About
About the Book & DPVB Link

Direct Conflict! 1.0 was written with Visual Basic 4.0 (32-bit) for the new book "Visual Basic 4 Network Gaming Adventure Set", which was published by the Coriolis Group in the Winter quarter of '95.  The book includes and covers the Direct Conflict! 1.0 source code and also includes the DirectPlay DPVB Link DLL file, which is used by the game for network communication...

Visual Basic 4.0 Power!

"Visual Basic 4.0 Network Gaming Adventure Set" is the first book on the market to focus on creating windows multi-user games using the powerful new version of Visual Basic 4.0.  If you are a programmer, and are interested in creating games like Direct Conflict! (or any other types of multi-user games), pick up a copy of the book!  It also includes cool tools and software from well-known companies.  Listed below is some of the software that comes with the book:

DPVB Link (Perspective Systems)

The first Visual Basic 4 DirectPlay interface DLL!

AppLink 1.1 (Synergy Software Technologies inc.)

A well-known network communication custom control that's both powerful and easy to use.

Install Shield Express (Stirling Software)

One of the final BETA versions of Install Shield Express.  This program is excellent for creating customized install and uninstall programs for your Visual Basic 4.0 (16 AND 32-bit) final products!

Fractal Painter 3.1 DEMO (Fractal Design Corporation)

THE (in my opinion) best paint program on the market!

Sound Forge 3.1 DEMO (Sonic Foundry)

An excellent program for creating digital sound FX for your games!

ForeHelp 2.11 DEMO (ForeFront, Inc.)

As my choice of help authoring tools, ForeHelp allows you to quickly and easily create on-line help for your applications.  It created this help file!

MORDOR 1.1 Shareware (MakeItSo Software)

A large-scale fantasy role-playing game that was written in Visual Basic 3.0.  Guaranteed to keep any FRPer busy!

...And much, much more!

Who could pass up so much computer candy?  Nobody!  But wait!  Why stop there?  If you're interested, keep reading about the main DirectPlay feature of the book, DPVB Link!

Overview of DPVB Link

The network communication guts behind Direct Conflict! is DPVB Link.  Keep on reading to learn more about getting your hands on it to create your own custom applications!

What is DPVB Link?

DPVB Link gives you, the Visual Basic programmer, access  to DirectPlay, Microsoft's powerful new API library that  makes writing   multi-player  games  easier   than   ever   before. DirectPlay  allows  you  to  create  applications  that  can communicate with each other over networks, phone  lines,  or the Internet with the same exact code. And you don't have to know anything about low-level communication protocols to use it!

Why do I need DPVB Link to use DirectPlay?

Unfortunately,  VB programmers cannot easily use  DirectPlay or  the other DirectX libraries that are part of Microsoft's Game  SDK. This is because these APIs depend on the  use  of COM  objects, which VB programs cannot directly access,  and callbacks,  which VB cannot implement. DPVB Link includes  a dynamic-link  library (DLL) that allows you to bypass  these VB limitations. You simply call functions in DPVBLINK.DLL in place of direct calls to the DirectPlay DLL.

What's included?

DirectConflict uses the DLL from the unregistered version of  DPVB Link that comes with Coriolis' Visual Basic  4  Network  Gaming Adventure Set, by David Allen. In  the  package  that  comes  with  this  book,  you'll   find   the   unregistered version of DPVBLINK.DLL and a Visual  Basic  project  called  DPVBTEST, which you can use to learn  about  DirectPlay  and  the functions that are available in the DLL. The source code  for DPVBTEST is also included, so that you  can  see  what's happening below the surface.

Though  you  may  use  this version  of  DPVB  Link  to experiment  with  and learn about DirectPlay,  you  may  not include  any  part  of  the package in your  own  commercial applications.  You must purchase the registered  version  of the  product in order to be granted this right.  Please  see the  file  LICENSE.TXT in this directory for the details  of the   DPVB   Link  Unregistered  Version  software   license agreement.  Purchasing the registered version of  DPVB  Link grants  you  the  license to incorporate  DPVBLINK.DLL  into commercial  applications  for  distribution  free   of   any royalties.

Are there other benefits to buying the registered version?

Certain  DirectPlay  functions,  most  notably  the  "group" functions,  are not included in the unregistered version  of DPVB Link; DPVBTEST demonstrates those  functions  that  are  available. The registered version  contains  all  DirectPlay  functions. In addition, you'll receive technical support and  an enhanced DPVBTEST project that lets you  test  out  these   extra functions, and includes context-sensitive  help  about DirectPlay.

Being a registered owner will also get you a discount on future versions of DPVB Link. (We're planning an OCX version that will extend DirectPlay functionality  even  further  if there is a good response to  the  current  version.  Let  us know about features you'd like to see included!)

How do I obtain the registered version of DPVB Link?

The  registered version of DPVB Link is available for  $149.  (Plus $5 for U.S. shipping, $10  for  shipping  to  Canada / Mexico, and $25 for shipping to all other countries.)

Purchasing this version grants you the right to  use  it  in your  own  commercial  applications, royalty-free.  Ordering DPVB Link is easy; just call the Coriolis Group at:

(800) 410-0192 or (602) 483-0192

You can also fax in orders at:

(602) 483-0193

Finally, you can send in an order by email  on the Internet. Email your order  to  the  following address, but be sure to  include your method of  payment,  full  name,  and  shipping address:

email orders: orders@coriolis.com

You can purchase DPVB Link by  credit card  or by sending in a check.

Where can I get more information?

Check out  David  Allen's  Visual  Basic  4  Network  Gaming  Adventure Set, published by the Coriolis Group!

Chapter 10 of this book describes DirectPlay in detail,  and shows you how to use DPVBLINK.DLL to access DirectPlay  from Visual  Basic. Chapters 11, 12, and 17 are about games  that use  DPVB Link and DirectPlay for communications -- you  can refer to these for a demonstration of DPVB Link in action!  If you'd like more information, you can contact us, Adam and Mike Weissman at Perspective Systems, via email at:

71612.3151@compuserve.com

All In All...

If your mouth is watering, you definately need to buy the book (which you should be able to find at your local bookstore)!

For more information, you can contact the Coriolis Group by calling them, or accessing the Coriolis Web site at the following address: http://www.coriolis.com.

Thank you for playing, and let the games begin!

David Allen

Want to return to the Table of Contents?


Contents

Welcome to the Direct Conflict! 1.0 Help File!

(Last Edited 11/7/95)

Please select the topic of choice:

Introduction
The Empires
How to Play
Hints & Tips
Troubleshooting

About the Book and DPVB Link

Direct Conflict! 1.0 was written in Visual Basic 4.0 by David Allen and Adam Weissman for the book "Visual Basic 4 Network Gaming Adventure Set", which is published by the Coriolis Group.  To learn more about writing multi-user games with Visual Basic 4.0, and to get your hands on the Direct Conflict! source code, buy the book!  You can also access the Coriolis Groups web site at http://www.coriolis.com!


Hints & Tips

Hint

Don't get hit by torpedos!

Tip

Are you a Ge'tal?  Is somebody bothering you?  Why not RAM THEM and see what happens?!

Hint

Are you a Bormu?  Don't let ANYBODY ram you!

Tip

He who flees and runs away, lives to fight another day!

Hint

Mock those who are attacking and are better at the game than you - you may be able to kill them when they're busy trying to insult you back (Bormu are good at this)!

Having Troubleshooting problems?


How to Play

Playing Direct Conflict! is pretty simple.  When the game starts, enter your name, select the empire you wish to represent, and press the Start Game button.

Once the game has started, you will be in a corner of the system, depending on which empire you're representing.  Keep in mind that other ships that are part of your empire can destroy you just as easily as other empire ships, so keep your eyes open!

Flying Around

You can maneuver your ship by moving the mouse cursorwithin the map and pressing the left mouse button (you can also hold down the left mouse button to continue changing course).  To stop your ship, click on the ship.  Your ship will only move at one speed when in motion, so you don't have to worry about speeding up and slowing down.

Firing Torpedos

To fire a torpedo, have the mouse cursor over (or in the direction) of your target and press the right mouse button.  You can fire as many torpedos as you like as long as your ships heat isn't too high.  If it is, you will not be able to fire.

Damage

If you are hit and damaged, your ship will automatically repair itself over time (the amount of time depends on the type of ship and the extent of the damage).

Other Stuff

You can also send messages to all players, certain empires, or specific players.

You can also turn off the Music, Sound FX, the small system map, and the Player Names.  On slower systems, turning off the last two may increase performance.

The Distress Call button will send a message to every player who is a member of your empire and inform them that you're in trouble.

If you wish to delf destruct or leave the game, simply press the appropriate button.  Be careful when pressing those buttons, though - there's no confirmation!

Interested in Hints & Tips?


Introduction

Direct Conflict! is a real-time multi-player space war game where each player has the choice of representing one of four empires in a large combat field where other players meet to destroy each other!  Depending on what empire the player chooses, the ship will be able to move faster, or slow, take more damage, or less, fire more powerful torpedos, or less, etc.  The goal of the game is to fly around with your friends, shoot each other, collect a good score, send messages, and have fun!

Direct Conflict! uses DirectPlay for communication by either using IPX or TCP protocols, or establishing a modem connection.

Want to learn more about the Empires?


The Empires

There are four basic Empires in Direct Conflict!  Each one has its own unique ship type with different abilities.

The Federation

The Federation ships are general starships that have normal weapons and armor.  They move at a pretty good speed and are good at fighting.  More or less, the Federation ships are evenly matched with Kingari ships when it comes to combat.

The Kingari

Longing for war, the Kingari tend to shoot at most any type of empire ship.  Evenly matched with the Federation, the Kingari have a particular hate for the Bormu, who tend to run circles around them!

The Bormu

Fast and small.  The Bormu are a trading race that are aggrivating to everybody around because their ships move so fast.  They can also fire more torpedos before their weapons overheat.  The main drawback is that the Bormu can't take near the damage that the Federation and Kingari ships can, which means they're easy to destoy - if you can hit them.  Their torpedos also don't do as much damage, but if you're hit by a bunch of them, look out!

The Ge'Tal

The big, fat and mean boys in the system.  The Ge'tal are very arrogant and don't like any of the other empires.  They have the most powerful ships in the game, but are snails when it comes to moving.  They can take more damage than any other ship and have the most powerful torpedos in the game, but a fast-moving Bormu can really mess them up.

Want to learn How to Play the game?


Troubleshooting

Problem

The game tells me it can't find a service provider!

Solution

Are you >100%< sure you have IPX or TCP installed on your system and bound with the network adapter?

Problem

I can't seem to log into an active game - it creates my own!

Solution

When the user who started the DirectPlay session leaves the game, new players cannot be created in the session anymore.  This means all of the players would need to leave and start a new game in order to allow others to join.  It's a good idea (for large games) to have a machine that just sits there and acts as a server if you don't want to ever worry about this.  Sorry, it's a DirectPlay feature!

Problem

The game runs too slow!  I knew that Visual Basic couldn't do this!

Solution

I wrote this game on a P90 system and tested it on Win95 486/66 systems.  If you have a slower machine, you might want to turn off the system map and ship names options to cut down on the graphics handling of the program.  Now may also be an excellent time to upgrade that system!

Want to know more about the cool Book that the game was written for?  Of course you do!