If you're unfamiliar with WorldBuilder games and their vocabulary, read the "Game Basics" at the end of this file.
ÑUse the ordinary World Builder game commands: directions, GET/DROP, USE etc. Additional commands will introduce themselves by name.
ÑThe usual WB guidelines apply: TALK and/or LISTEN to anyone you meet (and pay attention to what they say!), read room descriptions carefully, and don't forget to SEARCH.
ÑCommands may have different consequences the second time around, so try everything twice--within the limits of ordinary common sense.
SPECIFIC TIPS
ÑThe exterior views of the Tower are accurate, so take a good look before you go in--or you may have trouble getting out again.
ÑYou can look out almost all the windows.
ÑIf you read the room descriptions closely, you'll see that the overall floor plan is perfectly straightforward; this is by no means Gormenghast.
ÑIt IS possible to get killed in the Tower, though you have to be pretty, well, I guess "determined" is the tactful word. Watch out for the proverbial cornered rat.
ÑIf your situation seems desperate and you believe you've exhausted all your resources, try finding a place to SIT and THINK.
QUESTIONS
...can be posted to the "Tower" folder under "Adventure" in the MacGames forum on AOL. This is the fastest way to get help, as most players get stuck in the same places & you'll probably find that your question has already been answered. If you don't have AOL, go ahead and e-mail me at the address above.
VERSION 2.x NOTE:
You will not be able to open games saved from versions earlier than 2.0, so if you've got a game in progress, finish it or trash it before installing this version. Saved games from 2.x should run fine.
VERSION HISTORY:
v. 1.0 released 2 January 1996 (NOT 1995--oops!)
v. 1.1 released 29 February 1996. Cleaner graphics (=shorter download time), one more immobile object to play with... and one more piece of treasure to find. Adds one sound.
v. 2.0 released 24 May 1996. Rooftops/battlements redesigned. More furniture to play with. All room codes completely overhauled, including a couple more hints. If you've previously played v. 1.0 or 1.1, click on everything you see!
v. 2.1 released 20 October 1996. Minor changes to a couple of scene codes. Adds color icons. Updated address and ReadMe.
v. 2.1.1 created 8 February 1997. Updated address, ReadMe and World Data.
CAUTION:
As with any WB game, you will probably not be able to open saved games directly from the desktop. There is a simple reason for this, but nothing can be done about it. You can open saved games by first opening The Tower, then closing the new game and opening your saved game from the File menu.
GAME BASICS (skip if you're familiar with WorldBuilder)
Certain commands are "hard-wired" into all WorldBuilder games. You'll notice that most of these have to do with fighting, which isn't a significant part of my games.
ÑLOOK (cmd-L) prints the room description, usually the same text you got when you first entered the room.
ÑSEARCH (cmd-F) sometimes gives more information, or causes new objects to appear.
ÑINVENTORY (cmd-I) lists all objects you are currently carrying, including weapons.
ÑSTATUS (cmd-T) gives your current health and wealth, and tells what weapons and armor you've got.
ÑREST/WAIT (cmd-R) heals your injuries but doesn't reset your food/drink/sleep counters.
ÑGET/TAKE and DROP: for handling mobile (portable) objects. You can usually pick up objects by clicking on them as well. Try to use an object's exact name, though I may allow some variation in the room where you first find the object.
ÑGIVE/OFFER and ACCEPT: for bribing non-player (hostile) characters. Do not say GET or TAKE to accept a bribe; it won't work.
ÑDon't say "fight" or "attack"; use commands on the weapons menu.
ÑDirections: type the full word, OR use cmd + first letter, OR type the first letter alone (n/s/e/w, but not u/d).
ÑTALK starts or continues a conversation; LISTEN lets you eavesdrop.
ÑIn my games, SEARCH is always intransitive. That is, you can't search a particular object; use LOOK for that.
DISTRIBUTION
Feel free to distribute copies of this game on BBS's, shareware compilations, online services or whatever, SO LONG AS YOU
#1 include this ReadMe file
#2 check with me first to make sure you're releasing the latest version of the game
#3 don't charge anything over & above ordinary expenses associated with the medium (cost of a CD, mailing or whatever)
REGISTRATION
If you want me to make more and bigger games, send $10 ($5 if you have paid for any of my other games) to:
Louise Hope
P.O. Box 15939
San Diego CA 92175
Be sure to tell me what version you've got (see top of this page or Finder info), and include your e-mail address if you have one. If you're reading this after the end of 1998 [not a typo], e-mail or drop me a postcard first to verify my address.
In return I'll send you
Ñexact floor plans of the Tower
Ña list of Maximum Value Objects with hints about where to find them
