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=====================================================================
Siege!
for Windows (c)
Written by Edward E. Dellow
Copyright (c) 1993, Strategic Solutions
Version 1.1
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
=====================================================================
Contents
--------
1.0 The shareware concept ................. 2
1.1 Definition of shareware ............. 2
1.2 Disclaimer - agreement ............. 2
1.3 Hardware\Software Requirements ...... 3
1.4 Registration ........................ 3
2.0 About Siege for windows (c) ........... 4
2.1 Quick start ......................... 4
2.2 Rules of play ....................... 4
Building fortifications
Territorial influence
Attacking the enemy
The element of surprise
Chain reactions
The fork
Score Card
2.3 Using the menus ..................... 7
2.4 Creating a player ................... 9
2.5 Deleting players .................... 9
2.6 Remote players ...................... 10
Network connections
Communication port connections
Setting options
3.0 Support Policy ........................ 12
1.0 The shareware concept Page 2
=====================================================================
1.1 Definition of shareware
---------------------------
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before
buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you
are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details --
some request registration while others require it, some specify a
maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the
simple right to continue using the software to an updated program
with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of
comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad
ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The
author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the
software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For
example, some authors require written permission before a commercial
disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether
it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting
your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because
the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate
money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay
for it.
1.2 Disclaimer - agreement
--------------------------
Users of Siege! for Windows (c) must accept this disclaimer of
warranty: Siege! for Windows (c) is supplied as is. The author
disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without
limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any
purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or
consequential, which may result from the use of Siege! for
Windows (c).
Siege! for Windows (c) is a "shareware program" and is provided at
no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with
your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without high
prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to
develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that
Page 3
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you are using Siege! for Windows (c) and continue to use Siege! for
Windows (c) after a reasonable trial period, you must make a
registration payment of $20.00 to Strategic Solutions. The $20.00
registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer
at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An
example is that this software may be used by any number of people and
may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long
as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while
it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two
different persons at the same time.
Commercial users of Siege! for Windows (c) must register and pay for
their copies of Siege! for Windows (c) within 30 days of first use
or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be
made by contacting Strategic Solutions.
Anyone distributing Siege! for Windows (c) for any kind of
remuneration must first contact Strategic Solutions at the address
below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically
granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its
guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may
begin offering Siege! for Windows (c) immediately (However Strategic
Solutions must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept
up- to-date with the latest version of Siege! for Windows (c)).
You are encouraged to pass a copy of Siege! for Windows (c) along to
your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register
their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of the Siege! for Windows
(c) system.
1.3 Hardware\Software Requirements
----------------------------------
Siege! for Windows (c) is a windows application. It should run on
any configuration supported by windows. It is recommended however
that you have a 386 or better and a VGA monitor. The application
automatically takes maximum advantage of your displays resolution.
This means that it will work on an EGA but may be difficult to read
in All Clues Mode. It works well on a standard VGA and great on
Super VGA.
1.4 Registration
----------------
To register, print and fill out the file ORDERFRM.TXT. Mail it to
the address listed on the registration form. You may also print the
registration form from within Siege! for Windows (c) by selecting
Help\Registration.
2.0 About Siege for windows (c) Page 4
=====================================================================
Siege for windows(c) is a strategy game played on a board. The object
is to control the most territory after a set number of turns. You may
play against the computer or another person. You can even create your
own players. Watch out! Siege uses an artificial intelligence, so
the computer players learn from their mistakes. To play against a
friend you may use a network, or a modem. Of course you may elect
to play against a friend on your computer.
2.1 Quick start
---------------
You install Siege for Windows (c) using a special install program on
the game disk. Place the game disk in a drive (A: or B:). Startup
Windows as you normally would. From the program manager, select File
and then Run. The computer will prompt you for the name of a program
to run. If you placed the game disk in drive A:, type 'A:\INSTALL'
if you put the disk in drive B: type 'B:\INSTALL'. Press Enter or
click on the OK button and you're off. The install program will ask
you where to install the program and where it can find windows. If
you don't know (or care) where you install the game, accept the
defaults by pressing enter for both prompts.
Click on the SS (Strategic Solutions) icon located in your program
manager window. There should be an icon for Siege for windows (c).
Click twice on this icon. From the open application, select "Play"
from the menu. Click on "Begin Tournament". You're now free to
play. The default settings include music, "you" (human) playing
against "me" (computer), 3 games per tournament, and 21 turns per
game.
2.2 Rules of play
-----------------
Siege! for Windows(c) uses on a 6x8 grid of territories. The object
of the game is to control the most territory after a fixed number of
moves.
Building fortifications
-----------------------
You control territory by building fortifications. During each turn,
both players add fortification to a single territory. You may
fortify any territory not currently fortified by the enemy forces.
The more you fortify a territory the harder it is to conquer and the
more influence it has over other territories. A territory may have
up to three levels of fortification.
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Garrisons By fortifying an open square, you place a garrison
on that position. You also exert one "point" of
influence on the positions North, South, East and
West.
Forts If you fortify a territory that already has a Garrison,
the territory becomes a Fort, and exerts 2 points of
influence on the surrounding territories.
Castles If you fortify a territory that already has a Fort,
the territory becomes a Castle and exerts 3 points of
influence on surrounding territories.
Outposts An outpost is another way to control territory.
Creation or destruction of an outpost occurs
automatically when one army exhibits more influence
then the other.
Territorial influence
---------------------
To control a territory, you must exhibit more influence over it then
your opponent. Each level of fortification adds one point of
influence on that territory and each territory with which it shares a
border (North, South, East and West). If your territory is next to
the opponent's territory and the number of points you exert on his
position is greater than the number he exerts, you will cause
revolution, and conquest of his territory. This will destroy the
enemy structures on that territory.
Attacking the enemy
-------------------
To attack the enemy, build a fortification on his border that causes
you to have more influence than he does. A state of siege exists
when you build up fortifications against an enemy's territory that
provide influence equal to that of the enemy's. The territory under
siege will raise a flag for help. If the enemy does not fortify that
territory in his next turn, you may conquer it by building an
additional fortification adjacent to the territory under siege. The
new attack does not need to come from the same territory that caused
the initial siege.
NOTE: For a more challenging game, you may turn off the siege
warning in the option menu.
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The element of surprise
-----------------------
Since an outpost is not actually a fortification, you may build a new
fortification on an enemy outpost. This is normally not good
practice because at a minimum you place your fortification in siege.
Destruction of the fortification will occur if your enemy exhibits
enough force on the territory. When you build a fortification on a
territory however, you have the element of surprise. What this
means is that your point of influence is applied to the attack
before your opponent may counter-strike. If you place a new
fortification on an enemy outpost adjacent to an enemy fortification
under siege, the fortification will be destroyed. Since the
fortification no longer exists, it no longer exhibits influence on
your new territory. This may allow the fortification to survive the
counter attack where it would normally not be able to.
Chain reactions
---------------
When a fortification is destroyed, it ceases to influence the
surrounding territories. As a result, these territories may also be
instantly destroyed if the enemy now exhibits more influence. The
territories protected by these territories may also be destroyed
causing a chain reaction.
The fork
--------
Another attack strategy is the fork. If you can place a
fortification between two enemy fortifications (north-south or
east-west) such that both territories are under siege, the enemy
cannot protect both of them. He will have to make a decision and
protect only one leaving the other vulnerable to attack.
Score Card
----------
One the right of the screen, you'll see you and your opponent. Below
that, the number of territories that you control.
After you've won or lost games, you might look at your player's
history. Select "File" from the menu, and click on "View a player".
All of the games played by that player are listed, including his win
and loss record, and with whom the tournament was played.
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2.3 Using the menus
-------------------
To select a pull down menu, hold down the Alt key and press the first
letter of the menu name. You may also select a menu option with the
mouse or move the cursor to the menu by pressing F10. For more
detailed instructions, read your windows manual or on-line help
FILE
----
Create a player Creates a new computer or human player. Computer
players start dumb but learn quickly. They
analyze the results of each game and their
opponents strategy and adopt. A history file is
kept for each computer and human player. See
Creating a player on page 9.
View a player Allows you to view the tournament history for
all known players. The history shows the number
of games won, lost and tied for each tournament
the selected player was involved with.
Delete a player Deletes all information (strategy and history)
for a player and removes him from the roster.
Before the player is deleted, you will be
prompted to confirm.
Save options Saves all game options so that the next time you
play everything will be set to your preferences.
This includes everything in the options menu,
everything in the remote player options and the
current players names.
Restore options Restores the options to the last point where
they were saved or to defaults if Save Options
has never been used. This happens
automatically when the game is started but you
may use this option to 'undo' settings made
since the last Save or restore.
Exit Exits the program. If you are currently in a
tournament, you will be asked if you wish to end
it. If you do not choose to end the tournament,
the program will not exit.
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EDIT
----
Select White player Selects the white player. The white player
always starts the first game of a tournament
Select Black player Selects the black player.
Set options Allows you to set options which control game
play factors. This includes difficulty level,
music, siege warning, learning, number of turns
and number of games per tournament.
REMOTE
------
Open remote Opens a connection for a remote player. You
will be asked to specify either a network or
communication port connection. To play against
a remote player, you must also select remote
for either the White or Black player. See Remote
players on page 10.
Close remote Closes an open connection. This option is
only available when a remote connection is open.
Settings Allows you to change settings for a remote
player on a communication port. See
Communications connections on page 10.
WINDOW
------
Small Changes the window size to small.
Medium Changes the window size to medium.
Large Changes the window size to large.
PLAY
----
Begin a tournament Begins a new tournament against the two players
selected. If one of the players is a remote
player and you have not yet opened a remote
connection you will be prompted to open one.
End tournament Ends a tournament in progress. Ending a
tournament in progress is considered a loss.
You will be prompted to confirm this option.
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HELP
----
About Siege! Shows the about dialog box. This is useful if
you need to know the version of the program.
Help on using help Produces a generic windows help screen
explaining how to use help
Index Shows an index of Siege for Windows topics.
The on-line help covers the same material as the
manual.
Registration/ordering Produces a help file explaining how to register
the program.
Product support Produces a help file explaining product support
available from Strategic solutions.
2.4 Creating a player
---------------------
Siege! for Windows (c) comes with some players but you may want to
create your own.
To create a player, select "File" from the menu, and click on "Create
a Player". Siege! for windows(c) will want to know if the player is
a human or computer. Of course, the difference is that if the player
is a human, the computer won't make the move, but if you select a
computer player, it will. You may wish to create human players for
each person who plays so that you can keep their history. A name will
also be necessary. There are restrictions on the length of a name.
It can't be more than eight characters.
To get your new player in action, select "Edit" from the menu, and
click on "Select a White player" or "Select a Black player". A list
of players will appear and you can select one. The player on top
will always go first.
2.5 Deleting players
--------------------
You have the option to delete a player as well. To delete a player,
select "File" from the menu, and click on "Delete a player". A list
of players will appear. Select the player to delete.
Page 10
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2.6 Remote players
------------------
You can play siege with a friend on another computer. You attach the
two computers through a network or communication port. The player
not playing on your computer is known as a remote player. To play
against a remote player you must do two things.
1) Choose either 'Play\Select White player' or 'Play\Select Black
player' from the menu and then select '<remote>' as the name of
the player.
2) Choose 'Remote\Open connection' from the menu. Select
communication port or network and proceed through to create a
connection (see below).
These two steps may be performed in any order. If you have selected
a remote player (step 1) but not opened a connection (step 2) before
starting a tournament, you will be prompted to create a connection.
Network connections
-------------------
Siege will work on most networks without any complex installation
procedures. To play over a network, you and your friend must be able
to share access to the same file. Some networks don't allow sharing of
files. Yours probably does if you see a network disk drive. To
connect, you must specify the same file name, in the same directory,
on the same disk.
If you're not familiar with the terms above, ask your network
administrator to help.
Communication port connections
------------------------------
You can also connect two computers through their communication
ports with or without modems. To connect to computers without a
modem you will need a 'null modem cable'. You can find one at most
computer stores.
If you have connected the computers with a null modem cable, select
direct. If your using a modem, select dial or answer. If you select
dial, or course your friend must select answer. You must also
specify the communication where you have attached you modem or cable
(usually one or two).
You may also need to visit the communication settings dialog box to
set up communication speed and a phone number. The screen displayed
here will have a bunch of "Greek" on it. If you don't know what
those things are, DON'T TOUCH THEM! Otherwise, you may enter the
phone number on this screen.
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Phone communications is not easy, so if you have problems, ask
someone who uses the modem often.
Setting options
------------------
There are several options that control the way games are played. You
may set the options by selecting 'Edit' and 'Set options' from the
menu. These options will remain in effect until you end Siege! for
Windows or change them. You may also make these option the startup
defaults by selecting 'File' and 'Save options' from the menu. You
may erase changes to the options by selecting 'File' and 'Restore'
from the menu.
Difficulty level Changes the expertise of computer players.
You may specify one of five levels, Very easy,
Easy, Moderate, Hard, Very hard.
Play music Toggles music on or off.
Siege warning Toggles siege warning on or off. With siege
warning on (default), a castle under siege
closes it's door and raises a flag. Turn this
feature off for a more challenging game.
Allow computer Toggles computer learning on or off. With this
players to learn option on, computer players learn from all
players that beat them (computer or human) and
adopt to their tactics. You may want to turn
this option off to prevent computer players from
changing once you have programmed them the way
you want.
Turns per Changes the number of Turns per tournament.
tournament The default is 21 but you may change it if you
like shorter or longer games.
Games per Specifies the default number of games per
tournament tournament. The default is 3.
3.0 Support Policy Page 12
=====================================================================
Strategic Solutions provides user support to registered versions via
mail, telephone, and CompuServe Information Service (R). for 3
months after registration. Strategic Solutions will answer questions
and fix serious bugs during the three month period. For problems
involving a specific hardware or software environment or feature, we
may choose not to modify the program. In that case, if a problem is
reported within three months after purchase, then we shall offer to
refund the user's purchase price.
If a program bug prevents you from evaluating Siege! for Windows
(c) during the first 30 days (prior to registration), Strategic
Solutions will attempt to assist but is not under obligation to
resolve issues beyond our control.
Phone : (817) 232-8781
CIS : 71321,2745
Address : Strategic Solutions
7908 Firefly
Fort Worth, Texas 76137
You may share Siege! for Windows (c) with others for the purpose
of evaluation as long as it's unaltered and distributed in its
entirety.
Strategic Solutions is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member
directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you
resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not
provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the
ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a
Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.