Psitris v2.01a/c - for Series 3a/c ================================== (c) 1998 Thomas Wright ---------------------- To view this file at best (on the Psion), zoom out as far as possible (using Shift-Psion-Z), turn the status window off (using Control-Menu) and set the character widths to `Monospaced' (using Psion-Q). Contents: ========= 1. Installation 2. Instructions 3. Keys 4. New game options 5. Notes on shareware 6. Registration 7. History 8. Contacts 9. Acknowledgements 10. Adverts 1. Installation: ================ If you have unzipped the ZIP file with the `recreate directory' option (`-d' with PKUNZIP) then you can simply copy the files across. For a partial installation, or if you cannot `recreate directory', here are the details of where the files must go. (a) Copy PSITRIS3.OPA to the \APP\ directory on your Psion (on any drive). (b) Make a directory \PSITRIS\ on your Psion (on any drive). (c) (i) Copy all the other files you want into this directory: BLOCKS.PIC Essential. GRIDBACK.PIC Essential. PSITRIS.INI Essential. GAME.DAT Essential. PSITRIS.HLP Optional (used by the help system). INTRO3.PIC Optional (opening screen). All .WVE files Optional (sounds, only used by the registered game). (ii) Optionally, make a directory \PSITRIS\BKG\ on any drive and copy any of the remaining PIC files to it. These are used as backgrounds in the game, but you may use your own PIC files if you like or have a simple greyscale background. "(none).pic" is an empty file which takes up no space on disk and can be selected if you are using a greyscale background. (d) In the Psion System Screen, press Psion-I or select `Install' from the `Apps' menu. Choose PSITRIS3.OPA as the filename and press Enter. The Psitris icon will appear on the system screen. Press Enter on it to play the game. ** You do not need to read beyond here, as the important parts of the ** ** rest of this file are included in the help system in the game which ** ** can be accessed by pressing the HELP key. Information on how to ** ** register is included in the game. There is also more information ** ** under `About' in the main game menu. ** ** ** ** Have fun!! ** 2. Instructions: ================ If you have ever played Tetris, you will know what to do, but for those of you who haven't, the idea is simple. You are given a grid on which you must place a series of blocks of different shapes and sizes which the computer gives you (they are random, I promise). You must do your best to fit them in as neatly as possible as they fall down. If you make a complete line of blocks across the grid, they will be destroyed (this is called a line). The aim of the game is to prevent the blocks reaching the top of the screen. If they do, your game is over. To help you, the next block is shown to the right of the grid (although this can be turned off for the brave and skilful). 3. Keys: ======== (a) At start: Menu - Show a list of options: Psion-N - Start a new game. Psion-O - Show sound effects options (not shareware). Psion-H - Show high score table. Psion-A - Show Game info. Psion-R - Register game (shareware only), see section 6. Psion-X - Exit game. (b) In game: Left arrow - Move the block one square to the left. Right arrow - Move the block one square to the right. Down arrow - Pull the block down faster. Enter - Toggle preview next block On/Off. Space - Spin block (clockwise). Delete - Let the block fall down (once this has been pressed, the block cannot be stopped, moved or spun). Menu - Show a list of options: Psion-P - Pause the game. Psion-O - Show sound effects options (not shareware). Psion-H - Show high score table. Psion-E - End current game Psion-X - Exit the game 4. New game options: ==================== (a) Game type: (i) Lines - play until a given number of lines is achieved (or the game is over). (ii) Points - play until the game is over (b) Level (Game type lines only) Level: Lines to make: ------ -------------- 0 15 1 20 2 25 3 30 4 35 5 40 6 45 7 50 8 55 9 60 (c) High - places random incomplete lines at the bottom of the grid (to get in your way) High: No. of incomplete lines: ----- ------------------------ 0 0 1 2 2 4 3 6 4 8 5 10 6 12 (d) Background - Choose a PIC file for the background or set the last line of the dialog to one of the greyscale options. The greyscale options all look similar to this: Black þ°²°°°þ White 5. Notes on shareware: ====================== In this version, which is shareware, there are no sounds and you cannot save your high score if you achieve one. To get the full game, send me 10 UK pounds (cheque only, please) [or 12 pounds' worth of US dollars] and either stamped, addressed envelope or your e-mail address, and I will send you the code which you must type in to access the rest of the game. By registering, you can have the full game to play and it will also encourage me to write more games for the Psion. The game will also stop nagging you to register. 6. Registration: ================ Please send UK 10 pounds (or 12 pounds worth of US dollars) and: either -a stamped, addressed envelope or -your e-mail address to: Thomas Wright Weybourne House Highlands Lane Westfield Woking Surrey GU22 9PU ENGLAND If you send your e-mail address, you will obviously receive the code much more quickly. Please state that you wish to register "Psitris". 7. History: =========== Version 1.01b -Pre release version, with lots of bugs. Hmmm...we'll say no more about that :-) Version 1.3 -First released version. Took up lots of memory, with little tolerance of what drive the files were on (mainly because I only have the RAM drive). No error trapping and no help system. Did not respond to system requests to shut down. Version 1.7b -Beta of version 2.01, with a few bugs. Version 2.01a/c -Drive and error tolerant, has a help system. Works with much less disk access (which tends to drain the batteries), uses the cache and is generally much more efficient. New graphics, with the opportunity of using your own PIC files. It also has an `Exit' option from within the game and will pause if it is put in the background. Will respond to system requests, even when the "Paused" dialog is displayed. Has many other minor bug fixes. Version 2.01s -As 2.01a/c except it is for the Siena (which has a smaller screen). It has no sound files or help system but is otherwise identical. 8. Contacts: ============ Email me with bugs/problems/advice/ideas on: tom_131@hotmail.com Visit my website at: www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/horizon/6565/ 9. Acknowledgements: ==================== My Psion Series 3c (1MB): OPL (Psion) OPP (Andy Clarkson) Soundmaster (Psion) ProDraw v1.1 (Graham Stoneman) ProDraw extra deformations (Thomas Wright) Microsoft Windows 95: Psiwin v1.1 (Psion, Dataviz) Paint Shop Pro 4 (JASC) Masterclips 35,000 Clip Art (IMSI, MediaPaq) David, my brother, for a few ideas. 10. Adverts: ============ I am about to bring out a Command & Conquer type war simulation. It will only be playable between two Series 3a/c computers via a link cable, or via an infrared link, as the screen on the Siena is too small. I imagine this would have a very small market so I will probably make it freeware. If you are interested and/or have any special requests or ideas that I might include in it, please email me or write to me. My email address is: tom_131@hotmail.com and my home address is: Thomas Wright, Weybourne House, Highlands Lane, Westfield Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PU ENGLAND Go to 3-lib or my website (see `Contacts', above) and download Browse, a utility that allows you to view all the PIC files in a directory on the same screen, as thumbnails. You can also see all of a PIC file, even if it is bigger than the screen. (for 3a/c) Download "Landmine", a minesweeper implementation from my website (see `Contacts', above). It works on 3a/c and Siena. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Wright Age 16 1998