=================================== INFORMATION ABOUT PASTORAL PITFALLS =================================== REQUIREMENTS: In order to properly run PASTORAL PITFALLS, you need the following: IBM PC compatible computer At least DOS 2.1 512K RAM At least one drive (either floppy or hard) HISTORY AND PURPOSE: I started developing PASTORAL PITFALLS shortly after I came across the Adventure Game Toolkit (AGT) by David Malmberg and Mark Welch. AGT allows even non-programmers (like myself) to design text adventure games with almost professional quality. I had an urge to create something different, something slightly more constructive than your average treasure-hunt game, but yet just as entertaining. It wasn't long before I had the idea for PASTORAL PITFALLS. Already in the first stages of planning, I wanted this program to be more than a game. I was looking for a way to give the player a chance to really experience what it's like to be in the shoes of a Lutheran minister. As a result, PASTORAL PITFALLS places a lot of emphasis on character interaction and is full of architectural details in the description of the church building. At the same time, I realized that much of this sort of information may quickly become boring. And if the player is bored, he'll simply turn off the game and won't see the rest of it. For these reasons I felt it was necessary to add some minor (yet entertaining, I hope) puzzles which need to be solved in order to finish the game. Although I feel that PASTORAL PITFALLS has something to offer everybody, I suppose that its major audience will be students, from upper grade school all the way through high school and college. In fact, I'm sure that seminarians will particularily enjoy the game, as they prepare for "the real thing." Whatever the age level of the player, however, PASTORAL PITFALLS is sure to be a pleasant diversion which will hopefully also give new insights on the life and work of a parish pastor. COPYRIGHT AND REGISTRATION: I have decided to make PASTORAL PITFALLS freeware. That means that you are free to copy and distribute the game as far and wide as you desire. Give it to a friend, make copies for the entire dorm, load it onto all the computers at school -- anything you want. However, I maintain the copyright for PASTORAL PITFALLS, and it may not be altered from its original form without my consent. Also, you may not commercially sell copies of PASTORAL PITFALLS for more than the cost of the medium used -- e.g., the floppy disk it's stored on. Because it is freeware, there is no need to register your copy of PASTORAL PITFALLS. However, if you do register with me, I will send you a "walk- through" of the game (i.e., directions on how to win the game), some ideas for the use of PASTORAL PITFALLS in a classroom setting, and notification of any future games that I may write. I may also be able to give some advice if you encounter any technical difficulties; but since that's not my specialty, I can't promise anything. You may register by sending me your name and address to the following Internet e-mail address: gmm@conex.com.br If you don't have access to Internet e-mail, you may send your request to: Guy M. Marquardt Rua Araci Fonseca 94000-000 Gravatai, RS Brazil Thank you for playing PASTORAL PITFALLS. Hope you enjoy it!