CASCADE

Now released as open source software under GNU GPL3 license.

Download from vogons.org:

(source + exe, 48k)

Or download zip from github:
https://github.com/orac81/miniapples/raw/main … c-cascade20.zip

Technical notes and compiling for modern PCs

CASCADE is a classic strategy game for MSDOS from the 1990s. It can run on nearly any classic PC, from XT/8086/CGA up to Pentiums with VGA graphics. It uses some simple VGA hardware assisted scrolling effects.

The code shows some of the hardware tricks and hacks programmers from this era used.

For most users on modern PCs, I very strongly suggest using an emulator like DOSBOX for MSDOS programs like this, it is much "safer" than running under MSDOS directly.
The program isnt very demanding in terms of processor speed.

You will find C the source code supplied in the zip archive, to compile you will need Turbo C 2.0 (or 3.0.) It was released by Borland as a free download.
(Try the links at the end of the Turbo-C wikipedia page)

A batch file TCMAKE.BAT is included, under MSDOS (or DOSBOX) compile with:

tcmake d:\progs\tc2 cascade -ms -Z

Obviously change the correct path "d:\progs\tc2" for Turbo C for your PC.
Commands for paths for LIB and INC might need adding for TC3 or other Borland compilers. It should be possible to adapt the code for Microsoft C, Watcom C, Pacific C, or recent GNU 16 bit compiler conversions, although some work will probably need doing on Turbo-C syntax for things like BIOS calls, etc. If i get time i will test this.
When compressed with lzexe the program is a mere 17k.

CASCADE is a re-write of a PET program of mine, which was published in Commodore Computing International in Nov 1982.
https://commodore.bombjack.org/commodore/maga … ational/cci.htm

ORIGINAL PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS

Like all the best strategy games, CASCADE is easy to learn and yet tough to actually master. On playing the game you are presented with a maze of letters, scattered with balls and other objects.
Each player (you v Computer) takes turns to remove a letter, and the balls cascade down the gaps left. On reaching the bottom, they will enter your hopper and add a value to your score. This value is normally 1, but is changed if a ball hits a NEGATOR or DOUBLER in its travels. NEGATORS and DOUBLERS act as TOGGLES - ie. hitting a DOUBLER once turns the mode on, hit it again and its switched off.
Hitting a BONUS is normally worth 4 points, although this becomes -4 points if NEGATE mode is on, or double that if DOUBLE mode is on. If you hit a flask of GELIGNITE you will clear a path adjacent to that square. When you hit a REGENERATOR, part of the maze is regenerated, and some extra balls are dropped in at the top.

Notes/Hints: Since point scores can be negative, each player starts with 100 points. The LOWEST balls in the maze are dropped first - remember this when trying to hit targets. When a ball has an equal choice of two routes down (left or right), a random choice is made.

To make moves during play, simply select the letter you want to remove by typing LOWERCASE a..z, or move the mouse to the letter and click the left button.

Other Commands:

F1 - Highlight letter - show positions of selected letter.
F2 - Computer takes your go.
F3 - Auto play - Hit ESC to end.
F4 - Change IQ level.
F5 - Toggle Two-player mode on/off.
F6 - Enter EDIT MODE.
(Move cursor & type a..z, 0..9, F1..F4 keys to place objects in maze. Hit RETURN to get back to game.)
F7 - Load a maze off disk.
F8 - Save current maze to disk.

I hope you enjoy playing CASCADE!

Released as free/open software under GNU GPL3 license.
See: www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html

For updates and more programs see: www.github.com/orac81