BubbleMayhem Help File

Bubble Mayhem ™
Underwater bubble popping frenzy of fun!

© 2006 Primate Games

Table of Contents

1. System Requirements..............................
Minimum Requirements
Recommended Requirements
Game controls and movement

2. Option Settings.......................................
Full Screen
Sound Effects
Music
Wave Effect
Detail Setting
Skill Level Setting

3. Playing Bubble Mayhem.........................
Managing Players
Creating a new player
Changing current player
Resuming previous game progress
General game play
Stage Timer
Stage Progress
Replaying a failed stage
Saving a High Score
Bubble Sizes
Bonus Rewards
Streak Counter
Pop & Drop game mode
Overview
How to Score
Catching rewards
Mayhem game mode
Overview
How to Score
Popping power ups
Double Trouble game mode
Overview

> 4. Playing Bonus Stages.............................
> Bonus Stage Type A
> Bonus Stage Type B

> Bonus Stage Type C

> 5. Troubleshooting...................................
> Setting up external options for Bubble Mayhem
> Font Smoothing (Windows XP)
> Adjusting the mouse speed
> Uninstalling Bubble Mayhem™
> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

> 6. Credits...............................................
> Special Thanks

System Requirements [Table of Contents]

> To play Bubble Mayhem™, this game requires the following computer specifications to run properly. Be sure to check your system’s specifications for compatibility if problems occur. For other issues, please review the troubleshooting section.

> Minimum Requirements
> Windows XP (SP1)
> DirectX 9.0a or greater
> 600 MHz Pentium or AMD processor
> 256mb RAM
> 32mb video card or onboard video memory
> Windows compatible sound card
> Mouse
> Keyboard
> 20mb hard drive space for game files

> Recommended Requirements
> Windows XP (SP2)
> DirectX 9.0c or greater
> 800 MHz Pentium or AMD processor
> 256mb RAM or greater
> 64mb video card (GeForce or Radeon series)
> Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! sound card
> Optical Mouse
> Keyboard
> 20mb hard drive space for game files

> Game Controls and Movement

> > Moving the mouse left & right moves the ‘crab net’ when a crab net is present .

> > Single Left-click................Used to click buttons and pop blue and green colored bubbles!
> > Single Right-click..............Used to pop red colored bubbles!
> > F1....................................In-game Help (this document)
> > F4....................................Full screen and Windowed mode toggle
> > ESC………….................Pauses the game and accesses the in-game menu
> > Up Arrow.........................Cycle music track up
> > Down Arrow....................Cycle music track down

Option Settings [Table of Contents]

> Full Screen
> This feature toggles between full screen resolution and windowed resolution. Running the game in ‘windowed’ mode will increase the overall performance of the game.
> (On by default)

> Sound Effects
> This option toggles all game sound effects on or off, there are three options: "SFX & VO" which enables all sfx and voice over audio, "SFX & VO off", this setting turns off all sound effects and voice over audio and "SFX only", which turns off only the voice over audio.
> (SFX & VO on by default)
> Music
> This option toggles all game music tracks on or off.
> (On by default)
> Waves
> This option turns on or off the wavy underwater background effect. Turning this feature off can greatly increase the performance of the game on slower computers.
> (On by default)

> Detail
> The detail setting controls how many bubble particles, fish and other effects the game has. Setting this to ‘low’ may increase game performance on slower computers.
> (On by default)

> Skill
> This setting changes the difficulty of the game. There are four difficulty modes; Easy, Normal, Hard and Expert. These settings effect various aspects of the game play. You may adjust the skill level of the game at any time.
> (Normal by default)

Playing Bubble Mayhem [Table of Contents]

> Players
> The player bubble from the main menu is a simple way Bubble Mayhem uses to manage multiple players. Within the "Players" menu, you may choose to create or delete player profiles. Each profile saves each player's name, score, current stage and other settings, making it easy to jump in and play.

> Creating a new player
> If no previous player profile has been created (first time playing the game), then you will be prompted to create the first profile. Otherwise, to add more player profiles, simply click "Players" from the main menu and choose "New Player ". Each new profile will allow you to enter your name. (skill setting can be changed at any time from the Options menu).

> If all 3 player profiles have been created, the "New Player " button will allow you to overwrite a previous player, otherwise you may use the delete bubble to clear a slot.
> Also if a blank slot is clicked, the slot will ask to create a new player as well.

> Changing current player
> Changing the current player profile is a breeze! From the main menu, simply click the "Players" bubble on the Main Menu and then choose one of the available profiles to switch to, doing so will automatically save the previous player's information.

> Resuming previous game progress
> Each time the game begins, the previous player's profile will be loaded by default. Choosing a game mode (such as Pop & Drop) will continue the game where the player last left off.

> General Game Play!
> Bubble Mayhem has six game play types, three main game play modes and three bonus stage types allowing for hours of non-stop bubble popping mayhem. As you progress through each stage, your game progress (current stage and score) will automatically be saved. Quitting the game at any time will save your progress and allow you to continue from the last stage reached.

> In each game type are bubbles, each bubble has a base value according to size, special point multiplier items and the number of clicks the bubble requires to be popped. Most bubbles pop with a simple left-mouse click, however in other game modes, bubbles can require left or right mouse clicks to pop.

> Stage Timer!
> Every stage begins with an allotted amount of time. Time rewards during game play can be collected from popped bubbles to extend the time limit. Once the timer reaches zero, the stage ends and the stage is failed. The exception to this rule are bonus stages, when the timer reaches zero, the stage will automatically complete successfully and advance to the next stage.

> All bonus stages only last for 30 seconds, so try to get as best score possible!

> In later stages, the default time is increased by 30 seconds every 50 stages. (except for bonus stages, which always remain at 30 seconds)

> Stage Progress and the Progress Bar!

> During game play, once the progress bar in the lower left hand corner of the screen is filled (or the timer runs out before), the stage ends. If the progress bar is filled before the timer reaches zero, you win and advance to the next stage!

> In some game modes, the goal of the stage is different than other game modes:
> In the game mode "Pop & Drop", this meter fills when rewards are caught with the crab net.
> In the game mode "Mayhem", this meter fills when any bubbles are popped.
> In the game mode "Double Trouble", this meter fills when rewards are caught with the crab net.

> Replaying a stage!
> If a stage is failed (due to timer reaching zero before the progress bar is filled), then you may choose to replay that stage. Doing so however will decrease your overall total score by a few points per replay attempt. Later in the game, the higher the stage that is replayed, the more the replay attempt costs from the total score!

> Saving to the High Score list!
> If a stage is failed (due to timer reaching zero before the progress bar is filled), then you may choose to replay or save to the high score table. If you choose to save your high score, the current game ends, the score and stage is saved to the high score list and the game starts over from Stage 1 and the score is reset as well..

> Example:
> (If stage 5 is failed and you choose not to replay, the high score is saved and the current game progress is reset to Stage 1 and the score is reset to 0.)

> Bubble Sizes
> Bubbles come in many sizes and base values, each bubble values are altered according to difficulty, current stage (higher stage, higher value), streak as well as point multiplier power ups. Tiny bubbles are worth the most, due to being tiny and somewhat difficult to pop, where as the huge bubble size is worth less because it is easier to pop.

> Tiny *This bubble size is absent in "Easy" difficulty setting.

> Small

> Medium

> Large

> Huge

> Bonus rewards (all game play modes)
> Extra Time – Each of these adds 5 seconds to the stage timer!
> Thunderbolt – Pops all bubbles on screen!
> Sea Anchor – For a short time, halts all bubbles!
> Crab– Increases the size of the crab net for that stage.
> Magnet – For a short time, attracts all rewards towards the crab net! While active, the crab net will change to a gold color.
> Thumbtack– Allows bubbles to be popped instantly when touched with the cursor (no click needed). Cursor changes to gold for a short time.

> 2X – Increases all awarded points by TWO for a few seconds!
> 3X – Increases all awarded points by THREE.
> 4X – Increases all awarded points by FOUR.
> 5X – Increases all awarded points by FIVE.
> 10X – Increases all awarded points by TEN.

> Each power up are also worth points when collected as well as count towards your "catch" progress in Pop & Drop and Double Trouble modes!
> Point multiplier rewards do not stack (combine over and over) and will replace the previous active multiplier when a new one is collected.

> The mouse cursor:

> During game play, move the mouse to position the TIP of the cursor shell over a bubble and simply left-click to pop it. In other game modes, it may require a left-click -or- right-click to pop the bubbles. Blue and Green bubbles pop when left clicked. Red bubbles only pop with a right click!

> While a "Thumbtack" power up is active, the cursor shell will turn to a golden color and have a trail of sparks. Simply moving the cursor over a bubble will pop it, no click needed. When this effect wears off, the cursor will return to it's normal color.

> Streak Counter (all game play modes)

> While playing, when a bubble is successfully clicked and popped, the streak counter increases. If a click misses a bubble, the streak resets. To earn even more points, building up and maintaining a high streak is essential. Accuracy is key for a high streak counter. How high can you go?

> Pop & Drop [Table of Contents]
> Overview
> This game play mode consists of rewards floating up within each bubble. As the bubble is left-click and popped, the reward will begin sinking. To progress to the next stage, simply move the crab net left and right to collect these rewards before they hit the sandy bottom to fill up your progress bar!

> How to Score
> Each bubble as well as each reward is worth points. Popped bubbles give points right away; where as dropped rewards must be caught with the crab net to be awarded points.

> Along with the base value of the bubbles and rewards, other factors such as your bubble popping “streak”, current stage and point multiplying rewards also increase the amount of awarded points.

> Unfortunately, bubbles that escape to the surface (un-popped) and missed rewards that are dropped (not caught with the net) have a small deduction from the player’s total score. So try to pop and catch as many as possible!

> Catching Rewards and Bonuses
> In “Pop & Drop” and "Double Trouble" game play modes, rewards and the “crab net” are used , power ups are present in all game types.

> Crab Net!

> The crab net moves automatically left and right to stay under the mouse cursor! As soon as gems, coins or power ups touch the net, their point values are awarded to the score total. Only when caught in the net do power ups activate.

> While the "Magnet" power up is active, the crab net will turn to a golden color.

> Valuable point rewards

> Each reward has a base value, depending on the current stage, streak and active point multiplier power up, these values may increase!

> (Pop & Drop and Double Trouble modes)
> Fish – This simple fish is worth an easy 25 points!
> Starfish – Catching this critter is worth 50 points.
> Seahorse – Catching this critter is worth 75 points.
> Copper Coin – A small coin worth 100 points.
> Silver Coin – A small coin worth 150 points.
> Gold Coin – A small coin worth 250 points.
> Emerald – Green gem worth 175 points.
> Sapphire – Blue gem worth 225 points.
> Ruby – Red gem worth 300 points.
> Amethyst – Purple gem worth 350 points.
> Diamond – Sparkling gem worth 500 points!
> Pearl Oyster – This jewel of the sea fetches 400 points!

> Mayhem [Table of Contents]
> Overview
> Mayhem mode consists of clicking large bubbles which cause the larger bubbles to split into two smaller bubbles. Each time a bubble is clicked, it will split again, until the smallest bubble size is reached.

> Splitting a large bubble creates two smaller bubbles!

> Plus Equals

> Plus Equals * Smallest size bubble for Easy difficulty level

> Plus Equals ** Smallest size bubble for Normal difficulty level

> Plus Equals *** Smallest size bubble for Hard and Expert difficulty levels

> When the smallest bubble is popped (depending on difficulty), the bubble vanishes!

> How to Score
> Each pop and bubble split awards points. The smaller the bubble split the more the value of the split.
> In this game mode, to progress, simply pop the required number of bubbles to advance to the next stage.

> Popping Power-Ups
> Unlike "Pop & Drop" game mode where you must catch your power-up for it to be activated, in Mayhem mode, every bubble popped with a special power up inside, that power up is instantly activated!

> Double Trouble [Table of Contents]
> Overview
> Double Trouble mode is based off of colored bubbles and corresponding left or right mouse clicks to pop each bubble.. The game play is similar to that of Pop&Drop where rewards are caught with the crab net, except the bubbles now require either a left or right click.

> Green bubbles can only be popped by left-clicking on the bubble.

> Red bubbles can only be popped by right-clicking on the bubble.

> To complete a Double Trouble stage, simply catch rewards to fill the progress meter.

Playing Bonus Stages! [Table of Contents]

After every 3 stages, you have a chance to play an exciting bonus stage for extra points! Every bonus stage lasts for 30 seconds and will automatically end and advance to the next stage when the timer reaches zero. The goal of each bonus stage is to get as many points as you can! There are three types of bonus stages:

> Bonus Stage A
> Overview
> A simple bonus stage based off of colored bubbles and corresponding left or right mouse clicks to pop each bubble.

> Green bubbles can only be popped by left-clicking on the bubble.

> Red bubbles can only be popped by right-clicking on the bubble.

> How to Score
> Once popped, the bubble’s value is instantly added to the total score. Escaped bubbles (un-popped) do not deduct from the player’s score during this bonus stage.

> This bonus stage ends after the timer expires.

> Bonus Stage B
> Overview
> This bonus stage consists of an extremely high amount of bubbles floating up. The goal of this mode is to pop as many as possible within the allotted time. Each bubble only needs a single left-click to burst! Pop as many as you can, but don't feel you need to pop them all!

> How to Score
> Each bubble’s value is determined by the size and current streak as well as current stage level. Each bubble only requires a single left-click to pop, instantly adding the bubble’s value to the player’s score.

> This bonus stage ends after the timer expires.

> Bonus Stage C
> Overview
> Similar to Bonus stage "A" and "B", the twist here is that you must pop red or green bubbles with either a single left or single right click!

> How to Score
> Each bubble’s value is determined by the size and speed, per bubble. Each bubble only requires a single left-click to pop, instantly adding the bubble’s value to the player’s score.

> This bonus stage ends after the timer expires..

Troubleshooting [Table of Contents]

> Setting up external options for Bubble Mayhem™

> Font smoothing (Windows XP)
> On some computers the text (fonts) within the game may appear to be jagged and blurry. To correct this, simply right-click on the computer’s desktop background and choose “Properties”.

> Next, choose the “Appearance Tab” for the display properties dialog box.

> Left-click the gray button named “Effects”, finally be sure that the second option down “Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts” is checked. It is also recommended this setting be set to “Standard” mode. Then click OK and exit the dialog.

> Tip: Most computers have this setting already enabled by default; this feature should only be adjusted if desired.

> Adjusting Mouse Speed (Windows XP)
> To increase the mouse cursor's movement speed within Bubble Mayhem™, you will need to adjust the mouse speed for Windows.

> To do this, simply go to the START menu and choose SETTINGS, then click on CONTROL PANEL.
> *If using "category" view, then click "Printers and other hardware" and then click "Mouse" to access the mouse settings.
> *If using "classic" view, then simply double-click "Mouse" to access the mouse settings.
> Finally, choose the "Pointer Options" tab (center tab) and adjust the MOTION setting to your liking.

> These settings should only be adjusted if desired. Increasing the motion setting of the mouse will increase the movement within Bubble Mayhem™.

> Uninstalling Bubble Mayhem™

> To remove Bubble Mayhem™ from your computer, simply go to the Control Panel and choose Add/Remove programs. Select Bubble Mayhem™ and choose “remove”. Then simply follow the on-screen instructions.

> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

> If a problem occurs, please check the system requirements to be sure they are what the game requires to work properly.

> If you are unsure of your computer’s specifications, and if you are using Windows XP, you can simply go to the START button, choose “Run” and type “dxdiag” to retrieve detailed information about your computer.

Credits [Table of Contents]

> Primate Games, LLC

> > Jerry Pritchard, President

> > Matthew Gillikin, Vice-President

> > Jack Seymour, Chief Technical Officer

> > Ryan Gibson, Operations

> > Sarah Pritchard, Web mistress

> Bubble Mayhem™ Production Team

> > Jerry Pritchard, Project Manager/Designer

> > Matthew Gillikin, Additional Design/Producer

> > Jack Seymour, Lead Programmer

> > Ryan Gibson, Additional Design/Testing

> > Adam Butler, Content Artist

> > Joseph Chen, Sound Effects

> > Christine Eftink, Testing

> > Josh Robinson, Testing
> > Jeremy Powers, Testing

> Special Thanks!

> > Mark Overmars & the GameMaker community
> > (GameMaker © 2006 The GameMaker Company)

> > Trond Gundersen, "Soundsystem v3" OGG DLL extension, used with permission.

> > Jakob Fischer (pizza dude), Windows system font "geekabyte2.ttf", used with permission.

> > Colleen Parker, Bubble Mayhem voice over audio.

> > Matt Hanson (calpomatt), music loops;
> > "Abyss", "Betrayal", "Dumb", "Escape", "Infinite_keys", "Kick_Back", "Koto", "Overcome", "Silent walk", and "The_Journey_begins"
> > (These songs copyright © Matt Hanson (aka calpomatt) used with Bubble Mayhem™ under the license "Freeware" as offered by the original author.)

> > Ken Lawton, music loop: "Island Music"
> > (These songs copyright © Ken Lawton used with Bubble Mayhem™ under the license "Freeware" as offered by the original author.)

> > Icebergslim, music loop: "Dream Spell "
> > (These songs copyright © Icebergslim used with Bubble Mayhem™ under the license "Freeware" as offered by the original author.)

> > SLrec, music loop: "Moonlight Sound"
> > (These songs copyright © SLrec used with Bubble Mayhem™ under the license "Freeware" as offered by the original author.)

> Thank you for playing Bubble Mayhem™ by Primate Games.

> © 2006 Primate Games, LLC.
> The Primate Games "monkey" logo is a trademark of Primate Games, LLC. All rights reserved.
> Bubble Mayhem™ and its related banner logo are trademarks of the Bubble Mayhem™ brand also copyright 2006 Primate Games, LLC.