games/competition2004/zcode/torn/torn.txt

                          Chronicle Play Torn
	       written for the Annual IF Competition - 2004
		     betapersei at freemail dot hu


1. The Game
Two of my favourite IF games are Anchorhead (by Michael S. Gentry) and
Wishbringer (by Infocom), so if this game reminds you to those, it is not
entirely accidental.

Chronicle Play Torn was designed to be easy, but grew a little big over the
time. I can only hope that you will finish it within the two hours, and
you will find the game amusing. In any case, please send me your comments
to the address above (replace `at' with the `@' sign and `dot' with `.').

2. Puzzles
The puzzles should be easily solved even by beginners, but the spirit of the
game is touched by the ancient ones, as it is evil within its heart. It is
possible to die, or get into an unwinable state, but the program gives you
warnings if you try to do something risky, so beware of them (and save often
to different files). Just like in Anchorhead, "search" and "examine" are
different verbs, so be sure to use both (you won't be able to win without
them). If you get stuck, you may use the hints built into the program, or
even the walkthrough (both of them are accessible from the "help" command
within the game).

3. Bugs
Now a few comments about the dark side of the game: its testing was done
in a hurry, it is very likely that you will find irritating bugs in the prose,
and the working of the game.

I'm somewhat innocent in the former one; I'm from the non english speaker
part of the world, and thus writing prose for me is like walking without
light in an Infocom product: I never know, when does a grue find me (and
if it does, I don't even notice it).

Sadly, I can't say the same about the bugs in the inner workings of the
program. I didn't had the time to do proper beta-testing, but I hope, that
you will help, and send me bug reports. It will help me to release a more
polished game after the competition.

4. Thanks
This program was written using the Inform compiler of Graham Nelson, and
the menu system of Khelwood.