The Devil's Doorknob BBS Capture (1996-2003)

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Text File | 1995-05-16 | 26KB | 508 lines

The Village Of The Phoenix 1.0a LORD IGM Copyright (C) 1995 NOTE ---- This IGM was written using DDPLUS 7.0, and this is the standard DOC file DDPLUS comes with. You'll notice that a LOT of IGM docs will look EXACTLY like this one. :) WARNING ------- This IGM contains explicit violence in some areas. But so does LORD so hey, you're probably into that sort of thing. =) DISCLAIMER The author has taken every precaution to insure that no harm or damage will occur on computer systems operating this package. Nevertheless, the author shall NOT be held liable for whatever may happen on your computer system or to any computer systems which connects to your own as a result of operating this package. The user assumes full responsibility for the correct operation of this software package, whether harm or damage results from software error, hardware malfunction, or operator error. NO warranties are offered, expressly stated or implied (you're actually reading this?), including without limitation or restriction any warranties of operation for a particular purpose and/or merchantability. If you do not agree with this then do NOT use this program. In other words, if this program causes your computer to blow up, starting a fire which burns your house down, it's not my fault. LICENSE AGREEMENT The game program, support files, and documentation are copyrighted products of Jeremy Stewart. Jeremy Stewart reserves all rights to these products. This is protected by the United States of America (USA) and International Copyright Laws. In no way shall the components of the game software package be reproduced or modified in any form or method without prior expressly written permission from Jeremy Stewart. Tampering with or altering the contents or integrity of the game software package is prohibited. No fee may be charged by any agency other than myself beyond the cost of distributing unregistered copies (and I'm not too fond of charging money for THAT) without prior expressly written permission from me. A major portion of this software comes from the DDPlus Door Driver Package and was written by the authors of that package. The DDPlus Doordriver kit has been used for the communications, interrupt handling and some utility functions and that part of the software remains copyrighted by the authors of the DDplus Package. This game is distributed under the Shareware concept. You are allowed to operate this game for a trial period of thirty (30) days. After this trial period, you must register the game or discontinue its usage. Again if you do not agree with this then do NOT use this game. (And anyone who actually EXPECTS people to stop using a program after 30 days, well, I won't say anything, but you KNOW what I'm talking about. :) INTRODUCTION: ------------ The Village of the Phoenix (hereafter referred to as VOTP) is an In Game Module (hereafter referred to as IGM) for Legend Of The Red Dragon (LORD) bbs door game. LORD is required for this software to be of any use. REQUIREMENTS: ------------ At this point in time the only requirements are FILES=10 (or more) in your config.sys file and ANSI.SYS (actually, I'm not sure on this one. Might not be needed at all). SHARE must also be loaded IF you intend to use the game in a multi-node environment OR under DesqView. The game is RIP aware but NOT a RIP Game at this time (though I definitely want to add RIP menus for the next version). A FOSSIL is NOT required to run the game, although one will be supported if it exists. Automatic time slicing support is provided to most common multi-taskers as well. Files Included -------------- Below is a listing of all files for the this IGM. If you are missing ANY of those files that have a * by them, the IGM will NOT function properly. Feel free to give out copies of the ENTIRE archive package of this game but please make sure all the files below are in that package: PHOENIX.DOC - Documentation file (If you don't have this one, then what the heck are you reading?) REGISTER.FRM - Registration form. :) *PHOENIX.EXE - Main IGM executable. *SETUP.EXE - The new external setup program. UPDATE.EXE - To update all the old PLAYERS.PHE files. *ANSI.PHE - Phoenix support file. Includes all the ANSI and ASCII menus, as well as several other default files which are extracted by PHOENIX.EXE *WARRIORS.PHE - Phoenix support file. Includes all the Warriors for the Arena part of the IGM. *WARTALK.TXT - Famous sayings of the various warriors in the Arena. VERSION.TXT - Text file detailing the different versions of this IGM. FILE_ID.DIZ - Description file used by BBSs. Files created by VOTP during play in the game number subdirectories: PHOENIX.CFG - The configuration file for VOTP. Contains your registration information if you have registered, so don't lose it. HIST.PHE - Phoenix support file. Includes various data on what players have done in VOTP so far. PLAYERS.PHE - Phoenix support file. Includes information on the players that have visited VOTP. TAVTALK.TXT - The conversation going on in the Tavern. TABLE.TXT - What is scribbled on the table in the Tavern. NODExDAT.CTL - The control file for running the IGM on node x. A new one is created every time the IGM is run. Installation ------------ There are basically two ways to set this IGM up. They are: The EASY WAY: 1. Create a directory for the game: example: "LORD\IGM\PHOENIX" 2. Make sure that ALL files listed above from the game package are moved into that directory. 3. Type "SETUP" and hit the enter key. 4. You will be prompted as to whether you want to configure the game for the current game number(*), install the game, un install the game, change the game number(*), or quit (well, it won't prompt you to quit, but I'm sure you can figure out how). * Game number: Since many of you run multiple LORD games on your BBS, I added this option. It allows you to configure different directories for different LORD games, allowing you to run all the VOTP IGMs from one executable, one directory (well, it makes more sub-directories for each game, allowing you to delete specific games easily), etc. Theoretically, you can run up to 256 different LORD games from this one executable. If you need to run more than that, seek professional help (and I'm NOT referring to a professional programmer either). 5. Choose configure. This part is pretty self explanatory, but I just want to go on record as saying that messing with the reg codes would not be a good idea unless you actually have reg codes to enter. The reg code routines did not work in v1.0, but are now in working order. 6. Choose install. This will add the game to the 3rdparty.dat file in the directory you specified as your LORD directory (if 3rdparty.dat exists. You need to run LORD at least once), and add a little announcement to the daily news. That's all there is to it. When you get tired of the IGM (somewhere around 2004 AD, I hope :) simply choose un install. This will remove the VOTP option from 3rdparty.dat but will NOT erase any files in that particular game number subdirectory, that you will have to do on your own. I think the reasons are obvious for this (Whoops! Was that game #3 or game #4 that I just un installed?). The HARD WAY: 1. Create a directory for the game: example: "LORD\IGM\PHOENIX" 2. Make sure that ALL files listed above from the game package are moved into that directory. 3. Type "SETUP" and hit the enter key. 4. Choose configure. This part is pretty self explanatory, but I just want to go on record as saying that messing with the reg codes would not be a good idea unless you actually have reg codes to enter. The reg code routines did not work in v1.0, but are now in working order. 5. Edit your 3RDPARTY.DAT file so that it has a name for the IGM, and the following command line: <DRIVE><PATH TO IGM><NAME OF EXECUTABLE> /N<NODE> /E <GAME> i.e.: C:\LORD\IGM\VOTP\PHOENIX.EXE /N1 /E 1 and a line describing the IGM. Upgrading from v1.0 ------------------- Now, you can't just overwrite the previous version and expect everything to be working like a well oiled machine. You will have to run UPDATE.EXE from the same directory the old PHOENIX.EXE was in. This will update all the PLAYERS.PHE files in all the PHOE??? subdirectories to the new format. This isn't totally necessary to play, only if you want to use the old PLAYERS.PHE files. If you do not want to use the old PLAYERS.PHE files, delete them BEFORE running the IGM. After you run UPDATE, it is no longer needed, and may be deleted. RESTRICTIONS ON THE UNREGISTERED GAME ------------------------------------- Until the game is registered the following restrictions are in effect: a. There will be no way to access the Gambling Hall (I made the Gambling Hall inconspicuous, so many users wouldn't even know that they're missing out on something. But YOU'LL know... BTW, you also have to have a registered copy of LORD to get into the gambling hall, so register LORD first, of course! b. The TAX MAN! The TAX MAN will take a little something from you the first time you leave VOTP every day until it's registered. Nothing seriously crippling, however, VERY annoying and inconvenient. c. A registration encouragement delay when leaving VOTP. (About 3 whole seconds long! Gasp!) Remember! Registration is ONLY $5! And you can pay with a credit card! What are you waiting for? WHAT TO DO IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS -------------------------------- Contact me at once! Remember, if you have a bug, a complaint, think things are too easy or too hard, or just want to tell me that you think that my IGM is the best you've ever seen (and especially the latter) then feel free to write to my e-mail at jstewart@poweramp.net. If you don't have internet e-mail access (and I understand that there are one or two of you left) then drop me a line at the same address that the registrations are sent to or leave me e-mail on one of the BBSs listed at the end of this document. See the end of this document for details. Multinode use ------------- This game supports multinode use and provides automatic multi-tasker support (time slice releasing) for a wide variety of multi-taskers. Though not truly a multi-node game (eg, no interaction between nodes) this IGM uses the same file locking routines LORD does, so there should be no major :) disasters. Common Problems (Locked Bauds, High Speed modems, etc) ------------------------------------------------------ 1. The game does NOT require a fossil driver to run. 2. 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 this document to discuss configuring your BBS and mailer for a locked baud rate; you may wish to consult those docs for information on that. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting up GAME with a locked baud rate: a. When using a locked baud rate, I highly recommend using a FOSSIL driver. This game will work at high speeds without one though. BNU is a good fossil driver which can even be loaded and unloaded before and after you run this game. b. 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. c. If you lock the baud for one program, it must be locked for everything. You can't lock the baud for just this game, but not your BBS/mailer. 3. What follows is some information on possible strange situations that may occur: A. 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. How to get the most recent version ---------------------------------- Well, the MOST recent version will ALWAYS be available on the three BBSs listed in the "HOW TO CONTACT ME BY MODEM" area. It SHOULD also be available on Seth Able Robinson's BBS, Darkside (number is at the end of this document). Chances are that it will also find its way to the internet at the ftp sites listed under How To Contact Me Via Modem (for those of you with FTP access). These sites would also be a good place to find the most recent LORD version, and other LORD IGMs (not to plug the competition or anything :). "Corrupted" data files ---------------------- It is possible that something could happen to your game data file. A power outage, game crash, or other event could damage the data files (Not a carrier drop though, VOTP can handle those). If you get one of these messages, then the best thing to do is to delete all the corrupted files from the effected game subdirectory and re-configure the IGM. This will reset the IGM for that game, but leave the others intact. Should have no major impact other than everyone's loans were suddenly paid off! (And they'll also lose all the gold and gems they had stored in the VOTP bank) :) CREDITS: -------- This relatively small section is just to recognize the GREAT people who have made this IGM a possibility. Seth Able Robinson - Special thanks to Seth for creating such a revolutionary door game. None of this would be possible (literally!) without him. Grant "Eclipse" Stancliff - CoSysop of The Blockade BBS, for doing the menus that you see in the game. If you like the menu, it's probably one that Eclipse did. If not, it's probably one I messed with. :) He also wrote almost HALF of the warriors for the arena, and did most of the beta testing. The first working copy was on his board. He also got in contact with Ard (the person the Master Warrior is based on) when I couldn't find her. Albert "Edge" Dewitt Jr. - Sysop of Razor's Edge BBS, an EXPERT on LORD (has a separate file directory for LORD stuff there!) and who inspired me to write this IGM in the first place ("Get of your duff and write the thing already!" Not an exact quote :) Joe DeRouen - Who offered to beta test (and successfully did) each version to make sure that the dreaded RUNTIME ERROR 006 never happened again, and while doing so, suggested some very good ideas for the IGM. Extra special thanks to him! Arlo Clizer (aka LOBO) - Who sent in the first registration money I received, along with a nice FLEER ULTRA card of ROGUE. Now, how did he know? <G> Ard - When I first started BBSing, wherever I saw LORD, I saw Ard. It seemed like she was on EVERY board with LORD on it. Eventually, whenever I thought of LORD, I thought of Ard (and I wasn't the first or only person to make this connection. It was commented on heavily on certain boards). And the highest player was always her. So I made her the Master Warrior in the arena. The DDPlus Team - Thanks to Scott Baker, Steve Lorenz, Bob Dalton, Andy Stewart, Tom Morgan and other contributors for that great turbo pascal door kit. If you ever want to make a door product for use with BBS's then this is the kit to get! DESQview is a registered trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems. Doordriver kit is proprietary software by Scott Baker. Ripscript & Ripterm are registered trademarks of TeleGrafix Communications. Warriors -------- Info on the creators of the Warriors you will face in the arena (in no particular order). Tomoichi: By Neil Konouchi of the George Walton Comprehensive High School Marching Raider Band - "GO TUBAS!" Edge: By Albert Dewitt Jr., Sysop of Razor's Edge BBS. Vlad: By Sean Morgan, fellow game designer (currently designing the game Celtic Journeys for your online entertainment). Metka, Kyoko, Evan, Kaya, Katahn: By the invaluable Grant Stancliff, CoSysop of The Blockade BBS. Tommy the Terrible: By THOMAS TAYLOR REJC48A@prodigy.com who was up all night thinking up the name. :) Niko: By Richard W. Yeomans, (AKA OmniCron), whose actual tag was uuencoded (sorry, no uudecoder! What do I do?) Firebird: Myself (well, I had to make at least ONE ya know!). Where to reach me ----------------- I can usually be reached at Razor's Edge BBS or The Blockade BBS, or VGAPlanets Command Center BBS (where I am a CoSysop), all of which should be listed in the section entitled "How to reach me by modem" which is below. I can also be reached via internet E-Mail at jstewart@poweramp.net (THIS IS VERY MUCH PREFERRED and you will also get a reply a LOT faster). Registration ------------ If you or your users enjoy this game, then please register it. Registration will be only $5 until the next version (with RIP menus, LOTS more little stuff (not really any more big stuff) a fixed registration routine, more warriors in the Arena, more things for Thieves to do, more places to rob etc...) when it *MIGHT* go up. I think that this is MORE than fair considering the size and completeness of this IGM. Since LORD is such a great value, I thought that the least I could do would be to make my IGM a great value too. If I didn't have to eat (hence, need money) I would be releasing it as freeware, but unless I win the lottery (and I don't buy tickets, so I probably have very little chance of winning) then I need to charge money for it. Like LORD, one registration code will register this version and all future versions. Simply fill out REGISTER.FRM file and send it along with $5 to: Jeremy Stewart 4301D Hesseltine Valley, WA 99181 ***CREDIT CARD DOOR*** In the works at this very moment is a credit card registration door on VGAP CC BBS (See How To Contact Me Via Modem for the number). Though you won't receive the registration codes while online (You'll have to call back in 1-2 days), it's a LOT faster than snail mail. And though I actually receive LESS money if you use the credit card door, I prefer it, because it makes MY life easier as well. :) HOW TO REACH ME BY MODEM --------------------------- My handle is PHOENIX on all these BBSs: VGA Planets Command Center (USA) (509) 487-3734 The Razor's Edge BBS (USA) (509) 922-1535 The Blockade BBS (USA) (509) 487-3970 Reminder: You will be mailed a POSTCARD with your registration code. Just allow an appropriate amount of time (a week or two) after dropping your check in the mail for it to arrive to me and the code to be sent by mail back to you. REMINDER: No disks are sent, if you need the most current version you must call DarkSide BBS or one of the BBSs listed above for it, or FTP it from one of the following sites: FTP.INFONET.NET under /showcase/agency/BBS.Doors/lord. FTP.XMISSION.COM /pub/users/j/jalepeno/wwiv/upload FTP.WUSTL.EDU /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/bbsdoors/lord_3rd_party I don't guarantee that it will be on any of these sites, I don't have any real control over it. I'm just saying that these sites will PROBABLY have it. The filename should be VOTP-<Version Number>.ZIP (ie, VOTP-10A.ZIP for v1.0a). The number for DarkSide is (503)838-6171. I cannot be reached through that BBS. Bug Reports/Comments/Suggestions -------------------------------- I have made every attempt to make sure the game is free of bugs, BUT the possibility always exists that one may have been missed by me or the play testers. If you find a bug, or have a suggestion or comment to make which would make future versions better please leave me e-mail on one of the BBSs listed or at jstewart@poweramp.net or write me a letter at the above address. I read ALL of them and those people that lead me to find a bug or generate a better game will receive credit in the game documentation and probably a free registration. :) Hey, it's the least I can do. PLEASE DO NOT NOTIFY ME OF PROBLEMS AND EXPECT ME TO FIX THEM IF YOU HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ENOUGH INFORMATION.