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Text File | 1995-08-16 | 28.7 KB | 777 lines

MODEM GAMELINK BBS Game Connection (tm) Version 1.4 User Documentation ------------------------------- Game Connection allows you to play modem-to-modem games while logged onto this system. With the two player games, this may allow you to play the game with someone who is not in your area, which would previously have cost you long distance charges, or to play a game with someone without having to give them your home phone number. The real advantage here is the ability to play multi-player (i.e. more than two player) games online. This ability depends on the version of this program running on this system, as there is a two-player only version of Game Connection, and a multi-player version. Multi-player modem games would normally require one user to have several phones and modems, or are only playable by more than two persons if connected by a LAN. Using Game Connection, you can play supported multi-player games as easily as the two player versions. Beginning a Game ---------------- The first thing to is to call a Major BBS and enter Game Connection. Some games have a chat mode that will allow you to do this from within them, but the majority require you to pre-dial. Pre-dialing refers to calling the BBS with your normal communications program (e.g. Telix, Procomm) in order to log on, enter Game Connection, and begin game mode. This is explained in more detail below. Make sure any notes on modem configuration are taken into account. Some games require special modem configuration. NOTE: It is usually a good idea to have everyone at the same baud rate. If you are not, game data may be lost if a low speed system is not able to accept the data as fast as the higher speed system(s) send it. After entering Game Connection, a menu selection allows you to see what other users on the system have set their game request flag, and which game they are interested in playing. You can also get a list of all players currently in Game Connection, and their status (e.g. Playing DOOM). To play a game, select the menu option to enter a multi-player game channel. You can join one of the existing games if it is not already in progress, or you can set up your own game channel, which you will be the moderator of. FOR TWO PLAYER GAMES, USE DISTRIBUTED MODE. This will allow virtually any game that is not specifically supported by Game Connection to be played two-way. Some games allow open entry. The only one that we know of at this time is Spectre VR. Open entry means that a player can enter a game while it is in progress. To do this, make sure that the game is not full (8 players for Spectre VR), and enter your game. Moderating Setting up a game channel is just a matter of answering a couple of questions: Which game will be played? Just enter the name of the game you are planning to play. This will allow other users to join you if they wish to play the same game. Playing mode? Several playing modes are available. The default selection is "Distributed" mode. In this mode, everything coming from one player will be sent (distributed) to each of the other players. This mode is not useful for most games with more than two players, but works well for two-player games. Of course, you are always welcome to try this mode for games that do not have their own mode and do not follow one of the standard protocols provided by Game Connection, but it is not likely to work. If you cannot get a 'more than two player' game to work in distributed mode, you may wish to attempt another non-game specific mode. Such as "Master-Slave" mode. Some games use this method, and can be played even though they are not directly supported. For instance, it has been reported that Syndicate works in this mode. "Master-Slave" mode assumes one player is the master and sends all data from him/her to everyone else, while routing all data from the slaves to his/her channel only. You may have some luck with this mode if the game is designed to have everyone call a master system and that system takes care of all communications. By default, the first player to enter the channel (the moderator) is assigned the position of master. The help text displayed when you enter the channel gives instructions for passing that position to another channel member. "Daisy Chained" mode is not likely to work. It was thrown in just in case a need for it arose. In this mode, everything is passed from one user to the next, and they are responsible for echoing it to the next player, or stopping it if they originated it. Two standard protocols are provided to allow games to be written for Game Connection: The Game Connection Protocol (GCP) is a binary protocol that is currently being used in game development, and Line Mode is an ASCII based protocol for games that wish to be compatible with 7-bit networks. Additionally, GCP7 is a seven bit variation of the GCP protocol for the control of GCP, but the ability to operate over 7-bit networks. All other modes are game specific (e.g. "Empire Deluxe" mode), and are special modes for particular games. If you have a multi-player game that is not specifically supported by Game Connection, you are welcome to try these modes, but don't expect too much. Commands Once a channel is setup, you are in a mini-teleconference. There are a number of commands that can be done from here before the game starts, such as JOIN another channel. These commands are listed as you enter, and help is available online. If you are the channel moderator, you have additional capabilities. You can remove people from the channel, limit the number of players who may enter, change the playing mode, etc. Again, these commands are listed when you enter the channel. When everyone is ready, the moderator can begin game mode by typing /START. Playing the Game ---------------- Once you are in game mode, after typing /START, you need to exit your communications program, unless you called through your game or a front end such as SIRDOOM, and bring up the game. Shelling out is usually not sufficient, as most games require a lot of memory. Your games will then be in contact with each other, and you can play them as normal. Make sure you have called the BBS at a baud rate supported by the game, and that the game is configured to use that speed. If the game tries to use a speed other than what you called at, the data will not make it through to the other side. Most games have a direct connect mode to use a null modem cable or an established modem connection; this is the communications mode you will need to select. Ending the Game --------------- When the game is over, you will need to go back into your communications program again, unless you called through your game, and type a series of Ctrl-Z's. After about two seconds of inactivity following the Ctrl-Z's, you will be returned to the mini-teleconference. Supported Games --------------- Most two-player games (or multi-player games in two-player mode) will work flawlessly in Game Connection. Some, however, do not have a chat mode that would allow you to log on to the BBS, and insist on hanging the modem up and dialing themselves. These games will not function via Game Connection. We are constantly in the process of adding specific support for more games, and working on known incompatibilities and problems with supported games. Below is a list of the games that either we have tested, or have been reported to work, along with comments about their performance. If you find a game that is not listed here, or that you have alternate comments on, please have your sysop contact Sirius Software, Inc. and let us know the name of the game, the developer, and any success or failures you've had with the game. Read the notes on the game you are attempting to play prior to calling the BBS. Some games require special modem configuration. If a game hangs up on you when attempting to begin the game, or in the middle of the game, there are a couple of ways to get around it. One is to add &D0 to your modem init string prior to dialing. If the game is dropping the DTR signal to your modem, the modem will automatically disconnect unless this configuration option is used. You will have to hang your modem up manually if you do this, however, since most modems are hung up by dropping DTR. The second possibility is that the game is sending +++ to put your modem in command mode, and then issuing a hangup command. This can be disabled by adding S2=255 to your modem initialation string prior to dialing. NOTE: * Multi-player games require the multi-player version of Game Connection for more than two players. Pre-dial - means that you will have to call a Major BBS system with a com program (such as Telix or Procomm), enter Game Connection, and go into game mode prior to running the game. These games do not have a chat mode that would allow you to log on and get to Game Connection from within the game. When you pre-dial for a game, select the option that says "Direct Connection", "Established Connection", or "Serial Connection" if available. There is no need to select modem, because you do not need to initialize or dial. When pre-dialing from Windows, you will have to minimize your com program, but leave it active, or Windows will disconnect you from the BBS. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Descent (Interplay) Up to 8 players (shareware) If the system you call is running the multi-player version of Game Connection V1.46 or higher, then you can play this games with 2 to 8 players using the SIRDESC front end. Otherwise, see the general two player instructions in SIRGCONN.DOC. Dial Method: Dial from SIRDESC's built in ANSI terminal Baud Rates: 14.4K or higher Comments: Unzip the SIRDESC front end into your Descent directory, or preferably, somewhere in your path, so you can use it to play from any directory on your system. Both SIRDESC.EXE and SIRCFG.EXE should be placed in the same directory for proper operation. The first time you run SIRDESC, the configuration editor will be run automatically. You can run it at any time after that by pressing Alt-C. See SIRDESC.DOC for complete instructions. SIRDESC and Descent Mode were designed to work together. In order to use SIRDESC, you must select Descent Mode. SIRDESC will not work with other modes, and the odds of any other Descent loader working in this mode are nil. Once you are in game mode, that is about it. One player needs to host the game by typing Alt-S. SIRDESC will automatically pull the rest of the players in, and return you to teleconference mode when you complete the game. (You will not have to type Ctrl-Z's) Again, if you have any questions or problems, see SIRDESC.DOC. DOOM (ID Software) Up to 4 players (shareware) DOOM II (ID Software) Up to 4 players HERETIC (ID Software) Up to 4 players If the system you call is running the multi-player version of Game Connection V1.40 or higher, then you can play these games with 2 to 4 players using the SIRDOOM front end (V1.45 or higher is required for Heretic, and SIRDOOM V2.0 or higher). Otherwise, see the two player instructions below. NOTE: Heretic is based on DOOM's graphics and communications engine. Since a suitable front end was already in use, we added Heretic support directly to SIRDOOM instead of creating a new front end. SIRDOOM will automatically detect Heretic and make all necessary adjustments to game configuration and communications. Dial Method: Dial from SIRDOOM's built in ANSI terminal Baud Rates: Any Comments: Unzip the SIRDOOM front end into your DOOM or Heretic directory, or preferably, somewhere in your path, so you can use one copy to play DOOM, DOOM II, or Heretic. Both SIRDOOM.EXE and SDCONFIG.EXE should be placed in the same directory for proper operation. The first time you run SIRDOOM, the configuration editor will be run automatically. You can run it at any time after that by pressing Alt-C. See SIRDOOM.DOC for complete instructions. SIRDOOM and DOOM Mode were designed to work together. Likewise, HERETIC mode was designed with SIRDOOM in mind. In order to use SIRDOOM, you must select either DOOM mode or HERETIC mode (depending on the game you will be playing). SIRDOOM will not work with other modes, and the odds of any other DOOM or Heretic loader working in this mode are nil. Once you are in game mode, that is about it. One player needs to host the game by typing Alt-S. SIRDOOM will automatically pull the rest of the players in, and return you to teleconference mode when you complete the game. (You will not have to type Ctrl-Z's) Again, if you have any questions or problems, see SIRDOOM.DOC. Warpath (Synthetic Reality) Up to 4 players (shareware) Dial Method: Build in terminal Baud Rates: Determined by Windows Comments: A great space war and economics game for Windows. This is the first game released with native Game Connection support, so let's try to keep the ball rolling by supporting the author. The game contains instructions for registration. Unzip WARPATH.ZIP into a subdirectory and add a Windows program item pointing to WARPATH.EXE in that directory. Open that program, select options and configure your modem options, then select 'New Game', Modem, 'Play Game', and then Dial. (NOTE: The built in terminal does not support ANSI, so if you have your ANSI setting to always on, you will have to turn it off or ignore the ANSI codes.) Once you are in Game Connection, select 'Line Mode', type START, and one of the players clicks on 'Host Game' to begin. Complete, context-sensitive help is available. Spades (Synthetic Reality) Up to 4 players (shareware) Dial Method: Build in terminal Baud Rates: Determined by Windows Comments: A good rendition of the classic spades card game. Allows solo or partner play, with 1 to 4 human players, with additional seats being filled by robots. Complete, context-sensitive help is available. Spectre VR (Velocity) Up to 8 players Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Any (skips from 19.2K to 57.6K, ie. no 38.4K) Setup: Execellent Virtual Reality game. Select direct connect under network setup. If the BBS you are calling has the multi-player version of Game Connection V1.40 or greater, there is a mode for this game that will allow 2-8 players in the same game. No front end or patch is required. This game allows open entry. Once the game is started, other players will be allowed to enter unless you have limited the number of users in the channel. When you enter, it will notify you that you are in game mode. Run SVR as normal and try to click on PLAY between flashes (or just type P). This game seems to conflict with a number of TSRs. If you get black boxes on some of the screens, or your screen goes completely black, try booting with only necessary drivers and TSRs. Empire Deluxe (New World Computing) Up to 6 players Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Up to 19200 Comments: Modem initialization MUST include &D0. This game drops DTR constantly, and without &D0, your modem will hang up. This game plays very well, and allows 2-6 players at a time out of the box. Use Empire Deluxe mode for more than 2 players. Once you are in game mode, exit your terminal program and run Empire. Click on 'Play Game'. All players but one should click on 'Remote Slave'. The remaining player is the host or master player. He/She should click on one of the game modes: Basic, Standard or Advanced and then decide what map will be used. Then the host should configure a slot for each player that will be in the game; setting each as remote via the same com port (the one your modem is on). Each person should select the appropriate baud rate (whatever you called in at) direct with automatic connect control. All players should be at the same baud rate if possible. The game should play even if they aren't, but it may lock up or play slowly. After that, click on OK, and you are started. If at all possible, the host should enter the game before the last player. Otherwise, Game Connection will figure out who the host player is and start passing data. This will allow player number requests to build up in the host's buffer and can confuse the game as to how many players there are which may cause odd behaviour. Don't be afraid to save the game and take it up again later. A large map and skilled players can drag Empire Deluxe games out for days. Just exit the game, and it will prompt each player for a save file. The next time you play, just chose 'Load Saved Game'. The only player who must save the game is the host, but the slave players will have to re-issue all commands when you resume play. Global Conquest (MicroPlay/Microprose) Up to 4 players Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Up to 19200 Comments: Requires a patch to play over the BBS. You will need to copy DRIVER2.OVL (from GLOBOVL.ZIP) into your Global Conquest directory. Then, when you enter Global Conquest, select Special DRIVER2.OVL. Power Monger (Electronic Arts) Dial Method: Pre-Dial Baud Rates: 300 - 4800 Comments: Run PM (press space bar to enter game). Enter your name. Click on one of the game options (e.g. 'Start New'). Click on compass symbol. Appease the copy protection gods. Click on the game options symbol (floppy disk). Click on GAME and then MULTI PLAY. Set up the correct com port and baud rate. Choose a color, and click on CONNECT. NOTE: We were not able to get this game to play in 256 color mode, and the 16 color mode still had problems with the graphics. Grandest Fleet (QQP) Dial Method: Call through built in terminal Baud Rates: Any Comments: War strategy game, to start the game, one person should click on 'Select Control' and then escape out of modem area. Seawolf (Electronic Arts) Dial Method: Pre-Dial Baud Rates: 9600 Only Comments: Submarine battles. Run TWOPLAY.BAT. Select B or C for COM1 or COM2 direct connect. You can now chat to see if you are properly connected, and then each person should hit ESC to begin the game. Player 1 selects "Two Player Missions", then select a mission and click GO. F-15 Strike Eagle III (Microprose) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Any (9600 suggested) Comments: After connecting, Use MENU option (top of screen) to set Baud and Com Port. Both players must click on phone (to enter modem mode) and it will say connecting, hit # and the game should start. If you have not played F-15 via modem before, reading the F-15 Technical Document is highly recommended. Falcon 3.0 (Spectrum Holobyte) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Any Comments: Works well. A TSR in FALTSR.ZIP is available that allows compression and higher baud rates, and speeds up the initial connection. Set up your squadron and theater, and then click on the middle video screen that flashes COMMS. Configure a direct connection with the proper baud rate and com port. When you accept the configuration, it will attempt to connect to the other player. Tornado (Spectrum Holobyte) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 9600 Comments: Flight Sim/Combat game. Select direct connect mode. One player should select Red Leader, and the other should select Blue Leader. F16 Combat Pilot (Electronic Arts) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 1200-9600 (9600 suggested) Comments: Flight Sim/Combat game. Select MISSIONS (Jacket on door). Select Gladiator mission in upper right corner. Set your com port an baud rate. One player should select red leader, and the other blue leader. Click on direct to begin game. Knights of the Sky (MicroProse) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 1200-9600 (9600 suggested) Comments: Flight Sim/Combat game. Low detail, but works well. Select head-to-head, configure your port and baud rate, and 'connect directly' to begin. Stunt Driver (Spectrum Holobyte) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 1200-38400 Comments: Click Options and then Head-to-Head. Set baud and port, and select direct connect. Click DONE to start the game. VETTE! (Spectrum Holobyte) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Any Comments: At any point before beginning the race, hit ESC to bring up the pop-up menu. Select COMMUNICATIONS and set it up for a direct connection at the appropriate baud rate and com port. One player should select call and the other answer. Click done and start the race. NOTE: Both players must select the same track. Tetris Classic (Spectrum Holobyte) Super Tetris (Spectrum Holobyte) Wordtris (Spectrum Holobyte) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 2400 to 9600 Comments: Select direct connect. One player should select dial, and the other should select answer. Then select head-to-head mode. Command HQ (MicroPlay/Microprose) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 1200-19200 Comments: Plays well with modem connections, although currently a bit slow when played via an X.25 network such as Compuserve. You will need to replace SERIAL.OVL with the replacement in CHQOVL.ZIP from your Game Connection support library. This game limits the transmission speed to less than 2400 bps, so anything faster will only be for your convenience when logging on. Start a new war and select ANOTHER HUMAN as your opponent. Select DIRECT SERIAL, the appropriate com port and baud rate, and BEGIN GAME. Conquered Kingdoms (Quantum Quality Productions) Dial Method: Baud Rates: Any Comments: Reported to work. WW2: Battles of the South Pacific (Quantum Quality Productions) Dial Method: Built in terminal Baud Rates: 2400-9600 Comments: Reported to work. A patch is required for playing on X.25 networks. V1.2 patch is suggested, as it fixes some of the communications problems. Perfect General (Quantum Quality Productions) Dial Method: Built in terminal Baud Rates: 9600 baud recommended. Comments: Reported to work well. Tank (Spectrum Holobyte) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Any Comments: Select game type and then multi-player, direct. Tom Landry Football Dial Method: Has a chat screen, but pre-dial is suggested. Baud Rates: Any Comments: Reported to work. Select direct serial connection. Victory or Defeat Dial Method: Built in terminal. Baud Rates: 1200-2400-9600 Comments: Windows program. Reported to work. IndyCar Racing (Papyrus) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 9600 only Comments: One player should select answer, and one player should select dial. The player selecting dial should enter first. ARCHON Ultra (Strategic Simulations, Inc.) Dial Method: Pre-dial (You can log on through the modem window, but this is difficult to do with only a partial line.) Baud Rates: 2400 only Comments: Before beginning a game, use the right mouse button to bring up the menu, and select CONNECT. Both players must do this within 30 seconds of each other. Theater of War (Three-Sixty) Dial Method: Pre-dial (You can log on through the modem window, but this is difficult to do with only three lines.) Baud Rates: 1200-38400 Comments: Strategic board game similar to chess. Both players must select the same warrior set. Select PLAYER-VS-PLAYER - REMOTE and click PLAY. Set the proper baud rate and com port. It may be necessary to set the com port before hand with the CONFIG utility. If you are logging on through the chat window, type ATDT<phone number> to place the call and enter game connection at this time. Once both players are connected and ready, click PLAY. Battle Chess 4000 (InterPlay) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 300 only Comments: Before dialing, you must add &D0 to your modem init string and re-initialize your modem. Otherwise, the game will cause your modem to hang up at various times throughout the game. Once you are in the game, select MODEM from the CONTROLS menu. One player should set white/red to human and black/blue to human, and the other should set them the other way around. Then click on OK, and you are playing chess. Line Wars (shareware) Dial Method: Pre-dial (from Windows) Baud Rates: Up to 19200 Comments: Space game. Set up as DUEL mode, DIRECT LINE. MegaTron (shareware) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: Up to 9600 Comments: Robots at war in a maze. Make sure your modem is initialized to ignore "+++" by adding S2=255 to your modem init string before dialing. Configure your com port and baud rate, and click on OPEN. PanzerKrieg for Windows (shareware) Dial Method: Pre-dial (from Windows) Baud Rates: Comments: Use the serial connection option. TeleCards (Cutlass Software) (shareware) Dial Method: Pre-dial Baud Rates: 2400 Comments: Two player graphics card games. Includes Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy and Cribbage. Just select option 3 (direct connection) and follow the instructions. NOTE: Also available in a Windows version HardBall 4 (Accolade) Dial Method: Pre-Dial Baud Rates: 38400 Comments: Reported to work well. Choose MODEM/Already Connected.