home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Uptris v1.00
- SRM Productions
- Copyright August 1993
-
- 1. What is it?
- 2. Requirements
- 3. How to Play
- 4. Scoring
- 5. Registering SUCKS!!!
- 6. Code for Sale
- 7. Distributing Information
- 8. About Author
- 9. Techie Trash
- 10. WARNING
- 11. How to reach me.
- 12. Breaking news on the latest upgrade!!!
-
- ---
- 1. What is it?
-
- You probably have already used the program since nobody seems to read
- the DOCs first! (Including myself.) Well, if you are reading this first,
- here is what you've received. Uptris is a game which just happens to be
- like an Upside down version of Tetris with bombs. If you are reading this
- without using the "README.EXE" then you may want to go and try it. It just
- is a little deal I made to make reading the DOCs a lot nicer. I know
- everybody hates reading these things, and I really hate writing them!
- There it an ANSI version of this file "README.TXT" and the "README.EXE"
- which I created for reading pleasure (THE WAY ALL DOCs SHOULD BE!)
-
- ---
- 2. Requirements
-
- What's required you may ask? (Especially if it didn't work for you for
- some reason!) Well, pretty much just a little memory, a 386-16SX (faster
- computers make the screen loadings MUCH nicer, but not everybody has one
- unfortunately which makes programming a bigger pain), a VGA graphic card
- capable of reaching a resolution of 320x200 with 256 colors, and
- unfortunately there wasn't any Sound Blaster support due to the fact that
- what I was using was found to not work with just "Compatible" cards.
-
- ---
- 3. How to Play
-
- The basics of the game are easy enough that it makes the game
- enjoyable for the idiots, twiddle fingers, and ones seeking some strategy.
- Just don't try to compete with scores, since the outcome is obvious. The
- board is set with the main playing field to the left side where the pieces
- are sent up to its ceiling. You are given formations called "pieces" for
- you to send to the top to create a complete row made up of multiple pieces.
- Once you have a complete horizontal row filled, it will be removed allowing
- all other pieces below to fall up. The object of the game is to complete
- as many lines as possible before a pile occurs, reaching the top, and
- ending the game. Scoring is in a different section for you to look at.
- When random pieces reach the top they stop on the journey up. Pieces also
- stop if they bump into a previously set piece. You can control the pieces
- with the arrow keys. Left and right keys send the pieces in the according
- directions. The up key picks up the speed of the moving piece and pressing
- down rotates the current piece within your control. You can clear more
- than one line at a time by filling more than one row within a single
- dropping of a piece (if you are new to this, don't worry, just play it!)
- Playing with bombs adds a new twist. If you recieve a bomb, you place it
- where you could get the most use of it, and once it lands it will destroy
- everything within a space around it. Experimenting with them is needed.
-
- To the right of the playing field is a small box which containts the
- current score and level being played. It also shows the next piece to be
- sent out for you to deal with. These features may not be turned off, and
- do not effect your score. Also there is a little bar gauge which starts
- off green, and fills a little each time a row is completed. If it the
- gauge fills with red, you then advance to the next level for a faster
- speed, a different background, a higher scoring level, and a new gauge to
- fill.
-
- By any chance you can't understand my instructions, there is sure to
- be somebody on your local BBS to help you out since millions understand the
- concept.
- ---
- 4. Scoring
-
- Scoring in the game is pretty advanced. For every line you get you
- receive points. You get more points the higher the level you are currently
- on and the more lines you get simultaneously.
-
- ---
- 5. Registering SUCKS!!!
-
- Yes, I think the registering part of shareware is one of the lamer
- problems with the idea. I fully enjoy the shareware method, but most all
- of us take advantage of it more that is wanted from the Author. The
- shareware idea is to let the user try before they buy. I have problems
- dealing with this since I don't want to pay for something I already have!
- So, you won't hear any registering nagging, etc. in this game. I'm just
- trying to push some other offers which may open your eyes. Some of these
- offers are: different background screens from what you want, personal
- backgrounds, and always the latest version of the program which has bugs
- worked out and more features usually. So, don't bother paying me for this
- software, but just consider looking into the other options.
-
- ---
- 6. Code for Sale
-
- Yes, if you are interested in creating games similar to this one, but
- don't know how here is an offer! You can buy my Quick Basic 4.5 code to
- steal all of my great ideas. If you want it, get in touch with me and you
- can have it for a cheap $25. Nothing different... Want it? It's your
- choice!
-
- ---
- 7. Distributing Information
-
- DO NOT ALTER THIS OR ANY FILES IF PLANNING ON DISTRIBUTING!!! THIS
- MEANS EVERYTHING!!!
-
- If you are a SysOp or a regular user, pass this sucker all around
- please!!! The more spreading, the more happier you will make me of course.
- Upload it to your favorite place today.
-
- Are you one of those shareware distributors and want to distribute my
- software, I would be more than happy to help you out. You may distribute
- it free of cost, but may not charge for it without my permission.
-
- ---
- 8. About Author
-
- Well, here is a little bio on me. I'm currently 16 years of age, so
- any thing you can buy from me will help me a tremendous amount. I love
- programming, and you probably have read this was made with Quick Basic 4.5.
- I currently only use it since this is the only language where I can just
- concentrate on the project more than how I'm going to accomplish it. I've
- started from BASIC programming at the age of 5 on a C=64, and then moved my
- way through the MS-DOS BASICs to today. I haven't had any formal classes,
- but have been self taught 100% by reading. If you have some job in mind
- for me, I would be very interested. My projects lately are still in QB
- although I know the fundamentals of C(++), and am trying to get experienced
- with it. If this reaches you, and you are a programmer living in the
- Stockton, Tracy, Manteca area get in touch with me please!!!
-
- ---
- 9. Techie Trash
-
- Do not remove or alter files with the DAT extension since it will
- detect they are missing or modified and not run. So far there doesn't seem
- to be any problems running the game within any GUIs like Windows yet. If
- you find any bugs, please tell me!
-
- ---
- 10. WARNING
-
- USE THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK! Like all other things, I'm going
- to save my butt by just saying now that I'm not responsible for any damages
- at all! With viruses and such you can't ever be 100% sure that your HD
- won't crash.
-
- ---
- 11. How to reach me.
-
- You can reach me at any of the following:
-
- Mail:
- Scott Merritt
- 16072 Tsirelas Drive
- Tracy, CA 95376
-
- Internet:
- scottmerritt@delphi.com
-
- Delphi:
- scottmerritt
-
- Phone:
- (209)833-1209
- ---
- 12. Latest News on the latest upgrade!!!
-
- The new version has a large collection of backgrounds to use and and
- little utility that allows you to easily change them. Just run it once, or
- us it to start the game. Many different catagories.
-
- PERSONAL BACKGROUNDS!!! - Want to put your own pictures within the game for
- backgrounds? Just send them to me in a popular graphic format (GIF, PCX, LBM,
- BMP) and $10 for me to do the extra work. Include them on a 3 1/2 or 5 1/4
- floppy. Remember that the game runs in 320x200x256 resolution. If you are
- puzzled about this, just call me. Send them ON DISK!!!
-
- New piece sets are included in the latest version. Also a piece editor where
- you can create your own set to play with.
-
- If you are have found any problems, let me know. Want to buy the rights to
- the program for your BBS as a traveling game advertisment? Just let me know,
- because I can dealt with cheaply being a teen.
-
- If you would like to take advantage of all these new features, either use the
- BUY.FRM by filling in the blanks and printing it out or if you don't have an
- order form, just send me a letter with what you want and the appropriate
- amount.
-
- Prices:
-
- Upgrade - $10
- Custom Backgrounds (See Above!) - $10
-
- I welcome any suggestions, and I hope I haven't missed any mistakes within
- this thing, but who will look at it anyway (;
-
- C-Ya
- ---
-