Adventures in Heaven 2/adventuresinheaven2powergamesfordosandwindows.iso/dos/word/aclusl/aclusl.doc

Text File | 1993-07-04 | 23KB | 485 lines

            The Game of ACluSl (A Clues Solution)

                  Written by Richard Nikula

                 Version 2.0 - July, 1993

            Copyright 1991-1993 - All Rights Reserved







Thank you for taking the time to look at this game.  I am sure that you
will find it easy to play but at the same time, challenging.  This
game is best described as a cross-breed.  It is somewhat like Wheel of
Fortune, somewhat like Jeopardy, and also like Trivial Pursuit (and
probably a couple of others that I didn't name).

The goal is simple.  Solve a puzzle by guessing the letters that comprise
it (Ala Wheel of Fortune).  However, each puzzle consists of 2 parts: a
set of related clues; and a solution category (Ala Jeopardy).  The clues
identify the solution with each clue making it more obvious (usually).
It helps to have a good memory and know a bit of trivia (Ala Trivial
Pursuit).

This game is best when played competitively with 2 or more players.
Up to 4 players can play against each other and statistics are maintained
for number of games, number of puzzles solved, number of clues solved,
maximum and minimum number of misses, and misses in the current puzzle.
If playing for dollars, a running total is shown for each player.
These statistics are reset at the beginning of each game or if the number
of players is changed in the middle of the game.

The game is distributed with 5 puzzle files.  Registered users can
also get additional puzzles (see registration section).  Puzzles
created by others may also be available to you via bulletin boards or
shareware services (how you can create your own puzzle files is also
covered in the registration section).

The game is pretty straight forward and can be played without reading
these instructions.  However, I have tried to provide answers to the
most common questions so I suggest that you keep this documentation
handy.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SUPPORT

   This games should work on any IBM compatible PC running almost any
   version of DOS.  It hasn't been tested on the older versions, but
   if you have an old DOS version and have problems, let me know.
   The game will work with Monochrome displays but looks much nicer
   in color (CGA, EGA, or VGA all work okay).  80 column character
   width is required.  For efficiency, the program writes directly to
   video RAM.  If your PC is not a true compatible, there is a small
   chance that this will not work.  In this case, a special switch, -b,
   should be specified (as discussed below).  This will cause the output
   to use the BIOS calls.  Another switch, -c, may improve the appearance
   of the program on Laptops.  It will not eliminate the colors on a
   color display.

   If you have a mouse driver, it must be loaded before starting
   ACLUSL.  Everything that can be done from the keyboard can be
   done with the mouse.  In some cases, you may find that using the
   mouse is cumbersome, thus the keyboard and the mouse can both be
   used at the same time.  The program accepts input from either the
   right or left mouse button.  If you prefer to only use the
   keyboard, deactivating the mouse function eliminates the mouse
   cursor from the display.

   DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

   THIS SOFTWARE IS SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY WHETHER
   EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND
   SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO
   WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.

INSTALLATION

   This product is distributed with the following files:

   ACLUSL.EXE   - The executable file
   ACLUSL.DOC   - The file you are currently reading
   ACLUSL.REG   - A registration form that can be printed and returned
   MOVIES.PZL   - 300 movie titles that will test your cinema knowledge
   POTLUCK.PZL  - Puzzles that test your trivia knowledge
   QUOTES.PZL   - Quotes from notable people on various topics
   STATES.PZL   - Facts about the 50 states
   PLACES.PZL   - Places around the World

   You may place these files either on a hard disk or diskette.
   However, when running the game, the current drive and directory
   must be the one containing the puzzle files.

CHANGES AND ENHANCEMENTS:

   1.1   - Original Release
   1.2   - Various spelling errors corrected
         - Added Save and Restore options
         - Added random order option
         - Display number of puzzles remaining in file
         - Additional puzzle file (PLACES.PZL)
   1.2+  - When multiple players, solution didn't switch players on a miss
           if all clues were already solved.
         - Correct player name on puzzle solution
   1.3   - Added scoring by points or by dollars
           Added online help
           Added function key support for menu items
   2.0   - Added player(s) to saved file and optional restore (Note: 1.3
           was never sent as shareware and sent to registered users only

STARTING ACLUSL

   To invoke ACLUSL, enter the following command:
     ACLUSL [file] [options]

     File is used to request either a specific or generic puzzle file in
     standard DOS format.  For example A* for all files starting with A.

     Options are optional (or else they wouldn't be options would they) and
     provide switches to the program that alter the default settings.

     -m  Deactivate mouse (if mouse driver present)
     -n  Turn off noises
     -e  Enable expert mode (see below)
     -w  Enable wizard mode (see below)
     -r  Use random puzzle presentation (see below)
     -d  Use dollars scoring versus points scoring (see below)
     -p1name  Player 1's name
     -p2name  Player 2's name  (-2 can be used for 2 player w/o name)
     -p3name  Player 3's name  (-3 can be used for 3 player w/o name)
     -p4name  Player 4's name  (-4 can be used for 4 player w/o name)

   Note: options can be combined but must be specified separately and
   follow file (if used) as in the following example:
     ACLUSL STATES -m -n -p1Tom -p2Ralph
   starts the game selecting the states puzzle file with no mouse,
   no sound and 2 players (Tom and Ralph).

INITIAL OPTIONS MENU

   As an alternative to using the option switches, you can specify
   the settings via the options menu.  The options menu is presented
   automatically when ACLUSL is started with no switches.  The
   options can be changed by typing the first letter of the option
   (or if mouse support is active, by clicking near the beginning of
   each option).  To leave the options menu, press ENTER (with the
   mouse, click on the "press ENTER" line or press both buttons
   simultaneously).  If for some reason, you don't want to continue
   with ACLUSL, pressing escape (ESC) terminates the program.

   The option settings and their defaults are as follows:

   Players   -  Default is 1 player.  Up to 4 players may be specified

   Skill     -  Default is beginner.  Expert and wizard can be selected
                individually or together.  See skill level section.

   Mouse     -  Default is Mouse active if a mouse driver is loaded or
                Keyboard if not.  If ACLUSL can not find the
                mouse driver, you cannot set the mouse option
                on.  Even when the mouse is active, the keyboard
                can still be used.

   Noise     -  Default is noise on.  Noise can be set off.
                The game makes a small amount of sound to indicate
                good and bad guesses.  If you wish to play without
                being heard, turn the sound off.

   Consecutive - Default is on.  Order can be set to random.  Determines
                whether the puzzle clues are presented in the order
                from the puzzle file or in random order.  When using
                random order, the clues may not match the puzzle descriptions.

   Scoring     - Default is points.  Determines whether players are playing
                for points or for dollars.  See scoring options below.

   Mode     -   Note, this option is only visible when the options
                menu is selected during game play.  Default is set by
                puzzle file.  Can be "Solution only" or "All Clues".
                Use this option after selecting a puzzle file to set
                the puzzle mode to your liking.

PLAYER NAME SPECIFICATION

   Being a pleasant program, ACLUSL requests that players enter
   their names.  You can either enter your first name as requested
   or just press ENTER (or a simple mouse click will do), in which
   case, you will be known by the affectionate name, PLAYER1, PLAYER2
   and so on.  If you change the number of players during a game,
   you will be asked for all names again (respond in the same manner).
   If you specify names for all players via the switches, you will
   not be prompted for names.

PUZZLE FILE SELECTION

   If more than a single puzzle file in the current directory matches
   the file selection, you will be presented with a list of puzzles
   to choose from.  Select the puzzle by entering its number (or with
   the mouse by clicking anywhere on the puzzle identification).
   The default puzzle can be selected by simply pressing ENTER (or
   by clicking on the "enter puzzle number" row with the mouse).
   Note, if you want to quit without selecting a new puzzle, press
   escape (ESC) when viewing the puzzle selection list.

   When a puzzle is selected, a dialog box will be presented which
   provides a short description and whether the puzzle is, by default,
   a "Solution only" or an "All clues" puzzle.  To exit the dialog,
   press any key (or click a mouse button).

   PUZZLE MODES

   There are 2 types of puzzle modes.  The first and more common is
   the Solution only mode.  In this mode, a puzzle is considered
   solved when the solution has been completed.  The second mode is
   the All clues mode.  In this mode, the puzzle is considered
   solved when ALL clues and the solution are complete (though not
   all clues need to be complete prior to the solution).  This mode
   presents an interesting variation.  For example, in the STATE
   puzzle, you may figure out that the state is IOWA just from size
   alone with a very few tries, but in All clues mode, you still
   have to get the other clues (such as its capital).  Each puzzle
   is preset with a default solution type.  After selecting a
   puzzle, if you want to change the solution type, use the options
   menu.

   This mode can also be used to extend the playing time of a puzzle
   file after you master it, since often times you didn't solve all
   of the clues.


SCORING OPTIONS

   There are 2 scoring options, points or dollars.

   When playing for points, points are awarded as follows: 1 point for
   each clue solved plus 3 points for each puzzle solution.  Up to ten
   points are awarded for the least guesses required to solve a complete
   puzzle.  That is, for 9 misses you get 1 bonus point, for 8 you get 2
   bonus points, for 7 you get 3, and so on.

   When playing for dollars, the "wheel" is spun between each guess.
   While the wheel is spinning, you can elect to guess a letter or to
   solve the entire clue.  Guessing a letter can be selected by pressing
   any key or clicking the mouse.  Solving is selected by pressing S or
   by clicking on SOLVE.  If you elect to guess, the wheel will come to
   a stop at a dollar amount.  This amount is shown in the upper right of
   the screen.  If you guess a consonant that is in the current clues,
   you are awarded that amount for each occurrence of the letter.  Vowels
   may be guessed but do not result in dollar awards.  There is 1 space
   on the wheel that results in a loss turn and 1 bankrupt.  Note that
   the wheel does not change for a given clue so with some effort, you
   can avoid these spaces by proper timing of your guess request.

   If you elect to solve the entire clue, you supply the letters just as
   in normal play.  If you incorrectly enter a letter, the turn is ended.
   No additional money is awarded while solving the puzzle but you avoid
   the possibility of a bankrupt or a loss of turn.

   When a clue is solved, only the player solving the clue gets to keep
   any money earned for that clue.  The other players totals are reset
   to the start of the clue.  If a bankrupt is hit, only the money earned
   for the current clue is lost.

   When solving the solution, the wheel is not spun before each letter.
   The player who solves the solution is awarded a $1000 bonus.

PUZZLE PRESENTATION DISPLAY

   This display is composed of 4 parts: the menu; the alphabet; the
   clues, and the players.

   THE MENU

   The menu identifies the actions that you can do during a puzzle.
   These can be selected by pressing the ALT key and at the same time as
   the first letter of the action or by function key.  They can also be
   selected with a mouse by clinking on the initial letter (due to the
   close proximity to the alphabet section).   The menu actions are:

   Quit     F2 - Done, finished, the game terminates.
   Next     F3 - Proceed to the next puzzle.
   Options  F4 - Display options presentation menu to change settings.
   Puzzles  F5 - Display puzzle file selection.
   Describe F6 - Displays the current puzzle description.
   Save     F7 - Saves the progress in the current puzzle.
   Restore  F8 - Restores the puzzle progress from a previous "save".
   Help     F1 - Display the online help (based on current settings).

   THE ALPHABET

   The letters A through Z.  The letters are displayed indicating 1 of 3
   states: it hasn't been guessed; it was a correct guess; or it was
   an incorrect guess.  There are 2 sets of letters.  The first is
   for the clues and the second for the solution.  The set for the
   clues is reset with each clue whereas the set for the solution is
   reset between puzzles (only one or the other is shown at any given
   time).  Select letters that you think are in the puzzle by either
   typing it on the keyboard or by clicking over the letter with the
   mouse.  If sound is active, a tone will be sounded indicating the
   success or failure of the guess.

   If expert mode is active (see below) the vowels are not displayed
   until all the consonants have been identified.

   THE CLUES

   This section displays the four clues and the solution (the current
   puzzle file and puzzle number are also shown).  Each puzzle
   begins by presenting the first clue.  Select letters that you think
   comprise the clue as discussed above.  When the clue is complete,
   you will be given the opportunity to complete the solution.
   The solution is completed just like the clues.  However, if you
   guess a wrong letter, you will be returned to the next clue.  This
   process repeats until either you have completed the solution (in
   Solution only mode) or until all clues are completed as well as the
   solution (in All clues mode).

   The puzzles in the puzzle file are presented in random order with
   no puzzle being repeated unless the puzzle file is reselected.  If
   all puzzles in the puzzle file are completed, you will be informed
   to select another puzzle.  (If you do not want to select another
   puzzle, press escape (ESC) to terminate the program.)

   THE PLAYERS

   This section displays each players statistics.  The current player
   is highlighted and indicated by an asterisk (*) to the left of the
   name.  Note, when starting a new puzzle, the player with the fewest
   puzzle solutions goes first.

SKILL LEVELS

   There are 3 skill levels provided by the program: beginner; expert;
   and wizard.  Expert and wizard can actually be combined producing
   an "expert wizard" class that only the most adventurous should try.
   Note, all players must play at the same skill level.  The advanced
   skill levels should be selected after you are familiar with the
   puzzles is a given puzzle file.

   BEGINNER SKILL LEVEL

   Perhaps, I misnamed this level.  It should probably called the
   normal skill level.  I prefer this level (although expert isn't
   too bad).

   EXPERT SKILL LEVEL

   At this level the game is more difficult than beginner as follows:
   - Vowels are disabled until all of the consonants in the clue
     or solution have been guessed.  Since every word must contain a
     vowel, the beginner can make some blind guesses not available to
     experts.  (Hint: if you are stumped and want to guess a vowel, use
     options to switch to beginner, choose a vowel, then switch back
     to expert.)

   - A maximum of 60 seconds is allowed between guesses or a "miss"
     is counted.

   - Guessing a letter that you have previously guessed counts as a
     miss.

   WIZARD SKILL LEVEL

   At this level the game is more difficult than beginner as follows:
   - Clues and solution are not filled in with underscores,
     making it difficult to guess much in advance.

   - A wizard has only 30 seconds to make a guess or a miss is counted.

   - Re-specifying a previously guessed letter results in a miss.

   EXPERT WIZARD LEVEL

   At this level the features of both expert and wizard are combined:
   - Clues and solution are not filled in with underscores.

   - Vowels are disabled until all of the consonants in the clue
     or solution have been guessed.

   - Only 30 seconds to make a guess or a miss is counted.

   - Re-specifying a previously guessed letter results in a miss,
     AND the alphabet does not indicate previous selections.

SAVING AND RESTORING

   You can save your current progress at any time so that you can
   return to the puzzle file later and not duplicate puzzles.  When
   you request "save", you will be asked for a letter to suffix on to
   the saved file name.  For example, if you are in the movies puzzle
   file and request save, the name MOVIES.SVD will be presented.  If
   you press ENTER (or click a mouse button), this name will be used.
   However, if you press '1', your progress will be saved in MOVIES.SV1.

   Restoring is the opposite, the suffix you specify will be used to
   retrieve your progress.  If you specify a suffix that doesn't exist,
   a beep will sound and the current progress unchanged.
   As of version 2, the player stats are also saved.  On restore you
   will be asked if you want to restore them as well.  If you do, press
   'Y'.   Note, if the puzzle was saved with a version prior to v2, the
   player stats can not be restored.

   If you want to change your mind after selecting save or restore,
   press ESC when prompted for suffix to return to the current puzzle.

REGISTRATION

   This program is distributed as shareware.  As a result, you are
   encouraged to register.  The version of the program that you are
   using is fully functional.  It will work with the distributed
   puzzles as well as puzzles that have been created by others.
   However, to encourage registration I have made available the
   following registration options:

    $10.00 - The thank you level.  At this level, you are just
             acknowledging that you enjoy ACLUSL and that you
             support shareware.

    $12.50 - The Base registration level.  You get the registered
             addition of ACLUSL at the most recent version level
             as well as 2 additional puzzle files usable only with
             the registered version.

    $15.00 - The Full registration level.  You get the registered
             addition of ACLUSL at the most recent version level
             as well as 2 additional puzzle files usable only with
             the registered version.  You also get the puzzle file
             generator.  You can produce your own puzzles files
             and distribute them to your freinds and the world.

   All of the levels entitle you to technical support for ACLUSL
   if necessary, and notification of significant new versions.

   To register, simply print out the registration form enclosed.

   Please note, if you paid a fee to receive this evaluation copy,
   do not confuse this with registration.  Distribution services
   provide shareware for a fee, registration with the author is
   still required.

RE-DISTRIBUTION OF ACLUSL

   Feel free to give copies of this version of ACLUSL to your
   friends, family and co-workers.  You may also upload it to
   public access bulletin boards as well.  However, in all
   cases, the following restriction applies:

      The original distribution files must be sent "as is".
      No modifications of any kind may be made to the program,
      the documentation, the puzzle files, or the registration
      form.  If the files are re-packaged using a utility such
      as PKZIP, only the original files may be included.

   ACLUSL may be distributed via shareware diskette services
   under the following restrictions:

      The distribution files must not be modified (as described above)
      with the following exceptions: 1) Files may be added which are
      standard distribution materials (such as problem reporting forms);
      2) This documentation file may be augmented with distributor specific
      information as long as the original text file is unchanged and the
      additional information is clearly marked.

      Only "shipping & handling" fees may be charged.  It must be clear
      to subscribers that fees do not represent registration.

      I must be notified of distribution (at the address supplied on
      the registration form) if a fee is being collected.  A copy of
      your distribution newsletter is sufficient, you do not have to
      request permission in advance.  The author reserves the right
      to request termination of distribution.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

   Please feel free to send me any comments regarding this program.
   If you have suggestions for improvements, additional features,
   puzzle areas, etc., contact me either by writing to the address
   on the registration form, or via CompuServe (70431,1055), or
   via Prodigy (SNXN77A).