Nothing like VGA Planets has ever been tried before.

      VGA Planets is a multi-player space conquest game for up to
   11 players. The game is designed so that the players can play
   by modem. The players calls the BBS that is acting as the game
   host or a BBS that is acting as a storage site for files to and
   from a remote computer playing host. The players download a
   small file PLAYER?.RST ( about 2k ). The players then log off
   the host BBS. The whole process can be done in under a minute.
   The file contains highly compressed data that is expanded into a
   set of data files by a UNPACK program. The players can then go
   into a VGA graphical program that uses the data files to show the
   the player what happened last turn and to plan out new moves,
   order new ships to be built and many other activities. The
   player has all his fun OFFLINE where he isn't subject to
   BBS time limits and isn't tying up a BBS phone line. When a
   player has completed his game turn he quits the main program and
   runs MAKETURN which compresses all the players data files into a
   PLAYER?.TRN file. The player then calls the host BBS again and uploads
   the PLAYER?.TRN file ( 24 bytes or more ) in a matter of seconds.
   Sometime very late at night (in most cases) the BBS gathers up ALL the
   PLAYER?.TRN files for a game and moves them into the HOST directory.
   The HOST.EXE program gobbles up all the PLAYER?.TRN files at once and
   feeds them into the universe's main data files ( *.HST ). The HOST.EXE
   program then gathers up all information important to each player in
   the game and forms a new set of PLAYER?.RST files ( one for each player )
   which are then moved to a download directory, so that the players can
   play out another game turn tomorrow.

      One line BBS's across the country have been crying out for a
   game like this for years, so I wrote it. This is a completely
   new idea. I hope you and your friends enjoy it.

      Version 1.1 had some major bugs in it, but this version ( 2.1 )
   seems very solid. The size and complexity of the game makes debuging
   a very difficult task, so it is very likely some bugs may appear
   from time to time.

      There was a bug in the HOST.EXE in version 2.1. When a player
   tried to build a starbase the HOST.EXE would crash. The
   Host program on this disk has been fixed. When you run HOST.EXE
   the version number should read version 2.11 (9/1/92). Please pass
   this version of HOST.EXE along to anyone who is hosting a game
   using the old version of HOST.EXE ( version 2.1 ) and please
   pass along the data file RACE.NM the new version needs that file
   to run properly. You may also want to pass along NAMERACE.EXE and
   NAMERACE.DOC.

      A bug in MAKETURN.EXE that cause many copies of the same message
   to be sent the same person has been fixed. The fixed MAKETURN.EXE
   should read Version 2.11 ( 9/6/92 ). Pass this fixed EXE file along
   to anyone using the old version of MAKETURN.EXE ( version 2.1 )

      A bug in PLANETS.EXE that caused planets to disappear and one
   planet showing you with the same stats as another has been fixed.
   The fixed PLANETS.EXE should read Version 2.1 ( 9/12/92 ).

      MASTER.EXE now lets you select one of four range settings
   between homeworlds when you start the game.

      I am working on Version 3.0 right now which will include
   many improvements based on suggestions from players. I am
   planning to add to the game.
           1. A HOST configure program
           2. A way for the host person to send messages to the players
           3. Meteor showers
           4. A way to recycle old starships
           5. Worm holes
           6. Starship ID Library program

      Version 3.0 will not be released until spring 1993. So if
   you have any suggestions please write and mean while enjoy
   Version 2.1. VGA Planets will continue to grow and change until
   it is the very best game possible, but I don't want to put out
   a long series of releases, so Version 2.1 is frozen in time.
   The only changes to Version 2.1 will be any needed bug fixes.
   All my new improvements that players and myself come up with will
   be put into Version 3.0. I am very happy with Version 2.1 and
   I hope you are having fun with it. Your suggestions on improving
   the game are greatly appreciated!

   
                                                Tim Wisseman
                                                PO BOX 204
                                                North Fork
                                                Ca 93643

                                         Voice: (209) 877-2320

                                Internet Email: cocomax@gorn.echo.com