How to Host a Game

1. Introduction to VGA Planets

7. Minefields Sub-Menu

2. Race Information Sub-Menu

8. Combat Sub-Menu

3. Friendly Codes Sub-Menu

9. Ion Storm Sub-Menu

4. Planet Information Sub-Menu

10. Misc. Information Sub-Menu

5. Starbase Information Sub-Menu

11. Strategy and Strategy Guides

6. Ship Information Sub-Menu

12. Add-on Information

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Hosting:

Install the Host files in the directory you wish to host the game from. Do not worry about Registered versions of HOST.E

Be sure to install the version of HOST.EXE that you would like to use for this game. HOST.EXE should be at least version

You can download newer versions of HOST.EXE from numerous sites on the internet.

Decide if you will be using any third party Addons with the game. If so, install them in the Host directory now.

All TPAs have Shareware versions and can be downloaded from the internet for free but some need to be Registered

Run MASTER.EXE to generate the universe.

WARNING: If you run MASTER.EXE after beginning a game, all data for that game will be lost and MASTER will cre

Run HCONFIG.EXE to configure certain aspects of the game.

Run CONFIGS for all third party Addons in the game.

If you do not wish to 'customize' the game, please skip to 'Run HOST.EXE to generate the first set of RST files.'

If you wish to 'customize' the game, do so now. You can customize a game by doing any or all of the following:

Use a third party program to generate a new map, which is the XYPLAN.DAT file.

Use a third party program to edit Ship stats, Weapon stats, or Engine stats, which are the HULLSPEC.DAT, TORPSP

BEAMSPEC.DAT and ENGSPEC.DAT files, respectively.

BE CAREFUL…EDITING IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

Use a third party program to edit what Ships can be built by each Race. This is the TRUEHULL.DAT file.

Use a third party program to edit the universe, such as how many Native Races are on the Planets, how Minerally ric

Planets are, and even pre-placing Ships for each Race.

You can change the names of the Races by editing the RACE.NM file. No third party program is needed to do this.

You can change the names of the Planets by editing the PLANET.NM file. No third party program is need to do this.

You can also change graphics if your really feeling froggy.

After completing all of the above steps, you are ready to run the first turn.

Run HOST.EXE to generate the first set of RST files.

Send the RST files to the respective Players.

Wait until you get all the TRN files from the Players.

Run HOST.EXE to generate the next set of RST files.

Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera.

The entire game resides on the Host Computer, in the HST files. The HOST.EXE simply allows the TRN files to 'interact' wi

the HST files.

Host Files:

Master.exe: this program forms the universe and creates all the Host's HST data files. It is only run once before every gam

Host.exe: this program takes all the TRN files from all the Players and forms RST files to be sent back to the Players. This

program is run once and only once each and every turn.

Race.nm: a data file of all the different Race names.

Namerace.exe: a program that allows you to change the names of the different Races.

Planet.nm: a data file of all the different Planet names.

*.dat: these files contain data on the game.

*.hst: these contanin the universe. All the information on everything in the game is stored in these files.

*.mof: font files.

Turn.bat: a batch files to use when you are playing on a single computer. After all Players are done playing their turns,

exit PLANETS and type TURN.BAT. This will automatically run MAKETURN.EXE, HOST.EXE and UNPACK.EXE.

Cplayer.exe: this is a Computer Player to be used when more competition is needed. It is not very powerful and third party

Computer Players are recommended over this one.

Ref.exe: this is a referee program that will determine a game winner if used.

Rconfig.exe: this sets the configurations for the REF.EXE program.

Hconfig.exe: this sets the configurations for the HOST.EXE program.