SANDIEGOPOLY COMPUTER GAME Overview The Sandiegopoly computer version is an automated version of the board game developed by Nationalopoly, Incorporated. The computer game is a full graphic representation of the game that allows automated features to track the status of property and money. The computer also allows the status of a game to be saved so play can be resumed later and allows automated play for one or more players. Required Hardware Running the Sandiegopoly computer version requires an IBM or IBM compatible personal computer with a minimum of 512K bytes of memory. Version 2.0 or later of DOS is required. Because of the extensive graphics used by Sandiegopoly best performance is obtained when running a 80286 or 80386 processor. The graphics provided with Sandiegopoly require a VGA or EGA monitor. A text mode version of the game is also available and must be specifically requested, the text mode version obviously does not provide the detailed graphics present in the EGA version. Acknowledgements The original Sandiegopoly board game is a trademark of Nationalopoly, Incorporated. Warranty Computer Graphic Solutions (CGS) warranties the original diskette and physical documentation to be free from defects for a 60 day period from purchase. Any defective materials will be replaced free of charge. This warranty shall not encompass any other damages. All other warranties expressed or implied are disclaimed. License This program is a Share-Ware program. If you enjoy the game and intend to play it you are encouraged to become a licensed user. The cost to simply register as a user is $15.00. In order to become a registered user, receive a copy of the Users Manual and notification of all program upgrades the cost is $25.00. Please mail payments to the following address: COMPUTER GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS P.O. Box 29157 San Diego, CA 92129 Copyright This computer program is copyrighted through the Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, by Computer Graphic Solutions, 1990. Installation A self extracting file is provided that will unarchive the program files from the installation disk. To execute the install program simply load the program disk in the A drive and type the command INSTALL. The install program will create a subdirectory below the active directory on the specified drive and copy an uncompressed version of the program and data files to that directory. The INSTALL program also creates a small batch program in the active directory that allows running the Sandiegopoly game so you do not have to move to the \SANDIEGO subdirectory to run the program. To run install type: INSTALL : For example: INSTALL C: Approximately 1.5 megabyte of space on a hard disk is required to store the graphics files. The installation program provided automatically creates a subdirectory for storage of the these files. To save disk space when you are not running the program the files can be compressed as on the initial delivery disk. How to start Sandiegopoly When you install Sandiegopoly a batch program is created in the current directory that allows you to start the program without going to the \SANDIEGO subdirectory. To run Sandiegopoly simply type the command "SANDIEGO". The program can also be executed by changing to the \SANDIEGO subdirectory and then typing "SANDIEGO". Keystrokes Sandiegopoly is designed to be easy to use and require a minimum input from the user. The few keys that are needed to execute the game are explained below: Arrow Keys -> The arrow keys are used to select from menus. Several menus are used throughout the program to allow selection of players, properties, and game functions. F1 -> The F1 key is used to select the main game operations including exiting or quitting the game and changing players from automated to regular players and back. TAB -> The TAB key is used to select between windows when two windows are active. This occurs when a player is viewing their own assets and the assets of another player. ENTER -> The ENTER key is used to execute the current highlighted menu action or to acknowledge messages from the computer. Operations associated with these keys are explained in greater detail in the sections of this manual describing the applicable functions. Interrupting Program Play The F1 key will bring up the menu that allows the game to be ended through saving the status of the game so it can be resumed at a later time or to quit the game without saving the game status. The F1 key can be entered from anywhere within the program but will only be activated when the program comes to a menu selection option. The capability to select players as human or computer through the F1 key as well as the options to end program play allows some interesting variations to traditional monopoly type games. Through this feature all players can be defined as computer players to let the game automatically play by itself for some time period. At the end of some elapsed time the game can and then be interrupted by the F1 key and the players can be redefined as the initial human players. This provides a significant number of options that are not available in board games that are not automated. File Structure Sandiegopoly provides the capability to allow the user to store the status of a game so the game can be restarted at a later time. The status of the game is saved in an ASCII text file called GAME.PLY. This file can be edited with any ASCII text editor. The fields associated with this file are explained below. The first two fields define the number of players and whose turn it is when the game is to be resumed. First field - > Number of the player whose turn it will be when the game resumes Second field- > Total number of players The next group of eight fields each are used to define the players, there will be a set of eight fields for every active player. Each of these fields are explained below: First field - > Icon number Second field - > Square number Third field - > Dollars currently held Fourth field - > Number of turns in jail Fifth field - > Number of out of jail cards Sixth field - > Name of the player Seventh field - > Whether the player is presently a computer player (T for TRUE or F if a person playing) Eighth field - > If this player misses the next turn The next fields are used to define the squares on the program board. Three fields that are used to describe each of the 36 squares for a total of 108 additional file entries. The data contained within each of these three fields is explained below: First field - > The number of local offices displayed on this field, if the value of this field is 5 it signifies a corporate office. Second field - > The number of the player who owns this property. Third field - > A boolean field (True or False) to signify whether this property is mortgaged. Knowledge of the structure of the GAME.PLY file will allow any player to modify the file and associated player assets when a saved game is restored for continued play. If a player wishes to see if the GAME.PLY file has been modified the date and time stamp can be checked, however, Computer Graphic Solutions takes no responsibilities for any conflicts that result from accusations that GAME.PLY files have been changed. Program Files SANDIEGO EXE : The self extracting program containing the game files. INSTALL BAT : This will install the program on a hard disk SANDIEGO BAT : This batch file allows the execution of the game by typing SANDIEGO README TXT : This file provides an introduction to the program and explains basic operation features The following files are required to run Sandiegopoly: CARDS PIX : Graphics for the property cards ICONMASK PIX : Graphics for masking of the icons ICONS PIX : Graphics for icons OFFICES PIX : Graphics files for offices SANDAG1 PIX : Graphics for board file SANDAG2 PIX : Graphics for board file SDGAME EXE : Run the program SD_INTRO TXT : Introductory screen SQUARES DAT : Information on board squares SURPRISE TXT : Surprise card file SANDIEGOPOLY A Nationalopoly game by Computer Graphic Solutions. This program is a Share-Ware program. If you enjoy the game and intend to play it you are encouraged to become a registered user. You are free to use, copy and distribute this game providing: 1. No fee is charged beyond a nominal copying and handling charge. 2. The game is not modified in any way. A contribution of $15 is required to become a registered user. With a contribution of $25 or more you will receive a copy of the user manual and notification of all upgrades... COMPUTER GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS P.O. Box 29157 San Diego, CA 92129 Copyright (c) 1990 Computer Graphic Solutions ORDER FORM FROM: Name :______________________ Address :______________________ City, State :______________Zip :_______ TO: COMPUTER GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS P.O. Box 29157 San Diego, CA 92129 Registration as a user at $15.00 each: ________ (No tax or shipping charge required for registration) Registration and program documentation at $25.00 each: ______ Add $3.50 for shipping and handling: $ 3.50 Add sales tax if California resident (7.5%): ________ Total enclosed: ________ Diskette format (chose one) 5.25" disk ____ 3.5" disk ____ Checks must be drawn on a US bank in US funds.