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Text File | 1996-03-17 | 23.5 KB | 538 lines

******************************************* **** Usurper 0.15, Sysop Documentation **** ******************************************* Program Information : Door - Usurper v0.14 Producer - (c) 1993-1996 JAS Software, All Rights Reserved Using - Borland Pascal 7.0 and DDplus 7.0 Acknowledgements : DDplus - Distributed by Steve Lorenz and Bob Dalton - 1995 (Copyright 1993-1996 Jakob Dangården and JAS Software, All Rights Reserved) [*** This file is also available in German, see --> German.doc ***] [*** Address for the Usurper home-page is: http://www.xs4all.nl/~codex ***] [*** responsible for the WEB page is Rico Tijsen. THANKS! ***] Usurper on InterNet: -------------------- The latest version of Usurper is now available on the Internet via anonymous FTP on ftp.asogy.stockholm.se in the directory \pub\bbs\usurper Disclaimer ---------- The Usurper Door is distributed without warranty. In no case shall I be held responsible for any damages or losses resulting from you running this software. By running this program you have agreed to take responsibility for any problems that may result. If you do not agree to this, don't run the program. Usurper ? --------- Usurper is a ANSI/ASCII doorgame which requires approximately 230k of free memory to run. Usurper is a fastpaced doorgame which only has one purpose : to give its players a moment of joy and relaxation. It only takes a couple of minutes to play each day, it's easy to understand and the gameplay is straightforward. Get bigger, meaner and stronger. The settings are a fantasy scenario inhabited with different races and creatures. The game can be completed when a player reaches the darkest dungeon at the bottom of the big mountain. He then gets immortalized. However, players can also struggle for earthly power. They can form teams who fight eachother for gangland. Computer characters can also be sworn into the teams. characters can be played good or bad with different results and races have their own special abilities and weapons. WARNING! Usurper sometimes confront the players with brutal violence, sex and drugs. IF you feel offended, have any doubts or objections : don't run this door! If you like parts of the game but don't want the nasty ones, You can turn off the asocial features with the configuration program. Installation ------------ Make a subdirectory called USURPER or something else that comes to mind. Unzip all files in the Usurper.zip archive to this directory. The next thing you should do is to run the EDITOR.EXE program. Choose the [G]ame Reset option and all the necessary datafiles will be created. Now select the CONFIGURATION option. Browse the different options and edit the ones you need. The configuration (USURPER.CFG) is a ASCII text file. You can edit it with a text-editor, but I recommend that you use the EDITOR.EXE to change any options. The USURP.CTL file(s) --------------------- Depending on your system, multinode or single system, you might wish to create more than one .CTL file. If you have different modem setups on your lines then you must create a USURPx.CTL file for every line Usurper can run on (x is representing a number, USURP1.CTL is used for node 1 and so on ... ). Single line systems should only need USURP.CTL A 3 node system with different modem setups will need USURP1.CTL, USURP2.CTL, and USURP3.CTL. The USURP.CTL file is quite self explanatory and can be easily edited with a texteditor. However, there is an alternative editor that can do the work for you ; Unzip the DDSETUP.ZIP package in the game directory. Type the Command "DDSETUP" and then the enter key. When asked for the name of the control file enter "USURP.CTL" and hit the F5 key or click on the continue button to continue to the next page. Use the on-line help key (F1) or click on the Help button for anything you do not understand how to fill out. There is a DDSETUP.DOC provided if you need further information on how to use the DDSETUP.EXE program. Two fully commented versions are also provided. One is identified as GAME.CTL and this is the UN-EDITED version and the other is identified as SAMPLE.CTL is what a CTL file should look like AFTER it is edited (if the commented lines are left in that is). If for some reason the DDSETUP.EXE program fails to work on your system you can always manually edit one of the two examples provided and rename the one you use to "USURP.CTL". Where to put this file? Put this file wherever you are running the game executable file from. If you are running multi-node you could put a copy in each node directory and run from there. If you change directory to the GAME directory put the file here. Examples of .BAT files for both single and multi node systems are given in this document (if you keep on reading :). Have you set up your USURP.CTL file according to the instructions? Well, if you have that should be it! Now you can try to run Usurper with ; Usurper.Exe /L, and see if everything works. Maintenance takes place automatically when needed. Since it can take quite some time you can disable the automatic maintenace with the Editor.exe program. Instead you can force Usurper to do its daily maint with the command line option '/FMAINT' (command line options are explained more in a special section in this document). Helpfiles --------- DDSET661.ZIP - Compressed copy of the DDSETUP.EXE program and associated files. You can use this to make your USURP.CTL game configuration file, otherwise use a texteditor. Sample files ------------ (These files are located in the SAMPLES.ZIP archive) MULTI1.BAT - RemoteAccess multinode batchfile. MULTI2.BAT - PcBoard multinode batchfile BADWORDS.DAT - file with badwords you want to exclude from player language. SAMPLE.CFG - sample Usurper.cfg file. SAMPLE.CTL - sample Usurper.ctl file. Files created and used by Usurper: (USURPER/DATA) ---------------------------------- Armor.dat => All armors for Usurper when running in CLASSIC mode. Banksafe.dat => All information of whats in the bank vault. Comments.dat => Conversations at the Inn (ascii). Date.dat => Needed for Usurper to know when it's time to run maintenance. Fame.dat => All heros that have completed the game (ascii). Guards.dat => Guards that can be hired for protection when staying at the Inn. Gods.dat => When a player completes the game he can choose to become a God. The Gods are stored in this file. Erasing this file will "only" vipe Usurper clean from immortals. Levels.dat => Information of the experience needed to raise a level. Mail.dat => Various information posted to players. Maint.flg => This file is created when Usurper is running it's maintenance. It's created to prevent other nodes access to the game. As with the above ONLINERS.DAT file this file can be leftover after a computer lockup or some other strange reason. Monster.dat => Usurper dungeon monsters. Comlete with weapons and all. News.dat => What has happened today? (ascii). Npcs.dat => The Non Player Controlled characters. Objdat01-15.dat => All weapons,armors and other items for Usurper when running in NEW mode. Onliners.dat => This file contains all information of who is playing the game right now. Even if nobody is playing the game this file can exist. It is removed only at maintenance. There can be times when you would like to remove this file. For example : If somebody is playing Usurper and the system goes down because of a computer lockup, or or some other reason, the game will report this user as playing when he/she is in fact trying to enter again! It is perfectly safe to erase the ONLINERS.DAT file when nobody really is playing. Teamrec.dat => Which gang has held the town for the longest time. Trecord.dat => Hall of Fame for teams holding the town (ascii). Users.dat => Information of all gamers. Wanted.dat => Who is wanted and how much are their stinking heads worth. Weapon.dat => All weapons for Usurper when running in CLASSIC mode. Ynews.dat => What happened yesterday (ascii). Tnames.dat => Names used by computer players when forming teams. A textfile which can be edited if you wish. Badwords.dat => you can find a sample of this file in SAMPLES.ZIP. put this file in the \DATA directory if you want Usurper to replace bad words with others, defined by you. The only area in which badwords are allowed is in password related routines (for obvious reasons). ERROR.LOG => All error messages are put in this file. To run Usurper -------------- Batch File EXAMPLE for Usurper This is few samples of batch files to be used with Usurper %1 is the Node Number which the BBS software passes to the batch file. *** Example batch for a Multinode system START *** REM The /M1 option tells Usurper to look for the USURP1.CTL file. REM The /M2 option tells Usurper to look for the USURP2.CTL file ... REM If you remove the /M switch then Usurper will look for USURP.CTL REM The /P option forces Usurper to look for the dropfile in the given REM directory. CD \BBS\DOORS\USURPER USURPER /M%1 /PC:\BBS\NODE%1 *** Batch file example END *** *** Example batch for a Single node system START *** REM The /P option forces Usurper to look for the dropfile in the given REM directory. CD \BBS\DOORS\USURPER USURPER /PC:\BBS *** Batch file example END *** NOTE! You can also look at the samples file included : (they are located in the SAMPLES.ZIP archive) MULTI1.BAT - RemoteAccess example MULTI2.BAT - PcBoard example Command Line Parameters ----------------------- "/Bxxxxx" This tells GAME.EXE to lock its baud rate at xxxxx. In order to get the most efficiency out of a high speed error correcting modem (9600 baud or above), you may lock the baud rate to a speed higher than what the caller is actually using. By locking the baud to say 38,400, the modem can compress text data that is being sent and achieve a baud rate much higher than the actual transmission rate. This will lock the baud rate at the same value for all nodes that use this command line. If you perfer a more selective way to lock baud use 'LOCKBAUD' command in the USURP.CTL file. "/Cx" (where x is 1..4) This specifies a comport number. Some bbs software does not create door information files (dropfiles) that contain the comport number. If your bbs does have a comport listed in the dropfile then there is no need for this parameter. The default is comport 0, local mode. "/E" - Expanded Memory Specification If your machine has over one megabyte of memory, then you may have some available. USURPER.EXE can utilize EMS to improve game performance and reduce conventional memory requirements. This command will tell USURPER to use EMS memory to hold its overlay buffer. Otherwise disc area may be used to hold this buffer. This needs a memory manager and when enabled and is compatible with DESQview. "/X" - Expanded Memory Specification If your machine has over one megabyte of memory, then you may have some available. USURPER.EXE can utilize XMS to improve game performance and reduce conventional memory requirements. This command will tell USURPER to use XMS memory to hold its overlay buffer. Otherwise disc area may be used to hold this buffer. This needs a memory manager and when enabled and is compatible with DESQview. (XMS memory is faster than EMS memory). You can't use both /E and /X togheter. "/L" This tells USURPER to load up in LOCAL mode. This is good for testing or when a sysop just wants to "try out" the door without messing with his BBS setup. The "/L" mode will ask the user for his name and run the door in local mode. "/Nx" (where x is 1..9) This specifies a "node number". Some bbs software support multinode environments in which you must know the node number of the drop file to use. For example, RBBS-PC uses DORINFOx.DEF. If you specified "/N2" then USURPER would use DORINFO2.DEF. "/Mx" (where x is up to 2 filename acceptable characters) Used to specify one of Multiple control files. If you have created more than one GAME.CTL file (GAME1.CTL, GAME2.CTL, etc.) for each node or network PC then you can select the one you want by using the /M parm. Example: "/M2" will force USURPER.EXE to use USURP2.CTL. "/Pyyy" This specifies the path to the drop files. For example, "/PC:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE1" would tell USURPER to look for the drop file in C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE1. If this is left out the program assumes the drop file is local. "/V" This command will tell USURPER not to show any display on the local screen. Only a colored screen and a message will be displayed. The cursor will not move as it will be turned off. Saves a little processing on multi-tasking systems. "/W" This flags the program that a network is present even though no multitaskers are detected. This is useful if the door is run on a network such as Novell that doesn't use multitaskers. "/FMAINT" This command is only useful if you have disabled the automatic maintenance. /FMAINT will only start maint if it is necessary. It will not run maintenance more than once a day. "/HMAINT" This command will unconditionally force Usurper to perform maintenance. "/SCORES" This command will create any external score files defined with the Editor.EXE program. Multinode use ------------- This game supports multinode use and provides automatic multi-tasker support (time slice releasing) for a wide variety of multi-taskers. 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. d. You may need to use the /B switch on the game.exe Command line to specify the locked baud rate. 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. 3. What follows is some information on possible strange situations that may occur: a. Low speed users can play the game, 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 game.exe to use that. Several converter programs are readily available on most BBS systems. CallDoor is a good one if you can find it. b. The game hangs up when a user enters the game. - Sounds like the game is getting the wrong baud rate somehow. Try switching over to the DOOR.SYS drop file method if possible. c. 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. d. If you're using something other than the DOOR.SYS drop file, then I always suggest trying to use DOOR.SYS if possible. It is the most reliable method and has had the most testing. If that is not possible try DORINFOx.DEF as an alternative. e. A door locks up node 1. This can happen with fossils or the internal communications routines because it uses the default comport of 1 when NONE is found in the dropfile or game.ctl file. To correct this make sure the right port is shown in the dropfile OR game.ctl file. f. ANSI is reflected correctly on the local screen but the user is getting garbage. Assuming the user has ANSI installed then most likely the problem is at your end. First make sure you have configured the game.ctl file to show the correct locked port rate. Second make sure the dropfile is passing the locked port rate INSTEAD of the actual conncet rate. If it is not passing the locked port rate then you may need to use a different dropfile format OR use a dropfile converter program to change the line to show the locked port rate INSTEAD of the actual connect rate. SYSOP FUNCTION KEYS -------------------- F1 = Display available "F" Keys and what they do. F2 = Open a scrolling chat window with the door user. F6 = Shell out to DOS F7 = Increments user time by 5 minutes. F8 = Decrements user time by 5 minutes. F10 = Ejects user from door and returns him/her to BBS after showing a brief message. Acknowledgments and credits: BETA testers and other nice people : ------------------------------------ Olle Olsson *ideas and bug reports* (2:203/321) Alistair Cannon *misspellings!* (3:639/200) Chris Gosley *a zillion suggestions!* () Daniel Svanström *serious bughunter* (2:205/246) Michael Grigutsch *thourough bughunter!* (2:2426/5020) Oscar Olsson *vicious OS/2 mastermind* (2:201/345.1) DDplus, the DoorDriver : ------------------------ This relatively small section is just to recognize the GOOD people who have made the DDPLUS based game a possibility. Scott Baker -=*=- The authors of the original DoorDriver Kit and are to be thanked for releasing the Derrick Parkhurst source code to their great kit! Without that act of kindness DDPLUS would NOT be possible and neither would this game. Scott is the author of several door games, most notably Land of Devastation, which uses the original doordriver kit. Steven Lorenz -=*=- The author of the enhanced add on package to Scott Bakers DoorDriver Kit. Thanks to his code modifications, add ons and enhancements DDPLus is a much more complete and capable package then originally released in the DoorDriver Kit. He is also responsible for the DDPlus setup program which he freely donated. Steve is the author of several door games, most notably Railroad Empires, Romans At War, and Empires at War, all of which use DDPlus. Bob Dalton -=*=- The author of most of the DDPLus documentation and contributor of the MISC.PAS and INITOVER.PAS units used in the game. Bob is the author of several door games, such as GodFather of Crime, Rise To Power, Task Force Broadside, Ship of the Line, Grunt Fest, Way Freight and the Adventure Door Game Toolkit, all of which use DDPLus. DESQview is a registered trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems. Ripscript & Ripterm are registered trademarks of TeleGrafix Communications. Where to reach me ----------------- I can usually be reached at my BBS system, which should be listed in the section entitled "registration" which is below. <++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++> //// Always read the WHATS.NEW file for the latest news in Usurper /// Latest version of Usurper can always be reached from my BBS: Silent Service, Fidonet (2:201/232) BBS number : +46-8-6442983 FileRequests (FREQ:s) can be made under the magic name : 'USURPER'. New versions will also be hatched into the DDS net (So you won't need to call Sweden for the latest version). ********************************** **** Registration Information **** ********************************** Unzip the REGISTER.ZIP archive. Read REGISTER.USA for information on how to register in the US. Read REGISTER.CAN for information on how to register in CANADA. Read REGISTER.AUS for information on how to register in Australia. Read REGISTER.EUR for information on how to register in Europe. Read REGISTER.GER for information on how to register in Germany. Read REGISTER.SWE for information on how to register in Sweden. The fee will give you a registration number, which will turn your Usurper game into a fully functional game. You will never have to reregister Usurper. Your code will work with all future versions. Registration Benefits --------------------- +Access to all versions of Usurper now, and in the future. +Access to several special places in the game. +Access to various functions in the game editor. +Players can go beyond the 90th dungeon level (the game can be completed). (I apologize for misspellings in game & docs. However, English is NOT my native language (Swedish is).) Have Fun! (I had some fun writing this baby.)