December 1, 1995 ---------------- Iron Ox v. 3.00wb2 for DOS and OS/2 MAJOR RELEASE (Yes, we've packed in two just during wide beta! ) [û] Add support for interBBS league play. [û] Implement recon and message system. [û] Implement interBBS attacks and group attacks. [û] Implement interBBS spy and sabotage operations. [û] Support up to 100-BBS leagues. [û] Update OxConfig for easy interBBS setup. [û] Add new ranking system appropriate for interBBS play. [û] Add scoring rewards for good land work, improvements, and attacks. [û] Allow Sonic Cannons to fire at incoming IBBS attacks. [û] Add routines to return attacks lost in transit. [û] Add support for automatic nodelist updates. [û] Support packet transmission through Fido or UUCP (internet). [û] Add new playability features like the transporter and bicorder. [û] Encrypt data files and packets to discourage cheating. [û] (At least) double the speed of maintenance. [û] Add "map modes" highlighting road and product concentrations. [û] Add Ctrl-Z "Advisor" to help out new players. August 3, 1995 -------------- MAJOR RELEASE Iron Ox v. 3.00wb1 for DOS and OS/2 [û] Added new "plot-oriented" movement and menu system; eliminated "Gods-eye" view of the map. [û] Removed support for multiple simultaneous games; added support for more players, longer games. [û] Added complete combat system with cybermutts. [û] Added support for real-time multiline interaction and combat. [û] Added full support for RIP graphics, including local DOS graphics. [û] Added land improvement system reminiscent of Civilization. [û] Added option to "work the land" for products. [û] Added maintenance costs for improvements and cybermutts. [û] Eliminated the "one game entry per day" restriction. [û] Added forts for defense of territory. January 12, 1994 ---------------- Iron Ox v. 2.01 for DOS and OS/2 [û] Fixed problem that was causing 2.00 to crash with "Can't lock user index" when purging inactive users. [û] Increased the speed of various sections of the program, especially the AI player routines. [û] Fixed "printf: floating point formats not linked" when editing store data under OS/2. [û] 2.00 wasn't always finding DORINFOx.DEF, even when the DORINFO sysop was following directions perfectly. Should be corrected. [û] Fixed a number of other minor glitches. December 16, 1994 ----------------- MAJOR RELEASE Iron Ox v. 2.00 for DOS and OS/2 New Features [û] Computer-controlled players; support for "mixed games" between humans and AI's as well as one-player games against the computer! [û] Player-selectable game difficulty level. [û] Variable-sized map (up to eleven times larger than in 1.x). [û] Multinode messaging and chat under DOS version of the game. [û] Spy database. [û] Option to join game midway by replacing AI players. [û] Option for AI players to take over the characters of AWOL players. [û] Lower memory requirements (by about 75k). [û] New terrain types (desert and swamp). [û] Option to hide products on unowned plots of the map. [û] Depletion of heavily-mined squares. [û] Spoilage when player holds a large surplus of any product. [û] Option to explore map to collect information and look for products. [û] Many new configuration options, including "Total turns per day." [û] Support for Wildcat 4.00's SYSINFO.DAT file. [û] "Paper-saving" electronic notepad for players and communes. [û] Option to "catch a ride home" (concede) with sysop-configurable penalty. [û] Much more! June 17, 1994 ------------- Iron Ox v. 1.11 for DOS Bug Fixes [û] Fixed defect in prize processing function that was causing incorrect on some systems and sporadic lockups on at least one. [û] Fixed problem that sometimes caused "abnormal termination" of conversion utility. [û] Editor corrupted screen when sysop set plot owner to "No One." [û] "Change game length" feature in the editor wouldn't accept all valid numbers. May 27, 1994 ------------ Iron Ox v. 1.10 for DOS Competitive Features [û] Players may now play their first turn *AS SOON AS THEY START OR JOIN A GAME*; they do not need to wait for other players. [û] Added complete team support, with pooled scoring and mutual access to inventory. [û] Added Sheriff's Office as countermeasure to stealing. [û] Added option to order pizzas for other players. [û] Caper's vacations are now keyed to boredom. Player must "keep Caper entertained." [û] Players may summon the luxite pirates to cause a luxite shortage. [û] Added option to bribe newspaper reporter. [û] Added "Trojan Ox" as countermeasure to sabotage (registered-only). [û] [û] Player may choose game length within sysop-selected limits (registered-only). Playability Changes [û] Added option for player to specify min and max players in game. [û] Added small individual "presents." [û] Added trade deal menu with option to skip, edit, and delete deals. [û] Added option to review already-received messages. [û] Players may now claim an extra plot of land when they miss a turn. [û] Game now makes note of records in the planetary newspaper. [û] Added limit on the number of oxen the factory can make each month. [û] Added option for player to (V)iew a Game when not his/her turn. [û] Gave player option to "go home early" when everyone else is dead. [û] A player may now resume turns interrupted by lost carrier so long as he/she is the next person into the game. [û] Players who don't play for several turns are now declared AWOL. February 11, 1994 ----------------- Initial release: Iron Ox 1.00!