Category : A Collection of Games for DOS and Windows
Archive   : LAVACAP.ZIP
Filename : LAVACAP.DOC
*** LAVA CAP GAME ***
by William Soleau
Version 1.0 Jan.92
Req. EGA/VGA & Mouse
************** Directions **************
The objective of Lava Cap is to create a series of sequential
paths to contain the lava flowing out of the erupting volcano. The
longer the lava can flow freely without reaching a dead end, the
higher the score.
For those of you familiar with my Oil Cap game, this game is
played exactly the same way. The rules are simple, yet it takes a
lot of strategy and quick thinking to reach the higher levels.
The playing board is a 17x11 sized grid. At the beginning of
each level, a volcano will be placed in one of these grids. This
will constitute the starting point when the mountain erupts. You
have seven different shaped canals that you will use to create a
pathway from the top of this volcano.
Located at the bottom of the screen you will see four pieces
ready to be placed. The mouse cursor will be visible above the
piece which is next in line to be placed onto the game board.
You select the canal by clicking the left button of your mouse.
The piece will disappear and your mouse cursor will now be visible
on the game board. Select the grid where you would like that
piece to appear. If that grid is available, click the left button
again and the piece will instantly appear in that grid. The mouse
cursor will then move to the bottom awaiting your next selection.
** Valid grids to place canals **
There are several grids that you will not be allowed to place
your canal.
1: Volcano
2: Green, Pink, or Gray Grids
3: One Way Canals (signified by arrows in certain directions)
4: Special Yellow and Black Ending Grid
(On Some levels your lava must finish flowing into this grid)
5: Canals with lava already in it.
The computer will not allow you to place your piece on any of these
grids. You can however place your piece on top of an existing canal
(you previously placed) yet you will lose 2 or 3 seconds of valuable
time to do so.
*** Clock / Timer ***
When a new level begins, a clock located at the bottom of the
screen will count off one minute. When this minute is over, the
lava will start to flow out of the volcano. You may still place
canals once the lava begins to ooze through your passageways. Your
objective is to keep ahead of the lava, so that it never reaches
a dead end.
*** Scoring / Bonus Points ***
As the lava flows through the canals, you will see your score
(located at the bottom of the screen) start to increase. The longer
the lava flows the higher your score will be. There are several
bonus points that can be earned in the following ways:
1. To get the lava to cross over itself will be worth an extra
100 points. If you get four or more crossings of lava on a
single level, you will be awarded more bonus points.
4 Crosses = 500 points
8 Crosses = 1500 points
12 Crosses = 3000 points
16 Crosses = 5000 points
20 Crosses = 10000 points
24 Crosses = 15000 points
28 Crosses = 25000 points
32 Crosses = 30000 points
2. Bonus Grids are sometimes placed onto the game board before the
start of play. They either have a 50 or 150 point number
written on them. If you can get the lava to pass through these
canals, that point value will be added to you score.
3. The Green and Pink grids are placed onto the game board in
pairs. If you can get the lava to flow into one of these
colored grids, then 200 points will be added to your score.
(The lava will then commence to flow from the other grid of
the same color located somewhere else on the game board.)
4. Every 10,000 points earned will give you a bonus round. You
can only increase your score in these special rounds. No
points are deducted for unused canals.
** Scores Needed to Reach the Next Levels **
If you can accumulate enough points before the lava reaches
a dead end, then you will be allowed to continue onto the next
level. The computer will tell you how many points are needed
in order to proceed to further levels. The points needed per
level are computed using this formula:
( 60 * LEVEL ) + 250 + (previous level score)
Example:
Level #1 ( 60 * 1 ) + 250 : You need 310 or more points to
continue.
Level #6 ( 60 * 6 ) + 250 : You need 610 points above your
score from the previous level.
If you can reach this point total upon the completion of a
level, you will be allowed to continue onto the next one. Don't
worry about this formula, for the computer will show you the score
you'll need to reach. (right below your present score total)
** Deductions **
At the end of each level, the computer will add up your number
of lava crossings to see if you qualify for any added bonus points.
Each canal not used will be erased from the game board and it will
cost you 25 points per canal that went unused. The computer will
deduct these points from your score.
Only in one instance can you reach your point total and not
qualify to go onto the next level, and that is when a special
Ender grid (Black and Yellow) is not used. On various levels,
this Ender grid will be placed onto the game board at the start
of the level. You must make sure you end the lava flow into this
special grid or the game will be over no matter how many points you
have accumulated. The computer will warn you at the start of these
special levels.
***** ***** ***** ***** ****
** Conclusion **
The best way to find out how to play the Lava Cap, is to
jump right in and start playing. You'll find the interface is easy,
and in a minute or so you will understand the fundamentals of the
game. The following is the Key Menu.
Left Button (Mouse) Selects and Places Canals
ause : Pauses the game
ound Toggle : Turns sound on or off
canals and don't want to wait for the
slow moving lava to reach the end.
linking Toggle: Some color monitors might experience
some flickering while playing the game.
This will eliminate the quick palette
changes and eliminate the flicker.
uit : Exits Lava Cap
This version of Lava Cap has 20 levels. Very few of you
will be able to reach this highest level. Check out the
registration information at the close of the program to see about
the upgrade for unlimited levels or see the file LAVA_REG.DOC .
As I said before, most of you will never even get to level 20,
however there are a few gamers who seem never to give up and may
want to try the levels further on.
If you find this game worthy of your game collection, a
registration of $15.00 dollars is requested. This will allow you
to enter and exit the game faster and also give you access to
unlimited levels. As with all my Shareware games (over 40),
any registered user of one of my programs will have major
discounts on any registrations thereafter. Even if you decide
not to register the game, I hope you will enjoy it.
*** Now go to it! ***
William Soleau
163 Amsterdam Ave.
Suite 213
NYC, NY. 10023
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