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1994-05-19
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Geo-Political Warfare
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Version 0.96
May 19, 1994
SYSOP DOCUMENTATION
Written by Paul S. Taylor
***PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT BEFORE INSTALLING!***
Copyright (c) 1994 by Paul S. Taylor, all rights reserved.
WHAT'S IN THE ARCHIVE
---------------------
FILES INCLUDED IN GPWAR096.ZIP:
-------------------------------
GPWAR.EXE - Executable of GPWAR 0.96 online game.
GPCYCLE.EXE - Maintanence file - Run this in your nightly event.
GPUTIL.EXE - Utility program for GPWAR. Use this to delete games or
players from individual games. (Previously available
only to Registered users)
LICENSE.DOC - License Information. Please read before running GPWAR.
ONLINE.DOC - Online version of the PLAYER.DOC file. This is a quickly
written online file for your players to read. It contains
pretty complete instructions and hints.
SYSOP.DOC - The file you are now reading.
REGISTER.DOC - Registration Form (Fill this out to register GPWAR).
GPWAR.KEY - Registration Key File (REGISTERED VERSION ONLY)
FILE_ID.DIZ - Description file for uploading to systems.
INSTALLATION
------------
Unzip the GPWAR archive into the sub-directory that you plan to run
the GPWAR from. Depending on which type of BBS software you are running,
you should choose the appropriate command line parameters from the
listing below:
Parameter Drop file BBS Software - Notes
--------- ------------ -----------------------------
/1 PCBOARD.SYS PCBoard 12.x (See /P)
/2 JUMPER.DAT 2 A.M.
/3 OPUS 1.12 (not available)
/4 CHAIN.TXT WWIV, VBBS, TAG, Telegard
/5 CURRUSER.BBS RyBBS
/6 SFDOORS.DAT SpitFire
/7 AUNTIE.SYS Auntie BBS (Same as /1)
/8 Sapphire BBS (not available)
/9 cmdline SearchLight,Remote Access, etc.
/D DOOR.SYS DoorWay to Unlimited Doors, GT (See /S)
NOTE : This is the 'Short' DOOR.SYS
/F USERINFO.TXT Forum
/G CALLINFO.BBS Genesis (Beta)
/H INFO.TXT Phoenix
/M NUMBER.TXT ModuleX
/O LASTUSER.DAT Opus 1.14
/Oxx LASTUSxx.DAT Opus 1.14 ('xx' is the task number in hex)
/P PCBOARD.SYS PCBoard 14.x (See /1)
/S DOOR.SYS GAP, Force, Wildcat 3.x,Telegard (See /D)
NOTE : This is the "Long" DOOR.SYS
/W CALLINFO.BBS Wildcat! 2.x, Telegard
/R DOORINFO.DEF Most widely used file
/R# DORINFO#.DEF "#" represents NODE number
EIS-PC, FoReM, OLEcom, QuickBBS, RBBS,
Remote Access, TAG, TPBoard, UBBS, VBBS.
** NOTE: SOME parameter is required. If nothing else, a /L for LOCAL **
Drop File Path
If you do not run doors from your BBS's home directory (as
recommended) you will need to tell GPWAR where to find the
drop file. You can either copy the file to the directory that
holds the GPWAR files, or add the drop file's path to the
command line. Here's an example of how to do that running
PCBoard 14.x, assuming the home directory is C:\PCB.
GPWAR /P:C:\PCB\
NOTE: The '\' on the end of the path is required.
*** Some people have experienced problems with entering the path on ***
*** the command line. If you do have problems like this, just copy ***
*** the dropfile to the GPWAR directory and you should be just fine! ***
Other Command Line Parameters:
Local Mode Operation
--------------------
/L Forces LOCAL mode. Can NOT be overridden. If
either /C or /I are present GPWAR will exit.
FOSSIL Drivers
--------------
Some people experience difficulty using the Internal Comm Routines.
If you experience problems, please try using a Fossil driver as I
am much more sure of those routines.
F- Do NOT use FOSSIL (/I gives same result)
F+ Force FOSSIL use. (Ignored if /I is present)
F@ Deinitialize FOSSIL when through. By default,
GPWAR keeps the FOSSIL "HOT". This can be
combined with the above option (F+@).
/C:n Comport to use (See /C:n below)
Internal Comm Routines
----------------------
/B Locked Baud rate. If you are running a Locked comm port
you will need this command line switch if you aren't using
a FOSSIL.
/C:n Serial Port to use. You can force the program to use a
given serial port. Valid values are from 1 to 8, but
a FOSSIL must be used for serial ports above 4.
***** DO NOT USE /C & /I TOGETHER! *****
/I:x:nnnn Non Standard IRQ specification. If you are not using a
FOSSIL, and you have a non standard serial port configuration
you can use this option to specify your IRQ/port address info.
The default settings are equivalent to:
COM1 : /i:4:03f8
COM2 : /i:3:02f8
COM3 : /i:4:03e8
COM4 : /i:3:02e8
The 'x' is the IRQ number. It is a HEX value from 0 to F.
The 'nnnn' us the port address for communications. If this
parameter is present, the FOSSIL routines will not be used.
***** DO NOT USE /I & /C TOGETHER! GPWAR will determine
the comm port automatically when using /I *****
Other Misc. Cmd Line options
----------------------------
/N User Name (/N:Paul_Taylor)
This option allows you to pass the door the users name
through the command line. This is useful for BBSes like
Search Light, or if you are playing locally from DOS.
(Underscores are converted to spaces)
/Q Quite Mode
This prevents the Bells from sounding on the local console.
/Z:x User time limit - X is an amount of time between 10 and 50.
The users time in the door will be the lesser of this value
and the amount shown in the BBS drop file.
To run any of the above BBS Types Follow this easy layout:
GPWAR <BBS Type:Path To Drop file> <Optional Parameters>
For Example:
On a PCBoard (14.x) with the Home Directory located at C:\PCB\
the correct command line would be:
GPWAR /P:C:\PCB\
If you were running a Telegard with a DOOR.SYS drop file, (current dir)
the correct command line would be:
GPWAR /S
The following is a copy of the batch file ShadowRift uses to run
it's copy of the GPWAR door:
F:
CD\DOOR\GPWAR
BNU -L0=19200 Loads BNU - Locked port
GPWAR /P:F:\PCB\NODE1 Loads GPWAR.EXE for PCBoard 14.5 (See Note)
BNU -U Unloads BNU
CD\PCB
BOARD
Note: In /P:F:\PCB\NODE1 /P: is for PCB 14.x and F:\PCB\NODE1 is the
path to the PCBOARD.SYS file.
SINGLE NODE BBS OPERATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you run a single node board, you should include the following line
in your batch file that loads GPWAR.
DEL *.USE
This line will delete the inuse flag for the game the user was playing
in the event that they drop carrier. The .USE files are for multi-node
operation only, and have no bearing on single node systems.
GPCYCLE
~~~~~~~
GPCYCLE MUST be run every night - GPCYCLE is the maintenance program
for GPWAR. It recalculates all the statistics, etc. and goes through
the data files and deletes read/deleted information.
It is important to also delete all .USE files, in the event something
happens to one of your users while online.
It is suggested that you add the following lines to your NIGHTLY.BAT
file:
CD\DOOR\GPWAR (Or whereever you keep GPWAR)
DEL *.USE (Delete in use files)
GPCYCLE.EXE
GPUTIL
~~~~~~
GPUTIL is a small program that allows you to delete either entire
games, or delete individual players from GPWAR. Plans are in place
for future features such as editing of players name, owner name, etc.
and MAYBE a full player editor in the distant future. This program
will delete the appropriate files and rewrite the main data file that
contains data on all games.
GPUTIL is very basic. Be sure when you use GPUTIL, make sure that
all games have at least one player. If all games don't have at least
one player, there can be some unpredicatable results.
GPUTIL is a text based, menu driven program. Make sure that you
do NOT enter and invalid characters into GPUTIL, as it will give a
run-time error.
SYSOP COMMANDS
--------------
There are a few commands that can be activated only by a local sysop.
They are listed below:
<F2> - Toggle Status Bar Display Mode
Display Time Remaining (DEFAULT)
Display Active Communications (FOSSIL or Internal)
<F7> - Subtract one minute from time left for player.
<F8> - Add one minute to time left for player.
<F9> - Drop Carrier (With Fake Line Noise). This will disconnect the
current communications and send the user a string of random
characters to simulate line noise.
<F10> - Forcable return player to BBS. This notifies the play that the
sysop has terminated the gaming session.
FEATURES OF THE GAME
--------------------
ANSI EMULATION - This game uses ANSI to quickly display information
in an eye-pleasing and easy to use full screen format.
This game requires ANSI of it's players and ANSI.SYS
must be loaded on the LOCAL side.
INSTRUCTIONS - This game has online documentation so that the players
can quickly and easily learn how to play GPWAR. There
are also help screens scattered throughout the game to
explain in more detail some of the more difficult parts.
EASE OF INSTALL - GPWAR is SIMPLE to install on almost any BBS system.
ALIAS's - Each player must choose an alias upon begining a
game. They can have different alias's in each game
if they like. If you are not careful, your best friend
in one game could be your worst enemy in another!
CONFIGURABILITY - The Custom Game option allows you to set the starting
amounts resources, cash, and many other items. It
also allows you to change the number of turns of
protection, turns in the game, and allows the choice
of RANDOMLY chosen Majors or picked by each player.
With this feature, GPWAR can be almost totally
different each time you set up a game!
EASE OF UPKEEP - Players can start new games. When a game is ended,
after 5 days, it is automatically deleted. This
means that you, the sysop, have little to do to
keep GPWAR running.
STATUS LINE - A status line appears on the bottom of the local sysop
screen. It tells you who is on and how much time they
have remaining.
DROP FILES! - GPWAR currently supports almost all major BBS dropfiles,
such as PCBOARD.SYS (12.x and 14.x), CHAIN.TXT,
DOOR.SYS, DORINFO, & more.
INTERACTION - There's probably no other game that encourages it's
players to interact with one another more than GPWAR!
For Example - Early in the game, players must form
trading alliances to become successful - and later on,
they must battle one another for control of the galaxy.
ONLINE EMAIL - Players can send transmissions to one another.
This also helps with the interaction & helps form
strong alliances and vicious rivals.
MULTI-NODE - GPWAR supports Multi-Node operation and there is no
additional charge for a Multi-Node version.
LIMITATIONS!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Due to the massive number of requests, I have removed the 20 turn
DEMO limit. Now you can play out a full game.
The Unregistered version has the following limits:
- A MAXIMUM of 2 active games operating at once,
the registered version brings this to 15.
- There are now pauses in both when starting and
when leaving the game. These are minor annoyances/
reminders to register.
- Technology levels can not advance past level 30,
allowing the players to see some benefits of
technology, but not all of it.
- Inability to create Custom Games.
BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Registration allows you to run more than 2 active games (up
to 15, actually). It also removes the limit of Tech level 30, the
pauses at the front and back of the game, and it adds the CUSTOM Games
feature. With the CUSTOM Games feature, you or your players will be
able to start CUSTOM games - You get to pick how much money players
will begin with, how many troops, whether or not they get to choose
their major resource, or if it is random, etc. This feature is the
one that can make EVERY game of Geo-Political Warfare completely
different.
You will also have my ever-lasting graditude...
FUTURE FEATURES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following features are being worked on (or considered):
- Ability to choose the number of turns a transaction will be
valid for. (This currently defaults at 5 turns)
- Random events (Earthquakes, Tidal Waves, Technilogical Breakthroughs)
- Ability to hire mercenary troops of different efficiency levels.
- Ability to pay money/resources to more effectively train and
arm your troops.
- Ability to choose 'GAME MASTERS' - These would be the only
people capable of starting new games.
Please give me any suggestions for features you may have, as I will
be glad to consider adding them.
PLEASE REGISTER!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The continued support of this game and others of similar quality
depend soley upon registration. It is simple logic that if a programmer is
not payed for his (or her) efforts, then the programmer will work on
something else. As an added incentive, anyone who registers GPWAR
prior to version 1.00 with receive a free upgrade MAILED to their
place of residence upon completion of version 1.00.
UPGRADE POLICY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can register for the low price of $15 + a processing fee
(US currency only - See REGISTER.DOC). There are two ways to register
either by CREDIT CARD or by Check or Money order. If requested, I
will, send the game (or Key file, if you have the most current version)
to your FIDO Net address, otherwise it will be sent to you by Mail.
In addition to this, when version 1.00 is complete, it will
be mailed to you absolutely free. It will be sent through the mail
at time of shipping to all registered users. Each .50 version thereafter
costs an additional $8.00 (Programmer's time & Shipping Costs).
BUGS!
~~~~~
At this time, I will admit, there may be a few minor bugs.
If you have found a bug or you have a question or suggestion, please call
our BBS. Any help would be greatly appreciated:
ShadowRift BBS
24hrs/Day
(904)696-9238 Hayes 28.8
(904)696-9322 USR DS 14.4 HST/9600 V.32
OR send us NETMAIL through FidoNet:
ShadowRift BBS (1:112/63)
OR contact us at Compuserve
CIS ID# 74131,473
CREDITS
~~~~~~~
GPWar was written in Turbo Pascal 6.0 with Andrew Meads BOI
2.00 routines. GPWar's original idea is based upon the MajorBBS game
Galactiwars, however many things were added and changed. I truely must
extend thanks to Ricky Rhoden. He's the one who pushed me into writing
BBS utilities and games, and although I regret that we are no longer
friends, I am glad that we once were. Special thanks to Evan Schwartz,
the author of BattleGrid, for his help in my early programming career.
Thanks also go out to the many people who assisted me in Beta testing
GPWAR. Thanks also to John Garrard. He came up with piles upon piles
of suggestions and I only wish that I could have added more of them!