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501 Great Games - Volume One (2001)(Guildhall Leisure Services).iso
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1997-05-27
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MEGA SLOTS FOR WINDOWS (tm)
===========================
SHAREWARE VERSION
*****************
Copyright (c) 1996-97, All Rights Reserved
Bitwise Software International, Inc.
21620 N. 19th Ave, #A-11
Phoenix, Arizona 85027
Voice: (602) 582-4468
Fax: (602) 516-8697
BBS: (602) 492-9747
Internet: JayBSI@aol.com
Or: Jay@Qhost.com
CIS: 72074,2677
AOL: JayBSI
Our New Internet WWW Home Page:
===============================
http://www.Qhost.com/bitwise/index.htm
ON-LINE INTERNET ORDER FORM:
===========================
Our new internet site now includes the latest versions of our games
as well as an on-line SECURE order form for placing credit card
orders.
NEW TOLL FREE ORDER LINE:
=========================
Customers in the USA can now call 1-888-83-VEGAS to order products
toll free. Customers outside the USA must call the regular toll
line 1-602-582-4468.
COMPUSERVE REGISTRATION:
========================
CompuServe members can order this program right from CompuServe's
Shareware Registration Service. Type GO SWREG and the program's
CompuServe ID number is 10630. The price will be billed to your
credit card directly from CompuServe and we will send you your
license file once CompuServe informs us of your order.
REQUIREMENTS:
=============
Windows 3.1, windows compatible PC computer, windows compatible
VGA display with 640x480 resolution or higher, 6 Meg RAM,
5 Meg free on hard disk.
YOU MUST BE RUNNING WINDOWS IN 386 ENHANCED MODE. Do not start
Windows with the /S or /R switches. See your Windows Manual for
more information on startup memory modes.
Recommended:
Windows 95, windows compatible 486 computer running
at 100Mhz+, windows compatible SVGA display with 640x480
resolution or higher, 256 colors, 16 Meg RAM, 5 Meg
free on hard disk, Mouse, sound card.
GAME SPEED:
===========
This game has been designed to run on newer, faster computers with
accelerated video cards. If you experience slow game play, you can
adjust the speed to maximum by changing a few settings. You should
start by setting the GAME SPEED to VERY FAST. If still too slow,
TURN OFF the animation and music. If still too slow, you should
TURN OFF sound effects.
SOUND AND MUSIC PROBLEMS:
=========================
This game has been designed to run correctly under all versions of
Windows since version 3.1. However, 16 bit versions of Windows
(3.1 and 3.11) have severe limitations built into the operating
system with regards to background processing. This leads to poor
allocation of CPU processing power between foreground and background
tasks. Under 16 bit versions of Windows, this game exhibits periodic
"clicking" and "short pauses" of game sound and music.
While we have tried to fine tune this game to run fast and play
background music and sound effects, we have been unable to make
this run perfectly under Windows 3.1 and 3.11. Therefore, you
might have to turn ON and OFF different combinations of animation,
the various sound effects, and background music to find a balance
that will allow you to enjoy this slot machine game.
Windows 95 and NT users should not notice this problem as long as
you have at least 16 meg of RAM and at least a 486-100 CPU. Our
tests show this game to run nicely under Windows 95 on a Pentium
computer. We are planning a true 32 bit version of this slot
game that will run much faster and provide better music and sound
capabilities. Stay tuned for its release (later this year?).
BACKGROUND MUSIC PROBLEMS
=========================
During testing, we noticed that certain versions of sound card
drivers caused a program crash when the background music is
turned ON. If you have this same problem, you need to do
two things:
1) Turn OFF the background music for this program,
reboot your PC, and then retry the game.
2) If game still does not work properly, contact your
sound card manufacturer and see if they have
released any new drivers for your sound card
and version of Windows. If so, you should
install them and retry the game. We recommend
backing up your system before any new drivers
are loaded - just in case the new drivers make
things worse (it happens).
INSTALLATION:
=============
If you received this game as a file called MEGASLOT.ZIP, then
read the rest of this paragraph. If not, skip to the next one.
The file MEGASLOT.ZIP is a packed file containing the installation
program SLOTLOAD.EXE. To get to that file, you will need to unzip
MEGASLOT.ZIP with a program called PKUNZIP.EXE. You can download
PKUNZIP.EXE from just about anywhere - our BBS, our internet site,
AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, etc.. Type PKUNZIP.EXE MEGASLOT.ZIP to
unzip the file. Once unzipped, you need to run the file SLOTLOAD.EXE
to start the installation process. Please continue with the next
paragraph.
To install this game, you need to run the installation program
called SLOTLOAD.EXE. This is a self-installing file that will
unpack and install all the needed files and programs.
If a message appears asking you whether or not you wish to replace
an existing file in the MEGASLOT directory, answer with a "Y". DO
NOT USE OLD FILES WITH A NEW VERSION - FATAL ERRORS WILL RESULT.
To start the game manually, run the file MEGASLOT.EXE from Windows
File Manager or click on the MEGASLOT icon installed into the GAMES
Program Group (or the program group you selected).
NOTE: Be sure you are running Windows Version 3.1 or higher and your
are running Windows in "386 Enhanced Mode" (not Standard Mode). Check
your \WINDOWS directory and see if you have a WIN.BAT file.
Be sure the WIN.COM or WIN command in the batch file DOES NOT include
the /S switch. This causes Windows to start in Standard Mode. Be sure
the command is followed by blanks or /E to insure you start in Enhanced
Mode. Otherwise, this game may not operate correctly. If you cannot see
the 386 Enhanced Program Item (icon = computer chip) on the Windows
Control Panel, then you are not running Windows in the Enhanced Mode.
Please see your Windows Users Manual for more information.
Also, once you are running Windows in 386 Enhanced Mode, you should set
up as large a Permanent Swap File (not Temporary) as Windows will allow.
This allows Windows to use free disk space as computer memory and it will
allow you to run bigger programs. This is done from Windows Control Panel
with the 386 Enhanced Icon.
This program was written in Visual Basic V3.0 and REQUIRES the Visual Basic
V 3.0 Runtime Library file called VBRUN300.DLL (normally included). Be sure
this file is located in the same directory where you loaded and unzipped
MEGASLOT.EXE.
NOTE: If you obtained a copy of this game from Compuserve, Ziff-Net, or
any other BBS, the file VBRUN300.DLL was not included in the packed
file MEGASLOT.ZIP. This was done to save download time and related costs.
The file VBRUN300.DLL is available in most BBS forums -- check with your
forum's Sysop or search the BBS files by name for "VBRUN" or "Visual Basic".
You can also find this file on our web site or on our BBS.
NOTE: Occasionally, Microsoft will release an updated VBRUN300.DLL file
which will correct some bugs in their runtime modules. You should
periodically compare the date/time/size of this file to the latest
one available on CompuServe in the Microsoft MBASIC+ Forum. If a
later one is released, please download it and place it in the
MEGASLOT directory. This program will use it automatically
from then on.
Windows 95 Alert!
=================
If you are using an S3 video board with Windows 95 and are running
your computer with LARGE FONTS ON, you may experience strange problems
with our games. These problems will cause certain items on the screen
to NOT line up correctly. Change your system back to the normal SMALL
FONTS mode.
BASIC OPERATION:
===============
This game program is a true windows application which can be run and
controlled by you just like any other windows application. It works
unders Windows 3.1, 95, and NT.
When first loaded, the game will display its opening window while it
initializes itself. Next the "pick a game" window will appear. You will
see several slot machine games in which to choose from. Just click on
one of the slot machine games to start playing it. There will be a
short delay will the program loads the slot game you selected.
NOTE: Registered users receive access to play ALL the slot machine
games included in this program. If you are NOT a registered user,
you will be able to view all the games, but you will NOT be able
to play all of them until you register. Only the first slot game
can be played in the shareware version.
Each slot machine game works very much the same way. You deposit coins
by clicking on "Insert Coins" area of the screen or by clicking the
"Bet One" or "Bet Max" buttons.
Once coins have been deposited, click on the "Spin" button or click
on the "slot machine arm" image. The wheels will spin and hopefully
you hit the jackpot.
At the top of the screen is a payoffs section for the current slot
game. This shows you the various combinations of symbols that payoff
a return for your bet. If any of these combination show up on an
active pay line, you will receive the amount smown.
ACTIVE PAY LINES & 10X GAMES:
=============================
An active pay line is one that has been "paid for" by depositing a
coin for it. If you line up a winning combination of symbols on a
payline, you will only win if you have purchased that payline.
If you deposit only one coin, then you can only win if a winning
combination of symbols appears on payline #1. If they show up on
payline #2 and you only deposited 1 coin, you will not win.
Therefore, most slot experts recommend depositing the maximum
coins for each play.
With some games, the first coin activates the first payoff line
(normnally in the center of the wheels). The next coin will
activate the second pay line, and so on...
For the 10X games (example: "mega bucks" and "jump city"), depositing
additional coins DOES NOT activate additional pay lines. Instead, it
increases the payoffs for the game my the number of coins deposited.
Example: the payoffs are doubled when 2 coins are deposited and
tripled when 3 coins are deposited (and so on...)
WILD SYMBOLS:
=============
Wild symbols count as any symbol and the program will determine
the best usage (and the highest payoff) for a wild symbol. It
will always convert it into the highest paying symbol for you.
Note - the wild symbol will not actually be changed on the
screen - instead, the wild symbol will still exist but the
program will "count it" as another symbol for payoff purposes.
DOUBLE CASH SYMBOLS:
====================
Double Cash symbols are also "wild" and cause the line they are
on to pay "double" the amount shown in the payoff section for
the current game.
GREEN MONEY BAGS:
=================
The money bags symbols are NOT WILD, but do provide an
interesting twist to game play. If you line up three money
bags, the game will pay you a random amount. The amount could
be anywhere from 15 coins up to 150 coins!
MEGA BUCKS SYMBOLS:
===================
Mega Buck symbols are very much like the green money bags. They
are NOT WILD but do payback a random amount. However, they pay
a much higher random amount depending on the current game being
played. Paybacks can be as high as 500 or even a 1,000 coins!
BLANK SYMBOLS:
==============
Some of the slot games include blank spots on the wheels. These
spots do not count as any symbol. If you line up three blanks
on an active payline, you might get your some or all of your
original bet back. Check the payoff section of each game to see
if three blanks are a winner and how much they pay.
JUMPING SYMBOLS:
================
In a slot game like "jump city", certain wild symbols can jump
up or down to the center payline. Only wild symbols with an up
or down arrow will jump - the other wild symbols do not move.
If a wild symbol with an "up arrow" lands just below the center
payline, then it will automatically be "moved up" one spot. If
it lands just above the payline, it will NOT be "moved down"
since its arrow is an "up arrow".
If a wild symbol with a "down arrow" lands just above the center
payline, then it will automatically be "moved down" one spot. If
it lands just below the payline, it will NOT be moved up a spot
since its arrow is a "down arrow".
GAME DEFAULTS:
==============
When the game starts, it will load a file called "MEGASLOT.DEF" as
the default rules and other game settings. If it cannot find this
file, it will use its own pre-programmed default settings. See the
next section for more information regarding saving/restoring games
and the default settings.
SAVING & USING THE GAMES DEFAULT SETTINGS:
========================================
This game program allows you to customize and save the various
options on the main menus.
When any of these settings are changed, the game automatically
records them into a default settings file called MEGASLOT.DEF. This
allows the game to "remember" how you like to play. The next time
you start this game, the settings stored in this file will
automatically be used. This eliminates the need to set up all
the game settings "your way" each time you want to play.
If the program cannot find this file, it will automatically revert
back to the pre-programmed default settings and then recreate this
file with the default settings.
Note: in order for this game to locate and load this file
automatically, it must reside in the same directory as the game
program's main file MEGASLOT.EXE. If the program cannot find this
file, it will revert back to its "factory" settings and re-create
this file in the program's startup directory on your hard disk.
SAVING AND RESUMING A GAME
===========================
This game program allows you to save and restore the last game
played. This allows you to resume a saved game at a later time
and not loose all the credits you have won so far. Saving and
restoring games is available from the "select a slot game" window.
A game is saved to a file with the extension ".SAV". The default save
file name is "MEGASLOT.SAV" and this file is normally located in the
same directory as the game program (MEGASLOT.EXE).
To save a game, click on the FILE menu and select the SAVE option.
At any time, you may resume a previously saved game by clicking
on the FILE menu and selecting the RESUME GAME option.
GAME SPEED:
===========
The default game speed is set to the FAST setting. This game
is designed to run nicely on a 486-66 computer at the default
game speed.
If you have a faster computer, you can slow the game down by
changing the game speed to MEDIUM or SLOW.
If you have a slower computer, you can increase the game speed
to its fastest setting by changing the game speed to VERY FAST.
Windows 3.1 users may need to experiment with different combinations
of animation, sound effects, and music (turned on and off) in order
for this game to run fast on their computers.
SOUND EFFECTS:
==============
This game provides some fun and interesting sound effects such
as when the coins are being paid out and when the slot arm is
"pulled".
The default setting for sound effects is OFF.
Some older computers may find that this causes the game to play
too slowly. Turning off the sound effects will help increase game
play speed on older computers.
Windows 3.1 users may need to experiment with different combinations
of animation, sound effects, and music (turned on and off) in order
for this game to run fast on their computers.
BACKGROUND MUSIC:
=================
This game provides some fun and interesting background music
during slot play. Various music titles will be played during
game play when this option is turned on.
The default setting for music is OFF.
Some older computers may find that this causes the game to play
too slowly. Turning off the game music will help increase game
play speed on older computers.
Windows 3.1 users may need to experiment with different combinations
of animation, sound effects, and music (turned on and off) in order
for this game to run fast on their computers.
ANIMATION:
==========
This game provides some fun and interesting animation of the
various symbols found on the slot game wheels. When animation
is turned on, some of the symbols (in a random fashion) will
start to move.
The default setting for animation is ON.
Some older computers may find that this causes the game to play
too slowly. Turning off the animation will help increase game
play speed on older computers.
Windows 3.1 users may need to experiment with different combinations
of animation, sound effects, and music (turned on and off) in order
for this game to run fast on their computers.
BANK BALANCE:
=============
When the game first loads, you are given a bank credit balance
of 500 coins. Your bank balance is reset to the starting balance
each time to start this program. As you switch from slot game
to slot game, the current balance will follow you. If you run out
of money, just click on the CREDITS option at the top of the window
to get more money - too bad the real casinos don't provide free
money!!
Note: if you use the Credits option on the menu, you can select
a new bank balance. If you do, this new amount will become the
default starting balanace each time you start this program.
REPEAT BET BUTTON:
==================
After you have spun the wheels at least one time, the REPEAT
button will repeat the previous bet and pull the slot handle for you.
This is very much like the BET MAX button except it does NOT always
deposit the maximum coins. Instead, it just deposits the same number
of coins you played on the previous spin and pulls the slot handle.
ANY MORE SLOT GAMES?
====================
We are planning on adding several more slot games to this program.
However, that version will be for Windows 95 and Windows NT users
only. We have maxed out the capabilities of Windows 3.1 with this
version. To add more games, we will need to write a 32-bit only
version of Mega Slots. We hope to have it ready by the summer of
97 - keep watching our web site for its release.
SPECIAL THANKS
==============
Some of the sounds and music were licensed by agreement with
Cambium Development, Inc. in NY.
Also, we would like to thank the dozen or so excellent beta testers
who have taken the time to completely test and evaluate this program.
Their many bug reports, suggestions, and general comments were, in
no small way, of great help to us.
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
========================
Please drop us a note with your comments or suggestions. They are
always welcomed and help us improve our games in future versions.
OUR OTHER SOFTWARE - ULTIMA 21 BLACKJACK FOR WINDOWS:
====================================================
Ultima 21 Blackjack is no ordinary blackjack game. It allows you
to control everything! You can customize the: casino to play in,
its rules, the number of decks, the number of players, the dealer
at your table, the card count system, the playing strategy, what
drink you would like, whos playing in the various lounges and
show rooms, digital sound effects, and the list goes on and on
and on!
No other blackjack games has the features this one does all in
one easy to use Windows game. Try it, you will really enjoy this
"full casino experience".
Rated 5 stars (trophy) by several independent shareware magazines.
PROFESSIONAL VIDEO POKER FOR WINDOWS:
=====================================
Professional Video Poker for Windows is one of our most popular
casino gambling games. It is a full featured Video Poker Game for
Windows with a few features you will not find anywhere else. Packed
full of digital sound effects and exciting graphics, this game will
get you addicted to Windows Video Poker. This game includes all the
standard Video Poker features plus 50 special effects for dealing
cards. You can select to have the cards "drip" into place on the
screen or even "explode"! The 50 special effects will keep you
entertained for months to come.
Our version of Video Poker does not stop there, it also allows you
to play 20 different kinds of Video Poker. The game types available
include Regular and Progressive Jackpots, Dueces Wild, and Jokers
Wild. Add the Double-or-Nothing feature available for each game
and you now can play 28 different kinds of games! All games are
available at the touch of a button and your bankroll follows you
from game to game.
This is truly the best video poker game available anywhere!
VIDEO KENO FOR WINDOWS:
=======================
This exciting gambling game is now available for all Windows 3.1
users.
Complete with digitized sound effects, colorful graphics, multiple
game support, random number selection, statistics tracking,
save/restore games, and more...
Experience the excitement of Las Vegas Keno right on your PC.
VIDEO BACCARAT FOR WINDOWS:
===========================
This exciting gambling game is now available for all Windows 3.1
users.
Complete with digitized sound effects, colorful graphics, multiple
decks, random number selection, statsitics tracking, save/restore
games, and more...
Experience the excitment of Las Vegas Baccarat right on your PC.
CALL OUR BBS:
=============
Our on-line BBS system is up and running. You can use the enclosed
BSIDIAL.EXE or BSIDIAL2.EXE program to quickly call our BBS with
your computer and modem. If you prefer to use your own communications
software, set your modem settings to 8-N-1 and call 602-492-9747.
Our BBS provides fast, up-to-date, 24 hour access to the latest
versions of all our software as well as easy software ordering
with a major credir card. Most orders are shipped the next
business day (once we verify you credit card and address).
We provide free lifetime updates via CompuServe and our BBS. You
only pay for the long distance call to our BBS or connect charges
incurred while on CompuServe.
Just keep a copy of your license file that came with your order.
The file will be named the same as this program except it has
the extension ".LIC". This file unlocks the software and allows
it to run in full registered mode. Using this file with all future
versions insures your copy will run in registered mode (instead
of shareware mode). So keep a copy on diskette for safe keeping.
Order any or all of our software packages from our BBS with your
credit card. Order special low-priced bundles of our games right
from your PC! Your order is usually shipped the next business day.
We are always working on new games and calling our BBS will let
you obtain the latest version of this game as well as purchase
new software.
You can also find the latest versions, current pricing, and contact
information by visiting out Internet Web Site located at:
http://www.Qhost.com/bitwise/index.htm
ANY MORE SLOT GAMES?
====================
We are planning on adding several more slot games to this program.
However, that version will be for Windows 95 and Windows NT users
only. We have maxed out the capabilities of Windows 3.1 with this
version. To add more games, we will need to write a 32-bit only
version of Mega Slots. We hope to have it ready by the summer of
97 - keep watching our web site for its release.
SPECIAL THANKS
==============
Some of the sounds and music were licensed by agreement with
Cambium Development, Inc. in NY.
Also, we would like to thank the dozen or so excellent beta testers
who have taken the time to completely test and evaluate this program.
Their many bug reports, suggestions, and general comments were, in
no small way, of great help to us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/30/94
KNOWN PROBLEMS:
===============
S3 Video Drivers:
-----------------
Microsoft Visual Basic Versions 2.0 and 3.0 are not fully compatible
with certain third party S3 Video Drivers (Windows Video Drivers for the S3
Graphics Chip soldered onto your accelerated video card).
You may experience "out of memory or resources" problems,
"Object Was Unloaded" problems, as well as other unexpected
application errors while using ANY Graphic Intensive Visual Basic
program with these type of S3 video drivers.
These problems are NOT under the control of our program, Visual
Basic, or Windows. ONLY the video driver Company can correct the
problem. Please contact your video driver Company to get the
latest copy of their Windows video drivers. Most Companies will
update their drivers every few months to fix bugs and add
enhancements.
If you use the super or regular VGA Video Drivers supplied with
Windows 3.1, these types of problems will most likely go away.
To test your driver, install one of Microsoft's standard VGA Drivers that
comes with Windows and see if your problem(s) go away. If so, then
the other Company's Video Driver is the problem. Contact the driver
Company and report the problem. Tell them you tested it against
Microsoft's standard VGA Windows driver and it has to be their
driver (since the problem went away).
=======================================
POSSIBLE "OUT OF MEMORY" ERROR SOLUTION
=======================================
In the January 24, 1994 issue of Info World, Brian Livingston has
written in his weekly Windows column on a cure for what he calls
"the most important cause of Windows instability." The instability
is reflected in messages such as "Out of memory", "This application
has violated system integrity", or "Application error" which happen
even when plenty of memory and resources are available. It occurred
to me that this may be related to some of the random problems that
users are experiencing with WPWin 6.0, so I am summarizing his
column here.
The solution to the problem is to insert a single line into the [386
Enhanced] section of your SYSTEM.INI file, reading:
MaxBPs=768
"MaxBPs" is an abbreviation for "maximum breakpoints." Breakpoints
are small pieces of memory, about 10 bytes each, that Windows uses
to save the state of a "virtual machine" (VM). All Windows
applications run in a single VM, and each DOS session runs in its
own VM. Windows applications may also create additional VMs for
various reasons.
Normally, Windows allocates 4K of RAM for breakpoints, which means
that 358 breakpoints are set up when it starts. Windows immediately
uses about 200 of these, leaving about 158 remaining. It is
possible that in a long Windows sessions these could get used up,
causing the strange errors described above.
Setting MaxBPs to any number from 359 to 768 uses an additional 4K
of RAM. The number could be set higher (up to 1,177) at the cost of
yet another 4K.
(please let the Author know if this "possible solution" works on your
machine. That way we can track the results and relay them to other
customers with similar problems. Thanks.)
Windows 95 Alert!
=================
If you are using an S3 video board with Windows 95 and are running
your computer with LARGE FONTS ON, you may experience strange problems
with our games. These problems will cause certain items on the screen
to NOT line up correctly. Change your system back to the normal SMALL
FONTS mode.
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
=====================
This Windows casino game is protected by the copyright laws
of the United States and by the copyright laws of many other
countries pursuant to international treaties.
Copyright (c) 1996-97, All Rights Reserved, Bitwise Software
International, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, USA.
No portion of the Software, documentation or examples may be
copied, stored, or transmitted except as provided for by the
License.
Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
TRADEMARK INFORMATION
=====================
This game's trademarked name is held by Bitwise Software
International, Inc. under the approval of Jay J. Falconer
of Phoenix Arizona (the program's Author).