This chapter is about how to play Xconq. Although Xconq supports a wide variety of games, they all have much in common, and it is these common features that will be described here. This chapter, along with any documentation for the game you're playing, should provide all the information you need to play and enjoy Xconq.
The term interface refers to the particular graphical user interface in use. Examples include X11, Windows, Macintosh, and curses. Interfaces can vary radically from each other, since each is designed to be best suited for its environment. However, interfaces all share the same commands, so that you don't have to learn a whole new set when switching computers, and many of the displays are similar too.
When reading this chapter, you should be aware that Xconq allows for many different kinds of game designs, which are the set of rules and definitions for a game. The range of possibilities is so broad that for any particular game, some of the information in this chapter will be irrelevant to it. This will be indicated in the text by phrases like "some games" or by saying that a game "may" implement some concept or behavior. You should learn what the game you're playing actually does in these cases. For instance, wind does not play a part in the standard game, so all the information in here about wind doesn't apply. But, it's an option (variant) in the "voyages" game, and very important when it's enabled, because it governs how fast and in which directions your sailing ships can move.