Monster Media 1994 #1

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Land Of Devastation By Scott M. Baker For the experienced door installers: Getting started quickly Sec 1: Files included Sec 2: Quick installation Sec 3: Command line switches Sec 4: Examples In depth information about installing and operating LOD Sec 5: Glossary of common terms Sec 6: EGA graphics Sec 7: Memory requirements Sec 8: Audio support Sec 9: Multinode use Sec 10: Common problems / troubleshooting Sec 11: Restarting the game Sec 12: Alternate data sets Miscellanious Sec 13: Unfinished stuff Sec 14: Error codes Sec 15: Corrupted data files Sec 16: Recent revision history Sec 17: Credits Sec 18: How to reach me Sec 19: *** Registration *** Files Included -------------- Below is a listing of all files contained within the Land Of Devastation distribution archives. As you can see, the files are split into FIVE separate archives. The file LODFILES.TXT contains information on which archives you need, what they are for, etc. I recommend READING THIS FILE. Archive LODxxxA.ARJ - Land Of Devastation Docs & Install info [REQUIRED] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information LODQUICK.DOC - A quick description of what LOD is about USERDOC.TXT - User documentation SYSOP.DOC - Sysop documentation NEWSLETT.TXT - Newsletter data file REGLIST.TXT - List of registered users DOCVIEW.EXE - Documentation/Newsletter view/extract utility AUTHENTI.LOD - Authenticity Verification - do not delete Archive LODxxxB.ARJ - Land Of Devastation main program disk [REQUIRED] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information GAME.EXE - Executable file for LOD GAME.OVR - Overlay file for LOD GAME.CTL - Control file for setting up LOD REGISTER.FRM - Registration form ANSI.DEF - Library containing ansi graphics pictures MISC.DEF - Miscellaneous game parameters MAP.DEF - Main map file TERRAIN.DEF - Definitions for the various terrain types DEVICES.DEF - Definitions of all items in the game (weapons,armor, etc) GAME.DEF - Master game definition file [Compiled - don't edit] TRIVIA.DEF - Definitions of trivia questions (encrypted) LODLOK.TXT - Explains to multinode users than another use is online. REGISTER.EXE - Registration code utility GAMEEDIT.EXE - Sysop player editing tool Archive LODxxxC.ARJ - Land Of Devastation EGA support disk [OPTIONAL] GAMEEGA.EXE - A reminder to use game.exe from now on LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information GTSTRS.DEF - String definitions used by graphical display GMAPEDIT.EXE - Graphical (EGA) map editor RESOURCE.000 - Main EGA graphics library for GAMEEGA.EXE Archive LODxxxD.ARJ - Land Of Devastation additional EGA pics [OPTIONAL] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information RESOURCE.002 - Secondary [optional] EGA graphics file for GAMEEGA.EXE PICTURES.IDX - Listing of user-submitted pictures in RESOURCE.002 Archive LODxxxE.ARJ - Sysop Customization Package [OPTIONAL] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information CUSTOM.DOC - Customization documentation NEHELP.HLP - Context Sensitive help file for NEWLODED.EXE. ANSIPUT.EXE - Utility to manipulate ANSI.DEF. PROGRAMR.ARJ - Archive containing data types for programmers TSAMP1.TXT - Sample trivia file TRIVCOMP.EXE - Trivia compiler utility COMPILE.EXE - Used to compile STRINGS.TXT,MONSTERS.TXT,etc into GAME.DEF CUSTOM.EXE - Custom game editing tool STANDARD.ARJ - Contains text files for the standard LOD data set STRINGS.TXT - ASCII most strings used in game [Edit w/ any text editor] MONSTER.TXT - ASCII monsters [Edit w/ any text editor] TALK.TXT - ASCII dialog from taverns [Edit w/ any text editor] COMBAT.TXT - ASCII combat strings [Edit w/ any text editor] TROYINFO.TXT - ASCII troy's ionfo rom [Edit w/ any text editor] TRELLNOT.TXT - ASCII Trell's note [Edit w/ any text editor] HISTORY.TXT - ASCII History text rom [Edit w/ any text editor] TAVERN.TXT - ASCII Who is in which tavern [Edit w/ any text editor] MISC.BIN - Miscellaneous game parameters [Use CUSTOM.EXE] MAIN.MAP - Main map file [Use CUSTOM.EXE] TERRAIN.BIN - The various terrain types [Use CUSTOM.EXE] DEVICES.BIN - Definitions of all items [Use CUSTOM.EXE] Archive LODxxxF.ARJ - Sound support LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information ACCURSED.MOD - Music file DEATH MOD - Music file ETERNAL MOD - Music file FATE MOD - Music file MYSTERY2 MOD - Music file TALAMASC MOD - Music file WITCHING MOD - Music file Archive LODxxxG.ARJ - EGA developers kit EGAKIT.DOC - documentation LODART.DOC - article by Dave Rosson about creating images CONTEST.DOC - results of first LOD art contest GETBIG.EXE - gif capture utility GETBIG.PAS - source code of gif capture utility EDITIMG.EXE - ega image editor EDITIMG.PAS - source code of ega image editor MOUSE.PAS - mouse routines for getbig/editimg EGAVGA.BGI - graphics library for getbig/editimg Files created by LOD upon initialization USERS.DAT - Master players file OBJECTS.DAT - Objects left laying around on the wasteland BASES.DAT - Fortress data file LOG.DAT - Log of what happens in the game USERIDX.DAT - User file quick index CLONES.DAT - File containing clone information CASSTATS.DAT - Casino statistics data file PTRON380.DAT - Puritron data file TEAMS.DAT - Team information DAYSTATS.DAT - Current day game statistics *.NTS - Contains users notes taken during play MSGIDX.DAT - Message base index file MSGBDY.DAT - Message base body file MREPORT.TXT - Maintenance report (created when maint is run) LODERROR.LOG - Log of critical runtime errors Other notable files NEWDOOR.IDX - Old style message base - obsolete - may be deleted NEWDOOR.BDY - Old style message base - obsolete - may be deleted MONSTER.DEF - Old .def file - may be deleted TALK.DEF - Old .def file - may be deleted COMBAT.DEF - Old .def file - may be deleted [Note: I recommend reading LODFILES.TXT for a better understanding of what each distribution archive is for.] Quick Installation ------------------ I) Create a directory for the game (example: "MD \LOD") II) Unzip the required archives into that directory. You have three options: a) Unzip LODxxxA.ARJ and LODxxxB.ARJ for the TEXT* version of LOD. b) Unzip LODxxxA.ARJ, LODxxxB.ARJ, and LODxxxC.ARJ for the EGA version of LOD with partial graphics. c) Unzip LODxxxA.ARJ, LODxxxB.ARJ, LODxxxC.ARJ, and LODxxxD.ARJ for the EGA version of LOD with FULL graphics. * Note: Even if you use the TEXT version of LOD, your users may still get EGA graphics using GTERM. Also, if you use the EGA version of LOD, your users are not _required_ to use GTERM. (i.e. using EGA on one side does not require using EGA on the other) d) If you want to install the sysop customization package (which includes editors and sysop utilities), then unzip LODxxxE.ARJ as well. e) If you want to use the audio support, then unzip LODxxxF.ARJ too. III) Edit the control file (GAME.CTL) for your bbs software, user name, etc. The control file should be self-explanatory. IV) Install the door into your bbs software (see bbs software for more information). Your bbs program will have to call the file "GAME.EXE" to activate LOD. Please see the section below on command line switches to see which ones may be needed. LOCAL) The game can be loaded from DOS with "GAME /L" at any time. You may wish to specify other command line parameters such as "/EGA" to enable EGA graphics or "/EMS" to use ems memory as well. Command Line Switches --------------------- /L Load in Local mode. /S Sysop fast log on. (uses sysop name in GAME.CTL) /M Force maintenance run. (Unneccessary unless "NOAUTOMAINT" is present in GAME.CTL) /EGA Displays EGA GRAPHICS on sysop's computer. /EMS Use ems memory if available. /Nx Specifies node number. (i.e. /N1 for node 1, /N2 for node 2, etc) /Pyy Specifies path to drop files. (i.e. /PC:\BBS, for c:\bbs, etc) /CHECK Perform multinode check (see multinode use below) /Bxxxx Specify lock baud rate. For example, "/B38400" would force the com port to be 38,400 baud no matter what the drop file (i.e. DORINFOx.DEF) says the baud is. /? Display a brief command line option summary. /OVREMS Will cause LOD to attempt to load its overlay into EMS memory if possible. /AUDIOSB Will start up the audio sound system using soundblaster sound card. (Requires LODxxxF.ARJ) /AUDIOSPKR Will start up the audio sound system using the PC speaker. Quality isn't very good. (Requires LODxxxF.ARJ) /AQULTRA Really high audio quality. Ought to really slow down performance. (Use of this keyword is NOT recommended - it may behave unpredictably) /AQHIGH High audio quality. May slow down performance. /AQMED Medium audio quality. default. /AQLOW Low audio quality. Should increase performance compared to AQHIGH/AQMED. May be necessary for some slower machines. /AQMIN Minimal audio quality. If none of the others work, or strange lockups or hanging occurs, then you might want to give this keyword a shot. (Not recommended unless absolutely necessary) /FR Play audio when remote users are on. By default, LOD will NOT play music on the sysops machine when the caller is on from REMOTE. This is done to not wake up the sysop in the middle of the night when a player enters the game! However, if you want the music to play no matter whether the user is on locally, or remotely, then you can use this switch. Examples -------- "GAME /L /EMS /EGA" Loads LOD in local mode with EGA graphics active and EMS memory will be used if available. "GAME /N1 /EMS /EGA /PI:\MAX /B38400" Loads LOD in remote mode with EGA grahpics active. EMS memory will be used if available. Node #1 has been selected (i.e. DORINFO1.DEF or DOOR1.SYS will be used). The drop file will be searched for in the path I:\MAX. The baud rate will be locked to 38,400 "GAME /L /EMS /EGA /AUDIOSB" Load locally, enable EGA graphics, use EMS if available, and use soundblaster audio. Glossary -------- Here's the definitions of a few terms that I will be using quite frequently in this document. Baud - The speed at which the user is calling. DORINFOx.DEF - Common drop file used by a variety of bbs programs. It is the most extensively tested drop file format in LOD, and therefore, the most reliable. Drop File - The file that is created by the bbs program when it goes to execute the door. It contains the baud rate, com port, name of the user online, etc. Common drop files are DORINFO.DEF, DOOR.SYS, PCBOARD.SYS, EXITINFO.DAT, etc. EGA - "Enhanced Graphics Adapter". The graphics standard that GAMEEGA and GTERM use. Most modern video adapters (VGA, SVGA, etc) also support the EGA modes. EMS - "Expanded Memory Specification". If your machine has over 1 megabyte of memory, then you may have some available. LOD can utilize EMS to improve game performance and reduce conventional memory requirements. Locked Baud - In order to get the most efficiency out of a high speed error correcting modem (9600 baud or above), then you may lock the baud rate to a speed higher than what the caller is actually using. By locking the baud to 38,400, the modem can actually compress the data that is being sent and achieve a baud rate much higher than the actual transmission rate. Please see the section on high speed/ locked bauds below. LOD - "Land Of Devastation", the name of the game you are trying to install! MOD - A commonly used music file format. Most MOD songs are high quality four voice with digital effects. Land Of Devastation uses MODs for it's music. Maint - Maintenance mode. LOD must perform maintenance once per day to do various things with it's data files. See the section below on maintenance. Multinode - A bbs system with either more than one computer attached or using a multi tasker (desqview, windows) that allows more than one person to call at a time. Node - Refers to a member of a multinode system. Overlay - A file included with LOD (either GAME.OVR or GAMEEGA.OVR) which is used to keep portions of the program on disk to reduce memory requirements. It is all automatic and you should not need to worry about it. Sound Blaster - A common sound card that is installed in many computers. The Sound Blaster card is produced by Creative Labs and includes support for both music and digital voice effects. Several other cards are available that are "compatible" with the Sound Blaster standard, such as the Thunderboard and the Pro Audio Spectrum. EGA Graphics Version -------------------- LOD has been designed with _optional_ EGA graphics to enhance the playing experience. By default, LOD will load with just the plain text graphics. To enable the EGA graphics, you must use the "/EGA" switch on the command line. For example, "GAME /L /EGA". EGA graphics do consume more memory and may not run on your computer. If you have trouble, you may wish to try using the "/EMS" switch described below under "memory requirements". NOTE: By using EGA graphics on the sysop side, you are not "forcing" your users to use EGA graphics too. The remote user graphics are totally independent of the sysop's graphics. Memory Requirements ------------------- NOTE: A runtime error 203 or 253 indicates insufficient memory! LOD can be adequately described as a "memory hog". LOD likes as much memory as you can give it. LOD's memory requirements differ depending on the configuration that you use. TEXT version (GAME.EXE without /EGA): The lowest possible memory requirements. No EGA graphics will be displayed on the sysop's side, but your users can still have ega if they use the gterm terminal program. I suggest running the text version if all else fails. GRAPHICS version (GAME.EXE with /EGA): Consumes substantially more memory, but gives the sysop a nice pretty EGA display, similar to what the user with gterm sees. If you have memory troubles, try using the /EMS switch. GRAPHICS and SOUND (GAME.EXE with /EGA and /AUDIOSB): Gobbles up an immense amount of memory. Using the /EMS switch is a necessity to give LOD access to EMS memory so it can store some data up there. What is EMS memory? EMS memory stands for "expanding memory specification". It is a way for your computer to use memory above the standard 640k that dos has. LOD is capable of storing some of it's data in EMS memory, thus freeing up more space in the lower 640k for sound and graphics. Most computers provide EMS memory with a special driver in their config.sys file - QEMM, EMM386, and 386MAX are popular ones. Most 386+ computers have EMS memory. If you are using DOS 5.0 or greater, then you can type "MEM" to get a display about how much EMS memory you have. LOD must be EXPLICITLY TOLD TO USE EMS. For compatibility reasons, LOD won't use it by default. You must place the switch "/EMS" on the command line when you invoke game.exe. For example, "GAME /L /EMS". If you aren't sure whether you have EMS memory, then try using the /EMS switch anyway - it can't hurt anything. Audio Support ------------- Starting with version 3.60, Land Of Devastation and GTERM now have some sound/music capability. Here is how to get the sound system to work: 1) You must have downloaded and unarchived LODxxxF.ARJ into the directory where you are running LOD (or GTERM). 2) You must use either the option /AUDIOSB or /AUDIOSPKR to initialize the sound system. 3) Optionally you may wish to use one of the /AQxxx switches to set audio quality. /AQMED is the default audio quality which should work on most systems. 4) If you experience lockup or hang problems, then you may need to switch to a lower audio quality such as /AQLOW or /AQMIN. Examples: (For Land Of Devastation - on the sysop's side) "GAMEEGA /L /EMS /AUDIOSB" Load LOD with Soundblaster enabled. "GAMEEGA /L /EMS /AUDIOSB /AQLOW /FR" Load LOD with Soundblaster at low quality, force music to play when remote users are on. Examples: (For GTERM - on the remote user's side) "GTERM COM 2 BAUD 19200 /AUDIOSPKR /AQHIGH" Load GTERM with PC-Speaker set to high quality. "GTERM COM 1 BAUD 2400 /AUDIOSB" Load GTERM with soundblaster at default (medium) quality. Notes: The audio system is relatively new to LOD and hasn't been fully tested and therefore might have some bugs. In fact, with some people's machines, it might not work at all. If you have trouble running LOD with audio turned on, then try turning it off! The audio system eats up quite a bit of memory (almost 150k). Therefore, when running LOD or GTERM, you might not have enough conventional memory to initialize the audio system and you won't hear anything. Having music active on one side does not require having music active on the other. For example, a user with GTERM might have music enabled, but the sysop might have it disabled - this will work fine - the user will hear his music and the sysop will have some nice silence! If you like, you can bring up a display of the current MOD system status (also shows any possible errors) by pressing ALT-3. This works with either GTERM or the EGA (GAMEEGA.EXE) version of LOD. The non-EGA (GAME.EXE) version of LOD does not have the mod status screen. Music system credits: The code that is used to play the MOD music in LOD was supplied by Mark J Cox. It's called MOD-OBJ and it's an excellent unit and I recommend it to anyone who wants to add MOD music to their program. Most (if not all!) of our songs were composed by Chris Azure. Multinode use ------------- LOD does NOT allow multinode use. Furthermore, I have no future plans to develop a version of LOD that does at this time. However, LOD can be set to "lock out" other nodes while one node is playing. (i.e. Node 1 is playing so nodes 2 & 3 cannot). This is done using the /Nx and /CHECK switches. /Nx tells which node number is using the door. (i.e. "GAME /N2 /CHECK" would be for node 2). And /CHECK says to check for multinode use. The start up commands for LOD for a 2-node system would be as follows: NODE 1: Game /N1 /CHECK NODE 2: Game /N2 /CHECK When LOD encounters another player trying to play while one is already playing it will spew out the file "LODLOK.TXT" to the user to explain the situation to him. NOTE: Apparently, there is some kind of "glitch" in either Turbo Pascal or DOS which causes "sharing violations" to occur when LOD is activated by more than one person. If you have this problem, then you may wish to try to set the "read-only" bit on the executable files (i.e. GAME.EXE,GAME.OVR,GAMEEGA.EXE,GAMEEGA.OVR). You can do this by typing the following: "ATTRIB +R GAME.EXE". Common Problems (Locked Bauds, High Speed modems, Music, etc) ------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: If you are having a communications-related problem, and you are not using a fossil driver, then I suggest you try using a fossil if it is possible. If you are running a high speed modem (9600 baud or above), then I suggest you run your bbs/mailer/doors at a locked baud rate. On high speed error correcting modems, locking the baud rate will have a noticeable increase on the speed of text that is sent. It's beyond the scope of these docs to discuss configuring your bbs and mailer for a locked baud rate; you may wish consult those docs for information on that. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting up LOD with a locked baud rate: #1: You may need to use the /B switch on the LOD command line to specify the locked baud. For 19,200 this would be "/B19200" and for 38,400 this would be "/B38400". Please note there is no space between the /B and the baud rate. This is only necessary in some instances. First try LOD without the switch and then add the switch and see what happens. #2: When using a locked baud rate, I highly recommend using a FOSSIL driver. In fact, I don't even know if LOD will work at high speeds without one. BNU is a good fossil driver which can even be loaded and unloaded before/after you run LOD. #3: If you are using a fossil, then make sure to tell the fossil that the port is locked. For BNU, to lock com1: at 38,400, you would use something like "L0=38400" on BNU's command line. #4: Please note: If you lock the baud for one program, it must be locked for everything. You can't lock the baud for just LOD, but not your bbs/mailer. If you are running at high speeds without locking the baud rate, then LOD should function fine. Without a locked baud, there should be no need for the use of the /Bxxxx switch. What follows is some information on possible strange situations that may occur: #1: Low speed users can play LOD, but high speed users get garbage. - If you are not using the DORINFOx.DEF or DOOR.SYS drop file then you may wish to find a converter program to convert whatever drop file your bbs produces to the DORINFOx.DEF or DOOR.SYS format and tell LOD to use that. Several converter programs are readily available on most bbs systems. QKDoor is a good one if you can find it. - If you are not using a fossil (i.e. you have LOD's "internal" line un commented in GAME.CTL), then I suggest trying a fossil. #2: High speed users can play LOD, but low speed users get garbage. - You may be specifying the /Bxxxx parameter when you don't need to. Only use /Bxxxx if you are using LOD with a locked baud rate. #3: Everyone gets garbage! - You may be using the /Bxxxx parameter when it's not needed, or you may have the the wrong baud rate specified in the /Bxxxx parameter. - Try switching to DORINFOx.DEF as described in #1 above. - Try using a fossil (make sure the "INTERNAL" line in GAME.CTL is commented out. #4: LOD hangs up when a user enters the game. - Sounds like LOD is getting the wrong baud rate somehow. Try switching over to the DORINFOx.DEF drop file method if possible. #5: Text and screens are getting cut off. - If you are running with a locked baud, then this could be caused by some sort of FLOW CONTROL problem. Try using a fossil if you aren't already. General trouble shooting hints: The following may help you clear up some of the problems outlined above: #1: You can use the ALT-D command in the EGA (GAMEEGA.EXE) version of LOD or the ALT-I command in the normal (GAME.EXE) version of LOD to get a display of the current serial port setup. If what is displayed differs greatly from what it should be, then you've found your problem! #2: If you're using something other than the DORINFOx.DEF drop file, then I always suggest trying to use DORINFOx.DEF if possible. It is the most reliable method and has had the most testing. Problems related to the sound system: #1: When remote users log on and the /FR option is enabled, the system hangs. a) Try switching to a lower (or higher?) sound quality such as /AQLOW or /AQMIN. b) Remove the /FR option (you probably don't want music playing while remote users are on anyway) #2: Whenever I use sound (with the /AUDIOSB or /AUDIOSPKR) options, LOD locks up in the game. a) Try switching to a lower (or higher?) sound quality such as /AQLOW or /AQMIN. b) If sound keeps locking up your computer, then you may have to simply not use the sound capability. There are huge variations in computer hardware, sound cards in particular and LOD just isn't compatible with everything. #3: The PC-Speaker sounds horrible. a) If you have a sound card, try using it - that's what it is for! b) The PC-Speaker was never designed for playing high-quality sound. If you don't like the noise it makes, then turn off LOD's sound system! #4: LOD Starts up, starts playing the first song, and immediately locks up while allowing the song to continue playing. a) Switch to a lower sound quality! (/AQLOW, /AQMIN, etc). b) If sound keeps locking up your computer, then you may have to simply not use the sound capability. There are huge variations in computer hardware, sound cards in particular and LOD just isn't compatible with everything. Restarting the Game ------------------- Simply delete all of the *.DAT files. (DO NOT DELETE ANY *.DEF files) There is a provision in the game for the users to reset the game themselves when all of the puritron parts have been retrieved. But, if your users do not reset the game themselves, then the above method will work. If you want to configure with another Data Set, then see the section on Data Sets below. Alternate Data Sets ------------------- With recent versions of LOD, I have put into effect the concept of data sets. A Data Set includes it's own maps, monsters, NPCs, cities, and other items. Most Data Sets are written by sysops who like to customize LOD. Information on creating custom data sets is contained in LODxxxE.ARJ. I have requested that game designers follow a standardized naming convention for LOD data sets. The format is a four character name followed by the version number of LOD that it was written for. For example, FUTR361.ARJ would be for the "future" data set, compiled for LOD version 3.61. IMPORTANT! When switching to a new data set, you will probably need to re-start the LOD game (by deleting *.DAT). Most new data sets include an entirely new map and possibly new inventory items. Just dropping a new data set into an existing game could really screw things up. To install an alternate data set, just unzip the file into your LOD directory and over-write and existing files. Most likely you'll see a GAME.DEF be unzipped and possibly a ANSI.DEF or a GTSTRS.DEF. Remember, you'll probably need to restart the game by deleting *.dat. A few important notes about Data Sets: 1) Installing a data set for an old version of LOD into a new version may not work. For example, installing FUTR361a.arj into LOD version 4.00 could cause some strange problems. When you upgrade your version of LOD, you may wish to contact the author of the Data Set and request a newer copy. 2) Installing a new data set into an old version of LOD may also cause trouble. 3) You will probably need to restart (delete *.DAT) when switching to a new data set. Unfinished Things ----------------- There are a lot of things that I really wanted to get done for this version, but I just didn't get time. College is really taking up a lot of time this semester and it's been hard to get time to work on LOD. Anyways, here is what isn't done: - Multiple grenade packs. - Several more special quests. - I wanted to add some more time limit stuff - 2-minute log off warnings, daily time limit features, etc, but I just didn't get the chance to finish them up for this version. - Multiple level maps - you walk into the nuclear missile base and there is a whole map to it, not just a menu. These are not things that are DISABLED, but rather are things which just aren't completed. Most of them are at least partly enabled, but not fully yet. I plan to work on these pretty soon - probably either version 4.10 or 5.00 depending on how many more enhancements I am able to complete. Also, remember, the more donations, the more incentive for me to get this game finished! (grin) Error Codes ----------- 4 - Too many open files (try adjusting the FILES= line in your config.sys file) 100 - Read past end of file. Something has gone wrong in one of the LOD data files. Please see "corrupted data files" below. 200 - Division by zero. 203 - Insufficient memory. 252 - Error while accessing EMS driver. 253 - Insufficient memory. 254 - Programming error [EAalloc block request > 16k]. This shouldn't happen! "Corrupted" data files ---------------------- It is possible that something could happen to your LOD data files. A power outage, LOD crash, or other event could damage one of the data files. For most of the files, LOD will display a "Data file is corrupted" and the name of the file. If you get one of these messages, then the best thing to do is start the game over with a clean copy of LOD. There are a few files which LOD can re-generate itself. CASSTATS.DAT and DAYSTATS.DAT. If one of these is corrupted, then you can simply delete the file and LOD will re-create it for you. Revision History ---------------- Version 3.70 - Added a new rom: Bartalk - Added some monsters submitted by Chris Azure. - Fixed a possible lock-up bug. - Removed some redundant code which was using up memory. - Fixed some bugs in the trivia system. - The game was not deleting messages when a game is won. This has been fixed. - Critical runtime errors are now logged to the file "LODERROR.LOG". - When the puritron is activated, the wasteland will be "cleansed", turning all radiation and wastelands into plains and forrest. - Compiled with the new 7.0 version of Turbo Pascal. - Added some really big fortress stuff for people who have the money! - There is now a shorter long range combat menu for people who have expert mode turned on. - An option to dump the device definitions to a text file has been added to Custom.exe. - Xebocs Quantum Field is now armor, as it was originally intended to be! - The character sheet display has been improved so it looks a bit better. Users who prefer the older display may use the ANSI options menu in the troop quarters to change it. - MAJOR changes to compile.exe. Almost all of the .TXT files are now compiled to only one file: GAME.DEF. See the above sections on editing/customization for more information. - The docs on using the editor have been hacked out and thrown into CUSTOM.DOC which is now contained in LODxxxE.ARJ. - Registration message modified to be gender inspecific. - Added a few images by Rick Armstrong. - Fixed a possible problem with the DISINT keyword in monster.txt. - Added a new type of mines: Zapper mines which drain a persons ammo. - Mines may no longer be picked up (or killed) without detonating. - Removed all names but my own from title screens 1-10. I have created a title screen #11 which will include all the names of the people who contribute to LOD. - Fixed a possible bug in the /FR command line option. - Fortress owners are now allowed into forts without a password requirement. - The text strings used in the graphical screens are now definable in GTSTRS.DEF for both GTERM and GAMEEGA. - Terrain types expanded to 50. - Authenticity verification removed... It was doing more harm than good. - Experience for monsters who are holding the puritron parts reduced to not be quite as drastic. Also, Xeboc's power slightly increased. - Major overhaul of the main map. Several empty spots are now filled in with the new lake tiles. - Towns now carry specific inventories related to the town. - Added Frost Bite and Kill, Inc. - Attached a special quest to Freedom City (city #2) - Put pauses after city-special quests (freedom city, DW camp, etc) - The BBSTYPE LOCAL parameter in game.ctl has been fixed. - Added four new songs by Chris Azure to the LOD sound (LODxxxF.ARJ) archive. - The maximum length of the user's alias has been dropped to 20 characters to prevent formatting problems. - A more verbose "fossil not found" message has been added. - Messed around with the ansi menu routines a bit to improve keyboard response. - Added fast GTERM option to ANSI options in the troop quarters. - Fixed a serious bug with the loan system. - Fixed a problem with the Priest Of Loki dialog. Version 3.80 - Fixed a problem with the miniraft no longer working after CUSTOM.EXE was run. - Fixed a bug with the base teleporter price. - Fixed a problem with finding the overlay file on systems where the path had a "." in it. - Renamed the MAXTIME parameter to MAXLODTIME in game.ctl. Problem should be fixed. - Fixed problem with CUSTOM.EXE not allowing terrain entries above 30 to be saved. - Major alterations to the way resource.002 works. - Added an option under the advancement menu in CUSTOM.EXE to set the maximum number of deaths per day. Defaults to 3. - NOSELL and NOSURR options added to monster file. - LANDWATER and WATERONLY options added to monster file. - Added lava rivers and the Cryo-Unit. - Did some work on GMAPEDIT - should work better now. - MAJOR changed to VAR1 parameter for weapons, mines, grenades, base weapons, and base moats. Now support up to 999 hp of damage. See CUSTOM.DOC for more info. - Added robomines! Now located at Kill, Inc, these are much meaner mines than before. - A few more special quests. (Added a SpWeap ROM) - Two more puritron parts. - Fixed message system; should no longer be double spaced. - I raised the default price of the "Trasporter" from 1,000,000 to 20,000,000 because I felt it was too easy for players to buy them. - EMWarpMine option added to dataset.txt - control the probability that the EMWarp device will work when player steps on mine. - Players can no longer log on under duplicate names of other players. - When a player chooses the "Create Character" option after dieing, any saved clone will be lost. - When uses the exc. teleporter to fight xeboc and dies, he will now die properly. - Loans are now properly subtracted from the players worth in the rankings and financial statement sections. Version 4.00 - Completely revamped fortress devices. Forts now have eight "specialty" device slots which can hold a multitude of fortress devices. - Increased fort for sale slots from 5 to 8. - Added Wanderer device to forts. - Added Toll Station devices to forts. - Added Proximity devices to forts. - Added Cloaking (SFG) device to forts. - Added Factories to forts. - Added Mine Spreaders to forts. - Raised default experience levels. - Lowered default monster exp points for some zone 3+ monsters. - May have fixed a bug that had to do with removing the starting player inventory items and having players end up with "UNKNOWN" items. - Fixed a bug that had to do with isreal monsters not working. - GAMEEGA.EXE and GAME.EXE combined into one executable. Use "GAME /EGA" to load in EGA mode. - Redid the Sacre Base corner of the map a little bit to make things a bit more interesting. - Pylon key removed from Sacre Base supply station. Now only available at Freedom City and on a few monsters. - Added device lock device to forts. - Added anti-self-destruct device to forts. - Added autoseller device to forts. (see Terra Labs) - Improved waitkeys in fortress storage room. - Default standard account interest reduced to 7%. - Default game account interest reduced to 14%. - Default bank loan interest reduced to 20%. - Rewrite of EGA scrolling routines; Background colors now mostly supported in the EGA version and GTERM. - Expanded max # of device definitions to 350. - Improved waitkeys in fortress. - Major rewriting to the Fortress "Energy Forsale" and "Medical Forsale" sections. Now, instead of only being able to sell the first Power Pack / Medkit, forts can sell any power pack or medkit belonging to the BaseEne or BaseMed stores respectively. - ACME weapons added (registered sysops only). Sells advanced weapons, and has a gunsmith on hand. - 3 round burst weapons added. - "UZI 9mm" changed to "UZI SMG" and made into a 3-round burst weapon. - Base teleporters updated to use Chris Darque's new teleporter pictures. - Major work done to CSTATS ROM. More information about weapons plus some command line parameters (see laptop help) - Command line parameters added for COPY. (see laptop help) - Two more inventory slots added to players. (total=18) - Inventory display reworked a little bit. Now displays in columns instead of rows (can be toggled in ANSI options in troop quarters) - "Crsbw blts" renamed to "Crossbow bolts" - WEAPSMTH ROM added to ACME weapons. (registered only) - Major updates to gameedit. User Editor modernized, base, puritron, and clone editors added. DumpDev and Advancement options modernized. - BAD slot removed and replaced with laptop slot. - Major work done on scanner device. Now reports many more terrain types as well as forts and such. - Scanner can be adapted with "decloaking upgrade", available at ACME Weapons. - Team discount of 5% given to new teams. - Additional tax level added (25% to level 20+ players) - Puritron part experience levels dropped slightly. Done to prevent top player from ascending too rapidly. - Fixed bug with log file not being closed when log is viewed. Credits ------- CHRIS AZURE Composer of most of our MOD music. CHRISTOPHER DARQUE EGA Pictures DAVE ROSSON EGA Pictures DOUG MERHA EGA Pictures TRISTAN WALLING EGA Pictures RICK ARMSTRONG EGA Pictures SHANE CHAMBERS EGA Pictures RAY BACON Got the LAND echo on the fidonet backbone! MARK COX Author of MOD-OBJ, the code that was used to provide .MOD music support to LOD. [A listing of the pictures drawn by the above EGA artists is available in the file PICTURES.IDX] Where to reach me ----------------- I can usually be reached at my bbs system, which should be listed in the section entitled "registration" near the end of this document. Note: Since I am in college and do not have much time to hang around the house during the day, I prefer to answer all questions/comments via the bbs rather than my voice line. We also have a national land of devastation echomail area with the area tag "LAND". It is presently on the fidonet backbone. Registration ------------ If you or your users enjoy this game, then please send me in a registration/donation. I am currently a college student and programming my income is pretty scarce. To justify the time I spend programming and maintaining LOD, I really do need some compensation for my efforts. Donations of any amount are greatly welcome, but donations of $20 or more will be considered a registration. Due to my busy schedule (I am a full time student, plus I'm trying to handle a full time job), I don't have the time necessary to do all of the disk copying, addressing, mailing, etc required to send out updated copies of LOD to every registered user. In the past, I tried to send out the disks, but I always got behind, which meant the registered users got their packages late, and it lead to a real mess. Therefore, I have come up with what I believe to be a fair and efficient system. Here is what you do to register: #1: Send me $20 (or more!) in the mail. (Smaller donations are always appreciated, but I usually don't issue reg codes) #2: Call up my bbs about a week later and use the "Reg look" command to look up your registration code online. You don't need to be "validated" or "verified" or anything - you can get your code on your first logon. #3: Run the program REGISTER.EXE which will prompt you for the information and create lodreg.dat itself. When you have entered your registration code, the following will happen automatically: #1: Instead of saying "unregistered", the game will now say "Registered to <your name>". #2: The seven second delay and other registration nags will go away. #3: ACME Weapons will become functional. Included in the LOD distribution archives is a file called "REGISTER.FRM". This file contains a registration form which may be printed out and mailed to me with your donation. Filling out this form is optional, but it does provide me with some useful information about you and your system. Please note, under this policy I will not be mailing you a package in the mail. Please make your check payable to "Scott Baker" and send it to the address below. Please send registrations to the following address: Scott Baker 2241 W Labriego Tucson, Az 85741 You may call the following to use Reg look to look up your reg code about a week after you have mailed the donation: The Not-Yet-Named bbs (USA) (602) 544-4655 (USR Dual) Fidonet 1:300/9 (602) 797-8573 (v.32bis) Fidonet 1:300/29 Reminder: You WILL NOT be mailed a letter with your registration code. Just allow an appropriate amount of time (a week or so) after dropping your check in the mail for it to arrive to me and then give my bbs a call as outlined above. The process to get your Reg Code is really very simple and takes no time at all.