Host Guide

Before guests arrive

Prepare the Hootenanny

1. 1

   Connect the crowd’s screen

   Connect the Mac to a television, projector, or second display using HDMI, AirPlay, or your venue’s normal display system. Set macOS to extend the desktop rather than mirror it.

2. 2

   Open the question library

   Choose the folder containing your .hoot topic files. Legacy .ffcategory files remain supported during conversion.

3. 3

   Activate teams and hand out team cards

   Use the Animal Team Roster to add or remove up to 10 teams and set the winning-score target. Give each team its team card before the first question. Tell everyone: hold the card up to answer, then pass it to the next player on the team after every answer. A newly activated team starts at 0.

Keep private things private

Open the Player Display

Click Player Display or Open HDMI Player Display, move that window to the crowd’s screen, and place it in full screen. Before the game starts, guests see the farm welcome screen and team-card instructions while you work privately. If no external monitor is connected, the Player Display can still be closed and reopened safely for testing.

Choose categories and start tonight

Open Categories and choose exactly six playable topics. Preview question availability before confirming. The welcome screen stays visible to the room while you make your selections and reminds teams how to use and pass their team card.

When everyone is seated, repeat the card rule aloud: hold up your team card to answer; after your team answers, pass it to the next player on your team. Then click Start Tonight. This begins a clean game session and clears questions used during testing. Team names and current scores stay unchanged unless you start a New Game.

Repeat for each tile

Run a standard clue

1. 1

   Let the chooser select

   Click the chosen tile. Read the question clearly from the console or let the room read it on the Player Display. The Player Display reminds every team to hold up its team card—even on the first question.

2. 2

   Call the first team card

   In Spotter’s Call, nominate the first team whose team card you recognize. The selected team is highlighted on both displays and only that team gives an answer.

3. 3

   Score the one answer

   Choose Correct or Incorrect. The game awards or deducts the exact tile value, identifies the result on the Player Display, and reveals the answer. Either result ends the clue—never call a second team for the same question.

4. 4

   Pass the team card and continue

   The Player Display and Host’s Next Step both remind the answering team to pass its team card to the next seated player. Give the room time to see the result, then click Return to Board. A correct team chooses next; after an incorrect answer, the existing chooser remains in control.

One of each per game

Run the special events

Every game schedules exactly one Barnyard Hoot & Howl and exactly one Barnyard Boondoggle at randomized points after the board is more than halfway complete. At least four ordinary clues separate the two interruptions, giving players time to settle in and keeping the events from bunching together.

Barnyard Hoot & Howl — exactly once

When the scheduled Hoot & Howl tile is selected, the crowd initially sees only the event screen. Privately review the random team and challenge. Use Skip & Preview Another as often as needed, Present This Challenge when satisfied, or Return Tile to Board.

After the challenge, the host makes the decision—there is no audience vote. Choose Genuine Try — Award Points when the team makes an honest attempt, even if it is imperfect. Choose Refused / No Attempt — No Points only when the team declines or does not try. Used challenges do not repeat until a game reset.

Barnyard Boondoggle — exactly once

The Boondoggle begins automatically when its scheduled point is reached and at least two active teams are playing. Preview the leading team, recipient, and proposed transfer privately. Show the choice only when ready. If the leader selects Golden Horseshoe, record Hay Bale 1, 2, or 3, then reveal the result on your cue.

Finish with a flourish

Host the Final Challenge

1. 1

   Start Final Challenge

   Choose from the unplayed categories offered by the console. The game selects an unused 300-level question from that topic. The audience first sees current totals while you prepare.

2. 2

   Collect private decisions

   For each participating team, enter its bid or mark it Freeze. Keep answers and bids away from the Player Display.

3. 3

   Reveal and score one team at a time

   Show the final clue when the room is ready. As cards arrive, select a team, enter its bid, mark the answer, and let the screen reveal the updated total. The last team receives the same complete result reveal as every other team.

4. 4

   Reveal the winner

   Pause on the final team’s decisive total so everyone can react. Then click Reveal the Winner to show the winner board and begin the celebration.

Quick help

If something changes mid-game

Need personal help? Email MediaPro Productions.