Software of the Month Club 1995 December

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Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II Version 1.1 September 22, 1995 Nels Anderson 585 Edmands Road Framingham, MA 01701 U.S.A. FAX: 508-788-1363 BBS: 508-788-6951 CompuServe: 71020,2613 email: nels.anderson@xevious.com WWW: http://www.ultranet.com/~nels/ INTRODUCTION Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II is a second generation version of the popular tile solitaire game. The original idea for the game is supposed to originate with the Chinese some 3000 years ago. This version updates the game a bit--about 2000 years or so. The original pyramid shaped pile of tiles used in the game is known as "the dragon" by the Chinese. In this version you take the part of a medieval knight trying to defeat that dragon. Using your skill you will attempt to be the dragon's bane--the person who can defeat it! Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II goes far beyond the original solitaire game. It includes support for both VGA and SuperVGA graphics and SoundBlaster digitized sound effects. It lets you play the original "dragon" layout plus many others--you can even create your own! It allows you to use a wide variety of tile sets, not just the original Chinese tiles. A separate tile editor is included too, so you can make your own custom tiles. The game includes many options and keeps statistics of your game play if you wish. Though you can learn the game in just minutes you'll find yourself playing it for years. Under the Shareware system you may freely try out this program, but if you continue to use it you are expected to register with the author and pay the $16 (plus $2 shipping) registration fee. In return for your registration you'll receive the latest version of the game with the shareware notices removed, a statistics editor, plus additional tile sets, background pictures and board layouts. There is also a "deluxe" version available which adds a binder and printed manual; the actual game software is identical to the standard version. The "deluxe" version is $24 (plus $4 shipping). Please note that all prices are U.S. dollars. CompuServe users can register using their software registration service SWREG (just GO SWREG for information). The ID number is 6910. If you live in the U.K. you can register through Nildram Software. Please print the file "UKORDER.TXT" for an order form all ready to go or just send #12.95 to: Nildram Software 82 Akeman Street Tring Herts HP23 6AF When you register, please let me know what version you have and I'd also be interested in knowing where you got it from. Please, make sure to put your name and address on the letter! It's amazing how many people don't do this. Even better, you can use the instant registration form in the file "ORDERFRM.TXT". Just copy the file to your printer using the DOS copy command ("copy orderfrm.txt prn" will do it; do not indent or use a proportionally spaced font and it will print just fine). If you live outside the U.S., the best way to register appears to be by using postal money orders. I've received these from quite a few countries. In general, foreign checks are not accepted by U.S. banks. Canadian checks are an exception, but please allow for the difference in U.S. and Canadian dollars. EuroCheques, for example, are not acceptable to the bank. You can also charge your registration to VISA or MasterCard. Want to get the registered version RIGHT NOW? You can by calling Software Creations BBS and using their online store to order and immediately download the registered version. You can reach Software Creations by calling 508-368-7036 (up to 14.4 kbps modems) or 508-368-6604 (up to 28.8 kbps modems). Once you've logged on and reached the main menu just use the command STORE and follow the instructions. If you don't understand the term "Shareware" please read the file "SHAREWRE.TXT". If you have any suggestions or discover any problems with the program you can reach me via the Xevious BBS (PCBoard) system (supports 300 through 28800 bps, HST/v.32/v.34, 8N1) at 508-788-6951. Leave a C)omment to the sysop to reach me. Xevious is the official support BBS for all my software and the latest versions are always available for downloading there. There is also a support conference for people to exchange game tips or ask questions. J)oin conference #31 and check out the latest tips. Also check B)ulletin #1 for the latest versions list. You can register Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II while on Xevious using your VISA or MasterCard. Once logged in, use the command "CREDIT" and just answer the prompts. You can also reach Xevious through RelayNet. If there's a RelayNet board in your area send a routed message to me at node XEVIOUS. The Shareware conference would be the best choice, but if that's not available try Games or even Common. I'm also available through CompuServe. Send email to me at 71020,2613. Or join me and many other Shareware authors in the Shareware forum (GO SHAREWARE). Internet users can reach me via email using the address nels.anderson@xevious.com Of course you can also write me at the address at the beginning of this file. If you're not a registered user please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MEMORY REQUIREMENTS: Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II requires about 540k of conventional memory and about 1.1 meg of either expanded or extended memory. You must be running a memory manager such as HIMEM/EMM386 (which come with MS-DOS) or QEMM. A properly set up system using any memory manager should easily have more than 540k of conventional memory available. While the game will work with either expanded or extended memory, expanded is preferred as the game will run faster. If you are using QEMM you should not have to do anything as QEMM can allocate available memory as either expanded or extended. If using EMM386 make sure you have 1 meg of memory allocated as expanded for best operation. VIDEO REQUIREMENTS: Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II supports both 256 color SVGA and standard 16 color VGA graphics modes. Since there are no industry wide standards for SVGA it's not possible to support all video cards in this mode. The game does support many video cards in their native SVGA mode and should also support any video card that is capable of VESA 1.2 graphics (specifically, the game uses VESA mode 101). If your video card cannot handle SVGA mode the game will automatically run in standard 16 color VGA graphics. Note that some VESA 1.2 compatible video cards require that you load an external driver before this mode can be used; check your video card manual if you have problems. Dragons Bane always tries to use your video card in its native mode rather than VESA mode since this is generally faster. However, some video cards have problems running in native mode, resulting in partial screen images, flickering, etc. In these cases you should try to force the use of VESA graphics by starting up the game as follows: dragon -Z If even this doesn't work, this option should make the game work on any VGA system: dragon -16 Please note that the space after "dragon" and the dash are required. MOUSE USAGE: Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II can be played with either your keyboard or with a mouse. Most people will find a mouse easier. To be able to use a mouse you must have a mouse driver loaded before running the game. The driver should have come with your mouse when you bought it and installation instructions should have been included with the mouse documentation. In general, the mouse driver is either an .exe file that you can run at any time or a .sys file that is included in your "config.sys" file making it load when you boot your computer. Mouse drivers are frequently updated by manufacturers so if you have any problems with your mouse check to see if an updated driver is available. WINDOWS USAGE: While Dragons Bane is not a Windows program like many DOS programs it will work just fine when launched from Windows. Because of its memory requirements Dragons Bane must have its own PIF file to run properly. The necessary PIF file is included with the game along with Windows compatible icons for both the game itself and the Tile Factory tile editing utility. To use Dragons Bane from within Windows copy all its files to a single file subdirectory. Then activate the Windows program group where you want Dragons Bane located. Select the File menu, then select New to create a new program item. When the Program Item Properties box pops up fill in the program name ("Dragons Bane") and the working directory (whatever directory you stored all the Dragons Bane files in). For Command Line enter "dragon.exe". Then use Change Icon and select "dragon.ico". If you plan on editing tiles you'll also want to add Tile Factory in a similar manner. One final note: to play Dragons Bane using your mouse you must have a DOS mode mouse driver loaded. The fact that your mouse works running Windows itself does not help; the Windows driver and DOS mode driver are two different things. You should load this driver when boot your computer as part of your config.sys or autoexec.bat. ***************************************************************************** * PLAYING THE GAME * ***************************************************************************** OBJECT The object of the game is to remove all the tiles from the playing board. Tiles can only be removed as matching pairs. Tiles must also be free before they can be removed, on either the left or right side and also above. Any tile that is even partially blocked on the sides or on a higher level cannot be removed. The game places the tiles randomly so some boards cannot be won. This is fairly uncommon, though, and it's been found that around 90% of all boards can be completed. You can approach the game in different ways. Some people simply play each board number in order and just do as well as they can. Others will play each board number repeatedly until they either beat it or prove it cannot be won. The choice is up to you. Play the game as a simple diversion and stress reliever or approach it methodically and record your results or anywhere in between. Strategy involves looking for the best move at any given time and also looking several moves ahead to try to find ways to remove tiles that are blocking many other tiles. The game offers assistance by finding moves for you, finding matches, showing where tiles are hidden, allowing you to undo and redo moves and recording past moves. Some people consider using all these hints to be cheating. Use them as often or as little as you wish. SUITS OF TILES The original versions of this type of solitaire use Chinese tiles that are also used for other games, including the four player "mah jongg" game that is similar to the card game rummy. It's even been said that the solitaire game originated with the Chinese. It certainly makes sense that many games would be played with the tiles just like many different games are played with cards. Tile sets consist of 42 tiles. In the original Chinese tiles (try the tile set MAHJONGG.TL for an example) there are two kinds of suits. Most of the tiles, the first 34, are normal suits while the remaining eight tiles form two suits of wild cards. The game puts four of each normal tile on the playing board and to remove them you must find tiles that are exact matches. However, only one of each tile from the two wild card suits is used and any wild card matches any other wild card in the same suit. The Chinese tiles have wild card suits made up of the four seasons and flowers, so any of the four flowers matches any other and any season matches any other season. Obviously the Chinese tiles are not the only set of tiles used with this game. Still, the same rules are always used for tiles in the same position within the tile set. The first 34 tiles will always require an exact match and tiles 35 through 38 will always comprise one wild card suit while tiles 39 through 42 will comprise the other wild card suit. When trying a new set of tiles you'll probably have to use the View Tile Set function (in the Options menu) to see what tiles fall into each suit. There is one other possibility that you will find in some tile sets. Some sets use the exact same tile in all four positions in the wild card suits. This effectively eliminates the wild cards. When playing the game with this type of tile set you'll be required to find exact matches for all tiles. LAYOUTS The standard layout of tiles is a five level pyramid shape that the Chinese call "the dragon". In this layout you'll find several key tiles: the one on the very top of the pyramid that blocks four piles of tiles below it and the tiles on the far left and right edges which block two rows of tiles. Strategy suggests that you try to remove these four tiles first. Many alternate layouts are available too. You can even make your own layouts (see the Layout Editor section of this manual for details). The layout has a great effect on how difficult it is to win the game. Some layouts are virtually impossible while others are almost trivially easy. Some very interesting layouts are possible, such as inverted pyramids and shapes that are hollow in the middle. The result is that it's sometimes not obvious which tiles are free. Just remember the rules: the tile must be free both directly above and either on the left or on the right. On some of the layouts you'll find some rather surprising places where tiles are free. ***************************************************************************** * USING THE MENUS * ***************************************************************************** The game is controlled from the menu bar which is along the top of the screen at all times. The more common menu items also have keyboard shortcuts. The shortcut keys are shown in the menus and there is also a section of this manual that lists all the available shortcuts. To use any of the menus move the mouse pointer to the name of the menu that you want (File or Options for example) and click. This will open up the menu with a list of further options for you to click on. Some items will require additional selections but you will always be prompted for what is needed. Each menu is described in detail below. HELP MENU Selecting help brings up a series of screens that offer a brief introduction to the game. This is adequate for beginners to get started but to really understand the game you need to read this manual as you are now doing. INFO MENU This selection brings up a single screen with information about the game, how to contact the author, etc. FILE MENU This menu is the main control for the game. It lets you start a new game, replay the current board, load tiles, layouts or pictures and load or save games. It also lets you get to the layout editor. New Game -------- When you're ready to start a new game select this function. A brand new board will be displayed. Each board is numbered for the purposes of record keeping (if you so desire) and which board number is used depends on the setting of the Next Board Number selection under the Options menu. You can have new board numbers selected either sequentially or randomly. Most people won't care about the board number. However, if you are interested in statistics or methodical game play you may wish to select sequential board numbers. Start Over ---------- If you get stuck but want to try the same board number again from the start use this function. The tiles will all be returned and the timer, if used, reset so you can try again. Load Tiles ---------- Many tile sets are available and when you're ready for a change this is the function to use. A file selection box will pop up showing the tile sets (files ending in .TL or .TLV) that are available. If you've put your tile sets in a different directory you can select the directory name to move there or select Close to move up a directory level. The normal installation of the game puts all the files in the same directory so normally you won't have to worry about changing directories. You can also have tile sets change automatically each time you start a new game by using the Next Tile Set function in the Options menu. NOTE: To use most tile sets created by other users (i.e., tiles that you might find on a BBS or in a shareware catalog) you must have the registered version of the game. Load Picture ------------ You have several choices for backgrounds on the game playing board. If you wish to load a picture that will be displayed as the background under the tiles this is the function to use. Several background pictures are included with the game. You can also use your own pictures just as long as they are in the popular PCX picture format. In general, the game can load pictures even if they are in a different format (i.e., while running the game in 256 color mode you should be able to load a 16 color picture). Pictures designed for use as backgrounds will exactly fill the playing surface. Pictures that are slightly smaller will be centered on the playing surface. Pictures that are very small, less that one quarter the available space, will be "tiled". That is, the picture will be displayed multiple times to completely fill up the available space. To remove the picture either load another one or use the Clear Background function under the Options menu. Some pictures will look better than others. The problem is the limitations of a 256 color palette. For the game to work the menus and prompts must be displayed in the proper colors. In addition, the color palette used by the tile set must be maintained or the tiles won't display properly. The result of all this is that a picture may not be able to use the colors that it was originally saved with. When running in 16 color mode the situation is even worse as a fixed set of 16 colors must be used. The game tries to display the picture in colors as close to the original as possible. Most of the time this works quite well. You will find that some pictures look bad only with certain tile sets because their color palettes just don't match well. Black and white pictures usually work quite well as most tile sets have a lot of gray shades available and also because the black and white picture offers good contrast to the colored tiles. Load Layout ----------- Many layouts are available in addition to the default "dragon" arrangement. These include any layouts that you make yourself with the layout editor. When you use this function a list of all available board layouts (files ending in .BRD) will be shown. Double click on the one you want or change directories if you've stored your layout files somewhere else. The game normally installs the layouts in the same directory with all its other files. Save Game --------- Use this function to save a game in progress. You can use this on a game that you wish to continue later. You can also save a game just before the end if you wish to demonstrate to someone how that board number can be won, since a saved game includes all your previous moves. Saved games are files ending in .SAV. When you select the save function the game will suggest a file name for you in the form MAH#####.SAV where the ##### is the current board number. You can use the suggested name by clicking on OK or you can enter your own name. Load Game --------- You use this function to reload a previously saved game. A file selection box will show all available saved games and you double click on the one you want or change directories if your saved games are stored elsewhere. View Doc File ------------- As a convenience, the game has a text file viewer built in. Most people will have a better viewer utility available but if you don't or if you just need to quickly reference something while remaining in the game this function is handy. A file selection box will appear showing all files available for viewing (any file ending in .DOC). You can also change to other directories. When you select the file you want the game will be cleared and the file will be displayed. You can use the left and right mouse buttons to scroll up and down a page at a time. You can also use the Page Up and Page Down keys for the same purpose and the arrow keys to move a single line at a time. To quit hit the Esc (escape) key. For a list of available functions hit the F1 key. Print Order Form ---------------- If you have not yet registered Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II this function will let you print an order form with all the details on registering. The order form is also useful for ordering accessories such as additional tile sets and for ordering other games. Layout Editor ------------- This function brings up the layout editor which allows you to make your own board layouts or modify any of those supplied with the game. Please see the Layout Editor section below for complete details. OPTIONS MENU There are quite a few options available and this menu lets you select many of them. You can control sounds and animation, timing, board number selection, automatic tile set and layout selection and view the current tile set. Next Board Number ----------------- You have three choices available in selecting what the next board number will be. You can have board numbers selected either randomly or sequentially. These settings remain from game to game until changed. The third choice lets you play a specific board number. After you play that one specific board the next board number will depend on whether you had previously selected random or sequential boards. For most people there is no advantage to either setting. Each board number has the tiles placed randomly and the number has no effect other than allowing the same arrangement to be replayed. If you don't care about record keeping and statistics this setting really doesn't matter. Next Tile Set ------------- After you've acquired a good selection of different tile sets you may want an easier way to make use of them. This option gives you three ways to use tile sets. The first selection simply keeps the same set from game to game (unless of course you manually load a new one). The second selection will use all your tile sets in sequential order (as stored on your disk) each time you start a new game. The final selection causes a new tile set to be randomly selected each time you start a new game. Next Board Layout ----------------- This feature is similar to Next Tile Set but controls the use of board layouts instead of tiles. Again you have three choices: use the same layout for every game, use different layouts in sequential order or randomly choose new layouts for each new game. Toggle Peek ----------- Many players like to find out why they get stuck and can't win a board. The peek function lets you do this. When peek is disabled and you run out of moves the game is over. With peek enabled, however, you can continue to remove tiles one at a time to see what the hidden tiles are. Once you've peeked you cannot undo or otherwise continue the game. If you are using the clock it does not run while peeking, it stops as soon as there are no more moves. Remember that most boards can be won. Peeking will let you find out what tiles are causing you problems so that you can replay the same board number and concentrate on not getting stuck by the same tiles again. Toggle Sound Effects -------------------- The game has a variety of sound effects. If you have a SoundBlaster or compatible sound card and sufficient memory you will hear digitized sound effects otherwise the PC speaker is used. If you wish to play the game in quiet you can turn the sound effects off. Toggle Animation ---------------- A variety of animated effects are used when pairs of tiles are removed. The disadvantage of this is that it slows the game down a bit. If you find you don't like the animations you can use this option to disable them. When animation is disabled selected pairs of tiles will simply disappear. Simple or Verbose Prompts ------------------------- In order to help beginners the game has detailed prompts available, especially when you do something wrong or to help you through a series of choices. Once you've played the game for a while you probably won't need these verbose prompts and you can turn them off. With verbose prompts disabled you'll simply get a beep when you make a mistake. Toggle Time ----------- The game always keeps track of how long you play each board. If you really don't care about your time you can turn off the clock and it will no longer be displayed on the screen. If you have statistics keeping enabled, however, your times are still recorded whether or not the clock is displayed. Set Time Limit -------------- In addition to simply keeping track of time you can use the clock to set a limit for each game. Any time between 1 and 48 minutes can be used, though typical games take no more than ten minutes. When a time limit has been selected the clock will count down rather than up. When the clock reaches zero your game is over and you will not be allowed to make further moves. Clear Background ---------------- A variety of backgrounds can be used behind the tiles on the playing surface. This option lets you clear the background to a single plain color or to any of a variety of patterns. When you select Clear Background two squares will be displayed with your choices. The left square contains a number of patterns. If you choose one of these patterns it will be used repeatedly to fill the entire screen. The right square contains 16 or 256 solid colors that can be used to fill the background. The available colors will not always be the same as they are determined by the current color palette in use which is primarily determined by the current tile set. If you wish to have a picture as a background use the Load Picture function in the File menu. View Tile Set ------------- To see the entire current tile set use this function. This is especially useful to determine how the wild card suits are used. See the section on Suits Of Tiles for a discussion on tile suits. HINTS MENU This menu has a number of features designed to help you play the game. These range from helping you find moves to seeing or changing your previous moves. Get Hint -------- This is actually two functions in one. Normally it will show you all currently available moves one at a time. The moves are shown by highlighting the pair of tiles. You can choose to continue looking, stop looking or remove that pair of tiles. If you use this function after already selecting a tile it will try to find any matching tile that is free. If a match is found you'll be asked it you want to remove it. Many people use this hint often enough that there is a special shortcut to access it. Click the right mouse button at any time, instead of left clicking on a tile, and you will get a hint. Find Hidden Match ----------------- If you select a tile and want to find its matches, whether free or not, this function will find them. A little wizard will appear and will point to the matching tiles with his wand. He will point to each matching tile for as long as you wish. This function will not tell you the exact layer that tiles are on but you will at least know what pile of tiles you need to remove. Undo Last Move -------------- Sometimes you'll find that you've made a move that you really wish you hadn't made. This function lets you undo previous moves. The game keeps track of all your moves so you can undo as many times as you wish, right back to the start of the game. Redo Last Move -------------- This is the reverse of the undo function. If you undo a move (putting a pair of tiles back on the board) this function will remove the tiles again. You can undo and redo back and forth as many moves as you wish. See Previous Moves ------------------ This function shows all the tiles you've already removed, in the order that you removed them. This can be useful in planning whether or not to undo back to a tile that you find you need. STATISTICS MENU For those who like statistics Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II is capable of keeping records of game play. This information is kept in a file ending with either .ST1 or .ST2. Records are kept of your best game or fastest win, worst game, average (both overall and last ten games), total playing time and more. Records are also kept of each individual board played. See the section titled Statistics for complete details on the various type of statistics available. The functions available under the Stats menu are as follows: View Stats ---------- This is the feature you'll likely use the most. It displays your overall records for the board layout you are currently using. The information shown does not include the current game, even if there are no more moves, but will get updated as soon as you start a new game. When you use this function you'll be shown the following: Total Games Played Total Different Board Numbers Played Total Games Won (or Best Score if no wins) Average Score Average of Last Ten Games Time and Board Number of Fastest Win Percentage of Games Won Percentage of Different Boards Won Worst Game Played To Completion Total Playing Time Load Stats File --------------- If you wish to change statistics files use this function. A file selection box will appear showing all available statistics files (files ending in .ST1 or ST2). Double click on the file you want. Normally this will only be needed if several people play the game on the same computer. If you currently have statistics disabled you must first select statistics level before using the function. Select Stats Level ------------------ You will generally use this function only once to determine what level of statistics you want to use. You can also use this function to turn statistics keeping off. See the section titled Statistics for details on the different stats levels. If you enable statistics you will then be prompted for what statistics file you wish to use. Select a file from the list displayed (the list will be blank if you've never used statistics before) or type in the name of the new file you wish created. TOURNEY MENU You can play tournaments with any number of players. In a tournament each person plays a single game under the exact same conditions (board number, layout, time limit, etc.). Each person's score is recorded and results can be viewed at any time. The Tourney menu gives you four functions that allow you to control and enter tournaments: Set Up Tournament ----------------- This is the first step. When you choose this function a tournament set up screen appears which allows you to choose the conditions of the tournament. You can control: Board Number Layout Time Limit If Undo Is Allowed The screen will start with default values which are: Board Number: randomly selected Layout: MAHJONGG.BRD Time Limit: none If Undo Is Allowed: not allowed Click on the buttons or item name you want to change until the choices are the way you want them. When satisfied, click on the SAVE button, choose a file name for your tournament and your tournament is ready to play. You can click on ABORT if you decide not to save your tournament. Play In Tournament ------------------ Once a tournament has been set up any number of people can play in it. When you select Play In Tournament a file selector will come up in which you choose the tournament you wish to play in. You'll then be prompted for your name. Your tournament entry will then be displayed. If you wish to continue and play the tournament game click on the OK button, otherwise click on ABORT. You'll then play the tournament game. Note that during tournament games most of the hint functions are disabled and you also cannot save the game. Normal statistics keeping is also disabled. View Standings -------------- You can view the results for any tournament using this function. You must first choose the tournament file you are interested in. Then the results will be displayed with the tournament conditions at the top of the screen and the players' scores at the bottom. Up to ten players at a time can be shown. If there are more then ten entrants you can scroll between them by using the MORE and BACK buttons. Click on DONE to return to the game. Note that you can use this function while playing a tournament game, but your results will not be included until you end the game in progress. Delete Old Tournament --------------------- Choosing this function lets you delete tournaments that are completed. The file selector will appear and you can choose the tournament you wish to delete. You can also delete tournaments from the normal DOS prompt simply by deleting the file. All tournament files end with the suffix .TRN so they are easy to identify. ***************************************************************************** * COMMAND LINE OPTIONS * ***************************************************************************** The game options you want are usually chosen using the menus and are reloaded each time you play from the "dragon.cfg" configuration file. Most people will never need to use command line options. If you are not familiar with them you should avoid them and use the game's setup menus. However, if you have several people using the game each of whom have different preferences it may be convenient to set up batch files for each player. The following command line options will let you do this: -a animated tile removal effects off -s sound off -sb disable SoundBlaster sounds only (PC speaker sounds are on) -c## select background pattern; ## is X and Y coordinates of desired pattern in pattern selection grid shown when you use the Clear Background function -c### select background color ### (range: 000 to 255) -bs sequential board numbers -br random board numbers -b# play a specific board number -t# set time limit -p peek allowed -v verbose prompts off -z force use of VESA driver -16 run in 16 color VGA mode You can also select the tile set, background picture, board layout and statistics file from the command line. To do this, just include the complete name of the file anywhere on the command line. If you wish, you can have the game randomly select a tile set, background picture or board layout. To do this use a name with the asterisk (wild card character) in it. For example, to choose any available tile set you would select "*.TL". To choose any picture that starts with the letter B you would select "B*.PCX". Here are some examples: To play board 12345 with sound off, use this command line: dragon -b12345 -s Note that the dashes are required and there must be a space between each option. The order of the options does not matter. To use the medieval tile set (MEDIEVAL.TL) and allow peeking at the end of the game, use this command line: dragon medieval.tl -p To use the background pattern from row 0 column 1, randomly selected tiles, the antigrav board layout with a 10 minute time limit: dragon -c01 *.tl antigrav.brd -t10 To use color number 1 (dark blue) as your background and use any tile set that starts with the letter "A": dragon -c001 a*.tl ***************************************************************************** * LAYOUT EDITOR * ***************************************************************************** If you get tired of the default "dragon" layout and the other board layouts included with the game you can make your own. Making a layout that plays well is quite a challenge but the only limitation is your imagination. You can make layouts simpler than the originals and with less tiles or make designs so complex they make your head spin. Layouts can have up to 144 tiles and the number of tiles must always be a multiple of four. Up to five layers of tiles can be used with only one exception: the far right column can only be one layer high as higher layers would go off the playing board due to the 3D display effect. The layout grid is 29 columns wide and 15 rows high. However, each position overlaps so you can actually use only every other position. You can make rows of tiles align or you can place tiles a half position off from adjacent tiles so a single tile can block two other rows. The editor only has two basic functions: place a tile and remove a tile. The working cursor is shaped like a small tile. To add a tile move the cursor to the desired position and click the left mouse button. A randomly selected tile from the current tile set will be placed. To remove a tile line it up with the mouse cursor and click the right mouse button. Using the keyboard the space bar or enter key adds a tile and the backspace key removes a tile. One other function is available from the mouse. Since it's sometimes difficult to tell how many layers of tiles are present you can position the cursor on top of a layer and click the center button (or click both buttons together on a two button mouse) to get a report of the stack height. The layout editor has its own menu bar, different from what you see when playing the game. The Help menu gives you some basic information about using the editor. Selecting Play lets you immediately go back to playing the game using the layout currently being edited. To use this function you must have a valid layout--one that has a number of tiles that is a multiple of 4. Selecting Quit exits back to the game where you'll start a new game using the last layout you played with. The only menu with additional options is the File menu. It has three functions: New Layout ---------- This function gives you a completely empty screen so you can start a layout from scratch. Load Layout ----------- This function lets you load existing layouts from disk. A file selection box appears. Double click on the name of the file you wish to load. Save Layout ----------- When you are done editing use this function to save your layout to a disk file. A file selection box will appear and you can double click on a file name to save over an existing layout or type in the name of a new layout. Note that all layout files end with .BRD. You will not be able to save unless you have a valid layout which means it must have a number of tiles that is divisible by four. ***************************************************************************** * STATISTICS * ***************************************************************************** While some people play the game strictly for relaxation others prefer a more intense approach and like to have details kept of their results. To meet this need Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II offers some detailed statistics keeping. In order to keep track each board is numbered. You can find the current board number displayed along with other information along the bottom of the screen below the playing area. Records are kept according to this number for each board that you play. You have a choice of two levels of statistics. The basic statistics (stored in .ST1 files) keep less information but also take less disk space to store the records. When using basic statistics records are kept of 65536 board numbers. For each board number a record is kept whether that board was never played, played or won. Detailed statistics (stored in .ST2 files) keep records for 10000 board numbers. For each board number you play a record is kept of your best score. For each board number you win your best winning time is kept. Please note that statistics are kept separately for each different layout, though all statistics can be kept in a single file. The reason for this is that the difficulty of different layouts varies quite a bit so mixed results from different layouts would not be meaningful. Your statistics file can grow quite large if you play many different layouts. Basic statistics take up 16474 bytes of disk space for each board layout you use. Detailed statistics take up 30090 bytes of disk space for each layout. USING STATEDIT Registered owners of Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II receive an editor that allows complete control over statistics files. With StatEdit you can change any record in the file, remove portions of the file and print out your results. To use the editor run STATEDIT.EXE. You can then load any statistics file and change any entry in the file. You can also have a formatted report of your statistics either printed or sent to a file. Be careful! Though you can change any entry in the statistics actually doing so is not necessarily a good idea. Most fields are interrelated so changing one field effects the validity of others. Going menu by menu, here's what the editor can do: HELP MENU Selecting help brings up a series of screens that offer a brief introduction to the editor. The instructions are minimal but should be enough to get started. INFO MENU This selection gives some basic information about the editor. FILE MENU Load File --------- Use this function to load any statistics file. A complete list of all .ST1 and .ST2 files will be shown for you to pick from. You can change to other disk directories if necessary. After selecting the file you will have to select which record within the file you wish to edit. Remember that separate records are kept for each board layout. A list of the board layouts recorded in the file is displayed; point and click on the one you want. Save File --------- After making any changes use this function to save the updated file. The file will always be saved under the same name used when it was first loaded. Delete File ----------- If you wish to completely remove a statistics file you can use this function. You can do the same thing from the DOS command line by deleting the file. Print Current File ------------------ Using this function lets you print your complete records in an easy to read form. The overall records will be shown first, followed by a list of all boards won and concluding with a list of all additional boards played. If a detailed statistics file is in use the listing will include the best scores and best times for each board number. Using this function you can also "print" to a disk file. The information recorded is exactly the same as you would see on your printer. You can then use the resulting straight text file any way you want, perhaps with your favorite word processor to further edit it before printing. OPTIONS MENU Display Header -------------- Statistics files have two parts, a header with overall information like all time bests, and individual records for each board number. When you want to see the header for the currently loaded statistics use this function. You can switch back and forth whenever you want. When the header is displayed you can change any entry simply by pointing to it with the cursor and clicking. You'll then be prompted to enter the new information. Display Records --------------- To switch from displaying the header to displaying records for individual board numbers use this function. When individual records are being displayed you can change the results for any board number simply by pointing to the number and clicking. You'll then be prompted to enter the new results for that board number. Since so many board numbers are recorded each screen can only show a portion. You can scroll from screen to screen by clicking on the two buttons at the lower corners of the screen labeled MORE and BACK. Jump To Record -------------- This function also causes individual board number records to be displayed but it lets you pick a specific board number. This can be much faster than scrolling from board to board using the MORE and BACK buttons. You can use this function whether board records or the header is currently being shown. Delete This Layout ------------------ If you have a statistics file with several board layouts recorded in it you can use this function to delete the records for one specific layout. First load the file and the layout then use this function to delete it. ***************************************************************************** * KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS * ***************************************************************************** Game play is easier using a mouse, however all features are available using the keyboard. To select tiles using the keyboard use the arrow keys to position the cursor then use the space bar or Enter key to select tiles. If you hold down the shift key at the same time you use an arrow the cursor will move farther. All the menus and the more commonly used functions can be accessed directly using a single keystroke. These keyboard shortcuts are as follows: F1: Help F2: Info F3: File Menu F4: Options Menu F5: Hints Menu F6: Stats Menu F7: Tournament Menu F10: Quit Alt-A: Again (Replay) Alt-E: Help Alt-F: File Menu Alt-H: Hints Menu Alt-I: Info Alt-M: Display Previous Moves Alt-N: New Game Alt-O: Options Menu Alt-Q: Quit Alt-S: Stats Menu Alt-T: Tournament Menu Alt-U: Undo Move Alt-V: View Tile Set Alt-Z: Redo Move Ctrl-F: Find Hidden Match Ctrl-H: Get Hint Ctrl-L: Load Layout Ctrl-P: Load Picture Ctrl-R: Reload Game Ctrl-S: Save Game Ctrl-T: Load Tiles Ctrl-V: View Stats ***************************************************************************** * INCLUDED FILES * ***************************************************************************** The following files are included in Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II: DRAGON.EXE Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II program DRAGON.DOC This file DRAGON.TXT A brief description of Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II DRAGON.HLP Text for game online help function LAYOUT.HLP Text for layout editor online help function DRAGON.GXL Sound/graphics library DRAGON.ICO Windows icon for Dragons Bane DRAGON.PIF Windows PIF file for Dragons Bane FACTORY.EXE Tile Factory tile editing utility FACTORY.DOC Tile editor instructions FACTORY.HLP Text for Tile Factory online help function FACTORY.GXL Tile factory library files FACTORY.ICO Windows icon for Tile Factory FACTORY.PIF Windows PIF file for Tile Factory *.BRD Various board layouts *.TL Various 256 color tile sets *.TLV Various 16 color tile sets *.PCX Pictures for use as playing board backgrounds SHAREWRE.TXT Information on Shareware ORDERFRM.TXT Ready to print registration form UKORDER.TXT Registration form for UK residents VENDOR.TXT Distribution information for disk vendors, BBSes, etc. FILE_ID.DIZ Standard program description for BBS use ***************************************************************************** * REGISTRATION * ***************************************************************************** Please remember that Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II is not free software. As with all Shareware you are expected to purchase it after you've given it a reasonable trial. The registration price for Dragons Bane is $16 (#12.95 U.K.), for which you'll receive by return mail: - a copy of the latest version with the shareware reminders removed - additional tile sets - additional background pictures - more different board layouts - the statistics editor - and possibly another Shareware game to try out (disk space allowing) Collections of tile sets created by various players are also available for $6 each. Each collection includes ten or more tile sets. You can also get custom backgrounds made from your photographs. These are available for $6 each. Just send your photograph (8x11 inches maximum) along with your order and payment. Your photo will be returned with your order. A "deluxe" version of Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II is also available. This includes a storage case and printed manual, plus the registered version of the game. This version is available for $24. Note that the actual software is the same in both versions. Please include $2 for shipping/handling along with the payment for whatever item(s) you order; if ordering deluxe versions please include $4. Outside North America please include $4 for shipping/handling on all orders. Please note that all prices are U.S. dollars. If you live in the U.K. you can register through Nildram Software. Please print the file UKORDER.TXT for an order form all ready to go or just send #12.95 to: Nildram Software 82 Akeman Street Tring Herts HP23 6AF You can also get the registered version RIGHT NOW by calling Software Creations BBS. Use their online store and your credit card and immediately download the registered version. You can reach Software Creations by calling 508-368-7036 (up to 14.4 kbps modems) or 508-368-6604 (up to 28.8 kbps modems). Once you've logged on and reached the main menu just use the command STORE and follow the instructions. ***************************************************************************** * ADDITIONAL CREDITS * ***************************************************************************** The Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II title screen was drawn by Wayne Timmerman. Sound effects were created and recorded by David Pabst. Tile sets are by a variety of artists as described below. All these tile sets are included with the registered version of the game, but only a sampling with the unregistered version. Additional tile sets are also available separately; please see the order from ("ORDERFRM.TXT" file). SIEGE Don and Polly Hewitt (default--suits with medieval figures) MEDIEVAL Nels Anderson (medieval theme) MAHJONGG Nels Anderson (Chinese mah jongg tiles) GENAV Nels Anderson (general aviation theme) FLAGSWRL Nels Anderson (flags of the world) FLAGSEUR Nels Anderson (flags of Europe) HERLDRY George Chisholm (heraldry symbols) CROSSES3 G.D. van Nortwick (crosses) TILES Tom Boothby (ceramic tile patterns) CUPS Don and Polly Hewitt (drinking cups) SHIELDS Tom Boothby (knights' shields) ABC Acy Ducy Hewitt (illustrated alphabet) ***************************************************************************** * DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY * ***************************************************************************** This software is sold "as is", without any warranty as to performance or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. Because of the many hardware and software environments into which this program may be used, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program. Any liability of the seller will be limited exclusively to product replacement or the refund of the registration fee. ***************************************************************************** * ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS * ***************************************************************************** This software is produced by Nels Anderson who 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, USA or send a CompuServe message via email to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. FAX: 616-788-2765. _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER ***************************************************************************** * AVAILABLE SOFTWARE * ***************************************************************************** Other software which I've either written or contributed to: GUESS: Second Guess is another solitaire game that uses the same tile sets as Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II. Though based on concentration solitaire it offers many more features including play by up to four people. Requires SVGA graphics and supports SoundBlaster. MAHJONGG: Solitaire game played with Chinese tiles. Supports VGA, EGA and Hercules graphics; mouse optional. See reviews in December 1988 "PCWorld" and April 1989 "Compute!". Uses the same tile sets as Tile Match. TMATCH: Tile Match is another solitaire game that uses the same colorful tile sets originally created for Mah Jongg. It's based on concentration solitaire or "memory" but adds a wide variety of features. Play it solitaire, against the computer or with up to four players. CIPHER: A word puzzle game involving solving quotations that have been encrypted. Runs in EGA or VGA graphics mode with or without a mouse, or in text mode. CIPHWN: Cipher for Windows. All the features of regular CIPHER but runs under the Microsoft Windows 3.x environment. EGATREK: Space strategy battle game, using colorful EGA graphics, based on the classic minicomputer game. Winner of Public Brand Software's 1988 software contest. SHOOT: "Shooting Gallery" tests your aim and reflexes in a number of different rounds of shooting. Uses MCGA graphics mode for 256 colors and and also requires a mouse. See review in "PC Magazine" vol. 9 #20. SUPERFLY: An action game using hi-res EGA/VGA graphics. Chase the flies and other insects through twenty different rounds. Includes three levels of difficulty, hall of fame, shell to DOS, etc. Keyboard/joystick/mouse supported. See review in "PC Magazine" vol. 10 #17. BASSTOUR: (Written by Dick Olsen). Game that simulates a fishing tournament, including rod and lure selection. Runs in EGA/CGA/MCGA/Hercules graphics modes. Do not order this game from me; for more information contact: Richard Olsen, 68 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460. BASSMAP: Companion program for BassTour which allows lakes to be created or modified. EGA and CGA versions included. Requires BassTour or Bass Class. - - - - - Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II is copyright (c) 1995 by Nels Anderson. All rights reserved.