Game Disk 23/Game_Disk_23.iso/prog0503/gamedisk.doc

Text File | 1996-06-01 | 18.4 KB | 561 lines

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                 Pyramid Deluxe

                  Version 1.00

              Copyright 1995 By Randy Rasa
                  18215 Troost
              Olathe, KS 66062-9208



 ┌──────────────┐
 │ Introduction │█
 └──────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe is a SuperVGA version of the well-loved solitaire
   card game known as "Pyramid".  The game is easy to learn, but
   difficult to win, and offers plenty of room for skillful play.  As
   you play the game more, you'll find that there is more to it than
   appears at first glance.  It's damn addictive ...

   Note: This document is intended to be viewed from DOS, and uses
     DOS line-draw characters to spiff up its appearance.  It
     may look odd if viewed from Windows ...


 ┌────────────────┐
 │ Included Files │█
 └────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Refer to VENDINFO.DIZ for a list of all the files included with
   Pyramid Deluxe.  Of those, only the following are required to run:

     PYRAMID.EXE ..... executable file
     PYRAMID.RES ..... program resources
     PYRAMID.CRD ..... card bitmaps

   The remaining files may be deleted to save disk space.


 ┌───────────────────────┐
 │ Hardware Requirements │█
 └───────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe requires the following:

     Processor:  386SX minumum, 486 preferred (the faster the better)

     Video:      SuperVGA capable of 640x480 at 256 colors

     Memory:     256K minimum free, 600K preferred
         XMS memory will be used if it is available

     Mouse:      Microsoft (or 100% compatible) pointing device

     Disk Space: 600K, hard disk preferred


 ┌───────────────────────┐
 │ Software Requirements │█
 └───────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe requires MS-DOS version 3.0 or later.  It is not
   intended to run under Microsoft Windows or OS/2, but it probably
   will.  I have tested it under Windows 3.1, and it runs fine (although
   if you switch to another window and back, Windows will get confused
   and terminate this program).  I have not tested it with OS/2.


 ┌────────────┐
 │ Disclaimer │█
 └────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Yeah, this is the standard legal B.S. ... annoying  but necessary,
   I'm afraid.  My apologies in advance.

   This program is warranted to do nothing but take up space on your
   hard disk.  Randy Rasa may not be held liable for any loss or damage
   to data and/or equipment by your use, whether proper or improper, of
   this software.  This product is provided AS IS.  There are NO
   warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied.  By using
   this program, you automatically CONSENT to the terms and conditions
   of this disclaimer.


 ┌───────────────────────────┐
 │ Distribution Requirements │█
 └───────────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   This program, as shareware, is meant to be freely distributed.
   Please, pass it along to family, friends, and strangers alike.  I
   require only that the program be distributed in whole, with all of
   its files unaltered and intact.

   Refer to VENDOR.TXT for complete distribution requirements.


 ┌──────────────┐
 │ Registration │█
 └──────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe is SHAREWARE!  You may evaluate this program for a
   reasonable period of time (typically 30 days), after which you must
   either register with the author, or stop using the program.
   Registration is only $15.00, for which you will receive a
   registration code good for all future updates of this program, the
   latest version on the diskette of your choice, and discounts on my
   other games.

   Prices and terms are subject to change without notice.  If this file
   is over a year old, you are encouraged to contact the author for
   current registration information (and the latest version).

   To register Pyramid Deluxe, please use the order form provided.  You
   may print the form (PYRAMID.FRM) by clicking the "Print
   Registration Form" button in the "About" box.  If no printer is
   connected, you'll be asked if you wish to save the registration form
   as a text file.  If you say "yes", then PYRAMID.FRM will be saved in
   current directory, and you may print it at a later time by typing the
   following command from the DOS command line:

              COPY PYRAMID.FRM PRN

   You may also e-mail the form with a credit card order.  If you do
   this, attach the file to the message rather than including it as part
   or the message text -- this will retain the form's formatting.

   You may pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card.  All
   payments must be in US funds, and drawn on a US bank.  Foreign
   orders are encouraged to use international postal money orders.
   EuroCheques are not accepted.  Mastercard, VISA, and Discover
   credit cards are accepted.

   Note: If you are the author of any shareware programs, I'd be happy
     to consider a registration trade.  Please contact me before
     placing your order, and let's talk about it!


 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │ Differences Between Shareware And Registered Versions │█
 └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   The shareware version of Pyramid Deluxe is complete, fully
   functional, and not crippled in any way.  However, the program will
   remind you that it's un-registered by displaying the "About" box
   each time you run the program, and also by delaying a few seconds
   when you exit.

   When you register, you will recieve a registration code, which you
   can enter by clicking on the "Register" button in the "About" box,
   and entering your name and the code.  Once you've done that, the
   program will be "branded" with your name, and you won't be bothered
   by any more delays or nags.


 ┌────────────────────────────┐
 │ How To Play Pyramid Deluxe │█
 └────────────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   The game is begun by dealing 28 cards, face up, to the "tableau" in
   the form of a pyramid (or triangle).  The remaining 24 cards form
   the "stock".  The "waste" pile is initially empty.  The layout will
   look something like this:

         ┌───┐           ┌───┐           ┌───┐
         │   │           │   │           │░░░│
         │   │         ┌─┴─┬─┴─┐         │░░░│
         └───┘         │   │   │         └───┘
         Stock       ┌─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┐       Waste
                 │   │   │   │
               ┌─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┐
               │   │   │   │   │
             ┌─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┐
             │   │   │   │   │   │
               ┌─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┐
               │   │   │   │   │   │   │
             ┌─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┬─┴─┐
             │   │   │   │   │   │   │   │
             │   │   │   │   │   │   │   │
             └───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┘
                Tableau

   The object of the game is to remove all the cards from the stock,
   tableau, and waste.  Cards are removed singly or in pairs that add
   up to 13, regardless of suit.  Kings count as 13, Queens as 12,
   Jacks as 11, and all other cards as their face value (Ace = 1).
   Examples of valid moves:

    ┌─────┐   ┌─────┐   ┌─────┐   ┌─────┐   ┌─────┐   ┌─────┐   ┌─────┐
    │A┌───┴─┐ │2┌───┴─┐ │3┌───┴─┐ │4┌───┴─┐ │5┌───┴─┐ │6┌───┴─┐ │K   │
    │ │Q   │ │ │J   │ │ │10  │ │ │9   │ │ │8   │ │ │7   │ │     │
    │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │     │
    │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │ │     │ │     │
    ││     │ ││     │ ││     │ ││     │ ││     │ ││     │ │   K│
    └─┤   Q│ └─┤   J│ └─┤  10│ └─┤   9│ └─┤   8│ └─┤   7│ └─────┘
      └─────┘   └─────┘   └─────┘   └─────┘   └─────┘   └─────┘

   Only cards that are completely visible are available for play.  In
   the diagram above, only the top card of the stock and bottom seven
   cards of the tableau are available.  (The top card of the wastepile,
   if any, is also available for play.)

   If the top card of the stock cannot be played, move it to the
   wastepile by clicking on the "deal" button (it's the one just to the
   right of the stock, shaped like an arrow).  You can also click the
   right mouse button anywhere within the card area to deal the next
   card.

   When all the stock cards have been played or moved to the wastepile,
   you can click once more to move all the cards from the waste back
   into the stock.  In this way, you can go through the deck three
   times (this is shown on the bottom of the screen as "Deal x of 3",
   where "x" is 1, 2, or 3).


 ┌───────┐
 │ Hints │█
 └───────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   If you're new to the game, or stumped (or just lazy <g>), click on
   the "Hint" button.  You will be shown one possible move (if any
   exist).

   Note that this is not necessarily the *best* possible move, just the
   first one that the program happens to find ...


 ┌────────────────────────┐
 │ Pyramid Deluxe Options │█
 └────────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe has several options that may be selected by clicking
   on the "Options" button from the main screen.  The following options
   may be set:

     General:

       End-Of-Game Action: This option determines what happens after
     each hand is won or lost.  The possible setting are: "Do
     Nothing", "Display Stats and Wait For Input", and "Display
     Stats and Delay 3 Seconds".

       Move Alert: Toggle this on or off to enable or disable the "move
     alert" feature.  If enabled, a red light will flash on the
     "Hint" button if any moves are possible.

       Background Color: Click this button to bring up a dialog box
     from which you can choose a suitable background color for the
     card area.  Press Esc to exit the dialog without selecting a
     new color.

     Rules:

       No options at this time ... (future)

     Sound:

       No options at this time ... (future)

   Select "OK" to save the new option settings, or "Cancel" to restore
   your previous settings.


 ┌──────────────────┐
 │ Changing Players │█
 └──────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe will keep track of up to ten different players, and
   allow each to have his or her own statistics and options.  In
   addition, there is also a player called "King Tut", which is used
   only in demo mode.

   To add a player, click on one of the numbered buttons to the left of
   an empty players name (it will be displayed as "?").  This will
   bring up a dialog that will ask you to enter your name, then a
   second dialog will prompt you to select a picture for yourself.

   Note: Players names may be up to 30 characters long, but it's best
     to select a name of eight characters or less, since that is
     all that there is room for on the main game screen.  If you
     have a particularly long name, use your initials ...

   You can delete a player by highlighting the players name, then
   clicking the "Delete" button.

   You can clear the stats for a given player by first selecting the
   player, and then clicking the "Clear Stats" button.

   You can change a player's picture by clicking on the picture box and
   selecting a new portrait.

   To change players, simply select a new player, then click the "OK"
   button.

   If you've made a mistake (deleted the wrong plater, for example), or
   changed your mind, you can click on the "Cancel" button, and it will
   undo all your changes.

   Note: You cannot change the player to "King Tut" -- he is reserved
     only for demo mode.  You also cannot delete him.  You can,
     however, clear his stats.


 ┌─────────┐
 │ Scoring │█
 └─────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   The game currently uses a simple one-point-per-card scoring method.
   Other methods may be implemented in a future version.

   The "Scores" dialog allows you to view your statistics, both in the
   current session, and over all games played.  You can also display
   the stats for all players on a single screen, to compare yourself to
   others.


 ┌───────────┐
 │ Demo Mode │█
 └───────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   When you click on the "Demo" button, the player will change to
   "King Tut", and he will begin to play the game.  He's not a
   particularly intelligent player, but he's very persistent, and he
   never misses a possible move.

   He'll continue playing until you press a key.  The "scores" dialog
   will then pop up to show you his results.

   As of the time of this writing, here are King Tut's stats on my
   system:

     Games Played:  6498
     Games Won:      656 (10.10%)
     Average Score: 37.81

   Note: Demo mode can only be initiated when a game is not in
     progress.  If you're in the middle of a game, you'll have to
     finish it before running the demo.

   Note: Selecting demo mode ends the current players "session".  When
     demo mode ends, the previous player will be restored, and a
     new session will begin.


 ┌──────────────────────┐
 │ Command Line Options │█
 └──────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe only has a few command-line options:

     -h or -? = display command-line help

     -s = convert the registered version to the shareware version

     -x = don't use XMS memory


 ┌─────────────────┐
 │ Version History │█
 └─────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   1.00   09-05-95  First Public Release


 ┌────────────────┐
 │ Future Changes │█
 └────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   You tell me ... what do you want to see?  Suggestions welcome!

   Things I have in mind are:

     ■ Digital sound (WAV) support

     ■ Digital music (MIDI) support

     ■ Decent win/lose graphics

     ■ Alternate scoring methods

     ■ Tournement mode


 ┌─────────┐
 │ Support │█
 └─────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   I may be contacted by one of the following means:

     World Wide Web: http://www.sky.net/~rrasa/sw.html

       Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
             [e-mail]
             [e-mail]

        BBS: FoxFire BBS, 913-722-6577 (Official Support BBS)

             Sound Advice BBS, 816-436-4516

             The Nest Egg BBS, 913-492-2739

     Snail Mail: Randy Rasa
             18215 Troost
             Olathe, KS 66062-9208

   If you have any comments, suggestions, or problems with this program,
   please contact me by one of the above means. I'd love to hear from you!


 ┌─────────┐
 │ Credits │█
 └─────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Concept, Design, Programming: Randy Rasa

   Beta Testers:  Les Blades
          Dan Rosenthal
          Michael Miller
          Jesse Zuelly
          Brad Sutcliffe
          Robert Coffman III
          Linda Rickman
          Jim McGilton
          Robert Rosenthal
          Andrew Schendel


 ┌────────────────┐
 │ Technical Info │█
 └────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   The following tools were used during the development of Pyramid
   Deluxe, and are highly recommended:

     Borland C/C++, version 3.1

     TGE (The Graphics Engine), by Matthew Hildebrand
       ([e-mail])

     RES (Resource File Manager), by Matthew Hildebrand
       ([e-mail])

     XMSIF (XMS Interface Library), by James Birdsall
       ([e-mail])

     EXEVALID, by Brian Pirie
       ([e-mail])


 ┌──────────┐
 │ Problems │█
 └──────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe is known to have the following problems (whether
   these are "bugs", or "incompatibilities", or simply "limitations",
   is a matter of interpretation):    <g>

   ■ If you're running this program in a DOS shell from Windows, and
     change to another window, and then back, Windows will report:

       "This application has violated system integrity due to an
       invalid page fault and will be terminated.  Quit all
       applications, quit Windows, and then restart your computer."

     As far as I can tell, this is a problem with Windows and SuperVGA
     programs in general, and is nothing specific to this program.  My
     best advice is to not run this program under Windows, and if you
     do, to not switch windows ...


 ┌─────────────────┐
 │ Troubleshooting │█
 └─────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   If you encounter a problem with running Pyramid Deluxe, look here
   for possible solutions.  If you cannot solve the problem, contact
   the author for support.

   Problem:  The program doesn't recognize your mouse.

   Solution: Make sure that the mouse driver is loaded.  If you're
         running under Windows, the driver should be loaded before
         launching Windows (usually from CONFIG.SYS or
         AUTOEXEC.BAT).  As a quick check, type "mem /c/p" from the
         DOS command line -- you should see MOUSE (or some
         variation) listed as one of the memory-resident programs.
         If it is not listed, refer to your mouse user's manual for
         complete instructions on how to load it.

   Problem:  This program won't run with your video card.

   Solution: First, are you sure that your card will support
         640x480x256?  Normally, this requires a SuperVGA card with
         at least 512K of video memory.  If your card doesn't
         support this mode, then you can't run Pyramid Deluxe.  :(

         Second, is your card VESA-compatible?  Perhaps your card
         came with a utility program that allows it to emulate VESA
         -- if so, use it.

         If your card does not supply VESA support, either alone or
         with a VESA utility, then contact the author (or search on
         local BBS's) for a freeware program called UNIVESA
         (Universal VESA), which allows the vast majority of video
         cards to emulate VESA video modes.


 ┌───────────────────────┐
 │ Tested Configurations │█
 └───────────────────────┘█
  ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

   Pyramid Deluxe has been successfully tested on the following computers:

   ■ Pentium/100, 24M RAM, Diamond Stealth PCI video, Microsoft mouse

   ■ 486DX2/66, 8M RAM, Genoa VLB video, Microsoft mouse

   ■ 486DX2/66, 8M RAM, Microsoft mouse

   ■ 486DX2/50, 8M RAM, Trident VLB video, Logitech mouse

   ■ 386DX/33, 4M RAM, Trident video, Logitech mouse

   ■ 386SX/16, 4M RAM, Trident video, Dexxa mouse

   ■ 386SX/16, 8M RAM, ATI video, AAmazing mouse