
+-------------------------------+
|     Champ Games Presents      |
|            GridLock           |
|                               |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|            (c) 2026           |
|          Andrew Davie         | 
+-------------------------------+

*** ABOUT ***

This ROM file is a fully playable demo version of GridLock for the Atari 2600 
with the following restrictions:

Demo version:
- 10 levels playable
- cannot unlock new levels
- no SaveKey support, so you start afresh every time
- Only one solver (additional solvers not available)
- Best trophy score possible: 91st place

Full version:
- initially 10 levels unlocked, 100 total playable
- unlock new levels as you play
- SaveKey persistent game state. Keeps track of which levels you’ve solved.
- Earn new solvers by completing levels in blocks
- Best trophy score possible: 1st place

If you enjoy the demo of GridLock and would like to purchase the full version, 
it will be available as a ROM file and as a physical cartridge (includes box, 
manual and poster) from the Champ Games store in the first quarter of 2026.  

For additional information about the game:  https://champ.games/presents

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The GridLock demo ROM can be played on NTSC on PAL60 systems.  This game 
automatically detects the correct TV format (PAL or NTSC) on startup.


* AtariVox and SaveKey *

The AtariVox and SaveKey are devices that allow high scores and game progress
to be saved when playing GridLock.  In the demo version, the save
functionality has been disabled and is available in the full version only.

- For more information about the SaveKey device:    
  https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1194


* Multi-carts *

Multi-carts are special cartridges that plug into a real Atari 2600 (or 
compatible) and allow you to play various ROM files either on an SD card 
or using WiFi.

Here are a list of multi-carts that GridLock has been tested with and the 
current compatibility.  Where applicable, the version in () indicates the 
minimum BIOS requirement for the multi-cart.  

Multi-carts                 Compatible?         Website
----------------------      ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Harmony                     Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html      
Harmony Encore              Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html
Unocart                     No			https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/uno-2600-cartridge
PlusCart+                   No	                https://pluscart.firmaplus.de/pico/


* Emulators *

An emulator is a special program that that emulates an Atari 2600, allowing 
you to play ROMs on your computer.  

Here are a list of emulators that GridLock has been tested with and the 
current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v6.0+)              Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Stellarator                 Yes                 https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases
StellaDS		    Yes			https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/StellaDS
Javatari                    No                  https://javatari.org/


* Emulator consoles *

An emulator console is a physical game system that emulates an Atari 2600.  
These systems allow you to play ROMs on devices like HD televisions 
(or in some cases, on the go).  

Some of these systems allow you to play game ROMs loaded on an SD card 
and some even have a cartridge slot.  

Emulated Console            Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
AtGames Flashback           No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-9
AtGames Flashback Portable  No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-portable-2019
RetroN 77 (cartridge slot)  No                  https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
RetroN 77 (SD card)         Yes*                https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
Atari 2600+	            No                  https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus
Atari 7800+	            No                  https://atari.com/products/atari-7800
Atari Gamestation Pro       No                  https://www.myarcadegaming.com/products/atari-gamestation-pro

*requires the firmware of the RetroN 77 to be upgraded.  Details can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/topic/289929-stella-6-on-the-r77-the-eagle-is-landing/


*** ABOUT GRIDLOCK ***

GridLock is a puzzle-based video game that challenges players to navigate a
congested city grid by strategically moving cars and trucks out of the way to
clear a path for a target vehicle. Each level presents a tightly packed parking
lot or street scenario, with vehicles arranged in horizontal and vertical lanes.

The player must slide vehicles forward or backward within the confines of the
grid, planning several moves ahead to avoid getting trapped. The game emphasizes
logical thinking and spatial reasoning, as one wrong move can force a complete
reset of the puzzle.

As players progress, the puzzles become increasingly complex, introducing larger
vehicles, tighter spaces, and more intricate layouts. The game features a clean,
minimalist interface, with colorful, stylized cars that make it easy to
distinguish different pieces.

GridLock offers a blend of relaxing, contemplative gameplay with satisfying
“aha” moments when a tricky arrangement is finally solved, appealing to both
casual players and puzzle enthusiasts seeking a mental challenge.


(FULL VERSION)

The full (paid) version has 100 levels carefully selected from a pool of 
over 2.7 million unique levels. Levels are graduated in the number of cars and
number of moves required for completion, to give a challenging progression of
difficulty. You will need to complete early levels to unlock the later harder
levels and  eventually see the winner's trophy.

(FREE VERSION)

Although the free version does have all 100 levels installed (you can watch them
being solved during the demo mode), only 10 of those (with a graduation of
difficulty) are available to play.



COMPLETING THE GAME
-------------------

There are two stages to completing GridLock:

    1. Solving all levels  
    2. Refining solutions to achieve perfection


COUCH COMPLIANT
---------------

This is a "Couch Compliant" game. All game functions and navigation are
available through the joystick!


SAVEKEY
-------
(FULL VERSION)

If a SaveKey is detected in the right joystick port at startup, a small golden
key icon appears at the bottom of the "Champ Games Presents" logo screen. If a
SaveKey is connected, the game will automatically store and reload the game
state as you play.

If the detected SaveKey has not previously been used with GridLock, the word
“Reset” is displayed above the key icon, and a fresh save state is written.

To reset the SaveKey manually, hold down the RESET button while powering on the
game/console.

(FREE VERSION)

Your progress at solving levels is not saved, so you must start afresh every
time you power up the game.


*** HOW TO PLAY ***

Your goal is to move the vehicles and clear a passage for the white sports car
on the third row of the GRiD. Cars and trucks can slide back and forth into
empty spaces on the grid. There are also small 1x1 barriers which cannot move.

Cars and trucks move one square at a time into vacant spaces.

The cursor (shown as a green arrow or red cross) is moved with the joystick and
indicates whether a vehicle can be moved (green arrow) or is blocked (red
cross). Press the joystick button when a green arrow is visible to move the
car.

Each move increases the move counter displayed on the right side of the screen.
There is no move limit, but completing a level in the optimal number of moves
awards a “PERFECT” badge on the preview screen. Solving levels perfectly will
improve your trophy place when you have solved all levels.

When the space to the right of the white sporty car is fully cleared of
obstacles, it will drive offscreen and the level is complete.

There is no penalty for abandoning a level. To do so, either press RESET - which
exits immediately, or hold down the fire button for approximately 5 seconds.
You will first see "EXIT" on the screen. Keep holding down to abandon the level,
or release to continue solving.


CONTROLS
========

DISPLAY MODES
-------------

The colour graphics system is called “ChronoColour”.
You may cycle between the three available display modes by toggling the
difficulty switches (any switch - a change is all that is required).

1) pCC (Phased ChronoColour) – Default mode, minimal shimmer  
2) iCC (Interleaved ChronoColour) – Richer colours with increased shimmer  
3) CC (ChronoColour) – Sparse colours with no shimmer  

Your selected display preference is saved on the SaveKey, so you will only need
to adjust this once.


THE MENU SCREEN
---------------

The layout (car positions) of the currently selected grid (=level) is shown in a
small preview window on the menu screen.

The preview window also may display "badges" over the top of the level preview.
These badges are:


LOCKED
    - Level cannot be played.
    - preview is all red.

SOLVED
    - Level has been solved already.
    - You can re-play if you wish, to improve your trophy place.
    - preview is all green
    
PERFECT
    - Level has been solved perfectly.
    - You can re-play if you wish
    - preview is all green

The preview window allows you to select a level to play (up/down/left/right) on
the joystick, and start playing by any not-LOCKED level with a press/release of
the fire button.


SOLVERS
-------

A “solver” is a tool that you can earn that can automatically solve the
currently selected level. You begin the game with just one solver.

Each solver can only be used once.

If solvers are available, a flashing yellow light appears to the left of the
GRiD number at the bottom of the preview window. The light will flash once for
each solver you have.



STATUS GRID
-----------

The status grid shows the current status of all 100 levels, in a grid
format, along with the number of available solvers.

To display the status grid, hold down the fire button until the grid
appears (and keep holding while you want to see it). Holding the RESET key will
also display the status grid.

The status grid, in a row-then-column format is colour-coded to show the status
of each level in the game.

RED                 - level is locked and cannot be played
GREEN               - level has been completed perfectly
GREEN (flashing)    - level has been completed, but not perfectly
BLUE                - level is unlocked (playable) but has not been completed


USING A SOLVER
--------------

You can, of course, only use a solver if you have an available solver to use!

There are two ways to use a solver. 

    1. From the status grid display (with the fire button pressed), press any
       direction on the joystick.

    2. briefly press/release the RESET switch when viewing the menu screen.
    
A solver will "auto-solve" the selected level for you. Auto-solving involves
the game calculating the optimal moves and performing those on your behalf. as
you watch. You can speed up the solving process by holding down the fire
button.

You start with one solver. Use your solvers judiciously.

(FULL VERSION)

If you can't complete all levels in a block, then you may be able to go back to
the previous block and solve all of the levels there perfectly. This unlocks
the following 20 levels and thus ten levels AFTER the block you're having
difficulty with. You will also be awarded  a new solver for completing the
block perfectly. You can use that to solve the level you were having trouble
with (and thus opening THAT block, too).


UNLOCKING LEVELS
================

(FULL VERSION)

The full (paid) version allows you to unlock levels in blocks of 10, and
earn new solvers as you do so.

Initially the first 10 levels are unlocked and playable. You may play/solve
these in any order, and attempt to solve as many times as you wish with no
penalty.

When a full block of 10 levels is solved for the first time, one new solver
is awarded, and the following block of 10 levels is unlocked. You will see
a brief intermission screen showing which levels have been newly unlocked.

If any block of 10 levels is also solved perfectly, an additional 10 levels
are unlocked, and an another solver is awarded.

Thus, you can earn up to two solvers per block of 10 levels.

(FREE VERSION)

The free version has 10 unlocked levels, and you cannot unlock new levels.
Nor do you get additional solvers; one is it.


TROPHY
======

After all accessible levels have been solved, you will see a trophy screen
showing your "PLACE" - calculated from the number of perfectly solved levels
you have achieved.

You have the opportunity to improve your place by revisiting the levels you
have not solved perfectly. Each time you solve a level, you will see the
trophy showing your updated position.

The status grid is slightly different once you have been awarded a trophy...

GREEN               - level has been solved perfectly
YELLOW (flashing)   - level has been solved, but not perfectly

To improve your place (i.e., get a nicer trophy), revisit the yellow
"imperfectly solved" levels, and try to solve them perfectly.

(FREE VERSION)

You can at best place achieve 91st place.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CREDITS

Programming, Sound, and Graphics: Andrew Davie  
https://woodgrain.taswegian.com  

Suggestions and Testing: Jürgen Oster


Level Data: derived from Michael Fogleman  
https://www.michaelfogleman.com/rush/  
Solution Data: Andrew Davie

Box Art: Vladimir Zuñiga  

Copyright © 2026 Andrew Davie  
GridLock may not be reproduced or distributed in any form.

The physical boxed release (and digital release) is expected to be available in the 
first quarter of 2026 and will be published by Champ Games.
