InkBall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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InkBall
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 InkBall in Windows Vista |
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Version | 6.0.6001 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | November 2002 |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E |
| Input methods | Mouse, Stylus |
InkBall is a computer game included in recent versions of Microsoft Windows. It employs the use of a stylus or mouse to draw lines to direct balls into holes of corresponding colors. It was introduced in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005[1] and is included in Windows Vista,[2] excluding the Starter and Home Basic editions. On Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, a pen tablet was required to play the game properly, as the mouse cursor was not visible inside the game window. However, pressing Alt twice while playing the game will cause the mouse cursor to show up. In Windows Vista, it can also be played using the mouse.[3]
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[edit] Gameplay
Points are awarded for putting colored balls in the correct hole, time left at the end of the round, and for breaking blocks. The game is over when time runs out, or when a ball enters a hole of the wrong color. However, gray is a neutral color and therefore if a gray ball goes into the hole of a different color or if any ball goes into a gray hole nothing will happen. Some blocks have special properties, such as breaking when hit, opening and closing at intervals, changing the ball's color or making the ball accelerate. InkBall has a variety of difficulty levels, ranging from Beginner, to Novice, to Intermediate, to Advanced and finally to Expert. As the difficulty increases, the time to move the balls into their correct hole(s) is dramatically lowered, and the overall complexity of the task increases substantially.
[edit] Reception
The fact that Inkball is a "serial time-killer" with "addictive Breakout-esque gameplay" was cited in a tongue-in-cheek entry in a Computer Shopper article entitled "Top 10 Windows Vista Dislikes".[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Mathews, Craig F.. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Tablet PCs. Que Publishing. ISBN 0789734099.
- ^ "Images: A view of Microsoft Vista". ZDNet. Retrieved on 2008-07-22.
- ^ "InkBall: how to play". Microsoft. Retrieved on 2008-07-21.
- ^ Burek, John A.. "Top 10 Windows Vista Dislikes". Computer Shopper. Retrieved on 2008-07-22.
[edit] External links
- Microsoft InkBall and PowerToys for Tablet PC
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005: Tools to Use with Your Tablet PC
