(This documentation can also be viewed in the Spellbound application by selecting "Info: How to Play" from the menu.) The object of the game is to find words on the game board to complete the goal for each round. As words are spelled, they disappear from the board, and new lettered tiles fall into place to fill the gaps. Rounds Each round of the game has a specific goal. At the start of each round, the game is paused, and the goal is displayed at the bottom of the screen. To complete the round, the goal must be achieved within the time limit. Once a round is completed, the game proceeds to the next round. If a round is not completed, the game ends. The time elapsed is shown at the right of the screen and is reset at the start of each new round. To begin a round, tap anywhere on the screen. Once a round starts, the timer begins to count down. Additional time is added to the timer for each word spelled. The amount of time added to the timer is directly proportional to the point value for each word spelled. Examples of goals are as follows: Spell 15 words of 3 or more letters. The number of words required will decrease to indicate the number of words remaining to be spelled. Use these letters in 3+ letter words: ABCDEFGHIJKLM. (3+ letter denotes words with 3 or more letters.) Once a letter is used, it will disappear from the goal display. Spell 5 words of 3 or more letters starting with "BL". Note: In all rounds, any words of any length can be spelled to score points and add time to the timer. However, only words that meet the goal requirements count toward achieving the goal. Spelling Words Spellbound accepts words between 3 and 8 letters long. To spell a word, tap on each letter of the word in sequence. Once a letter has been selected, the next letter chosen can be any letter in contact with it or any of the previous letters selected for the same word. A letter is considered "in contact" with another letter if it is touching or diagonal to the letter. For example, when spelling the word "OTHER," once you have selected the "O" and the "T," you can select an "H" that is in contact with either the "O" or the "T." As you are spelling, the word you form is displayed in the left box immediately below the game board. The total points for the word are displayed at the right side of the box. Once you have finished spelling the word, tap a second time on the last letter to submit it. If the word is valid, the points for that word are added to your score, the selected letters will disappear, and new letters will fall into place to fill the gaps. If the word is not valid, the selected letters are deselected. To deselect the letters you have chosen without submitting the word, tap on any of the selected letters except for the last one or tap on any letter not in contact with the selected letters. To pause the game, tap anywhere on the screen below the game board (letter tiles). To resume playing, tap anywhere on the screen. Removing Letters Unwanted letters can be removed from the board by double-tapping on them. The tapped letter and the letters immediately to the left and right of it will disappear, and new letters will fall into place. Removing letters will incur a small time penalty. Skill Levels Spellbound can be played at the following skill levels: Easy - the timer does not continuously count down. Instead, each word spelled decreases the amount of time remaining in the round. However, spelling longer words can counteract this decrease and add time to the timer. Medium - the timer counts down continuously (timed game) Hard - a faster timed game with more difficult goals Scoring The points for each word are calculated as follows: (total points for all letters) x (number of letters) Each letter is worth the following points: 1 pt: ADEILNORST 2 pts: CGMPU 3 pts: BHY 4 pts: FKVW 5 pts: JXZ 5 pts: Qu (counts as 2 letters) For example, the word "OTHER" is worth 35 points. (7 pts x 5 letters) Spellbound records the top five game scores achieved for each skill level. Bonus Bonus points are given for each completed round. The bonus is based on the round number and the time remaining per round. Custom Dictionary You may add any words between 3 and 8 letters long to the Spellbound custom dictionary. Words can be separated by the following delimiters: spaces, commas, and/or line breaks. Any characters that are not recognized (international characters, numbers, etc.) will be treated as delimiters. Words can be added from within Spellbound by selecting "Options: Custom Dictionary" from the Spellbound menu. Words can also be added by importing a memo from the Memo Pad application. To do this, follow these steps: Create a memo in the Memo Pad application with the following title: Spellbound Import Add words to the body of the memo Run Spellbound Select "Options: Custom Dictionary" from the Spellbound menu Tap the Import button Note: Adding a large custom dictionary may increase the time required for Spellbound to load on Palm handhelds with slower processors.