InsectiSide will have several features disabled until you upgrade to the full version. These features include the dog biscuit, the firecracker, and network play. Registration is only $15. You can register one of two ways: 1. On-line using our secure server, or 2. using the accompanying Register program.
To register, run InsectiSide and select About InsectiSide from the Apple menu (on a Macintosh) or the Options menu (on Windows). Make a note of your serial number then click on the Register button. This will open a dialog box. If you have already paid and have received your registration number enter it in the field provided and click Submit. This will unlock the program for you. If not, you can go to the secure web site to register by clicking on the Web Link button. Or if you prefer you can launch the accompanying Register program and pay via mail or email.
Be sure to include your serial number with your registration. If you are registering on-line you can include it either in the field with your name or in the comments field. If you are using the Register program you must include it in the field with your name.
How To Play:
1. Select New Game from the title screen or from the File menu. This takes you to the game set up screen.
2. Type in your name for Player 1. If you are playing against another person have that person type in his or her name for Player 2. If you are playing against the computer then select the Computer button. This will activate the pictures of the three computer opponents. Select one. Randy is an easy opponent. Casey is more difficult, and Fred is the most difficult opponent. When you are done click OK.
3. On the main game play screen player 1's name and score appears on the left and player 2's on the right. When player 1 is ready click on the GO button at the bottom of the screen. This releases the bug onto the playing field. Aim with the mouse and click on the bug to kill it. You'll have to be quick. (You can slow down the bugs if they move too quickly for you with the Options menu.) Player 1's bugs have red blood. Player 2's have yellow blood.
Winning
The first player who lines up 4 dead bugs in a row either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins. If that player's score makes the top 10 it is added to the high scores list. Also, if the perimeter of the playing field fills up with bugs then no more bugs can enter and the player with the most points wins.
Special Items:
Spatula- The spatula allows you to kill a bug imediately regardless of where it is or where you click. You also get more points when you kill the bugs with the spatula, but use them wisely as you only get five per game. To use the spatula click on the spatula to pick it up. (The cursor changes to a small spatula.) Then click GO and click anywhere within the playing grid. The bug will die imediately. You can also pick up the spatula by clicking on it after you click GO.
Dog Biscuit- The dog biscuit is used to remove dead bugs from the playing field to free up that space. To use the dog biscuit you must have at least 1000 points because you must purchase it from the butterfly. If you have enough points the butterfly will offer it to you before your turn. If you want to use the dog biscuit simply click on it to pick it up. Then click on the dead bug that you wish to remove. Fidim will come out and eat the dog biscuit and the dead bug along with it. It is a good idea to remove your opponent's pieces if he/she has 3 bugs lined up and can win, or if an opponent's piece is blocking you preventing you from winning. Keep in mind that this counts as your turn, so you won't be able to kill any bugs of your own until your next turn.
Firecracker- The firecracker is used to aim for a specific piece that you may want. This piece must also be purchased from the butterfly for 1000 points. To use it simply click on it to pick it up and then click on the empty piece that you want removed. Then click GO and take your turn as usual. If the bug happens to wander into that square the firecracker will explode killing the bug. Keep in mind that firecrackers remain in play until a bug hits them. So if your bug doesn't hit one it's possible that your opponent's might.
Network play
You can play a game over a network using TCP/IP. This works over a LAN (Local Area Network) or the internet. (If you are playing over a LAN you may need to manually set an IP address for the computers to use, depending on your network set up.) It works by having one person- player 1- act as the host and the other person- player 2- connect to the host. To play a network game the person who is to be player 1 should click on "Network Game" on the title screen or select it from the File menu. In the dialog box that appears type in your name and select "host a network game." Another dialog box will appear that will show you your computer's IP address. For security reasons the IP address is encrypted. At that point your opponent should also select Network Game and click "join a network game." Your opponent will be presented with a dialog box where they must enter the IP address of the player 1's computer exactly as shown in the dialog box. When player 2 clicks OK his computer will attempt to connect to player 1's. If the connection is successfully established then both computer's will display the game board and it will be player 1's turn. From that point on game play is identical to that of a regular two player game.
Known Bugs:
After about 20 seconds the command keys stop working for menu items. I have no idea what's causing it but I'm working on it.
Please report all bugs to support@fidim.com. Please be as specific as possible when describing the problem.
