Settings Menu
The Settings menu item allows you to choose which game mode to play, as well as set some personal preferences over animation, sound, and graphics.
Settings/Game Mode
Selecting the Game Mode option allows you to choose between one of two possible Game Modes - Standard or Enhanced:
Standard: This mode corresponds to the standard game of X.T. Checkers. It is played out on a 6-pointed, 2-dimensional field. The object - get your alien pieces across the board before your opponents do! The rules for playing the Standard mode game are outlined in Instructions - Standard Mode.
Alien Enhanced: The reason this mode is called "Alien Enhanced" is that you have to be an Alien to wrap your brain around the playing "board"! Unlike the Standard Mode game, this version of X.T. Checkers is played out on a 6-pointed, 3-dimensional field! The object remains the same - get your pieces to the other side (corner?) first - but the strategy required changes quite a bit! The rules for playing the Alien Enhanced mode game are outline in Instructions - Enhanced Mode.
Settings/Player Mode
This menu item allows you to select whether you wish to play a 1-Player game against one or more Computer Opponents, or whether to play a "Multiplayer Hot-Seat" game.
In the default computer opponents setting, the computer will move the opposing player pieces. In the multiplayer hotseat game, you and your human opponent(s) take turns moving your pieces. This mode can also be used to play X.T. Checkers as a Solitaire game - you against yourself, often the most difficult challenge of all!
Settings/Animations On
When this menu item is Checked, X.T. Checkers will move the alien pieces using Animations of your player's Alien character. Watch the alien beam up/down, sashay across the tiles, even jump like a rabbit, in its haste to get across the board. In a hurry? Turn off the animations, and the pieces will magically pop from tile to tile in a very boring, but quicker, motion. Clicking on this menu item toggles the setting checkmark On or Off.
Settings/Sound On
Turning on the sound will activate the tuneful noises of the alien as he makes his move. Want to get in a quiet game, being sure not to wake the kids when you are still playing at 4a.m.? Uncheck this option to silence Mr. Alien.
Settings/Piece Tracker On
Since it can be quite easy to lose track of your alien pieces, this option, when checked, will turn the tiles that your pieces are sitting on a bright red color. This feature is very useful for getting a good, snapshot overview of the overall positioning of your alien pieces. If the color clashes too much (doesn't match your shoes?), turn this option off to keep the tiles their bright, cheerful original colors.
Settings/Hint Mode On
For beginning X.T. Checkers players, there is an available "Hint Mode" that will provide text prompts for moving your pieces during the first 3 rounds. After the first 3 rounds, the text no longer displays. In addition, in the Enhanced Mode game, Hint Mode draws a line between the tiles that are connected by adjacent or jump moves. This can be an invaluable tool when first trying to visualize the 3D Enhanced Mode game.
Settings/Show Camera Controls
Proper use of the Camera Controls is critical to winning a game of X.T. Checkers - especially in the Alien Enhanced Mode! However, if you get really comfortable with one particular view of the board, un-checking this option will hide the camera controls, making your view-screen less cluttered.
Settings/Animation Speed
Like the animations, but feel they are slowing down play just a little too much? Changing this setting allows you to switch your Alien's speed from "Take your time..." to "Bust a Move!!!":