HINTS for Dear Brian, the release version. version 1.0 notes. This game has death, potential violence, potential gender changes, and a whole lot of adult actions and language. If any of these offend you, you should not play this game. This game is intended for adults over the age of 18. This game has a limited supply of clothing and you need to do whatever you can to preserve it. You can destroy items in this game. If you decide to do so, old empty envelopes, parcels, dog biscuits and extra blank tapes are safe to dispose of. Almost nothing else is. Finally, Dear Brian is distinctly a game. We're not trying to emulate reality here. As sympathetic as we are to players who want deep simulation and immersion in IF, and as much as we dislike pointless puzzles, there are some puzzles in this game. They must be solved to make progress and game circumstances are designed to make the puzzles work. We make no apologies for this characteristic of the game. ===TADS3 versus TADS2=== From the players perspective, it will play in much the same way. However, at least three things are markedly improved in TADS3 * conversational model ** Ask versus Tell - Unlike stock TADS2, TADS3 has a separate 'tell about ' verb. We make extensive of 'tell' in this game and you cannot get half way through this game if you don't both ask and tell characters about various topics. ** Topics - Topics do not need to be items in this game to be used. Some possible topics are listed in the Verbs section. * senses Handling of sight, touch, taste, feelings, and smells are more advanced than TADS2. * exits Using the TADS3 player's kit, all the exits in the room are listed above the text and can be set, with F5, to be active links. There are also exit aliases in many cases. Let us know if you like the aliased exits. People's reactions to them have been mixed. ===VERBS=== Verbs that may not be encountered in many games: buy from works in certain stores. If it is buyable, it is in the inventory of the person and you can see the item with 'x person'. 'buy ' now works as well, as a shortcut. 'strip', and 'dress' are enabled. Stripping in the wrong locations will get you thrown out of those locations. This game recognizes public and private locations, and behavior is modified accordingly. Private locations are generally bedrooms or quiet back rooms...usually! Many characters, if they are interested enough in you, will disrobe when you do and dress when you dress. 'dress' can fail. It won't work if you strip and then wander away from your clothes. You can 'wear' and 'remove' clothes. Clothing can sometimes be zipped or unzipped, buttoned or unbuttoned, lifted or straightened. Bras can sometimes be opened or closed. The words 'use' and 'flush' work with the toilet. Some items can be inflated and deflated. Bottles of liquids can be drunk, and you can fill glasses with soda, wine or beer. You can 'watch tv', if it is turned on. You can 'wash' in the shower if you have soap. You can 'dry' yourself if you have a towel. Bodyparts can be washed as well. If you have a video camera and have loaded a blank tape into the camera, you can record other actors. 'record [npc]' to try. Plugging the camera into the television allows you to watch a recorded tape on the tv. You have to unplug the camera from the tv in order to take the camera out of the room. 'Reload camera' loads a camera with a blank tape if you have one in your possession, and you can also 'watch camera' if a recorded tape is in the camera. You have a cellphone as well. Possession of a cellphone allows you to 'call [npc]' or perhaps 'call [npc] about [topic]'. The latter requires the npc to also carry a cellphone. The answering machine in the kitchen works. 'press play' to listen to messages, and 'press rewind' to rewind and hear all the messages again. Drugs, if you encounter them, can be added to liquids. put into beer, for example. rub over may be possible at times. rub over may be possible at times. This game supports the stock sex verbs: kiss, lick, touch, fuck. The phrase fuck (part) with (item) works sometimes. If you have a nude partner, try 'xyzzy [npc]' sometime. 'search' is used a couple times, but will not prevent you from 'winning' the game. It just gives you more options. Many actors will accept commands at appropriate points. 'Amy, suck my cock' is an example. If you get as a reply 'Nothing obvious happens', the actor cannot accept any commands. You can ask people about topics and tell people about topics. In order to advance the plot, you may have to ask or tell people about various things. You may have to show people items or give people items. No one accepts items needlessly. If they do so, you have advanced the plot. Topics may include: himself or herself family members other characters bodyparts, both yours and other players sex, jacking off, turn ons, fellatio, giving and getting head, peeking or watching, going all the way, making out, fooling around, virginity, cunnilingus, blowjobs, etc. people, shows, or games on posters clothes or clothing help Some topics may not become available until you know a character better. Asking questions is a good way to learn more about a character. Once you have won the game, the verb 'choose [npc]' will trigger an ending if you have developed enough of a relationship with that npc. The verb 'afterward' is available if you win the game. Things you might be able to find: * Cheese and foods made from cheese. This is for Emily Short. * A Dead or Alive reference. * A Doctor Seuss reference. * A Hamlet reference. * A 'war' reference. * A 'Joe Millionaire' reference. * Quotes in general: there are a number of them. See how many you can find. 'quotes' will tell you how many you have found, and it unlocks and gives names and attribution if you find all of them. Fluffy will accept orders, such as 'Fluffy, out'. Also, try doing things to Fluffy.