From wieder@mail.utexas.edu Sat Aug 10 18:49:24 1996 Path: news-f.computek.net!news.iadfw.net!newshost.cyberramp.net!gti.gti.net!news.uoregon.edu!arclight.uoregon.edu!netnews.worldnet.att.net!ix.netcom.com!news From: wieder@mail.utexas.edu (Charlie Wiederhold) Newsgroups: alt.games.duke3d,alt.games.apogee Subject: Official RTS FAQ ver 1.1 Date: Sat, 10 Aug 1996 23:49:24 GMT Organization: University of Texas at Austin Lines: 447 Message-ID: <4uj08v$np0@sjx-ixn2.ix.netcom.com> Reply-To: wieder@mail.utexas.edu NNTP-Posting-Host: tfx-us2-07.ix.netcom.com X-NETCOM-Date: Sat Aug 10 2:51:27 PM PDT 1996 X-Newsreader: Forte Free Agent 1.0.82 Xref: news-f.computek.net alt.games.duke3d:6411 alt.games.apogee:2253 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Official RTS (Remote Ridicule Sound) FAQ ver 1.1 Written By: Charlie Wiederhold Current as of: August 10th, 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: A ~ denotes a new section, and ^ denotes an updated section <1> Introduction <1.1> A word from the author <1.2> About this FAQ <1.2.1> Where to get this FAQ ^<1.2.2> Revision history <1.3> What is an RTS (Remote Ridicule Sound) file? <1.3.1> Apogee and 3D Realms, just a little info <1.3.2> Where RTS files come from <1.3.3> Where RTS files can be used <2> How to make an RTS file ^<2.1> What you need to begin with <2.2> Parameters for the sounds used <2.3> How to make a script file <2.4> I have this great file I made! What now? <3> Decompiling RTS files <3.1> What you need to begin with <3.2> What to do with the RTS file <4> Hints and suggestions for good RTS files <4.1> What kinds of sounds should I use? <4.2> About how long should they be? <4.3> "I hate 8 bit sounds! I want 16 bit!" ~<5> Trouble Shooting: RTS files that don't work ~<5.1> My RTS won't create? ~<5.2> RTS creates, but only some or none of the sounds work? ~<5.3> WAD file doesn't have IWAD id? <6> What files are already out there? <6.1> How they are rated ^<6.2> Front Ends for RTSMAKER.EXE <7> Contacting People About RTS Files <7.1> Charlie Wiederhold <7.2> Apogee <7.3> 3D Realms <8> Credits ============================================================================= The legal stuff that you probably won't read or even care about... This FAQ is copyright (c) 1996 by Charlie Wiederhold. Nothing contained within it may be distributed unless every single last ASCII character is sent with it. I put them in there for a reason, so leave it. Thanks. All credits shall be given to me, or to someone else by me. You may pirate this copy as much as you want, cause if you paid for it, you really messed up. All that I ask, is that you treat this with the proper respect in reverence of the time I spent on it to help you. Thanks! ============================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 1 - Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <1.1> A word from the author I am a student at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Computer Science. I currently maintain the largest RTS archive in the world, located at WiederWeb - http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~wieder/ROTT/. I play lots of games, and lots of game types, but 3D games tend to be my favorite. And, 3D Realms/Apogee are my favorite gaming companies. I will explain that later. Anyways, I CANNOT guarantee that everything within this FAQ is true. But, I will try to be as correct as I can possibly be. If you notice an error, or think something else should be in here, just contact me. I can be contacted from my page, or you can just e-mail me at wieder@mail.utexas.edu <1.2> About this FAQ I wrote this thing to help people out who get a bit confused as to what an RTS file is, and how to make them. Also, to attempt to bring to light, just how cool these things are. <1.2.1> Where to get this FAQ (and all subsequent updates) WWW http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~wieder/ROTT Usenet alt.games.apogee alt.games.duke3d FTP ftp://apogee.best.com ftp://3drealms.best.com You can also get it via e-mail by simply sending a bit of mail to wieder@mail.utexas.edu, and asking for it. <1.2.2> Revision history -Version 1.0 1) Initial creation, and verification from Apogee/3D Realms. -Version 1.1 1) Updated info on what you need to create RTS files 2) Updated info on Front Ends for RTS files 3) Added the trouble shooting information <1.3> What is an RTS (Remote Ridicule Sound) file? RTS (Remote Ridicule) files are the files that contain the sounds made when you push through in Duke Nukem 3D and through in Rise of the Triad. These first premiered in Rise of the Triad, and really took off in popularity with the release of Duke Nukem 3D. I assume they will continue to be used in many of Apogee's and 3D Realms' games. They are used predominantly in Multi-playing as ways to express yourself about something that happened, or is about to happen. The majority are humorous in nature, but a few have ventured into making a serious file with a real purpose. Please note: RTS files can be heard in both multiplay and single play in Duke 3D. They can only be heard during multiplay in ROTT. <1.3.1> Apogee and 3D Realms, just a little info Apogee is the company that revolutionized the method of marketing games. They released games as shareware before actually sending it to the selling blocks. Now, almost all the major companies will release a shareware version of their games before the actual full version. With such classics as Commander Keen, Duke Nukem 1 & 2, the Kroz series, and many others, Apogee was able to establish themselves as a major game maker. Some of the newer hits are Wacky Wheels, Rise of the Triad, and Xenophage. With some new games in planning, Apogee just keeps on going, providing some of the highest quality games out there. 3D Realms is the fledgling branch of Apogee, that focuses on the 3D type games. Currently they have released two games, Terminal Velocity, and the smash hit Duke Nukem 3D. Look for many more fantastic 3D games from this company, including Blood and Prey. Prey will be the first game to use the TRUE 3D engine from 3D Realms. <1.3.2> Where RTS files come from RTS files originated with Rise of the Triad, and one came with the game. But, Apogee gave out the program with which to create them, and now users have taken over the spotlight. Over 170 new RTS files are now floating around the internet, and I am sure that number will continue to grow as more users find an interest in them. <1.3.3> Where RTS files can be used As stated before, RTS files can currently be used in two games. Rise of the Triad, and Duke Nukem 3D. New RTS files can be selected for use in these games from the setup programs. In Rise of the Triad, they are listed under the "Use Modified Stuff" option, and in Duke Nukem 3D, they are changeable from within the Modem, Serial, and Network options. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2 - How to make an RTS file ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <2.1> What you need to begin with Note: This gives a description of how to make an RTS _without_ the use of any extra front ends, etc. The use of a front end is highly suggested, as it speeds the process of making RTS files. First of all, you need the program RTSMAKER.EXE. The most current is RTSMaker v2.0. It allows you to not only assemble, but also take apart RTS files. Very convenient when you have sounds from several RTS files that you feel should be in one compact file. You can get this from almost any quality Duke 3D or ROTT site (including the official 3D Realms and Apogee BBS web pages), and also at my RTS web site. Plus, it is included with many titles released by 3D Realms/Apogee. RTSMaker v1.0 is available from the ROTT CD, and the disk based ROTT Power Pack. RTSMaker v2.0 is available on the Duke3D CD. Before you do anything, you may want to check out one of the deepest secrets of the RTSMAKER.EXE file. Just type it at the DOS prompt, and some wonderful help information comes up. Believe me, very few people even know about it. You will need 10 .WAV or .VOC sound files. Many cool sound files can be found around the internet, or maybe you have some on your computer. If you like a certain theme look for a web site about that theme, and you are almost guaranteed to find some cool .WAV files there. You can use both .VOC and .WAV files when creating an RTS file. Also, there are many .WAV and .VOC file editors out there, one of which is currently at my web site. You can visit several sound related web sites and find some other good editors. These can be used to clean up a sound, or cut a sound to make it shorter. But, the basics are RTSMAKER.EXE and 10 .WAV or .VOC sound files. <2.2> Parameters for the sounds used I do not currently know the variations of sounds that can be used to create an RTS file, but please keep in mind that you should keep them fairly simple. Here are a few notes from Mark Dochtermann: You can have 8 or 16 bit sounds. You CANNOT have stereo. You can have anywhere from 2Khz to 44Khz sounds. The size of a sounds is not limited, but the game has to be able to load it. You make it too big, and the game may crash trying to play it. Trust me, the simpler they are... the more effective in game play they seem to be. A neat trick that has never before been released until now (Thanks Jim Dose!), is that you can make an infinite RTS sound. If you construct your .WAV or .VOC in such a way that it loops, you can put THAT in the RTS file. Then, when the person goes to select that sound, it will keep playing on forever. Not a very FUN trick for everyone else playing the game, but hey... it is still a trick! Don't go asking me for help on how to make a looping sound file... I don't have a clue, and will not learn how just so I don't ever have to tell anyone. ;^) <2.3> How to make a script file In order to make a script file, you need to know the format for what RTSMAKER.EXE will look for. Just use any ASCII editor (ex. DOS Edit) just as long as it saves the file in raw ASCII text. Now, on the first line of this file, type the name of the RTS you want it to make. This is so RTSMAKER.EXE will know what to call the file it is going to create. Then, on each line after that, type the names of the sound files you want included. Be sure to type the whole thing, including the extension. When you are done, save the file. Then, make sure that RTSMAKER.EXE, your script file, and the sound files are all in the same directory. Now, all you have to do is type RTSMAKER at the command prompt, and it will compile it and save the new RTS as whatever you specified in the script file. So, here is an example of a script file named MAKERTS.TXT that I might use. MyRTS.RTS Sound1.WAV Sound2.VOC Sound3.WAV Sound4.WAV Sound5.WAV Sound6.VOC Sound7.WAV Sound8.WAV Sound9.VOC Sound10.WAV Then, after I saved this text file as MAKERTS.TXT, I would type this at the command prompt: rtsmaker makerts.txt Note: It is often convenient to rename the sounds you want to something simple to remember, like Sound<#>.(WAV/VOC). This is for your sake to help prevent typos when trying to remember the names of all the sound files. <2.4> I have this great file I made! What now? You can upload this to me by sending it via e-mail to wieder@mail.utexas.edu I post every RTS file I get, unless of course, it doesn't work. This is the suggested way, because pretty much all other Duke or ROTT sites get their RTS files by checking in on my site. Thus, you have a higher chance of more people seeing it by sending it to me. Also, you will be ensured to get the proper credit. The only people who do not receive credit are people who send their file elsewhere, and the maintainer doesn't bother to say who made it. But, if you have a favorite site, go ahead and upload it to them. Chances are, I will find it anyways and have it posted soon enough. :^) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 3 - Decompiling RTS files ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <3.1> What you need to begin with You must have RTSMaker v2.0 in order to decompile an RTS file. <3.2> What to do with the RTS file Type RTSMAKER -u .RTS at the command prompt. For example: rtsmaker -u duke.rts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 4 - Hints and suggestions for good RTS files ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <4.1> What kinds of sounds should I use? You really should use sounds that fit into a theme. Of course, there are many RTS files out there that are pretty random, and still funny or effective, the best continue to be ones with a theme. As far as subject matter, the sky is the limit... or should I say, the number of sounds in the world is the limit? <4.2> About how long should they be? Long sounds tend to slow the game down while they are loading, and actually get in the way. Also, they simply make the file pretty dang large, thus they take a while to download and take up a lot of space. Short simple quotes that quickly make their statement seem to have the most effect while multi-playing. <4.3> "I hate 8 bit sounds! I want 16 bit!" What quality of sound you pick is up to you. There are advantages either way. 8 bit sounds are naturally smaller, but do not have the clarity of a 16 bit sound. You make the judgment yourself. Size or quality. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 5 - Trouble Shooting: RTS files that don't work ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <5.1> My RTS won't create? Be sure to double check your script file, and make sure that the spelling of all .WAV/.VOC files are correct. Also, confirm that if you are using .WAV files, that you are using RTSMaker Version 2.0. Also... make sure that your .WAV/.VOC files are actually sound files. Not some other type of file. <5.2> RTS creates, but only some or none of the sounds work? Again, confirm that your sound files are valid sound files. Try them out in other sound players. Secondly, if it is a .WAV file that is not working... try converting it to a .VOC file. Most of the time this will solve your problems. Some users have said that the program they used to create the .WAV affected whether it worked or not. So, try to use multiple programs to see if that is the probem. <5.3> WAD file doesn't have IWAD id? This means you are trying to unpack an RTS file that is not valid. There is nothing that can be done to fix that, except check to make sure that if you downloaded it, it finished downloading, etc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 6 - What files are already out there? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <6.1> How they are rated I set the standard for rating them by placing them into a G and PG rated section and a PG-13 and R rated section. Clarifying much more than that is next to impossible. Basically, they are divided into ones that curse, and ones that don't. Believe it or not, the number of G and PG rated ones out number the PG-13 and R rated. Proving that you don't have to be vulgar to be funny! If you don't know what G, PG, PG-13, and R mean, just remember this: G and PG are the family types, with no cursing or adult subject matter. PG-13 and R have cursing and/or adult subject matter. If you think a file belongs in a different category than what I have it listed, just e-mail me and tell me. I will then re-evaluate it and see what I think. <6.2> Front Ends for RTSMAKER.EXE There are currently two front ends for making RTS files. These programs don't actually create the RTS, but make the process of selecting what you want easier. These are: WINRTS.ZIP - Windows based front end DOSRTS.ZIP - DOS based front end written by yours truly I will not provide much info about them, as they already have included documentation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 7 - Contacting People About RTS Files ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- <7.1> Charlie Wiederhold As stated before, I can be contacted via my web page at http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~wieder/ROTT/ Or, e-mail - wieder@mail.utexas.edu <7.2> Apogee WWW - http://www.apogee1.com/ e-mail - apogee.software@apogee1.com <7.3> 3D Realms WWW - http://www.3drealms.com/ e-mail - 3drealms@3drealms.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 8 - Credits ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- First of all, I would like to thank Joe Siegler for checking this for errors, and being a big help in many aspects of my work I have done in relation to Apogee and 3D Realms. Plus, Mark Dochtermann and Jim Dose who verified a ton of information, as well as implementing the idea of RTS files in the first place! Dryden for sparking my interest in making a web site for Rise of the Triad, which let to a Duke Nukem page, which is where I began to set the standard for RTS files. Also, for all his help in teaching me much of what I know. Charlie Wiederhold - Duke Nukem 3D Rodeo Shootout We're looking for the best gun slingers in Texas! http://rampages.onramp.net/~bminer/duke/index.htm wieder@mail.utexas.edu