Shareware Games Galore!/Shareware Games Galore!.iso/arcade/linewars/linewars.doc

Text File | 1990-03-10 | 16.8 KB | 369 lines

                        L I N E W A R S   Version 1.5x
                       Made in Finland by Patrick Aalto

      First words

        This is a game I personally have long been waiting for. After
      I got tired of waiting, I decided to give it a try myself. This
      is actually my first attempt to create anything remotely useful
      using assembly language.

        This is essntially a two player game, played on two computers
      that are connected with a RS-232 cable and/or modems. You can
      play it alone, but then it is not very entertaining.

        LineWars is distributed on an "AS IS" basis and under the User
      Supported Software concept. Non-registered users of LineWars are
      granted a limited license to use LineWars for a trial period, in
      order to determine the value of it. The length of this evaluation
      period is typically some weeks. Any other use of LineWars or use
      past this period requires registration.

        Making copies of LineWars for others or placement on electronic
      bulletin boards is allowed and encouraged, as long as the programs
      and documentation are transferred in their entirety, with no
      modifications. If you would like to post LineWars on your favorite
      BBS, please use the original packed file as you received it.


      Registration

        If you find LineWars to be of value to you, you must register
      it. To register LineWars, print the enclosed ASCII-text file
      'LINEWARS.REG' and fill out the blanks. Send this form together
      with the appropriate money/check to the address mentioned at the
      bottom of the registration form.

        Normal registering entitles you to receive the newest executable
      version of LineWars, registered to your name. If you register with
      Source Code Registering, you will receive the newest executable
      version of LineWars, registered to your name, plus the full source
      code of the newest version, written in Turbo Pascal(tm) and MASM(tm).
      You are allowed to include (small) parts of the source code into
      your own programs. The finished program MUST NOT in any major way
      resemble LineWars, however.

        A registered copy of LineWars must be treated like a book, in
      that the same registered copy of LineWars may not be used in more
      than one computer at the same time.

         Anyone desiring to use this program on more than one computer
      must purchase additonal copies (multiply the price mentioned in
      the LINEWARS.REG -file with the number of copies).


      Disclaimer

        I assume no responsibility for damages or loss of busines arising
      out of the use or incorrect use of this program on your machine
      or machines.


      How to Start LineWars ?

        LineWars is started simply by writing 'LINEWARS' and pressing
      enter (or return) at the DOS prompt. In this case default settings
      file LINEWARS.SET is used, and the best graphics mode for the
      detected graphics driver will be used. You can however tell
      LineWars to use some other graphics driver or a different settings
      file. The full command syntax is:

         LINEWARS [/driver] [d:\directory\setfile.ext]

      The recognised graph drivers are:
         /CGA     (640x200 with 2 colors and 2 raster shades)
         /MCGA    (640x480 with 2 colors and 2 raster shades)
         /EGA     (640x350 with 16 colors)
         /VGA     (640x350 with 16 colors, nearly same as EGA)
         /HRG     (640x200 with 16 colors, only on an Amstrad PC1512)
         /EGAMONO (640x350 with 4 monochrome greyshades)


      Hardware Requirements

        You can play this in any IBM PC/XT/AT/386 or close compatible
      having CGA, MCGA, EGA or VGA card and running under PC-DOS or
      MS-DOS versions 2.0 thru 4.0. You should also have an RS-232-cable
      connected to your opponent's computer or you should have a modem
      if you plan to play it in a so called 'Duel Mode'. You can select
      the baudrate to match your connection between 300 and 19200 bps.
      In practice the lowest applicaple baudrate is 1200,  which is
      barely enough to drive the game somewhat over 15 frames per second.
      You ought to have a faster than 4.77 Mhz machine. On my PC/XT
      clone, which is an  8 Mhz 8086 -based machine,  the actual frame
      rate (TrueRate) is about 14 frames per second. That is a bit slow,
      but still tolerable. On the other hand on a 12.5 Mhz 80286 machine
      this game will run too fast for human reactions (mine, anyway) if
      you do not slow it down (using the FrameRate settings).


      The game

        The main objective in this game is to destroy your opponent.
      You are flying a Cobra Mark IV multi-purpose General Contact
      Vehicle,  which is a very fast and manoeuvrable spaceship. Your
      opponent has a Cobra IV too, so you both have equal chances for
      winning.  Which one wins depends on your reactions and tactical
      skills!

        The events of this game take place far away in intergalactic
      space, where stars are few and alien vessels common. Therefore,
      you should pay attention not only to your opponent but also to
      all other ships in your vicinity. Failing to do so may cost you
      your ship (not to mention your life!).

        Your ship is equipped with an Energy Shield, up to four Missi-
      les and two Beam Lasers, front and rear. If your Energy Shield
      is totally exhausted, your ship will cease to function. Energy
      shield absorbs incoming laser fire, as well as missile explosions,
      if it is fully charged. Missile hit reduces shield energy very
      substantially, so it is always better to outmanoeuvre any incoming
      missiles (if you learn how to do it...) Energy shields will
      recharge gradually when you are not in fight.

        When you fire lasers (using ALT-key), your Laser Energy will
      decrease. When it is exhausted, your lasers start to go on and
      off. This is not dangerous, release the ALT-key, and soon Laser
      energy will increase. Any laser fire that hits your ship will
      show in blue, while your laser rods are yellow if you miss, and
      red if you hit your target. When your target is destroyed, the
      lasers register a sudden energy burst and turn white for an
      instant (in EGA/VGA). In CGA/MCGA all lasers are white, but if
      you miss, your laser rods are thinner than when you hit.

        To fire a Missile you should have your target on crosshairs,
      then press CTRL and a missile will be launched, provided you
      have any left. I should also tell you that there is a chance
      your Missile Launchin System (MLS) jams. If this happens, you
      cannot use missiles during the battle.


      Game Keys

        The keys you need in this game are as follows:

      Up Arrow         = Dive  (nose down)
      Down Arrow       = Climb (nose up)
      Left Arrow       = Rotate (roll) ship counter-clockwise
      Right Arrow      = Rotate (roll) ship clockwise

      (You can also use mouse for movement)

      PgDn = F9        = Decrease Speed
      PgUp = F10       = Increase Speed

      Alt              = Fire Laser           (left mouse button)
      Ctrl             = Target/Fire Missile  (right mouse button)

      F1               = Front View
      F2               = Rear View
      F3               = Left View
      F4               = Right View

      ESC              = Quit (that is, surrender!)

        All other keys are sent to your opponent's CommScreen, so you
      can chat in the middle of a game. (But don't fall into that old
      trick, when your opponent asks you something, and then attacks
      while you have your 'pants down', ie. your fingers not on the
      control keys!)

      Ship's Console

        Your Cobra IV has a large MainViewScreen, which shows you
      all that happens outside your ship. You can set it to 'emulate'
      front, rear, left or right windows using function keys F1, F2,
      F3 and F4. In front and rear views you can use your Laser's
      sights to shoot accurately.

        On the bottom left corner of your console are the meters for
      Speed, Energy Shields, Laser Energy, Fuel and Missile status.

        Below the MainViewScreen is the RadarScreen. This is a highly
      sophisticated 3-D viewer that shows you the locations of all
      ships in your vicinity.

        On the bottom right corner is the CommScreen. All messages
      you get from your ships computer or your opponent show in here.
      All messages that you send will also show on the screen.


      Main Menu

        When the game begins, you are presented a menu. This menu is
      what I call 'Main Menu'. It has nine options, each of which is
      described below in detail. You can select using either cursor-
      keys and pressing RETURN (or ENTER or <┘), or you can press the
      appropriate function key (F1 ... F8).  ESC will get you to main
      menu from anywhere,  and pressing  ESC while in main menu drops
      you back to DOS (or to BBS, if that is the case). You can also
      select appropriate menu item with moving mouse and pressing
      left mouse button. Right mouse button = ESC in menus.

      Instructions

        Basics of the game, like what keys to use, plus a very short
      summary of menu functions.

      Play LineWars

        This is IT! When you select this, the game will begin. If you
      are using a line (War Mode: Duel), the game will now attempt to
      'wake up' the other side and start the game. The game will then
      begin after a few parameters are exchanged between machines.

      Line Settings

        This is a menu that needs to be used if you play LineWars via
      communications line (which should be the case, although this is
      ofcourse not necessary). If you plan never to use a line, you
      can skip to the following chapter.

        There are four switches on this menu, as follows:

      1) Port. You must select which Com Port to use. Currently the
         options include COM1 to COM4.

      2) Baud. You also need to tell the game what is the baud rate
         of the connection. You can select a fixed rate between 300
         and 19200 baud, or Check to make LineWars use the presently
         active baudrate of the line.

      3) Connect Mode. There are three possible positions for this
         switch. If you plan to use LineWars with a direct line or if
         you use some other program to make calls with your modem,
         you can set it at the 'Direct Line' - position. If you plan
         to use the LineWars Terminal (described later) and dial your
         opponent using LineWars, or if you plan to use LineWars for
         answering incoming calls, you should set this switch to the
         'Hayes-modem' - position (provided your modem is compatible
         with the Hayes 'AT-commands'). The third position, BBS-door,
         is explained in detail in LINEWBBS.DOC. Normally you should
         not set Connect Mode to this option.

      4) Dial. Use this switch to tell LineWars whether your modem
         should use tone- or pulse signals when making a call.

      Note, that the communications line MUST be 8 databits, 1 stop
      bit and no parity !

      War Settings

        This menu you need to use  whether you play single  or with a
      friend. The switches are:

      1) War Mode. Select 'Duel' if you want to use the line, 'Single'
         if you want to play alone. If Single, the Line Settings will
         have no effect on the game.

      2) SteerDamp. Turn this switch off, if you are very experienced
         in flying a spacecraft! Try it, at least.

      3) Mouse. 'Yes' means you want to use mouse to control your ship,
         'No' means you wish to use cursor keys (or Amstrad Joystick).

      4) Music. 'Yes' means you wish to play music while in the main
         menu screen. 'No' means no music.

      5) Sound. 'Yes' means you wish to have sound-effects in the game,
         'No' = no sound effects.

      6) Clock Fix. 'Yes' means you want to let LineWars copy the time
         from real-time clock to DOS clock when you are quitting. This
         is only needed, if you play music for a long time in the main
         menu. If you do not have a real-time clock (most PC/XTs don't
         have), this will not work correctly.

      7) FrameRate. Use this setting to select the best framerate for
         your skills and machine. I think about 20 Hz (that is, 20 new
         pictures, 'frames', every second) is the best.  Unless you
         have a 6+ Mhz AT, your machine will not reach even this rate.

      8) MouseRate. Use this setting to select the best mouse movement
         scaling for your particular mouse. '1' is very fast, '6' is
         very slow.

      9) Enemies. Against how many at a time can you handle?  Note by
         the way, this the maximum number of ships, not the number of
         ships that attack you all the time.  This has no effect when
         playing 'Duel'.

     10) Codename.  If you are playing  'Duel',  you can now select a
         horrifying nick-name that creates terror in your enemy...

      Terminal

        If you have no other terminal program to use when dialing the
      computer of your friend, you can use this one integrated into
      LineWars. It is very simple, for example it doesn't interpret
      ANSI-codes, but it works. When Terminal is started, you can see
      the active com port and baudrate from the bottom left corner.
      From the bottom right corner you see whether you are Offline or
      Online. The keys you can use are as follows:

      F1. If you have selected 'Hayes-modem' and you are Offline, now
          pressing F1 lets you dial a number. If you are Online, you
          can hang up pressing F1.

      F3. Pressing F3 switches between Server-mode (Local echo on, if
          Offline and Hayes-modem, wait for a caller) and Normal-mode
          (Local echo off, don't answer incoming calls). You should
          not change this unless you can't see what you have typed.
          If both ends are in Server-mode, characters will echo from
          one machine to another endlessly ! By convention only BBS-
          door activates Server-mode automatically.

      ESC quits Terminal and returns you to main menu.

      Ctrl-X quits LineWars running at the other side under BBS-door.

      All other keys will be sent to the line just as in any other
      terminal program.

      View Scores

        Here you can see your current status, against who you have
      played, how many times did you lose or win, and what is your
      overall score against any of your enemies. If Score is greater
      than one, you are ahead, if not, you are behind your enemy in
      your Combat Rating.

      System Info

        Here you can see some information about your machine. The
      most interesting are the current video adapter and mode, the
      TrueRate of last game, and the speed and type of your machine.


      Regardless of the Connect Mode, if either player selects Play
      or Terminal and the other player is in the Main Menu, the same
      operation will be performed on the other end too.


      What's ahead for LineWars?

          - More and different ship types
          - Nicer movement algorithms for enemy ships
          - A real BBS-door-game with multiple players
          - Planets, starbases, etc.


      Thanks to:  (in random order)

          - Vesa Lappalainen            for RS-232 comm. package
          - Alan D. Jones               for Play (music output)
          - Janne Niinistö et al.       for many valuable ideas
          - Pekka Koivunen (SysOp of Spruce Wood Lane MBBS, [phone])
            Kim Heino      (SysOp of BCG-Box,               [phone])
                                        for many hours of testing and
                                            many good ideas

      My address is:

      Patrick Aalto
      Hiekkapohjan koulu
      40270 Palokka
      FINLAND