From the Desk of D. Bryan King

Windows Based Bingo Application

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This application requires the Windows Desktop Runtime 7.0.20. It should prompt you to install the runtime.

Back in 2013, I initially wrote a Bingo program for an elementary school’s “Book Bingo” event. They were using a cheap box store set that was hard to use, and the caller kept dropping balls on the floor. This inspired me to create something more reliable and user-friendly. The goal was simple: to make Bingo easier to manage and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Originally written in Visual Basic .NET, this application has now been completely rewritten in C# to stay up-to-date with modern development practices following the retirement of VB.NET.

This application isn’t revolutionary. There are many different options out there for Bingo. However, I wanted to write something that would be available to all schools and PTAs for free. It’s a way to offer a Bingo application that provides a clear visual for players, helps track which numbers were called, and previews the upcoming ball, enhancing the overall game experience.

All you need to run this Bingo program is a Windows machine connected to a projector or TV, which most schools and organizations already own. This ensures that the game is accessible and easy to set up for any event.

Who Can Benefit

  • Schools and PTAs: Simplify Bingo events and fundraisers.
  • Community Centers and Social Clubs: Enhance social gatherings with interactive gameplay.
  • Kids’ Sport Teams: Foster team spirit and engage young athletes.
  • Campgrounds: Add excitement to camp activities, like candy bar bingo or Adult Bingo

Key Features

  • 64-Bit Windows Application: Optimized for modern systems, my Bingo game runs seamlessly on 64-bit Windows 10 or higher platforms, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
  • Visual Clarity and Transparency: The dynamic board ensures players can easily track called numbers, with the last ball highlighted for visibility and accuracy.
  • Animated Winning Patterns: Anticipate and strategize with animated displays of winning patterns, making gameplay intuitive and exciting.
  • Automated Voice Caller for Precision: Enhance game flow and accuracy with the automated voice caller, compatible with sound systems. Each ball is announced clearly, maintaining fairness and excitement throughout.
  • Portable and Easy to Use: Designed as a solo developer project on a Donationware basis, this portable Bingo game can be run directly from a Zip drive or any location without the need for installation. It offers convenience and accessibility for various event settings.
  • Flexible Timer for Enhanced Pace: Customize game pace with the built-in timer, keeping gameplay dynamic and ensuring players can manage their participation comfortably.
  • Crash Recovery for Seamless Gameplay: In the event of unexpected interruptions, my Bingo game features crash recovery capabilities. It automatically attempts to restore the game state from the state.txt file, minimizing disruption and ensuring players can resume where they left off.
  • Comprehensive Game State Logging: Capture every game session detail in JSON format (logs/Bingo-MMDDYYY-HHMMSS.txt), including remaining balls, drawn numbers, and timestamps. This feature promotes transparency and trust among players and organizers alike.

Legal Disclaimer

This Bingo program is provided for entertainment and educational purposes only. The use of this software must comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding Bingo games. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that their use of this program adheres to the relevant legal requirements in their jurisdiction.

By using this software, you acknowledge that you have reviewed the laws applicable to Bingo games in your area and agree to abide by them. The developer of this program are not responsible for any illegal use of the software..

License

This software is open source and is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3. You can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details. You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program. If not, see https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html.

Font Usage

This app uses the G7 Segment 7 S5 located at the following URL: https://www.dafont.com/g7-segment7-s5.font?l[]=10&l[]=1. Please find the .ttf file in the application directory and double-click the font to install. The application will work without this font and will use a default font if this isn’t installed.

Support and Donations

If this application helps your organization, please consider sending me some coffee money. Thank you!

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