home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
-
- ███ ███▄ ███ █████████ █████████ ███ ████████ ███ ███ ██████
- ███ █████▄ ███ ███ ███ ██ ███ ███ ███ ███ ███
- ███ ███ ▀██▄███ ███ ███ ██ ███ ███ ███ ███ ███
- ███ ███ ▀████ ███ █████████ ███ ███ ███ ███ ███ █████
- ███ ███ ███ ███ ███ ▀██▄ ███ ███ ██ ███ ███ ███
- ███ ███ ███ ███ ███ ▀██ ███ ████████ █████████ ██████
-
- By
- ╔═══════════════════════╗
- ║ Half Past Productions ║
- ╚═══════════════════════╝
-
- SYSOP DOCUMENTATION FOR Version 2.0
- ═════ ═════════════ ═══ ═══════ ═══
- Contents
- ════════
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Disclaimer
- 3. What You and Your Users Need To Play
- 4. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR SYSOPS CURRENTLY RUNNING VERSION 1.0
- 5. Registration
- 6. Contents of INTRIG20.ZIP
- 7. Installation
- 8. Running INTRIGUE as a Door on Your BBS
- 9. Sysop Playing INTRIGUE Locally
- 10. Running INTBBS.EXE in Local Mode
- 11. Running INTRIGUE on a Multi-Node BBS
- 12. Resetting Games and Installing New Games
- 13. Registration Details
- 14. Support BBS
- 15. New Support BBS!
- 16. Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
- 17. Technical Information on File Formats
- 18. Acknowledgements
-
- 1. Introduction
- ══ ════════════
-
- Welcome to the world of INTRIGUE! INTRIGUE is a strategy type door game with
- some very unique features. First of all, INTRIGUE requires none of the dreaded
- system or configuration files required by most BBS programs. That is, it does
- not require your board to create any external files like DOOR.SYS, PCBOARD.SYS,
- CHAIN.TXT, etc. INTRIGUE is also unique in that users play ONLY through a term
- program. The user has to initially download the term program, but after that,
- he is no longer hindered by ANSI screens that take all day to be sent over the
- modem. He is only restricted by the speed of his own machine! Also, INTRIGUE
- is novel in that most of the user's time playing (or, better yet, thinking
- about) the game can be done in local mode. Thus a user can log on, play his
- turn quicly, get the necessary information about the game via a small download,
- and be done. This will free up valuable BBS time for both this user and other
- users. From a game players' point of view, INTRIGUE uses the computer to allow
- humans to interact. We all know that some games lose their charm once a player
- figures out how to beat the program. In INTRIGUE, it is 7 people playing the
- game, and the computer serves only as a "scorekeeper".
-
- In this document, we will instruct you as to how to set up and maintain
- INTRIGUE. We will also provide details of game structure that you may want to
- pass on to your players (if they become dedicated players, they will demand
- it!). Also contained in this document is some registration information along
- with information on how to obtain support for INTRIGUE.
-
- 2. Disclaimer
- ══ ══════════
-
- The authors make no warranties expressed or implied as to the quality or
- performance of this program. The authors will not be held liable for any
- damages resulting from the use of this program. Your use of this program
- constitutes your agreement to this disclaimer and your releasing the author
- from any form of liability or litigation. No part(s) of the package
- INTRIG20.ZIP may be altered and redistributed.
-
-
- 3. What You and Your Users Need To Play
- ══ ════ ═══ ═══ ════ ═════ ════ ══ ════
-
- To play INTRIGUE, it is highly recommended that you have an EGA or VGA color
- monitor. A CGA color monitor will work, although the maps will be "snowy".
- Tandy monitors will work fine, except that the special characters we have
- designed for the game will revert back to their original ANSI assignments.
- Monochrome monitors are not recommended due to the game's heavy reliance on
- color. The sysop needs INTRIG20.ZIP and INTTRM20.ZIP in order to successfully
- install and run the game. Your users need only INTTRM20.ZIP to play.
-
- 4. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR SYSOPS CURRENTLY RUNNING VERSION 1.0:
- ══ ═════════ ════ ═══ ══════ ═════════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══
-
- Due to a major problem we discovered when trying to handle multiple
- scenarios, we have been forced to make certain changes that make Version 1.0
- and Version 2.0 imcompatable. We realize this is a major inconvenience, but it
- would have had to be done sooner or later. We feel that now is the best time.
- We also feel that the changes we have made in terms of better game play will
- compensate for any problems incurred by sysops/users. By the way, we have at
- this point taken strong measures to insure that this incompatibility problem
- should never happen again. The bottom line: If you run Version 1.0, your
- users must use the Version 1.0 term, and if you are running Version 2.0, your
- users must use the Version 2.0 term.
-
- If you are currently running Version 1.0, re-installing Version 2.0 is as
- easy as unzipping this package to the proper place (see details below). Also
- any games you currently have running will NOT be affected in any way.
-
- We have also added a utility called UNHIDE.EXE. From the game directory, you
- may issue the command UNHIDE CONFIG.DAT to unhide the file CONFIG.DAT.
-
- 5. Registration
- ══ ════════════
-
- Registration for the door programs to run INTRIGUE is optional. The game may
- be played unobstructed or uncrippled with the exception that unregistered
- sysops will only be allowed to run one game of INTRIGUE and also may only use
- the World War I (WWI) scenario. Registered sysops have the ability to maintain
- up to 10 games and will also receive a Middle East Scenario. Other scenarios
- will be released at later dates. We are also considering custom-made scenarios
- for sysops who might like something more personal for their users. More
- registration details are included in the INTTRM20.ZIP package.
-
- 6. Contents of INTRIG20.ZIP
- ══ ════════ ══ ════════════
-
- The following files should be included in this package:
-
- INTBBS.EXE - The executable program to run the INTRIGUE door.
- RESOLVE.EXE - Maintenance program for the game.
- INSTALL.EXE - Installation program for INTRIGUE.
- VC0.EXE - Program to check for winner of any game using WWI scenario.
- INTNODE.EXE - Program to allow sysops to run INTRIGUE on multiple nodes.
- DESTALL.BAT - Batch file to remove all 10 game subdirectories.
- INTBBS.BAT - Batch file to run INTBBS.EXE.
- INTNODE.DOC - Documentation for using INTNODE.EXE.
- SYSOP.DOC - This manual.
- PROTOCOL.INT - ASCII screen that prompts user to run terminal program.
- SYSSCR.COM - Sysop menu screen.
- LOCALDOR.ZIP - John Wright's program for detecting carrier
- INTRM20.ZIP - ZIP file containing Term program for both you and your
- users. Make this file available to your users for
- download.
-
- 7. Installation
- ══ ════════════
-
- NOTE: Sysops who have successfully installed version 1.0 may just unzip
- ════ version 2.0 into their game directory. Overwrite all files. Your new
- version will then be properly installed and ready to go! Those sysops who
- want to totally scrap Version 1.0 and start fresh need to change to their
- game directory and run the DESTALL.BAT program provided in INTRIG20.ZIP. Then
- follow the installation instructions below.
-
-
- INTRIGUE is different from most other door games in that the game MUST be
- played from a protocol installed by the user. To install INTRIGUE so that your
- users can run their protocol, and you can play the game locally, follow the
- steps outlined below.
-
- 1) Make a directory to hold the game.
-
- 2) Unzip INTRIG20.ZIP into this directory.
-
- 3) INTRIG20.ZIP contains another ZIP file, INTTRM20.ZIP. You must also
- unzip this file into the game directory.
-
- 4) Switch to the directory/disk that holds your game and issue the command:
-
- INTRIGUE /L
-
- You will be prompted for a communications port number that your modem
- uses. This information along with a unique identification sequence is
- stored throughout the data files present on the directory/disk.
-
- You will now be sent into the WWI scenario and given Italy as your
- nation. You may wish to look around at this point (Use Esc, arrow keys,
- and ENTER to go through the menus and arrow keys to scroll the map), but
- to continue the installation process, hit Esc, use the arrow keys to go
- to the UTILITIES menu, and choose Quit.
-
- 5) Type the command INSTALL. INSTALL creates subdirectories to hold games
- 0,1,...,9. If you are unregistered, you may only play game 0, but
- periodically, the program checks other directories, so please do not
- remove them. More information about the INSTALL program for registered
- sysops will be provided later.
-
- 6) Edit the batch file INTBBS.BAT to your liking. All that the program needs
- is contained in the batch file you were given. At present, INTBBS.BAT
- consists of the following commands:
-
- CD INTRIGUE
- INTBBS
- CD ..
-
- NOTE: For sysops running high speed modems and/or desqview, we have
- ════ noticed a problem with sending the protocol message out the
- com port. If this happens with your BBS (usually the game locks up
- on the BBS end right after PROTOCOL.INT is sent to remote), you may
- want to use the following batch file:
-
- CD INTRIGUE
- TYPE PROTOCOL.INT > COM1
- INTBBS /NM
- CD ..
-
- The /NM (no message) switch tells INTBBS.EXE that you will send
- PROTOCOL.INT to the user in the batch file. If you use Desqview, you
- may not be able to simply TYPE PROTOCOL.INT out the com port. DOORWAY
- is one program that will successfully send PROTOCOL.INT out the com
- port. (DOORWAY is available on most BBS'. The latest version is
- DRWY212.ZIP).
-
- If you wish to use DOORWAY to solve this problem, do the following:
- 1) Create a text file containing one blank line and put it in your
- game directory. Suppose this file is called BLANK.TXT.
- 2) Use the batch file
- CD INTRIGUE
- DOORWAY SYS /O:t /Z:BLANK.TXT
- INTBBS
- CD..
-
- NOTE: Those sysops who run multi-node BBS's will want to make sure
- ════ to check out the Running INTRIGUE on a Multi-Node BBS Section
- later in the documentation.
-
- 7) Make sure your timed event runs the program RESOLVE.EXE exactly once a
- day. If you do not have a timed event, you will have to make sure you
- run RESOLVE.EXE once a day. As soon as a game begins, players will be
- wanting to know when your event runs, since RESOLVE.EXE resolves all
- combat occurring in the game.
-
- 8) Configure your BBS program so that it will recognize INTBBS.BAT as the
- batch file to run your INTRIGUE door.
-
- 9) Place the file INTTRM20.ZIP in your downloads directory for your users to
- download. They cannot play the game unless they have properly installed
- INTRIGUE on their systems. Tell them to consult USER.DOC for
- instructions.
-
- NOTE: Sysops should realize that this door game is MUCH different from your
- ════ standard door game. By following the steps above, you have installed
- both the BBS program and your OWN personal term program for INTRIGUE. You
- NEED NOT follow the steps in USER.DOC for installing the term program. If
- you have followed the steps above, you have successfully completed the
- installation process!
-
- 8. Running INTRIGUE as a Door on Your BBS
- ══ ═══════ ════════ ══ ═ ════ ══ ════ ═══
-
- Once you have properly installed INTRIGUE, you should encourage your users to
- Download INTTRM20.ZIP. (C'mon! Make it a free download if you are one of
- those ratio people!!). Again, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is
- that your users have set up the term.
-
- When a user who has properly installed the protocol opens the door, he will
- be sent a message telling him to run his protocol. This message is contained
- in the file PROTOCOL.INT. You may use any text editor to edit this message
- more to your liking (ANSI graphics are not allowed and the message size must be
- less than 2000 bytes. Desqview users may want to do this if they use DOORWAY
- because DOORWAY sends a RETURNING TO BOARD message after sending PROTOCOL.INT).
- Upon running the term,you will see the Sysop Status Screen appear on your end.
- This screen contains a clock telling you how much time a player has remaining
- in the door; a menu that tells you the status of all games; and, a menu
- containing information pertaining to the current game the player has joined.
- The bottom menu will eventually display your BBS name if you are a registered
- sysop, and will show UNREGISTERED!!! if you are not a registered sysop. If a
- user decides to exit the door without joining a game or just viewing a game he
- is not in, the menu on the right will not fill up and the BBS name will not
- appear on the bottom menu. Due to the nature of the game, the sysop is kept
- "blind" to the user's moves. If you are curious as to why we have done this,
- join a game yourself and think about how you would feel if the sysop were
- playing in the same game and watching your moves!
-
- Your users are only allowed in a maximum of 3 games per BBS. We have found
- that even the most addicted INTRIGUE players cannot handle more than 3 games.
- If you have a user who cannot get enough, let us know and we will see what we
- can do!
-
- Once you have game(s) underway, the RESOLVE.EXE program you installed in your
- event becomes very important. Each turn in the game lasts for 2 days. We think
- of a "day" as being the period between times RESOLVE runs. No doubt your users
- will soon want to know when your event runs! It is important to game play that
- your event runs consistently and your players are aware of the time/frequency
- that it runs.
-
- 9. Sysop Playing INTRIGUE Locally
- ══ ═════ ═══════ ════════ ═══════
-
- Sysops can (and should) try their hand at INTRIGUE! It is very important
- that you understand how to play locally. Since INTRIGUE runs from a term, we
- have had to build a terminal emulator into INTRIGUE.EXE to allow sysops to play
- locally. INTBBS.EXE is a program for remote players!! Its purpose is to act as
- a clearinghouse for the remote player. It sends/receives necessary files and
- that is all! Sysop who wish to play locally must drop to DOS from your BBS,
- change to the INTRIGUE directory and type the command:
-
- INTRIGUE /S
-
- The /S tells INTRIGUE that a sysop is playing locally. If you have multi-
- nodes, DO NOT call out on one modem and try to open the INTRIGUE door! It will
- not work. If you want to play locally, it is as simple as we have described it
- above. If you want to test out your door from remote, you will need to get
- someone who is really "remote" to help you out. Sorry about the inconvenience,
- but this is the best way we've found to do it.
-
- The parameter /L forces the program the program to run in local mode and
- bypasses the game select menu. If you have a problem with your modem falsely
- detecting carrier, you may want to use this switch. This switch just allows
- you to look around in local mode while online your BBS. Any messages or orders
- you send will not have any effect. Use the /S switch if you want to send
- messages or orders.
-
-
- For sysops who do not like to shell to DOS, you can do what we have done here
- on Cedar Lake BBS. We wrote a batch file that runs a carrier detect program
- (there are several nice shareware programs for this out there... we are using
- John Wright's LOCALDOR program -- it works great and is included in this zip
- package) to determine if carrier is detected. If carrier is detected, we
- branch to INTBBS.EXE and if carrier is not detected, we branch to INTRIGUE /S.
- Below is the exact Batch file we use here at Cedar Lake:
-
- Batch file for Running INTRIGUE (Allows sysop to skip drop to DOS)
- ═════ ════ ═══ ═══════ ════════
-
- @ECHO OFF
- LOCALDOR
- Rem LOCALDOR is in my path.
- Rem LOCALDOR returns an errorlevel 1 if carrier not detected.
- Rem Any program that detects carrier will work. LOCALDOR is one such
- Rem program.
- IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO Local
- CD C:\BBS\INTRIGUE
- INTBBS
- GOTO End
- :Local
- CD C:\BBS\INTRIGUE
- INTRIGUE /S
- :End
- CLS
- CD C:\BBS
-
- This batch file will allow you to open your INTRIGUE door just like your
- users and play INTRIGUE on your BBS.
-
- 10. Running INTBBS.EXE in Local Mode
- ═══ ═══════ ══════════ ══ ═════ ════
-
- INTBBS.EXE can also be run in local mode. The purpose is to allow you to
- check on all games' status. To run INTBBS.EXE locally, just shell to DOS from
- your BBS and type the command INTBBS /L. You will then be allowed to check
- the status of any game. The second column of the menu on the right side of the
- Sysop Status Screen is titled FILES. If an O appears next to a country, then
- that player has orders turned in for the next turn. If an M appears next to a
- country, then that player has mail waiting for him to pick up. When your users
- are first learning INTRIGUE, you will no doubt want to keep players posted on
- when orders are due in your public mail. We realize this is a hassle and you
- may wish not to do it, but we have found after a few turns, players caught on
- to the game, and we could quit posting this information.
-
- 11. Running INTRIGUE on a Multi-Node BBS
- ═══ ═══════ ════════ ══ ═ ══════════ ═══
-
- It is now possible to run INTRIGUE Version 2.0 on a multi-node BBS. All that
- is required is the ability to create a DOOR.SYS file like the one that PCBoard
- is capable of creating for any door game. If your BBS has this capability,
- then you can run INTRIGUE on any number of nodes (not simultaneously, however).
- If you are interested in running INTRIGUE on a multi-node BBS, please consult
- the file INTNODE.DOC.
-
- 12. Resetting Games and Installing New Games
- ═══ ═════════ ═════ ═══ ══════════ ═══ ═════
-
- Included in this package is the utility program INSTALL.EXE. This program
- serves a variety of purposes. You have already used this program to initially
- set up your game directories. At some time, you may wish to reset a game back
- to its initial state. Also, you will always have that user who starts a game
- and noboby else joins it. You may want to reset it. Or, if you are a a
- registered sysop, you can use INSTALL to install various scenarios on any of
- your 10 available games. Unregistered sysops may only run Scenario 0 (the
- World War I scenario) on Game 0.
-
- If you wish to reset a game at any time to its original state, issue the
- command:
-
- INSTALL N M
-
- where N is the scenario number and M is the game number. For example, suppose
- you are a registered user and you wish to install the mideast scenario
- (scenario 1) in game 0. Then you would enter the command INSTALL 1 0. Of
- course, unregistered sysops may only enter the command INSTALL 0 0, which will
- reset game 0 using the WWI scenario (scenario 0). When you first run INSTALL,
- do not use any command line parameters, and the program will create all
- necessary subdirectories and data files.
-
- Current Scenarios Available:
- ═══════ ═════════ ═════════
-
- Scenario 0 (World War I, available to all sysops).
- Scenario 1 (MidEast, available to registered sysops).
-
- 13. Registration Details
- ═══ ════════════ ═══════
-
- If you have an avid following for INTRIGUE, you may wish to register the
- program. Sysops who register receive both the term and the bbs programs, along
- with the MidEast scenario. The sysop may then run up to 10 games on his BBS,
- and install the WWI and MidEast scenarios as he sees fit. You will also
- receive updates on new scenarios as they are made available. Currently, we are
- working on a Civil War Scenario, a World War II scenario, along with new
- victory conditions for the WWI scenario and the MidEast scenario. The WWI
- scenario is currently an "every man for himself" type game, but we plan to
- release a version that allows for team play. The MidEast scenario already
- allows for team play. We are also considering custom design scenarios for the
- those who would like to design their own games. Sysops who register will also
- have their BBS name (or whatever they want) displayed on the user's menu when
- he logs on. Information on how to register is contained in INTRIGUE. Just
- type INTRIGUE and choose REGISTRATION under the UTILITIES option.
-
- 14. Support BBS
- ═══ ═══════ ═══
-
- Support for INTRIGUE is provided primarily on Cedar Lake BBS (618)-529-1839,
- during the hours of 10:30pm - 7:00am (CST). Leave questions and comments for
- Dave Eubanks, Mark Jones, or Pat Van Fleet. We welcome any constructive
- criticism you have and any comments on how we can improve the game. If you are
- a registered EXECUTIVE HOST sysop, you can leave mail for Pat Van Fleet on John
- Wright's ESP BBS at (618)-993-5091 24 hours a day. Mail may also be addressed
- to Mark Jones on Compuserve at 76066,1521 or Dave Eubanks at 70034,557. We
- welcome questions from both unregistered and registered sysops!!
-
- 15. NEW Support BBS!!!
- ═══ ═══ ═══════ ══════
-
- With the release of INTRIGUE 2.0, we have added Ethereal Realms
- (618)-536-7950 24 hours a day and soon to be running a USR HST, as an
- official Support BBS for INTRIGUE. Ethereal Realms is a member of the
- International WWIVlink network with a node number of @16850. You can post on
- the INTRIGUE Support Sub and grab the latest copy on first login by using the
- Sysop Autovalidation. If you have access to another WWIVlink BBS, you can
- reach the INTRIGUE Support Staff by E-mailing 15@16850.
-
-
- 16. Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
- ═══ ════════ ═════ ═════════ ═══ ═══════
-
- Q) I tried to install INTRIGUE with the modem online and it didn't work.
- What did I do wrong?
- A) You probably forgot to include the command line parameter /L. If you're
- trying to install INTRIGUE while the modem is online, this parameter tells
- INTRIGUE to ignore communications and run in local mode.
-
- Q) I have two nodes. After installing the BBS end and the protocol end, I
- tried to call out on Node 2 to Node 1. Why did I get the message
- "COMMUNICATIONS ERROR!!"?
- A) The problem is that both INTRIGUE.EXE and INTBBS.EXE are trying to use the
- same com port. If you wish to test the game from remote, you'll need to
- have a friend call you up and try it out. If you are a sysop who wishes
- to play INTRIGUE on your BBS, simply shell to DOS from your BBS, change to
- the correct directory, and issue the command INTRIGUE /S.
-
- Q) I would like to play INTRIGUE on my friend's BBS. Is that possible?
- A) Sure, simply call your friend, open the door on his BBS, shell to DOS,
- change to the proper directory, (you may want to use INTRIGUE.BAT to
- do this) and issue the command INTRIGUE.
-
- Q) I run 2 nodes. I tried calling my friend as instructed in the previous
- question, and the game hung. What is the problem?
- A) If you are running 2 nodes, you will want to open the door on his BBS,
- shell to DOS, change to the proper directory, issue the command
- INTNODE OUT, answer the question at the prompt, and then issue the command
- INTRIGUE. (You may wish to make this addition to INTRIGUE.BAT).
-
- Q) I have multiple nodes. How do I run INTRIGUE?
- A) Make sure your BBS has the ability to create DOOR.SYS (like the one PCBoard
- creates). Then consult INTNODE.DOC for more details on how your batch file
- should look.
-
- NOTE: Actually, all the INTNODE.EXE program requires in order to run
- ════ successfully is a file called DOOR.SYS that resides on the current
- path (when you run INTNODE.EXE) with the following format: the fourth byte
- must be the character representing the COM port the caller is on. For example,
- if an INTRIGUE player has called in on COM2, the DOOR.SYS file should have
- ASCII character 50 (i.e. "2") as the fourth byte. The rest of the file can
- be anything. This enables you to have up to 9 nodes functioning.
-
- Q) I use Desqview. I shelled to DOS, ran INTRIGUE /S, then I hit my Alt key
- to view another window. When I returned, my INTRIGUE screen was all
- garbage.
- A) Each time you switch windows in Desqview, it calls up its own ANSI driver.
- This driver interferes with the driver we use to write the stars, anchors,
- and circles to the screen. Our suggestion is to not switch windows while
- running INTRIGUE /S!
-
- Q) One of my users asked if he could be removed from a game. Can I do this?
- A) We are currently working on a feature that allows the sysop to manage games.
- The feature will allow sysops to remove players from games if they so
- desire. You can use the INSTALL program to completely re-initialize the
- game. The data files on each subdirectory contain information about all
- current players. If you feel you must know how to edit these files to
- remove players, please see the section below providing technical information
- for INTRIGUE data files.
-
- Q) When I choose Help or Rules or Registration while running INTRIGUE, I get
- garbage. How can I fix this?
- A) You do not have an ANSI driver loaded. You may add the line
- DEVICE=ANSI.SYS to your CONFIG.SYS file, or you may use one of many ANSI
- drivers available as shareware. To use the example above, ANSI.SYS must
- reside on your root directory.
-
- Q) The first time I ran INTBBS.EXE and it crashed. Any particular reason?
- A) You must run INTRIGUE prior to running INTBBS for the first time. INTRIGUE
- will configure communications parameters for both programs.
-
- Q) My users report getting an "INCOMPATIBLE VERSION" error message when they
- run their term program. Why?
- A) Two reasons: 1) They may not have the same version of INTRIGUE as you do,
- or 2) they are running their term program too fast for INTBBS.EXE to
- establish proper communications. Tell them to wait a few seconds at the
- initial screen.
-
- Q) My users report that the game crashes after opening the door and seeing
- the initial title screens. The disk drive runs only briefly. Why?
- A) They are probably running an incompatible version of the term.
-
- Q) INTBBS.EXE locks up after sending PROTOCOL.INT. Why?
- A) This problem has been noticed on systems running Desqview and a HST Hayes
- Robotics Modem. We have included the switch /NM that will tell INTBBS
- not to send PROTOCOL.INT to the user from within the program. You must
- provide some other means of sending PROTOCOL.INT to your users. DOORWAY
- has been found to work in this situation. You may want to modify
- PROTOCOL.INT to tell your users that DOORWAY expects an ENTER before they
- run their term program.
-
- 17. Technical Information on File Formats
- ═══ ═════════ ═══════════ ══ ════ ═══════
- In this section we describe the workings of two data files: CONFIG.DAT, and
- GAME.DAT. If you wish, you may make use of this information to remove players
- from games, instruct your users on how to allow multiple players from one
- location, etc. We realize that providing this detailed information will allow
- dishonest players to play more than one country in a single game. We don't
- think this should be a problem, but we are welcome to any suggestions or
- comments on this.
-
- NOTE: If you choose to edit these files and you make an error, chances are the
- ════ game will crash and burn. Proceed with extreme caution!!!
-
- CONFIG.DAT
- ══════════
- This file contains eight parameters that INTRIGUE.EXE and INTBBS.EXE use.
- They are:
-
- 1) ID number (8 digits). Unregistered users will have 0000 as the last four
- digits. This number is the sole means of identification of the player
- by INTBBS, and is used to check which games a player is in, etc. At initial
- log-on into the door, the users end sends their CONFIG.DAT to the BBS, which
- is renamed CONFIG.PLR by INTBBS. Thus the CONFIG.PLR file always contains
- information about the last player that logged on.
-
- 2) Comm port. This number is one less than the comm number of the port used
- by communications. Ex: if your modem uses COM2, this number will be 1.
-
- 3) Baud rate. This parameter is always set to 1200, which is the minimum
- rate that INTRIGUE supports. This parameter is only used to initialize
- communications. The actual baud rate that is used by INTRIGUE is the baud
- rate that was being used by your communications package (Telix, Procomm,
- PCBoard, etc.).
-
- 4) Country number. This is the digit (0,1,2,...,6) that corresponds to the
- nation you are playing in the last game you logged onto. These countries
- are listed in NAMES0.DAT in the correct order. They can also be viewed by
- choosing the "Game Status" option on the "Utilities" menu in INTRIGUE.
-
- 5) Turn number. The turn number of the last game you were logged onto.
-
- 6&7) Date when the last turn's orders were resolved (respectively, the month
- and day). INTRIGUE uses this information to calulate and display when
- the next set of orders is due.
-
- 8) Scenario number. The original scenario is scenario 0, and its data files
- have names ending in 0. The mideast scenario is scenario 1. We will
- release additional scenarios if there is sufficient demand.
-
- Example: The contents of a sample CONFIG.DAT are
-
- 91250000 1 1200 5 3 4 5 0
-
- This user is unregistered, with ID# 91250000, uses COM2, is playing a game with
- scenario 0, and has country 5--Russia. Current turn is turn 3, and turn 3
- orders will be resolved on 4/7 (two days after the previous turn).
-
-
- GAME.DAT
- ════════
- This file resides on each subdirectory \0, \1, ... ,\9 of the game directory
- of the BBS. It contains information about players and status of a single game.
- The parameters of GAME.DAT are:
-
- 1) Scenario number for this game.
-
- 2) Number of players currently in the game (7=full).
-
- 3) Turn number. Initially, the turn number is set to 1, and begins
- incrementing as soon as the game starts. When the game is over, the turn
- number is set to zero.
-
- 4) Counter. This parameter simply switches between 0 and 1. The combat
- resolution program RESOLVE.EXE uses this number to determine if orders
- should be resolved. If it finds a 0, it simply increments it to 1;
- if it finds a 1, it resolves orders, sets the counter to 0, and increments
- the turn number. Normally, RESOLVE.EXE should be run once each day, so that
- a new turn will begin every other day.
-
- 5) This is the ID# for the person playing country 0 in this game. If set to
- 0, there is no player for this country.
-
- 6) Unused parameter for country 0. (Initially set to 0). We may use this for
- keeping track of scores, or other enhancements. Feel free to write your
- own utilities that use it.
-
- 7-18) Same as 5-6) above for countries 1,2,3...,6.
-
- Example: The contents of a sample GAME.DAT are
-
- 0 3 1 0 23420000 0 0 0 0 0 65560001 0 0 0 91250003 0 0 0
-
- This game is using scenario 0 (the World War I scenario) and currently has
- 3 players signed up for play. The current players are countries 0,3, & 5 --
- Italy, Germany, and Russia.
-
-
- 18. Acknowledgements
- ═══ ════════════════
-
- We would like to thank the following playtesters for their patience and
- useful comments on the initial go around of INTRIGUE:
-
- Jay Fuller
- Allen Hannaford
- Michael Kloepfer
- Ming Li
-
- We would also like to thank Allen Wittenhauer for editing our docs and
- hopefully making them a little better this go around.