                        !MineSweep
                        ~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Peter Burwood  1992,1993,1994.

Please read the copyright notice at the end of this file.

About the game
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The !MineSweep application is a RISCOS compliant game with
full context sensitive help. (Use the !Help application).


Playing the game
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Double-click on the !MineSweep application directory icon
to load the game. Click SELECT on the icon, on the icon
bar to start the game, or MENU to select game options.

The object of the game is to uncover all the tiles on the
grid without getting blown up. The count in the top-left
of the window shows how many mines are left to be found
(but see later), and the count in the top-right shows the
time taken so far to clear the current grid. The time
starts running when the first tile is clicked.

The mines are hidden behind the tiles and when a tile is
uncovered (with SELECT) it will be replaced with a number
showing the number of mines around the tile (0-8) if there
isn't a mine behind the tile. If there is a mine behind
the tile then the game is over and all the mines are
uncovered.

When you are certain that a tile covers a mine you can
tick it (with the ADJUST button) which will reduce the
count of mines to find. This count therefore doesn't
really mean the number of mines left to find, because you
can tick a tile not covering a mine, but the number of
ticks still to place. The ticked state of a tile can be
toggled on/off with the ADJUST button.

The game is complete when all the clear squares are
uncovered, NOT when all the ticks have been placed. To
start a new game click on the face above the grid or
select a game size from the menu. The menu is available on
the icon bar and on the game window.

There are three pre-configured sizes for the game -
beginner (10x10), intermediate(16x16) and expert(30x16).
The best times achieved are recorded for these grids. You
can also play a user configured size, but the time is not
recorded for these sizes.
                 
Further help is available from the game itself since it
provides full context sensitive help to the !Help
application.

HINTS: If you get stuck on part of the grid then try
approaching the difficult area from another direction.


Copyright Notice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This program is Freeware. The author retains copyright.

Permission to use, copy and distribute this software and
its documentation for any purpose and without fee is
hereby granted, provided that this complete permission
notice appears intact in all copies and supporting
documentation.

This software is provided "as is". The author disclaims
all warranties with regard to this software, including all
implied warranties of merchantability and fitness, in no
event shall the author be liable for any special, indirect
or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever
resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an
action of contract, negligence or other tortuous action,
arising out of or in connection with the use or
performance of this software. The author does assure you
that the software in its current form contains no
deliberately destructive content, no viruses or worms,
harmless or otherwise.

If you wish to contact me, then I can be reached as follows:

Peter Burwood
205 Masons Avenue
Harrow
Middlesex
HA3 5AZ

Email: pjb@arcangel.demon.co.uk


Acknowledgements:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  Original concept --- "Mine Sweeper" by Microsoft.
