Whenever a new game is started on the HP3000, an interactive dialog is started that allows the user to set the parameters for the game. A sample dialog follows:
922:run empire
EMPIRE 3.10 September 7, 1991 - (c) 1984-89 Ben Norton and Fiends
[Program = "EMPIRE.PUB.EMPIRE1"]
Welcome to the game of Empire.
Empire is a continuing world exploration and conquest game.
Up to 255 players manage their respective nations in an attempt
to gain more world power. Each player starts with meager holdings
but is able to expand their initial territory. With careful planning
and skillful statesmanship your industrial base will develop
enabling you to build artillery, aircraft and naval shipping.
With ships, you can explore the world and spread your population
far and wide.
The game requires data files which, in the case of large games,
can take quite a bit of CPU and wall time to construct.
Do you wish to create a new game (Y)? Y
Empire has several default settings which establish the basic
size and duration of the game. Your choices are:
1. TEST/EXPERIMENTAL
This is an excellent setting for learning players. Time
accumulates at a break neck pace (1 time unit per minute)
providing ample opportunity for experiments. The world is
299 X 299 with only 10 islands. If played to completion
the game would last about a month.
2. PRACTICE/LEARNING
This is a good skill development level for several players
who have developed a basic understanding of the game.
The world is 399 X 399 with 20 islands. Land time accumulates
at the rate of 100 per day. The game will last 7 weeks.
3. NORMAL
This is a standard "fast" game for skilled players that
like daily action. The world is 499 X 499 with 40 islands.
Time accumulates at the rate of 100 units per day with the
game lasting just under 15 weeks. This is the first option
which features the new beginning logic of starting each
nation on their own island (non-Classic start).
4. TOURNAMENT
This variation is fairly slow with a world sized at
750 X 750 and 99 islands. Time accumulates at 200 units
per week and the games lasts about 6 months.
5. FULL SIZED
This selection is designed for a large group of seasoned
players. The world is sized at 999 X 999 with all
255 islands created and time accumulating very slowly
at the rate of 100 units per week. This game is configured
to last for 1 year although you can increase this ending
date if so desired.
0. EXIT
After reviewing these options, you may have developed
cold feet. Empire is designed for the hard core computer
game enthusiast. To quit, enter zero.
Enter option (Default=1)? 1
You now have an opportunity to review (and modify) individual
game parameter settings. By pressing you can stick
with the general settings as set by the general sizing option
you have chosen. As you gain understanding of Empire, you may
prefer to make slight modifications to these parameter settings
to develop a custom game.
Do you want a "Classic" game starting (Y)? N
Maximum number of players (Default=255)?
Number of islands (Default=10)?
World size X,Y (Default=299,299)?
Minutes per time unit (Default=1.00)?
Maximum number of players per user (Default=255)?
Starting time units (Default=354)?
Maximum number of ships allowed (Default=9999)?
Ship day length (Default=1440.00)?
Game start date (m/d/y) (Default=Today)?
Game starting time (Default=18: 0)?
Game end date (Default=50000.00)?
Fundamental to the best operation of Empire is the occasional
streaming of a batch job. This job will update moving ships,
generate news reports and update the totals on the power report.
This batch operation also removes dead nations and performs
other file maintenance operations which help to keep Empire
performing well.
You can causes batch activity to happen by running Empire with
the keyword "BATCH" as the info string
:RUN EMPIRE;INFO="BATCH"
If you would rather have Empire stream the jobs whenever it
feels a need, you should set the automatic batch launch flag TRUE.
If automatic batch launch is set, you must supply a valid job
card complete with passwords for Empire to use on batch runs.
Automatic BATCH stream (Default=FALSE)?
You, as the creator of this game, have certain responsibilities
for maintaining game integrity. This means you should protect
data from unwanted destruction or tampering. Just as QUERY
is used to edit IMAGE data structures, there is a facility in
Empire for data record edits. This feature is called PROPHET.
To gain access to the PROPHET facility RUN EMPIRE;INFO="PROPHET".
Theprophet feature is protected by a prophet password. If you
forget this password, you cannot change game settings in mid game.
Please be careful to remember this password and be very careful
to protect it from other players who might use it to destroy
game integrity.
The integrity of the game is more often threatened by using
prophet powers than by any bug corrupting data. This facility
should NOT be used regularly as a punitive substitute for
good playing skills. Game managers who use prophet commands
to control other players are doing this game a great disservice.
Prophet password? ......
... New file EMPIRCON.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
At this point you may lend some guidance as to how large the
individual islands will be. If you are playing a "Classic" game,
you can directly specify the size of island #1 (Eden).
In the "Classic" game, the location of Eden is always known to
all players. If you are not using the "Classic" starting logic,
island #1 is just another island located somewhere in the world.
You may guide the creation process as to the general size of
blocks of islands by indicating a general island size in
total sectors.
Empire will prompt for number, min and max size, and will
supply a default. The number indicates how many islands you
wish to create in this size range. The min and max control the
minimum and maximum land area respectively.
Number of islands, min and max size (Default=6,400,1000)?
Number of islands, min and max size (Default=4,1,400)?
... New file EMPIRISL.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
All of the game inputs have now been specified. At this point
the islands will be constructed. This process involves volcanoes,
meteors and a lot of rain. A message will be displayed after each
island has been constructed. Please be patient and wait...
... New file EMPIR001.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR002.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR003.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR004.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR005.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR006.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR007.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR008.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR009.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIR010.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRPLA.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRSHP.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRMAI.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRMDR.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRNEW.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRUSR.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRUSR.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRRAD.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRMEM.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
... New file EMPIRJOB.DATA.EMPIRE1 created ...
Your Nations Name or Number? PRIMUS
Are you a new nation (Y/N)? y
What do you want for your password?
You are nation number 1.
You have been placed on ISLAND 5[#5] island.
You have been given 200 civilians in sector 7,13.
This sector is a sanctuary which will be safe from attack for 200 time units
or until you DRAFT/ENLIST military, DESIGNATE it, or MOVE/SPREAD out of it.
Date: 8.00