



                          * * * PLOTZ GAME * * *

                      by William Soleau    (c) March 1990



                             *** OBJECTIVE ***

         Welcome to the world of Plotz!.  This game is quite simple to
    play, yet involves a lot of strategy on your part to beat the computer.
    The objective is to be the first one to change an entire column to your
    color before the computer does.   The game grid is 21 columns by 13
    rows.  You are playing black squares against the computers blue ones.
    The game is over when one side has captured 11 columns.



                              *** PLAYING ***

         Unlike other similar games which place only one piece at a time,
    Plotz! can change whole columns with just one play.  If you have a
    mouse, you will see the icon appear at the bottom of the screen. If
    you are mouseless, then you will see a red square in the upper left
    hand part of the grid that you move by using the arrow keys.
         When it is your turn to play, move the mouse or the red square
    to the place on the board you want to put your color.  Press the
    <Spacebar> if mouseless or <Click Lft/Rgt Button> for mouse play.

         Since you are trying to turn the columns Black, you must make
    your play on a Blue square to change the color.  Once you have either
    pressed the Spacebar or lft/rgt button, you will see the squares
    change colors.  The colors can change only if then squares are either
    lateral or vertical to the piece, not diagonal.  The squares will
    continue to change color until it either curls in on itself and has
    no adjacent blue squares or hits a dead end.

         When your turn is over, the computer will make its play, and you
    can watch as it moves into position to start it's turn.  When
    either you or your computer opponent has turned a column to their
    color, it will turn Red and you'll see a square at the top of the
    column indicating who won it.  The scores are shown at the bottom
    of the screen.


                    ** Extra Turn **  (Square Count)

         Again at the bottom of the screen, you will see a count total
    for the number of squares you capture.  This is very important because
    the first one to capture 100 squares will be awarded an extra turn.
    The points will be reset to zero each time one side has reached 100
    or a column has been captured.


                           **** Other Pieces ****

                               * TNT (bomb) *

         There are many other features which will pop up from time to
    time as the play continues.  Somewhere on the grid board is a Bomb
    (TNT).  It is hidden from view, however if you hit it, you'll see
    it light up.   It will then reverse the play, starting at that
    point to change colors back to Blue if you hit it or to Black if
    the computer did.  It will then re-locate itself somewhere else
    on the grid board.

                               * Wild Card *

         The Wild Cards are just what the seem.  They can be used by
    either side to capture a column.

                               * Black Hole *

         Occasionally, you will see a white square with smaller black
    squares inside it.  This is a Black Hole.   If you hit it, it will
    zap you to another part of the grid and continue play.

                               * Lose Turn *

         Again this only is not shown to you, but is hidden somewhere
    on the grid board.  If you hit it, your turn stops and the other side
    gets to go twice. (there is only one of these per gird)

                               * Mystery Pieces *

         Every so often, the board will be covered with pieces that have
    a question mark on them.  It hides parts of the board from view and
    from your starting play.  When you do start, the mystery squares will
    disappear.




                          *** KEY ASSIGNMENTS ***

                         <K>ey Assignments
                         <I>nstructions
                         <S>ound Toggle On/Off
                         <B>oss Key (for you office players)
                         <N>ew Game (start over)
                         <Arrow Keys> or <Mouse> Move piece
                         <Spacebar>   or <Rgt/Lft Button> Play piece

                         <Q>uit Game




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