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1992-07-29
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ESTERIAN CONQUEST(tm) README FILE (Version 1.5)
This document offers quick installation information for Esterian
Conquest. If your BBS is like most, Esterian Conquest will become one
of the most requested and used door programs you own. Our goal is to
create the best and most used BBS door game in existence.
FEATURES THAT SYSOP'S LIKE ABOUT ESTERIAN CONQUEST:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
LOW-MAINTENANCE. Esterian Conquest is easy to install and is self-
reliant. Simply install the program, initialize one or more games,
and forget about it. This is a very well behaved program that runs
reliably and returns to your BBS software correctly when done.
SELF-CORRECTING. Esterian Conquest automatically backs up the previous
state of a game before processing moves. It also checks the
integrity of the data files before using them. If any errors exist,
it restores the previous backup so only one turn is lost at most.
BULLETPROOF. Esterian Conquest handles the serial communications
hardware and interrupts. It does not get disrupted by line noise or
phone disconnection, nor does it miss characters typed by players.
MULTI-NODE. Esterian Conquest will support simultaneous multi-node
play regardless of your BBS configuration.
CUSTOMIZED OPERATION. You can control many aspects of Esterian
Conquest. Set the maximum number of players, reserve empires for
particular users, specify the days of the week moves are processed
and much more (see the Sysop's Guide about the ECUTIL program).
FEATURES THAT YOUR USERS WILL LOVE:
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REALISTIC ACTION: Sophisticated simulations of battle, planetary
growth, and espionage make them feel like they're really there.
They command 7 types of ships. They order fleets on 15 possible
missions and they have total control of their planets: directing
production, setting tax levels, and building defenses.
ADVANCED, YET EASY TO USE: Well-structured menus accept commands.
Optional ANSI graphics are available for all menus and charts.
Multiple commands can be issued on one line -- the program will
remember and process them. Expert mode speeds up the game and on-
line help is available for any menu.
EXTRAS THAT GO THE FULL NINE YARDS: They can send messages to other
players with the built-in text editor. Autopilot mode will care for
empires if they are away for a while. All results of their missions
are reported in word-wrapped, realistic messages.
ESTERIAN CONQUEST README FILE (Version 1.5) 2
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTERIAN CONQUEST
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Esterian Conquest will run on any IBM PC,XT,PS/2, or compatible
machine with the following capacities:
MS-DOS version 2.11 or later.
512K of internal memory (640K is recommended for larger games
involving 25 players).
A hard disk with at least 1MB available disk space.
BBS software that can generate any of the following door file
formats:
PCBOARD.SYS . . . . (PCBoard v14+)
DOOR.SYS . . . . . (as suggested by GAP software)
DORINFOx.DEF . . . . (QBBS, RBBS, RA, FoReM, etc.)
CALLINFO.BBS . . . . (Wildcat!)
SFDOORS.DAT. . . . . (Spitfire)
CHAIN.TXT . . . . . (WWIV)
INFO.BBS . . . . . . (Phoenix software)
FILES ON THE PROGRAM DISKETTE
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ECUTIL.EXE ..... Esterian Conquest Sysop Utility.
ECGAME.EXE ..... The User Interface.
ECMAINT.EXE .... The Maintenance Program.
WHATSNEW.DOC ... Changes or updates to Esterian Conquest.
ECREADME.DOC ... This brief installation document for sysops.
ECSYSOP.DOC ... Esterian Conquest Sysops Guide.
ECQSTART.DOC ... Quick start document for players.
ECPLAYER.DOC ... Esterian Conquest players' Guide.
INSTALLING ESTERIAN CONQUEST
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Esterian Conquest is easily installed in four steps: (1) Copy
program files into a directory, (2) Create a door-game batch file to
run the Esterian Conquest game when requested by users, (3) Add
commands to run the Maintenance Program (ECMAINT) to your BBS daily
event batch file, and (4) copy the player files ECPLAYER.DOC and
ECQSTART.DOC to a directory for users to download.
COPY THE PROGRAM FILES. Create a directory on your hard disk to hold
the program files (We recommend calling it \EC). Copy the three
program files (ECUTIL.EXE, ECGAME.EXE, and ECMAINT.EXE) into this
directory. Create a separate directory for the game files (call it
\GAME01). If you wish to run multiple player games simultaneously,
create a separate directory for each game (\GAME01, \GAME02, etc.).
ESTERIAN CONQUEST README FILE (Version 1.5) 3
DOOR-GAME BATCH FILE. Create a door-game batch file that will run the
ECGAME.EXE program. Switch to the directory that stores the player
game data files (\GAME01) before running ECGAME. The command to run
ECGAME must be include the path which contains the doorgame file.
EXAMPLE OF DOOR BATCH COMMANDS:
COMMAND: EXPLANATION:
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C: (switch to drive C:)
CD\GAME01 (go to game directory \GAME01)
C:\EC\ECGAME C:\DOOR (from c:\ec, run ECGAME followed by
directory \DOOR which contains the door
file such as PCBOARD.SYS, DOOR.SYS, etc.)
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ADD THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO YOUR BBS EVENT BATCH FILE. Switch to
the directory that stores the player game data files (\GAME01)
before running ECMAINT.
NOTE: Adding the ECMAINT program to the event batch file will start
the game. You should advertise the start of a game and wait several
days to allow users to sign up for empires before adding this
command to your event batch file.
COMMANDS TO ADD TO THE BBS DAILY EVENT BATCH FILE:
COMMAND: EXPLANATION:
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C: (switch to drive C:)
CD\GAME01 (go to game directory \GAME01)
C:\EC\ECMAINT /R (from c:\ec, run ECMAINT and generate
rankings file)
COPY RANKINGS.TXT \BULLETINS
(copy the player rankings to your
bulletins directory)
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PLAYER DOCUMENTATION FILES. Make the player documentation files
(ECPLAYER.DOC, ECQSTART.DOC) available to your users. You may wish
to compress these files with programs such as PKZIP.
Esterian Conquest is now ready to be initialized. Use the
ECUTIL.EXE program to initialize a game (see the Sysop's Guide for
information on running the ECUTIL program).