Thankyou for Downloading and trying Bzzz!

Bzzz! runs only in Windows 95, 98 or NT 4, and requires a resolution of at least 800 by 600 - preferably larger.
For good results, you must play in a mode with 256 colours or greater.

To Play The Game:

The installation program should create an ASTRAsoft folder in Programs your Start Menu. If it doesn't, you will need to change to the folder which was created for Bzzz! (The default is C:\Program Files\astra\bzzz) and double click on the file to start the game.

Comprehensive Instructions for playing are further down the page.

Bzzz! is Shareware!

...which means that if you enjoy playing it, and wish to keep it on your system, then you are obliged to register it. I consider one month to be adequate time to evaluate this game.

Registration will allow you to play the more challenging level, and removes the 'nag' screen.

You may distribute the shareware version of this game freely, provided that neither this file or any other components of the game are changed. If you wish to include this on any media (e.g. Magazine cover CD's) or on an open FTP site, then please contact me via email, so I can ensure that you have the most current version. If you wish to include a link to the game on your site - then you must email me - the URL for the game itself changes periodically (with updates), and so it is better to make a link to the download page.

As a bonus, when you register for Bzzz!, we'll also send you a key that unlocks Fire!, our other shareware game for the PC.

Installing and Running

The Visual Basic 5.0 Runtime Library (MSVBM50.DLL) and some other associated libraries are required for this program to run. The installation will check that these exist.

IF YOU GET AN ERROR when you try to install or run the game, you will need an update of your windows files.
get the Visual Basic 5.0 Runtime Update file free via C|NET download.com which should fix your problems. It is 1.2Mb in size. Sorry - blame Microsoft!  This includes the MSVBVM50.DLL file, and a few others which are needed by many modern shareware programs.

Online Information.

More information is stored on the ASTRAsoft Websites: (NB: You will need to be connected to the internet!)

• Click HERE For the most up to date details of how to register.
• Click HERE For hints and tips on playing Bzzz!
• Click HERE To visit the Bzzz! Homepage for the most up to date Info!
• Click HERE To see the high scores submitted so far!
• Click HERE to find out more about other Astrasoft Products.

Just how good are you ?

Registered users can submit their highest score so far - I keep track of these, and update the high score page on my site. You can view the latest scores - and compare your own efforts! I would say that a score of 2000 or more is quite respectable. Registered users need to send in their score for each difficulty level, along with a verification code. (This is stored in hiscore.dat)

Updates

Bzzz! is continually under development. Every few months, I upload a new copy to my web site, which contains minor bug fixes, and slight enhancements. All future versions of Bzzz! will be unlocked by the same key - so a registration will be valid for all versions.

Remember, all bug reports get taken seriously, and many of the cool features in the game are from testers' suggestions!

Plug for other ASTRAsoft products

There is currently one other released game by ASTRAsoft for the PC: Fire!
You have to save people jumping from a burning building, by 'bouncing' them into an ambulance using a trampoline.
If you like Bzzz! - you'll love Fire!
Please Visit the Fire! Homepage Here!
 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLAYING BZZZ!

Bzzz! is a simple game, which appeals to many people. You control a frog, living in a pond. The frog has one aim - to catch as many flies as possible in a limited time. You have to click where you think the fly is going to - and it isn't always easy - the flies don't like to be eaten!

Minimising the window, or pressing 'p' pauses the game.

To assist you, magic butterflies bring you powerups:

• Extra accurate tongue
• Stickier tongue (allows you to catch more flies at once)
• Extra long tongue
• Faster tongue
• Purple butterflies help you by making it rain....
• Multicoloured butterflies give random effects - some good, some not so good.....

Collecting the bubbles with hour glasses in them is a good idea! If you get to the end of a level without having caught enough flies, then then each hour glass will give you an extra five seconds in which to chomp those few last flies!

Every 5 levels, there is a bonus level  -  where you concentrate on catching bubbles, not flies. If you manage to catch all the letters spelling 'BONUS' then you get a free powerup! In competition with you to catch the bubbles are some mischevious stars! The game is easier to play than to read about! Give it a go! More info is available on the Bzzz! web pages!

Testing Thanks go to:

• Kirsten Silman (for the tadpole)
• Graham Harrison (for the bubbles)
• Larry Dyde (For making the flies more realistic, and suggesting a pause function)
• David Oakley for the superb graphics, frequent testing, the setup program and knowing more HTML than God.

Copyright and Disclaimer

Bzzz! is copyright by ASTRAsoft (UK) May 1998
ASTRAsoft cannot be held liable for any damage which results from use or misuse of any of its products.
Written by Howard Tomlinson - email bzzz@astrasoft.ml.org
Last Updated:11/6/98