Vesware (R)

Veshtzee Version 2.0 6/1/02: Multi Player Yahtzee game.
by Ves Sladin
www.vesware.com
bozjidar@attbi.com

This software was written using Delphi Version 6.0.
It's internal design is Object Orientated using custom Classes and VCL.

Standard Yahtzee rules apply to play, including bonus Yahtzee.  See
the scoring section later in this document for details on bonus Yahtzee
specifics.

******** What's New *********
The game is entirely redone from the last version (1.2):
- Dice look like dice, not just boxes with numbers.
- Sound has been added for rolling and scoring.
- Number of players is unlimited.
- High scores for each player are now saved and viewable.

******** How to Play - Short Instructions ************

Click File, New Game.
Add/Delete players from the player list.
Select the palyers that will be playing.
Click Done.
Click the Roll Button to roll the dice.  Maximum three rolls per turn.
Click on any dice to save it.
Score by clicking in the 'Actual' column, next to the line you want to score.
Dice will automatically clear and the scorecard will flip to the next 
player if there is more than one.


********* How to Play - Long Instructions *************

When the game starts up the window will be blank except for the
menu items.

** Starting a New Game **
Click on the File menu and choose the 'New Game' option.

** Players Dialog **
The Players dialog allows you to completely manage your player list
and select the players for the current game. Also, the players shown 
in the list will have their high scores saved as long as they remain
in the list.

  Add Name To List - Adds the name typed into the box, directly above, 
                     into the Player Selection List directly below.
  
  Player Selection - To select the players for the current game use the
                     standard Click/Ctrl-Click/Shift-Click key and mouse
                     combinations.  All names highlighted will be in the
                     current game.
  
  Done - Click Done when you're finished with the Players dialog and/or are 
         ready to start the game. If you make no selection, the game will
         not start.
  
  Clear All - Clicking this button will erase the players from the List
              and any record of their high games.
  
  Clear Selected - Clicking this button will erase the selected players
                   from the List, and any record of their high Scores.

** Active Game Window **

There are four areas on the screen to be aware of:
- Roll Button and Counter
- Dice
- Scorecard
- Player/Score Viewer

  Roll Button and Counter - This is the button at the bottom of the blue
                            area on the screen.  To roll the dice you
                            click on it.  It will show you which roll
                            you're about to take, and will disable when
                            you have to score (after 3rd roll).  You also
                            use the same button to pick up dice you will
                            not be saving. 

  Dice - Five dice will display when you click the Roll Button. They
         can be moved back and forth between the 'Rolled' column and 
         'Saved' column by clicking on the die.  What ever dice are
         not in the 'Saved' column will be picked up and re-rolled.

  Scorecard - The scorecard has three columns:
     Column 1 - Shows the current player, possible dice combinations, and 
                which rows are the subtotals and totals.
     Column 2 - Shows the Maximum possible score for any dice combination
                and the highest possible scores (like if you got Yahtzee
                every time you rolled).
     Column 3 - The actuals column is where your scores will be displayed
                and where you chose which line you want to score.

  Player/Score Viewer - Directly below the main scorecard are two windows
                        with selector arrows.  This allows you to view
                        the current score of any player at any time during
                        the game. The player displayed here has no effect
                        on the main scorecard.

** Scoring a Line **
Assuming you've rolled three times and/or you have a dice combination you 
want to score, first click in the third column next to the line you want
to score and then press the Enter key. A score will be entered in that box.
If the dice combination did not match up with the line you scored, then
the entry will be a '0'.

After you score a line and the score is displayed, the screen will
automatically switch to the next player; after a brief delay.

A note regarding Veshtzee (Yahtzee, Five of a kind).  The first Veshtzee is 
scored in the normal way.  When scoring a second or greater Veshtzee be 
aware of the following.  The second or greater Veshtzee will score it's self.
Your job is to decide what else you want to score.  You can score any of the
lines in the lower part of the scorecard (starting with three of a kind
and below).  Also, you can score any of the top six lines, as long as your
Veshtzee matches the line you're scoring.  For example, if you rolled five
two's, then it would be valid for you to score the two's line.  You can't 
score any of the other lines in the top section.

What happens if you have a second or greater Vehstzee and you have no other
lines you can score?  For example, you rolled five sixes, but your sixes
line is already scored.  Your only option is to proceed with the game, so 
just click on any line and press the Enter key.  The line you clicked on will
not be effected.  Only the Veshtzee line will score.

** Menu Options **

The main menu has the following options:

File, New Game - Starts a new game.
File, Exit - Exits game.
Sound - Toggles sound off and on.
Scores - Shows you current players on file and their highest scores.
Help, About - Standard About dialog.
                


Coming Improvements

Well, I think the next major version of this game is going 3D.  If
nothing else, I'd at least like to see the dice 3D if not other 
elements of the screen.

If you have suggestions or comments, they are always welcome.  
Just send me an email at bozjidar@attbi.com.


Shareware

This software is shareware. If you find it enjoyable, and are 
willing to pitch in some money toward further development, 
send me an email.  I'll send you my address and you can send 
me a check for $10.  How's that?  Also, I'll put your email on 
my mailing list and automatically send you revisions.  You can't 
beat that for $10.. can you?

If you make copies and pass them along, please keep this file 
along with the others.

Revision Record
Version 1.0 11/14/01 Initial Release

Version 1.1 11/29/01
Added color to score boxes and background.
Changed dice so they move home automatically after scoring.
Made the game multiplayer; also added Current Player and 
All Player Scores

Version 2.0 6/1/02
Complete redesign of game.  Added sound, real looking dice,
and the ability to automatically save all players high scores.
