Informática Multimedia: Special Games/INFESPGAMES.mdf/os2/bummer/bummer.hlp

OS/2 Help File | 1995-02-12 | 131.2 KB | 502 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Howzit!

My name is Dan and I'm one of the two people in the picture you see below. I'll
leave it as an exercise for you to figure out which.  The other person is my
beautiful wife, Ke'Aloha Akini.  We were both rich beyond your wildest
imagination even before we got married and so now we are twice that rich. We
live on a small island in Hawaii (our own island) and I transmitted this
program via my personal satellite uplink connected to the Cray II that I
purchased last year with some loose pocket change.

NOT!

 Actually, I am but a poor, starving college student in a dinky apartment in
downtown Honolulu (that I got a great deal on) and the other person in the
photo is just a girl that poses with just about every haole tourist at Paradise
Cove Luau.

Welcome to my first attempt at programming.  This game is the culmination of
about 10 programming books, eight bucks worth of overdue book fines, numerous
magazine articles, a few promptly answered questions on Compuserve, and a
Summer in Hawaii spent peering at this damn screen when I should have been out
exploring the wonders of tropical life -- or perhaps even doing some
schoolwork.

BUMMER! for OS/2 is, of course, an OS/2 Presentation Manager representation of
the classic board game by Parker Brothers.  The rules are quite simple (unless
you happen to be programming them) and the program should be pretty much
self-explanatory.  Version 2.0 contains many enhancements.  Chief among these
is MMPM/2 sound, which plays if enabled in the Settings dialog.

Double Click here for other new features.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Rules of the Game ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There's RULES??  Come on Man, I thought this was supposed to be a game!

Click here for an explanation of each of the cards

Bart's objections aside, there ARE rules to this game.  Fortunately, they are
quite simple.

Objective
The object of the game is to move all of your pawns from the 'START' circle to
the 'HOME' circle.  Generally, you must move your pawns in a clockwise manner,
although there are some exceptions, which will be discussed in a moment.  Pawns
are moved like any other object in OS/2.  Just click on a pawn with the right
mouse button, drag it to where you want it to be, and release.

Start
There are three ways to get your pawn out of the 'START' circle.  If you get a
one or a two, you can simply take the pawn out and place it on the circle in
front of the 'START' circle.  If you get a BUMMER card, you can take one of
your pawns from 'START' and place it on an opponents square, thus sending them
back to their 'START'.  Unfortunately, they can do the same thing to you!

Home
Once you have made it around the board, you can enter the colored entryway to
your 'HOME'.  It takes an exact roll to actually get into 'HOME', but you are
protected just by being in the entryway.  You cannot be sent back to 'START'
unless you suffer the misfortune of being forced back onto the general pathway
with a four or ten card.

Bummer
There are two ways to send an opponent back to start.  One has already been
mentioned... drawing a BUMMER card.  The second is equally simple.  You just
land on the square occupied by an opponent and back they go!  In fact, you do
not always have to land directly on your opponent, sometimes you can slide into
them...

Sliding
There are eight colored slides located around the board, two for each player.
In order to slide you must land on the large triangle at the beginning of the
slide. You will then slide automatically to the end, obliterating any opponents
in your path!  Note, however, that you cannot use a slide of your own color,
only those of your opponents.

Passing
Unfortunately, you do not always receive the card you need straight away.  If
it is not possible for you to make a move, then you may pass by clicking on the
large "I must Pass" button in the lower right of the window.  You may do this
even if you don't really have to pass (such as when you don't want a four to
take you out of HOME) but this is considered to be CHEATING!  One exception to
this rule is the eleven card.  If it is not possible to move forward eleven
spaces, you may (legally) pass, even though there may be possible moves if you
were to trade places with an opponent.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. The Cards ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Many of the cards in BUMMER! for OS/2 have unique features.

1 Card This card will allow a pawn to either leave 'START' or advance one
square.

2 Card The two card, like the one card, allows a pawn to move from 'START'.
Otherwise, a pawn may be moved forward two spaces.  Additionally, you may draw
another card and play on it.

3 Card This card is very straight-forward.  Move 3 spaces.

4 Card The four card reverses the pawns direction of travel.  This can be very
convenient when near the start.  Often, a four card will allow you to bypass
95% of the board, and go directly to 'HOME'.  It can be a disadvantage,
however, when you are in your entryway, and then the four card forces you back
out onto the general pathway.

5 Card This card has no unique features.  Move 5 spaces.

7 Card The seven card is very unique.  You may use this card to divide up your
seven moves between two different pawns... on the same turn!  If the
corresponding option is enabled, you may also divide the seven into two moves
for the SAME pawn.  This can be advantageous when there is a slide a short
distance away.

8 Card The eight card has no unusual features.  Move forward 8 spaces.

10 Card The ten card gives you two options.  You can, of course, move forward
10 spaces. You can also move backwards 1 space.  This may seem like a slow mode
of travel, but it can come in handy at times.

11 Card The eleven card also give you a couple of options.  You may move
forward eleven spaces.  Or, if you would rather, you can change places with any
opponent, so long as they are on the general pathway.  In this regard, it is
much like the BUMMER card, except that you trade places instead of sending them
back to start. It is important to keep this in mind, as you may actually end up
helping your opponent more than yourself.

12 Card The twelve card has no unusual features other than being the largest
card. Incidentally, if you have just gotten out of 'START' and get a twelve
card, you will end up sliding every time.

BUMMER! Card This is what its all about!  Get this card while you are in
'START', and you can send any of your opponents crawling back to where they
came from... BUMMER DUDE!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Game Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File menu has four choices.

Start New Game
This option is self explanatory.

Save Game
You can save and retrieve your old BUMMER! games.  This option brings up a
standard OS/2 file dialog.

Load Game
This option loads an old game.  You may also load games via drag n drop.

Close
Exits the program. If you have started a new game, you will be prompted to save
it.  Hit OK to save your game, or Cancel to exit.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Options Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Options menu has two choices.

Settings
Undo Last Move


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Settings Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The settings dialog contains four areas which allow you to customize the game
to fit your preferences:

Players
Recommended
Rules
Computer Speed


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.1. Players Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Players box contains two subtitles, "Type" and "Name".

The check boxes beneath the "Type" heading are three state buttons.  If they
are checked, then that player will be human.  If they are shaded, the
corresponding player will be controlled by the computer.  If they are not
selected at all, then that player will not be playing.  This offers a high
degree of customization.

The entry boxes beneath the "Name" heading contain the name assigned to each of
the players.  You may use the default, or assign your own name.  If you click
the down arrow next to the entry field, up to five of your previous names for
that player will be displayed and you may select any one of them.

So, in the picture above, "Green Beret" is a human player.  "Red Sonya" is
controlled by the computer.  "Big Blue" and "Yellow Belly" are both inactive.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.2. Recommended Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section of the dialog contains settings that are highly recommended.  They
would be set on by default, but people need an incentive to register.

Display Move Options
Display Turn Indicator
Watch Computer
Enable Sound


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.2.1. Display Move Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this option is enabled, all the possible moves will be highlighted each time
you select a pawn. Note that on slower computers this may slow down
responsiveness.

Also, the calculation that displays the highlighting for the home circles is
very math intensive.  I've noticed that on computers which do not have a math
coprocessor (SX's), there may be a delay of up to a couple seconds.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.2.2. Display Turn Indicator ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The turn indicator displays an enlarged image of the current player's pawn,
along with an identifying string for the player.  This can be especially useful
when playing the computer and you can't keep up with who's turn it is.  Again,
on slower machines or those with slow graphics cards, this option may slow
things down.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.2.3. Watch Computer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option will place a circle on the computer pawn that is going to move and
then will show the square that it is going to move to.  The duration of these
visual cues is determined by the computer speed settings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.2.4. Enable Sound ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

I have finally added mmpm/2 support in this version of Bummer!  If you have
mmpm/2 audio support and a supported sound card, you should be able to hear
sounds associated with most game events.

In addition, the sounds are stored as waves in your Bummer! directory.  If you
are not satisfied with the sounds, or would just like a change of pace, you are
encouraged to substitute your own *.WAV files in place of those supplied by me.
It is easy (and fun) to make new sounds using the Sound Editor supplied with
OS/2. Just make sure that the replacement sounds are: 8 bit, 11 kilohertz,
Mono.

I recommend moving the original sounds to a subdirectory first in case you wish
to restore them.  Then, make sure that your new files have exactly the same
names as those you have replaced.  For best results, use short files.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.3. Miscellaneous Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Play Till All Finish
Split Seven on Single Pawn
Allow Illegal Pass
Allow Undo


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.3.1. Play Till All Finish ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The default (unchecked) value will end the game as soon as the first player
gets all four of his pawns into Home.  If, however, this option is selected,
play will continue until every last player has gone around the board. This is
how it worked in Bummer version 1.0.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.3.2. Split Seven on Single Pawn ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Normally, the seven card is meant to be divided by two pawns.  However, it can
be advantageous to split a single pawn's moves.  This adds a bit more
complexity to the game as you may now be able to slide twice or send home an
opponent that is less than seven spaces away.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.3.3. Allow Illegal Pass ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this option is enabled, you may pass even when there is a possible move for
one of your players. This can be especially useful when you are in the Home
entryway and you get a Four card.  Still, a diehard Bummer player would rather
die than enable this option (if there are any.) Note that this is not an option
for the poor computer.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.3.4. Allow Undo ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option has not been fully implemented yet.  I encountered bugs and decided
to wait until the next version to release it.

See the Future for more info


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.4. Computer Speed ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The slide at the bottom of the dialog controls the amount of time the computer
pauses before moving.  When set to fast, you may not even be able to see what
card the computer is playing on.  It even becomes difficult to tell who's turn
it is, and the sounds may become confusing.  If set too slow, you may notice a
long period of unresponsiveness, depending on your computer's speed.  A little
experimentation should enable you to determine the optimum setting for your
computer / playing style.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Templates ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This version of Bummer will place a pawn in your templates folder the first
time it is run.  (Don't worry; it is easily deleted if you should choose not to
register the game.)  It is possible to start a new game simply by dragging a
pawn from the template and placing it in a directory of your choice -- perhaps
the Bummer folder setup up by the installation script.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Drag 'N' Drop ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Saved games can be loaded via the OS/2 magic of Drag 'N' Drop.  If Bummer is
already running, simply drag a saved game pawn onto Bummer and drop it.

If the game is not currently running, you can start it by:

 -Double Clicking on the Bummer icon
 -Double Clicking on a saved game pawn
 -Dragging a saved game pawn onto the Bummer icon.

*Note: Saving of games is only allowed after you have registered.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Registering ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Why you should register...

1.  You will be free of that annoying dialog box that pops up every time you
make a move.  You won't have to listen to me beg (if you have mmpm/2
installed).  You will also be able to save your preferences between games.  You
may also experience a warm, fuzzy feeling derived from the knowledge that you
are an honest person with real integrity.

2.  I have included two saved game pawns in the Bummer! folder that can be used
to demonstrate drag n drop game loading.  Upon registering, you will be able to
save games as well.

3.  I will continue to enhance this product, probably at a rate thats
proportional to the number of registrations I receive.  You, if you have
registered for free upgrades, will receive updates for as long as I continue to
create them, which should be quite a while considering all the plans I have in
store for it.

4.  When (if) I receive money for this product, I will finally pay to register
the last few shareware programs residing (guiltily) on my hard drive.  Thus
your registration will not only benefit you (future upgrades, clear conscience,
etc.), me (money to continue development and perhaps further my education), it
will also be helping other Shareware authors in the OS/2 community.

To Register
If you are happy with this version of the game, you need send only $5! (Most
people spend that much on lunch.)

If instead you would like free upgrades forever, please send $20. For
information on what to expect in later versions, please refer to the future.

Send money, version # of Bummer (2.0), your name and address to:

   Dan Libby
   RE: Bummer! for OS/2
   1313 Limekiln Rd
   Hollister, CA  95023

I will send you a password to enter in the registration dialog. If you have an
e-mail account, please leave that and I will try to get ahold of you that way
before resorting to snail mail.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Registration Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Once you have sent in your registration and received your personalized
password, you are ready to proceed with the registration process.

Simply enter your name and registration string in the indicated locations.  Be
sure to observe case.

Click on Okay and a Thank-You box should appear.  If you have a sound card, you
*may* even get to hear me say it. Oh boy!

*Note: the audio in the registration box only plays when the program is first
loading.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Bugs / Contacting the Author ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

I can't fix 'em if I don't know about 'em!!  This game works (pretty much) how
I want it to on my computer.  I know, however, that there are millions of
different configurations out there, and things may not work right on your
computer.  If you have downloaded this game and something doesn't seem quite
right to you, don't just drag it to the shredder (although that is always fun).
E-mail me about the problem and I'll see what I can do.

So, if you have a bug to report, suggestion for the game, or if you just want
to chat, you can reach me at:

Compuserve: 73672,3002
America Online: Dan1234
Internet: [e-mail]  <---- Preferred


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Screen Considerations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Resolution
BUMMER! for OS/2 currently only supports resolutions of 800 x 600 and above.
This is because that is the resolution I happen to use, and, quite honestly,
I'm pretty proud that I actually managed to get the thing to show up on screen,
any screen, at all.

Black Screen Problem
I have had problems on a test machine that was using a 16 color driver where
the bitmaps would not show up.  This problems seems to go away when using
non-compressed bitmaps, but the size of the game increases considerably.  Let
me know if this is a problem for you (blackness where pictures should be) and I
will try to accomodate.  You may find that changing your driver will also
eliminate the problem.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. History ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Version 1.0:
  Released 11/03/94
This was the first version of the game while I was only just learning to
program in C. I was happy that it worked at all.

Version 1.1:
  Released 01/23/95
Lost the source file (don't ask how) and had to rebuild from an old backup.
With my more advanced knowledge of C, I was able to make the program both more
efficient and smaller.

  -Settings Dialog
  -faster sliding
  -handling of seven card is smarter
  -Player options enhanced
  -Game Over graphic
  -Other stuff too numerous to list

Version 2.0 (Current)
  Released 02/11/95

  -Sound!
  -Option to highlight computer's move
  -Pawn placed in Templates folder
  -Drag 'N' Drop file loading
  -Prompt if no humans are left
  -Prompt to save on exit
  -WPS installation utility
  -Nag pops up less frequently
  -Corrected seven card (finally)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. The Future ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In the near future, I plan to add:

  1.  Performance Enhancements
   The game performs about how I intended for it too... however it hogs the
system while doing it.  User input is not accepted until the computer is done
with its task.  The next version will be multi-threaded and should eliminate
this problem.

  2.  Undo Option
   I keep trying to implement an undo feature, but it is really hard.  I'll
keep plugging away at it though.

  3.  Smarter Computer Opponents
   I admit that I DO sometimes lose to the computer opponents, but I still
think they are pretty stupid.  Sometimes they will back out of their home
entryway when they could use another pawn, or will sit in front of an opponents
start when it could move.. that sort of thing. I will probably have a couple of
skill level settings so that you can set each computer opponent to a different
skill level, much like playing human opponents.

In the distant future, I would like to:

  1.  Fully integrate the game with the workplace shell.
   Eventually, games should be able to be saved by dragging the titlebar into a
folder or onto the desktop.  The color and scheme palettes, as well as the font
box, should be supported, and attributes saved in the INI file between games.

  2.  Customize the graphics a bit more.
   I think that a 3-d look for the board and the cards would look nice.  I
might also include different card backs, or load the card bitmaps externally so
that users can customize them.  Of course, I would have to get some sort of
demand for this before I tried it.  She might fit in well somewhere too! <g>

  3.  Modem Play.
   Admittedly, this is very far off, and even if I did implement this feature,
probably no one would ever use it. Nevertheless, I would like to try, since
this program is, after all, a learning experience and I think it would be
beneficial for me to know something about computer communications since we are
reaching the era of connectivity, after all.  By the same token, I might
implement some sort of printing option in both B/W and Color (I hate programs
that don't take advantage of my color printer) since that is something I would
like to learn about as well.

Do you have some Sound! for the future?