THE MAZES OF XOR (freeware)

XOR is a game of pure logic developed in the eighties for the computers BBC,
Commodore-64, Spectrum, etc...  It had 15 levels.

A new version, called "Prospector in the Mazes of XOR" has been created some
years later for the Amiga.  In addition to the 15 original levels, it contained
also a new set of 15 levels called "Proscion mazes", and a level editor.

I have developed this version of the game for Rocks'n'Diamonds as, IMO, XOR is
one of the best computer games ever, with Lode Runner and Boulder Dash.
XOR has already been adapted for Windows, but unfortunately, that version is
very bad, and has numerous bugs.  Also, since R'n'D exists also for Linux and
Mac, it is now possible to play XOR on almost any recent computer.

The very powerful level editor of R'n'D makes it possible to do this adaptation.
Thanks to Holger, the programmer of R'n'D!  However, it was impossible to clone
exactly the original behaviour of the game.  But the original logic of the game
subsists.


INSTALLATION:

XOR needs version 3.2.5.0 [2007-10-31] or greater of R'n'D.  Currently, that
version si still in beta test.  You can download it here, free of charge:
http://www.artsoft.org/RELEASES/win32/rocksndiamonds/rnd-20071031.zip
Of course, if you have already a more recent version, you should keep it.
To install the beta version, you need first to install the latest official
release of R'n'D, available here:
http://www.artsoft.org/rocksndiamonds/download.html
(Do not install "R'n'D Jue", not compatible!)
Then, open the archive and copy rocksndiamonds.exe in the R'n'D installation
folder, overwriting the original program (or rename it before, for security.)
You must also copy RocksCE.pcx in the graphics/gfx_classic folder.  The "src"
folder is not necessary.

To install XOR in R'n'D, copy the XOR folder in the folder "levels" of R'n'D, or
in "My Documents\Rocks'n'Diamonds\levels" if you prefer.

The "scores" folder contains my best scores so far, for all levels (but two; see
below.)  If you want to compare your scores with mine, copy the content of the
scores folder in "Shared Documents\Rocks'n'Diamonds\scores".

Then, select the levelset you want to play with the "levelset" menu of R'n'D.


NON-PLAYABLE LEVELS?

I have added a new levelset, called "Additional XOR mazes".  It contains a level
created by an user of the Windows version, and a variant of the last level of
the original levelset, "The Decoder", much more challanging than the original
level!

I have been unable to play the original Proscion levels 5 ("Ursa Nagor") and 14
("Vela Carina") till the end!  I have therefore modified slightly those levels
so that they can now be played.  The levels 3 and 4 of the additional mazes are
those levels, unmodified. They are therefore probably impossible to play, but it
is possible that I haven't simply found the right way to play them.  If you can
play those levels, please let me know, and send me your tapes.  Thanks!

All other levels are playable.  I have the tapes to prove it!


LINKS:

Homepage of "The Mazes of XOR" for Rock'n'Diamonds:
http://home.tele2allin.be/vt6328799/XOR [not yet available]

Discussion thread: [not yet available]
To contact me, please use that forum!
You can also email me at the address below (in french or english.)

If you are interested, here is the link to the discussion about the technical
adaptation of XOR to R'n'D: http://www.artsoft.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1523


CREDITS:

Thanks to Holger for Rocks'n'Diamonds, wonderful clone of Boulder Dash, Emerald
Mine, Supaplex and Sokoban, all in one!
Thanks also to Zomis for his great help during the development of XOR, as well
as everybody who helped me!
The original XOR game was made by Logotron.
Prospector in the Mazes of XOR was adapted from the original version in 1989 by
Hidden Treasures and Astral Software.
Thanks to them too!


Have fun!
r0lZ
r0lz.01@gmail.com
