The Hollywood Murders (Text only Version) An Interactive Mystery Shareware Version This text adventure puts you into the shoes of a hardboiled 1950's private eye. You are about to begin a case that will either bring you a nice fat paycheck, or death. To begin the game, first enter CD [Directory], where [Directory] is the location of the game files. Type the command 'HM' and hit Enter. The game will then begin. You may also start from Windows by simply clicking on the HM icon. This game has a reasonably flexible parser and should accept short sentences in the Verb-Noun format. Adjectives, pronouns and prepositions are also allowed. If a certain command doesn't work, try experimenting. You may use normal english sentences, such as: Take the gun and the bullets. Open the desk drawer and look inside it. Take everything. When interacting with characters in the game, there are a number of specific commands you may use. To speak with a character, you may: Talk to Ask about You may also give or show objects to characters. The correct syntax for these commands would be: Give to Show to These are just a couple of examples, but it will give you the right idea for interacting with people in the game. Again, if something doesn't seem to work, (and you think it should), try experimenting with different commands. To travel about, use the directional commands, N, S, E, W, Up and Down. You may need to use objects to travel in certain situations. The Inventory command will show all the items currently in your possession. In order to save your current game position, use the Save command. Restore will load your saved games. To exit a game, simply use the quit command. Other useful commands and shortcuts are: X :Examine object L : Look (will repeat room description) I : Inventory (will display current player inventory) It may be useful to save your position in the game while playing, (in case you get killed or stuck). I tried to make the puzzles easy enough for beginning players, but if you are stuck, simply try to use common sense and logic. Hope you have fun. So long as all the program files in this game are left intact, this game may be freely distributed and included on CD-ROMS and online sites. I would appreciate it if CD-ROM distributors would contact me before including it. This is the text only version of this game. Another version exists which contains SVGA graphics and sound effects, which is being published by Laser Point Publishing and Distribution (http://www.laserpoint.com) You should be able to locate the text/graphics version on their web page and also on online sites. I am releasing this text version for those users who don't have the hardware requirements for SVGA graphics or those who just prefer text based adventures. Shareware Information --------------------- You may pay by Cash, Check or Money order. To order the registered version of this game, please send $6 (U.S. funds) to: Michael Zerbo 16 Colony Drive West Sayville, N.Y. 11796-1611 You will receive the full text-only version of the game, printed instructions and game solution. Design... Michael Zerbo Special thanks to... Thomas Nilsson Goran Forslund Bob Newell Christopher Zerbo E-mail: mez@li.net (C) 1996 M. Zerbo