🚀 go-pugleaf

P.Eggebrecht@TBX.BerliNet.de (Peter Eggebrecht) schrieb am 12.06.97 zum Thema
"Re: S: TAMAGOTCHI":

> danke, an dem oben beschriebenen Zustand hat sich damit nichts
> veraendert... ich habe keinen web Zugriff ;)...
> Mein Bildungsniveau wird also weiterhin durch eine kleine Delle der
> Unkenntnis getruebt :-))

Dann werde ich mal f�r Dich und die anderen *einmalig* die FAQ zu diesen  
kleinen possierlichen Kerlchen hier posten. Sie stammt von der Seite
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/1999/tama-faq.htm


U.S. FAQt - Frequently Asked Questions on Tamagotchi

     General Questions

       1.What is Tamagotchi?
       2.How much does a Tamagotchi cost?
       3.When will Tamagotchi be available in the U.S.?
       4.Where can I buy a Tamagotchi, and other Tamagotchi merchandise?
       5.Are there various forms of Tamagotchi merchandise?
       6.What color Tamagotchi eggs are available in the U.S.?
       7.Are some Tamagotchi colors more popular than others?
       8.What are the differences between Japanese and U.S. Tamagotchis?
       9.If my Tamagotchi pet leaves me, do I have to buy another one?
      10.How long does a Tamagotchi pet live?
      11.What is the record life span for a Tamagotchi?
      12.Is Tamgotchi the only virtual pet?

     Caretaker Questions

       1.What is the difference between MEAL and SNACK?
       2.When should I discipline my Tamagotchi?
       3.When Tamagotchi is asleep, what can I do?
       4.What are the normal sleeping hours for a Tamagotchi?
       5.How do you win the Tamagotchi game?
       6.How do you turn OFF the sound?
       7.What makes Tamagotchi's weight change?
       8.What is the perfect weight for a Tamagotchi?
       9.Why does Tamagotchi get sick?
      10.What does Tamagotchi lose discipline when it grows?
      11.What do I do when Tamagotchi returns to its home planet, and I see  
the
          'Angel'?
      12.What happens if I turn ON the light before Tamagotchi wakes up?
      13.Can I pause Tamagotchi?
      14.Can I make Tamagotchi age faster?
      15.When does Tamagotchi go to sleep and wake up?



1. What is Tamagotchi?

Tamagotchi is a toy made by a company called Ban Dai. It is a 'virtual pet',  
which 'lives' on an LCD display inside of a small plastic egg-shaped  
keychain. The toy never turns off; the owner must take care of the virtual  
pet by means of three small buttons located on the egg-shaped device. The  
buttons are used to feed, play with, and generally care for the electric  
critter. If constant care is given, the pet will mature into a healthy, well  
behaved adult. If the Tamagotchi pet is ignored, it will grow ill and, as the  
story goes, return to its home planet, far, far away.

2. How much does a Tamagotchi cost?

Tamagotchis may be hard to find, as supplies are currently short. If you are  
lucky enough to find a Tamagotchi in a store, the cost is between $15 and  
$20. FAO Schwarz, Kay-Bee Toys, Toys 'R Us, Wall Mart, and other stores are  
selling Tamgotchis (but many stores are now sold out.) As supply is short,  
and demand is high (especially in foreign countries such as Japan), many  
would-be entrepreneurs are attempting to re-sell Tamagotchis on the internet  
for very high prices. Also, there is news that in Japan a black market has  
evolved, where Tamagotchis sell for many times the suggested retail price.

3. When will Tamagotchi be available in the U.S.?

Tamagotchis have already shown up in America. Ban Dai says that the official  
release date for New York and San Francisco was May 1, 1997 (but they were  
found in those cities even earlier). Ban Dai also says that they will appear  
nation-wide on June 15, 1997. Many Tamagotchis have been found earlier,  
though, in many parts of the country. Also, Tamagotchi 2 is on the way! (But  
no one is sure when they will come.)

4. Where can I buy a Tamagotchi, and Tamagotchi products?

If you live in the U.S., your best bet would be to try the following stores:  
FAO Schwarz, Toys 'R Us, Kay Bee Toys, Wal-Mart, and J.C. Penny. You may find  
them at other stores. Also, many people are selling Tamagotchis over the  
Internet. Although many people have already happily purchase Tams over the  
Web, it is probably risky, as many people are taking advantage of the crazy  
demand surrounding Tamagotchi.

Tamagotchi products, such as t-shirts, hats, towels, etc., are most  
UNavailable in the U.S. Hats and t-shirts have been found at FAO Schwarz, but  
have not become readily available.

5. Are there various forms of Tamagotchi merchandise?

Yes! There are official, Ban Dai Tamagotchi stickers, pencils, stuffed  
animals, T-shirts, and more. Some of this merchandise can be seen here, but  
only a few of these products have hit the U.S. so far.

6. What color Tamagotchi eggs are available in the U.S.?

Officially, only 6 colors are currently available in America. These colors  
are white, purple, pink, transparent blue, bright green, and yellow.

7. Are some colors more popular than others?

Yes! In order of popularity, the colors are:

     White and Transparent Blue
     Yellow and Green
     Pink and Purple

8. What are the differences between U.S. and Japanese Tamagotchis?

There are a few differences between U.S. and Japanese Tamagotchis. The known
differences are:

     1) There are many more variations of egg styles and 'decos' available in
        Japan.
     2) Japanese Tamagotchi meals look like bowls (of rice? ramen?) while
        U.S. Tamagotchi meals look like bread (muffins?).

     3) In Japan, Tamagotchi weight is measured in grams, while U.S.
        Tamagotchi weight is measured in ounces (and pounds?).

     4) (and perhaps the most interesting!) Japanese Tamagotchis die, and a
        spirit appears on the screen. English Tamagotchis return to their
        home planet, and an angel appears on the screen.

9. If my Tamagotchi pet leaves me (or dies), do I have to buy another one?

No, you do not. You can simply press A and C buttons together, and a new tam  
will hatch! Or, you can press the small black reset button on the back of the  
egg, then set the time, and voila, another pet.

10. How long does one Tamagotchi pet live?

24 hours, or one day for humans, is equal to one year for Tamagotchis. If you  
take good care of Tamagotchi, it will last many 'years'. The average life  
span of a Tamagotchi is approximately 10-15 years. With constant attention, a  
Tamagotchi can survive for 30 years, and maybe longer. If neglected, a  
Tamagotchi can die before it reaches 10 years of age.

. Here is what the manufacturer says:
     0-5 Years: Try harder next time.
     6-10 Years: Room for improvement.
     11-16 Years: Good job.
     17-22 Years: Excellent
     23+ Years: Amazing!

11. What is the record life span for a Tamagotchi?

There is no solid information on this question. It was recently reported in  
USA Today that the record is 30 years. It has also been reported that some  
Tamagotchis have lived for 99 years. It is hard to tell for sure, because  
many Tamagotchi owners have started to cheat, and artificially lengthen the  
life of their Tamagotchis by adjusting the clock on the Tamagotchi clock (see  
Question #25, below.)

12. Is Tamagotchi the only virtual pet?

No. Ban Dai's Tamagotchi was probably the first and original stand-alone  
virtual pet, but now there are many others, include Power Toys' GigaPets.

There also exists virtual pets which live on PC Desktops, Game Boys, and  
PDAs.


FAQts for Caretakers

1. What is the difference between MEAL and SNACK?

When a tamagotchi is hungry (has empty 'hungry hearts'), a meal will make it  
full. One meal will fill one 'hungry heart'. Snacks are different. A snack is  
a quick way to make Tamagotchi happy. When Tam is not happy (has empty 'happy  
hearts'), one snack will fill one 'happy heart'. A better way to make tam  
happy, though, is to play the game with it. This is because too many snacks  
can make Tam sick (and fat).

2. When should I discipline my Tamagotchi?

Discipline is good for Tamagotchi, because it will be well-behaved. But only  
discipline Tam at certain times. These times are when Tam beeps for no reason  
(when it is happy and not hungry), and when Tam is hungry but will not eat.  
Discipline at other times is probably not good.

3. When Tamagotchi is asleep, what can I do?

Once you see the Zzs and Tam gets in bed, all functions are disabled. This  
means that you had better pay attention before Tam goes to sleep, and make  
sure it is clean, happy, and full! (But don't worry too much if Tam isn't in  
perfect shape while he sleeps. He will probably survive!)

4. What are the normal sleeping hours for Tamagotchi?

Tam goes to bed and wakes up at different times, depending on how old Tam is,  
and what type of adult Tam grows into. Masuku-chi, for example, goes to sleep  
at 11pm and wakes up at 11am.

5. How do you win the game?

We aren't sure. Some caretakers think the game is luck, and some think it  
involves skill.

6. How do you turn OFF the sound?

It is very easy to turn off the sound. Make sure that NO icons are highlited.  
If an icon is highlited, wait for it to go off, or hit the C (right) button  
to turn it off. Then press button C, and while holding it down, press button  
A (left), so you press them together. This will turn OFF the sound. Repeat  
this exactly to turn the sound back ON.

7. What makes Tamagotchi's weight change?

We aren't sure if this answer is correct for all Tams, so let us know if your  
Tam is different. We think: 1 Meal increases weight by 1 oz; 1 snack  
increases weight by 2 oz; and playing 1 game decreases weight by 1 oz.

8. What is the perfect weight for Tamagotchi?

Is it better for Tam to be heavy or light? What is a 'good' or healthy weight  
level for Tam at each stage of its life? We don't know. We did take a survey,
[LINK] to get a better idea. If you know, please share your comments with us  
in the gathering. [LINK]

9. Why does Tamagotchi get sick?

Tam sometimes gets sick. It happens. Sometimes it's because you forgot to  
take care of it. Other times it just gets sick for no reason, just like  
people get the flu. Do not worry if Tam gets sick for no reason. Just give it  
a shot! (Sometimes it takes more than one shot to make Tam healthy again.)

10. Why does Tamagotchi lose discipline when it grows?

This is normal. Each time Tam grows into a new stage, he usually loses some  
or all of his discipline. Maybe it is like how people gain more freedom as  
they get older, and as they gain more freedom they must learn to be more  
responsible and well-behaved. When your Tam grows, and then loses discipline,  
do not worry! You will always have the chance to discipline Tam more as he  
grows.

11. What do I do when Tamagotchi returns to its home planet, and I see the
'Angel'?

When you see the 'Angel' appear, your Tamagotchi has decided to return to its  
home planet. If you now press button C (right), your Tam's final age will  
appear on screen. When you are through mourning your loss, and you are ready  
to hatch another Tamagotchi, press the A and C buttons together, and a new  
egg will apprear, which will shortly hatch. (Important: If you press 'Reset'  
to hatch another egg, don't forget to set the clock again!)

12. What happens if I turn ON the light before Tamagotchi wakes up?

The official Ban-Dai instructions say that Tam will become restless. Other  
than this, no one is sure. If you know the answer to this question, please  
share it in the gathering.

Secret!
13. Can I 'pause' Tamagotchi?

Although one of the most groundbreaking features of Tamagotchi is that it  
never turns off, you can cheat, and 'pause' the game. To do so, make sure no  
icons are highlited, and then hit the B (middle) button to bring up the Time  
screen. Then hit the A (left) and C (right) buttons together to bring up the  
Set time screen, and this will act as a 'pause'.
Thanks to Jiehui!

Secret!
14. Can I make Tamagotchi age faster?

Yes, although it is cheating! To make Tamagotchi get older faster, you must  
first figure out when your Tamagotchi goes to sleep and wakes up. Then,  
anytime you want, you can set the clock for 1 minute before bedtime, and Tam  
will go to sleep. Then you can set the clock for 1 minute before wake-up  
time, and he will wake up, 1 year older! BUT, this is not recommended! Try it  
only for fun, because there may be side effects :-)!

15. When does Tamagotchi go to sleep, and when does Tam wake up?

Bedtime and waking-up time varies, depending on what stage Tam is in, and on  
what adult version Tam grows into. We are still collecting this information,  
and will put it up on this site when we figure it all out! For the time  
being, check out the results of a survey we took here at Tamagotchi Fever!

Thanks to all the great
people who have shared their questions and answers!!!

More answers to come!


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