for non-US Dollar checks is around US $15 per check and that is just not practical.
Kagi can not invoice your company, you need to act on my behalf and generate the invoice and handle all the paperwork on your end. Please do not fax or email payment forms that indicate Cash, Check or Invoice as the payment method. As far as we know, there is still no technology to transfer physical objects via fax or email and without the payment, the form cannot be processed.
Payments sent via postal mail take time to reach Kagi and then up to 10 days for processing. Again, if you include a correct email address, you will hear from Kagi when the form is processed.
6.1.2. Online Registration
You can register Game of the Winds online by using the registration system of Kagi shareware. Enter the following address in your WWW browser:
http://order.kagi.com/?9L
A credit card is requiered for the registration. A confirmation is send to you by email after successful processing of your registration.
6.1.3. Paying Cash
If you would like to pay cash, you can send the payment directly to the author of Game of the Winds. You can save money because you don't have to pay for the currency conversion. However, only cash in the following currencies is accepted:
Germany DM 10
EU EUR 5
USA $ 10
France FF 50
Italy Li 15000
Swiss SFr 10
United Kingdom £ 5
Netherlands hfl 15
Austria S 100
Other currencies than those specified above, checks, and credit cards can only be processed by Kagi. (see 6.1.1)
Please fill in the "Registration Form" which is included as a text file in the same folder as Game of the Winds. Print the form and send it together with the payment to the following address. If the form is missing, please send the payment together with a note with your name and address. Please include your email address if you have one.
Martin Cordsmeier
Triftweg 26
D-33106
Germany
You will receive a confirmation by email or postal mail immediately. However, don't forget that postal mail may take some days to reach me.
6.2. Benefits of registering Game of the Winds
After the registration of Game of the Winds, all shareware messages will be deactivated and Game of the Winds will start without the shareware delay and the annoying shareware message box. Saving of High Scores in the Game of the Winds high score table is activated.
Please register Game of the Winds and support the development of this wonderful game.
7. License
Permission is granted to use, copy, and distribute this software and its documentation, provided that this software and all accompanying files are not deleted or modified in any way, and that there is no charge made for the program, other than the media it is recorded on, or normal charges for connection and download time from online services. This software is provided as is without express or implied warranty.
8. Virus Check
Disinfectant 3.7.1 shows no viruses in any file of the distribution.
9. Description of Menu Options
Game of the Winds has two different program modes:
• Game mode
This is the standard mode to play Game of the Winds
• Editor mode
In this mode you can construct new board layouts
The mode can be chosen by selecting one of the menu options "Game Mode" or "Editor Mode" in the menu "Options". The activated mode will be marked with a check mark in front of the name of the mode in the menu. The mode can only be switched if no game and no editor is open.
The menu options available in the menu "File" depend on the currently selected mode.
Menu "File"
New Game
Starts a new Game in a new window.
Before a new game is started, the board layout file can be selected in the menu "Layouts". The selected board layout is marked with a check mark.
If there is already an open game, you will be asked whether you want to save the modifications. Otherwise, the game is closed immediately and a new game is started.
The menu option "New Game" is only available in "Game Mode".
Open Game...
Opens a layout file and starts the game. A file selection dialog box is displayed where you can select a board layout file. The dialog box shows board layout files which are delivered with the game, board layout files which have been created with the integrated editor and board layout files which have been saved before with the menu option "Save as...".
Your high score will not be saved if you select a board file which has been saved with the menu option "Save as...".
The menu option "Open Game..." is only available in "Game Mode".
New Layout
Starts the board layout editor with a new board layout.
You can use the board layout editor to create your own board layouts.
The menu option "New Layout" is only available in "Editor Mode".
Open Layout...
Opens a layout file and starts the board layout editor. A file selection dialog box is displayed where you can select a board layout file. The dialog box shows board layout files which are delivered with the game and board layout files which have been created with the integrated editor.
You can use the board layout editor to create your own board layouts. Moreover, you can modify already existing board layout files.
The menu option "Open Layout..." is only available in "Editor Mode".
Close
Closes the current game or editor. If the open document has already been modified, you will be asked whether you want to save the modifications. Otherwise, the window is closed immediately.
Save
Saves the data of the game or the editor. In game mode you can save the data of the game. You can open the saved game later with the command "Open Game...". In editor mode you can save the document in a layout file. Only layout files with 144 tiles can be used for playing.
The menu option "Save" is only available if the open document is already associated with a file. Otherwise, the menu option "Save as..." must be used.
Save As...
Saves the data of the game or the editor. A file selection dialog box is displayed in which you can select the folder and file name of the new document file. You can open the saved game later with the command "Open Game...". In editor mode you can save the document in a layout file. Only layout files with 144 tiles can be used for playing.
Game of the Winds searches for board layout files only in the folder where the application "Game of the Winds" is stored and in its sub-folders.
Replay Board
Restarts the current game. All tiles which you have removed during the game will reappear in the same order as they were at the beginning of the last game. The stop watch is not reset!
The menu option "Replay Board..." is only available in "Game Mode".
Revert
All modifications which you have performed on the current board layout file will be rejected. The last version of the file will be reloaded.
The menu option "Revert" is only available in "Editor Mode".
Quit
Quits Game of the Winds. If the open document has already been modified, you will be asked whether you want to save the modifications. Otherwise, the application is closed immediately.
Menu "Edit"
Undo/Redo
The menu option "Undo" cancels the last actions step by step. In "Game Mode", those two tiles which have been removed last will be taken back. However, a penalty of 15 seconds will be added to your playing time.
The menu option "Redo" restores step by step all actions which have been canceled by preceding "Undo" commands.
Menu "Layouts"
Game of the Winds puts an entry for every board layout file into the menu "Layouts". Game of the Winds searches for board layout files only in the folder where the application "Game of the Winds" is stored and in its sub-folders.
A new game will be started if you select a layout from the menu. If a game based on another layout is already open, you will be asked whether you want to save the current game.
The selected board layout is marked with a check mark.
The menu "Layouts" is only available in "Game Mode".
Menu "Tilesets"
Game of the Winds puts an entry for every tileset file into the menu "Tilesets". Game of the Winds searches for tileset files only in the folder where the application "Game of the Winds" is stored and in its sub-folders.
Tilesets can be selected at any time.
The following tilesets are delivered with Game of the Winds:
• Mahjongg
• Letters
• Shapes
Menu "Options"
Game Mode
The selection of the menu entry "Game Mode" switches Game of the Winds into the mode "Game". The menu option "Game Mode" is only available if no game or editor window is open.
Editor Mode
The selection of the menu option "Editor Mode" switches Game of the Winds into the mode "Editor". The menu option "Editor Mode" is only available if no game or editor window is open.
Show High Scores
Displays a window which shows the high score list. The high score list shows the names of the 10 best players and their respective playing time. Saving of high scores is only activated if Game of the Winds is already registered. The high score list can be cleared by the menu option "Preferences" in the menu "Options".
Show Info
This menu option brings the information window to front. The information window shows information on the current game or editor window. The information shown in the window depends on the current program mode.
The menu option is only available if the information window is hidden. Otherwise, the menu option is replaced by "Hide Info".
In mode "Game" the information window shows
• a stop watch which measures the time since start of the game
• the icon of the currently selected tile
• the number of remaining tiles
In mode "Editor" the information window shows
• the number of tiles which remain to be placed into the board layout
• a button marked with the plus sign. The button switches the editor into the mode "Add".
In the mode "Add" every mouse click into the layout window adds a new tile to the layout.
• a button marked with the minus sign. The button switches the editor into the mode "Delete".
In the mode "Delete" every mouse click on a tile in the layout window deletes the
respective tile.
It is also possible to toggle between the "Add" and "Delete" mode by pressing and holding the option key.
Hide Info
This menu option hides the information window. For more information on the information window see menu option "Show Info".
The menu option is only available if the information window is not hidden. Otherwise, the menu option is replaced by "Show Info".
Preferences...
The menu option "Preferences ..." shows a dialog window in which you can adjust program preferences.
• Click Sounds
This option switches on and off the alert sounds issued by Game of the Winds.
• Tiles
You can set the size of the tiles by choosing the corresponding radio button. All board layouts are designed in a way that the complete board can be displayed on a monitor with 640x480 pixels in the mode "Large Tiles". If you have a smaller monitor you should activate the mode "Small Tiles".
Playing in "Small Tiles" mode isn't a comfortable setting, but usable on small monitors.
• Clear High Scores
With this option you can clear the high score list. The execution of this command must be confirmed in a dialog box since it is not reversable.
Menu "Hints"
Count Moves
Game of the Winds displays the number of matching selectable tiles in a dialog window. A dialog box will tell you that the game is over in case there aren't any matching tiles.
The menu option "Count Moves" is only available in the mode "Game".
Find Move/Find Next Move
The menu option "Find Move" searches for two matching tiles and marks them with a red circle. A penalty of 5 seconds will be added to your playing time. A dialog box will tell you that the game is over in case there aren't any matching tiles.
The menu option "Find Next Move" searches for the next two matching tiles. An alert sound is issued if there aren't any more matching tiles.
The menu options "Find Move" and "Find Next Move" are only available in "Game Mode".
Find Matching Tile/Find Next Matching Tile
The menu option "Find Matching Tile" searches for a matching tile which belongs to the already selected tile. The matching tiles will be marked with a red circle. A penalty of 5 seconds will be added to your playing time. An alert sound is issued if there isn't any matching tile.
The menu option "Find Next Matching Tile" searches for the next matching tile. An alert sound is issued if there isn't another matching tile.
The menu options "Find Matching Tile" and "Find Next Matching Tile" are only available in "Game Mode" when there is a selected tile.
10. New Features in Release 2.1
The following features are new in Game of the Winds release 2.1:
• Game of the Winds is optimized for MacOS 8
• Multiple Undo/Redo
• Enhanced search mechanism for matching tiles
• Clearing of high score board
Moreover, the following enhancements have been introduced in Game of the Winds 2.1:
• The layout file can be changed at every time
• The menu options "New Game" and "Open Game" are always enabled in "Game" mode
• The menu "Help" is renamed to "Hints"
• A penalty of 5 seconds will be added to the play time if one of the search functions is used
