Rocks'n'Diamonds

I know these are unrelated questions, but they're both simple and probably answered quickly and easily.

1. With the new just-released version, I'm just double-checking. If I install it over my current version, it won't mess up my level data, like what level and set I'm on (mainly in R 'n' D) or level recordings, right?

2. I could be wrong, or I could be thinking of another game, but I thought I remembered a feature to let you step through moves one at a time. Is that in Rocks 'n' Diamonds? I'm playing a level set that uses the frustrating dynamite - where you have to place it where you are and have to run immediately to get out of range. They add a lot of tricks, so you place it, move one step, then have to change directions. The timing is so close on this that I have to save and try these 4-5 (or more) times before I can get out of the way fast enough. And if I try to move, hit space, then be ready for my next move, but the reaction time it takes to hit space is too long. So is there a mode I can use for tough spots like that so I can take it one step at a time and not in real time?

There is definitely single-step player input mode. viewtopic.php?p=17537 is one of many threads which touches on it. It gives recommendations for keyboard configuration, which may either be useful or -- I have a vague sense that the exact recommendations given may no longer work properly with the most current game version. So, experiment (and perhaps comment on that thread if anything is wrong vs current game...)

Also the exact behavior of single step mode varies between the various game engines used in RnD. This is discussed somewhat in that thread, and others around the forum. As a result, if you do have any issues you'll want to mention the exact release of RnD, the levelset name, and the specific level number. (Most levelsets will use the same engine for each level, but there are potential exceptions...)

... and installing a game update should not mess up any of your stuff. But again there may be exceptions in some obscure corner of the overall space of [operating system, install method, old version, new version].

I think filbo has answered everything just fine, but just to make it a bit more clear maybe:

1. You can safely install new versions of R'n'D and it will never destroy or overwrite any of your game data (be it self-created levels, recorded tapes, scores, game setting or anything else). This data is stored in a different directory than the game itself.

2. I'm sure that you are talking about Emerald Mine style dynamite! This is really tricky, and many times really frustrating, because you have to press the "fire" key quite a long time before dynamite is placed, and then have to run away really quickly!

To play this more comfortably, just use the "single-step" functionality -- press the left button on the tape recorder when playing (or press the key shortcut as defined in the setup menu). Then you can just hold the "fire" key or button pressed until that dynamite is placed, and the game will automatically enter "pause" mode. Go one step away, and the game goes to "pause" mode again. Go into any direction you want, step by step, and you never have to hurry. When done, disable "single-step" mode again -- or use it for the whole game. Just as you like!

Yes, this may be seen as cheating. But R'n'D is about having fun when playing it your way, and not about not cheating.

Thanks - the link to the other thread was just what I needed!

I was able to make the warp/step by step function work and add a few other changes so I can load and save with keys instead of using the mouse.


Thanks!