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 ---