Columns Max is an exciting Macintosh game written by Steve Chamberlin, a part-time shareware author. If you need to contact me regarding the game, use the addresses below. As shareware is only a hobby for me and not my "real job", I can't promise that I'll have time to reply to every email or letter I receive, but I will read and consider every one of them.
Internet:
opinicus@kagi.com or granola@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/granola
Postal Mail:
Opinicus Microtech
PO Box 578
Belmont, CA 94002-0578
U.S.A.
1.1 Gameplay
As you play Columns Max, pieces in the shape of a column appear at the top of the pit and drop toward the bottom. When a piece reaches the bottom, it stops moving and a new block appears at the top. While pieces are dropping, they may be moved left or right to control where they land. You will also notice that each piece consists of three small colored blocks. These small blocks that make up a piece can also be "rotated" while the piece is dropping, so that the top two blocks in the piece move down one position within the column, and the bottom-most piece jumps up to the top of the column.
By manipulating pieces in this way as they fall, it is possible to control the position of a piece and the layout of the colored blocks within it when it lands. The object of the game is to clear blocks out of the pit by creating matches, dropping pieces so that at least three blocks of the same color are lined up on a row, column, or diagonal. When three or more same-colored blocks are lined up this way, they will disappear and any blocks above them will fall down to take their place, making room for more pieces above. If these newly fallen blocks also form a match, then they too will be cleared in a 2nd level reaction. This process continues until there there are no more matching blocks to be cleared. Watch out, though, because the game ends when the pit becomes entirely filled with pieces, so the more blocks you clear, the more pieces you'll have room for, and the longer you'll be able to play.
1.2 Controls
You can use the keyboard to move the pieces and rotate the blocks as they descend. By default, the controls are configured to use the keys J, K, L, and the space bar. J and L move the piece left and right, K rotates the blocks, and the space bar drops the piece. Most people use the default key setup, laying three fingers across J-K-L and resting their thumb on the space bar. If you wish to change the keys used to control the pieces, the key settings can be modified using the "set control keys" item in the options menu.
1.3 Wilds
From time to time during the game, you may see a piece that contains a block with a picture of a jester/clown. These wild blocks can act as if they are any other color to help create matches of three or more same-colored blocks in a row. For example, getting two blue blocks and a wild block all in a row is treated the same as if there were three blue blocks in a row: the three will be treated as a match and will be cleared. Wild blocks can even act as different colors at the same time to create multiple matches involving different sets of blocks. Try using this fact to clear as many other blocks as possible with a wild.
1.4 Levels
The game begins at level 1, where the pieces fall relatively slowly and there are six different colors of blocks. For every 50 blocks that you clear from the pit, you will advance to the next level. At the start of the next level, you will receive a special piece with three wilds in it to help you. Place this piece wisely: if positioned well, it can clear more than 10 blocks at once! At each new level the pieces fall slightly faster than the last, adding to the challenge. In addition, the number of block colors increases to seven at level 5. Should you reach level 10, the speed and number of block colors will not increase any further, but staying alive for long at that level will still prove to be quite a challenge.
1.5 Scoring
Matching blocks and clearing them from the pit is the primary way to earn points. The number of points you receive for clearing blocks increases if you eliminate more blocks at one time: the first block involved in a match is only worth 10 points, but the second is worth 20, the third is worth 30, the fourth is worth 40, etc. This means that the number of points you earn can increase dramatically if you can clear many blocks at once. For example, clearing six blocks at once is worth 210 points, compared to just 120 points for clearing three blocks and then another three later.
"Chain reactions" in which clearing the blocks involved in one match creates another match are another way to increase your score. In other words, if you clear one group of blocks in a match, and the blocks which fall down to take their place form another match, you've created a chain reaction. For any blocks that are cleared in a 2nd level chain reaction, the point values are doubled. Point values are tripled for a 3rd level chain reaction, and so on, so that the points from a multi-level reaction can really add up quickly.
You will also receive 5 points for each row that a piece falls when you drop it, as an incentive to play quickly and drop the pieces before they have fallen very far into the pit.
2.1 What's Shareware?
Please note that Columns Max is not free! It's a shareware program written by Steve Chamberlin, a part-time shareware author. Shareware is software that's distributed on a "try before you buy" basis. If you like Columns Max and decide to keep it, please be honest and send in the $15 registration fee to pay for the program.
When you pay the registration fee, you'll be sent a special registration code that lets you disable the shareware reminder screen, activate the computer autoplayer function, and personalize your copy of the game by adding your name to the game window. Registration also entitles you to any future updates of Columns Max. Yes, this all relies on the honor system, and some people will play Columns Max without ever paying for it, but hopefully you won't be one of those people.
2.2 Pricing
Personal License $15.00
Single-Location Site License $150.00
World-Wide Site License $800.00
It's assumed that you already have Columns Max when you register it, so registered users won't be sent a disk with a copy of the program. If you need a new copy of Columns Max, you can download it from the internet, either from my web site (http://members.aol.com/granola) or from the Macintosh file archives at http://www.shareware.com.
2.3 Register with Kagi
Registrations for Columns Max are handled by Kagi Software, an independent payment processing company. You can register in one of two ways: on-line registration using a web browser, or off-line registration using the included "Register" program.
2.4 On-Line Registration
If you have a credit card, you can register Columns Max on-line in just a few minutes, using Kagi's secure payment processing server. Point your web browser to:
http://order.kagi.com/?1VX&S
or, if you have an older web browser that doesn't support secure connections, go to:
http://order.kagi.com/?1VX
The advantage of using the secure server is that it creates a special encrypted connection between it and your web browser, providing extra protection for your credit card number and other personal information.
2.5 Registration by Postal Mail or Email
If you'd rather register via postal mail, you can use the "Register" program to process your registration payment. This program should have been included with files that came with Columns Max. If you're missing the Register program, you can download it from my web site at:
http://members.aol.com/granola
The Register program will ask for your name, address, the names of the program(s) you wish to pay for, and the method of payment. You can use many different payment methods such as credit cards, US checks, money orders, US or foreign cash, First Virtual, or invoice. The data generated by the program can then be emailed to Kagi, or printed and sent to Kagi via postal mail or fax. The mailing address and fax number for Kagi are included in the data generated by the Register program.
Payments sent via email are processed within 3 to 4 days. You'll receive an email acknowledgement when it is processed. Payments sent via fax can take up to 10 days, and if you provide a correct internet email address you'll receive an email acknowledgement.
2.6 How Else Can I Register?
If you don't have a printer, don't have a FAX modem, and can't register on-line or via email, you can send a hand-written letter to Kagi. This should only be used as a last resort, because a hand-written letter won't contain the bar-codes and other information needed to automate the regsitration processing. The information has to be entered by hand, which increases the processing time and costs more money as well.
If this is your only option, a hand-written registration letter is still much better than no registration at all! In the letter, include your name, address, email address (if any), and the name of the program you're registering (Columns Max). Write a check for the total amount (see "pricing" above) payable to "Kagi Shareware" and include it with the letter. Send the letter to
Kagi Shareware
1442-A Walnut Street #392-1VX
Berkeley, California, 94709-1405
USA
2.7 When Registering by Postal Mail:
A few additional issues are relevant for people who register by postal mail, either with or without the "Register" program.
1. When you register, Kagi will send you your registration code by email. If you don't have an email address, Kagi charges an additional $1 to send your registration code on a postcard instead. The "Register" program includes the additional charge automatically when appropriate. If you send in a hand-written registration letter, you'll have to remember to include the extra $1 yourself.
2. Kagi cannot accept checks in currencies other than US dollars. The conversion rate for non-USD checks is around $15 per check, making it impractical for small transactions like these.
3. If you're registering for an organization and you have a purchasing department, you can enter all the data into the Register program and then select "invoice" as your payment method. Print three copies of the form and send it to your accounts payable people. You might want to highlight the line that mentions that they must include a copy of the form with their payment. Kagi can not invoice your company, you need to act on my behalf and generate the invoice and handle all the paperwork on your end.
4. Payments sent via postal mail take time to reach Kagi and then up to 10 days for processing. Again, if you include a correct email address, you will hear from Kagi when the form is processed.
3. What's new in version 1.5?
For people familiar with older versions of Columns Max, version 1.5 introduces some significant changes. In addition to the "cosmetic" changes to the artwork and music, the gameplay itself has also changed:
1. There are no longer any "nova" pieces. Their presence made for a very luck-oriented game, as the player's score tended to be proportional to how many novas he got.
2. The player now gets a piece with three wilds in it every time he advances a level.
3. Because of change #2 above, getting three wilds in a row is no longer a special bonus.
4. The game begins with six colors of blocks instead of the previous five, and advances to seven colors when the player reaches level 5.
5. The pieces don't fall as quickly at the higher levels as they used to, to emphasize thinking over simple reflex actions.
4. Help!
Confused? If you have questions about the registration process or about Columns Max itself, drop me an email and I'll be happy to help. Send your inquiries to me (Steve Chamberlin) at:
