The Latest & Greatest Top 201 Games

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Text File | 1993-06-20 | 21KB | 405 lines

CIVILSET v2.2 - EGA Scenario Editor ╔══════════════════╗ ║ 1.0 Introduction ╟───────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚══════════════════╝ CIVILSET allows you to create, modify, and save battle scenarios for the EGA version of CIVILWAR BATTLESET. A scenario is a combination of battle map (with terrain features and battlefield objective),armies, and description. Scenarios (xxx.CIV) files are saved as "flat" ASCII files and with practice you may choose to use a word processor or text editor to directly modify the files. There is no longer a catalog file requirement, which eliminates the need for the DOS SORT routine. An option has been added to allow you to change the directory and drives. The number of scenarios in a directory is no longer restricted to 20. File error handling has been improved. The scenario files now allow up to 40 units per side. The game program MUST have all files in the new format. If you have any files developed in the old format, you MUST convert them to the new format before using them. (See Section 9 below). The editor requires the following files: TERRAIN.EGA ─┐ STDICON.EGA ─┼ Icon Files MUST be present MISC.EGA ─┘ UNION.LDR - 15 prominent Union leaders and ability ratings* REBEL.LDR - 15 prominent Rebel leaders and ability ratings* MONTHS.DAT - dates for random scenarios PNAMES1.DAT - place names for random scenarios PNAMES2.DAT - place names for random scenarios RNAMES.DAT - Rebel unit names for random scenarios YNAMES.DAT - Union unit names for random scenarios * The two *.LDR files are simple ASCII files and can be modified with a text editor. The only requirement is that the total number of leaders in each file MUST be 15 and that the each individual entry is in the format: "leader name",ability # The leader name can be no more than 16 characters. The leadership ability score must be in the range of 10-110. ╔═══════════════╗ ║ 2.0 Main Menu ╟─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚═══════════════╝ ╔════════════════════════╗ ║ Options ║ ╠════════════════════════╣ ║ Initial Scenario ║ ║ Menu Scenario Load ║ ║ Manual Scenario Load ║ ║ Save Scenario ║ ║ MAP Edit ║ ║ ARMY Edit ║ ║ Description ║ ║ Briefing ║ ║ [ convert old format ] ║ ║ Directory C:\CIVIL17 ║ ║ Random Scenario ║ ║ Quit ║ ╚════════════════════════╝ ╔══════════════════════╗ ║ 3.0 Initial Scenario ╟───────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚══════════════════════╝ This option zeros all army units and provides a blank game map (all 'clear' hexes). Use it to create entirely new scenarios. ╔════════════════════════╗ ║ 4.0 Menu Scenario Load ╟─────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚════════════════════════╝ This option provides you with a list (up to 20) of the xxx.CIV battle scenario files that are on the current directory, to allow you to select one to load. File selection is done via menu, by moving the cursor up or down with the "arrow keys" on the key pad, then pressing "Enter" to make a selection of the hilighted item. ╔══════════════════════════╗ ║ 5.0 Manual Scenario Load ╟───────────────────────────────────────────── ╚══════════════════════════╝ This option allows you to load a file from the list of files displayed on the screen. This list will show all the xxx.CIV scenarios on the current directory and drive. This option allows you to access more than the 20 files that can be accessed using the menu. To select a file, simply type the file name and press "Enter". Note that you omit the ".CIV" extender, it is automatically included. ╔═══════════════════╗ ║ 6.0 Save Scenario ╟──────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚═══════════════════╝ Before saving the file, you will be prompted to provide the battle name and time limit (Section 2.7) if you have not already done so. You will also be prompted for the file name (1-8 characters identifying the file on the directory). If you use a name already in use, the old file will be overwritten. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE THE ".CIV" EXTENDER. Messages will advise you of the status of the file save. ╔══════════════╗ ║ 7.0 MAP Edit ╟───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚══════════════╝ This option allows you to move the cursor across the battle map to place the terrain features. To select a feature, type the letter of the feature desired (upper or lower case). Then, move the cursor (arrow keys) to the desired position and press 'Enter'. You will see a raised "button" on the right hand side of the screen. If you press 'D' (for 'Duplicate') while a given feature is under the cursor, the button will be depressed, meaning the selected feature will be duplicated wherever the cursor is moved. Pressing 'D' again will toggle the 'Duplicate' feature off. This 'Duplicate' mode allows you to quickly draw large repetitive map features. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ NOTE: The scenario will not work properly unless it has ║ ║ EXACTLY 1 objective. ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Placing a terrain feature over an army unit causes the army to no longer be visible. Press 'A' to make armies visible again. Use the F10 key to return to the initial menu when you have finished editing your map. ╔═══════════════╗ ║ 8.0 ARMY Edit ╟──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚═══════════════╝ In the army editor You may add new units, edit existing units, or remove existing units. You will see to the right 2 buttons, a "U" (for Union) and an "R" (for Rebel). One button will be depressed, the other raised. The depressed button is for the side currently being placed. Pressing the other button toggles to the other side. You will also see a window with the letters of the available 'hot keys'. This will read 'I A E H N C G B' if the cursor is not over an army unit. It will read 'D E L M P S T Z' if the cursor is over an army unit. For instance, if the cursor is not over an existing unit, pressing 'C' will place a cavalry unit at the position of the cursor. The complete list of editor 'hot keys' show below can be accessed by the help menu (F1 key). Also, a status line is provided to show unit information by passing the cursor over a unit. 8.1 Add New Unit (Hot Key) ────────────────────────── A unit placed will be for the side currently selected. If you use a hot key, the unit type selected is immediately placed at the cursor position. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ A place rifled ARTILLERY unit at cursor ║ ║ B place gun BOAT unit at cursor (must be water hex)║ ║ C place CAVALRY unit at cursor ║ ║ E place EMPLACED GUN at cursor ║ ║ G place GENERAL unit at cursor ║ ║ H place HORSE artillery unit at cursor ║ ║ I place INFANTRY unit at cursor ║ ║ N place NAPOLEON (smooth bore) artillery at cursor ║ ║ R toggle to place Rebel armies ║ ║ U toggle to place Union armies ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ 8.2 Add New Unit (Menu) ─────────────────────── Otherwise, you may press' Enter' to pop up an menu that will allow you to select the unit type. You will be prompted to enter the name of the unit. If you hit 'Enter' a menu will appear listing the names and abilities of 15 prominent leaders for the side being placed. If select one of these leaders, the name and associated morale/leadership values is automatically assigned to the unit. If you press 'Esc' you are returned to the option of providing your own name. If you assign your own name, the morale/leadership values will initially be set at default values. After you enter the desired name, press 'Enter' and the unit will be placed. If you wish to modify any of the unit attributes, you must edit the unit as described below. Each side has a maximum of 40 units available for positioning. There is no restriction on number of units of a given type. The current number of units of each type and total strength of all units is shown for each side as units are placed or edited. Also, the ratio of total Union strength to total Rebel strength is shown. The menu also provides a screen redraw feature. 8.3. Edit Existing Unit (Hot Key) ───────────────────────────────── To edit a unit using the hot keys, place the cursor over the unit and press the appropriate key: ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ D DELAY unit ║ ║ L modify unit's LEADERSHIP factor ║ ║ M modify unit's MORALE factor ║ ║ P move unit to a new POSITION ║ ║ S modify unit's STRENGTH ║ ║ T change a unit's TYPE (I A E H N C G B) ║ ║ Z ZAP unit at cursor ║ ║ ! UNzap last unit zapped ║ ║ (return) EDIT unit (bring up menu) ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The effect of these keys is described in the sections below. 8.4 Edit Existing Unit (Menu) ───────────────────────────── To edit a unit,move the cursor to the unit and press 'Enter'. You will be given the option to edit the unit. When you elect to edit, a window will be displayed with the unit characteristics: ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ side and number Rebels numbered 1-40 ║ ║ Union numbered 41-80 ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ strength defaults: ║ ║ 750 for infantry ║ ║ 500 for cavalry ║ ║ 300 for artillery, boats and Napoleons ║ ║ 100 for horse artillery ║ ║ 200 for general ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ morale (default is 80) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ leadership (default is 80) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ unit name ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ time delay if shown with an *, the unit is NOT on ║ ║ before first field until time delay is elapsed. ║ ║ action (default is 0) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ entrenchment Message if unit is entrenched ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ To change an attribute, select the desired characteristic from the menu. Strength, morale, and leadership are increased or decreased by pressing the 'up' and 'down' arrow keys respectively (following instructions on screen). Unit name may be changed by typing in a new name at the prompt. You cannot change the unit's side; if unit placed is for wrong side, first delete it, then toggle to the other side, and place the new unit. Pressing the 'escape' key will cancel the edit and close the edit menu. 8.5 { D } - Delay Unit ────────────────────── When specifying a 'Delay' for units, you are given the option to have the delayed unit either a) be off the screen until the specified delay has elapsed (default option) or b) be on screen but simply inactive. When examining a unit, a '*'next to the 'Dly' value indicates the unit will be OFF SCREEN until the delay elapses. Units that are OFF SCREEN will be shown by a blank colored box instead of the normal icon. For example: *Dly : 5 means that the unit under the cursor will not appear until 5 turns have elapsed. After that time, the unit will arrive at the battle as soon as the location at the cursor is not occupied by another army. Dly : 15 means the unit under the cursor will be on the map but inactive until 15 turns elapse. 8.6 { E } - Entrench Unit ───────────────────────── Units can be 'entrenched' using the editor. Computer-controlled units that are entrenched at the beginning of a scenario will hold their position during the game. Human-controlled units that are entrenched at the beginning of a scenario may refuse to leave entrenchments (if leadership/morale is low). Even if units follow orders to leave entrenchments, they require extra time to do so. Once units are un-entrenched, they cannot be re-entrenched in the game (though you COULD save the game and re-entrench using the editor). While entrenched, units will fight at a bonus (in addition to any terrain bonus) if attacked. Entrenched artillery units will still fire, but are receive the entrenchment defensive bonus. 8.7. { L } - Modify Unit Leadership ───────────────────────────────────── Use up/down arrow keys to change leadership in range of 10-110. Higher numbers reflect better leadership. 8.8. { M } - Modify Unit Morale ─────────────────────────────── Use up/down arrow keys to change morale in range of 10-110. Higher numbers reflect better morale. 8.9. { P } - Move Unit to New Position ────────────────────────────────────── Existing units can now be repositioned by pressing 'P' when the cursor is over the desired unit. The move the cursor to the new location, and press 'Enter' to move the unit. This feature is not available in the Edit menu. 8.10. { S } - Modify Unit Strength ────────────────────────────────── Use up/down arrow keys to change the unit' strength. Maximum strength for artillery units is 1000; for other units it is 3000. 8.11 { Z } - Zap Unit ───────────────────── Using the hot key 'Z' or selecting the 'ZAP UNIT' option from the edit window will remove the unit. This is useful to remove incorrect units. 8.11 { ! } - UNZap Unit ─────────────────────── If you accidentally Zapped a unit and HAVE NOT YET PLACED A NEW UNIT, an exclamation mark ('!') will appear in the window of available options. Pressing '!' will restore the unit Zapped at the cursor. (The unit recalled is the LAST unit Zapped). If the exclamation mark does not show in the window, you cannot recover the Zapped unit. 8.12 { T } - Change Unit Type ───────────────────────────── When the cursor is over a unit, you may change the unit type by first pressing 'T', then responding to the prompt to enter the first letter of the unit type. All the other unit attributes will remain the same, except that artillery type units will be restricted to a maximum strength of 1000. ╔═════════════════╗ ║ 9.0 Description ╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚═════════════════╝ The scenario description includes the battle name text that appears at the top of the game screen, and the time limit (number of turns) for the scenario. NOTE: the battle name text description is simply a title line, and NOT the file name). DO NOT USE COMMAS. A suggestion is to use the battle name and historical date. You must also select a time limit (number of turns) for the scenario. This sets a limit on how long the scenario will last. ╔═════════════════╗ ║ 10.0 Briefing ╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚═════════════════╝ The scenario briefing consists of up to 22 lines of text which is available on-line when the game itself is played. You will be prompted for then scenario briefing, which should give a synopsis of the battle along with any particular battle problems or pecularities you might want to call to attention. When you have finished, pressing the 'Esc' key will return you to the main menu. ╔═══════════════════════════╗ ║ 11.0 [convert old format] ╟──────────────────────────────────────────── ╚═══════════════════════════╝ Use this option to read OLD FORMAT files created with previous versions of CIVILWAR BATTLESET. Then SAVE file as described in Section 2.4 above. The following procedure is suggested: a) Make a back up copy of your old scenario (just in case...) b) Load the old scenario using the 'convert old format' option. (Do NOT use the 'Load Saved Scenario' option or an error will result). c) Save the scenario under the 'Save Scenario' option. It can now be loaded using the 'Load Scenario' option. ╔════════════════╗ ║ 12.0 Directory ╟─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚════════════════╝ With this option you may change the directory used by the program for loading and saving files. Simply type the new path over the old one that is displayed in the colored box, then press "Enter". If the new directory is valid, it will be displayed when the main menu returns. Otherwise an error message is displayed, and the old directory is retained. ╔══════════════════════╗ ║ 13.0 Random Scenario ╟────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚══════════════════════╝ This option allows you to quickly generate random scenarios. In doing this, you will be asked first for the battle size (ranging from a minor skirmish involving only a few units) to very large 'epic' battle with the maximum number of units. You can also control the balance of the battle, from a strong Union advantage (++ Union) to a strong Rebel advantage (++ Rebel). The program will automatically create the map, place the armies and the objective. The battle will also be given a fictitious place name and date. If you like how the battle looks, return to the Main Menu to save it (the default name will be 'RANDOM.CIV'. Of course, you may edit the map or army to modify the random scenario to suit your taste. ╔══════════╗ ║ 14. Quit ╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╚══════════╝ Allows you to exit the program. Be sure you have saved all your work first.