DOCUMENTS TO ATOMINO
====================

PSYGNOSIS AND THEIR MOLECULE MADNESS 
------------------------------------
Against the clock, you use your chemical tendencies to build molecules out of atoms provided. 
And don't be surprised if the very atom you DON'T need will be the one you're given to use next... 
Pray for a Joker Atom! 
If you don't look like a mad scientist now, you will by the time you've tackled ATOMINO! 

EXPLANATIONS 
------------
In ATOMINO your task is to combine atoms into molecules... Now, we all know that atoms are normally on the small side, and they appear to spend most of their time aimlessly flying around, a fact that complicates their handling. Therefore, in ATOMINO we have objects which look like atoms, smell like atoms, and, just like real atoms, have the capability of combining with one another. They are, to all intents and purposes, atoms - apart from the size factor, of course. 
These atoms have a valance (look it up) of one to four, i.e. they can combine with one, two, three or even four other atoms. 
Let me explain: Imagine these atoms as small, naked, spherical, swarming beings, each armed with up to four hands. When two swarmers shake hands (when two atoms combine), each now has one less free hand (henceforth, free hands will be called free combinations, otherwise this manual may begin to soundkind of silly...). 
A complete molecule is defined simply asa structure of atoms in which there are no more free combinations.
WARNING! For demonstration purposes only, this packaging contains some sample atoms in original size (find 'em if you can!). 

LOADING INSTRUCTIONS 
--------------------
Insert the game disk, with the correct side facing upwards, into your disk drive and type: 
LOAD"ATOMINO+4P /REM",8,1 
ATOMINO will now load and when it has finished loading type RUN and press [RETURN] to start the game. 
If a blue space ship appears on your screen, you know that you have loaded the wrong program. If, instead, you see the ATOMINO title screen, you have, amongst others, the following alternatives: 
1. Wait a moment before watching the demo game. Your computer plays ATOMINO all by itself, so you won't see a set sequence. 
2. Press the [H] key to activate the Help Function. Here your computer explains the basic principles of play. (CAUTION: You should nevertheless read this manual fully, as the Help Function leaves some questions unanswered - it's also taken us a lot of time to write, time we would have rather spent on the beach.) 
3. You want to play a game, so you press the FIRE button (joystick in port 2). 
4. You prefer to load the game with the blue space ship anyway. 
Other alternatives (such as having a cup of tea, pulling the cat's tail or searching through the ATOMINO pack for those sample atoms) are left entirely at your discretion. 

CONTROLS 
--------
[H] .......... Calls the Help Function 
[P] .......... Toggles pause mode on/off 
[RUN/STOP] ... Aborts current game (game must not be paused) 
The cursor is controlled with a joystick in port 2. To place an atom, press the FIRE button. Pressing [SPACE] rotates the combination by 90 degrees. 

STARTING THE GAME 
-----------------
If you selected item 3 (see above), you are presented with the following menu: 
1. MUSIC ON/OFF 
2. FX ON/OFF 
3. COLOR 1/2 
4. MODE A/B 
5. PASSWORD 
6. PLAY 

1. Music on/off during the game. 
2. Sound effects on/off during the game.
3. Color set 1 or 2 (only applicable to atoms). 
4. Game divided into levels or Free Game. 
5. Input password to begin play at a higher level. 
6. Begin play. 

Here you customize the game to your individual requirements: Select the desired menu item with the joystick and confirm your selection with the FIRE button. 

RULES 
-----

THE BOARD 
- - - - -
...offers room for 7 x 8 = 56 atoms. Topleft, above the board, is your current score. Underneath this is a status field which provides important information: 
SIZE: Minimum size of molecules to be constructed, measured not in inches or hectares, but in atoms. This indication is only relevant for game mode A. 
LEFT: Number of molecules still to be assembled in order to reach the next level (again only relevant for game mode A). 
SET: Current number of atoms on the board. 
EXTR: Indicates how big a molecule must be made in order to reach the Extra Round. 
To the right of the board is a pit into which atoms fall - slowly at first, but their speed increases as you progress through levels. It can contain up to sixatoms. The current atom is always the bottom one. 

GAME OVER 
- - - - -
The game is over when a seventh atom falls into the aforementioned pit. To avoid this, you must simply place atoms on the board at a sufficient rate. If you don't succeed, a different tune is played and the Game Over message appears. Press the FIRE button at this point and the title screen reappears or you may enter your name in the High Score table - this is saved to disk after pressing [RETURN]. 

CONSTRUCTION OF A MOLECULE 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Atom's free combinations are indicated by small stars (one to four - according to each atom's valence) - these rotate around the atom when placed on the board. When you place another atom directly next to, above or beneath it, the two atoms enter into a combination. Thus the number of free combinations for each atom is reduced by one. 
For example: 
----------------------------------------------
    X         I    X X X     I        X 
     2        I     2 4      I     2-4
      X       I    X X X     I    X X X
----------------------------------------------
A) You place  I B) You then  I  C) The atomsan 
atom with     I place an     I  combine. The
two free      I atom with    I  first atom 
combinations  I four free    I  placed now 
on the        I combinations I  has only one
board.        I right next   I  free 
              I to it.       I  combination 
              I              I  left, the 
              I              I  second atom 
              I              I  has three. 
---------------------------------------------- 
Whenever, through skilful combination of atoms, a molecule is generated, it is automatically cancelled from the screen. For example: 
---------------------------------------------- 
      X       I       X      I
     1        I    1 1       I     1-1
              I     X        I
---------------------------------------------- 
A) You place  I B) You then  I  C) The atoms
an atom with  I place a      I  combine and,
one free      I second atom  I  as there are
combination   I with one     I  no more free
on the        I free         I  combinations
board.        I combination  I  the molecule 
              I directly     I  is complete. 
              I next to it.  I
----------------------------------------------  
One further example: The molecule 
is complete and subsequently cancelled from the screen. 
----------------------------------------------
           I           I          I  X
  X X      I   X X X   I      X   I   2  
   4       I    2 4    I   2-4    I    X X
  X X      I   X X X   I  X X X   I   2-4
           I           I          I  X X X
---------------------------------------------- 
  X        I   X X X   I          I
   2       I    2 2    I   2-2    I  2-2
   I  X    I    I  X   I   I I    I  I I
   2-4     I    2-4    I   2-4    I  2-4 1
    X X    I     X X   I    X X   I   X X X
---------------------------------------------- 
           I    2-2    I   2-2    I The
   2-2     I    I I    I   I I    I molecule
   I I     I    2-4-1  I   2-4-1  I is 
   2-4-1   I     X     I     I    I cancelled
    X      I      1    I     1    I from the
           I       X   I          I screen.
----------------------------------------------  

THE CURSOR 
- - - - - 
...indicates how many free combinations the waiting atom (at the bottom of the pit) possesses. If the cursor is directly positioned next to a placed atom, lines indicate in which directionsthe atoms can combine. If there are several possibilities, you may modify the lines' directions by pressing [SPACE]. 
For example: 
---------------------------------------------- 
         Ix   I       xI     I        xI
      -O-O    I     -O-O     I      -O-O 
       Ix     I     xI  x    I      xI +x 
       O      I      O+1     I       O 1
----------------------------------------------
A) Several    I B) The       I C) By 
atoms are     I cursor is    I pressing 
already       I placed       I [SPACE], the
placed, but   I between two  I direction of
still         I atoms. A     I the 
possess free  I line (plus)  I combination 
com-          I indicates    I is changed. 
binations.    I that         I Placing the 
              I placing the  I atom now 
              I atom would   I will result 
              I result in a  I in an upward 
              I left side    I combination. 
              I combination. I
----------------------------------------------

EXCHANGING ATOMS 
- - - - - - - - 
Once an atom is placed, it is not irrevocably tied to its position (exceptwhen screwed down - see below). If you position the cursor on an atom that is already placed, it may be exchanged for the current one (at the bottom of the pit) by pressing the FIRE button. However, the original atom does not disappear, it reappears at the bottom of the pit and may again be placed on the board. 

JOKER ATOM 
- - - - - 
From time to time an atom appears in the pit which has no electrons and no determined number of free combinations. You may place this atom wherever you wish; it will fit perfectly into any position. However, it must be able to enter a combination in at least one direction, otherwise it will be immediately cancelled from the screen (with no score). 

EXTRA ROUND 
-----------
If you build a molecule which contains at least the number of atoms indicated in the status window under EXTR and if, after deleting this molecule from the screen, there are no more atoms on the board, you may play an Extra Round. 
To do this, the message "EXTRA ROUND?", which appears on-screen, has to be accepted within two seconds by pressing the FIRE button, otherwise the game continues normally. 
In the Extra Round the whole board is filled with atoms. You have all the time in the world to construct a molecule by exchanging these atoms. New atoms fall into the entry pit only after you have completed a molecule. The risk in the Extra Round exists in the possibility that (by mistake ... of course) you build only a very small molecule. This gets you into serious time problems whenc ontinuing the game as the screen is not cleared after this round - atoms not included in the molecule remain on the board. Therefore, the aim of the Extra Round is to combine all the atoms into one molecule. 

DIFFERENT PLAY MODES 
--------------------

MODE A - LEVEL-ORIENTED PLAY 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
If you select mode A, the computer gives you a task at the beginning of the game.Once accomplished, the next task (the next level) follows. Remember that a level is considered finished only when the board is empty. 
Example: You have the task of building 3 molecules. If after completing this task (i.e. after the deletion of the third molecule) there are still atoms on the board, you will be prompted to emptythe screen. Only then can you advance tothe next level. 
The tasks in more detail: 
CREATE x MOLECULES WITH AT LEAST y ATOMS
For levels which carry this task, you must construct the indicated number of molecules of a given minimum size. As soon as a molecule of the required size is ready, the value LEFT in the status window is decreased by one. On the first levels, the indication "WITH AT LEAST y ATOMS" will be missing as even the smallest molecules count. 
On higher levels, ominous blocks, where no atoms can be placed, appear on the board. These mysterious blocks are carried over into the Extra Round - if you get that far. 
COMPLETE THE GIVEN PATTERN 
Here your task is to insert a molecule into a given delimiting structure. To this end, a part of the board is filled with various bubbles, which have similar features to the above mentioned mysterious blocks. Atoms may be placed only in free positions within the structure. It is theoretically possible to fill the structure (delimited by the bubbles) with the atoms at your disposalas, in this section, atoms don't fall into the pit purely by chance. However, this is true only if you finish the molecule on your first attempt; if you build only parts of the structure and let the molecules disappear, the number and sequence of the next atoms will not fit the structure so conveniently. 
MAKE THE GIVEN ATOMS DISAPPEAR 
On levels of this kind some atoms are already placed on the screen. Contrary to normal atoms, these are fixed to the board by means of sub-atomic screws and cannot be exchanged. If you succeed in integrating all of the'screwed-down' atoms into a molecule, you'll probably get some extra points. The above mentioned ominous blocks can materialize on the board on these levels, too. 

MODE B - RIGHT DOWN TO K.O. 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
If you have selected this mode, your task is purely and simply to grab as many points as possible. Here, you won't encounter mind-blowing blocks, bubbles or screws. But, as time passes, new atoms fall into the pit at a steadily increasing rate. The Extra Round may be played in this mode, too. 

SCORING 
-------
You don't play ATOMINO just for the sake of it. Because in ATOMINO you can win something: Points! And lots of 'em. 
In mode B, for example, you gain ten points for every atom placed; for every molecule you create the number of atoms contained therein is squared. Your SCORE is displayed in the upper left corner of the screen. 
For a molecule constructed during an Extra Round, you get double points. 
Scoring is slightly different in mode A. Here you don't get points for placing an atom. If you have solved a level and still have to empty the screen, even finishing a molecule won't be rewarded. 
On levels where you have to rebuild a given structure, your score will be increased only after finishing the level, i.e. after rebuilding the structure completely. 

HOT HINTS 
---------
Playing ATOMINO requires a lot of quick thinking to succeed. On the first levels, you can still afford tactical blunders, but as you progress, the game gets less lenient. In order to avoid too much humiliation, consider the following hints carefully. 
Above all, remember (but don't repeat aloud in public places): 
"A Four on a border causes havoc and disorder." 
This is true, because a four-valence atom on a border can combine only in a maximum of three directions. The same is true for three-valence atoms placed in a corner. They will also keep at least one free combination. Therefore: 
"A Three in a corner makes you look for lorner (you try thinking up a word to rhyme with corner!)." 
In ticklish situations, borders can be used as "interim storage" (with low residual risk) for four-valence atoms. However, it is always best to try to integrate all arriving atoms into a permanent position within a molecule. 
In the following situations, four-valence atoms can easily be built in:
---------------------------------------------- 
I    I I      I     IxI      I      I I      I
I   -O O-     I    -O O-     I     -O-O-     I
I    I I      I     I I      I      I I      I
----------------------------------------------
A) Two        I B) One of    I C) At the 
unconnected   I the three-   I next 
three-        I valence      I possible 
valence       I atoms may    I beopportunity,
atoms are     I replaced by  I the second 
situated      I a four-      I three- 
next to       I valence one. I valence atom
each other.   I              I may also be 
              I              I exchanged 
              I              I for a four- 
              I              I valence one.
----------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------- 
I    -O-      I     -O-      I      -O-      I
I             I       x      I       I       I
I    -O-      I     -O-      I      -O-      I
I     I       I      I       I       I       I
----------------------------------------------
A) Starting   I B) The       I C) The 
situation.    I three-       I three- 
              I valence atom I valence
              I is exchanged I atom, thus 
              I for a four-  I freed, 
              I valence one. I replaces the 
              I              I two-valence 
              I              I atom. 
----------------------------------------------

Often different moves give the same result: 
Starting      I Solution     I Solution 
situation:    I nr. 1:       I nr. 2: 
----------------------------------------------
I    IxI      I     I I      I      I I      I
I   -O O      I    -O-O      I     -O O      I
I    I I      I     I I      I      I I      I
----------------------------------------------
To the left,  I It replaces  I The three- 
there is a    I the two-     I valence atom
four-valence  I valence      I replaces the
atom with     I atom. Now in I four-valence
one free      I this         I one. In this
combination.  I position     I case, too, 
Next to it    I there are no I there are no
there is a    I free com-    I more free 
two-valence   I binations    I combinations
atom with no  I left. The    I left. The 
free com-     I current atom I current atom
binations.    I now is a     I now is a 
The current   I two-valence  I four-valence
atom, which   I one.         I one. 
now has to    I              I
be placed,    I              I
has three     I              I
free com-     I              I
binations.    I              I
----------------------------------------------
In such a case you have to decide if, for your next action, you need a two- ora four-valence atom. 

Now some hints for the Extra Round. 
Above all, pay attention not to complete a small molecule by mistake. Take care that all atoms are linked in some way or other. Start by taking four-valence atoms off the borders and place them in the centre. 
The main problem in an Extra Round is one-valence atoms. They should be placedat the borders. 
---------------------------------------------- 
I   O-O-O     I    O-O-O     I    O-O-O      I
I   I I I     I     xI I     I      I I      I
I   O-O-O-    I    O-O-O-    I    O-O-O-     I
I   I I       I    I         I    I          I
----------------------------------------------
A) Starting   I B) It is     I C) The thus 
situation:    I placed in    I freed two- 
The current   I the corner.  I valence atom
atom is a     I              I replaces the
one-valence   I              I three- 
one.          I              I valence one.
----------------------------------------------

Another solution: 
------------------------------
I   O-O-O     I    O O-O     I
I   I I I     I    IxI I     I
I   O-O-O-    I    O-O-O-    I
I   I I       I    I I       I
------------------------------
A) Same       I B) By 
starting      I pressing 
situation.    I [SPACE], the 
              I one-valence 
              I atom will 
              I now be 
              I combined 
              I downwards. 
------------------------------

CREDITS 
-------
Idea: Game-O-Ware 
Elaboration: Play Byte/Blue Byte 
Manual: Uwe Beneke, Volker Struebing, Thomas Hertzler 
Programming: Tobias Herre 
Graphics: Uwe Beneke 
Music: Volker Struebing 
Copyright 1990 Play Byte/Blue Byte, Psygnosis Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Names and contents in this manual are not made up. Any resemblance to other persons would, though, be completely incidental and should be reported to your local hairdresser at your earliest convenience. 

REMEMBER CREDITS 
----------------
Tape original and documents supplied, freeze protection removed, trained, cheat mode found and passwords added by -JACK ALIEN-
Cracked and documents typed by -HOK-

IMMORTAL ANTIQUES 
-----------------
www.remember64.de 
...enjoy...