Here is an example of a question using both the WIPEOUT and COUNTDOWN method of clue-giving in the NTN trivia games: Estimated time given below: I've given a question who's answer is not so obvious to show you an example of the thinking process involved of coming up with an answer. Which is the only artist not born in 1958? 1. Madonna 2. & (former Prince) 3. Morrissey 4. Rocket Robin 5. Michael Jackson Estimated times: question displayed at 0 seconds. possible answers displayed at 5 seconds. point meter starts declining at the 10 second mark. Think you know the answer? Well even if you don't you may risk a guess as I'll show you later how guessing something on first impression often pays off. The questions and answers are not tricks so you don't have to be worried about such things as "did Prince start his life again when he changed his name?", "Is so and so been 'born again' Christian", "how can Rocket Robin consider himself an artist?" Clue 1 WIPEOUT COUNTDOWN Which is the only artist not born in 1958? Blast the Rocket 1. Madonna 1. Madonna 2. & (former Prince) 2. & (former Prince) 3. Morrissey 3. Morrissey 4. Rocket Robin 5. Michael Jackson 5. Michael Jackson So there's the way both games tell you the answer is not Number 4. A wrong answer disappears with WIPEOUT and usually something punny and negative in the regular game tips you off in the regular game. So it's not Rocket Robin who was born in 1958 (December 22nd of that year and thanks for any e-mail birthday greetings). If you've guessed that answer though change it to something else! Estimated time: first clue given at 15 second mark score continues to drop from about 800 to 650. Clue 2 WIPEOUT COUNTDOWN Which is the only artist not born in 1958? Blast the Rocket Madonna Gonna 1. Madonna 2. & (former Prince) 2. & (former Prince) 3. Morrissey 3. Morrissey 4. Rocket Robin 5. Michael Jackson 5. Michael Jackson Now we can see it's not Number 1 either. By now in the regular game I may be counting away on my fingers of what answer it's not if I have no idea. (Madonna was born August 16, 1958) Estimated time: second clue at 20 second mark score continues to decline from about 650 to 400 Clue 3 WIPEOUT COUNTDOWN Which is the only artist not born in 1958? Blast the Rocket Madonna Gonna Go for Mor-e 1. Madonna 2. & (former Prince) 3. Morrissey 3. Morrissey 4. Rocket Robin 5. Michael Jackson 5. Michael Jackson Now here is where the two games differ. The WIPEOUT game has eliminated answer Number 2 but still has two possibilities. The COUNTDOWN game usually gives away the answer in this third (and last clue). Notice how it's something positive. Press in your answer #3 now. Occasionally the regular game will give you another 'negative' clue so you'll only have the 50-50 chance of getting the answer right. If you're wrong you lose 250 points and it is possible to finish the game with a score less than zero. Estimated time: 3rd clue at 25 second mark score continues to decline from 300 to 10 (the lowest score I've seen by anyone who's got a question right). 30 seconds--too late to answer. The answer is now displayed. All answers disappear except the right one. There is often a bit of trivia/explanation as to why it's correct. Oh if you'd like to know: & (former Prince) was born June 7th, 1958 Michael Jackson was born August 29th, 1958 Morrissey was born May 22nd, 1959 so that is the answer. (Stephen Morrissey is a successful solo artist now and was in the English band "The Smiths" in the mid 1980's). And Yes, I like all the artists in the clues. Robin
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