Answer question 1 :
Contact Sekkoia : Charlotte@Sekkoia.com
Answer question 2 :
This risk can be easily avoided : when you register, record your password on the game site by clicking on the “remember my password” option.
On the home screen, under the block reserved for your connection information, click on “Forgotten password?”. This will send you to a similar screen in the Forum where you will again have to click on “Forgotten password?”.
After that, all you have to do is click on “Send me a new password” and a new password will be sent to your email address.
Answer question 3 :
This is the fastest way to start a game.
By clicking on this button :
- You will be directly placed at a “Blokus Classic, 4 colours” games table against three virtual opponents (all three called “Computer”). Then simply click on the “Start the game” button.
- There will be no options for you to choose : the time allocated to you by default for placing your pieces on the board will be 20 minutes.
- You don’t have to register and you will therefore play as a guest. Your name on the screen will be automatically generated according to the following model : “Guest64971”, so don’t be surprised, because that will be you!
- Points will not be added towards your score because your game will take place in the “Training” room.
You are therefore not running any risks by trying out Blokus online, even if you don’t think you’ve fully mastered all the strategies of the game !
Answer question 4 :
- In the Training room, the points don’t count. In the Competition room, they are counted so that your ranking can be calculated.
- In the Training room, it is possible to play against the computer or against “real” players; in the Competition room, you can’t play against the computer – you can only play against real opponents.
- In the Training room, it is possible for you to choose the colour(s) you wish to play with ; in the Competition room, the colours are allocated at random.
- In the Training room, several game formats are offered ; in the Competition room, only the game formats allowing for “one against one” matches are offered – this is to simplify the calculation methods.
- It is very easy to swap from one room to the other : from the lobby of your room, a link (at the bottom right of the screen) allows you to go to the other room.
Answer question 5 :
On the bottom line of this window, enter the names of your friends who are registered on the site.
This window will allow you to see at any time which ones are present on the site and which room they are in.
If they are not present, they will be noted as being “offline”.
Answer question 6 :
By playing as a guest, you can quickly measure yourself against the other players without having to register. You can set the parameters of your game (choose your game format, choose the time allocated to you, etc.) but none of your games will be counted in the ranking.
In the Training room, a guest can therefore be a player or a spectator. However, in the Competition room, a guest can only be a spectator : in order to play, s/he must register.
As a reminder, when you play as a guest, your name on the screen will be automatically generated according to the following model : “Guest64971”, so don’t be surprised, because that will be you!
Note : Don’t abuse the status of guest : being anonymous is not as friendly, and it is much more pleasant for your opponents to know who they are playing against !
Answer question 7 :
By registering :
- you will have access to the Forum (one single registration gives you access to both)
- you will let other players know your name (or at least, your pseudonym), and your country.
- you will have the possibility of accumulating points and progressing in the ranking, because your games in the Competition room will then be recorded.
- your last preferences will be saved : this means you won’t have to select your game format and favourite options each time.
- your friends can then add you to their “List of friends” (see above).
Don’t delay in registering : the form only contains five fields which can be completed very quickly, and it will give you the opportunity of making new friends all over the world !
In accordance with the law on Computing and Freedom, Sekkoia undertakes not to use this information without your permission.
Answer question 8 :
- In the left window, you can see the games that are currently being created and those that have already started. You can see the names of the players (in black) and the names of the spectators (in grey). The table number of the game is indicated (e.g. “Table number 1”).
- In the center window, you can see all the players who are in your room : both those who are already busy (because they are playing or watching a game) and those who are free. The players who are currently playing or watching a game appear against a red background ; the figure given in brackets corresponds to their room number. The available players appear against a green background.
- The right window allows you to talk with other players.
Answer question 9 :
Simply enter your text in the line located under the conversation window (“chat”).
Answer question 10 :
In the left window, click on the table you would like to join. You can then join this table as a spectator.
If the game hasn’t started, you can participate in it by clicking on the “Take this spot” button located in the box of the chosen colour.
Answer question 11 :
If you have noticed a person you want to play with or simply talk to, click on his/her name in the middle window. A window will appear : you can talk to your friend, or join him/her by clicking on “Join”.
Generally speaking, this technique allows you to join your friends wherever you may be (at a game table or in the lobby) and wherever your friend may be.
Answer question 12 :
Just click on “Create a game”. You can then choose your game and game format, the allocated time, and choose whether or not to lock access to your table by creating a password.
Once you have set these parameters, click on “Go!”.
Answer question 13 :
On this new site, you can play the three games that make up the current Blokus range : Blokus Classic, Duo/Travel and Trigon.
In the Competition room, where the points count towards the ranking, these three games are only offered in the “classic – 2 players” format, i.e.:
- for Blokus Classic and Trigon : two players play against each other, each one playing with two colours (blue-red against yellow-green)
- for Blokus Duo/Travel : this is the classic game format
In the Training room, you have access to additional game formats which will not count towards your ranking. Here is the full list of the game formats available in the Training room, with explanations :
- Blokus Classic 4 : four players play against each other individually
- Blokus Classic 2 : two players play against each other, each one playing with two colours (blue-red against yellow-green)
- Blokus Classic 2 Teams : four players play against each other, divided into 2 Teams of 2 : the blue-red team plays against the yellow-green team
- Blokus Trigon 4 : four players play against each other individually
- Blokus Trigon 3 : three players play against each other individually
- Blokus Trigon 2 : two players play against each other, each one playing with two colours (blue-red against yellow-green)
- Blokus Duo/Travel : classic game format (for two players)
Answer question 14 :
- In the Training room, you can play against the computer (by clicking on “Computer”), or invite other players
- In the Competition room : you can only invite other players
To invite other players, you must click on “Invite” : a window will open where you can see the names of all the players present in your room. Click on their names :
- if the name of the player has a green background, s/he is available : the window that has just opened will allow you to invite him/her, by clicking on the “Invite” button.
- if the name of the player has a red background, s/he is busy : the window that has just opened will still allow you to talk to him/her, or to join him/her (by clicking on the “Join” button.)
Answer question 15 :
- In the Training room, yes : simply click on “Take this spot” in the box corresponding to the chosen colour
- In the Competition room : the start colour is allocated at random by the computer, once each player has been placed and has clicked on the “Start the game” button
Answer question 16 :
- By selecting a piece in the large window at the bottom, the piece appears inside the circle at the right. You can then manipulate it using the arrows appearing in the circle dial, or by using the “space bar” keyboard shortcut
- This keyboard shortcut function is very useful : once the piece has been selected, move it to the space on the board where you want to place it and change its position using the space bar. This will give you an exact simulation of all the possible positions for your piece. This is very practical, especially for Blokus Trigon !
Answer question 17 :
Yes : you can move your pieces so that they appear in the order which is most practical for you in the bottom window. Your freedom of movement is practically without limits in this window… but make sure your pieces don’t overlap.
Answer question 18 :
- The button located above the top left-hand corner allows you to see the last piece played
- The button located above the top right-hand corner allows you (only visible in the Training room) gives you the possibility of getting help : by clicking on this button, the computer will indicate an angle where you can still place a piece on the board. This option is offered all throughout the game until the end
Answer question 19 :
- The upper window is designed for general conversation : this window is also visible in the lobby
- The lower window allows you to talk only with the players and spectators at your table
Answer question 20 :
Yes : by clicking on a player’s name, a window will appear. Write your text in the line provided and you can send a private message to this player
Your friend will receive your private message in the chat window. It will appear in square brackets and will be grey in colour. You can also re-read your own message in this space
Answer question 21 :
No, because that could allow you to cheat. Only the spectators of a game can exchange private messages. Players can send them, but cannot receive them
Answer question 22 :
When you choose the options for your game, the “Stopwatch” option will allow you to determine the time allocated for placing your pieces on the board.
Note : the time is allocated per colour, not per player. If you are playing Blokus Classic 2 players, and select “5 minutes”, this means that you will have 5 minutes to play each of your two colours (i.e. 10 minutes in total).
Answer question 23 :
You can send the password to your friends using private messages. Note : remember that a player cannot receive private messages (to avoid the temptation of being showered with advice on the game !) – s/he can only send them.
Answer question 25 :
Simply go back to the home screen :
To see your scores, click on the “My scores” button.
To se the general ranking, click on the “Ranking” tab.
Answer question 26 :
If you disconnect in the course of the game, the game will be permanently interrupted, and you will be deemed to have lost the game. You will lose points.
However, if the remaining player believes that your disconnection was not deliberate, s/he may choose not to penalise you. The game will then be cancelled.
Answer question 27 :
Yes. You should even manage to do it very quickly if you follow the golden rules of Blokus.
As for beating your opponents, that’s another story!
Each person starts off with the same weapons. After that, it will depend on the strategies that each person brings to the game.
Answer question 28 :
The Blokus site is designed for a very wide audience, including children. We are counting on your help to maintain a maximum level of safety for children, and an excellent atmosphere. If you notice the slightest behaviour which doesn’t conform to our Netiquette, please notify Sekkoia as soon as possible (Charlotte@sekkoia.com), or the Forum moderators. You will find a list of the moderators and their email details in the Forum.
The person causing the disturbance will be warned and could also be sanctioned, or even excluded if necessary.
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