This game was designed to be run under Windows ME, Windows 2K, Windows XP, Windows VISTA and Windows 7.

You will need:

- Directx 9.0 or more.

- Directx 9.0 compatible video card with 32MB of memory and 32bits color mode.

- Directx 9.0 compatible sound card.

To launch the game, click on the "Vertrix 3" shortcut (Start menu > Programs > Vertrix 3> Vertrix 3)

The first time, a settings window appears which allows to choose language and display mode. Some of the modes add black borders to respect the 4:3 ratio of the game.

After validating this window, using the "OK" button, it will change the game resolution and display a test screen. If there is no problem, you can click "OK." Otherwise, waiting 15 seconds or pressing the ESCAPE key cancels the test and you return to your Windows desktop.

To change these options later, use the shortcut: "Vertrix 3 Settings" (Start menu > Programs > Vertrix 3> Vertrix 3 Settings)

4.1 THE AIM

 

The game consists in different matches: Human VS. CPU or Human VS. Human.
The aim is quite simple: every player has to make ALIGNMENTS of same blocks by permuting the blocks which are falling down three by three.
Some alignments are simples (a line of three identical blocks,...) others are a little bit more complicated (a +, a *, ... Those are FIGURES).

Each alignment gives you a Blob:

Each player has his own bonuses.

Every 3 x , the player is given a choice to choose a bonus among his bonuses.

Every 12 x , the player increases his LEVEL ; if he hasn't got all of his bonuses yet, a new bonus column is given.

There's two ways to win in Vertrix:

- The opponent's board is filled so as his bar can't fall down any more and you hold on 3 seconds without having your bar blocked.

- You have reached Level 10 before your opponent, and he doesn't reach that level during the next 3 seconds.

 

 

4.2 KINDS OF BLOCKS

 

There's 3 kinds of them:

- The 'NORMAL BLOCKS' which allow to MAKE ALIGNMENTS.

- The 'INDESTRUCTIBLE BLOCKS' (almost...).

- The 'EXPLODING BLOCKS' which act as a bomb and explode all kinds of blocks.

 

 

4.3 ALIGNMENTS

 

Common alignments:

 

	LINE	x 1		COLUMN	x 1
	DIAGONAL	x 1		DIAGONAL	x 1

 

Complex alignments (FIGURES):

 

	DIAMOND	x 2		MINUS	x 3
	RIGHT ARROW	x 4		UP ARROW	x 4
	LEFT ARROW	x 4		DOWN ARROW	x 4
	MULTIPLICATION	x 5		ADDITION	x 6
	INFINITE	x 7

 

 

4.4 GAINING LEVELS

 

The player gains a level every 12 x . He wins when he reaches the level 10. Though, gaining a level also increases his speed. If the player hasn't got all of his bonuses yet, a new column of bonuses is available to him.

 

 

4.5 CHOOSING THE RIGHT BONUS

 

You can pick up a bonus after 3 x .

 

For example: Let's say you are player1 on the left of the screen and you just made your third alignment ; your 3 Blobs are activated and you can hear a sound signal, which warns you that you have got the possibility to choose a bonus. A Blob is going to appear in the window on the left of your board: - if you let it fall down, that means that you gain it (which is a good choice if you want to reach higher levels faster...). - If you move the Blob on the left, a bar will let you choose between three bonuses colours. Each colour corresponds to a bonus line. If you wish to use an orange bonus, you have to switch the blocks so as the BOTTOM ONE is orange. A bonus will then be picked up randomly among your orange line bonuses. According to our BetaTesters, you should play one or two times to understand!...

 

 

4.6 THE 100 BONUSES

 

Do not panic! ;) It's possible to play with only a basic knowledge of the colour organisation.

 

4.6.1 PINK (COUNTER)

 

	Exchange boards.The player's board is 'beamed' in place of his opponent's.		Exchange speeds.
	Boomerang effect. The PINK bonuses are powerfull, so when you use this one, your opponent uses one of his bonuses against you...		Exchange indestructible blocks.
	Exchange bomb blocks.

 

4.6.2 ORANGE (ATTACK)

 

	Increase opponent's speed by 1.		Increase opponent's speed by 2.
	Mix normal blocks of the opponent's board.		Mix normal and bomb blocks of the opponent's board.
	Mix all blocks from the opponent's board.		Freeze your opponent - duration 1.
	Freeze your opponent - duration 2.		Freeze your opponent - duration 2.
	Freeze your opponent - duration 3.		Freeze your opponent - duration 4.
	Decrease your opponent's level. Also remove a column of bonuses.		Switch normal blocks and indestructible blocks in the opponent's board.
	Telekinesis. Move upward indestructible blocks in the opponent's board.		Random change opponent's speed.

 

4.6.3 YELLOW (NORMAL BLOCKS ATTACK)

 

	Add a normal blocks column to one side of the opponent's board - Try to use this bonus three times in a row!... ;)		Add a normal blocks line to the bottom of the opponent's board.
	Add 2 normal blocks lines.		Add 3 normal blocks lines.
	Add 3 normal blocks towers of 2 blocks to the opponent's board.		Add 3 normal blocks towers of 3 blocks to the opponent's board.
	Add 3 normal blocks towers of 4 blocks to the opponent's board.		Add a normal blocks mountain to the bottom left of the opponent's board.
	Add a normal blocks mountain to the bottom right of the opponent's board.		Add a normal blocks pyramid to the opponent's board.

 

4.6.4 GREEN (INDESTRUCTIBLE BLOCKS ATTACK)

 

	Turn the opponent's bar into indestructible blocks.		Turn 5 blocks from the opponent's board into indestructible blocks.
	Turn 7 blocks from the opponent's board into indestructible blocks .		Turn 9 blocks from the opponent's board into indestructible blocks.
	Turn upper-blocks from the opponent's board into indestructible blocks.		Turn half of the opponent's board into indestructible blocks (in a chess-board pattern).
	Add an indestructible blocks line (except center) to the bottom of the opponent's board.		Add 2 indestructible blocks lines to the bottom of the opponent's board.
	Add 3 indestructible blocks lines to the bottom of the opponent's board.		Add an indestructible blocks column (one out of two) to one side of the opponent's board - Try to use this bonus three times in a row!...
	Add an indestructible blocks column to one side of the opponent's board.		Add 3 indestructible towers of 2 blocks to the opponent's board.
	Add 3 indestructible towers of 3 blocks to the opponent's board.		Add 3 indestructible towers of 4 blocks to the opponent's board.
	Add 2 indestructible towers of 6 blocks to the opponent's board.		Add an indestructible left tower of 6 blocks to the opponent's board.
	Add an indestructible right tower of 6 blocks to the opponent's board.		Add an indestructible mountain (just upper blocks) to the bottom left of the opponent's board.
	Add an indestructible blocks mountain (just upper blocks) to the bottom right of the opponent's board.		Add an indestructible pyramid (just upper blocks) to the opponent's board.
	Add an indestructible mountain to the bottom right of the opponent's board.		Add an indestructible mountain to the bottom left of the opponent's board.
	Add an indestructible pyramid to the opponent's board.		Launch a random pick of a block colour, and turn the corresponding blocks of the opponent's board into indestructible blocks.

 

4.6.5 LIGHT BLUE (AUTOMATIC DEFENSE)

 

	Decrease your speed by 1.		Decrease your speed by 2.
	Decrease your speed by 3.		Remove 1 line from your board.
	Remove 2 lines from your board.		Remove 3 lines from your board.
	Remove 4 lines from your board.		Remove 5 lines from your board.
	Remove 6 lines from your board.		Destroy half of your board (in a chess-board pattern).
	Destroy the whole board.		Turn all indestructible blocks into bomb blocks.
	Turn all indestructible blocks into normal blocks.		Destroy all indestructible blocks.
	Destroy the highest column of the board.		Destroy the two highest columns of the board.
	Telekinesis. Move downward indestructible block.

 

4.6.6 DARK BLUE (MANUAL DEFENSE)

 

One or several explosive blocks appear in your bar and explode when they hit the board.

All bombs in the board will explode like the selected explosion pattern.

 

	Line pattern explosion.		Line pattern explosion - 2 explosive blocks in the bar.
	Column pattern explosion.		Cross pattern explosion.
	Big cross pattern explosion.

 

4.6.7 GRAY (MAGICAL)

 

They will last for a limited time.

 

	Blue Mode. Some Explosive blocks can appear in your bar, but they won't explode without a Dark-Blue Bonus.		Anti-bomb Mode. If your opponent uses a bomb, it will turn all blocks into the explosion area, into indestructible blocks.
	Voodoo Mode. Your opponent can't make three blocks alignment!... To break this spell, he needs to make an alignment of 4 blocks at least, or a figure.		Killer Line Mode. Each alignment adds an indestructible line to the opponent's board, and removes a line from the player's board. For instance, a 3 alignments Figure removes the three bottom lines from your board, and adds three indestructible lines to your opponent. Duration 1.
	Killer Line Mode. Duration 2.		Killer Line Mode. Duration 3.
	Indestructible Mode. Indestructible blocks can appear in the opponent's bar.		Two same blocks mode. You will at least get 2 identical blocks in your bar.
	Three same blocks mode. You will get a bar of 3 identical blocks.		Guide Mode. The opponent's bar is going to follow your bar moves.
	Quantum Mode. His bar will flash and switching its blocks will change their colours.		One indestructible block mode. Your opponent will get 1 indestructible block in his bar.
	Three different colours mode. Your opponent will get a bar of 3 different blocks.		Single bonus bar mode. Your opponent won't get more than one bonus in his bonuses bar.
	Four bonuses colour bar mode. You will get a four bonuses bar.		Mad speed mode. This will randomly change the opponent's speed.
	Shield mode. Your opponent won't be able to use his attacks against you. Duration 1.		Shield mode. Duration 2.
	Shield mode. Duration 3.		Killer Column Mode. Each figure adds an indestructible column to the opponent's board, and removes a column from the player's board - Duration 1.
	Killer Column Mode. Duration 2.		Killer Column Mode. Duration 3.
	Blind mode. The opponent's next bar is hidden.		Battle Mode. The players can only use attack bonuses (orange, yellow and green).
	Peace Mode. The players can only use the defense bonuses (light and dark blue).

ONE PLAYER - TOURNAMENT

 

You will meet 7 opponents - First, 4 randomly selected opponents, then Professor Ed Brain, Mike Hamster, and at last Albert Power in person.

When you lose the match, you lose your current character. The game is over when there are no more available characters.

A present awaits you if you win the tournament in normal or hard difficulty levels.

 

 

ONE PLAYER - PRACTICE

 

You could use some training before entering the tournament.

 

 

TWO PLAYERS - TOURNAMENT

 

2 human players play until one of them has no more available characters.

 

 

TWO PLAYERS - PRACTICE

 

Training between 2 human players. You don't lose character.

 

 

TWO PLAYERS - NETWORK

 

Two players network play - Tournament or training mode as selected during the session configuration. (see NETWORK GAME).

8.1 LOBBY GAME

 

Both, server and client need an external software which will run Vertrix3 like Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger...
You must have run Vertrix3 at least once so that Directx knows its location. The options of session and the names of the players must be set.

 

 

8.2 TCP/IP

 

8.2.1 CREATE A GAME SESSION

 

The server can select an IP port in case a firewall is present. Leave the field blank to use default port. The server has to set options for the session (tournament or training, difficulty, start speed, all bonuses Mode, level limit mode), then click on "CREATE" to enter the session.

 

8.2.2 JOIN A GAME SESSION

 

On Internet, the client has to know the IP address and port number from the server (leave the field blank to use default port). With a local network, in theory, the game is able to find sessions with a void IP address. The client has to click on "Refresh" to get a list of current sessions. Click to select a session, then click on "JOIN" to start playing.

1. VERTRIX3 is FREEWARE, which means that you can SPREAD IT FREELY, in its original / unmodified form:
Vertrix3-Install-v01.exe (which contains Description.txt, FILE_ID.DIZ, Manual.chm, Vertrix3.exe, Vertrix3.vf, Change-Settings.bat).

2. No fee can be charged for the distribution of this game, other than a small charge to cover the cost of the media on which it is stored.

3. You use this program at your own risk, no responsibility can be taken for damage or lost data caused by the installing, running or misuse of this program.

4. VERTRIX3 and all his content is the intellectual property of Cédric CASTEL and Denis TREBBI.

5. Any resemblance or common feature between the VERTRIX3 characters and anyone would be strictly coincidental! If it was the case, please send us a photo...

Windows, Directx, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger are trademarks of microsoft corporation.

Some people are susceptible to epileptic seizures or loss of consciousness when exposed to certain flashing lights or light patterns in everyday life. Such people may have a seizure while watching certain television images or playing certain video games. This may happen even if the person has no medical history of epilepsy or has never had any epileptic seizures. If you or anyone in your family has ever symptoms related to epilepsy (seizures or loss of consciousness) when exposed to flashing lights, consult your doctor prior to playing. We advise that parents should monitor the use of video games by their children. If you or your child experience any of the following symptoms: dizziness, blurred vision, eye or muscle twiches, loss of consciousness, disorientation, any involuntary movement or convulsion, while playing a video game, IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your doctor.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE DURING USE:

Do not stand too close to the screen. Sit a good distance away from the television screen, as far away as the length of the cable allows. Preferably play the game on a small television screen.

Avoid playing if you are tired or have not had much sleep.

Make sure that the room in which you are playing is well lit.

Rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes per hour while playing a video game (a pause key is available in this video game : the escape key during a match).

Don't hesitate to contact us!

If you discover a bug, we would appreciate a short description.

Send mail to one of the following addresses:

Concept, Programmation, 2D & 3D Sprites, Musics, characters voices: Cédric Castel.

Concept, Backgrounds, 2D & 3D Sprites, Web Design, characters voices: Denis Trebbi.

Pamela Malibu and Clara Tatouille voices: Vanessa Costes.

Prof Ed Brain voice and idea: Ed Hughes.

Betatesters: Antoine Mangas, Benoît Lefebvre, Céline Castel, Didier Ouzaid, Ed Hughes, Fabrice Forni, Nicolas Debard, Tiphaine Dubois.

Thanks to all of those who supported us.

 

 

Great tools used:

- Visual C++ 9.0 Express Edition.
- Microsoft Platform SDK for Windows Server 2003 R2.
- Microsoft DirectX 9.0 SDK.

Q: The game doesn't install, i get an error message when double clicking the installation package "Vertrix3-Install.exe", what can i do?

 

A: Its seems your file is incomplete or corrupted. You can try downloading it again with a download manager that will resume your downloads in case they are interrupted. This way you will be certain in the future that all your downloaded files are complete.
also, make sure you download the file from our site
http://vertrixgame.com

 

 

Q: I get a "DirectX..." error box when launching the game, what can i do to make it work?

 

A: This is because you need DirectX 9.0 minimum, it's a media windows component that's present in windows.
- To check which version of DirectX is installed on your computer, go to the Start menu/Run... and type "dxdiag". The Dxdiag application will then open and you'll be able to test if everything's ok with directx.
- To update your windows to DirectX 9, you can find it on cds given with computer related magazines, or download it from the microsoft site:
http://microsoft.com/windows/directx/

 

 

Q: Someone is annoyingly beating me at this game, are there any cheats, or do you have any tips to give?

 

A: There are no cheats in the game but here are some tips though:
- have a good knowledge of all the bonuses, maybe there's one you don't know yet that would become your favourite.
- pick your character depending on your opponent's character powers
- play fast, to get more bonuses than your opponent
- you can switch the 3 colours when the 3 blocks are still outside of the board, so you can anticipate a bit.
- do some special figures (5 in a row, circle-diamond, or "+" sign) with the alignments to get more bonuses, especially at the beginning of each round to get an edge over your opponent.
- try to use "increase opponent's speed" several times in a row
- don't forget to decrease your speed from time to time, an unbearable speed always comes quicker than ones expect.
- don't always use the same bonus against your opponent, so that he has to deal with several problems at once.
- some characters have the ability to switch boards "at will" as soon as they get pink as bonus color choice, so you can try and fill your board with junk on purpose and switch it at the last second.
- try to pick a character depending on your weaknesses/abilities: more defensive (blue bonuses) if your board is often full of blocks, attacker if you're good at the "killer mode", etc.
- you can win by reaching "level 10" during a match, don't forget that during long matches, if you're both reachin level 7 or more. you can reach level 10 faster by not selecting any bonus when you get one.

 

 

Q: When I play the screen is distorted, what can I do?

 

A: Vertrix was designed for a 4:3 display, not 16/10 nor 16/9. The distortion comes from a processing of your graphics card.
- You can choose a resolution with black borders by using the shortcut: "Vertrix 3 - Options".
- You can change your graphic card settings. In the control panel of your graphic card choose to have black borders for an unsupported video mode.

 

 

Q: When I play the screen has very big black borders, what can I do?

 

A: It seems that Vertrix adds black borders and also the drivers of your graphic card.
- You can select a borderless resolution by using the shortcut: "Vertrix 3 - Options".
- You can change your graphic card settings. In the control panel of your graphic card choose to have a distorted image for an unsupported video mode.

14.1 VERTRIX3 - Version 0.1 - August 2009

 

 

- The sprite engine is now in Direct3D. All graphics have alpha channel

- Support of most display resolutions

- All the screens were redesigned

- New effects for all bonuses

- All the foreground elements were redone

- 7 new bonuses

- Bonuses have been redistributed among the characters

- Vibration of the screen

- New effect for figures

- Corrected and improved the A.I

- Added sound effects

 

 

14.2 VERTRIX2 - Version 2.0 - March 2003

 

 

- Added a new method to improve Internet play

- Heads display now uses Alpha Blending :)

- Changes in the game's interface: game area's borders are reduced ; the alignements are visually represented by 12 blob tokens instead of numbers ; changed the placement of the bonus leds and replaced those by Blobs ; changed the font used to display speed and level values ; rethought colours and effects for each level's interface ; crossfading effect before the match

- Each level has a different particles effect

- When the player picks a bonus colour, the corresponding line flashes in the bonus table

- The bonus "Add a column" is now symmetric between player 1 and 2

- Changes in the A.I: Improved bonus choice (added a little bit more randomness between two close colours) ; the cpu now has the ability to be faster depending on the game's speed (so that it doesn't lose too easily because of a high speed)

- <F1> opens an information window in the upper-left corner that displays frame rate and in case of network play, ping and keys latency (the time between a key press and it's use)

- The 1.3 savegames (Vertrix2.cfg) are compatible with the new version: just copy the file, or uninstall version 1.3 then install version 2.0 in the same directory

- A draw game bug was corrected

- Graphical changes on the title screen: 3 blobs among 6 are randomly picked and displayed ; reworked fonts ; lens-flares effetcs are now more visible ; Alpha Blending on the blobs

- Graphical changes on the character selection screen: Transparency effect on texts ; scanlines effect on heads

- Graphical changes on the before/after match screen: Transparency effect on some texts

- Improved the second and third loading images

- Reworked the bonuses' backgrounds

- On the KEYS option screen: Got rid of a bug that would happen when left mouse click was chosen as a player 2 key

- Got rid of a colour bug on some backgrounds during a level or speed change (white flash)

- Player names are no more pronounced at the same time when entering the character's selection's screen.

- Improved speed on most screens

- Improved the Warning box in case of bad Directx version

- Network game mode was reprogrammed using Directplay8 so that game launching using lobby is now more effective

- Support for the Ipx protocol was removed because it is now obsolete ; Tcp/Ip works very good in local network mode

- During a network chat session line breaks are now automatic

 

 

14.3 VERTRIX2 - Version 1.3 - February 2002

 

 

- New effect when using magical bonuses

- New main screen and HUD

- New backgrounds during resources loading

- Move of the players before each fight

- Explosion bomb effect improved

- New special effect for "Turn blocks from the opponent's board into indestructible blocks" bonuses

- Effect changed for "Destroy half of your board" bonus

- New special effect for "Exchange boards" bonus

- Demo mode with F2 key

- Backgrounds' configurations improved

- A bug during resources loading was corrected

 

 

14.4 VERTRIX2 - Version 1.2 - July 2001

 

 

- New magic system which uses the progress bar of the player

- A new character: Professor Ed Brain

- 11 new bonuses!

- New background (and new music) that you'll get if you win the tournament (normal and hard levels)

- Presentation of the blocks before each round

- Faster network game in tcp/ip (but you'll need a good ping)

- Progress Bar during resources loading

- Some backgrounds improved

- Some sprites corrected

- Some samples were corrected and added

- A Luminous Border surrounds heads in the Choose-players screen

- New intro for Choose-players and Main music

- Animation of the players at the end of the match

- The level 10 is flashing when you win the game with it

- A bug when exiting the game was corrected

 

 

14.5 VERTRIX2 - Version 1.1 - December 2000

 

 

- First public release

 

 

14.6 Between VERTRIX1 & VERTRIX2...

 

 

 

14.7 VERTRIX1 - MSDOS- [December 1995...July 1997]