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Interplay Productions - Virtual Snooker Demo - Celeris, Inc.
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This file contains important information about the Virtual Snooker Demo.
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Configuring the Virtual Snooker Demo
======================================
From the directory containing the Virtual Snooker Demo, type SNOOKER
to begin the game. The first time you play snooker, a configuration
program will allow you to set up Snooker to run on your system.
Follow the on screen instructions to set up your video driver, sound
card, and mouse (if necessary).
If you wish to run the configuration program at a later time, just run
CONFIG.EXE from the directory containing the Virtual Snooker Demo.
===============================
The Rules of Snooker - In Brief
===============================
Snooker is played on a table very similar to a Pool table, but it is
longer, wider, and has tighter pockets.
Each player has a ball 'on' which must be the first ball hit during that
player's turn. The current ball on is shown in the status bar next to
the player's name. If the player pots (pockets) the ball on, the player
is granted another shot and the point value of the ball on is added to
the player's score.
The balls in Snooker score as follows: Red 1, Yellow 2, Green 3, Brown 4,
Blue 5, Pink 6, and Black 7.
As long as there are red balls on the table, the player's turn begins with
Red as the ball on. If that red is potted, the player gets to choose a
color as their next ball 'on'. If that color is potted, the player's next
ball on is red again. So the player's turn consists of alternately hitting
in reds and colors.
The red balls remain off the table when they are potted. The colors are
spotted back on the table at their 'spots' (the position where they are
racked). When all the reds have been potted and only colors remain on the
table, the colors are potted in ascending order according to their value.
When the last ball is hit in, the player with the highest score wins.
Fouling is an important part of Snooker. The most common fouls are:
hitting a ball that is not on first, hitting the cue ball into a pocket,
and not hitting any ball on the table. Most fouls score either 4 points
or value of the ball fouled on, whichever is higher. This score is added
to the opponent of the player committing the foul. It is therefore possible
to increase your own score by playing the cue into a position where your
opponent fouls.
If you leave your opponent in a position where they have no direct shot
on their ball on, then you have 'snookered' your opponent. It often
happens that at the end of the game, one player is so far behind in points
that they have no choice but to attempt snookers in order to win the game.
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Electronic Registration
=========================
Please register the Virtual Snooker Demo. Its easy and it gets you all
kinds of free stuff:
* Save up to 40% off retail prices.
* Buy and play our newest releases before others.
* Get information about new product developments.
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Ordering Information
==========================
The full version of this product will be available at major retailers.
Mail order is not available in the UK at present. For distribution
details please call Interplay Productions Ltd on +44 (0) 1628 423666
or fax at +44 (0) 1628 423666.
For information in the US, please call 1-800-INTERPLAY.
Look us up at our World Wide Web Site (see below).
=================================
Interplay's World Wide Web Site
=================================
Interplay's World Wide Web site is an Internet service designed to give
you the latest information about Interplay and our products.
The site features our demos, upgrades, product information and ordering
information.
From your Internet account, point your favorite browser to:
http://www.interplay.com/
========================
Memory Managers
========================
The Virtual Snooker Demo does not require a memory manager, but should
run ok with all of them in most configurations.
You may have problems running the Virtual Snooker Demo with QEMM.
To disable QEMM, push ALT while the system is booting.
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Sound Cards
========================
The Virtual Snooker Demo only uses Sound Blaster digitized sound for
effects during the game. If you have a different sound card, make sure
that its Sound Blaster emulation is turned on. Also, make sure that
the BLASTER environment variable contains the correct settings. See
your sound card's installation procedures for more information.
Some older sound cards users may not get music when playing the Virtual
Snooker demo.
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Video Drivers
========================
The Virtual Snooker Demo can be run at higher resolutions with the 3DVX
video drivers. The drivers are graphics chip specific.
You should choose the driver which provides you with the highest
resolution possible and still maintains a rapid update rate. You
can turn off the room background or make the window smaller to increase
the frame rate. Higher resolution drivers require more video memory.
See the Memory Requirements section below. Current revisions of drivers
do not check how much memory is on the card; so if it doesn't work try
a lower resolution.
If you don't know what chip is on your video card, try using
auto-detection in the config program. This program is not
guaranteed to properly identify all chips. If you can't
run with the driver selected by auto-detection, try pulling
out your video card and looking for a name and id on the
graphics chip. The graphics chip will usually be the largest
chip on the board.
If a chip specific driver does not work, try the VESA Planar Multi Page
driver. If that does not work, use the VESA Linear Single Page driver.
If all else fails, use the VGA driver.
Video memory requirements for drivers:
320x240 VGA driver 256 KB
640x480 3DVX chip specific drivers 1 MB
1024x768 3DVX chip specific drivers 2 MB
640x480 VESA Planar Multi Page 1 MB
1024x768 VESA Planar Multi Page 2 MB
640x480 VESA Single Page 512 KB
1024x768 VESA Single Page 1 MB
New drivers will be made available on the Interplay BBS (see below).
There are hardware bugs in some early versions of the S3801/805 chipsets.
You may see pixels reversed in columns on the screen. The accelerator
may not work on some chips. There is no fix for these bugs.
The ET4000/W32 Accelerated chip will not work under WINDOWS. If you
have a video card with this chip use the non-accelerated driver for Windows.
Note that there is a different driver for the ET4000/W32P version of the
chip. The ET4000/W32 driver will not work for the P version.
If there isn't a driver for your board, let us know by posting a message
on the Interplay BBS. If we get a sufficient number of requests for a
chip, we'll try to write a driver for it. ISA graphics boards will not
be supported because they lack the necessary performance at high
resolution.
The movie player uses a VESA mode. If you can't play movies and get a
message that the graphics mode can't be set, try installing a VESA
driver.
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Modem Play
========================
The Virtual Snooker Demo supports remote play over telephone modem. If you
can't CONNECT or lose connection frequently, you can try changing the
modem init string in MODEM.INI.
The modem init string currently sends a "Z" command which loads
a user defined setting stored in ROM. If this does not work try
replacing the "Z" with a "&F". This will load a factory default
setting.
Some US Robotics modems will need an "&F1" instead of "&F".
If you still have trouble the following info may help.
Modems need to talk to the Virtual Snooker Demo with hardware flow
control and a fixed baud rate between the computer and modem. Check
to see if there is an option for setting the communication
flow control and/or baud rate between the computer and the modem. Many
modems have default setup templates specified by:
&F0, &F1, ..,&Fn.
One of these may work.
=======================
Running under Windows
=======================
To play the Virtual Snooker Demo under Windows, open a DOS BOX, go to
the Virtual Snooker Demo directory and type snooker.
======================
Known Windows Problems
======================
The ET4000/W32 Accelerated Chipset will not work under WINDOWS. If you
have a card with this chipset use the non-accelerated driver if you are
running under Windows.
Some older Sound Blaster and Media Vision cards will not function under
WINDOWS. If you're having problems getting the sound to work while
playing from WINDOWS, and are getting a "sound device in use message",
close any application that may be using sound. If you still get the
message, the problem is a sound driver bug. You can probably download an
updated sound driver from your board manufacturer. Creative Labs has a
new driver for older Sound Blaster cards.
========================
Known Problems
========================
There is an existing bug with the remote communications code: some users
may experience a loss of computer synchronization or complete crashes if
the Match Goal is changed after a match has begun. The best way to get
around this problem is to change the Match Goal as soon as you connect
or to only change the Match Goal between matches.
This bug is known and will be fixed for the Full Release of Virtual
Snooker.
========================
Technical Support
========================
European Inquiries: Call Interplay Productions on +44 (0) 1628 423666
or fax at +44 (0) 1628 423777.
Problems? Call Interplay Technical Support at 714.553.6678 or call one
of the services listed below:
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Interplay BBS
========================
Interplay operates a Multi-Line BBS running WildCat! Software for
Customer Support, Questions, and game fixes. The number is 714-252-2822.
Modem settings are 300-28.8k, V.32, V.42, 8-N-1. This is a FREE service.
After logging onto the Interplay BBS, join the Virtual Snooker Conference,
(conference 7). To do this from the MAIN MENU, first type "M" to switch
to the MESSAGE MENU, then type "J" for "JOIN," then enter "7" to join
Conference 7. Once you have switched to the Virtual Snooker Conference you
can (R)ead Messages left by others, (E)nter New Messages to our resident
Virtual Snooker Expert, and even download additional trick shots, (if you
have the CD-ROM version of Virtual Snooker).
To Download Files, join Conference 7 as described above, type "F" for the
FILES MENU, and then enter "L" to LIST the available files in this area.
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IMPORTANT NOTE
========================
Different File Areas are available depending on which Conference you are
currently in. If you're looking for Virtual Snooker files, be sure to
(J)oin Conference 7 BEFORE you enter the (F)ile Area.
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America Online
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From AOL you can e-mail Interplay Customer Support at IPTECH. To reach
our customer board in the Industry Connection, press CTRL-K for "Go to
Keyword." Then type INTERPLAY in the keyword window. In addition to
reading and leaving messages, you can download fixes and demos from the
"Software Libraries."
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CompuServe
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On CompuServe we are located in the Game Publishers B Forum. Just type
GO GAMEPUB at any ! prompt. Then select section 4 for Interplay
Productions. You can leave technical support questions there. You can
also download fixes and demos from Library 4 in the GAMEPUB. The best
place for game play hints is in the GAMERS forum, (type GO GAMERS).
If you are not already a CompuServe member, you can call CompuServe toll-
free at 1-800-524-3388 and ask Representative #354 for a free
introductory membership and a $15 usage credit.
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GEnie
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We are located in the Games RoundTable hosted by Scorpia. To get there,
type M805;1 at any ? prompt. Then select "Category 13" for Interplay
Productions. Demos and patches are available in the Libraries.
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Prodigy (r) Interactive Personal Service
==============================================
You may send e-mail directly to us from Prodigy at ID PLAY99B.
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Internet
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You can reach Interplay Technical Support over the Internet by addressing
e-mail to: support@interplay.com
Many Interplay demos and patches are also available at Internet FTP
sites.
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Software Use Limitations and Limited License
================================================
This special "11-points-wins" preview version of Virtual Snooker (the
"Software") is intended solely for your personal noncommercial home
entertainment use. You may not decompile, reverse engineer, or
disassemble the Software, except as permitted by law. Interplay
Productions and Celeris retain all rights and title in the Software
including all intellectual property rights embodied therein and
derivatives thereof. You are granted a revocable, nonassignable limited
license to create derivative works of this Software solely for your own
personal noncommercial home entertainment use and may publicly display
such derivative works to the extent specifically authorized by Interplay
in writing. A copy of this authorization, if any, will by provided on
Interplay's World Wide Web site, and may also be obtained by contacting
the legal department at Interplay at (714) 553-6655. The Software,
including, without limitation, all code, data structures, characters,
images, sounds, text, screens, game play, derivative works, and all other
elements of the Software may not be copied (except as provided below),
resold, rented, leased, distributed (electronically or otherwise), used
on a pay-per-play, coin-op, or other for-charge basis, or for any
commercial purpose. You may make copies of the Software for your personal
noncommercial home entertainment use and to give to friends and
acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis. This limited right to
copy the Software expressly excludes any copying or distribution of the
Software on a commercial basis, including, without limitation, bundling
the product with any other product or service and any give away of the
Software in connection with another product or service. Any permissions
granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be withdrawn by
Interplay Productions at any time. All rights not expressly granted are
reserved.