home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Season's Greetings & Games Unlimited
/
UGOLD_cd2.iso
/
othelll3
/
othelllo.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1995-01-05
|
17KB
|
354 lines
OTHELLLO 3.0
Copyright MCMXCV
DDC Software
Programmed by
Steven Doggart
Jack Freelander
Peter Johnson
Documentation for:
Ansi Menu 3.0
Graphics 3.1
Built-in Computer AI 3.0
Multi-Process Computer AI 3.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included Files:
OTHELLLO.EXE
GRAPHICS.EXE
COMPUTER.EXE
ABOUT .DOC
OTHELLLO.DOC
REGISTER.DOC
* OTHELLLO.CFG
* CBOARD .DAT
* OTHELLLO.DAT
* VER .DAT
* These files are created by Othelllo as a means of communication between
the separate executable files. These files are very small and may be
deleted. They will normally appear after playing Othelllo and are only
used during play. The OTHELLLO.CFG file stores the default settings for
the Ansi Menu. Deleting this file will reset the options.
Providing that all of the above files (with the exception of those
marked with a *) are unaltered and in the same directory, and your computer
meets all of the below requirements, Othelllo 3.0 should run without
problems. To begin Othelllo, simply type "OTHELLLO" [Enter] in the
directory where the files are located.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirements:
IBM Compatible Computer
80286 Processor or Above
DOS 3.1 or Above
Microsoft Compatible Mouse
VGA/EGA Monitor (VGA Recommended)
Approximately 400k RAM
Approximately 150k Disk Space
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description of Othelllo 3.0 and it's components:
Othelllo is divided into 3 main parts:
Text Menu: OTHELLLO.EXE
Graphical Board: GRAPHICS.EXE
Computer Intelligence: COMPUTER.EXE
When Othelllo is run, the text menu appears, allowing you to change
the start up options. When "Start Game" is chosen, play will then
commence. At this point, execution of the program is controlled by
GRAPHICS.EXE, which displays all graphics. When playing against a computer
opponent, GRAPHICS.EXE will call upon COMPUTER.EXE to choose a valid move
for the appropriate computer level. The only file you will ever run is
OTHELLLO.EXE. The other two are run "behind the scenes" of your Othelllo
game.
Dividing Othelllo into 3 parts like this allows much flexibility. The
3 files are completely interchangeable with any Othelllo version greater
than 1.0. This allows the user to combine his/her favorite parts of the
program. For example, if the player finds a certain computer version more
challenging than another, he/she may simply copy the more challenging
COMPUTER.EXE file to the appropriate directory and Othelllo will
automatically utilize that computer version in place of the original.
Likewise, OTHELLLO.EXE and GRAPHICS.EXE are interchangeable with those of
version 1.2, and all future versions. Because of this flexibility, the
text menu displays in the lower left-hand corner a window listing the
version name and number of each of the 3 parts.
This integration also allows users to register just their favorite
parts of the game, instead of the entire program. If you would like all
the computer levels available, simply register COMPUTER.EXE. If you would
like full menu options available in the board game, simply register
GRAPHICS.EXE. If you just desire a better text menu, simply register
OTHELLLO.EXE. For more information on registration, see REGISTER.DOC
COMPUTER.EXE is the external computer version. If for some reason the
external version reports an erroneous move, or is absent during play, the
internal computer version will take over. The internal computer version
has a limited number of levels, but runs considerably faster. If you wish
to use the internal version in place of the external, simply move or rename
COMPUTER.EXE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Helpful Hints For New Othello Players:
If you do not know how to play Othello, DDC Software has provided two
features that will help familiarize you with this classic game. First,
there is the option "About..." in the opening text menu, which describes in
detail the objectives and rules of the game. Secondly, during game play
the option "Possible Move" may be pressed. When this option is activated,
the mouse cursor will change to a "P" over any possible move. This option
is very useful, allowing the new user to see clearly which moves are valid.
Another useful idea would be to watch the computer play against
itself. Doing this will provide a step-by-step example game where you are
able to see exactly where each player moves. To pause the game at any
time, simply hold down the left mouse button!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Text Menu
(OTHELLLO.EXE)
The text menu is displayed when you first run Othelllo. This menu
allows you to set all the starting values before you begin play. The text
menu displays, in the lower left-hand corner, a window listing the version
name and number of each of the 3 parts of Othelllo: OTHELLLO.EXE,
GRAPHICS.EXE, & COMPUTER.EXE. The window on the upper right hand side of
the screen displays the current settings. This window is constantly
updated. To select an option, either use the arrow keys to position the
highlight bar over the option you wish to select and press enter, or move
the mouse over the desired option and press the left mouse button. The
following is a list of the options available on the menu:
"Start Game"
"Players"
"Board Size"
"Colors"
"About..."
"Save Settings"
"Quit"
Start Game - This option begins play with current settings.
Players - This option displays a submenu, allowing the user to edit
whether players are controlled by a human, by the computer,
or none at all. If "Computer" is selected as the player
type, another submenu will appear asking you for the
computer level. The available level values are displayed
(ie. [1-10]). Any value within that range is a valid
entry. A minimum of two players is necessary to run
Othelllo.
Board Size - Othelllo allows you to set the board size from 4x4 to
100x100. The board is always a square, so the number
entered is the length of both sides. This value must be at
least two greater than the total number of players. That
is, six players cannot play on a 4x4 board.
Colors - This option allows you to edit the foreground and
background colors during play. The foreground is the color
of the board; background the color of the menu on the right
side of the board.
About... - About... displays detailed instructions on how to play
Othello. See the above section "Helpful Hints For New
Othello Players" for more information.
Save Settings - When this option is selected, the current settings are
saved as the defaults and will appear whenever OTHELLLO.EXE
is run. For instance, if you prefer the board size as 12
by default, select Save Settings after changing the board
size to 12. This way, every time you run Othelllo, the
board size will be set to 12 automatically. All settings
displayed in the settings window in the upper right are
saved as is.
Quit - This quits Othelllo and returns to DOS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graphical Board
(GRAPHICS.EXE)
The graphical board is displayed when "Start Game" is selected at the
Text Menu. The graphical board is where the game is played. To start the
game, the appropriate pieces are automatically placed in the center of the
board. The board is displayed on the left side, the players (their scores,
types, numbers and colors) are displayed on the upper right, and a menu of
buttons are on the lower right of the screen.
Everything in this section of the game is mouse driven. To move,
simply position the mouse cursor over the desired square, and click the
left mouse button. If the selected box is valid, your piece will be
displayed, and the correct pieces will automatically be flipped. If the
selected square is an invalid move, a warning beep will sound.
To change the player types during the game, simply click on the button
with the correct player number (in the upper right corner of the screen).
A menu will be displayed containing the possible player types. If you
select "COMPUTER", a second menu will appear allowing you to alter the
level. When you have selected the desired level, click on "OK" to return
to the game. At any time during play, you may pause the game by holding
down the left mouse button. Play will be suspended until the button is
released. This is especially useful when the computer is playing against
itself and there is little opportunity to select options. Control will be
given to the user once the computer has completed its move. Releasing the
mouse button over a button is equivalent to clicking in this instance.
The buttons labeled 1-6 in the upper right also indicate the current
player. Throughout the game, the button of the current player will always
be depressed. The following options are located on the right of the
screen:
"SAVE"
"LOAD"
"QUIT"
"RESTART"
"POSSIBLE MOVE"
"BEST MOVE"
"ERRATIC PLAY"
"CLEAR BOARD"
"SOUND ON|OFF"
"ANIMATION ON|OFF"
"RANDOM PIECES"
*SAVE - This option will save the current game. When selected,
the game will prompt you for a file name. Type the name
and press ENTER, or press "OK" with the mouse.
*LOAD - This option will load a previously saved game (using the
"SAVE" option. When selected, the game will prompt you
for the filename.
QUIT - This will quit Othelllo and return you to DOS. A window
stating "Are you sure?" will be displayed in the upper
left corner of the screen. Click on "YES" to quit.
RESTART - This will return you to the opening Text Menu. It will
NOT ask you if you are sure.
POSSIBLE MOVE - When clicked on, this button will stay depressed. To
deactivate it, simply click it a second time. While
activated, the mouse cursor will appear as a "P"
whenever positioned over a valid move for the current
player.
*BEST MOVE - Clicking on this button will cause the computer to take,
in its mind, the best move for the current player.
ERRATIC PLAY - When this option is depressed, players may move on any
square that is not already occupied. This changes the
strategy of Othelllo.
CLEAR BOARD - This option clears the board and begins the game again
with the original settings.
SOUND ON|OFF - This option toggles sound in the program.
ANIMATION ON|OFF - This option toggles animation in the program, that is
whether the pieces simply appear or truly flip.
RANDOM PIECES - When "Random Pieces" is clicked, a random number of
random pieces appear on random locations on the board.
* This Option Available in Registered Version Only
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer Levels
(COMPUTER.EXE)
The following is a list of the computer levels available:
1. Best Move
2. Strategic A Move
3. Strategic B Move
4. First Move
5. Last Move
6. Random Move
7. Look Ahead (2 Moves)
8. Look Ahead (4 Moves)
9. Strategic Look Ahead (2 Moves)
10. Strategic Look Ahead (4 Moves)
Levels 11 through 20 are available upon registration. These levels
combine multiple thought processes to determine a move. They are much more
difficult and are designed to be more challenging and therefore take
somewhat longer to select a move.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION!!
If you enjoy playing Othelllo and would like to receive new levels,
the setup program for Othelllo, and the fully functional GRAPHICS.EXE with
all options available, we encourage you to register Othelllo. A nice
option of our registration is that for an additional $5 we will send you
all REGISTERED future versions of Othelllo. This is the third released
version of Othelllo, and at least two more are planned. Please see
REGISTER.DOC for more information and the order form. Thank you!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's New!
Below are some of the many upgrades we have made to Othelllo since
version 1.2. Almost all of the source code was re-written from scratch for
maximum speed, and density. Othelllo 3.0 is almost half the size of 1.2!
Yet it contains dozens of new options and upgrades. It runs faster and
smoother. The user interface has been greatly upgraded, and is much easier
to use. We hope you find Othelllo to be a fun game which configures itself
to the user.
Notifies users when a player must pass & allows you to disable the option
Allows you to save the current settings as defaults in text menu
All files smaller & faster than previous versions
Load & Save menus now in graphics
Clear Board
Animation
Control of sound
Control of animation
More levels: faster, tougher, & smarter
Round-edge buttons
Levels displayed on side of text menu
Random Pieces
Mouse Cursor changes to a digital clock reading 2:56 while computer thinks
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We welcome any and all questions, comments, and suggestions about Othelllo.
If you enjoy the game, but do not wish to register, we would still be happy
to hear from you! Any mail may be sent to the same address as the
registration. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy Othelllo! Have fun!