Box Idea conceived, designed and programmed by James Lean (c)1993 James Lean ############################################################ 1 Introduction Box is an interactive adventure novel in which you guide the main character, making his decisions and interacting with the world about him. Interaction is achieved through an advanced text-only interface which can understand plain(ish) English sentences entered by the user. This document file contains all the information nessecary to start playing the game, as well as various technical details about the program itself. A quick note from the author: My most recent adventure game prior to this one is Life After Death, which some people may have played. Well, Life After Death is an ant and Box is an elephant. A rather grand and complex elephant at that. It is the product of nearly a year's work, on and off, which is reflected by the 300k long source code and the wierd version numbers. It is currently a sort of shareware (described later on), and I am quite happy for copies of it to be passed on. If you want to get straight into playing the game then do, although it might be a good idea to look through the 'useful verbs' section of this file first. It must always be remembered that Box is written mainly for the experienced adventurer, and the complexity of the game only really shows itself after the first ten locations or so. If you get stuck on these then don't worry; you can register the game with me and ask for help. Box should work on all Amigas with 1MB or more of memory. If you have a 512K Amiga, then see the end of this file for a way of possibly loading the game. Apart from that I don't think there is much more for me to say except enjoy playing! James Lean *** 2 Playing the game As described at the start of each game, you control a young man from a gods-fearing village beside a lake. You have decided to undertake a challenge which only a few have ever dared try, a challenge set out by the Gods of Everything who rule the world. If you succeed you may be granted a place in the high palace, and even become a god yourself. If you die you will fail, and if you fail you will die. At all times the gods will be watching you, and at the end of the game you are required to attend a trial which will decide whether or not you deserve the honour of succeeding. Everything you have done up until that point will be taken into account, and your moral conduct will be scrutinised. 2.1 Philosophy behind playing Box is a world. Characters live in it. You are a character. 2.2 Rules of playing A typical screen set-up would look like this: Flimsy bridge. You are standing on a rather flimsy looking bridge. The swollen river tumbles beneath you. Notable objects include a bright blue key and a large tasty orange. A fat hamster called Colin is here. What now?_ You are now expected to input a sentence following the rules of the parser as outlined below. A number of special commands detailed in a later section are also available. The first part of the description -Flimsy bridge- is a brief description of your surroundings, and will be the only thing displayed next time you enter that particular location. Of course, typing LOOK reveals the complete description. Next follows a small paragraph of text describing the location in more detail. Anything which appears in the Notable Objects section is an object, and follows the normal object rules. Some objects will be takeable, while others will be too heavy. The fat hamster called Colin is a character, and his presence will always be described in this way. 2.2.0 The parser The parser in box is quite sophisticated, and should be able to understand most of your requests. It works on the assumption that every sentence contains a verb, and possibly a noun and a second object. This means that the following sentences are all valid: SLEEP TAKE ROPE TAKE THE ROPE TAKE THE ROPE FROM THE BOX Note that simply typing TAKE ROPE is acceptable, although the parser does tend to prefer more verbose sentences. The bottom example demonstrates the requirement that in order to take an object from inside another object, that other object must be specified in the command. Simply typing TAKE THE ROPE in this case would not suffice. The order in which parts of the sentence appear need not follow the above guidelines. The following are all acceptable: DROP THE MOUSE DOWN INTO THE HOLE INTO THE HOLE DROP THE MOUSE DROP INTO THE HOLE THE MOUSE Adverbs are also understood, so the following may be used: QUICKLY DROP THE MOUSE INTO THE HOLE INTO THE HOLE DROP THE MOUSE QUICKLY etc etc Sentences may be strung together in the following fashion: KILL THE WOLF AND THEN RUN NORTH UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY AND EAT THE CAKE Multiple nouns may also be specified if separated with AND THE: TAKE THE COIN AND THE WALLET HIT THE TROLL AND THE WHALE WITH THE SAUSAGE Certain verbs such as take may also take the ALL or EVERYTHING nouns: TAKE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CUPBOARD The word IT is also understood, so after taking the food, typing EAT IT would be perfectly legal. Here are a couple of other examples: UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY AND OPEN IT WITH THE BOTTLE HIT THE GUARD AND THEN OPEN IT Please note that IT can only specify a single object, and the following sentence can therefore not be used: CLOSE THE RED BOTTLE AND THE BAG AND DROP THEM Each object in the game has two adjectives describing it (eg The small cuddly teddy). On most occasions it is acceptable to simply refer to it using a single noun, but on occasions when there are many similar objects around you may be asked to be more specific. For example: User - TAKE THE BOTTLE Response - Which bottle do you wish to take? User - TAKE THE RED BOTTLE A singal case which should be remembered is the situation of pouring a liquid from one container to another. Typing POUR THE WATER FROM THE SMALL JUG INTO THE TEAPOT involves too many objects in one phrase, so the user must instead enter: POUR THE SMALL JUG INTO THE TEAPOT It sounds a bit unusual, but is really the neatest way of getting around the problem. This game uses a shared parser system, in which the actions of every character in the game are handled by exactly the same pieces of program. This means that everything is fair as everybody (including yourself) runs under the same set of rules. For example, when a character wishes to open a door, it sends the sentence "OPEN THE DOOR" to the parser, just as you would. It is then handled in the same way. This system allows great flexibility in character control, such as providing the possibility of asking other characters to do things, or even taking over their bodies completely. See the technical details section at the end of this documentation for more information. - Special commands and useful verbs A number of special commands exist which do not relate directly to performable actions. These are: LOAD/SAVE - Loads or saves the current game position. This may be done at any time. A file requester will appear with the default filename, Current.game already selected. Click on a name or enter a new one, then click OK. AGAIN - Performs the last action again. Your default character is the only person who can do this. TIME - Displays the Adventure Standard Time. STRENGTH/ENERGY - Reports on your current physical health. QUIT - Quits the current game. Also option to quit the program. AUTHOR - Displays the author's name and contact address. SCRIPT - Turns on printer output. Anything normally printed onto the screen is now also sent to PRT: UNSCRIPT - Turns off printer output. SHOP - Calls up the Adventure Supplies store. Details of this facility are available elsewhere in this file. 2.2.1 Characters The world in which Box is set is inhabited by a large number of characters, each free to roam around and interact with their environment. You control one of these characters. What this means is that you are treated in exactly the same way as everybody else, obeying the same physical laws and being just as vulnerable. It follows from this that each character is capable of performing the same wide range of actions as you are. Some characters are much stronger than you, while others may be weaker. This means that the help of other stronger characters may be useful for lifting heavy objects or other activities which require large amounts of strength. Particular characters may be able to help you in other ways, but only if you keep on their good side. It should also be remembered that each character has opinions about every other character which he/she/it has come into contact with, so approaching certain characters through other people is often helpful. Because of the complex character control system used by Box, talking to other characters is quite easy. If you wish to give another character an instruction, simply enter the character's name followed by a comma, then the command. For example, if we wanted to tell somebody called Bob to take the hammer and go north, just type: Bob, take the hammer and go north It's that simple. Any sentence which can be recognised by the main parser (see 2.2.0) can be understood by a character, with words such as 'your' being translated in the process. The only two things that should be remembered when communicating with characters are: 1) If a character does not understand your instruction, or is unable to comply, that character will give you no response. 2) It is entirely up to a particular character whether or not they are going to do what you have asked. Their decision is based on how much they like you and whether they have a personal reason for not doing what you have said. For instance, it is no good trying to ask a mother to attack her own children; she just isn't going to do it. Another method of communicating with other characters is by asking them simple questions, which usually take the form, ASK name ABOUT THE subject. For example, ASK THE GIRL ABOUT THE HORSE-SHOE. If a character has some special information about what you are asking they will tell you, and if they don't then they will say so. 2.2.1.1 Rules of being a character Each character in the game, including yourself has to work in accordance with the following physical laws: 1. Every character has its own level of strength which varies throughout the game. Activities which drain strength include fighting and walking with heavy objects. Once a character has exhausted its strength, it dies. Ways of replenishing strength include eating, drinking and sleeping. Sleeping must be done once every day, or dying of exhaustion is likely. When a character (including yourself) sleeps, all of the other characters are still going about their business, so it is wise to find a safe place to sleep. Time spent sleeping varies depending on how tired a particular character is, and what the time actually is (each character has a body-clock). Also, when you sleep, beware of dreams! 2. The objects which a character manipulates can take a variety of forms, including pervious and impervious containers, edible foodstuffs, liquids and items of clothing. Each object has its own endurance strength, and will break under suitable strain. Some objects can be used effectively as weapons, increasing a character's chances in a combat situation. Some objects may be contained inside other objects, which in turn may have to be unlocked or opened to get inside. Each object has its own size, so many small objects can be stored inside a large box, while only one or two objects of a greater size will fit. Some objects such as ropes may be tied to other objects. 3. Fighting occurs when two characters who less than like each other meet or have a disagreement. When one character hits another, the other is most likely to respond. Attacks can be made either with bare hands or with a weapon. Most characters will automatically use the most effective weapon that they are carrying. Fighting drains the strength of characters depending on the fitness of the attacker and the effectiveness of the weapon. Note that characters other than yourself may get into fights while not in your presence, so do not be surprised to find dead bodies lying around on your travels. 2.3 The shop By entering the command SHOP at any time during play, time is frozen and you are given access to the Adventure Standard Supplies Store, which sells food, weaponry and a variety of other goods. To make an order, simply follow the on-screen instructions, specifying which items you wish to purchase, and finally entering your name and the address to which you would like the goods delivered. A file will then be output onto a blank disk (which you just happen to have handy). This disk can then be mailed to the author's address (given in the program by typing AUTHOR) along with the appropriate payment. The game position stored on the disk will then be updated and promptly returned with the requested objects in your inventory. [A note from the author: This ordering system is my alternative to Shareware. Instead of asking you to just send me some money, I felt that doing so should benefit your enjoyment of the game. The first item on the order list is always an application for Citizenship to the world of Box, and is always free. If nothing else, I would ask that you order this and send it to me (along with return postage if nothing else is ordered), as it amounts to registration of the program. Returned on the disk will be the latest version of Box, and a few other bits and bobs. It also lets me know how well people are doing in the game. ] Prices in the shop are quoted in the currency units &. One & is currently equal to: One British Pound One and a half US dollars One blank new DSDD disk Payments are acceptable (and appreciated) in any of the forms quoted above. If you have any comments or have encountered some annoying bugs, then I would like to here them. During any order or registration I am happy to give any help that is required. Just slip a note in with the disk and I will sort out your problem. 2.4 Cheating I said this with Life After Death, and I'll say it again. Cheating this game will not be terribly tricky, but won't be terribly rewarding either. The game is supposed to provide enjoyment, and I believe that it can only really do that if it is played properly. If you do get stuck then ask me for some help. 2.5 Bugs With a game of the size and complexity of Box it is inevitable that a few bugs creep in. Extensive playtesting has uncovered and ironed-out most, but if you really get stuck into the game then one or two may well surface. If these bugs get in the way of your enjoyment of the game then send me the disk and a description of the problem, and I will sort it out and return the game to you. If you have not registered then please include return postage. Also, if anybody out there uses an NTSC monitor with this game then please state this on registering and I will return you a version of suitable screen size. 2.6 Copyright/Distribution Notice Box is freely distributable provided that it is kept intact with all of its files, and is not modified in any way. It is still the copyright of the author James Lean. 2.7 512K Amigas If your Amiga has only 512K of memory then you may have trouble fitting box in. A simple solution is to take a Box bootable disk (this one should be), and replace its startup-sequence with simply the command Box . This can be done by entering the Shell and typing ECHO >BOX:S/STARTUP-SEQUENCE "BOX". When booting Box make sure that all extra disk-drives or hard-drives are turned off or disconnected as these eat up valuable bytes. This method works sometimes, but it must be remembered that Box is really meant for Amigas with 1MB or more of memory. 2.8 Have fun Lastly, I hope that you enjoy playing Box, as that is the only reason why I bothered to make it. I hope that it does not run too slowly on a 7 mhz machine, but the character control requires so much thinking time that it is unavoidable. If you enjoy playing it, then please become a Box Citizen. It costs you nothing (except postage), and lets me know that there are people out there who are benefiting from my work. If you have any problems or comments then write to me: James Lean 9 Stone Close Taunton TA1 4YG England *************************************************************** Thanks: I just have to really thank the following for either their contributions to this game, or for their contributions to my life in general: Mark - for his playtesting and the amazing ability to make everything go wrong whenever I show him the game. Richard and Peter - My brothers. They have given me ideas for this game even though they may not realise it. For instance, Gorm is Richard's fluffy teddy-robin. Kirsty - For all-round moral support and understanding. Helena - For proving that the laws of physics don't have to apply to everyone. Shena - For being a satisfying character to make. Graham, Jon, Andi, Steve etc - For putting up with me telling them about Box all the time. Thanks! Jim. 1993.