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README28
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1987-08-01
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113 lines
August 1,1987
TREK 2.8 Enhancements and Differences
TREK has been in a constant state of change since the
initial public domain release of TREK 2.3. Many changes and
enhancements have been made, many in part based on player feed-
back. In the next few paragraphs, I will attempt to bring you
up to date.
1. "Share-ware" Version - Copy protection in version 2.7 was
a disaster. It was not possible to run TREK from hard disks.
It was also impossible to run it on 3.5" drives. User response
was even lower. This version represents an attempt to try
the "shareware" alternative again. Although the responses
are still relatively low, (about 1 a day) the highly supportive
letters have convinced me to try again. Only with the support
of people like you can TREK be a continuing project.
2. DOS - This version is not self booting. It runs under
DOS 2.1 or higher. This leaves me open to vandalization
but I think most of the computer vandals have "grown up"
more since TREK23 was first released. The problems with
higher versions of DOS have been solved (I hope).
3. Scoring - There is a new method of scoring in this version.
Now the score is a composite of how well you conserve and
accumulate energy as well as how much damage you inflict on
your enemies.
4. Game speed - Overall game speed can now be controlled in
the setup menu. This allows faster computers to be slowed
down to a more playable speed.
5. Formations - Ships can fly in formation by using ALT-F1
through ALT F4 to make one or more ships seek a lead ship.
Formations worked in TREK27, but they work much better in this
version. When the lead ship changes coordinates due to a
"Dock" planet, black hole, or some "X" planets, the other ships
follow now, rather than being left stranded.
6. COM3 and COM4 - This version allows using any serial port
that you have configured on your system if properly setup in
the data area at 40:0.
7. New distribution policy - As shown on the first panel, I am
not allowing distribution of TREK by diskette unless there is
no charge. This includes disk charges, handling charges, copying
charges, shipping charges and any other charges. I have received
many calls and letters from people that think they have registered
by paying $5.00 to various "software libraries". Until the
public is better informed by the "software libraries" about how
"shareware" works, I am not allowing distribution by this method.
This is purposely NOT a complete list of the changes!
There are several undocumented commands and features that were
added to make the game more interesting! The next version will
fully document all these features and also add some new surprises.
Again, please encourage your friends to register. I am still
asking only $10.00 for the latest version.
I have two other multi-player games in development and
testing now. One is a three-dimensional version of TREK that
has graphics similar to JET by Sublogic. The other is a lunar
exploration game. I will complete these games and place them
in the "shareware" arena if there is sufficient interest. In
the nearer future, I hope to release a four-player version that
operates over modems. If you are a Sysop that has multiple
lines and are interested in this, please write me and give me
some particulars about your system (COM addresses, interrupts,
modem types, etc.)
I would like to sincerely thank all of you that have
registered for TREK. The quantity of responses to TREK may be
small, but the quality of the supporting letters from you is
overwhelming. I am impressed with the great suggestions and
constructive criticisms that many of you have taken the time to
write down. TREK has for the last five years been a user-designed
program. If you do not see your ideas implemented in this version,
be patient. As far as possible, I want TREK to be a composite of
what everyone wants in a two-player modem-based combative-strategy
game.
I also would like to apologize for the delay in releasing
version 2.8. The target date was missed by about two months.
The reason for the delay was a reluctance to continue supporting
updates to TREK. It takes about 300 hours to release a new level
and the user support made it hard to justify that amount of time.
As such, many of the enhancements were postponed for the next
time. The primary purpose for releasing this version was to get
a "clean" version out in the "shareware" arena.