                               Uptris v1.00
                              SRM Productions
                           Copyright August 1993
                                     
        1.   What is it?
        2.   Requirements
        3.   How to Play
        4.   Scoring
        5.   Registering SUCKS!!!
        6.   Code for Sale
        7.   Distributing Information
        8.   About Author
        9.   Techie Trash
        10.  WARNING
        11.  How to reach me.
        12.  Breaking news on the latest upgrade!!!

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1.  What is it?

      You probably have already used the program since nobody seems to read
the  DOCs first!  (Including myself.)  Well, if you are reading this first,
here  is what you've received.  Uptris is a game which just happens  to  be
like an Upside down version of  Tetris with bombs.  If you are reading this
without using the "README.EXE" then you may want to go and try it.  It just
is  a  little  deal I made to make reading the DOCs a lot  nicer.   I  know
everybody  hates  reading  these things, and I really  hate  writing  them!
There  it  an  ANSI version  of this file "README.TXT" and the "README.EXE" 
which I created for reading pleasure (THE WAY ALL DOCs SHOULD BE!)

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2.  Requirements

     What's required you may ask? (Especially if it didn't work for you for
some  reason!)  Well, pretty much just a little memory, a 386-16SX  (faster
computers  make the screen loadings MUCH nicer, but not everybody  has  one
unfortunately  which makes programming a bigger pain), a VGA  graphic  card
capable  of  reaching  a  resolution  of  320x200  with  256  colors,   and
unfortunately there wasn't any Sound Blaster support due to the  fact  that
what I was using was found to not work with just "Compatible" cards.

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3.  How to Play

      The  basics  of  the  game are easy enough that  it  makes  the  game
enjoyable  for the idiots, twiddle fingers, and ones seeking some strategy.
Just  don't try to compete with scores, since the outcome is obvious.   The
board  is set with the main playing field to the left side where the pieces
are  sent up to its ceiling.  You are given formations called "pieces"  for
you to send to the top to create a complete row made up of multiple pieces.
Once you have a complete horizontal row filled, it will be removed allowing
all  other pieces below to fall up.  The object of the game is to  complete
as  many  lines  as possible before a pile occurs, reaching  the  top,  and
ending  the  game.  Scoring is in a different section for you to  look  at.
When  random pieces reach the top they stop on the journey up.  Pieces also
stop  if they bump into a previously set piece.  You can control the pieces
with  the arrow keys.  Left and right keys send the pieces in the according
directions.  The up key picks up the speed of the moving piece and pressing
down  rotates  the current piece within your control.  You can  clear  more
than  one  line  at  a time by filling more than one row  within  a  single
dropping  of a piece (if you are new to this, don't worry, just  play  it!)
Playing  with bombs adds a new twist.  If you recieve a bomb, you place  it
where  you could get the most use of it, and once it lands it will  destroy
everything within a space around it.  Experimenting with them is needed.

     To the right of the  playing field is a small box which containts  the
current  score and level being  played.  It also shows the next piece to be
sent out for you to  deal with.  These features may not be turned off,  and 
do not effect  your score.  Also there  is a little bar gauge which  starts 
off green, and fills a  little each time a row  is  completed.  If  it  the 
gauge  fills with  red, you  then  advance to  the next level for a  faster 
speed, a different background, a higher scoring level, and  a new gauge  to 
fill.

     By any chance you can't  understand my instructions, there is sure  to 
be somebody on your local BBS to help you out since millions understand the
concept.
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4.  Scoring

      Scoring in the game is pretty advanced.  For every line you  get  you
receive points.  You get more points the higher the level you are currently
on and the more lines you get simultaneously.

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5.  Registering SUCKS!!!

      Yes,  I  think the registering part of shareware is one of the  lamer
problems  with the idea.  I fully enjoy the shareware method, but most  all
of  us  take  advantage  of it more that is wanted from  the  Author.   The
shareware  idea  is to let the user try before they buy.  I  have  problems
dealing  with this since I don't want to pay for something I already  have!
So,  you  won't hear any registering nagging, etc. in this game.  I'm  just
trying  to push some other offers which may open your eyes.  Some of  these
offers  are:   different background screens from what  you  want,  personal
backgrounds,  and always the latest version of the program which  has  bugs
worked out and more features usually.  So, don't bother paying me for  this
software, but just consider looking into the other options.

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6.  Code for Sale

      Yes, if you are interested in creating games similar to this one, but
don't  know how here is an offer!  You can buy my Quick Basic 4.5  code  to
steal all of my great ideas.  If you want it, get in touch with me and  you
can  have  it for a cheap $25.  Nothing different...  Want it?   It's  your
choice!

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7.  Distributing Information

      DO  NOT ALTER THIS OR ANY FILES IF PLANNING ON DISTRIBUTING!!!   THIS
MEANS EVERYTHING!!!

      If  you  are a SysOp or a regular user, pass this sucker  all  around
please!!!  The more spreading, the more happier you will make me of course.
Upload it to your favorite place today.

      Are you one of those shareware distributors and want to distribute my
software,  I would be more than happy to help you out.  You may  distribute
it free of cost, but may not charge for it without my permission.

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8.  About Author

      Well, here is a little bio on me.  I'm currently 16 years of age,  so
any  thing  you can buy from me will help me a tremendous amount.   I  love
programming, and you probably have read this was made with Quick Basic 4.5.
I  currently only use it since this is the only language where I  can  just
concentrate on the project more than how I'm going to accomplish it.   I've
started from BASIC programming at the age of 5 on a C=64, and then moved my
way  through the MS-DOS BASICs to today.  I haven't had any formal classes,
but  have been self taught 100% by reading.  If you have some job  in  mind
for  me,  I would be very interested.  My projects lately are still  in  QB
although I know the fundamentals of C(++), and am trying to get experienced
with  it.   If  this reaches you, and  you are a programmer living  in  the
Stockton, Tracy, Manteca area get in touch with me please!!!

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9.  Techie Trash

      Do  not  remove or alter files with the DAT extension since  it  will
detect they are missing or modified and not run.  So far there doesn't seem
to  be any problems running the game within any GUIs like Windows yet.   If
you find any bugs, please tell me!

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10.  WARNING

      USE  THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK!  Like all other things, I'm going
to save my butt by just saying now that I'm not responsible for any damages
at  all!   With viruses and such you can't ever be 100% sure that  your  HD
won't crash.

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11.  How to reach me.

You can reach me at any of the following:

Mail:
Scott Merritt
16072 Tsirelas Drive
Tracy, CA  95376

Internet:
scottmerritt@delphi.com

Delphi:
scottmerritt

Phone:
(209)833-1209
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12.  Latest News on the latest upgrade!!!

        The new version has a large collection of backgrounds to use and and
little utility that allows you to easily change them.  Just run it once, or
us it to start the game.  Many different catagories.

PERSONAL BACKGROUNDS!!!  -  Want to put your own pictures within the game for
backgrounds?  Just send them to me in a popular graphic format (GIF, PCX, LBM,
BMP) and $10 for me to do the extra work.  Include them on a 3 1/2 or 5 1/4
floppy.  Remember that the game runs in 320x200x256 resolution.  If you are
puzzled about this, just call me.  Send them ON DISK!!!

New piece sets are included in the latest version.  Also a piece editor where
you can create your own set to play with.

If you are have found any problems, let me know.  Want to buy the rights to
the program for your BBS as a traveling game advertisment?  Just let me know,
because I can dealt with cheaply being a teen.

If you would like to take advantage of all these new features, either use the
BUY.FRM by filling in the blanks and printing it out or if you don't have an
order form, just send me a letter with what you want and the appropriate
amount.

Prices:

Upgrade   - $10
Custom Backgrounds (See Above!) - $10

I welcome any suggestions, and I hope I haven't missed any mistakes within
this thing, but who will look at it anyway (;

C-Ya
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