A note from Todd:

This is a totally 100% free version of Tetris (yes, another one). Enjoy!

Why did I make yet another version of Tetris? My number one goal was to make a version of Tetris with better soundtrack music. I really enjoy zoning into a decent Tetris-like game that has good music. So what is good Tetris music? Well, that's the catch isn't it? I have included some music that I really enjoy playing Tetris too, but that may not be the same music that you like. This brings me to my favorite feature.

YOU CAN CHANGE THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC TO WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO BE! Along with the ".exe" there should be a directory called "SoundTrack". Just drop your audio files into this directory and they will be played by the game. You can remove audio files from this directory that you do not enjoy. Your audio files can have any name and can be in any of the following formats: AIFF, SWA, AU, WAV, or MP3.

Besides the soundtrack music I simply wasn't able to find a free version of Tetris that I was completely happy with. I really just wanted a simple, basic version of the game with really nice solid graphics and audio. It is my hope that that is what I've made in TetrisFX.

I hope you enjoy the game!
-Todd

Q and A:

Q: Is it free?
A: Yes! It is so TOTALLY free! Don't you dare send me money! I don't want a single red penny from you; no matter how much you like it.

Q: Why another version of Tetris?
A: I've been addicted to the game for years and I wanted a free, simple, basic version of the game with really nice solid graphics and audio with cool (and player controllable) soundtrack music.

Q: What's with the "Background" option?
A: I developed this game on a very powerful dual processor machine. So, for dramatic effect I added a fast scrolling background. I later found that the scrolling background made the game almost unplayable on less powerful machines (lots of slowdown). I didn't take the feature out, but I did default it to "off" and gave the player the option of toggling it.

Q: How do I control the game?
A: If you click on the "About" option you should see a window with the basic controls. They are:

	Up arrow		rotate counter clockwise
	Down arrow		rotate clockwise
	Left arrow		move piece left
	Right arrow		move piece right
	Space bar		drop the piece
	z,x,c,v,b,n,m,<,>		drop the piece, but stop dropping when you release the key

Q: What's the difference between the Shockwave version of the game and the ".exe" version?
A: Well, first the ".exe" version can only be played on PCs running Microsoft Windows. The Shockwave version can be run on any platform with the Shockwave plug-in. The Shockwave version plays only one hard-coded soundtrack song and is 4 MB. The ".exe" version comes with three songs and you can add or remove songs as you wish (see above). The ".exe" version is 16.5 MB (because of all the extra music it comes with).

Q: Can I change the music?
A: With the ".exe" version of the game, yes, you can. Just drop your audio files into the "SoundTrack" directory and they will be played by the game. You can also remove audio files from this directory that you do not want to have played. Your audio files can have any name and can be in any of the following formats: AIFF, SWA, AU, WAV, or MP3.

Q: What's the story with the "global best scores list"?
A: I thought it would be fun if people could post their best scores to the Internet so that in addition to competing for the best local score in your household you can also try to get the best score of all the TetrisFX players in the world! While I'm writing this FAQ/Readme I haven't actually released the game yet so I have no idea how many people will be posting best scores. Maybe you will just be competing with me! :-)

Q: How do I post my best scores to the global best scores list?
A: At the end of each game you should be asked if you would like to upload the score you got. This will be your one and only chance to post that score. If you select "No Thanks" then you will not be able to upload that score even though you may see it on your local best score list. If my web site goes down (it does have technical problems from time to time) and you are unable to upload your score, try bookmaking the URL that the game attempts to send you to and loading it up at some other time (hopefully when the site is available again).

Q: How do I get the game?
A: You can play the Shockwave version of it in your web browser at http://www.toddm.net/tetrisfx/. If you have a Windows PC then you can download the ".exe" version at http://toddm.net/FTP_Anonymous/TetrisFX.exe. It's a big 16.5 MB download, but I think it's worth it.

Please do send me any bug reports questions or comments that you have. I can be reached via email at toddm@toddm.net.
Thanks!
-Todd