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Assassins - Ultimate CD Games Collection (1994)(Weird Science)(Track 1 of 2)[!][Amiga-CD32-CDTV][CDD5332].iso
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1992-09-02
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Box
Idea conceived, designed and programmed by James Lean
(c)1993 James Lean
############################################################
1 Introduction
Box is an interactive adventure novel in which you guide the
main character, making his decisions and interacting with the world
about him. Interaction is achieved through an advanced text-only
interface which can understand plain(ish) English sentences entered by
the user. This document file contains all the information nessecary to
start playing the game, as well as various technical details
about the program itself.
A quick note from the author:
My most recent adventure game prior to this one is Life
After Death, which some people may have played. Well, Life After Death
is an ant and Box is an elephant. A rather grand and complex
elephant at that. It is the product of nearly a year's work, on and
off, which is reflected by the 300k long source code and the wierd
version numbers. It is currently a sort of shareware (described
later on), and I am quite happy for copies of it to be passed on.
If you want to get straight into playing the game then do,
although it might be a good idea to look through the 'useful verbs'
section of this file first. It must always be remembered that Box is
written mainly for the experienced adventurer, and the complexity of
the game only really shows itself after the first ten locations or so.
If you get stuck on these then don't worry; you can register the game
with me and ask for help.
Box should work on all Amigas with 1MB or more of memory.
If you have a 512K Amiga, then see the end of this file for a way of
possibly loading the game.
Apart from that I don't think there is much more for me to
say except enjoy playing!
James Lean
***
2 Playing the game
As described at the start of each game, you control a young
man from a gods-fearing village beside a lake. You have decided to
undertake a challenge which only a few have ever dared try, a
challenge set out by the Gods of Everything who rule the world. If you
succeed you may be granted a place in the high palace, and even become
a god yourself. If you die you will fail, and if you fail you will
die. At all times the gods will be watching you, and at the end of the
game you are required to attend a trial which will decide whether or
not you deserve the honour of succeeding. Everything you have done up
until that point will be taken into account, and your moral conduct
will be scrutinised.
2.1 Philosophy behind playing
Box is a world. Characters live in it. You are a character.
2.2 Rules of playing
A typical screen set-up would look like this:
Flimsy bridge. You are
standing on a rather flimsy looking bridge. The swollen river tumbles
beneath you.
Notable objects include a bright blue key and a large tasty orange.
A fat hamster called Colin is here.
What now?_
You are now expected to input a sentence following the rules of the
parser as outlined below. A number of special commands detailed in a
later section are also available.
The first part of the description -Flimsy bridge- is a brief
description of your surroundings, and will be the only thing displayed
next time you enter that particular location. Of course, typing LOOK
reveals the complete description. Next follows a small paragraph of
text describing the location in more detail. Anything which appears in
the Notable Objects section is an object, and follows the normal
object rules. Some objects will be takeable, while others will be too
heavy. The fat hamster called Colin is a character, and his presence
will always be described in this way.
2.2.0 The parser
The parser in box is quite sophisticated, and should be able
to understand most of your requests. It works on the assumption that
every sentence contains a verb, and possibly a noun and a second
object. This means that the following sentences are all valid:
SLEEP
TAKE ROPE
TAKE THE ROPE
TAKE THE ROPE FROM THE BOX
Note that simply typing TAKE ROPE is acceptable, although the parser
does tend to prefer more verbose sentences. The bottom example
demonstrates the requirement that in order to take an object from
inside another object, that other object must be specified in the
command. Simply typing TAKE THE ROPE in this case would not suffice.
The order in which parts of the sentence appear need not
follow the above guidelines. The following are all acceptable:
DROP THE MOUSE DOWN INTO THE HOLE
INTO THE HOLE DROP THE MOUSE
DROP INTO THE HOLE THE MOUSE
Adverbs are also understood, so the following may be used:
QUICKLY DROP THE MOUSE INTO THE HOLE
INTO THE HOLE DROP THE MOUSE QUICKLY etc etc
Sentences may be strung together in the following fashion:
KILL THE WOLF AND THEN RUN NORTH
UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY AND EAT THE CAKE
Multiple nouns may also be specified if separated with AND THE:
TAKE THE COIN AND THE WALLET
HIT THE TROLL AND THE WHALE WITH THE SAUSAGE
Certain verbs such as take may also take the ALL or EVERYTHING nouns:
TAKE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CUPBOARD
The word IT is also understood, so after taking the food, typing EAT
IT would be perfectly legal. Here are a couple of other examples:
UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY AND OPEN IT
WITH THE BOTTLE HIT THE GUARD AND THEN OPEN IT
Please note that IT can only specify a single object, and the
following sentence can therefore not be used:
CLOSE THE RED BOTTLE AND THE BAG AND DROP THEM
Each object in the game has two adjectives describing it (eg The small
cuddly teddy). On most occasions it is acceptable to simply refer to
it using a single noun, but on occasions when there are many similar
objects around you may be asked to be more specific. For example:
User - TAKE THE BOTTLE
Response - Which bottle do you wish to take?
User - TAKE THE RED BOTTLE
A singal case which should be remembered is the situation of pouring a
liquid from one container to another. Typing POUR THE WATER FROM THE
SMALL JUG INTO THE TEAPOT involves too many objects in one phrase, so
the user must instead enter:
POUR THE SMALL JUG INTO THE TEAPOT
It sounds a bit unusual, but is really the neatest way of getting
around the problem.
This game uses a shared parser system, in which the actions of
every character in the game are handled by exactly the same pieces of
program. This means that everything is fair as everybody (including
yourself) runs under the same set of rules. For example, when a
character wishes to open a door, it sends the sentence "OPEN THE DOOR"
to the parser, just as you would. It is then handled in the same way.
This system allows great flexibility in character control, such as
providing the possibility of asking other characters to do things, or
even taking over their bodies completely.
See the technical details section at the end of this documentation for
more information.
- Special commands and useful verbs
A number of special commands exist which do not relate
directly to performable actions. These are:
LOAD/SAVE - Loads or saves the current
game position. This may be
done at any time. A file
requester will appear with
the default filename,
Current.game already
selected. Click on a name
or enter a new one, then
click OK.
AGAIN - Performs the last action
again. Your default
character is the only
person who can do this.
TIME - Displays the Adventure
Standard Time.
STRENGTH/ENERGY - Reports on your current
physical health.
QUIT - Quits the current game.
Also option to quit the
program.
AUTHOR - Displays the author's name
and contact address.
SCRIPT - Turns on printer output.
Anything normally printed onto
the screen is now also sent to
PRT:
UNSCRIPT - Turns off printer output.
SHOP - Calls up the Adventure
Supplies store. Details of
this facility are available
elsewhere in this file.
2.2.1 Characters
The world in which Box is set is inhabited by a large number
of characters, each free to roam around and interact with their
environment. You control one of these characters. What this means is
that you are treated in exactly the same way as everybody else,
obeying the same physical laws and being just as vulnerable. It
follows from this that each character is capable of performing the
same wide range of actions as you are.
Some characters are much stronger than you, while others may
be weaker. This means that the help of other stronger characters may
be useful for lifting heavy objects or other activities which require
large amounts of strength. Particular characters may be able to help
you in other ways, but only if you keep on their good side. It should
also be remembered that each character has opinions about every other
character which he/she/it has come into contact with, so approaching
certain characters through other people is often helpful.
Because of the complex character control system used by Box,
talking to other characters is quite easy. If you wish to give another
character an instruction, simply enter the character's name followed
by a comma, then the command. For example, if we wanted to tell
somebody called Bob to take the hammer and go north, just type:
Bob, take the hammer and go north
It's that simple. Any sentence which can be recognised by the main
parser (see 2.2.0) can be understood by a character, with words such
as 'your' being translated in the process. The only two things
that should be remembered when communicating with characters are:
1) If a character does not understand your instruction, or is unable
to comply, that character will give you no response.
2) It is entirely up to a particular character whether or not they are
going to do what you have asked. Their decision is based on how much
they like you and whether they have a personal reason for not doing
what you have said. For instance, it is no good trying to ask a mother
to attack her own children; she just isn't going to do it.
Another method of communicating with other characters is by asking
them simple questions, which usually take the form, ASK name ABOUT THE
subject. For example, ASK THE GIRL ABOUT THE HORSE-SHOE. If a
character has some special information about what you are asking they
will tell you, and if they don't then they will say so.
2.2.1.1 Rules of being a character
Each character in the game, including yourself has to work
in accordance with the following physical laws:
1. Every character has its own level of strength which varies
throughout the game. Activities which drain strength include fighting
and walking with heavy objects. Once a character has exhausted its
strength, it dies. Ways of replenishing strength include eating,
drinking and sleeping. Sleeping must be done once every day, or
dying of exhaustion is likely. When a character (including yourself)
sleeps, all of the other characters are still going about their
business, so it is wise to find a safe place to sleep. Time spent
sleeping varies depending on how tired a particular character is, and
what the time actually is (each character has a body-clock). Also,
when you sleep, beware of dreams!
2. The objects which a character manipulates can take a variety of
forms, including pervious and impervious containers, edible
foodstuffs, liquids and items of clothing. Each object has its own
endurance strength, and will break under suitable strain. Some objects
can be used effectively as weapons, increasing a character's chances
in a combat situation. Some objects may be contained inside other
objects, which in turn may have to be unlocked or opened to get
inside. Each object has its own size, so many small objects can be
stored inside a large box, while only one or two objects of a
greater size will fit. Some objects such as ropes may be tied to other
objects.
3. Fighting occurs when two characters who less than like each
other meet or have a disagreement. When one character hits another,
the other is most likely to respond. Attacks can be made either with
bare hands or with a weapon. Most characters will automatically use
the most effective weapon that they are carrying. Fighting drains the
strength of characters depending on the fitness of the attacker and
the effectiveness of the weapon. Note that characters other than
yourself may get into fights while not in your presence, so do not be
surprised to find dead bodies lying around on your travels.
2.3 The shop
By entering the command SHOP at any time during play, time is
frozen and you are given access to the Adventure Standard Supplies
Store, which sells food, weaponry and a variety of other goods. To
make an order, simply follow the on-screen instructions, specifying
which items you wish to purchase, and finally entering your name and
the address to which you would like the goods delivered. A file will
then be output onto a blank disk (which you just happen to have
handy). This disk can then be mailed to the author's address (given in
the program by typing AUTHOR) along with the appropriate payment. The
game position stored on the disk will then be updated and promptly
returned with the requested objects in your inventory.
[A note from the author:
This ordering system is my alternative to Shareware. Instead
of asking you to just send me some money, I felt that doing so should
benefit your enjoyment of the game. The first item on the order list
is always an application for Citizenship to the world of Box, and is
always free. If nothing else, I would ask that you order this and send
it to me (along with return postage if nothing else is ordered), as it
amounts to registration of the program. Returned on the disk will be
the latest version of Box, and a few other bits and bobs. It also lets
me know how well people are doing in the game. ]
Prices in the shop are quoted in the currency units &. One & is
currently equal to:
One British Pound
One and a half US dollars
One blank new DSDD disk
Payments are acceptable (and appreciated) in any of the forms quoted
above. If you have any comments or have encountered some annoying
bugs, then I would like to here them. During any order or registration
I am happy to give any help that is required. Just slip a note in with
the disk and I will sort out your problem.
2.4 Cheating
I said this with Life After Death, and I'll say it again.
Cheating this game will not be terribly tricky, but won't be terribly
rewarding either. The game is supposed to provide enjoyment, and I
believe that it can only really do that if it is played properly.
If you do get stuck then ask me for some help.
2.5 Bugs
With a game of the size and complexity of Box it is inevitable
that a few bugs creep in. Extensive playtesting has uncovered and
ironed-out most, but if you really get stuck into the game then one or
two may well surface. If these bugs get in the way of your enjoyment
of the game then send me the disk and a description of the problem,
and I will sort it out and return the game to you. If you have not
registered then please include return postage.
Also, if anybody out there uses an NTSC monitor with this game
then please state this on registering and I will return you a version
of suitable screen size.
2.6 Copyright/Distribution Notice
Box is freely distributable provided that it is kept intact
with all of its files, and is not modified in any way. It is still the
copyright of the author James Lean.
2.7 512K Amigas
If your Amiga has only 512K of memory then you may have
trouble fitting box in. A simple solution is to take a Box bootable
disk (this one should be), and replace its startup-sequence with
simply the command Box . This can be done by entering the Shell and
typing ECHO >BOX:S/STARTUP-SEQUENCE "BOX". When booting Box make
sure that all extra disk-drives or hard-drives are turned off or
disconnected as these eat up valuable bytes. This method works
sometimes, but it must be remembered that Box is really meant for
Amigas with 1MB or more of memory.
2.8 Have fun
Lastly, I hope that you enjoy playing Box, as that is the only
reason why I bothered to make it. I hope that it does not run too
slowly on a 7 mhz machine, but the character control requires so much
thinking time that it is unavoidable.
If you enjoy playing it, then please become a Box Citizen. It costs
you nothing (except postage), and lets me know that there are people
out there who are benefiting from my work.
If you have any problems or comments then write to me:
James Lean
9 Stone Close
Taunton
TA1 4YG
England
***************************************************************
Thanks:
I just have to really thank the following for either their
contributions to this game, or for their contributions to my life in
general:
Mark - for his playtesting and the amazing
ability to make everything go wrong
whenever I show him the game.
Richard and Peter - My brothers. They have given me ideas
for this game even though they may not
realise it. For instance, Gorm is
Richard's fluffy teddy-robin.
Kirsty - For all-round moral support and
understanding.
Helena - For proving that the laws of physics
don't have to apply to everyone.
Shena - For being a satisfying character to
make.
Graham, Jon, Andi, Steve etc - For putting up with me telling them
about Box all the time.
Thanks!
Jim. 1993.