| Word Up (swp) |
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Information AboutWord Up (swp) |
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Overview & Gameplay Similar to other word games such as Scrabble , Boggle and Bookworm; the object of the game is to create valid words from a randomised selection of letter tiles arranged in a 13x9 matrix. Each word scores points according to the letters used therein (sum of all letters) multiplied by total number of letters in the word. points from all words entered are accumulated. Hence the word LAVA would score (5+1+4+1)x4=44. The hierarchy of letters is similar to that of Scrabble; Q and Z are the highest-scoring tiles (each 10) followed by X and J (each 8) and so on, the most notable variance is that here L is worth five as opposed to just one in Scrabble. The player starts with two minutes to find as many words as he can; if he manages to use Q, Z, X, or J in any word he is awarded a further 10 seconds. After each successful entry the letters used are discarded with the matrix replacing those letters used with surrounding tiles from above and to the left, a void is thus formed to the top left of the game screen. There is an additional 500 point bonus awarded for clearing the grids with allowable words. With an adequate vocabulary and good game strategy this goal is possible to achieve. Prizes Word Up is legally classified as a "skill with prizes" (SWP) game and therefore is not considered gambling. Each game costs 50 Pence and prizes available are £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, £6, £8 and the £10 Jackpot on a progressive basis of supersession. (Previous versions of the game advertised a £20 jackpot). Much of the appeal of the game however, is not in the gambling potential but in the creation of top scores which remain on the site until they can be beaten by another player. Thus there is a great deal of kudos in having one's own scores at the top in one's local pub. High Score Categories There are four hi-score tables locked to the specific location: Total Score, Longest Word, Highest Scoring Word and Most Words. The only of these categories which is (realistically) bounded is Most Words for which the highest possible score is 39 (39 three-letter words uses all 117 tiles in the matrix). In each of the other categories it is possible to improve regardless of the level of expertise leading to considerable Replayability . A good score for novice players might be around 750 with a long word of seven letters, more accomplished players might aim for 1200 and ten letters. The current verified record for total score is 2210. In addition to the localised scoreboards there is a national website dedicated to collecting the highest scores in one resource. PC Version A PC version of the game has been produced by the makers, and is known as ''Puzzle Word''. The PC version is identical in almost every detail. The only noticeable differences occur with the in-game dictionary and the length of each timed game (5 minutes as opposed to the 2 in Word Up). While not offering exactly the same experience due to the aforementioned differences, the PC version does act as a useful (and free) training aid, allowing strategies and techniques to be honed. The PC version is available online to download as a demo and can also be purchased ($20) for unrestricted play. The demo has a 60 minute time limit. The PC version also has two additional modes which the pub version does not (for obvious reasons) include; these are the ''Brain Game'' and the ''Single Game''. The Single Game works just as a normal Word Up game, except there is no time limit - this allows the grid to be studied in depth, allowing for long and complex word creation. The object of the Brain Game is to create a number of words to reach a point’s target. Once that target is reached then the length of the various words made is converted into new blocks (each 3 letter word = 1 block, each 4 letter word = 2 blocks etc). These new blocks are then added, a new points target is set and the game continues in this fashion until you have run out of blocks or cannot make any words with those left. Cult Following Word Up is perhaps unique amongst SWP games as the software has only limited scope to "offer a game in which the player has no chance of success" a stratagem employed in many other SWP games. This, coupled with its latent allure to the lexicographically-inclined, has led to the game developing a modest but loyal fan base. Trivia The highest-scoring word in this article is "lexicographically", which, if played on Word Up would score 901 and beat the current world record by more than 200 points. The best word achievable from the screenshot above would be "quainter" starting with the Q in the lower right hand corner. However, with sensible manipulation of the tiles "acquaintanceships" would be available around the same Q EXTERNAL LINKS
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