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Re: Columns IIe/IIc
In article <C9sy4H.Lv3@well.sf.ca.us> joko@well.sf.ca.us (Joe Kohn) writes:
>
>Maybe Michael Foegelle is too modest to say anything here, so I will.
>
Thanks Joe <blushing>. Actually, I dunno if I'm that modest or not, but
what the heck. I might have eventually gotten around to saying something.
>
>(I'm sure Michael will see this message, and he can post the particulars.)
>
Ok, particulars... Although I'm going to try to get out a new demo version
which indicates all the additional changes made to this latest version, there
is a copy of the demo available on CCO.CALTECH.EDU, as well as GEnie. For
those who haven't seen a version, Columns is a Tetris-like arcade game in
which a column of 3 gems fall down a column six blocks wide by thirteen blocks
high. Gems are removed when three gems of the same type form a line in any
direction (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). This allows for multiple
matches, etc. Columns //e is a double-hires based version of this game.
I have just completed version 2.1 of Columns //e (previous version was 2.01),
which adds a number of features to the previous version. These additions
include (in no particular order):
- Removal of all ROM calls (beyond any that Prodos may use) from the
source code in an attempt to increase compatability with //e clones.
- Addition of a graphics based Shrinkit-like file menu for use by the
following options.
- Addition of a gem selection menu to allow selecting and using a gem
set from any online volume.
- Addition of a save game/load game feature which allows the user to
save and then later restore a game at any point. Each half of the
two player game may be saved as an independent file, allowing a one
player game to be loaded into either half (or both) of the two player
game, as well as either side of the two player game being loaded as
a one player game later. This greatly increases the flexibility of
the game, allowing a user to quit when they are tired, etc. Also,
both players in the two player game can start from the same point
on a higher level by restoring the same game to both sides, etc. This
option will no doubt result in much higher scores, etc.
- Code was optimized and graphics screens compressed even further to
make more room on the 5.25" disk.
- Includes 14 additional gem sets.
- Added routines to improve graphics drivers used by gem editor.
Those are just the changes made in this last version (at least the noteworthy
ones). The following is a list of the additional features included with the
registered version of Columns //e (vs. that of the demo).
- Two player game -- both players play simultaneously and independently of
each other.
- Control menu -- Allows user to adjust control keys for both one and two
player games, load a gem set, clear high scores, and save,
load, or restore default game settings.
- Music over main screens -- The main menu screen (title screen) and high
score screen both have music which plays while
displayed (can optionally be disabled).
- Gem editor -- An applesoft program contained on the back of the 5.25"
disk (in the RESOURCES directory of the 3.5" disk) allows
users to view and edit the included gem sets, or to
create their own. The editor has both color and mono-
chrome edit modes to make it easier to edit gem sets
intended for use on a monochrome monitor.
There's also a doc reader included to make reading or printing the disk based
documentation much easier.
On to the price... A 5.25" disk with all of the above costs only $20. I ask
an additional $5 for the 3.5" disk version since I had to buy a 3.5" disk drive
in order to be able to sell that format, and I'm still putting that money
towards paying for that drive.
For users who already have version 2.01, I am offering an upgrade. Since the
changes listed above don't pertain to functionality of the existing program,
but rather add to it, I don't feel that a free upgrade is warranted. Version
2.01 works quite well as it is. Thus I am asking for a $5 upgrade fee for
owners of the previous version. Packaging and shipping alone cost roughly
three dollars, and since individual orders can take fifteen minutes or more
to package and mail, I don't think that is an excessive amount to ask. Just
send a letter with your name, address, fee, and current serial number to the
address listed in the documentation and I'll be glad to send you the new
version.
For users with a ][+ or a 64K //e, I haven't forgotten you! There is a hires
version of Columns available, which is the equivalent of version 2.01 of the
//e version. (I might make the same upgrades to it shortly, but there's no
guarantee.) That sells for $15 for the 5.25" disk (I doubt anyone will need
a 3.5" disk on the ][+, but it's an additional $5.) The demo for Columns ][+
is also available on CCO.CALTECH.EDU.
To order, send your check or money order to:
Michael Foegelle
Rt. 2, Box 5200
Okmulgee, OK 74447
If you're going to order or contact me within the next six months (before
January, '93) you can save time by sending it to what SHOULD be my address
for the next six months:
Michael Foegelle
3110 Red River #221
Austin, TX 78705
However, the Oklahoma address will always get forwarded to me.
Whoa.. Didn't intend to write so much, but Joe mentioned specifics, so there
they are! If/when I post an upgrade to the demo version, I'll post a message
here.
Thanks again to Joe Kohn (and any others I might be forgetting, Phil Shapiro
comes to mind..) for his (their) efforts in promoting ShareWare for the Apple!
Michael Foegelle
--
Michael Foegelle | Call Wunderland BBS! | foegelle@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
University of | (512) 472-0544 8n1 | foegelle@utaphy.ph.utexas.edu
Texas at Austin | 14.4kbaud, v.32/bis | GEnie: M.FOEGELLE2
Physics Department | 500 megs on a //e! | > Ask me about Columns //e! <