Solavantage Newsletter #7
Hello Solavant players!
I have received lots of good feedback from you about new things for Solavant. I appreciate all the emails, please keep them coming!
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, I'm not going to try to get every request into the next release. Version 2.0 has already taken longer than I expected and I'd like to get some of the new stuff out to players as soon as possible. Fortunately, one of the great things about software over the Internet is that we can keep adding new things and releasing them to you as we go. If you don't see your requested feature in the next release, don't worry — it's on my list. And you can always contact me if you have any questions about your request.
Solavant 2.0 is almost ready for testing. The main new feature I'm adding for this version is a much bigger beast then I anticipated, but I've almost got it tamed now. I think many people are going to like this optional feature. It removes the frustrating luck factor in some of the more obtuse games which are are otherwise fun and strategic, but it doesn't help you win at all. Hard, strategic games with less luck for the thinking man and woman, now that's fun solitaire. :)
The beta test email will go out this month (July 2006). Customers can opt to participate in the test to help make sure the new stuff is working right before the general release.
Thanks!
– Tom Cain, Smallware
Featured game - Yukon
Yukon is based on Klondike but with tableau rules from spider-type games. Yukon isn't as well known as Klondike, but many people prefer it to Klondike once they've played a few times.
The 4 foundations build upward in suit, the 7 tableau columns build downward in alternating color, with Kings played into empty spaces. Any face-up card may be picked up and built on another column.
Yukon strategy
Building in alternating color and having all face-up cards available for play means many options are usually available on the table. You must release the face-down cards to have any chance of winning, so make them your priority.
Each column with face-down cards will have one face-up card that must be moved to get at the next face-down card. Concentrate on moving that one card, planning moves ahead in your mind to see if you can find a way to move it.
Keep cards out of the foundations for as long as possible. Every card built into the foundations removes an option for moving cards within the tableau, and you must move within the tableau to free the face-down cards.
Final Yukon thoughts
Almost everyone is familiar with Klondike, so Yukon is not difficult to learn even with its different tableau building. I think, as do many, that Yukon is the better game — it is more strategic because more cards are in play from the start.
Previous poll results
| Game | Love It | Hate It |
|---|---|---|
| Scorpion | 88% | 12% |
| Xerxes | 100% | 0% |
| Sly Fox | 100% | 0% |
| Provisional | 80% | 20% |
| Eight Off | 100% | 0% |
| Invasion | 100% | 0% |
Thanks to everyone who has voted in these polls. If you have played some of these games but haven't voted, it's never too late. You can find the vote buttons in each game's newsletter page linked above or in the Solavantage archives.
Random Solavant tip
You can navigate the Game Finder's list using the keyboard. Type a letter and the first game in the alphabetical list that starts with that letter will be selected. The arrow keys will move the selection up and down the list. Hit the Return key to start the selected game.
