F.A.Q.
General game related questions
Q. What is The Shroud?
A. The Shroud is a mobile (cell) phone video game that incorporates location based gaming in a version of this game.
Q. What do I need to play The Shroud?
A. All you need is a cell phone. Check out the supported device list on this site as it becomes available.
Q. What is location based gaming?
A. Location based gaming is a means of playing a video gaming using technology like Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to track each player's physical movements in real life so that we can create a video game based on your real world position.
Q. What do I need to play the GPS version of The Shroud?
A. Again you need a cell phone but this time it has to have a GPS chip. Please refer to the supported device list for a GPS compatible phone The Shroud supports.
Q. How do I buy The Shroud?
A. You may either purchase this game directly from your wireless provider or from a number of websites. Please check the main site or forums for updates regarding availability.
Q. How much does The Shroud cost?
A. Costs may vary from operator to operator so please check with your operator for the exact price of The Shroud.
Q. How do I check my high score?
A. Depending on your operator you may either check your high score here on The Shroud site or via your operator's network of sites. However, not all operators support high score so please check with your operator if they support The Shroud high score system.
Gameplay questions
Q. How do I mute the sound/music or change the volume?
A. Go to the options screen, which can be found in the game main menu.
Q. How do I move my character in the game?
A. Depending on the phone you have you can either use the arrow keys or the numerical keypad. For example, "2"=up; "6"=right; "8"=down; "4"=left
Q. How do I water my plants?
A. First you need to open up your inventory and select the watering can. Once you are equipped with the watering can head over to a dock, move as close to the water as you can and facing the water press the "5" key. Once you have water in your watering can, walk up to and face the square you wish to water and press the "5" key. You have a limited supply of water so you will need to go back to the water source to refill.
Q. How do I farm?
A. First you need to use your sickle, axe and pick to clear the field of any debris. Then you need to use your shovel to dig a hole, water the square, plant a seed, water the soil once more then wait for something to grow. Once you have a crop growing you need to once again water the crop and just wait for the crop to be fully grown. Once the crop is ready, pick it up and take it to the shipping box.
Q. How do I look after the barn yard animals so that I can sell their eggs and milk?
A. You need to feed and care for your animals. Pay attention to them, they like it.
Q. How do I fish?
A. Open up your inventory and select the fishing rod. With your fishing rod in hand head out to one of the fishing areas (dock) face the water and press the "5" key. Then wait for the float to start bobbing and press "5" to reel in the fish. You won't catch a fish every time so be patient, but if you keep coming up without a fish try a new fishing spot.
Q. How do I mine?
A. You need to break rocks apart with the pick while in the mines.
Q. How does the International Farmers League (IFL) work?
A. The IFL is accessed directly from the game main menu. Choose and difficulty level and follow the in game instructions. Each challenge will be different so there is no one size fits all rule.
Q. I can’t get past certain obstacles or I can't clear all obstacles in the field, what do I do?
A. You need to upgrade the relevant item to clear certain obstacles. For example big logs can only be removed with upgraded axes and big boulders can only be removed with upgraded picks.
Q. How do I earn money?
A. You need to either sell your minerals, gems, fish or crops.
Q. What can I do with my money?
A. You can use your money to buy upgraded items or new items such as food or seeds which will help you in your quests and challenges.
Q. How do I find scheduled events?
A. Check out the calendar next to your bed.
Q. Can I repeat these events if I fail the first time?
A. This depends entirely on the event.
Q. How do I get Taro's stamina back up?
A. You have to get Taro to eat something or go to sleep.
Q. How do I get Taro's health back up?
A. You have to use health gems or eat something.
Q. What are all the foods at the store for?
A. Easting something builds up your stamina. We suggest you always carry a bit of extra food with you for long quests, when you head off into the mines or fight.
Q. Taro keeps falling asleep at midnight, can I avoid this?
A. No, this is a penalty for not going to sleep at a reasonable hour. If you fall asleep outside your house you will wake up the next day at noon and have less hours to do work on the farm.
Q. I don't want to farm all the time, what other ways can I earn some money?
A. You can sell your fish, or you can sell any gems or other items you may have found in the mines. There are a few other ways but we can give away the best secrets now can we.
Item questions
Q. How do I open my inventory and perform tasks?
A. The "#" key will allow you to open up your inventory. Once you have the inventory open move the red box over the item you wish to use. To move the red box, use either the arrows keys or the "4" key to move left or the "6" key to move right. When you have the box over the item you wish to equip Taro with hit the "5" key To exit out of the inventory press the numerical key "#" again. Once you have the item equipped to use the item you will need to hit the "5" key.
Q. How do I put an item like an egg or gem into my inventory?
A. Hit the "3" key.
Q. Why do I want to upgrade my items?
A. You will want to upgrade your items so that you can progress in the game. Certain areas of the game are only accessible if you have a certain upgraded item. For example giant rocks need to be broken up with upgraded picks.
Q. How do I upgrade an item in the game?
A. To upgrade an item you must pay for the upgraded item at blacksmith. This however requires you to have the proper ore and enough money to afford the upgrade. For example silver upgrades need silver ores, gold upgrades need gold ores. You might also be able to get a free tool upgrade if you play certain quests.
Q. What are milking gloves?
A. Milking gloves allow you to milk your cow. Please note you can only milk a cow when they have a high enough happiness level so keep them happy.