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Demo Version of Dropix - Copyright 1993 MajicSoft, Inc.
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Notice: This archive may be freely distributed, so long as all of the
original files contained herein remain in the archive. MajicSoft, Inc.
reserves all rights to the game of Dropix. The final commercial version
of Dropix will ship during the first week of September 1993. Look for it
in fine Atari stores everywhere or call 803-788-8177 to order. If you
can't find the game in your local store, you may order it directly by
sending a money order for $39.95, plus $5.00 for shipping and handling
to:
MajicSoft, Inc.
348 Meredith Square
Columbia, SC 29223
HOW TO PLAY DROPIX
The object of the game is to stack the pieces so that horizontal rows of
solid blocks are formed. When a row is formed it is removed and the
total number of rows to complete will be reduced. When enough rows are
formed then a level is completed. The pieces may be rotated in 90
degree increments to help fit together. Once a piece lands on another
piece the it is fixed into the playscreen. If your stack reaches the
top of the playfield the game is over. Sounds simple eh?
THE DISPLAY
This game uses a split display. The top menu/display area is for the
left hand player or player #1 and the bottom menu/display area is for
the right hand player or player #2. The Level display indicates current
level (of course!). The numbers under the P indicate the amount of
power points the player has. The numbers under the L indicate the lines
the player needs to complete to finish the level. The row of icons with
the glowing blue marker is the player's attack menu (more on this
later). The numbers under the attack menu is the current score. The
big empty patch in each display area is the Next Piece zone. The next
piece to come into play is shown here.
See Figure x.xx for more information.
CONTROLS
Joysticks- Joystick 1 controls player #2 and joystick 0 may be used to
control player #1. Pressing fire automatically starts your game. If
you are in modem mode player #1 will not be active from your machine and
modem mode must be de-selected in order to restore control to your
machine.
Keyboard- As an alternative you may select keyboard control for either
player. Only one player may have keyboard control at a time (except in
modem mode, where both players can select keyboard control). The
keyboard controls work as follows:
8 = Up 2 = Down 4 = Left 5 = Right Space = Rotate/Select
Whatever the control method, pressing up will activate the attack menu
(more on this later) while pressing down will speed your pieces fall.
Pressing fire will rotate your piece.
Other keyboard controls are universal and always active:
P = Pause the game
Q = Quit to the title sequence.
Esc = Quit to the desktop
The following keyboard commands work from the title sequence only:
R = Right Player (Player #2) enters the game.
L = Left side player (Player #1) enters the game.
M = Select/Deselect modem mode
F1 = Select Child mode. This mode plays easier than adult mode.
F2 = Select Adult mode. This is the default mode for the game.
F3 = Set Joystick Sensitivity. Allows players to custom configure I/O.
F4 = Select Effects. Game will play sound effects instead of music.
F5 = Select Music. Game will play soundtracks instead of effects.
F6 = Player #1's Keyboard Control toggle.
F7 = Player #2's Keyboard Control toggle.
F8 = Select starting level.
F9 = Set screen frequency to 50Hz.
F10 = Set screen frequency to 60Hz.
SCORING
Every piece has a value of 0-15. When that piece is placed (for better
or worse) you will be awarded it's "Piece Points". The more odd the
piece shape the higher it's piece points tend to be. Forming a row is
worth different scores based on the number of rows formed by placing a
single piece. Scoring for rows works as follows:
1 Row (Single) 100 Points.
2 Rows (Double) = 200 Points.
3 Rows (Triple) = 400 Points.
4 Rows (Slam) = 1000 Points.
As you can see, it is best to make several rows at one time for the
highest scores.
When you have finished all of your rows for this level you will recieve
a bonus based on how low your remaining pile is. The lower the pile,
the higher the score. If you are playing two player mode the game will
wait a few seconds and then it will begin awarding the finished player a
"Wait Bonus". This bonus quickly adds up until the other player
finishes his/her level. Big points can be earned by finishing first in
a two player game.
ODD PIECES
There are three odd block types in Dropix. There are bombs, weights,
and power blocks. Bombs will explode everything in within the following
pattern:
X B X
X X X
Where B is the bomb and X are the possible bricks around the bomb. The
bombs may come in any piece shape and proper use of these blocks can be
crucial on the upper levels.
The weights press down on any collom they are touching when the piece is
placed. If the individual weight is above thin air then it will NOT
affect it's collum of blocks. When a weight squishes a collum then
it is possible to shift blocks into rows deep within the playfield.
Really great players can form rows out of seemingly helpless playfields
with weights!
Power Blocks. When you place these pieces they become part of the
playfield as normal pieces do. However for every P block there is in a
completed row you will recieve 5 power points. Collecting power blocks
is the ONLY way to regain spent Attack Menu power points.
THE SNEAKY COMPUTER
The computer will sometimes attempt to interfere with your game. This
happens most often on the upper levels. Among some of the things that
can occur are:
* A random block will appear in the playfield.
* The playfield will scroll up and a garbage line placed at the
bottom.
* Dead Head Fred will come out and make fun of you.
THE ATTACK MENU
Perhaps the most intense part of Dropix is the Attack Menu. The Attack
Menu only functions when two players are active and both players are
actually playing (ie: You cannot attack a player once he/she has
finished the level or entering his/her name on the highscore table).
The attack menu is made up of a row of icons and is highlighted by a
glowing marker. When the marker is blue you are not within the Attack
Menu and your game plays normally. Once you push up on the Joystick (or
press 8 on the keypad) you will enter the Attack Menu. The glowing blue
marker will change to red and your controls will now do the following:
Left = Move the marker left.
Right = Move the marker right.
Up = No effect.
Down = No Effect
Fire/Select = Select this power to throw.
Pressing fire will activate the icon the marker is currently over. If
you do not have sufficient power to activate this icon then you will
return to normal play with no penalty. While you are in the Attack Menu
your piece will continue to fall, HOWEVER you cannot control the piece!
This means you must spend as little time in the attack menu as possible
or risk messing your playfield up!
THE ATTACK ICONS
The icons are listed from left to right as they appear on the Attack
Menu.
Confuse Joystick - Reverse controls on your opponent. This power only
lasts a few seconds but if timed properly it's all you need! This
attack costs 10 power points to use.
Increase Lines - Add one to the number of lines your opponent must
finish to complete a level. Watch out as this may lead to the dreaded
"Bidding War". This attack costs 15 points to use.
Increase Gravity - Your opponent's piece nows falls at maximum speed.
While this power is one of the shortest it can finish the game for you
opponent. This attack costs 25 points to use.
Push Line - Take your lowest line and give it to your opponent. This
causes your playfield to drop a line and his to raise one. Guaranteed
to make friends fast! This attack costs 50 points to use.
Freeze - Freeze your opponent for quite some time. He gets to look at
nice snowflakes while you continue playing. This attack costs 100
points to use.
Push Double - This works just like Push line only it does two lines
instead of one. Use this power only if you want total war between
opponents. This attack costs 150 points to use.
Vampire Drain - If you have 180 points of power you can drain up to 200
points of power from your opponent. Very nasty attack if your opponent
is not watching you!
End Level - Use this icon to end the level. If you need a break and
want to collect a LOT of Wait Bonus points then this is the power to
use. This attack is the most expensive (300 points) to use.
You cannot re-enter the Attack Menu when the following powers are
active:
Confuse Joystick, Increase Gravity, or Freeze.
This is because Dropix ST does not allow multiple attacks at once upon
your opponent. Be carefull because in two of these three attacks your
opponent can attack while you cannot stop him!
MODEM MENU
When using this menu both players must have already turned on their
modems, agreed on a baud rate, and agreed whom will call whom. Once
this is accomplished you may link up over your modem for two-player
action.
Step 1: Both players must go to their Modem menu and select the correct
baud rate.
Step 2: One player must select "Send" and the other "Recieve". If your
modem requires special commands or you want to add commands to
the modem then select "Modem Prefix" and type in these commands.
Step 3: The "Send" player needs to select "Number" and enter the other
player's number. The both player needs to select "Dial/Rec".
Step 4: Wait for connect message. Once connected you will have dual
chat active. Type at will to chat with your opponent.
Number - Enter your number here. ATDT is assumed and may need to be
typed in.
Baud - Push this button to change your baud rate.
Dial/Rec - Send the number to the modem or alert modem for a call.
Exit Modem Menu - Return to the main menu. This does NOT break an
established modem connection and will start the game for both players.
Hangup - Break your connection and return the game to it's normal
functions. Note: The program assumes a Hayes compatable modem command.
Additional modem notes:
The computer will NOT mess with you in Modem mode. This is because
Dropix assumes you will have enough to deal with when the other player
attacks you!
When one player selects "Exit Chat Menu" then both player's games will
begin. The sender's Start Level,Child/Adult mode settings will become
the default for both players. Each player may select the control option
of his choice. Function keys and mode selections will NOT function
while in modem mode. |
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