BlockDrop Beta (Used to be Pretris)

[elchileno]

BlockDrop Version 1.0.2
If you have 0.3.8 or less I strongly recommend updating to 1.0.3

This is a big update which includes > 0.5.0, 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2 Look at the log below for more details.

1.0.2

• Added daily, weekly and monthly and all-time high scores stats.
  
• Added a default message when the score list is empty.
• Added last row in score list.
  
• Improved scoring points
  
• Fixed version number on logo and support page
• Improved some graphics.
• Compressed all javascript.
• Removed expiration date (I forgot to remove it from 1.0.1)
• A lot of testing was preformed on this version to make sure everything is working correctly.
  
• Updated description of game on the submission page.
• Changed default app icon.
  

1.0.1

• Reduced size. New size = 1.5MB instead of 1.8MB
  
• Global scores: Fixed some of the UI/graphics and improved download speed of the XML feed.
  
• Updated credit's page
• Updated background and pause image.
• Removed some unused files.
  

1.0.0

• reduced size by almost 1,000KB. New size = 1.8MB instead of 2.8MB
  
• Added scene to choose between "Global scores" and "My scores"
  
• added ability to save scores online and compare scores with other people
  
• added online scores for each level
• Added lines completed, time played, date and points on highscores
• Made a new logo
• added instructions button to the welcome scene
  
• Redesigned the GUI for the welcome scene and New scenes
• made a new pause graphic and a new bk2 graphic.

0.5.0

• reduced size by almost 1,000KB. New size = 1.8MB instead of 2.8MB
• Added scene to choose between "Global scores" and "My scores"
  
• added ability to save scores online and compare scores with other people
  
• added online scores for each level
• Added lines completed, time played, date and points on highscores
• Made a new logo
• added instructions button to the welcome scene
• Redesigned the GUI for the welcome scene and New scenes
• made a new pause graphic and a new bk2 graphic.

0.4.7

• Fixed artwork of add score dialog.
  
• Fixed background of preferences on device 1.04
• High scores menu has been fixed.
  
• Game will pause after pushing a new scene form the device's menu. This will prevent a bug where the blocks would hand in the middle of the screen if a new scene was opened.
  
• Fixed "Display upcoming blocks" row in preferences scene
  

0.4.5

• Changed graphics from the game scene.
• Removed expiration date since this version is the one for the e-commerce catalog.
• Drop fall is faster.
  
• Cleaned up code to speed up the game processing.
• Music will pause after the game is paused.
• Removed on screen controls.
  

• Onlaunch: Removed welcome dialog.
• Main menu: Removed "support" item
• 
  
• Main menu: Changed "Play game" to "New game"
  
• App menu: added "Preferences" item to all scenes.
  
• App menu: Enabled help on all scenes.
• How to play: Changed to floating header instead of the fixed header.

• Game Options:
  • Changed title of scene to "Preferences" to match the button that launches it.
  • Changed the text ON/OFF to white.
  • Changed to floating header instead of the fixed header.
  • Defaul controls dialog: Changed "Yes" button to "Use Default Controls”
  • Reset Scores dialog: Changed "Yes" button to "Delete All Scores”.
• Game: After pressing the “New Game”button during the game, a dialog asking if the user really wants to quit the current appears. If the userconfirms to quit, then the difficulty selection screen appears.
• Add New score: Change the dialog title from “AddNew Score” to “Add My Score”
• Add new score : Changed Focus in the text input field to default.
• Tap To begin: Removed as suggested by Palm'S UI Review.
• Added confirmation before user exits the game with back gesture.

0.4.1 Fixed/Added the following features

• Improved gestures (They are very responsive now)
• Redesigned the 'how to play' page with detailed instructions about how to play the game with keyboard and gestures
• Fixed the add score form so that it is highlighted.
• Changed the theme to the dark style
• Corrected some coding errors and inconsistencies in the game options men.
• Onscreen buttons are turned off by default now if you never had blockdrop before.
• Added stoplistening events to prevent memory leaks.
• Cleaned up the code little more.

0.3.8

• Removed lame touchscreen controls from 0.3.7
  
• Added Gesture controls (Very happy about this)
  
• New gestures :
  
  1. Drag down = move down
     
  2. Drag down long = drop
     
  3. Drag left = move left
  4. Drag left long = move left 6 lines
  5. Drag right = move right
  6. Drag right long = move right 6 lines
  7. Drag perpendicular right = rotate right
  8. Drag perpendicular left = rotate left
• Added back touch-screen control buttons (can be turned on/off from the settings page)
  
• Fixed other issues and cleaned up the code.
  

0.3.7

• Added confirmation box to the "reset scores" button in in the high-scores page.
• Fixed high scores page reset button. Scene will refresh after button is submitted.
  
• Changed default settings: Screen controls = On.
• Touchscreen controls work always, even if they are OFF.. They will just be invisible but still working.
  
• Adding "Load default settings" button in the options page.
• Added graphics next to each of the controls in the settings page.
• Moved left and right controls to the top in the settings page.
• Settings page auto re fresh after setting default game controls.
• Removed touchscreen controls. They were replaced by new controls
  
• Added touchscreen controls (working on it)
• Added Clockwise Rotation
• Add controls as gestures on the screen:
  • tap left 1/3 of screen = left
  • tap right 1/3 or screen = right
  • tap center 1/3 of screen = down 1 space
  • gesture down in center 1/3 of screen = drop
  • tap up on right 1/3 of screen = rotate ccw
  • tap up on left 1/3 of screen = rotate cw
• Shake device while playing to make touchscreen buttons almost invisible
• Added flick gesture. When user flicks, the block will drop fast.
• Changed scores table depending on difficulty level. The harder = the more points you get.

0.3.5 Updates

• Added custom hardware controls (People can set their own keys for the game-play)
• Fixed High Scores page
• Made the grid for the blocks lighter
• Fixed Line Completion Animation
• Enlarged display area web screen control icons are turned off.
• Changed default controls
• Changed credits page
• Added some graphic updates
• Changed "New game" button
• Updated support page & FAQ's
• Added expiration on Aug 30.
• Display screen controls changed to off for default.
• Compressed some of the source code ( recommended by Palm)
• Removed message on home-screen (requested by palm)
• Created official game website to be compatible with Pre.

• • 
    

=====================================================================

History of releases
0.3.3 Fixed/Added the following features

• Music test has been added (Song is just for testing purposes)
• Music on/off enabled
• Music Game will stop when receiving a phone call
• High-scores page added
• High-scores are saved
• Added a visual effect when a line is completed
• Added background animation effect on homepage
• display screen controls on/off settings enabled
• Changed a few graphics
• Made the codes/files cleaner
• Improved speed
• Fixed welcome message

0.3.0 Fixed/Added the following features

• Added sounds to game play
• Added a little mode difficulty to Expert level
• Fixed support page (It was broken after WebOS 1.1 Update)
• Added settings panel to turn sounds on/off
• Added settings panel to turn upcoming block display on/off
• Back to 6 shapes (There will be a different mode with more shapes in upcoming versions)
• Added pause image to all levels
• Changed names of levels: beginner, easy, medium, hard, and expert
• Improved graphics
• Better touchscreen response time. I still recommend keyboard
• I figured out a way to customize keys, but it has not been implemented yet :P
• High scores 50% finish, I'm working on the display of highscores. But it will ask you to enter your name at the end of the game.
• Cleaned up a bunch of code so it loads faster and works smoother. The game code is 300% less than before, This will allow me to add many features in upcoming versions
• Other minor things were fixed, but I wont go into details. Just test it yourself =)

Version 0.2.7
http://danielfarina.com/

• Added extra level of difficulty
• Changed graphics to the new official name
• Added new blocks on the "Beginner and expert II levels"
• Changed transparency of pause screen.
• App name change.

0.2.6 Fixed/Added the following features

• Fixed spelling errors :P
• Fixed the way pause works (it will pause when you minimize, pause button removed)
• Game area is hidden while pause to prevent you from cheating.
• Added some sounds (just testing sounds for now, will add music and more once I get a settings panel going to enable/disable sounds betwwen other
• things.
• Added a help page with intructions of how to play the game.
• Fixed position of screen controls so it wont be hidden with small alerts.
• Added missing line at the left.
• Aligned blocks
• Changed the style of the blocks.

Version 0.2.5!
http://danielfarina.com/pre/images/.jpg

• Added levels
• Auto pause when APP is minimized
• longer games with progressive speed change
• Bigger gameboard
• Improved graphics (darker looks better)
• Usage of webOS API
• Game Over alert
• Alert before restarrting game (Option to cancel)
• and many more fixes... a lot todo still!!!
• I added a 0. in front of 2.5 to follow the guidelines from Palm.
  [Changed official name to Pretris.

Pretris 2.0:
http://danielfarina.com/pre/.jpg
Fixes on this version:

• Game Controls on keyboard and screen for easier gameplay.
• Slower/Longer games, it used to get harder to quickly.
• Single click block fall. (A block will go all the way to the bottom when pressing one time the space bar on the keyboard)
• Pause button moved away from "new game" button.
• Improved graphics.
• Play while pause is not longer possible.
• and other minor issues fixed.

Old History of releases/Screenshots:

BlockDrop 0.1
http://danielfarina.com/pre/
BlockDrop0.1.2
http://danielfarina.com/pre/
BlockDrop 0.1.3
http://danielfarina.com/pre/
BlockDrop0.1.4
http://danielfarina.com/pre/
BlockDrop 0.1.5
http://danielfarina.com/pre
0.1.7
http://danielfarina.com/pre/


Note: To get all latest functions working do a soft reset of your pre so the memory is fresh with the latest files..


Currently working on:

• Sound effect for line completion
• Ability to change background

======================================================
++++++++++++++How to play BlockDrop ++++++++++++++++++
======================================================


Choose a level to start at:

The higher the level you choose the faster the pieces fall, giving you less time to place them correctly. However, you'll be awarded more points for each completed line at higher difficulty levels. The game begins immediately so be ready to play.


Left | Q
Right | P
Down one | A or Enter
Rotate Left | W or O
Rotate Right | coming soon
Drop | Spacebar

Left and Right move the block horizontally in the play area. You can also rotate them to change the block's orientation. Down one will help bring the block down quicker, and drop will bring it all the way down with one key press.




Gestures:




Lastly: Try to make solid rows of pieces all the way across the game board. The rows disappear giving your points when they are completed.In BlockDrop you are given exponentially more points for completing multiple rows at a time. Try to complete up for 4 rows at one time for maximum points. That's all, very simple and fun!



Download game free:
======================================================
This beta is now open until the app makes in the catalog.

You can download it from here - homewbew apps.


Click here to donate

Questions: Email me directly at contact(*at)danielfarina.com






Download updates
======================================================
People that have donated before can download the latest version from this link.




History of previous releases:
see history of previous releases

[ngc2000]

from the looks of it, I'd reather have the rotate button farther to the left, for use with the left hand, and the arrows farter to the right, for use with the right hand.

being able to use both hands makes for faster game play.

[elchileno]

Originally Posted by ngc2000

from the looks of it, I'd reather have the rotate button farther to the left, for use with the left hand, and the arrows farter to the right, for use with the right hand.

being able to use both hands makes for faster game play.

Great point. I agree with you. I will make the changes to it.

[ngc2000]

After playing it, you definitely need to move the buttons, as above.

Also, you need a pause button.

The down arrow works, but only if you press it repeatedly. If you press once, and hold, it drops at the normal rate. Repeated pressing will drop it fast, but that's annoying.

A customizable background would be nice, as well as the option to hide the next peice coming.

otherwise great!

[Sharkims]

I have nothing to add, just the same suggestion as above. Solid work man, thanks a bunch!

[abiezerf]

Great game man the only thing id suggest is to make it so when u minimize the app, it pauses, likthe snake game.

[sjcea]

Works GREAT !!! You guys are all just awesome !!! I am loving this phone and website !!!!

[Narfler]

I would like to request swipe motions for the left-right movements as well.

[dvdmax]

Thank you!

I found two strange things. After a while, my control area was shadowed in a yellow box, but it went away after 5 or six pieces. Also, I accidentally hit the volume control, and could not control it as well until the volume bar went away. Not sure what to do there..

But again, THANK YOU. One of my all time favorite games. I look forward to your next revision.

[chezbi]

Are there available controls so that we can use the keyboard? The keyboard in my opinion would be easier to use for the controls rather than the touchscreen. I haven't put the game on my phone yet so I don't know. If there isn't, could you put those in?

Also by the looks of the screenshots, there isn't a button to rotate the piece counterclockwise. I play tetris a lot so people like me will need that button for better gameplay.

[majikTib]

I would move the arrows a little further from the rotate button. I could easily see someone rotating while tapping down multiple times. (haven't downloaded yet, just adding suggestions)

[elchileno]

1.3 Changed the positions of the buttons. Im getting great feedback. There will be a big todo/request list. I'll try to keep up with it.

Thanks!

[redskyy]

Great work so far and I agree with what everyone said so far. I also wouldn't mind the option of being able to hold a piece to use later, a la Tetris DS or other Tetris games that use the feature.

[TreoRock]

Awesome!!! Great app! I would say this is the first and best game for the WebOS so far!

[abiezerf]

Man love the fast feedback. Thanks. Now maybe you could do somethign about the pausing. =)

[elchileno]

Originally Posted by abiezerf

Man love the fast feedback. Thanks. Now maybe you could do somethign about the pausing. =)

I'm going to work on the pause feature. I will post an update soon.

Thanks for all the feedback everybody!

[Manding0]

Wow way to keep up with the updates already so far it works great. I cant wait for you to knock the rest of those to do's out of the way.

I also agree with ngc and the background changing.

[AaronB1979]

How about the ability to hold the rotate, down, left and right buttons instead of having to press the button numerous times.

[Rhody]

I love the work you're doing, and there are some great suggestions for making this an authentic version.

However, I would love to see a big, colorful version without on-screen button controls. I would like to play a version with rotate left/right being a tap on the left and right gesture area, respectively, and everything else being swipe. Like rotate, rotate, swipe left, swipe left, swipe down, next piece. The game would take up the whole screen, which would show off the ease-of-use of the phone. It wouldn't be true to the original, but I think it would be fun to play.

[krische]

I'm trying to install it on my rooted pre, and I get an 'invalid magic' error. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

krische@castle:/tmp$ sudo ipkg-opt install 21327d1247259766-pre-tetris-1-2-no-rooting-tetris_1.3_all.ipk
ipkg: invalid magic
krische@castle:/tmp$