Sysops Notes - Feature Summary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not in any particular order, the changes since the original release (and since some of the interim "beta" releases) are summarized below (an "*" represents new feature and/or change from ANY previous release, including "beta") * 1. supports 19200 baud modems * 2. sysop now has option to erase and reset alias name file when MOTU recycles game (default is to preserve alias name file) * 3. supports WILDCAT! (still BETA on this feature) * 4. supports PCBoard 14.x (still BETA on this feature) * 5. all alien groups move 6. faster (much faster!) combat routines 7. new class of players (arms dealers) * a.) arms dealers limited to 30 turns/day b.) when a player becomes an arms dealer or decides to quit being an arms dealer there are no more turns that day. 8. arms dealers can build Trading Posts * a.) trading posts cost 40,000 credits * b.) docking at a trading post is "free" (costs no turns) IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SELL -- otherwise 1 turn deducted. 9. Players may always return to and plunder a planet that THEY made (effective for planets created after installation of this code [or earlier "beta" version]) * 10. Player killing another player also receives 1/2 of killed player's cash (if any). 11. revised on-line help file (MOTU.DOC) 12. improved line noise filter * 13. if player becomes MOTU ... color graphics added to end of ANSI opening screen. * 14. maintenance routines speed up a lot. MAINTENANCE FIXES SINCE "MOTU TWO" FIRST RELEASED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * 15. (5/22/88) - FIXED BIT-MAPPED BUG that allowed warlords to land at planets in sectors 1-100. * 16. (5/23/88) - FIXED ANOTHER BIG BUG which arose when a player bought enough holds at a trading post to cause a promotion -- wrong record was updated -- VERY wierd stuff then began to happen! * 17. (5/28/88) - Fixed all problems (I HOPE!) using MOTU under WILDCAT! -- program had incorrectly read CALLINFO.BBS file -- NOTE: support is for version 1.12 NOT 1.11 (which has a different file format). * 18. (6/14/88) - higher rannked players when signing into game will be confronted with the re-appearance of the Alien's DEATHSTAR carrier (although it's actual identity will be masked, since it appears as an icy asteroid -- if the player insists on exploring the asteroid, although given many opportunities to break off, if they keep insisting, they will die!) The new MOTU.EXE is a "drop in" replacement for your old code -- no need to reset game of change any of your batch files IF you've been running a "full release" version. You will also want the new MOTUEDIT.EXE to edit some of the new features. If you rarely edit the game, then you may wish to continue using your old editor -- only the alien edit portion of it will now seem misleading. The new edit will also allow you to edit the type of mine held by a player and to "suspend" a players playing priveleges for a few days. If you've been running a demo version, then you should carefully review the other files in this arc to help ease the transition. The new MOTUREDO.EXE changes some of the port names and slightly alters some of the pathways when the game is recycled ... your old routine will still work fine, if you prefer to use it. If you've been running the demo version, then you never had the MOTUREDO routine -- copy it into your MOTU directory (that's all that's required) REGISTERED USERS NOTE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We try hard to respond almost immediately to bug reports from registered users ... registered users also have access to the latest code (if this is being mailed to you, you have the latest code at the time your disk is prepared) Contrary to any other notices, you MAY redistribute this archive, providing only that it is not resold for profit, nor is it modified. Registered users may call (703) 590-1441 [NOT PC pursuitable] if they have any installation problems, or wish to check for fixes and/or enhancements to this code If you are a registered user and receive a subsequent update, you may NOT distribute the update without specific authorization. This game is constantly modified as a result of user suggestions and Sysop comments. This game has been modified and tailored for the requirements of the DGS systems group - - details about the group may be obtained from Gregg Snyder's BBS -- the # is in the other docs. The last public release of this code was in May, 1988. The only routine that has subsequently changed is MOTU.EXE You may also make this EXE file available to any of your callers as an abbreviated archive -- but then warn them (please) that this EXE file expects them to be running the "full" version rather than any of the "demo" versions. If you are a registered user -- generally, $20 of your contribution will be forwarded onto the : American Cancer Society 124 Park Street, S.E. Vienna, Virginia 22180 (703) 938-5550 I will endeavor, in every case, to ask them to send YOU a confirmation of your contribution. Alternatively, if you ask me to send your disk "Federal Express" or equivalent, I'll be pleased to do that, with a corresponding reduction in the charitable contribution.