INSTRUCTIONS TO PLAY, SOLVE AND CHECK LIGHTS GAMES

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In the start screen, you may choose the dimensions of the board (from 1x1 to 50x50 squares) and the number of possible states in each square, from the most simple, with only two states (on and off), up to 7 states differentiated by colours (just as in traffic lights). There also is a Restart button, useful to conclude a game and begin another one.  

Two main types ought to be distinguished: those type “All” games, where the whole rectangle has to be illuminated, and those type “Out” games, where only some previously established squares have to be turned off.

We’ll start by the last once, as they ask for the previous step consisting of establishing which squares are to be turned off. This can be done in two different ways: directly, marking the wanted squares as initial position (with the possible risk that such position has no solution), or allowing the program to choose a random position, which does have a solution.

In the first case, if we choose to mark ourselves the initial position, once we have chosen the squares to be turned off, we should press the button SET. On the other hand, if we choose the program picks a random position, it would be sufficient to press the button RANDOM.

From this moment on, both the “All” and “Out” type games show the same screen.

Now we may begin the game, trying to solve the puzzle. As we play, the counter of chosen squares and carried-out clicks sets off. If we are playing on non-plane surfaces, the coloured lines at the sides remind us of the way they are joined together.

If we give up, we may resort to the button SOLVE, which will show all the solutions. Furthermore, if we are interested in finding the most economical solution on regards to the chosen squares, we have the button BEST SEARCH, which will look for a better solution than those previously shown in groups of a thousand solutions.

Each of the solutions may be checked by pressing on the corresponding squares. To see the checked solution again all you have to do is press the button that shows the number of the present solution.

June, 2001  ©Rafael Losada Liste