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1995-04-23
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Game Connection (tm)
Version 1.4 User Documentation
-------------------------------
Game Connection allows you to play modem-to-modem games while
logged onto this system. With the two player games, this may
allow you to play the game with someone who is not in your area,
which would previously have cost you long distance charges, or to
play a game with someone without having to give them your home
phone number. The real advantage here is the ability to play
multi-player (i.e. more than two player) games online. This
ability depends on the version of this program running on this
system, as there is a two-player only version of Game Connection,
and a multi-player version.
Multi-player modem games would normally require one user to have
several phones and modems, or are only playable by more than two
persons if connected by a LAN. Using Game Connection, you can
play supported multi-player games as easily as the two player
versions.
Beginning a Game
----------------
The first thing to is to call a Major BBS and enter Game
Connection. Some games have a chat mode that will allow you to do
this from within them, but the majority require you to pre-dial.
Pre-dialing refers to calling the BBS with your normal
communications program (e.g. Telix, Procomm) in order to log on,
enter Game Connection, and begin game mode. This is explained in
more detail below. Make sure any notes on modem configuration are
taken into account. Some games require special modem
configuration.
NOTE: It is usually a good idea to have everyone at the same
baud rate. If you are not, game data may be lost if a low speed
system is not able to accept the data as fast as the higher speed
system(s) send it.
After entering Game Connection, a menu selection allows you to see
what other users on the system have set their game request flag,
and which game they are interested in playing. You can also get a
list of all players currently in Game Connection, and their status
(e.g. Playing DOOM).
To play a game, select the menu option to enter a multi-player game
channel. You can join one of the existing games if it is not
already in progress, or you can set up your own game channel, which
you will be the moderator of.
FOR TWO PLAYER GAMES, USE DISTRIBUTED MODE. This will allow
virtually any game that is not specifically supported by Game
Connection to be played two-way.
Some games allow open entry. The only one that we know of at this
time is Spectre VR. Open entry means that a player can enter a
game while it is in progress. To do this, make sure that the game
is not full (8 players for Spectre VR), and enter your game.
Moderating
Setting up a game channel is just a matter of answering a couple
of questions:
Which game will be played?
Just enter the name of the game you are planning to play. This
will allow other users to join you if they wish to play the same
game.
Playing mode?
Several playing modes are available.
The default selection is "Distributed" mode. In this mode,
everything coming from one player will be sent (distributed) to
each of the other players. This mode is not useful for most
games with more than two players, but works well for two-player
games. Of course, you are always welcome to try this mode for
games that do not have their own mode and do not follow one of the
standard protocols provided by Game Connection, but it is not
likely to work.
If you cannot get a 'more than two player' game to work in
distributed mode, you may wish to attempt another non-game specific
mode. Such as "Master-Slave" mode. Some games use this method,
and can be played even though they are not directly supported. For
instance, it has been reported that Syndicate works in this mode.
"Master-Slave" mode assumes one player is the master and sends
all data from him/her to everyone else, while routing all data from
the slaves to his/her channel only. You may have some luck with
this mode if the game is designed to have everyone call a master
system and that system takes care of all communications. By
default, the first player to enter the channel (the moderator) is
assigned the position of master. The help text displayed when you
enter the channel gives instructions for passing that position to
another channel member.
"Daisy Chained" mode is not likely to work. It was thrown in
just in case a need for it arose. In this mode, everything is
passed from one user to the next, and they are responsible for
echoing it to the next player, or stopping it if they originated
it.
Two standard protocols are provided to allow games to be written
for Game Connection: The Game Connection Protocol (GCP) is a binary
protocol that is currently being used in game development, and
Line Mode is an ASCII based protocol for games that wish to be
compatible with 7-bit networks. Additionally, GCP7 is a seven bit
variation of the GCP protocol for the control of GCP, but the
ability to operate over 7-bit networks.
All other modes are game specific (e.g. "Empire Deluxe" mode), and
are special modes for particular games. If you have a
multi-player game that is not specifically supported by Game
Connection, you are welcome to try these modes, but don't expect
too much.
Commands
Once a channel is setup, you are in a mini-teleconference. There
are a number of commands that can be done from here before the
game starts, such as JOIN another channel. These commands are
listed as you enter, and help is available online.
If you are the channel moderator, you have additional
capabilities. You can remove people from the channel, limit the
number of players who may enter, change the playing mode, etc.
Again, these commands are listed when you enter the channel.
When everyone is ready, the moderator can begin game mode by typing
START.
Playing the Game
----------------
Once you are in game mode, after typing START, you need to exit
your communications program, unless you called through your game
or a front end such as SIRDOOM, and bring up the game. Shelling
out is usually not sufficient, as most games require a lot of
memory.
Your games will then be in contact with each other, and you can
play them as normal. Make sure you have called the BBS at a baud
rate supported by the game, and that the game is configured to use
that speed. If the game tries to use a speed other than what you
called at, the data will not make it through to the other side.
Most games have a direct connect mode to use a null modem cable or
an established modem connection; this is the communications mode
you will need to select.
Ending the Game
---------------
When the game is over, you will need to go back into your
communications program again, unless you called through your game,
and type a series of Ctrl-Z's. After about two seconds of
inactivity following the Ctrl-Z's, you will be returned to the
mini-teleconference.
Supported Games
---------------
Most two-player games (or multi-player games in two-player mode)
will work flawlessly in Game Connection. Some, however, do not have
a chat mode that would allow you to log on to the BBS, and insist on
hanging the modem up and dialing themselves. These games will not
function via Game Connection.
We are constantly in the process of adding specific support for more
games, and working on known incompatibilities and problems with
supported games. Below is a list of the games that either we have
tested, or have been reported to work, along with comments about
their performance. If you find a game that is not listed here, or
that you have alternate comments on, please have your sysop contact
Sirius Software, Inc. and let us know the name of the game, the
developer, and any success or failures you've had with the game.
Read the notes on the game you are attempting to play prior to
calling the BBS. Some games require special modem configuration.
If a game hangs up on you when attempting to begin the game, or in
the middle of the game, there are a couple of ways to get around it.
One is to add &D0 to your modem init string prior to dialing. If
the game is dropping the DTR signal to your modem, the modem will
automatically disconnect unless this configuration option is used.
You will have to hang your modem up manually if you do this,
however, since most modems are hung up by dropping DTR.
The second possibility is that the game is sending +++ to put your
modem in command mode, and then issuing a hangup command. This can
be disabled by adding S2=255 to your modem initialation string prior
to dialing.
NOTE:
* Multi-player games require the multi-player version of Game
Connection for more than two players.
Pre-dial - means that you will have to call
The Combat Zone Boston 617-340-4456
with a com program (such as Telix or Procomm), enter
Game Connection, and go into game mode prior to running
the game. These games do not have a chat mode that would
allow you to log on and get to Game Connection from within
the game.
When you pre-dial for a game, select the option that says
"Direct Connection", "Established Connection", or "Serial
Connection" if available. There is no need to select modem,
because you do not need to initialize or dial.
When pre-dialing from Windows, you will have to minimize your
com program, but leave it active, or Windows will disconnect
you from the BBS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DOOM (ID Software) Up to 4 players (shareware)
DOOM II (ID Software) Up to 4 players
HERETIC (ID Software) Up to 4 players
If the system you call is running the multi-player version of Game
Connection V1.40 or higher, then you can play these games with
2 to 4 players using the SIRDOOM front end (V1.45 or higher is
required for Heretic, and SIRDOOM V2.0 or higher). Otherwise, see
the two player instructions below.
NOTE: Heretic is based on DOOM's graphics and communications
engine. Since a suitable front end was already in use, we added
Heretic support directly to SIRDOOM instead of creating a new
front end. SIRDOOM will automatically detect Heretic and make all
necessary adjustments to game configuration and communications.
Dial Method: Dial from SIRDOOM's built in ANSI terminal
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: Unzip the SIRDOOM front end into your DOOM or Heretic
directory, or preferably, somewhere in your path, so you can
use one copy to play DOOM, DOOM II, or Heretic. Both
SIRDOOM.EXE and SDCONFIG.EXE should be placed in the same
directory for proper operation.
The first time you run SIRDOOM, the configuration editor will
be run automatically. You can run it at any time after
that by pressing Alt-C. See SIRDOOM.DOC for complete
instructions.
SIRDOOM and DOOM Mode were designed to work together.
Likewise, HERETIC mode was designed with SIRDOOM in mind. In
order to use SIRDOOM, you must select either DOOM mode or
HERETIC mode (depending on the game you will be playing).
SIRDOOM will not work with other modes, and the odds of any
other DOOM or Heretic loader working in this mode are nil.
Once you are in game mode, that is about it. One player
needs to host the game by typing Alt-S. SIRDOOM will
automatically pull the rest of the players in, and return you
to teleconference mode when you complete the game. (You will
not have to type Ctrl-Z's)
Again, if you have any questions or problems, see SIRDOOM.DOC.
DOOM - For Two-player Game Connection (or < V1.40)
DOOM II - For Two-player Game Connection (or < V1.40)
HERETIC - For Two-player Game Connection (or < V1.45)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Any (w/ SERSETUP replacement)
Comments: For early versions of DOOM, use the SERSETUP
replacement provided in DOOMSER.ZIP. This is a more
efficient communications program than the one provided
with the game. See the sample batch file for running the
game and instructions on using the SERSETUP replacement.
This replacement is not required, but makes the game much
more playable, because it allows high speed connections and
the use of flow control and error correction.
For Heretic and recent versions of DOOM (V1.666), you can use
the standard 'Modem/Network/Serial Game' selection from
SETUP, and tell it you have an existing connection. Watch
your baud rate, though. Some versions use 9600, while others
use 14400.
Warpath (Synthetic Reality) Up to 4 players (shareware)
Dial Method: Build in terminal
Baud Rates: Determined by Windows
Comments: A great space war and economics game for Windows. This
is the first game released with native Game Connection
support, so let's try to keep the ball rolling by supporting
the author. The game contains instructions for registration.
Unzip WARPATH.ZIP into a subdirectory and add a Windows
program item pointing to WARPATH.EXE in that directory. Open
that program, select options and configure your modem
options, then select 'New Game', Modem, 'Play Game', and then
Dial. (NOTE: The built in terminal does not support ANSI, so
if you have your ANSI setting to always on, you will have to
turn it off or ignore the ANSI codes.) Once you are in Game
Connection, select 'Line Mode', type START, and one of the
players clicks on 'Host Game' to begin.
Complete, context-sensitive help is available.
Spectre VR (Velocity) Up to 8 players
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Any (skips from 19.2K to 57.6K, ie. no 38.4K)
Setup: Execellent Virtual Reality game.
Select direct connect under network setup.
If the BBS you are calling has the multi-player version of
Game Connection V1.40 or greater, there is a mode for this
game that will allow 2-8 players in the same game. No front
end or patch is required.
This game allows open entry. Once the game is started, other
players will be allowed to enter unless you have limited the
number of users in the channel.
When you enter, it will notify you that you are in game mode.
Run SVR as normal and try to click on PLAY between flashes
(or just type P).
This game seems to conflict with a number of TSRs. If you
get black boxes on some of the screens, or your screen goes
completely black, try booting with only necessary drivers and
TSRs.
Empire Deluxe (New World Computing) Up to 6 players
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Up to 19200
Comments: Modem initialization MUST include &D0. This game drops
DTR constantly, and without &D0, your modem will hang up.
This game plays very well, and allows 2-6 players at a
time out of the box. Use Empire Deluxe mode for more than 2
players.
Once you are in game mode, exit your terminal program and run
Empire. Click on 'Play Game'. All players but one should
click on 'Remote Slave'. The remaining player is the host or
master player. He/She should click on one of the game modes:
Basic, Standard or Advanced and then decide what map will be
used.
Then the host should configure a slot for each player that
will be in the game; setting each as remote via the same com
port (the one your modem is on).
Each person should select the appropriate baud rate (whatever
you called in at) direct with automatic connect control. All
players should be at the same baud rate if possible. The
game should play even if they aren't, but it may lock up or
play slowly.
After that, click on OK, and you are started.
If at all possible, the host should enter the game before the
last player. Otherwise, Game Connection will figure out who
the host player is and start passing data. This will allow
player number requests to build up in the host's buffer and
can confuse the game as to how many players there are which
may cause odd behaviour.
Don't be afraid to save the game and take it up again later.
A large map and skilled players can drag Empire Deluxe games
out for days. Just exit the game, and it will prompt each
player for a save file. The next time you play, just chose
'Load Saved Game'. The only player who must save the game is
the host, but the slave players will have to re-issue all
commands when you resume play.
Global Conquest (MicroPlay/Microprose) Up to 4 players
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Up to 19200
Comments: Requires a patch to play over the BBS. You will need to
copy DRIVER2.OVL (from GLOBOVL.ZIP) into your Global Conquest
directory. Then, when you enter Global Conquest, select
Special DRIVER2.OVL.
Power Monger (Electronic Arts)
Dial Method: Pre-Dial
Baud Rates: 300 - 4800
Comments: Run PM (press space bar to enter game). Enter your
name. Click on one of the game options (e.g. 'Start New').
Click on compass symbol. Appease the copy protection gods.
Click on the game options symbol (floppy disk). Click on
GAME and then MULTI PLAY. Set up the correct com port and
baud rate. Choose a color, and click on CONNECT.
NOTE: We were not able to get this game to play in 256 color
mode, and the 16 color mode still had problems with the
graphics.
Grandest Fleet (QQP)
Dial Method: Call through built in terminal
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: War strategy game, to start the game, one person should
click on 'Select Control' and then escape out of modem area.
Seawolf (Electronic Arts)
Dial Method: Pre-Dial
Baud Rates: 9600 Only
Comments: Submarine battles. Run TWOPLAY.BAT. Select B or C for
COM1 or COM2 direct connect. You can now chat to see if you
are properly connected, and then each person should hit ESC
to begin the game. Player 1 selects "Two Player Missions",
then select a mission and click GO.
F-15 Strike Eagle III (Microprose)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Any (9600 suggested)
Comments: After connecting, Use MENU option (top of screen) to
set Baud and Com Port. Both players must click on phone
(to enter modem mode) and it will say connecting, hit #
and the game should start. If you have not played F-15
via modem before, reading the F-15 Technical Document is
highly recommended.
Falcon 3.0 (Spectrum Holobyte)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: Works well. A TSR in FALTSR.ZIP is available that
allows compression and higher baud rates, and speeds up the
initial connection.
Set up your squadron and theater, and then click on the
middle video screen that flashes COMMS. Configure a direct
connection with the proper baud rate and com port. When you
accept the configuration, it will attempt to connect to the
other player.
Tornado (Spectrum Holobyte)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 9600
Comments: Flight Sim/Combat game. Select direct connect mode.
One player should select Red Leader, and the other should
select Blue Leader.
F16 Combat Pilot (Electronic Arts)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 1200-9600 (9600 suggested)
Comments: Flight Sim/Combat game. Select MISSIONS (Jacket on
door). Select Gladiator mission in upper right corner. Set
your com port an baud rate. One player should select red
leader, and the other blue leader. Click on direct to begin
game.
Knights of the Sky (MicroProse)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 1200-9600 (9600 suggested)
Comments: Flight Sim/Combat game. Low detail, but works well.
Select head-to-head, configure your port and baud rate, and
'connect directly' to begin.
Stunt Driver (Spectrum Holobyte)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 1200-38400
Comments: Click Options and then Head-to-Head. Set baud and
port, and select direct connect. Click DONE to start the
game.
VETTE! (Spectrum Holobyte)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: At any point before beginning the race, hit ESC to bring
up the pop-up menu. Select COMMUNICATIONS and set it up for
a direct connection at the appropriate baud rate and com
port. One player should select call and the other answer.
Click done and start the race.
NOTE: Both players must select the same track.
Tetris Classic (Spectrum Holobyte)
Super Tetris (Spectrum Holobyte)
Wordtris (Spectrum Holobyte)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 2400 to 9600
Comments: Select direct connect. One player should select dial,
and the other should select answer. Then select
head-to-head mode.
Command HQ (MicroPlay/Microprose)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 1200-19200
Comments: Plays well with modem connections, although currently a
bit slow when played via an X.25 network such as Compuserve.
You will need to replace SERIAL.OVL with the replacement in
CHQOVL.ZIP from your Game Connection support library.
This game limits the transmission speed to less than 2400
bps, so anything faster will only be for your convenience
when logging on.
Start a new war and select ANOTHER HUMAN as your opponent.
Select DIRECT SERIAL, the appropriate com port and baud rate,
and BEGIN GAME.
Conquered Kingdoms (Quantum Quality Productions)
Dial Method:
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: Reported to work.
WW2: Battles of the South Pacific (Quantum Quality Productions)
Dial Method: Built in terminal
Baud Rates: 2400-9600
Comments: Reported to work. A patch is required for playing
on X.25 networks. V1.2 patch is suggested, as it fixes some
of the communications problems.
Perfect General (Quantum Quality Productions)
Dial Method: Built in terminal
Baud Rates: 9600 baud recommended.
Comments: Reported to work well.
Tank (Spectrum Holobyte)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: Select game type and then multi-player, direct.
Tom Landry Football
Dial Method: Has a chat screen, but pre-dial is suggested.
Baud Rates: Any
Comments: Reported to work. Select direct serial connection.
Victory or Defeat
Dial Method: Built in terminal.
Baud Rates: 1200-2400-9600
Comments: Windows program. Reported to work.
IndyCar Racing (Papyrus)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 9600 only
Comments: One player should select answer, and one player should
select dial. The player selecting dial should enter first.
ARCHON Ultra (Strategic Simulations, Inc.)
Dial Method: Pre-dial (You can log on through the modem window,
but this is difficult to do with only a partial line.)
Baud Rates: 2400 only
Comments: Before beginning a game, use the right mouse button to
bring up the menu, and select CONNECT. Both players must do
this within 30 seconds of each other.
Theater of War (Three-Sixty)
Dial Method: Pre-dial (You can log on through the modem window,
but this is difficult to do with only three lines.)
Baud Rates: 1200-38400
Comments: Strategic board game similar to chess. Both players
must select the same warrior set. Select PLAYER-VS-PLAYER -
REMOTE and click PLAY. Set the proper baud rate and com
port. It may be necessary to set the com port before hand
with the CONFIG utility. If you are logging on through the
chat window, type ATDT<phone number> to place the call and
enter game connection at this time. Once both players are
connected and ready, click PLAY.
Battle Chess 4000 (InterPlay)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 300 only
Comments: Before dialing, you must add &D0 to your modem init
string and re-initialize your modem. Otherwise, the game
will cause your modem to hang up at various times throughout
the game.
Once you are in the game, select MODEM from the CONTROLS
menu. One player should set white/red to human and
black/blue to human, and the other should set them the other
way around. Then click on OK, and you are playing chess.
Line Wars (shareware)
Dial Method: Pre-dial (from Windows)
Baud Rates: Up to 19200
Comments: Space game. Set up as DUEL mode, DIRECT LINE.
MegaTron (shareware)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: Up to 9600
Comments: Robots at war in a maze. Make sure your modem is
initialized to ignore "+++" by adding S2=255 to your modem
init string before dialing. Configure your com port and baud
rate, and click on OPEN.
PanzerKrieg for Windows (shareware)
Dial Method: Pre-dial (from Windows)
Baud Rates:
Comments: Use the serial connection option.
TeleCards (Cutlass Software) (shareware)
Dial Method: Pre-dial
Baud Rates: 2400
Comments: Two player graphics card games. Includes Crazy Eights,
Gin Rummy and Cribbage. Just select option 3 (direct
connection) and follow the instructions.
NOTE: Also available in a Windows version