
                   -= SHOGATSU =-

            Copyright 1991, by Alan Meiss


                    Instructions


     SHOGATSU is a strategy game of matching tiles
played on a board of 12 by 8 squares. There are 72 game
pieces of 6 different colors and 6 different patterns,
with two of each particular tile present in the deck.
The object of the game is to fill the board by placing
tiles one at a time, with each new tile matching the
color or pattern of the tiles above, below, left and
right of it.  The more matches are made by a move, the
more points are scored.  Play continues until all tiles
have been used or there are no possible moves.
     The current tile to be played is shown in the box
in the upper left of the screen.  Move the box cursor
around the board with the arrow keys and press either
Enter or the space bar to drop the current tile in an
empty and legal space.  Tiles may only be placed in
legal spaces, where each tile around them matches
either the color or the pattern (letter).  (Diagonal
matches do not count).  Scoring is as follows:

       Matching a color:        1 point each
       Matching a pattern:      1 point each
       Matching two tiles:      1 point bonus
       Matching three tiles:    2 point bonus
       Matching four tiles:     8 point bonus!

To receive a bonus for three or four tiles, the new
tile must be placed in the center of the others,
rather than added to the edge of a block made earlier.
     Special function keys are shown in the lower
left of the screen, with the following choices:

        F1:   Calls up this help screen.
        F2:   Toggles the sound off and on.
        F3:   Takes back the last move made.
        F4:   Indicates all legal places the
               current tile may be placed with
               blinking squares.
        F5:   Clear the board for a new game.
        F6:   Show the high scores.
        F7:   Quit the game.

     SHOGATSU was written in Turbo Pascal 4.0 on
12/21/90 by Alan Meiss.  The game is distributed as
shareware; feel free to enjoy it and give copies to
friends.  If you like the game and wish to encourage
work by the author on more fun programs, a donation
of $5 is requested at the address below.  Have fun!

         Alan Meiss
         2626 Parkwood Drive
         Speedway, IN  46224

