What is apterous?
The first thing to say is that apterous is definitely not Countdown. It is not endorsed by Countdown, Channel 4 or anyone important at all. However, it is a game with rounds including numbers, letters and conundrums. This may sound familiar. You can play against your friends over the Internet, or other people's friends if you don't have any of your own. To play, just register and then log in. If you're having problems, head over to our FAQ and, if that doesn't work, please do email me and I'll do my best to help.
Current Duel Leaders
| # | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Carey | — |
Format: 12 rounds of 20 seconds.
[Vote for the next Duel's format]
Latest Pencils
Top Dog
| # | Player | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graham Harrison | 94% |
These are the finest bones dug up lately,
in Mr Dog's opinion (patent pending).
Discussions
33
0
3
Major improvements to bot letter picking
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
I'm very pleased to announce some major improvements to bot letter picking. As many of you will know, bots decide whether to ask for a vowel or consonant based on the average max score that will result ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
15 0 3
Tipping the balance
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
From today, you'll have the option to leave an additional "thank you" on any ticket post from apterous's extensive staff (me) in the form of cold, hard, digitally-mediated cash. I don't expect to get loads ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
15 0 1
Use the same time format everywhere (24-hour clock)
Website feature request by Gevin Chapwell. Status: Unconfirmed.
I've noticed that in tickets and comments on games and probably other places, it uses the 24-hour clock. However, on game pages - e.g. this https://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=2791391 - for the ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
1 0 6
Descriptions for Tourney Formats
Website feature request by Adam Finlay. Status: Unconfirmed.
When setting up a tourney, it asks what format to use. Obviously, we all know what some of the more common formats are (15 rounder, conundrum attack, sudden death numbers etc) However (and it's a big ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
12 1 6
Touchdown conundrum reboot
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
Following a recent major improvement to conundrum generation for Touchdown variants, the conundrums now have a much wider variety of possible solutions and are therefore much more difficult. So I have ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
1 2 8
Quantum tombola - open in new tab
Game feature request by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
Loving the new quantum tombola number feature - excellent stuff Graeme and Charlie :) I think it would be nice if the link could open a new tab rather than replacing the apto tab. [Read more] [More feature requests]
19 0 23
New watchwords!
Game feature request by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
I added a bunch of new collectables from today, celebrating some of the top players from the recent series and a few overlooked legends of the past. Enjoy! https://www.apterous.org/item.php?item=295 [Read more] [More feature requests]
19 2 10
Fudgedown
Variant idea by Adam Dexter. Status: Unconfirmed.
Letters rounds: You can write all words you can make as notes. Apterous will then declare the longest valid word from your choices. Not sure whether its re- or -er? Just write both. Numbers Rounds: You ... [Read more] [More variant ideas]
13 0 4
Warning before Top Dog games if you've not played enough conundrums
Game feature request by George Armstrong. Status: Unconfirmed.
In the Top Dog games that involve conundrums, you have to have recently played at least 55 conundrums to get a Top Dog % rating at the end. It would be nice to get a warning before you start the game if ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
41 0 25
A statement on cheating
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
We've had several high-profile cases of cheating lately and I understand my handling of them might've left some people dissatisfied. I want to share some information about how I deal with cheating and ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
12 1 23
ZoomDown S3 - Looking For Applicants
Announcement by George Armstrong. Status: Unconfirmed.
I'm sure most of you by now know what ZoomDown is, but for any new members, it's our fan-run series of Countdown matches played over Zoom and streamed live on Youtube. Whether you've been on ZD before ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
7 1 0
Scoring format format for duel to be listed on Current Duel Leaders section
Website feature request by Andy SC. Status: Unconfirmed.
I think it would be handy if the the current duel leaders section listed what time of scoring is being used for the duel as it seems to stat everything else relating to the duel. [Read more] [More feature requests]
32 4 2
Private Messages For Declining Games
Game feature request by Matt OC. Status: Unconfirmed.
When someone requests a game and you don't want to play it for whatever reason, most people are polite to decline by writing a small message in the chat window. However, I feel it would be more appropriate ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
9 0 0
Game of the Year (GotY) 2020
Announcement by Elliott Mellor. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hi there, Nominations are now open for Game of the Year (GotY) 2020 and will close on Saturday 20 February 2021 at 11.59pm. The full details and rules are on the forum thread http://c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&p=191691&sid=c49e703d313893b13c62e0c7221e8316#p191691 ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
14 3 5
You should receive a notification when you have been accepted into a tournament
Website feature request by Mark D. Status: Unconfirmed.
(That's all I have to say about that) [Read more] [More feature requests]
37 3 13
Bodgedown
Variant idea by Matt Morrison. Status: Unconfirmed.
I think this might have been suggested before. In fact I'm almost sure of it. Please tell me off and link me up should that be the case. IDEA Throw a ton of shit at a problem and hope something sticks. ... [Read more] [More variant ideas]
16 1 1
Most multitalented pages - would be nice to show more users
Website feature request by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
Looking at the 'most multitalented' pages (e.g. https://www.apterous.org/statland.php?section=most_multitalented) you see the top 30 players and your rivals. It would be really nice to be able to see ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
13 2 6
Extra status for "Seeking Tournament"
Game feature request by Adam Dexter. Status: Unconfirmed.
Currently we have three statuses - Available, Seeking or Busy. What I would like is another status which is "Seeking Tournament" - this would then indicate you are there to play but only tourney games. ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
21 4 5
Hyper Nice
Game feature request by Ronan M Higginson. Status: Unconfirmed.
Same as Hyper but with letters used in Nice. [Read more] [More feature requests]
38 2 2
Full Letter Deck Reshuffle after each Mocktorun Leg of 15 Rounds
Game feature request by Philip Aston. Status: Unconfirmed.
It appears there is a prospect of being drawn duplicate Js, Ks, Q, Xs or Zs, or 3 Vs, in a Mocktorun at some point after the first 15 rounds – something that would never happen on TV Countdown. This ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
News
27 January 2021
- Richard Huang commented on Countdown China Online Tour 2021: Quarterfinals - Ranking sub-round. [+1 other]
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Chas Maxwell, who lasted 17 rounds with a target of 7. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 2 people (Jonathan Wynn and Matt OC) with a score of 102 from 102.
26 January 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Noel Mc's 194 - 187 Numbers Attack win against Tal Lessner! This week's vote is now open.
- Patrick Thompson's 1035 - 0 game with Apterous Prune received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×5]
- Chas Maxwell tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Edward Ashcroft's 210 - 220 game with Apterous Soap received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×4]
- Jonathan Wynn's game with The Duellist received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Matt OC's game with The Duellist received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Ronan M Higginson commented on his game with Apterous Prune. [+1 other]
- Adam Dexter commented on Matt OC's game with The Duellist.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Sean D, who lasted 12 rounds with a target of 6. Woof!
- Ray Wilding's 77 - 0 game with The Duellist received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- The Duel was won by Ray Wilding with a score of 77 from 90.
25 January 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
- Dan McColm tied the record number of maximums for Goatdown Standard with 15 maxes.
- Bradley Horrocks commented on Premier League 2020/21: Match-week 17.
- Chris Hare tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Rhys Benjamin commented on I Can't Believe it's Not COLIN: Round 1.
- Edward Ashcroft tied the high score for Hyper Nasty Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Spike Guthrie commented on Pro Ranks for 25 January 2021. [+2 others]
- Callum Todd's 247 - 10 game with The Duellist received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×10]
- Amar Chotai commented on Callum Todd's game with The Duellist. [+1 other]
- Stu Harkness commented on Thomas Carey's game with The Duellist.
- Richard Huang commented on Countdown China Online Tour 2021: Round 2: Hezong Lianheng. [+1 other]
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Chas Maxwell, who lasted 15 rounds with a target of 5. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Callum Todd with a score of 247 from 270.
24 January 2021
- Chas Maxwell tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Steve H commented on Jonathan Dyke's game with J Bartram. [+1 other]
- Thomas Cappleman tied the record number of maximums for Speed 9 with 9 maxes.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S6 Premier League.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S6 Division 2.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S6 Division 3.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S6 Division 4. [+1 other]
- RJ Huggins tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Callum Todd's game with The Duellist received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Hazel Drury tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Jonathan Dyke's 124 - 122 game with J Bartram received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×4]
- Dan Spinks's 194 - 0 game with Apterous Prune received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Josh Hurst's 200 - 0 game with Apterous Prune received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Dan Spinks tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Chas Maxwell, who lasted 11 rounds with a target of 5. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Bradley Horrocks with a score of 86 from 89.
23 January 2021
- Rob Foster commented on his game with Apterous Rex. [+2 others]
- Adam Latchford commented on his game with Brendan Duke.
- RJ Huggins tied the record number of maximums for Goatdown Standard with 15 maxes.
- RJ Huggins tied the record number of maximums for Goatdown Standard with 15 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Fiona T, who lasted 10 rounds with a target of 5. Woof!
20 January 2021
- New: apterous History: December 2020.
19 January 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Rob Foster's 288 - 0 Goat Attack win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
- News: The Liberal Democrats has been crowned champion of Apterous Council Elections 2021!
18 January 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
12 January 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Rob Foster's 190 - 107 Goat Attack win against Dylan Taylor! This week's vote is now open.
11 January 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
- News: Dave Robjohns has been crowned champion of Spoilers (2020 (human winner))!
- News: Apterous Rex has been crowned champion of Spoilers (2020, overall winner)!
9 January 2021
- News: Donald Trump has been permanently banned from apterous.
8 January 2021
- News: Thomas Carey has been crowned champion of AptoLeague (S4 Cup)!
5 January 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Elliott Mellor's 152 - 0 Instant 15 win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
4 January 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
3 January 2021
- News: Dave Robjohns has been crowned champion of Beat Your Bot x3!
2 January 2021
- News: A total of 35 Duel Necklaces were awarded for December 2020.
1 January 2021
- News: The Duel for December 2020 was won by Elliott Mellor!
- News: Callum Todd has been crowned champion of AptoLeague (S5 League)!
- Fixed: Fixed an ancient bug with Touchdown conundrums (including Touch Jnr and Hypertouch). These should be quite a bit more interesting now! [Discussion]
29 December 2020
- News: Game of the Week was won by Dan Byrom's 144 - 128 15 Rounder win against Luke Johnson-Davies! This week's vote is now open.
- News: Johnny Canuck has been crowned champion of AptoNHL!
28 December 2020
- News: Thomas Carey has been crowned champion of AptoLeague (2020 CoC)!
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
This website is not endorsed by or affiliated with Channel 4, the makers of Countdown, or any person associated with the aforementioned in any way whatsoever at all, never has been, never will be, and moreover is proud not to be. Yep.
Page generated in 0.6113 seconds. It's 07:50:56 on Wednesday 27 January 2021 here at Apterous Towers. Design and all good stuff copyright © Charles Reams 2008–2021. In memory of Phillip Harcort Collinge, never forgotten. Some graphical and aesthetic elements by Matt Morrison and Jon O'Neill.