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Land Of Devastation By Scott M. Baker Ver 3.51 Files Included -------------- Below is a listing of all files contained within the Land Of Devastation distribution archives. As you can see, the files are split into FOUR separate archives. The file LODFILES.TXT contains information on which archives you need, what they are for, etc. I recommend READING THIS FILE. Archive LODxxxA.ARJ - Land Of Devastation Docs & Install info [REQUIRED] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information LODQUICK.DOC - A quick description of what LOD is about USERDOC.TXT - User documentation SYSOP.DOC - Sysop documentation NEWSLETT.TXT - Newsletter data file REGLIST.TXT - List of registered users DOCVIEW.EXE - Documentation/Newsletter view/extract utility Archive LODxxxB.ARJ - Land Of Devastation main program disk [REQUIRED] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information GAME.EXE - Executable file for TEXT version of LOD GAME.OVR - Overlay file for TEXT version of LOD GAME.CTL - Control file for setting up LOD REGISTER.FRM - Registration form ANSI.DEF - Library containing ansi graphics pictures MISC.DEF - Miscellaneous game parameters TAVERN.DEF - Definition of what people are in each tavern MAP.DEF - Main map file COMBAT.DEF - Contains combat text strings TERRAIN.DEF - Definitions for the various terrain types DEVICES.DEF - Definitions of all items in the game (weapons,armor, etc) STRINGS.DEF - Definitions of strings used in game MONSTER.DEF - Definitions of wastelands monsters TALK.DEF - Definitions of interactive conversation TRIVIA.DEF - Definitions of trivia questions (encrypted) LODLOK.TXT - Explains to multinode users than another use is online. AUTHENTI.LOD - Authenticity verification file - DO NOT ERASE REGISTER.EXE - Registration code utility Archive LODxxxC.ARJ - Land Of Devastation EGA version disk [OPTIONAL] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information GMAPEDIT.EXE - Graphical (EGA) map editor GAMEEGA.EXE - Executable file for EGA version of LOD GAMEEGA.OVR - Overlay file for EGA version of LOD RESOURCE.000 - Main EGA graphics library for GAMEEGA.EXE Archive LODxxxD.ARJ - Land Of Devastation additional EGA pics [OPTIONAL] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information RESOURCE.002 - Secondary [optional] EGA graphics file for GAMEEGA.EXE Archive LODxxxE.ARJ - Sysop Customization Package [OPTIONAL] LODFILES.TXT - LOD packaging information NEWLODED.EXE - External sysop edit utility [New Version!] NEHELP.HLP - Context Sensitive help file for NEWLODED.EXE. STRINGS.TXT - ASCII version of strings.def COMPSTR.EXE - Utility for compiling strings.txt into strings.def ANSIPUT.EXE - Utility to manipulate ANSI.DEF. PROGRAMR.ARJ - Archive containing data types for programmers TSAMP1.TXT - Sample trivia file TRIVCOMP.EXE - Trivia compiler utility Files created by LOD upon initialization USERS.DAT - Master players file OBJECTS.DAT - Objects left laying around on the wasteland BASES.DAT - Fortress data file LOG.DAT - Log of what happens in the game USERIDX.DAT - User file quick index CLONES.DAT - File containing clone information CASSTATS.DAT - Casino statistics data file PURITRON.DAT - Puritron data file TEAMS.DAT - Team information DAYSTATS.DAT - Current day game statistics *.NTS - Contains users notes taken during play MSGIDX.DAT - Message base index file MSGBDY.DAT - Message base body file MREPORT.TXT - Maintenance report (created when maint is run) Other notable files NEWDOOR.IDX - Old style message base - obsolete - may be deleted NEWDOOR.BDY - Old style message base - obsolete - may be deleted [Note: I recommend reading LODFILES.TXT for a better understanding of what each distribution archive is for.] Installation ------------ I) Create a directory for the game (example: "MD \LOD") II) Unzip the required archives into that directory. You have three options: a) Unzip LODxxxA.ARJ and LODxxxB.ARJ for the TEXT* version of LOD. b) Unzip LODxxxA.ARJ, LODxxxB.ARJ, and LODxxxC.ARJ for the EGA version of LOD with partial graphics. c) Unzip LODxxxA.ARJ, LODxxxB.ARJ, LODxxxC.ARJ, and LODxxxD.ARJ for the EGA version of LOD with FULL graphics. * Note: Even if you use the TEXT version of LOD, your users may still get EGA graphics using GTERM. Also, if you use the EGA version of LOD, your users are not _required_ to use GTERM. (i.e. using EGA on one side does not require using EGA on the other) d) Finally, if you want to install the sysop customization package (which includes editors and sysop utilities), then unzip LOD210E.ARJ as well. III) Edit the control file (GAME.CTL) for your bbs software, user name, etc. The control file should be self-explanatory. IV) Install the door into your bbs software (see bbs software for more information) If you want to use the EGA version of LOD, you should activate GAMEEGA.EXE. If you want to use the TEXT version of LOD, you should activate GAME.EXE General Information ------------------- This game marks the first in a new series of doors that I am writing that will be "totally configurable". All of the text strings in the game have been placed into a special file, STRINGS.DEF. This file is stored in binary form, but can be created by using the COMPSTR program. (see the editor section below) Most of the ANSI artwork (contained in ANSI.DEF) was drawn by Shane Chambers. Shane's remarkable work has helped much by adding nice pictures for most of the inventory items. So far we have about half of the images drawn. Also, most (if not all) of the EGA pictures used by GAMEEGA/GTERM were designed by Shane Chambers. Local Mode ---------- "Game/L" will get you there. Glossary -------- Here's the definitions of a few terms that I will be using quite frequently in this document. Baud - The speed at which the user is calling. DORINFOx.DEF - Common drop file used by a variety of bbs programs. It is the most extensively tested drop file format in LOD, and therefore, the most reliable. Drop File - The file that is created by the bbs program when it goes to execute the door. It contains the baud rate, com port, name of the user online, etc. Common drop files are DORINFO.DEF, DOOR.SYS, PCBOARD.SYS, EXITINFO.DAT, etc. EMS - "Expanded Memory Specification". If your machine has over 1 megabyte of memory, then you may have some available. LOD can utilize EMS to improve game performance and reduce conventional memory requirements. Locked Baud - In order to get the most efficiency out of a high speed error correcting modem (9600 baud or above), then you may lock the baud rate to a speed higher than what the caller is actually using. By locking the baud to 38,400, the modem can actually compress the data that is being sent and achieve a baud rate much higher than the actual transmission rate. Please see the section on high speed/ locked bauds below. LOD - "Land Of Devastation", the name of the game you are trying to install! Maint - Maintenance mode. LOD must perform maintenance once per day to do various things with it's data files. See the section below on maintenance. Multinode - A bbs system with either more than one computer attached or using a multi tasker (desqview, windows) that allows more than one person to call at a time. Node - Refers to a member of a multinode system. Overlay - A file included with LOD (either GAME.OVR or GAMEEGA.OVR) which is used to keep portions of the program on disk to reduce memory requirements. It is all automatic and you should not need to worry about it. Maintenance ----------- By default, LOD will perform the maintenance automatically when a user logs on each morning. Therefore, there is no need to use the /M option at all. This will work perfectly for most sysops. However, if for some reason you want to control the maintenance manually, then you can enable the "NOAUTOMAINT" option in the control file (game.ctl). Then you will have to run LOD with the /M option once each day. (i.e. GAME /M or GAMEEGA /M) EGA Graphics Version -------------------- If you have EGA or VGA graphics capabilities, you can use the GAMEEGA.EXE version of the game rather than the GAME.EXE version. GAMEEGA is designed with support in for the EGA display. However, this version does require more free memory than the other version. If so, you may have to resort to using GAME.EXE instead. EMS Usage --------- Since LOD requires so much memory, I decided to add some support in for EMS (Expanded Memory Specification). EMS is available on most newer computers either through add-in boards or it is supplied on the motherboard. For 386 machines, EMS can always be provided by using QEMM by Quarterdeck. Well, this isn't a tutorial on EMS, so let's get on with the LOD particulars! To use EMS support, you must 1) Have EMS memory installed (Of course!), 2) Have at least 64k of EMS memory available, and 3) Use the "/EMS" command line switch. Again, to enable LOD's EMS support, use the "/EMS" switch. For example, "GAMEEGA /L /EMS" would bring the game up in local mode using EMS memory. Once EMS is enabled, LOD will throw some variables up there to save some of it's RAM requirements. This amounts to around 64k for the non-EGA (i.e. GAME.EXE) version of LOD and 150k for the EGA (i.e. GAMEEGA.EXE) version of LOD. On the EGA version, performance will also be improved since gameega will store some extra images in memory. You may also use the /OVREMS option to have LOD try to load it's overlay into EMS. This will speed up the operation of the game as well. Please note, the /EMS and /OVREMS options are two totally separate features. You may run one without the other, you may run neither, and you may run them both. Memory Requirements ------------------- A summary of the memory requirements: Mem Required Mem Required with /EMS without /EMS GAMEEGA.EXE 384k 425k GAME.EXE 330k 384k Note: These memory requirements are approximate. You might be able to get LOD to run in about 10-20k less memory than is specified, depending on your configuration. Also, LOD could possibly require 10-20k more memory depending on your configuration. I highly recommend using the /EMS switch if you have EMS memory available. LOD can load many of it's variables into EMS memory which means less conventional memory is required to operate. With the EGA version (GAMEEGA.EXE), LOD will increase it's image buffers dramatically when the /EMS switch is used. This means that the graphics will be a little smoother and less choppy. For those with a little technical knowledge (or curiosity), you can hit "Z" out in the wastelands to get a small memory usage report. The information is too complex to explain in this document, but if you have a knowledge of programming, then it may be of some interest. If you get a run time error 203 (or 253), then this indicates that you do not have enough memory to run LOD. There are a few things you can do: #1: If you aren't using the /EMS switch, then try it! #2: If your bbs is set up to "shell" to LOD (i.e. the bbs remains in memory while LOD is running), then try to configure it to "exit" and run LOD. See your bbs's manual. #3: If you are using the EGA version (GAMEEGA.EXE), then try switching to the non-ega version (GAME.EXE). Command Line Switches --------------------- "/L" Load in Local mode. "/M" Run the nightly maintenance. "/S" Sysop fast log on. "/EMS" Use ems memory. "/Nx" Specifies node number. (i.e. /N1 for node 1, /N2 for node 2, etc) "/Pyy" Specifies path to drop files. (i.e. /PC:\BBS, for c:\bbs, etc) "/CHECK" Perform multinode check (see multinode use below) "/Bxxxx" Specify lock baud rate. For example, "/B38400" would force the com port to be 38,400 baud no matter what the drop file (i.e. DORINFOx.DEF) says the baud is. "/?" Display a brief command line option summary. "/OVREMS" Will cause LOD to attempt to load its overlay into EMS memory if possible Editors ------- The external editor, NEWLODED.EXE, includes a variety of external editors and tools to allow the sysop to customize and configure his/her version of Land of Devastation. I will discuss each of the editor options in order below: UTILITIES There are a few little utility features which will provide you with some information about the game. EDITORS Editors are included for editing users, device definitions, terrain, and the wasteland map. SETUP This section has options for configuring and setting up lod - what new players start with, how much bases cost, etc. MESSAGES Partially implemented - you can read but not write. The external editor has an extensive context-sensitive help system which can be of great use to you. Simply hit F1 at any time and a help window will pop up. NOTE #1: The external editor uses the TAB and SHIFT-TAB keys to move around in some areas. Sometimes people find this difficult to understand, but it is part of the design of the Turbo Vision tool kit which the editor was written with. NOTE #2: The external editor is now placed in LODxxxE.ARJ; The sysop customization package instead of the main archive. Multinode use ------------- LOD does NOT allow multinode use. Furthermore, I have no future plans to develop a version of LOD that does at this time. However, LOD can be set to "lock out" other nodes while one node is playing. (i.e. Node 1 is playing so nodes 2 & 3 cannot). This is done using the /Nx and /CHECK switches. /Nx tells which node number is using the door. (i.e. "GAME /N2 /CHECK" would be for node 2). And /CHECK says to check for multinode use. The start up commands for LOD for a 2-node system would be as follows: NODE 1: Game /N1 /CHECK NODE 2: Game /N2 /CHECK When LOD encounters another player trying to play while one is already playing it will spew out the file "LODLOK.TXT" to the user to explain the situation to him. NOTE: Apparently, there is some kind of "glitch" in either Turbo Pascal or DOS which causes "sharing violations" to occur when LOD is activated by more than one person. If you have this problem, then you may wish to try to set the "read-only" bit on the executable files (i.e. GAME.EXE,GAME.OVR,GAMEEGA.EXE,GAMEEGA.OVR). You can do this by typing the following: "ATTRIB +R GAME.EXE". High speed / Locked Bauds / Strange Problems -------------------------------------------- If you are running a high speed modem (9600 baud or above), then I suggest you run your bbs/mailer/doors at a locked baud rate. On high speed error correcting modems, locking the baud rate will have a noticeable increase on the speed of text that is sent. It's beyond the scope of these docs to discuss configuring your bbs and mailer for a locked baud rate; you may wish consult those docs for information on that. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting up LOD with a locked baud rate: #1: You may need to use the /B switch on the LOD command line to specify the locked baud. For 19,200 this would be "/B19200" and for 38,400 this would be "/B38400". Please note there is no space between the /B and the baud rate. This is only necessary in some instances. First try LOD without the switch and then add the switch and see what happens. #2: When using a locked baud rate, I highly recommend using a FOSSIL driver. In fact, I don't even know if LOD will work at high speeds without one. BNU is a good fossil driver which can even be loaded and unloaded before/after you run LOD. #3: If you are using a fossil, then make sure to tell the fossil that the port is locked. For BNU, to lock com1: at 38,400, you would use something like "L0=38400" on BNU's command line. #4: Please note: If you lock the baud for one program, it must be locked for everything. You can't lock the baud for just LOD, but not your bbs/mailer. If you are running at high speeds without locking the baud rate, then LOD should function fine. Without a locked baud, there should be no need for the use of the /Bxxxx switch. What follows is some information on possible strange situations that may occur: #1: Low speed users can play LOD, but high speed users get garbage. - If you are not using the DORINFOx.DEF or DOOR.SYS drop file then you may wish to find a converter program to convert whatever drop file your bbs produces to the DORINFOx.DEF or DOOR.SYS format and tell LOD to use that. Several converter programs are readily available on most bbs systems. QKDoor is a good one if you can find it. - If you are not using a fossil (i.e. you have LOD's "internal" line un commented in GAME.CTL), then I suggest trying a fossil. #2: High speed users can play LOD, but low speed users get garbage. - You may be specifying the /Bxxxx parameter when you don't need to. Only use /Bxxxx if you are using LOD with a locked baud rate. #3: Everyone gets garbage! - You may be using the /Bxxxx parameter when it's not needed, or you may have the the wrong baud rate specified in the /Bxxxx parameter. - Try switching to DORINFOx.DEF as described in #1 above. - Try using a fossil (make sure the "INTERNAL" line in GAME.CTL is commented out. #4: LOD hangs up when a user enters the game. - Sounds like LOD is getting the wrong baud rate somehow. Try switching over to the DORINFOx.DEF drop file method if possible. #5: Text and screens are getting cut off. - If you are running with a locked baud, then this could be caused by some sort of FLOW CONTROL problem. Try using a fossil if you aren't already. General trouble shooting hints: The following may help you clear up some of the problems outlined above: #1: You can use the ALT-D command in the EGA (GAMEEGA.EXE) version of LOD or the ALT-I command in the normal (GAME.EXE) version of LOD to get a display of the current serial port setup. If what is displayed differs greatly from what it should be, then you've found your problem! #2: If you're using something other than the DORINFOx.DEF drop file, then I always suggest trying to use DORINFOx.DEF if possible. It is the most reliable method and has had the most testing. Editing Monster.DEF ------------------- The MONSTER.DEF file is a plain ascii file and can be edited with any ASCII editor. Instructions are included at the top of the file. Editing STRINGS.DEF ------------------- LOD uses the file STRINGS.DEF to hold all of the text strings stored within this game. Also included in the package is STRINGS.TXT. You may edit the STRINGS.TXT file and then use the included program, COMPSTR, to re-compile the file into a STRINGS.DEF which LOD will use. 1) Load up STRINGS.TXT using any plain-ascii text editor. You can now edit the strings and customize them as you wish. Please note, the strings are specified one string to each line - if you mess up this format, you could possibly shift all of the strings and really screw things up. Here is the format: - Each line is one string definition in the game; So DO NOT DELETE OR INSERT LINES. You'll really mess things up. - A tilde (~) has been placed at the end of each line as a simple indicator to the user of where the line ends. (i.e. Otherwise lines that ended with a trailing space would be indistinguishable from lines that didn't) - The ampersand (&) is used to indicate the Land Of Devastation should change colors at that position. The "&" sign is followed by a hexadecimal digit, "0"-"F" specifying the color to change to. &0 Black &6 Brown &C Light Red &1 Blue &7 Light Gray &D Light Magenta &2 Green &8 Dark Gray &E Yellow &3 Cyan &9 Light Blue &F White &4 Red &A Light Green &5 Magenta &B Light Cyan - The "|" sign is used to indicate a carriage return. - String may be up to 255 characters in length. (You could use one string entry with multiple "|"'s to specify multiple lines of text) 2) Use COMPSTR to compile the modified STRINGS.TXT into a new STRINGS.DEF. Limits ------ Maximum users..................: 255 Inventory per user.............: 16 (plus 6 equipped items) Definable Device types.........: 200 Objects in wasteland/forts.....: 2048 Fortresses.....................: 75 Restarting the Game ------------------- Simply delete all of the *.DAT files. (DO NOT DELETE ANY *.DEF files) There is a provision in the game for the users to reset the game themselves when all of the puritron parts have been retrieved. But, if your users do not reset the game themselves, then the above method will work. Editing ------- Lots of you have asked for better information on how to create your own devices, monsters, etc so here it is. DEVICE EDITOR The following are a list of the various parameters that each device definition includes: NAME: The name of the device; Should not be longer than 15 chars USES: Number of uses LEFT on the device. Usually the same as MAXUSE MAXUSE: Maximum number of uses the device has. DEV USE: If "Y", then decrement the USES variable each time the device is used. VAR1: General purpose variable #1; varies from device to device. VAR2: General purpose variable #2; varies from device to device. APPLICAT: Code corresponding to what the device does. USABLE: "Y" if the device can be used with the U command. STORE: Code corresponding to store at which device will be sold. COST: Price of device when sold at store. ANSI: 8 character string corresponding to attached ansi picture. EGA: Attached EGA graphics picture. Listing of APPLICAT codes: 0 Radio 9 AML (medline) 14 Death Badge 23 Rom Disk 1 Medical Kit 10 Rope 15 Warper 24 <Internal> 2 SR Weapon 11 Rations 16 Communicator 25 B-Teleporter 3 LR Weapon 12 Scanner 17 B-React 26 Recharger 4 Armor 13 Stealth 18 B-Comm 27 Pylon Key 5 <reserved> 14 G-Blaster 19 B-Defense 28 Energy Cell 6 B.A.D. 15 Unusable Armor 20 B-Moat 29 Unitran 7 LRScan 16 Grenade 21 B-Weapon 30 Mine 8 Ammunition 17 Cyclops Eye 22 Laptop Listing of store codes: 0 No Store 9 B-Weapon 1 SR Weapons 10 Computer 2 Armor 11 LR Weapons 3 Supply 12 <internal> 4 Ammo 13 <internal> 5 B-React 14 GSRZ Hort. 6 B-Comm 15 B-Teleporter 7 B-Def 16 EEEE 8 B-Moat Here are some of the definitions for the VAR1/VAR2 parameters for some of the various device types. Weapons: The VAR1 parameter is divided into three fields corresponding to the ammo type, minimum, and maximum damage. For example, consider the following: NAME: Rad-Axe . . VAR1: 32030 . . The three fields are 3, 20, and 30. "3" is the ammo type; 20 is the minimum damage done and 30 is the maximum damage done. For weapons not requiring ammo, use a "0" for the ammo type. Always use two digit numbers (i.e. for a 4-6 damage weapon requiring power packs, use 030406, NOT 0346) Ammo: The VAR1 parameter is the ammo type and the VAR2 parameter is the number of shots. For example, NAME: Power Pack VAR1: 3 VAR2: 35 This is for a power pack - ammo type 3; 35 shots. Armor: The USELEFT parameter is the amount of damage the armor can absorb; The VAR2 is the percentage chance of the armor deflecting a hit. (i.e. VAR2=0 means the armor deflects nothing; VAR2=100 means the armor deflects everything) The VAR1 parameter holds some specialty flags. These flags are bit mapped. Right now, the flags are as follows: Bit 1: If set, then armor is rechargable. Stlth Field: The SFG (Stealth Field Generator) uses both variables. VAR1 is 0 if neutral, 1 if noisy, or 2 if quiet. This should normally be set to zero. VAR2 is the SFG's effectiveness. This is a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more powerful the SFG is. The default is 50. Note: If/when I bring out a newer version of LOD, it will include a replacement DEVICES.DEF file which will overwrite yours. For this reason, it will be necessary for you to re-type your custom device information back into device.def. Since I may also add devices to DEVICES.DEF in a future release, it may be wise for you to place your custom entries from the last position backwards to avoid conflicts with mine. TERRAIN EDITOR The terrain editor has the following parameters: NAME: The name of the terrain type DANGER: Percentage chance of finding monster there. SYMBOL: 2 character symbol for ansi/ascii maps COLOR: Numeric color code for ascii/ansi PASSABLE: "Y" if you can walk through it. "N" if you can't. GENERAL EDITOR Base Cost: The cost required to build a base Lev 2 exp: \ lev limit: > Used in calculation of levels lev pts: / Base Reactor: Reactor that bases will start with Base Weapon: Weapon that bases will start with Base Defense: Defense field that base will start with Base Moat: Moat that base will start with Base Energy: Energy that base will start with Ascii Rank: Filename for ASCII ranking file ANSI Rank: Filename for ANSI rankings Max items/base: Max items that a base will hold Max bases/plyr: Max bases a player may own Base Tele: Teleporter that base will start with Janitor Pay: Money/item that the user destroys laying out on the wasteland. Kill OBJ: If "Y", then the kill object command is available. Alpha Combat: "Y" if alpha combat available. Reflex Combat: "Y" if reflex combat avail. (NOTE: Reflex combat was not finished in time for this release) Stat Combat: "Y" if stat combat avail. Alpha Delay: Delay in milliseconds of periods in alpha combat. Alpha Hit: Max periods that can go by after letter for a hit. EDITING MONSTERS The monster definitions are contained in MONSTERS.DEF. The file is in plain ASCII, so you should be able to edit it with any text editor. Instructions are included at the top of the file. EDITING COMBAT STRINGS The file COMBAT.DEF contains the combat strings. It may be edited with any text editor. EDITING DIALOG Interactive dialog is contained in TALK.DEF. It may be edited with any text editor. SETTING TOWN NAMES There are two places where the town names need to be changed. The first is under Setup:Town Names in NEWLODED.EXE. The second is in the terrain type editor in newloded. If you rename a current town, then you will probably have to edit references to it in TALK.DEF, STRINGS.DEF, etc. CREATING TRIVIA You can create your own trivia questions if you use the same format as in TSAMP1.TXT. Name your text file "TRIVIA.TXT" and run TRIVCOMP to compile it into TRIVIA.DEF. A complete 300 question library is provided in the default TRIVIA.DEF file, but to make sure users don't get a hold of the questions, I had to keep the non-encrypted text version here! Authenticity Verification ------------------------- LOD will perform an authenticity verification each night to check that none of the executable files have been tampered with. If the verification fails, LOD will still continue maintenance. However, the failure will be logged into the LOG.DAT file and the MREPORT.TXT file. Unfinished Things ----------------- There are a lot of things that I really wanted to get done for this version, but I just didn't get time. College is really taking up a lot of time this semester and it's been hard to get time to work on LOD. Anyways, here is what isn't done: - Multiple grenade packs. - The B.A.D. device (which is a form of MAGIC spells) - Several more special quests. - I wanted to add some more time limit stuff - 2-minute log off warnings, daily time limit features, etc, but I just didn't get the chance to finish them up for this version. - Multiple level maps - you walk into the nuclear missile base and there is a whole map to it, not just a menu. These are not things that are DISABLED, but rather are things which just aren't completed. Most of them are at least partly enabled, but not fully yet. I plan to work on these pretty soon - probably either version 3.60 or 4.00 depending on how many more enhancements I am able to complete. Also, remember, the more donations, the more incentive for me to get this game finished! (grin) Error Codes ----------- 4 - Too many open files (try adjusting the FILES= line in your config.sys file) 100 - Read past end of file. Something has gone wrong in one of the LOD data files. Please see "corrupted data files" below. 200 - Division by zero. 203 - Insufficient memory. 252 - Error while accessing EMS driver. 253 - Insufficient memory. 254 - Programming error [EAalloc block request > 16k]. This shouldn't happen! "Corrupted" data files ---------------------- It is possible that something could happen to your LOD data files. A power outage, LOD crash, or other event could damage one of the data files. For most of the files, LOD will display a "Data file is corrupted" and the name of the file. If you get one of these messages, then the best thing to do is start the game over with a clean copy of LOD. There are a few files which LOD can re-generate itself. CASSTATS.DAT and DAYSTATS.DAT. If one of these is corrupted, then you can simply delete the file and LOD will re-create it for you. Revision History ---------------- Version 1.00b [BETA] - First public release Version 1.01b [BETA] - More of Shane Chamber's ansi animation thrown in. - Added Rad-Grenade packs as an alternative to long range weapons. - A few cosmetic fixes and changes. - Fortresses are now partially implemented - store room and fortress banks are now operational. - Maintenance required nightly - GAME/M will run the maint. - Commodities trading partially implemented. Version 1.02b [BETA] - Added in support for GTERM, an EGA graphics terminal program. - Fixed message that displayed user's death twice. - Fixed a bug in GAMEEDIT that was causing impassible terrain to become passable. - Drew up maps for levels four and five. - Added several monsters to the .DEF file. - Added "Casino" from main menu. Currently, about four games are supported. Version 1.03b [BETA] - Added inventory maintenance options - Fixed widowlance so it doesn't appear in weapons store. - Added equip character option to troop quarters. - Fixed a possible problem with using the LR scanner while in enhanced or GTERM modes. - Fixed a MAJOR bug in the hand-to-hand combat routines. - Added a couple of new monsters and weapons. - "warper" device added. Allows people to warp back to the main base on level 1. - Another version of the game, GAMEEGA.EXE is included and allows for an EGA graphics display on the sysop's computer. The display is nearly identical to that of a user using GTERM. Version 1.04b [BETA] - Added a "house cleaning" routine to maintenance to get rid of items laying about. Each night, if there is >500 items, then up to 35% of these items will "disappear into the wasteland". - GTERM and GAMEEGA display enhanced to include a indicator of the current SFG (Stealth Field Generator) mode. - User lastread pointers in the message base are now saved. - Minor change to the way strings.def is handled internally - should lower memory requirements by about 10k. - More of Shane Chambers EGA pics thrown into GTERM and GAMEEGA. Pics have now been drawn for about 90% of the inventory. - Revised experience/level routines once again. The experience table is in the user docs. - Revised user docs - provided a "theme" for the game and extra information concerning bases. - Changed the rankings routine majorly. - A little trimming here and there to decrease memory requirements. - STRMUL (Hand-To-Hand weapon strength multiplier) modified to minimize it's effects. - Fixed a bug in GAMEEDIT's rankings routine. - Added misc and new user editors to GAMEEDIT. Version 1.05 - Reduced record size in stringdef file to lower storage requirements and increase load speed. - Start-up speed increased by various internal improvements. - Added LAPTOP and ROM cartidges to the game. You can buy them at the computer store in the supply station. - TALK.DEF updated to include more information on monsters and devices. - Wasteland display screen changed so that the objects ( "+" ) appear to the right of the map symbol instead of in place of the symbol. - Minor improvements to the enhanced ansi wasteland display to reduce re-writes. - "Quick heal" command added to wasteland menu. Automatically uses as much medkits as needed for a full heal. Version 1.06 - Some cosmetic changes and spelling fixes. - Included registration stuff. Version 2.00 - When using the LR scanner, notes will be updated for towns, holes, etc. - Map changed from a 32x32x10 grid to a 125x125 grid. - Combat-Stats converted to a laptop program. The routine has also been revised to include some additional information on "bravery" and "accuracy". - LRScan and Scanner added as _expensive_ laptop programs. - The Hort Center is up and running. A special quest has been added which results in getting and information disk from Troy Hadley. - Troy Hadley's information disk added. If you like, you can edit the file (TROYINFO.TXT) to make any changes you like. - Major change to the monster file. The MINDIST/ MAXDIST parameters have been added to replace the LVL parameter. - A few new weapons here and there. The LR and SR weapons have been separated at Sacre Base so the screens won't scroll. - Major internal code changes to the way GAMEEGA/ GTERM handles memory. Memory requirements should be much less now. GAMEEGA now should run properly in 400k or less. - Major internal changes to doordriver - overlaid some code here and there, added a few bbs types, etc. - The SR/LR weapons store code improved to display listing of weapon damages and ammunition required. - Expanded device file to allow up to 150 devices. (it was just 100) - Made a few changes to the dialog module (i.e. TALK.DEF). Keywords are now hi lighted for example. - Speeded up the display of the ANSI map display and the EGA map display. - Added ranking bulletins. The filename are defaulted "LODRANK.ANS" and "LODRANK.ASC", but may be changed in the miscellaneous section of the editor. - Fixed a bug in the GAMEEDIT program that caused data in the miscellaneous editor not to be saved. - Shrunk the size of the STRINGS.DEF file and increased it's load speed quite a bit. - Changed the data structure for the OBJECTS.DEF and reduced the file size from 98k to 60k. Should have also reduced memory requirements. - Added a base "sales counter". Base owners may now place up to five devices up for sale and they may set the price. - Made it so the base communicator is usable. - Added "max items/base" and "max bases/player" fields to the general editor. - Added an Equip command to the fortress miscellaneous menu. Allows players to equip their character while they are inside a fortress. - Added an "auxiliary weapon" field and an exchange weapons command to allow users to swap short range weapons when needed. - Added an [F7] Host Information key to the EGA LOD and GTERM programs to display a few pieces of information. - Added a "kill object" command so users may destroy objects left laying around. Users are awarded a "janitorial pay" for the number of objects that they destroy. Janitor pay is configurable in the misc editor. - When dropping/killing/getting objects, the user may specify "ALL" to perform the operation on all items available. - Added two extra combat modes: Alpha and Reflex. The user may choose one of them at the troop quarters. - Fortress teleporter added to the fortresses. Players may now teleport around at will. - EMS Support added. - Lowered the number of bases from 100 to 75. 100 bases simply aren't needed, and the lesser amount means lower memory/disk space requirements. - Quadrupled (sp???) the amount of ANSI pictures in ANSI.DEF. Now, almost all items in the game have ANSI pictures associated with them. - Added APPRAISE program to laptop. Version 2.10 - Reflex combat enabled. I fixed the problem that we were having with the time delays. - More BIGPICs! We have more pictures of monsters, towns, etc. - New combat action screen created for EGA terminal (and GAMEEGA). Will auto-select itself whenever user goes into combat. - Drew up some ANSI menu screens. They look much better than our previous rather drab text. - Changes to the ANSI routines - the file ANSI.DEF is now RLE compressed which saves about 20% of the disk space. Also, EMS users may notice that ansi pictures display slightly quicker due to EMS usage in that unit. - Fixed up the long-range encounter cosmetically. the monster's name, weapons, stats, etc are displayed for ANSI users. - A lot of little cosmetic fixes here and there. Places where the "?" command didn't work, where the "view character" command wouldn't work, etc. - Rankings packet added. The top 12 ranked users are now sent to GTERM whenever rankings are done. This way, the user can pull up the rankings whenever he needs them. - Fixed an EGA bug which caused the "Attack base" picture to stay on the screen indefinitely in some instances. - The bank has undergone some upgrades and includes an ANSI financial statement as well as bank loans and a game account. - Fixed a bug in the "remove item from sale" in the base storage room. - Fixed a few irritating bugs in the Enhanced ANSI wastelands map display. - Added the clone center - it's located somewhere around sacre base. - Added support for 2am bbs. - Began work on the puritron section. It is partially implemented in this version. - Added a new laptop program to list pylon telecodes. Should be found on some level 2 monsters. - Fixed a bug with the menu for the horticulture station - it was displaying the wrong menu screen from time to time. - Complete re-write of the external editor. The editor is now compiled with the Turbo Vision environment which provides pull-down menus, mouse support, etc. - Fixed a small bug or two in the maintenance routine. - Added MREPORT.TXT which reports on the nightly maint activities. Version 2.11 - Misc minor bug fixes. - New registration policy. - GMAPEDIT is now functioning properly! Version 3.00 - Fixed a rather nasty "random lockup" glitch which had to do with loading from disk directly into ems. Hopefully will fix a lot of people's problems. - Speeded up the autonav program to make it useful again. Unfortunately, it is also now limited to destinations +/- 32 units from your starting coordinates. - Reworked the way the "G" (enter) wastelands command worked. It is now a bit more powerful and allows viewing camps and bases. - Put in a nuclear missile silo (which is rumored to have some connection with one of the puritron parts) - Fixed a bug in the puritron parts screen. - Xeboc routine modified slightly (Rumored to have something to do with the puritron as well!) - Set a limit of $25 million in the game/casino accounts so they wont grow to ridiculously fast. (users are now taxed if their account goes above that limit) - Put deletion by age in the code so users who don't log in every 30 days or so get nuked. - Fixed a bug in the INV5 operator in the COMBAT.DEF file. - Tetris ROM is now showing up on monsters. - There's now a percentage chance that a monsters weapons/equipment will disintegrate as it falls to the ground. Should help in cleaning up the wasteland a little bit. - Did some work on the Surrender routine. It's now a bit more intelligent and a bit less forgiving towards cowardly players. - Added a "buy item" option to long range combat so you can buy items from monsters when you encounter them in combat. - Documented the EMS and FOSSIL options in GTERM. Also did a little cosmetic work on gterm. - Added "casino statistics" to the casino menu. Tells players which games are the best! - Added some needed pauses into the casino unit. - Added a simple (but somewhat effective) protection scheme to protect executables from tampering. - Improved the "use ammo" routine to make it a bit more intelligent. - Fixed a bug in the ammunition types listed in the weapons stores. - User documentation improved slightly. - Fixed a bug in the number guess game - it was not paying off when people guessed on the 9th try. - Made the registration code checker a bit more lenient on strings with leading/trailing spaces. - Some mods to the monster definition file: Gave the WarMonger his proper armor and fixed a few spelling errors. - Moved TRELLNOT.TXT and TROYINFO.TXT into the file ANSI.DEF to reduce disk space requirements. - Combined all of the user documentation into one file (USERDOC.TXT). - Added newsletter support - newsletters are contained in NEWSLETT.TXT and may be displayed from documentation menu. - Added a utility to the documentation archive called DOCVIEW which will let the sysop view the newsletter and user documentation. - Puritron routine installed and functional! - A few corrections in the COMBAT.DEF file. - Added the capability to have stealth devices of different efficiencies (i.e. the Enviro-Blur) - Added the VIEW command to the inventory maintenance menu. Version 3.01 - Fixed a lockup bug when talking to the TADSU (one of the special quests) - Changed the Till-Death combat options to Berserk and added a bonus for berserking. - Added universal translator and a couple special quests. Version 3.10 - (skipped to avoid confusion with 3.01) Version 3.20 - Added a little bit of code to prevent some possible hang-ups with users typing long (i.e. 200 character) user names and stuff like that. - Fixed some possible problems with WWIV and Wildcat CALLINFO drop file formats. - Removed accuracy statistic from rankings and replaced it with "quests". - Fixed bug with calculating base values in rankings routine. - Added REGISTER.EXE to aid registered users in entering their registration codes. - Editing on quests #8 & #9 added to NEWLODED. - Added screen pauses after base inventory listing and base items for sale listing. - Reworked some of the base-show-item code to add screen pauses. - Modified the way the notes program works and added a "sort" option. (Note: Minor change will result in duplication of existing notes data) - Fortresses and special locations (such as EEEE, clone center, etc) are now logged automatically by the notes program. - Added "cell" option to pick-up command. (see userdocs new updates) - When a game is re-rolled, LOD will now properly delete all of the *.NTS files. - EMWarp program now works at bases. - EMWarp now registers in log when it is activated. - Player vs Player combat completed! - Clone costs went up! - Made base weapons and defenses a little more powerful. - Users level 8 and above are now charged rent if they stay inside any of the towns. - Diet program now lists amount of rations remaining when rations are eaten. - Combat stats now displays experience required to reach next level. - Added missing ANSI menu for base misc options. - Replaced "unknown" GAMEEGA/GTERM pictures with text strings describing the item. It's not nearly as good as the pictures, but in the meantime, it will have to suffice. - Made some changes to the way the LRCOMBAT screen works to speed it up for some users. - Bases can now be charged with any type of energy, not just power packs. - Raised the prices of ammunition just slightly. - Added an option to self-destruct fortresses. - Through in some pauses and some cosmetic upgrades into the start-up screen. - Fixed bug with Trell's note not displaying in nuclear silo. - Fixed bug in clone center when people with low attributes (below 21/21/21) tried to make a clone. - Changed the spacing in the FortList ROM to accommodate forts at locations greater than two digits. - Internal improvements to object handling - speeded up loading of OBJECTS.DAT and reduced disk size of that file. - Added two more special quests which have to do with the laptop and ROM disks. - Started including ANSIPUT.EXE in the LODxxxE.ARJ archive to let users manipulate the ANSI.DEF file. - Internal changes to pylon codes - should fix a bug or two. - Added command line switch and config file option to lock com port. - Modified authenticity verification (see section above) Version 3.21 - Fixed bug with log file reporting wrong information in player vs player combat. Version 3.30 - Added taxes to "take from the rich and give to the poor". - Modified some file I/O to hopefully reduce problems when using the /EMS switch. - Added support for teams. - Fixed the OBJS field in the fortlist rom. - Modified the way stringdef is loaded to allow for use on systems with less available memory. - Added a FORTINV rom for the laptop which will allow the users to display a listing of a fortresses inventory remotely. - Fixed a problem with fields not being properly clipped in the inventory display (i.e. long-named objects such as the laser-resist armor were messing up the display) - Added a limit on the number of fortress attacks per day. Can be changed with NEWLODED.EXE if you wish. - Added a view fortress command to the fortress trading menu. - Raised the default starting base energy from 100 units to 250 units. - Added daily time limit support - maximum daily time may be set using newloded. - Thanks to Joseph Johnson, we now have many more combat strings in the combat.def file! - The "/M" option has been removed and maintenance is now performed at the beginning of each day automatically. - Added "NODIRECT" option to config file for users with desqview. (turns off direct screen writes). See game.ctl for information. - Fixed a bug with the reroll status display in the View Puritron command. - Fixed another couple instance of the ?)help command not working properly. - Added a registered sysop/user list (REGLIST.TXT) This list is viewable with DOCVIEW.EXE and in the documentation center in the game itself. Version 3.31 - Fixed a minor bug in the nightly tax redistribution code. Version 3.40 - Fixed a minor bug dealing with "Nil Users" in the maint routines. - Fixed a few spelling errors in the registered sysop list (reglist.txt). And of course, added the latest batch of registered LOD sysops to the list. - Removed the C2.DEF, DORINFO1.DEF, and DORINFO2.DEF files from the package which got in by error. - Added several new monsters that were submitted by users. - Added a picture of a cyclops to GTERM and GAMEEGA. - Added an option to NEWLODED to allow editing of the taverns. - Added a delay for non registered sysops. - Fixed the FORCE ANSI option not operating when users were staying overnight in bases. - Thanks to several user submissions, we have many more monsters in this version! - Added PROGRAMR.ARJ to the editors archive. Version 3.50 - Made some changes in maintenance routines that might solve lockup problems. - Fixed unregistered delay so it does not hit users who get stuck with maintenance an extra time. - Added some extra error checking on corrupted data files. - Slight speed improvement on the load time of the objects.dat file. - Added an unregistered message to the wasteland prompt. It appears as "[Unreg]" to the users on unregistered copies. - Fixed the dex/agl display in the clone center. (they were reversed) - Worked on the fortress creation code a little to hopefully fix a few bugs. - Fixed some ANSI redraw problems with the CSTATS and other laptop programs. - Fixed a problem with the non-EGA version of LOD displaying garbage at start up. - Added a town name setup option to the newloded.exe game editor. - Snazzed up the use mine command a little bit. - Add a little bit of text to ed's dialog at the EEEE about how to use mines. - Shrunk the size of the strings.def file slightly. - Finally got around to adding some trivia files to the game. Also included TRIVCOMP.EXE in the LODxxxE archive to allow sysops to create their own trivia. - Added the NOAUTOMAINT option to the .ctl file to allow sysops to run maintenance manually. - A little bit of optimization here and there to reduce memory requirements and increase speed. - Added an "Excelsior" teleporter to the base teleporter store. - Moved a few combat strings from strings.def into combat.def. - Slight modifications to registration form. - Mods to the code that loads device definitions. Should decrease memory requirements slightly. - Lowered maximum number of objects from 4096 to 2048. - Reduced memory requirements of the EGA version slightly. - Fixed a nasty bug in NEWLODED where devices edited in the device editor over 150 were not being saved. - Improved the display of the coin flip game slightly. - Fixed problem with the "use ammo" routine. Now, the ammo pack with the lowest quantity of ammo is used. - Inventory sort improved to sort by an item's capacity as well as it's type. - Fixed a major bug in the armor routines. Armor will now deflect properly. - Made a few necessary revisions to the registration code section. - The C-Stats will now show a "difficulty level" when fighting a monster. - Fixed the "Long Grange" weapons bug and troy hadleys East/West mess up. - Reduced the memory requirements of the message system slightly. - Fixed a possible "Nil User" related bug. - Added a notice about pirated registrations. - Added information on Rick Malkin's LOD distribution in New Zealand. - Added section above on high speed / locked bauds to help clear up possible installation problems. - Added a brief glossary to help out some novice users. - Corrected a spelling error in "Devastation" in one of the title screens. Version 3.51 - Fixed a major problem with adding new devices using the device editor. - Ran a spell checker on LOD to correct a few spelling and typing errors. - Completely re-wrote the message system I/O routines. They now require less memory, operate more efficiently, and are faster. - NOTE: When upgrading from a copy of LOD previous to 3.51, the message base will be restarted. - Fixed a problem with user-created towns. - Fixed a possible problem with users entering garbage in the laptop system. - Fixed a possible problem of LOD not detecting dropped carrier. Credits ------- SHANE CHAMBERS ANSI and EGA graphics designer. Where to reach me ----------------- You can reach me either through my mailing address listed below in the registration section or via my bbs, The Not-Yet-Named bbs (602) 577-3650. Note: Since I am in college and do not have much time to hang around the house during the day, I prefer to answer all questions/comments via the bbs rather than my voice line. A special note about "pirated" registrations -------------------------------------------- (reprinted from REGLIST.TXT; Note: When referring to the "above list", this is a reference to the listing of registered sysops in REGLIST.TXT) It has come to my attention that some unethical sysops are attempting to crack LOD's registration codes to gain a free registered copy. If you suspect someone has "illegally" registered a copy of LOD, then you should consider the following before making any accusations: a) Anyone listed above does have a verified valid registration code. The above listing comes right off my system. b) It is possible that a person may have been left out of the above list. They could have sent in a donation _after_ the list was published, or I could have simply misplaced the paperwork. c) If you still suspect that someone has illegally registered their copy of LOD, then please contact me. I can check their name in my records and call them and deal with them if necessary. d) If a person has registered illegally, then I will lock their illegal code out of LOD and post their name in a listing of those who have "stolen" registrations. I consider it a sad indication of the morals of some people out there that they would do such a thing as to register illegally. It hurts not only me, but every honest sysop and user out there. Illegally registering a copy of LOD is THEFT pure and simple. Registration ------------ If you or your users enjoy this game, then please send me in a registration/donation. I am currently a college student and programming games like these is my only income. Donations of any amount are greatly welcome, but donations of $20 or more will be considered a registration. Due to the mass of incoming registrations on LOD, I have had to change my policy slightly. I simply don't have time to do all of the disk copying and mailing! Since every user who registers LOD obviously has access to a modem, I have decided to simply put the registration codes up on my bbs for people to get online. Beginning with version 3.40, I have added a non-registered game delay on the start up and exit of the game. This was done because registered sysops wanted their copies to be somewhat "better" than the unregistered games on other boards. I chose a seven second delay because it is not annoying enough to cause people to dislike the game, but it is long enough to make the users and/or the sysop take notice. Also, please note, aside from the delay, there are no other special features for registered users. And likewise, unregistered copies are not "crippled" in any way. Included in the LOD distribution archives is a file called "REGISTER.FRM". This file contains a registration form which may be printed out and mailed to me with your donation. Filling out this form is optional, but it does provide me with some useful information about you and your system. Here is what you do to register: #1: Send me $20+ in the mail. (Smaller donations are always appreciated, but I usually don't issue reg codes) #2: Call up my bbs about a week later and use the "Reg look" command to look up your registration code online. #3: Create a file called LODREG.DAT and with an ASCII text editor or word processor, type in the data given to you by reg look. - - - or - - - Run the program REGISTER.EXE which will prompt you for the information and create lodreg.dat itself. Please note, under this new policy I will not send you a package in the mail (unless you really, really need it!). Make your cheque payable to "Scott Baker". Please send registrations to the following address: ******************************** * Scott Baker * / * 6431 Tierra Catalina #48 * <==== Use this address in the USA! * Tucson, Az 85718 * \ ******************************** You may call the following to use Reg look to look up your reg code about a week after you have mailed the donation: The Not-Yet-Named bbs (USA) (602) 577-3650 (V.32) Fidonet 1:300/9 (602) 577-3419 (USR Dual) Fidonet 1:300/29 For those of you in the New Zealand area, Rick Malkin of the Hideaway BBS operates a distribution site for LOD in that area. He is fully set up to accept registrations and issue registration codes. His information is below. If you are in the New Zealand area, then having Rick process your donation will save you some time and money as well. Rick asks $70 NZ for the registration. Please make your cheque payable to "Rick Malkin" Please note: This address is for Australia and New Zealand orders only. All others please use the above "Scott Baker" address. [NEW ZEALAND AREA ONLY!] Rick Malkin / The Hideaway BBS P.O. Box 40263 / Upper Hutt 6401 <==== New Zealand orders ONLY! NEW ZEALAND \ BBS Phone: +64-4-528-0221 SL-Net #: 250:700/512 [NEW ZEALAND AREA ONLY!]