Read on for rules and game play, and finally the download link at the bottom of this page.
Author: IndigoTide
Category: Puzzle Type Game
Version: 1.0.0
Download: BlkHole.ZIP - 1.85 Mb ( 1,899,473 bytes)
Equipment: PC Compatible Running Windows
Documentation: Readme.Txt File Included. Built-In Help / Examples system.
Installation: Download and Un-Pack BlkHole.ZIP into it's own directory (20 Files), and Run Setup.EXE Skips installation of shared files if you already have a newer version installed on your computer. Self Registering. Start Menu Shortcut included.
Un-Install : Shared files Optional. Use Windows Control Panel Add / Remove Programs
Requires: Microsoft Windows
Visual Basic 4.0 Runtime Module (Included)
Hard Disk Space: 1.93 Mb (Installed) + 1.85Mb Zip File (Download)
Un-Zipping Software (Win-Zip, PK-Unzip, etc.)
Click on GAME NEW to reset for a new probe run.
Launch probes by clicking on one of the buttons surrounding the quadrant grid. The probe will enter the quadrant at the sector closest to the launch button selected. Once launched, the probe will do one of three things.
1. The probe may fall directly or indirectly into a black hole, in which case a red marker will be placed at the probe's entry point.
2. The probe may exit the quadrant at the same point it entered, in which case a yellow marker will be placed at the probe's entry/exit point.
3. The probe may exit the quadrant at a different point from where it was launched, in which case matching blue markers will be placed at the entry and exit points.
2. A probe may NOT travel past a Black hole that lies directly in FRONT of it's path. The strong gravity draws the probe straight towards the Black Hole. Once it passes the event horizon, it disappears down the gravity well in a blinding flash of light. Fortunately, you are too far away to see it, because if you weren't, your singleship is already too close to escape the strong gravity gradient.
3. A probe may NOT travel past a Black Hole that lies on either side of it's direct path. Instead, the probe's path is diverted 90 degrees away from the NEAREST CORNER of the sector containing the black hole. It turns BEFORE it reaches the Black Hole. Sometimes, the Black Holes cause the probe's course to change many times before falling into another Black Hole or exiting the quadrant.
4. If a probe simultaneously encounters Black Holes directly in front of it's path, and on either side or both sides of it's path, the Black Hole directly in FRONT of the probe will have the strongest attraction causing the probe to continue straight and fall in.
5. If a probe simultaneously encounters Black Holes on BOTH sides of it's path, but NOT directly in front of it's path, the probe's path is diverted 180 degrees and the probe returns to it's entry point.
6. Because of rule 3, a probe may NOT enter the quadrant at all if there is a Black Hole next to the EDGE of the quadrant on either side of it's entry point. The probe will exit where it went in.
7. Because of rule 4, a Black Hole at the EDGE of the quadrant directly in FRONT of the probe's path will still have the strongest attraction, overriding rule 6.
8. Use the Help / Examples to understand these gravitational effects more clearly. You can also do random sample runs and get all of the black hole locations and probe results to study until you get the idea.
Games with 4 Black Holes are usually a little harder to solve.
Games with 5 Black holes are the hardest. Very interesting patterns turn up.
It is not always possible to test the contents of every sector. Sometimes patterns can occur that may block or divert your probes.
Often, if you guess too soon, you find that there are other arrangements of Black Holes that also satisfy the probe results. You might need to launch an extra probe or two just to be sure which conditions are correct.
The trick to scoring high is to study the results carefully and select the best possible probe to launch next. Also, try to select the probe which has the best chance of yielding the most information.
On the other hand, you don't want to waste your probes either. Try not to launch any probes that might tell you information you already know, unless you really have to.
And finally, as a method of last resort when you have ruled out all other possibilities and nothing else seems to work, you just might have to make an informed guess.
Recommended: This program was virus free when it was uploaded to the server. As with any executable program that you download, or even if you get a copy from your best friend, there is always the possibility that one or more files may somehow have accidentally become infected with a virus somewhere along the way. It is your responsibility if you have any doubts, to use a virus scanner before installing this software.
Black Hole Program Copyright 9/16/96 - All Rights Reserved. All intellectual property rights shall remain the sole ownership of IndigoTide. This program shall not be sold or distributed for profit.
License: This program is FREEWARE, use it at your own risk. If you like it, please don't hesitate to share it with your friends. All I ask is that it be distributed FREE of cost, in it's ORIGINAL ZIP format, Un-Altered in any way. If you want, you can pay me back by sending your comments about the program to: webmaster@indigotide.com In no event will Web Designs By IndigoTide be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or other consequential damages for any use of this free software, including, without limitation, any lost profits, business interruption, loss of programs or other data, loss of images or web pages, loss of printed or electronic media, or otherwise, even if we are expressly advised of the possibility of such damages. This program is provided "As-Is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Any use of this software indicates your full acceptance of all terms and conditions of this software license.
