Network
SpeedCard
Version
1.0
Introduction
Network SpeedCard is a very simple dual-player card game that is played over a LAN, or peer-to-peer linked pair of PCs that have the TCP/IP protocol configured. The game can also be played over the Internet but given that speed is of the essence, network lag may give the player hosting the game an unfair advantage.
Rules of the Game
The object of Network SpeedCard is to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible – that is more quickly than your opponent.
At the beginning of the game, the program deals fives stacks of cards to each player - only the top card in each stack is facing up. You get rid of our cards by moving them onto either of the two play cards in the centre of the table.
The rule for moving cards onto the play cards is simple: your card must either be one higher or one lower than the card on top of the play stack - the suits of the cards have no significance. For example: if one (of the two) play cards was a five, you could move a four or a six onto it. Note that an Ace can be placed on a King and vice versa.
Once a card has been moved from one of your stacks to one of the central play cards, the next card on your stack is turned over.
If you have gotten rid of all of the cards in one of your stacks, you are able to transfer one of the top cards from another stack into that blank position - in that way you get to reveal the next card in that stack and the maximum five possible cards will be visible and ready to be gotten rid of when the opportunity arises.
There may be instances were neither player is able to make a move; in that case the program will initiate a countdown. On zero, the program will flip cards from the two stacks on either side of the central play cards. The race then recommences….
Setting up a Game
Network SpeedCard is based on a host-client model. One player hosts the game and the second player then joins the game as a client. Obviously the host server must be ready before a client can join.
To host a game you simply fire up the program and from the "Network" menu choose "Host a game"; it’s a simple as that. Our PC's name and IP address will be displayed in the white status bar at the bottom of the main window.
To join a game as a client, the second player simply choses "Join a game" from the "Network" menu. In order for the program to locate the host, the player on the client PC will need to enter the host network name or IP address (in xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx format) of the host PCs.
Once a host-client connection has been established, both players will be presented with a button labelled "Push when ready to Play.. ". A countdown to the start of the game will commence when both players have pressed this button.
Distribution
Network SpeedCard is freeware. The program can be distributed by whoever to whomever they please. This file (or the ReadMe.txt file) must be included in any redistribution.
The program is provided as is and Declan Software takes no responsibility in regard to the use or misuse of Network SpeedCard.
The program cannot be sold either individually or as part of a compilation. Permission must be obtained from Declan Software for the program to be included in any compilation (whether free or sold).
All rights are reserved by Declan Software (eungyung@ozemail.com).
The source code for the program can be downloaded from
<EOF>