The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library
A QUESTION OF SPORT
Professional, Released On Cassette Only
Game Type : Professionally presented quiz
Author :
Standalone Release(s) : 1988: A QUESTION OF SPORT, Superior/Acornsoft, £12.95
Compilation Release(s) : None
Stated compatibility : Electron
Actual compatibility : Electron, BBC B, B+ and Master 128
Supplier : SUPERIOR/ACORNSOFT
Disc compatibility : CDFS E00, DFS E00
Instructions
Welcome to "A Question of Sport", the home computer version. Introduced by David Coleman, with team captains Ian Botham and Bill Beaumont, you at last have the chance to compete in the B.B.C.'s most popular TV Sports Quiz of 1988 on the same kind of one-to-one basis as your favourite sporting stars do on the show itself. In selected versions, you can play as Bill's or Ian's team with the options of a one- or two-player game. You can pit your wits against your family, your friends or, if you're on your own, against your computer - and you don't have to wait for the show to appear on TV. Now you can play whenever you're in the mood!
When loading the game, you will be asked whether you want to play a one- or two-player game. Move the cursor over your choice and SELECT. On some versions of the game, you will be able to define the keys you want to use (see PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS) as well. Choose your specialist subject by selecting the correct icon from the icons at the sides of the screen. Then select your other two team members so that they can best compliment your team captain's specialist subject. In one player mode in SPECTRUM, AMSTRAD and COMMODORE versions, choice of a captain is predetermined - then you select two team members. The computer selects its team members. If you are playing a two-player game, your opponent will be asked to select his or her team and specialist subject. At some stage (depending on which machine you have) you will be asked to choose which block of questions you want to answer.
The game has six exciting rounds that will test your knowledge of the sporting world to the limit.
The first is a "Pictureboard" round. This is an individual round. Each member of each team will be asked one question. The first question will be asked of a member of team one, the second of a member of team two. Thereafter questions will alternate. Each individual will be asked to choose one of the twelve numbered squares displayed: it will highlight to reveal the Olympic type sports symbol for the sport the question will be about. Wait while David asks the question, then select your answer from the four displayed, using the cursor and SELECT. If you get it right, you'll get two points; if you answer incorrectly, or "TIME OUT" is called, the opposing team will be given a chance to identify the correct answer for one bonus point. Each question will be asked only once.
Round two is called "Mystery Personality". You'll be given three clues to the personality's identity. After each clue, you will have a chance to select your answer from a choice of four: you will get three points of you answer correctly on clue #1, two points on clue #2 and one point on clue #3 - but beware! - if you answer incorrectly, your turn is over. So, if you can't answer clue #1 or #2, DO NOTHING - wait for the next clue. But if you answer incorrectly or "TIME OUT" is called on the last clue, you will be given no points and the next round will commence.
"Home or Away" comes next: This is an individual round. Each member of each team will be asked to select one question, either "Home or Away" and the Home question is on your specialist subject; Away is on a different subject. There's one point for each correctly answered Home question and two for a correct Away answer. The first question will be asked of a member of team one, the second question will be asked of a member of team two. Thereafter the questions will alternate. If you answer incorrectly or "TIME OUT" is called, the opposing team will be given a chance to identify the correct answer for one bonus point from the four answers shown.
"What Happened Next" speaks for itself. This is a team round. Each team will be asked one question. You will be given an outline of an event. Then David will describe four possibilities of "What Happened Next". Finally, you will be asked to identify from the four options shown, the correct answer. Beware - David will describe "What Happened Next" only once!
Round five is the "Quick Fire Round". You will get 60 seconds to answer nine questions. After each question, you will have a chance to select your answer from a choice of four. If you answer correctly, you will score two points. If you answer incorrectly, you will score nothing, and incur a two-second time penalty. You will get only one chance to answer each question. Incorrectly answered questions and/or any unanswered questions remaining if David calls "TIME OUT" are not passed to the opposing team. If you are playing any other versions of the game, the sequence is different. After each question, you'll have a chance to select your answer from a choice of four. Again you'll get 60 seconds to answer nine questions. However, whether you are playing the one- or two-player game, the first player to select an answer will stop the clock. David will tell the team who answered first whether their answer will stop the clock. David will tell the team who answered first whether their answer was correct and if it is, they will get two points. If not the opposing team will get one point. Only the first answer selected for each question will be considered.
The last round is another Pictureboard round: all you have to do is select from the remaining squares and answer the questions they conceal - your last chance to prove your mettle!
To ensure that this version of "A Question of Sport" provides many hours of entertainment and education, it has been designed to minimise the repetition of questions and answers. Selected versions of A QUESTION OF SPORT will therefore prompt you after you have player four games to load a new question block (to do this see the playing instructions). Other versions may start to repeat some questions after four games. When this happens, you are recommended to select another question block which contains fresh questions.
A QUESTION OF SPORT is an enthralling game for young and old alike and the only limit is your own knowledge. Good luck!
Loading Instructions
After the game has loaded, the following message will appear on the screen: "PLEASE ENTER GAME CODE". You should then select a set of questions by pressing any key between A and M to load a question file from side one of the cassette, or between N and Y to load a question file from side two of the cassette. The question file you have selected will load in after the specialist subjects and team members have been chosen. To minimise repetition of questions, it is recommended that you start from question file A and work through to question file Y, remembering of course, that question files N to Y are on side two of the cassette. On completing a game, the next question file will load in.
Game Controls
1/2 .................. Select One- or Two-Player Game
B/I ................... Select to Play as Bill or Ian
<SPACE> ........................ Move Through Choices
<RETURN> .............................. Select Choice
1/2/3/4 ................... Select Answer to Question
H/A ............................. Select Home or Away
Instructions' Source : A QUESTION OF SPORT (Superior/Acornsoft) Back & Inner Inlay
Review (Electron User) - "You May Confer"
A QUESTION OF SPOT fans, and no doubt there are quite a few, can now have a bash at this popular quiz game in their own homes, courtesy of Elite, Superior and Acornsoft - it's a crowded loading screen with all those logos.
You are soon greeted by the familiar faces of David Coleman, Bill Beaumont and Ian Botham, and you can choose to be either Bill or Ian. Other options include a one or two player game and a choice of 25 question files. You can choose your specialist subject and two team mates from a board of well-drawn faces.
As in the television game, there are six rounds: Picture Board, Mystery Personality, Home or Away, What Happened Next, Quick-fire and then back to the Picture Board to finish off.
I expected the Picture Board to be similar to the television, however, this would be asking too much of the Electron's graphics. Instead, each square flips over to reveal an icon representing a sport.
A speech bubble appears over David Coleman's head and the question scrolls rapidly from right to left. Four answers are displayed multiple-choice fashion and you must choose the right one within a time limit. If you don't, or you get it wrong, the question is passed over to the opposition.
The Mystery Personality round is the same in name only. You are given three clues, one at a time, as to as person's identity. Three points are awarded if you get it at the first clue, two at the second and one at the third.
The third round tests your specialist knowledge, or you can choose to play away and answer on a foreign subject. The fourth round is What Happened Next? Here an incident is described and you have to supply the answer.
The penultimate round is Quick-fire Questions - everyone with their fingers on the buttons and the first to answer correctly gets the points. Finally it's back to the Picture Board to finish off the remaining squares.
The graphics are pretty good, with recognisable faces and well chosen icons, but there isn't much sound to speak of. If you like general knowledge, sport and trivia games you'll probably like this too. It's a fun game for all the family.
Jo Giles
* * * Second Opinion * * * (Electron User)
A QUESTION OF SPORT is a fairly good attempt at reproducing the excitement and fun of a TV quiz program. However, the game won't appeal to everyone, and there is a limited supply of questions, though it should take you quite some time to work your way through 25 files.
Janice Murray
Sound ........................... 3
Graphics ........................ 8
Playability ..................... 8
Value for money ................. 7
Overall ......................... 8
ELECTRON USER 6. 6