(Of primary concern to Mr Elliot, though likely of interest to the List
Members as well:)
Hello, Mr Elliot:
I will be working on the user interface design of a new MUCK soon, and we
would like to use your DIRTSIDE II and possibly FULL THRUST for the
near-orbital vehicles, rules as the underpinning of the basic
environmental combat system. The actual setting will revolve around a
Balkanized frontier colony and the struggles between various factions.
The interface will be entirely text-based, reminiscent of the BTECH
MUSEs', but turn-based, just as DSII's, with alternate unit movement,
etc. We would prefer your and Mr Tuffley's blessing, however, before
proceeding with development. (Those nasty lawsuits do tend to put a crimp in
one's enjoyment of a game. [grin])
Thank you for your indulgence and in providing a truly wonderful game engine,
whatever your response.
Hello Alex,
I was interest to read you mail to GZG, especially since I'm an avid FT fan
*and* a Wizard on 'Varxsis', a BTECH based MUSH.
If you're ever looking to recruit coders etc for your project, I'd be
delighted to help:)
Regards,
> Nigel Price wrote:
Right now, whether or not we'll actually get to use FT for the
orbital/drop vehicles is in some contention, awaiting my recipt of FT,
MT and STARGRUNT II and analysis of same.:)
> If you're ever looking to recruit coders etc for your project, I'd be
Right now I'm working on the design and specification of the interface and
some of the pseudocode of the operational background. I have a MUCK coder
that's interested in seeing it to fruition, so if we get the green light from
GZG, I'll likely be looking for a couple other MUF experts to put things
together.
I would be interested in this game, though I would need to know
more about it, of course, whenever/ifever it is ready.
BTW, I would vote for units belonging to specific players. I would think chaos
would quickly result if anyone on a side could move any unit.
Out here.
> RMMDC@jazz.ucc.uno.edu wrote:
The problem with this is (a) getting enough players together for a
large-scale game, (b) deciding who gets to run the Command/Arty Unit,
and (c) what happens if someone loses connection, whatnot.
My prelim thoughts were to basically allow anyone on a side move any of
their Units, but let the players/scenario `assign' (non-codedly) the
Units to players.
> Hello, Mr Elliot:
Call me Mike, please 8-)
> I will be working on the user interface design of a new MUCK soon, and
> The interface will be entirely text-based, reminiscent of the BTECH
> Thank you for your indulgence and in providing a truly wonderful game
> Alex Williams
Our general policy regarding computer versions of any of our games is that we
are happy to allow anyone to design and make available such software
PROVIDED it is purely non-commercial, that is, you are not going to make
any money out of it.
We also reserve the right to review our permission for the above in respect of
any individual product at any time.
If any product is in any way offered commercially (even as Shareware) we
reserve the right to review the product and grant or deny licensing rights at
our discretion.
Along similar lines, any play aids (eg crib sheets) may be freely reproduced
or made available electronically by fans for fans PROVIDED that in so doing it
is NOT possible to play the game WITHOUT buying the appropriate rule book.
Clearly if it were possible to do so, Jon's intellectual copyright would have
been violated.
You will appreciate that the above is necessary in order to preserve Jon
Tuffley's intellectual copyright. Remember that JMT is a one-man
business (yours truly is an unpaid volunteer game design consultant (cor, that
sounds good!)) and he has to make a living and pay off his mortgage.
Hope that helps,
> M.J.Elliott@uk22p.bull.co.uk wrote:
If you insist.:)
> Our general policy regarding computer versions of any of our games is
The day I'm paid for running a MUD is the day I drop my job with DEC and take
up a far better life with more online time and less stressful events during
the day.:)
> Along similar lines, any play aids (eg crib sheets) may be freely
Of course. The ultimate problem with a well-designed and simple
mechanical system: the sheets necessary tell you everything you need to know.
:) Thankfully, DSII is saved from that by the infantry close assault rules.:)
> You will appreciate that the above is necessary in order to preserve
Absolutely; intellectual property is an important acknowledgement is an
important issue in the online environment, regardless of one's take on the
subject of copyrights thereupon. John (and yourself) will be happy to know
that we intend to be a strong force for drawing attention to DSII and FT with
a recomendation that interested players pick up both books to get an idea of
how the results are actually worked out. This
could actually /increase/ your profits and get him started on his kids'
college funds.:)
[Unpaid volunteer game design consultant? Egad, how do /I/ get to earn
that kind of title?:)]
> Hope that helps,
Very much so! Thanks for the support. We'll be happy to have John or yourself
over when we finally bring the site up; I'll even give you your choice of
mixed units.;)
Alex Willams wrote (among other things):
> John (and yourself) will be happy to know that we intend to be a strong
> force for drawing attention to DSII and FT with a recomendation that
> are actually worked out. This could actually /increase/ your profits
Alex, hi, and thank you for your reply. Just one small point, Mr Tuffley
spells his first name "Jon" (no h) (I think it might be short for Jonathan).
Just in case you include our names in any credits. By the same token my
surname is spelled with two l's and two t's.
Thank you also for your consideration in including recommendations for our
games. Thats really good.
> °Unpaid volunteer game design consultant? Egad, how do /I/ get to
Easy, I just invented it!!
> Hope that helps,
> Very much so! Thanks for the support. We'll be happy to have John or
OK Alex, looks like you have a go here. Please keep me (and everyone on this
list) informed as to your progress. We await further news.....
Regards,
> M.J.Elliott@uk22p.bull.co.uk wrote:
[grabbing for his copy of DIRTSIDE II]
Er, egad, you're right. I heartily apologize. And, yes, you'll both be
credited in the news files (and quite probably in the opening screen), so said
spelling is important.:)
> Thank you also for your consideration in including recommendations for
Now now, its the same policy we had/have over on TELA MAGICA (set in the
ARS MAGICA universe/rules). If the site is good, the materials sell.
That's about the best free advertising that you can get, and the best part is
its open to anyone with interest in the subject and with the ability to telnet
in.
> Easy, I just invented it!!
Hmmm, does that make me an Unpaid Volunteer Computerized Systems Translation
Developer?:)
> OK Alex, looks like you have a go here. Please keep me (and everyone
I will indeed. (It would be silly to shirk my largest player base, after all.)
As a semi-aside to the list in general, I hope to have a workup in text
of the basic plan for the MU* posted to the list for commentary and
suggestions. The input of the list is very likely to be a major impact on the
site.
As a secondary aside, I just finished FULL THRUST and MORE THRUST.
/Very/ intriguing systems there; I don't think we'll have orbital
operations in the first pass at the design but I can definitely see us
working /toward/ multiple area battles with orbital support. (Besides,
I have this thing for Ortillery...)