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Good afternoon. My name is Hercule Holmes. You are probably wondering why I have asked you to join me here in the Gargoyle Hotel?

Did you see the other guests? They are not ordinary people. In fact, they are five of the world's greatest mystery writers.

One of them - I do not know which as of yet - is no longer content with literary mayhem and has decided to commit a "perfect" murder this very evening.

But he shall not fool me, for I am truly a great detective. With your help, I shall seek out this would-be killer, force a confession, and prevent a henious crime. It is a mere tut that I have only until midnight to avert this disaster. Nor do I fear the consequences of error, although I have heard vague rumours of what might happen should I guess wrong.

First we shall study my files. I have compiled much about these so-called guests; Sydney Meanstreet, Lord Peter Flimsey, Agatha Maypole, Mike Stammer and Caludia von Bulow. Note please the pertinent (and impertinent) facts about their personalities, their habits, likes and dislikes.

I have placed a network of sophisticated camera monitors and listening devices throughout the hotel. These shall enable us to "go" almost anywhere electronically; silently observing a monitoring their conversations.

There is also a portable mobile unit/camera which is excellently equipped for gathering clues from the writer's rooms.

This can not be done, however, until after the correct response has been given to a mystery trivia question.

Should the unthinkable occur; a security guard will bar any efforts to enter the room for ten minutes of game time, and we will have to try again later. Remember, we must keep track of any clues found inside the rooms, especially notes or messages that might indicate possible clandestine meetings.

I have also installed a video tape recorder with three timers. It will enable us to record events even if we are not able to directly view them at the time.

Feel free to consult my Detective Journal, for in it will be found all that we have discovered. Use it to organise the facts, and consider the clues and the red herrings.

We must not neglect the guests; let us approach and speak with them. This can best be done through the video-telephone; there is no need to leave the comfort of this desk console.

Observe their concern and reactions as they are assailed by facts and acquired information.

Yes, they are indeed like children in our hands. Soon they will empty their minds of all they know of this affair.

Now it is time to confront the killer-to-be. Watch this disbelief as the plot is exposed. See him cringe as all becomes known, as his secrets are stripped away layer by layer. Are we not right? Ah Hercule, are we not clever?

Killed Until Dead lets you assume the persona of Hercule Holmes, hopefully with a bit less conceit (depending perhaps upon the skill level chosen).

An on-screen clock counts down the twelve hours between noon and midnight, the hour of the dastardly deed, consuming about 24 minutes of real time.

There are twenty different mystery plots to solve, each with its own clues and variations.

The joystick is used to make all of the selections and adding to the fun is the humorous cartoon-like animation of the characters, and a wealth of digitised sound effects.