System Requirements. You need Javascript enabled - most browsers have this enabled by default. The game may not display properly in unsupported and non-standard browsers, such as Internet Explorer 6. Even better, use the latest version of a standards-compliant browser, such as FireFox or Chrome, as this gives you the most up-to-date functionality for you to enjoy the web.
How To Play. Detonator is the explosive version of the classic word game Hangman. However, with Detonator you have to diffuse a time bomb by correctly typing out the hidden word. A secret word of between 4 and 14 letters is randomly selected from the Detonator dictionary of 80,000 words, with each letter hidden on the display by an asterisk (*). You need to guess a letter you think may be in the secret word and click that letter using the on-screen keyboard. The timer then begins its countdown. If the letter is in the word all instances of it appear in their correct places on the display. If not, the count is decreased by one to nine - this is the number of goes you have left to reveal the word. Unfortunately, each time you guess wrong the timer speeds up!
If either the count or the timer reaches zero before the word is revealed the bomb explodes and the game ends. If you reveal the word then you score points depending on the letter value of the word and how much time is left on the clock. To start a new round click the 'next' key. A new word secret word is displayed. Each successful round your score is added to your total. The maximum number of rounds is 20. To start a new game simply refresh your browser.
A Good Total Score. The highest known score to date is 154,820 points. An excellent word score is 20,000 points and it is even possible to get over 30,000, so a thoretical maximum appears to be around 500,000 points. The secret of a high score depends on stopping the timer early but a spate of rash guesses will only speed up the timer, thus reducing your score! Such is the fiendish dilemma of Detonator.
The Dictionary. We compiled the Detonator dictionary from various word lists. Obscure words abound - some you may not even find in single volume dictionaries - and most people will improve their vocabulary by playing Detonator. We have removed obvious expletives and offensive words (remember these words are found in dictionaries). However, if a word appears that you think should not be in the dictionary please contact us so we can remove it.
Future Development. Currently, we do not record high scores but this feature will be available in the future. Also, the 'menu' key is disabled at the moment. In the future this will give access to a host of game features, such as high scores and word resources.