1.12.1993 Patuman version 3.11 PREFACE Patuman is a brilliant Pacman-like graphical action game for Windows. You need at least AT 286 (or better) and a display with resolution 640 x 480 (VGA or better). Some applications running in background mode may slow down the Patuman. IMPROVEMENTS AND CORRECTIONS AFTER THE LAST ISSUED VERSION (2.4) As you notice the new version number has made a major leap from 2.4 to 3.11. WHY? - The size of the moving characters is now 36x36 pixels compared to previous 22x22. Advanced Windows users know that 5 simultaniously moving objects of this size mostly look like blinking snails - even in applications promising fast animation. HOWEVER, the experienced Patuman Team has once again made the impossible - also in "slow" machines the Patuman speed is reasonable. - The intelligence of the monsters has once again been improved - they now have an IQ of 76 (beating most politicians) - The Hero is now also moving his head towards you next direction, which makes it easier to follow his movements. A starting animation sequence has been added to give you time to check the next labyrinth. Also some other animation effects have been included. - The functionality and the design of the control dialog has been improved. The "Efficiency" parameter has been added to the control dialog to indicate your monster-eating ability. The "Play time" indicates the time used for each game. The "Test always" radio button allows you game to estimate the correct delay in the beginning of each session. The "Use saved delay" radio button uses the previously saved delay instead of testing before each session. However, the game only saves its parameters after the game is finshed. So, if you end the program in the middle of the game, the parameters will not be stored. - In local networks you can choose a common directory as the working directory of Patuman via the Program manager's File Properties.. utility. Then all the players which have access to that directory can use the same score table to make the game more challenging, since the score table handler can deal with multiple users. If the users have different machines, it is convenient to select the "Test always" radio button from the control dialog. - All old bugs have been removed (we think). This version has gone through an extensive beta testing period. Three associates of the programming team have reportedly spent more than 3 hours playing every day during a testing period of four months to ensure the quality of the game. (87 020 points seems to be the world record!) - Registered users of earlier Patuman version can get the registration code for this version for only 2$. REGISTERING We are still (very very very) poor students and we have spent a lot of time programming and lost all our (very very very) little savings, our dog and our girls buying our software developement kit, so we made this version of Patuman a shareware program. This version is for evaluation purpose only, and when you find it amusing (or useful),you can register it by sending us following register form including $10 cash (or 15 DM or 50 Skr 40 FIM). If you send $20 (or more), you will receive our next version when it is issued. It is (very very) important to fill the register form carefully. Please include an envelope with your address on it to speed up delivery. REGISTER FORM FOR PATUMAN 3.11 NAME: FIRST LAST _________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS _________________________________________________ TOWN ZIP _________________________________________________ COUNTRY _________________________________________________ Please send the register form to: Mr. Patuman Ristolantie 1 A 2 00300 Helsinki Finland You may freely copy and distribute it, but NO fee beyond normal media, duplication, and shipping costs may be charged. We make NO warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitnes for a pacticular purpose. In NO event shall we be liable for any errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this documentation. RULES You are Patuman (the yellow guy) and duty is to collect all the pills in the labyrint. When you have eaten all the pills, you will enter another level and slightly different labyrint. Patuman adjusts the speed automatically. You can change the default speed and the sound setting from the control dialog ( which you can access by clicking the 'eye' or by pressing the c-key). You use the arrow keys to move Patuman around in the labyrint. The Monsters, bad guys, will try to eat you. In every screen there are also four bigger pills. When you eat one of the bigger pills the Monsters will turn pale (white) and you will be able to eat them. Eating one monster gives you 200 points. The second monster during same pill session will give 400 points. The third will give 800 and the fourth 1600 points. So its very profitable to eat as many monsters as possible. After a few moments Monsters will change the color again and they will begin to hunt you again. Time to time different objects will appear in the labyrint. Eating them will give you some extra points. You can pause the game by pressing left mouse button anywhere within window area. Press then SPACE to continue the game. By pressing the Ctrl-key, the game will immediately minimize to an icon. (might be a useful feature) CONTROLS Control window is accessed by pressing the "eye" just below the area where the points are or by pressing the c-key. In some machines it is not possible to count the starting speed accurately, so you can change it manually with the scroll bar in the control window. There is also Default button, which returns the speed back to initial setting. You can also restart the game whenever you want by pressing Restart button. Scores button allows you to view the high score table during the game.The "Efficiency" parameter indicates your monster-eating ability. The "Play time" indicates the time used for each game. The "Test always" radio button allows you game to estimate the correct delay in the beginning of each session. The "Use saved delay" radio button uses the previously saved delay instead of testing before each session. However, the game only saves its parameters after the game is finshed. So, if you end the program in the middle of the game, the parameters will not be stored.