Querkz

Released in 1997 by Adam Winiecki of Judah Software, Querkz is a fast-paced, 3D falling-blocks puzzle game for Power Macintosh. Players line up colored blocks four-in-a-row by switching them around with paddles, set against an animated 3D environment that uses real-time camera zoom, spin, wave and shake effects, dynamic lighting, and texture-mapped graphics.

What makes it different

Where most falling-blocks games of the era stuck to a flat 2D playfield, Querkz wrapped the action inside an aggressively animated 3D scene. The camera tilts, twists, and shakes while you play, and the field rocks in response to events. Judah Software warned outright that the visuals could induce momentary motion sickness or dizziness in some players.

Versions and release history

The original v1.0.0 (file querkz100.sea.hqx) was uploaded to Info-Mac's game/arc directory by Adam Winiecki of Judah Software. The v1.5 update (querkz15.hqx) added two new colored block sets, a new "CloudRodent" element borrowed from the related Cloudz game, and a new music track. This Mactrove entry corresponds to the v1.5 upload.

System requirements

Querkz requires a Power Macintosh with at least 4500 KB of free RAM, a 13-inch or larger monitor running in 8-bit or 16-bit color, and 3.5 MB of free disk space. It scales between 640x480 and 1024x768 resolutions; on a PowerMac 6100 in 8-bit color the author reported smooth play at a 624x624 playfield, and a 180 MHz 603e could push it up to 736x736.

Provenance

Released as shareware by Judah Software (Adam Winiecki, winiecki@pacifier.com). Mirrored from Info-Mac's game/ directory; the related v1.0 sits under game/arc/. The Macintosh Garden listing for Querkz preserves a v1.0 screenshot.