Balls on Fire
-------------
by Exile Studios
An entry for the Gamedev compo at Assembly 2007 summer.

http://www.exile-studios.org/bof


Contents of the package
-----------------------

This package contains binary releases for multiple platforms.
The packages are in the release directory.
Choose one that suits your needs and extract it.

For Windows:
- Use ballsonfire_win32.zip
- Run ballsonfire.exe
For Linux 32 bit:
- Use ballsonfire_linux_x86_32.tar.gz
- Use the script 'BallsOnFire' to launch the game
For Linux 64 bit:
- Use ballsonfire_linux_x86_64.tar.gz
- Use the script 'BallsOnFire' to launch the game


Troubleshooting Tips 
--------------------

"This application has failed to start because
the application configuration is incorrect"

On certain Windows installations you might encounter above error
which prevents the application to run completely. The cause is most 
probably a couple of missing DLLs, msvcp80.dll and msvcr80.dll, 
that are needed if you want to run an executable compiled 
with Visual Studio 2005. 

The solution is to install the "Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)"
from Microsoft: 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=200B2FD9-AE1A-4A14-984D-389C36F85647&displaylang=en


How to play
-----------

The purpose of each level is to get the ball in to the bowl
without touching the floor.

Rotate the slabs and test your solution. If it doesn't work
re-adjust the slabs and try again. If the ball reaches the
bowl the level is cleared and you advance to the next level.

Completing the level awards you points depending on the number of
tries and the time spent.

At all times you have four uncleared levels open. By clearing a level
you open one more. The top score for each level is recorded and
you can play an already cleared level again and try to beat the top
score.


Key commands
------------

You can select the bounce slabs and press the various buttons
during the levels with the mouse.

   In main menu:

        Arrow keys: move selection
        Space/Enter: confirm selection
        Esc: quit the game

   In game play:

        (Shift+)Tab: cycle the bounce slab selection
        Arrow keys: rotate the selected bounce slab
        Space/Enter: Toggle between manipulation and simulation modes
        Z, X: rotate view around the level
        Esc: return to main menu

	Global:
		M: Mute/Unmute sound
        F2: user level open dialog, see section Level Editor below (win32 build)
        F5: reload user level (win32 build)
        
Level Editor
-----------

One can make own levels with the bundled level editor. Design and
make your own levels and send them to us and possibly see your level
in the next release!

The level can be tested with the game. The level editor & export
toolchain is integrated to a Blender 3D scene file
(see level_editor.blend). Blender is an Open Source 3D modeling &
animation suite and freely available for anyone to download at
http://www.blender3d.org/ . The level editor is quite easy to use
- read the instructions from the editor file - the hardest part is
probably the use of Blender if you are not familiar with the
interface.

The level editor exports two files: a text description file and a
C++ source code file. The text file can be loaded to the game (see
below) and the source file is used to integrate the level to the
game itself (done by us). To test your level in the game you can
load it to the game:

On Windows you have these keys:
        F2: user level open dialog
        F5: reload user level

With other platforms you can give the command line option --level
followed by the name of the level file.

When you think you are done with the level you can send it to us. You
need to at least send the .cpp file but you can also send the .blend
file.

Send your files, questions and comments to bof@exile-studios.org

Note: there is a known issue in the level editor: the rotations of
the obstacles aren't always exported correctly. Hopefully we get
this fixed soon.


Copyrights and legal notices
----------------------------

Balls on Fire is Copyright 2007 Exile Studios


Ogre is licensed under LGPL.
OIS is licensed under zlib/libpng license.
DevIL is licensed under LGPL.
FMOD is copyright by Firelight Technologies, Pty, Ltd.

All applicable license texts can be found in the directory 'license'.
