The objective of consecutive four is to have your pieces occupy four adjacent squares on the board. They can be horizontal, vertical or either direction of diagonal.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
The game requires around 1500k to run in 256 colors, 2000k to run in thousands, and 2800k to run in millions. Please notify me of any conflicts that you uncover.
Consecutive Four is shareware. If you like it or use it on a regular bases, send $3 (US) to Darrin Filer, 709 Duke Drive Alamosa, CO 81101. At the very least, send some ego boosting email to: <dfiler@slate.mines.edu>
This version of Consecutive Four includes two different artificial intelligences to play against.
ORIGINAL AI:
The first (original) AI is the version that was included in the prior release, v 0.7. I wrote it late one saturday night from a technique that I had used in a BASIC version of C4 for an AlphaMicro system at my highschool. It simply checks the current state of the board and decides which move to make by following criteria:
(1) try to win
you can set the % of how often to do this from the options menu
(2) block your potential wins
you can set the % of how often to do this from the options menu
(3) get 3 adjacent squares so that it is possible to win in 2 columns
(4) prevent you from doing #3
(5) make two adjacent squares in the same column possible win locations
(6) prevent you from doing #5
(7) get three adjacent squares that won’t be immediately blocked
(8) prevent you from doing #7
(9) get three adjacent squares even if they can be immediately blocked
(10) prevent you from doing #9
(11) go in column near middle or near the one most recently chosen
(12) what the hell... random time
(*) Potential selections from numbers 3-11 are not chosen if they allow you to win immediately
(**) Potential selections from numbers 4-11 are not chosen if they allow you to block the computer
ALTERNATE AI:
The second (alternate) AI is a front end independent AI written by Keith Pomakis in November 1995. I think that it works recursively, checking possible positions for the board a variable number of turns into the future. This number corresponds to the level setting found in the options menu.
• No more memory leaks (I think). The game should no longer forget sounds and then precede to seize up. This is why I decided to skip immediately to version number 1.0, it should now be a completely stable product.
• Improved Original AI. I have added just a few more tests so that it is more consistent. It now should not permanently stall at the end of the game when no good moves are left. I have also added to methods of adjusting its skill level. The random column selection of step #12 now works correctly.
• Alternate AI added. I can beat it on level 9 but 10 is just to slow on my PowerBase 180 to even attempt to play. If you beat it on level 10, please email me so that I know it is possible.
• Status bar at bottom of board added. It tells you which turn you are currently on and displays whose turn it is. When the game is over, it contains a “Start Another Game” button.
• The ability to choose which player goes first. This can significantly affect the outcome of the game.
• Adjustable sound volume. It also resets the sound at the end of the game to where it was before you adjusted it. (If the adjustment was made from the options menu in Consecutive Four.
• More esthetically appealing graphics. (Or so I think) The graphics drawing routine has also been improved so that to replace the pieces you just need one picture instead of five. I should add a dropping speed adjustment option later since it is no longer based on a constant time delay.
• Option added to display column numbers. This is especially useful when playing with one player on the keyboard.
NOTE: The sounds you hear in Consecutive Four were recorded and mixed by me. The author of the competing product must have liked the sound of my desk drawer closing... Miles Michelson, you can’t see me.
THANKS: out to the delinquents from HomeBoy Software, Joe Flores, Christian Sakinai, and Mike Yee. If you like Consecutive Four, check out their critically acclaimed Flip Side, an excellently done brain boggling puzzle game. <www.eotd.com/homeboy>
