Adding games
Programming How-To - Adding Games to 8.10a
An easy-to-customize Games module (√bbs.games) has been added that resides in the AUX3 area. Also included with this build are several games that were ported from older 7.37 systems and updated for use with Color 64 v8.1. All games were coded to use the AUX3 area (H=14).
The Mod Menu was intentionally avoided so the overall look and feel of the BBS could be customized more easily. During testing, occasional errors were encountered when using the Mod Menu in an SD2IEC environment. These issues were not investigated further because the AUX3 approach worked reliably. The issue is suspected to be related to REL file handling.
All files required by the games are located in the AUX3 area, including the executable program files as well as their supporting SEQ and REL files. In several cases, the original game code was modified to support this arrangement.
Games included on the 8.10a Install Disks are:
- Asylum
- DragonSlayer
- Star Trek
- Empire II (updated)
- BWF Wrestling
- Nuke’em v6
- Big Trouble in Little China
For version 8.10a, games are accessed using Spare Command 1 from the main BBS menu. This command must be enabled in the +SETUP program in order for it to function.
The SYSOP can determine which access levels are permitted to use this command. The command assignment itself can also be changed through +SETUP if desired.
The game assignments are intentionally disabled in the √bbs.games overlay by default. This allows the SYSOP to control which games are active. To enable a game, edit the overlay and remove the corresponding REM statement (or add a new line) and add the option to the menu displayed in √games menu.
See the example below:
You may either remove the corresponding REM statement to activate a command, or create a new program line with the appropriate menu option.
The selection logic operates as follows:
- The user enters a menu selection which is stored in A$.
- Line 36200 clears the flag that indicates whether a valid selection was made (
GM=.). - Lines 36201–36297 contain the command checks for valid selections.
For each valid selection:
- The program checks if the user's entry matches the option.
- The selection is echoed back to the user.
- A$ is reused to print a confirmation message (for example: “Loading Empire!”).
- The game filename is stored in I$.
- The valid-selection flag is set (
GM=1).
Line 36298 checks the value of GM. If a valid selection was made, the program branches to AUX3 to locate and load the requested file.
Note that the file √games menu must contain the menu text shown to users so they know which options are available.
If you are using a REU and want the games to reside in REU memory, the game PRG files can be moved to the main PROGRAMS drive. In this case, the utility √sys.ramove must be modified so that it copies these files into the REU.
If you choose to do this, you will need to verify that each game's code references the correct drive location (PROGRAMS or AUX3). Some games reference additional files internally. Empire II should be examined carefully because it loads multiple program and sequential files during execution.
If you are not comfortable modifying these programs, it is recommended that you simply leave them in the AUX3 area and do not attempt to relocate them to the REU.
One game requires an initial setup procedure before it can be used:
Big Trouble in Little China
Run the program BTLC SETUP.
For SD2IEC users, when prompted with:
Insert SYSTEM disk in drive 8
you may simply press Y when asked “OK?”. The program will create the required REL file in the AUX3 directory unless you have changed directories beforehand.
Before placing the BBS into operation, it is recommended that the SYSOP run each game at least once as a player to ensure that all required files are created properly.
This is particularly important for Empire II. The first time the program runs it will create all required files and then return to the command prompt. Running the program a second time will start the game normally.
Nuke’em requires initialization on first run.
When prompted to reset the game, answer Y. The program will scroll while creating the required records and then return to the command prompt.
After initialization, run the program again. If it asks whether you are a new ruler, the initialization was successful and the game is ready to play.
For BWF Wrestling, press 8 the first time the program runs to create the required REL file.
Note that this command is not displayed on the screen.
Next Section: Merging in Modules