Frequently Answered Questions (Version 2.0 and up)

Q:    How do I get started?
A:    First, download and install the software which is located here.  Start the software and you will be asked for a name and a password.  Enter the screen name you would like and click 'Logon'.  The server will tell you if the name is available.  If it is, you will be prompted for the password you would like to use.  Enter it and write it down.  You will need the password every time you want to play.

Q:    OK, I logged on, now what?
A:    On the left you will see a list of other players in the Lobby.  In the middle, you will see a list of available rooms that you can play in.  On the bottom are the chat features.  From here, you can chat, start a new game, or join an existing game.

Q:   Can I have more than one screen name?
A:    Yes.  You can change the Screen Name and click Logon to create a new account.  To switch back and forth between users, just type the Screen Name and password you want to use and click Logon.

Q:    What does the box in the middle tell me?
A:    When you log on to the server, a list of all available Rooms and Games will be displayed in the middle box.  If you double click on a game, you will be able to see all of the options for that game as well as the list of players currently in the Game.  If the game is a new game, the icon for it will have a small star in the upper right corner.  This makes it easier to identify new games.  If the game icon has a red background, it means the game is password protected.

Q:    How do I chat and what is a 'Chat Filter'?
A:   To chat, type your text in the very bottom input box and press 'Enter'.  Your text will appear in the box immediately above the input box and be sent to all other users in the room you are currently in.  Some people like to curse and unfortunately this is unstoppable.  However you can prevent common curses from appearing on your screen by checking the Chat Filter check box.  Curses will be replace with *!#$ on your screen only.  Other players that do not have the Chat Filter on will see the original text.

Q:    How do I change the music?
A:    From the lobby, click the 'Game Options' button, or in a game click the 'Options' link in the upper right corner of the window.  You can select a custom music file here.  The default is music.mp3 in the AcroChallenge installation folder.

Q:    I missed some of the chat, how do I go back without it scrolling?
A:    There is a small checkbox under the 'Filter' checkbox near the bottom of the screen.  If you
        clear this box the chat dialog will not scroll.

Q:    Why can't I see the Chat box? Why doesn't the game fit on my screen?
A:    You must have your screen size set to 800x600 or higher.  In the control panel, double click on the Display icon.  Go to the Settings tab and make sure the screen area is 800x600 or higher.  Also, click the Advanced button and make sure the Font Size is set to Small Fonts.  If you change this setting you will have to restart your machine.

Q:    How do I start my own game?
A:    You can create a new game by selecting a room to play in and clicking the 'Create Game' button.  A small screen with options will pop up.  You will be prompted for the name of the game you wish to create,  a password for the game, rating, maximum number of players and some additional options described below.

Q:    Do I need to enter a password when creating a new game?
A:    No.  If you leave the password field blank, all players will be allowed to join your game.  

Q:    What does the rating feature do?
A:    If you create or join a game that is rated 'Clean', common curses will be removed from all users chat area and from game responses.  If you create or join an 'Adult' room you can still use your Chat Filter, but don't be alarmed to see vulgar chatting and game responses during play.

Q:    What does the 'Chat Available' option do?
A:    If you create or join a game where the 'Chat Available' feature is set to 'No', all chatting is disabled during the game play.  Some players like these games so that people can not cheat during game play.

Q:    What does the 'Search for User' button do?
A:    If you know another users screen name, you can search for them.  The server will tell you exactly what room and game they are in.

Q:    How do I create a Room?
A:    Rooms are controlled by the server operators and can not be created or deleted by the users.  If there is enough of a demand for a new room, we will gladly add it.

Q:    I created a Game but nothing's happening?
A:    When you first create a game, you have to wait for at least 1 other player to join before the game starts.

Q:    How do I block an annoying player?
A:    If there is another player that you want to block, search for their profile on the web site.  On their profile page you will see a link to block them.  By implementing a block, you will not see their messages, private chat or game Acros.  In your profile configuration you can even filter out message board messages.

        A block works by filtering out the username and the IP address the person was using when you blocked them.  If they change IP addresses you will be able to go back to their profile page and add another block.  You will see their name twice, once for each IP address.  If the person changes IP addresses frequently (i.e.. they use a 56k modem) you can check the 'Block IP Subnet' box and it will block all IPs matching the first 3 numbers of the IP address.  However, you may inadvertently block someone else doing this so use it sparingly.

Q.    Do you have a privacy policy?
A.    Yes we do.  AcroChallenge does not collect any personally identifiable information through the normal operation of the game or website.  We do not ask for your real name, address or email address.  Any information that has been sent to AcroChallenge or Beacon Computers, Inc. through donations or any other method is kept as Confidential.  No personally identifiable information is sold or given to any third party for any reason.

If you have a question please try the message board.