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1992-12-11
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17KB
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378 lines
+---
|
| | RUNCH
+-+-
| EAGUE
+--- FOOTBALL
-----------------------------------------------------------------
VERSION 2.1 DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A Crunchware Production!
Copyright 1992 by Stephen V. David
Introduction
Welcome to the world of on-line football! Crunch League Football
is a multi-player football game unique among on-line bulletin
board programs. No other game lets you draft your own football
team and play against others for the Crunch League Superbowl.
The game is a realistic simulator but is still easy enough to use
for even the football amateur. Whether you're a football pro or
a rookie, Crunch League offers the support and flexibility to
match the experience of anyone.
Crunch League Football has achieved a certain degree of
popularity by being in its own genre of on-liner. Since the
release of version 2.0, however, Crunchware has made the game
even better. Crunch League Football now offers something
virtually unknown in the world of on-liners: graphics. By
running Crunchterm, a small, easily installed terminal program,
players can now enjoy EGA or CGA graphics over their modems.
Game play itself has been made more extensive but, at the same
time, easier. Version 2.1 is easy to install or upgrade. Follow
the instructions given below and have fun!
Installation
The following files should be included with version 2.1 of Crunch
League Football compressed in a file called CLFB21.ZIP:
FB.EXE, CLCNF.EXE, PLAYFB.EXE, CLFB.CT, MAIN.CT, PNAMES.DAT,
CLINTRO.TXT, FOOTBALL.TXT, CLFBSYSP.DOC, REGISTER.TXT, READ.ME,
and UPGRADE.EXE.
If any of these files are missing, please contact Entwined
Relities BBS (703 440-5021) to get a genuine copy, and notify the
source of the incomplete CLFB21.ZIP of the problem.
CLFB will currently run under the following boards: WWIV,
GAP, Wildcat, QuickBBS, PCBoard, RBBS, and Spitfire. If you can
emulate the door information files of any of these BBSs, CLFB
should also run properly.
The installation process is easy. Just follow the steps
below:
1. Copy all the CLFB files (listed above) into a directory.
In most cases, you would want the CLFB directory to branch from
your main BBS directory (i.e. "C:\BBS\CLFB\").
2. Run CLCNF, and set up the game to fit your specifications.
For details on how to use CLCNF, see "Using CLCNF," below.
3. Add a chain to your BBS: "FB.EXE <door info filename>."
The name of the door information file varies from BBS program to
BBS program. For WWIV, it's CHAIN.TXT, while for Spitfire, it's
SFDOORS.DAT and so on. In addition, you may specify other
parameters after the chain information file name:
/L - Local mode only. CLFB does not attempt to send commands
through the COM port. Usually necessary if you want to
play locally and your modem is off hook. You might need to
create a separate on-liner using this parameter to allow
play locally without exiting your BBS.
/B - Display CLFB at both ends. Normally, CLFB will only
display at either the terminal end (if it can find one) or
the local end. /B allows both the player and sysop to view
what's going on.
/Xnnn - Designate that the COM port is locked at a certain
baud rate. You only need to supply the significant digits
of the baud rate (e.g. /X96 for 9600 baud and /X384 for
38400 baud).
In WWIV, use "FB %1" and also be SURE to specify that the BBS
compress and NOT do i/o routines.
Note: You may press F10 at most points during FB's execution
to cause an immediate abort without saving. This is true even
when the program displays only remotely. Be wary, however, not
to get into the habit of doing this too often, as it is not
popular with players.
WILDCAT Sysops:
Create a doorx.bat file like the following:
Copy c:\wc30\wcwork\node1\door.sys c:\bbs\clfb\
cd \bbs\clfb
fb /b /x192 (x24 is running 2400 baud modem only)
4. Add the file PLAYFB.EXE to the daily event batch file of
your BBS. See "How CLFB Works" below for more information on
PLAYFB.
5. Make the file "CT11.ZIP" available for download on your
BBS. Crunchterm will enable players to use CLFB with graphics.
To upgrade from an earlier version of CLFB than 2.0:
1. Follow step #1 above.
2. Run UPGRADE.EXE.
3. Edit the chain on your BBS to fit the specifications in
step #3 above.
4. Follow step #5 above.
To upgrade from version 2.0 to 2.1, all you have to do is copy
the contents of CLFB21.ZIP into your CLFB directory.
Using CLCNF
CLCNF allows you to create a new league when it is run the first
time and configure a league that already exists.
When CLCNF is run for the first time, it is necessary to go
through several steps to set up the game. You will be asked to
specify the number of leagues (1 or 2), the number of divisions
per league, and the number of teams per division. Most divisions
would have six or eight teams, but an even number ranging from
two to ten is allowed. The larger the division, the longer the
regular season will last.
The program will then create a schedule for the first season.
A single elimination tournament is created leading ultimately to
the superbowl.
You will also be asked to supply your name or sysop alias and
select whether or not to have CLFB write announcements to your
BBS logon message. If you allow these messages, brief
announcements will automatically be inserted into the logon
message whose name you specify.
For WILDCAT it prooved to work fine if you specify the logon messages
like: C:\WC30\DISP\Hello3N.BBS
This will display the results only once per user until the next games are played.
With that, the main setup has
been completed, and further configuration is left to you.
After the initial configuration and when CLCNF is run from
then on, the program will display a menu with several options,
described below:
- Complete Reset. Repeats the initial configuration. Be careful
to do this only when you want to COMPLETELY restart the game.
All currently existing teams will be lost.
- Details Menu. Allows you to change minor aspects of
configuration, such as sysop name and logon announcements.
- Gambling Setup. In the registered version, allows you to clear
the current bets or recalculate the odds for the next games. If
you are running CLFB on a WWIV BBS, you may specify whether to
allow the exchange of and the exchange rates for gold, security
level, and upload credit into CLFB dollars.
- Reset Season. Starts a new season, no matter what the status
of the current season is. You would usually only want to do this
once the current season has ended. You are first given the
option to add or delete teams, divisions, and leagues. From
there, CLCNF creates a new schedule and returns you to the main
menu.
- Set Up Schedule. Several options for changing the current
season's schedule. You may add or delete exposition weeks
(the sysop can schedule any teams to play each other in
exposition games, not effecting the official ranking of the
teams) and edit the dates of games scheduled.
- Edit Team. Allows you to edit the team name, team city, and
coach's name.
- Registration Code. Selecting this will prompt you to enter the
registration code received upon registering the game. Entering a
valid code allows gambling and trading. For more information on
registering, see below.
- Abort. Quit CLCNF without saving. A helpful feature if you
accidentally reset the game.
- Quit. Quit and save the current configuration.
How CLFB works
Every midnight, your BBS should activate PLAYFB. On nights that
games are scheduled, PLAYFB will then load information specified
by the players for the game, play the games, and save the results
in several files. If no games are scheduled, PLAYFB will do
nothing.
There are two parameters which may be specified with PLAYFB.
When PLAYFB is normally run, it will display registration
information, and display game results as they are played. When
run with the quiet parameter, /Q, PLAYFB will display nothing to
the screen. If you would like to play games before their
scheduled dates, you may use the /D parameter. When /D is
included on the command line, PLAYFB will play the next set of
games regardless of the date it is scheduled. So, for example,
if you would like to play the next games early and in quiet mode,
you would enter "PLAYFB /D /Q" in your batch file or at the DOS
prompt.
Crunchterm
The most remarkable addition to version 2.0 of CLFB is the
support for EGA and CGA graphics. When a user runs the game
while on-line, he has the option of either playing the game in
text mode, or with graphics. Using graphics requires that the
user have a special program, called Crunchterm, running on his or
her computer. Crunchterm will recognize special codes sent by
the BBS, which it will then interpret as graphical commands. The
user must also have two Crunchterm data files on his or her end,
called CLFB.CT and MAIN.CT. You should make the file CT11.ZIP,
containing Crunchterm (CT.EXE) and these data files on your BBS
for downloading by CLFB players. Information on installing
Crunchterm is in its documentation.
Pressing F10 at most times during FB's execution will cause it
to abort and send special exit codes to Crunchterm. Be careful,
however, not to use this function too often, as it has a tendency
to annoy users.
WILDCAT USERS:
If your users are having problems getting the Crunchterm to work
here is the process which will work:
Go to the door-menu
Activate the CT on the users side.
Wait about 5 seconds
Enter the number of the Crunchleague door.
Of course they need to have the Crunchterm files installed on
their machines.
Registration
Version 2.1 of Crunch League Football reflects hours and hours of
work. In addition to the work involved in the previous versions,
I had already rewritten the game for version 2.0, and completing
version 2.1 meant searching through long source codes for tiny
but annoying bugs. Developing Crunchterm took numerous
time-consuming tests, ending often enough in successes but also
in failures. After all the writing, testing, and debugging, I
have finally completed a new version of CLFB which has definitely
earned a new version number.
I ask that you consider the amount of work that went into the
game, and to please support Crunchware by registering your copy
of CLFB. The cost is still only $10, and there's no need for a
postage and handling fee. If you have already registered, thank
you. Registration codes for versions 1.21 amd 2.0 still work in
version 2.1. But if you have not registered and you are planning
to run CLFB on your BBS, please remember that you do not really
own a copy of the game until you have registered.
In addition to supporting Crunchware, registration has its
benefits for you. The registered version allows the use of two
new options. "Coaches" may carry out multiple player trades with
other teams. They may also bet on the outcome of upcoming games.
On WWIV BBSs, this money can be converted to WWIV gold, security
level, and/or upload credit if you elect to allow it. In
addition, WWIV users can bet on games even if they do not coach a
team. More information on trading and gambling is included in
the CLFB help file, CLINTRO.TXT.
Registration is easy, just print out and complete the file
REGISTER.TXT. Mail it with $10 to:
Stephen V. David
6030 Fort Hunt Road
Alexandria, VA 22307-1203
We suggest you do not send cash, but rather a check or money
order. Within two to three weeks, expect a registration code
which will personalize your copy and enable registered options.
If you have and questions, you can reach me, Infinity #35, at
Entwined Realities BBS (703 440-5021), through WWIVNet (#27 @
7309) or WWIVLink (#4 @ 7315), or by regular mail (at the address
above).
Thanks for your support!
WILDCAT SUPPORT:
If you are a WILDCAT Sysop and you have any questions
about Crunchleague or Crunchterm you may call our
Crunchleague Wildcat Beta-Test BBS,
Leisure-Land
(407) 852-8304
(407) 852-0737
both lines running with 14.4 K Baud.
Just page the Sysop or leave a message to Coconut.
If you need either of the packages you may download it
from there. (Access on first call)
You can also write a message to Roland Bulling on the
Mustang HQ BBS for registered Wildcat users.
History
Following is a brief listing of changes made to Crunch League
Football with the release of each version. Only major changes
are listed. Several minor changes not listed were made in each
new version as well.
Ver 1.0 (4/9/90) - Game initially released.
Ver 1.1 (8/6/90) - Game released with small changes. Additions
include: visitor option; improved interface in CLCNF; option to
delete teams, divisions, or leagues when resetting a season with
CLCNF; rankings of teams with similar records now being based on
points scored:points given up ratio; latest scores option;
trading and gambling options for REGISTERED versions. Bugs
fixed: infrequent error in reporting scores; major post-season
scheduling error; error handling injuries.
Ver 1.11 (9/19/90) - Game released with a few minor changes.
Addition: protection from damage from most crashes while PLAYFB
is running. Bugs: error recording the number of superbowls won
by a team.
Ver 1.2 (1/9/91) - Additions to game: edit player position
option; permanent ANSI switch; cut down run time for PLAYFB;
support for Crunchware News; simpler system for making the
schedule; edit team option; "/I" option in PLAYFB reports game
scores as they are played; improved gambling setup interface;
team data stored in one file (TEAMS.DAT, rather than TEAMn.DAT).
Bugs: major problem with PLAYFB crashing for no apparent reason;
problem with trade mix-ups when the season is reset; gambling
data file corruption; infrequent bad league/division assignments
when teams were added. When using gambling in the registered
version, WWIV MUST be shrunk before running FB and PLAYFB.
Ver 1.21 (3/4/91) - Additions: the gambling option now works
with most WWIV BBSs whose UserRec format has been changed by a
mod (e.g. the 64 message sub mod); registration method using
codes to simplify the upgrading process. Bugs: Sometimes not
updating teams.dat, rankings.txt, and gamb.dat.
Ver 2.0 (12/18/91) - Game completely rewritten. Additions:
support for Crunchterm; user created plays; setup system
completely revamped; several player characteristics; modified
gambling system; outstanding players; lots of little things.
Bugs: Well, how could we have corrected any if we started over
from scratch? WWIV must now be SHRUNK and have i/o interrupts
turned OFF in order for CLFB to work.
Ver 2.1 (11/30/92) - Bugs: Removed sound function due to
conflict with some DOS setups; Fixed bug with chain.txt
recognition in WWIV; Game records may be accessed by week and
game number; Fixed bug involving team color selection; Fixed
several annoying bugs that made PLAYFB crash and/or fill up your
hard drive occasionally; Teams without enough active players must
now forfeit.
Please make the users of your BBS aware of these additions, as
some of them may not notice their mention in the help file.
If you notice any bugs that have not been fixed in the latest
version, please report them to us as soon as possible. Any help
would be greatly appreciated.
Credits
Crunch League Football was a major job, and I could never have
done it without the help of many people. Thanks especially to:
- Maelstrom for ideas, 146 first names, and 674 last names.
- Louie Louie and C-Mole for tips about football.
- Maelstrom, Gra Mouser, and Random for hosting Crunchware
Headquarters at one time or another.
- Machine for his humorous but excessively raunchy ideas.
- Random for suggesting Crunchware refreshments.
- The users of Entwined Realities, Lankhmar, the Temple o' Nine
BBSs for helping out with beta testing.
- Roland Bulling for supporting Wildcat! use of CLFB.
- The huge number of users who suggested additions to the earlier
versions.
Have fun! And keep your eyes open for new Crunchware/Crunchterm
products!