Copyright: Aide de Magic Squares. Copyright IncaSoft 1997


Magic Squares 4.0
Magic Squares

At last a sharp game !

Magic Squares is a game in which it’s necessary to think, opposing the player to the computer. Rules are simple, what does not mean that the game is easy to win. Depending on the chosen options, the player will have to be careful and tricky.

Computer is a swift opponent whose strength can be changed, what makes the game pleasant.


What's new?
What’s new ?

Version 4.0 brings numerous innovations.

•	You should have already noticed that there is an installation procedure.

•	The computer is stronger than ever but you can use a really weak level. (See how change game level.)

•	A new rule appears : the blind game in which squares values are hidden, unknown.

•	It’s now possible to play diagonaly.

•	The player can create his own game using a wizard.

•	Help is now interactive.


Basic rules

The basic rules are just too easy.

The playing board is made of a grid filled with squares. Each square contains a value ranging from 1 to 9.

Each one in his turn, players will choose a square and score the value written in it. The chosen square must meet two requirements :

•	It must be on the same line or on the same column than the last played square (chosen by the other player, it contains a flashing ‘X’). Exception, playing diagonaly.

•	It can’t have been played (chosen) before during that game. Exception, see below.

When it’s impossible to play according those rules, the game is over. The player with the highest points wins that game, but not the match. A new game begins and the points are added up. A match is made of several games. When all the games of a match have been played, the match is over. The player with the highest total points is the final winner.

Exceptions : 	the very first player can choose whatever square he wants.

Note : it is impossible to play on an unauthorized square. If nothing happen when you click on a square, it’s because you can’t play on it.

See also Blind game, Playing diagonaly.


Blind game

Basic rules apply for the blind game. The difference is that the value of a square is unknown at the beginning of the game. Each square contains a ‘?’.

Whenever a square is played, every square containing the same value is revealed.

Blind game is defined in the Options and can be combined with the rule of Playing diagonaly.


Playing diagonaly

The rules are the basic rules except for the following.

Instead of being obliged to play only on the same line on or the same column than the last chosen square, players can also play on squares situated on a same diagonal.

The playable squares are therefore more numerous. The game is not simpler.

The possibility to play on diagonals is defined in the Options. It can be combined with the Blind game.


Options
Options for the match

When the player decides to begin a new match (by clicking on a square while the match is over, or on the New Match button, or after the end of a match), the program asks him to define options that will be used for that whole new match.

It is impossible to change options during a match without ending that match.

Those choices are made using three dialog boxes grouped in a tabbed box :

•	Grid size

•	Game rule

•	Players


Grid dimensions
Grid size

In that dialog box, the size of the playing grid is defined. You can choose between three pre-defined grids or create your own grid.

It is impossible to define a grid with less than two lines and/or columns.

Depending on the screen resolution, the program will determine the maximum dimensions that can be displayed. It is impossible to define a grid with higher dimensions.


Choosing rules
Game rules

In that dialog box, you’ll define any special rules you wish to use and the number of games played during one whole match.

The special rules are defined using two check boxes. If none is checked, basic rules are used. According to the choices made, the special rules Blind game and Playing diagonaly will be used.

The number of games is defined by choosing one of the three pre-defined values or by defined your own value. You should choose an even number because the first player always has an advantage. The game will be fairer. This remark is less meaningful if the first player is defined randomly.


Computer level
The players

With that dialog, you can define computer behavior and which player will begin the match.

The first player can be the user, the computer or be randomly determined. In the first two cases, it’s the beginner of the very first game of the match. And when a game is over, roles are inverted. In the third case, the first player is randomly determined for each game of the match. It is therefore possible for a player to begin several games at a stretch in a same match.

Note: 	the first player has an advantage.

The higher the computer level is, the deeper it thinks, the longer it thinks.. The «nighmare» level with a big grid can let the player think that the game is crashed. That’s false… See Troubleshooting.

Tip: 	if you still don’t know Magic Squares, begin with the weakest level. But don’t linger on it..


Interface
The playing board

The different parts of the playing board are always the same. Their sizes can vary depending on the grid size.

The most important element of the game is in the middle. It’s the grid, made up of buttons (squares). When no match is in progress, clicking on a square will start a new match, displaying the options box. Once a match is in progress, the squares contain numbers. Their use is defined according to the rules. When a square has been played (and cannot be played any more during that game), it becomes grayed. The last played square contains a flashing ‘X’.

On the left side, you’ll find the game statistics: player’s and computer’s points. On the right side, there are the match statistics. Who’s winning?

On the bottom, a progression control displays how far the computer is thinking.

Above, there are buttons to access the different functions:

•	New (match)

•	Save (match)

•	Load (match)

•	Help

•	Build game

•	Register


New match

Clicking on that button will start a new match.

Before its beginning, the player will have to choose the options. After accepting the choices, the new match begins and playing board is redrawn according to the new dimensions. The grid size chosen is the same for all the games of a match.

If a match is in progress, a confirmation is asked to the player because that match will be stopped.

It is also possible to start a new match by clicking on a square when no match is in progress.


Save match

Clicking on that button saves the current match on the hard drive or any other support so that you can replay or continue it later.


Load match

Clicking on that button loads a previously saved match, using the Save match or Create match functions.

It is impossible de change the options of the saved match.


Help

Displays help for the game, ie that file.


Button "Create match"
Create match

Clicking on that button launches the creation wizard used to create your own match and play it or save it for later use.


Register buttin
Register

Click on that button to register after paying registration fee.

A dialog box will ask you to enter your username and password. Those will be given to you by IncaSoft when you pay your registration fee. Registered users of a former version of Magic Squares can use the same password and username.

Once the game is register, that button disappears.


Create match

Magic Squares 4.0 allows you to create your own match by defining the square values.

This is done using a wizard displayed when the user clicks on the Create match button. The wizard is made up of four screens at the end of which the user will have to choose between saving his creation or playing it immediatly.

The four steps are :

•	Grid definition and special rules

•	Filling grid

•	Games properties

•	Game level


Wizard - Grid definition
Grid definition

This is the first step of the creation wizard.

During that first step, you’ll define dimensions of the grid (in lines and columns) that will be used for your own match.

It’s impossible to choose a number lower than two lines and/or columns or higher than the maximum dimensions defined by your screen resolution.

During that step, you’ll also define the special rules used during the match.


Wizard - Filling grid
Filling the grid

This is the second step of the creation wizard.

During that step, you’ll give values to the squares of the grid for the first game of your match. You can define already played squares, the last played square and the known squares (if you use Blind game).

To write points in a square, simply press a number key when the square contains the flashing ‘X’. Usefull keys are the following :

•	Number keys from 1 to 9 give values to squares

•	0 (zero) key marks the square as played

•	 ‘X’ or ‘x’ inverts the « played » state of the square

•	‘  ?’ inverts the known state of the value in the square

•	RETURN marks the square as the last played square

 If no square is marked as last played, the game will begin as if it were a first move, whether the grid is full or not.

The «Delete» button deletes the grid.

The «Fill grid» button fills the grid with random numbers.


Wizard - Game properties
Game properties

This is the third step of the creation wizard.

Numerous parameters are filled during that first step.

The number of remaining games in the defined match. That number can’t be less than 1, which is the game you’re creating.

The first player (if no last played square has been defined in the last step) or the next player (if there is a last played square) will be the one that’ll begin after the match will be loaded.

The initial scores contain the player’s and computer’s points.


Wizard - Computer level
Computer level

This is the fourth and last step of the creation wizard.

During that last step, you determine the computer level (see Options – The players).

You’ll have to choose whether you’ll play that match immediatly or if you’ll save it for later use.


Why regsiter ?
Why register?

Piracy hurts the big publishers, but it kills shareware by discouraging its authors.

The licence granted to you as non registered user restricts your right for the use of this software to a test period of 30 days. During that test period, you can try the whole software and all its functions. Beyond that period, you can’t legaly use that software any more until you pay the registration fee.

To convince you, several things will happen at the end of the test period and will last until you enter the username and password given to you by IncaSoft :

•	Starting screen warning that you’re illegaly using the software.

•	The Save match doesn’t work any more.

•	It is no longer possible to change the options. The game will automatically be constitued of a 5x5 grid, 10 games and beginner level. No more blind games, no more playing diagonaly.

•	It is no longer possible to create your own matches. The wizard is still working but it creates nothing.

When the registration fee is payed, the following positive effects happen (after having entered your username and your password):

•	The starting screen disappears.

•	All the functions are available again.

•	The Register button disappears.

•	Life-time license allowing you to use any further versions of Magic Squares.


How register?

The price for Magic Squares 4.0 varies depending on the billing method used. The normal price is $25.

The easier way to register is to use the Share It site. Please go to page http://www.shareit.com/programs/100801.htm to register. Your can also go to http://www.shareit.com and ask to regsiter shareware 100801. The fee is then $25 and can be paid on the Internet using a credit card. The username and password will be sent to you as soon as IncaSoft receives your datas (2 or 3 days).

Share It provides other mean of payement if you wish (regular mail, fax…). Go to http://www.shareit.com/programs/100801.htm for more informations.

The cheapest way is to pay using a Eurocheck. The price is then 600 FB (belgian francs, about $18) if (and only if) payed with a Eurocheck of 600 Belgian francs (no other currency) payable to M. Fabrice Claes. Send your check with your name, address and e-mail to:

Fabrice Claes

5 rue de Labas

B-5340

Belgium

E-mail : claesfab@skynet.be

For more informations, other ways to register, special offers… see Web page http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/facla/register.htm


Troubleshooting

The program refuses the grid dimensions I gave.

The maximum grid dimensions are computed using the screen resolution so that all the squares can be shown. If the values you chose are higher than those figures, the program refuses them. It also refuses grids with less than 2 lines and/or columns, what wouldn’t be very exciting.

The program tells me that there’s no memory enough to create the grid I chose. But it accepted my dimensions.

It’s sad, but that’s true. Choose lower values and/or close some applications. You can also buy more memory. Don’t be shy.

The program accepted your choice because it was under the limits depending on the screen resolution. That doesn’t not mean that you’ll have enough memory to display that grid.

It’s quite rare anyway.

The program seems to hang.

No way ! It’s thinking. When it’s thinking during a long time, it can look as if it hung. Watch the progression control, it should move.

This can happen if you chose the «nightmare» level with a big grid. It depends on your CPU speed.

I’m a registered user of an old version but the program tells me I’m a non registered user.

Magic Squares 4.0 uses a new data structure and can’t find the registration informations you entered for that old version. You must re-enter them. If you forgot them, ask at claesfab@skynet.be.

I saved games with my old registered version but I can’t load them.

Due to the new data structure, it’s impossible for Magic Squares 4.0 to load saved games from an older version. It won’t happen for next versions, promissed !

Try to create them again using the creation wizard.

Computer always wins.

Choose a weaker level (beginner for example) and try to concentrate by Jove !

I always win.

Boaster…

I can’t access some functions any more.

Magic Squares is a shareware. You can try it during 30 days. After that period, you’ll have to pay it (see How register) or erase it from your hard drive.

If you don’t abide your part of the aggreement (it’s in the license, you accepted it, do you remember ?) some functions can’t be accessed until you pay the fee.