NCRisk Help

Contents

Registration

Menu Commands

Procedures

Mouse Shortcuts


Registration

Copyright and Necessary Notices

README File

To view the README file, select Load README File. By doing so, the README file will be loaded into Window's Write application for viewing. When finished, close Write to return to NCRisk Help.

How To Register

LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM

To print the LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM, select Print LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM. By doing so, the LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM will be loaded by Window's Write application for printing. To just view and/or manually print the LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM, select Load LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM. This will load the LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM into Window's Write application for viewing and/or manual printing. When finished, close Write to return to NCRisk Help.

Welcome to NCRisk!

System Requirements

Original Files Included within NCRisk Version 3.0a

History and Future of NCRisk


Copyright and Necessary Notices

Copyright

NCRisk, Copyright (c) 1988 - 1996, by Neil Clasen, All Rights Reserved

Neil Clasen

Attn.:  NCRisk Users

P.O. Box 496

Burnt Hills, N.Y.  12027

NCRisk Version 3.0a is Copyrighted User Support software. This means that you may try this software out before you pay for a user license to continue using the software. If after trying this software out, you decide to keep it or continue to use it, you are directed to register your copy with the author at the given address for a single site user license - thus the term "User Support". Further improvements to this software are directly dependent on the support given by its users.

NCRisk Version 3.0a may be freely distributed and shared with others, but only in its complete, original form! No one may modify NCRisk or its accompanying materials, for any reason, in any way, including but not limited to disassembling.

Disclaimer

NCRisk Version 3.0a - and all previous and future versions - with its accompanying materials and documentation is a proprietary product and is protected by copyright laws! Upon registering your copy, it is licensed - not sold - for use by the registrant! The software is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied! IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR OR ANYONE ELSE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST SAVINGS, LOST PROFITS, OR ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE!


How To Register

To register your copy of NCRisk Version 3.0a, fill out the LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM included and send it along with a self-addressed stamped envelope with $19.00 in a check or money order form to:

Neil Clasen

Attn.: NCRisk Users

P.O. Box 496

Burnt Hills, N.Y.  12027

No fee, charge, contribution or remuneration may be collected on behalf of NCRisk by anyone other than the author stated in this document. If you wish to obtain a new disk with the latest complete version of NCRisk, include $5.00 extra to cover the cost of the disk and shipping charges. Consider getting a new copy of NCRisk directly from the author so that you know the original source of your software. This ensures authenticity and helps fight the spread of potentially serious software "viruses".

Clearly specify the Name to be used as the Registrant, and which NCRisk version you are registering. Please include information about the computer system which this software is used on. Any comments, suggestions for future versions, or forbid - information of bugs, are requested by the author and will be greatly useful.

Registering your copy of NCRisk is the only method the author has to keep in touch with the NCRisk users. Registered users will be notified of new versions of NCRisk as they become available. Within a specified period of time upon the notification, registered users have the option to obtain a FREE registered copy of the new version for $5.00 to cover the cost of the disk and shipping charges. Registered users have the added benefit that they may write for further help, information and/or pointers concerning NCRisk.

A LICENSE REGISTRATION FORM has been provided with this software package for mail-in registration. Even if you do not register, the author encourages comments from all of those who have been exposed to NCRisk. This will allow for improvements to the software which will make it more enjoyable to use. So please take a moment to fill out and mail the form regardless. It is the least one could ask.

The main intent of registering your copy of NCRisk is not to make a profit for the author. Any contribution will indeed be used for previous and future investments in the software development. This includes costs of hardware and software used to develop and maintain NCRisk.


Welcome to NCRisk
Welcome to NCRisk!

NCRisk Version 3.0a is User Support software for 100% IBM Compatible Personal Computers. NCRisk is a Continental Game similar to Parker Brothers' board game - Risk.


System Requirements

NCRisk Version 3.0a requires a 100% IBM Compatible Personal Computer running Microsoft Windows Version 3.1x. The minimum system requirement configuration for Microsoft Windows Version 3.1x is sufficient for minimum system requirements for NCRisk Version 3.0a.

NCRisk Version 3.0a should also run under Microsoft Windows Version 3.0, although NCRisk Version 3.0a was developed and tested for Microsoft Windows Version 3.1 and therefore has not and should not be considered as thoroughly tested for Microsoft Windows Version 3.0.


Original Files Included within NCRisk Version 3.0a

README.WRI	-  Initial Instructions and Information in Microsoft Write format.

README.NCR	-  The Extended ASCII format equivalent of README.WRI.

LICENSE.WRI	-  Mail-In License Registration Form in Microsoft Write format.

LICENSE.NCR	-  The Extended ASCII format equivalent of LICENSE.WRI.

NCRISK.HLP	-  This file.

WNCRISK.EXE	-  NCRisk Version 3.0a program for Microsoft Windows version 3.1x.


History and Future of NCRisk

NCRisk Version 1.00 (for MS-DOS) was released June 24, 1988.

NCRisk Version 1.10 (for MS-DOS) was released July 27, 1988.

NCRisk Version 1.20 (for MS-DOS) was released August 15, 1988.

NCRisk Version 1.30 (for MS-DOS) was released January 14, 1989.

NCRisk Version 1.61 (for MS-DOS) was released February 20, 1989.

NCRisk Version 1.70 (for MS-DOS) was released October 21, 1989.

NCRisk Version 2.0a (for MS-DOS) was released May 15, 1992.

NCRisk Version 3.0a is the first version designed for Microsoft Windows.

If sufficient interest and support is given for NCRisk, future versions may include added game options. Possibilities are the use of territory cards and a version in which NCRisk plays one side of the game. Another possibility would be a NCRisk Users Bulletin Board System. Send in your registration form to keep informed.

NCRisk distribution began in the Albany, New York area. Distribution was originally from local Bulletin Board Systems in this area. NCRisk is now also distributed by numerous "Shareware" library distributors. The author is interested in how far NCRisk gets distributed.


Menu Commands

Game Menu

New

Open

Save

Save As

Distribute Armies

Attack

End Turn

Alter

Exit

View Menu

Plain

Identifiers

Full Names

Statistics

Redraw/Repaint

Options Menu

Color

Save Settings on Exit

Sound

Help Menu

Help

About NCRisk


Procedures

How to Begin

Game Rules - Overview

Attacking

Ending a Turn

Free Move


How to Begin

NCRisk Version 3.0a is started from within Microsoft Windows Version 3.1x. For more information on how to start an application within Windows, see "Starting an Application" within the Microsoft Windows User's Guide.

It is recommended that if you use a hard disk, you create a separate sub-directory for NCRisk Version 3.0a, such as "NCRISK30", and then copy NCRisk Version 3.0a into it. You may then run NCRisk from the sub-directory on your hard disk.


Game Rules - Overview

The object to NCRisk is to conquer the world through eliminating all opponents by occupying all the territories.

The following Instructions assume the players are familiar with the rules from the Risk board game by Parker Brothers. This software game is similar to the board game except that in NCRisk Version 3.0a there are no Cards used.

Play begins by randomly distributing territories evenly to each of the participating players. Depending upon the number of players participating, each player is allocated an initial number of armies. Single armies are automatically taken from each player and placed upon each of the initial randomly distributed territories. All players must then distribute remaining undistributed armies to territories which they occupy. Once all armies are initially distributed, players have the opportunity to move/redistribute any of their armies to any other territory they occupy using the Move Armies command. After this has been completed, one player is randomly selected to become the initial active player.

Players take turns in being the active player. At the beginning of each turn, players earn additional armies to distribute to territories which they occupy. The amount of additional armies the player receives depends upon how many territories and continents the player occupies at that point in time. One army is awarded for every three territories the player occupies for a minimum of three armies. Additional armies are awarded for each continent which the player is the sole owner of. The player whose turn is beginning must distribute these additional earned armies amongst his/her territories at the beginning of his/her turn.

The current active player's pattern is displayed in the Status Box. Beneath the Status Box, the patterns of all active players are shown within the Turn Order Boxes.

During each player's turn, if able, the player may choose to attack opponent territories for as long as he/she wishes. When the player no longer wishes to attack, he/she ends his/her turn and the next player begins their turn.


Attacking

Players may attack only when it is their turn. Using the attack command, the attacking player selects one of his/her territories to use for attacking an opponent's adjacent territory. The territory the player chooses to use for the attack must hold two or more armies. The attacking player then selects an opponent territory to attack

Rolling Dice

After the two territories have been selected by the attacking player, the attacking player chooses the number of dice to roll. He/she must roll at least one die but may roll up to three. He/she must have at least one more army upon the attacking territory than the number of dice chooses. Likewise, the defending player chooses how many dice to roll. The defending player must roll at least one die but may roll two if he/she has more than one army upon the defending territory. Note the difference between the attacker's and the defender's requirements in determining the maximum number of dice allowed to roll.

Roll Results

The highest dice rolled by each the attacker and the defender are compared. If the attacker's highest die is greater than the defender's, the defender loses one army, otherwise, the attacker loses one army. If both players rolled a second die, the same comparison and action is performed upon the second highest die for each player.

Attack Results

If after rolling the dice and removing the appropriate armies, the defender no longer holds any armies upon the defending territory, the attacker conquers the defending territory. The attacking player then selects the number of territories to move from the attacking territory into the conquered defending territory. As many armies as desired may be moved at long as at least one army remains upon the attacking territory.

If after rolling the dice and removing the appropriate armies, the defender still holds some armies upon the defending territory, it is the decision of the attacker to either stop the attack or repeat it.

Attacking opponent territories may continue for each player's turn until he/she chooses to end their turn.


Ending a Turn

When the current active player chooses not to attack, he/she ends his/her turn by selecting the End Turn command. The player is then entitled to one free move.

The next player's turn will then automatically begin once the current active player has completed his/her free move option.


Free Move

At the end of the current active player's turn, the player may, if he/she desires, move armies from just one territory to another adjacent territory. Both territories must be occupied by the current active player. Any number of armies may be moved at long as at least one army is left upon the territory where the armies are being moved from.


Mouse Shortcuts

New command

Distribute Armies command

Attack command

Change Turn command


New command (Mouse shortcut)
New command (Mouse shortcuts)

Clicking the left mouse button anywhere within the NCRisk window client area before the first game has begun will activate the New command.


Distribute Armies command (Mouse shortcuts)

During an active game, clicking the right mouse button within the border of any territory will activate the Distribute Armies command. If any undistributed armies exist, the same result will occur by clicking the left mouse button.


Attack command (Mouse shortcuts)

During an active game and if no undistributed armies exist, click the left mouse button within the border of a territory which is occupied by the attacking player to activate the Attack command.

To specify the actual attacking territory, make sure the left mouse button is clicked within the border of the desired attacking territory. Additionally, to specify the defending territory, when clicking the left mouse button, drag the mouse pointer to within the border of the desired defending territory before releasing the left mouse button.


Change Turn command (Mouse shortcuts)

During an active game, click within the border of the status box to activate the Change Turn command.


New command (Game menu)

Use this command to begin a new game. Enter 2 - 6 player names next to desired patterns. Patterns need not be used in sequential order.


Open command (Game menu)

Use this command to load a previously saved game.


Save command (Game menu)

Use this command to save the current active game. If the game has already been named, the current game layout will be saved using the same name. If the game has not already been named, a new name must be specified.


Save As command (Game menu)

Use this command to save the current game to a specific name.


Distribute Armies command (Game menu)

Use this command to distribute undistributed armies to territories.


Attack command (Game menu)

The current active player uses this command to attack opponent territories. All undistributed armies must be distributed before this command may be used.


End Turn command (Game menu)

The current active player uses this command to end his turn and pass control to the next player.


Alter sub-menu (Game menu)

These sub-commands alter the game through non-standard (i.e. unofficial) means.

Change Armies

Change Name

Change Owner

Change Turn

Move Armies


Change Armies command (Alter sub-menu)

Use this non-standard command to alter the number of armies placed upon a territory. This command should not be used to distribute undistributed armies.


Change Name command (Alter sub-menu)

Use this command to change the name of a player. The new name must be at least 1 character in length.


Change Owner command (Alter sub-menu)

Use this non-standard command to alter the owner of a territory.


Change Turn command (Alter sub-menu)

Use this non-standard command to alter the current active player's turn. This command should not be used to end the current active player's turn.


Move Armies command (Alter sub-menu)

Use this non-standard command to move territories from one territory to another territory. Both territories must be owned by the same player. This non-standard command is only provided to correct possible input errors when players conquer territories or end turns.


Exit command (Game menu)

Use this command to exit NCRisk.


Plain command (View menu)

Use this command to display territories without displaying any identification.


Identifiers command (View menu)

Use this command to display territories with two character identifiers. This is the standard NCRisk view.


Full Names command (View menu)

Use this command to display territories with full names. When using this view, territory names may overlap other portions of the board and leave portions illegible.


Statistics command (View menu)

Use this command to display various game statistics.


Redraw/Repaint command (View menu)

Use this command to refresh the board. This command may be used if the board has been unexpectedly overwritten.


Color command (Options menu)

Use this command to change the color of various board items.


Save Settings on Exit command (Options menu)

Use this command to save the current options settings when NCRisk exits.


Sound command (Options menu)

Use this command to enable or disable audible sounds. Sounds used by NCRisk are limited to those associated with standard MS-Windows message beeps.


Help command (Help menu)

Use this command to obtain on-line help for NCRisk.


About NCRisk command (Help menu)

Use this command to display NCRisk program information.


Acknowledgments

No attempt has been made by the author of NCRisk to replace or detract from the Risk by Parker Brothers.

Any specific names, either hardware, software or other, used in this documentation and included materials, are trademarks of the their respective manufacturers. This includes, but may not be limited to, the following:

* Risk is a registered trademark of Parker Brothers.

* MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, MS-Windows, Windows, Write are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

* IBM, IBM Personal Computer, PC are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.


Active Game

A game which has begun and which still has territories occupied by more than one player.


Active Player

A player who occupies one or more territories.


Adjacent Territory

A territory which either shares a border with another or is joined by a dashed line.


Africa

Worth 3 armies and consisting of six red territories: North Africa, Egypt, East Africa, Congo, South Africa and Madagascar.


army
Army/Armies

A single unit owned by a player of which is placed upon a territory to represent and measure occupancy. Armies are awarded to players at the beginning of each turn and must be distributed amongst that player's territories. Armies are lost as a result of an attack.


Asia

Worth 7 armies and consisting of twelve green territories: Ural, Siberia, Yakutsk, Kamchatka, Irkutsk, Afghanistan, China, Mongolia, Japan, Middle East, India and Siam.


Attack

When a territory of the current active player challenges an opponent's adjacent territory. The outcome results in the loss of one or two armies by the attacking player, the defending player or both.


Attacking Player

The current active player who has chosen to attack an opponent's territory.


Attacking Territory

The territory chosen by the attacking player to attack an opponent's defending territory.


Australia

Worth 2 armies and consisting of four magenta territories: Indonesia, New Guinea, Western Australia and Eastern Australia.


Board

The complete window client area within NCRisk consisting of the ocean, territories, status box and the players' turn order boxes.


continent
Continent(s)

A group of territories of whose sole occupancy entitle the occupying player extra additional bonus armies at the beginning of each turn. There are six continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.


Current Active Game

An active game which is in progress.


Current Active Player

The player whose turn it is. The pattern of the current active player is displayed within the status box.

The player whose turn it is remains the current active player until he/she ends his/her turn. While it is the current active player's turn, he/she may attack opponent territories for as long as he/she is able and wishes to do so.


Defending Player

The player who occupies the territory which is being attacked by the attacking player.


Defending Territory

The territory chosen by the attacking player to be attacked by the attacking territory.


Europe

Worth 5 armies and consisting of seven blue territories: Iceland, Great Britain, Scandinavia, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Southern Europe and Ukraine.


NCRisk

A continental game of strategy and luck whose object is to occupy every territory on the board and eliminate all other players in doing so.


North America

Worth 5 armies and consisting of nine yellow territories: Alaska, Northwest Territory, Greenland, Alberta, Ontario. Quebec, Western United States, Eastern United States and Central America.


South America

Worth 2 armies and consisting of four cyan territories: Venezuela, Peru, Brazil and Argentina


Status Box

The rectangular box near the lower left center of the board. The status box displays the pattern of the current active player's turn.


territory
Territory/Territories

A single unit of the board which is occupied by a single player at any given instance. Each territory much always holds at least one or more armies.


Turn Order Boxes

The short rectangular boxes lined up underneath the status box. One box is displayed for each active player. Each box is filled with one active player's pattern and displayed in the order which turns are taken.


Undistributed Armies

Armies which have been awarded to the players but which have not yet been placed upon a territory.


User Support software

Software which uses a Marketing strategy where users may try out software before they decide to pay for a user license if they wish to continue using the software. If after trying the software out, a user decides to keep or continue to use the software, they are required to register their software copy with the author for a user license.