\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
@c %**start of header
@setfilename ballandpaddle.info
@include version.texi
@settitle Ball and Paddle
@syncodeindex pg cp
@c %**end of header
@copying
This manual is for Ball and Paddle (version @value{VERSION}, @value{UPDATED}), 
which is a 2D game for GNU. 

Copyright @copyright{} 2007, 2008 Eric Hutchins

@quotation
Permission is granted to copy distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.  A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
License.''

(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to
copy and modify this GNU manual.''
@end quotation
@end copying

@dircategory Ball and Paddle
@direntry
* sample: (sample)Invoking sample.
@end direntry

@titlepage
@title Ball and Paddle
@subtitle for version @value{VERSION}, @value{UPDATED}
@author Eric P. Hutchins (@email{hutchiep190@@potsdam.edu})
@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
@insertcopying
@end titlepage

@contents

@ifnottex
@node Top
@top Ball and Paddle

This manual is for Ball and Paddle (version @value{VERSION}, @value{UPDATED}).
@end ifnottex

@menu
* Overview::
* Basic Gameplay::
* Controls::
* Blocks::
* Powerups::
* GNU Free Documentation License::
* Index::
@end menu


@node Overview
@chapter Overview

Ball and Paddle is a simple 2D game featuring balls, blocks, a paddle, and powerups. 
The field has walls on the top, left, and right, but not on the bottom. 
You control a paddle at the bottom of the screen in order to keep the balls from dropping off the bottom of the field and aim the balls to destroy all the blocks on the level. 

@node Basic Gameplay
@chapter Basic Gameplay
@cindex Bonus time
@cindex Balls
@cindex Levels

You start with a number of remaining balls. 

When the level starts, one ball will be on the screen. 
It will fall in a random direction and you will have to move the paddle to keep it from falling off the bottom of the screen. 
As you play, the ball will hit blocks. 
Some blocks can be destroyed by one hit while others take more. 
When all blocks that can be destroyed are gone, you will move to the next level. 

If all balls on the screen fall off the bottom then you will lose one of your remaining balls and the level will reset. 

During the level, a meter at the bottom of the screen will be slowly depleting. 
This is a bonus for finishing the level quickly. 
When you finish a level, you get the points for how much is left in the bonus meter. 

@node Controls
@chapter Controls
@cindex Controls

These controls work for keyboard and mouse. 

@table @dfn
@item Left
Move the paddle left. 
@item Right
Move the paddle right. 
@item Spacebar / Mouse-click
Special Action, like shoot lasers if you have laser or releasing balls if you have glue. 
@end table

@node Blocks
@chapter Blocks
@cindex Blocks
@cindex Blocks, reinforced
@cindex Reinforced blocks
@cindex Super reinforced blocks
@cindex Blocks, super reinforced
@cindex Blocks, invincible
@cindex Blocks, ball-eating

There are normal blocks, which can be destroyed by one hit, reinforced blocks which require two hits, and super reinforced blocks which require three hits. 

There are invincible blocks which cannot be destroyed. These are not required to be destroyed for the level to end since they cannot be destroyed. 

There are blocks that eat balls. These blocks look like holes. They can be destroyed by lasers or other balls if you have more than one. They are not required to be destroyed for the level to end since destroying them requires random powerups or losing extra balls. 

@node Powerups
@chapter Powerups
@cindex Powerups
@cindex Expand
@cindex Shrink
@cindex Divide
@cindex Laser
@cindex Glue
@cindex Powerballs
@cindex Reverse
@cindex Fast
@cindex Slow

@table @dfn
@item Expand
This powerup makes your paddle grow. It is represented by two arrows pointing outward. 
@item Shrink
This powerup makes your paddle shrink. It is represented by two arrows pointing inward. 
@item Divide
This powerup makes each ball into 3 new balls. It is represented by 3 balls. 
@item Laser
This powerup gives you a laser on the paddle. Press space or click to shoot. It is represented by a paddle with lasers coming from it. 
@item Glue
This powerup makes your paddle into glue, making balls stick to it. When they stick, press space or click to release the balls. It is represented by a letter G. 
@item Powerball
This powerup turns your balls into ``Powerballs,'' which mean that your balls can go right through normal blocks instead of bouncing off of them. It is represented by a yellow ball, the color of the powerballs. 
@item Reverse
This powerup makes the controls reversed. Left is right and right is left. This will change back if you get another reverse or if the level resets. It is represented by a letter R. 
@item Fast
This powerup makes the balls move faster. It is represented by a letter F. 
@item Slow
This powerup makes the balls move slower. It is represented by a letter S. 
@end table

@node GNU Free Documentation License
@appendix GNU Free Documentation License

@include fdl.texi


@node Index
@unnumbered Index

@printindex cp

@bye
