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README.DOC
Welcome to WARSHIPS version 2.1 09/25/92
This README file contains important, last minute information
in addition to WARSHIPS.DOC.
For those of you who tried WARSHIPS 1.0, this is a much
improved version. Support for the keyboard and joystick
have been added. There are now three levels of play. And,
we added background music via the PC speaker.
For those of you installing from floppy there is now an
installation program (install.com) to help you.
This program has been tested on a 25/20MH 386 (VGA) running
MSDOS 3.3 and PCDOS 2.1, a 16/8MH 386SX (VGA) running MSDOS
3.3, a 12/6MH 286 (VGA) running MSDOS 3.1, and a 12/6MH 286
(EGA) running DOS 3.2. Please inform us of any problems
with other combinations.
We suggest you load this game to your hard disk. The loading
of the images from floppy can take awhile. However, loading
the game to your hard disk is not required.
We are extremely interested in your constructive comments
and suggestions. Feedback from users, even negative
feedback, helps us to improve our game products. We thank
you for your interest in TAG SOFTWARE products.
Please send your comments or suggestions to :
..........................
: :
: TAG SOFTWARE :
: 5909 Shepherd Lane :
: Seabrook, MD 20706 :
:........................:
INSTALLATION
TO FLOPPY DISK:
WARSHIPS should be runable directly from the floppy disk.
However, we suggest that you make a backup copy.
1) Insert the floppy disk containing WARSHIPS into a floppy
disk drive. If this drive is the "B" drive then use "B:"
instead of "A:" in the remaining procedures.
2) At the DOS prompt type:
A:
WARSHIPS
3) As the game begins, you should hear "Anchors Aweigh" and
see an opening screen with a menu asking you to select an
input device. Input the corresponding number of the
device you want to use to play the game (1 for mouse, 2
for joystick, or 3 for keyboard). When the game board is
displayed, use your selected input device to click on
PLAY to start a game.
TO HARD DISK:
TAG SOFTWARE has included an installation program to ease
your installation of WARSHIPS to hard disk. However, a disk
vendor may have replaced TAG SOFTWARE's supplied
installation program with their own. These procedures
assume the use of the TAG SOFTWARE installation program. If
a disk vendor has replaced TAG SOFTWARE's supplied
installation program, follow the directions supplied in the
vendor's installation program.
1) Insert the floppy disk containing WARSHIPS into the
floppy disk drive. If this drive is the "B" drive, use
"B:" instead of "A:" in the remaining procedures.
2) At the DOS prompt type:
A:
INSTALL
3) Follow the directions given by the installation program.
This installation program will wish to install WARSHIPS
into a directory on your hard disk. This directory can
already exist, or the installation program will create it
as necessary.
4) Change to the directory that you installed WARSHIPS into
in the step above. To start the game, type:
WARSHIPS
You should hear "Anchors Aweigh" as the game begins
execution and see an opening screen with a menu asking
you to select an input device. Input the corresponding
number of the device you want to use to play the game (1
for mouse, 2 for joystick, or 3 for keyboard). When the
game board is displayed, use your selected input device
to click on PLAY to start a game.
QUICK INSTALLATION
1) Copy all the files from the floppy to a directory on your
hard disk. It is important that WARSHIPS.EXE,
WARSHIPS.IDB, and WARSHIPS.OPT be kept together. Print
out the WARSHIPS.DOC and REGISTER.DOC files. Remember
that this program is shareware. If you continue to use
it, you need to register it.
2) Change to the directory that you copied WARSHIPS to in
the step above. Type WARSHIPS to start the game.
WARSHIPS starts with the following option settings:
Sound: ON
Level: Expert
First: Player
Place: Random
Device: Select
See WARSHIPS.DOC for directions on how to change these
options.
REGISTER.DOC
/--------------------------------------------------\
| REGISTRATION FORM FOR TAG SOFTWARE SHAREWARE |
\--------------------------------------------------/
Registration benefits: You will receive the latest registered
version of this program as described in the documentation file
and more FREE high quality shareware programs from TAG
SOFTWARE. Technical support, a printed, manual, a strategy
guide, and notification of updates and new product
announcements are added benefits.
Your Name: _________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
City/State:_________________________________________________
Zip/Country
Are you a New TAG SOFTWARE customer? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Where did you get this program from ? _____________________
Specify floppy disk type :
[ ] 5 1/4" 360K , [ ] 5 1/4" 1.2Mb ,
[ ] 3 1/2" 720K , [ ] 3 1/2" 1.4Mb
Describe your system (check all that apply).
[ ] CGA [ ] Hercules [ ] EGA [ ] MCGA [ ] VGA
[ ] SVGA [ ] Color Monitor [ ] Monochrome Monitor
[ ] Mouse [ ] Joystick [ ] Modem [ ] Printer [ ] Sound Card
[ ] 8088 [ ] 286 [ ] 386SX [ ] 386 [ ] 486
[ ] 4.77 [ ] 6/8/10MH [ ] 16/20MH [ ] 25/33MH [ ] 33/+
Send _______ copies of Warships 2.1 $15 each _______
(MD Residents only) SALES TAX 5% _______
(foreign only) SHIPPING _______
TOTAL _________
( We pay Shipping to US and Canadian addresses. Foreign
customers, please add $2/order for shipping and handling. )
[ ] Check enclosed [ ] Money order enclosed
Make checks payable to "TAG SOFTWARE" in U.S. dollars only!
Thank you.
..........................
: TAG SOFTWARE :
Send To: : 5909 Shepherd Lane :
: Seabrook, MD 20706 :
: U.S.A.:
:........................:
WARSHIPS.DOC
/------------\
| TAG | Presents
| SOFTWARE | . . . . WARSHIPS 2.1
\------------/
WARSHIPS 2.1 is a computerized version of the "Classic"
Battleship(TM) game. One player competes with the computer
in a race to see which fleet of ships is sunk first. There
are many versions of a battleship-type game available in the
shareware market, but WARSHIPS has some quality features
which sets it apart from the rest. First, WARSHIPS 2.1 was
written for the "Battleships" purist who wants to play the
game as it was originally conceived. The player and the PC
opponent each have a fleet of five different ships. The
object is simply to locate and sink the opponent's fleet
while you are still afloat. If you prefer a game with
additional obstacles or traps, WARSHIPS 2.1 is not for you.
Second, WARSHIPS 2.1 features EGA/VGA graphics, providing a
clearer, more distinct display than is possible with CGA
graphics.
Third, WARSHIPS 2.1 plays introductory and victory music
through the PC speaker as well as producing sound effects
during game play.
Fourth, WARSHIPS 2.1 features a mouse-like interface unique
to TAG SOFTWARE products. Three input devices (mouse,
joystick, and keyboard) are supported, yet each uses the
"point and click" style of a mouse. You don't need to waste
time typing "A1" or "B7", just move the pointer to the
target and click. This simplicity of operation makes the
game enjoyable for everyone aged 3 to 100.
Finally, WARSHIPS 2.1 requires an IBM PC or compatible, an
EGA/VGA graphics card, and only 256K of available RAM.
WARSHIPS 2.1 is distributed as Shareware: if you like the
program, please become a registered user. Print or list the
file REGISTER.DOC for registration benefits and more
information. Distribution of this shareware program is
encouraged.
The WARSHIPS 2.1 source code, object code, executables and
manuals on paper or on disk, are (C) COPYRIGHT 1991-1992 by
Carole & Allen Grider.
DISCLAIMER
This program is provided "AS IS" and it is WITHOUT warranty
of any kind that it will work correctly in any or all
situations. No liability shall be assumed for direct or
consequential damage caused by the use of this software.
The only claim TAG SOFTWARE makes is that there are no
intentional bugs or fatal errors in any original copy of
the program that you receive directly from TAG SOFTWARE.
MANIFEST
WARSHIPS.DOC . . . Text, Documentation (This file)
WARSHIPS.EXE . . . Warships Game
WARSHIPS.OPT . . . Options file
WARSHIPS.IDB . . . Graphics file
README.DOC . . . . Text, Last minute information
REGISTER.DOC . . . Text, Registration order form
INSTALL.COM . . . Installation from floppy disk
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution of this program is encouraged as long as the
following Shareware principles are observed:
All of the above-mentioned 7 files should be
included in the distributed disk and should not be
altered in any way. TAG SOFTWARE authorizes the
distribution ONLY of the 7 above-mentioned files.
If archiving this program for BBS use or library use,
please include all files and use the name: WARSHP21, ( ie:
WARSHP21.ARC or WARSHP21.ZIP ). This will provide
consistency for future updates.
Note Disk and Rack Vendors: Please contact TAG SOFTWARE for
the latest version of this and all our programs. Disk and
Rack Vendors are allowed to replace INSTALL.COM with their
own installation package. Also contact us if you require
customization. We will consider non-exclusive registration
handling agreements.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND OPTIONS
COMPUTERS: IBM/PC/XT/AT or compatibles. 256K free memory.
DISPLAY: EGA(128K), EGA(256K), VGA.
A Mouse is recommended but not required.
OPERATION
The program will detect your display card and if it is
unacceptable, will display an appropriate message and exit.
It will also sense if there is a mouse, joystick or keyboard
attached by checking for and with the mouse driver, polling
the joystick, and defaulting to a keyboard. If you wish to
use a mouse with WARSHIPS 2.1, you must install your mouse
driver before running WARSHIPS 2.1.
WARSHIPS 2.1 stores your options in WARSHIPS.OPT. WARSHIPS's
graphics are stored in the WARSHIPS.IDB file. It finds
these files using your environment variable. Therefore, you
can place WARSHIPS 2.1 (with the WARSHIPS.OPT and
WARSHIPS.IDB files) in any directory in your PATH
environment variable and WARSHIPS 2.1 will find them.
When the program finds your display card acceptable, it will
set itself up. You will see a title screen and possibly a
menu of input devices. You will get this menu of input
devices on the first usage of WARSHIPS 2.1. Select the
input device you want to use to play the game by typing the
number of the device. If WARSHIPS is unable to initialize
the device, an error message will be displayed and you will
be presented with the menu of input devices again. When the
selected input device (either by menu selection or by Option
specification) initializes, you will be requested to hit a
button (for mouses and joysticks) or a space (for keyboards).
When the program finds your display card acceptable and has
initialized an input device, you will be presented with the
play screen. From this point on (until you exit the game)
input will only be accepted from the selected input device.
For mouses, either the LEFT or RIGHT mouse buttons can be
used on all clickable areas. We wanted no left- or
right-handed mouse bias in this program. For joysticks,
either button can be used on all clickable areas. Finally,
for keyboard usage, the SPACE, ENTER, and the 5 key can be
used on all clickable areas.
We standardized on a mouse type interface for all three
supported input devices. This means that you will be
presented with an arrow on the screen (called a pointer) and
you use the input device to move the pointer around. For a
mouse this type of operation is obvious. For joystick usage,
the operation is very similar to a mouse and if you
calibrate your joystick properly during initialization you
will have a good amount of proportional control of both
speed and direction of the pointer.
Keyboard operation is slightly different. Hitting a
direction key will cause the pointer to move in that
direction. Hitting the same direction key again will cause
the arrow to stop. There are eight direction keys. Keys 8,
4, 6, and 2 are the Up, Left, Right, and Down arrow keys.
Note that the extra arrow keys on Extended-101 keyboards
work properly also. The 7, 9, 1, and 3 keys move you on
diagonals. The 7 key (HOME) moves you up and left. The 9 key
(PGUP) moves you up and right. The 1 key (END) moves you
down and left. The 3 key (PGDN) moves you down and right.
As mentioned above, the 5, SPACE, and ENTER keys are the
button keys. These are to be used to select a clickable
area. The whole idea of this setup is that you can place
your hand on the numeric keypad and totally control the
game.
Whether you use a mouse, joystick, or keyboard, the
operation of the game is similar. There will be areas of
the screen that are clickable. In the following
documentation, we will refer to buttons. Buttons are well
defined clickable areas that somehow affect the operation of
the program. Basic operation requires you to move the
pointer to the button and hit a mouse button, joystick
button, or a button key to invoke its operation.
When the play screen is displayed, you will see four buttons
across the top of the screen. These buttons are labeled
INFO, PLAY, OPTIONS, and QUIT. The INFO button gives you
information about the program and how to register. The PLAY
button allows you to start a game. The OPTIONS button
allows you to set the game options to your preferences.
Finally, the QUIT button allows you to exit the program.
/------\
| INFO |
\------/
Clicking on the INFO button will cause an informative window
to be displayed. While this window is displayed, clicking
on the OK button within this window will cause the window to
be removed (and play resumed).
/------\
| PLAY |
\------/
Clicking on the PLAY button will start a game of WARSHIPS
2.1 with your current option settings (see the OPTIONS
button below). Your ship board will be displayed on the left
and your hit board will be displayed on the right. (Your
ship board shows the locations of your fleet of ships, while
your hit board shows the results of your shots.)
If you have selected MANUAL ship placement, you will be
presented with a menu of ships to be placed on your ship
board. First, click on a ship in the menu. Then click on a
ship board location. Finally, indicate the direction (up,
down, left, or right) by clicking on one of the squares
immediately surrounding that location.
At any time during this process you can click on the RANDOM
button to place any remaining ships randomly. If you
generally prefer to have all of your ships placed randomly,
you may want to set the placement option to random (see the
OPTIONS button below).
Once all of your ships have been placed, the game begins.
Whether the player or the computer starts first is
determined by the setting of the FIRST option (see the
OPTIONS button below). When it is your turn, you indicate
your shot by clicking on a square on your hit board (the
right board). A red peg indicates a hit. A white peg
indicates a miss. When you hit all of a ship it will
appear. You can also keep track of your progress by
regularly glancing at the status window. This window tracks
which ships have been sunk by each player and the number of
games won/lost in this session.
The object of the game is to find and sink all of the
computer's ships before it sinks yours. There are five
types of ships -- each player starts with one of each.
These ships include a Carrier (5 shots), a Battleship (4
shots), a Submarine (3 shots), a Destroyer (3 shots), and a
PT Boat (2 shots).
/---------\
| OPTIONS |
\---------/
Clicking on the OPTIONS button will cause the options menu
to be displayed. Clicking on an option will cause it to
change. Keep clicking until you get the value you want.
There are two buttons on this menu, OK and CANCEL. Clicking
on the CANCEL button will cancel the options menu with no
changes to your game options. Clicking on the OK button
will cause the options currently displayed to be updated to
disk and affect the operation of the game. These options
will carry over from one invocation to another, until
changed.
There are currently five options. They are SOUND, LEVEL,
FIRST, PLACE, and DEVICE. The SOUND option has two values,
ON or OFF. When set to ON, there will be interesting sound
effects and background music. When set to OFF the game will
be silent.
The LEVEL option has three values, NOVICE, ADVANCED, or
EXPERT. A setting of NOVICE uses a very simple strategy to
find ships. A setting of ADVANCED uses a modified version
of the strategy used in WARSHIPS 1.0. And, a setting of
EXPERT uses a new highly optimized strategy.
The FIRST option has two values, COMPUTER or PLAYER. This
option controls who goes first when a game is started.
The option PLACE, has two values, MANUAL or RANDOM. A value
of MANUAL allows the player to place his ships at the
beginning of a game. A value of RANDOM causes the player's
ships to be randomly placed at the beginning of a game.
Finally, the DEVICE option allows the user to select the
preferred input device. The settings are MOUSE, JOYSTICK,
KEYBOARD, or SELECT. A setting of MOUSE, JOYSTICK, or
KEYBOARD will cause that device to be used to play the game
if one can be initialized. If the device cannot be
initialized or if this option is set to SELECT, a menu of
input devices will be presented on startup of the game.
However, changes to this option will only take effect when
the program is started again.
/------\
| QUIT |
\------/
Finally, clicking on the QUIT button allows you to exit the
game. There are two buttons in this window. The CANCEL
button allows you to resume the game. The OK button will
exit the program and return you to DOS.
DOCUMENTATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
If you have a printer, please print out and read the
documentation file WARSHIPS.DOC. We would like to thank our
friends for their suggestions and comments. In particular,
we would like to thank Paul Barbieri and Ron Turner for
their time and patience.
FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS
I would like to add a salvo option, but need a reference to
it outside of Milton Bradley's Battleship(TM) board game.
If some kind person can find this for me, I would really
appreciate it.
We have been working on Adlib/SoundBlaster support but it
is not ready for this release. Expect it in future
versions. In reality, we cannot continue to expend large
amounts of time and effort on future versions on WARSHIPS
unless more people register.
REGISTRATION BENEFITS
WARSHIPS 2.1 is distributed as Shareware: if you like the
program, please become a registered user by sending $15 to
TAG SOFTWARE. List or print the file REGISTER.DOC for more
information.
- You will receive the latest version of this program.
- A printed manual and strategy guide.
- Technical Support. Please write TAG SOFTWARE.
- Registered users receive more free shareware from
TAG SOFTWARE.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #3200
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
WARSHIPS EXE 138970 9-27-92 1:21p
WARSHIPS OPT 12 10-20-92 12:24p
WARSHIPS IDB 31412 5-27-92 10:33p
WARSHIPS DOC 15121 9-24-92 7:57p
README DOC 4905 9-24-92 10:42p
REGISTER DOC 2223 9-24-92 10:26p
INSTALL COM 20314 9-27-92 1:42p
GO BAT 7 10-20-92 12:50p
8 file(s) 212964 bytes
105472 bytes free