The Hacker's Encyclopedia 1998

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ The Hacker's Encyclopedia 1998 / hackers_encyclopedia.iso / pc / softdox / 3drealms.faq < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 2003-06-11 | 44.4 KB | 1,021 lines

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T h e " O f f i c i a l " ____ ` // -_____ -__ /\ ,, // ' | -, || \, _ || \\ /| | |` /|| / _-_ < \, || \\/\\/\\ _-_, )) || |==|| \||/- || \\ /-|| || || || || ||_. FAQ // ~|| | |, || \ ||/ (( || || || || || ~ || /' ~-____, _---_-|, \\,/ \/\\ \\ \\ \\ \\ ,-_- Version 1.3 ( Current as of November 15, 1995 (changes and additions since v1.2 are denoted by leading '}' marks) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Contents: [1] Introduction [1.1] A word from me [1.2] About this FAQ [1.2.1] Obtaining the latest version of the FAQ } [1.2.2] Revision history [1.3] Obtaining other 3D Realms related FAQs [1.4] What is 3D Realms? [1.5] How 3D Realms markets its games [1.6] Getting the latest information [1.6.1] Electronic news [1.6.2] 3D Realms' internet mailing list } [1.6.3] Finger files } [1.6.4] World Wide Web [1.7] 3D Realms' staff [2] Historical Information [2.1] Other companies } [2.1.1] What's 3D Realms' relationship with Apogee? [2.2] History of specific games [2.2.1] Terminal Velocity [2.2.2] Blood [3] Lists [3.1] Games [3.1.1] What games are currently available from 3D Realms? [3.1.2] The games are too big to download! Are there "split" versions? [3.1.3] What upgrade patches are currently available? [3.1.4] Hardware requirements and support [3.1.5] Which of 3D Realms' games are good? [3.1.5.1] Rules of the voting system [3.2] Past projects [3.2.1] Working titles of 3D Realms games } [3.2.2] Cancelled projects [3.3] Previews } [3.3.1] What slide shows are currently available from 3D Realms? } [3.3.2] What are upcoming releases from 3D Realms? [4] The Almanac [4.1] Release dates [4.1.1] Games [4.1.2] Slide shows [4.1.3] Miscellaneous [4.2] Cast of characters } [4.2.1] Heroes [4.2.2] Villains [4.3] Behind the scenes } [4.3.1] Programmers [4.3.2] Artists [4.3.3] Musicians [4.3.4] Sound engine programmers [4.3.5] Level designers [4.3.6] Producers } [4.3.7] Advertising layouts [5] Obtaining the Games [5.1] The Shareware Episodes [5.1.1] Software Creations BBS [5.1.2] Anonymous FTP [5.1.3] CompuServe [5.1.4] America Online [5.1.5] Fidonet [5.2] The Registered Episodes [5.2.1] Ordering information }[6] Playing the Games } [6.1] Network services } [6.1.1] Dwango } [6.1.2] TEN [6.2] Cheating [6.2.1] Complete cheat list } [6.3] Secrets and other fun things [6.4] Troubleshooting [6.4.1] Things to try first [7] Contacting 3D Realms [7.1] By phone [7.2] By fax [7.3] By snail mail [7.4] Through networks [8] Credits - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Legal Quagmire: This FAQ is copyright (c) 1994-5 by Samuel Stoddard. No part of this FAQ may be distributed unless it remains intact, with all credits, attributions, and other miscellaneous praises to myself preserved. You may keep as many copies of this FAQ as you like, on whatever and however many different mediums that you like, and you can even read more than one copy at one time. All trademarks herein are acknowledged implicitly if not explicitly as well. The header for this FAQ was done with the aid of "Figlet." I take no responsibility for anything that occurs as a result of this FAQ, especially if the information it contains is so enthralling as to cause a Dear Loved One to enter into a coma from sensory overload. The management will not be held responsible for lost valuables, and no dogs allowed. Or cats. Or gerbils. Or hippopotami. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [1] Introduction - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [1.1] A word from me Who am I? I'm an avid game player, probably a lot like you. I spend as much time playing games as I do sleeping or studying; sometimes more than both put together. I'm not a 3D-games-only kind of gamer, but 3D games are a particular favorite of mine. I don't guarantee that all of the facts in this FAQ are true, but I try to make this as informative and truthful a document as I humanly can. If you have some tidbits of information, or, heck, a whole flood of information tidbits, let me know and I'll put it in the FAQ along with your name in the credits. The best way to reach me is through the internet. Try these addresses in this order: ss1@christa.unh.edu, stoddard@ctron.com. [1.2] About this FAQ This FAQ is copyrighted (see above) by Samuel Stoddard. While it is authorized and "officialized" by 3D Realms, it is not the property nor the work of 3D Realms. However, 3D Realms has contributed generously to its creation and growth; for that, I offer my sincere thanks. If you are browsing this FAQ for the first time, but think it looks familiar, that's probably because you've also browsed the Apogee FAQ. I'm the maintainer of both and modeled the 3D Realms FAQ after the Apogee FAQ. [1.2.1] Obtaining the latest version of the FAQ - Via anonymous FTP: a latest version of the 3D Realms FAQ can be found in the following places: - ftp.uml.edu /msdos/games/3drealms/faq/3drealms.faq - wcl-l.bham.ac.uk /pub/djh/faqs/3D-Realms.faq - ftp.wustl.edu /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/game_faq/3drealXX.faq - ftp.wustl.edu /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/games/Apogee/3drealXX.faq "XX" is the version number. Note that since I upload to ftp.wustl.edu directly, this site will receive new versions more quickly than the other two sites. - Through Usenet: I try to post the FAQ in alt.games.apogee, comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc, and comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action on a regular basis. New versions will be posted to all three newsgroups immediately upon release. - Email: write me at ss1@christa.unh.edu or stoddard@ctron.com. [1.2.2] Revision history The revision history of this FAQ is as follows: } Version 1.3 - 11/15/95 - Minor revisions and reorganization. Version 1.2 - 10/08/95 - Added history sections, expanded credits sections. Other revisions. Version 1.1 - 09/01/95 - Institution of the voting system. Minor updates. Version 1.0 - 06/25/95 - First public release. Version 0.1 - 05/05/95 - Sent to Joe Siegler for suggestions. Not publicly released. [1.3] Obtaining other 3D Realms related FAQs Several other FAQs relating to Apogee are available. You can obtain these by FTPing to ftp.uml.edu and downloading the appropriate file in the /msdos/games/apogee/faq or /msdos/games/3drealms/faq directory. Most of these FAQs are also available at wcl-l.bham.ac.uk under /pub/djh/faqs. If you do not have access to FTP, you can try emailing the author directly. If this fails, too, you can post a request for the desired FAQ in alt.games.apogee or comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action. In the interests of preserving Usenet bandwidth, however, please use this method only when other means are not fruitful. Subject Author Email ------- ------ ----- Apogee Sam Stoddard ss1@christa.unh.edu Duke Nukem 3D Zeuxis zeuxis@wwa.com Terminal Velocity Adam Williamson adam@scss.demon.co.uk Wolfenstein 3D Adam Williamson adam@scss.demon.co.uk Rise of the Triad Derek Greentree derekg@compass.net Commander Keen Bill Amon wamon@mitre.org [1.4] What is 3D Realms? 3D Realms is a games distributor for PC games, specializing in 3D games. These include flight simulators, 3D shooters, and the widely acclaimed 3D action games that came into popularity with Apogee's and id's Wolfenstein 3D and id's Doom. 3D Realms aims are to make its games as cutting edge as possible, pushing the limits of technology with each release. 3D Realms acts as a distributor for games written by other companies, but it also has its own staff of programmers, artists, and musicians, who write most of 3D Realms' games. 3D Realms markets their games by releasing a portion of each as shareware and making the complete games available upon registration. The 3D Realms motto is: "Reality is our game." The following excerpt is a statement from 3D Realms' catalog: Focusing on cutting edge 3D action games. That single sentence sums up our vision. 3D Realms is 100 percent dedicated to developing and publishing immersive 3D games. It's our specialty. We're wildly driven by our vision. We're not going to be distracted by making platform games, puzzle games, fighting games or adventure games -- we'll only make 3D games. [1.5] How 3D Realms markets its games In 1987, Apogee came up with a unique method of marketing their games. Since then, other shareware companies have adopted their strategy. Their scheme is this: each game they produce is divided into three to four, sometimes even six episodes. The first episode is free. It can be downloaded from CompuServe, BBS's, or the Internet, or bought in a store that distributes shareware games for disk copying charges. You can distribute the shareware episode to your friends yourself, if you like, provided you leave all the original files intact. When 3D Realms was born as a sister company to Apogee, Apogee's shareware scheme was adopted. If you like the shareware episode of a game, 3D Realms requires that you register it. This is the normal rule regarding shareware. Upon registration, you will receive the complete game. 3D Realms uses this marketing scheme so that people can have a good idea about the game they are buying before they put their cash on the line. [1.6] Getting the latest information There are a few ways to get the latest information about 3D Realms, even if you want it more quickly than keeping up with the latest revisions of this FAQ would do. These methods are mentioned briefly in the following sections: [1.6.1] Electronic news On Usenet, the newsgroups alt.games.apogee, comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc.action, and comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc all carry discussion about 3D Realms' latest. 3D Realms monitors these, plus the gaming, shareware, and the Apogee support conferences on Fidonet, Rime, Intelec, ILink, and U'NI-Net. [1.6.2] 3D Realms' internet mailing list 3D Realms has an Internet mailing list. Whenever new games or slide shows are released (or other important information), 3D Realms sends the information out in a mailing. If you would like to be on this mailing list, contact Joe Siegler (apogee.software@apogee1.com or apogee@metronet.com, in that order). Those email addresses send directly to Joe Siegler, and not to a list daemon or robot. The mailing list is free of charge. This mailing list is the same one as the Apogee mailing list; if you're on one, you're on the other. [1.6.3] Finger files }On the internet, you can finger apogee@3drealms.com, and receive all the latest information about 3D Realms. Usually this entails both recent and upcoming releases, among other things. [1.6.4] World Wide Web }You can reach the 3D Realms and Apogee home pages by connecting to one of }the following: } } 3D Realms home page: http://www.3drealms.com/ } Apogee home page: http://www.apogee1.com/ [1.7] 3D Realms' staff George Broussard - President, Co-owner Scott Miller - Vice President, Co-owner Steven Blackburn - VP Operations Tom Hall - Creative Director Greg Malone - Creative Director Dennis Scarff - Vice President, World Operations Joe Siegler - On-Line Support Manager & Technical Support Kevin Green - Customer Support Supervisor & Technical Support Dan Linton - SysOp/Owner of Software Creations BBS Lee Jackson - Technical Support Dennis DeSmeth - Technical Support Bryan Turner - Technical Support - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [2] Historical Information - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [2.1] Other companies [2.1.1] What is 3D Realms' relationship with Apogee? 3D Realms and Apogee are sister companies, both divisions of Action Entertainment, Inc. Originally, Action Entertainment's next-generation of 3D games were going to be published under the Apogee name. However, in late August of 1994, 3D Realms was born, and the four next-generation 3D games that Action had under production (namely, "Shadow Warrior," "Blood," }"Duke Nukem 3D," and "Ruins: Return of the Gods" [this latter was later }cancelled], all of which use the "build" engine) moved under the 3D Realms label. [2.2] History of specific games [2.2.1] Terminal Velocity Written by Mark Randel, the lead programmer of Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0, Terminal Velocity was the first game ever to be released under the 3D Realms label. The slide show was released on April 4, 1995, and the game itself followed on May 1. And thus, 3D Realms emerged into the "realm" of the computer gaming world. There's a second distinguishing fact about Terminal Velocity; namely, that it made the cover of the April 1995 issue of the gaming magazine, "Computer Player." This is the first time in the history of computer gaming that a shareware game made the cover of a popular gaming magazine before its release. In the article, many praising comments are made: "The 3D environments are simply breathtaking. Utilizing cutting-edge real-time techniques, the graphics engine creates worlds that are like nothing seen before in computer games." And, "A great deal of attention was spent to balance the fast action with the spectacular environment. Terminal Velocity has achieved what many have unsuccessfully tried in the past: an incredible combination of scenery and game play." There are two noteworthy remarks contained in 3D Realms' initial press release for the game. One is, "Climb into Terminal Velocity now, and you'll never go back to flight simulators that offer combat as an 'option.'" Wrapping up 3D Realms' plot synopsis is the comment, "You're outgunned, outmanned, and strapped into a flying coffin. But just think how good 'Saved the Known Galaxy' will look on your resume." [2.2.2] Blood What follows is a slightly modified account of the history of Blood as told by Peter Freese, vice president of Q Studios. Blood is a 3D action horror game that pits your wits and skill against the undead denizens of several ghastly worlds. It is being developed by Q Studios and will be published by 3D Realms. Q Studios is a game development company located out of Redmond, Washington, and was formed by peter Freese and Nick Newhard during the summer of 1994 in order to create Blood as well as other games. Presently, Nick Newhard is the president of Q Studios, and Peter Freese is the vice president. Both take an active part in Blood's development. Blood was originally conceived by Nick Newhard in late 1993, with the idea of being something like a 3D Gauntlet-style game. Nick was researching 3D engines at the time and decided to leave a programming position at Edmark Corporation (developing educational games) to begin work on the project with Chris Rush, artist and longtime friend. Nick's idea was to develop a networked game that would be PC based and run in arcades. A deal was made with Apogee to work on the game and set up "Apogee West," a West coast division of Apogee that would recruit and work with local talent. In the spring of 1994, the situation changed somewhat as Apogee/3D Realms decided they wanted Nick to work exclusively on the project rather than setting up Apogee West. By this time, the game had moved to being a shareware release and the concept had taken on a horror theme. Peter Freese began working part-time, doing some of the programming. In late spring, Chris Rush left the project. Throughout the summer, Nick and Peter began discussing the formation of a company. In July, Kevin Kilstrom and Erik Klokstad, both artists, were hired. In October, Erik left, and Peter started working full-time. Q Studios became incorporated in November 1994. Artist Terry Hamel was hired in June 1995 and level designer Jay Wilson (aka "Shade") in August. The music and sound effects will be produced by LoudMouth. Blood uses what's called the "build" engine, which is the 3D rendering technology behind it. This was written by Ken Silverman, who also wrote "Ken's Labyrinth," a 3D game with a Wolfenstein-like engine published by Epic Megagames some years ago. He has been working for 3D Realms creating the build engine since late 1993. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [3] Lists - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [3.1] Games Please note that this information is constantly changing, especially when new games are added to the list of 3D Realms products. Some of the information given here could become out of date rather quickly. [3.1.1] What games are currently available from 3D Realms? A list of 3D Realms games follows. The filename given is the file -- on CompuServe, BBS's, and the Internet -- which contains the first episode of each game. On CompuServe, there are no numbers or punctuation in the filenames at all. The price given is the cost of the *complete* game with all episodes. The "Ep" field contains the number of episodes in the complete version. The "Ver" field contains the latest version number of the game. "Gph" is the best graphics mode that the game utilizes. Name Size Genre Filename Price Ep Ver Gph ---- ---- ----- ------------ ------ -- --- --- Terminal Velocity 3955k 3DSho 3dtv12.zip $39.95 3 1.2 SVGA*= * - There is a disk based version of Terminal Velocity, available for $29.95, which contains everything on the CD except for the cinematics, high-res textures, the bonus planet, and the extra shareware games. The CD version of Terminal Velocity is $39.95. Version 1.0 of the shareware version does not contain SVGA support. ~ - These games contain some measure of graphic violence, and may be unsuitable for young game players. Each has an official notice about violent content. = - There's a Dwango client for Terminal Velocity, available as TVDWANGO.ZIP, which allows you to play Terminal Velocity on a Dwango network. The Dwango client software is included in all versions of TV 1.2 and the registered version of 1.1. This separate client is only necessary if you have a version of TV different from one of these. [3.1.2] The games are too big to download! Are there "split" versions? There are split versions of the larger games available at Software Creations and on the Internet. Other forums do not carry the split versions. Game Split Filenames ---- --------------- Terminal Velocity 3dtv12a.zip 3dtv12b.zip 3dtv12c.zip [3.1.3] What upgrade patches are currently available? These are the upgrades that are available on BBS's and networks only; if you need an upgrade that isn't listed, call 3D Realms. The "S/R" field says whether the patch is for the shareware or registered version of the game. Filename Game S/R From To -------- ---- --- ---- --- tv12cdpt.zip Terminal Velocity CD Registered 1.1 1.2 tv12fdpt.zip Terminal Velocity Disk Registered 1.1 1.2 tv12swpt.zip Terminal Velocity Shareware 1.1 1.2 tv11spt.zip Terminal Velocity Shareware 1.0 1.1 [3.1.4] Hardware requirements and support [Terminal Velocity] Required: 486DX-40, VGA, 8 megs RAM (4 megs for v1.0) Recommended: 486DX2-66 (486DX4-100 for SVGA), VGA, 8 megs RAM (12 megs for hi-res textures; 16 megs for hi-res textures and SVGA), Local Bus Features: 8 player network play, modem play, null modem cable play, control config, 4 skill levels, saved games Notes: On my 486DX-33, this game runs with a small but tolerable frame rate with no noticeable slowdowns except when entering or exiting tunnels. [3.1.5] Which of 3D Realms' games are good? What follows is a series of evaluations for each game. Ratings are given on a scale of 1-10, 5 being the minimum "good" rating. (A rating of 10 does not mean perfection, for in the gaming world, perfection is never achieved; someone will always come out with something better later.) Ratings are given for different categories. For all but the last category, the ratings are my own personal ratings. The final category contains the results of the rating system, whereby game players far and wide may contact me via Internet email with their own evaluations of each game. To send your own evaluations, please see the instructions and rules in the next section. For the "Grph" field, the letter indicates (T)ext, (C)GA, (E)GA, (V)GA, or (S)VGA. "Snd" is sound. "Msc" is music. The "Enem" field rates how unique and interesting the enemies are. The "Lvl" field rates the design of the levels. The "Game" field rates the gameplay, or how well the game "works" as a game. The "Overall" field is not an average, but rather how lastingly enjoyable the game is to play. The "Vote Results" field gives two values: the first is the average rating from the voting system; the second is the number of people who have given ratings for that particular game. Name Grph Snd Msc Enem Lvl Game Overall Vote Results ---- ---- --- --- ---- --- ---- ------- ------------ Terminal Velocity V 9 5 4 5 6 6 6 5.0 1 [3.1.5.1] Rules of the voting system To send in your votes, send mail to one of: ss1@christa.unh.edu or stoddard@ctron.com. Include something on the order of "3D Realms Votes" in the subject line. The body of the message should contain one or more Apogee games that you're voting on, one vote per game. Your vote will be a rating from 1 through 10, inclusive. Use whole numbers -- the decimals in the results are given for accuracy. Include one vote per line, something like this: 10 Terminal Nukem 8 Shadow Velocity 6 Blood Warrior 3D The games you can vote on are those listed in the above section ONLY. Don't vote on non-3D Realms games, discontinued 3D Realms games, or beta versions of yet to be released 3D Realms games. So what will your votes do? Your votes will be averaged in with all the other votes. The average and the total number of voters will be listed in the ratings section. Your votes will be taken into consideration for the next release of the 3D Realms FAQ, and, from then, forever after. There is no need to resend votes unless you want to change a vote. [3.2] Past projects [3.2.1] Working titles of 3D Realms games Sometimes, over the course of a game's development, the game's title can change, once, twice, or more. Here is a list of some of 3D Realms' games with their former titles. Terminal Velocity Velocity Brawl }[3.2.2] Cancelled projects } }Frequently, projects that get started never get finished. This can happen for }a number of reasons. Legal problems is one common cause; slow progress and }little promise is another. What follows is a list of projects that, for one }reason or another, never saw the light of day. Dates are approximations of }the time each game spent under development. } }Game Genre Date Comments }---- ----- ---- -------- }Ruins: Return of the 3D Action 1994-5 } Gods [3.3] Previews [3.3.1] What slide shows are currently available? Filename Gph Game(s) -------- --- ------- dnswshot.zip VGA Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior tvshow.zip VGA Terminal Velocity }Two shots of "Shadow Warrior" are available in Apogee's Hocus Pocus slide }show; however, these shots are very old and do not look anything like the }final product will. In addition, there are two early shots of the cancelled }project "Ruins: Return of the Gods." } }There are five Duke3D shots in the Terminal Velocity v1.1 archive, and five }different shots in the TV v1.2 archive. There are twelve on the TV registered }CDs, but ten of them are the same five and five that are mentioned here. }There are seven more in the DNSWSHOT.ZIP file. As for Shadow Warrior, there }are ten shots on the TV registered CDs and four more in the DNSWSHOT.ZIP file. [3.3.2] What are 3D Realms' upcoming releases? Game Genre Release Date ---- ----- ------------ } Shadow Warrior 3D Action Winter 1995/1996 Duke Nukem 3D 3D Action Winter 1995/1996 Blood 3D Action Winter 1995/1996 Prey 3D Action 1996 And from Apogee: XenoPhage: Alien Bloodsport Fighting Winter 1995 Stargunner Shooter Winter 1995/1996 Ravager Platform Spring 1996 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [4] The Almanac - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [4.1] Release dates What follows are lists of games and slide shows and the dates they were released. The lists are not complete. [4.1.1] Games Game Version Date Released ---- ------- ------------- Terminal Velocity 1.2 07/07/95 Terminal Velocity 1.1 05/30/95 Terminal Velocity 1.0 05/01/95 * * - This indicates the first U.S. release of the game. [4.1.2] Slide shows Game Date Released ---- ------------- Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior 08/11/95 Terminal Velocity 04/04/95 * * - This indicates the first U.S. release of a slide show of the particular game. [4.1.3] Miscellaneous Product Filename Associated With... Date Released ------- -------- ------------------ ------------- TV Dwango Client tvdwango.zip Terminal Velocity 06/19/95 [4.2] Cast of characters [4.2.1] Heroes Game Name Comments ---- ---- -------- }Duke Nukem 3D Duke Nukem His third adventure. [4.2.2] Villains Game Villains ---- -------- [4.3] Behind the scenes [4.3.1] Programmers Name Games ---- ----- Allen H Blum III Major Stryker* Duke Nukem 3D^ Peter Freese Blood^ } Frank Maddin Crystal Caves* Monster Bash* Realms of Chaos* Shadow Warrior^ Nick Newhard Blood^ Jim Norwood Bio Menace* Shadow Warrior^ Mark Randel Terminal Velocity Todd J Replogle The Thor Trilogy* Monuments of Mars* Dark Ages* Duke Nukem I* Cosmo's Adventure* Duke Nukem II* Duke Nukem 3D^ Ken Silverman Shadow Warrior^ Duke Nukem 3D^ Blood^ * - An Apogee game. + - An id game. ^ - Not yet released. [4.3.2] Artists Name Games ---- ----- Karl Hagood Terminal Velocity Terry Hamel Blood^ Drew Haworth Terminal Velocity Brad Heitmeyer Terminal Velocity Stephen A Hornback Major Stryker* Cosmo's Adventure* Duke Nukem II* Rise of the Triad* Terminal Velocity Duke Nukem 3D^ Mark Humphrey Terminal Velocity Chuck Jones Rise of the Triad* Shadow Warrior^ Duke Nukem 3D^ Dirk Jones Realms of Chaos* Duke Nukem 3D^ Kevin Kilstrom Blood^ Erik Klokstad Blood^ Jim Norwood Jumpman Lives!* Secret Agent* Crystal Caves* Duke Nukem I* Bio Menace* Shadow Warrior^ Ray Rodrigeuz Terminal Velocity Chris Rush Blood^ Terry Simmons Terminal Velocity James Storey Rise of the Triad* Terminal Velocity Duke Nukem 3D^ * - An Apogee game. + - An id game. ^ - Not yet released. [4.3.3] Musicians Name Games ---- ----- Lee Jackson Rise of the Triad* Duke Nukem 3D^ Bobby Prince Major Stryker* Keen: Galaxy* Keen: Aliens+ Cosmo's Adventure* Bio Menace* Wolfenstein 3D* Spear of Destiny+ Duke Nukem II* Blake: Aliens* Blake: Strike* Rise of the Triad* Realms of Chaos* Duke Nukem 3D^ Kyle Richards Terminal Velocity * - An Apogee game. + - An id game. ^ - Not yet released. [4.3.4] Sound engine programmers Name Games ---- ----- Jim Dose' Hocus Pocus* Wacky Wheels* Boppin* Rise of the Triad* Realms of Chaos* XenoPhage*^ Duke Nukem 3D^ Shadow Warrior^ Mark Randel Terminal Velocity * - An Apogee game. + - An id game. ^ - Not yet released. [4.3.5] Level designers Name Games ---- ----- Allen H Blum III Major Stryker* Duke Nukem I* Cosmo's Adventure* Duke Nukem II* Duke Nukem 3D^ Richard Gray Duke Nukem 3D^ Blood^ Tom Hall Keen: Vorticons* Keen: Galaxy* Keen: Aliens+ Wolfenstein 3D* Spear of Destiny+ Rise of the Triad* Prey^ Nick Newhard Blood^ Jim Norwood Bio Menace* Shadow Warrior^ Mark Randel Terminal Velocity Eric Reuter Shadow Warrior^ Joe Selinske Rise of the Triad* Terminal Velocity Shadow Warrior^ Jay Wilson Blood^ * - An Apogee game. + - An id game. ^ - Not yet released. [4.3.6] Producers Note: Scott Miller and George Broussard produced, co-produced, and/or executive produced _all_ 3D Realms and Apogee games, so they are not listed explicitly below. Name Games ---- ----- Tom Hall Rise of the Triad* Terminal Velocity Prey^ Greg Malone Shadow Warrior^ Duke Nukem 3D^ Nick Newhard Blood^ * - An Apogee game. + - An id game. ^ - Not yet released. }[4.3.7] Advertising Layouts } }Robert Atkins and Michael Hadwin are responsible for all Apogee/3D Realms }advertising layouts in magazines, manuals, flyers, and so forth. Originally, }Steve Maines held the position, but, when he left, he was replaced by Robert }Atkins. Michael Hadwin came aboard in the summer of 1995. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [5] Obtaining the Games - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [5.1] The Shareware Episodes [5.1.1] Software Creations BBS 3D Realms' home BBS is the Software Creations BBS. There are over a hundred lines. Apogee's games are released here and on their own web pages first before anywhere else in the world. The numbers are: Full Member High Speed Lines: 508 368-7139 14.4k Dual Std. USR 508 365-4616 16.8k Dual Std. USR 508 365-9352 28.8k Dual Std. Hayes 508 368-3424 28.8k Dual Std. USR Associate Member Lines: 508 365-2359 2400E Courier USR 508 368-7036 14.4k Dual Std. USR 508 365-2032 16.8k Dual Std. USR 508 368-6604 28.8k Dual Std. USR You can also reach Software Creations through the World Wide Web by connecting to the URL http://www.swcbbs.com/. [5.1.2] Anonymous FTP The official FTP site for 3D Realms is ftp.uml.edu. uml has several mirror sites which can be used in the event that uml is down or too crowded. Mirrors are generally updated on a daily basis. A list of sites follows: Site Name Directory Notes --------- --------- ----- ftp.uml.edu /msdos/games/3drealms the official site ftp.uwp.edu /msdos/games/3drealms uml mirror ftp.ulowell.edu /msdos/games/3drealms uml mirror wuarchive.wustl.edu /systems/msdos/msdos-games uml mirror ftp.uni-paderborn.de /pcsoft/msdos/games uml mirror ftp.sun.ac.za /pub/msdos/uml uml mirror nctuccca.edu.tw /Ulowell/msdos uml mirror src.doc.ic.ac.uk /computing/systems/ibmpc/ uml mirror msdos-games/games [5.1.3] CompuServe Type "GO REALMS" at a ! prompt. The CompuServe forum is a combined forum, containing Apogee games as well as 3D Realms games. [5.1.4] America Online Use the keyword "3d Realms" to go to 3D Realms' forum. This same area also holds Apogee games. [5.1.5] Fidonet If you are a Fidonet SysOp, you can get 3D Realms' games on the Fido Filebone. Talk to your local filebone hub about the Apogee FDN areas. See FILEBONE.NA for more information. Send netmail to 1:124/9006 for more information on these areas. [5.2] The Registered Episodes The registered versions of the software are the complete versions, and, as they are not shareware, cannot legally exist on public BBS's or FTP sites. The registered versions of the software must be purchased directly from 3D Realms or from one of 3D Realms' dealers. [5.2.1] Ordering information To order directly from 3D Realms, call 1-800-3DREALMS. The line is open 24 hours a day. Use the ORDER.FRM file, which comes with virtually all of 3D Realms' games, if you want to send in an order by mail. Send it to: 3D Realms Entertainment P.O. Box 496419 Garland, TX 75049 Or, you can fax a copy of your order to (214) 278-4670. Use a copy of the ORDER.FRM file. Please include a return fax number if you make use of this facility. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [6] Playing the Games - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - }[6.1] Network services } }[6.1.1] Dwango } }Terminal Velocity 1.2 and the registered version of 1.1 were shipped with }Dwango client software; for other versions of TV, you can obtain the Dwango }client software by downloading the TVDWANGO.ZIP file from any official Apogee }area, or simply upgrading to version 1.2. All versions of Terminal Velocity }will work with Dwango if it has the client software installed. } }[6.1.2] TEN } }TEN (Total Entertainment Network) is a prominent online gaming service, which }provides multiplayer games via the Internet. While no 3D Realms games support }TEN at this time, the following upcoming games will: Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow }Warrior, and Blood. Most likely, Terminal Velocity will support TEN also. } }TEN is a service not yet publically available. You can visit TEN's web pages }by connecting to http://www.ten.net/ for more information. [6.2] Cheating 3D Realms has almost always made a point of putting cheats in their games, both documented and undocumented. Sometimes these cheats are available in all versions of the game; other times they are only available in the registered. Documented cheats are listed in the game manuals of the registered versions, and sometimes in the XXXXHELP.EXE files that come with both the shareware and registered versions of the games. The cheats listed in the complete cheat list are subdivided by category. The customer cheats are the cheats listed in the hint sheet, hint file, or game manual that comes with the game. Some of the games also have a debugging mode, which is not generally documented. Their original purpose is to aid in the beta testing of the game. Lots of times, however, the debugging mode is left intact, available for the regular game-player to use. Finally, there are technical support parameters, which are not really cheats, but are used to correct some technical problems. [6.2.1] Complete cheat list This section contains a variety of cheats from various 3D Realms games. It's as complete as is humanly possible to make it. Note that while the customer cheat keys are officially supported by 3D Realms, the debug keys are not. If you use the debug keys, 3D Realms cannot provide any support, since this alters game performance to a state where their standard support comments and issues might not apply. In short, neither 3D Realms or I can be held responsible for damage caused by usage of the debug keys. (Though, as a word of reassurance, I have never heard of such a thing happening, save where expressly noted below.) [Terminal Velocity] + Customer Cheat - The following cheats are available by typing in the given codes, one character at a time: trigods - Invincibility toggle. trishld - Restore shields. trinext - Skip to the next level. trihovr - Hover in place. trifir8 - Afterburner. maniacs - Afterburner. triburn - Fast afterburner. trscope - Toggles music oscilliscope. trframe - Count frames per second. trwarpX - (where X is a level #) Warp to level X of current episode. 3DREALM - "Smokin'"; power up everything. trifir9 - Thirty seconds of invisibility. trifir0 - Thirty seconds of invincibility. trifir1 - PAC ammo. trifir2 - ION ammo. trifir3 - RTL ammo. trifir4 - MAM ammo. trifir5 - SAD ammo (registered version only). trifir6 - SWT ammo (registered version only). trifir7 - DAM ammo (registered version only). + Extra Keys - Each of the following must be invoked from the main menu. If they don't work on their own, try holding [ctrl] down before pressing the desired letter. [Z] - Display benchmark statistics for your computer. [M] - Play a MOD file. [B] - Play a TVI animation file. [S] - Sound debug mode. [R] - Record a demo. [P] - Play a demo. [6.3] Secrets and other fun things Frequently, game programmers will embed little fun things into their games. Usually, these things would not crop up under ordinary game play. Sometimes it requires doing certain things, typing certain codes, or even activating the program on a particular day or time. Sometimes these little things are called "easter eggs." Below are some such things that can be found in some of Apogee's games, and the instructions for getting to them. [Terminal Velocity] }When you start a new game in the registered CD version, you can get to the }hidden planet by entering "Terminal" as your name and "Reality" as your }call sign. (Both of these are case sensitive.) The hidden planet is not in }the shareware version or the disk based registered version. Also, in level 3-1 of Terminal Velocity, fly close to the ground near the coordinates (63,227). You will see a photographic image of the Terminal Reality team. If you fly too high, the fog will obstruct the view. A clearer version of this can be found as a GIF file on the Terminal }Velocity CD in the PREVIEW directory. [6.4] Troubleshooting [6.4.1] Things to try first If you have a program with a 3D Realms game not starting correctly, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure your system meets the hardware requirements of the game. If they don't, you probably can't run the game without upgrading your hardware. Second, make sure you have the most recent version of the game. Many older versions of games have bugs that are fixed in the most recent versions. Third, if there is a XXXXHELP.EXE file that came with the game, read it. (Most registered 3D Realms games have such a file on the first game disk; with shareware versions, you might find it there and possibly in the directory the game was installed to as well.) This file will contain numerous common technical problems with their solutions. There are plans underway to make a file available on-line which will contain all the current versions of the technical support files in them. If the game is failing to start due to insufficient memory, you can try removing TSRs, or booting "clean." With MS-DOS 6.0 or greater, you can do this by holding down either the shift key or F5 while the system is booting. This causes your autoexec.bat and config.sys files to be bypassed. If you are running a memory manager, try removing the manager altogether; this seems to fix most problems 3D Realms games have with EMS/XMS memory. Additional suggestions on how to free up memory may be in the XXXXHELP.EXE file. Also, you may want to check the cheats section of this FAQ, as, for some games, it lists several technical support parameters you can pass to the game. Sometimes this fixes problems with certain pieces of hardware. If you've tried everything and still can't get a 3D Realms game to work correctly, contact 3D Realms' technical support services. These are listed under "Contacting 3D Realms." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [7] Contacting 3D Realms - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [7.1] By phone 3D Realms' technical support line is (214) 278-5655. It is open from 8am-6pm Central Time on Mondays through Friday. It is also closed for major national holidays and on the weekends. You can contact George Broussard at (214) 278-7828. [7.2] By fax 3D Realms' fax number is (214) 278-4670. Include a return fax number. [7.3] By snail mail Send mail to: 3D Realms Entertainment P.O. Box 496419 Garland, TX 75049 [7.4] Through networks You can contact a 3D Realms representative from the computer networks listed below by using one of the given addresses. Internet / 3d.realms@3drealms.com CompuServe / 102052,513 AOL / realms999 Fidonet / 1:124/9006 Rime / ->APOGEE ->1674 You can contact George Broussard on CompuServe at 73121,2743. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [8] Credits - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In no particular order, thanks to: - To Mitch Burton <bwizard@bga.com> for Terminal Velocity cheats. - To kcobain95@aol.com <Cary Liao> for Terminal Velocity secrets. - To Adam Williamson <adam@scss.demon.co.uk> for the Wolfenstein 3D FAQ and the Terminal Velocity FAQ. - To Zeuxis <zeuxis@wwa.com> for the Duke Nukem 3D FAQ. - To Peter Freese <74170.543@compuserve.com> for the history of Blood. - To Joe Selinske <joe.selinske@swcbbs.com> for information and suggestions. - To Joe Siegler <joe.siegler@apogee1.com> for the endless flow of wisdom he has actively and continually emanated in my direction. Apologies if I missed anyone. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -