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Text File
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1988-02-09
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8KB
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241 lines
SOPERA V2.1
The Space Opera Character Generator
Version 2.1
February 9, 1988
by
Frank R. Wayne
Space Opera is a trademark of Fantasy Games Unlimited, Inc.,
(C)1980 and was written by Edward E. Simbalist, A. Mark Ratner
and Phil McGregor. The software with which this manual is
distributed is intended as a playing aid only and does not
reproduce the functioning of the role-playing game whatsoever;
the boxed game is neccessary to use the characters created herein
and is available at finer hobby shops. All rights are reserved
as to the distribution and use of this software and you are free
to copy and distribute it only without charge other than to cover
a modest media cost not to excede $2.50. No warrant is stated or
implied. The accuracy of this software was checked but cannot be
insured. Use this software at your own risk.
Instructions
This software is rather self-explanitory in its format and these
instructions should eliminate any questions. It is suggested
that the user first familiarize himself with the character
creation concepts in Space Opera before using this software.
This disk (or archive) should contain this text file (SOPERA.DOC)
and an executable file (SOPERA.EXE). To use the software, type
SOPERA at the DOS prompt, making sure that SOPERA.EXE is in the
default directory. The introductory screen will appear.
You will be asked to select a character class to generate. ESC
(the escape key) at this point will end the program and used
elsewhere in the program it will either end or return you to this
introductory screen. Choose a class (for more information refer
to section 2.0 of the boxed game Space Opera, Volume One).
Once you have selected a class, a list of characteristics (or
abilities) and scores appears. The Roll column indicates the
1d100 roll for each ability and the Scor column is the roll
translated to an ability score. Next to a few of the
characteristics are numbers under the heading of Next and Bonus.
You will notice at the bottom of the screen there is also a Bonus
label next to a number (35 or 40). These are abilities which you
may increase by adding some of your 35 or 40 bonus points to the
1d100 result in the Roll column.
First of all, look at the characteristics. Are they what you
want? If not, and if your Game Master allows you to, you may
reroll the character by striking BACKSPACE (<--). Backspace will
roll all of the characteristics again. If you are satisfied with
the abilities, strike SPACE. This will preserve the scores and
allow you to modify those specific scores which are most
important to the chosen class. You will still be able to reroll
by striking backspace.
Once you strike SPACE a white bar appears at the first score that
is able to be modified. You may move the bar be using the up and
down cursor keys and you may add your bonus points to a
characteristic by pressing the PLUS key (+). The MINUS key (-)
can be used to subtract bonus points from a score to which you
have already allocated points only. The Bonus column keeps track
of bonus points added and the Next column indicates what the roll
value must become to push the Score up one more point. You may
allocate all your bonus points to one score or distribute them as
you like. You need not even use all of them, though it would be
to you advantage if you did. Once a score reaches 19, the Next
and Bonus values are blanked because progress is no longer
possibile in that characteristic. When you are done allocating
bonus points, strike RET to continue. However, you may also
strike BACKSPACE if you don't like the scores and would like to
reroll them.
The software at this point determines the Home Planet of the
character and modifies his scores as they are effected. The
screen will show which, if any, of his scores are modified.
Information about planet of origin is displayed at the bottom of
the screen including climate, athmosphere and gravity.
A table of races is displayed. You may choose any race which is
emphasized (or bright). All races displayed in normal tone are
unavailable to a character due to his ability scores (score below
racial minimums) or planets of birth (bad climate, gravity,
etc.). Details about requirements are in Space Opera, Volume
One, Section 2.3. If no races are available you will get a
message to this effect and you will have to reroll. Otherwise
choose a race.
You are them prompted to choose the gender of your character.
Choose one.
If you chose Tech as your class, you will be asked if your
character is to be a normal Tech or a Medi-Tech. Reply.
Finally all other characteristics of your character are
calculated and displayed. By striking the P key, skill points
are calculated and displayed. You may not print this screen with
the PrtSc key, or copy it through some other method. This is
your nearly-complete character. You still have to refer to the
book for information to guide you to selecting your character's
skills, and enlisting your character in a career, but at least
the tedious part is already done.
At this point, ESC ends and BACKSPACE restarts so you can roll
another character.
Updates & Author's Address
Version 1.0: Released in 1986.
Version 1.1: Undocumented update.
Version 1.2: First QuickBASIC (V2.0) release, date unknown.
Version 2.0: Race selection was added to this version. Much of
the code was re-written with QuickBASIC and made more
efficient and fast. Compiled with QuickBASIC version 3.0.
Version 2.1: A bug was removed from the race selection routine
and a message was added to page one. When Medi-Tech is
selected when rolling up a Tech, the page is labeled Medi-
Tech to indicate which type was chosen. This version was
compiled with release 4.0 of QuickBASIC and the screen
writes are much faster, however the table loading at the
start takes more time.
Suggestions?
If you use this software don't bother sending money, but if you
have comments, questions or suggestions write them down, put them
in a stamped envelope and send them to:
Frank R. Wayne
P.O. Box 2356
Darien, IL 60559
I'll consider all suggestions for another version. I may include
career choice and skills in a future release.