BMK BMK The Bitmap Kid Presents ------------------------------ An _EXCLUSIVE_ Feature on The Cyberdrome Crystal Maze, Maidenhead ------------------ The Crystal Maze TV series, an energetic "gameshow" romp 'round a freezing cold television studio or aeroplane hanger (!), has been a massive success. Now in what I guess to be about the fifth series, this major original show has come to the little people of this world - the beast named as the "general public". I was one of the very honoured few to test-run the Maidenhead Crystal Maze game some time ago. I went to this 'guinea pig demo' with no expectations whatsoever. I wasn't sure what the games would be like, how it was set out or even how one plays the game. I went in with the right idea. Unlike the TV series, the games at Cyberdrome Maidenhead version are mostly played on computer screens. In all there are 21 individual games to play throughout the maze, however for a group of three you'll only get to play around five per go. The computer-based games are great, the graphics are only really about STfm standard, but a recorded voice guides you through all of the games. The more physical games are also great, not nearly as complex as on the TV, but they are there. The whole maze is very much like the TV sets, not so logically laid out, but they are realistic, and errm, dark! You play games in a (pretty much) random order, the computer telling you where next you should go. Right at the start you are given a magnetic card (like a cashcard) which you then log-on to the system with before you enter the maze for real. At the log-on point you choose a name for your party (which can be any number over two, I believe), the more the merrier because if you go in a large group, you can split into two smaller groups and strive to get a better score at the end than your opponents!. Once your name is sorted out, the basic idea has been explained by the very friendly guides who wander all around the maze for your assistance, should you need it and the difficulty level set the computer will give you your first clue which hints (well tells) you where you should look for your first game. It is then your job to run in the the semi-darkness that is the Crystal Maze and find your first game. BEWARE! Be VERY careful what exactly you do in the maze when you think no-one is looking, there are cameras everywhere which are broadcast to a large screen on at the entrance to the maze - people may be watching, and it is easy to forget that fact...! OOoo-er Mrs! When you find the game you are greeted by the computer-man who is already displaying your group name on the game control screen. You will now have to log on to that game by swiping your card through the little slot. Next, the rules of that particular game are given to you. It is then up to you to choose the player of the game and play it. Computer-played games are controlled by a track-ball and buttons, the more physical ones you simply do 'yer stuff, the object normally being to hit a button which represents gaining the crystal. Once you've finished the game the computer will either award you with, or take away, a time crystal depending on your success or failure (which is than magically recorded on your card). After that the computer give you another place to go to and away you go.... Like in the TV series the pathway to each game is a jaunt through dark tunnels, secret passages and narrow corridors. It is quite common to not have the foggiest idea on how to get to where you want to go, but once you find the main passages you simply follow the handy signs (or you could just get help from a guide). One thing is for sure - this game is not for the elderly, frail or very young. You'll need to be fairly 'awake', quite a 'fun' sort of person and at least a tiny bit fit and agile (so it doesn't look like this game is for James Judge!). When you have completed all your games you are told to return to the 'Crystal Dome' which you pass right at the start of the maze. Again you log-on and it's then up to you get as high a score as you can. In this version of the game you do not collect silver or gold bits of foil, instead you must hit more of the now well-known buttons of which there are many set on a large pillar. The buttons flash randomly and you must only hit the lit ones, which add to your score, and avoid unlit ones which will deduct from it. When your time is up (each of the crystals you collect give you five seconds of time to hit the right buttons) the computer will give you your score and a comment on how well you've done. It's then a stagger (!) over to the entrance desk to have your scores printed very nicely on a colourful A5 certificate. The cost? I dunno, since I was a guinea pig I got it for free, but I overheard someone saying something like œ5 per group for two games, but don't quote me on that! The maze itself is in a large leisure complex near the centre of Maidenhead. The Maze is set below (or was it above, I can't remember now!) a large 10-pin bowling arena, where there is also a fairly good fast food restaurant, large arcade game area and pub (a pub is another name for a tavern, as us adventures know it as). All-in-all quite a nice evening-out sort of place. The centre is open every day of the year, bar Christmas Day and is open from (I THINK!) 8am to - what? 11pm???? The leisure complex itself is quite easy to find by car, just head into Maidenhead and follow the signs to the complex. Once there, enter the 10-pin bowling centre and you'll find the access to the Maze on your right (ask at the main desk if you want some help). I recommend this place highly, and it's worth a fairly long drive for (I travelled for an hour and a bit, and I thought it was worth it). These Crystal Maze things are going to be very popular I'm sure, and I think it's only a matter of time until we see more of them around the UK. BMK BMK - o -