PC Gamer 9/1995-08_Disc_9.iso/playnet/heretic.exe/arj/APCIHTIC.DAT

Text File | 1995-03-31 | 37KB | 964 lines

=============================================================================

   This is an ASCII resource for APCiHERETIC.  Do **NOT** edit this file!
           Editing this file may disable your copy of APCiHERETIC.
              APCIHTIC.DAT  Version 1.0  Last updated 3/24/95

Anyone attempting to edit this file will be killed.  Really.  We're serious.
      This file is Copyright 1994-95 Applied Personal Computing, Inc.

=============================================================================


|
When you first saw the seven candles, you knew. You knew,
but any Sidhe would have known in the magic of the
reflections pulsing across the ceiling of the Elder's
chamber; each flame with its own power to burn, each flame
tied irrevocably to the flow of the Earth's breath, the
seven flames were the armies of the seven kings of Earth.

Circling the candles stood the Elders of the Sidhe, leaders
of an ancient race of elves proficient in arcane sorcery,
and keepers of  the Tomes of Power. From the Book they read
the prophecy of Armageddon. "The three come from the Eastern
wilds with seven swords in their seven right hands. And they
shall be given dominion over all that believeth in them. He
that hath an ear, let him hear that the children of the
Sidhe will be driven before them and on the day that the
children of the Sidhe are no more, the earth shall be
forever lost to the Abyss."

From the East came the evil foretold by your forefathers:
the three Serpent Riders, the guardians of death everlasting.
Their form was shrouded by black cloaks. Only their eyes were
revealed; sunken with evil, dreadful in their intensity. As a
sign of power they brought peace to the Eastern provinces.
Those who believed in the sign created a temple in their
honor; and it bore the mark of the crossed trident. Their
worshippers were the Order of the Sign; blind followers,
without will, void of spirit. As the power of the Order grew,
even the seven kings of the Earth followed like cattle behind
them. And after they controlled the great nations two Riders
left the world. Only D'Sparil, the weakest of them remained
while his disciples traveled the earth cleansing it in
preparation for its descent.

Scorned by the other people of Earth, the Sidhe possessing
powers of their own, remained unaffected by the spell of the
Riders. The Sidhe are now considered the Heretics, the
unclean, fit only to be wiped from the face of the Earth. The
disciples of D'Sparil conspired with the kings of the earth
to remove the last lands of apostasy. And while the armies of
the seven nations gathered to destroy the Sidhe, the Elders
convened to discuss the fate of your people. When all voices
had spake against the Order, the seven Elders extinguished
the seven candle flames simultaneously. At that silent
instant, a brilliant flash of light came from the east, and
the armies that  had gathered against you were no more.
Drained by their efforts, the Elders fell to the floor,
listening to the single painful scream echoing from the
now-scorched battlefield.

But then the forces of the Abyss took their vengeance. The
ether had quaked with the magic effort of the Elders' action,
and the curse of the Order followed the trail unerringly to
the Elders' conventicle. Suddenly the foul odor of death came
and the earth opened to engulf the Elders in flames; the
white-bright fire clinging to their flesh, knowingly and
eagerly eating each layer of skin. Too, pouring forth from
the earth like squirming maggots, came the forces of evil
both beast and undead.  They attacked in hordes like packs
of dogs, first surrounding the weakest and biting and clawing
their victims to the ground. As each Sidhe fell several
beasts would gather to chew into their bellies like pigs into
slop, their heads often deeply submerged into the gut with
the victim's intestines slung half-eaten upon their own
squirming bodies. When the day was done, the few remaining
Sidhe were scattered throughout the land. The Abyss had taken
the tomes and artifacts of your people as spoils of their
victory. Alone, without weapons, the surviving Sidhe would
surely perish at the hands of the Order of the Triad. The
Elders' destruction of the seven armies had gone for naught.

While the other Sidhe hid, their spirit broken, you thirsted
for vengeance and rode East into the wilderness, in search of
D'Sparil. Now you stand before the City of Undead, its air
thick with the stench of rot. Your hate drives you to see
these creatures oozing their heart's ichor before you. Beyond
these gates the dead and the creatures of the night writhe in
dark corners, their bodies aching for your blood. With luck,
some of your peoples' ancient artifacts can be found hidden
amongst the dark passages beyond. For with only a staff as
your weapon, the world is surely damned.
|
Acubit 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 %C0 \N0 X4
Apex Technology 28.8
AT &F &C1 &D2 %C0 \N0 &Q0 %B19200 X4
AT&T Data Port 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 S41=3 \N0 %C0 X4
ATI Technologies
AT &F &C1 &D2 &E1 &K0 &U0 X4
Boca Research 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 &K0 %C0 X4
Boca Research 28.8
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 &K0 %C0 S37=17 X4
Cardinal 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 N0 X4
Data Race
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 %C0 X4
DFI
AT&F &C1 &D2 &K0 &Q6 S48=128 X4
GVC 14.4 V.42
AT &F &C1 &D2 %C0 \N0 B8 X4
Hayes 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 &K0 &Q6 S46=136 X4
Hayes 28.8
AT &F &C1 &D2 &K0 &Q0 S37=12 S46=136 X4
Intel 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 \Q0 \J1 \V0 X4
Intel 14.4 Fax
AT &F N0 &D2 &C1 &Q6 &K0 S0=1 X4
Intel 14.4i
AT &F &C1 &D2 B8 %C0 \N0 \Q0 X4
Intel 14.4i Fax
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 \Q0 X4
Motorola Chipset (Generic)
AT &F &C1 &D2 &K0 &Q6 S37=11 S46=136 X4
Practical Perip 14.4FX v32
AT &F &C1 &D2 &K0 &Q6 S46=0 X4
Rockwell Chipset (Generic)
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 S46=0 &K0 %C0 X4
SupraFax 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 &Q6 &K %C0 \N1 S37=6 S0=1 X4
SupraFax 14.4 v32
AT &F &C1 &D2 S46=136 %C0 X4
SupraFax 14.4 v32-
AT &F &C1 &D2 S46=136 M1 Q0 D2 X4
Telebit Worldblazer 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 S51=4 S180=0 S183=8 S190=0 L1 X4
Telebit FastBlazer 28.8
AT &F &C1 &D2 *M12 &E0 *E0 &K0 X4
USR High Speed other than Courier
AT &F &A0 &B1 &C1 &D2 &H0 &I0 &K0 S27=48 X4
Viva 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 %C0 &K0 X4
VivaFax 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 \Q0 %C0 B8 \N1 X4
ZOOM High Speed
AT &F &C1 &D2 &K0 &Q6 %C0 S46=136 X4
ZyXel 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 \N0 X4
ZyXel U-1496 14.4
AT &F &C1 &D2 S46=0 &K0 X4
|
; SYSTEM DIRECTORIES
HERETIC=
LEVELWAD=
SOUNDWAD=
GRAPHICSWAD=

; NETWORK SETTINGS
USER=CHANGE THIS NOW!
TICDUP=1
M_COM=1
M_BAUD=19200
S_COM=2
S_BAUD=19200
INIT=CHANGE THIS NOW!   CLICK HERE --->
TONE=1
FIFO=1
SOCKET=0
TRANSPORT=1
EXTRACTICS=0
MPGS=

; OTHER SETTINGS
HERETICVER=1.0
VERSION=1.0
LASTSAVE=
GAMETYPE=0

; PHONE BOOKS
M_NAME_0=PlayNet, Inc.
M_PHONE_0=1-708-833-0129
M_NAME_1=NONE
M_PHONE_1=
M_NAME_2=NONE
M_PHONE_2=
M_NAME_3=NONE
M_PHONE_3=
M_NAME_4=NONE
M_PHONE_4=
S_NAME_0=NONE
S_PHONE_0=
S_NAME_1=NONE
S_PHONE_1=
S_NAME_2=NONE
S_PHONE_2=
S_NAME_3=NONE
S_PHONE_3=
S_NAME_4=NONE
S_PHONE_4=

; GAME SETTINGS
20DEATHMATCH=1
DEATHMATCH=0
NOMONSTERS=1
DMTIMER=0
RESPAWN=0
EPISODE=1
LEVEL=1
SKILL=4

; ADD-IN WAD SETTINGS
ADD20DEATHMATCH=1
ADDDEATHMATCH=0
ADDNOMONSTERS=1
ADDDMTIMER=0
ADDRESPAWN=0
ADDSKILL=4
ADDMAP=E1M1

; NEXT GAME DESCRIPTIONS
GAME=NO MONS, EPISODE 1, LEVEL 1, SKILL 4, DM 2.0
ADDGAME=
ADDBASE=NO MONS, SKILL 4, DM 2.0
|
READ THIS STUFF!!!
Help with Help!
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS...
    Configuring Your System - Mandatory
    Configuring Your Modem - Important
    Configuring Your Serial Ports - Important
APCiHERETIC FILE Menu options...
    Read Storyline...
    Dialing Directories
    APCiHERETIC Setup... - Mandatory
    APCiLINK Setup... - Mandatory
    Game Setup Utility - Mandatory
    Exit
APCiHERETIC GAME Menu options...
    Single Player Game
    Two Player Game
        Modem Game
        Serial Game
    MultiPlayer Game
        BBS Game
        IPX Game
        VGC Game
    If Already Connected, Jump to...
APCiHERETIC SETTINGS Menu Options...
    Standard WAD Setup
    Standard Savegame Setup
    Add-In WAD Setup
    Add-In Savegame Setup
APCiHERETIC HELP Menu options...
    Help!
    APCiMPGS Loopback Test...
    APCiHERETIC Network Snooper...
    About...
Heretic and data communications...
Using cheats and modified WAD/EXE files...
Don't disconnect during MultiPlayer games!
Troubleshooting Information
APCiHERETIC FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Suggestions...?
Disclaimer
Special thanks (and strokes)...
APCiHERETIC Release History
|
READ THIS STUFF!!!

If you don't read this stuff, you won't know what you are
doing and everyone will think you're an idiot!  (If you
just smirked and thought, "yeah...right" then, well, you're
an idiot!)

IT MIGHT TAKE YOU 15 MINUTES SO JUST READ IT!

The information contained within this help section is
absolutely critical.  You may save yourself and other
players hours of frustration by spending a few minutes
reading everything here.
|
Help with Help!

Please select a help topic from the list provided below.

You may return to this help section any time by selecting
HELP from the HELP menu.
|
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS...

The following options provide very important information
about preparing to play multiplayer Heretic.  Please
read them thoroughly and make sure you meet all of the
specified requirements before you play using APCiHERETIC.
|
Configuring Your System - Mandatory

To ensure proper operation and satisfactory performance of
your system while using APCiHERETIC follow these important
guidelines:

->  Your system should be at least a 486SX25 with 4MB of
    main system RAM to play Heretic 1.0 or later.

->  If you don't have RAM to spare, or have a slow system,
    limit your number of digital sounds to two or three.

->  Your operating system should be MS-DOS 6.0 or later.
    Type "ver" and hit ENTER at any DOS prompt to display
    version information.

->  You should boot your system "cleanly" by pressing the
    F5 key or holding down the left SHIFT key when the
    "Starting MS-DOS" message appears.  You may then load
    your mouse driver and network drivers if necessary.

->  If using a sound card, your interrupt should be either
    IRQ5 or IRQ7.  Check your sound card documentation for
    instructions on how to modify this setting.

->  Your system should have a maximum of two standard serial
    (communications) ports configured.  Internal modems are
    included.  Refer to the "Configuring Your Serial Ports"
    topic within the APCiHERETIC help section.

->  Access your system's CMOS configuration utility and
    set the following parameters if available:

    - HIDDEN REFRESH should be off or disabled.
    - HARDWARE VIDEO SHADOWING should be off or disabled.
    - TURBO SWITCH(ING) should be off or disabled.
    - HD1 BLOCK MODE should be off or disabled.

->  When playing via the APCi MultiPlayer Game Server, you
    must be able to load Heretic in less than 45 seconds
    from the time you hit ENTER at a Heretic command
    line to the point at which your player's gun raises.  If
    you cannot load within 45 seconds, avoid using disk
    compression utilities such as MS DriveSpace.  You
    should also keep your hard disk defragmented using
    Microsoft DEFRAG or Norton Speed Disk.  If you have
    a very stable system and plenty of main system RAM (8MB
    or more), you may want to try loading HIMEM.SYS and
    SMARTDRV.EXE.  Consult your DOS manual or type HELP
    at any DOS 6.X prompt for more information.
|
Configuring Your Modem - Important

If you wish to play multiplayer modem Heretic, you must
first configure your modem properly.  In particular, you
must disable error correction and data compression.  This is
accomplished by providing the appropriate initialization
string.  While a simple database of modems and initiation
strings is provided for you in APCiLINK Setup, you may wish
to confirm these settings and modify them if necessary.

Your initialization string should begin with "AT&F&C1&D2X4"
to restore factory defaults, enable carrier detection,
enable DTR tracking, and enable extended result codes.  If
you are using a modem capable of DCE speeds in excess of
14.4kbps, include the command string that will limit your
DCE (modem to modem connect speed) to 14.4kbps.  There is no
reason for a faster connect.  In many cases, faster DCE
rates will decrease performance due to frequent errors
related to the limited tolerance of standard telephone
lines.  Refer to your modem documentation for a list of "AT"
command strings.
|
Configuring Your Serial Ports - Important

The standard configurations are:  COM1 at 0x3F8 on IRQ4, and
COM2 at 0x2F8 on IRQ3.  There is no reason to be using COM3
or COM4 since they might use either an irregular or a
conflicting interrupt setting or port address.  Disable any
extra ports, even if they are not being used.  Consult your
computer, I/O interface, and modem documentation for
additional information.

Your game performace via modem and null-modem serial link
will be much better if your serial port or internal modem
has a 16550C buffered UART.  Avoid 16550 "emulators" that
are currently on the market.  Also, avoid 16550s prior to
the 16550C.  Serial interfaces with 16550 UARTs are very
inexpensive and well worth the upgrade.
|
APCiHERETIC FILE Menu options...

Each of the options listed within the FILE menu of
APCiHERETIC are described and explained in the following
options.
|
Read Storyline...

From the FILE menu, select the Read Storyline... option to
read the Heretic storyline as written by Raven Software, Inc.
|
Dialing Directories

From the FILE menu, select the Dialing Directories option to
maintain two separate dialing directories to store the names
and numbers of other players as well as BBSs that host the
APCi MultiPlayer Game Server.
|
APCiHERETIC Setup... - Mandatory

From the FILE menu, you may select the APCiHERETIC Setup...
option to configure your copy of APCiHERETIC.  You must
specify the locations of your Heretic program files as
add-ins such as level, sound, and graphic WAD files.

You must provide these locations in terms of a drive letter
and an explicit path (e.g. C:\GAMES\HERETIC\).  If you do
not know the locations of these files, you may select the
BROWSE button.  Effective use of the BROWSE feature requires
the use of a mouse.  Due to DOS limitations, please keep
your pathnames as short as possible.

Your Heretic version must be 1.0 or later.  Heretic BETA is
NOT supported.  Enter your Heretic version number in the box
provided.  Press the Save button when you are finished
configuring Heretic.
|
APCiLINK Setup... - Mandatory

From the FILE menu, you may select the APCiLINK Setup...
option to configure your player identification and methods
of connecting to other players.  You must specify a "handle"
which will identify you to other players.  If you plan to
play by modem, you must provide an appropriate modem
initialization string as well as port information.  A simple
database of common modems and initialization strings may be
accessed by selecting the Init Strings button.  If your
modem is not listed, or the init string provided does not
work, try using the autodetect option.  APCiHERETIC will test
your modem and build an init string for you.  Keep in mind
that APCiHERETIC is only making an educated guess at what
your init string should be and that it may still need some
work to make it "just right."  Your port speed should be left
at 19200bps.  9600bps should only be used for two-player
modem games over telephone lines of questionable quality.
Please refer to the "Configuring Your Modem" and "Configuring
Your Serial Ports" topics within the APCiHERETIC help section
for additional information.

You may also configure APCiLINK for direct null-modem serial
connections by providing the appropriate port information.
Please note that both players in a direct null-modem serial
game must have the same port speed.  In most cases, this
speed should be left at 19200bps.

If you wish to use APCiHERETIC to play over an IPX LAN, you
may configure APCiLINK to use any specific socket number.
To select and modify this setting, you must already have your
network drivers loaded (e.g. LSL.COM, NE2000.COM,
IPXODI.COM).  All players must have the same socket number,
must be on the same LAN segment (network number), and must
be using the same network frame type (e.g. Ethernet_802.2).

If you are unsure of your segment address (network number),
you may utilize the APCiHERETIC Network Snooper option
located under your HELP menu.  Your frame type is indicated
in your NET.CFG file.  You may need to contact your network
administrator or consult your network interface
documentation for assistance or additional information.

The Advanced Setup button on the APCiLINK Setup dialog box
will present options that should not normally be changed.
Changing these options without specific instructions from a
qualified technical support source such as your sysop or an
APCi representative may make your setup incompatible with
other players and prevent you from utilizing APCiHERETIC.
|
Game Setup Utility - Mandatory

From the FILE menu, select the Game Setup Utility option to
configure the currently selected Heretic game (see the
Heretic menu).  Press the ESC key and press ENTER to return
to APCiHERETIC.

If you use a mouse when you play modem or null-modem serial
link Heretic, you will need to decrease your mouse
sensitivity.  Failure to do so will make your player very
difficult to control.
|
Exit

From the FILE menu, you may select the Exit option to return
to DOS.  If you are playing in a virtual gaming center, this
option may be disabled by your VGC operator.
|
APCiHERETIC GAME Menu options...

Each of the options listed within the GAME menu of
APCiHERETIC are described and explained in the following
options.
|
Single Player Game

From the GAME menu, select the Single Player Game option to
launch the currently selected Heretic game (see the Heretic
menu) with the currently selected game settings WAD file
configurations (see the SETTINGS menu).
|
Two Player Game

From the GAME menu, select the Two Player Game option to
play with one other player via modem or direct null-modem
serial link.
|
Modem Game

From the GAME menu, select the Two Player Game | Modem Game
option to run APCiTERM, a simple ANSI serial communications
terminal.  You must first configure your modem
initialization string and port settings by selecting the
APCiLINK Setup option from the FILE menu.  If you have
entered a player's name and number in the two player dialing
directory found under the FILE menu and you choose to be the
"dialing" player, you will be given the option to select and
automatically dial another player.  Otherwise, you must
enter the appropriate dialing string at the modem command
line (e.g. ATDT555-1212).

The "answering" player should simply select NO when asked if
they are the "dialing" player.  When the "dialing" player
dials, the "answering" player will automatically answer.
The modems will negotiate and, if everything has been
configured properly, both players will immediately enter
APCiCHAT where they can chat and agree upon game settings
before and between games.  If players have identical game
settings as is required in a multiplayer game, the game will
automatically begin when both players have pressed the F10
key, changing their status from "Waiting to die" to "READY
TO KILL!"  Players may press F5 to exit APCiCHAT and return
to the APCiHERETIC menus.
|
Serial Game

From the GAME menu, select the Two Player Game | Serial Game
option to immediately enter APCiCHAT.  You must first
configure your port settings by selecting the APCiLINK Setup
option from the FILE menu.  If players have identical game
settings as is required in a multiplayer game, the game will
automatically begin when both players have pressed the F10
key, changing their status from "Waiting to die" to "READY
TO KILL!"  Players may press F5 to exit APCiCHAT and return
to the APCiHERETIC menus.
|
MultiPlayer Game

From the GAME menu, select the MultiPlayer Game option to
play multiplayer Heretic with one to three other players.
You may then select your network type.
|
BBS Game

From the GAME menu, select the MultiPlayer Game | BBS Game
option to play multiplayer Heretic via any BBS that hosts the
APCi MultiPlayer Game Server.  You must first configure your
modem initialization string and port settings by selecting
the APCiLINK Setup option from the FILE menu.  If you have
entered BBS names and numbers in the multiplayer dialing
directory found under the FILE menu, you will be given the
option to select and automatically dial a host BBS.

Once you have logged into the host BBS, follow the menu
prompts to access the APCi MultiPlayer Game Server.  Once
you have accessed the game server, press your space bar to
activate your session.  Follow the on-line text and prompts.
Press ALT-M or click your mouse on the blue header for a
drop-down menu of options.

Pressing F5 will begin APCiCHAT.  If there are already game
pools or chat pools on the APCi MultiPlayer Game Server, you
will be given the option to select a chat pool or to create
a new one.
|
IPX Game

From the GAME menu, select the MultiPlayer Game | IPX Game
option to play multiplayer Heretic via any IPX LAN.  You must
first load your network drivers.  Ensure that all players
are on the same LAN segment (network number) and have the
same network socket.  You may change your network socket
number by selecting the APCiLINK Setup option from the FILE
menu.  WARNING!  Do not change your network socket number
without consulting your network administrator!
|
VGC Game

From the GAME menu, select the MultiPlayer Game | VGC Game
option to play multiplayer Heretic via an IPX LAN connection
to the APCi MultiPlayer Game Server.  You must first load
your network drivers.  Ensure that all players are on the
same LAN segment as the APCiMPGS.  You must enter the
network node address of the APCiMPGS in the box provided in
the Advanced section of APCiLINK Setup.
|
If Already Connected, Jump to...

From the GAME menu, select the If Already Connected, Jump
to... option to either return to the APCiTERM ANSI
communications terminal, or to return to APCiCHAT.
|
APCiHERETIC SETTINGS Menu Options...

Each of the options listed within the SETTINGS menu of
APCiHERETIC are described and explained in the following
options.
|
Standard WAD Setup

From the SETTINGS menu, select the Standard WAD Setup option
to change your game settings when using the Heretic.

The Preview button allows you to view a simple floorplan of
the currently selected map.

The Extras button allows you to add additional command line
options such as "turbo" and "record".  Please refer to your
Heretic documentation for more information.
CAUTION!  Using the Extras option may make your settings
incompatible with those of other players!

To save your WAD settings and update your APCiHTIC.INI file,
select the Save button.  If you do not wish to change your
WAD settings, simply select the Cancel button.
|
Standard Savegame Setup

From the SETTINGS menu, select the Standard Savegame Setup
option to access saved games.  The Extras button allows you
to add additional command line options such as "turbo" and
"record".  Please refer to your Heretic documentation for
more information.
CAUTION!  Using the Extras option may make your settings
incompatible with those of other players!  Select the Save
option to update your APCiHTIC.INI file and return to the
APCiHERETIC menus.  If you do not wish to change your
Savegame Setup, simply select the Cancel button.
|
Add-In WAD Setup

From the SETTINGS menu, select the Add-In WAD Setup option
add-in Heretic WAD files.  Add-in WAD files may only be used
with registered versions of Heretic.

You may add up to five WAD files.  As you add WAD files to
the list, if there are conflicts, the latest addition will
be the playable WAD.  You may also add descriptions to your
WAD files for future reference.  CAUTION!  All players must
have the same LEVEL WAD files installed and they must be
installed in exactly the same order in multiplayer games!

The Preview button allows you to view a simple floorplan of
the currently selected map.

The Options button will take you to a dialog box of the
standard game settings.

The Extras button allows you to add additional command line
options such as "turbo" and "record".
CAUTION!  Using the Extras option may make your settings
incompatible with those of other players!

To return to your add-in WAD setup dialog and update your
APCiHTIC.INI, simply select the Save option.

Once you return to the Add-In WAD Setup dialog, you may save
your settings and update your APCiHTIC.INI file by selecting
the Save button.  To remove an add-in WAD file from the
list, select it then select the Remove button.
|
Add-In Savegame Setup

From the SETTINGS menu, select the Add-In Savegame Setup
option to access saved games.  The Extras button allows you
to add additional command line options such as "turbo" and
"record".  Please refer to your Heretic documentation for
more information.
CAUTION! Be sure to use the same WAD files and game settings
you used when you saved the game.  Select Jump to Add-In WAD
Manager to configure your saved game before playing.  Select
the Save option to update your APCiHTIC.INI file and return
to the APCiHERETIC menus.  If you do not wish to change your
Savegame Setup, simply select the Cancel button.
|
APCiHERETIC HELP Menu options...

Each of the options listed within the HELP menu of
APCiHERETIC are described and explained in the following
options.
|
Help!

From the HELP menu, you may select the Help! option to
access the information you are now reading.
|
APCiMPGS Loopback Test...

From the HELP menu, you may select the APCiMPGS Loopback
Test... option to test the quality of your modem or serial
connection to the APCi MultiPlayer Game Server.  This is a
very helpful tool for identifying incorrect modem
initialization strings, line noise, and other communications
problems.

Other than the first one or two test packets sent, all
packets should be counted as "CORRECT" and your average
loopback time should consistently be 0.11 seconds or less.

NOTE:  This test will NOT identify UART failures.
|
APCiHERETIC Network Snooper...

From the HELP menu, you may select the APCiHERETIC Network
Snooper... option to identify the network address of your
workstation.  You must have your network drivers loaded to
perform this operation.
|
About...

From the HELP menu, you may select the About... option to
display copyright, trademark, and version information.
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Heretic and data communications...

Simply stated, data communications is nearly a miracle.
Phone lines are unstable, modems are different, computers
are different, and configurations are different.

Because of this, you can expect some momentary delays or
choppiness while playing such data-intensive games as
Heretic. There are literally thousands of factors that
effect the stability and smoothness of each game, and very
few of them are manageable, not to mention controllable.

MultiPlayer Heretic games are always synchronized.  If your
player seems a little sluggish, don't worry, your opponents
are exactly the same way.  When your system pauses, so does
theirs and vice versa.  So, if you get your butt kicked
royally in a good Deathmatch, don't blame it on sluggishness
or choppiness.  The game was the same for the player that
toasted you.  YOU LOST, FAIR AND SQUARE!

Below is the "choppy Heretic game" top-ten reason list:

     1 - Data Compression and/or Error Correction has
         not been disabled on one of the player's modems.
         Be sure to use the correct modem init string!
     2 - Heretic just "bogs" sometimes, even on really fast
         systems.  This is usually caused by HD access.
     3 - Your system is somewhat slow because of hardware
         or configuration problems.  Remember not to use
         expanded memory managers such as EMM386 and QEMM.
     4 - Another player's system is even worse than yours.
     5 - You have a "dirty" phone line.
     6 - Another player has a "dirty" phone line.
     7 - Solar flares.  Yeah, that's it!
     8 - You forgot to disable call waiting by putting
         *70 before your BBS phone number when dialing.
     9 - Some other idiot forgot to disable his call
         waiting.  (What a jerk!)
    10 - The BBS you are using is wimpy and can't handle
         the MultiPlayer load.
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Using modified WAD/EXE files...

If you have edited your WAD file, or in some cases merely
loaded it into an editor then saved it, you will probably
crash in MultiPlayer Heretic.  All players MUST have exactly
the same WAD file.

If you use the "turbo" command line option, all other
players will promptly be notified at the start of the game
as well as continually throughout the game.
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Don't disconnect during MultiPlayer games!

If you must leave a game, please use the menus to quit
properly.  This sends a very important message to all other
players which enables their copy of Heretic to go on without
you.

Remember, Heretic is in constant synchronization.  If a
player leaves without properly "telling" all other players,
then other players are left "hanging" while they wait for
more information.  There is no way for the other players to
continue their game.
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Troubleshooting

If you have followed ALL of the directions contained in the
documentation that came with Heretic, and you have read
ALL of the APCiHERETIC help documentation, chances are you
won't have any problems.

Most of the problems that remain after all documented steps
have been taken to correct them are caused by faulty
hardware.  Try different hardware, such as a different modem
or a different serial I/O card.  Try to isolate your problem
by removing accessories such as sound cards and network
cards.  There is a chance that you have a bad 16550 UART in
your serial port.  You can try disabling its FIFO by un-
checking the "Search for Buffered UART?" option found in the
Advanced Setup area of APCiLINK Setup under the FILE menu.

If you suspect that something has gone wrong with your copy
of Heretic, please re-install it.  If you are using
pirated copies, you deserve for your system to explode in
your face, sending millions of transistors ripping through
your diseased criminal brain.  Get bent, you loser!

If you suspect that something has gone wrong with your copy
of APCiHERETIC, delete it and download a new copy from the
APCi BBS at [phone].

If you don't have the patience to read and understand
documentation, but rather believe that someone on a 1-800
technical support line should hold your hand and read it to
you, please drop to DOS now and type "FORMAT C: /U" at the
command prompt.  This is guaranteed to rid you (and everyone
else) of your Heretic-related problems!
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APCiHERETIC FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  I can play two-player modem Heretic just fine, but
    my game always freezes after a few minutes of three or
    four player modem Heretic.  Why?!?

A.  Unfortunately, this is usally caused by faulty serial
    communications equipment, especially bad FIFOs on a
    16550 UART.  Some internal modems are using a 16550
    UART emulator of some sort.  These may also cause
    problems.  You may want to disable FIFO detection by
    turning UART buffering detection off in the Advanced
    Setup option of APCiLINK Setup under the FILE menu.
    Other than that, try a different modem or a different
    serial I/O interface.

Q.  I have a 28.8kbps modem.  Why should I limit my connect
    speed to 14.4 when playing modem Heretic with
    APCiHERETIC?

A.  Speeds in excess of 14.4kbps are difficult for the phone
    company's equipment to sustain without frequent errors.
    Since smooth modem Heretic requires that you disable
    error correction, additional errors cause Heretic to have
    to re-send packets, degrading game performance.

Q.  If I have a Pentium 90Mhz and my friend has a 486DX2/66,
    why isn't my game a lot faster than his when we play
    modem Heretic II?

A.  Heretic does not send coordinates.  Instead, it sends
    vector-type packets.  Therefore, multiplayer Heretic
    games must be in constant synchronization.  You're modem
    or network Heretic games will always be limited to the
    speed and quaility of the game on the slowest computer.
    Unfortunately, that means that if some other player
    didn't read the documentation and doesn't have their
    system configured correctly, all other players suffer.
    Hint....hint....

Q.  Why can't I use a port speed higher than 19200bps?

A.  Even in a four-player game, Heretic's data requirements
    do not need speeds in excess of 14400bps.  You're
    actual transmission speed is limited to your modem to
    modem connect speed since you are not using data
    compression.  Using a port speed that is faster than
    your modem connect speed only wastes processor time
    and degrades your game performance.

Q.  Why shouldn't I use memory managers like QEMM or EMM386
    with Heretic?

A.  Heretic uses a 386 DOS extender.  Heretic really doesn't
    care how much conventional memory you have as long as you
    have enough to load the extender.  Most memory managers
    cause additional processor interrups, degrading game
    performance.  If you need a little extra conventional
    memory for some reason and you have plenty of system RAM
    (8MB or more), try using HIMEM.SYS and DOS=HIGH in your
    CONFIG.SYS file.

Q.  Why should I read all of this documentation when I can
    just call APCi's 1-800 number and ask a technician, or
    waste time on-line annoying other players with stupid
    questions?

A.  You idiot.  Get bent.  You probably suck at Heretic!
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Suggestions...?

If you have suggestions for improved game performance such
as modified modem init strings and system configurations,
please contact APCi at 1-800-535-APCi.
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Disclaimer

Raven Software and id Software will provide absolutely NO
support for this software.  APCi has nothing to do with id
or Raven.

APCi will provide absolutely NO support for Heretic.  Well,
unless you're really cool about it and ask nicely.  :)

APCi will provide absolutely NO support for inferior
hardware that doesn't work.  If you bought junk, DARN!

Please remember, this software is FREE.  Therefore,
do not expect APCi to spend hours helping you rebuild you
computer system.  If you are having problems playing via the
APCi MultiPlayer Game Server, please contact your sysop.
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Special thanks (and strokes)...

Thanks to the brilliant folks at Raven Software for their
incredible implementation of the modified DOOM engine!

Thank you to Hayes for building the best modem money can
buy.  (Get with the program, USR and ZOOM!)

Thank you to DigiBoard for building an intelligent multiport
interface that SCREAMS, and works every time, and is
reasonably simple to program around.

Thank you to Novell for providing us a way to avoid the
damn "bog-down" headaches that came with our BBS software.
NetWare is an incredible product.

Thank you to Borland for providing us with better tools than
Microsoft will ever dream of...  Borland C/C++ 3.1 that is.
Notice we didn't say anything about version 4.x.  Why?  It
sucks, plain and simple!  Watcom absolutely rules for 32-bit
development!  Sorry Phil...

Thank you all of the technicians of the dozens of companies
that we have bugged the hell out of about their products
even though we didn't buy many of them.

Thank you to TheSoft Programming Services for TheDRAW, an
excellent "Dolor and Monochrome Screen Editor."  And yes,
their title screen really says "Dolor!" (An old version.)

If you don't like our program, go stick your head in a pig!
Try not to be so damn sirius.  (Please reference Douglas
Adam's great book "The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy")
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APCiHERETIC Release History

Version  Notes
~~~~~~~  ~~~~~
  1.0    > Initial release.
         * Modem games limited to two players until
           Raven corrects some network problems.
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