INSTRUCTIONS The object of the game is to be the first one to reach the end of the board. You move around the board by giving the correct answer to the clues given. When the game starts you will be asked for the number of players (up to 4), and which question bank to use. There is currently 4 banks each with 50 question cards. On your turn, click on one of the available numbered circles and the corresponding clue will be shown. You must then enter an answer before the timer runs out or click on the PASS icon. The timer automatically stops when you press a key (see Notes below). There is NO penalty for an incorrect answer or for PASSing. Some of the numbered circles contain BONUS moves which move the player forward, or PENALTY moves which move the player backward. Theses are shown in the clue box and also have an appropriate sound. SCORING The number of squares a player moves after giving a correct answer is equal to the number of clues remaining. For example, if you answer correctly on the 5th clue you will move 15 squares (20 - 5 = 15). CATEGORIES There are four different categories: PERSON, PLACE, THING, YEAR. An icon on the board is highlighted to show which category the current answer is in. PERSON: These can be live or dead, male or female, real or fictional. It also includes groups of people. PLACE: Apart from the obvious this also includes things like rivers, oceans, planets, or other natural locations. THING: Things are inanimate objects, animals, events, and abstract concepts. YEAR: A four digit number (1976, 1988) in which events took place. NOTES In order to simply things I have removed words like 'A' and 'THE' from the answers. Therefore, if you think the answer is 'A MAGNET' just enter 'MAGNET' The backspace key can be used to correct spellings UPTO but NOT including the first letter. The reason for this is simple. When the program detects a keypress the timer stops, thereby giving you plenty of time to enter the answer. However, to stop players just hitting a key to stop the timer (giving endless 'thinking' time) it won't delete the first letter. The chances of anyone making a spelling mistake with the first letter is fairly minimal. This version (V1.2) is not very intelligent, and will not except incorrect spellings (sorry!). However, I am looking into the possibility of writing an intelligent routine that will tell you if you're almost right (MANGET instead of MAGNET etc.) and give you another chance. Whether I actually update this program will depend upon the response I get, if any, about this version. So if you like it, let me know. I'm also looking into the possibility of writing a question editor thanks to the suggestion of Pete Wright of IGPUG. Again it will depend upon your response. The questions are stored separately on disk and have been encrypted, albeit rather simply. However, each bank has a different seed to deter all but the serious 'hacker'. This is my first serious attempt at programming and I really would like to hear your views. The music was composed by Stuart Campey as was the sound effects (with a little help from the Mastersound Sampler). The graphics were done by Steve Howard. We are known, collectively as GENETIC EFX. All letters will be answered, but those sending an s.a.e. will be answered quicker!! The program is Public Domain providing the disk is kept intact (i.e. all the files including this one are present). Wots-Its-Name has been tested on the following systems: WB1.3 0.5M Chip 0.5M Fast External Drive WB2.0 1M Chip 2M Fast WB2.0 2M Chip 2M Fast A590 Hard Drive It hasn't been tested (and probably wouldn't work) on an A500 with 0.5M only. If you boot from this disk a short intro is displayed together with the obligatory scrolly. However, the main program will run via workbench using the icon supplied and does not need the Intro to run. HARD DRIVE USERS ================ The program can easily be installed on a hard drive providing the following files are put in the same directory: Fonts {dir} Questions {dir} Wots-Its-Name Wots-Its-Name.info You will then have to assign WIN: to the path of the program e.g. Create a directory called DH0:Games/Win put all the above files in it Assign WIN: DH0:Games/Win The Fonts MUST go in the directory NOT in your fonts drawer otherwise the program won't work. The source code is freely available to those who want it. Just send a blank Disk and enough stamps/money to cover return postage. If anybody feels generous enough to send anything extra, either money or disks etc (NOT pirated software )I'll also send a copy of my next completed game. We are in the process of writing two other games: SPLASH: Vaguely similar to Clowns on the C64 but MUCH better. (As I write it is almost finished). Rags to Riches: A complex board game where you have to build Hotels. However, in order to build them you need to obtain Blueprints, planning permission, staff, the necessary materials, finance etc. Due to the complexity of the game and the amount of man-hours that will be needed to finish it, we may consider issuing it as shareware. Comments, bug reports, blue (or brown) beer vouchers etc. to :- Jim Campey 41 Charlton House Albany Road Brentford Middlesex TW8 0NG Hope you enjoy the game......... THANKS Finally, thanks to Len and Anne Tucker for helping solve a problem I had with the compiled version... HISTORY V0.9 Never saw the light of day. Shortly after finishing the code I purchased Ctext and decided to re-write it (almost) V1.0 Pre-release version that I sent to a number of friends and associates for play-testing. It had an annoying bug that crashed the compiled version if you clicked the mouse instead of pressing a key at the end of a game. Never did understand why!! . The program wouldn't allow you to delete spelling mistakes. EVERYBODY moaned about that (Sorry). V1.2 Added a coloured counter in the text area to show who's go it was. . Added the amount of time it took to set-up incase anyone was interested. . Added the use of the backspace key to change spelling mistakes. That was harder than I thought it would be. . Used PPMore instead of More to show the instructions because it looks better. . Another bug fixed! Now if someone wins from a Bonus move the counter moves BEFORE the game ends. Thanks Stuart! . Added a QUIT button for the small minority of people who wanted to stop playing our game!! . Fixed the bug that caused the program to crash when you pressed the mouse button at the end. Well actually I didn't fix the bug because I couldn't find out why it was doing it, so I solved the problem by waiting for a mouse click at the end. Ingenious eh? . Added the ability to turn off the sound effects. This was Steve's idea. Amiga......There can be only one!