Jewelry Master
Jewelry Master is a non-Tetris game for Windows PCs which was released by Arika, known for its TGM series of games. While having different rules than Tetris, the game carries over many prominent gameplay features from TGM, such as IRS and 20G. This wiki entry is based on the beta release on November 24, 2006. The beta test is limited to 5000 participants, less than 1000 of which are currently taken. Jewelry Master is expected to release in December, and will be localised in English for Western markets.
Version Update
The November 24 version of the game, v1.07, will become inaccessible as of November 30. The new version, v1.10, will be available for download on the same day. With the update the ranking board will be cleared.
How to Join the Beta
Yes, even you can be a part of the beta by following these 3 easy steps.
Step 1: Downloading the Game
http://www.arika.co.jp/special/special2.html Vist the Jewelry Master website and download 'JM.zip', linked with a green button at the bottom of the page. No installation is necessary; simply extract the contents to your desired folder.
Step 2: Registering an Account
http://hg.arika.co.jp:8081/JM_test/service/Entry In order to actually play the game, you will need to register for an account. On the page linked above, enter your email address in the first box and your desired user ID in the second box. An email will be sent to your inbox containing your password. You have 24 hours to log into the game or else your account will be deleted.
Step 3: Log In and Play
Start up JM.exe and enter your account information. You will have to do this every time you play. After playing a couple rounds, I suggest watching some good replays to get a feel for the game. Have fun!
Game Modes
Jewelry Master features 3 game modes. Unlike TGM the goal is not a rank attack or time attack to level 999 but a score attack.
Normal Mode
Pieces fall at speeds similar to TGM's Master Modes. Gems here do not ever fuse and instead behave as individual blocks.
Hard Mode
Plays just like normal mode, except same-coloured gems will fuse together to form a larger solid irregularly shaped gem.
Death Mode
The fastest mode, starting immediately at 20g. Gems fuse together as in Hard Mode.