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Archived news from 10/99.

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Archives - October 1999

Friday 29th October 1999
- DrAngband Released. Tom Morton has released a new version (well, two to be honest, the second corrects a little bugette) of the variant DrAngband. Page details have been added to the Links and here is the changes list...
  • Player invisibility.
  • Artifact Arrows.
  • 25% breakage of arrows (from 50%).
  • Immunities shown as *, temp resists shown as # in resistances screen.
  • Amulets of the Magi now give intelligence instead of searching and a random high resistance.
  • 1 Extra shot at level 30 for Warriors with any ranged weapons.
  • Extra shots at levels 20 and 40 for Rogues with slings.
  • Rings of poison resistance to depth 2000', rarity 3, value 12000 (from depth 3000', rarity 2, value 16000).
  • 'Elemental' rings activate for double resistance. Ring of Acid changed to Ring of Lightning.
  • Globe of Invulnerability now only reduces damage (that reaches take_hit()) to 1/3.
  • TM_CURSE. Based loosely the TY_CURSE.
  • Iron Helm of Gorlim, Two Handed Sword 'Mormegil' and weapons of morgul have gained the TM_CURSE.
  • Leon Marrick's Oangband Rod stacking.
  • [Monster] Dragon melee damage massively increased.
  • get_rnd_line() borrowed from Zangband.
  • 'O' command offers items to the Random Number God (RNG).
  • 4th spell book 'Genocide' spell changed to 'Plasma Storm', a 5*plev damage radius 3 plasma ball. Level 37, cost 23 mana.
  • Raal's Tomes spells considerably powered up. *more to do still*
  • 'Fake' Artifact names can be created by inscribing items with #.
  • OPT_testing_stack, OPT_testing_carry and OPT_alert_hitpoint options now on be default.
  • Resist chaos no longer gives hidden resistance to confusion.
  • Resistances accumulate [see qikstart.txt].
  • All the old DrAngband races.
  • Rings of sustaining and resistance.
  • Dragon racial powers activated with 'U'. Code 'borrowed' from Zangband.
  • Priest spell 'Detect Traps' changed to 'Spiritual Hammer' and 'Detect Doors/Stairs' changed to 'Detect Doors/Traps' (although it also detects stairs.)
  • Nice new powers give to *slay* ego items. *more work still to do*
  • Monsters from Drangband 2.0 (from zangband). Great Wyrms of Power!
  • Slays applied to total melee damage.
  • "Show player by race" option to show dragons as Ds.
Wednesday 27th October 1999
- Dev Doc. A new development document for the RLNews Development section has been kindly donated by Ken Power. His article is called Inventory Abstraction and tackles inventory handling (without touching too heavily on any specific coding languages). As you might have noticed, there are quite a few duplicated subjects in the Dev section. This is no bad thing as it allows people to gain a wider base of knowledge - showing them that there are several ways to tackle a problem. (Ofcourse, filling the gaps would be nice too, budding dev authors. *wink*)
Tuesday 26th October 1999
- New Slash'Em. Version 0.0.5E6 of SLASH'EM from Warren Cheung is available. There is a small list of changes following but be aware that Warren has spotted a little problemette in the new release and the next version may be soon around the corner...
  • Can use 'counts' in the throw command object prompt to control # of projectiles thrown.
  • Gas & frag grenades added.
  • Added auto shotgun, assault rifle, sniper rifle. Speciality weapons - very expensive.
  • Added rocket launcher & rockets.
  • Added heavy machine gun.
- Dev. ZAngband. A new development version (2.3.1) of ZAngband is available. Remember, the dev version is strictly work-in-progress so the chance of a bug cropping up is a little higher. If you have problems, be sure to contact the dev team. The DOS version isn't available at the moment but is likely to be released in the next day or two. The address given below is the one you will probably find it at when it is uploaded. Here are the changes...
  • Added Tom Morton's 'fake artifact names' patch.
  • Due to popular demand, multiple rings are supported.
  • New ironman option: Nightmare mode. It isn't even remotely fair.
  • Fixed a bug that prevented pets from casting spells under the AI code.
  • Fixed a bug that made them cast spells at unreachable targets.
  • Introduced pref files for options (for new savefiles).
  • Made amulet, potion, ring mimics slightly more troublesome.
  • Added an option for monster memory in wizard mode.
  • Searching in help files is now case insensitive.
  • Charging items now have a darker colour in inventory.
  • Lifted many shopkeepers from CthAngband, no more five copies of the same 5k shopkeeper (unless the RNG is really after you)
  • Monster groups now appear "scattered".
  • Added conical breath attacks.
  • Changed the savefile version numbering somewhat, because of problems with the Linux version scheme and savefiles.
  • Kicked out a lot of old vanilla savefile code.
  • Changed the way game-created inscriptions work. They're separate from player inscriptions now.
  • Fixed a bug in patterns in *greater* vaults that made it impossible to walk them.
  • Added new quests (and changed ones) by Shayne Steele.
  • Changed the rewards for two quests.
  • Toned down Jack of Shadows, changed the level of Hrus, Shudde M'Ell.
  • Fixed some monster typos. Added new Revenant monster.
  • Fixed a bug that crashed the ^Q command now and then.
Here are the files...
Friday 22nd October 1999
- New Roguelike. ADND is a new roguelike game based on an older game called 'DND' by Daniel Lawrence. While the original had 'roguelike' ties, the author of the update, Steve Segreto, is hoping to bring more RL elements in and yet plans to strictly adhere to the AD&D 2nd Edition rules. The game is currently at version 0.8.5 but is in the midst of a code transfer. You can download it on the official homepage.
Thursday 21st October 1999
- Amiga Foobar. A little mistake was made when Bablos ported the Amiga version of Angband (v2.8.3 with RML Borg). It seems it was released without a certain important feature - the Borg itself. Whoops! Anyway, the correct version has now been uploaded and you can get it from...
- More RISC. Two more RISC OS ports (this time thanks to Michael Barnes) are available. Now you can get your digits on DvEband (v1.0.1) and TAngband (v0.5.1) both of which can be found on Michael's page here.
Wednesday 20th October 1999
- Tyrant Updated. Mike Anderson has managed to break from education hell (meaning a change of email address) and has also moved the Tyrant (java roguelike) website. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together will realise those two links are the new ones and will carefully jot them down. Top all that off with a new version and you're laughing. Here's a list of the changes...
  • A town with many wonderful inhabitants.
  • Monsters now pick up and use items.
  • Various missile weapons added.
  • Character advancement now implemented.
  • Lots of new creatures and items.
- New Slash'Em. A new version (v0.0.5E5) of Warren Cheung's variant SLASH'EM is available. Warren is another one who is tackling the dreaded education but this update comes while he's in the eye of the storm, as it were. This particular version of SLASH'EM is mainly bugfixes but with a lump of game balancing added for good measure.
Tuesday 19th October 1999
- RISC Port. Musus Umbra has created a new Acorn RISC OS port of ZAngband (v2.2.7). You can grab it from his homepage, here, or download it directly from the link below...
- Amiga x 3. Three more ports, this time for the Amiga, come courtesy of Bablos. The variants in question are ZAngband (v2.2.7), DvEband (v1.0.1) and TAngband (v0.5.1). The files you want are...
Monday 18th October 1999
- DvEBand Release. Finding himself with less and less free time on his hands, Dennis van Es has released another new version of his variant DvEband (1.0.1). The only changes are that weaponskills increase slower with higher skills and colored spell-browsing has been added. With limited time to work on it, Dennis thought he'd better release this version sooner rather than later. You can get the files you need from...
- Snip!!! And about time too. Archives.
Wednesday 13th October 1999
- Dungeon Source. Brian Bucklew has found that the foul beast Real-Life is indeed a tough opponent and has fallen at it's feet. Which is a round-about way of saying that he's unable to spend time working on his roguelike - Dungeon. Do not fear though because he's come over all sharing and released the source so if you fancy taking a peek, pop along to this site.
- Dos TAngband. Eric Bock has uploaded a zipped archive of the Dos port of TAngband (v0.5.1) and the source too to the export FTP site for all of us that find Tar format files a little too confusing. Here's the addresses...
Tuesday 12th October 1999
- Tk x 4. Tim Baker had released new versions of his four Tk'd variants - AngbandTk (v2.8.3r19), KAngbandTk (v2.8.3r8), OAngbandTk (v0.4.0r5) and ZAngbandTk (v2.2.7r1). Here is the list changes that the four version enjoy...
  • AngbandTk (etc) was updated to use Tcl 8.2.1.
  • AngbandTk now plays music! Various "mod" formats are supported.
  • The Character Info Window and Character Flags Window were merged into a single tabbed Character Window.
  • The Mutations page was moved from the Knowledge Window into the Character Window under ZAngbandTk.
  • The new Choice Window displays all the choices which used to appear in the Recall Window, and displays a current list of inventory or equipment items.
  • The new Messages Window displays the most recent messages.
  • Various window-related commands were moved into the new Window Menu in the Main Window.
  • The redesigned Help Window has an improved Win98-like appearance, and includes the Angband Variant FAQ and Angband Newbie Guide.
  • Note: The games now require Tcl 8.2.1. See the comment on the Download Page about uninstalling Tcl 8.0.4.
- Team Angband. A new variant is showing it's head about the parapet - TAngband (v0.5.0). It's the work of Karl Peters and allows you to control a team of four adventurers (in a similar style to the old Dungeon Master game). You can grab the files from...
- Amiga #bands. Bablos has ported across a number of Angband variants for the Amiga community. They are Angband (v2.8.3 with RML Borg), DvEband (v1.0.0), SBFband (v0.2.1)and TAngband (v0.5.0). The files are listed below...
Monday 11th October 1999
- OS/2 Ports. Missing for a while, Alexey Guzeev is back again with a bunch of ports for those of the OS/2 persuasion. So take a peek at the list below and grab what you fancy...
Friday 8th October 1999
- ZAngband Stable. The devteam have released a new stable version of ZAngband (v2.2.7). You probably recognise most of the features as they were mentioned two weeks earlier when the development version was announced. For completions sake, here they are again in full...
  • Fixed two bugs in the pet spellcasting AI.
  • Maximize mode, preserve mode, and the autoroller are now specified in the startup-options.
  • The number of spellpoints gained by casting 'Omnicide' is now resticted to twice your maximum spellpoints.
  • 'Teleport level' scrolls and spells won't have any effect on quest-levels if the 'no upstairs' ironman mode is active.
  • Orc and Troll pits will no longer contain undead trolls or orcs.
  • The DOS version now uses BMP files instead of the patented GIF format.
  • Fixed a graphics glitch with beam spells and permanent walls.
  • Fixed an inaccessible area in one of the vaults.
  • Added Greg Wooledge's fix for a compilation problem on various Linux systems.
  • The "laser eye" mutation will now properly anger pets and friendly monsters.
  • Fixed a bug in the "research monster" building command.
  • The time-command now displays the turn number.
  • The level-teleport from the pattern is now restricted to downward in ironman mode, but allows to get down to the bottom of the dungeon if you already finished off the Serpent.
  • Lit arena levels no longer reveal the whole level and the objects.
The following changes are by Prfnoff and Eric Bock:
  • Added a new Ironman option to always generate "arena" levels.
  • Added a new startup option that controls terrain streamer generation.
  • Added two new "munchkin" startup options: one allows Mindcrafters to get Dimension Door, and another turns the death save off (in a way). Both prevent scoring and are displayed on character dumps.
  • Added a new Ironman option to always generate very unusual rooms.
  • Fiddled a little with the TY_CURSE code (to prevent paralyze/Cyberdemon as result of certain things).
  • Added Eric Bock's wizard allocation patch.
  • Adapted Eric Bock's player centering scroll patch.
  • The Windows version will now try to create missing directories. (Eric Bock)
...and the files from...
Thursday 7th October 1999
- Chat Relocation. Coen has been back in touch to say that due to problems with DalNet, the roguelike chat channel #roguelike, has been moved to a smaller, but hopefully better IRC carrier - irc.pfnet.org (service details on www.pfnet.org).
- Plug Central. If you want to advertise your roguelike (or rpg) related page to all and sundry in a graphical type fashion, pop along to the Legends Of The Seers page as BlinkingDot are running a free (yup, that's the thing where no money is required) banner service and boasting 1 for 1 publicity - for every banner you show, your banner will be shown on someone else's site. See site for further details.
Wednesday 6th October 1999
- More Chat. Oops, there's another one. Been on the roguelike chat channel? Not talked/typed enough yet and still itching for more? Well, if you can restrain yourself to Angband related babble, you could always visit the #Angband channel on irc.othernet.org which is apparently most busy weekdays, 12:00 - 22:00 (GMT).
Tuesday 5th October 1999
- New 'band. Occasional porter, Dennis van Es has begun work on his own variant, basing it upon Angband (v2.8.3eric) and humbly naming it DvEband. Version 1.0.0 features the following changes...
  • Display XP needed to advance.
  • No confirmation on destroying worthless objects.
  • Rangers start with arrows (LM).
  • Stair can take you 2 levels up or down (LM).
  • Chest tend to give better items depending on your class (LM).
  • XP gained by opening a chest depends on the pval of the chest.
  • Added Leon's famous W&R Stacking (LM).
  • Added weapon skills for swords, axes, daggers & rapiers & cutlasses, Polearms, hafted weapons, slings, bows and crossbows.
  • Wall of fire spell added for mages.
  • Confused monster don't breed.
...and the files you'll be after... - RL Chat. If you want to natter in a roguelike stylee (sorry, I can't pull off hip-hop, can I?), you could do worse than popping along to #RogueLike on irc.dal.net and letting rip. It's been founded by Coen as a forum for realtime roguelike-related debate and he'd be more than happy if you showed up for a chat. Go on, it's good to talk...
Friday 1st October 1999
- New Valdor. Piotr Wolny has released a new version (0.006) of his roguelike, Legends of Valdor. You can download it from the homepage and here are the changes...
  • Random items generation.
  • Improved dungeon generation.
  • Improved fighting.
  • Optimised code.
  • Many little things improved.
  • Bugs fixed.
- LotS FTP. A little correction on the LotS front (actually, I think it's a conspiracy from Bernhard Rems to get Legends Of The Seers mentioned as much as possible *wink*). You don't have to join the LotS mailing list to obtain the test build now, there is in fact an FTP site available to download it from.
© Copyright 1999 Darren Hebden.