Buzztime
Buzztime trivia is a national -- actually, it also includes Canada and the UK -- trivia network that
you can play at restaurants a and bars. When you're playing, you're competing against other players
all over.
Most of the games are a series of fifteen questions with five multiple choice answers. You answer
the questions on a small, wireless device that the restaurant provides. The quicker you answer correctly,
the more points you get. In most games, as time counts down, either incorrect answers are removed
or you're given clues about which answers are right and wrong.
During the day, most of their games are either "Countdown" or "Wipeout" both of which are general
trivia questions, which can be in any subject.
Buzztime also has some "Premium" games played on weekday evenings. These games often
have either special topics or are simply harder than normal.
As of April 2007, these are the premium trivia games:
Abused News
Fri
One of the most amusing and politically incorrect games. This is all trivia
based on current events, often with little twists that make you groan with laughter.
Brainbuster
Tue
Instead of giving obvious clues, this general topic trivia game gives
clues that sometimes seem to be harder than the question.
Get Reel
Thu, Fri
All about films. This trivia game covers the films, actors, directors, awards
and anything else associated with the silver screen.
Glory Daze
Tue
Half history and two-thirds pop-culture (hey, it was the sixties!) a trivia
game based on baby boomer times.
Mini-Six
Tue
This is a shorter version of the Six game - see Thursday for a more
complete description.
Passport
Wed
Another fairly competitive game, each game focuses on a particular region,
country or other location based topic. During the previous week's game, you're given a set of
clues about where next week's game will be.
PasTimes
Tue
History - from ancient history to modern times. An extremely challenging
game. Excellent for history buffs or for anyone who actually paid attention in History class.
RetroacTiVe
Thu, Fri, Sat
A trivia game focusing on TV shows from the past.
Sci-files
Wed
This game is devoted to science fiction and fantasy, in books, film
and tv series.
Showdown
Tue
The most competitive game with the serious buzztime players. This is a general
topic trivia game with several rounds, each of which has a slightly different format.
SIX
Thu
Years ago, this game was associated with Trivial Pursuit, but now it has
its own identity. In addition to regular trivia, you're asked to pick which categories out of
the six given you feel you're the best at, and then need to match things. For example, if the topic
were state capitals, you'd need to match Boston and Massachussets, Denver and Colorado, and so forth.
A challenging game that spans several trivia categories.
Speed
Tue
General interest trivia needing quick reflexes. As the game goes on, you
get less and less time to answer. By the end, you're normally to the point of guessing first and
then reading the answers.
Sports Trivia Challenge
Sun
Spotlight
Fri
Extreme pop culture - trivia based on the beautiful people in Hollyword.
Topix
Fri
Two Topix games are played each Friday, each on one specific topic.
Buzztime publishes the game topics about two months in advance so you can study up as
much as you want.
Triviaoke
Sat
You'll get some of the lines of a song, and you'll have to guess
(or just know) one of the following lines. A clever mix of knowledge about the songs
and reasoning.