**** C O M P U T E R C O N T I N U O **** V1.0 Matthew J Barker 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This software is Public Domain, and may be copied freely so long as this document and relevant files are also copied, and it is not sold for profit, modified, etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Background ========== Computer Continuo (or just Continuo will do) is based upon an old card game called, er, Continuo, invented by Maureen Hiron in '82. The cards are not playing cards, but rather square shaped with 16 coloured squares within. This computer version is virtually identical to the original, but it is easier to play and quicker with it. The Cards ========= Here is an example of a card (the best as can be drawn in ASCII!): (R=Red, G=Green, B=Blue, Y=Yellow) +---+---+---+---+ | B | R | G | Y | +---+ | +---+ | R R | G G | +-------+-------+ | G G | R R | +---+ | +---+ | Y | G | R | B | +---+---+---+---+ No two of the 42 cards are identical, and they all follow the above pattern, but with different combinations of colours. The Object ========== By matching up each of the cards in turn, the idea is to form chains of colour to form the highest score possible by the end of the game. Solitaire Continuo ================== After the pack of 42 cards is shuffled, the top card is placed face up on the playing surface. Each subsequent card must be matched with the cards already placed to enable the highest overall score to be obtained after all 42 cards have been placed. When placing a card, coloured squares must match with coloured squares forming chains of one colour. Several chains are often formed by placing one card. At least one square on the current card must match with another square on the already placed cards. At each turn, the total of all chains is made and added to the running total. Example - here is a possible first two moves of a game: * The initial card: (1) B G R B G G R R R R G G B R G B * Match a second card: R B R G (2) (1) B G R B B B R R G G R R R R B B R R G G G R B R B R G B This scores 4 (Blue chain) + 6 (Red chain) + 4 (Green chain) = 14. * Match a third card: R B R G (2) (1) B G R B B B R R G G R R R R B B R R G G G R B R B R G B B R B Y (3) R R B B B B R R Y B R B This scores 9 (Red chain) + 6 (Blue chain 1) + 2 (Blue chain 2) = 17. Two Player Game =============== The game for 2 players is identical to the solitaire game, except: 1. Each player keeps their own score, and takes it in turns to play. 2. The first two cards from the pile are placed and matched to make the highest score, but NOT added to either player's score. Three Player Game ================= As 2 player game, except three cards are taken from the pile and not scored. Four and Five Player Games ========================== As 2 player game. The Game ======== Here is a brief decription of how the computer Continuo game works. Screen Layout ============= The top of the screen houses (from left to right) the pile of cards, the number of cards left in the pile, the title, the player number in brackets (only 2-5 player games), the current player's score, and the current card. The large area in the centre of the screen is where all the 'action' takes place, and information displayed. The playing surface is an 8-way scrolling board which shows about a quarter of the board at once, and cards may not be placed outside this board. Moving Around ============= Moving the pointer near to the edge of the view window scrolls the board slowly to reveal any hidden board. Moving the pointer to the edge of the window scrolls the board quickly. Game Play ========= On loading, a one player game starts immediately (no menus to get through). A card zips from the pile and fixes to the board, and the next card is taken of the pile. The card can be moved around the board at will, allowing the player to find the best place to put the card. The card can be rotated by 90 degrees if required for a further set of combinations. Once a card is placed in a legal position, the score is counted and displayed. The score can either be accepted, and added to the score, or declined, allowing the player to find a better spot for the card. This continues until all cards have been used, after which the final score(s) is(are) displayed. Controls ======== While placing cards: Left Mouse Button / Return Places the card on the board. Right Mouse Button / R Rotates the card by 90 degrees. Escape / Q Quits the game. Mouse / Cursor Keys Moves the card around the board. After placing a card: Left Mouse / Return / Y Accepts score. Right Mouse / Escape / N Allows player to try again. Other functions: Help / H Control summary. Space Start a new game. S Shows player scores (2-5 players). F1 - F5 Starts a game with 1-5 players. F10 / B Finds the 'best' move. NB: The 'best' move function does not necessarily allow the highest overall score to be obtained, but just finds one of the positions which scores the highest amount. System Details ============== Runs from CLI or Workbench. Runs on A500, 1/2 - 1MB. Not tried on other machines or configurations, but it will probably work - except on NTSC machines at least. The game consists of three main files: Continuo - The executable. Continuo.doc - This file. Continuo.font - The font used by the game. (+.info files) The last file must be in the current directory or FONTS: directory. Finally ======= Any bug reports, queries, etc. (if you should have them) can be sent to: Matthew Barker, 56 Southend Road, Weston-super-Mare, Avon BS23 4JZ. If a reply is desired, an SAE or postage would be appreciated. Enjoy, Matthew.