Ultimate Universe: Where It's Going and Where It's Been 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The Present: The communications support I wrote that worked so well in a testing environment failed miserably in the real world. So I was forced out of my hiatus to add Fossil Driver support to Ultimate Universe. This has become version 1.40. In the time between 1.30 and now, my call for ideas has been answered in spades. Most of these ideas will be incorporated into version 2.00. The Future: With version 1.30 we finally reached the historic 400 device milestone. Our 400th Device (The Dead Man Switch) rolled of the assembly line just prior to our final wrap for this version. Our total goal of 500 devices just doesn't seem as impossible as it once did. However for the moment I am largely out of ideas. So please send any idea you have. Even if it seems ridiculous or unworkable send it in, it may spark an idea in me. Version 2.00 is planned for release in the Summer of 1993. As far as the game goes we are declaring war on Anti-Establings with a host of devices aimed at wiping out these pests. Beyond that Sponcership of Ports and the ability to Purchase your own Port Franchise. Dimensional Worm Holes will also make their debut. Ship Customization in the form of Swapping Higher Ship's functions, like Cloaking, in for device bays will added. Because you demanded it, the ability to access Hyper Cubes that are within Hyper Cubes will be added. The Defenses of Planets will be beefed up and the role of Teams will be expanded. The end of the game will be more defined with the Taakian Artifact Devices being single items that players will have to fight each other for to garner possession of all five. In the meantime, there are three third party projects going on that, I am aware of. 1. Power Product's Trader-by-Night project will create Artifical Players for Home Version Players, and BBSs with low traffic. They invision many different types of AI characters each with different ablities and strategies. Mix and Match. Expect to see the first one around Christmas. 2. DruId Software is working on a project to create an Inventory function and cataloger for Exported Ship Files. 3. Lorne Costa is working on an Editor to Edit Device Costs and possibly capabilities. I welcome any third party developement project and will offer any assistance with information not contained in UUDEVKIT.TXT. The Past: Version 1.41 November 21, 1992 Fixed bug that caused there to be five Procurators. Credit: Andrue Carr & Stacy Trippe. Fixed bug that made it impossible to become a Lord of Creation if Maximum Allowable Sectors was set less than 200. Credit: Kevin Prince, Pine Bluff AR. Changed Method of Storing time so that an event does not limit the entire days playing time but only that session. Credit: Steve McKnelly, Chattanooga TN. Major Cabal Planet defined as planet producing 130000+ Drones per day during Daily Maintenance NOT at time of landing. Thus Thumpers can be used to soften a Cabal Planet up, without loosing the Device Bay. Credit: Andrue Carr, Long View, MA. Fixed bug in Dimensional Jumping that fouled up Ranking. Credit: Andrue Carr. Error in Dimensional Crossing newspaper item corrected. Display Disabler (#235) created. Remote Planet Viewer (#12) created. Remote Ships System Diagnostic (#368) created. Surveillance Defeater (#69) created. Surveillance Feedback Transmitter (#315) created. Shopping Evaluation Interface (#236) created. Credit: Kevin Prince, Pine Bluff AR. The P뀉n Pr똭ce (#390) created. Credit: Kevin Prince, Pine Bluff AR. The P뀉n Scrubber (#452) created. Multiple Targetting Message Beacon Maser (#386) created. ---------------------- Operation Control Changes ------------------------ Addition of Configuration Variable to allow Comm Support to be deactivated. Registration Key Code System created so Registered Users can use updated programs without my intervention. ---------------------- Internal Information Only ------------------------ Internal Comm Support removed, hopefully, temporarily. Fossil Driver Support Added. File Formats expanded for future additions. Converter to change old format to new format (CONVERT) written. Version 1.40 Various Several differing copies of version 1.40 were released in November. They were primarily to beta test sites or anyone expressing a problem. The various subversions contained some to most of the items listed in Version 1.41. Version 1.31 October 31th, 1992 Limited Release to New Registered Users. Bug that would erase ship record if no ship was selected for Computer Function 'X'. Credit: Steve McKnelly, Chattanooga TN. Version 1.30 October 15th, 1992 Anonymous Radio ID signal (#465) created. False Radio ID signal(#466) created. Computer Function '+' removed. Computer Function 'P' (Place Call to Sysop) added. Bug on how the game deals with negative time values, corrected. Credit: Stacy Trippe, Inverness, Mississippi Sensor Scan with no options now works properly with Attack Drone Identifier. Chat Mode Added. Redisplay of Radio Messages on opening screen corrected. Display Bugs dealing with expansion of cargo holds corrected. Ship Importation now allowed in Shareware Version. Planetary Cloaking Enhancer 3x (#146) created. Dimensional Wedge Factory (#429) created. Press Pass Factory (#199) created. The Over-Thrustor (#258) created. Galvometric Seeking Missile (#123) created. Planetary Galvometric Scrambler (#391) created. Stealth Pack (#420) created. Improved Cloaking Enhancer 2x (#292) created. Improved Anti-Cloaking Enhancer 2x (#370) created. R.M.D. 100 (#303) created. Mine Deflector 150 (#48) created. One Bay Device Bay Protector (#67) created. Two Bays Device Bay Protector (#68) craeted. Rogue Drone Absorber (#53) created. Dead Mans Switch (#308) created. Heavy Radiation Shielding (#294) created. ---------------------- Operation Control Changes ------------------------ ANSI.SYS is now required for proper operation. MODEMSIM config variable now correctly only functions in Local mode. IMPSECTOR config variable added governing where Imported Ships appear. BAR config variable removed, Status Bar now obsolete. L4350 config variable removed. /P Command Line Switch added for Modem Serial Port Number. /B Command Line Switch added for Baud Rate of Connection. Remote Viewing Configuration Variable added to determine what Sysop sees. ---------------------- Internal Information Only ------------------------ Internal Comm Support Added, Doorway no longer required for non-SLBBS. Version 1.27 September 1st, 1992 Incorrect Planetary Display of Ship's Cargo, corrected. Array blow out that resulted in strange login problems if Maximum Players was set higher than 25 has been corrected. Hyper Mini Hyper Swaps (#469 & 470) now correctly swap 5 bays not 15. Credit: Steve McCoy, compuserve. Team Hyper Swaps now correctly display Team Name. Device #243 now correctly registers as in Port 9, not Port 5. Credit: Stacy Trippe, Inverness, MS ---------------------- Internal Information Only ------------------------ Source converted from Turbo C 2.0 to Borland C 3.0. Version 1.26 August 17th, 1992 Bug introduced in version 1.25 that locked out Dead Ship Area corrected. Infected Ships now infect Sectors, Ports & Planets that they come in contact with. Main Command 'SC' now properly requires an Attack Drone Identifier. Galvanic 'Bread Crumbs' (Device #5) created. Credit: John F. Power, Centerville, MA. Galvanic 'Crumb' Flush (Device #205) created. ----------------------- Registered Users Only --------------------------- Pan Dimensional Control Signal (#243). Credit: Stacy Trippe, Inverness, MS. Device #243 available free at C.E.C.C. port. ---------------------- Internal Information Only ------------------------ Slight Support for Multi Line BBSs added. When in use by another player, Ultimate Universe displays a message stating who is playing. Credit: Joe Balshone, Columbus, OH PCLint run on source and many casting errors corrected leading to more stable operation. Version 1.25 August 2nd, 1992 Released to Registers Users Only. Expanded Maximum Holds to 65,000. Refixed bug that allowed remote access to ports even though Fed fines exist. Warp Devices made to respect Sensor Dampers and Sector Reflectors. Dimensional Newspaper Scanner (#357) created. Dimensional Rankings Scanner (#358) created. Dimensional U.P.S. (#359) created. Dimensional Scanner Pack (#414) created. Device #356 Remapped to #335. 'Federation Strip' Viewer (#112) created. The Paan Redeph (#449) created. Credit: Andrue C. Carr, Lambert's Cove, MA Warp Shielding Missiles (#141 thru 144) created. Remote Computer Access (#230) removed from game. Ship Extractor (#238) created. The Anchor (#56) created. Trail Sweeper (#311) created. Personal Trail Sweeper (#312) created. Planetary Tractor Beam Feedback (#296); Space Madness Sector Infector (#330) created. Space Madness Port Infector (#382) created. Space Madness Planetary Infector (#383) created. Planetary Space Madness Defense (#392) created. Infected Ship Detector (#342) created. Infected Planet Detector (#341) created. Infected Sector Detector (#347) created. Space Madness Detector Pack (#419) created. Space Madness Cure Option added to Port 4. Planetary Space Madness Cure (#147) created. Cabal "Cluster" Strategy Added. Cabal Infect Ports with Space Madness. Small errors in the Over Space Drive corrected. Infected Port Detector(#363) created. Bug in the setting of Master Device Replicator, corrected. Homing Signal Dimensional Booster (#460) created. Made Message Silencer respect Quantom Credits Message. Made remote port devices (Spylink, C.E.C.C. Calling) unable to perform services that would logically require docking. Made MBeacon.UU a text editable file. Added another framing option to Message Beacons. ----------------------- Registered Users Only --------------------------- Multiple Dimensions Created. Credit: Andrue C. Carr, Lambert's Cove, MA Pan Dimensional Drive (#13) created. Dimensional Wedge (#289) created. Pan Dimensional Viewer (#109) created. Deluxe Dimensional Pack (#418) created. Dimensional Identifier (#84) created. -------------------- Operational Information Only ------------------------ Ultimate Universe now accepts start up parameters from both DOOR.SYS file formats. (Still accepts DORINFOx.DEF as well.) Version 1.24 July 8th, 1992 Wide Spread Release. Bug that gave error message if closing pauses left unentered, fixed. Device #263 is now a one-shot device as was originally intended. Random Bug caused by improper string passing has been corrected. Spy Functions rewritten for increased speed. Cabal Reporting Delay removed completely. Port 4 functions slower for early days, but no speed lose as the universe ages. Secondary Scan Codes: SC, SE & S#, added. Macro Variable (#205) removed from game. Malfunction of Warp Shield Shuttle (#241) corrected. Attacking Holographic Ship Decoy now destroys it. Adelphia Planet Splitter (#464) no longer duplicates Planetary Device. Error in Time Entry module that caused minutes greater than 600 to turn negative, corrected. Credit: Steve McCoy, Compuserve. Team Menu Password would not display. This has been corrected. Credit: Stacy Trippe, Inverness, MS. Debris Salvager allowed Cargo Holds and Warp Devices to exceed maximum allowed limits, in some cases wrapping to negative amounts. Credit: Todd Schacherl. C.E.C.C. calling would allow access even if Federation Fines existed. Credit: Debbie Thrush, Gallalee, KS. Dead Team Mates would display in Locate Team Members function. ---------------------- Internal Information Only ------------------------- Ultimate Universe no longer redirects the Control-Break interrupt. This would cause the BBS to hang if the BBS tried to retake control before Ultimate Universe had relinquished it. Atleast on Searchlight. Version 1.23 June 21th, 1992 Wide Spread Release. Turns have become Fuel Units. (Seemed like a cool idea at the time.) Credit: Wilson Selzer. Angry Federation Mines would not attack Federation Drone attackers if no new enemy drones were laid. Angry Federation Fighters would not attack Federation Mine attackers if no new enemy mines were laid. Time display now changes to seconds for the final 100 seconds. Destination and Number of Drones questions reversed in Attack Coordinator. Credit: Andrue Carr. Bug that caused Daily Maintenance to remove Holographic Planet Decoy Beacons has been repaired. Credit: Andrue Carr. Adelphian Planet Merger loses less cargo in transition. Two Devices Remapped #473->471, #474->472. Hyper Mini Swap (#469) created. Team Hyper Mini Swap (#470) created. Team HyperSwap (#473) created, Team HyperSwap w/Cube Interface (#474) created. Computer Function 'J': Juxtaposation Devices, added. Computer Function 'X': Xmit Sensor Display to Sub Space Radio, added. Sensor Damage transferred from turn penalty to time penalty. Computer Function 'W' changed from 'Waste Turns' to 'Wait'. Device #303 Remapped to #309. Sensor Damper Deluxe (#310) created. R.M.D. 75 (#302) created. 'Out of Position' Adjuster (#252) created. Inertia Damper (#247), Inertia Damper Deployment Probe (#380) & Remote I.D.D. Probe (#381) created. Planet Alert Jr. (#344) created. Planet Alert (#343) created. Holographic Planet Decoy Beacon (#298) was bugged. Required change of file structure. Two Devices Remapped: #208->206, #286->290. Remote Xmit Display Rerouter (#208) created. GoSubs & GoTos reduced in power, initial sector now set by being in that sector. Ship to Port Type Warpers (#282 thru 286) created. Computer Function 'H' made more user friendly and the information contained in it has been updated. The Auto Trader (#212) created. Credit: Andrue Carr. Planetary Cargo Shuttle (#2) created. Credit: Andrue Carr. Trader Pack (#172) created. Cloaking Diffusers (401+402) now correctly work on Teleport Satellites also. Warp Link Connector (#263) created. The Isolator (#253), Isolator ][ (#254) and The Isolator, Neat & Tidy (#255) created. CONFIG.EXE modified to allow up to five initial devices. Fixed bug that's been with us since the beginning that caused certain devices to malfunction if granted as the Initial Device. Respects Out of Time in all sections of the program, doesn't wait for return to Main Command. In BBS mode will automatically exit program. Version 1.22 June 13th, 1992 Never Released. Major Bug introduced in version 1.20, fixed. Caused random damage to Radio, Flea Market, Newspaper and Bank files. Revamped Device #1 slightly. Bug that stopped Cabal from successfully Claiming Independant Planets fixed. Port 5 Ship Teleportation, Teleported ship and left it still docked. This has been corrected. Split Galactic Newspaper into The Universe Today, and The Warzine. The Warzine covers The Federation-Cabal war exclusively. Phantom Warp Scanner (#108) created. Phantom Warp Viewer & Scanner (#174) created. Flash Protector Grid (#80) created. Macro Variable %1 input routine modified to force Upper Case when it should. Master Input Routine modified to respect 'ESC' dump buffer command even when buffer is full. Explorer Autopilot (#260) renamed Far Shot Autopilot. Explorer Autopilot (#259) created. Added control over frequency of return Warp Links (always was 100% before.) Can now be set to any percentage 0 to 100% with Config.EXE. Federation, Cabal, AntiEstabling Sector Mine strategy installed. Subvertion Amounts shown by total instead of detail in Galactic Newspaper. Sector Reflectors and Dampers now foul Attack Drone Coordinator and Auto Pilots. Bug that caused invisible tollstations after death of owner, fixed. Fixed Bug that caused Evesdropper to malfunction. Remapped Device #472 -> #459. Conquering Major Cabal Planets grants extra Device Bay. Version 1.21 May 31, 1992 Wide Spread Release. The Starter Pack (#161) created. Device #58 remapped to Device #57. Defensive Device Bay Protector (#58) created. Device Bay #0 can no longer be destroyed (it can still be damaged). The Cabal, Anti-Establings and Federation Drones are given a brain. New Cabal Planet Strategy established. Fixed bug that caused Sector Reflector to Malfunction. Fixed huge bug that reset Player's Mine Programing to 'Attack All but Owner' at the start of UUD. Wandering Drone Locator (#351) created. Wander Viciously & Subvert Drones settings exhaustively debugged. Flashwires lockouted of Sectors 1 thru 8. Configuration Variable BBS expanded to allow Setting #2: DorInfo.DEF. Command Line Information may now be obtained from DorInfo#.DEF files. A third party conversion program CVTDOOR is being bundled with this program game to convert almost many Door Files to DorInfo#.DEF. Team Cubes Occasionally Contain Materials. This has been corrected. Version 1.20 May 26, 1992 Released Only to Registered Users. Removed Universal Device Descriptor (#209), obsolete. Augment Forces option added for Sector Mines & Attack Drones. Can no longer set Drones & Mines to Team setting if you are not a member of a team. Fixed old bug that halved the number of days a ship may be inactive. Made Viral Planet Infection Permanent Tractor Beam now turns off if it has become disconnected from the ship. Over Space Travel now allows Tractor Beam to tow ship. Device Bay Missile Platforms locked out of Sectors 1 thru 10. Credit: Dan Gilligan, Chicago, IL? Made Auto-Pilot respect all the new objects floating out there. Added Calls to EXPORT.BAT & IMPORT.BAT. Export & Import now functional. Fixed Ranking so that planets and such can't get lost. Specialty Device & Bay Protector (#58) created. Remote Device Access (#209) created. Port 9, Sanctuary removed. Port 9, C.E.C.C. Headquarters added. Report Cabal Location moved from Port 4 to Port 9. C.E.C.C. Calling Device (#281) created and added to Fed Pack. Fixed bug, that made Computer Scan function allow certain scans that should have read "No Information Available". Macro Variable '%4' added. %4 returns the value given in the last %1 Macro Variable. Macro Variable '%5' added. This increments the value given in the last %1 Macro Variable and then returns it. Added Ablity to put Cargo into the Flea Market. Flea Market Has Possiblity of Devices For Sale appearing each day. Holographic Black Hole Beacon (#299) created. Fixed bug in Ranking that caused some ships to not always appear. Added configuration variable that allow Sysop to play at Modem Speed if they are so inclined to fairness. Returned Automatic Shuttling of Warp Shielding to Planetary Operation. Ship's Computer may now become damaged in large battles or by Device Bay Missiles. Computer Repair Drone (#76) created. The Configuration Editor (CONFIG.EXE) created. Replaces Config.AUU and CONCOMP.EXE. The Device Documentor (DDOC.EXE) created. Creates a Complete Device Listing from Device.UU and ID.UU Advanced Spy Ward (#66) created. Advanced Spy Ward Factory (#198) created. Team Planet Locator (#354) removed. Team Planet's no longer exist. Devices #416 & 417 adjusted accordingly. Aware Remote Computer Access (#230) created. Conquer a Cabal Planet get a Device Bay. Sort Device Bays now sorts damaged bays to the bottom and removes destroyed bays entirely. Cabal Spy Info (Port #4) will always have been reported. Reported Cabal Fighters are added to Missions from C.C.E.C. ---------------------- Internal Information Only ------------------------- Changed all output to route thru a single routine in preparation for hook up to Fossil Driver. Version 1.19 May 8, 1992 Wide Spread Release. Fixed bug that made it impossible to sell devices 1 & 2. Removed Locks on Registered Only devices. Now only Import & Export seperate Registered and Shareware Versions. Changed Procurator to pay out only one quarter of the value of the item being purchased. Removed 4 day opening restriction as well. Altered Planet Merger (#463) to lose cargo in the Merger. This was not supposed to be a way to MOVE planets. Delacoos Drive Disruptor (#374) created. Delacoos Drive Disruptor Detector (#365) created. Planetary Warp Detector (#334) created. Planetary Evacuation Device (#242) created. Sector Reflect Detecter (#106) created. 'Report Offending Objects' options added to Galactic Teamsters (Port 5). Warp Link Display Suppresser (#395) created. Made Blackholes lock out display of sector information. Config.AUU variables , , ,