How it works
To win the competition, you need to most closely match the shots taken by Lee Harvey Oswald, as concluded in the Warren Commission Report on the assassination of JFK.
Accuracy of your shots (in terms of trajectory and timing) will be judged purely by the JFK Reloaded server, which is programmed to audit each shot for timing and injuries, and thereby arrive at a total score. The higher the total, the closer you are to Lee Harvey Oswald's actions – and thereby the more clearly you prove that Lee Harvey Oswald had the means and the opportunity to commit the crime.
Your shots will need to have exactly the same timing and cause exactly the same damage as the shots described in the Warren Commission Report in order to score the maximum possible total.
Repeating Lee Harvey Oswald's fatal shots – hints & tips
Can you give me some background information on the role I am playing?
The core of JFK Reloaded is that it recreates the events unfolding in Dealey Plaza at 12.30 on November 22nd 1963, as seen through the eyes of Lee Harvey Oswald.
The Presidential Motorcade has traveled from Love Field Airbase, through the crowds lining the streets of downtown Dallas, en route to the President's lunchtime engagement at the Trade Mart. The motorcade is now arriving at Dealey Plaza, passing from Main Street onto Houston and then left onto Elm Street, which will take it onto the Stemmons Freeway for the final part of the journey.
You are viewing the action as Lee Harvey Oswald, through the sights of a Mannlicher-Carcano sniper rifle, from a window on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building.
You have the freedom to take as many shots as you need, whenever you choose. But note that as soon as you have fired your first bullet, you have an envelope of one minute in which to take your remaining shots. Oswald had to take his shots, and then make good his escape from the Texas Schoolbook Depository building. He could not afford to stay at his vantage point shooting for any longer than was necessary to ‘get the job done,' as it would have meant the risk of being caught red-handed at the scene of the crime. Similarly then, your time at the window is limited.
We recommend that you do some background research into Oswald's actions, particularly if you are to achieve a high score in the JFK Reloaded Competition. High scores will come from replicating the timing and accuracy of Oswald's shots as reported in the Warren Commission's report into the assassination. You will find a large volume of Kennedy assassination material online, and we have listed a number of web sites on the Links page that should provide you with useful information.
Why don't I hit what I can see in the cross-hair?
JFK Reloaded uses an accurate physics model for the trajectory of Lee Harvey Oswald's bullets. Gravity and air-resistance make the bullets drop to the ground as they travel towards the target. This means that the cross-hair must be slightly above and ahead of the target, with the effect amplified as the target travels further from the gun.
How can I improve the timing of my shots?
In order to accurately replicate Lee Harvey's shots, we recommend that you study the numerous photographic and video footage of the day. Many elements in JFK Reloaded reflect those in the real events – road-signs, trees etc. – and can be used to work out the correct time to shoot. Check out our links for more detailed information on the events.
What happens if I don't try to follow Lee Harvey Oswald's exact moves?
While you're free to experiment with the number of shots fired and what you shoot, your forensic score will be reduced each time you deviate from the Warren Commission's reported facts.
What is the Chaos Meter?
JFK Reloaded is an interactive reconstruction based on real events. By default – and for Competition Runs – we have restricted the behavior of the underlying physics framework for maximum realism. Increasing the level of chaos allowed in the system will chiefly affect the level of panic amongst the vehicle drivers, and should bring some surprises – especially when not attempting to mirror Lee Harvey's shots!
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