Pipe Mania (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Pipe Mania
caption = Original box art


developer = The Assembly Line
publisher = Empire Interactive, Lucasfilm Games, Bullet-Proof Software, Microsoft
designer = Akila Redmer, Stephan L. Butler
engine =
released = June 1989 (Amiga, Atari ST, DOS) [http://web.archive.org/web/20060428061222/http://www.lucasarts.com/20th/history_1.htm]
1990 (Electron, Arcade, CPC, Apple II, BBC, C64, GB, Mac, NES, ZX)
1991 (Windows)
genre = Puzzle game
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Apple Macintosh, Arcade game, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Psion 3a, Game Boy, NES, PC (MS-DOS, Windows), Sam Coupé, ZX Spectrum, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, Xbox 360 (XBLA)
media = Cassette, 3½ inch Floppy, Cartridge
requirements =
input = Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick

"Pipe Mania" is a puzzle game developed in 1989 by The Assembly Line for the Amiga. It was ported to several other platforms by LucasFilm Games, who gave it the name "Pipe Dream" and acted as general distributors for the US. In this game, the player must connect randomly appearing pieces of pipe on a grid to a given length within a limited time. This game was ported to several platforms.

The Windows version of the game was included in the "MS Windows Entertainment Pack". In 1990 it was released as an arcade game by Japanese manufacturer Video System Co. Ltd., though with slightly altered gameplay, giving the player the task to connect a source and drain with the random pipe pieces.

Gameplay

pieces presented randomly in a queue, the player must construct a path from the start piece for the onrushing sewer slime, or "flooz" (the 1991 Windows version's help files refer to it as goo), which begins flowing after a time delay from the start of the round. The flooz is required to pass through a given number of pipe pieces in order for the player to pass to the next round. Some rounds also include an end piece, which must be the end of the pipeline the player has constructed, in addition to fulfilling the minimum pipe length requirement.

Completing the sewer pipeline in the time allotted allows the player to advance to the next level, which means a shorter interval from the start of the round until the flooz starts flowing, and also a faster-flowing flooz. On higher levels, some special pipe pieces appear in the game, such as reservoirs, one-way sections, and bonus sections. Obstacles and wrap-around sections also appear on the game board on higher levels.

Also, if a player is able to finish the level using five cross-section pieces and filling them both ways, 5,000 bonus points are awarded.

Later versions and similar concepts

A version with 3D graphics was released for the PlayStation in 2000, titled "Pipe Dreams 3D". Many clones of "Pipe Mania" have been produced, under titles such as "Wallpipe", "Oilcap", "MacPipes", "Pipe Master", "Pipeworks", "DragonSnot", "PipeNightDreams" and "Fun2Link". A macabre interpretation called Troubled Souls was released for the Macintosh in 1994. There is also an open source clone named "Vodovod" available for both Windows and Linux operating systems. Many Nokia cell phones come with a free version of the game, entitled "Canal Control."

A similar version of Pipe Mania appears in BioShock as a mini-game used to hack into turrets, security cameras, vending machines, etc. This concept is also part of .

A similar mini-game is found in Resident Evil 4, also as a security system by-pass puzzle for the user to manipulate to gain access to an area.

Remake

On 2008-03-10, Empire Interactive announced a remake of "Pipe Mania" coming to PC, PS2, Wii, NDS and PSP. [cite web|url=http://www.empireinteractive.co.uk/corporate/files/PDFs/Pipemania%202008%20New%20_2_%20With%20Consoles.pdf|title=Empire Interactive announces Pipe Mania for PC and Consoles|publisher=Empire Interactive|date=2008-03-10] . It is due for release in September 2008 [cite web|url=http://www.pipemaniagame.com/en/|title=Pipe Mania 2008 remake website|publisher=Empire Interactive|date=2008-09-03] .

References

External links

*
* [http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?letter=P&game_id=9024 KLOV entry for Pipe Dream]
* [http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/games/pipe.htm Pipe Mania] at Astoria Theodor Lauppert's Homepage
*