Strategy Companion/Strategy Companion CD.iso/cipher22/cipher.doc

Text File | 1995-02-13 | 29KB | 668 lines

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                          Crypto-Quotes Puzzle Game
                       Release 2.2   September 1, 1994

                                Nels Anderson
                               585 Edmands Road
                             Framingham, MA 01701
                                    U.S.A.



Various kinds of word puzzles have existed for years in many different
forms. People spend hours trying to solve them, working tediously with
pencil and paper. Many a newspaper has been worn through trying and
retrying different solutions.

With the advent of computers, working these puzzles becomes more
enjoyable because the computer screen provides a working surface that's
easier to manipulate than paper and pencil. You can erase and retry as
often as you wish and the screen will never wear out as paper is apt to
do.

Still, many computerized versions of word games look dull. Just because
it's a word game does not mean that it has to use text mode and black &
white only. Why can't word puzzles be colorful, use high resolution
graphics and even run with a mouse? Well, they can, now at least,
because that's exactly how CIPHER works. For those who don't have a
mouse the game will run with keyboard only. And if you don't have
VGA/EGA graphics available it will also run in text mode (though it's
still quite colorful if you have a color monitor). But for those with a
full featured PC you get what I hope is the most colorful and fun to
use computerized word puzzle game available.

CIPHER will automatically run in the "best" possible mode, though it is
possible to override this. The following command line parameters are
available:

                     cipher -t      (force text mode)
                     cipher -k      (force keyboard mode)

Note that when in text mode keyboard mode is automatically selected so
it isn't necessary to use both overrides at any time.

CIPHER is a "crypto-quotes" type of game. That is, a quotation is
enciphered and displayed on the screen in its scrambled form. Your
challenge is to figure out the cipher by replacing the scrambled
letters with the actual letters. As you go along more and more of the
puzzle will start to look like real words and eventually you should
solve the whole puzzle and be able to read the quotation.

One set of puzzles is provided with the game. If you want more, you
can register the game for $15 and in exchange you'll receive the latest
version of the game plus many more puzzles to solve. For $22 you can
order the "deluxe" version of the game, which includes a registered
copy of the software, the additional puzzles plus a printed manual and
binder to store everything in. Shipping is $2 on the standard version,
or $4 for the deluxe version or for shipping outside the U.S. Please
note that the only difference between the standard and "deluxe" versions
is the packaging, the actual game software is exactly the same.

CIPHER is distributed by the Shareware system -- this allows you to try
it before you buy it, but if you continue to use the game regularly you
are expected to register. When you register, please let me know what
version you have (it's right on the title screen) and I'd also be
interested to know where you got it from. Please, make sure you put
your name and address on your letter! Or you can use the instant
registration form in the file "orderfrm.txt". Just copy the file to
your printer, fill it out, and mail it. If you're not familiar with
the Shareware concept, 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 (300-28800 bps
HST/v.32, 8N1) at 508-788-6951. 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.
B)ulletin #1 always has the list of latest versions of all my programs,
along with the file name if you wish to download them.

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 mail to me
at 71020,2613. Or join me and many other shareware authors in the
Shareware forum (GO SHAREWARE). You can also reach me through Internet;
address messages to [e-mail].

CIPHER is pretty easy to use, so rather than reading all the
instructions you might want to just start it up and play. The game has
help screens built right in and they provide all the basic information
you need.


*****************************************************************************
*                             PLAYING THE GAME                              *
*****************************************************************************


OBJECT:

The object of the game is to decipher the puzzle shown on the right
side of the screen. The puzzles vary in difficulty and size. When you
solve the puzzle correctly a message will pop up on the screen to let
you know.

KEYBOARD MODE COMMANDS:

If you're going to be playing the game with a mouse, skip down to the
"Mouse Mode Commands" section. Also see the section on "Common
Commands".

When using the keyboard you will alternate between "select character"
and "place character" modes. You will see a prompt at the upper right
corner of the screen to tell you what the game is expecting.

You must first select a letter of the alphabet that you want placed
into the puzzle. Just type that single letter and it will be
highlighted on the left hand side of the screen.

Then you must decide where to place the highlighted letter into the
puzzle. Hit the letter that you want translated to the letter you just
selected. You'll see your selection placed throughout the puzzle.

The game prevents you from using a letter to translate more than one
encrypted letter. Thus, if you change your mind on the translation of
a letter you can just reuse the translated letter somewhere else and
your previous use will be erased.

If you want to erase a guess without placing it somewhere else, hit the
space bar when asked to select a letter and then choose where to place
it in the puzzle.


MOUSE MODE COMMANDS:

If you're going to be playing the game with the keyboard, go back to
the "Keyboard Mode Commands" section. Also see the section on "Common
Commands".

Unlike playing with a keyboard, playing using a mouse is "modeless" in
that you do not have to alternate between selecting a character and
placing it into the puzzle. At the left side of the screen you'll see
the alphabet displayed. Click on the letter you want to select for use
in the puzzle. If your aim is off, just move the cursor and click
again. The letter you choose will be highlighted.

On the right side of the screen you'll see the puzzle. After you have
selected a letter point to the position in the puzzle where you want
that letter used and click the mouse. The letter will be placed at
that position and at all other positions that have the same enciphered
letter.

The game prevents you from using a letter to translate more than one
encrypted letter. Thus, if you change your mind on the translation of
a letter you can just reuse the translated letter somewhere else and
your previous use will be erased.

There are several options in addition to simply placing a letter. If
you click on the top half of a letter pair on the right side, all
occurrences of that letter throughout the puzzle will be highlighted
but not filled in. Clicking the right mouse button instead of the left
one will remove your guess from the position in the puzzle being
pointed to.


COMMON COMMANDS:

Along the top line of the screen you'll see a number of commands
displayed. If you're playing using a keyboard you will also see the
name of the function key that activates the commands. If you're using
a mouse you just move the cursor up to the command and point and click.
Mouse users can also use the function keys though the key numbers are
not displayed. Some of the more commonly used commands have keyboard
shortcuts, using Ctrl or Alt key combinations. These are displayed in
the menus.

The available commands are as follows:

F1 - Help

Supplies several screens of basic information on how to play the game.
Each screen has the option to go to the next screen, previous screen,
or to quit help. Mouse users just point to their selection; keyboard
users should hit "N" (next), "P" (previous), or "Q" (quit) as desired.

F2 - Info

Provides some basic information on the game and how to register. Hit a
key or click the mouse to remove the info window.

F3 - Filer

The filer has a number of subfunctions:

1)  Change Puzzle File -- this command allows you to load a
    different puzzle file. All puzzle files end with the file
    extension ".cpz". The shareware version of the game only
    comes with one puzzle file so this command won't be useful
    until you register the game.

2)  Save Game -- use this command to save the current puzzle
    along with your guesses to a disk file. All saved game
    files use the file extension ".sav"; it's optional
    whether you type this in or not when entering the file
    name.

3)  Load Game -- use this command to reload a puzzle that you
    saved previously. Select the name of the saved game file
    you want from the displayed list.

4)  Make Puzzle -- this function lets you enter puzzles from
    other sources and play them using CIPHER. There are two
    types of puzzles that CIPHER understands, the first being
    puzzles that are already encrypted like you might find in
    the newspaper or a puzzle book ("user quotes"), and
    second being plain language quotes that CIPHER will
    scramble for you ("standard quotes"); standard quotes can
    come from any source.

    When you select this function you are first asked for the
    name of the puzzle file. If you're adding to an existing
    puzzle file just select it from the list. If you want to
    start a new file, type in the name of the new file. It
    is not necessary to enter the .cpz portion of the file
    name (that is, "puzzle" is enough, you do not need to
    enter "puzzle.cpz").

    If you are starting a new puzzle file a box will pop up
    for you to select the puzzle type. Select "Standard
    Puzzle" if you're entering a plain text puzzle or "User
    Puzzle" if you're entering a puzzle that's already
    encrypted. Then a box will pop up asking for the puzzle
    file description. Each puzzle file can have an overall
    topic which is displayed on the status line during play.
    If you don't want to enter a topic just press the Enter
    key.

    Once the file has been selected, a small box will open in
    which to type in your new puzzle. The puzzle you enter
    is expected to be in a form similar to other CIPHER
    puzzles; that is, up to four lines of quote and then the
    author's name on the last line with two dashes in front
    of it. When you have the puzzle entered correctly, hit
    the enter key twice and you'll be prompted to confirm;
    hit "Y" if the puzzle is correct and it will be saved.
    At the present time there are no editing capabilities
    available so if you make a mistake your only option is to
    not save the puzzle and to start over.

    User defined puzzle files are slightly different from
    normal CIPHER puzzles, so do not try to add user
    puzzles into the standard puzzle files. You also lose
    one normal feature of the game with user puzzles; the
    game can't determine when you've solved the puzzle.

5)  Print Order Form -- use this to print the order form used
    to register CIPHER or to order additional Puzzle Collections.

6)  View Doc File -- this function is a text file viewer which
    you can use to view the complete CIPHER instructions (in the
    CIPHER.DOC file). This function is only available if you are
    playing the game in EGA or VGA graphics mode.

7)  Abort -- select this if you changed your mind about doing
    a filer function.

F4 - Puzzle

The puzzle menu has a number of subfunctions for selecting puzzles:

1)  Next Puzzle -- if you're stuck on the current puzzle or
    don't want to play it select next puzzle to get the next
    consecutive puzzle in the puzzle file. You can also
    access this function more quickly by hitting Ctrl-N.

2)  Previous Puzzle -- if you want to go back to a previous
    puzzle use this command. You will use this command fairly
    seldom because previous puzzles are ones you've already
    played.

3)  Select by Number -- lets you select any puzzle within the
    current puzzle file by entering its number. Handy if two
    people want to play the same puzzle.

4)  Clear Guesses -- use this function if you want to clear
    all your previous guesses and start the current puzzle
    over again. It also marks the puzzle as being unplayed;
    use this if you want to quit but play the current puzzle
    next time you play. You can also access this function
    more quickly by hitting Alt-C.

5)  Abort -- select this if you changed your mind about doing
    a filer function.

F5 - Hints

1)  See Puzzle -- If a puzzle gets too frustrating you can
    "cheat" and see the solution. Once you've done this the
    puzzle is marked in the puzzle file as having been played
    to completion.

2)  Get Hint --  This allows you to get a hint on a single
    letter. Enter the encrypted letter from the puzzle that
    you would like to see the matching unencrypted letter for
    and this letter will be entered throughout the puzzle.
    You can also access this function more quickly by hitting
    Ctrl-H.

3)  Clear Wrong Guesses -- Selecting this will remove all
    letters from the puzzle that are incorrect. You can also
    access this function more quickly by hitting Ctrl-C.

4)  Show Letter Frequencies -- It's well known that some
    letters of the alphabet are used much more often than
    others. In the English language, the most common letters,
    in order, are generally ETOANIRSH. Knowing this fact and
    knowing which letters in the puzzle appear most often is
    a strong clue. This hint will show all letters of the
    alphabet along with the number of times they appear in
    the puzzle. You can also access this function more
    quickly by hitting Ctrl-F.

5)  Abort -- Select this if you change your mind about
    getting a hint.

F6 - Options

1)  See Hall of Fame -- Using this option you can see the
    all time high score list at any time. To erase the hall
    of fame click on "CLEAR" or hit the "C" key, otherwise
    hit any other key or click on "OK" to return to the game.

2)  Select New Player -- Use this option to let a different
    player use the game. You will select the player name
    you want from a list, or you can enter a new player name
    or change an existing player name and use that.

3)  Switch Score/Clock -- The lower left corner of the screen
    can display either the current time or a running score.
    Use this option to toggle between the two choices.

4)  Sound On/Off -- Use this option to toggle sound on or
    off.

5)  Select Colors -- You can customize your screen colors
    with this option. Your selected colors will be stored
    so that your last selections will automatically be
    loaded whenever you play. Each player can have their
    own color selections.

6)  Switch Mouse/Keyboard -- If you're running in graphics
    mode you can use this option to switch between mouse
    and keyboard play at any time.

7)  Abort -- Use this if you decide not to use one of the
    options.

F10 - Quit

This quits the game. You'll be prompted just to make sure that you
really meant to quit and also if you want to save the game if you did
not complete it.

COMMAND LINE OPTIONS:

Normally you start the game by just entering "CIPHER". The game will
determine your hardware configuration and select the correct modes
automatically. It will then ask you for the name of the player and the
puzzle file you wish to use. There are a couple of options available
that can be entered on the command line if you wish though.

The first two parameters let you override the default hardware
selections. Use "-t" to run in text mode even if VGA or EGA is
available. Use "-k" to play using the keyboard even if you have a
mouse attached.

You can also select the player from the command line. The game stores
up to nine player names, so to use a specific name use the parameter
"-p#", replacing the # with a digit from 1 through 9 for the number of
the desired player.

The game normally shows the running score in the lower left corner of
the screen. You can change this to show the time of day instead, which
you'd normally do using the Options menu. If you want to start up the
game with the clock showing, use the parameter "-c".

You can disable sounds by using the parameter "-s".

The final option lets you enter the name of the puzzle file you want to
use. The original shareware version only comes with one puzzle file so
you won't need this option until you've registered.

Some examples:

If you want to play in text mode, you'd enter the following:

                                 cipher -t

To use the puzzle file called "puzzle2.cpz" you'd enter:

                            cipher puzzle2.cpz

To play using the keyboard and use the puzzle file "puzzle3.cpz" you'd
enter:

                          cipher puzzle3.cpz -k

Note that in the last example the order of the options does not matter.
You must have spaces between the options.

Command line parameter summary:

             -t   Force text mode (also forces keyboard mode)
             -k   Force keyboard mode
             -p#  Select player number #
             -c   Show clock in lower left corner of screen
             -s   Disable sound


CIPHER RECORD KEEPING

The game tries to keep track of which puzzles you've played in an
intelligent manner. In general, it expects you to play the puzzles
within a file in order so when you select a puzzle file it
automatically loads the first puzzle within that file that you have not
tried yet. When you've tried all the puzzles within a file, you're
given the option of going back to the beginning and playing those
puzzles you didn't solve the first time through.

These records are kept separately for each player, by player number.
Changing a player's name does not change the records for that player
number within the puzzle files you use.


CIPHER SCORING SYSTEM

The scoring system is fairly simple. When you start a puzzle you are
given 1000 points. One point is ticked off every second, so the faster
you solve the puzzle the higher your score. Clear Wrong Guesses and
Get Hint will cost you 10 points each time you use them. Using Show
Letter Frequencies doesn't cost any points, but the clock does continue
to run while you're looking at the frequency list so you're losing one
point per second. Using Show Puzzle sets your score to zero.

If you solve the puzzle, you get a 100 point bonus. You get an
additional 100 points if you did not use any of the hint functions. If
you managed to solve the puzzle with no wrong guesses you get a 100
point bonus. Finally, you get 20 points for each correct letter and
lose 10 points for each wrong guess you made before solving the puzzle.

If your score is one of the top ten it will be entered into the Hall of
Fame and the hall will automatically be displayed. If you wish to
clear the Hall of Fame, just delete the file HALLFAME.LST, or click on
the "CLEAR" button (or hit the "C" key) when the hall is displayed.


*****************************************************************************
*                              INCLUDED FILES                               *
*****************************************************************************

The following files are included in CIPHER:

CIPHER.EXE      Cipher program
CIPHER.DOC      This file
CIPHER.TXT      A brief description of Cipher
NEWS.PCC        Title picture
PUZZLE1.CPZ     Puzzle data file
SHAREWRE.TXT    Information on Shareware
ORDERFRM.TXT    Ready to print registration form
UKORDER.TXT     Order form for UK residents
VENDOR.TXT      Distribution information for disk vendors
FILE_ID.DIZ     Standard program description for BBS use
CATALOG.EXE     A catalog of programs by the same author

You are free to pass this program along to friends, give it to user
groups, upload to BBSes, etc. with the understanding that anyone who
continues to use the game is required to register it. All these files
MUST be included when distributing this program. If you archive the
program for distribution through BBSes, please use the name
CIPHER22.ZIP (or .LZH, .PAK, etc. as appropriate).


*****************************************************************************
*                                REGISTRATION                               *
*****************************************************************************

Please remember that CIPHER is not free software. As with all Shareware
you are expected to purchase it after you've given it a reasonable
trial.

The registration price for CIPHER is $15, which includes a disk with
the latest version plus over 200 additional puzzles to solve. Other
sets of puzzles (about 200 puzzles per set) are also available for $5
each; contact the author for availability.

A deluxe version of CIPHER is also available. This includes a storage
case, printed manual plus the registered version of the program with
over 200 puzzles. This version is available for $22. Please note that
the actual game software is exactly the same in the standard and deluxe
versions, only the packaging is different.

A Microsoft Windows 3.x version is also available for the same prices.
Cipher for Windows has the same features as the regular version but
runs under Microsoft Windows and takes full advantage of its
capabilities.

Please include $2 shipping/handling with your order, or $4 for deluxe
versions or for shipping outside North America.


*****************************************************************************
*                              REVISION HISTORY                             *
*****************************************************************************

V2.2:

Author mailing address changed

Text file viewer built into game

V2.11:

Bug fix in make puzzle function

V2.1:

Now allows players to enter both user puzzles (ones that are already
encrypted) and standard puzzles (any straight text quote)

Clear option added to Hall of Fame display

List of files sorted alphabetically for all filer functions

V2.0:

Support for up to 9 players added

Screen colors now selectable; selections are stored separately for each
player

New hint: show letter frequencies

Filer now allows selection of any puzzle by number

Screen now displays player name, puzzle file name, puzzle number within
file and puzzle file topic

Scoring system added

V1.2:

On startup, if player hadn't select a specific puzzle file and more
than one is available, a list of files is presented to select from.

Added clear guess function to filer functions.

Added user defined puzzles to the filer functions.

On command line, entering the .cpz extension of a puzzle file name is
now optional; consistent with the way the filer functions work within
the game.

V1.1:

Changed the filer functions to force all puzzles files to a .cpz
extension, whether or not the user entered it.

Fixed bug with the scroll bar in the file selection function.

Fixed problem with selecting additional puzzle files.


*****************************************************************************
*                           DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY                          *
*****************************************************************************

This software is sold "as is", without any warranty as to performance
or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. Because of the
many hardware and software environments into which this program may be
used, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. The
user must assume the entire risk of using the program. Any liability of
the seller will be limited exclusively to product replacement or the
refund of the registration fee.


*****************************************************************************
*                   ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS                  *
*****************************************************************************

This software is produced by Nels Anderson who is a member of the
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure
that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to
resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting
the member directly, ASP may be able to help.

The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP
member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI
49442, USA or send a CompuServe message via email to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536. FAX: [phone].

                             _______
                        ____|__     |               (R)
                     --|       |    |-------------------
                       |   ____|__  |  Association of
                       |  |       |_|  Shareware
                       |__|   o   |    Professionals
                     -----|   |   |---------------------
                          |___|___|    MEMBER


*****************************************************************************
*                            AVAILABLE SOFTWARE                             *
*****************************************************************************

Other software which I've either written or contributed to:

CIPHWN:    Cipher for Windows.  All the features of regular
           CIPHER but runs under the Microsoft Windows 3.x
           environment.

EGATREK:   Space strategy battle game, using full EGA graphics,
           based on the classic minicomputer game.  Winner of
           Public Brand Software's 1988 software contest.

MAHJONGG:  Solitaire game played with Chinese tiles.  Supports
           EGA and Hercules graphics; mouse optional.  See reviews
           in December 1988 "PCWorld" and April 1989 "Compute!".

TMATCH:    Tile Match is another solitaire game that uses the same
           colorful tile sets originally created for Mah Jongg.
           It's based on concentration solitaire or "memory" but
           adds a wide variety of features. Play it solitaire,
           against the computer or with up to four players.

SHOOT:     "Shooting Gallery" tests your aim and reflexes in a
           number of different rounds of shooting.  Uses MCGA
           graphics mode for 256 colors and and also requires
           a mouse.  See review in "PC Magazine" vol. 9 #20.

SUPERFLY:  An action game using hi-res EGA/VGA graphics.  Chase the
           flies and other insects through twenty different rounds.
           Includes three levels of difficulty, hall of fame, shell
           to DOS, etc.  Keyboard/joystick/mouse supported.  See
           review in "PC Magazine" vol. 10 #17.

BASSTOUR:  (Written by Dick Olsen).  Game that simulates a fishing
           tournament, including rod and lure selection.  Runs in
           EGA/CGA/MCGA/Hercules graphics modes.  Uses many of the
           utilities from MOUSTOOL.  Do not order this game from
           me; for more information contact:  Richard Olsen, 68
           Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460.

BASSMAP:   Companion program for BassTour which allows lakes to be
           created or modified.  EGA and CGA versions included.
           Requires BassTour or Bass Class.

                                  - - - - -

   CIPHER is copyright (c) 1990-1994 by Nels Anderson.  All rights reserved.