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rbm software's FIELD GENERAL version 5.0 'UNEQUALLED in pro football simulation' _____________ USER'S MANUAL _____________ Copyright (C) Rodney B. Markert 1988-1989 Copyright (C) rbm software 1989-1991 All rights reserved. 13117 Broughton Way, Austin, Texas 78727-3147 _________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS _________________________________________________________________ General disclaimer Unlawful software duplication and use What is Shareware? A note from the author About FIELD GENERAL Quick start Notes on future versions Playing options Automation Game speed Sound Regulation length game vs. short game Normal playing conditions The play clock option The real-time clock option Using the real-time clock only during the final minutes of a half Playing under WLAF rules The two-point conversion option Activating game screens Weather elements The play clock - in detail The game clock - in detail Without the real-time clock option With the real-time clock option Weather elements - in detail Game features - miscellaneous Visitors' jersey colors Ball marker Hashmarks Touchdowns Fumbles Penalties Kickoffs Kickoff "hands" team Field goals Fake field goals Field goal defense Punts Angle punts Fake punts The no-huddle offense Wearing down the defense Time outs Sudden-death-overtime Game exit function All-time game records The game screens The plays Terminology Choosing and entering a play User input Play results Statistics Tendency Tracking System (TTS) A final note _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ GENERAL DISCLAIMER _________________________________________________________________ Users of FIELD GENERAL must accept this disclaimer of warranty: FIELD GENERAL is supplied as is. All warranties of merchantability and fitness, including suitability for a particular purpose, and incidental or consequential damages, are hereby denied. _________________________________________________________________ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNLAWFUL SOFTWARE DUPLICATION AND USE REGISTERED versions of rbm software's FIELD GENERAL Software, User's Manual, and Supplement to User's Manual are protected under copyright law. Unlawfully copying, duplicating, selling, or otherwise distributing these products is hereby expressly forbidden. Copies of registered versions of rbm software's FIELD GENERAL Software may be made for backup purposes only. Warranties, updates, and user support will not be honored for any program which has been unlawfully copied. Copyright 1988-1989 by Rodney B. Markert and copyright 1989- 1991 by rbm software, 13117 Broughton Way, Austin, Texas. All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any way or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying, recording or through storage and retrieval mechanisms, without prior written consent of rbm software. The UNREGISTERED version of rbm's FIELD GENERAL Software and User's Manual (the Shareware version) may be copied and distributed freely as long as it is done so in its WHOLE (all files included) and UNALTERED form. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! _________________________________________________________________ -- WHAT IS SHAREWARE? -- _________________________________________________________________ Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software which suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. Shareware gives you the luxury of trying out working versions of programs at your own pace and in the comfort and convenience of your own home or work place. If, after trying the programs, you wish to continue to use them, you are TRUSTED to purchase them from the program's author or from an authorized dealer. In this manner, Shareware works well for both the author and the user of these programs. The unregistered version of FIELD GENERAL is a "Shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Users are free to share the unregistered version with their friends, but asked to please not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If users find the unregistered version useful and find they are using FIELD GENERAL and continue to use FIELD GENERAL after a reasonable trial period (60 days or less), they MUST make a registration payment to rbm software. The registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. They must treat this software just like a book. An example is this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!). The main difference is in the method of distribution. See the file "REGISTER.DOC" for the benefits of registering your FIELD GENERAL software. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR -- _________________________________________________________________ FIELD GENERAL started as a form of entertainment for myself. Two of the things which I enjoy most are programming and football. So when I bought my first computer and compiler program, a computer football simulation program naturally followed. I was disappointed with most other computer football programs on the markert because of their simplicity or unrealistic play, so I decided to create my own football game - programmed the way I thought football games should be programmed. Naturally, I wanted an entertaining game, but I also wanted a game which was challenging (especially when played by two people), somewhat sophisticated (requiring a relatively good understanding of the game of football), unpredictable (many possible results and outcomes), and realistic (a true football simulation). After tinkering with FIELD GENERAL for a while, I began distributing the game to friends for their evaluation. In short, because of favorable responses, it is now being distributed as Shareware. I hope you too will find FIELD GENERAL entertaining, and I look forward to receiving any comments or suggestions you may have on the game so I can continue to improve upon FIELD GENERAL's play. With user support, FIELD GENERAL is now UNEQUALLED in pro football simulation! Thank you. Rodney B. Markert _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- ABOUT FIELD GENERAL -- _________________________________________________________________ If you're a die-hard football fan, one of those armchair quarterbacks who often finds himself screaming at the person responsible for making those ridiculous play calling decisions which are costing your team a shot at winning a ball game, then this football game is for you! FIELD GENERAL simulates the game of professional football as closely as possible. rbm software's goal is to create an atmosphere in FIELD GENERAL where the players can experience the pressure and the excitement of a pro football game from a coach's point of view. By playing FIELD GENERAL, you may even learn a few things about the professional game of football. The game lacks some graphic features such as moving football players, but it does contain much of the strategy involved in outsmarting your opponent. As a player of FIELD GENERAL, your main concern is to determine and act upon your opponent's play calling tendencies. FIELD GENERAL puts you up close to professional football action by letting YOU call the plays! You must not only battle against the wits of your opponent, but you must also race against the clock! Our main goal is NOT to provide a game which has life-like graphics and interactive play where the user's joystick skill is tested through his controlling of players on the screen, but rather to furnish a game of play calling strategy in which the results mirror those of an actual professional football game. Our goal is to make this game as realistic as possible by having FIELD GENERAL comprise nearly everything which can happen on a football field. FIELD GENERAL is best suited for those fans who have a relatively good understanding of the professional game. You'll encounter fumbles & interceptions, penalties, quarterback traps, onside kicks, blocked punts & field goals, faked punts & field goals, angle punts, missed extra points, long punt & kickoff returns for touchdowns, 2-point conversions, a halftime show, an instant replay feature, snow, wind, rain, and much more! If you wish, you can even have a play clock and a REAL-TIME game clock for added game pressure! You even have the option to play under NFL or WLAF rules! At halftime and at the completion of the game, an extensive list of game statistics are given. Also, look at the file "GAME_LOG.TXT" at the end of the game to get a recap of the key plays and statistics on the scoring drives! FIELD GENERAL even keeps a listing of all-time game records in the files "TOPSTATS.TXT" and "TOPSHORT.TXT" for all you trivia enthusiasts! One feature which separates FIELD GENERAL from some other computer football games is teams are EVEN going into the contest. Neither team has an advantage on offense or defense; the computer is completely unbiased. The only difference between two competing teams are their play callers - YOU! Winning might take a little luck, but winning mostly depends on a sound play calling strategy! _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- QUICK START -- _________________________________________________________________ For those who are getting tired of reading this long user's manual and who just want to see what this game is all about, read these short instructions and go try the game! The game is very easy to play. The computer prompts you for all information it requires. When you start the game for the first time, we do not recommend adjusting the game speed or choosing to have the real-time game clock or play clock option. The real-time game clock and the play clock will only make viewing the game for the first time more difficult. We do recommend activating all the game screens so you can see what information each screen provides. The basic instructions you need are: 1. When a team is automated, the computer controls the specified team's actions. You may automate one or both of the teams. (See "AUTOMATION - IN DETAIL".) 2. When the computer asks you to "Call offense", enter 99 to get a list of offenses and enter 98 to get a list of special team plays and other information. Then enter the number which coincides with the play you wish to run. 3. When the computer asks you to "Call defense", enter 99 to get a list of defenses. Then enter the number which coincides with the defense you wish to run. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- NOTES ON FUTURE VERSIONS -- _________________________________________________________________ With the help of many people, the first version of FIELD GENERAL has been greatly improved upon. rbm software is pleased with and excited about the changes which have been made to FIELD GENERAL! We thank everyone for their comments and suggestions! With your support, we were able to make FIELD GENERAL a better and more enjoyable computer football game, further proving the concept of Shareware as a workable, marketing idea! Please continue to send us your helpful comments so we can keep improving upon this game. The following is a list of improvements rbm software is considering for FIELD GENERAL: 1. Improved graphics. Version 5.0 has improved upon the graphics of version 1.0, but even better graphics will appear in the future. 2. Better algorithms for automated teams. The automated teams play semi-intelligently now, but we hope to have them play even smarter in the future. 3. More plays are always being considered, many of which have been suggested by users. 4. A game saving feature for those times when players wish to stop the game and then restart it at a later time. Again, we thank you for all the comments and suggestions! _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- PLAYING OPTIONS -- _________________________________________________________________ FIELD GENERAL is programmed with many built-in options so you may tailor the game to your individual liking. The following is a list of variations of play for FIELD GENERAL. More detailed information about the individual options appears after this section. AUTOMATION After entering the participating teams' names, you have the choice of automating one or both of the teams. By automating one of the teams, you have the capability to play against the computer - a worthy opponent. The computer uses "smart" random play options to call its plays semi-intelligently. The automation feature fully automates a team with the computer calling plays and making decisions for the automated team. The computer makes intelligent play selections by taking the game situation into account (time remaining, down, yards to go, score, hashmark, etc.). And in case you were wondering, the computer NEVER bases its play selection on the play the user has called - HONEST! GAME SPEED At the screen where the team names are taken, you will be asked if you wish to change the game speed. Game speed is initially set to a factor of 4. This game was developed using an 8088 processor and a speed factor of 4 seems like a good speed for this particular processor. If you have a faster processor, pick a value greater than 4 to slow the game down to the desired speed. If your processor is slower or you just want faster play, pick a value between 1 and 3 to speed the game up. The halftime show and the time taken to retrieve game data off of the disk ARE NOT effected by this change in speed. So, if the halftime show sounds queer . . . we're sorry. You'll either have to change the "TEXAS.COM" file or you'll just have to learn to live with it. We know Texas A&M Aggie fans will want to change this file immediately! The speed factor DOES control the speed for all the other sounds, graphic drawings, and ball movement. SOUND Sound can be activated during the pre-game screen or during game play. Typing "77" at the "Call offense:" prompt will activate or deactivate the sound, depending on its status. REGULATION LENGTH GAME VS. SHORT GAME A regulation length game has 15 minute quarters while a short game has only 7 minute quarters. Besides the shorter length, the only other difference between these two types of games is in the keeping of the all-time records. All-time records for short games are kept in the file "TOPSHORT.TXT" while records for regulation games are kept in the file "TOPSTATS.TXT". NORMAL PLAYING CONDITIONS This is where the real-time game clock and play clock are not active. In this variation, players have as much time as they wish to call their plays. Time is subtracted from the game clock independent of slow or fast play. Each type of play and game activity is assigned a predetermined amount of time which it will take off the game clock. When a play is run, its corresponding time will be subtracted from the game clock. These predetermined times do a good job of simulating actual professional football game conditions, but limit the players' ability to manipulate the game clock through their play calling. We recommend this variation for first time players so they may become well accustomed to the game. (See "THE GAME CLOCK - IN DETAIL", for more information on how this game clock works.) THE PLAY CLOCK OPTION The play clock option is used to restrict the amount of time a player may take to call his play. Using the play clock is much like normal play, except there is a time limit on the calling of plays. This option will somewhat guard against slow play as well as introduce a more interesting play calling strategy. Since the defense has only 6 seconds to call their play after the offense has called their's, the offense may simulate a no-huddle type offense to give the defense little time to think about their next play. We recommend a hard copy of the list of plays when using the play clock. (See "THE PLAY CLOCK - IN DETAIL".) THE REAL-TIME CLOCK OPTION This option is only for the most experienced FIELD GENERAL players. This option provides players with a truly advanced version of the game. The real-time clock provides you with action under conditions closest to those of an actual professional football game! The game clock works like the clock in a pro game; the clock is stopped when a pass is incomplete, when a play goes out of bounds during the final minutes of a half, etc.. The play clock is also activated when this option is chosen. The clock can be seen running on the screen while the offense is thinking about the next play it will call. Plays and game activities still subtract a small predetermined amount of time off the clock, but since the time taken to call plays makes up most of the time taken off the game clock and since players have control over how much time ticks off the clock while they call their plays, this way of working the clock much better simulates professional football action. The offense can quickly call a play if time is running out in the half, or if the offense is winning near the end of the game, it can insure victory by taking the play clock down to 1 second to take as much time off the game clock as possible. The real-time game clock makes for some very interesting two minute drills! Only the most experienced and cool-headed FIELD GENERAL players can lead their offense in beating both the defense and the clock for a TD during the closing seconds of the half!. We recommend a hard copy of the list of plays when using the real-time clock option. (See "THE GAME CLOCK - IN DETAIL".) USING THE REAL-TIME CLOCK ONLY DURING THE FINAL MINUTES OF A HALF Another game clock option is using the real-time clock only during the final minutes of each half. If you choose this option, the real-time clock will be activated during the final 2 minutes of the 1st half and during the final 5 minutes of the 2nd half and overtime quarters. NOTE: If you choose the PLAY CLOCK option, set the play clock for 15 seconds, and THEN choose to have the real-time clock run during the last minutes of each half, a 15 second play clock will be used throughout the game EXCEPT for the final minutes of each half when the real-time clock is activated. PLAYING UNDER WLAF RULES The computer will prompt the user to see if WLAF (World League of American Football) rules should be used. If the user decides against this, NFL (National Football League) rules will be used. Playing under WLAF rules has the following effect: * Instant replay feature is deactivated. * Kickoffs fielded in the end zone must be returned. * Two-point conversion is activated (see below). * Overtime winner is first to score at least 6 points or lead at end of overtime period. THE TWO-POINT CONVERSION OPTION If users do not elect to play under WLAF rules, users still may choose the two-point conversion option. The computer will prompt to see if you wish to let 2-point conversions be attempted after touchdowns. If you do not want this option, all extra points will count as 1 point and will be attempted by each team's kicker. If the 2-point conversion option is chosen, each team has the option, after each TD it scores, to either attempt an extra point kick for one point or to attempt a 2-point conversion from 3 yards out. The offense may run its conversion attempt from the middle of the field or from either hash mark (the computer will ask for the player's preference). The conversion attempt is similar to other offensive downs. The offense chooses any of its plays, except a special team play or a play involving a deep pass route, and the defense chooses any of its plays. The offense is allowed only 1 attempt to get the ball over the goal line for its 2 points. ACTIVATING GAME SCREENS The "Chalkboard" and "Formation" screens can be activated at the pre-game screen or during play. Typing "78" at the "Call offense:" prompt will activate or deactivate the "Formation" screen, depending on its status, and typing "79" will do the same for the "Chalkboard" screen. By deactivating these screens, play will be faster. WEATHER ELEMENTS Weather elements are optional. The computer will ask you if you wish to have "perfect playing conditions". If conditions are perfect, there is no precipitation or wind to affect play outcomes. If you choose to have the weather elements be a part of the game, you may set the playing conditions in two ways. You can let the computer set the elements in a random manner, or you can set the conditions yourself. When you let the computer set the weather conditions, the computer may generate perfect playing conditions or any other combination of weather elements. Weather conditions stay constant throughout the game. (See "WEATHER ELEMENTS - IN DETAIL"). _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- THE PLAY CLOCK - IN DETAIL -- _________________________________________________________________ The play clock is optional. You will be able to choose this option at the pre-game screen. The play clock simulates the 45- second clock professional teams must play against in choosing and running their plays. If the offense cannot get their play called and the ball snapped before the play clock runs out, then they are given a 5 yard DELAY OF GAME penalty. NOTE: The play clock is a standard feature when the real-time clock is active. When you choose to use the play clock at the pre-game screen, you will also be asked to enter the number of seconds you wish to have on the play clock (this is true ONLY if the real- time game clock is NOT activated - the seconds on the play clock are set automatically when the real-time clock option is chosen). You choose how much time the offense has to call its plays. You can choose any time limit between 10 and 45 seconds. Any other input will default to 35 seconds. NOTE: You may only set the time limit the offense has to call its plays. The time limit the defense has (explained below) will always stay the same. If a 35-second play clock is chosen in FIELD GENERAL, the offense has 35 seconds to choose and enter its play. This should be easy for experienced players to do since the professionals must not only choose their play within 35 seconds, but must also get the play from the sideline, line-up, call signals, and snap the ball within this time. This is the reason we have added the feature of adjusting the time on the play clock. To make calling plays more difficult or to make the time restriction to call plays better reflect the time restriction professional football teams must face in calling their plays, we have allowed user's to set the play calling time limit to as little as 10 seconds. After the offense has chosen and entered its play, the defense has 6 seconds to respond and enter its play. The defense, like the offense, will be given a play clock to show them how much time they have remaining to call their play. So, the offense has control over the amount of time the defense has to think about its next play. In some cases, a hurry-up or no- huddle offense could prove to be very effective by causing the defense to make a bad decision, or to be accessed a delay of game penalty. REMEMBER, both the offense and the defense are subject to the delay of game penalty. There are two play clocks, one in the back of each end zone. To call your play within the given time limit, you must enter a VALID play before the play clock has run down to zero. NOTE: The play clock will be stopped whenever a team calls a time out. This means the team which called the time out may take as long as it wants to call its next play. If you are playing against an automated team, expect the following: * Automated teams will call their plays before the play clock expires. * When on defense, automated teams will call their plays quickly (within 1 second). * When on offense, automated teams will call their plays at any time during the play clock's time limit. WARNING: When using the play clock option, it is best to get a hard copy of the plays (see the file "PLAYS.TXT"). Having a hard copy of the plays will save you time by eliminating the need for you to call up a help screen. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- THE GAME CLOCK - IN DETAIL -- _________________________________________________________________ WITHOUT THE REAL-TIME GAME CLOCK The amount of time taken off the clock is determined by yardage gained or lost, the play selected (runs generally take more time than passes), and whether or not the game is within the two minute warning period. Within the two minute warning period, a play which goes out of bounds takes less time than a play which doesn't (generally, all plays take less time within the two minute warning period). A play is said to go out of bounds if the play starts AND ends at the right OR left hashmark. To clarify, a play must start and end on the left hash mark or start and end on the right hashmark. So, a play which begins in the middle of the field has no chance of being timed as an out of bounds play. Use the out of bounds to your advantage when trying to score late in the half. WITH THE REAL-TIME GAME CLOCK The main difference between using the real-time clock and not using the real-time clock is the real-time clock keeps track of how long it takes the offense to call a play. Without the real-time clock, the time the computer takes off the game clock after each play is determined by yardage gained, play called, and average amount of time needed to call a play (all predetermined). However, with the real-time clock, the offense controls how much time is needed to call a play. If time is short and the offense wants to call several plays, the offense can cut down on the amount of time its plays will take by calling its plays quicker. If the offense wants to eat up a great amount of time off the game clock, the offense can run the play clock down to nearly zero before calling its plays. The clock can be seen running on the screen while the offense is deciding on what play it's going to run (the clock does not run while the defense is deciding on its play because in an actual football game, the defense should be set and ready when the offense is set and ready). Of course, the clock does not ALWAYS run during this time. In a similar fashion to pro football, the game clock will stop after certain events. The events which stop the game clock are as follows: * incomplete passes * plays which go out of bounds during the final two minutes of the first half and the final five minutes of the second half and overtime quarters * changes of possession * scores * penalties (exception: clock will run after all declined penalties which occur outside the final two minutes of the first half and outside the final five minutes of the second half and overtime quarters) * time outs * two minute warnings * ends of quarters When the game clock is not running, the colons between the minutes and the seconds of the game clock are colored bright white. When the clock is running, the colons are colored bright red and a faint ticking noise can be heard. This is to help aid the players in quickly recognizing the status of the game clock. The play clock works a little differently when the real-time clock is activated. First of all, the computer automatically selects the amount of time the offense has to call its plays. When the real-time clock is in use, only 25 seconds is put on the play clock. Normally, the offense would receive 35 seconds to call their play, but under real-time clock conditions, 10 seconds is subtracted to account for the time the offense needs to break their huddle, line up, and snap the ball. However, during the last two minutes of each half, less time will be attributed to snapping the ball. Instead of 25 seconds on the play clock, the offense will have 30 seconds to call its play. (We think less time should be subtracted for snapping the ball within the two minute warning period because offenses are usually in a hurry-up type situation during this time. Thus, offenses shouldn't be penalized as much time for getting the ball snapped.) With the conception of the real-time clock, another play was added to the list of offensive plays under the category "SPECIAL TEAMS AND OTHERS". The play is offensive play #88 - ground ball. This play was added so the offense could stop the game clock within the two minute warning even if it had no time outs left. The play simply has the QB intentionally ground the ball after taking the snap. The offense loses a down, but it does stop the clock. NOTE: This play cannot be used on 4th down or outside the two minute warning period, and the real-time game clock must be in use before you can use this play. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- WEATHER ELEMENTS - IN DETAIL -- _________________________________________________________________ As the weather worsens, weather elements play a greater part in your play calling strategy. PRECIPITATION "Drizzle" is slightly disruptive, "rain" is moderately disruptive, and "snow" is very disruptive. As precipitation conditions grow worse, it will be a little bit harder to complete medium and long range passes. Precipitation affects medium range passes only slightly, and affects long range passes a bit more. Precipitation also affects the kicking game, but only slightly. The greatest effect precipitation has is on the outside running game. As the precipitation worsens, you will find it difficult to get good yardage by running to the outside (sweeps, quick pitches). This is because running backs will have more difficulty in cutting up field quickly, allowing the defensive pursuit to catch up to them. WIND "Good breeze" is slightly disruptive, "windy" is moderately disruptive, and "strong wind" is very disruptive. Wind direction will be either against you or with you. There are never cross- winds. Wind affects only passes which are thrown against the wind. Wind, like precipitation, does not affect short passes, but does affect medium and long range passes. As wind conditions worsen, completing medium range passes will become slightly more difficult and completing long range passes will become considerably more difficult. The greatest effect wind has is on the kicking game. If you are going against the wind, kicking distance will decrease, but if you are going with the wind, kicking distance will increase. Thus, wind direction becomes a very important strategic element as wind conditions worsen. Weather information is displayed to the left of the scoreboard. "W" is for wind and "P" is for precipitation. The following is a list of symbols and the weather element they stand for: > good breeze + drizzle >> windy ++ rain >>> strong wind ++ snow _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- GAME FEATURES - MISCELLANEOUS -- _________________________________________________________________ The game is very easy to play, prompting you for any information it needs. However, there are a few features needing further explanation. VISITORS' JERSEY COLORS The home team is always colored bright white. However, you may choose the color for the visiting team from a list the computer will provide. There is one fault in choosing the visiting team's color. If the game is played under rainy conditions and the visiting team's color has been chosen as brown, the visiting team's color will default to bright cyan. Since the field is colored brown (muddy) under rainy conditions, the visiting team's color would not show if its color was not changed. BALL MARKER The "" and "" characters act as the ball marker. The "" character indicates the home team has the ball and the "" character indicates the visiting team has the ball. The ball marker moves across the screen in increments of 2 yards to show the yardage gained or lost on a play. HASHMARKS For each play, the ball is snapped from either the left or right hashmark, or from the middle of the field. This is one strategic aspect of FIELD GENERAL because the offense may be in a position where it has more room to run a play to one side of the field. Since it is better to run plays to the widest side of the field (because the defense has more field to cover), the offense may elect to go to the wide side most of the time. However, the defense also knows this and will probably call its defenses to guard against plays to the wide side. Thus, the offense may, in turn, try to fool the defense by running a play to the short side of the field. The decision is yours to make! TOUCHDOWNS A touchdown occurs any time enough yardage is gained to cross your opponent's goal. The ball marker will keep moving across the goal until it has moved a distance equal to the yardage gained. The offense is only credited with yardage up to the goal, but viewing the ball marker will show you how far the play could have gone. A team may cross the goal and then fumble the ball away. In this case, a touchdown is still awarded because the ball carrier crossed the plane of the goal before fumbling. FUMBLES Fumbles may be recovered by either team. However, the defense recovers the great majority of them. If you run the game without sound, be sure to keep an eye on the screen so you won't miss a fumble message. PENALTIES Penalties can occur at almost any time. When they do, the computer will usually give you a choice of either taking the penalty or taking the down (obviously, if the penalty is against the offense, the defense makes the choice, and if the penalty is against the defense, the offense makes the choice). Your choice is made my entering a "P" for penalty or a "D" for down. If there is a question of who the offense is at the time of the penalty, look at the scoreboard. The team which has the brown "" characters to the left of its name is the offense. If a penalty occurs during a field goal attempt, one team has the choice to either accept the penalty or the field goal kick. The field goal kick is given in yardage from the line of scrimmage to the goal post. For instance, if the computer prints "FG attempt is 30 yards long.", then the field goal kick would be good if the line of scrimmage is at the 20 yardline or closer to the goal post. KICKOFFS There are 3 types of kickoffs you may choose from. The two we are sure you have heard about are onside kickoffs and deep kickoffs (regular kickoffs). The third type of kickoff is called a squib kickoff. This is where the kicker kicks the ball down field along the ground - not in the air. This kick will not travel as far as a deep kick, but it will cut down on yardage gained on the kick return. The reason this kick is used is to keep the ball away from the returning team's best return man, the player positioned deepest on the return team. In this manner, the kicking team can guard against a big return near the end of the first half or near the end of the game. The squib kick is also a good alternative to the deep kick when the kicker must kick into a strong wind. When a team chooses to kick deep, they must choose where to aim the kickoff (left, middle, or right side of the field). In turn, the kick receiving team must choose what type of return to set up (wedge left, middle wedge, or wedge right). The combination of these 2 choices will determine how successful the return is. For instance, if the kickoff is directed to same side of the field the return is called, the return will be longer than usual. If the kickoff is aimed to the opposite side of the field to where the return is called, the return will be shorter than usual. KICKOFF "HANDS" TEAM When receiving a kickoff, the receiving team has the choice of putting in their regular kickoff receiving team or their kickoff "hands" team. The "hands" team is used in situations where the receiving team is expecting an onside kick. Choosing the "hands" team will cut down on the return yardage, but will improve the chances of recovering an onside kick. FIELD GOALS Field goal attempts may come up short of the end zone. In this case, the defense has the option to return the kick. If the defense decides not to return the kick, the defense gets the ball at the place of the kick, or at their 20 yardline if the kick was attempted from inside their 20. FAKE FIELD GOALS Field goals may be faked, but the chances of converting a fake field goal for a first down or touchdown are slim. Naturally, chances for success are better when the defense chooses to try and block the field goal rather than guarding against a fake, and when only a couple of yards are needed for a first down or touchdown. FIELD GOAL DEFENSE There are 2 types of field goal defenses. A defense can go for the block or they can guard against a fake. When going for the block, they are more susceptible to a fake. When defending against a fake, they have less of a chance for a block. Defending against a fake will almost ALWAYS stop a fake. But remember, fake field goals, even when run against a defense going for a block, have a slim chance for success. PUNTS When the offense has elected to punt (but not angle punt), the defense has the choice of either trying to block the punt, maximizing a punt return, or checking for a fake punt and then setting up a punt return. A punt can be blocked even if the defense decides to set up a return, but a defense can improve its chances of blocking a punt by almost 3 times if it decides to go for the block. Chances of blocking a punt are even better if the punting team is within their own 5 yardline (the punter has less room). However, if the defense goes for the block, punt return yardage is decreased significantly. The reason why angle punts are difficult to block is because during these types of punts, the punting team is not as concerned with punt coverage as it is on regular punts. Therefore, the punter gets better blocking. When a defense decides to maximize a punt return, it is most vulnerable to faked punts and it will not have a good chance at blocking the punt, but it will get maximum punt return yardage. Going for the block will also put the return team in a vulnerable position against faked punts. However, by checking for a fake punt before setting up a return, the defense will greatly improve its chances of not getting burned on a fake punt, and it will still insure good return yardage. ANGLE PUNTS An angle punt is when the punter tries to kick the ball out of bounds near his opponents goal line. In this game, the punt may indeed go out of bounds, but it may also go into the end zone for a touchback, or it may stay in bounds and be fielded by the punt return team. A team may choose the angle punt option only when it is at or inside its opponent's 40 yardline. FAKE PUNTS The chances of a fake punt picking up a first down are better than a fake field goal picking up a first down. Naturally, the best chance an offense has at pulling a fake punt off is when the punt return team is setting up to maximize a punt return or setting up to block the punt rather than delaying setting up a return by watching for the fake. THE NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE As mentioned above, a no-huddle offense is simulated when the offense calls its plays quickly, giving the defense little time to think about its next play. Besides the possibility of the defense calling a bad play or being accessed a delay of game penalty, there is an added bonus to running the no-huddle offense. If the offense calls its play within 3 seconds, the offense will prohibit the defense from making player substitutions. Thus, the defense will not be able to go into its "3-4 Nickel Prevent" or "4-2 Nickel Twist Strong Zone" defense (in the nickel defense, a LB is substituted for another defensive back). When the offense calls its play within 3 seconds, the prompt "NO SUBSTITUTIONS!" will appear with the prompt "Call defense:" to tell the defense it may not run its nickel defenses. However, the offense cannot always keep the defense out of its nickel defenses. The exceptions are: * The 1st play of a drive. The defense was not on the field during the previous play. * When the defense was in a nickel defense the play before. No substitutions are needed. * The first play following a time out or the two minute warning. * The first play of a quarter. * The first play after a penalty. Note: the no-huddle offense can only be simulated when the play clock is active. WEARING DOWN THE DEFENSE An offense can wear down its opposing defense by running the ball and keeping possession of the ball for great lengths of time. By keeping the defense on the field, the offense will tire the defensive team. A small bonus is given to the offense which accomplishes this. An extra yard will be added to the result of a running play if the offense has run the ball at least 27 times (13 times for short games) and has had possession of the ball at least 27 minutes (13 minutes for short games) by the time the running play was called. An extra 2 yards will be added if the offense has run the ball at least 32 times (16 times for short games) and has had the ball at least 32 minutes (16 minutes for short games). When the home team has earned the bonus of an extra yard per running play, the computer will prompt the user with the message, "Home team has reached bonus level 1!" (a similar message will appear when the visiting team earns the same bonus) and a yellow "*" will appear below the team's name and score on the scoreboard. When the home team has earned the bonus of an extra 2 yards per running attempt, the computer will prompt the user with the message, "Home team has reached bonus level 2!" and a yellow "**" will appear below the home team's name. Again, this bonus isn't much, but it could make a big difference late in the game when the offense is in short yardage situations. TIME OUTS Time outs are used to keep the clock from running during the proceeding play. For instance, if on offense, enter "89" at the prompt "Call offense:", and then enter the desired play. By doing so, the clock will not run during the called play. Time outs will also stop the play clock for the team which called the time out (if the play clock option is in use). Thus, the team which called the time out may take as long as it wants to call its next play. When the real-time clock is in use, time outs will not only keep the clock from running DURING the proceeding play, but will also stop the game clock AFTER the proceeding play. Thus, the game clock will not start until the play after the proceeding play is called. Time outs cannot be called to keep the clock from running during extra points, field goal attempts, kickoffs, and punts. If the offense has called a time out and the defense is called for a delay of game penalty (the defense didn't call their play in time), the offense is not charged a time out. This rule is to prevent the defense from sacrificing a 5 yard delay of game penalty and causing the offense to waste one of its time outs. SUDDEN-DEATH-OVERTIME If the game ends in a tie, the game will go into sudden- death-overtime, and will not end until there is another score. GAME EXIT FUNCITON To exit FIELD GENERAL before normal program termination, select "74" at the "Call offense:" prompt. There is no game saving feature. ALL-TIME GAME RECORDS FIELD GENERAL creates the files "TOPSTATS.TXT" and "TOPSHORT.TXT" so you can view the all-time FIELD GENERAL records made using your copy of FIELD GENERAL. These files are dependent on the information in the files "TOPSTATS.DAT" and "TOPSHORT.DAT". By erasing these data files, you may renew the record keeping process, since FIELD GENERAL will have no way to recall previously set records. When viewing the all-time records, you may see the characters "**" appearing before the record description. These characters indicate the given record was set during the most previously played FIELD GENERAL game. FIELD GENERAL only keeps track of the best or worst performance in each category. To break a record, a team must SURPASS or EQUAL the given record. In this manner, the name of the most recent team to break or equal a record is recorded. Also, if opposing teams break the same record in identical fashion (for instance, if the record for "MOST FIRST DOWNS" is 25, and both teams earned 27 first downs in their game against one another), the VISITING team will be honored with the record. YES, this isn't fair, but this must be done since FIELD GENERAL matches only one team to every record. Overtime games cause a dilemma in the record keeping process because teams participating in overtime games have more time to accumulate more yardage, more traps, etc.. For instance, it wouldn't be fair if the current record for total yardage was 700 yards, set during a 60 minute game, and a team broke that record by gaining 705 yards in a game that went 10 minutes into overtime. To make the record keeping process fair, when certain statistics in overtime games (such as total yardage, total number of punts in a game, etc.) are compared to the current records, the statistics are modified to reflect a team's performance based on a 60 minute game. For example, if a team gained 500 yards in an overtime game which went a full extra quarter (5 quarters = 75 minutes), the statistic would be modified to 400 yards for the purpose of comparing this statistic to the current record (the team averaged 100 yards per quarter or 400 yards per 4 quarter game). This explains why there may appear to be inaccuracies when statistics from overtime games are compared against the current records. These statistics are not inaccurate, but simply modified to make the record keeping process more fair. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- THE GAME SCREENS -- _________________________________________________________________ Opening screens - shows developer's logo, name of program, copyright statement, and Shareware statement. Pre-game screen - enter team names, choose the teams you wish to automate, choose color for visitors, adjust game speed, choose sound, decide if you wish to have the real-time clock, activate the play clock, choose either NFL or WLAF rules, activate game screens, choose weather conditions, and flip the coin for possession. Main screen - shows scoreboard, ball position with respect to the field, and ball movement. The computer prompts for information on this screen. Formation screen - this screen only appears while the computer retrieves the play results from the disk. This screen may only appear for a few seconds for some plays. Use the <PAUSE> or <BREAK> key to get a longer look at this screen if it is being erased too quickly. This screen shows the offensive and defensive formations for the plays chosen, the yardsticks, and the position of the ball relative to the hash marks. This screen may be deactivated. Chalkboard screen - shows diagrams of both the chosen offensive and defensive plays and draws the path of the ball carrier or primary receiver. If you wish to view this screen for a longer period of time, the <PAUSE> or <BREAK> key can be depressed to suspend the game. This screen may be deactivated. TTS screen - appears at halftime to give you the opportunity to print any TTS reports on the first half of play. Statistics screen - appears at halftime and at the end of the game. This screen may be accessed when on offense by entering "76" at the "Call offense:" prompt or just before kickoffs by entering "4" at the kickoff prompt. At the end of the game, the program will end after this screen has appeared. Halftime screens - a brief and simple halftime show. The halftime show consists of two screens. To halt the halftime show, simply press any key during each screen and the halftime show will be cut short. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- THE PLAYS -- _________________________________________________________________ See file "PLAYS.TXT" for a list of all the plays available to you in this version of FIELD GENERAL. Some plays have restrictions on their use. For example, deep pass routes cannot be used within your opponent's 20 yardline. These restrictions are cited on the help screens and in the "PLAYS.TXT" file. TERMINOLOGY As you can see, the plays use numbers and letters to signify certain positions. X is the receiver lined-up to the left, Z is the receiver lined-up to the right, Y is the tight-end, A is the left running back, and B is the right running back. Numbers can signify where the play is aimed at in the line of scrimmage (holes), which back will be carrying the ball, or in the case of pass plays, what the running backs will do. Pass plays are either in the 50's or the 80's. Running backs stay in the backfield to help pass protect when the pass play is called in the 50's, while the backs are usually outlet or secondary receivers when the pass play is called in the 80's. From viewing the plays on the screen during the game, these numbers will start to make sense to you. The following diagram will help: WEAK SIDE STRONG SIDE HOLES -> 9 7 5 3 1-0 2 4 6 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------- X T G C G T Y Q Z A B ----------------------------------------------------------------- BACK POSITIONS -> 2 3 4 2 Examples: "20 Fold" - halfback from the 2 position takes and runs the ball into the 0 hole. "83 X Curl" - "83" tells the running back on the weak side to run an outlet pass route. "X Curl" tells the X wide receiver to run a curl pattern. When a play is diagrammed on the screen during play, "O"'s are used for all the players on the offense except for the center which is represented by a "C". For the defensive team, "X"'s are used except for the down linemen which are represented by "V"'s. The letters representing the home team's offensive or defensive alignment are always colored bright white. CHOOSING AND ENTERING A PLAY There are two ways to get a list of available plays. You can get a hard copy by printing the file "PLAY.TXT" before you start, or you may pull up a help screen during play. To get a help screen while on defense, enter 99 at the prompt "Call defense". To get a help screen while on offense, enter 98 or 99 at the prompt "Call offense". Once you have chosen a play, enter the number corresponding to the play you wish to run when the computer prompts you to select a play. The offense is always asked to choose its play first. While the offense is entering the number corresponding to its chosen play, the defensive player should turn his head so as not to see what offense is being called. The computer will produce a unique sound to signal when a valid offensive play has been chosen. At this time, the computer will erase the number corresponding to the chosen offensive play from the screen and the defensive player may turn around and enter his selection. This procedure should be followed on kickoffs and two-point conversions as well. (Note: If an offensive play's corresponding entry number is a single digit (1-9), it is best to enter the number with a leading 0 (01, 02, etc.) so to not give the defense any hint at the play the offense is calling.) USER INPUT When the computer asks for 1 character responses (like "Y/N"), users do not have to press the <RETURN> key before the computer accepts the response. When the computer may be expecting a 2 character response (like two digit numbers), the <RETURN> key must be pressed before the computer accepts the response. When a player enters numbers or letters at a computer prompt, the game program does not always check the validity of the input. For some inputs, the program has a default value which it will assume if the player does not enter valid data. For instance, when a penalty is called, a player is asked to take the penalty or the down. If the player enters "D" or "d" to take the down, no penalty is charged and the play stands. For any other input, the computer will assess the penalty. So, in this case, the default value is "P". In cases where a player has more than 2 choices to choose from, the program will not continue until valid input is received. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- PLAY RESULTS -- _________________________________________________________________ Results are based on the chances of a particular offense succeeding against a particular defense. Each offense-defense combination has many possible results. This version of FIELD GENERAL has a total of over 34,800 possible results! The success of a play is somewhat dependent on what side of the field the play is aimed. Obviously, running a play to the wide side of the field could mean more success, but since the defense also knows this, it may be a better idea to run to the short side of the field. Play results are based on percentages. If the perfect offense is run against a defense, the percentages will be in favor of the play doing well. However, every play has a chance, if ever so slim, to fail. Conversely, an offensive play which seems to be doomed, could surprisingly get good yardage. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- STATISTICS -- _________________________________________________________________ Most of the statistics are self-explanatory. The ones which need some explaining are listed below: "Return yardage" The yardage gained on punt returns plus the yardage interceptions were returned past the line of scrimmage. Note: this isn't the technical definition of "return yardage". "Third down efficiency" The first number is the number of 3rd downs converted for 1st downs, and the second number is the total number of 3rd downs the offense faced. "Avg. field position" The average distance, in yards to your opposition's goal line, from which your team started each of its drives. "Punts - Avg" This category does not include angle punts or blocked punts. "Average 1st down yardage" This is the average amount of yardage gained on first down plays. The higher this average yardage is, the better. "Avg. yards to go on 3rd down" This is the average amount of yardage a team had to make on third down plays to achieve a first down or touchdown. The lower this average yardage is, the better. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- TENDENCY TRACKING SYSTEM (TTS) -- _________________________________________________________________ At halftime, during professional football games, the head coach gets VALUABLE information, from his assistants, on his opponent's play calling tendencies. This information is vital in formulating the team's second half strategy. The halftime report made by the coaching assistants could be the difference between winning and losing! In a similar manner, FIELD GENERAL provides you with this information at halftime. Acting as your team of assistant coaches, FIELD GENERAL tracks your opponent's, as well as your own, play calling tendencies. If you wish, you may, at halftime, get a TTS printout for your opponent and your team to help you in devising your strategy for the second half. Just before the second half statistics are put on screen, FIELD GENERAL will ask you if you wish to print any TTS reports. (A printer is needed to view this information at halftime.) Also, at the end of the game, you may view the files "HOME_TTS.TXT" and "OPP_TTS.TXT" to see the TTS reports which cover the entire game. This information can be stored and used as a reference for future games with the same opponent. The TTS reports include both offensive and defensive play calling tendencies, totals of how many times each specific play was called, and statistics on what type of plays were called in different situations. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ -- A FINAL NOTE -- _________________________________________________________________ We must warn you about strange things occurring during game play! Because beer is sold at the stadium FIELD GENERAL is played at, there is the possibility of fans over-indulging themselves and becoming boisterous. Strong winds, thunderstorms, and the instant replay official may even interrupt play momentarily, so be on the lookout! Please feel free to contact us at any time. Send any comments and questions you have on the game -- suggested improvements, plays or defenses you wish to see added, bugs you may have found, features you dislike, etc.. We'll let registered users know of any improvements to the game. We hope you enjoy this version of FIELD GENERAL!. rbm software _________________________________________________________________