The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

BULLSEYE

 

 

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

 

Game Type          : Questions And Answers Based On The Television Series

Author             :

Standalone Release(s)   : 1984: BULLSEYE, Macsen, £9.95

Compilation Release(s)   : None

Stated compatibility    : BBC Side A, Electron Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated, but note there are different question files!

Supplier            : MACSEN, G.B.A. Limited, 17 Nott Square, Carmarthen, DYFED

                    SA31 1PQ

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

 

 

Instructions

BULLSEYE is a version of the successful TV quiz programme, adapted for popular home computers. It is a game for two players, played over four rounds. Skill at answering questions from any of nine different categories is combined with simulated dart throwing to gain high scores.

 

The cassette includes the game itself and two question files containing hundreds of questions, to give you hors of competitive enjoyment. (Because of space constraints on the BBC and Electron micros, the questions have been divided into several files.)

 

Loading

To run the game, make sure that the cassette is rewound if necessary. Type in CHAIN"" and press RETURN. Then press PLAY on your recorder. Several programs will be loaded. Make sure that if your recorder is not motor controlled, you stop it as soon as BULLY appears (and the BULLSEYE theme music starts). Then press the SPACEBAR to continue.

 

At this stage, you will be asked if you want to load a new set of questions. If you answer "Y", the next set of questions on the tape will be loaded into memory. If you answer "N", the computer will use the set already in memory. Remember to restart and stop your recorder if necessary.

 

Note: Each side of the tape contains the program but holds different question files.

 

Playing The A Game

* Indicate whether sound should be disabled or not.

* Enter the name of each of the two players. (Press RETURN at the end of each name.)

* Select the skill level for this game. This will affect the amount of time you have to answer questions. To alter the skill level press the SPACEBAR and notice how the skill level indicator at the bottom left of the screen changes. The more red that shows in this box, the shorter is the time allowed for answers. Press RETURN when the level is set as you wish.

* At this stage, you will be taken through each of the four rounds that make up the game. Details of each round are given later.

* At the end of the game, the winner will be highlighted. Press the SPACEBAR to start the next game.

* The game may be restarted at any time by pressing the ESCAPE key.

 

Dart Throwing

To position the hand ready for dart throwing, press the left or right cursor keys. This causes the hand to move across the screen. When a dart is thrown, it will land roughly on a line drawn from the top of the screen to the bottom, passing through the position of the hand at that moment.

 

How far above or below the hand position the dart will land is ruled by the dart's strength of throw. To set this, hold down the SPACEBAR and notice the "STRENGTH" indicator at the bottom left of the screen change. Judge the strength you want to release the SPACEBAR at this stage to throw the dart.

 

ROUND 1

Each player os called to the ockey three times. (Notice the THROWER name at the top left of the screen.) A dartboard with eight sections is shown. Each section is marked with a letter from A to H, with one section being highlighted by having its letter printed in white. Each section is linked with a subject - the subject for the highlighted section being shown at the left of the screen.

 

The player can select the subject on which he would like to answer a question by pressing the SPACEBAR to move the highlighted letter clockwise one segment at a time.

 

Having selected the ideal subject, a dart can be thrown using the left and right cursor keys and the SPACEBAR, as explained in the section on dart throwing.

 

A question will then be posed on the subject that is hit. (If this is also the subject chosen by the player, a bonus score is awarded, this being higher the closer the dart comes to the bullseye.) Answer the question correctly and your score increases. Answer incorrectly (or not at all within the time allowed) and your opponent has a chance at answering and gaining points.

 

ROUND 2

This round uses a normal dartboard.

Each player is called to the ockey to throw three darts. The player with the higher score then wins an attempt at answering a general knowledge question to win points. Again, an incorrect answer gives the opponent a chance to answer.

 

This is repeated three times in all.

 

ROUND 3

This is a bonus round, where the player who is currently winning throws nine darts at a special dartboard showing eight red segments and eight black segments.

 

Hitting a red segment ONCE ONLY scores a bonus. The bonus is increased for each red segment hit. Hitting a red segment TWICE loses the last bonus added and the bonus available for the next segment is also reduced. Hitting black segments has no effect.

 

ROUND 4

The player with the higher score is asked whether or not he wishes to gamble on the last board. (If not, the other player must gamble.)

 

Whichever player accepts the challenge has four darts to throw at a normal board in order to score 101 or more.

 

Success means his score is doubled.

 

Failure means his score is halved.

 

Notes On Answers

* If you make a slight mistake in spelling an answer, you will usually be allowed a second chance.

* Numeric answers must be given using the number keys (eg type 5 rather than FIVE).

* Answers are all single words. Unless stated otherwise or unless a person is usually known by first name alone, surnames should therefore be used to identify people.

 

 

Instructions' Source   : BULLSEYE (Macsen) Inner Inlay

 

Review (Electron User)

Electron owners can now experience the tension of ITV's popular dart throwing quiz game called BULLSEYE. The game's format faithfully follows that of the TV program except that it involves just two players.

 

The first part involves throwing a single dart at a board divided into eight segments. If you hit the area you aimed for you win points and get a question. A correct answer to the question earns you more points. A wrong answer means your opponent can try to answer it.

Each player has three turns at this and points can only be scored when the section is hit for the first time.

Round two uses a standard match play dartboard. Again the players take turns to throw darts and the person with the highest score earns a question. If this is answered correctly, the darts' score is added to that player's total.

After three rounds the winner moves on to the prize board. Nine darts are thrown and if they land in the small red sections more points are won.

The fourth part of the game involves a gamble. If you can score 101 or more with four darts your score is doubled. If you fail your score is halved.

The graphics are good, with the dart board being drawn quickly and neatly. Bully is drawn even more quickly and he bears a good likeness to the TV version. Even the text is well presented using an unusual but clear set of characters.

A couple of spelling bugs are an irritant. I'm not an expert at darts but I thought the line you stand at was called the oche. Macsen have their own version.

I'm also left wondering how they want me to spell the Greek philosopher Plato. With several files of questions, I suppose a couple of mistakes are inevitable. More annoying is the fact that the Plus 1 on the Electron has to be disabled before loading this game.

This game lacks a little something. The excitement of the TV program lies in the cash and prizes that competitors win. Mere points seem very dull by comparison.

The darts throwing is also rather predictable. I could consistently throw twenties by but the trebles were more elusive. Despite all this the game is quite fun to play if a little slow at times.

 

Sound ........................... 5
Graphics ........................ 7
Playability ..................... 6
Value for money ................. 5
Overall ......................... 6

 

Rog Frost, ELECTRON USER 3.10