LOD Version 4.21+ Packaging information y --------------------------------------- Since LOD has been growing larger and larger, I have resorted to a new distribution format. LOD itself is now comprised of a total of FOUR distribution archives: LOD421A.ZIP - Sysop and User documentation [REQUIRED] LOD421B.ZIP - Main LOD program and data [REQUIRED] LOD421C.ZIP - SVGA version [OPTIONAL] LOD421D.ZIP - SVGA additional graphics library [OPTIONAL] LOD421E.ZIP - Sysop customization package [OPTIONAL] LOD421F.ZIP - Sound/music support [OPTIONAL] LOD421G.ZIP - SVGA developers kit [OPTIONAL] LOD421L.ZIP - Lite Executables [OPTIONAL] LOD421O.ZIP - OS/2 Executables [OPTIONAL] LOD421P.ZIP - DPMI Character Mode Executables [OPTIONAL] Only the first TWO of these archives are required for operation of LOD. This is LOD in it's most basic setup. The second two archives are used for the EGA version of Land Of Devastation. They include the EGA-specific .EXE file, picture data, etc. The fifth archive contains editors and utilities for sysops who like to take an active role in controlling their games. DOS, LITE, OS/2, or DPMI?? -------------------------- LOD includes executables for the following different platforms: DOS: These are included automatically as part of the LOD package. DOS executables are the most widely used at this time. Memory is restricted to 640k conventional plus whatever EMS may be available. LITE: These executables are identical to the DOS version, except that sound and graphics support has been removed. This is useful for sysops who have a very limited amount of memory. Users (with GTERM) will still be able to use sound & graphics remotely if desired. OS/2: If you are running OS/2, then you may wish to use the OS/2 mode executables. Executables have "_OS2" appended onto the filename (i.e. GAME_OS2.EXE is used instead of GAME.EXE) Also included in the OS2 distribution is GAME_PM.EXE. This is a beta-version of the presentation-manager version of LOD. It has full graphics capability and nice multi- window support. DPMI: DPMI stands for "Dos Protected Mode Interface". DPMI supports up to 16 megs of ram using a flat memory model. EGA graphics are supported, but MOD music is NOT. Executables have "_DPM" appended onto the filename (i.e. GAME_DPM.EXE is used instead of GAME.EXE) To use DPMI, you should have an 80286 or better processor and about 4 megs or so of memory. To install OS/2 or DPMI executables, just unzip the appropriate archive (LOD421O.ZIP for OS/2 or LOD421P.ZIP for DPMI) into your LOD directory and use the appropriate replacement file. In more detail.... ------------------ LOD421A.ZIP [REQUIRED] This file contains LOD's installation instructions, sysop documentation, and user documentation. I seperated these out so people may D/L just the doc files for LOD so they can get a sort of "preview" of the game before downloading the rest of the package. LOD421B.ZIP [REQUIRED] In here is the "guts" of the game. The text version (i.e. non-EGA) .exe file, all of the ansi images, all of the data files, etc. This is REQUIRED if you wish to install LOD. LOD421C.ZIP [OPTIONAL] This contains the SVGA support files for LOD. You'll need this if you wish to run LOD in SVGA mode. LOD421D.ZIP [OPTIONAL] This contains supplemental SVGA graphics. This mostly consists of pictures of towns and monsters. LOD421E.ZIP [OPTIONAL] This is the sysop customization package. It includes all of the editors, utilities, and other tools needed to customize and alter the play of your game. It is fully optional and not required in any way. LOD421F.ZIP [OPTIONAL] This is the optional Land Of Devastation sound support package. This includes all of the background music that plays while LOD is running as well as the sound effects. Sound is available while using a SOUND BLASTER or compatible card by using the /AUDIOSB option. PC Speaker sound is also available with the /AUDIOSPKR command line option, but the pc speaker sound quality isn't nearly as high as the sound blaster quality. The sound system does use up a lot of additional memory (up to 200k). Please see the full LOD sysop docs contained in LOD421A.ZIP for more information. LOD421G.ZIP [OPTIONAL] This is a special kit of utilities for people who want to add their own monster images to the SVGA version of LOD and to GTERM. It includes an image capture utility and BMPPUT, the EGA equivalent to ANSIPUT. And what about GTERM? --------------------- Gterm is the REMOTE TERMINAL for Land of Devastation. If your users run it, they can get full SVGA graphics regardless of which version you run. The EGA terminal really enhances play for the users and I recommend they grab it if they want to seriously play the game. The filename is: GTERM421.ZIP To hear sound while using GTERM, you must also download and unzip LOD421F.ZIP into the same directory as GTERM. So, to summarize: ----------------- If you want the TEXT-ONLY version of LOD, just download LOD421A.ZIP and LOD421B.ZIP. (Note: Even if you use this text-only version, you're users can still download GTERM and have EGA graphics on their side) If you want the EGA/TEXT version of LOD, download LOD421A.ZIP, LOD421B.ZIP, and LOD421C.ZIP. This will display EGA pictures on YOUR side. (Note: Users may play in text with a normal terminal or in EGA using Gterm) If you want LOD decked out with ALL of it's EGA graphics, grab LOD421A.ZIP, LOD421B.ZIP, LOD421C.ZIP, and LOD421D.ZIP. You'll have the full EGA graphical display, complete with all pictures and data. If you like to play around with the game and alter some of the default parameters and such, then you might like LOD421E.ZIP - it includes all of the necessary tools for customizing your game. If your USERS want to play in EGA, then they can download GTERM421.ZIP. It'll give them EGA capabilities on their end regardless of the version of LOD which you are running. If your users want to hear sound while using GTERM, then they'll need LOD421F.ZIP too. If you have a Sound Blaster card, or you want to try the pc speaker sound (I highly recommend using a sound card!), then you might want to give LOD421F.ZIP a shot. Scott Baker