Game Phases (Screens)

Overview

Each phase corresponds to a WM_PHASE_* Windows message. The active phase determines which background image, buttons, and event handlers are active. A phase switch is triggered by sending WM_PHASE_* to the window, caught by CEvent::ChangePhase().

Complete Phase Table

Constant	Value (WM_USER+)	Description
`WM_PHASE_INIT`	+500	Startup initialisation
`WM_PHASE_PLAY`	+501	Main gameplay (play mode) — most important phase
`WM_PHASE_BUILD`	+502	Level editor / build mode
`WM_PHASE_READ`	+503	Load-game screen (10 slots)
`WM_PHASE_WRITE`	+504	Save-game screen (10 slots)
`WM_PHASE_INFO`	+505	Mission briefing (goal description)
`WM_PHASE_BUTTON`	+506	Action selection via button strip
`WM_PHASE_TERM`	+507	Mission-end statistics
`WM_PHASE_WIN`	+508	Victory screen
`WM_PHASE_LOST`	+509	Defeat screen
`WM_PHASE_STOP`	+510	Pause / stop
`WM_PHASE_SETUP`	+511	Settings screen
`WM_PHASE_MUSIC`	+512	Music selection screen
`WM_PHASE_PLAYMOVIE`	+513	Pre-mission cinematic
`WM_PHASE_WINMOVIE`	+514	Victory cinematic
`WM_PHASE_SCHOOL`	+515	Tutorial / school mission selection
`WM_PHASE_MISSION`	+516	Main campaign mission selection
`WM_PHASE_LASTWIN`	+517	Final victory screen (game completed)
`WM_PHASE_WRITEp`	+518	Save-game from pause
`WM_PHASE_SETUPp`	+519	Settings from pause
`WM_PHASE_REGION`	+520	Region / visual theme selection
`WM_PHASE_INSERT`	+521	CD-ROM insert prompt
`WM_PHASE_HISTORY0`	+522	Story history screen 0
`WM_PHASE_HISTORY1`	+523	Story history screen 1
`WM_PHASE_HELP`	+524	In-game help overlay
`WM_PHASE_H0MOVIE`	+525	Story chapter 0 cinematic
`WM_PHASE_H1MOVIE`	+526	Story chapter 1 cinematic
`WM_PHASE_H2MOVIE`	+527	Story chapter 2 cinematic
`WM_PHASE_TESTCD`	+528	CD-ROM access test
`WM_PHASE_MANUEL`	+529	Manual / help document
`WM_PHASE_PRIVATE`	+530	Private / special phase
`WM_PHASE_UNDO`	+531	Undo operation
`WM_PHASE_BYE`	+532	Quit confirmation
`WM_PHASE_SKILL1`	+533	Skill level selection — screen 1
`WM_PHASE_SKILL2`	+534	Skill level selection — screen 2
`WM_PHASE_DEMO`	+535	Demo playback
`WM_PHASE_INTRO1`	+536	Introduction animation — screen 1
`WM_PHASE_INTRO2`	+537	Introduction animation — screen 2

Typical Phase Flow for One Mission

WM_PHASE_INIT
    → WM_PHASE_INTRO1 / WM_PHASE_INTRO2   (intro animation, first run only)
    → WM_PHASE_SKILL1 / WM_PHASE_SKILL2   (difficulty selection)
    → WM_PHASE_REGION                      (visual theme selection)
    → WM_PHASE_SCHOOL or WM_PHASE_MISSION  (mission selection)
    → WM_PHASE_INFO                        (mission briefing)
    → WM_PHASE_PLAYMOVIE                   (pre-mission cinematic)
    → WM_PHASE_PLAY                        (gameplay!)
        ↓ (during play)
        WM_PHASE_STOP → WM_PHASE_PLAY      (pause and resume)
        WM_PHASE_HELP → WM_PHASE_PLAY      (help overlay)
        ↓ (mission end)
    → WM_PHASE_WIN or WM_PHASE_LOST
    → WM_PHASE_WINMOVIE                    (victory cinematic)
    → WM_PHASE_TERM                        (mission statistics)
    → WM_PHASE_MISSION                     (select next mission)

How Phase Switching Works

// Send message to trigger a phase switch:
PostMessage(g_hWnd, WM_PHASE_PLAY, 0, 0);

// Handled in WindowProc:
case WM_PHASE_PLAY:
    pEvent->ChangePhase(WM_PHASE_PLAY);
    break;

// ChangePhase() in event.cpp:
// 1. Clears current toolbar (buttons, gauges)
// 2. Loads the appropriate background image into CHBACK channel
// 3. Creates phase-specific buttons
// 4. Initialises phase state

Navigation Messages

Constant	Value	Description
`WM_PREV`	WM_USER+600	Go to previous item / page
`WM_NEXT`	WM_USER+601	Go to next item / page
`WM_MOVIE`	WM_USER+602	Start cinematic playback

Background Images per Phase

Phase	Background image
`WM_PHASE_PLAY`	`image/play.blp`
`WM_PHASE_BUILD`	`image/build.blp`
`WM_PHASE_READ`	`image/read.blp`
`WM_PHASE_WRITE`	`image/write.blp`
`WM_PHASE_WIN`	`image/win.blp`
`WM_PHASE_LOST`	`image/lost.blp`
`WM_PHASE_STOP`	`image/stop000.blp` / `stop001.blp` / `stop002.blp`
`WM_PHASE_SETUP`	`image/setup.blp`
`WM_PHASE_MUSIC`	`image/music.blp`
`WM_PHASE_REGION`	`image/region.blp`
`WM_PHASE_TERM`	`image/term.blp`
`WM_PHASE_HELP`	`image/help.blp`
`WM_PHASE_BYE`	`image/bye.blp`
`WM_PHASE_INTRO1`	`image/intro1.blp`
`WM_PHASE_INTRO2`	`image/intro2.blp`
`WM_PHASE_HISTORY0`	`image/history0.blp`
`WM_PHASE_HISTORY1`	`image/history1.blp`
`WM_PHASE_LASTWIN`	`image/last000.blp` / `last001.blp` / `last002.blp`
`WM_PHASE_INSERT`	`image/insert.blp`
Any movie phase	`image/movie.blp` (fallback when AVI unavailable)

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