Archive Part6
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MESSAGE: 3455 DATE/TIME: 01-03-90 7:33am
FROM : TONY FREBOTTA RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Advanced Simulations THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but could I get a copy of the
Advanced Simulations Manual for Begin ? Is it available on-line
somewhere ?
Thanks !
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MESSAGE: 3461 DATE/TIME: 01-03-90 11:10pm
FROM : KEVIN HARRISON RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Pretty good! My best at those odds is 173.13
I managed to kill a WE and damage a BP before I died.
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MESSAGE: 3489 DATE/TIME: 01-06-90 10:51am
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Ahem... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hate to be pushy, but :
1. What's the latest on Begin 2.0?
2. What's the latest on new ASM's for all the loyal contributors? :)
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MESSAGE: 3492 DATE/TIME: 01-06-90 12:05pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Ahem... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well.... 2.0 will probably be delayed again since Mike and his wife
are having a baby in a couple of weeks and he doesn't have the time
to work on it. It will most likely be at least March 1 but we are
working on it.
Tom
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MESSAGE: 3520 DATE/TIME: 01-09-90 5:25pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Interesting THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Take, say 1 Fed Dread. and 1 Interceptor vs. 9 Romulan War Eagles, and
the WE's will totally ignore the Interceptor, so you can use him to go
around and just phaser everyone to death, and they won't lift a finger
to stop you.
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MESSAGE: 3528 DATE/TIME: 01-10-90 9:14pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Ahem... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Sounds cool ta me... (Geez... Mikey having a kid? Ack! The poor kid...
8-{)} Seriously, Thompson, Congrat 'im fer me, wouldja?)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3611 DATE/TIME: 01-24-90 12:18am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Interesting THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
That's not that interesting. With a Federation Dreadnought, hitting a
War Eagle with 8 torps will take him out of the picture. Now a
Destroyer is a little more tricky...
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MESSAGE: 3612 DATE/TIME: 01-24-90 8:19pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Interesting THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yeah, but my point was that the Eagles didn't even recognize that my
Interceptor even existed. Hey, they weren't doin' anything else with
their phasers...'the heck is their problem?
You know what Begin needs? Stuff like boarding parties and prisoner
takings...seems kind of anti-climactic to ALMOST kill a ship and have
nothing else to do but finish him off...
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MESSAGE: 3614 DATE/TIME: 01-26-90 5:22pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Just got my ASM! Very nice manual. Lots of interesting information.
Well written, by the way.
However, in keeping precedent, I can't let EVERYTHING pass without
whining about SOMETHING. Here it is, folks :
It would be nice if once you registered, the version on the disk did
not have the "introductory message" before asking for your name...
Other than that, everything's great.
/s
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3617 DATE/TIME: 01-26-90 5:56pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, we could do that. The only problem is that I am sure that
someone would start distributing it.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3639 DATE/TIME: 01-28-90 8:53am
FROM : JOHN HELMICH RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I agree with the opening screen. Perhaps registered versions would
allow you to use an environment variable for the captain's name.
One might say - I want to be Korg when I'm a Klingon... Well, you could
have 4 environment names FNAME, KNAME,RNAME and ONAME. I always use
Helmich as the captain's name, and feel that rekeying it in all the
time is unnecessary. For what it's worth...
I agree that the Advanced Sim manual is excellent.
Hey, while I'm at it, will ver 2.0 allow you to create a new enemy with
different characteristics and user defined weapons strength, etc?
Looking forward to it.
John
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3667 DATE/TIME: 02-03-90 3:34am
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Damage Control THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I feel you should be able to direct repair crews to specific systems
(say, engines or maybe shields)
["...Scotty, get me some shields - NOW!..."]
If the situation calls for it, the crews should be directed away from
repairing my probes and begin work on my shields! maybe the ability
to either alter the percentage, or simply a command:
REPAIR SHIELDS
Also, re-inforced shields *should* be intergral to the game....
The ability to transfer power from place to place (shield to shield,
) or even better, make it slow down (or heat up) (or both) your
warp engines.... if you want #1 increased by 50%, ya lose a couple
of warp factors....good trade-off...
Let me read some more messages...
OH! I do agree with the different scenario idea...
Say....expand the map....(i know its on an infinite math grid anyway...)
say..fed space is from X50,000 Y50,000 to X100,000 Y100,000....
Klingon Space is X0 Y0 to X50,000 Y50,000.....Romulon Space...(etc)
Assign various Star Bases along various borders....Players can then
operate (get supplied) from the different star bases (and get repairs)
and can strike into enemy territory..even against an enemy base!
The base would have *BIG* shields...Lots of power...and maybe lots of
fighters?? Or intercepter-type ships...in addition to its own phasers
(which are,say, twice as powerful as a standard ship phaser...)
I'd like to take a DN, a couple of Bat Cruisers ...hmmm..maybe
*Two* DN's against an enemy Base Station.... And by saving the game
in progress, you can exploit the absence of a base in that area....
increase raids on shipping, etc....
Just a thought...
Tony out
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MESSAGE: 3707 DATE/TIME: 02-07-90 11:04am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Strategy Language THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I will be uploading some example BSL programs to the board to see
if they generate any interest. BSL allows us to make the enemy
strategy more complicated and give them more things to do. BSL
looks a lot like C, but it is multi-threaded and has different data
types. So, watch this space for a BSL primer soon!
Mike
===============================================================================
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MESSAGE: 3736 DATE/TIME: 02-11-90 11:37pm
FROM : LOYD CRAFT RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Where is BSL? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Is the BSL language announced in the "What's new with Begin" bulletin
implemented now, or is it going to be in version 2?
If it is implemented now, how does one access this? No mention of it
is in the documentation!
Thank You,
Loyd Craft
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MESSAGE: 3741 DATE/TIME: 02-12-90 5:35pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Damage Control THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Greetings....
thanks for the reply....
re:damage control....
maybe I didnt explain the damage control thing completely....
your message made me think another ship would have to fly out there to
fix the damaged ship...that wasn't my intent. I simply meant that
the captain would direct his damage control teams *away* from certain
areas and towards other areas....
I'm very pleased to hear about the possibility of convoys and escorts...
wouldnt be a bad idea of the convoy could send an SOS and let a
destroyer or two cruise in X turns / X minutes later...
of course, you ought to be able to jam radio transmission????....
I still like the idea of starbases....
also...
I wish you could type ODDS when designing scenarios in the beginning of
the game...that could help out when designing a close game...
any other tid-bits ya got in mind for V2.0????
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3756 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 12:45pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
OK, then when you distribute registered versions, attach a
"registration number" to it. That way, if anyone spotted a distributed
version, you'd know who did it, and could call them up at 2:00 in the
morning and breath into the phone.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3757 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 12:46pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : JOHN HELMICH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I always use the name "Flook". For everything. Don't ask me why.
It's easy to type, and it sounds alien.
I really don't know where I got the name Flook from...Wow.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3758 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 12:52pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Those are all very good ideas for Begin enhancements. However :
The BSL idea is a fabulous one, and I'm anxiously awaiting seeing the
BSL code...
And all that Begin needs to make it one of the greatest game programs
ever is graphics...It does get a bit boring looking at ".." and "En"
all over the place...
I too am axiously awaiting 2.0...<chompatthebit, chompatthebit>
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3759 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 1:30pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
How about a command line option or environment variable to make it
stop advertising?
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3760 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 1:32pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
So you think graphics is what is really needs? hmm.....
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MESSAGE: 3761 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 6:40pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hey, there ya go.....I don't care how it happens. The point is to get
by it. Command line option, environment variable, anything...
Oh yeah, and a boss key! :)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3762 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 6:42pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yes. The mental experience is very rich and fulfilling. It just needs
to be a bit more of a visual experience.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3765 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 8:37pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey Mike! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
The 'tomorrow' you made a reference to yesterday is almost over, and I
don't see any BSL code! I'm getting nervous! Please give me a reason
to go on!
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MESSAGE: 3767 DATE/TIME: 02-15-90 8:59pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey Mike! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
It is most likely his new baby I would guess.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3776 DATE/TIME: 02-16-90 7:12am
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey Mike! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well heck, the guy's really got to get his priorities in order! :)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3819 DATE/TIME: 02-20-90 10:03pm
FROM : LIONEL SILVA RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: BEGIN THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Thanks for the reply. Got thru again today. Since I have been gone a
while, I'm wondering if I have the latest registered version of BEGIN.
The last one I have (with printed manual) is ver 1.65. Is there a more
current version available? I noticed you are working on ver 2.0.
Sounds great! I vote for better graphics (I have a VGA, but any
graphics which resemble some of the commercially available games would
be great.).
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3820 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 2:54am
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : NO
TO : LIONEL SILVA PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: BEGIN THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Version 1.65 is the current version. Hopefully 2.0 will be out shortly.
We are looking into a graphics version.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3821 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 9:50am
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Damage Control THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, I think you'd still need to support monochrome displays... for
example, my VGA monitor's in the repair shop, and I'd certainly be going
thru withdrawal pains if I couldn't play Begin (grin)...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3823 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 5:27pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Damage Control THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hmmmm....I support graphics, but would be disappointed if CGA was NOT
supported. I've dabbled in graphics in "C" and it isn't that much
difficult to sense CGA than EGA or VGA. If EGA & VGA is supported, then
would VGA simply be in EGA mode? While EGA is in a lot of machines,
with VGA rapidly replacing it, CGA continues to dominate the market.
I feel, after all these changes are implemented, that you could offer
it commercially..... However, CGA players would feel left out if they
couldnt access graphics... Of course, if CGA graphics aren't
supported, then that's just one more reason for me to upgrade.
on to my other messages....
thanks again for replying....
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3824 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 5:33pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Damage Control THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
sounds good.... i'd like to see a list of those changes....
i still vote for some way to alter/re-direct damage control....
maybe if the command is without any passed arguments...
DAMAGE
it'll give ya your normal (current) damage control report...
however, if arguments ARE passed....
DAMAGE SHIELDS 50%
then it'll dynamically re-allocate and re-prioritize the rate of damage
control.... I, too, usually swap ships...however, if you are fighting
in a solor ship -vs- multiple ships, or solo -vs- solo, then it's
immpossible..... (make that solor into solo)
also, some times, you send your allies to the four winds, or off to
hunt down some rogue ships, and you let an enemy get a lucky shot in....
user-controlled damage control is a god-send, then!
thanks again for replying....
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3825 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 5:39pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : LOYD CRAFT PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Damage Control THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Thanks, Loyd. Like I told Mike, a lot of times I fight with a single
ship against a few enemy ships, and cannot transfer to a "new" ship.
i was thinking about something like:
DAMAGE
and it gives ya the standard report
DAMAGE SHIELDS 50%
would redirect teams to the shields, re-prioritizing the other systems.
Understand, the other systems would still be getting fixed, but perhaps
a few points would be shaved off each system to "make up the
difference" to the prioritized system.
Comments??
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3826 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 5:43pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Ship Names.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I, too, am getting a little "antsy" for some graphics...
I have to admit, that I, using PCTOOLS, customized my version of Begin.
I took a shipname that had the same length of characters as my last
name, and wrote my last name over it! I was surprised that it worked!
I can now command my fleet from the Doimeadios, and it responds to
Doimeadios (Do) and Do is on the visual display! It has to be an exact
match in name-lengths for it to work properly. Hope the authors aren't
upset, but it's kinda fun. Maybe they can include personalized names
in future versions....
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3830 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 8:07pm
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Re: Upload of BSL.ZIP THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, I finally uploaded some sample begin strategy language code in
BSL.ZIP. Documentation is not included, but it should give you some
idea about what it takes to write a BSL program. If you know C, you
already know most of BSL. If you have specific questions on the
language or compiler, leave a note...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3833 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 10:40pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Interesting THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Not only that, but I've noticed that I've damaged the engines of some
ships where 1 engine was down to 10% and the other one was still at
100%, but this limited his power. Now if it were a real ship, you'd
shut down the bad engine, fix it and run with the working one, that way
you can cruise at warp 3 with the other engine instead of being held
down to warp 1 something. When's the new release coming out?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3834 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 10:43pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Naw, they wouldn't do that. All you have to do is customize it to the
registred user like stick their name in it, then encode the name so
some hacker couldn't get at it.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3835 DATE/TIME: 02-21-90 10:48pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Naw, graphics aren't really necessary. I too am waiting for the next
version, I think I've played out lots of possibilities... I play it in
a Desqview window so things do slow down when you've got a few things
running in the background (download or dialing into another system).
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3843 DATE/TIME: 02-22-90 5:48pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Graphics THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Great minds think alike, eh? I should have read your reply first, so I
wouldn't repeat everything...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3844 DATE/TIME: 02-22-90 5:49pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Absolutely graphics are not necessary...but boy would they enhance the
experience!
I'd like to reiterate my request for some sort of automatic
scenario-generator. If I'm a STUDENT, being tested for my command
abilities, I wouldn't be allowed to pick my own enemies and my own
fleet, would I?
I like how the Orions make you pay for the drinks no matter what.
Another Begin Cuteness...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3851 DATE/TIME: 02-23-90 10:39pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
When you do really good, they say "What fleet are you trying to
join?"Ql?~?~?~?~?úø
Boy, lots of line noise tonight....
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3871 DATE/TIME: 02-26-90 6:13pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hey, nobody has to tell ME what they say when you do really good. Heheh
/s
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3874 DATE/TIME: 02-26-90 7:40pm
FROM : ALMA WETZKER RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Is the purpose of BEGIN (the best starship simulation I know of) to
get
outragous numbers or have a good time being challenged?
The Fed Interceptor is the hottest ship in the game. It can beat
_ANY_
other ship in single combat. (my favorite is against a Kli DN) A real
cake
walk is a Fed Destroyer against a Kli DN.
The Setup I usually end up playing is: Fed - 4 de 5 i fl
vs. Rom - 4 f 5 b fl
pick your side. Except for the computers strategy being mildly brain
damaged
this is a fairly even scenario.
I think the feature I would like the most in 2.0 is capturing enemy
ships.
(otherwise I have to scramble to blow them all up before the game ends)
What are some of the favorite "even" scenarios? Blowing up 17 Roms
with
probes just isn't so much fun any more.
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ÄÄ ÃÄ´ ³ ¿ ÚÄ¿ ÄÄ
Ù À À Ù À ÀÄÀ
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3875 DATE/TIME: 02-27-90 12:07am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
And do you know what they say when you do REALLY badly? Sometimes I
like to take 17 friendly ships and blow them all up, set self destruct
and beam over to the closest ship or fire probes at them. After taking
out 16 ships, self destruct and see how badly you did...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3876 DATE/TIME: 02-27-90 12:09am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : ALMA WETZKER PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Try some interesting ones like one fed heavy cruiser against three
klingon battle cruisers. This is the formation the Enterprise has been
in a few times. One of the features I would want in 2.0 is the ability
to pick where all the ships start. If the Enterprise is at rest and
three Klingon battle cruisers showed up, see what you can do with it...
oh and one other thing to do is the ability to set probes for a lower
warp speed than they're rated for, same with torps... would be more
interesting...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3877 DATE/TIME: 02-27-90 3:05am
FROM : JOHN HELMICH RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Has a ally ever told you to flook off after you told them to
singlehandedly torp an undamaged dreadnought from 3500?
John
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3910 DATE/TIME: 03-03-90 2:31am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Perhaps he had his system set up to recognize a co-processor, like
perhaps a dip switch and he didn't switch it back when he removed the
chip. Any updates on when the next version of Begin will be out? Back
in December I heard March... Well it's now March in case....
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3911 DATE/TIME: 03-03-90 2:44am
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Is it March already? Well, how about May!?
The original delay was because Mike and his wife had a baby.
Now the problem is that Mike has decided that version 2.0 should
not be released without lots (read that LOTS!) of new features.
The number one feature being a real graphics display.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3912 DATE/TIME: 03-03-90 9:11am
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin.... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
What a joke.
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MESSAGE: 3913 DATE/TIME: 03-03-90 9:14am
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yay!!! I could wait until...June 11 for graphics... (That's my
birthday)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3955 DATE/TIME: 03-07-90 2:40pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well how about a small beta version for long time suffering Begin
supporters?? :-)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3978 DATE/TIME: 03-11-90 6:11pm
FROM : ALMA WETZKER RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Henry,
Rather than responding imediately (I almost did), I tried a few of
the "FED vs many KLINGON of same class" setups. They haven't changed
in 1.65.
It requires much patience and _MANY_ repeated steps in order to win
with anything approaching finesse. (i.e. your ship intact - relatively
speaking) I found a practical limit of about 6 Klingon HC's in this
version, they have gotten smarter.
I find a many against many situation much more interesting. You
have to take time every turn to tell your allies to do what will help
your side the most. All the while staying alive and helping out.
(I like flitting around and blowing up crippled ships) Starting
distances are only relevent as to which enemy dies first, and it almost
never breaks down into just mechanics of destroying the other ship(s)
because you are a smarter captian than the computer.
For that type of situation it would be great to capture the enemy
ship and start using his remaining weapons against him. Much more
satisfying than watching probes turn him into cosmic applesause!
Sorry, but just because the Enterprise was in a situation does not
make it an interesting BEGIN scenario.
Altering Torp speed would blow the present game mechanics away! No
more SWEET ranges to get in (or avoid), no certainty that you can phas
his torps down before they hit you. Provided that the cumputer used
the option, of course.
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Ù À À Ù À ÀÄÀ
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 3979 DATE/TIME: 03-11-90 6:42pm
FROM : ALMA WETZKER RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin for AMIGA THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Tom & Mike,
What are the chances of getting a version of Begin to run on the
AMIGA? I got one of the beasts, and hardly ever boot my IBM anymore.
(Except the one at work and to play Begin).
ÂÄ¿ ¿
ÄÄ ÃÄ´ ³ ¿ ÚÄ¿ ÄÄ
Ù À À Ù À ÀÄÀ
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4018 DATE/TIME: 03-16-90 4:35pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : ALMA WETZKER PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
However, I doubt that there is a "safety range" in real life (whatever
real life on a starship is like...)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4039 DATE/TIME: 03-18-90 6:28pm
FROM : ALMA WETZKER RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Ben,
Life on a starship?? Thats easy... 18 months boring routine, 30
seconds stark terror.
I'm afraid that no game will ever simulate real life. I certainlt
wouldn't play one that did, I have enuf problems of my own without
picking up anyone elses.
Given the limits of BEGIN, there _ARE_ safe places to hide from
anything but plasmas (...rotten speed 27 probes...). That is why I
prefer the many vs. many setups rather than the many vs. one. Much
more challenge, _MUCH_ lower score. Oh well...
ÂÄ¿ ¿
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Ù À À Ù À ÀÄÀ
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4044 DATE/TIME: 03-19-90 9:31am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Begin Feature THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, for all you beginners (sp?) here is an interim report on a new
begin feature: Scenarios! I just finished adding them this weekend.
In a Scenario, you can define what ships, where they start, what their
names are, and what ends the game. Each ship can also be given a
custom strategy (written with the strategy language) to allow it to
perform custom tasks or specific functions. For example, I defined a
scenario with a group of klingons whose only desire was to kill a Fed.
interceptor. The interceptor was being escorted by several destroyers,
whose main desire was to keep the interceptor alive. The scnenario
ends if either the klingons or the interceptor are killed (with a win
for the appropriate side). To make things interesting, the interceptor
was not allowed to exceed warp 7 (don't ask me why, it just made it
harder).
Anyway, from this example you can see that you can make the scenario as
complicated as you want. I expect to add some tankers and cargo ships
soon so that you can have some defenseless targets to escort (a tanker
should "blow up real good!").
Right now, I am not sure how scoring should work in a scenario... maybe
we should go to some kind of "Victory Point" system like some war
games. Also, length of time it takes to win could enter into the
calculation.
Hope this generates some ideas and drooling... let me know some
interesting scenarios you would like to see and I will make sure that
the scenario system can handle it. Of course, once the new version is
released, you will be able to create your own scenarios and post them
to the board!
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4054 DATE/TIME: 03-19-90 10:47pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
A serious graphical display? YEA! Luv the ideer... (sorta like the one
ye told me about, mebbe, Thompson? heh heh hehhhhh...)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4055 DATE/TIME: 03-19-90 10:51pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Begin Feature THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Simplest way to add the new ships you mentioned might be.. um... to let
the users design their own? (with a small library of "standard" ships,
of course, gringrin)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4069 DATE/TIME: 03-21-90 4:57pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party Combat... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
if (rnd(2)==1) {
puts("You win!");
} else {
puts("You lose!");
}
No extra charge...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4087 DATE/TIME: 03-23-90 11:15am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party Combat... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Why didn't I think of that?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4106 DATE/TIME: 03-25-90 12:43am
FROM : JOHN HELMICH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Begin Feature THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
How about a scenario where you defend your territory (IE if any enemy
ships get through your front lines, they will raid a planet and you
lose). I'm not saying you should implement planets, but rather if the
enemy proceeds 30000 or 40000 du into your territory, you have lost.
On weapons systems, how about the cloaking device? Power drainage
would be quite high (maybe you could toggle dropping shields>cloak
uncloak>raise shields, or lose 50% of phaser power, or something along
those lines. Programmable weapons strength would be interesting also.
Enough already??? :-)
John
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4107 DATE/TIME: 03-25-90 12:54am
FROM : JOHN HELMICH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party combat THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Randomizing is part of the equation, but there should be more.
Considemorale( via damage to ships -- 10% survivors are going to have a
lower morale value than an unscathed ship). Fanaticism level.
Physical attributes(ie those roms are brothers to vulcans, and we've
seen Spock toss Kirk around in a few episodes)
If you lose or win, the number in the boarding party should reduce
survivors on board the raider ship, damage repair, etc.
Just some ideas, no formula.
John
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4119 DATE/TIME: 03-26-90 2:02pm
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : YES
TO : JOHN HELMICH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Begin Feature THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
The scenario with the enemy getting through your lines is implementable
with the new features. I'll try one to see how well it plays. I have
always wanted a cloaking device... the problem has always been deciding
what computer-controlled ships should do when an enemy suddenly cloaks.
I guess the only way to decide that is to put cloaking in and see what
works for a human player. I really like the idea that you have to
choose between cloaks and shi÷³ields! That way, you could spread you
fire against a cloaked enemy's last position... even a single torp hit
could wound him. I will discuss in with Tom. We didn't intend on
adding cloaking devices in V2, but...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4120 DATE/TIME: 03-26-90 2:08pm
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : YES
TO : JOHN HELMICH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party combat THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yes, I think that note about the random choice was just kidding...
I would like a per-cycle formula that would asses losses from the
boarding party and the ship's crew. You COULD just match man for man
with a 50% chance of success on each combat, but that would be too
simple for us beginners!
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4126 DATE/TIME: 03-27-90 6:06pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party Combat... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, not all of us have such a quick, sharp, relentlessly brilliant
intellect and creative drive!
Have I mentioned my own new software product, Begin II? Here's a
sample run :
C:\GAMES\DUMBONES> begin2
How many ships do you want? 4
How many ships do I get? 3
You win!
C:\GAMES\DUMBONES>
For those of you that are curious, here's my main battle algorithm :
if (his_ships>my_ships)
puts("You win!");
else
puts("You lose!");
I know this seems overwhelming at first, but spend a few days analyzing
it and you'll get it, eventually...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4127 DATE/TIME: 03-28-90 12:40am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : ALMA WETZKER PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Actually, it's not too hard to win with any combination. As long as you
have at least 4 torps, I think you can wipe out any number of enemies,
as long as you run away. Not too much fun though... And I suppose there
are a few situations where it wouldn't work or would take too long to
do. Just for kicks, I did one Fed Destroyer against 9 Romulan war birds
and 8 Romulan BOP. Blew them all up. Got a rating of 430 point
something. Took quite a while though... I can't really stand doing
several ships against several ships, they don't obey my orders or do
stupid things like not zig zagging so they get hit. One thing that
would come in handy is a speed command. When you're outgunned with
torps, you have to be able to move in quick enough to take them out
with phasers. Two raiders and a Klingon Dreadnought. That lazy raider
took his time getting there...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4128 DATE/TIME: 03-28-90 12:48am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Begin Feature THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Have you added any features like an astroid belt to the game? One
possible scenario would be hidding in there with a slightly crippled
ship til you could repair it. Oh and of course I suppose you could
specify if any ship was damaged and how much at the beginning of the
game? How about being able to design custom ships? Anyway, I'm drooling
already, is the May release date still on target?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4129 DATE/TIME: 03-28-90 9:35am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party Combat... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I think you have a real future in the quadrant-sector star trek game
area!
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4130 DATE/TIME: 03-28-90 9:38am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Begin Feature THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, no asteroid belts are in the game (I can see how to do it, but
then how do you lock on to them?). I guess each asteroid could have
it's own name or number... Could be some possibilities there. Damage
to a ship could be specified in the scenario file, but it's not in
there now. It would be nice to be able to specify it. It would be
easy unless you allow specifications of individual systems and how much
damage each of them has. The alternative is to just give an amount of
energy the ship is already hit with and let the game damage it for you.
But this would mean the ship would probably be damaged differently
every time you played it. I'm not sure that would be good.
I am sure the final released version would not be out in May, but I
think we will be beta testing versions of it then. The new strategies
and scenarios could take a lot of testing to make sure all the bugs are
out of them.
User designed ships will not be in this version, but I bet they will be
released after that. We will be adding more ships, though, including
tankers, cargo ships, and vip transports.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4131 DATE/TIME: 03-28-90 9:46am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New ships in begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
As mentioned in other notes, we will not have user designed ships in
V2.0. But, we are going to add several more ships. We could even add
a new nation if there is interest. So, let us know what kind of ships
should be added and what capabilities they should have.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4134 DATE/TIME: 03-28-90 12:34pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
If you want to get an ally to go in quick with you, just tell him to
escort you at some close distance. He will try to maintain that
distance no matter what you do. Just be sure you don't have a faster
ship than he.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4148 DATE/TIME: 03-29-90 5:25pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
A nice scenario : I like many vs. many. I'll take all of my guys and
just send 'em all after one enemy at a time. I, myself, stay separate
and dart around the universe doing whatever I want. Cleaning up or
finishing up boofed enemies ("boofed" is my own term for severely
damaged or dead.) or tryin' my luck vs. another enemy. It's fun.
And I'd rather have fun than get bigtime points...Just zig-zaggin and
running away is boooooring.
s
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4149 DATE/TIME: 03-29-90 5:28pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party Combat... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Now, now, I think you people are too hard on Q-S trek games. I enjoy
Begin. However, I don't consider it the same kind (or a 'better kind')
of game as, say, EGATREK. I also play EGATREK...but for different
reasons.
You lied to me. The ad says that after playing Begin, I'd never go
back to quad-sector trek games...but I did. And I like 'em.
Once again, comparing Begin with EGATREK is comparing apples and
oranges, like comparing pizza vs. a Compaq Deskpro 386...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4151 DATE/TIME: 03-29-90 8:27pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
But it takes a while for him to get within range of that. Plus they
don't like to exceed their cruise speed so if I have the same speed
ship as he does, it'd take a while and by then we'll be there attacking
the big ship. I'm thinking the time when I had two raiders attacking a
dreadnought. There are only phasers so both have to get there at about
the same time or those phasers on the dreadnought could cut one up and
then cut the other one up when it gets there later. How about a command
to give them a specific heading and speed?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4152 DATE/TIME: 03-29-90 8:30pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Oh, it's a little tricky when they're all firing on you and you want to
avoid their shots. Like plasma bolts are pretty deadly.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4158 DATE/TIME: 03-31-90 1:03pm
FROM : JOHN HELMICH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party combat THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I knew you were joking. Assigning a minimal level of crew may be in
order. A starship can't run itself. Perhaps once you pass the
minimum, systems could randomly fail (due to lack of upkeep). So, if
you tried to board, but were left with 15 individuals on a ship that
needs at least 30 to run minimally, the ship will do no good to your
cause. Or at least, not for long.
John
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4202 DATE/TIME: 04-05-90 7:11pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Version update policy? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I asked this a few months ago. Apparently, it fell by the wayside, so
I'll pose it to you again :
What (if you have determined it yet) will the policy be on version
updates? Will 1.65 supporters get new disks and docs? Will they (we)
get a reduced rate on 2.0 registration? Or wha'?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4203 DATE/TIME: 04-05-90 8:20pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Version update policy? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hi! Been out of action here (busy with my own board)....
I think current owners should have 1/2 off normal price.....
espec. if they've contrib.'d ideas to the new release...
just a thought
-TD
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4204 DATE/TIME: 04-05-90 8:22pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: release date THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Greetings....
Been out of touch for a little bit....
Last I heard, April was the release date for Begin 2.0....
any new info?!
-TD
PS: I have been programming with my new EGA system, and concur with
the graphic limitations that CGA has....
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4205 DATE/TIME: 04-05-90 8:45pm
FROM : ALMA WETZKER RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
You are right about it "not being too hard to win" with just one
ship. That's why I like groups... You have to cope with stupid tactics
on your side too. Tends to even things out. It's also harder to win
if you run away.
Begin is still a great game. Looks like it will get better too...
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Ù À À Ù À ÀÄÀ
P.S. Try playing the ROM sometimes... you don't get 4 torps.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4207 DATE/TIME: 04-06-90 7:38am
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: More Begin News THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Here's an update on V2.0 as it rushes to completion:
1. The game now supports both a text interface (which looks the same
as the old screen) and a new ega interface (which looks very
different). The graphics screen allows much more information
to be displayed at a glance. I think it adds quite a bit to
the ease of play. As soon as it is finalized (1-2 weeks), I
will upload a gif of it for comments.
2. The old "free for all" game will still be in there. So you
don't HAVE to have scenario files around to play the old game.
We will have 5-10 scenarios available with the initial release.
The scenario and strategy compilers will be available in a
seperate release.
3. Tanker and cargo ships will be included. They will be unarmed
(or maybe 1 phaser).
4. Boarding parties will be supported. Capturing a ship will add to
your score.
5. The old scoring system will be discarded. We will be changing to
a pure point level scoring with ships worth various fixed scoring
amounts. There will be bonuses for achieving scenario goals,
capturing ships, etc. There will also be penalties for taking
too long to accomplish your mission.
More as it develops. Beta testers will be solicited soon (but not yet!)
Mike
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4218 DATE/TIME: 04-07-90 9:34am
FROM : JOHN HELMICH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin beta THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I'd like to be considered as a beta tester also.
John
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4220 DATE/TIME: 04-08-90 12:44pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Version update policy? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Version 1.65 contributors will receive v2.0 at no cost.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4267 DATE/TIME: 04-12-90 5:42pm
FROM : ROGER HARKAVY RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin ideas. THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
First of all, I'd like to congratulate you for making
the best (and only) Star Trek strategy game I have ever
played for the IBM. Now that my registration is in, and I
don't have to be paranoid about missing updates, I'd like to
give you some of the suggestions I have for BEGIN.
- Add more ships to the game. For instance, the Romulans
could use a stronger class of ship to balance out the
Dreadnoughts of the Federation and Klingons. Perhaps
something like the Nova class battleship in the Star
Trek role playing game.
- Add more races to the game. You could include other
races from the original TV series, such as the Gorns
or Tholians, or races from the animated series, such
as the Kzinti. Other races not seen in either series,
such as the Kinshaya from the RPG, would make things
interesting, too.
- Adding a cloaking device, for Romulan and (certain)
Klingon ships, would make for a more challenging game.
I don't think this would be too hard to implement.
When it would be used, certain rules could be imposed
on the ships' operations, for instance, cloaked ships
would only be able to travel at cruising speed, as
well as having their weapons rendered inoperative, due
to the huge power consumption rate of the device. To
make things fair for non-cloak equipped ships you
could add a certain probability factor that enemy
ships would get a sensor lock on them. Since
(according to the RPG) Klingons have cloaks of an
inferior design, you can make this probability higher
for them.
- An option to radio the particular nation's
headquarters for reinforcements would help in tight
situations.
- Having combat troops as part of a ship's complement
would be a worthwhile possibility, allowing players to
board and capture ships, adding them to their fleets.
- On the same track, ships found that would be too
damaged to work could be salvaged for spare parts.
Pristine enemy reactors could be exchanged for wrecked
ally reactors, saving tens of cycles of repair time.
- A 'Next Generation' version of the game is a nice
idea, with players being able to play allied Klingon
and Federation ships against the new Romulan ships, or
the Ferengi or Borg.
- Porting the code to the Amiga would be a great idea.
I don't know how hard this would be to do, but if
you're already working on it, perhaps you could
replace the ASCII characters used in the IBM version
with graphic icons for the different ships on the
tactical screen. Anyone who's seen the Amiga version
of Moria in contrast with the IBM Moria would get an
idea of what I'm talking about.
Well, there they are. I don't know if they're feasible
or not, from a programmer's point of view, but I'd like to
hear your feedback on some of these.
I'm eagerly looking forward to the next version. Keep up
the great work, guys!
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4270 DATE/TIME: 04-12-90 9:05pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Boarding Party Combat... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Okay, Mike, I'll get on the boarding-parties problem... (I'll probably
just steal the routines from the paper/pencilStar Trek I'm working
on... watch for it in the gamers' stores! (grin)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4271 DATE/TIME: 04-12-90 9:09pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New ships in begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, there's always the Tholians (remember the Web?)... they'd have
fairly standard phasers, and an "immobilizing" weapon of some sort...
mebbe treat as screwing up yer warp drives and letting you repair 'em
gets you outta the web?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4272 DATE/TIME: 04-12-90 9:11pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Fights THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Except of course when your ally decides "He's tired of escorting" (like
certain Klingons are wont to do, gringrin)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4298 DATE/TIME: 04-15-90 6:28pm
FROM : KEVIN HARRISON RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: beta tester THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I volunteer!
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4340 DATE/TIME: 04-20-90 7:17pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Version update policy? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hey! I like that policy!
Also, sign me up to be a beta tester...I can spend 8 hours a day
testing it at work. :)
-Ben
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4464 DATE/TIME: 05-03-90 6:56pm
FROM : RUSTY COLE RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Tom,
How's the beta version of begin coming...any update on when we can
expect it to come out?
Waiting with baited breath!
Rusty'
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4480 DATE/TIME: 05-04-90 3:18pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : RUSTY COLE PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Mike is working hard on the new release. He keeps adding new features
and I hate to stop him while he is hot. Currently the new version has
a Graphics Display for EGA/VGA players, Loadable strategy files for
ally and ememy ships. Scenerios in addition to the current
"free-for-all". Boarding parties for capturing enemy ships or for
adding crew to ally ships.
We hope to yet add Cloaking devices, Player designed ships and a
few other features.
I am not sure when it will be released but probably not before the
end of July. Sorry about the delay but we decided to make this a
Major release. In fact we will be changing the name of the program
as well.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4502 DATE/TIME: 05-05-90 11:22pm
FROM : RUSTY COLE RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Tom,
Well from what you have described it sounds like it's going to bell
well worth the wait! Do try to add the player designed ships and
strategy, and the Cloaking device would be GREAT!
Can't wait!!!!!!!
Rusty
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4533 DATE/TIME: 05-07-90 11:40pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Wouldn't it just be better to release the version that's out now and
work on adding tons of stuff later? It's been quite a while since the
old version. I vaguely remember hearing about January 90 release dates,
then February, then sometime in May and now you guys say July...... How
much longer do you think this will go on?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4535 DATE/TIME: 05-08-90 9:31am
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : HENRY LEONG PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well actually, we aren't saying July... we just aren't saying at all.
We want the new version to be "complete". If we don't get all the
features in we are working on, it will take just that much longer
to create the following release. Believe me, it will be well worth
the wait.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4571 DATE/TIME: 05-11-90 8:19pm
FROM : LOYD CRAFT RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Ideas THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Has anyone ever suggested adding a play-by-modem option to the
game to allow people to play against each other?
That would be a VERY interesting addition to the game.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4616 DATE/TIME: 05-14-90 12:30am
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I'm sure it will be, but there's always stuff you can add to the
program, and if you add too much, it'll never get released. Hasn't it
been over a year since the old release? Anyway, as long as everything
is really getting worked on, how about changing the names of a few
things so that it no longer infringes on Paramont's copyright of Star
Trek? You could set the program up so that the users could decide what
the default names were. You could also change the name of some of the
weapons systems and the like and all other areas that infringes on
Paramount's copyright. Bix refuses to carry the program because of this.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4622 DATE/TIME: 05-14-90 3:10pm
FROM : JOHN PREBIT RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: VIP Membership THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Tom:
I consider it a priveledge to be a supporter of your BBS. I have been
calling your board for about 3 years now, and just thought that it was
about time to show some kind gratitude for the hours of pleasure this
board and BEGIN have given me. I wish you nothing but success for the
MicroFoundry, as well as for BEGIN. The proposed enhancements to BEGIN
are beyond anything I ever anticipated, and Think that the wait is well
worth it. As regards custom ship specification, I am guilty of
disassembling BEGIN to customize my ships already, but needless to say
that is a lot of work, and requires separate executables for each set
of customizations. One interesting ship I've designed is an enhanced
Interceptor with capabilities of pursuing and catching Orion Assasins.
I fitted it with 2 Assasin engines, as well as with increased phaser
power. Had to give it more efficient reactors to supply the necessary
power, and finally found out exactly what the batteries are useful for.
In the event that you are concerned about distribution of these hacked
versions, do not trouble yourself. These are for my use only, and
would never consider uploading them anywhere. However, if you have any
interest in some of the specs ( I have identified them all in the
assembly listing, approx. 1 week's work) I would be happy to share them
with you. As you may have surmised from this discourse, the
enhancement to BEGIN which I would most like to see is custom ship
specification. Words cannot describe the excitement that can be had
from testing a user engineered ship against both the standard
opposition and other customized ships. Keep up the good work work
here, and take care.
Best Regards,
JP
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4734 DATE/TIME: 05-24-90 10:34am
FROM : JOHN TENSEN RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Strategy THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Mike,
I have found a generaly fun way to avoid an unfavorable siutation.
When my ship gets too damaged I load all my probes at 250 and 5 and
set them out on the closest enemy ship while running. The ship will
either fire on the probe and ignore me, or ignore the probe and fire on
me. If it hits the probe I'm already running, if it hits me, the probe
gets close enough and he is hit.
$.10
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4747 DATE/TIME: 05-28-90 8:32am
FROM : LOYD CRAFT RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin Damage control THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
While I was playing Begin today, a wish popped into my head after my
ship was shot up...
It would be nice for a future version of begin to have a separate
damage control screen that showed the level of damage to the ship's
systems, and the number of turns it will be (at the current damage
control efficiency rate) until it will be back online.
This sort of interface, combined with controllable damage control
teams would make it possible to concentrate on the individual tubes,
phasers, engines, etc... that can be repaired the quickest, and get
you back into the fray.....
thanks,
lOYD
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4838 DATE/TIME: 06-06-90 2:49pm
FROM : MARK BONAMER RECEIVED : YES
TO : MIKE HIGGINS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Ship names for Begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Mike,
Last year I offered to help with the naming of ships for the next
release of Begin (whatever that was at the time). You replied that it
was ok by you. However I never got around to doing the research because
of many different reasons. Are you still interested in some ship name
changes?? If so, please leave me a note here. Also, if your answer is
yes, please let me know which races you intend to make available on the
next release so that I can include some name suggestions for all
classes of ships of all races. I have either 1.65 or 1.5 here at
home...I don't remember which. Anyway, please let me know how you feel
about this. Thanks.
Mark Bonamer
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4844 DATE/TIME: 06-07-90 12:36am
FROM : JEFF KNIGHT RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: menu prg for begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
How do you activate the mouse program for begin?
Also, how would one use the pre-defined key program
on or in Begin???????
Help would be appreciated.......
Jeff
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4845 DATE/TIME: 06-07-90 10:33am
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : JEFF KNIGHT PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: menu prg for begin THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
If you are refering to BeginMac.Zip and BegMnu16.zip, I am not the
author of these programs. BeginMac.zip was uploaded by Bob Wiese and
BegMnu16.Zip was uploaded by John Prebit. They would most likely be
able to help with these programs.
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4931 DATE/TIME: 06-16-90 6:45pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
...but it's my job.
It's been, sheesh, WEEKS since anyone's [publicly] asked about the
status of The Big Update. Feel free (and feel requested) to disclose
any or all information you may feel like disclosing.
Anyway, well heck, 1.65 still's a great game. Everyone [besides the
authors] agree with me?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4938 DATE/TIME: 06-17-90 10:05pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I keep trying to get Mike to call it a wrap but he keeps working on it!
He just changed his *REAL* job and hasn't had a chance to call the BBS
in a number of weeks. I am waiting just as you are. I have a number
of changes to make myself. I have tried the graphics version and it is
MUCH better than the text only.
Still waiting myself...
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4951 DATE/TIME: 06-18-90 10:48am
FROM : MATT POLLICOVE RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I must say that this is true. It's one of my more favorite games.
BTW, will we who have paid for 1.65 get the new verion mailed to us?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 4952 DATE/TIME: 06-18-90 10:49am
FROM : MATT POLLICOVE RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
You mean to say that it could be real soon? Good Lord, I think I'm
salivating...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5002 DATE/TIME: 06-22-90 8:04pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
So, what's the new name?
Seems a shame to change the title "Begin". It's so obscure, people
download it out of curiosity.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5003 DATE/TIME: 06-22-90 8:05pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : MATT POLLICOVE PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yes...According to Tom, we all get free 2.0's.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5006 DATE/TIME: 06-22-90 10:00pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
We haven't desided on a name yet. How about RealTrek?
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5026 DATE/TIME: 06-25-90 1:00pm
FROM : MATT POLLICOVE RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Star Trek II/The Borg THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
After wathcing the Season Finale to ST:TNG (A four star episode) and
thinking about ST II: The Wrath of Khan, I thought about nebuale.
Would be a great place for anyone to hide and repair them selves.
Maybe as an option switch at the beginning of the game at fleet
construction time.
Also while I think about it: Strategy.
For the enemy fleet (In my case, usually Klingons) If I'm chasing a
damaged one he will very rarely turn to engage me, even if he ras
completely repaired himself. How's about making it a little more
likely for him to turn around?
Also....
How about making some of the ships faster. Mybe in line with the new
versions of the Heavy Cruiser Class Starships. I have some old blue
prints that hint a Constitution II class Starship should be able to hit
warp 12...
thanks...
mp
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5059 DATE/TIME: 06-28-90 5:45pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hate to be a pest... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I don't like RealTrek. It implies some direct relationship with
Trek-games. Something more technical-sounding might be good. TacSim
or some combination of syllables (Tac, Sim, Star, Strata, etc, etc...)
TacSim. TactFul. Hehehe. Oh well, work at it. I'll enlighten you if
I get any brilliant ideas.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5063 DATE/TIME: 06-28-90 6:01pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hmmm... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Kinda makes you wish I'd read your response to that post before I
replied to him, doesn't it?
DID YOU HEAR THAT GUYS! Send 'em lots of money when you get 2.0. Even
if you've already registered.
Buy copies for your friends at Christmas...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5071 DATE/TIME: 06-29-90 9:34am
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: NEW NAME(s)? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
How about "Again"?
Tom
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5085 DATE/TIME: 06-30-90 6:04am
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: NEW NAME(s)? THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Or... "Continue" (followed by version 3.0 (probably the last) which
would be "End".)
Yeah...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5179 DATE/TIME: 07-07-90 3:35pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: release date? THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
welp....just thought I'd see if a tenitive release date has been set
yet...
tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5196 DATE/TIME: 07-08-90 8:15pm
FROM : MIKE HIGGINS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: New Version of Begin THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I have just sent Tom a working version of Begin 2.0. He has a few
things to add, and I have a few minor adjustments to make, but the bulk
of the program is there! I guess it had to happen someday...
Hold on a little longer!
Mike
PS. I'll try to log on more often now that things have settled down...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5276 DATE/TIME: 07-15-90 12:14pm
FROM : JEFF KNIGHT RECEIVED : YES
TO : BOB WIESE PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: beginmac.zip THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
How do you use the program in starship?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5277 DATE/TIME: 07-15-90 12:15pm
FROM : JEFF KNIGHT RECEIVED : YES
TO : JOHN PREBIT PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: BegMnu.zip THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
How do you use the program in starship?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5367 DATE/TIME: 07-19-90 4:53pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Begin/Real Trek/Bitchin' Trek THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
You realize, of course, that if you change the name to anything that
starts with any letter but B, you can't call it "BSL".
Just thought I'd point that out to you in hopes of making you
reconsider the name-change...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5409 DATE/TIME: 07-23-90 12:27am
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Real Trek (2.0?) THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Will the version number be 2.0 on Real Trek?? Some companies continue
to extend the revision number even when they change the name... some
don't. Also, is that GIF image still on here of the new begin ega/vga
playing board??
Also, (not wanting to seem a boar) (*but*) are those few last minute
details almost complete on the new version??
And, when new people contribute the $15 + $4 for the new version, what
is the estimated shipping time on that puppy? or could you have a
version on-line for supporting members?
Tony Doimeadios
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5494 DATE/TIME: 07-29-90 11:18pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: new begin THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
I got a reply back (thanks, by the way) regarding registered versions
of the new begin... he also said that it wouldnt be available for 3
months or so...but that the PD version could be downloaded. err.. is
it on here yet? if not, what kinda time frame are we talking about.
Once again, I'm not badgering or trying to pester, just curious...
I have a new EGA system (darn computer will NOT support VGA) and I'm
dying to try the new version out (ie. graphics)...maybe some of those
merchant scenarios, too....
Tony out
PS: Is there a Starbase option possible? or could one be designed with
the registered version..maybe a starship with no warp, but lots of
reactors and batteries, heavy weapons, etc...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5546 DATE/TIME: 08-02-90 5:38pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: RealTrek Screens THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hey Tom,
Yeah, I d/l'd realtk1.gif and it looks GOOD! I think the bottom was
cut off a little bit (darn).
Before the end of the year... Hmm, does that go for the PD version as
well??!??! Hmm... guess it'll be worth the wait... *SIGH*
Thanks for the reply!
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5549 DATE/TIME: 08-02-90 9:56pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: RealTrek GIFs... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Beautiful. Simply, beautiful. I'm extremely psyched.
(I just wish they would look like real ships. :) )
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5552 DATE/TIME: 08-03-90 4:30am
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: RealTrek GIFs... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Very beautiful!! I only saw the top 75% or so, but it was simply
awesome! I take it the shields rotate as the ships change
headings/course? Also, do the shields deminish in thickness as they
take damage? And do the images shrink in size as you vary the range of
your sensor display? in other words, at a range of 25000, are the
ships dots with no shields?
(guess they'd have to be)
thanks for taking the time to u/l the images!! MORE MORE!! (hehe)
maybe if you do a scan of a ship, maybe a graphic profile showing the
damaged areas, etc?? (just kidding..)
thanks again and we support everything you do!
-Tony Doimeadios
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5563 DATE/TIME: 08-03-90 3:48pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TONY DOIMEADIOS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: RealTrek GIFs... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yeah, Tom. The only complaint I have with those GIFs is that I don't
think they were 'photographed' at very 'impressive' times. Know what I
'mean', 'Tom'?
If you can get s'more up (and zip 'em together so I don't have to worry
about ul/dl ratios :) ) it would be greatly appreciated.
If you can't, then, well...I'll just have to bomb your house (after RT
is released, of course... :) )
So, is BSL now called RTSL?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5565 DATE/TIME: 08-03-90 3:54pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Getting cut off.. THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Chances are, those of you that are having their Begin GIFs cut off at
the bottom, that it is occurring because you have an EGA system and
they are VGA screens (640/480).
Yes, I'm aware that that was an atrocious sentence, and an affront to
the english language, but gimme a break.
Greg, you still call here? Haven't heard from you in a while.
/s
Rats.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5571 DATE/TIME: 08-04-90 5:07am
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: RealTrek GIFs... THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Very true...good point. Also, do the angles change? I converted the
gif's to a pcx (using vpic)..then from pcx to tif and loaded them into
paint show plus 2.2... (whew!) I could then see the entire image (I
only have ega). I then played around rotating the images and they
didnt look so good at odd-ball angles....
of course, I guess VGA might look better...
-TD
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5580 DATE/TIME: 08-04-90 11:42am
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TONY DOIMEADIOS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well, I dunno if the Tom & Mike show made 'em rotate, but if you just
tried to rotate 'em as they are, they probably WOULD look funny,
because remember, there's 1/3 more dots on the x axis as there is on
the y axis, so if you just took those bits and rotated 'em 90 degrees,
it would probably look about twice as tall as it is wide...Is this what
you observed?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5611 DATE/TIME: 08-06-90 8:30pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Precisely.... the ratio on normal vga is 1.333 to 1 (640 x 480), while
the ratio on EGA is 1.828 to 1... That's why I'm concerned about the
rotation, plus the diference in the ega and vga versions...
How does Battle Trek 2.0 sound???
-Tony out
cc: Tom Nelson
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5644 DATE/TIME: 08-08-90 8:39pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TONY DOIMEADIOS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Well...I'm sure they took care of that, if indeed they do rotate, which
they may not. See those little arrows? My guess is that the arrows
just point in different directions.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5675 DATE/TIME: 08-12-90 9:04am
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hmm...good point.....although that may lead to confusion re:which
shield is facing where.... if the shields rotated with the arrow
pointing would simplify it, but the graphics (I think, even with VGA)
would NOT support rotating shields.... interested in hearing from
Nelson...
-Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5716 DATE/TIME: 08-14-90 8:55pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TONY DOIMEADIOS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Yeah, the Tomsters being silent. My guess is the following :
The arrows rotate, and the shields that you see 'rotate' to one of six
positions.. Now, the positions are the same relative to the ship, so
nothing would really be rotated, but different sides would represent
different shields.
I'm aware that that made no sense whatsoever, so lemme elucidate. The
arrow is pointing up, so the shields represent, going clockwise from
the top, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, and 2...If the arrow is pointing between 30 to
90 degrees to the right, the shields would represent 2, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4.
Kinda like that. Y'know? In any case, none of the graphics would
really have to be rotated from that position.
(That WOULD be cooler'n all heck, though.)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5720 DATE/TIME: 08-15-90 4:24am
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Welp, from what I gather (after talking with tom) is that the shields
WILL rotate!! Also, the shield that gets hit will turn red for one
turn! he's also promised more gif files...
fyi...
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5752 DATE/TIME: 08-16-90 5:50pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TONY DOIMEADIOS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Hey, I wish you'd have these discussions in public here so we can see
what the boss man has to say...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5770 DATE/TIME: 08-18-90 12:15pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Welp, just happened to have caught him while he was4éon-line...
least I told ya about it...hehee
Tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5792 DATE/TIME: 08-18-90 11:37pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TONY DOIMEADIOS PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Rotating. THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Here's my reaction to the new ReakTrek gifs :
" "
(stunned speechless)...
Wwwwwwow. W---ww...wow.
Wow.
wow.
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 5969 DATE/TIME: 08-28-90 9:46pm
FROM : TONY DOIMEADIOS RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL (FORWARDED) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: QB & Mouse THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
NOTE: The following message was originally addressed to ALL
and was forwarded to you by Tony Doimeadios.
--------------------
Just a general querry... Am trying to interface my mouse to a quick
basic program. I cannot do a CALL MOUSE(M1,M2,M3,M4) (although it
works in interpreted basic!) I guess because there is no sub-program /
library loaded named mouse... **ANY** ideas?!?!??
HELP!!
tony out
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6414 DATE/TIME: 09-22-90 1:36pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: I'm back! THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
And you know what THAT means. Yes, it's time for another...
RealTrek UPDATE!!!!
-------------------
(Take it, Tom...)
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6559 DATE/TIME: 10-01-90 4:18pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Is it my imagination, or has everyone just about forgot about The Game?
I used to enjoy the psychosis-laced messages about strategy here and
suggestions for the new game, and above all, my own incessant (don't
know if I used this word correctly) whining about whenzitgunnabeout,
whenzitgunnabeout.
Oh well...I'm still here...just sittin' on the dock of the bay...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6561 DATE/TIME: 10-01-90 5:54pm
FROM : HENRY LEONG RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
We're still here. We're counting on you to carry the ball for now, it's
hard getting through and the phone bills are high. So ask all the
questions we would normally ask! Thanks!
Oh, and don't delete them for a few weeks, we don't call that often!!
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6713 DATE/TIME: 10-09-90 5:08pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) (FORWARDED) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
NOTE: The following message was originally addressed to GREG ROBINSON
and was forwarded to you by Greg Robinson.
--------------------
(the following message is one big non-subtle hint)
It's not so much that I really want 'em to say "OK, it's ready!"...I'd
just like to hear 'em say SOMETHING...you know, what the status is,
what's currently being worked on, what they're having for dinner, etc...
Just ANYTHING...
Speaking of space battles, anyone ever try Wing Commander?
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6721 DATE/TIME: 10-09-90 7:18pm
FROM : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
What!...snort...grumble, grumble.
Hey! What is the big idea waking up sleeping programmers?
Actually I have been Sysop rather that programmer of the past couple of
months do to our recent growth spurt. I have a couple more tasks to
complete before I will get a chance to get back to Begin. It will most
likely be another month or so.
We have learned one thing, we won't announce our intentions on new
releases until we have completed them.
...zzzzz
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6760 DATE/TIME: 10-10-90 6:55pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : YES
TO : TOM NELSON (SYSOP) PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
A month! Waaahahahahhhhh...
I want my mommy!!! Who CARES about the dumb board?
<thunderous roar from the thousands of paid, subscribing users...>
Oh...whoops. Well...
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 6982 DATE/TIME: 10-22-90 2:53pm
FROM : BRUCE MAYNARD RECEIVED : YES
TO : BEN PARRISH PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: Hey! THREAD : YES
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
Nah, we's spending all our time burning up Begin 8-{)}
===============================================================================
MESSAGE: 7018 DATE/TIME: 10-23-90 6:54pm
FROM : BEN PARRISH RECEIVED : NO
TO : ALL PRIVATE : NO
SUBJECT: ally 3 des THREAD : NO
FOLDER : B, "Begin/Clockwork Software"
loa all tor 200
loc all tor on zan 10
loc all phas on zan
fire all tor
pur teb 10.2
tell all att fre
fir a<umf...grmblmblblblllRMRF!>
<GRMF!> uhhh...
Oh...sorry...Just dozed off there for a moment...you wouldn't believe
the dream I had!
I was playing Begin, right...but get this : It had EGA graphics! And a
whole bunch of other neat features...and...wait...no, it wasn't called
Begin...it was called..umm. Something with an R...Red...no. Umm.
Reacti- ah, hell. Something. I forget....
Dare to dream, huh? :)
(Well, SOMEONE's gotta keep us entertained in the meantime.)
Archive Part1 Archive Part2 Archive Part3 Archive Part4 Archive Part5 Archive Part6
