BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/doors_1/intsys10.zip/SYSOP.DOC

Text File | 1991-03-14 | 14KB | 258 lines

                  SYSOP DOCUMENTATION FOR INTRIGUE Version 1.0
                  ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~

Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to the world of INTRIGUE!  INTRIGUE is a strategy type door game
with some very unique features.  First of all, INTRIGUE requires none of
the dreaded system or configuration files required by most BBS programs.
That is, it will run just fine on any board without having to set up any
configuration files, etc.  INTRIGUE is also unique in that users play only
through a term program.  The user has to initially download the term program,
but after that, he is no longer hindered by ANSI screens that take all day to
be sent over the modem.  He is only restricted by the speed of his own
machine!  Also, INTRIGUE is novel in that most of a users time playing (or
better yet thinking about) the game can be done in local mode.  Thus a user
can log on, play his turn quickly, get necessary information about the game
via a small download, and then be done.  This should free up valuable BBS
time for both this user and other users.  From a game players' point of view,
INTRIGUE uses the computer to allow humans to interact.  We all know that
some games lose their charm once a player figures out how to beat the program.
In INTRIGUE, it is 7 people playing the game, and the computer serves only as
a "scorekeeper".

In this document, we will instruct you as to how to set up and maintain
INTRIGUE.  We will also provide details of game structure that you may
want to pass on to your players (if they become dedicated players, they'll
demand it!).  Also contained in this document is some registration information
along with information on how to obtain support for INTRIGUE.

Disclaimer
~~~~~~~~~~
The authors make no warranties expressed or implied as to the quality
or performance of this program.  The authors will not be held liable
for any damages resulting from the use of this program.  Your use of
this program constitutes your agreement to this disclaimer and your
releasing the author from any form of liability or litigation.  No part(s)
of the package INTSYS10.ZIP may be altered and redistributed.


What You and Your Users Need To Play
~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~
To play INTRIGUE, it is highly recommended that you have an EGA or
VGA color monitor.  A CGA color monitor will work, although the
maps will be "snowy".  Tandy monitors will work fine, except that
the special characters we have designed for the game will revert
back to their original ANSI assignments.  Monochrome monitors are
not recommended due to the game's heavy reliance on color.

The sysop needs both INTTRM10.ZIP and INTSYS10.ZIP in order to successfully
install the game.  The users need only INTTRM10.ZIP to play.

Registration
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Registration for the door programs to run INTRIGUE is optional.  The
game may be played unobstructed or uncrippled using the contents of this
ZIP package.  However, unregistered sysops will only be allowed to run
one game of INTRIGUE and also may only use the World War I (WWI) scenario.
Registered sysops have the ability to maintain up to 10 games and will
also receive a Middle East Scenario.  Other scenarios will be released at
later dates.  We are also considering custom-made scenarios for sysops who
might like something more personal for their users.  For more registration
details, unzip INTTRM10.ZIP, follow the instructions for installing INTRIGUE,
type INTRIGUE from the intrigue directory, hit <Esc> and choose the Utilities
menu.

Contents of INTSYS10.ZIP
~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following files should be included in this package:

   INTBBS.EXE   - The executable program to run the INTRIGUE door.
   RESOLVE.EXE  - Maintenance program for the game.
   INSTALL.EXE  - Installation program for INTRIGUE.
   VC0.EXE      - Program to check for winner of any game using WWI scenario.
   INTBBS.BAT   - Batch file to run INTBBS.EXE.
   SYSOP.DOC    - This manual.
   PROTOCOL.ANS - ANSI screen that prompts user to run terminal program.
   SYSSCR.COM   - Sysop menu screen.

Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installing INTRIGUE is very easy.  Just follow the steps below:
1)  Make a directory to hold the game.  Lets suppose our directory is
    C:\BBS\INTRIGUE.
2)  Unzip INTTRM10.ZIP and INTSYS10.ZIP into this directory.
3)  Type the command INTRIGUE and follow the prompts.  You will be prompted
    for a communications port number.  Enter the port number which houses
    your modem.  You will then be taken into the game.  Nothing more is
    needed here....hit Esc and go to UTILITIES and QUIT whenever you want.
4)  Type the command INSTALL.  INSTALL creates subdirectories to hold games
    0,1,...,9.  If you are unregistered, you may only play game 0, but
    periodically, the program checks other directories, so please do not
    remove them.  More information about the INSTALL program for registered
    sysops will be provided later.
5)  Edit the batch file INTBBS.BAT to your liking.  All that the program needs
    is contained in the batch file you were given.  At present, INTBBS.BAT
    consists of the following commands:
    CD C:\BBS\INTRIGUE
    TYPE PROTOCOL.ANS >COM1
    INTBBS
    MODE CO80
    CD C:\BBS
    You will want to change line #2 above so that the protocol is sent out
    the correct com port.  Also, you might want to use some sort of carrier
    detect program until release version 1.1, which will have built in a
    carrier detect routine.
6)  Make sure your timed event runs the program RESOLVE.EXE exactly once a
    day.  If you do not have a timed event, you will have to make sure you
    run RESOLVE.EXE once a day.
7)  Do whatever is needed to your BBS program so that it will recognize
    INTBBS.BAT as a batch file to run your door.

That's it!  You're ready to play!

Necessities for Game Play
~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
Two things are absolutely vital for game play.  First of all, it is
imperative that you make clear to your users that they must have installed
the term program to even go into the door.  To do this, they must download
the package INTTRM10.ZIP and follow the instructions in USER.DOC.  Second,
the game will not function at peak performance if the program RESOLVE.EXE is
not run exactly once a day.  To be fair to your users, you should tell them
exactly when this program will be run, and be consistent about it.

Game Structure
~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
We'll now outline exactly what happens after you have set up the door and
taken care of the necessities described above.  When a player logs on, he
will be presented with a menu on his end and you will be presented with a
menu on your end.  If you are unregistered the only active game will be game
0.  If the game needs more players, the user may decide to join the game.  If
he does and the game now has 7 players, he is shipped necessary data to play
the game.  Included in the data is the nation he has randomly drawn.  He may
then do whatever he wants.  Each turn lasts 2 days (a day being a period
between times when RESOLVE.EXE has run) and at the end of the second day,
RESOLVE.EXE looks for all orders submitted by players.  It takes these orders
and resolves all combat, and updates the turn counter along with data files.
Turns continue (in the WWI) scenario until 20 turns have elapsed or one nation
controls 15 major cities.  When a player logs on, he is shipped the date that
the next set of orders are due.  When the game first starts, you may have to
put up messages reminding players when their orders are due.  Players can
re-submit orders as often as they like in this two-day period.  Players will
also leave messages for others when they log on.  When a game is completed,
the program will display the final results for 2 days and then will reset
the game back to its starting point and allow players to start a new game.

Sysop Menu
~~~~~ ~~~~
In order to be fair to all users, it is imperative that the sysop not be
allowed to see what's going on.  That is why you are presented with a menu
when a player logs on.  In the upper right of the menu is the game he is
playing.  The second column contains O's and M's that tell you which players
have mail waiting for them, and which players have submitted orders.  Also
included is the time remaining in the door.  If you want to check on games,
you can run INTBBS.EXE in local mode and follow the onscreen instructions.
resolved, the turn number is increased, data files are updated, and the users
can continue on with the game.  Players are allowed two days per turn to get
their orders in, so you should be very consistent about running RESOLVE.EXE
at the same time each day.  Another important fact that should be relayed at
this time is that INTRIGUE does not use players' real names.  We have found
this to be the best way to go.  If players want to reveal what nation they
are playing, they may do so in the message bases.  Some sysops are also
concerned about the amount of time a player may remain in a door.  You will
find that most players will never spend more than 10 minutes in the door, but
we have a timer routine that will remove a player from a door after 15 minutes.
There is no time advantage involved in the game, and if the player has time
remaining on the BBS, he can go right back into the door.

Sysop Play
~~~~~ ~~~~
It is possible (and highly recommended) that sysops play INTRIGUE.  However,
it is very important that you understand a little more about how the program
works.  First of all, due to the fact that INTRIGUE is exclusively played by
term, you CAN'T open your INTRIGUE door and play.  INTBBS.EXE is not set up
to support local play.  However, INTRIGUE.ZIP is!  If you would like to play
locally on your own BBS, shell to DOS from your BBS program and enter the
command:

                              INTRIGUE /S

This command will allow you the same options given to your users who log on.
To submit orders, send messages, you must use the above command.  If you just
want to look around in local mode at the last game you logged onto, use the
command
                              INTRIGUE

This command takes the most recent set of data files you received and displays
the game on screen.  Keep in mind that if you log on another BBS and play
there, you will be shipped info on that game.  Afterwards, if you type the
command INTRIGUE, you can look at that game in local mode.  It is important
that you realize that INTRIGUE contains only the data files for the last game
you played, whether it be on another BBS, or on your own BBS by using the
INTRIGUE /S command.

Multiple Sysop Play and Multi-Node Play
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
As of this release only one sysop is allowed to play per system.  We are
currently working on a utility program that allows a more than one sysop
to play on a machine, but it is not quite ready.  We apologize for the
inconvenience this causes.  Also, at this time, INTRIGUE has not been tested
for multi-node play.  You are welcome to give it a whirl, but we can't
guarantee success.

Resetting Games and Installing New Games
~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~
At this time we will say a little more about the INSTALL program.  If you
wish to reset a game at any time, or install a new game with a new scenario,
you may use the command

                              INSTALL N M

where N is the scenario number and M is the game number.  For example, suppose
you are a registered user and you wish to install the mideast scenario
(scenario 1) in game 0.  Then you would enter the command INSTALL 1 0.  Of
course, unregistered sysops may only enter the command INSTALL 0 0, which will
reset game 0 using the WWI scenario (scenario 0).  When you first run INSTALL,
do not use any command line parameters, and the program will create all
necessary subdirectories and data files.

Registration
~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you have an avid following for INTRIGUE, you may wish to register the
program.  Sysops who register receive both the term and the bbs programs,
along with the MidEast scenario.  The sysop may then run up to 10 games on
his BBS, and install the WWI and MidEast scenarios as he sees fit.  You will
also receive updates on new scenarios as they are made available.  Currently,
we are working on a Civil War Scenario, a World War II scenario, along with
new victory conditions for the WWI scenario and the MidEast scenario.  The
WWI scenario is currently an "every man for himself" type game, but we plan
to release a version that allows for team play.  The MidEast scenario already
allows for team play.  We are also considering custom design scenarios for the
those who would like to design their own games.  Sysops who register will also
have their BBS name (or whatever they want) displayed on the user's menu when
he logs on.  Information on how to register is contained in INTRIGUE.  Just
type INTRIGUE and choose REGISTRATION under the UTILITIES option.

Support BBS
~~~~~~~ ~~~
Support for INTRIGUE is provided primarily on Cedar Lake BBS (618)-529-1839,
during the hours of 10:30pm - 7:00am (CST).  Leave questions and comments
for Dave Eubanks, Mark Jones, or Pat Van Fleet.  We welcome any constructive
criticism you have and any comments on how we can improve the game.  If you
are a registered EXECUTIVE HOST sysop, you can leave mail for Pat Van Fleet on
John Wright's ESP BBS at (618)-993-5091 24 hours a day.  Mail may also be
addressed to Mark Jones on Compuserve at 76066,1521 or Dave Eubanks at
70034,557.

Playtesters
~~~~~~~~~~~
We would like to thank the following playtesters for their patience and useful
comments on the initial go around of INTRIGUE:
Jay Fuller
Allen Hannaford
Michael Kloepfer
Ming Li