Computer Countdown›› Atari User Vol.1 No.8››This game is based on the well-known television game Countdown on Channel 4,›which has nine rounds of three different kinds.››First comes the word game, in which you pick nine letters, either C (consonant)›or V (vowel), which are then chosen at random by the computer.››The computer will pick the more commonly used letters in preference and each›time a letter is used it reduces the chances of it occurring again.››After all nine letters are picked the computer will start a 30 second countdown›during which time you must find the longest word you can make from those nine›letters. Each letter can be used only once.››At the end of the 30 seconds the computer will ask for the length of your word.›It will then ask for your word.››You have only a limited time to answer and if you delay too long the computer›will show its annoyance with a tone and tell you that you're taking too long.›You must quickly press a key.››After having typed in your word and pressed Return, the computer will check the›word for validity of length and letters used.››It cannot check if the word is a real word - but you wouldn't cheat, would you?››Next comes the numbers game. Here you will be asked for the number of high›numbers you want. Try two initially. It will then choose, at random, six›numbers, four of which will be between 1 and 10. The two high numbers will be›25, 50, 75 or 100.››The computer will then generate a random number between 100 and 1,000 as a›target number. As you might guess, the object is to get as near to this number›as you can using each number only once and the four functions + - * /.››Again a countdown will be presented. After it the program will ask for your›number and you again have a limited time to enter it.››If your number is within 10 of the target number the computer will want to check›it. This is done calculator style using the numbers, the above four functions,›and equals.››Any other key, including Return will erase that line. As well as the six numbers›given originally you can use the numbers calculated once each. Here is an›example:›› 50 100 5 1 2 10› Target Number 569› Your Number 569›100 * 5 = 500›500 + 50 = 550›10 * 2 = 20›20 - 1 = 19›550 + 19 = 569››If you try to use a number twice or a non-existent number the computer will tell›you of an error and give you no points.››The final round is the conundrum. Here a nine letter word is jumbled up and you›have 30 seconds to unscramble the word and enter the correct original.››Any round can be terminated early by pressing the key which you would expect to›press at the end of the round, for example the length of the word or the first›figure in your calculated number.››The object of the game is to score as many points as possible.›