Requirements and Problems ------------------------- Egoboo ( Ee-go-boo ) is a Direct3D game, and requires a 3D graphics card to play. You can try it in software mode, but that's yucky. If you have problems, change the SETUP.TXT file. Egoboo is freeware, open source, but it ain't finished and I'm done working on it. Do with it as you will ( think NetHack ). Starting a New Character ------------------------ To begin play as a new character, simply choose one of the Starter modules. Each character class has its own Starter module to get you used to that character's style of play. When you beat a module, your character and his or her inventory are automatically saved. Hidden modules may also become playable. If you have any pets, make sure you pick them up before you leave the module. Character Classes ----------------- An Adventurer is a Jack-of-All-Trades. He is able to use most weapons as well as magic. Adventurers pay for this versatility, however, being unable to advance as far as other classes. A Wizard is master of the arcane, spells being his primary offense. He is incredibly frail, so stay out of close combat with this character. A Healer works to cleanse the earth of the undead and other evils. She is an able fighter, but is more at home in the back lines tending to the wounded. Her innate healing powers are useable only when unnarmed. Game Controls ------------- Egoboo supports up to 3 players on any one computer, and 3 different input devices. Each of these devices can be customized in CONTROLS.TXT, but the defaults are listed below. ( You might be able to play 4 if you have 2 joysticks, but that's not tested ). General Keys ------------ Escape quits the game 1, 2, 3, and 4 give character stats Keyboard Play ------------- T and Y attack G and H drop and grab items B and N rotate inventory Number pad arrows move the character, 0 on pad jumps 7 and 9 on the number pad rotate the view + and - on the number pad zoom the view Mouse Play ---------- DON'T MOVE THE MOUSE FAST!!! Try to use slow, continuous movements Try various button combinations A and S control the left hand Joystick Play ------------- Simplest, but you'll need 8 buttons for full control, otherwise you'll need to use it in conjunction with the keyboard Player Display -------------- Each player has a little portrait on the right side of the screen, with one or two status bars below it and two more little pictures to the left and right. The character's name ( abbreviated ) and money ( Zorkmids ) are located above the portrait. The portrait itself indicates the your physical appearance and armor. The image to the left of the portrait shows the weapon in the your left hand, the right image is your right hand. The red status bar is your life. When this bar is empty, your character dies. The other bar is mana, the magical energy of your character. Mana comes back with time, but impatient folk drink Potions... If your status bars change color, it means something is unusual. For example, the life bar may change to green if you are poisoned. Player Status ------------- In addition to the quick status displays, you can press the number keys along the top of the keyboard to get more specific information regarding your character. The character's full name and level are displayed, along with several stats, each of which affects the game in many ways. The higher the number, the better. Here's a list of the stats and one benefit for each... * The STR stat is the character's strength, and affects the use of melee weapons. * The WIS stat is the character's wisdom, and affects the use of Healing Magics. * The INT stat is the character's intelligence, and affects the use of Wizard Magics. * The DEX stat is the character's dexterity, and affects the accuracy of ranged weapons. * The DEF stat is the character's defense, and decreases damage done to the character. * The EXP stat is the character's experience. When a character has enough experience, he or she gains a level and gains more of the other stats. Killing monsters is one way to gain experience, but each character class offers its own unique possibilities. For example, an Adventurer may gain a substantial amount of experience for finding a level map, while a Healer benefits from destroying Undead. Death ----- Death in Egoboo usually isn't permanent, but it's not a good thing either. Your character will drop both in-hand items, all of his or her keys, and all the Zorkmids he or she is carrying. If you press the Spacebar to respawn, your character loses a portion of his or her experience and is returned to the start of the module. In multiplayer games, carry Scrolls of Rebirth to avoid these bad effects. In single player games, carry more Life Potions... Weapon Types ------------ Your character has restrictions on the types of weapons he or she may use. Healers, for example, attack with Maces and Clubs and are forbidden from other types. Here is a partial list of weapons, along with details about each one... * Swords are the weapon of choice for large battles, as their sweeping attacks cut through several opponents in one swipe. They are among the best weapons around. * Daggers are deadly for their speed, often killing an enemy before it can react. They don't do much damage, however, and are all but useless against heavily armored foes. * Spears blend a swift attack with an extra long range, making it possible to damage an enemy with no fear of a counter attack. * Maces are best used by strong characters, and do extra damage against brittle creatures. * Crossbows are powerful weapons, capable of piercing even the thickest platemail. Of course you might also put a hole in your best friend with one... * Kursed weapons are bad. Armor Types ----------- Your character will live longer with better armor, but may only wear armor permitted by his or her class. A Wizard likes robes, while an Adventurer prefers tunics, and a Healer only wears dresses. Finding "better" armor is often problematic, as no one type of armor is the best. Take platemail for example. This armor provides great defense in hand to hand combat, but it slows down its wearer and Crossbows bite through it. Equipment Types --------------- Another category of items is equipment, things such as Bracelets and Amulets and Boots. To wear a piece of equipment, just grab it and put it into your inventory. Using Magic ----------- Books of Magic are everywhere in Egoboo, all you have to do is find them. Each Book contains one spell, usable by either a Wizard or an Adventurer. Healers would rather burn the Books... To cast a spell, simply pick up a book and press the attack button. If that doesn't work, try holding in the button for a while to charge up the spell. If it still won't do anything, you may not be advanced enough to use it, or you might need to use it around a specific type of creature or item, or you might just be unlucky. Here is a list of some common spells... * Shock is a close range attack spell that electrocutes foes. * Missile is an attack spell that releases several seeker bolts that chase after an opponent. * Bind is a combat Enchantment, used to keep a powerful enemy out of combat as long as possible. * Enchant Weapon imbues the weapon in the caster's other hand with powerful magic. It also unkurses that weapon. * Unseeing is an Enchantment that allows a character to see invisible monsters. Editing Files ------------- Most data files for Egoboo are stored as .TXT files for easy modification, to encourage the growth and expansion of the game. If you are interested in making changes, see the HOW2EDIT.TXT file in the TEXT directory. The map files are .MPD files, and can be made with the included map editor. Yes, the map editor is bad, but it works. Well, it works sometimes. The image files are .BMP file, and can be made with the included paint program ( nice for seamless tiles ), or any commercial program. The model files are .MD2 files, and can be made with the included modeller. This program isn't mine, but it's what I used for everything. It'll grow on you. The sound files are .WAV files. I don't know of any free programs for doing full sound manipulation, but many sound cards come with programs that are good enough. Well they're enough anyway. Contacting the Author --------------------- Don't, unless you want to give me a job, that is... Here's a mini-resume. BA in Integrative Arts C/C++, x86 assembly UNIX and Windows I wrote Egoboo myself ( 99% ) and don't want to do another game as long as I live, so... If you've got a nice, boring job that you'd like filled with a half-competent person, please send a letter to... Prof. Bishop Department of Computer Science University of Georgia 418 Graduate Studies Research Center Athens, GA 30602-7404 Prof. Bishop isn't me, but he'll forward any letter to me and I'll consider it. Please don't mail him a bunch of garbage though, 'cause he's a nice guy and he's awfully busy. Anyway, thanks.