$VER: DeepSpace User Docs Version 1.4 - DOS Instructions for playing Deep Space -------------------------------------------------- Deep Space is a Multi-Player, Multi-Node Space Role Playing Game. You will or could find yourself competing against other players online in "real time." The objective of the game is to make money and build your empire to be the strongest in the galaxy. One way to build your empire is to find a dead-ended sector (only one way into the sector), then create and fortify planets. The more you fortify, the less the chances are that your empire can be crushed by other players in the game. The fastest way to build a strong empire is to start a corporation and get other players to join. This way you can all work together at building the corporation's empire. To build a great empire takes lots of cash. There are rumors running around the galaxy that you can find contraband now and then. Hmmm, but where could one go and diker over prices to sell such stuff? Another rumor I've heard is that some of the Aliens have an enourmous amounts of wealth on their planet. But beware, some of them are also heavly fortified... +-----------+ | MAIN MENU | +-----------+ The Main Menu is available anytime during normal ship movement. To bring up the Main Menu, simply press the [?] key. Let's cover the commands available for this menu. [A] ATTACK - This option will only work if there is another ship in your current sector. If there are multiple ships, you will be asked which player you wish to attack. You will then enter the "Attack Sequence Simulator". Follow the instructions given. This can take some practice to get right - so make sure you are fighting someone less powerful than yourself. If the sysop set Auto-Attack = ON, the "Attack Sequence Simulator" will be disabled. *NOTE see 'Toggle Attack Mode' in the Information Menu. [B] Enter Black Hole - A black hole can be either in a stable or in a un- stable condition. If it is in a stable condition, you can enter the black hole and travel to the other end of the hole and back again without any problems. Beware entering an un-stable black hole! You could get your ship destroyed! [C] Communications - Takes you to the Communications Menu. [D] Data Base - Takes you to the Database Menu. [F] Fortify Sector - If you have Sector Protectors you can place them in a sector using this command. You can either set them to offensive or defensive tactics. If you set them to Offensive, they will immediately explode when an Explorers ship enters the sector on. Set to Defensive the Explorer is given the chance to leave before they explode. These can not be placed in or by sector 1. [H] Handle mines - This will allow you to drop or pickup mines in space. These are smart mines and won't blow up you go into the sector. You also can not drop them by or near sector 1. [I] Information - Takes you to the Information Menu. [L] Look at Borders - If you have a scanner on your ship this will allow you to scan your bordering sectors for Aliens, Players and etc.. [M] Move - This will just prompt you to enter a sector you wish to travel to. It will store this number in a buffer, for easy re-call, in case you have stopped before you got to your destination. You can also enter the sector number with out using [M]ove command, but it will not remember your sector number. [O] Orbit Planet - If a planet is in the sector where you are located, this option will allow you to choose to land on, or bomb the planet. To bomb the planet you will have to have Explosives that can be purchased at DeepSpace port in sector 1. [P] Port - If a trading port is located in the sector where you are located, this will allow you to buy or sell Isotrophic crystal, Replicators, & Cerium metals. If you do this while traveling between ports you can make a profit. If you are in sector 1 this command will allow you to port at DeepSpace. One turn will be taken for porting. [R] Corporation Menu - Takes you to the Corporation Menu [T] Launch Torpedo - If your ship is capable to carry Torpedoes & you have purchased one at the DeepSpace port in sector 1, use this command to launch one in an adjacent sector. They will cause havoc in that sector for approximately 15 seconds. [Q] QUIT GAME - Duhhh. +---------------------+ | COMMUNICATIONS MENU | +---------------------+ [E] Send private Space Mail - If you wish to send a note to another player with out anyone else reading it? Use this option. [H] Send string to online player - If the BBS you are calling has more that one line and another person is playing DeepSpace you can send upto an 80 character string to that player. The same goes if the Sysop is playing via CLI. [M] Message Base - This is where you can read/write messages that all other players in the game will be able to read. [R] Read private Space Mail - If you did not delete your private mail when logging on you can go re-read them using this option. [Z] Who is on now - This will let you know if any one else is playing the game at the same time as you are. If someone entered the game during the time you are on, you will also be notified. [Q] Main Menu - Will return you to the game. +----------------+ | DATA BASE MENU | +----------------+ [A] Use Port Automaton - A port automation will create a port in the sector you placed it. There can not be another port in the same sector. There is a limit to how many ports are allowed in the game also. If you can not make one due to the limit being maxed out, you will have to blow one up using explosives first before creating your own. As the owner you can make $$ from this port. It all depends on what kind of port you have & if the Sysop has it set for this option. [C] Clear/Add avoided sectors - This helps you remember what sector you do not want to go to. If you get blown up in a certain sector it will be automatically added to the list. You can also clear all sectors in the list. [D] Dump Cargo Bays - If you wish to empty your bays you can just be a "space litter bug". [G] Use Genesis - You have to buy these at the DeepSpace Port in sector 1. Find a good sector to create your planet. Planets are very vulnerable until you build up defenses around it and/or on it, but they can be worth it in the long run. There are several stages of development which add advantageous capabilities. Can you say, "teleport me to another planet". [K] Show known sectors - Your ships computer will display all of the sectors you have previously visited. [L] List Aliens - You can see a list of all Aliens showing their statistics. [M] Rank Players by Morality - See who is bad or good. [P] Launch Probe - You can select a destination sector for the probe to go to. It will show you what is in each sector along the way. It can also be easily destroyed by objects in a sector. [S] Toggle radio - If someone keeps badgering you from another node just turn your radio off. This will stop the messages. [U] Show unknown sectors - Your ships computer will display all the sectors you have not been to. [V] Show avoided sectors - Will display all sectors in your avoid list. [Z] Course Plotter - The computer can show you what route it would take from one sector to another. [Q] Go back to the game. +------------------+ | INFORMATION MENU | +------------------+ [A] Toggle ANSI - This will toggle your display mode. [L] List Planets - Will list all planets that belong to you and your Corporation (if you belong to one). [M] Show deployed Mines - Will list all mines you have placed in space that you own. (and Corporation if applicable) [P] Show deployed Protectors - Will list all Sector Protectors in space that you own. (and Corporation if applicable) [S] Stats - Will show your game statistics. [T] Toggle Attack Mode - Your Sysop can set the game to only run in Auto-Attack. If is set, this option will be ignored. If you attack an Alien or Explorer you will get a prompt (if Auto-Attack is disabled) Example: You select to attack an alien, you will see: Hit any key when your power is at optimum (10 is MAX) After hitting a key, numbers will be printed starting anywhere from 0 to 5 then go from there up to 10. If you have not pushed a key by the time 10 has been printed it will count backwards down to 1. Example: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Hit the space bar as close as possible to the number 10. This will give you the maximum offensive power for that attack wave. Your ship's offensive capabilities and the opponites defensive capabilities will effect how fast these numbers get printed to your screen. Your ability to fight will also be recorded for attacks against you from other Explorers and Aliens. If this is something you do not like, you can use Auto-Attack. When you attack someone, this sequence will be ignored. Although your results might not be as good as possible. [Q] Go back to the game.