- Overview
- How to play
- Quick guide to playing moan
- Annotated screen shots
- The rules of moan - detailed
- Hints and tips
- Save and load
- Trouble-shooting
- Licence
OVERVIEW
Moan is a game for one to four players. It is played with two packs of cards, including the jokers, giving 108 cards in the deck. The deck is placed face-down in the middle of the table with the players sat around it.
Each player starts on Level One and is dealt eleven cards. The top card in the pack is placed next to the pack, face-up. The players take turns taking a card from the middle, making their move(s) to try to complete their level, and then dropping a card, face up, into the middle. The winner is the first person to complete Level Ten.
HOW TO PLAY
Probably the best way to learn how to play Moan is to read the quick guide below and move through the annotated screen shots. Then run !Moan and have a go in single player mode. If you're not sure about what's happening, you can then read the more detailed explanation of the rules.
Once you've mastered the basics of the game, you can read the hints and tips section and try playing in multiplayer games.
QUICK GUIDE TO PLAYING MOAN
- Start first round with all players on level one
- Player 1 takes a card from either of the packs in the middle of the table (face up or face down)
- Player 1 tries to meet the objectives of their level (level is complete if they manage - they will start the next level at the start of the next round)
- Player 1 adds cards to other players' sets (only if Player 1 has completed their level)
- Player 1 disposes of a card into middle (if they have a card left)
- If Player 1 has no cards left to play, they have won the round. Start a new round
- Player 2 takes their turn
- The winner is the player who wins the round when they are on level ten
ANNOTATED SCREEN SHOTS
- The Options window
- The Player Setup window
- The Main window
- Sorting out your hand
- The cards in the middle
- Taking a card from the middle
- Completing the level
- Throwing a card away
- The high scores
THE RULES OF MOAN - DETAILED
In Moan, the card's suit is not important; only its value matters. Twos and jokers are considered to be wildcards and can be assigned any value by the player.
At the start of a game, the deck is shuffled and each player is dealt their hand of eleven cards. The top card of the deck is placed face-up next to the deck.
The game is divided rounds. During each round, each player takes a turn to try to achieve the objectives for the level which they are playing - there are ten levels.
At the end of each round, at least one of the players will have progressed onto the next level. The winner of the game is the player who completes the round when playing their tenth level.
A turn consists of taking a card from the middle of the table, either from the top of the face-down pack or from the top of the face-up pack. The player may then place cards face-up in front of them if they meet or exceed the level's objectives. Once the turn is complete, the player must drop a card from their hand onto the top of the face-up pack (if they have any cards left in their hand).
Consider the following example:
Level one has the objective of getting two sets of three of a kind. The player has the following hand:
Ace, Ace, Three, Five, Six, Six, Eight, Jack, Queen, King, Joker
and the top card in the face-up pack is:
Six
At the start of their turn they have the choice of whether to take the top face-down card or the top face-up card. In this case, they want to get two sets of three of a kind so they will take the Six from the face-up pack.
This gives them the following:
Ace, Ace, Three, Five, Six, Six, Six, Eight, Jack, Queen, King, Joker
As the Joker is a wildcard, it can be assigned any value. If the player assigns is the value of Ace, they will have met the objectives for their level.
Thus, the player will be able to make their move:
Ace, Ace, Joker (Ace)
Six, Six, Six
Leaving their hand with:
Three, Five, Eight, Jack, Queen, King
As the player has met their level's objectives, they are now allowed to add their remaining cards to other players' sets (if possible).
Finally, if there are any cards left in the player's hand, they must select one and drop it onto the face-up pack to end their turn. If the computer beeps and the card to throw away is returned to the hand, it means that the move the player has made is in some way invalid. For example, they may have created a run with a 'gap' in it - three, four, five, seven, eight. You cannot finish your turn until the sets you have created are valid.
Once a player's turn has ended, the next player takes their turn. This progresses in a clockwise order around the table until a player has emptied their hand.
On the rare occasion that a player takes the last face-down card, the face-up pack is shuffled and turned face-down. The card which was on the top of the face-up pack is left as the first card in the new face up pack.
HINTS AND TIPS
This is the help documentation for RISC OS Moan by 7th software. This application supports the Interactive Help Protocol.
Here are some useful hints and tips on how to get the most out of your game of Moan, whether you're playing against other players or against the clock.
- If you're interrupted, close the main window so that the clock stops. Clicking on the iconbar will open the window again and restart the clock.
- Don't throw wildcards onto the face-up pack. If you do, you're just giving the next player an advantage.
- If there's a wildcard on the top of the face-up pack, take it! You'll always be able to use it.
- As soon as you've layed-out the cards for the set(s) you need to make for the level you're playing, get rid of as many cards as you can onto other players' sets.
- Select the cards to put down carefully; you need to try to keep cards which you may be able to add to other players' sets later.
- You can take a card from the middle or throw a card away onto the face-up pack by ADJUST-clicking it. This is often easier than dragging it.
- You should watch what face-up cards the player after you refuses to take; the chances are you'll be able to throw more of them away later without helping them.
- You should try to make a note of the most common cards which other players are throwing away. This will give you a clue as to what they are collecting (when players are collecting the same cards as you, it's going to be more difficult because there will be fewer cards of that value to go around).
- If you're in single player mode and you want to finish by clicking on the "Finish" icon, do it at the start of your turn (before you pick up from the middle) because that's one card less worth of penalties.
SAVE AND LOAD
Once a game has been started, it can be saved at any point by opening the main menu (MENU click over the main window) and following the "Save" item to the "Save" window.
Give the file a suitable name and drag it to the directory where you want the saved game file to be created. Any file already present in the directory with that name will be replaced.
Saved games can be loaded by double-clicking on them. The Moan application does not have to be running when you run a saved game file; it will load as needed.
One thing to note about loading a saved game: all cards in the face-down pack, are shuffled when a game is loaded. This prevents players from saving a game at the start of each turn to plan their move - that's cheating!
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
If you are experiencing any problems with the Moan application, the first thing to do is check it against the following common issues and solutions:
- I can't find the "Pause" option.
Close the main window - the clock will pause while it is closed. - I can't make the computer-controlled players work.
Computer controlled players are not implemented in this version of Moan. - It keeps beeping when I try to get rid of a card.
There is an invalid set somewhere (e.g. a run with a gap in it). - It won't let me put cards on other players' sets.
You have to meet (or exceed) your own level's objectives first. - How do I delete a profile that I don't want any more?
The profiles are stored in Boot:Choices.Moan.Profiles. You can delete them while the application is running - it won't mind! - I saved a game but the cards look different when I loaded it.
The design on the reverse of the card is not stored in the saved game file.
If Moan behaves strangely or you think it is doing something wrong, save the game and send it to 7th software along with an explanation of what the problem is.
Finally, if Moan should generate an error which you think may be the result of a bug, you can submit a bug report. Open the iconbar menu, go to the "Info" window and toggle the size. You will see a row of icons:
- Web site - click there to visit the 7th software web site;
- Email - click there to open an email to 7th software;
- Fault
Clicking on the "Fault" icon will open a template fault report in a text editor window. Add your comments and attach it to an email to 7th software along with any other useful information (e.g. a saved game).
LICENCE
COMMON DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION LICENSE (CDDL) Version 1.0
1. Definitions.
1.1. "Contributor" means each individual or entity that creates or contributes to the creation of Modifications.
1.2. "Contributor Version" means the combination of the Original Software, prior Modifications used by a Contributor (if any), and the Modifications made by that particular Contributor.
1.3. "Covered Software" means (a) the Original Software, or (b) Modifications, or (c) the combination of files containing Original Software with files containing Modifications, in each case including portions thereof.
1.4. "Executable" means the Covered Software in any form other than Source Code.
1.5. "Initial Developer" means the individual or entity that first makes Original Software available under this License, which in this case is 7th software Limited, UK company number 09396615.
1.6. "Larger Work" means a work which combines Covered Software or portions thereof with code not governed by the terms of this License.
1.7. "License" means this document.
1.8. "Licensable" means having the right to grant, to the maximum extent possible, whether at the time of the initial grant or subsequently acquired, any and all of the rights conveyed herein.
1.9. "Modifications" means the Source Code and Executable form of any of the following:
A. Any file that results from an addition to, deletion from or modification of the contents of a file containing Original Software or previous Modifications;
B. Any new file that contains any part of the Original Software or previous Modification; or
C. Any new file that is contributed or otherwise made available under the terms of this License.
1.10. "Original Software" means the Source Code and Executable form of computer software code that is originally released under this License.
1.11. "Patent Claims" means any patent claim(s), now owned or hereafter acquired, including without limitation, method, process, and apparatus claims, in any patent Licensable by grantor.
1.12. "Source Code" means (a) the common form of computer software code in which modifications are made and (b) associated documentation included in or with such code.
1.13. "You" (or "Your") means an individual or a legal entity exercising rights under, and complying with all of the terms of, this License. For legal entities, "You" includes any entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with You. For purposes of this definition, "control" means (a) the power, direct or indirect, to cause the direction or management of such entity, whether by contract or otherwise, or (b) ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares or beneficial ownership of such entity.
2. License Grants.
2.1. The Initial Developer Grant.
Conditioned upon Your compliance with Section 3.1 below and subject to third party intellectual property claims, the Initial Developer hereby grants You a world-wide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license:
(a) under intellectual property rights (other than patent or trademark) Licensable by Initial Developer, to use, reproduce, modify, display, perform, sublicense and distribute the Original Software (or portions thereof), with or without Modifications, and/or as part of a Larger Work; and
(b) under Patent Claims infringed by the making, using or selling of Original Software, to make, have made, use, practice, sell, and offer for sale, and/or otherwise dispose of the Original Software (or portions thereof).
(c) The licenses granted in Sections 2.1(a) and (b) are effective on the date Initial Developer first distributes or otherwise makes the Original Software available to a third party under the terms of this License.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b) above, no patent license is granted: (1) for code that You delete from the Original Software, or (2) for infringements caused by: (i) the modification of the Original Software, or (ii) the combination of the Original Software with other software or devices.
2.2. Contributor Grant.
Conditioned upon Your compliance with Section 3.1 below and
subject to third party intellectual property claims, each
Contributor hereby grants You a world-wide, royalty-free,
non-exclusive license:
(a) under intellectual property rights (other than patent or trademark) Licensable by Contributor to use, reproduce, modify, display, perform, sublicense and distribute the Modifications created by such Contributor (or portions thereof), either on an unmodified basis, with other Modifications, as Covered Software and/or as part of a Larger Work; and
(b) under Patent Claims infringed by the making, using, or selling of Modifications made by that Contributor either alone and/or in combination with its Contributor Version (or portions of such combination), to make, use, sell, offer for sale, have made, and/or otherwise dispose of: (1) Modifications made by that Contributor (or portions thereof); and (2) the combination of Modifications made by that Contributor with its Contributor Version (or portions of such combination).
(c) The licenses granted in Sections 2.2(a) and 2.2(b) are effective on the date Contributor first distributes or otherwise makes the Modifications available to a third party.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 2.2(b) above, no patent license is granted: (1) for any code that Contributor has deleted from the Contributor Version; (2) for infringements caused by: (i) third party modifications of Contributor Version, or (ii) the combination of Modifications made by that Contributor with other software (except as part of the Contributor Version) or other devices; or (3) under Patent Claims infringed by Covered Software in the absence of Modifications made by that Contributor.
3. Distribution Obligations.
3.1. Availability of Source Code.
Any Covered Software that You distribute or otherwise make available in Executable form must also be made available in Source Code form and that Source Code form must be distributed only under the terms of this License. You must include a copy of this License with every copy of the Source Code form of the Covered Software You distribute or otherwise make available. You must inform recipients of any such Covered Software in Executable form as to how they can obtain such Covered Software in Source Code form in a reasonable manner on or through a medium customarily used for software exchange.
3.2. Modifications.
The Modifications that You create or to which You contribute are governed by the terms of this License. You represent that You believe Your Modifications are Your original creation(s) and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
3.3. Required Notices.
You must include a notice in each of Your Modifications that identifies You as the Contributor of the Modification. You may not remove or alter any copyright, patent or trademark notices contained within the Covered Software, or any notices of licensing or any descriptive text giving attribution to any Contributor or the Initial Developer.
3.4. Application of Additional Terms.
You may not offer or impose any terms on any Covered Software in Source Code form that alters or restricts the applicable version of this License or the recipients' rights hereunder. You may choose to offer, and to charge a fee for, warranty, support, indemnity or liability obligations to one or more recipients of Covered Software. However, you may do so only on Your own behalf, and not on behalf of the Initial Developer or any Contributor. You must make it absolutely clear that any such warranty, support, indemnity or liability obligation is offered by You alone, and You hereby agree to indemnify the Initial Developer and every Contributor for any liability incurred by the Initial Developer or such Contributor as a result of warranty, support, indemnity or liability terms You offer.
3.5. Distribution of Executable Versions.
You may distribute the Executable form of the Covered Software under the terms of this License or under the terms of a license of Your choice, which may contain terms different from this License, provided that You are in compliance with the terms of this License and that the license for the Executable form does not attempt to limit or alter the recipient's rights in the Source Code form from the rights set forth in this License. If You distribute the Covered Software in Executable form under a different license, You must make it absolutely clear that any terms which differ from this License are offered by You alone, not by the Initial Developer or Contributor. You hereby agree to indemnify the Initial Developer and every Contributor for any liability incurred by the Initial Developer or such Contributor as a result of any such terms You offer.
3.6. Larger Works.
You may create a Larger Work by combining Covered Software with other code not governed by the terms of this License and distribute the Larger Work as a single product. In such a case, You must make sure the requirements of this License are fulfilled for the Covered Software.
4. Versions of the License.
4.1. New Versions.
Sun Microsystems, Inc. is the initial license steward and may publish revised and/or new versions of this License from time to time. Each version will be given a distinguishing version number. Except as provided in Section 4.3, no one other than the license steward has the right to modify this License.
4.2. Effect of New Versions.
You may always continue to use, distribute or otherwise make the Covered Software available under the terms of the version of the License under which You originally received the Covered Software. If the Initial Developer includes a notice in the Original Software prohibiting it from being distributed or otherwise made available under any subsequent version of the License, You must distribute and make the Covered Software available under the terms of the version of the License under which You originally received the Covered Software. Otherwise, You may also choose to use, distribute or otherwise make the Covered Software available under the terms of any subsequent version of the License published by the license steward.
4.3. Modified Versions.
When You are an Initial Developer and You want to create a new license for Your Original Software, You may create and use a modified version of this License if You: (a) rename the license and remove any references to the name of the license steward (except to note that the license differs from this License); and (b) otherwise make it clear that the license contains terms which differ from this License.
5. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.
COVERED SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED UNDER THIS LICENSE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES THAT THE COVERED SOFTWARE IS FREE OF DEFECTS, MERCHANTABLE, FIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGING. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE COVERED SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU. SHOULD ANY COVERED SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE IN ANY RESPECT, YOU (NOT THE INITIAL DEVELOPER OR ANY OTHER CONTRIBUTOR) ASSUME THE COST OF ANY NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. THIS DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY CONSTITUTES AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THIS LICENSE. NO USE OF ANY COVERED SOFTWARE IS AUTHORIZED HEREUNDER EXCEPT UNDER THIS DISCLAIMER.
6. TERMINATION.
6.1. This License and the rights granted hereunder will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. Provisions which, by their nature, must remain in effect beyond the termination of this License shall survive.
6.2. If You assert a patent infringement claim (excluding declaratory judgment actions) against Initial Developer or a Contributor (the Initial Developer or Contributor against whom You assert such claim is referred to as "Participant") alleging that the Participant Software (meaning the Contributor Version where the Participant is a Contributor or the Original Software where the Participant is the Initial Developer) directly or indirectly infringes any patent, then any and all rights granted directly or indirectly to You by such Participant, the Initial Developer (if the Initial Developer is not the Participant) and all Contributors under Sections 2.1 and/or 2.2 of this License shall, upon 60 days notice from Participant terminate prospectively and automatically at the expiration of such 60 day notice period, unless if within such 60 day period You withdraw Your claim with respect to the Participant Software against such Participant either unilaterally or pursuant to a written agreement with Participant.
6.3. In the event of termination under Sections 6.1 or 6.2 above, all end user licenses that have been validly granted by You or any distributor hereunder prior to termination (excluding licenses granted to You by any distributor) shall survive termination.
7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNDER NO LEGAL THEORY, WHETHER TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL YOU, THE INITIAL DEVELOPER, ANY OTHER CONTRIBUTOR, OR ANY DISTRIBUTOR OF COVERED SOFTWARE, OR ANY SUPPLIER OF ANY OF SUCH PARTIES, BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY CHARACTER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF GOODWILL, WORK STOPPAGE, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY SHALL HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SHALL NOT APPLY TO LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM SUCH PARTY'S NEGLIGENCE TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE LAW PROHIBITS SUCH LIMITATION. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THIS EXCLUSION AND LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
8. U.S. GOVERNMENT END USERS.
The Covered Software is a "commercial item," as that term is defined in 48 C.F.R. 2.101 (Oct. 1995), consisting of "commercial computer software" (as that term is defined at 48 C.F.R. ยค 252.227-7014(a)(1)) and "commercial computer software documentation" as such terms are used in 48 C.F.R. 12.212 (Sept. 1995). Consistent with 48 C.F.R. 12.212 and 48 C.F.R. 227.7202-1 through 227.7202-4 (June 1995), all U.S. Government End Users acquire Covered Software with only those rights set forth herein. This U.S. Government Rights clause is in lieu of, and supersedes, any other FAR, DFAR, or other clause or provision that addresses Government rights in computer software under this License.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
This License represents the complete agreement concerning subject matter hereof. If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable. This License shall be governed by the law of the jurisdiction specified in a notice contained within the Original Software (except to the extent applicable law, if any, provides otherwise), excluding such jurisdiction's conflict-of-law provisions. Any litigation relating to this License shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts located in the jurisdiction and venue specified in a notice contained within the Original Software, with the losing party responsible for costs, including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses. The application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is expressly excluded. Any law or regulation which provides that the language of a contract shall be construed against the drafter shall not apply to this License. You agree that You alone are responsible for compliance with the United States export administration regulations (and the export control laws and regulation of any other countries) when You use, distribute or otherwise make available any Covered Software.
10. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLAIMS.
As between Initial Developer and the Contributors, each party is responsible for claims and damages arising, directly or indirectly, out of its utilisation of rights under this License and You agree to work with Initial Developer and Contributors to distribute such responsibility on an equitable basis. Nothing herein is intended or shall be deemed to constitute any admission of liability.