+kheller2 Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 [Presented in Narrow40; Preserving the aspect ratio of the times] AR.CO 27-Jun-87 22967 Accesses: 95 Keywords: ALTERNATE REALITY AR CO CONFERENCE PRICE DATASOFT SCHOENBACH TEXT 1987 This is the edited transcript of the conference with PHILIP PRICE, author of Alternate Reality, that SIG*ATARI hosted on June 27, 1987 at 2:30 PM EDT. Also attending was DATASOFT who gave us a sneak preview on what software we can look forward to from them for the 8-bit. MUST READING! SIG*ATARI CONFERENCE with PHILIP PRICE and DATASOFT June 27, 1987 @ 2:30 PM EDT Moderated by: SYSOP*Dick Brudzynski [76703,2011] Edited Transcript by: SYSOP*Mike Schoenbach [76703,4363] Copyright © 1987 CompuServe Information System All Rights Reserved. User User ID Nod Rm Name / Forum Area ---- ------------ --- --- ----------------- 24 72337,146 CTC 18 Neil 40 76703,4363 LIS 18 Sysop Mike 42 72637,2347 AMT 18 TERRY W 76 76703,2011 WBR 18 sysop dick 78 76244,423 VAN 18 DATASOFT 79 72456,2717 QKE 18 DON WYMAN 80 76046,3106 SBR 18 Philip W. Price 91 76703,1052 CCA 18 Patrick @ Start 95 75216,214 LBC 18 Ken Neville (sysop dick) <Swinging gavel>..... (sysop dick) THX all for coming.... (sysop dick) our special guest today is Phil Price an author of one very popular game... (sysop dick) we also have DataSoft and START.... (sysop dick) Protocol is... (sysop dick) If you have a question hit "?".... (sysop dick) finish your question with a GA.... (sysop dick) I'll call on everybody in turn..... (sysop dick) When you're called upon..... (sysop dick) hit a "*" just so we know you haven't been dropped..... (sysop dick) OK, the floors open for questions.... (sysop dick) And I got the first one? (sysop dick) Phil, what can we see coming from the team in the future..... (sysop dick) Are Price and Gilbertson going to top their success with AR? (Phil Price) Well, the Good news is that AR is well and strong... (Phil Price) The bad news is that I do very little entertainment programming anymore... (Phil Price) I've talked with Gary lately and he is coming out... (Phil Price) with a Christmas music disc using Advanced Music Processor for the 8 bit Ataris... (Phil Price) The AR series will continue past the dungeon.... (Phil Price and I will be involved with the main plots etc... (Phil Price) We are also thinking of offering a older game of ours called... (Phil Price) the tail of beta lyrae to Atari in exchange for a couple of Mega Sts... (Phil Price) So that we can also start writing some programs for it, other than just conversions... (Phil Price) So I am getting back into the game business a little. ga. (sysop dick) THX! Phil. (Neil) Phil, I first wish to sa that I believe that AR is the BEST game ... (Neil) of it's type ever made. I wish to thank you STRONGLY for your work... (Neil) on this. I am sorry to hear that you won't be doing much more entertainment... (Neil) programming, but that is understandable. (DON WYMAN) Phil. It looks as though the sequels will not allow you to... (DON WYMAN) return to the city. Will this go against the original ideas... (DON WYMAN) you had? Also we talked by phone around xmas of 85. I really (Phil Price) SORRY FOLKS. WAS GONE FOR A SECOND. SOMETHING CRASHED. (sysop dick) hehehe.... (sysop dick) DON==>Better start over (DON WYMAN) enjoyed our conversation then. Nice to see you again. (Phil Price) please repeat message since my last response (Phil Price) sorry don. ga (DON WYMAN) Phil. We talked at xmas of 85. Nice to hear from you again... (DON WYMAN) The sequels will not allow you to return to the city... (DON WYMAN) will this be a problem with the original synopsis you had? (Phil Price) The 8 bit versions will not let you go back to the city. <sigh>... (Phil Price) But you will be able to on the 16 bit versions (st etc) (Phil Price) The original concept for the game was to ... (Phil Price) have the city and the dungeon as one game... (Phil Price) they city would be to get your feet wet and restock/resupply and learn spells... (Phil Price) and weapon train etc. The dungeon would be to go adventuring and solving mysteries... (Phil Price) The result was to get the city out originally without... (Phil Price) the dungeon... (Phil Price) The city was designed to bootstrap any of the other modules and the idea was... (Phil Price) to have the other modules allow the return to the city... (Phil Price) the changes made in the 2 years since the city came out... (Phil Price) caused it to be safer/better to allow a one time conversion of characters... (Phil Price) to the improved dungeon format. The 16 bit version of the city are already... (Phil Price) at that format To overcome the fact you can't go back to the city to resupply... (Phil Price) they created a mini-city in the dungeon on the first level... (Phil Price) The City though is still the best place to get a character started, and then explore the dungeon. ga (DON WYMAN) To echo Neil, Thanks for many months of enjoyable gaming. ga (Ken) Where did you get the orginal concept for AR? (Phil Price) From my experience with a couple of games... (Phil Price) Collapsar (Mines of Moria) on PLATO. back in '77... (Phil Price) Dungeons and Dragons by TSR . Iplayed it in the '70s (Neil) (WOW! Someone else actually played that game too!!) (Phil Price) Those were the main ones. And the many sf and fantasy books I have read over the decades. ga. (Phil Price) ouch> I am getting old!. ga. (sysop dick) One of the entertaining features of AR.... (sysop dick) is the great music..... (andy) I LOVE THE MUSIC! (sysop dick) Are there any future plans for the Advanced Music Processor? ga (Phil Price) At present Gary is going to release a disk full of original songs and christmas music... (andy) A AMP SONGS BE PLAYED ON ANY OTHER PROGRAM? (Phil Price) for christmas time. We will sell it from Paradise Programming for $10 dollars or so... (Phil Price) We may actually make some money!. <he he>. ga. (sysop dick) DON==>ga, <then neil and the Ken> (DON WYMAN) As the unofficial founder of the AR message section here, I have (DON WYMAN) enjoyed over 18 months of messages from over 100 AR players... (DON WYMAN) Some questions keep popping up. What is Acrinimirils gate and... (DON WYMAN) what or who is Xebec? I have searche many reference books and... (DON WYMAN) found only that xebec is some sort of Arabian sailboat. GA (Phil Price) I will answer those questions only in part because more would reveal too much... (Phil Price) The AR series of 7 games. city,dungeon,Arena,palace,wilderness,Revelation and destiny... (Phil Price) envolve a number of plots and subplots. (Phil Price) ... (Phil Price) The Gate was a spot where a Character from another dimension than AR arrived at... (Phil Price) The involvment of that character will be more revealed in the dungeon... (Neil) (Thorbadin, by chance?) (Phil Price) The orignation of the name came back to my days of playing AD&D andGDW... (Phil Price) Science fiction games. He was/is a powerful character that new many spells and... (Phil Price) was thrown into the future to a GDW scenerio. But found a way back. But his involvment in the ar ... (Phil Price) Words will be revealed as AR progresses and as you explore AR. ga. (Neil) Phil, did you get my first message, or were you gon?> (Sysop Mike) Please repeat it, Neil. (Phil Price) I might have been gone/hung up. ga niel (Neil) Anyway, I originally asked was AR orignally written for the Atari 8-bit?... (Neil) I first said that I feel rthat AR is the BEST game of it's type ever... (Neil) made. I have enjoyed countless hours of adventuring. ... (Neil) My next question was: By chance is the character who ... (Neil) you were just referring to Thorbadin (The guy who bit-off the dragon's hand)? (Phil Price) No. the character is Acrinimiril... (Neil) Then who is Thorbadin, or is that something to be learned? (Phil Price) The AR universe was first created on 8 bit Ataris over 2 years... (Phil Price) The conversions to the other systems were done by Ken,Dan,Jim and the rest of the Datasoft gang... (Phil Price) I amglad you have enjoyed the AR system, because that makes the 2 years... (Phil Price) worth the hard work envolved. Just like the 2 years Jim,ken and Dan have spent... (Phil Price) on the dungeon will be greatly rewarded for them by your enjoyment... (Phil Price) of it. (p.s. it is the BEST game I have ever seen) they made great improvements!... (Phil Price) The Dungeon with all of its plots and subplots and goal really exploit the AR game system to it's fullest and great fu (Phil Price) The Character who bit off the hand is a creation of Gary's and might be expanded upon in the future... (Phil Price) I won't say more about him at present. ga. (Ken) I haven't seen the song on my ST, but I think I remember one... (Ken) that says the floating gate may hold the key. Is the floating... (Ken) gate have anything to do with the end of the game? Also will... (Ken) the Advanced Music Processor ever be translated for the ST and... (Ken) will Gary's music ever be sold on sheets? GA (Phil Price) I can talk to Gary about the Sheet music... (Phil Price) The AMP for the ST would depend on me and Gary finding a way to but/get a Mega st... (Phil Price) The floating gate itself is a subtle clue to the major AR plot, and the end of the ... (Phil Price) dungeon will reveal more clues. The biggest clues will arrive... (Phil Price) at the wilderness and of course revelation... (Phil Price) will reveal much about the major plots... (Phil Price) With destiny allowing you to choose your answer to the AR question. ga. (DON WYMAN) Other questions from the message section. What is Invul. Air,... (DON WYMAN) Earth and why doesn't Treasure finding show up on the ST ... (DON WYMAN) version. GA (Phil Price) Jim can best answer the question on treasure on the 16 bit St version... (Phil Price) Invulnerability Air etc will have to be explained in a little detail... (Phil Price) The AR system has not only 'magic' but many classes of 'magic'.... (Phil Price) There are Air,water,earth,fire,Power,sharp,blunt, and other forms... (Phil Price) This allows a greater variety of magical interaction... (Phil Price) Invulnerability literally ups you defense for that form of magic.... (Phil Price) to such a degree that you are invulnerable to it.... (Phil Price) It has a limited duration and only effects attack at you by those forms. (DON WYMAN) Jim, how about Treasure finding on the ST. (DATASOFT) The St version has Treasure finding potions... (DATASOFT) but not of the caliber found in the 8 bit... (DATASOFT) versions. It wasn't that much an advantage .. (DATASOFT) in the ST version. ga (Neil) My, your answers bring out more questions... (Neil) From what you just said, it appears that the Dungeon will have a ... (Neil) fixed "ending". Is this correct? If so, ... (Neil) will the next version come out any sooner, so your customers (not... (Neil) myself, of course) won't loose interest? (DATASOFT) The Dungeon has a finale, though it is a "non-linear" type of game... (Phil Price) When discussing the plots with DAtasoft when the dungeon was first started... (DATASOFT) That is, the are many ways to the final goal. The final goal (DATASOFT) does not preclude additional playabilty in the Dungeon, there ... (Phil Price) the object was to create a number of ways to solve the questions/goals of the dungeon... (DATASOFT) are many subgoals. We will not take as long for additional.. (Phil Price) There is a final goal as Datasoft is saying but there are a number of other goals and not all. (DATASOFT) scenarios, because it is simply not cost effective ga (sysop dick) Putting together a major project such as AR takes a lot of planning and.... (sysop dick) organization... (sysop dick) Phil, do you have any tips for budding authors here on the Forum.... (sysop dick) about how they should go about writing their own works and finding.... (Phil Price) Well, <hehe> To look at Game design as a ... (sysop dick) a publisher? ga (Phil Price) money making process is not the way to ... (Phil Price) reality. If you take a example of Starflight for the IBm... (Phil Price) You will see they said it took 15 man years to develope... (Phil Price) If take what a professional programmer can make with a regular job... (Phil Price) from 30-50K..... (Phil Price) and multiply it by 15 man years.... (Phil Price) You will see that they would have to have a return of over half a million to make the... (Phil Price) same as they would have on a regular job... (Phil Price) that measn the publisher would have... (Phil Price) to sell 3-6 million dollars worth... (Phil Price) Not very common. The needs to write a sucessful... (Phil Price) program depend on whether you want it to be a comercial success or ... (Phil Price) state of the art... (Phil Price) The two together are hard to do... (Phil Price) For comercial sucesss the easier it is... (Phil Price) to port to other systems the better... (Phil Price) For state of the art the more it uses the... (Phil Price) features of each system the better. Also... (Phil Price) machine language creates a better if less portabile program... (Phil Price) So you can see it is hard to balance all of them to make a successful game... (Phil Price) But I am sure Datasoft and other companies are gald to see good programs. ga. (Ken) What can you say we can look forward to in the Wilderness?... (Ken) I had a little problem with version 1.2 on my ST, and it gave... (Ken) me 255 skill. Any way to correct it? I feel like I am ... (Ken) cheating every time I play cause I never get hit. Also I (Ken) suggest sell Alternate Reality t-shirts. GA (Phil Price) We had AR tee shirts in the past... (sysop dick) Data then Phil! (DATASOFT) Weknow about the bugs in 1.2ST, that's why there 2.0ST... (DATASOFT) There is know way to cleanse the 1.2 character. Get ... (DATASOFT) 2.0ST and have less problems. ga (sysop dick) Phil==>Want to pick it up? ga (Phil Price) ok. The wilderness is farther away in my plots than the Arena... (Phil Price) The Arena would have a number of features never seen on a commercial game... (Phil Price) The wilderness will allow you to explore and search the AR world outside the City.... (Phil Price) Till you discover the route to the Revelation. ga. (DON WYMAN) Phil; when we talked on the phone (Dec. '85), you said that... (DON WYMAN) you were not able to incorporate all that you wanted in the... (DON WYMAN) City version (8-bit). Is the ST version closer to what you had... (DON WYMAN) envisioned? GA (Phil Price) Yes. Though even the 16 bit version doesn' have all the features, it has ... (Phil Price) most of the ideal AR features. The dungeon... (Phil Price) Goes a long way for the 8 bit version into... (Phil Price) having more of the Ideal features of AR. (DATASOFT) I just want to point out that Phil is playing the C64... (DATASOFT) version of the Dungeon. We have tried to incorporate... (Phil Price) the commie version. <hehe> (DATASOFT) the high asperations that Phil wanted in the... (DATASOFT) City. We are very proud of the Dungeon and just to.... (DATASOFT) answer the next question, the Atari 8 is just around... (DATASOFT) the corner. (We have had a few delays.)... (DATASOFT) The dungeon is a product of Phil Prices ideas and... (DATASOFT) the comments of the City users. The wilderness will... (DATASOFT) be a similiar progression. ga (Neil) These questions are more or Datasoft: (Neil) Why is the C-64 vesion of the City so poorer in quallity... (Neil) in particular the Music, and the lack of 2 drive support (My roommate is (Neil) sitting here watchin, and he owns a c-64). Also, will future versions.. (Neil) of AR support RAMDISKS? GA (DATASOFT) Since, Phil wrote this specifically for the Atari... (DATASOFT) there was losses in the translation. In contrast, the Dungeon.. (DATASOFT) was developed concurrntly for the 8 bit machines. Hopefully, (DATASOFT) the individual versions will be the best they can be for ... (DATASOFT) each system. We (Me, John) wrote the C64 DOS. Presently, I don't... (DATASOFT) have a way of supporting 2 drives... (DATASOFT) To finish this statement, you will find in the Atari version a (DATASOFT) graphics development we call 6+ art. It allows us to have bitmaps... (DATASOFT) with 128 colors with 6 colors per scan line. We think this will be.. (DATASOFT) an exceptional enhancement for the Atari player. ga (Ken) Did those funny characters that flashed after you died in... (Ken) 8 bit version mean anything or were they there to confuse us? ga (Phil Price) They have a meaning... (Phil Price) But if I told you what they meant that... (Phil Price) Would spoil the rest of AR until Destiny... (Phil Price) Though something that is simliar to one of the... (Phil Price) characters will be found in the dungeon... (Phil Price) on the final goal/plot of the dungeon. .. (Phil Price) They may not be noticable simliar, but are realted to .... (Phil Price) the final situation you will be in on Destiny... (Phil Price) for now they are just a mystery for the people experiencing AR. ga. (DON WYMAN) As a runner-up in the "Most Awesome" AR character contest ... (DON WYMAN) (thorex level 14) I want to thank Phil for the most ... (DON WYMAN) entertaining and engrossing simulation since the Ultima series... (DON WYMAN) I also want to thank Datasoft for bringing it to us. More later. (sysop dick) Here's one for the nice folks at DataSoft: ... (Phil Price) Thanxs. I really appreciate the letters and calls I've gotten from everyone. ga. (sysop dick) Over the years DataSoft has been one of the best reasons for owning an 8-bit.... (sysop dick) Atari.... (sysop dick) From Zaxxon to AR to Mercenary to CrossCheck..... (sysop dick) it's been a great association.... (sysop dick) Can you gives us some hints as to what you have coming out from DATASOFT... (sysop dick) in the near future that 8-bit users can look forward to? GA (DATASOFT) You can expect (in addition to the Dungeon, of course) VIDEO TITLE SHOP... (DATASOFT) a utility for titling graphics and producing video titles. We have under.. (DATASOFT) development TOMAHAWK (a helicoptersimulation), FORCE 7 (a gaunlet like... (DATASOFT) game), BISMARK - The North Sea (a battleship simulation) and TOBRUK - a... (DATASOFT) war strategy game and few others that I won't mention at this time. ga (sysop dick) I'll be waiting at my dealer's shop! (Larry Emery) PHIL, to Gary, after being so enthralled by the ar music (Larry Emery) I was wondering if the AMP was commercially avail? ga (Phil Price) The AMP is not commercially available... (Larry Emery) Aww! (Phil Price) But on this forum you can find the AMP 11.4 player... (Phil Price) Which if someone new how too construct AMP songs will play them... (Phil Price) The AMP songs are constructed using a set of... (Phil Price) macros for AMAC assembler, And knowing the... (Phil Price) Orignating place for music to be played... (Phil Price) Only Gary understands how to use all of... (Phil Price) the macros/commands I created for him to use... (Phil Price) Even I don't. hehe. ga. (Neil) Phil, I must asay tat I think your idea of putting your name in the ... (Neil) map of the City was "original"! I won't tell you how long ... (Neil) I sat there trying to figure out what was going on there. It wasn't ... (Neil) until Don here told me, and "POOF" there it was! ... (Neil) Also, in the City, there are numerous areas that we can't get into... (Neil) (such as the 10x10 squares heading west from the center).. (Neil) Were those designed that way, or perhaps had some future plan in mind. GA (Phil Price) They are part of the city... (Phil Price) But they can only be accessed through... (Phil Price) the arena... (Phil Price) They include some weapon trainers, guilds (Like the Mercenary Guild)... and other... (Phil Price) things. But the guilds and weapon trainers.... (Phil Price) Are not installed just like as with the rest of the 8 bit... (Phil Price) city. Jim, Are they available on the 16 bit? or were they removed . ga. (Neil) Tha's not exactly what I asked.. (Phil Price) Repeat the question then..? ga. (Neil) i was referring more to... (Neil) the small areas, suc as the 10X10 squares, like near the Lost Tears tavern.. (Phil Price) Oh. they just are solid rock. ga. (Neil) or the closed-off areas around the Red Wizards guild. OK Thanks. (Ken) Back to the symbols, is one of them supposed to be a "face"?... (Phil Price) yes. ga. (DON WYMAN) Will there be more interaction between the character and the (Ken) And why are they missing from the ST version? And will they... (DON WYMAN) residents in future sequels. (sysop dick) Take it DataSoft (Phil Price) yes. there is a lot more interaction in the dungeon. its 10 to 100 times better than the city. (DON WYMAN) Thanks. ga (DATASOFT) As Phil can attest to, the is much more interaction in the DUngeon. ga (Neil) For Datasoft again: Will future versions of AR support the C-128 computer (Not the 64 mode of it) GA (Neil) (Darn roomate bugging me..) (sysop dick) Take it, DataSoft! (DATASOFT) No. The C64 is the market to support. It's a matter of economics... (DATASOFT) The C128 will only gain us RAM. The C64 graphics are what we want... (DATASOFT) to support. ga (Ken) Why are the symbols not in the ST version. And will the area.. (Ken) behind the arena be accessible in the 16 bit versions? ga (Phil Price) The symbols on the Atari 8 bit where left over spots on my font... (Phil Price) So i put a very mild clue to AR in there... (Phil Price) Jim at Datasoft probably didn't know (cause I probably didn't tell them)... (Phil Price) that the Face was a mild clue. ga. (sysop dick) This has been a great CO! Would we like to adjourn the formal session ... (sysop dick) (Just in case phil and the folks have families)..... (sysop dick) and continue our discussion informally? ga (DON WYMAN) Thanx Phil and Datasoft. It was a real pleasure. Keep up the (DON WYMAN) good work. (Ken) Phil, how about a game of AD&D? hahaha Thanks Phil. (Phil Price) Okey, I will hang around for a while. But will leave later as my long distant phone bill gets to be a nightmare. hehe. (sysop dick) I'd like to thank.... (sysop dick) PHIL and the folks from DataSoft for being so nice as.... (sysop dick) to spend some of their "day off" with us..... (sysop dick) I'd like to remind everybody that we have.... (sysop dick) three disks of spectacular AMP music in DL 6..... (sysop dick) (courtesy of PHIL).... (sysop dick) which you can retrieve with the command .... (sysop dick) BRO AMP??? [ At this point the Conference broke up into informal discussions ] Press <CR> to continue ! [76703,4363] AR.CO 27-Jun-87 22967 Accesses: 95 Disposition ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 [70656,1151] AR.CO 19-Sep-87 33809 Accesses: 71 Keywords: AR ALTERNATE REALITY CO THE CITY THE DUNGEON Transcript of the Alternate Reality CO held in Gamers' Forum on September 16, 1987. Guests from IntelliCreations/Datasoft were John Butrovich (Software Design Manager) Dan Pinal and Ken Jordan (designers/programmers). Enter command, N for next file or <CR> for disposition menu ! The following is an edited transcript of the Alternate Reality CO, held on CompuServe's Gamers' Forum on September 16, 1987. Guests from Intellicreations/ Datasoft were John Butrovich, Dan Pinal, and Ken Jordan. (Serena/RPG SL) Okay! Folks, we're now formal, so please hold your questions/comments for the time being, and I'll be taking names for the question period shortly <grin>. Right now, I'd like to welcome you all to the Alternate Reality CO, with thanks to Nightie for arranging it. Our special guests tonight are John Butrovich of IntelliCreations/Datasoft, and Ken Jordan and Dan Pinal, game designers/programmers for AR. John, would you like to say a few words? (John Butrovich) Well, I think we all know why were here... I hope we don't disappointed anybody with our answers. Hopefully, we'll provide you with some insight into AR and better your playing experience. (That's a mouthfull!) (Serena) Dan and/or Ken, any opening remarks? (Dan&Ken) Just one. If you have the Dungeon but don't have V2.1... Get it! And if you don't have the Dungeon... Get it! (Serena) All right, Sean, start us off. (Sean Kelly) To anyone, today I just got a program that modifies my Atari City disk and opens up doors beyond those 8 or so doors on the N Main St. There's a mercenary guild back there! Why was this locked out before? (John Butrovich) Phil had designed it to be unlocked by the Arena and Palace scenarios. The Palace scenario was envisioned to allow the player to modify the City-scape - sort of a city commissioner or something. So he half-filled in those vacant lots with "shops" to be opened later. (Sean Kelly) <thanks!> (Serena) Okay. Joni, you're next. (Joni) Is there any possibility of transferring characters from one computer to another? I bought a different computer while waiting for The Dungeon. (Dan&Ken) Not at this time but it may be possible to take Dungeon characters from one 8 bit to another 8 bit without much hassle. (Joni) I have Atari and Apple II--how would I do it? (John Butrovich) How much are you willing to pay fora utility that could do it (or for the service). It is easier said than done. (Joni) I'd pay $20? (John Butrovich) We'll kick it around on how to make such a transfer possible. At this time, we're in the position to direct the 16 bit implementation and make provisions from day one. (Laurel Gonzalez) I should think it would be easier to do from the same maker, say a c64 to an amiga...no? (John Butrovich) no, not really. The format of the characters are more alike on the size of CPU than manufacturer. (Dan&Ken) Going from 8 to 16 bit is not practical at this time because of data format and possible enhancements. (Serena) Magic Man, you're up. (Magic Man) In the instruction manual that came with the Dungeon, it says that your Dungeon chr. can be used in future scenarios of AR. Will a City chr. be able to go directly into those scenarios, or will they first have to enter the Dungeon? (Dan&Ken) City characters will be transformed into the current format. (Magic Man) In the Dungeon, there are some areas that teleport you to others. Do these area take up a block on the map I'm making? (Dan&Ken) Yes, teleporters always occupy a square. (Magic Man) Thanks. (Serena) Okay, John M., you're next. (JOHN MORALES) thanks Serena. for JB, why is it taking 4 to 6 weeks for recuts? as you know there has been mass hysteria at the atari sig about the intro of a non working piece of software. (John Butrovich) The time it takes to re-cut a disk is varied. There is a user claiming a 3-4 **DAY** turnaround. The mail adds in time and we have to hang on to the disks until a production run. Our duplication handles in a timely and businesslike fashion. Yours should be out if we have had it over a week. We are in California, where the sun is just setting. I would indulge you to wait. I can inquire about your recut tomorrow - but no promises. John Morales from NY - right? (JOHN MORALES) yes..thank you second ? ok JB after using the PAC card is this possibly the end or one of them (Dan&Ken) End of what?? (John Butrovich) This is a Ken/Dan ? ga guys try to explain PAC cards. (JOHN MORALES) the game and yes explain as I know there is only one place to use the card I have completed all four levs. (Serena) (What's a PAC card?) (Dan&Ken) The Portal Access Card is only use in one place in the DUNGEON... (JOHN MORALES) right the alien cont room.. (Dan&Ken) if you have gotten to the entrance to Revelation you've made it through the Dungeon and can bide your time waiting for us to write some more scenerios. (JOHN MORALES) doing what great help I got through it or me and my part in one week...I do say it is a great game and also why is there so much disk access time on the atari ver as apposd to the c128. (Dan&Ken) There is only some much memory in these computers and the only way to put enough stuff in a game like this is to make full use of the disk drive. There is 400K+ code/compacted data in the Dungeon. We try to make life easier for those with 128K by minimizing the disk access with cache. (John Butrovich) That's my BOSS (B*LLS OUT SUPER SERIAL) DOS that makes the C64 SO I take a little credit. (Serena) Laurel, your turn. (Laurel Gonzalez) there is a room on lev 3 (i think) that tells you when you enter that you are toast! Lev 1.1 ... WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?? I am going nuts... if you can answer without giveing too much away I'd appreciate it (John Butrovich) What version are you playing and on what machine ? (Dan&Ken) What version & computer are you using? (Laurel Gonzalez) C128...version 1 (i guess) (Dan&Ken) Well I would like the coords of that square since this should never appear! (John Butrovich) It is an indication that you are where you shouldn't be - never, never land. (Laurel Gonzalez) I'll see if I can find it...I may have it on the map...one more ? for JB (Dan&Ken) OH! Right...well its just a bad description, you might want to get the latest c-64 version but it is just a minor bug (sorry ... but it's a BIG game and these things happen) (Laurel Gonzalez) JB....when can I expect to see the dungeon (and the city... etc) for the AMIGA... having just upgraded I jhate pulling out the 128 to play even if I have solved it all...it's a good game (John Butrovich) Well I fill everyone in. Jim Ratcliff is hard at work on the Amiga City and we hope for XMAS version. Ken (of Ken and Dan fame) is starting the Amiga Dungeon. I would hope for pre-Junerelease. Dan (of who knows where) is starting the specs for the yet to be announced NEXT SCENARIO. So that one's in the air as for delivery - but the Amiga version is slated for FIRST release. I can hear the BOO's and HISS's. I will go into a dissertation on why if somebody asks. (Serena) Joni, did you have a comment? (Joni) Just that the Atari V2.0 has a toast square too. (Serena) Joni... did you write down the coordinates? (John Butrovich) Standard answer: get v2.1 ! (Dan&Ken) I know, I know... Get version 2.1. (Joni) It's in southeast sewer --and I'm waiting for 2.1!!! (Serena) I wanted to mention that I'm playing the C=64 version, and I *think* it's version 2.0 (not sure) and there's a Toast square on Level 1 at 36N 48E. While we're discussing this, can we get V2.1 by requesting a recut? (Dan&Ken) JONI, are you playing ATARI with 64K or more? ga (Joni) D&K, Atari 130XE. ga (Dan&Ken) All fixed, thank you. (John Butrovich) The disks must be sent in for a re-cut. We are not in the position to send out new disks - policy. (Serena) Does a re-cut cost anything besides postage? (John Butrovich) For defects, no. This is a no-charge re-cut. (JOHN MORALES) why should we pay postage its their mistake (Serena) Thanks. John M., you're next. (JOHN MORALES) ok ..thanks (JOHN MORALES) I dont want to spoil it for those who havnt gotten as far as KJ & Freddy but it seems that once arch is set free and you figure out the alien cont room theres not much left is there anything that can be done or is there another quest also I figure that the wilderness will be next its the only exit ? (Dan&Ken) Exits exist to ALL future scenarios except Destiny and The City. Have you gotten to the end of the Looong corridor on level 1? (JOHN MORALES) prob not after mapping all levs I ramdomly looked for info and isnt there a barrier in that cardior which dosnt allow you through (Dan&Ken) There is a way to get there... And its not on the first level. We put this puzzle here for the real fanatics. If you make it, drop us a line & save the treasure for a future scenario unless you can't resist.... (JOHN MORALES) well guys just when you thought you knew it all I will say you guys were on the case when you put this together it was worththe year me and laurie G will be pulling out the 128 thanks keep it up (cherp!) (wondering what IT is.....) (Serena) Sara, you're next. (Sara) Thanks... I've got the Atari ST City and I'm having a terrible time trying to map it. It's nearly impossible to count the clicks because it scrolls so fast. Any suggestions? (John Butrovich) Besides buying the map .... Don't hold the joystick (mouse, key, whatever) down. In hopes of noting patterns in the walls. The City map is the City map. Only a slight few modifications were made in the 16 bit versions. (Sara) Well, I'm no novice and assure you I'm not holding the button down longer than enough time to register a click. Didn't realize there was a map available though and will probably spring for it. Thanks. (John Butrovich) One other point ... walking can take more time (steps) depending on how much your carrying, how cold it is, so don't rely on some calculation of 6 steps per wall segment. (Serena) Darkmoon, your question? (Darkmoon)<59> Thanks Serena... I realize after tonight that there are versions for C64, Atari, and Apple. Is there currently or in the future, a version for MS-DOS? ga (John Butrovich) We are currently trying to wrap up the IBM version of the City. It will support CGA and EGA graphics modes. For those wanting to know, it should play just like the Atari ST version. That was the source of the code. (Serena) Darkmoon, another question? (Darkmoon)<59> Yes...What does the release date look like? (John Butrovich) My bosses wanted this month. I had to disappoint them. I would be optimistic if I said next. I think definitely November. There are just too many nagging items to commit to a solid date. We could get lucky and ship in 3 weeks, but I can't commit to luck. (Serena) Okay, Laurel, your turn again. (Laurel Gonzalez) THanks serena...a quick one for d&k... is there a reason or purpose to the room with the purple pyramid? (Dan&Ken) Gosh, maybe <grin>. (Serena) <hehehe> (Laurel Gonzalez) THANKS !! I was hoping for a very small hint? (John Butrovich) Come on guys, it's not all cat and mouse here tonight. (Laurel Gonzalez) teeny weeny??? (Dan&Ken) OK let's see... Well Laurel, Have YOU been to the end of the endless corridor. (Laurel Gonzalez) D&K...nope...I played this with John M...neither of us can figure the pryamid out. it ssems to have no connnection to anything else (Dan&Ken) OK last chance. Think color. (Laurel Gonzalez) AH-HA!!! Where's my 128!!! THANKS GUYS!! (John Butrovich) Another satisfied customer! (Serena) <Gee, I'm glad that said something to Laurie! <grin>> (Serena) I had a character lose over 20 points of Intelligence >permanently< because she caught Living Death from some ugly monster and couldn't ever locate a Healer! Since there doesn't seem to be a Healer's Guild in The Dungeon (and I didn't realize the Intelligence loss would be permanent), is there anything I could have done besides depend on luck... or a nonexistent Heirophant card? (Dan&Ken) Stick to human areas & hope... find a cleanse potion... or the right fountain... by the way, Has anyone made it to Sanctuary? (Serena) Not I. (Magic Man) Nor me. (JOHN MORALES) nope wheere is it what lev (Serena) Magic Man, your question. (Magic Man) Every time I encounter a Devourer, they always take my crystals before I have a chance to do anything. Is there any way to stop this? (John Butrovich) The Ol' Devourer. Care to dispell some ideas D&K ? (Dan&Ken) But rumors are our only entertainment. Oh well...(Smirk) ... There is only so much memory available to any computer. When we need relief, we spell it D E V O U R E R. Travel only with what you need and a couple of spares. Use fugue several times in a row, waste him, then drop what is unessential. (Serena) Another question, Magic Man? (Magic Man) Thanks. No Serena except to thank Ken&Dan for such a superb game. Best I've ever played!!! (Dan&Ken) Thanx, by the way the effects of Temporal Fugue are cumulative. (Serena) John M., ga. (JOHN MORALES) thanks for D&K well fellas just when I thought I knew it all... I must once again quest to go where no man has gone before... back to 20 hrs a day of T H E D U N G E O N ... I will get it all guys ... thanks (Dan&Ken) By the way John, have you killed the Great Dragon? (Laurel Gonzalez) KILLED HIM? (JOHN MORALES) yes hes history... (Dan&Ken) Yep, mighty good eatin'. (Sara) Self roasting? (cherp!) will there be a Mac II version?(John Butrovich) The City Macwon't run on the Mac II. I expect the Dungeon should: we are shooting for more capabilty and compatibilty on the 16bit D's. (Serena) Sara, you had another question? (Sara) Is there something you can do about the backup procedure for the character disks on the ST? I'm really concerned that someone will come along and think mine are blank and it's not really good for the disks to keep reformatting them every time with the disk copy routine. (John Butrovich) Well, first label your disks. We are a little more proficient now than when we released the ST as to manipulating it. As I said, the big D is our attempt to correct the deficiencies that exist in the City. It is my SINCERE hopes that we can maintain the City and Dungeon compability. I expect a version 4.0 of the City will be released when the Dungeon is. That is when we could address the character disk problem. By the way, I am getting ready to release version 3.0 of the City St. It has much improved graphics (along the lines of the MAC art.) and a few minor changes. Since this does not correct any major bugs...it will NOT be a free re-cut. (Sara) Ok, but the problem with the backups now is they look empty despite the labels. It looks like they were formatted and set up but not yet used. Two ?'s in one. When will the new version be out and when will the Dungeon be out? (John Butrovich) I can't change what you already have in the form of the ST version. The Dungeon ST will be out after the AMIGA. The Dungeon 16 bit will be written in C in hopes of speeding up the programming time. The port should come up quickly. (although the City was written in 68000 assembly and very portable - you should see the Amiga version, C will provide us with quicker turn around of our ideas and hopefully a quicker product to market) That's why the NEXT SCENARIO will be done on a 16 bit machine. It just takes too long to experiment in 6502. (Sara) <grin> C is very portable so that'll be great! (Serena) John M., your question? (JOHN MORALES) JB will the amiga have enhansed graphics over the st version of the dungeon (John Butrovich) Somewhat ... on the City. The City has fewer graphic entities than the Dungeon. But it has always been our intentions of providing a quality game on the respective machine. Since,the Dungeon is starting out on the Amiga, I would guess that some ideas will manifest themselves as Amiga specific and then cause problems for Rick Mirksy (ST City) as he tries to create the ST version. (JOHN MORALES) JB its a shame that the majority of the AR players from the atari sig have not made it here today as you know we have supported AR from the beginning I apol for the lack of their presence as you know there are many ..thanks (John Butrovich) Maybe they feel slighted? (Laurel Gonzalez) (chuckle) (Serena/RPG SL) Dan & Ken... ga. (Dan&Ken) Dan here. Just have to say I've been an Atari owner since 1980 and I know the most enthusiastic player's out there are on the Atari. If only the sales figures were as enthusiastic we could keep supplying software indefinitely. (JOHN MORALES) dan thats partly marketings falt.. being a business man myself... marketting of a product is essential to their sales... (Dan&Ken) Maybe... but I live in L.A. and I can't find a store that stocks Atari 8 bit hardware. I'll have to go mail order for my 130 xe. (John Butrovich) But then it wouldn't be only our fault? All manufacturers are following suit! (JOHN MORALES) JB I rarley see ads for you software in the trade mags (Serena/RPG SL) All right... It's getting late, so let's call this the end of the formal CO... I hope John, Dan, and Ken will be able to stay around and chat for a while longer. (Serena) Whose idea was the Devourer, anyway?? (Laurel Gonzalez) (lousy beast) (John Butrovich) Dan's ... when he couldn't get anything to fit. (Serena) Is there any way to get rid of the Lodestone?? (Dan&Ken) Good thing we brought the Mirrored Shield. (Laurel Gonzalez) RIGHT!! you found that too serena? 16 tons indeed! (laugh) (Serena) Laurie... Scoop (my hubby) did, and gave up on his character because of it! (Magic Man) <Oh yea, I forgot about the loudstone!! (Dan&Ken) Lodestone. You still got it? 16 tons and what do you get? Immobilized ... Drop it in the Oracle or give it to some schmuck who'll take it. (Serena) And how come I can never accumulate any crystals? It's no use my even carrying wands. I never have crystals! (Laurel Gonzalez) hahaha...but how do you get unimobilized? (JOHN MORALES) good one.. (Serena) I think he offered it to a Pauper, he said. (Magic Man) Serena, ever get a Star card? (JOHN MORALES) laurie will take it (SMILE) (Dan&Ken) Magic users are the most likely to have crystals. (Laurel Gonzalez) really serena...I've had upwards of 40 at times...got lucky with ace of pentacles (Serena) (And the Weapon Sorceress charges in Crystals) Magic... Last one I had got <ahem> Devoured. (Laurel Gonzalez) or the star (Serena) Where *is* the Oracle, anyway? <innocent question> (Laurel Gonzalez) I'll get you LATER JM! (JOHN MORALES) looking foward to it.. (Magic Man) The Devourer strikes again!!! (JOHN MORALES) like last nite (??) (Serena) My Winged Sandals got eaten... my Mapstone got eaten... (Laurel Gonzalez) wow...winged sandals? neat stuff (Magic Man) The list goes on and on, huh? (Serena) I even shut down the game once when something ate Razor Ice. (Dan&Ken) Reboot! I won't leave home without them. (Laurel Gonzalez) the best thing I ever got was panther gloves (Serena) Laurel... You never fought the Valkyrie on the first level? (Laurel Gonzalez) yea...but I nevcer got the sandals from her (Serena) I didn't reboot for the Winged Sandals. They're gone-gone. By the way, how the heck do you map in places where you can't tell where one wall section ends? (Dan&Ken) Panther gloves & Iron palm salve. (Laurel Gonzalez) AH the one way walls...they nearly killed me and JM (JOHN MORALES) map stone serena.. (Serena) I don't have panther gloves. I've got a Helm of Light <whoopie!>. (Dan&Ken) Map stone or map spell (Magic Man) Like the "Goblin's only" part!! (Serena) I mean, I can't tell distance... like in the Goblin area. How am I ever gonna get my Intelligence back up? I'm 9th level, and xp levels are few and far between! (JOHN MORALES) you think thats hard try by the dark wiz area.. (Laurel Gonzalez) or the light wizards (Dan&Ken) Serena, tomes of Knowledge, lot's of them (Serena) But, D&K, I haven't even found ONE yet. <wailing> (Serena) I found a Tome of Understanding, once. (Laurel Gonzalez) JB...why did ya'll go with the Amiga first? and whats the date?? (John Butrovich) Primarily its the thing to do. (Laurel Gonzalez) (grin) because of sales?? (John Butrovich) We've racked our brains out tryingto squeeze these games into 8 bits and develop concepts at the same time. So the solution is to develop on a 16 bit and then try to squeeze it into an 8 bit with the concept done. The Amiga is first because, you guessed it, sales. The ST and MAC sales are flat compared to the Amiga. We got to keep the $$ coming in. (Magic Man) D&K-> In the City, is it better to have Plate armor, or Elvin chain. I found both, but dont know which is better!!! (Dan&Ken) MM they are about the same. Crystal plate is best. (Serena) My map of Level 1 takes about six sheets of graph paper, and it's only about 65% complete. <sigh> (Magic Man) Serena, why not use the graph paper in the instruction book? (Serena) Magic... The squares are too dinky. (Laurel Gonzalez) SERENA...buy REAL big graph paper...thats what we did (Serena) Laurel... I'm using quarter-inch quadrille, taped together. (Laurel Gonzalez) I hear you...well I am glad I got the amiga.. I hated having to put up the game tho...however I hear that some company in NY is writing a go64 prg for the amiga... whichever comes first I dont care (Magic Man) I tried mapping on regular graph paper, but couldn't fit it o n my desk!!! (John Butrovich) You should see the maps we generate off of the MAC. We use a wide carriage imagewriter and set it going for a few hours!! (Serena) <egad> (Laurel Gonzalez) (eeks) (Serena) Is it possible to buy maps of The Dungeon yet? (John Butrovich) The map may be published in the hint book, I'm not sure. (JOHN MORALES) what are the hardest items to come by in the dungeon (Dan&Ken) Solar suit... Gauss Rifle... Pulse rifle (Magic Man) I'm definitly lost now. (JOHN MORALES) gauss rifle so I guess im or were on the hunt laurie (Laurel Gonzalez) we JM...WE (JOHN MORALES) yes my love.. (Serena) Devourer Bomb? <grin> (Laurel Gonzalez) hahahahahah serena! (Magic Man) I thought I was doing so well, too. (JOHN MORALES) I think we all thought so.. and me and laurie have mapped it all out little did we know (Serena) If it weren't quite so hard to stay alive... So many times, the main reason I end a Dungeon session is because I've died three or four times. (LaurelGonzalez) MELVINS HELM!!! this is too depressing! (Serena) ("Melvin's Helm"?) (JOHN MORALES) yea you have blown our minds (Laurel Gonzalez) totally! (Serena) You hinted about "Sanctuary"... what is that? (John Butrovich) You guys did get rid of the tactical nuke, right??!! (Laurel Gonzalez) it seems like I've barely touched this game now...wow (JOHN MORALES) NOW they really got us going.. (Dan&Ken) For mortals, yes. (Laurel Gonzalez) hahahaha. JB are you serious? (John Butrovich) Quite so. (Serena) <I can picture the scene out of Aliens.... except it's Ridley vs. the Mother of All Devourers> (Magic Man) hahahahahaha (Laurel Gonzalez) (grin) (Serena) I'm an associate paladin. When do I get a warhorse? (Dan&Ken) Junai's sword isn't bad if you're evil. (JOHN MORALES) we are in shock here ..are they really serious about this stuff.. (Dan&Ken) yep. (Magic Man) Dan&Ken-> Did you ever think the Devourer would be such a big hit (it's pretty much taken over the CO) (Serena) But I'm not evil. <goody gumdrops> (John Butrovich) Hey, heres a silly question: What do YOU want in the NEXT SCENARIO? (Dan&Ken) Then you've got St. Percival's Mace then? (Serena) D&K... I'm not *that* good. <pout> (JOHN MORALES) the arena.. THE ARENAAAAAAAA go to war,, (Laurel Gonzalez) yea....the arena...more combat....with more rewards (Serena) What *is* the next scenario? Palace? (John Butrovich) AH, but what's the ARENA, but a 5 letter word. (Magic Man) Lets see...I would like a level 50 chr. 2000 hps...(grin) (JOHN MORALES) its also a place of fun.. (John Butrovich) The next scenario is the NEXT SCENARIO (with Hollywood overtones..) (JOHN MORALES) depending on which arena your in.. (Laurel Gonzalez) like to become the best gladiator in the universe.. (JOHN MORALES) yes my love (Serena) I want to go to The Wilderness, myself... I get so tired of looking at four (or more) walls. (JOHN MORALES) could be interstin serena (John Butrovich) ditto (Laurel Gonzalez) or less serena (Magic Man) John-> All I want out of the next scenario is for it to be as good as the first 2 (No easy task!!) (Serena) I want to see something that grows and doesn't try to eat me. (John Butrovich) A tree? (JOHN MORALES) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (Serena) And I don't mean the infamous Am Bush. (Magic Man) I'd also like to see a friendly Devourer that will join me and help me fight others!! (Serena) Magic... Dream On! (Laurel Gonzalez) I wish! (Dan&Ken) Has anybody got assassins after them yet? (Serena) Trouble is, in The Wilderness, they'll probably have Flying Devourers! <perish forbid!> (John Butrovich) Party's of companions to take on the AR universe... (Laurel Gonzalez) what would be cool Jb....in the bards tale they have characters that will join up with you...that would be nice... (John Butrovich) hum, sound familiar. Let's not be BARD TALE or WIZARDRY. Let's be AR. (Magic Man) Or Devourers disguised as food packets!!! (Serena) Dan&Ken... I'm not that much of a threat, yet. Magic... Oh, YUCK! Are you *sure* Devourers don't show up when you eat and drink? (Laurel Gonzalez) for a limited time that is....i know we not Bards but GOD... to have them take that first hit when you need a healer and sleep and a drink and some dinner....would definetly help (Dan&Ken) They melt on the floor not in your hands. (John Butrovich) Hey guys, got to go. I'm around, you can find me... K&D are always reading over my shoulder. I've had fun..see ya!! (Serena) I wish they'd have scattered Retreats in other parts of The Dungeon. (Magic Man) Good night John, and thanks again!!!! (Laurel Gonzalez) bye John B...thanks for the enlightenment, Good nite (Serena) Tnank you, John B.! <applause> Goodnight! (Dan&Ken) That's why there are convenient teleports and of course... the Sanctuary. (Serena) *Where* is the Sanctuary? (Laurel Gonzalez) again with the sanctuary...at least tell me what level?? (pretty please?) (Serena) (Especially if John and Laurie didn't find it!) (Dan&Ken) Just past the Garden of course. (Serena) And >why< does Lucky's have to be in the middle of a gold urned MAZE?! (Laurel Gonzalez) (d+mn) c'mon guys!!! pretty pretty please!?!?!?! (Dan&Ken) no kidding (JOHN MORALES) laurie are we playing the same game (Dan&Ken) lev 1 (JOHN MORALES) thanks guys laurie maps please (Dan&Ken) I thought you were a good little girl? (Laurel Gonzalez) no kidding....ok....I'll look...thanks....(well no sleep for me tonite) (JOHN MORALES) she is she is.. (Serena) I'm not *that* Good. <sigh> (Dan&Ken) OK be GOOD. (Laurel Gonzalez) this is too unreall....you guys are insidious! THANK YOU FOR THAT.. (Serena) And if I'm GOOD enough, I may live to die again. <<<sigh>>> Trying to make an Angel out of me,that's what you are. (Dan&Ken) We wanted to keep it alive even after it was solved. (Magic Man) Also, Ken&Dan, the graphics on the ST version of the City are great. Glad you made use of them!!! (Serena) Shucks... I was gonna compliment John B. on the speed of the C=64 version. (Laurel Gonzalez) yea...the first thging I did was head straight to death s door after the tomb...I'm glad to find that it's not over..that"s not so obvious from the packaging (Dan&Ken) Thanx but the credit goes to Rick and Jim. v3.0 is better looking (JOHN MORALES) is arch tomb and the ALIEN cont room the main quest in the game (Dan&Ken) Getting to the 4th level and peering behind the mask (so to speak) is the main quest. (JOHN MORALES) what mask...where when how.. (Serena) John... Figure of speech. (Dan&Ken) Figure of speech. Your first step towards conquering the series (Serena) Ah, so... The idea is to "get to" the aliens who captured you in the first place. (Dan&Ken) Watch out for Living Death, John. (Serena) Yeah. You don't WANT Living Death... That's why I have an IQ of Seven. (Magic Man) K&D, a suggestion for the next scenario... As an Organic Chemist, it would be a great help to me if you could use the empirical formulas of the potions in the next part of the game (grin) (Serena) Do the Aliens look anything like Dan & Ken? <grin> (Dan&Ken) After a night of programming yes... (Magic Man) Serena-> No you're thinking of the Devourer!! <grin> (Laurel Gonzalez) D&K....why does the dragon keep giving you things after you get what you want from him? (Dan&Ken) You did destroy the control room on the 4th lev, right? (Laurel Gonzalez) yes (Dan&Ken) Laurel, you using v2.1? (Laurel Gonzalez) nope not yet...but I'll send in for it tomorrow... D&K is the answer to the dragon in v 2.1? (Dan&Ken) I think it addresses your problem. (Serena) I think it was mean to make some of the Gold Horns cursed. Well, not cursed, but they don't heal you. (Magic Man) My character always starts out good, and then I get in this hack-n-slash frenzy and start killing everything!!! (Laurel Gonzalez) it's awful...you blow the horn cause you're about to drop dead and all thses berserkers appear... UGH! (Dan&Ken) Berserkers are good for EP at least. (Laurel Gonzalez)that's true... if you don't die after it all (Serena) Laurie... ever tried toting around a Sword of Demons? (Dan&Ken) Or drunk our other potion of spirits? (Laurel Gonzalez) no...I left it alone..I did get a club once..it yelled at me alot so I dropped it (Serena) "Other" potion? (JOHN MORALES) what do they do serena... follow you around (Serena) John... About every couple of steps, four Fire Demons appear. (Magic Man) Oh sure, Serena, you told me before to pick it up, trying to get me killed or something? (Serena) Heck, no, Magic. Don't you know Cold Blast? <grin> (Magic Man) Oh, I get it now, Thanks (removing curse from Serena's C128) (Pauper) "I was really hoping for some pears and cheese." (Serena) By the way... what *is* this bit about Pears and Cheese?? (Laurel Gonzalez) yea...what is That? (Dan&Ken) ...more obscure fannish humor. (Serena) Oh? Do y'all use Lime Jello, too? (Laurel Gonzalez) and the dwarf in the raincoat too? (Dan&Ken) ...kinda like "333 Eric the Half-a-beast". (Serena) <hehehehe!> (Magic Man) hahahah (Dan&Ken) but watch out for the hidden zipper. (Serena) Speaking of dwarves, I appreciate the way they disappear in "a puff of greasy black smoke"! (Dan&Ken) ala Colossal Cave, eh? (Serena) Plugh! Er, Yup! (Magic Man) Serena-> God bless you! sounded like a sneeze to me!! (Serena) Magic... Y2 to you, too! No, no.... XYZZY sounds like a sneeze. (Magic Man) and a hearty XYZZY (Serena) I like the humor... even when I have to have it pointed out to me. <grin> Keep putting funny touches in the scenarios... but Devourers are Not Funny. (Laurel Gonzalez) yea....I agree...the 16 tons bit had me rolling on the floor for days (Magic Man) I'll second that!! (Dan&Ken) Well at least you can have more than 8 items. (JOHN MORALES) are devourers the most powerful (Dan&Ken) The Great dragon is the most powerful (Serena) How can I get more people to talk to me in Der Rathskeller? (Laurel Gonzalez) buy them a lot of drinks... (Dan&Ken) Go there at noon and buy more rounds. (Laurel Gonzalez) and take yourtime over dinner (Serena) I buy rounds for the house all the time... I think they just get drunk and pass out. And is that song lyric about "getting stuck in a cavern" a warning? <grin> (DanKen) Anybody quaffed the Saurian brandy Or The Fosters? (JOHN MORALES) yep got drunk as *** (Magic Man) Found the Fosters, but I gave it to a pauper. Liked the joke, though. (Dan&Ken) Hope you drank all the brandy. (Serena) Is the Fosters the six-pack you find with the Dead Adventurer? (Laurel Gonzalez) thats no dead advernturere thats crocodile dundee!! (Dan&Ken) yeah, Paul Hogan, G'day mate & throw another dwarf on the barbie. (Serena) Well, he's an adventurer, isn't he? And he's dead, isn't he? (Crocodile Dungee) G'day mates!!. (Serena) Gee, there's a clothing item for ya... Crocodile Dungarees. (JOHN MORALES) d& K how do you tell if you drank all the brandy (Crocodile Dungee) I'm not dead, I promise, and who stole my Fosters? (Dan&Ken) It disappears & you get real drunk with each swig. (Serena) I didn't even get to sample the Fosters. Some >Devourer< gobbled it up. (Laurel Gonzalez) yea...but serena..you'll find that the master thiefs tend to get the stuff back to you (Serena) You mean someday I'll find another six-pack? (Dan&Ken) But anybody who can take it should watch their STA each time. (Laurel Gonzalez) i never lost the 6 pack but everything else important came back with the thiefs (Serena) Oooh, maybe I'll find another pair of Winged Sandals. (JOHN MORALES) where did you get them and maybe soo (Serena) In one of the rooms around the Shrine of Monsters, I fought a Valkyrie, and got them from her. I think. (Dan&Ken) Only the most important items will come back. Press <CR> to continue ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 Amazing what you find on disks from 18 years ago.... even more so that they still work. I have more to post later in the week, including official datasoft newsletters and some discussion board stuff from the times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xebec's Demise Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 That was some good reading! Thanks for taking the time to get it posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 I think I have some message board posts from players of the time.. anyone interested in my posting that too? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamonetB Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I think I have some message board posts from players of the time.. anyone interested in my posting that too? 896766[/snapback] I would be interested in these tales of yore. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eobet Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Great text, thank you! Would you mind if I posted this to my website: http://www.eobet.com/alternate-reality/ (It will probably not be posted before next year, because I plan on making a complete overhaul of the site.) PM me if you wish to be credited with another name than the nick you use here! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted August 7, 2005 Author Share Posted August 7, 2005 Go right ahead an post them. I don't own the ©. CompuServe says they do.. but I don't see how that could be enforced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avram Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 You can expect (in addition to the Dungeon, of course) VIDEO TITLE SHOP...(DATASOFT) a utility for titling graphics and producing video titles. We have under.. (DATASOFT) development TOMAHAWK (a helicoptersimulation), FORCE 7 (a gaunlet like... (DATASOFT) game), BISMARK - The North Sea (a battleship simulation) and TOBRUK - a... (DATASOFT) war strategy game and few others that I won't mention at this time. Anybody know if Force 7 or Tobruk were ever released? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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