Pipe Mania
Alternative title: Pipe Dream  (US)
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Each level of this abstract puzzler challenges the player to set up a network of pipes to allow an unspecified substance known as 'flooz' to flow through as many of those as possible. The pieces are offered in random order, and there are seven different types - straight lines going horizontally or vertically, corners rotating in each of the four directions, and cross-over pieces which carry the flooz straight across horizontally and vertically. Each of these can be entered from either side. When the flooz hits a gap, or a piece which the previous piece can't flow into, the pipe is finished.

Before the flooz starts flowing from its randomly-selected starting position, the player has several seconds to start placing pieces. They can be put down anywhere. However a situation that can often occur is there will be a long and complex piping arrangement set up, yet a gap somewhere remains to be filled. Players are able to replace a piece with another in the same square (to make it easier to flow the flooz that way), but for a slight scoring penalty.

Bonuses are awarded for looping the flooz through both sides of at least 5 cross-over pieces, or passing the flooz through every square on the screen. Later levels have some squares on the grid blocked off, a few gaps in the side-wall (allowing flooz to thread to the other side of the screen). After every four levels there is a bonus game for points, in which the player can only place the pieces in the lowest open space in each column, similarly to the board game of "Connect 4".

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Trivia

Macintosh version
 The Mac version actually included two game programs. One was a full-on application while the other was a Desk Accessory which could be installed and run from the Apple menu over whatever regular application you were running. Pretty handy for slacking off on projects if you were working with an older version of the OS that didn't support Multi-tasking. 

Ports
 This is one of the most-ported games of its day, with versions for more than a dozen system in existence. Other than those already documented, the game was released for the Acorn Archimedes and one of the few titles from a major company for the SAM Coupé.

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Description from the packaging:

The fast-flowing game of skill, strategy and plumbing.
Pit your pipe-fitting prowess against a surging stream of soggy sewage. But slow down for a second, and it's sludge city!
You'll play instinctively, while you think strategically. You'll get good quickly, but you'll always have room to get better.

Pipe Dream is a perfect desktop stress-buster. And a terrific tournament game. And a serious spatial strategy puzzle.

Basic, expert, and two-player modes.
Slow-motion practice mode for first-time players.
Entertaining bonus rounds every four levels.
Easily installed on hard disk drives.
36 Increasingly cunning levels.
One false move and you're sludged!
Two plumber can play at this game.
The better you get, the trickier it gets.


http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/pipe-dream
