PC Format (UK): The Ultimate PC Games Collection/PC Format Ultimate PC Games Collection (Future Publishing).ISO/countdwn/readme.txt

Text File | 1994-08-09 | 12KB | 225 lines

                COUNTDOWN
                =========

Copy the COUNT.EXE file into a directory and run it. This is a self extracting
ZIP file and will produce all the required files for the DEMO version.

To play COUNTDOWN Type from the installed directory:
COUNTDWN (NOTE: There is no second 'O' in this word)

GETTING STARTED
Please note that the DEMO version of the game has a cut down dictionary, the
full version has the complete CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY built in.

On running the COUNTDWN.EXE program the MAIN MENU will appear on the screen.
This offers you the following options:

PLAY                            Self-explanatory.
QUIT                            Ends your COUNTDOWN session and returns                                                         you to DOS.
HI-SCORES                       Displays the best scores against the computer
                for each level of difficulty.
SOUNDBLASTER ON/OFF             Not available on the DEMO version.
SCREEN CHANGE SLOW/FAST         Not available on the DEMO version.
CONTINUE GAME                   This will be available only if you previously
                exited a game between rounds using ESCAPE
                (Not available on the DEMO version.)

To select any option, first highlight it either by clicking once with the
left-hand mouse button or by using the cursor keys, then press ENTER  or
RETURN. This is also the procedure for choosing any of the options which
the game will offer you as you play.

If you select PLAY, you will next be asked HOW MANY PLAYERS?
Selecting the 2-player game allows you to play against your friend, boss,
mother-in-law or whoever. If you choose the 1-player game, you will be asked
WHICH RULES DO YOU WISH TO PLAY BY? You can have a PRACTICE game against the
computer at one of three levels of difficulty, or play at COMPETITION
standard which will be explained later in this manual - for now, assume that
you select PRACTICE rules. (DEMO only allows one player)

HOW GOOD A PLAYER ARE YOU? (1-player PRACTICE game only).
AVERAGE is a good choice for beginners and children, because the game will
attempt to match your ability as play progresses. The other two levels, GOOD
and CHAMP, are of a fixed standard and are a better measure of how you would
get on against real COUNTDOWN contestants. (DEMO only allows AVERAGE play)

PLAYER 1 (then PLAYER 2 if appropriate) ENTER NAME.
Type in your name, up to a maximum of 7 letters, using either upper or lower
case. If you make a mistake, press BACKSPACE to erase it,  then retype, and
press ENTER when your name is correct. It is important that Player 1 can
reach the SPACE BAR and Player 2 can reach ENTER without falling over each
other, or else you'll have to change seats halfway through the CONUNDRUM.
Also, if you have chosen the 2-player game, you and your opponent should not
have identical names.

WHO WILL PLAY FIRST?
There is no advantage in playing first or second, so take your pick. If you
are playing COMPETITION rules, you will not be offered the choice. (DEMO
version forces the computer to play first).


PLAYING THE GAME
If you have seen COUNTDOWN on television, you already know how to play.
However, complete beginners will need a brief explanation.

There are 3 types of game: LETTERS, NUMBERS and CONUNDRUM.

In the LETTERS game one player selects 9 letters, in any combination of
vowels and consonants, and then each player tries to make as long a word as
possible in 30 seconds, using the letters selected. Each letter can only be
used once, unless of course it appears more than once in the selection. After
the 30-second COUNTDOWN, each player declares the length of his word. The
shorter word is entered first (if both players have a word of the same
length, they are asked in random order for their answer), and the player
with the longer word receives one point for each letter, except that a
9-letter word scores 18 points. Foreign words and proper nouns are not
acceptable  nor is any word which does not appear in the CONCISE OXFORD
DICTIONARY.

In the NUMBERS game one player selects 6 numbers between 1 and 100, then a
target figure between 100 and 999 appears and each player tries to make the
target in 30 seconds,by adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing the
6 chosen numbers. You do not, however, need to use all 6 numbers.When
choosing your numbers, note that the top row contains the numbers 25, 50, 75
and 100 and the other rows contain numbers 1 to 10 (two of each). After the
30-second COUNTDOWN each player will be asked what answer he has got, and
the player who is closer to the target will be asked to explain how he
reached his answer. You will receive 10 points if you make the target
exactly, 7 points if you are within 5,  and 5 points for getting within 10.

The CONUNDRUM is a 9-letter word which has been scrambled. The first player
who unscrambles it correctly, before the end of the 30-second COUNTDOWN,
receives 10 points.

The game of COUNTDOWN consists  of  9  rounds  (usually) : three LETTERS
games, a NUMBERS game, three LETTERS games, a NUMBERS game and finally a
CONUNDRUM. If the scores are equal after these 9 rounds, the CONUNDRUM will
be replayed until one or other player has won.

THE LETTERS GAME
When it is your turn to select letters, you can choose vowels or consonants
using either the keyboard - press C for a consonant or V for a vowel - or
the mouse - click the left-hand mouse button once when the cursor is on the
word CONSONANT or VOWEL. When 9 letters have been selected the 30-second
COUNTDOWN will begin.

After the COUNTDOWN, each player will be asked HOW MANY LETTERS? Enter the
number of letters in your word, using either the numbers on  the  keyboard
or the keypad,  then  press  ENTER.   If both players declare the same number
of letters they are asked in random order to enter their answers, otherwise
whoever declared lowest enters their word first. Again, lower or upper case
will do, but this time if you make a mistake you cannot erase it using
BACKSPACE,  however you can press ESC which will allow you to re-enter your
word. Instead of typing your word on the keyboard, you can click the
left-hand mouse button once on each letter in turn. Once you have entered
your whole answer, i.e. the number of letters you declared, the computer
will beep and ask you IS THIS CORRECT?  If not, answer N then type in the
correct answer. If your answer was correct, you can answer Y or press ENTER,
or just wait for the computer to catch up. If you declared the wrong number
of letters you won't get any points so BE MORE CAREFUL NEXT TIME !

DICTIONARY CORNER may or may not make a contribution.

THE NUMBERS GAME
The computer will ask you (if it's your turn)  to  choose 6 numbers. Select
your numbers by clicking once on the left-hand mouse button when the cursor
is on your choice, or by using the corresponding letters on the keyboard.
When 6 numbers have been selected you will be asked to press RETURN (unless
it's the computer's turn) and the target will appear at the top of the
screen, then the 30-second COUNTDOWN will begin. After the COUNTDOWN, each
player will be asked WHAT ANSWER HAVE YOU GOT? Use the numbers on the
keyboard or keypad then press ENTER. The player who is closer to the target
will be asked to ENTER ANSWER.

HOW TO ENTER YOUR ANSWER TO THE NUMBERS GAME
The best way to do this is in small steps, and it is very important to enter
each step in the order in which you want the computer to deal with it. Note
that the computer will perform each arithmetic process (addition,
subtraction, multiplication or division) as it meets it rather than using
mathematical progression. You cannot use brackets when entering your answer,
and you cannot enter any process which results in a fraction. Note also
that * means "multiplied by" and / means "divided by".

Type in the first part of your solution then press ENTER. The computer will
ask ARE YOU SURE? Check that what you have entered is correct, then use the
mouse or cursor keys to answer YES or NO. You can enter either a single
number e.g. 100, or a sum e.g. 100 * 4. When you have entered two steps the
computer will invite you to add, subtract, multiply or divide them before
going on to the next part of the solution.

For example, suppose you have the numbers 75 9 9 8 5 and 3 and a target of
321. One solution would be      9 - 5 =  4              Type  9 - 5 ENTER
                4 * 8 = 32              Type 8 ENTER    *
                32 + 75 = 107           Type 75 ENTER   +
                107 * 3 = 321           Type 3 ENTER    *

Another example: you have the numbers 75 25 3  6 4 6 and the target 797. A
possible solution is
        6 + 6 - 4 = 8           Type  6 + 6 - 4  ENTER
        75 + 25 = 100           Type 75 + 25    ENTER
        8 * 100 = 800           Type   *
        800 - 3 = 797           Type   3   ENTER    -
You can enter your sum in larger steps if you prefer, e.g. the first
solution could be typed in as
        9 - 5 * 8 + 75 * 3          ENTER.
However, the more complex you make each step, the greater scope there is
for going wrong.


THE CONUNDRUM
A scrambled 9-letter word will appear on the screen and the 30-second
COUNTDOWN will begin.

BE CAREFUL WITH THIS GAME! First you have to be sitting in the right place
(see GETTING STARTED). When you  think you  have the answer,  press the
SPACE BAR if you are Player 1 or ENTER if you are Player 2. This interrupts
the COUNTDOWN and you will be asked to enter your answer. Type it in very
carefully, because if you make a mistake here you cannot correct it and you
will not receive the 10 points.

If one player interrupts the COUNTDOWN and enters an incorrect answer, the
COUNTDOWN will resume but only the other player will be able to answer.


THE COMPETITION VERSION
This feature enables clubs or groups of  two or more players to compete with
each other, for example in a postal competition. The COUNTDOWN disk contains
99999 actual games stored in memory, any of which you can play as often as
you wish in order to improve your score against the computer. (Not available
on the DEMO version).

THE END OF THE GAME
When the CONUNDRUM has been solved, or at the end of the COUNTDOWN, you will
be asked to PRESS A KEY and the score will be displayed. You will then be
asked to PRESS RETURN TO END GAME.

If you do not wish to play again, highlight QUIT on the MAIN MENU and press
ENTER. This will return you to DOS. You can also discontinue your game
before the end: pressing ESC when you are asked to press RETURN for the next
round will save your PRACTICE game so that you can continue it next time
(see GETTING STARTED) and pressing CTRL and BREAK together will abort during
the 30-second COUNTDOWN without saving your game. The COMPETITION game
cannot be saved.


TROUBLESHOOTING

Install Program locks up shortly after the clock appears.
This can happen if you have a SOUNDBLASTER card which not not correctly
installed. Check the installation of the card. If the problem persists,
boot up your computer from a floppy disk with no drivers or TSR programs
loaded, and re-install COUNTDOWN.

LEGAL DOGMA
Neither the author nor Lockton Software. assumes responsibility for any
damage or loss caused by the use of these programs, however it occurs.

All the registered trademarks used herein are registered to whoever it is
that owns them. This notification is given in lieu of any specific list of
trademarks and their owners.


TELEVISION SERIES (c) YORKSHIRE TELEVISION LIMITED 1994

COUNTDOWN IS AN ARMAND JAMMOT GAME