[REQUEST] Bow and Arrow Unabridged for Windows 3.x (Version 1.0 or 1.1)

Greetings, all! Figured I'd try my luck here, as this forum appears to be fairly active and littered with knowledgeable gamers and collectors alike.

In essence, I'm looking for an unabridged version of Bow and Arrow 1.1 - In Search of the Greatest Archer, made available from 1996 onward. An 1992 unabridged version for 1.0 is also welcome, but the former is preferred for its additional content.

For those of you unfamiliar with the shareware title, it is a simple 16-bit Windows archery game released in 1992 and 1996, as versions 1.0 and 1.1, respectively. The abridged version of the game contains 12 playable levels, but the unabridged version stretches this to 22. Added along with the 10 levels are sound effects, absent from the shareware versions, and couple other bonus features (exclusively for 1.1), such as two additional programs and helpful hints.

For many years I've been searching (on the internet and elsewhere) for an unabridged version of Bow and Arrow 1.1, with no success. Others have also requested this game on certain forums, also without luck. The only finds are links to the aforementioned shareware versions, and discussions regarding both the abridged and unabridged versions. I have also been unable to contact individuals who once claimed to possess the full version, so that also went kaboom.

Originally, to obtain the unabridged version, a registration form could be filled in and sent to the creator, John di Troia, along with payment of $12 - $15. It is therefore copyrighted and illegal to share it, should it be obtained (to my knowledge, registered players would receive a packaged CD containing the game). There are valid reasons for my request, though.

The problem is that it is seemingly impossible to contact the developer, as the only information available are two US postal addresses from '92 and '96. Living outside the US does not help my case either, as the person might not even live there anymore, should I choose to send an international mail order. No trace of other contact information can be found, even after extensive searching. Therefore, the options left are to ask fellow gamers and collectors whether they can be of help in this regard, either to provide the CD contents or by redirecting me to possible contact info.

Either the unabridged version of the game is lost to time, it is hidden in some obscure, nightmarish corner of the interwebz (such as an FTP) or some collector is in possession of a copy, and is willing to let it see the light of day again.

I simply desire to enjoy the contents of this game, and not to hoard it. Any assistance (I say, please) in tracking the elusive full version will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Edited to add screenshots (for visual stimulation), as seen below:


(This is seemingly an unusual request for this forum, so apologies for breaking any overlooked rules on my part.)

 

Now this is intriguing. Basically you're asking to dox the guy, right?

You'll find a few people on whitepages.com going by that (or a similar) name, at least one of which has lived in both cities mentioned in the B&A credits. Maybe you could just send all of them some snail mail asking if they're the author and hope for the best? Unfortunately some of the "Premium Info" is region locked (to the US; possibly followed by a paywall because "Premium", dunno).

(also, lol @ the "obscure, nightmarish FTP". Try Usenet, or XDCCs on IRC some time.)

 

Essentially, yes, but not to maliciously expose him. Simply to gain access to a game that is, at this point in time, out of reach. Whether the author chose not to make himself available, or stopped caring about it, no one seems to know. Might even be abandonware, as far as someone is concerned.

I actually stopped just short of snail mailling any of these okes, as there are no further information available about them. Also, it's strange how one used to live where the other did. It's circumstances like these that forces me to ask around first, to find out if the game is already available somewhere before taking further, riskier steps.

Not being able to easily contact a person, especially in this internet age, is quite frustrating. Along with the game's scarcity and the copyright issues, it raises moral questions about how to obtain this game. It borderlines on obscurity and yet, few attempts are made to rediscover it. Something must be done.

Any thoughts on this?

 

I remember this game and loved it so much I was been looking for it for ages because I had forgotten the name. I'm not sure if this is the version you're looking for but this is where I downloaded the copy of the game. It is an unregistered version like you've displayed in the screen shots.
http://www.christopherjhopkins.com/bow-and-arrow-win-31.html
Sorry if I was no help. Btw this game was a childhood influence to me and I ended up making a game that was strongly inspired by it however it is incomplete and doesn't include my original story line for the game yet. If you are interested you can download my game for free at https://gamejolt.com/games/robingoestohell/286546