Jason Aller Floppy Collection

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Jason Aller Floppy Collection / 207.img / GALWAR75.ZIP / SYSOP.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1990-07-16 | 36KB | 674 lines

Galactic Warzone by Scott Baker ------------------------------- Galactic Warzone is yet another clone of the popular door game, trade wars by Chris Sherrick, but this one is different - I have written the game entirely in Turbo Pascal version 5.5 which has given me the abiliuty to add MANY options and enhancements. Here are just a few: - Exceptionally fast - All data in ram! - Configurable from 500-5000 sectors! - Planets, outpost, and Starbases! - Built in online editor and built in auto-initialization - programmable mines and fighter defense groups - fast autopilot (thanks to Greg Smith) - cloaking and anti-cloaking devices - stock market and credit accounts (5% interest) - Federation, Cabal, and Renegade fighters - up to 2 billion credits or fighters per user (no limits here!) - up to 64,000 cargo holds, mines, etc. - 4 line messages - planets produce fighters and mines - Special Gambling port Configuration ------------- Galactic Warzone has the configuration data stored in a file called "GALWAR.CTL" which may be edited with a text editor. Most of the options are pretty straight-forward so I wont go into any detail explaining them. MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE CORRECT BBS TYPE. Rbbs-pc version 16.1+ mode works for sure, Pc-board and QBBS should, but I'm not sure about the others. Please read the instruction contained in the "GALWAR.CTL" file for information on configuring the system. Local mode ---------- Access local mode with TWARS/L. Invoking from RBBS-PC --------------------- Invoke the door from rbbs-pc with "TWARS <node-num>" where node-num is your networking node number (usually 1 or 0). If you are running a version less that 16.1, then this paremeter is not required. The Editor ---------- The default editor password is "SCOTTWARS". It may be changed (and I suggest you do so immediately) from the editor menu. The editor menu is accessable from "E" from the main GW menu. The editor's remote operation can be toggled on/off with the "R" command. With the remote operation turned off, users may not even ATTEMPT to enter the editor password. Daily Maint ----------- Galactic Warzone MUST be run once per day with "TWARS /M". This gives the players their days supply of turns, handles the ports' productions, moves the cabal, etc. Restarting the Game ------------------- Galactic Warzone may be restarted by running the RESTART.EXE file. Donations/Registration ---------------------- If you use this program, then please send in a donation. I would appreciate anything you could send - I'm only 18 years old and money is hard to get! Since I am distributing the registered version of this door, sending in a donation will not gain you anything, but it would sure help me out a lot! My requested donation is $20, but please send whatever you think the game is worth. Please make checks payable to "Scott Baker". My address is listed below. For registration in the Australia/New Zealand area, please send your check to David Dixson or Rick Malkin. You may contact them through their bbs, which number is listed at the bottom of this document. (All other registrations should be sent to my address) Revision History ---------------- Version 4.0: - Added Team rankings - Added ALPHA CENTAURI, gambling port at sector 3 - Fixed bug in message system - Renegades now move - Option to change editor password added - Player Stocks now available at interstel - Report-Cabal and Missions finished - Support for WWIV, WILDCAT, and PHOENIX bbs added - Stocks now have a max price change of +-300% - Minor user-doccumentation update Version 4.1: - Set house limit of 10,000 credits in Alpha Centauri - Added macro command (V from main menu) - Fixed change-editor-password command Version 4.2: - Added "toggle remote editor" command - fixed change-team-password bug - Added team stuff to log file - Dealers/Users hand now displayed in blackjack after win - Slot machine now correctly deducts 10 credits - Sample trivia now included - rename sample.trv to trivia.gw Version 4.2a: - Fixed minor bug in log file with the teams Version 4.3: - Added Planet editor - Added Cabal editor - Galwar now displays "returning to bbs" on exit - Create-Dead-End-Secotr command added Version 4.3a: - Added the following note on trivia Version 4.4: - Added port editor - Finished port-info command (computer "D") - Added eXclude autopilot sector command - fixed starbase "M" move command - Added the ability for CABAL to attack starbases - Added Find-closest-port command - Added eXclude sectors command - Fixed attack-planet command (if players died when hit by mines, they would not lose defense forces, etc) - Players who take over the wanderer can now control which sector it moves to. - Recompiled with turbo pascal 5.5 IMPORTANT----> - Overlay file (TWARS.OVR) no longer needed - Added Auto-linker (can be toggled off from editor menu) IMPORTANT----> - Ports now have a % difference of the base price of all of the products. If a % of 100 is used, then the price will be equal to the base set up in the general- config. VERY IMPORTANT->- You must use the "O" set price change command from the editor menu to set the price changes! I suggest using 15. Version 4.4a: - Added editor command to register your copy. If you have registered your copy previously, then please give me a call and I will give you your personal 8-digit code to register the copy. Version 4.5: - Battles are now carried out much faster - New player docs thanks to Spectre General of the SARCASM bbs - Statistical information now displayed on exit (can be toggled from editor menu) - Removed direct-video (for people using multitaskers) - Added ability to output player rankings to text file (file can be set from GENERAL-INFO section of the editor) Version 4.6: - Fixed many bugs in starbase command - Added Pulsar Bombs - Added Gambling Port Editor - Added Fed/Cabal status report in maint - Fixed logoff statistics - Fixed starbase production increase Version 4.7: - Fixed sector display so that no "0"'s are displayed - Fixed trivia so the correct amount is subtracted - Fixed up the news file a bit - Spelling Corrections - Added Trivia Cost/Payoff to gambling editor - Mines are now destroyed by Battle Groups (And likewise, battle groups are now destroyed by mines!) - The Player-news is more comprehensive Version 4.8: - Battle groups now deduct 1 turn like they were supposed to. - Mines now explode when a player is killed by another - Emergency warp devices now warp you out of the sector whenever you get down to 0 fighters. - The bug that removed people from their teams when they attacked other players has been fixed. - Revised player-stock prices - Fixed plasma devices - Ports now display buy/sell prices - Holds are now limitted to 32768. (May be changed at general-info editor) - Added "Spies" at port #4 in sector #5. (May be in different sector, I suggest you move it) - Fixed bug which allowed players who docked at outposts to buy unlimited amounts of cargo. - Fixed bug with credit-account at interstel. Version 4.81: - Added TRANSPORT BASE (port #5). Allows players to teleport to any sector by using transport passes. - Players can no longer re-link sectors #1-7 - speeded up autolinker - autolinker can now handle sectors with all 8 links filled. Version 5.0: - Fixed bug with EMWARP devices energizing while attacking starbases. - Added Device-store port (#6) - Added B (USE DEVICE) command - Added several devices (see new player docs) - Players cannot remane Earth, Cabal, or The Wanderer - A congradulations message is displayed when a player takes over the Earth, Cabal, or The Wanderer - Fixed upper/lower case in name-string - Made the get-editor-password routine look a bit more cosmetic - Trivia questions are now less repetitive - Ports 1-6 are now placed in sectors 1-6 - Doccumentation updated to show new devices - Stocks are now calculated correctly at interstel's "your-financial-status" option - SOL/Amazing_Devices taxes are now limited to +-35% - Prices for device-store port (#6) may be set from editor menu - Messages may now be sent to team-only - Warning is now displayed when user goes below 30 turns left - Mines can damage devices, including the em-warp device - Planetary production can now be damaged during a large attack - Added outpost editor - Added starbase editor - Fixed lock-up bug in complete port report IMPORTANT - 50CNV.EXE must be run to convert user file if you are converting from a version previous to 5.0. (If you are starting from scratch, you may ignore 50CNV) Version 5.1: - Made it easier for renegade ships to join players - fixed small formatting error in log file - Fixed bug that occasionally caused users to loose cargo when transferring to a planet. - Added [T]eam menu option to the main menu - Fixed the cabal so they will attempt to avoid going through sector #1 if possible - GW now calculates the player rankings on exit so they can be written to the rankings data file. - Fixed bug with entering messages - Fixed player/team rankings so that players with values over 2 billion credits will not go off scale. - Re-adjusted sol Sale/Taxes - max sale is now 45% and max tax is 200%. Version 5.2: - Lowered starting stock amounts to 250 shares to prevent users from cheating with the stock market - Players now start out with less starting equipment/credits when they die (33% less the second, 43% the third, 49% the fourth, etc) - Fixed major cloaking device bug - Altered title screen Version 5.3: - Raised stock prices and lowered stock price variation - Set a limit of 125 shares/stock per person at interstel - Fixed computer PLANET-LISTING and TEAM-PLANET-LISTING so display would work correctly when there are more than 65,000 of something on the planet. - Fixed a bug in the playernews file that related to the stocks. - Altered the Player-Info command so it looks a bit nicer. - Added "team-number" and "rank %" to the rankings display. - Fixed plasma devices so that a player cannot relink warps that lead to sectors 1-7. - Spies now retain information from night-to-night. - Fixed bug with credits not being subtracted from players at spy port. - Added Ability for aplyer to "pay off" the spies to forget certain information. - Added command to spy port to allow players to get information on a team. Version 5.4: - The amazing devices stock now goes up when people buy devices. - Fixed bug where renegades would join the wrong person - Fixed bug where turns were incorrectly deducted when players docked at starbases/outposts. - Lowered the price of starbase phasers to 125/unit and the price of starbase shields to 75/unit. - Fixed spys so that they no longer attack federation fighters. (Previously, they were all getting killed off in any fed sector) - Players are now informed if a spy was detected in one of their sectors. - Added more data to the log file and playernews file. - Fixed bug that had ORE and ORG mixed up in the INFO command. - Fixed bug that would cause the wrong player to be removed from a team when somebody is killed. - RESTART.EXE included to allow sysops to restart the game without erasing configuration/registration data. - AUTO-RELINKER is now defaulted to OFF. - Auto-relinker now only checks 3/4 of the sectors. (the 3/4 is selected randomly) - Compiled with a new version of DOORDRIVER. Version 6.0: - Lottery Added! User may buy up to 1000 lottery tickets at Alpha Centauri. Tickets are drawn each night during maint. - Added [H] Damage Report command at main menu. - Added option to pay-back traders guild at Interstel. - Added "Stun Mines" which cause severe damage to a persons ship. (Similar to a krypton bomb, but does not destroy fighters/mines. Can be placed on planets) - Players may now drop cloaking devices off on planets. Each cloaking device will cloak the planet 10%. 95% is the max cloaking. - Altered BATTLE GROUP routines for better color/appearance - Fixed ports so users may dock at them using SPEED-DOCK with zero turns left. - The players engines, computer, sensors, etc may now be damaged by mine-hits. - Removed some extranious code from doordriver in order to same memory. (Saved about 5k, but this version added about 5k in new features so we just about break even) - Fixed cabal/renegades/federation so emergency warp devices work when they attack a player. - Planetary cloaking devices cause interference on EWS and planetary scanning devices. The interference is equal to +/- (15+(cloaks*5)) percent. - Players docs have been altered to reflect the changes in the game. FORMFEEDS have also been removed from the player docs. - Cloaking, Stun Mines, Pulsar Bombs, and Krypton Bombs may now be placed on starbases. Starbases also produce these items. - Added STARBASE DEFENSES option - allows players to set self-destruct, cloaking, and planetary protection options. - Renamed main help file to GWINSTR - Added Starbase help file, SBINSTR - Changed the starbase menu for better appearance - Made some intenral changes to the overlay files which will hopefully reduce ram requirements. - Fixed problem with devices in port #6 that caused the incorrect prices for sale to be listed. - Fixed bug that caused players to be listed in sector #10001 when they logged off inside starbase. IMPORTANT - Modified doordriver to use a .CTL file (GALWAR.CTL) all of the door-related parameters (BBS-Type, sysop name, etc) You must edit this file with a text editor to set it up for your system. Version 6.1: - Numerous bug fixes which I forgot to write down. - Fixed problem with incorrect device names being listed in the damage report. - Lowered damage caused by krypton bomb. - Added maximum carrying capacity for planets and starbases. Planets may now only hold up to 30 cloaks, 20 stuns, and 250 mines. Maximums can be reset in editor. - Fixed bug in Battle-Group routine which caused incorrect player name to be displayed when battle group attacked a player. - Lowered amount of production of Cloaks, Stuns, Kryptons, and Pulsars. (Big players were building them up to fast.) - Added "COMPORT" parameter in control file for users of pcboard-12. See control file docs for info. - Naming conventions for the ANSI files in Joe's Bar and Grill have been modified. Previously, files were named ANSInC. They are now names ANSIn.ANS. (N representing the file number). GALANSI.ZIP has been modified to reflect this and some new ansi art has been included. Version 7.0 - Modified PULSAR BOMBS so that players may drop multiple bombs at one time. This saves space in the log file. - Shortened the length of the "Planet has reached max cloak capacity...." so that it fits in the playernews file in only one line. - Raised default maximum mine capacity to 500. - A turn is now required for users to report cabal at interstel and use the computer SECTOR INFO and PORT INFO commands. - Fixed small bug with fusion cell that caused the incorrect number of turns-left to be listed. - Warp-links are now sorted least-to-greatest each night and when plasma devices are used to make things easier for mapping. - The federation now pays players for setting mines to <attack-cabal> as well as fighters. - Players may now review what has happened since their last logon from the computer menu. - Usernews file is packed nightly to reduce size. - Raised number of devices on ship to 15 - Added several new devices; created a second AMAZING DEVICES in sector 7. - Fixed bug that caused the lower three parameters of the user editor to not be recorded in GWEDIT. - Fixed problem with starbase sector number not being displayed in GWEDIT. - Players are now prompted when they log-off if they wish to place thier excess turns in their fusion cell if they have one. - Players can now detonate mines set to attack-cabal. - Players can now use starbase teleporters to teleport to/from federation transport. - Added error-checking to abort autopilot/macros if the player does an error or encounters enemy forces. - Increased starting production/defense forces of EARTH, CABAL HQ, WANDERER, and smaller pre-defined planets. - Added "Payoff editor" to allow sysops to set the credit payoffs for users who destroy cabal/fed fighters. See details below - The message system has been changed to allow users to pause between messages and to reply to messages. - The bug that caused users to occasionally get negetive credits at ports has now been fixed. - Fixed message system so semicolons no longer cause problems when entered in the message body. - Fixed problem with GWEDIT that caused all stocks to be named "Genesis, inc." after reset. Version 7.1 - Many minor bug fixes - Fixed bug that allowed users to leave mines in sector seven. - Added new code to prevent users from leaving fighters in sectors 1-7. - Port buy/sell prices are now computed correctly. - Port buy/sell prices are now listed on the find-closest- port command. - Added extra error-checking on computer menu. - An exit procedure was added to explain common error conditions when they occur. - Fixed bug with phaser banks while invading starbase. - Registration system revised. Version 7.2 - Fixed bug which let players only buy up to 32000 fighters at sol. - Fixed very big bug with port prices. Version 7.3 - Added Tournament mode! See below! - Added 20 new devices. Six of these are normal devices which may be bought at Amazing Devices; 14 are Rogue devices. (See player docs for info on Rogue Devices) - Fixed problem with Gated planets locking up system. - [B] Preferences option added to computer menu. - Added [S]ort option to device menu. - Fixed bug which caused starbases not to trade ORE properly. - Spies are back in operation. - Added "Device Identification" at amazing devices. For 1000 credits, the user can get a description of what any device does (including rogue devices). Descriptions are stored in "DEVDESC.TXT". - Fixed a small cosmetic problem at interstel. - Added stricter error checking on macros. - Added fastmines! Speeds up mine hits massively! - Added port #8, the vaults. - Added "Sanctuary" in sector #9 as a place for small players to stay. - Fixed misc. problems in GWEDIT Version 7.4 - Misc. bug fixes - Added "buy" feature at vault port - Added "Salvaged cabal equipment" at vault port - Fixed hold limit in vaults - Added Armageddon device at sector 1 to allow players to restart game without sysop intervention. - Added "maintenance report" - MAINT.TXT will contain information from the last time maint was run. (i.e. cabal/fed payoffs, lottery, etc). It is intended to help the sysop determine the nature of any problems with maint. - Fixed problem with starbases mistaking krypton bombs for emergency warps. - Fixed problems with device-transport to planet with cloaks and stuns. - Added one-day team rule to prevent users from quitting and joining team multiple times to avoid taxes. - Added tax-free donations vault. Each night, a portion of the donations will be distributed to the lower players. - Fixed range-checking error in vaults (when a player transported devices from his inventory over 15, strange things would happen) - Doubled port re-stocking rate Version 7.5 - Added error checking to prevent users from overflowing "mine" variables. (i.e. mines on the ship and mines in the sector) - Fixed SOL so you can buy up to 64,000 of everything (excluding hold limits) rather than 32,000 - Added error checking to various computer functions that require additional memory. - Captured holds and devices are now forwarded to the users vault (to prevent overflowing of variables). - Earth/Cabal/Wanderer can no longer be damaged or destroyed. - Shortened length of fighter/mine rental messages so they fit into the log file in one line. - Rewrote maintenance planet production routines. (Now much cleaner and handles prod increases above 2 billion) - Lottery now places winnings in VAULT instead of on person - Player news lottery messages shortened to log-file type lottery messages. - Added three new rogue devices. - Added repair facility at SOL to repair ship damage at reduced cost. - Sol no longer requires a turn to doc. - Added error log file (GALWAR.ERR) tells the error number, date/time, and user when error occurred. - Added DDTERM support - see DDTERM.ZIP for help. - Lowered maximum starbase production to 2,500,000 instead of 5,000,000. DDTerm ------ DDTerm is a new terminal program I have written for use with GW and other Doordriver doors. I have included it in it's distribution .ZIP as DDTERM21.ZIP. You may put this up for your users for them to try out. Memory Requirements ------------------- Galactic Warzone requires a lot of memory - typically from 340-400k of free ram depending on the configuration. This means that GW will most likely require you to run the door EXTERNAL from your bbs rather than shelling to it. (There's not enough room in ram for GW and the bbs software at the same time) Tournament Mode --------------- I have just come up with an idea that my users seem to like. It's called "Tournament Mode". The tournament mode allows you to set up a prize (i.e. Extra Daily time, upload credits, money, whatever). At the end of a pre-determined time (decided by you), you award the winnings to the players. The prizes are determined as follows: Each person receives a percentage of the prize value which you set. The percentage depends upon the players score compared to the total scores of all of the other players. (i.e. If the player was at 10 million and the total was 100 mil, the player would be awarded 10% of the total prize). This method allows not only the top player to receive the prize, but other players who have done well. The prize value is set in the GAMBLING EDITOR of the editor menu. Just enter the total prize value to be awarded and tournament mode will begin. When the tournament is completed simply record/print out the ranking an it will display their winnings. Go into your bbs editor (or whatever you use) and award the prizes. When tournament mode is enabled, the computer RANKINGS screen will be modified to display the players' current prize awards. Currently, that is all the modifications that tournament mode includes, but I plan on adding a few more as ideas come to me. Setting the Universe Size ------------------------- New to version 7.0, you can now set the size of the galactic warzone universe to 500-5000 sectors. The number of sectors used is directly proportional to the amount of memory that GW will require. Each sector takes 34 bytes of ram (in addition to the 340k required for other parts of GW). (i.e. For a 3000 sector universe, 340,000+(3000*34)=442k of ram required). NOTE: THIS PARAMETER ONLY EFFECTS THE INITIALIZATION OF THE GAME - THE NUMBER OF SECTORS CAN NOT BE CHANGED "ON THE FLY". The parameter to control the universe size is located in the galactic warzone control file, GALWAR.CTL. It is also explained there. The default preset value is 2,000 sectors which is the number of sectors thast GW has always had. You may wish to raise/lower this value depending on your number of players and their playing strategies. To only way to reset the number of sectors is by RESTARTING the game with the new parameter. This means if you initially set the parameter too low or two high, you will have to restart the whole game. I suggest that you test out your game to make sure all works correctly before putting it up to your users. (Note: to thuroughly reset the game, delete all of the *.GW files) If you get a "runtime error 203", it is caused by a lack of memory. Remember, only run GW EXTERNAL from your bbs NOT SHELLED - there's just not enough memory. If you still cannot get GW to work, you may have to lower the number of sectors (see above) and restart the game. Payoff Editor ------------- The payoff editor, which is new to version 7.0, allows the sysop to have more flexible control over how much money is paid to users who kill cabal or federation fighters. Two parameters control this, the "Fighter cost percentage" and the "multiplier percentage". The fighter cost percentage specifies the percent of the cost of a fighter that the user will get for each cabal/fed fighter that he destroyed. (i.e. if fighters costs were at 70 credits and the COST PERCENTAGE was set to 10%, the user would get paid 7 credits per fighter destroyed) The MULTIPLIER PERCENTAGE allows you to set up the system so that for each fighter destroyed, the payoff drops. (i.e. 99 credits for the first, 98 for the second, 97.....). This allows you to set it so that people who destroy a lot of fighters do not get huge, but it also makes it easier on the smaller players. The MULTIPLIER PERCENTAGE specifies what the above COST PERCENTAGE will be multiplied by for 500 fighters (i.e. if the COST-% is 10% and the MULTIPLIER-% is 99, the user would get 10% for fighters 1-500, 9.9% for 500-1000, 9.8 for 1000-1500, etc). A percentage of 100% will give the user the same amount of credits for each fighter. I know this explanation isn't the greatest, but it's a hard thing to explain. My best suggestion is to leave the payoff percentages alone unless you have a good reason to change them. Rankings Data File ------------------ The rankings data file (RANKINGS.GW) will be updated on exit as long as the filename is not blank. If you do not wish to have your users wait for rankings to be calculated on exit, you may set the filename to blank with the [G]eneral editor. Trivia ------ A file is included, SAMPLE.TRV which includes trivia questions that you may use. To use the trivia questions, rename the file SAMPLE.TRV to TRIVIA.GW. Be warned, however, that users may have gotten copies of GW and studied the trivia so it might be advantagous to add a few more questions to the file. Sector ReLinker --------------- The sector re-linker may be a bit slow on some systems, so it may be shut off from the editor menu. One-Way sectors --------------- The game does not automatically create one-way sectors on initialization, but there is an option to allow the sysop to create them. The option is "D" from the editor menu. You will be prompted for the number of sectors you wish to re-link. I suggest not specifying more that 50. Why create one-way sectors? Because they make excellent places for players to make bases. They also add a little bit of variety to the map. Planned additions for future versions ------------------------------------- Providing I make enough money to support my programming hobby, these are some of the additions I would like to add in the future: - a full-featured fido compatible mail system - Industrial Complexes (like starbases, but make holds, cloak, etc) - computer controlled players - remote sensor beacons Turbo Pascal Runtime Errors --------------------------- 200: Division by zero 201: Range Check error 202: Stack overflow error 203: Heap overflow error (Insufficient memory) 204: Invalid pointer operation 205: Floating point error 206: Floating point underflow 207: Invalid floating point operation Common Questions: ----------------- WHAT IS A RUNTIME ERROR 203? Runtime error 203 is caused by not having enough free ram when you run galactic warzone. GW requires between 300-400k of ram to operate. If you are running the program SHELLED from your bbs, then you will probably have to switch and run EXTERNALLY from your bbs. HOW CAN I EDIT THE CABAL? The cabal may be edited just like any other player. Use the editor to locate cabal planets and then raise/lower their fighters/mines/etc. The cabal are treated just like any other player so that is how you must edit them. (NOTE: Adding fighters to the cabal's ship will not work) DOES GW RUN MULTINODE? No, GW does not include code to allow for running more than one copy at a time. Where to reach me ----------------- Scott Baker The Not-Yet-Named bbs 6431 Tierra Catalina #48 2400,1200,300 baud Tucson, Az 85718 (602) 577-3650 /\ :: :: ::-------- Please send registrations here For registrations in the New Zealand/Australia area, you may register through David Dixson and Rick Malkin. You may contact them through thier bbs at 064- 04-264407. They will be acting as an intermediate support point and passing the donations on to me. (NOTE: All other donations should be sent to my address above)