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FAQ/Strategy Guide

by JChamberlin


                                Cake Mania (PC)

                                 Strategy Guide

                            Version: 0.1 - 10/04/06
                               By Jim Chamberlin
                           [email protected]


================================================================================

  << Online References >>

  Developer's Official Site           http://www.sandlotgames.com/


================================================================================
                                Revision History
================================================================================

  Version 0.1  -  Oct 04, 2006  - 17 KB

    Started and completed the FAQ.


================================================================================
                               Table of Contents
================================================================================

  Introduction
  The Game
  Upgrades
   Ovens
   Frosting Stations
   Decoration Stations
   Microwaves
   Shoes
   Television
   Display Case
  Customers
  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  Final Words...


================================================================================
                                  Introduction
================================================================================

  Welcome to my FAQ for Cake Mania, a game developed by Sandlot Games.  In this
  game, we play as Jill, who has returned from culinary school, only to find
  her beloved grandparents' bakery has closed down.  Because of the new Mega-
  Mart store in the area, local businesses have taken a nose-dive.  It's up to
  us and Jill top open a bakery, bring in customers, and earn enough money to
  re-open her grandparents' bakery.

  Below, you'll find the requirements in your PC to properly play the game.

  - Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
  - Pentium II 400Mhz or better
  - 128 MB System RAM (256 MB recommended)
  - 3D Hardware Accelerated Video Card with 16MB Video RAM
  - Internet Explorer 5.0+, AOL 5,6 or MSN browsers
  - Direct-X 7 or above
  - Keyboard & mouse required
  - Joystick and game pad are not supported


================================================================================
                                    The Game
================================================================================

  The game is quite simple to play.  You only have to use your mouse, so you
  don't have to worry about memorizing dozens of keyboard shortcuts.

  As your day begins, Jill is in the kitchen all by herself.  It's only a
  matter of seconds before the first customer shows up.  Once he/she shows up,
  it's time to start baking a cake.  Walk over to him/her and click on him/her.
  This will give the customer a menu of the cakes available.  The customer will
  relay the cake of their choice in a small thought bubble next to them.  You
  will be able to see the cake shape, the frosting needed, along with any
  special decorations.  After a few levels, you'll have to offer double-layer
  cakes for sale, which obviously take more time to make.

      TIP: If you have the display case, consider baking and start frosting
           a cake before the first customer comes in.  Place the finished cake
           on the display case.  A future customer will likely buy the cake
           as long as you bake it early.  The longer you wait to use the
           display case, the less likely the cake will be sold, and you'll
           eat the cost of the cake.

  Anyway, once you see the cake shape, walk over to the oven and click the
  correct shape on the top of the oven.  After the cake has baked, it will come
  out and sit on a board in front of the oven.  Click on the baked cake and
  then click on the correct frosting color over on the frosting station of your
  choice.  In the beginning, you'll only have one station, so it's obvious which
  one you'll choose.  If the customer doesn't require additional cake layers or
  decorations, click on the frosted (completed) cake and then click on the
  customer.  Jill will walk over and give it to the customer.  The cake will
  quickly be boxed up and the customer will leave after placing money on the
  counter.  You can pick up the money now or wait for a while.

  It sounds simple, doesn't it?  Things tend to get more challenging when Jill
  has multiple customers to deal with.  As you upgrade your bakery's equipment,
  you'll be able to improve the speed in which you can serve your customers.

  I won't include a walkthrough because it's not necessary.  Play the game
  and you'll see what I mean.
  
  
================================================================================
                                    Upgrades
================================================================================

  You have a number of upgrades available to you in the game.  They're all
  meant to improve your ability to quickly serve your customers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Ovens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The conventional oven is where the magic all begins.  Jill can have up to
  three ovens running at one time, so make sure you keep track of who ordered
  what!  Times vary depending on the type of oven Jill has purchased.

  Name: Bake Pro 1000
  Cost: $1500
  Description: The standard professional baker's oven.  This trustworthy
  appliance turns out cakes in six seconds.

  Name: Bake Master 2000
  Cost: $2000
  Description: Invest in this industrial convectional oven to cut your baking
  time down to four seconds.

  Name: Lightning-Bake 5000
  Cost: $3000
  Description: This state-of-the-art oven turns out delicious desserts in an
  amazing two seconds!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Frosting Stations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Up to three frosting stations can be working at once.  This comes in handy
  when double-layered cakes are ordered, or there are a lot of customers
  waiting.

  Name: Frost-O-Matic 1000
  Cost: $600
  Description: Add another Frost-O-Matic to the assembly line and get more
  cakes on the go at once!

  Name: Fast-Frost 2000
  Cost: $1000
  Description: New advances in technology allow you to ice a cake one-third
  faster than usual!

  Name: Lean Mean Frosting Machine
  Cost: $1500
  Description: The leanest, meanest froster on the market!  Produces perfectly
  iced cakes in the blink of an eye.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Decoration Stations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   The decoration station allows Jill to add some flare to each cake with one
   of four different toppings.  Two decoration stations can be working at
   once, with up to eight different toppings in all.  Decorated cakes also
   sell for a tidy profit!

   Name: Deco-Lite 1000
   Cost: $400
   Description: Customers will pay premium prices for decorations!  This
   candle design adds $10 to the cake price.

   Name: Rose Topper
   Cost: $700
   Description: A rose by any other name would taste as sweet!  This delicate
   decoration adds a $15 value to a cake.

   Name: Wedding Topper
   Cost: $1500
   Description: This engaging topper nets you an extra $25 from the customer's
   wedding-cake budget.

   Name: Strawberry Topper
   Cost: $1000
   Description: A 'berry' sweet design that plants an extra $20 in your pocket.

   Name: Tradewinds Topper
   Cost: $500
   Description: Decorated cakes sell for a tidy profit!  A Tradewinds Ship adds
   character to a cake, and $10 to its value.

   Name: Super Granny Topper
   Cost: $700
   Description: Respect your elders!  Stand Super Granny atop an order and 
   she'll dig you up an extra $15.

   Name: Slyder Topper
   Cost: $1000
   Description: Slyder keeps the profits rolling in, rounding prices up by $20.

   Name: Snail Mail Topper
   Cost: $1500
   Description: The fastest snail in the galaxy will speed you towards
   financial success, $25 at a time!

   Name: Deco Deluxe 2000
   Cost: $1000
   Description: This nifty machine streamlines the decorating process so you
   can finish orders more quickly.

   Name: Deco-Demon 5000
   Cost: $1500
   Description: This delightful device is an absolute speed demon.  No more
   slowdowns on the finishing touches!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Microwaves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Honestly, who could be upset with a warm cupcake in their hand?  Especially
   when they're free!  This cupcake microwave is useful when long lines build
   up and customers become frustrated.

   Name: Cupcake Microwave
   Cost: $500
   Description: To handle long lineups, free samples are a must!  No one can
   stay cranky with a hot cupcake in hand.

   Name: Quick Cake Deluxe
   Cost: $750
   Description: More demanding customers need faster emergency cupcake
   intervention!

   Name: Space Cake 2000
   Cost: $1000
   Description: The official microwave used on the space shuttle!  Guaranteed
   to send your cupcake production sky-high.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Shoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Upgrade the type of shoes Jill is wearing to move around the kitchen more
   quickly.  These come in handy when there is a long line of customers
   waiting for their cakes.

   Name: Cloud Crosstrainers
   Cost: $500
   Description: If you wish you could be quicker on your feet, these special
   sneakers leave your old shoes in the dust!

   Name: Wingtips
   Cost: $1000
   Description: Don a pair of speedy Wingtips, and you'll dodge around so 
   quickly the customers will think you've taken flight!

   Name: Smokin' Sneakers
   Cost: $1500
   Description: Light a fire under your heels!  The hottest shoes around will
   have you blazing through the bakery at top speed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Television
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   A television keeps customers happily distracted, buying Jill more time to
   bake. With various channels, there's something to please everyone.  Just
   make sure to know what each customer enjoys watching when changing channels.

   Cost: $1000

   Channel One: Cartoons
   Channel Two: News
   Channel Three: Food Network

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Display Case
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   This fancy stand offers an extra place to set down a work in progress - 
   or display a finished cake to tempt buyers.

   Cost: $200


================================================================================
                                   Customers
================================================================================

   Your valuable customers come in all shapes and sizes, from high school kids
   to Dracula.  The customers have their own respective preferences for cake
   toppings and TV channels.  Also, some are more patient than others.  If you
   wait too long, you may end up losing some of the more impatient customers.

   High School Male: With little time to spare to get to school, the kids
   don't have long to wait for you to serve them the cake they ordered.  Use
   the television set and turn it to channel one for Cartoons.  Also, serve him
   a cupcake from the microwave.  His favorite cake topping is the Slyder.

   Delivery Man: This man is the first character you will meet in your bakery.
   He has plenty of patience, so giving him cupcakes isn't generally necessary.
   His favorite TV channel is channel two, which is the News.  Also, his
   favorite cake topping is the Tradewinds Ship.

   Cupid: Like the other young characters in the game, the cupid is incredibly
   impatient.  This is one of my least favorite characters for this very reason.
   Keep a plate of cupcakes handy and keep the TV turned to the Cartoons
   (channel one).

   Businessman: In the game, there are two classes of businessman.  The first
   is the regular businessman, who is somewhat patient, but don't take too
   long with his orders.  The second type is the vacationing businessman, who
   has very, very little patience.  Keep the TV turned on channel two, which is
   the News.  Also, keep a plate full of cupcakes around.

   Granny: Being retired, the granny is generally quite patient.  She prefers
   channel three on the TV, which is Food Network.  Her favorite cake topping
   is the Super Granny Topper.

   College Female: In terms of her patience, she reminds me of the delivery man
   or the granny... she's far more patient than the cupid or the high school
   male.  She prefers the Strawberry topping on her cakes and Food Network on
   the television.

   Bride: Judging by her lack of patience, you would think she is somehow
   responsible for bringing the wedding cake to her wedding and she's already
   thirty minutes late.  Like the cupid, cupcakes are a necessity.  Obviously,
   her favorite cake topping is the Wedding topper.  Also, she prefers Food
   Network on the TV.

   Food Critic: The food critic is good for your business, so treat her well.
   She's not very patient, so I highly recommend using the TV to keep her in
   your shop.  Her favorite channel is Food Network and her cake topping of
   choice is the Rose.

   Easter Bunny: Hmmm... a grown man sporting a day of beard growth in a bunny
   suit.  Anyway, the bunny isn't particularly patient, so keep the TV turned
   to the Cartoons.  His favorite cake topping is the Snail Mail.

   Santa Claus: This jolly fat guy only shows up in December.  He's surprisingly
   patient for a man responsible for delivering presents to people around the
   world.  He prefers Cartoons on the TV and the Snail Mail on his cake.

   Dracula: Known for sucking blood from humans, Dracula steals hearts from the
   other characters.  Make sure he's content.  He prefers to watch the Food
   Network and likes Roses on his cake.


================================================================================
                       Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
================================================================================

    This is the section I've dedicated to questions that I deem are asked
    quite a bit, and instead of receiving the same questions over and over,
    they will be asked and answered below.  Be sure to read this section
    prior to asking me a question.


    Q:  How much does this game cost?

    A:  $19.99


    Q:  Is this game appropriate for children?

    A:  Absolutely.  There is no violence or foul language.


    Q:  I'm having trouble in one of the levels, can you help me?

    A:  One of the best (and easiest) tips I can offer is not to pick up the
        money after the cake is sold.  Wait a while.  Only serve two customers
        if possible.  Taking the money off the counter opens up a slot for a
        new customer to come in.  Once you've got things under control, pick
        up the money and keep the customers coming in... just don't be in a
        hurry to pick up the money the very second the cake transaction is
        complete.


    Q:  Where did the developer get the idea for the cake decorations?

    A:  The decorations and their names come from other games from the
        developer's lineup of games.  Many of the decorations are actual
        characters in other games.


    Q:  Are there any other Cake Mania games?

    A:  Yes.  Sandlot Games has released a sequel called Cake Mania: Back to
        the Bakery.  Although I've not played it, I understand it's basically
        the same game with a couple of minor changes.  You can find it at
        http://www.sandlotgames.com


================================================================================
                                 Final Words...
================================================================================
   _______
   Credits
   �������
   Jeff "CJayC" Veasey for hosting my FAQs.
   Dave Allison for hosting my FAQs.

   This FAQ was writen entirely using the GWD Text Editor:  (shareware)
     http://www.gwdsoft.com/

   ____________________________
   Misc Facts about the Author:
   ����������������������������
   Email Address: [email protected]
   Other FAQs: Check out http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/2717.html


  << Disclaimer >>

  This document may be freely distributed so long as it is not edited or
  or altered in any way, I am given credit, you do not charge for viewing
  this guide; this includes, but is not limited to websites, cds, dvds,
  magazines, etc.

  This document was made for personal use only.  No part of this document may
  be copied or used in any form of media without the express written consent
  of Jim Chamberlin.  Unauthorized use of any information herein is a direct
  violation of Copyright Law, and legal action will be taken.

  This document is Copyright � 2006 Jim Chamberlin.  All Rights Reserved.