Copyright: Amitt Mahajan


Tetrix Introduction

Tetrix is a option packed tetris clone featuring enhanced graphics, multiplayer support, numerous options, and a completely skinnable interface.  This help file will guide you through all of the features Tetrix has to offer as well as teaching you basic tips and tricks to get you started on being a Tetrix Master!

Basic Gameplay

Heads Up Display

Customizing Controls

Game Modes

Special Blocks

Setting up a Tetrix Server

Connecting to a Tetrix Server

Tetrix Themes

Tips and Tricks

Tetrix is copyright Amitt Mahajan, 2000 - 2002.

For the latest Tetrix version, themes, and info

go to http://www.chronos-central.com

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Kicking and Banning users

Sometimes when a user is disrupting the gameplay of a server, or is generally being annoying the server operator may wish to kick or ban them from the server.  Note that only a server operator can kick or ban a user.  The server must also connect to the server in order to perform these functions.

First go to the "Server" tab by clicking on the button at the top of the screen.

Then focus your attention on the "Administration" box at the lower left hand corner of the screen.

Note that you can also kick and ban users by right clicking on their names on the lists located in the chat window and choosing the appropriate menu item.

Kicking

It is very easy to kick a user from a server.  If you are running a server, the Kick button should be enabled.  Just select the user you wish to kick from the Players list box above and then press the kick button.  It will ask you to confirm the choice.  If you press yes the player will be kicked.  This means that they will be allowed to rejoin the server.  If you wish for a more permanent solution consider banning them.

Banning

Banning a user is as easy as kicking them.  Instead press the Ban User button.  This will add their IP Address to a list of banned ip address which is located on the Server Screen.  Then it will proceed to kick the user.  If they try to rejoin the server, they will get a message saying that they are banned and will be rejected.

If you wish to remove a user from the banned user list.  Just double click the entry you wish you delete.  If you wish to readd the entry, just type in the address into the text box below the list and press enter.

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Setting up a Tetrix Server

Setting up a Tetrix server is relatively painless.  If you wish to setup a Dedicated Server, please read this.

First you need to go to File and change the game mode to Internet.

Then click on the server button at the top of the screen to bring up the server tab which has game settings and allows you to start and stop a server.

Now that the server tab is up, you will see a box labeled "Server Controls" using the buttons and check boxes in this box you can control the starting and stopping of your server as well as how many clients can connect at one time.

In order to start a server, just click the "Start Server" button.  This will enable a Tetrix server and should cause an IP Address to appear in the text box to the left.  Give this IP Address to your friends to use to connect to your server.

Thats all that there is to setting up a Tetrix server!  You may also wish to see how to change game settings, block occurancy, and how to ban/kick users.

Also if you wish to connect to a server, view the information on connecting to Tetrix servers.

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Connecting to a Tetrix Server

It is very easy to connect to a Tetrix Server.  All you require is the server's ip address and port.  You obtain both by asking the person who has setup a server for that information.  You can also setup your own server..  Once you know the server's ip address and port, you can connect to it by clicking on the connect button in the toolbar.

This will take you to the connect window.

From here you just need to fill out the information in the text boxes.  Player Name is the name you will be identified as on the server.   After you have finished filling in the information press connect to establish a connection to the server.  To change the server port type in the ip address followed by a colon, then the port number.  (For most servers this is unnecessary)  Example: "127.0.0.1:90", this will connect to the server at IP Address 127.0.0.1, with port 90.

If you wish to connect to a dedicated server, click the "Get Servers" button.  This will retrieve a list of servers from the Tetrix Master Server.  These servers will be added to the list on the right.  This list is separated into various categories to help you decide which server to connect to.

Server Name - This is the name of the server in question.

IP Address - This is the IP Address of the server, followed by a colon, then the port number.

Clients - This is the number of clients currently on the server, followed by the maximum number of clients.

Rooms - This is the number of game rooms on the server.

Ping - This is the network connection speed to the server, the lower the better.

After you have reviewed the available servers, double click on one of them to connect.  Once you are connected to a dedicated server you can join a new room other than the default one, or make your own.  Some servers also enable voting, which allows you to change game settings through a vote.

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Joining a Game

Once you have connected to a Tetrix Server, you will be taken to the chat room screen.  You are automatically placed into spectator mode when you connect to a Tetrix server..

If you wish to join a game, click on the Join Game button.  This will automatically place you in the first available player spot(if any).

This will add you to the player list.  If you are in first player spot, you will have the ability to start, stop, pause, and unpause games.  Now when the game starts, you will be participating!

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Tips and Tricks

While becoming a good Tetrix player is mainly based on how fast a player recognizes patterns and places blocks, there are some tips and tricks which also help.

Tetris or not to Tetris

As with any game different players have different strategies.  In order to accomodate these strategies you need to have a multitude of techniques available to you.

You will come across a player that places blocks much more quickly than you.  Do not worry though, while he still has the advantage you can close the gap by using a technique known as the melting field.  The melting field technique relies on your ability to keep your field low and use specials to attack.  Basically you take the game one line at the time, you do not build up your field trying to make tetrises.  Rather, you gather specials and unleash those on your opponent.

If you are clearly the faster player, however, it is suggested that you try to make as many tetrises as possible.  Since default settings use classic rules, you can cause your opponent's field to build up quickly by making tetrises.  One thing to note though is not to get greedy.  If your field is building up and you have the opportunity for three, two, or even one line, it is recommended that you go ahead and take that instead of a tetris.  Your first priority is to survive, then to make tetrises.

Push Field

Push field is a very useful offensive special even though it is meant to be used on your own field.  Using push field you can usually make one, maybe even two or three tetrises.

The key to effective push field usage is timing.  If you have a push field ready to go, wait until your stack builds up and you have a line(though if you need to use it before that in order to survive, don't hesitate.)    Use the push field and you will immediately notice that there is a perfect column to the right of your screen to insert the line.  Just drop it in and you should get at least one line.

Above you can see the results of following this procedure, notice how you will instantly get a tetris pocket.  This technique is especially useful if your opponents have been adding lines to you, as this will leave only one column to be filled, almost always resulting in a tetris.

Switching Fields

Switching fields is an easy way to come back into a game or destroy another player's momentum.  However, in order to achieve desired results there is a few things you need to remember.

First, there is a switch threshold.  Meaning, any blocks which are in the top 7 rows of a field will not be switched.  Instead the top 7 rows of a field will be cleared for both you and the player with which you switched.  Second, make sure that your field doesn't give the other player any blocks you would not want them to have, such as nukes, gravities, or push fields.  Finally, make sure you switch with a player that has the most desirable field.

Another thing to note is how to sabotage your field in order to cause your opponent the greatest harm.  Notice that the blocks are stacked on the sides, closing off the top right below the red switch line.  With this method it makes it exceedingly difficult for the other player to recover from this switch.  A few add lines following this switch will finish off an opponent quickly.

Watching Fields

You need to keep an eye on your opponent's screens in order to gain the upper hand.  It is especially important in a game in which specials are enabled.

Important things to look out for are rare special blocks such as nukes, gravities, switches, or push fields.  If you happen to spot any of those blocks, it is a good idea to either switch so you can take them for yourself, or clear their special blocks.  Even if you can't prevent them from obtaining the block, at least you still have a general idea of what their special inventory consists of.

If you notice that a opponent is about to make a tetris and is only waiting on a line, a random blocks clear or a block quake should scramble their screen, preventing the creation of a tetris.

Always look out for a person that is deliberately sabotaging their screen, it's very possible that they have a switch ready.  You can start sabotaging your screen but keep it manageable just incase they use it on someone else.

Block bombs require other player's to have block bombs in their fields, so it is a good idea to keep track of who has a block bomb in their field, just incase you come by one.

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Configuring Controls

To setup different controls for Tetrix, you need to first go to the Options Screen.

You can do this by clicking on the Options Button.

Now you need to focus your attention to the lower right hand portion of the screen.  You should see a box labeled "Controls".  This is where you can change your controls.

In order to make a change to the controls, simply click on the control you which to change.  Then press the new key you want to use for that control.  If you want to unbind a control, click on the button and then press backspace.

You can change which control set you want to modify by using the combo box labeled "Player Control Set".  This will allow you to select Player 1, Player 2, or Internet.

 Player 1 and 2 are basic controls for Tetrix, including piece movement and dropping.  The Internet set contains special controls and talking controls.

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Themes

Themes modify the look and feel of Tetrix.  They are just like Windows themes.  Themes modify graphics and sounds.  This will tell you how to change themes and preview them.

First, you need to click on the Themes button in the toolbar.  This will bring up the theme previewer screen.

Now, you need to load a theme.  Look at the Preview Info box in the top left corner of the screen. The easiest way to do this is to click on the "Browse" button.  Now choose the .TTX file you want to load.  After you have selected a theme, you can preview it using the "Generate Preview" button.  This will load the theme.

You can change the different previewing modes by using the buttons at the bottom of the screen and the various check boxes.

To preview sounds, just select the sound from list box in the middle left portion of the screen and press "Play Sounds"

If you find this theme to your liking and wish to use it, click on the "Use This Theme" button located in the "Preview Info" box.

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Spectating

Tetrix allows people to spectate games that are currently in progress.  When you connect to a Tetrix Server you are already in spectator mode.

However, if you join a game and wish to change back to spectator mode, you first need to go to the chat screen.  You can do this by clicking on the chat button.

Now all you need to do is click on the spectator button which is located in the "Controls" box in the lower right hand corner.

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Room Browser

When you are connected to a dedicated Tetrix Server, you have the ability to change rooms.  Each room has its own game and set of rules, fully configurable by players.  To change rooms you first need to be connected to a server, next press the "Room Browser" button on the chat window(or right click on the chat window and choose "Room Browser"), this will bring up a new window in place of the chat room.

This room browser displays a wealth of information.  First thing to look at is the list of rooms currently available on the server.  If you double-click on one of these rooms you will leave the room you are currently in and join the room you selected.  If you single-click on a room in the list, the information at the bottom of the screen will be updated to reflect the settings of that room.  This information will tell you everything from the number of clients in the room, to the current game settings.

From the room browser dialog you can also create a new room.

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Basic Gameplay

Tetrix is based on the classic tetris game for gameboy.  Essentially the goal of the game is to simply rotate and line up the pieces so that the blocks make a horizontal line across the playing field.  While this premise is simple to learn, the game is difficult to master.  The key to success is speed and speed only comes from experience. Making a tetris will reap the greatest rewards no matter the game mode.  Your current stats are displayed using the Heads Up Display and will aid you in game.

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Creating Rooms

Dedicated Tetrix servers allow the use of multiple rooms.  It is very easy to create a new game room, customized to your liking.  First you need to connect to a Tetrix dedicated server.  Then in the chat window, click on the room browser button to bring up the list of rooms.

Once the room browser has been brought up, look at the upper right corner of the window and you will see a box that allows you to create a room.  If you just want a room with default gameplay settings, enter a name, and (optionally) a password and click the "Create Room" button.  Room's that are passworded can only be joined by users that know the password.  If you want gameplay settings other than the default ones, click on the "More Options" button.

If you have decided that you would like to change game settings and clicked the More Options button, a new window will come up letting you choose your game settings.  The original two text boxes are still there, and you still must enter a room name.  Now, however, you can also change gameplay settings using the controls at the bottom of the screen.  Just select the setting you wish to change.  This will update the boxes on the right, telling you the current setting, and letting you choose an option for the new setting.  If you decide to change the setting, choose a new setting and press the change button.

When you are done click on the "Create Room" button to create the room.  Note that whatever settings you have chosen can still be changed later on using a vote.

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Voting

Voting is an easy way to change settings in game.

Voicing your choice

When a vote has been started, some text will appear in the chat window notifying you what the vote is on, and how to vote.

To vote yes you would type "/yes" and press enter in the chat room.

To vote no you would type "/no" and press enter in the chat room.

If the majority of people agree or disagree to the vote, the vote will finish and if passed, the new settings the vote proposed, will be set.  Otherwise, if time for the vote runs out, the vote is discarded and no changes are made.

Starting a vote

To start a vote you must first be connected to a Tetrix dedicated server.  Once you have connected to a server, go to the chat window and right click.  This will bring up the chat menu.

Choose the option "Start Vote" to bring up the voting window.

The voting window is very easy to follow, click on the setting you wish to vote on.  This will tell you the current value for that setting, and give you a list of alternative values.  Choose the value you wish to change the setting to, then click "Start Vote" to begin a vote. Note that if there is already a vote in progress, you will not be able to start a new vote.

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Dedicated Servers

Tetrix has support for a type of server called a "Dedicated Server".  These servers are seperate applications that only serve users.  The benefit of these servers is the addition of rooms to Tetrix multiplayer.  This means that one server can have multiple games going at once with multiple rule sets.  Dedicated servers also are able to support a large number of clients at once.  For more information on how to download and setup a dedicated Tetrix server, visit http://www.chronos-central.com/tetrix/  Note that not all of the multiplayer features are supported by the included server with the Tetrix client(such as rooms and voting).  For small private games, the included server is perfect, a dedicated server is not required in most cases.

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Game Modes

There are 3 game modes in Tetrix: One Player, Two Player, and Internet.

One Player

One player mode is exactly the same as classic tetris seen on video game consoles.  You make lines in order to accumulate points.  Dropping a block instead of letting it fall by itself gives you 10 points.  Making a line will yield you a higher amount of points as your level increases.  Making a tetris will give you more points than making 1, 2, or 3 lines will.

For every line you make, your level increases.  However, your level will not start increasing until you have made 10 lines.  As your level increases so does the speed at which the blocks fall.

If you score high enough your name will be added to the high score list in which you are giving the chance to enter your name.  The top 15 scores are stored, good luck!

Two Player

Two Player mode pits two human players against each other on the same screen.  Both players must use the same keyboard.  The first player to die, loses the game.

Various options are available in two player mode, such as classic mode, special blocks, or initial stack field height.  These options can be set by use of the server settings page.

Internet

Internet mode is the heart of Tetrix.  It allows up to 6 players to compete over the internet or LAN by use of the TCP/IP protocol.

Internet mode is very versatile in game options, players can team up or play alone.  Numerous gameplay options are available via the server screen.

In order to initiate a game over a network, one player needs to setup a server.  All the other players then should proceed to connect to the ip of the server.

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Special Blocks

Specials blocks add a whole new element to tetris.  Special blocks are blocks which when used perform certain functions on whoever they are used on.  Some special blocks are helpful while others may be malicious.

Acquiring special blocks is easy.  If special blocks are enabled in server settings then whenever a certain amount of lines(also set in server settings) is made, a special block will appear in your field.  If you make a line which contains a special block, it will be added to your inventory.  You then can deploy it on yourself, other players, or discard it.

Using Special Blocks

2 Player Mode:

In order to deploy special blocks in 2 player mode use the "Use Special on Self" and "Use Special on Enemy" to use the special on yourself and your enemy, respectively.

Internet Mode:

In internet mode use the "Use Special On Player #" where # is the number of the player you wish to use the special block on(1 for player 1, 2 for player 2, etc...).  If you wish to use the special on yourself, just press the button which corresponds to your own number.  Your number is above the playing field, next to your name.

Here is a list of special blocks and their function:

Helpful Specials

 Clear Line - Clears a line from the bottom of a player's field.

 Give Line - Gives a line block to a player.

 Gravity - Causes blocks to fall downward, effectively filling spaces in a field.

 Holy Shield - Blocks all incoming specials.

 Nuke - Removes all blocks from a player's field.

 Push Field - Causes all blocks to be pushed to the left, filling gaps.

 Switch Fields - Switches your field with another player's field.

Malicious Blocks

 Add Line - Adds a line to the bottom of a players field.

 Block Bomb - Requires a block bomb special in a player's field.  Causes a 3 by 3 section with a block bomb special in the middle to explode, scattering blocks across the screen.

 Block Quake - 'Shakes' a players screen, causing lines to become scrambled.

 Clear Specials - Removes all special blocks from a player's field.

 Drop Block - Causes the current block to automatically drop.

 Flash Screen - Obstructs a player's view of the playing field.

 Random Blocks Clear - Randomly removes blocks from a player's field.

 Tremor - Causes a player's screen to shake, making it difficult to place pieces.

 Vertical Clear - Clears a vertical column of blocks.

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Tetris

Completing 4 lines at once by use of a vertically aligned line block.

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Add Line

Adds a line to a player's field from the bottom of the screen.

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Block Bomb

Requires a block bomb special in a player's field.  Causes a 3 by 3 section with a block bomb special in the middle to explode, scattering blocks across the screen.

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Block Quake

'Shakes' a players screen, causing lines to become scrambled.

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Clear Specials

Removes all special blocks from a player's field.

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Drop Block

Causes the current block to automatically drop.

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Flash Screen

Obstructs a player's view of the playing field.

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Random Blocks Clear

Randomly removes blocks from a player's field.

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Tremor

Causes a player's screen to shake, making it difficult to place pieces.

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Vertical Clear

Clears a vertical column of blocks.

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Clear Line

Clears a line from the bottom of a player's field.

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Give Line

Gives a line block to a player.

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Gravity

Causes blocks to fall downward, effectively filling spaces in a field.

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Nuke

Removes all blocks from a player's field.

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Push Field

Causes all blocks to be pushed to the left, filling gaps.

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Switch Fields

Switches your field with another player's field.

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Block Occurancy

Block occurancy is the rate at which certain blocks appears.  This rate is represented as a percentage out of 100 which will determine the likelyhood of a block appearing.

This allows certain special blocks to appear less than others.  For example, the Nuke field block has a very low percentage because it is very powerful.  While a clear line block has a very high percentage because it does not have a big of an effect.

Block occurancy can be changed fairly easily.  First, you must be in internet mode in order to change block occurancy.  You can change to internet mode by going to the file menu, then game mode, then internet.

Then go to the server tab by clicking the server button at the top of the screen.

Finally, click on the Block Occurancy button to bring up the dialog which contains all of the percentages.

As you can see all of the blocks in the game are divided into 2 sections.  One section deals with the normal falling pieces.  While the other section deals with special blocks.  You can now change the occurancy of different pieces by typing in new values in the text boxes.

If you wish to reset the occurancy of all pieces to default, then click on the Reset to Defaults button.  If you wish to cancel your changes, just press Cancel.  When you are done changing the occurancy, press the OK button.

Note that when you are playing a game you cannot modify the occurancy value for the blocks.  The game will prevent you from changing the values by disabling the text boxes.

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Holy Shield

Blocks all incoming specials.  You can check to see if you are still being affected by Holy Shield by looking in the top left corner of your field.

If you see the Holy Shield block, you are currently being affected by the special.

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Customizing the Chat Room

Tetrix's internet chat room is very configurable and allows you to change all text colors and the font used.

First, you need to click on the chat button in the toolbar in order to bring up the chat screen.

Now, if you right click on the actually chat box, a menu will come up letting you perform various functions.

Clear Buffer

This will clear the chat room window.

Save Buffer

This allows you to save the chat room text as a normal black and white text file or a RTF file which will retain all text colors and fonts.

Chat Options

This will bring up the chat room configuration screen.

If you want to change the chat room font, use the list box at the top of the screen.

Colors can be changed by clicking on the colors below each label.  This will bring up a color picker.

Once you have made changes, click OK in order to save them.  If you wish to return all settings to their default values, click on the Default button.

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Sounds and Music

Tetrix has a very flexible audio system.  This will tell you how to customize the system to your liking.

First, click on the Options button in the topic.  This will bring up the options screen.

To enable sounds, check the "Play Sounds" check box.

To enable music, check the "Play Music" check box.

Most Tetrix themes include a music file.  If you wish to use this as your game music, check the "Use Theme Music" check box.

If you want to use your own music, uncheck the "Use Theme Music" check box.  Then click on the browse button to select a music file.

Supported music formats are: MP2, MP3, WAV, MID, MIDI, OGG, ASF, WMA, XM, S3M, IT, and MOD.

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Heads Up Display

The heads up display(HUD) in Tetrix gives you valuable information during the game.

Above is a image of the HUD.  If offers a lot of information during gameplay.  Here are the definitions of all of the elements of the hud:

Next Piece - This is the next piece that will come into play after you have placed your current piece.

Lines - This is the amount of lines you have made during the course of the game.

Tetrises - These are the amount of tetrises you have made during the course of the game.

Level - This is the current level you are at based on the number of lines you have made.  This may not be the level the game is running at if you are playing in multiplayer mode.

Score - This is only in single player mode.  It gives you your current score based on the number of lines you have made and the level you are on.

Active Level - This is only in multiplayer mode.  This is the current level the game is operating at for all players.  Meaning if one player is at level 30, all players in the game will be at level 30.

LPM - This acronym stands for "Lines Per Minute", it gives you the ratio of the number of lines you have made per game minutes passed.  You will notice that it is constantly decreasing as time goes on.

Along with the status box, there is another element to the Heads Up Display.  This is the special inventory window.

The special inventory window displays the list of specials you have.  The special all the way to the left is your current special.  This is the special that will be played if you press the Use Special key. The text displayed next to the special window, tells you the name of the current special.  It will display "(None)" if you have no specials in your inventory.

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HelpScribble

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