Cobra Utilities for Doom & Doom II/Cobra Utilities For Doom & Doom II - Disc 2.iso/files/program/wadrunr1/runner.doc

Text File | 1994-07-14 | 12.5 KB | 282 lines

                             WAD_Runner V1.0

                            (c) copyright 1994
                             Michael S. Utzig


   If you haven't been there already, welcome to the wonderful world
   of DOOM.

   This is, yes you guessed it, Another front end launcher for DOOM.
   Not too much different from all the others except for the "windows-
   like" gui, and that this is also bannerware (ohh-noo). Relax I put
   all that at the end. So if you're chompin' bullets ready to go kick
   some demon butt, put wr.exe in the DOOM directory and type "WR". For
   those of you who want to know more, read on.

   WAD_Runner MUST be placed in the DOOM directory for it to run.
   Operation is straight forward in that this is 99.9% WYSIATI
   (What You See Is All There Is). Most of the parameters for game
   play are on the main screen. Those of you who are familiar with
   the DOOM command line options should be able to jump right in
   without reading the docs. For those of you a little newer to DOOM,
   I'll give you the nickel tour.

   With all the people currently designing new episodes and levels
   for DOOM, there has to be a way of managing all the external .WAD
   files now available on bulletin board systems.
   WAD_Runner replaces the tedious chore of typing and remembering
   file names and command line parameters that can extend off into
   another persons monitor. By giving the user a scrolling pick list
   of the available .WAD files, and option buttons for the other
   selections, you can see at a glance all of the resources needed
   to play DOOM.

   To select an external WAD file to play, simply double-click the
   mouse on the appropriate file name or use the up & down arrow
   keys and press enter when the highlight is over the correct file.
   The selected file will appear in the listbox header. Below the file
   list is a scrolling information display that will show the name of
   the currently selected .WAD file and a list of the episodes and
   missions that it replaces. This display is updated every time you
   select a new filename, so on some of the larger files it may take a
   couple of seconds to update. I'll work to get that sped up.
   The File list box currently can hold a maximum of 512 file names.
   You can also use TAB or shift-TAB to change the focus and cycle
   through the options. Pressing the enter key on list boxes and the
   space bar on option boxes selects or un-selects that item. The
   object with "focus" has a dotted box around the perimeter.
   Pressing the ESC keywhile the file section box has the focus will
   erase your .WAD file selection.

   If you have selected a Start Level or Savegame, and then decide not
   to use these values, each box has a blank selection at the end of the
   list which can be picked to zero out these values.

   If you have selected an external .WAD file with appropriate levels
   and such, and also picked a savegame to reload, the savegame will
   override your episode/level selection and restore from the savegame
   file. As long as the episode/mission selections are different you
   can warp to any of the external .WAD missions by typing...
   IDCLEV <episode# mission#>   anytime during the game
   i.e. by typeing
   IDCLEV 23        this will warp you to episode 2 mission 3


   Here is a list of WAD_Runners supported parameters.

   -devparm             Puts you in developers mode, necessary for the
                        other options (Press F1 and get a 320x200 256
                        color pcx snapshot of the current screen)
   -file                specifies external wad file to load replacing
                        original episode/level(s)
   -warp                selects starting episode and level
   -skill               how tough are you?
   -deathmatch          starts each player in a separate area, default
                        for multi-player games is co-operative play
   -nomonsters          speaks for itself
   -respawn             causes dead monsters to regenerate 8 second later
                        (this can cause even the wimpy levels to get
                        tough unless your fast)
   -loadgame            loads previously saved game
   -port                selects alternate network address when multiple
                        games of DOOM are running on the same net, also
                        called socket
   -nodes               number of players in a network game
   -com#                com port for modem or direct connect games
   -dial<phone #>       dials phone for modem game
   -answer              puts modem in answer mode for modem game



   Most of the controls are self-explanitory, read the readme file that
   was included with DOOM to get a better idea of the game options and
   you'll be able to use WAD_Runner with little or no problems.


   BOOT DISK
   id recommends that you boot clean with no memory managers other than
   himem.sys. Here's an easy config.sys that works with most dos versions
   (even novell dos 7)

   device=<path>himem.sys  'insert your path to himem i.e. c:\dos\himem.sys
   dos=high,umb            'loads dos high
   files=20
   buffers=20

   this config has worked for MS-DOS ver 5 & 6 also Novell Dos ver 7
   I've run doom with emm386 loaded and it works ok unless you have a sound
   blaster, in which case it locks up tight.


   NET PLAY
   DOOM runs great on a pair of 486/33's connected to a network. This was
   the spur that got me to write WAD_Runner.
   Multi-Player DOOM is a fantastic experience.
   WAD_Runner now detects if IPX.COM has been loaded prior to selecting
   the network game option. Allowing you the chance to quit and load IPX
   before you launch DOOM.
   DOOM will run on any network that uses ipx protocol, in fact DOOM only
   requires that IPX.COM be loaded in order play. You do not need to have,
   or be connected to, a File Server to play multi-player DOOM.
   You can create an inexpensive network to play doom without knowing
   anything at all about networks. Most network cards now on the market
   come with a driver diskette that includes a copy of ipx.com generated
   for that board. With 2 cards, a cable and a couple of copies of DOOM and
   WAD_Runner, a 10 Mbit per sec network link can be achieved in 5 easy steps.
   -install the boards
   -connect the cable
   -boot your system
   -run ipx.com
   -run WAD_Runner and select NETWORK option, then start DOOM
   Anyone can do it!

   You can play more than one game on a network by changing the socket
   number. I believe id allows up to 65,000 sockets however I've kept
   it down do a meager 1000(this would suggest a minimum of 2000 players
   in just one network, whoa! Who's working?)
   Just click on the socket edit box and type in any number up to 999,
   be sure the person playing with you does the same.
   As I said DOOM works great on a network but does not seem to go across
   a bridge. You must be on the same network segment as your opponent
   If you have any question ask your Network Administer.


   SERIAL PLAY
   For a less expensive way to run Doom or if your computers are far from
   each other you can use a modem to play DOOM or use a Null Modem cable
   to connect the computers via an unused communication port.
   this is a little slower than a network version but it helps to have a
   couple of high speed machines and set the graphics detail to LOW.
   This helps smooth out the jerkiness when slower machines are used.
   Using WAD_Runner just select "direct" if using a null modem cable or
   one user must "answer" and the other must "dial" when connecting via
   modem.
   In order to use the Dial feature, you must edit the MODEM.CFG
   file that comes with DOOM and is used by sersetup. Insert the phone
   number you wish to dial on line 3. Any ascii editor will suffice.
   See the example MODEM.CFG included with this archive.

   For both net and serial play, you must also have your own copy of
   DOOM on a local drive. Savegames will be saved to the current directory
   of each player.


   Some of the things planned for future versions include:

   -  a .cfg file to "remember" the game parameters used during
      the last session, also to aid in picking the correct .wad file
      in a savegame restore
   -  built in modem support w/ dialing directory (as of 7-10-94
      this may change depending on what extra features id put into
      their new version of sersetup in DOOM ver 1.5)
   -  Ipx detection (will check to see if ipx has been loaded
      when a network game has been selected and if not, load it)
      *** ipx detection installed 7-10-94 ***
   -  Automatically send and receive command line parameters for
      serial and net games
   -  sound blaster support
   -  screen saver feature

   not necessarily in that order





   BANNER ==== BANNER ==== BANNER

   Ok, here is the part you were so worried about
   If you've read the rest of this document and never played
   multi-player DOOM, or you have played Multi-player DOOM, but it
   was banned at work, or you just need one more excuse to bash your
   friends, then this is for you.

   I've put together an assortment of kits to allow anyone to experience
   the joy of Multi-Player DOOM.

   All Kits come with a 2 user licence for WAD_Runner and necessary
   hardware to setup a DOOM multi-player game.

   #1  Serial DOOM
         an inexpensive way to connect 2 local PC's together to play
         via DIRECT connect. A 15 ft. "modular" Null Modem cable with
         9 and 25-pin adaptors with instructions on how to connect and
         play serial DOOM. For those interested, these cables work with
         all types of Communication software and other games that have
         modem play (i.e. LapLink, Falcon 3)                    $ 29.95

   #2  Net DOOM
         Anyone wishing to create their own 10 Megabit per second
         ethernet DOOM Network will want one of these. Includes
         2ea  8/16 bit Ethernet Cards with ipx drivers and 20 ft of
         cable.  **                                            $ 119.95

   #3  Ultimate DOOM
         For the Doomer at home or at large a combination of items
         1 & 2 above for that solid network link at home, and the
         portability of an easy connect serial link for the doomer
         on the go. **
                                                               $ 139.95


   ** When ordering Ethernet cards you must specify the type of cable
   connection desired. Modular twisted pair (kinda like a phone cable)
   or Coaxial cable (sorta like cable tv). The main difference between
   the two types is that a twisted pair link will let you connect only
   two pc's together at any one time, unless of course you want to invest
   in some additional hardware and go all out. Whereas with a coaxial
   link any time you want to add more stations you just need another
   card and another length of cable. Installation instructions are
   included with each kit.


   There, that wasn't so bad was it?  I'll bet you a squeeze on the
   trigger of this plasma rifle it wasn't. Besides, you don't really
   have to buy any of this stuff, now do you? ....... (click) ...
   Well, since you really do look interested, take a look at ORDER.FRM
   included with this archive, and 'Hey, please print.'



   To report any suspicious anomalies
   or add your 2 bullets worth of info
   I can be reached by email at:

   MegaSystems BBS
   Carson City, Nevada
   [phone]
   I'm currently on at least once or twice a week

   or by paper mail at:

   Michael S. Utzig
   1207 Margaret Ave
   So. Lake Tahoe, CA. 96150

   You can also reach me by phone after 6pm pacific time
   [phone]



   Misc Notes
   One very good external WAD file was put together by a gentlemen
   named Gary Karnik, called WADPAK1 it is the work of several authors
   and replaces all 27 levels of the original DOOM. Almost like
   having a whole new game. thanks Gary.

   There is a bulletin board dedicated exclusively to DOOM and DOOM
   related files. An excellent source for DOOM utilities(like this one)
   and external WAD files. There are at least several hundred External
   WAD files that can be had, and some great utilities for making
   your own.
   Renegade Graphics DOOM BBS  --  615-337-9198

   And for your general info:
   id Software's BBS   --    508-368-7038