ASTRAWARE Palm OS Products 
 
Cubis for Palm Information
Current released version: 1.0 - 15th December, 2003
Current release expires: never
Feedback to: Janet Campbell (cubis@astraware.com)
Game Info: http://www.astraware.com/games/freshgames/cubis
Recent update headlines: First Public Release!

Copyright (r) and (c) 2002-2003 Astraware Ltd and Freshgames LLC
All rights reserved.

Introduction

You will need all your wits about you to solve the intricate puzzles in this captivating new cube-matching brainteaser! Beautiful graphics and animation please the eye, while the in-game music delights the ear!

Cubis features:

How To Install

Use an extractor program such as WinZip on the PC or Stuffit Expander (on the Mac) to get at the Cubis for Palm files. Install the game by double-clicking the .prc file, which opens the Palm Install Tool program.

If you own a PalmOne Zire 71, PalmOne Tungsten series, Handspring Treo600, Garmin iQue 3600 or Sony CLIÉ UX series, then you can also install the file "cubis-music.pdb", onto your Palm, which will add music to the game!

Use the HotSync button as usual to install the game onto your handheld. If you have a handheld with an expansion card, you can then move the game over to it. Do this before you register the game!

Now run Cubis for Palm and tap the screen to play the game!

If you've got any queries about Cubis for Palm or the registration process, first check out our knowledge base on our website (you must be connected to the internet to access this). If this doesn't help, get in touch with us at support@astraware.com. If you've got any questions (or suggestions, we love those) about the game itself, please get in touch with us at the email address at the top of this page.

How To Play

To start a game, tap on either "Play Arcade" or "Play Puzzle" on the title screen.

The aim of the game is to match three or more cubes of the same color in any direction except diagonal. This is called a 'chain.' The cubes in the chain disappear, adding to your score.

To complete an Arcade level you must get rid of a certain amount of cubes, as shown under "Cubes to go."

To complete a Puzzle level, you must get rid of a certain number of star cubes, as shown under "Star cubes to go." Star cubes look like normal cubes with a star pattern on top.

The cube currently under your control is located at the bottom of the board. When you fire it onto the board, it leaves your control. If it hits another cube, it may form a chain, or it may have one of a number of effects depending on its type. See the section entitled 'Cube Types' for details.

At the bottom left of the screen you can see three cubes. These are the next three cubes you will be given to place on the board. The cube furthest to the right is the next cube.

If you run out of time you lose the game. The time remaining in seconds is shown under "Time".

Controls

Cubis can be controlled either by stylus or by key controls:

Stylus Control
To control a cube with the stylus, drag the stylus across the screen until the cube is positioned correctly, then release the stylus. This will fire the cube onto the board.

There are two stylus modes available. "Advanced" stylus mode is the default, and is optimised for ease of play on handheld devices. "Original" stylus mode is more like the control method used on the original version of the game.

To change the stylus mode, select the option "Game Settings" from the menu, then tap on the "Stylus Mode" option to change it.

Key Controls
If you prefer key controls, you can use the keys at the bottom of your device that are more commonly used as shortcuts to 'Diary' or 'Home' etc. In Cubis these are re-mapped to game controls and will not function as shortcuts.

The available controls are 'Left', 'Right', "Fire" and 'Pause'. If the default key arrangement is not comfortable for you, select the Control Settings option from the menu to rearrange them.

Cube Types

Normal: If a normal cube hits another cube when fired, it will push the other cube back one space.

Star: A star cube has a star-shaped pattern on the top. They can match with other cubes of the same color. In Puzzle mode, you must get rid of a certain number of star cubes to progress. In Arcade mode, star cubes simply give bonus points when matched in a chain.

Wedge: If a wedge hits another cube or stack of cubes, it pushes the stack up. It then becomes a normal cube. Stacks cannot go higher than three cubes.

Osmosis: Osmosis cubes look like pulsing, bubbling cubes. If an osmosis cube hits another cube or stack of cubes, and there are less than three cubes in the stack, the osmosis cube is absorbed into the stack. The cube that was hit takes on the color of the osmosis cube, and the osmosis cube becomes a normal cube just above it.

Cracked: When a normal cube falls two spaces, or falls with another cube above it, it breaks and becomes a cracked cube. Normal cubes destroy cracked cubes if they hit them. If an osmosis cube is absorbed into a cracked cube, the cracked cube becomes normal again.

Stone: A stone cube cannot be moved or matched. The only way to get rid of them is to destroy them with a laser.

Laser: Lasers fire a beam that destroys any cube it hits.

Tips

If you are having problems on a particular level, you can practice it by selecting "Practice Puzzle" or "Practice Arcade" from the menu. In Practice mode, you can spend as long as you want on a level - there is no time limit! However, you cannot get a high score in practice mode.

Each mode has fifty levels. If you finish all fifty, you start again at the beginning, with 15% less time each level!

In the registered version of Cubis there are three differently themed backgrounds, 'Mayan', 'Leonardo' and 'Chinese'! Select the "Game Settings" option from the menu to select a different background.

Hidden Features

For the eternally curious, who want to know just how the scoring works in Cubis, here it is in all it's glory!

Scoring

Remove star cube: 700 points
Remove other cube: 30 points
Remove fractured cubes: First fractured cube is worth 30 points, second is worth 60 points, third is worth 90 points, and so on.
Chain: For each cube removed, multiply each cube score by its "layer" height (one through three, where three is the highest layer), then add these numbers together. Chains with four or more cubes benefit from a multiplier on the total as calculated above. This multiplier is incremented by 1 for each cube in the chain above three. If the chain consists of four cubes, the multiplier is 2. If the chain consists of five cubes, the multiplier is 3, and so on.

Example: For a five-cube chain made by three normal cubes on the bottom layer, one normal cube on top of them (layer two), and one star cube on top of the layer two cube, the total score would be:

( [30 * 1] + [30 * 1] + [30 * 1] + [30 * 2] + [700 * 3] ) * 3 = 6750

Cubis: If you make a chain that sets off another chain, it is called a Cubis, and is worth lots of points! Chains after the first one benefit from a multiplier. The second chain receives a multiplier of 2, the third chain receives a multiplier of 3 and so on.

Example: If the five-cube chain above is the third chain removed in the Cubis, the score would be 6750 * 3 = 20250 or:

( { [30 * 1] + [30 * 1] + [30 * 1] + [30 * 2] + [700 * 3] } * 3 ) * 3 = 20250

End of level scoring

The Level Scoring Summary screen appears after every successfully completed level. You get bonuses to your score if you completed the level particularly well!

  • Cubes Removed: The total number of cubes of any type that you removed.
  • Chains Made: The number of chains made.
  • Cubis Bonus: The amount of points gained for making one or more Cubis chains.
  • Time Bonus: 20 bonus points are awarded for every unused second.
  • Cube Penalty: 15 points are lost for every normal or fractured cube left on the board.
  • Star Penalty: 350 points lost for every star cube left on the board (arcade mode only).
  • Level Total: The total of all the above points.

Registering

In Demo form, you can play 10 games of Cubis for Palm for free, as you decide whether you like it or not. After these games are up, the program will display a short message reminding you to register each time you play!

If you beam a demo to someone else, and they also like the game, then they can register it either by purchasing a copy from a local store, or by purchasing online.

Registering Online:

For those that like the speed and convenience of buying of the internet, when you register for the game, you'll get a code which will unlock the game and remain valid for future upgrades. Go to the web page at http://www.astraware.com/games/freshgames/cubis for more details.

You'll need to know your HotSync ID which you can find by running Cubis for Palm, and going into the menu, and selecting the 'Register...' option. Your HotSync ID will be filled in for you below.

When you register, Astraware will generate a key based on your ID, which will normally be sent out by email within 48 hours of you registering. When you receive your key, go to the same register option, and enter the key into the space provided.

Astraware Products

You can find out about Astraware and the product range we have for mobile platforms by visiting our website at www.astraware.com.
Here are our top products at time of writing:

Astraware Palm Packs
GameHouse Games Pack 1Get shuffling with Nisqually, blast those blocks with Collapse and test your word power with TextTwist!
GameHouse Games Pack 2Make crazy chains in Glinx, match stunning gems in Gem Drop, and get them balls bouncing in Bounce Out!
It's A Blast! Shooting PackLet out your tension with some target practice with Galaxy Ranger, Police Range and Bang Bang!
Palm Games Pack 2001Zap!2000, Biplane Ace and Bzzz! together for under $25 - save over 25%
PopCap Games PackGet the web games revolution that is Bejeweled, plus Alchemy, Seven Seas, Mummy Maze and Atomica!
Astraware Palm Games
AbysmaIt's a race against time as you attempt to fill in the puzzle pieces before the descending bar of doom!
AlchemyTurn lead into gold in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Astro DefenceDefend your city from the asteroid threat!
AtomicaMake Molecules in Dr. Atomica's Laboratory in Astraware's addictive PopCap puzzle game!
Bang BangBackyard blasting fun
BejeweledBejeweled is the official handheld version of the incredibly popular and addictive online game by PopCap
Big Money!Coin collecting fun in another Pop Cap classic!
Biplane AceDogfight against rival fighter pilots
BookWorm for PalmFeed the bookworm’s loquacious appetite with words made from connected letter tiles.
Bounce OutBrain bending ball matching action
Bzzz! for PalmFly-catching action for the Palm
Candy Cruncher for PalmCandy Crunching Fun
Candy TrainGot a sweet tooth? Get your teeth into this new game from PopCap!
ChromaGamesGreat triple pack of classic games
Collapse!Tap matching blocks in this simple but frantic GameHouse game.
CubisThe next generation puzzle game
DynomiteGet prehistoric with this dino egg-citing game!
ElixirCollect valuable elixir from a stack of capsules without upsetting the balance in this ultra addictive game from Trixiam Studios.
Eye of HorusUnleash your magical powers with this Astraware puzzle game.
Galaxy RangerBe a Galaxy Ranger, Save the Universe!
Gem DropGem dropping, jewel matching fun
GlinxMake chains of gems as long as you can!
GTS Racing ChallengeBring the power of high speed car racing to the Palm of your hand!
InsaniquariumFeed fish and fight aliens in the craziest aquarium ever!
Link Letters for PalmForm chains of words by altering single letters in Astraware's version of a classic word linking game
MahjonggRelax your mind with the most authentic Mahjongg solitaire game for Palm-powered handhelds
Mars Needs CowsThe challenging PopCap puzzle game of animal abduction!
Mummy MazeEscape the maze and outsmart the mummy in this great PopCap game!
NisquallyMake lines of blocks to clear the screen and complete the level
Noah's ArkSave pairs of animals from the rising water in this great PopCap game!
Police RangePolice Range is a fast game of reactions, dexterity, accuracy and good judgment!
RicochetClassic brick blasting fun comes to the Palm in this conversion of the PC favourite.
Rooks RevengeTry to kill king in this real time chess game from ASAP Games.
Round UpMarble Moving Madness
Seven SeasShip Ahoy! Blast pirates with a broadside and navigate through dangerous waters, in this PopCap puzzle game
Shattered Worlds: Space Combat for PalmYour planet needs YOU!
T-BlasterPractice your graffiti/text entry by blasting aliens!
TacTicA twist on the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game pits you against the brain
Text TwistJuggle letters to make as many words as you can in a limited time!
TipTopTipTop is a swinging new action puzzle game with plenty of Fifties style and Vegas pizzazz.
What Word for PalmWord finding fun on your palm
Word Mojo for PalmMisplaced your mojo? Just say the word!
Zap!2000/2016Arcade gaming on the Palm has never looked so good!
Astraware Palm Applications
e.GuideYour essential TV episode guide for Palm
Timetable LiteKnow whats when with Timetable!
Timetable ProPlusThe essential tool for teachers and students, with assignment tracker

Release Revision History!

Release 1.0 : 15th December, 2003

  • First Public Release!

Feedback

If you've got suggestions about how to improve Astraware Cubis for Palm - or with reports of any problems you've had, then please contact us!

Cubis for Palm enquiries/feedback: cubis@astraware.com
Registration problems: registrations@astraware.com
General Astraware enquiries: feedback@astraware.com  

Contributors

Astraware
Programming: Janet Campbell
Graphics: Bryan King
Music: Yannis Bown

FreshGames
Executive Producer: Stephan Smith
Project Manager: Kevin McCann
Programming, Graphics, Audio: Smilie Ventures Ltd.

Many thanks also to our hard working beta testers!

Software Licence Agreement

This is a legal agreement between you, the end user, and Astraware Limited. Read this agreement very carefully. If you do not wish to accept this agreement, you may not use Cubis for Palm on a device or software emulator.

  1. Grant Of License
    This License permits you to use Cubis for Palm on any single computer, provided the software is installed on only one handheld device at any time.

  2. Copyright
    The software is owned by Astraware Limited. and is protected by United Kingdom copyright laws, international treaty provisions, and all other applicable national laws. You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, dissasemble or otherwise attempt to discover the code and algorithms of the software.

  3. Other Restrictions
    You may not rent or lease the software, but you may transfer your rights under this license agreement on a permanent basis provided you transfer all copies of the software and all written materials and the recipient agrees to the terms of this license.

  4. No Warranty
    The software is delivered as is and Astraware Limited. makes no warranty as to its use or performance. Astraware Limited. does not, and cannot warrant the performance or results you may obtain by using the Software or its documentation. Astraware Limited. makes no warranties, express or implied, as to noninfringement of third party rights, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. In no event will Astraware Limited. be liable to you for any consequential, incidental or special damages, or for any claim by any third party.

Legal

Astraware Ltd takes no responsibility for any adverse effect that this software could cause to your machine or the data on it: backup important data before using Cubis for Palm. Cubis for Palm is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Cubis for Palm is licensed, not sold.

You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble this software.

Astraware’s and its suppliers’ entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at Astraware’s option, either (a) return of the price paid, if any, or (b) replacement of the product that does not meet the warranty and which is returned to Astraware with a copy of your receipt. This warranty is void if failure of the product has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement software product will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. These remedies are not available without proof of purchase from an authorized source.

Written permission must be obtained before distribution of this game, either in demo form or full form, through any online or offline methods. 

Copyright (r) and (c) 2002-2003 Astraware Ltd and Freshgames LLC.

Astraware and the planet logo are trademarks of Astraware Limited. All rights reserved.