The Game of ACluSl (A Clues Solution)

Written by Richard Nikula

Version 1.1 - July, 1991

Copyright, 1991 - 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).

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.
These statistics are reset at the beginning of each game or if the number
of players is changed in the middle of the game. A future version may
save these statisics to disk for posterity.

The game is distributed with 4 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.

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

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.

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)
-2 2 player game
-3 3 player game
-4 4 player game

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

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.

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).

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.

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. They can also be selected
with a mouse by clinking on the initial letter (due to the close
proximity to the alphabet section, allowing clicking anywhere else
sometimes produced undesired results). The menu actions are:

Quit - Done, finished, the game terminates.
Next - Proceed to the next puzzle.
Options - Display options presentation menu.
Puzzles - Display puzzle file selection.
Describe - Displays the current puzzle description.

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.

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 the world. (As an added bonus,
you will also receive a registered copy of "Dragcity",
an EGA/VGA drag race simulation.)

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

The registered version has a few additional functions including
the ability to save where you are in a puzzle file so that you
can restart later without duplicating puzzles.

To register, simply print out the registration form enclosed.

Shareware is inexpensive. Treat yourself!

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. The
name of the packaged file must be ACLUSL11.xxx.

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

The distribution files must not be modified (as described above).

Only nominal "handling fees" may be charged.

I would also appreciate being notified of distribution (at the
address supplied on the registration form) if a fee is being
collected.

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).