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1990-08-11
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┌────────┐ MAH JONGG ┌────────┐
│ ├┤ 3 │ Release 3.4, August 11, 1990 │ 0 0 8 │
│ ├┤ │ │ 0 0 │
│ ├┤ ├┤ │ Nels Anderson │ 0 0 │
│ ├┤ ├┤ │ 92 Bishop Drive │ 0 0 │
└────────┘ Framingham, MA 01701-6540 └────────┘
MAH JONGG is an ancient Chinese game whose origins are supposed
to date back some 3000 years. This version has similarities to
solitaire played with cards and also with dominoes since it is
played with tiles. When I first discovered the game my initial
impression was that the game would quickly become dull but having
played it for a while and having given it to friends we've all
found that it is quite addictive despite its apparent simplicity.
This program is designed for a PCompatible that can run in EGA
graphics mode. If you're still running an older video card I'm
afraid the game won't work. (Apparently many people do not
understand the differences between EGA, CGA, VGA, MDA, etc.;
basically, if you get a screen full of letters blinking on and
off when you try to run MAH JONGG you don't have EGA and the
game will not work on your system.) When I originally wrote
MAH JONGG I had never seen a game that used the full EGA
capabilities (640x350, 16 colors) and I thought it would be nice
if there was one.
This version also supports Hercules graphics mode. Since it's
monochrome it's not nearly as pretty as EGA but the resolution is
similar so it's not bad. The type of video you have is now
automatically detected, so you should not have to do anything to
get the right mode.
If your system won't automatically select the right video mode
for some reason, you can force a specific mode using command line
parameters as follows:
mahjongg -h (forces Hercules graphics mode)
mahjongg -e (forces full color EGA graphics mode)
mahjongg -l (forces monochrome EGA graphics mode)
I hadn't planned on doing any versions other than EGA, but
Hercules turned out to be so easy I figured, why not? Recently,
several people suggested adding a monochrome EGA mode for laptop
systems that have an EGA compatible LCD or similar display.
Since I'd already done all the work of making monochrome look
right for the Hercules version, this was easy to add too. I
don't have versions for other video adapters and I don't have
any plans for them since I don't consider any of the lower
resolutions adequate.
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 $15 registration fee. In return for your
registration you'll receive the latest version of the game,
including a setup program that allows you to permanently set the
command line options; this utility is not included with the
shareware version. There is also a "deluxe" version available
which includes a binder, printed manual and quick reference
card. The "deluxe" version is $22.
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. Or, you can use
the instant registration form in the file "orderfrm.txt".
Just copy the file to your printer.
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.
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 )(evious BBS (PCBoard) system
(300/1200/2400/9600-HST, 8N1) at 508-875-3618 or 617-449-7322.
Leave a C)omment to the sysop to reach me. )(evious 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 also reach )(evious 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 TPascal, Games or even Common.
I'm also available through CompuServe's email system. Send
email to me at 71020,2613. Or join me and many other Shareware
authors in the Shareware forum (GO SHAREWARE). This forum is
shared with the IBM PCjr forum, so don't let the name confuse
you.
Of course you can also write me at the address at the beginning
of this file. If you're not a registered user don't expect an
answer unless you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Most of the instructions you'll need for playing the game are
built into it; just type H when prompted at the title screen.
Or you can read the instructions below. There is quite a bit
of strategy involved if you are to do well but I'll leave the
strategies up to you to discover. Besides, I'm no expert in
playing the game either.
*****************************************************************************
* PLAYING THE GAME *
*****************************************************************************
OBJECT:
The object of the game is to remove as many of the tiles from
the playing board as possible within the rules of the game.
Tiles are always removed in pairs and can only be removed from
the left or the right edges. Any tile that is not on a left or
right edge is considered blocked and cannot be removed. Note
though that the tiles are arranged in 5 levels and each level
has a left and right edge so there are many more unblocked
tiles than it would first appear. Note that the tile on the
top of the pile blocks all four tiles below it, and tiles on
row 5 block both rows 4 and 6.
SUITS OF TILES:
There are many different suits of tiles and the suit of a tile
determines the rule used for matching tiles that can be removed
together.
MATCHING RULES:
Most of the tile suits require an exact match. This means that
you must match a tile to another that is exactly the same. For
example a Bamboo 1 matches another Bamboo 1 but does not match
a Bamboo 3 or a Dot 1. The other matching rule allows any tile
in the same suit to match any other tile in that suit. Thus,
any of the four seasons (SUM, AUT, WIN, SPR) match each other
and any of the four flowers (MUM, PLUM, BAM, ORC) match each
other.
NUMBER OF TILES:
There is only one each of