Colibricks frequently asked questions

Q: The display isn't smooth. The balls stutter a lot.
A: Colibricks normally has extremely fluent graphics.
- In MacOS 9 or earlier, there are two possible causes for choppy graphics:
1. Ram Doubler: try switching it off in the extensions manager control panel, and restarting.
2., VBL Sync on certain configurations. Try switching off "VBL Sync" in the settings menu.
- In MacOS X, the game should run smoothly since version 1.4. If it does get choppy, try closing some other applications. Background activity sometimes causes light chops.
If it still isn't smooth, please let me know! [email protected]

Q: What does "VBL Sync" mean?
A: If VBL Sync is on, Colibricks tries to synchronize the graphics with the position of the monitor's electron beam. This usually produces very smooth results, but on some combinations of computer/display, the timing is be a bit off, and it actually makes the game stutter. So if the motion isn't smooth, try switching this off. VBL sync does not work yet on MacOS X.
(VBL means "vertical blank", which is when the electron beam reaches the bottom of the screen)

Q: How do I register?
A: The easiest way is via the internet: "http://order.kagi.com/?3KQ". Otherwise, read the readme file for details on how to use the "Register" application that is included with Colibricks.

Q: Why should I register?
A: The demo only contains 6 levels of various difficulty. With the registration code, you can play all 50 levels. And it's only $16!

Q: Can I copy this game for my friends?
A: Yes, as long as you don't include your registration code. (And not the preferences file either, of course). You must also copy the three accompanying files: "Read me!", "FAQ", and "Register". The easiest way is just copying the original Stuffit archive, or otherwise the complete Colibricks folder.

Q: Can I include the game on a CD-rom (e.g. magazine CD, shareware collection)?
A: Yes, if it is clearly included as a free demo. You may not make money from Colibricks itself, but if it's just a small part of the CD, that's permitted (and encouraged). Of course it may also be included on software download websites.

Q: I can't even finish the demo. Why should I register then?
A: After the third level, the demo skips a lot of levels to give you a more complete idea of the game. In the full game, the difficulty goes up more smoothly after level 3. And you can activate the randomizer so you can play levels you normally wouldn't be able to reach. Also, training mode allows you to let the game go slower, or give you a bigger paddle, etc...

Q: Where did you get the fabulous backgrounds?
A: Most are from "http://imagine.metanet.com". They have a huge archive of free textures and even an excellent search engine (by color, type, quality,...).

Q: Where can I find a description of all the different bricks?
A: Activate balloon help and point at the bricks on the title screen. Balloon help also displays more information in the high score window. Balloon help does not work yet in OS X, but I'm working on it.

Q: How does the laser work?
A: Of course, you have to catch the red prize balloon first. Then, hold down the mouse button continuously to use the laser. If you keep "painting" the same brick, it will be destroyed after about half a second. Be careful: if you hit a ball with the laser beam, it is destroyed instantly. The same goes for prize balloons.

Q: The ball is moving left and right horizontally. It takes forever to get down. What can I do?
A: You can nudge the game using the space bar.

Q: One of the balls is moving extremely slowly. Is that normal?
A: When balls bump into each other, it is possible for one ball to become almost motionless. This could happen, for example, if it hits another ball exactly on its side. Or if a large ball hits a smaller one head on. If you still have other balls, just keep playing and try to keep this slow ball as an extra "insurance". If it's the last ball in play, you can use the space bar to give it a nudge.

Q: Wow! Look how fast those small balls are going. How did they get so fast?
A: If a small ball hits a larger one head-on, it will bounce back at much higher speed while the larger ball is only slowed down a little. They follow precise physical laws just like in real life. If you don't believe me, roll some real glass marbles of different sizes over a flat surface and experiment!

Q: Is there a limit to the number of times you can use the space bar? Can the game go "Tilt"?
A: No. But each time you use the space bar, all balls will go a bit faster. So if you use it too many times, the balls will go so fast you can't catch them anymore.

Q: When I catch a prize, nothing happens except for a popping sound.
A: You have to catch it with the top surface of the paddle. If you hit it with the side corners, the balloon pops and you lose the prize.

Q: When I catch a dark blue balloon, sometimes the paddle grows and sometimes it shrinks.
A: You have to keep track of which brick each balloon came from. It can help if you have a good look at the playing field before you start playing a level. Check if there are any "bad" prizes and make sure you keep an eye on those bricks. Also, a small paddle is not always a disadvantage!

Q: I hear voices laughing at me. Am I doing something stupid?
A: You hear this if you catch the prize that halves your points. It has the same light blue color as the doubling, tripling (etc.) prizes. But instead of multiplying the points you score, it halves them. Like in the previous question, try to keep an eye on the bricks that release these "prizes".

Q: I caught a magnet with the double paddle, and only one of the two halves gets the magnet. Is that normal?
A: Indeed. The prize only goes to the paddle that caught it. You can even have a magnet on one paddle and a laser on the other. When the paddles are re-united, the unified paddle gets the prize that had the most energy left.

Q: How do I save a game?
A: First pause the game, using 'P' or 'esc'. Then save from the Game menu. Saving only works in the registered version, and is disabled during training.

Q: Training is greyed out in the settings menu. What's wrong?
A: If a game is still in progress, you can't change training settings. You first have to abort the current game (from the game menu).

Q: I lost the last ball on level 15. But the high scores only show level 4!
A: The level number in the high scores says how many levels you played. So in the demo, or in a randomized game, level 15 could be the fourth level you play.

Q: How can I erase the high scores?
A: Delete the "Colibricks preferences" file in the preferences folder inside the system folder. You will have to re-enter your registration code and all settings will be reset to the default settings.

Q: I have registered Colibricks. Can I unregister it?
A: Only by deleting the Colibricks preferences file, in the preferences folder inside the system folder. This will also erase the high scores and reset all settings to their default values.When you copy Colibricks to another computer, it will automatically be a demo version again.

Q: I have multiple monitors. Can I play Colibricks on a different monitor?
A: Yes. Just move the title window onto the other screen and click play. You can even switch during pause, by moving the pause window onto the other screen. (If it doesn't work, e-mail me!)

Q: Where is the preferences file under MacOS X?
A: It is currently still in the Classic system preferences folder. In the rare case no Classic folder is found, the preferences are stored in the global MacOS X preferences folder (/library/preferences), if possible. (non-admin users can't create files there). I do plan to change this in a future version, but for the moment the Classic prefs folder seems like a good place because it's accessible by all users in MacOS X, and from MacOS 9 too.

Q: Do you have a Windows version of Colibricks?
A: No. But if you are an experienced Windows programmer and would like to port the game to Windows, contact me and we may be able to work something out.

If you have any other questions, please contact the author at:
[email protected]