Matrix  Version 2.1  Documentation 1995
Copyright(c) 1994 Nocturnal Creations
	   
Nocturnal Creations
P.O. Box  138
Springfield,  MA   01151
United States of America

FAX (413) 543-9181
Voice (413) 543-3237
Compuserve -74734, 2203
AOL - Tim Truman          
Internet - TimTruman@AOL.com

<<  Table of Contents >>
<1> What's New
<2> System Requirements
<3> Getting Started
<4> Gamepad
<5> Mouse
<6> Keyboard
<7> Using The Options Screen
<8> Playing The Game
<9> Playing a Scenario
<10> The Menu
<11) Know the codes
<12> Running Under Windows 3.xx
<13> Trouble Shooting

----------------
<1>>> What's new
----------------
Matrix has a few new features and improvements. Here's a quick reference :

() Installation no longer required.
() Easier joystick/gamepad calibration.
() Play with numeric keypad.
() Improved graphics.
() Record Mode/Playback Mode.
() Improved help. 
() Special codes revealed.
() Documentation revised.
() Low Registration fee.
() Lower source code price.

() Saving Games : 
   Matrix has a new random number generater. Now when a game is saved
   the last piece in play will appear upon loading it. The sequence of
   pieces thereafter will be the same for that game.
   


--------------------------
<2>>>  System Requirements
--------------------------
An IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or a 100% compatible with at least 512K of system
ram, a VGA graphics card and at least 500k bytes of free hard disk space.
Recommend a 386 or higher processor.

----------------------
<3>>>  Getting started
----------------------  
To get started you simply enter in "Matrix" at the DOS command line,
including any optional switches you may wish to use. For a list
of command line options enter "Matrix /?" at the DOS prompt.

Matrix can be played with the keyboard, mouse, or a gamepad. Every aspect of
game-play is available and Matrix can be controlled with a single input
device. If you are required to enter a name, when saving a game for instance,
then the keyboard serves the purpose. If you get into a spot that your not
sure about go for the numeric keypad. And remember that the Esc key will get
you out of anyplace.

--------------
<4>>>  Gamepad
--------------
Because of the control the gamepad delivers it's the preferred input
device. The direction pad will move pointers, make menu selections, and
move play pieces. The buttons do the following :
	 
Button 1 - rotate piece counter clockwise / press option button
Button 2 - rotate piece counter clockwise / press option button
Button 3 - Escape / menu
Button 4 - Toggle slam mode

To use the gamepad for play enter "Matrix/g" at the prompt. Or press the F2
key during either the options screen or during the game.

If the game goes bezerk because of a bad calibration hold both button 1
and button 2 down simultaneously. This will force a recalibration.

------------     
<5>>>  Mouse
------------
If you prefer the mouse, move it to control pointers, move through
menu lists, and move play pieces side to side. The mouse buttons do
the following:

Left   - Presses buttons / Rotates play pieces clockwise
Right  - Drops play piece
Middle - Rotates pieces Counterclockwise (3 button mice only)


The mouse is automatically detected and available for play.
Move the mouse up and down and press the left button to make menu selections.

---------------    
<6>>>  Keyboard
---------------
The keyboard allows access to some of the games other features.
And of course, you can play the game with it too. Here's what the
keys do :
     
Esc   - Menu
F1    - Help 
F2    - Activate / Calibrate gamepad or joystick
F3    - Awesome screen saver
F4    - Shell to DOS
F12   - Radical quit to DOS (Here comes the boss!)

Insert    -  Toggle slam mode  (pieces land fast!)

  /       - Menu   
  8       - Rotate play piece clockwise
4 5 6     - Move left , rotate piece or press button , move right
  2       - Move down
 0 .      - Toggle slam mode, Toggle sound on/off

  /\
< \/ >    - Move play pieces ,pointers, and make menu selections
		     
Spacebar   -  Presses buttons , Rotates play pieces clockwise.

-----------------------------
<7>>> Using the option Screen
-----------------------------

Use your preferred input device to move the cursor around and make your
selections. Here's what the buttons will do:
       
    Scenario     - Load a preconfigured game.
    LoadGame     - Play a game that you saved earlier.
    Play Demo    - Play a demo file.
    Record Demo  - Record a game to review later.
    Slam         - Set slam mode on or off
    Level        - Select the level you wish to start playing at.
    Handicap     - Fills the play pit up with selected amount of rows.
    Piece Type   - Carved or block type pieces can be played with.
    Pit color    - Pieces can change color when they hit bottom.
    Sound Mode   - Too loud ? Turn off the sound !
    Play Matrix  - Start the game with the selected options.

    Palette      - Move the cursor above the 'Play Demo' button and press.

Personal Favorite: Load in the darkcent palette. Select carved type pieces
                   and a multicolor pit. LightBrites!

----------------------
<8>>> Playing The Game
----------------------

Try to get the falling pieces to fit as best as you possibly can to form
complete rows in the pit.

The gamescore is calculated from a combination of several variables. The
level, what row the piece lands in, and how lines are cleared.

Points are given every time a piece lands in the pit. The higher the level
and the higher it lands the more points received. The score received is
indicated to the right of the pit at the row the piece landed.

Every 30 lines that are cleared increment the level by 1 and the amount of
time it takes for the pieces to drop is decreased. When a level change occurs
bonus points will appear at the bottom of the pit and add to your score.
Bonus points are calculated by the following line clears :

   Number of Lines cleared      Called       Points
   ------------------------------------------------
                   1           Single       100    
                   2           Double       400
                   3           Triple       900
                   4           Matrix       2500

Obviously more Matrix's means higher bonuses adding to the score. Strive
for these if you can.

If you see the pit flash at any time during the game you have beaten the
current highscore. 

When you can no longer stack pieces within the confines of the pit the game
is over. If you have beaten a highscore you will be able to enter your name
in the Matrix Hall of Fame.

Pressing the escape key at any time during the game will bring up the Menu.


------------------------
<9>>> Playing a Scenario
------------------------

The game changes a little if you load a scenario. Try and remove all the
blocks with an 's' in them. Accomplish this using as few pieces as possible.
If the top of the pit is reached the game will be over. But if you can
clear the marked blocks out of the pit and have done so in fewer moves than
an opponent, you can enter your name in this scenario's low score screen.
(the lower the score the better). By the way, each scenario has it's own
low score screen.
 
Pressing the escape key at any time during the game will bring up the Menu.

--------------
<10>>> The Menu
--------------
Pressing the button 4 on the game-pad or the escape
key brings up a menu. From this menu you can :

() Escape to DOS
() Save the current game (during game play only)
() Restart Matrix
() Return (leave menu with no action )

If you select the "Save Game" option and you will be asked to enter a name
to save the game under. Enter your name or something like that. When
finished you will be returned to a paused game . Press any key to get it
started again. Later, you can load the saved game from the option screen.


---------------------------------
<11>>> Know the Codes
---------------------------------
 During the game you can enter codes ! 

 During the game type in 'single'. If you make a mistake hit enter to clear
 the code reader and type it in again. Make sure the Caps Lock is off.

 Here are some of the things codes will do with the the registered version of
 Matrix.
 () Move pieces upwards
 () Stop the pieces from dropping
 () Matrix line clears
 () Add points to your score
 () Start the credits screen
 () Password protect this area
 () More!

---------------------------------
<12>>> Running Under Windows 3.xx
---------------------------------

Although we don't recommend doing so we have included configured pif files
to run Matrix as smoothly as possible. There are icons for each of the
programs included also.

-----------------------
<13>>> Trouble Shooting
-----------------------
		      
P - problem
S - possible solution
  
P. Any of the problems below or otherwise.
S. Try quitting Windows and starting Matrix from DOS.

P. Pieces flip on there own when using the keyboard.
S. (1) On slower computers keyboard presses cause the gamepad values to
       change. Use the gamepad or start Matrix without enabling it.
   (2) Something is running in the background in windows. Quit windows
       and start Matrix from DOS.

P. Gamepad buttons don't seem to act correctly.
S. Make sure controller switches are set correctly. For right hand operation
   the cable should be at the top. Set the top switch away from cable and
   the bottom switch towards the colored buttons. Lefties turn the gamepad
   so the cable is at the bottom. Set the top switch toward the colored
   buttons and the bottom switch toward the cable.

P. Gamepad acts erratically.
S. Hit the F2 key to recalibrate the gamepad. If keyboard input is
   impossible hold both button 1 and button 2 simultaneously.

P. Gamepad action is jerky.
S. (1) Quit Windows and start Matrix from DOS.
   (2) The turbo button was hit during a game.

P. Screens disappear before they can be read.
S. (1) Press the F2 key to recalibrate the gamepad.
   (2) Don't move the mouse, hold down on the gamepad or press the keyboard. 
   (3) Use the 'm' switch to disable the mouse

P. Demos stop playing or don't play back correctly.
S. The file is probably corrupted.Erase it and make a new one.
   Recording a demo with windows running probably being the culprit.

P. Problems with mouse.
S. (1) Try an different or updated mouse driver.
   (2) Use the 'm' switch to disable the mouse.


