NetBoxes is an internet playable version of the age-old classroom game of "Boxes," where you made boxes by connecting a grid of dots. NetBoxes is no different, it merely adds a few features:
1. It is playable over the internet, with support of up to 4 people.
2. A timer has been added to turns to promote fast-paced gameplay.
3. Instead of counting boxes, you have a total score.
4. There are mines: dots that explode when you click on them.
2. System Requirements?
- A PowerPC
- 6 megabytes of RAM (variable, depending on screen depth and size of game board)
- NetSprocket (see links at bottom of this document if you need it)
- Appearance Manager (MacOS 8.0 and on)
3. How do I play NetBoxes?
Gameplay in NetBoxes is relatively straightforward; however, here is a brief manual about how to host/join/play the game.
Hosting
To host, choose "Host Net Game" from the File menu. When the dialog box comes up, the only field you need to be worried about is "Name". After typing in your name, click on "OK" and the chat window will be brought up. It is now safe for your friends to join your game.
Joining
To join a game, select "Join Net Game" from the File menu. When the join dialog comes up, choose "TCP/IP" from the "Network:" list. In the field "Host Name:" place the IP address of the josting game. Fill in your name, and click "OK" to join. The chat window is brought up, and you have succesfully joined.
Choosing Your "Face"
When you make a box during gameplay, your "Face" is the icon that denotes it is your box. To change this icon, click on it in the chat window. A small box will be brought up, merely click on the desired icon, and as long as no one else is using that face, you will have succesfully changed your icon. Note that you cannot change your face while another game is in progress.
Starting a game
If you are the host, you have the ability to start the game. To do so, choose "Start Game…" from the Game menu. When the Start Game dialog is brought up, you can either leave the default settings, or change them to best suit you. Here are what each field does:
X - This is how many dots the board should be wide. This value will not be allowed to go under 6 or above 20.
Y - This is how many dots the board should be high. This value will not be allowed to go under 4 or above 20.
Seconds per turn - This is how many seconds each player has to complete their turn.
Mines - This option places explosive dots on the board; which, when clicked, explode, taking 6 points with it.
Regenerate - If you have chosen mines, this will make them randomly renerate back into the game.
Force Loss of Turn - If you have chosen mines, this will force the player who clicked on it to lose their turn.
Random Lines at Start - This option places random lines at the beginning of the game to speed up gameplay.
Once you have confirmed the settings, click on "Start" and the game window will open. A countdown of 5 seconds will start until gameplay commences. A tone will aware you of when it is your turn, and the name of the person who's turn it is will be hilited in red in the game window.
Playing NetBoxes
The object of "NetBoxes" is to get the most points by making boxes, and more importantly, keeping your enemies from making them.
If it is your turn, you can make a line by clicking on a dot, then clicking in the direction you want the line to be drawn. If you wish to deselect the peg, just click on it again. If the line you have drawn makes a box, it will fill in the space with your face, and add four more points to your score.
While it is your turn, the timer will be constantly counting down. If it gets below 0, for every second you miss, one point will be docked off of your score.
If the option for mines was chosen, any time an explosive dot is clicked on or is the receiving end of a line, it will explode (ruining any chances of drawing a line to it) as well as taking six points off of the score of the player who clicked on it.
When no more moves can be made, the game will go into the win sequence and display the winner.
4. Does NetBoxes support GameRanger?
Yes! NetBoxes has full support for Scott Kevill's GameRanger!
For those of you who don't know what it is, GameRanger is an awesome way to find other Macintosh users to play internet games with. It currently has support for 34 games, with many more coming. If you don't have it already, be sure and check out http://www.gameranger.com, it is, after all, free.
5. Reporting bugs / Contacting me
Found a bug? Have a question about the game? Just want to drop a line? Registering? Whatever the case, feel free to get a hold of me, I would love to hear from you.
If you are reporting a bug, be sure to include as much information about the bug as possible, including when it happened, what you might have done to cause it to happen, and information about your computer and system.
eMail: brainfreeze@gloc.net
snail: Brainfreeze Entertainment
c/o Will Helling
24526 W.C.R. 48
Kersey, CO 80644
6. Version history
v1.1 - New Features!
- Version Checking before games.
- Mines can renerate and force a loss of turn.
- Game options are displayed in the chat window.
- Host has the option to keep joiners from starting or aborting games.
- The bug dealing with mines has been fixed!
v1.0.2 - More bug fixes...
- When a game is ended on appletalk, it is now removed from the network.
- Game now supports on the fly screen depth switching, along with better graphics stability.
- Names are limited to 10 characters in the game window.
- Fixed numerous interface elements, including when the host leaves and if a game is in progress on a mid-game join.
- You can't hear sounds of a game if you aren't in it anymore.
- Improved the win sequence, added a 256 color win sequence (try running 1.0 or 1.0.1 in 256, and you'll see what I'm talking about).
v1.0.1 - Fixed numerous bugs, including:
- Games are now playable over appletalk. (They wouldn't show up previously)
- Fixed "Phantom Players," turn desynch, and many other general gameplay bugs
- Fixed a bug that would keep the app from staying registered after a correct code was given.
- Non-Host Players can "step out" of a game in progress, but remain in the game as a whole.
- Much better handling of joining and leaving players.
- A few sound fixes.
- You can now change your icon while a game is in progress.
- Fixed a very rare bug that kept players from only selecting the left row of pegs.
- Improved overall stability.
v1.0 - Initial Release
7. Known Bugs and other bug related info.
There may be a bug on some computers that keeps any graphics from being shown, aka all is seen are white windows. If this happens to you, please contact me immediatly, I am working on tracking it down and squelching it like the disgusting vermin that it is.
8. Distribution and Registering
NetBoxes is $10 shareware. If you enjoy the game, please register it by opening the html file included with the game called "Register.html" in any browser. After filling it out, print it and send it with the money to:
Digital Thoughts
P.O. Box 8960 South Lake
Tahoe, California 96158
Checks must be made out to "Digital Thoughts". All payment must clear before the registration code is sent.
Thanks for your support! If you wish to include NetBoxes on a compilation CD, please contact me before doing so.
9. Web Pages and Links
Brainfreeze Web Page - http://brainfreeze.digithought.net
NetBoxes Web Page - http://brainfreeze.digithought.net/netboxes.html
Digithought - http://www.digithought.com
Digithought handles my registration and hosts my web site. Mucho thankso!
