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Avalon Version 0.77 - Wide Beta Three
─────────────────────────────────────
Avalon is (C) Devon Brooks, of BFS, 1997.
Feel free to distribute this archive to all!
-=*=-=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=-
April 16th, 1997: (a quick note from Devon)
Hello friends!
WB3 is basically a bug fix version. I planned to have some cool new stuff
added into this one, but I couldn't... I've had a terrible cold for the
past week (plus a lung infection), and I am hating it. As I write this, I
am very tired. I haven't worked on Avalon for a few days now, I just have
not been feeling well.
See HISTORY.DOC for a complete, detailed list of what is new/changed in
WB3. WB4 should be out about 7-10 days from now, which, I hope, will have
the options I wanted to include in WB3.
One thing I should mention to SysOp's. If you have duplicate accounts in
your PLAYER.DAT file, you can delete them in the Player Editor even if you
are not registered. Deleting accounts works in unregistered versions (tho
other Player Editor options do not).
Okay - I am very tired, and sick. Here is a shortened description list of
what we have planned in the next WB release (or at least in the very near
future release of a WB):
* Inventory -> Items, Artifacts, magical items, etc... Class based,
cursed/blessed items, etc.
* Dungeon Random Events
* Alternative storyline, for players who're itching to become "evil" ...
* More cool ANSI Graphics
* RIP Graphics, complete w/ sounds
* Other tantalizing options, that I can't think of right now. We've got
a whole list of cool new things planned, but they'd take a lot to explain
what they're going to do when they're in the game. ;-)
Check the website or in your area for WB4 in about a week or so. If you
find anything, please let us know. Also, remember, the registration special
for Avalon ($10) off runs until May 1st...
Oh - and if you have any suggestions, NOW is the time to let us know about
them! We're in the midst of programming NEW options in, so if you have a
cool idea, let us know. We just might use it - and if we do, we'll give
YOU credit for them in the documentation, and you just might receive a free
registration as well! Cool, hey?
Bye for now,
-Devon
-=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=--=*=-
Table of Contents Page
───────────────── ────
Some *BETA* information & Notes ...................... One
Quick and Easy Avalon Installation ................... Two
Registering your copy of Avalon ...................... Three
Contacting Devon Brooks or BFS ....................... Four
Avalon Troubleshooting ............................... Five
Credits and Kudos to People .......................... Six
Here we go!
Page One - Beta Info/Notes
──────────────────────────
Firstly, we at BFS feel we should point out that Avalon is currently in
WIDE BETA. What does this mean? Simply put, we are working on it day in
and day out, fixing bugs, and adding options.
Avalon is not done with this version. In fact, it is no where near done.
There may still be bugs in this version. Wide Beta means there are bugs
being worked through, and options still being added. Thus, do NOT expect
a flawless product here.
Avalon is a never-ending project. It will be continually updated in the
coming weeks. Frequently check the place where you first picked up this
archive for new versions, as they will be frequently released as new beta
versions are created from us.
What does all this mean to you? Well, by using this archive, you are
essentially beta testing Avalon for us. Comment and critique it all
you like. Just keep in mind this IS beta - thus, don't get mad at us
if nothing works. Check our website every 10 days or so for new beta
versions. That, or check your doors provider about every 10 days.
These docs are not finished. A lot of Avalon is incomplete. We will
be adding stuff daily, so check for new versions on a regular basis.
When Avalon is completely finished, it will be WELL worth the wait! We
have some incredible ideas lined up. Just be patient while we get them
all in. Remember, we also have ROK to deal with, too... <g>
[WWW] : http://www.sasknet.com/~bfs
E-Mail: Devon Brooks, bfs@sk.sympatico.ca
Feel free to comment/critique it to us any time. Just be nice. <g> Write
us and let us know what you think of it, okay?
Page Two - Quick Installation
─────────────────────────────
Step [1] : Unzip the archive into a directory.
[2] : Unzip the enclosed AVALON.ZIP file.
[3] : Execute CONFIG.EXE.
[4] : Press [I]nstall Avalon (creates game data files)
[5] : Setup your BBS to run the RUNAV.BAT file.
[6] : Configure your mailer to run AVMAINT.EXE during your
nightly BBS maintenance. MUST BE DONE NIGHTLY!
[7] : Edit RUNAV.BAT, and change Line #3 to YOUR Avalon Dir.
[8] : That's it! Everything should run smoothly from there...
If you have any questions, or need some help with installation, write us,
and we will do our best to help you get your Avalon game up and running on
your BBS.
Page Three - Registration
─────────────────────────
Firstly, how much does it cost?
The answer: $25. We feel this fee is well worth Avalon. We've spent
more time on this game already then we did on ROK altogether. Avalon
is a never-ending project. The finished product will be an incredible
door, and thus, we feel the $25 charge is a good price.
Any sort of discount available? Yes. If you wish to register ROK and
Avalon together in the same order, you will save $5.00 ($20/door). We
feel this is a good incentive to register both games together, and at
the same time, save a little cash, too.
If you are going to register Avalon, we thank you for the support. Your
registration helps to make Avalon an all-round better game, and in-turn,
you get a better product in the long-run. Registration is a once in a
life-time thing. Your registration codes are good for the rest of your
life.
As of right now, we are in the process of setting up an online registration
system on both our main support BBS, and our website. This is not up and
running as of yet, though. Thus, the only method of you registering right
now is via snail mail, unfortunately.
Fill out REGISTER.DOC and mail it to the address at the bottom of that
file. We return our registration codes the same day we receive them,
which will usually take a week or so for your letter to get to us.
If you haven't registered Avalon, please consider doing so.
When you receive your registration codes, enter them in CONFIG.EXE's
[E]nter Reg. Codes option. If they don't work - don't panic. Firstly,
a trick that sometimes gets them to work is to type in the codes FIRST,
then type in your Name & BBS Name AFTER. Sometimes this makes 'em work.
If that doesn't work, contact us. We will work it through with you until
your codes are 100% working for you. It's what you pay for. Our support
is second to none. If your codes don't work, we'll get them to work for
you.
Page Four - Contacting Us
─────────────────────────
Here are some convenient ways of contacting us:
E-Mail: bfs@sk.sympatico.ca
NetMail: 1:140/129 (FidoNet)
EchoMail: Frequently read Door Echos include: DOORGAMES, ON_LINE_GAMES,
BBSDOORS, BBS_DOORS, BBSDOOR_DISCUSSION, and DOORWARE.
BFS how has it's OWN FidoNet Backboned Echo devoted completely to the
support, discussion, and general information message area for Avalon, ROK,
and BFS as a whole. The tagname of the area is "ROK". This is our primary
message area for support questions, software updates, and other information.
Connect to this echo today - we'd love to have you there!
Our customer support is second to none. If you have a question, comment,
or just general conversation with us, we will be kind, courteous, and as
helpful as possible to each and every one of you - even if you have not
registered any of our products. We pride ourselves in offering the best
support to everyone.
Page Five - Troubleshooting
───────────────────────────
[Q] : "When the user loads up Avalon, they see nothing on their end!"
[A] : Your communications setting in CONFIG's [S]etup Nodes menu is
wrong. Try changing it to something else, then try again. If
that doesn't work, try the last of the three available comm
types. If none of these three work, contact us, and we'll help
you out.
[Q] : "Avalon says there is a user that's online, but they're not really
there at all! What do I do?"
[A] : Don't worry about it. Run NOW_OFF.EXE, and it'll make them not be
Online.
[Q] : "What's with all these MSG*.DAT files in my Avalon Directory?"
[A] : Those are message data files. Each file contains a message waiting
to be read by a certain character.
Of note for this message system: it will be completely re-written
soon, with a much better method of doing it. The current message
system is the same as ROK's, and thus, we think it's sort of lack-
luster. It will be re-done in an updated version soon.
[Q] : "When I register, I don't have a clue how to change my US funds
into Canadian funds!"
[A] : Don't bother! We accept both US and Canadian funds. In fact,
we PREFER US funds! <g>
[Q] : "I have a bug to report to you."
[A] : Yes! That's what beta is all about. <g>
Contact us and tell us about it. Check page four for a few of
the more convenient ways of getting in contact with us at BFS.
Page Six - Kudos
────────────────
"Kudos" is another word for "Thanks", if you didn't know. ;-)
Firstly, I, Devon Brooks, would like thank God for the time, patience,
knowledge, and energy, which has enabled me to co-author a couple of
the world's most popular door games - ROK, and now Avalon.
Next, I thank my parents. They were with me trough thick, and thin.
(and, I do mean THIN) They were great with support and everything.
Alas, who could forget my team here. Brad Berezowski, my partner of
sorts, basically is the brains for the ideas behind both ROK and
Avalon. Avalon still has many cool ideas to be implemented, and most
of 'em are Brads. <g> Thanks a bunch for the help, Brad!
Sean Mellor is the lead ANSI artist of the BFS team. He has drawn
almost every ANSI screen in Avalon (and ROK, for that matter). So,
thanks, Sean!
All the guys who created DDPlus. I do appreciate the exellent kit.
Next, I thank Korombos of SHARKWare for some much-needed programming
assistance. Many know that I am a mere 17 years old, so I am still
learning as I go along. Korombos is spreading the knowledge, so to
speak. :)
That's about it! Or, that's all I can think of. If I missed anyone,
tell me, and I'll include you here. <g>
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Well, that's all there is to the Avalon documentation. If you have any
comments, questions, or whatever, contact us. Check your area for new
versions of Avalon about every week or so, as we are continually updating
and improving it as days go by.
Thanks for using this product from BFS!
-Devon Brooks
bfs@sk.sympatico.ca
www.sasknet.com/~bfs