SnakeMe

SnakeMe Manual.

The basic rules are very simple, there's a snake which has to eat apples
in order to grow and win points. You can already find this game on many
mobile phones and other shareware or freeware.

So, what is new and unique in SnakeMe?

First of all, it's a nice game with beautiful colors, and a very ergonomic
interface.

It's possible to play alone or with up to three other human players. But
there is no need of one computer for each player: it's possible to put
two players on the same keyboard, and the two other players can play on
joypads if there are some. A game can have a maximum of eight players,
so for example, if you're two human players, it possible to add up to 6
computer players (AI).

There is also a weapon, but be careful: there are not much munitions and
you have to collect them.

SnakeMe is a completely configurable game: you can choose your levels,
your snakes and the appearance you wish to apply to the chosen levels.
It's also possible to create your own levels thanks to a very easy to
use level editor. If you wish to design new snakes or level themes,
that's possible too with the small application Sprite Editor supplied
with SnakeMe. Of course, you can also download more snakes, levels, and
level themes from our site.


Main Menu :

 There are 5 buttons :

 Game :
   Lets you play SnakeMe.
 Controls :
   Lets you customize the keys with which you will play.
 Advanced Setup :
   Lets you customize many parameters of the game.
 Level Editor :
   Allows you to edit existing levels or to design your own ones.
 Quit :
   Exits SnakeMe.


Game Setup :

 There are 3 different sections in this screen :

   First, on top, you can choose the level (at left) and game theme
   (at right). Use the arrows to change your selection. You can play
   any level with any theme.

   Then, in the middle, there are 8 player configuration boxes.
   Each box lets you :

     Activate and inactivate the player, this is done with the green/red
     button. Green is activated, red is deactivated.

     Enter the player name, this is done by using the text input field.

     Choose the control mode, by clicking on the arrow picture.
       With 4 arrows, you control the snake in absolute mode, i.e.
       relative to the screen.

       With 2 arrows, you control the snake in relative mode, i.e.
       relative to the snake.

     Choose the player control, by clicking on the A, B, AI, A joy, B joy
     picture.

       In A mode, controls A are used. In B mode, controls B are used.
       You can configure the control keys in the controls section.
       For going to the controls section, click on the controls button on
       the bottom of the screen.
       In AI mode, an artificial intelligence (AI) controls the snake.
       In A joystick or B joystick (if available), you control the snake
       with the first, or second joystick.

     Choose the snake. Click on the arrow to select the snake.

   Third, on the bottom, you can either return to main menu
   (Cancel button), start the game (Play button), configure control
   (Controls button), or go to the advanced options
   (Advanced Setup button).


Play :

  On the top of the screen, you can see the different snakes that are
  playing, their names and their points. If a snake has collected bonus,
  a little blue bar appears under it's name. The longer the bar is the
  more bullets he has collected.

  When a snake reaches the number of points to win, the game is finished,
  and a screen appears with the score of each snake. If you wish to finish
  the game before a winner has been declared, type the ESC key.

  The way points are counted is defined in the advanced setup. You win
  points when you eat a meal bonus, when you throw a bullet in another
  snake, and when a snake crashes into your snake. You loose points when
  your snake gets cut by a bullet, and when your snake crashes into
  something.

  Have fun!


Controls :

  Here you can change the key for snake control. Click on a key, then
  enter the new key.

  There are two ways to control your snake: with the absolute keys or with
  the relative keys. With the absolute keys, if you push for instance the
  key chosen for "Absolute left", your snake will go to the left. But with
  the relative keys, if you push the key chosen for "Relative left", your
  snake will turn 90 degrees anti-clockwise. In the "Game Setup" screen,
  there is a button where you can switch between absolute and relative
  mode.

  The action button is used to fire the bullets you have collected in the
  game.


Advanced Setup :

  Here you can change advanced options for the game. With this, you can
  personalize the game-play, and have even more fun. Just move the bar to
  adjust your desired settings.

  Here's a little explanation for each setting :

  Game Speed :
    Changes the number of frames per second (fps).
  Default snake length :
    Changes the snake length when they appear.
  Increase snake length :
    Changes the size that the snakes grow each time they eat a meal bonus.
  Number of meal :
    Changes the constant meal bonus quantity that is in the game.
  Meal change time :
    Regularly, the meal bonus change their position. This changes the time
    between the movement of the meal bonus.
  Number of fire bonus :
    Changes the constant fire bonus quantity that is in the game.
  Fire bonus change time :
    Regularly, the fire bonus change their position. This changes the time
    between the movement of the fire bonus.
  Number of point to win :
    Changes the number of point you have to reach as first to win.
  Point got when snake eat meal :
    Changes the number of point you win each time you eat a meal bonus.
  Point got when snake hit :
    Changes the number of point you win each time you cut a snake with a
    bullet.
  Point got when another snake crash into :
    Changes the number of point you win each time another snake crashes
    into your snake.
  Point lost when crashed :
    Changes the number of point you lose each time you kill yourself or
    get killed.
  Point lost when hit :
    Changes the number of point you lose each time you get cut by a
    bullet.

    
Level Editor :

  Here you can edit a level. This editor is very easy to use, just as a
  paint program.

  First of all, you have to know that on the top right, there is a little
  help text that appears if you put your mouse over a button.

  On the top left there are six buttons :

    Exit
      Exits the level editor and returns to the game. If your level has
      not been saved, it asks you if you want to save it or not.
    Load
      Loads an existing level, so you can edit any existing level.
    New
      Creates a blank level.
    Save
      Allows you to save your level. If type the name of an existing level
      (or you click on an existing level), your theme will overwrite the
      other level without prompting.
    Theme
      Allows you to see what your level looks like with the chosen theme.
      But the chosen theme will not be attributed with your level: it will
      always be possible to play every level with every theme.
    Undo
      Allows you to un-do one action (and only one).

  On the top middle, there are four drawing tools: the first draws points,
  the second draws lines, the third draws rectangles, and the last fills
  the given zone.

  And on the top right, you can choose what you want to draw
  (nothing, an indestructible wall, or a destructible wall).


Contact :

  You can anytime drop us an e-mail to snakeme()ysagoon.com.

  For problems or questions, please be as precise and complete as possible
  in your explanations.

  Visit also our web page at http://www.ysagoon.com/snakeme.
  You'll find there the latest news about SnakeMe, and a lot of stuff,
  such as more snakes, levels, and level themes you can play with.


Credits :

  Game developing :
    Cecile Grivaz, Stephane Magnenat, Lynda Metref, Gabriel Walt.

  Many thanks to :
    Jacques-Paul Grivaz
    Luc-Olivier De Charriere
    Olivier Kaiser
    Sam Lantigua and the whole SDL team
    The Gentee team, and their Setup Generator
    And everyone who did GPL or LGPL work


Copyright 2000 http://ysagoon.com/
  Cecile Grivaz, Stephane Magnenat, Lynda Metref, Gabriel Walt