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The Best of Select: Games 9
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1995-08-04
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MechWar
Vehicle Design Module
Version 1.2
Klaus Breuer, 1993
Dedicated to:
Vernon Everett - good friend and great drinker :)
If all else fails, read The Manual
Usually all else failed because you didn't
1 What is this thing?
For all of you who hate manuals that just blurb endlessly on before
explaining what they are all about:
This program is part of the MechWar package. It is used to create
Vehicles. Even without the other MechWar programs (MECH12*.ZIP), you can
use it to design Vehicles and print Vehicle Record Sheets for FASAs
BattleTech.
2 Legal Stuff
2.1 Copyright
Well, what can I say. I have written to FASA Corporation for permission
to use their names (I simply don't know if there is a TradeMark on terms
like 'Mech, Marauder, and so on), but still haven't received any reply
yet.
Since I'm not going to sell this program, or ask any money for it, I hope
it's ok. Please tell me if I'm doing something illegal (gasp), then I'll
go about changing names, and the like.
Thus I don't even have a Copyright on the program. I do, however, have a
Copyright on the code itself :-)
2.2 Distribution
Now this is important!
You are very welcome to spread the (unmodified) package about, upload it
to BBS systems, make it available on ftp servers, or whatever.
However, I am imposing two conditions:
o You are not allowed to change the archive (except repacking it in
a different format). Meaning while you can include a BBS-Ad in the
Zip-Comment, you are not allowed to include an ad as a file (how I
hate loosers like that).
o You are not allowed to charge money to distribute this package. At
all! You are not even allowed to charge a copying or handling fee
(shipping is ok, but don't overprice that, either). This program
is free, and I don't want some sleazy, overpriced ShareWare vendor
making money out of my work.
2.3 How to register
Registering won't currently bring you much (except for me to know that I
have your support), and it won't give you anything extra in the future,
either.
I am not going to half-cripple this program to get people to register,
and I'm not writing GuiltWare either.
- 2 -
I am, however, writing CardWare.
So, if you like this program, please send me a post card from your city,
so I know where this program is spreading to. Note that I actually need a
card (as opposed to a letter), as I'm making a collage out of them.
Everyone registered will be added to The Hall Of Heroes, displayed at
startup of the main program.
Note that I release this program as ShareWare, not as Public Domain. That
means, please do copy this program and give it away, but the code is
(C)1992,93 by me.
2.4 Credits
Although I'm the only author of this package, I couldn't have done it
without two groups:
FASA FASA Corporation (P.O. Box 6930, Chicago, IL 60680, USA)
designed the original board game. Obviously, without
them MechWar wouldn't exist :)
You I've had lots of help from lots of people out there,
primarily from the InterNet. That a v1.2 ever came out
is only your fault...
3 System requirements
This program should run on any PC with a CGA card and 640Kb RAM, even on
the old 8088 CPUs (yuck).
Note, however, that the rest of the MechWar package will only run on
80286 (or higher) CPUs with about 2MB RAM. Sorry about that, but I need
the protected mode...
4 Usage
Simply start this program by running VD.EXE.
Note that I've included the EQUIP.DAT and EQUIP.NDX files, which are part
of the EquipmentDesign package, just to avoid disappointments. And yes,
these files contain more weapons than the original ones, so they're an
update, as well :)
The program is very simple to use. I suggest you run it now (use [F1] for
help), play around with it and then come back to this chapter if you have
any trouble.
You will want to read the other chapters, though :)
- 3 -
4.1 Design new Vehicle
This is the part where you'll spend most of your time in - it allows you
to design a vehicle from scratch.
The editor itself is very simple to use: just press the highlighted key
to change the relevant field (e.g. 'N' for Name or 'r' for Era). On
numeric fields, use the [+] and [-] keys to change the values. The cursor
keys work as well.
Here are the fields in detail:
Name The name of the vehicle. If you edit a vehicle and
change the name, you'll have a copy of it: one with the
old name, and one with the new name. Useful for creating
modified versions.
Era You can choose between 2075, 3025, Inner Sphere, Clan,
KlausTech (my designs) and NewTech (your own designs).
Note that not all weapons are available in all Eras, so
set this first.
Icon The picture used to display the vehicle (can be modified
with the SpriteDesign module). If you use 0, a default
icon will be used, but it is theoreticall ypossible to
use a different icon for every vehicle.
Description Here you can enter two lines of comments. Useful if you
have designed a vehicle for a very special purpose, and
it would perform poorly in a different role.
Weight The current and maximum weight of the vehicle. Not all
vehicles can weigh 300 tons (the top limit), so set this
early.
Type Here you decide what type of vehicle you're designing:
wheeled, tracked, hovercraft, hydrofoil, ship, sub or
VTOL (aircraft). Set this early on as well, as it has a
rather large effect :)
Engine The size of the engine used. Note that most of FASAs
designs use much too heavy engines - you can replace
them with smaller, lighter ones without loosing speed.
XL Toggles between XL and standard fusion engine.
ICE Toggles between I.C.E. (Internal Combustion Engine) and
fusion engine. I.C.E.s can't be XLs.
Speed Shows the current cruising and flank speed of the
vehicle, calculated from the maximum weight.
- 4 -
Suspension factor
The suspension used by the vehicle, calculated
automatically.
Limits Limits of the vehicle type, for example hovercraft can't
enter woods.
Shielding Equipment
Only needed by fusion engines, added automatically.
Power Amplifiers Only needed by I.C.E.s if you are using beam weapons;
also added automatically.
Heat Sinks Weighing in at a ton each, you must have enough heat
sinks to absorb all heat from your weapons.
Control Weight taken up by the cockpit, controls, etc.
Lifting Equipment
Called Diving Equipment for