Instructions for playing Deep Space - Version 0.6 -------------------------------------------------- Deep Space is a Multi-Player, Multi-Node Space Role Playing Game. You will could find yourself competing against other players online in "real time." +-----------+ | MAIN MENU | +-----------+ The MAIN Menu is available anytime during normal ship movement. To bring up the Main Command Menu, simply press the [?] key. Let's cover the commands available at 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 has the Auto-Attack set to on for the game the simulator is disabled. *NOTE see 'Toggle Attack Mode' in the Information Menu. [B] 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. Beware entering a un-stable black hole! You could get 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 on offensive or defense tactics. They will immediately explode when a Explorers ship enters the sector on Offensive. Other- wise it will allow the Explorer to leave before exploding. These can not be placed in or by sector 1. [H] Handle mines - This will allow you to drop or pickup mines in space. You 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 borders for Aliens ect.. [M] Move - This will just prompt you to enter a sector you wish to travel to. It will store this number in a buffer in case you have stopped before you got there for easy re-call. Also just entering the sector number with out using [M]ove command will work also, but it will be unbuffered. [O] Orbit Planet - If a planet is in the sector you are located this will allow you to choose to land on, or bomb the planet. To bomb the planet you would have to have Explosives that can be purchased at Deep Space port in sector 1. [P] Port - If a trading port is located in the sector you are located you can use this option. Ports buy/sell Isotrophic crystal, Replicators, & Cerium metals. Doing this will allow you to make a profit by traveling between ports. If you are in sector 1 this command will allow you to land on Deep Space Port. [R] Corporation Menu - Takes you to the Corporation Menu [T] Launch Torpedo - If your ship is capable to carry Torpedoes & your have purchased one at the Deep Space 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 & the other person is playing DeepSpace you can send a 80 character string to that player. Or if the Sysop is playing via CLI. [M] Message Base - This is where you can read/write messages that all other players 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. [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. [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 on the list. [D] Dump Cargo Bays - If you wish to empty your bays you can just litter in space. [G] Use Genesis - You of course have to buy these at Deep Space Port in sector 1. Find a good sector to create your planet. Planets are very vulnerable until you build up defenses but they can be very worth it in the long run. There are several stages of dev- elopment which add advantageous capabilities. [K] Show known sectors - Your ships computer will display all the sectors you have previously visited. [L] List Aliens - You can see a list of all Aliens showing there stats. [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 easily be destroyed by objects in a sector though. [S] Toggle radio - If someone keeps badgering you on 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 you display mode. [L] List Planets - Will list all planets that belong to you & your Corporation (if you belong to a Corp). [M] Show deployed Mines - Will list all mines you have placed in space that you own. (And Corp if applicable) [P] Show deployed Protectors - Will list all Sector Protectors in space that you own. (And Corp if applicable) [S] Stats - Will show your stats [T] Toggle Attack Mode - Your Sysop can set the game to only run on Auto-Attack. If so this option will be irrelevant. If you attack an Alien or Explorer you will get prompted (if Auto- Attack is off) Hit any key when your power is at optimum (10 is MAX) After hitting a key, numbers starting from 5 or below to 10 will be printed. If you have not pushed a key by the time 10 has been printed it will start back 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 10. This will give you the maximum offensive power for that attack wave. Your ship's offensive capability & the opponites defensive capability will effect how fast these numbers are printed. Your ability to fight will also be recorded for attacks against you. If this is something you do not like you can use Auto-Attack. When you attack this sequence will be by-past. Although your results might not be as good as possible. [Q] Go back to the game.