Introduction :

The basic rules are very simple, there's a snake which has to eat apples in order to grow and win points. You can already find this game on many mobile phones and other shareware or freeware.

So, what is new and unique in SnakeMe?

First of all, it's a nice game with beautiful colors, and a very ergonomic interface.

It's possible to play alone or with up to three other human players. But there is no need of one computer for each player: it's possible to put two players on the same keyboard, and the two other players can play on joypads if there are some. A game can have a maximum of eight players, so for example, if you're two human players, it possible to add up to 6 computer players (AI).

There is also a weapon, but be careful: there are not much munitions and you have to collect them.

Minimal Required Setup :

• Operating Systems :
  Windows (95, 98, Millennium, NT4, 2000)
  Linux (x86)
  Macintosh (PPC)
  Later, there will perhaps be more supported systems.
• Processor :
  For Windows and Linux: a 486 dx2 (or better) class computer.
  For Macintosh: an entry PowerPC class computer.
• Graphic Card :
  A SVGA 640x480x16 bpp graphic card (works also with 8 bpp but it's less nice, and with 32 bpp but it's slower).
• Sound Card :
  A SoundBlaster 16 or compatible sound card (44'100Hz 16bit stereo - works also with less, but the sound is ugly).
• RAM :
  8 Mo of RAM (16 Mo recommended).
• Hard Disk :
  4 Mo of space on the hard disk.
• Peripherals :
  A keyboard and a mouse.
  Joysticks are supported.

Installation on Windows :

• Double-click on the icon named "snakeme.win32.exe".
• Type path of the directory in which you want to install SnakeMe, or click on the browse button to choose a directory.
• And that's it, have fun!

Launch SnakeMe on Windows :

• Click on the start menu and go to Programs, SnakeMe.
• Choose which SnakeMe you want to launch by clicking on one of the shortcuts (English, French).

If you have problems launching SnakeMe, go to the directory where you installed SnakeMe and double-click on "SnakeMe.exe".

Uninstallation on Windows :

• Click on the start menu and go to Programs, SnakeMe.
• Click on the Uninstall shortcut.
• Follow the instructions.

The installation of SnakeMe is clean and ALL files are placed in the directory you specified. That's why you can also uninstall SnakeMe manually by simply deleting the SnakeMe directory, and no file will be left.

Installation on Macintosh :

• Click on the icon named "snakeme.macos".
• Follow the instructions.
• Then install the SDL extension.

Launch SnakeMe on Macintosh :

Go to the folder where you installed SnakeMe, and launch it.

Uninstallation on Macintosh :

Delete the SnakeMe folder and the SDL extension.

Linux :

Untar it by the command : tar xvzf snakeme.tar.gz

Then go into it, by : cd snakeme

Then launch snakeme by : ./snakeme

Main Menu :

There are 5 buttons :

• Game :
  Lets you play SnakeMe.
• Controls :
  Lets you customize the keys with which you will play.
• Advanced Setup :
  Lets you customize many parameters of the game.
• Level Editor :
  Allows you to edit existing levels or to design your own ones.
• Quit :
  Exits SnakeMe.

Game Setup :

There are 3 different sections in this screen :

First, on top, you can choose the level (at left) and game theme (at right). Use the arrows to change your selection. You can play any level with any theme.

Then, in the middle, there are 8 player configuration boxes. Each box lets you :

• Activate and inactivate the player, this is done with the green/red button. Green is activated, red is deactivated.
• Enter the player name, this is done by using the text input field.
• Choose the control mode, by clicking on the arrow picture. With 4 arrows, you control the snake in absolute mode, i.e. relative to the screen. With 2 arrows, you control the snake in relative mode, i.e. relative to the snake.
• Choose the player control, by clicking on the A, B, AI, A joy, B joy picture. In A mode, controls A are used. In B mode, controls B are used. You can configure the control keys in the controls section. For going to the controls section, click on the controls button on the bottom of the screen. In AI mode, an artificial intelligence (AI) controls the snake. In A joystick or B joystick (if available), you control the snake with the first, or second joystick.
• Choose the snake. Click on the arrow to select the snake.

Third, on the bottom, you can either return to main menu (Cancel button), start the game (Play button), configure control (Controls button), or go to the advanced options (Advanced Setup button) (see below).

Play :

On the top of the screen, you can see the different snakes that are playing, their names and their points. If a snake has collected bonus, a little blue bar appears under it's name. The longer the bar is the more bullets he has collected.

When a snake reaches the number of points to win, the game is finished, and a screen appears with the score of each snake. If you wish to finish the game before a winner has been declared, type the ESC key.

The way points are counted is defined in the advanced setup. You win points when you eat a meal bonus, when you throw a bullet in another snake, and when a snake crashes into your snake. You loose points when your snake gets cut by a bullet, and when your snake crashes into something.

Have fun!

Controls :

Here you can change the key for snake control. Click on a key, then enter the new key.

There are two ways to control your snake: with the absolute keys or with the relative keys. With the absolute keys, if you push for instance the key chosen for "Absolute left", your snake will go to the left. But with the relative keys, if you push the key chosen for "Relative left", your snake will turn 90 degrees anti-clockwise. In the "Game Setup" screen, there is a button where you can switch between absolute and relative mode.

The action button is used to fire the bullets you have collected in the game

Advanced Setup :

Here you can change advanced options for the game. With this, you can personalize the game-play, and have even more fun. Just move the bar to adjust your desired settings.

Here's a little explanation for each setting :

• Game Speed :
  Changes the number of frames per second (fps).
• Default snake length :
  Changes the snake length when they appear.
• Increase snake length :
  Changes the size that the snakes grow each time they eat a meal bonus.
• Number of meal :
  Changes the constant meal bonus quantity that is in the game.
• Meal change time :
  Regularly, the meal bonus change their position. This changes the time between the movement of the meal bonus.
• Number of fire bonus :
  Changes the constant fire bonus quantity that is in the game.
• Fire bonus change time :
  Regularly, the fire bonus change their position. This changes the time between the movement of the fire bonus.
• Number of point to win :
  Changes the number of point you have to reach as first to win.
• Point got when snake eat meal :
  Changes the number of point you win each time you eat a meal bonus.
• Point got when snake hit :
  Changes the number of point you win each time you cut a snake with a bullet.
• Point got when another snake crash into :
  Changes the number of point you win each time another snake crashes into your snake.
• Point lost when crashed :
  Changes the number of point you lose each time you kill yourself or get killed.
• Point lost when hit :
  Changes the number of point you lose each time you get cut by a bullet.

Level Editor :

Here you can edit a level. This editor is very easy to use, just as a paint program.

First of all, you have to know that on the top right, there is a little help text that appears if you put your mouse over a button.

On the top left there are six buttons :

• Exit
  Exits the level editor and returns to the game. If your level has not been saved, it asks you if you want to save it or not.
• Load
  Loads an existing level, so you can edit any existing level.
• New
  Creates a blank level.
• Save
  Allows you to save your level. If type the name of an existing level (or you click on an existing level), your theme will overwrite the other level without prompting.
• Theme
  Allows you to see what your level looks like with the chosen theme. But the chosen theme will not be attributed with your level: it will always be possible to play every level with every theme.
• Undo
  Allows you to un-do one action (and only one).

On the top middle, there are four drawing tools: the first draws points, the second draws lines, the third draws rectangles, and the last fills the given zone.

And on the top right, you can choose what you want to draw (nothing, an indestructible wall, or a destructible wall).

Contact :

Credits :