                                ______
                               /_  __/___ __  __
                                / / / __ `/ |/_/
                               / / / /_/ />  <
                              /_/  \__,_/_/|_|
                      ___              _     __
                     /   |_   ______  (_)___/ /__  __________
                    / /| | | / / __ \/ / __  / _ \/ ___/ ___/
                   / ___ | |/ / /_/ / / /_/ /  __/ /  (__  )
                  /_/  |_|___/\____/_/\__,_/\___/_/  /____/


TAX AVOIDERS FAQ
For play on Atari 2600
Presented by BoredGamer
Version: 0.6
Last Updated: 10/25/01
Phase: Technically complete

THE FOLLOWING SITES HAVE HOSTING PRIVILEGES:
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The E-mail Dealy... Okay, I have two different E-mail addresses that I'd prefer
you use for different purposes.

If you are e-mailing me about feedback, questions, or anything having to do
with any FAQ, please send it to Blublublublu1129@cs.com.
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If any e-mail is sent to Blublublublu1129 that does not concern a FAQ, it will
be deleted/ignored. Please try to refrain from sending FAQ information, etc. to
Liverboyjoe179.

After the Monster Rancher 3 FAQ, I'm going to say this.  If you don't have
anything nice to say, don't say it at all.  I know that not everyone is
instantly going to listen to this, but if you wish to flame me for something on
a FAQ, please don't even bother e-mailing because you will be instantly ignored
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ignored.

Please stop sending me files.  I will not download them unless they are someone
I know, and by this I mean someone I know -personally- like family or best
friends.  I have suspected that some files that have been sent to me are
viruses (with good justification after being persecuted) and did not download
them.  This also means not to send me FAQs or any other material to critique.

This FAQ will be under some construction the next few days.  It all depends on
how my college work goes and how much free time I have.  I also have a few
other FAQs to work on while updating this one.  If anyone can contribute some
basic tips to the game, that would be much appreciated and accredited.
______________________________________________________________

UPDATE HISTORY

10/24/01- Started this FAQ.  The basic layout is complete.  Section 1A is
complete.  Section 2 up and running.

10/25/01- Section 1B Complete.  Added questions to the FAQ.  Legal Bit is up.
Section 3 is complete.  Section 4 Complete.  In fact, the entire FAQ was
complete.


Reference credit goes to:
The instruction book found at Atariage, created at the History of Home Video
Games Homepage.

Contents According to Joe
-------------------------
Section 1: Introduction
1A: The Adventures of John Q.
1B: Characters
1C: Gameplay
Section 2: Items
Section 3: Screens and Layouts
3A: Work Screen
3B: Investment Screen
Section 4: Walkthrough/Tips
4A: Mini-Walkthrough
4B: Tips
3B: Investment Screen
Section 5: FAQ
Section 6: Legal Bit
Section 7: Thank You and Goodbye


  -------------------------
/  SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION  \
-----------------------------

1A: THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN Q.

Who wants to be a millionaire?  Okay, sorry to start this off on such a cliche
tone.  Anyway, who doesn't?  I'm sure there are a few souls out there who, for
some reason, rather live below luxury standards (yes, I've actually met a few
and they did give reasons).  John Q. is definitely not one of them.  In fact,
John Q. not only wishes to be a millionaire, he wishes to do his best and work
his investments and such to become a millionaire in ONE YEAR.  So, starting
from January 1st and ending on December 31st, John Q. has taken it upon himself
to become a millionaire, or die trying.  To do this, me must grab all the money
he can while avoiding government red tape and the sinister IRS agent... Eggie! 
Eggie must do everything in his power to keep John Q. from succeeding.  The
only way John can get around Eggie would be wit, skill, and pure luck.  Eggie
has also enlisted help from Waggie, the CPA, and an investment advisor named
Toodles.  An investment advisor?  That doesn't sound so bad... Well, Toodles
has been known to make some bad predictions on investments.  So, not everything
you can grab from Toodles gets you all the beans.  In fact, some of it
decreases your money steadily either until you have none or you grab a
portfolio.

1B: CHARACTERS

John Q: The character you play.  Starts out on what's known as the Work Screen
and makes his way to the Investment Screen.

Eggie: This is the guy that appears on what's known as the Investment Screen. 
He is the figure that appears in black and chases John Q. around.  Running into
Eggie will cause you to lose up to 50% of your earnings and send you straight
back to the Work Screen.

Waggie: A wiley CPA who appears in pink.  This one is a bit more lenient than
Eggie.  Here is the way he works.  If you are running on an investment, Waggie
will cut it loose and a new investment will appear.  He will also take $1000
from your earnings.

Toodles: Your investment advisor.  This one appears in a green color.  He is
also quite strange.  If you don't have an investment going, you can run into
him to switch to a different investment (that is, the current investment icon
will be switched with another).  If you have an investment going, he is the one
you want to run through as nothing will happen.

1C: GAMEPLAY

The style of the game is a basic platformer.  You will start out in the Work
Screen.  Here, you must gain money, avoid the red tape, and work you way up to
other floors using the elevator.  You can then go to the other floors and
collect money there, too.  Once enough time has gone by, you will be thrown
into the Investment Screen.  Here, you must collect investments and make money
off them, then secure them in your portfolio and gain capital.  Beware here,
because Eggie, Waggie, and Toodles are abound.  Okay, so Toodles isn't so bad
all the time, and Waggie can be somewhat helpful, but Eggie should be avoided
like the plague.

Controls:
Left- Move Left
Right-  Move Right
Up- Climb Up
Down- Climb Down
Action Button- Jump Forward


  ------------------
/  SECTION 2: ITEMS  \
----------------------

There are various different items found throughout this game that have variant
effects.  In fact, there are some that have different effects at different
times, depending if Toodles's advising went well.

Work Screen:

$- This is your basic income.  You run around on the platforms to grab these. 
They give you $2000 each.

Red Tape- These are the coily items that you see in the same screen with the
$'s.  If you should grab these, it causes your income to go down $2000, thus
nullifying a $ everytime you grab a red tape.

Investment Screen:

One important thing you should know about all investments:  The chances of an
investment making or losing money in one is 50% both ways.  So, you are just as
likely to make money off an investment as you are to lose money.

Portfolio- You use this to secure any money you've made of an investment.  This
is important to grab as it will help you before you have to pay your taxes. 
These can also help your income either raise or fall.  You want to grab this
immediately, especially if you're in a bad investment.

Investment Items- When you bump into to Toodles, these will appear on the
screen.  The sun appears immediately at the very bottom middle.  The items are:
Glass Flask, Caboose (looks like a pair of binoculars), Oil Rig, Building, and
a Television Set.  Each one will either steadily increase or decrease your
income by $500-1000 each second.


  --------------------------------
/  SECTION 3: SCREENS AND LAYOUTS  \
------------------------------------

This game is divided into two screens of gameplay.  Both screen has different
objectives and different features to them, as well as different hazards and
items.

3A: WORK SCREEN

You start the game on this screen.  This is the basic screen for making quick
money.  On this screen exist four floors, each floor has $'s and Red Tape.  As
explained before, each one raises and lowers your earnings $2000 respectively. 
You'll notice that the items are all flashing in order from left to right.  You
can only grab an item when it flashes into being.  So, if you wish to grab the
money, only do so when it appears, then move on to more money.  Avoid the red
tape by pushing the action button and jumping over it.  After you've cleaned
out the bottom floor, stand in the middle of the floor and go to the next
floor.

-Layout-

 ________________________________________
|                                        |
| $ $   @     $            $   @   $$    |
|________________        ________________|
|                                        |
| $  @    $     $        $@   $  $       |
|________________        ________________|
|                                        |
|$      $    @              $  @  $$     |
|________________        ________________|
|                                        |
|  $  $       @                 @   $ $  |
|________________________________________|

-KEY-
$ = Money (+$2000 each)
@ = Red Tape (-$2000 each)

NOTE: The open spaces in the middle of the floors is where the elevator will
appear.  To board the elevator, stand with your foot a bit of the ways of the
edge or in the very middle of the bottom floor.  Try hard not to fall off.

3B: INVESTMENT SCREEN

The investment screen appears periodically and near with the passing of a
season.  On this screen, you will be able to grab the sun right away to start
an investment in solar power.  You must then run from your advisary, Eggie, as
he chases you around the screen.  A helpful hint, only stay with an investment
if it's giving you money.  If it isn't, then try to bump into to Toodles to get
a new investment quickly.

 ________________________________________
|                                        |
| #            #           #             |
| ___ _     ______      ______     _ ___ |
||___|_    |______|    |______|    _|___||
|     _                            _     |
|     _              #             _     |
|   _ ______ _  __________  _ ______ _   |
|   _|      |_ |    ||    | _|      |_   |
|   _|      |_ |    ||    | _|      |_   |
|   _|______|_ |____||____| _|______|_   |
| P _        _      #       _        _   |
|________________________________________|

-KEY-

P = Area where portfolio appears
# = Area where an investment could appear

NOTE: The dashes you see floating in the air are ladders.



  -----------------------------
/  SECTION 4: WALKTHROUGH/TIPS  \
---------------------------------

This is a basic walkthrough section.  The walkthrough for this game shouldn't
be too incredibly long.  I've also decided to give some tips running along side
the walkthrough on this game to help you make your million dollars (I actually
have never made a million; I just hope my tips can help you eventually get
there).  Also note that the dates on the walkthrough given are assuming you
were able to avoid Eggie all throughout the game

4A: Mini-Walkthrough

[Game Date: January 1]
As you start, you will be on a screen called the Work Screen.  First thing's
first.  Time to clear out the bottom floor.  Head either left or right on the
floor and collect the money ($).  The only thing you really want to avoid are
the red tape traps on either side.  Avoid those by jumping over them with the
action button.  Now, stand in the very middle of the screen, where the empty
space is between platforms.  You will be carried upward by an elevator.  Ride
the elevator to the next floor and drop off.  If you miss the next floor, you
can always clear the others out as well.  Get well acquainted with the gameplay
here.  Grab money and avoid the red tape as usual.  Here's a basic tip you
should learn.  Jump from one side to another and clear out that side as well. 
Now, wait on the edge of the floor, just such that a portion of your feet is
sticking out over the edge. Don't walk too far over or you'll fall.  Now, let
the elevator carry you further.  Continue clearing out the money until finally,
you'll be brought to the investment screen.

[Game Date: February 10]
This is where you'll start your investments.  On the far right, you'll see
Eggie coming at you.  Run into the middle and grab the sun immediately and run
away from Eggie.  Climb the ladder by pushing up when you are next to it.  This
can be tricky at first, especially if you're used to the types of games in
which you climb a ladder by being in line with it.  Remeber this: If the ladder
is pointing out to the right, then climb it from the right.  If it is sticking
out to the left, then climb from the left.  Just climb the side that it's
protruding out to.  Now, avoiding Eggie and his friends.  Grab the portfolio as
soon as you can and wait to see what your capital will be (capital is the money
you make/lose after grabbing the portfolio).  If you're losing money, wait for
Toodles to grab a new investment.  Run around the room and don't allow yourself
to be easily cornered.  Places that can be dropped down from are good areas to
wait and blow time.  Do not wait in corners, otherwise you're asking for it (or
you feel the need to be a riskbreaker).

If at any time you are cornered, there's a few things you can do.  One of them
is to see if you can escape the corner without being touched.  This can take
some speed and grace to achieve and is sometimes a risk worth taking (or
sometimes not).  You could also wait for Eggie to turn into Waggie or Toodles. 
Trust me.  It's better to stop gaining money or pay $1000 than to pay about 50%
of your earnings.  At April 10th, you will be sent back to work.  Assuming you
did not grab a portfolio on an investment, any gains that weren't secured could
be taxed.  So, be sure to grab that portfolio.

[Game Date: April 11]
Time to get back to work.  There really isn't much I can add here.  Learn how
to time your grabbing.  Notice that everything blinks in sequence.  When things
blink into existence, it's the only time you can grab them.  So, wait for
something to blink on and try to grab the next dollar (if you can) over before
it blinks off.  If it does, no thang, just wait for it again.  Continue to
avoid the red tape.  Another tip I can give you is that if you're on floors 3
or 4, it's probably best to just fall off and land on the elevator that way. 
It's proabably wiser on 4, anyway.  3 you want to do so at your own discretion.
 This can also help you get onto lower floors faster.

[Game Date: May 20]
Back to the old investment field.  Things are just the same as they should be. 
Hopefully, you have become much better at avoiding Eggie.  Here's helpful tip. 
Do not temp fate.  If you see Eggie getting near an investment or your
portfolio, don't grab it.  Run away and try to re-route Eggie so you can grab
the item when he's not present.  Try your hardest to get down quickly using the
ladders.  Particularly, going up a ladder, walking a few steps, then going up
the next ladder almost instantaneously.  You'll need this speed to get around
Eggie.  Make good usage of the top row as the platforms up there can make
really good areas to wait out until Eggie finally decides to come after you. 
At that point, wait until he gets close enough and drop off the opposite side,
then run for the next safe haven you can find.

[Game Date: July 21]
Back to work again.  By now, you should have the whole thing down.  I used to
actually be good enough to go through the red tape when it disappears rather
than jump through it.  That is quite an intermediate trick, but nothing too
helpful unless you can use it to time your runnign such that running through
the tape could save you some time.  Time is of the essence, here.  Try hard to
grab all the money as fast as you can, then get ready to be sent back to the
world of investments.


From here, you should have the gist of the game.  It will switch between
different screens at the following times, assuming you are never caught by
Eggie: August 29 (Investment), October 28 (Work), December 7 (Investment),
December 31 (game ends).


4B: TIPS

These are just some general tips I can give you on the game.  Some of these are
also pulled from the mini-walkthrough above.

*Work Screen*

-Do your best to jump over the red tape or work a rhythm into your time to go
through it as it disappears.  The latter on that statement is easier said than
done.

-If you're at the top of the level, drop down to land on the elevator.  You an
also do this on the third floor, but only at your own descretion.

-Be swift.  You want to try to collect as much money as possible before the end
of the year, so you'll want to get all that you can before going to the next
screen.

*Investment Screen*

-Off the bat, grab an investment, then grab a portfolio.  If you are losing
money after the portfolio, then wait for Waggie to appear so you can get a new
investment.  Just remember, it'll cost you $1000.

-Sometimes, it isn't always a wise idea to sit and wait for investment income
to pile up, sometimes it is.  Taking risks can actually be a big part of the
game.  Remember, just grabbing an investment or a portfolio can boost your
money immediately, while it will either increase or decrease.  Just remember to
grab a portfolio right away so you can secure what you make.

-Make the best of your surroundings when avoiding Eggie.  Do not allow yourself
to be cornered.  Such is a bad move. Instead, use platforms to avoid Eggie and
his cohorts.  Become good with jumping from platform to platform or using
latters.

-Toodles is probably the best person to have around when you are trying to
avoid the enemies while getting capital/investment gains.

-Do not tempt fate or try to be too much of a riskbreaker unless you are
confident it will pay off.


  ----------------
/  SECTION 5: FAQ  \
--------------------

Q: How do I get on the elevator?
A: Either stand in the middle of the bottom floor or stand with your foot a bit
of the ways off of a floor into the open space in the middle.

Q: Why do some investments lower your money gradually?
A: Because all investments are slated to either raise or lower income on a 1:1
ratio.  In other words, you have a 50% chance of gaining money off an
investment or a 50% chance of losing money. Grabbing a portfolio can sometimes
cause your money to go the opposite way when you grab it.

Q: How often should I grab a portfolio?
A: Right after you get an investment so you can shelter your investment. If you
are still losing money after grabing a portfolio, then wait for Toodles to get
a new investment.

Q: Got any advice on investments?
A: If an investment is depleting your money, get rid of it immediately.  You
can grab a portfolio if you wish, as that can cause your money to increase, or
you can wait for Toodles to appear and give you more investment decisions. 
Grab one the instant you can and if it is giving you an increase in money, then
stay with it and avoid your enemies at the utmost.  If at any time you cannot
run away from your enemies quickly enough, try to run through either Toodles or
Waggie.

Q: Can Eggie/Waggie/Toodles be killed?
A: Nope.  In fact, this game is non-violent through and through.

Q: Are there any other versions of this game for other systems?
A: Not that I know of.  This game wasn't extremely popular and it was fairly
rare.  I was lucky that my brother bought it for me when we went to Seattle.

Q: Personally, how would you rate this game?
A: 7/10; Not a bad game, but definitely not for everyone. Definitely original,
I'll say that.

Q: Is there any way to actually beat this game?
A: The only true way to beat the game is to end it with $999,999.  I have not
been able to do this.  The best I've done was around $100,000-200,000.

Q: Why is there only a mini-walkthrough?
A: Because a full-length one would be quite redundant.  I would basically state
the same things over and over.  This one allows me to give you some pointers on
norming yourself in the game.

Q: What good is a portfolio, anyway?
A: If you don't grab the portfolio, then you will be taxed after the Investment
Screen ends.  The portfolio also helps you gain capital.

Q: So, let's say I grab a portfolio and my capital is causing my earnings to
increase and I decide not to grab anymore investments and just sit on my money
until the season ends.  What will happen to my money?
A: Assuming you gained positive capital, nothing.  Let's say you built up
$100,000 with your capital and you end the Investment Screen at $100,000.  You
will have $100,000 at the beginning of the work screen because your investment
is sheltered and therefore won't be taxed.  If you did not shelter an
investment, you will be taxed.

  ----------------------
/  SECTION 6: LEGAL BIT  \
--------------------------

This FAQ is copyright 2001 to Joe Shaffer, aka BoredGamer.  Any use of this FAQ
for commercial purposes in any way, shape, and form without confirmed consent
of the author is strictly prohibited.  This can be used for personal use and
freely distributed, as long as there is no profit being made off the FAQ
without my approval before hand (this includes magazines).  This also cannot be
posted on any websites without my solid approval.  Any failure to comply with
said premises can, and probably will, result in legal actions.


  ----------------------------------
/  SECTION 7: THANK YOU AND GOODBYE  \
--------------------------------------

Thanks be to the following...

Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and GameFAQs

American Videogames for Tax Avoiders

Atariage and History of Home Video Games Homepage for the HTML booklets
(www.atariage.com)

(c) Joe Shaffer 2001
