Softdisk for Windows 31/Softdisk for Windows 31.iso/rotmsw/rotm.doc

Text File | 1996-08-02 | 40.5 KB | 983 lines

               Rings of the Magi For Windows v1.2
               Copyright 1995-1996 David Bollinger
                       All Rights Reserved
                   An MVP Software Production

This game is shareware.  You may freely try it.  If you like it or
find it useful, then you must register with MVP Software.  To
"register" a shareware game means to purchase it directly from the
developer.  (Shareware games are evaluation versions only, which
means you have the right to try them, but after trying them you must
either register them with the author or delete them from your
system.  It is unlikely that anyone will check up on you, so
shareware works because of the honesty of users.)  When you register
you will receive Rings of the Magi for Windows: Grand Master Edition,
which includes all of the following additional features:

   * Over 8 times as many puzzles; 100 puzzles in all.
   * Additional graphics; 3 times as much.
   * New animations.
   * Auto-solve feature. Stuck on a hard level? This is what
     you need.
   * Level editor. Create your own custom puzzles and stump
     your friends.
   * Bonus features, animations and options.
   * Printed manual full of hints from the author.

To order, call MVP's 24-hour order hotline at 800-968-9684 or
616-831-7985.  Please have your Master Card or Visa ready when you
call.  Or fill out the order form in this manual and fax it to
616-831-7982.  Make sure your credit card number and expiration date
are legible.  Or if you prefer mail the order form and your check to:
MVP Software, P.O. Box 888281, Grand Rapids, MI 49588.

The price is $19.95 plus shipping.  Shipping is $4.00 in the US,
$5.00 to Canada, and $6.00 to everywhere else.  Michigan residents
please add $1.44 sales tax.

                   How to Register Online and Receive
    Rings of the Magi for Windows: Grand Master Edition Immediately!

MVP is pleased that Rings of the Magi for Windows: Grand Master
Edition can now be registered online, with immediate download of the
registered version.  This service is available to anyone who has
access to the World Wide Web and has a Master Card or Visa.  To
register Rings of the Magi online, set your web browser to
http://www.mvpsoft.com.  Once you are connected, go to the Station
Exchange.  There you may purchase Rings of the Magi for Windows:
Grand Master Edition and download it immediately.  While you are
there check out the other specials in the Station Exchange, as well
as download any other MVP shareware game you want from our Web Page.

         Download All the Latest MVP Shareware Games FREE

If your favorite BBS doesn't have an MVP file section, then you may
be missing some great shareware.  To get all the latest and greatest
MVP shareware releases, call one of the leading boards listed below,
and check out the FREE MVP file area.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Ryan's Bar [phone]
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- Exec-PC [phone]
In New York, New York -- The Invention Factory [phone]
In Boston, Massachusetts -- Channel 1 [phone]
In Kansas City, Missouri -- Sound Advice [phone]
In Palo Alto, California -- Space BBS [phone]
In Reston, Virginia -- World Data Network [phone]

Even better, tell your favorite sysop about the MVP Distribution
Network and how he can be assured of getting all of the latest MVP
shareware hits as soon as they are released.  See the SYSOP.DOC file
for details.

                      MVP is Now on CompuServe!

You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, and discuss
MVP titles directly with the authors on MVP's new section on the
world's largest online information network, CompuServe.  Just type
GO MVPSOFT to get to our section!  If you are not a CompuServe
member you are eligible to receive a FREE trial membership,
including software and online time worth almost $55!  That's right,
you get the CompuServe Information Manager software for DOS or
Windows, which normally costs $29.95.  Plus you get a free first
month of online access, worth $9.95.  And to top it off, you get a
usage credit of $15 of additional online time.

To take advantage of this free trial membership to the largest
online service in the world, call 800-848-8199.  Ask for rep 671.
And then GO MVPSOFT and talk to the MVP team on CompuServe.

       MVP is Now on the Internet and the World Wide Web!

You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, find out news
of future activities, and give feedback to MVP on the Internet.  To
visit our new home page, just set your WWW browser to this URL:

                  http://www.mvpsoft.com

While there, you can see descriptions of all our releases, download
the shareware versions with a click of your mouse button, and check
out full color screen shots for all of our games.  Be sure to leave
feedback telling us how you like our page!

If you prefer using direct ftp to get our files, you can find them
at the following sites:

                 ftp.mvpsoft.com
                 ftp.uwp.edu/pub/msdos/games/mvp

Users accessing the last site on this list must include a dash in
front of their email addresses for the password.  Without that
dash the software won't give you access.

These sites also have many mirrors, so just look for a game site
with an MVP directory, and you'll be assured of getting the best
games around!

                       Ordering Information

Rings of the Magi for Windows: Grand Master Edition is available
from the following authorized distributors:

In the United States:
--------------------
MVP Software
P.O. Box 888281
Grand Rapids, MI 49588-8281
phone: [phone] or 616-931-7985, 24-hour order line only
       [phone] information, technical support, or orders.
fax: [phone]
order price: $19.95 plus $4.00 shipping in the US, $5.00 shipping to
Canada, $6.00 shipping everywhere else.  Michigan residents please
add $1.44 sales tax.

In Australia:
------------
Budgetware
9 Albermarle St
Newtown NSW 2042
phone: [phone]          Fax: [phone]
order price: $A30.00 (includes shipping)

In the United Kingdom:
---------------------
Atlantic Coast Plc.
Station Rd.
Colyton, Devon, EX13 6HA
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
order price: L20 (includes shipping and taxes)
Dealers please enquire.

In Denmark and all of Scandanavia:
---------------------------------
Pro-Soft
Benloese Skel 4 G
DK 4100 Ringsted
phone: [phone]             Fax: [phone]
order price: 145,00 kr. + VAT 25% + s/h 25,00

In Japan:
--------
P. & A. Company Ltd
1-3-6-2 Kamisunacho
Tachikawa, Tokyo 190
phone: [phone]         fax: [phone]
order price: 3015 yen includes shipping and taxes

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
---------------------------------
Topware PD-Service GmbH
Quadrat 0 3, 2
68161 Mannheim
phone: [phone]       Fax: [phone]
order price: 33 DM (includes taxes) plus 6 DM shipping

The Netherlands and Belgium
---------------------------
CSD -- Computer Solutions Dorth
Postbus 59
NL-7213 ZH Gorssel
THE NETHERLANDS
phone: +31.575.494.545         Fax: +31.575.491.222
order price: fl. 50,00 (includes VAT and shipping)

Italy
-----
Systems Comunicazioni srl
via Olanda
6 - 20083 Gaggiano
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
BBS: [phone]
order price: Lire 42.000 IVA inclusa

Spain
-----
Friendware S.L.
C/ Miguel Angel, 6 2-5
28010 Madrid
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
CIS: 100413,1667
order price: 3.000 Pts

  Rings of the Magi for Windows: Grand Master Edition Order Form

Name _____________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State ______ ZIP ____________

Country (if outside USA) _________________________________________

Price of Rings of the Magi for Windows: Grand Master Edition $19.95
Shipping and Handling (US)                                     4.00
Shipping and Handling (Canada)                                 5.00
Shipping and Handling (all other countries)                    6.00
Michigan residents add sales tax                               1.44
                                                              -----
Make check payable to "MVP Software"        Total enclosed:  $
Master Card/Visa information (credit card orders only)
(Please note that we accept Master Card and Visa only.)

Card number __________________________________________

Expiration date ______________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------
Where did you get Rings of the Magi shareware version?
Friend   CompuServe   AOL   MSN   Channel 1   Invention Factory
Exec-PC   World Data Network   Ryan's Bar   Space BBS
Sound Advice   MVP's Web Page (www.mvpsoft.com) disk distributor
------------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form and your check to:

MVP Software, 1035 Dallas S.E., Grand Rapids, MI  49507-1407
Checks must be in US funds and drawn on a US or Canadian bank.

US or Canada 24-hour order line: 800-968-9684.
Overseas 24-hour order line: 616-831-7985.
Fax: [phone].
Tech support and information: 616-831-7981.

===- REQUIREMENTS -==============================================

   Rings of the Magi for Windows requires:

 - a 386 or faster IBM PC-compatible computer, a 486SX or
   faster is strongly recommended
 - Windows 3.x or Windows 95  (Windows 95 preferred)
 - 1.5MB available memory (after loading Windows)
 - A video display capable of running in 256-color display mode
 - 3.5MB hard disk space

   (Rings of the Magi for Windows will optionally take advantage
of Microsoft's WinG extension if it is installed.  WinG is an
"add-on" for Windows 3.x that is designed to improve the graphics
performance of Windows programs.  The WinG extension will
significantly improve the performance of this game when running
under Windows 3.x.)


===- INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE -===================================

   If you downloaded the software from an online service, a BBS
or the internet, you have what is known as a "zip" file.  To
install Rings of the Magi, first "unzip" this file to a temporary
directory using Pkunzip 2.04 or later.  Then run Setup from
Windows, which will install the software and create an icon on
your Windows desktop.


===- THE STORY -=================================================

   In ages long past, the mystics of Ac`Rianed realized their
powers were dwindling, and the art of the Magi was quickly being
forgotten.  The life energy of their world, which fueled their
magic, was slowly drained by some unknown, yet terrible force.
The people of Ac`Rianed were wasting away, while the mystics felt
powerless to protect them.

   Thus is was that the mystics came together and crafted their
rings - a set of artifacts in which they could store their
remaining power.  Each mystic fashioned a set of rings from a
distinctive material, and whenever two or more of these similar
rings were brought together, the power within them could be
harnessed.  By separating the rings into different patterns and
then reassembling them, different aspects of that power could be
called upon.

   But it was not enough to simply store this power in the rings.
New apprentices had to be trained, lest the secret of the rings
be forgotten and the world fall into ruin.  Thus was created a
special training board upon which novice users of the rings could
safely practice their assembly.  Only by successfully completing
this training can the apprentice hope to restore peace to
Ac`Rianed, and command the Rings of the Magi...

===- INTRO SEQUENCE -============================================

   When the program starts, an introduction and story sequence is
displayed.  The intro/story consists of a number of short scenes,
each of which remains on screen for a short while before
advancing to the next scene.

   You may advance to the next scene more rapidly by pressing a
key or clicking a mouse button.  You may also bypass the intro/
story sequence completely by pressing the [Esc] key at any time.

   If you do not want the intro/story sequence displayed when the
program starts, use the Show Intro option on the Preferences
dialog to disable the intro.

===- GETTING STARTED -===========================================

BEGINNING A GAME:
-----------------
   To start a new game, you may either select New from the Game
Menu or press the play game button on the Graphical Menu.  The
play game button will resume your current game if you have already
started one, or start a new game if one is not yet in progress.

   To load a previously saved game select Open from the Game Menu.

   Once you have either started a new game or opened a previously
saved game, you will be taken directly to the board selection
screen where you may select one of the puzzles and begin playing.

SELECTING A BOARD:
------------------
   The board selection screen allows you to choose which
particular game board you wish to play (or edit).  You may play
the boards in any order that you desire.  After successfully
completing a board, the game will automatically select the next
board for you when you return to the board selection screen;
however, you may manually select a different board.

   In the upper left corner of the screen is the board preview
display area, on which a miniature version of the game board is
displayed.  As you select from among the game boards, this
display will change to reflect the currently selected board.  If
you have already solved the currently selected board at least
once it will be surrounded by a glowing red border.  You may,
however, replay a board that you have previously solved if you
wish to attempt to improve your score on that board.

   Your current best score for this particular board is displayed
just below the board preview display area, as well as your total
score for the entire game.

   The number and name of the current board are displayed just to
the right of the board preview display area.  You may select the
next or previous game board within the current difficulty level
by using the up/down buttons just below the board number display.

   The difficulty level may be changed by pressing one of the
buttons located in the lower right corner labeled novice,

apprentice, journeyman, master and custom.

   Once you have selected the desired board, press the accept
button to begin playing.  Or you may press the quit button to
return to the main menu without playing the board.

   There are 100 boards in total, 25 in each of the first four
difficulty levels.  (The shareware version contains 12 boards, 3
in each of the first four difficulty levels).  Additionally, you
may create your own custom boards within the custom difficulty
level, or play custom boards created by other owners of Rings of
the Magi: Grand Master Edition.

===- HOW TO PLAY -===============================================

OBJECTIVE:
----------
   The object of the game is to remove all of the colored rings
from the game board.  Once all the rings have been removed from a
particular board, that puzzle is completed and you may move on to
the next puzzle.

   Rings are removed from the game board whenever two or more
rings of the same color come into direct contact with one
another.  The rings cannot be moved directly, but are affected by
arrow buttons located throughout the game board.

   Arrow buttons indicate the direction in which they will exert
their force.  When an arrow button is pressed, all the rings in
the indicated row or column will move one step in the indicated
direction, unless blocked or hidden behind a solid object.

   Ring movement may be blocked by a solid wooden game piece, or
by an arrow button, or by another ring if that ring is itself
blocked by some solid object.  Additionally, a ring may be
blocked by the edge of the game board itself -- it is not
possible to push a ring off the edge of the game board.

GAME BOARD LAYOUT:
------------------
   The large playing area at the left of the screen is where the
game actually takes place.  Upon this playing area you will see
rings of various colors placed along side the arrow buttons in
many different arrangements.  To move the rings, simply point to
the desired arrow button and press the mouse button.

   In the upper right is the score display.  The board score is
your current score for this board during this attempt to solve
it.  The total score is your total score for all boards that you
have solved so far.  The board name is a descriptive name
describing the board you are currently playing -- the board name
sometimes contains a clue about the challenge that you might face
while solving this board.

undo - Pressing the undo button will restore the game board to
the state it was in before the most recent ring movement.  Only
the most recent movement can be undone.  If your score changed

during the most recent move, it is also restored to its previous
value.

solve - Pressing the solve button allows you to view one of the
possible solutions for this game board.  A bright green outline
will surround the solve button while the solution is in progress.
The game board will then be restarted and the arrow buttons will
be automatically pressed to solve the board.  You may interrupt
the solution at any time by pressing a mouse button or the [Esc]
key.

restart - Pressing the restart button will restore the game board
to its original configuration.  Your score will also be reset to
the value it had when this board was selected.

cancel - Pressing the cancel button allows you to leave this game
board without completing the puzzle.  A message window will pop
up on screen asking if you wish to leave before solving the
current board.  If you wish to resume play, select no.  If you
wish to leave and return to the board selection screen, select
yes.

SCORING:
--------
   Points are awarded as the rings are matched up and removed
from the game board.  Additional points are awarded for
simultaneously removing several rings with a single movement.
The following table is an example of some scoring combinations:

    NUMBER OF RINGS
    MATCHED/REMOVED        SCORE
    ---------------        -----
           2                 40
           3                 90
           4                160
           5                250
           6                360
           .                 .
           .                 .

RECOVERING FROM A BAD MOVE:
---------------------------
   It is possible to move a ring or match up several rings in
such a way as to make the game board impossible to solve.  If
this happens you should immediately try "undo"-ing your last
move.  If you do not undo that move, and continue playing, you
may receive a warning message indicating that the game board
cannot be solved.

   This message will only appear if the game board cannot be
solved AND the "undo" version of the game board also cannot be
solved.  This gives you the opportunity to correct the mistake
yourself before receiving a warning.  The "Early Warning" game
option on the Preferences dialog allows you to change this
behavior.  With the Early Warning option on, you will receive
the warning message as soon as the game board becomes unsolvable.

   If you receive this warning you will be asked if you wish to
restart the board.  If you select yes the board will be reset to
its initial state and you may try to solve it again.  If you
select no the board will remain in its current state and you may
continue to play the board as is, although it will not be
possible to actually solve the puzzle.

   You may also restart the game manually at any time by pressing
the restart button.

COMPLETING A BOARD:
-------------------
   Upon completion of each game board, one of the Mystics of
Ac`Rianed will appear and deliver a message regarding your
performance.  You may press any key or a mouse button to advance
through this message more rapidly.

   Upon completion of each complete level of game boards, you
will be awarded one of the symbolic finger rings which indicate
the status of a Ring Master.  Once you have collected all four
finger rings you will have truly earned the title Ring Master,
and will receive yet another award.  You may then take your place
among the other magi and command the Rings of the Magi, helping
to restore peace to the people of Ac`Rianed.

   Congratulations!

HINTS AND TIPS:
---------------
 - If you make a mistake, use the undo button right away!  If
   you keep going without undo-ing your mistake you may not be
   able to solve the board!

 - Take a good long look at the board before you begin moving
   the rings.  Are there any "dead" areas into which you should
   avoid moving the rings?

 - Try counting the number of rings of each color to help plan
   your strategy.  For example, if there are five red rings on
   the board, you'll know that you need to create both a three-
   ring match and a two-ring match.

 - Sometimes you may need to delay matching some of the rings in
   order to set up a situation in which you can first match the
   other rings.  Plan ahead, and don't remove a ring that you
   think you'll need later.

 - When pressing an arrow button, always check that you will be
   moving only the rings that you intend to move.  This is
   especially true with the 4-way arrow button.  Check in all
   four directions to verify that it's safe to press this button.

 - If you just can't seem to solve a particular board, try
   viewing the first portion of the solution by pressing the
   solve button.  Perhaps it will suggest a new strategy to you.

 - Often, the first match is the most difficult.  Once the first
   match has been accomplished the other matches are often much
   easier.  For very difficult boards, try enabling the Partial

   Solve option, then press the solve button.  After the first
   match, interrupt the solution by pressing a mouse button and
   try to finish the board on your own.

 - Have you found the hidden game?  There is a stone frame which
   surrounds the graphical menu - try pressing each of the stones
   in the upper right corner, one of them is a secret button!

===- THE MENUS -=================================================

  There are two menu systems in Rings of the Magi.  The menu bar
at the top of the screen, and the Graphical Menu.  The menu bar
is always visible and contains common commands and options which
you may need to access at any time during your game.  The
Graphical Menu is not available while a game is in progress, and
presents you with various other commands which you may select
while not in a game.

GRAPHICAL MENU:
---------------
    To start a new game, you may either select New from the Game
Menu or press the graphical play game button.  The play game
button will resume your current game if you have already started
one or start a new game if one is not yet in progress.

   The credits button allows you to view the names of those
responsible for creating Rings of the Magi.

   The editor button allows you access to the custom board
editor, where you may create your own custom puzzles.  In the
shareware version of Rings of the Magi, the editor button is
replaced by the ordering information button.

   The instructions button displays a short sequence of brief
instructions describing game play and the functions of the
various screens.  More extensive instructions are available
within this help file.

   The high scores button will display the list of players who
have achieved the highest scores to date.

   The exit button allows you to leave the program.  Note that
there are numerous ways to leave the program, including this
exit button, the Exit menu item on the Game Menu, the Ctrl-X
shortcut, the system menu at the top left of the window, and the
close button at the upper right of the window for users of
Windows 95.

GAME MENU:
----------
   The Game Menu allows you to start a new game, open a
previously saved game, save the current game, quit the current
game, resume a suspended game, or exit the program.  Note that
not all options are available at all times.

New - Starts a new game and takes you immediately to the board
  selection screen where you may select a board and begin
  playing.

Open - Loads a previously saved game and takes you immediately
  to the board selection screen where you may select a board and
  begin playing.

Save - Saves your current game.  If you have not previously saved
  your game you will be prompted to enter a filename.  If you
  have previously saved your game it will be saved immediately
  as the current filename.

Save As - Saves your current game, prompting you for a new
  filename.

Quit - Leaves the current game and returns to the main menu.

Resume - If you have a game open but are not currently playing
  it, this option allows you to continue playing the current
  game.  You will be taken immediately to the board selection
  screen where you may select a board and resume playing.

Exit - Exits Rings of the Magi.

WINDOW MENU:
------------
   The Window Menu allows you to change the appearance of the
game window.

Small
Medium
Large
Extra Large - Each of these options selects one of the preferred
  resolutions for the game and centers the game window on the
  screen.  These particular resolutions offer correct aspect
  ratio as well as performance benefits.  You should choose a
  resolution based on your Windows display resolution, the speed
  of your computer and your personal preferences.

  (The author prefers the Large resolution in most cases - if
   the computer is fast enough to support it.  Note that while
   these resolutions are preferred, you are always free to
   manually resize the game window to any size that you choose,
   including maximizing it.  These predefined sizes are simply
   for convenience, you are not limited to them.)

Fix Aspect - If you have manually resized the game window, it may
  not be perfectly "square".  That is, it may be either too tall
  or too wide, thus distorting the images.  Fix aspect will
  correct this problem by adjusting the width and height of the
  game window so that it is "square" without changing the total
  screen area of the game window.

OPTIONS MENU:
-------------
   The Options Menu allows you to change various game settings
and access optional features.

   The Music/Sound menu item allows you to select the type and
volume of music and sound within the game.

   The Preferences menu item allows you to change the speed of
the game, as well as enable or disable various additional
features.

   The Clear High Scores menu item allows you to completely reset
the high scores roster.  You will be prompted for confirmation
before the roster is cleared.

   The Review Awards menu item allows you to see the awards that
you've acquired so far.  Awards are given once you have completed
all of the boards within a difficulty level, and when you have
completed the entire game.  This menu item is only available if
you have previously acquired at least one award.  It is also not
available while a game is in progress.

MUSIC AND SOUND:
----------------
   The Music and Sound dialog box allows you to turn music and
sound effects on or off, as well as adjust their volume and
optimize the music for your particular sound card.

Music - The check box allows you to turn the music on or off.
  The volume slider allows you to adjust the volume of the music.

Sound - The check box allows you to turn the sound effects on or
  off.  The volume slider allows you to adjust the volume of the
  sound effects.

Optimize Music For - If you have a sound card which uses FM
  synthesis to generate music, such as a SoundBlaster or
  compatible, you may want to select the music which has been
  optimized for FM synthesis sound cards.  If you have a sound
  card which uses wavetable synthesis to generate music, such
  as the AWE32, you may want to select the music which has been
  optimized for General MIDI.  Simply select the type of music
  which sounds best in your opinion with your sound card.

PREFERENCES:
------------
General Options:

Show Intro - If this option is ON the introductory story sequence
  will be shown when the game is started.  If this option is OFF
  the story will be bypassed.  You may also advance through the
  intro more rapidly by pressing a key or mouse button, or you
  may bypass the entire story manually by pressing the [Esc] key
  at any time during the intro.

Auto-Pause - If this option is ON the game will automatically
  pause whenever the mouse cursor leaves the game area.  This may
  reduce mouse flicker on some computers.  If this option is OFF
  the game will not automatically pause as the mouse leaves the
  game area.  (In either case, the game will still pause whenever
  a menu is activated.)

Auto-Solve Speed - This slider controls the speed at which the
  Auto-Solve feature solves the board.  Slide the control towards

  the turtle on the left for slower speeds, or towards the
  gazelle on the right for faster speeds.

Custom Board Prefix - This is the first six letters of the
  filename used to save and load custom boards which you have
  created with the board editor.  The actual number of the board
  is appended to this prefix to create the final filename.  By
  default, the prefix is "CUSTOM", thus the boards you create
  will be named CUSTOM01.BRD, CUSTOM02.BRD, etc.

Speed Options:

   The Speed Options trade quality of animation for speed of
game play.  When these options are enabled they make the game
quicker by reducing the amount of animation associated with some
particular aspect of the game.

   Also note that if you are having trouble with the speed of
the game in general, you may want to consider some of the options
under the Window Menu, or see the Troubleshooting section.

Fast Menus - If this option is ON, the menu trap-door animation
  on the Graphical Menu screen is reduced.

Fast Preview - If this option is ON, the board preview display
  flipping animation on the board selection screen is reduced.

Fast Popups - If this option is ON, the magi pop-up messages
  zooming animation on the playing board screen is reduced.

Fast Fades - If this option is ON, the animated transitions
  between screens are reduced.

Fast Rings - If this option is ON, the rings movement animation
  on the playing board screen is reduced.

Gameplay Options:

Yes/No Prompts - If this option is ON, you will be prompted
  before certain actions, such as starting a new game if a game
  is currently in progress, quitting a game while you are
  currently attempting to solve it, and exiting the program.
  If this option is OFF, the requested action will be performed
  without prompting.

Solve Scoring - If this option is ON, you will accumulate points
  when boards are solved by the Auto-Solve feature.

Partial Solve - If this option is ON, you will be allowed to
  interrupt the Auto-Solve feature without restarting the game
  board.  You may then finish solving the board manually.

Manual Pick - If this option is ON, then the next board will not
  be automatically selected for you after completion of a board.
  You must then select your next board manually.

Early Warning - If this option is ON, you will receive a warning
  message immediately upon executing a move which leaves the

  board in an unsolvable state.  If you choose not to restart the
  board, then be sure you undo your most recent move if you wish
  to be able to solve this board.  If this option is OFF, you
  will not receive this warning message until even an undo cannot
  restore the board to a solvable state.

Extra Options:

Fireworks 1 - If this option is ON, additional animation will
  occur whenever rings are matched and removed from the board.  A
  small number of ring fragments will explode outwards around the
  matched rings.

Fireworks 2 - If this option is ON, additional animation will
  occur whenever rings are matched and removed from the board.  A
  large number of round ring fragments will explode outwards
  across the entire screen.

  (You may turn on/off either fireworks option individually, or
   both options simultaneously.)

Silly Voice - If this option is ON, the magi which congratulates
  you at the end of each successfully solved board will develop a
  sweet tooth, and occasionally respond with a new message.

Magi Text - If this option is ON, the text of the magi's
  congratulatory speech is displayed on screen.  (This option is
  primarily intended for hearing-impaired players, and those
  without sound cards.)

HELP MENU:
----------
   The Help menu displays information about Rings of the Magi.

Contents - Displays the online help file.

About ROTM - Displays version and copyright information.

===- THE EDITOR -================================================

   The board editor allows you to create your own game board
layouts -- all without any programming knowledge required!
Creating new game boards is as simple as using a paint program.
Simply "paint" the game board with the desired game pieces, and
then play it!  What you see is what you get!

   You must first select one of the custom boards that you wish
to edit.  For more information on this process, see Selecting A
Board above.  Notice that the score windows will contain the word
editor to indicate that you are in edit mode.  You may only
select among the boards within the custom difficulty level while
in edit mode -- you cannot edit the original game boards that
came with Rings of the Magi.

EDITOR LAYOUT:
--------------
   The large playing area at the left of the screen is where
actual editing takes place.  It is on this game board grid that
you may place the various game pieces in whatever arrangement
you desire.

   In the upper right is the current object display.  This
indicates which of the game piece objects is currently selected
for use with the editor.

   Below the current object display is the selection area.  You
may select one of the game piece objects by pointing to it within
this area and pressing a mouse button.

   Below the selection area is the board name entry display.  You
may create a distinctive name for your board by pointing to the
entry window and pressing a mouse button.  A red cursor will
appear, indicating that you may then type in a name from the
keyboard.  Press [Enter], or click the mouse outside the entry
window  to complete the process.

   The save button writes your new board to a file.  The exact
filename is determined by the Custom Boards Prefix option on the
Preferences dialog.  Make sure you save your edited board if you
wish to be able to play it later.

   The play button allows you to try out your newly created board
in "test" mode and check that the board plays how you expected.
While playing in "test" mode, your total score will not be
affected.

   The quit button will return you to the board selection screen.

EDITING TASKS:
--------------
   Editing a game board consists of first selecting a game piece,
then placing that game piece on the game board.  The game boards
within Rings of the Magi consist of twelve distinct game piece
objects and areas of blank space.  There are six different
colored rings, one solid piece, and five arrow buttons.

   These various objects are selected by pointing to the desired
object in the selection area and pressing a mouse button.  The
newly selected game piece will then be displayed as the current
object and will remain the current object until a new one is
selected.

   To place the current object on the game board, simply point to
the grid cell where you would like to place it and press the left
mouse button (LMB).  You may also continue to hold down the mouse
button and drag the mouse to repeatedly place the object
throughout the board.

   An alternative method for selection the current editing object
is to use the right mouse button (RMB) to point to an object
already on the game board and grab it for later use.  You may

then place it with the left mouse button as described above.

   Summary:

    LMB = PUT object  on  game board
    RMB = GET object from game board

SOLUTION RECORDER:
------------------
   You may record your own solution "scripts" for each of the
custom boards that you create.  Once in record mode, the program
will remember each of the moves that you perform in order to
solve the current game board.  When you have finished recording,
you may then press the solve button at any time to automatically
solve your custom boards, just as it works with the original game
boards.

   Record mode is activated by pressing Ctrl-R while playing a
game board.  A bright red outline will surround the solve button
while recording is in progress.

   You may cancel record mode by pressing Ctrl-R again.  Record
mode is also cancelled if you press the solve,  restart or cancel
buttons.

   You may use the undo button while recording - the move which
you undid will not be recorded as part of your solution script.

===- KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS -========================================

   There are keyboard equivalents for every button displayed on
the screen.  Typically the shortcut key is the first letter of
the button's label.

    For example, the shortcut key for the restart button on the
game board screen is "R".  Pressing the "R" key will have exactly
the same effect as clicking on the restart button with the mouse.

   Additionally, the [Enter] key is often used as an additional
keyboard shortcut for buttons which are commonly pressed, or
which confirm an action.  The [Esc] key is often used for buttons
which are commonly used to cancel or quit an action.

   For example, the [Enter] key serves as a shortcut for the
accept button on the board selection screen, while the [Esc] key
serves as a shortcut for the quit button.

===- TROUBLESHOOTING -===========================================

The game plays slowly on my computer:

 - Rings of the Magi runs best in 256 color display modes (also
   known as 8-bit display modes).  If you have Windows configured
   for a different display mode you may wish to try changing your
   display settings.
 - You may want to experiment with the various window sizes
   available under the Window Menu to find one which might
   perform better.

 - If you are using Windows 3.x, you can improve performance by
   installing WinG.  Microsoft released WinG as an add-on for
   Windows 3.x specifically to improve graphics performance, and
   Rings of the Magi will take advantage of it if present.
 - If you are running other programs in the background while
   playing Rings of the Magi, try closing them - they may be
   using up valuable system resources.
 - You can speed up several specific aspects of the game by
   enabling the Speed Options on the Preferences dialog.

When I run ROTM with other applications the colors go crazy:

 - In 256-color display modes, all running applications must
   share the same set of 256 colors.  However, only one
   application (the active application) has control of the color
   palette at any one time - this may cause inactive
   applications to look "funny", since they are forced to use
   the "wrong" color palette.  An application should restore its
   own colors once it is again activated.  If you are using 256-
   color wallpaper it will be similarly affected by the changing
   color palettes.

I hear no music, or cannot adjust the volume of the music:

 - ROTM may be unable to change the volume on some sound cards
   with older driver software.  (The SoundBlaster AWE32 is one
   such card.)  If this happens you will not be able to adjust
   the music volume with the volume slider.  You might not hear
   music at all if the volume is set low.  To solve this problem
   you should acquire and install the latest driver software
   from your sound card manufacturer.  (The SoundBlaster AWE32
   will work correctly with ROTM if the latest driver software
   is installed.)


===- CREDITS -===================================================

Design & Programming:          David Bollinger

Art & Animation:               Tom Marlin, Marlin Studios

Composer:                      David B. Schultz, DBS Music


Voice of the Magi:             Dale Blackwood
Producer:                      C. Steven Blackwood
Publisher:                     MVP Software