Fritz: All Fritz/All Fritz.zip/All Fritz/FILES/EDUCAMES/DTQPACK.LZH/PLAY-DTQ.DOC

Text File | 1992-07-21 | 16KB | 296 lines

        ┌─────────┐                                    Roger D Hamilton
  ┌─────┴───┐     │              (R)                   "CRAIGARD"
──│         │o    │──────────────────                  Dalcataig
  │   ┌─────┴╨──┐ │  Association of                    GLENMORISTON
  │   │         │─┘  Shareware                         Inverness IV3 6YG
  └───│    o    │    Professionals                     United Kingdom
──────│    ║    │────────────────────           Telephone(UK): 0320 51282
      └────╨────┘    MEMBER           Telephone International:[phone]

CONTENTS                               LINE

General computer procedures............ 20
Installing DTQ......................... 49
Compilation............................ 61
Playing the Game....................... 85
Program features....................... 144
Possible user problems................. 260

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FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH GENERAL COMPUTER PROCEDURES
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*** RUNNING DTQ ***

YOUR COMPUTER MUST HAVE A VGA VIDEO DISPLAY CAPABILITY !

To run this game simply type 'dtq' ie just the three letters. The game
starts by looking for a Hi-score file called DTQ.DAT :-
1. It looks in the CURRENT DIRECTORY which should be that
   from which DTQ is being loaded.
2. If DTQ is loaded from disk then keep that disk in the drive and
   'WRITE-ENABLED' via the small tab; - the score file is updated
   as you play. If you have removed the disk then the message, in yellow,
   "Score file required" will be displayed and the game will STOP, and
   you will be returned to the DOS prompt(or your 'SHELL' program), because
   DTQ will not function unless able to WRITE this file. If DTQ.DAT is
   simply missing then a starter file is written out, with the mesage
   'Writing score file' displayed, and the program runs without ABORTING.
   Should this file ever become changed('CORRUPTED') then 'Bad file -
   restarting' will appear in red and, as before, DTQ will restart.
3. Should you try and play DTQ from a floppy disk drive whose disk is
   WRITE PROTECTED then the game will ABORT and the following message
   will be displayed [ Error 70 at pgm-ctr: 124723 ]
   This message means WRITE PROTECTED DISK ( see para 2 )
4. DTQ.DAT keeps note of your position in the game, to which you are
   returned at a subsequent session; a 'HOT-KEY' facility in DTQ allows
   the player to renew this file should they wish, and start again.

**** INSTALLATION/COPYING PROCEDURE ****

If you are not familiar with the MS-DOS° commands for backing up or
copying files then you can use the program provided on this disk :

    INSTALL.EXE  - will both install and make backups

NOTE : IF YOU ARE COPYING FOR ANOTHER PERSON REMEMBER TO COPY ALL THE FILES
       FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES - DTQ IS NOT A FREE GIFT - IT MAY BE
       DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT CHARGE BUT IF KEPT FOR USE THEN A FEE IS REQUIRED.
           °MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

**** COMPILATION ****

DTQ is a program written in PowerBASIC° and COMPILED to an EXEcutable,
independently run game.

Basic instructions 'normally' run under and depend on a machine
code program known as an INTERPRETER. Compilers, in this case PowerBASIC,
generate MACHINE CODE instructions which enable the program to run much
faster and independent of the interpreter. This code is less efficient,
greater in size and slower than 'LOWER-LEVEL' language compilation
or ASSEMBLY. The Compilation Date and File Size of DTQ.EXE should be
06-05-92 12:16p and 221,645 bytes.

DTQ supplied for distribution is in 8086 code to ensure that those who have
computers with earlier PROCESSORS than 80286 can run it. I found no noticeable
difference in speed between the two compilations - the 80286 version is
available to those who REGISTER at no extra cost if they would prefer it,
and/or coprocessor version for 8087, 80287, 80387 or 80486 CPU.

Any MODIFICATIONS that are required eg substitute your name and that of your
computer - simply include details when Registering ( for RECOMPILATION ).
See Register.doc on this disk.
         °PowerBASIC is a registered trademark of Spectra Publishing
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PLAYING DTQ
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DTQ is very simple being based on PAIRS.
The name is derived from DEUX, TROIS, QUATRE - or Pairs, Threes, Fours.

By using the CURSOR KEYS² to indicate your choice of position on the screen
as depicted by the white square, in lieu of a cursor, the player tries to
recall the respective hiding places of the ICONS available at any one stage
of the game, as brought up using the SPACE bar. Should all icons displayed
at any one turn be identical then each represents a point to a player and
the icons in question are replaced by squares coloured green for yourself
and red for the computer. Finding THREE or FOUR at a time may seem a very
difficult task but like all things is easier with familiarity. The computer
takes correspondingly longer to succeed as the number of CLONES to match up
increases.

At any one time the maximum SCORE available may be one of four TOTALS - viz
18, 24, 36 or 72; which gives 4 basic levels at Deux and Trois. QUATRE
HAS ONLY 3 since 18 is not evenly divisible by 4. For each of these totals
there are DIFFICULTY levels as indicated in the High-score table - two each
for 18 and 24, three at 36 and four at 72. This gives a grand total of 31
STAGES at which you must score HIGHER than the COMPUTER to become the champ.

Recalling icon emplacement on an empty screen may also seem disconcertingly
hard to do especially at the higher scoring stages but as successful moves
are made the coloured squares proliferating the screen help to GUIDE you;
although finding your way about is as easy as you decide. You can use color
spots(circles) instead of icons, but this may prove quite a bit harder as
many of the shades are quite close. If your concentration is jaded then
the effort to match these up may improve it dramatically.

Under certain conditions you may use the TAB key, ONCE PER STAGE, to swap
scores with the computer, to progress more rapidly to higher levels -
see features below; this facility is only available in "MATCHMAKER" mode
ie when a successful match is made then the player may CONTINUE with his
turn until he/she or the computer fails to make any more matches.
BUT you can't GUARANTEE to be able to use this PLOY to any effect;
once the computer gets going there is a very good chance it may not stop
until its score is at least HALF OF THAT POSSIBLE at any ONE stage,
whereupon the facility is SWITCHED OFF.

When you decide you have had enough press ESC; twice to EXIT the program
or once to change options eg :-

FULL KEYBOARD USE or CURSOR/SPACE KEYS
ICONS, NUMBERS or COLORED SPOTS * SHOW or NOT SHOW COMPUTER MOVES
ALTERNATE MOVES(whether making matches or not) or NOT

The HI-SCORE FILE/TABLE is automatically RESET to zero scoring as you go
from Deux, to Trois, to Quatre.

[ ² You may prefer to use the full keyboard, or as many keys as are
    required at any stage. The letters may serve to guide you visually
    and could be used as a MNEMONIC aid to recalling the icons 'lurking'
    there. By adopting the HOME POSITION on the keyboard using all fingers
    AS DESCRIBED IN TYPING TUTORS you can begin learning to TOUCH TYPE. ]

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FEATURES OF DTQ
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*** CLEAR VGA GRAPHICS ***

It is a deliberate policy to give the whole screen over to game play rather
than subdivide it for the sake of showing scores and other paraphernalia.
The size of the game-play area is not prejudiced and distractions avoided.
Game options are presented in a sequence of easy, 'friendly' mini-menus.

For variety and added difficulty a 'library' of 108 icons, or their
instructions, is embedded in the code. Some are identical but for a
relatively minor detail, again to add to the fun. 72 colored shades, many
of which are also similar, or 99 numbers, may be used instead.

For the sake of clarity and ease of use a CHARACTER SET of over 72 in number
was designed to harmonize with and greatly enhance the pleasure of playing
the game. Being flexible in both size and color it can be varied to present
a colourful aspect, or shown in discreet shades to minimize distraction when
DTQ is used in KEYBOARD MODE.

*** KEYBOARD OR CURSOR KEY CONTROL ***

Although cursor/space key operation is provided for users it is recommended
that you try working with the FULL KEYBOARD; the large characters make the
TRANSITION to typing easy on the eye and PROGRESSIVE; beginning with 18 and
working up to 72, you may RAPIDLY learn to touch type at least as quickly as
you did previously. If you already touch type then DTQ provides a nice game
of patience and skill - and your typing may improve.

Keypresses in DTQ are minimal, as you will discover; cursor movements use
absolute coordinates and are positive, always providing the player with an
immediate possible choice; messages of confirmation about matches made, or
not made, are avoided.

*** VARIATIONS ON PAIRS ***

A greater challenge is incorporated in DTQ in that you are required to find
THREE of a kind, if you get past the first 11 stages; and the last 9 stages
require the player to find FOUR identical figures.

*** PLAY/PRACTISE OPTIONS ***

You may elect to PRACTISE any stage of DTQ, in which EXTRA DIFFICULTIES
are available to try out. The player can experiment by keeping the computer
moves INVISIBLE ie the computer has the benefit of 'SEEING' your moves while
you note how well you fare keeping 'distractions' to a minimum.

The player may also ALTERNATE moves with the computer for any advantage gained
but, as noted below, SCORE SWAPPING is prohibited here.

*** SCORING ***

As well keeping a record of BEST SCORES for both PLAYER and COMPUTER, a running
total of GAMES PLAYED, per SESSION, and POINTS GAINED totals for player and
computer are also displayed; to present TWO CHALLENGES simultaneously. The need
for on-screen running totals is obviated to a large extent by the method of
indicating neutralised icon positions as described above - see PLAYING DTQ.

*** HOT KEYS ***

ESC - use twice to EXIT the game or once to change the VARIOUS OPTIONS.

TAB - if you feel like taking UNFAIR ADVANTAGE of the computer. If you
are in "MATCHMAKER" mode, see "PLAYING DTQ" above, and the computer has
not achieved HALF THE AVAILABLE POINTS, then you may SWAP SCORES. You
have only ONE CHANCE PER STAGE to use this.

PgUp- to help develop a rhythm or momentum then you can RESET the Hi-Score
file/table to begin again at Deux, Level one; PLAY MODE ONLY.

PgDn- while in PRACTISE MODE you can have a look at a RANDOM SELECTION OF
ICONS in groups corresponding to the four score levels. It may be
considered preferable to ignore this function and leave the surprise
element in the game. If you have problems determining whether the COLOR
SHADES actually are all different then you can peruse the whole lot here.

*** GAME POSITION ***

The player's PROGRESS is RECORDED after each stage, thus the game may be
ABANDONED, either by using ESC twice, or simply RESETTING the computer; the
HI-SCORE file will remain intact in either instance, returning the player to
that point in the game on a subsequent session.

**** POSSIBLE BENEFITS ACCRUED FROM PLAYING DTQ ****

As a SPIN-OFF from playing DTQ you MAY DERIVE the following benefits : -

1. Much improved power of recall - accurate reflexes necessary to play
   well at ARCADE games, for instance, are based on ACCURATE recall; as is
   success in more academic pursuits.

2. In conjunction with 1., the power to concentrate and eliminating
   'faulty' observation, in part at least.

3. Use the keyboard to learn TOUCH TYPING or help establish confident
   finger work; assume the HOME KEY POSITION and gradually learn to Touch Type.
   Apart from the sense of ACHIEVEMENT in learning to type properly you will
   eventually benefit greatly from being able to sit at the computer and avoid
   all the unnecessary wasted effort and concentration continually
   "hunting & pecking" when you KNOW where the keys are already.

4. Develop a sense of PERIPHERAL VISION and SUBLIMINAL intake of
   information ie let your brain(or is it mind ?) work on 'auto-pilot'
   without trammelling up its workings in superficial 'shallow'
   concentration. Learn to trust your SUBCONSCIOUS ABILITY - eg You
   go to fetch something but half way there you realize that you have
   'consciously' forgotten what it was; you stand transfixed trying to
   recall the object instead of continuing to follow your 'subconscious'
   and let it take you to the spot; another example, you are counting
   a large number of objects, identical ones like cans(beer ?) say, and you
   suddenly realize you have 'lost your place' and decide to go back to
   the beginning, when, with a bit of faith you could have carried on and
   it would have come back to you; remembering names and facts, another.

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SOME POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WHEN PLAYING DTQ
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  1. At levels 1 to 3, if you are using the full keyboard, you may
     get no response when it is your turn. This will be because
     you have CAPSLOCK engaged. Please note, at level 4 you will
     get lower case letters, when CAPSLOCK is engaged, by using
     SHIFT, unlike mechanical typewriters.

  2. If you elect to play the computer when its moves are hidden,
     you will hear a beep when it fails to make the requisite matches.
     The computer move is very fast in this mode and you may wonder
     initially who's to do what next !

  3. If, at the last few moves in any one stage, you deliberately play
     idiotically ie bring up non-identical choices, it is quite likely
     the computer will emulate you. Play to win and so will the computer.

  4. Should you run DTQ on a CPU whose speed is lower than 16MHz, then
     the introductory sequences may seem interminably slow. Even so, if
     you are patient the game-play will, in the main, be fast enough.

  5. As 4. you may feel impatient to 'get on' with the next game, and
     dislike the breaks for score writing, total display etc. for being
     slow. If you play for an extended session you may find yourself
     recalling positions of icons(or color spots) from former games.
     It's perhaps best to take advantage of these breaks.

  6. If you get the impression that there are more clones, color
     spot clones that is, than there should be, then go into practise
     mode and use PgDn to have a look. Could be an indication that
     your monitor is poor quality, if such a criterion exists ?
     There is a slight delay when the PgDn key is pressed before the
     icons, spots or numbers( 2, 3, or 4 of each - depending whether
     you're practising D, T or Q ) are shown. Lack of space precludes
     going into technical explanations here.