This Program is Shareware
This program is shareware. In shareware mode, all of the features of the program are enabled. The only item disabled is the saving of the game when you exit. This means when you restart the game, you are forced to start a new game. Also, all of your settings and statistics are reset.

You are free to evaluate the program for as long as you like. But, if you enjoy the program, you are encouraged to register it.

Please visit http://www.seahorsesoft.com/register.html to find out how to register this program. There are a variety of ways it can be accomplished. Once registered, you are entitled to free updates of the product for it's life.

How To Play
Ludo, a dice game originated in India, has been the inspiration for many classic board games like Sorry, Trouble, and Parcheesi. The goal is to move all your playing pieces from their starting position to their home area or center. The first player to do so wins the game.

The game consists of 2 to 4 players, 2 dice, 4 playing pieces per player, playing board, a starting square for each player, and a home stretch for each player. The current player's turn is indicated by their name listed in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, along with their piece color/type. If enabled in the Settings and on a color device, the middle of the screen also reflects the current player's color. In the upper right-hand corner of the screen the player type, human or computer, is listed.

All pieces move in a clockwise motion on the playing board. A "path" graphic in the upper right-hand corner of the screen shows the current players movement direction and home stretch location. The home stretch for each player is outlined in the player's color (or thick black border on non-color devices), and leads towards the center of the board.

Only one piece of a particular color/type can occupy a playing board square at a time. If in game play a player's piece lands exactly on the same square as another players at the end of movement, then the other player's piece is "bounced", or returned to their home start queue. Player pieces in their home stretch are protected from being bounced.

A single dice value of 6 or 1 (if enabled in the Settings) is required to move a playing piece from the start queue to the playing board. To start the piece, highlight the die by selecting it, then tap on the start queue for your playing pieces on the edge of the playing board. This will move the playing piece to the starting square, if that square does not already have the current player's piece in it.

To move a playing piece on the board, simply tap on it. It will be moved the number shown on the highlighted die. You can select a non-X die by tapping on it if you do not want to use the currently selected one (the Settings determine which die is selected first after a roll). Pieces will always move in a clockwise manner following the correct path to the home stretch.

A player's turn is over when both dice are used or when the "End Turn" button in the upper left-hand part of the screen is tapped. Logic is built into the game to detect when no moves are possible. This logic checks after the dice are rolled and when one die is used. When no moves are detected, the words "No Moves!" are displayed above the dice, and the turn changes to the next player. If enabled in the Settings, when doubles are turned up in the first roll of a turn, then that player gets a second turn.

Winning the game depends on the "Game End" option in the Settings. If "Fill Center" is selected, then the goal is to move all playing pieces up the home stretch into the center of the board. An exact die number is required to move a playing piece from the playing board/home stretch into the center. Numbers at the end of each player's home stretch indicate how many pieces have already reached the center. The first player to move all 4 playing pieces into the center wins. If "Fill Home Stretch" is selected, then the goal is to move all 4 playing pieces into the home stretch. The first player to do so wins the game.

After the completion of a game, a new one is started with the same players (including those which were resigned).

The New Game menu item starts a new game with the current players (including those that were resigned). See further in the help text for information on the Change Players and Resign Players menu items.

High-Resolution Enhancements:
This program is enhanced to take advantage of the high-resolution screens on the HandEra 330, Sony Clié running Palm OS 4.x, and Palm OS 5.x devices. Enhancements generally are better graphics and use of extra screen space when the silkscreen is minimized (currently only on the HandEra 330).

Jog Dial/Wheel Enhancements:
This program has also been enhanced to take advantage of the Jog Dials and Wheels on various devices.

You can also use the Jog Dial up/down in any of the on-line help screens. Pressing the Jog Dial will exit the help system.

Change Players
This screen allows you to choose how many and what type of players there are in the game. The game allows 2 to 4 players, with at least one of them being human. Each player can be assigned a name, which is used in informational messages in the game. When player choices are completed, tap the "Play Game" button to begin a new game. Logic will detect if incorrect combinations are selected, and instruct on how to remedy the choices.

Players not in the game have their starting positions and home stretch grayed out.

Resign Players
This screen allows you to resign or remove players in the middle of a game without starting a new game. You can not access this screen if only two players are playing. The players color/shape, name, and type are displayed on the screen. To select a player or players to resign, check the "Resign This Player" box above their name. When selections are complete, tap on the "Resign Selected Players" button. If selections are valid, a confirmation message will pop up asking if you want to resign the selected players. If the selections are not valid, a message will instruct you on the reason why they are not valid. Once returned to the game, the resigned players are removed from the game, and their start positions and home stretches are grayed out.

Settings Help

• More Settings
  Changes to another page of additional Settings.
• Movement/Message Speed
  These settings adjust how fast the playing pieces and messages are moved or displayed.
• Game End
  Fill Center: Game goal is to move all playing pieces up the home stretch into the center of the board.
  Fill Home Stretch: Game goal is to move all 4 playing pieces into the home stretch.
• Computer Level
  Sets the level of play the computer players use.
• Dice Select
  Auto: Logic is used to select a 6 or 1 if a piece can be started.
  Left: The left die is always selected first.
• Dice Animated
  If checked, then the dice appear to roll at the beginning of each turn. Else, the final rolled values are displayed.
• Die of 1 Can Start Piece
  If checked, then a die value of 1 can be used to start a piece, along with a value of 6. Else, only a die value of 6 can be used.
• Player Gets Extra Roll On Doubles
  If checked, when doubles are turned up in the first roll of a turn, then that player gets a second turn.
• 3D Boxes
  If checked, the playing board boxes have a 3D-like look. Else, the playing board has a 2-Dimensional look.
• Sounds On
  If checks, player movements and bounces generate beeps. Note this setting requires System Sounds and general Sounds to be enabled on the device.
• Color Settings (if on a color enabled device)
  
  • Board Middle Is Player Color
    If checked, the middle of the playing board is the color of the current player.
  • Background
    Tap on the color square to change the background color of the game.

Support

• Web: http://www.seahorsesoft.com/support.html
• E-mail: support@seahorsesoft.com

Disclaimer
All attempts were made to make a quality program that runs without glitches. But from time to time glitches (or bugs) do inadvertently appear in the program. You are encouraged to make frequent backups of your data to prevent loss. As such, Seahorse Software can not be held responsible for any data loss experienced by use of this program.

Also, Seahorse Software can not be held accountable for any addictions formed to our software. If your boss catches you playing this game at work, we also claim lack of knowledge ;)