I. Platform Notes

How to select which release of DoorMUD is correct for your BBS software:

• Synchronet -- Use the 32-bit Synchronet-specific release, dmud097s.zip.

• WildCat Winserver, Mystic for Win32, and EleBBS for Win32 -- Use the Door32 release, dmud097d.zip.

• WorldGroup -- Use dmud097s.zip, but you will need to consult another document first for information on how to setup a 32-bit WorldGroup doorgame server.

• All others -- Use the 16-bit DOS release, dmud097.zip.

Upgrading from a previous release:

• If you are upgrading from a previous version of DoorMUD made for the same platform, simply unzip the new archive to your old DoorMUD directory, overwriting older files as needed. 

• If you are switching from one platform to another (ie, switching from the DOS release to the Door32 release), please consult the UPGRADE.TXT file included in DoorMUD's zip file for the new platform.

Disclaimer - Users of this program must accept the following:

• DOORMUD is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of DOORMUD.

• You may not modify or disassemble this software, in whole or in part. Use of decompilers, hex editors, etc on any DOORMUD file is strictly forbidden.

II. Introduction

DoorMUD: Land of the Forgotten is a text-based role-playing game of massive proportions. In an ancient, war-torn land, the demonic Warmaster of Chaos lies locked away in a dungeon deep underground. His minions are forming armies on the surface, preparing for the day when an evil champion will set him free. Meanwhile, the holy forces of Order have finally forged a weapon capable of slaying the Warmaster, but first they must find a hero powerful enough to wield the mighty blade. Thus, players are presented with a choice: Will they strive to kill the Warmaster and bring Order to the land? Or shall they free the Warmaster and doom the world to its destruction?

DoorMUD is an affordable, high-quality MUD (multi-user dungeon) that will run on any BBS software capable of running doorgames. DoorMUD features fast-paced real-time combat, excellent multinode interaction, a high-powered command interface and a huge game world with over 2100+ rooms for players to explore. It is actively supported, with new versions coming out on a regular basis. A World Editor add-on is also in the works, allowing Sysops to modify the game  world and create your own new dungeons, quests, artifacts, and more!

III. Support Features

• Synchronet Win32 version runs much faster than DOS doors, and even supports all Synchronet global commands such as inter-node paging and online user list.

• Door32 for Windows version runs on Door32-compliant BBS software, such as WildCat Winserver, Mystic, and EleBBS, without needing an external telnet server.

• DOS version can automatically detect a fossil driver and use it automatically. Also runs fine without a fossil driver present.  Supports most common dropfile formats: chain.txt, dorinfo*.def, exitinfo.bbs, sfdoors.dat, callinfo.bbs, door.sys, and tribbs.sys. Smoothly supports use of telnet servers (COM/IP, Netmodem, etc), up through COM99.

• Real-time multinode interaction -- players can easily communicate with each other on-line, and can join up in teams to defeat more difficult monsters.

• Lots of innovative sysop-friendly features to make your life easier, including automatic daily backups and the ability to un-do game resets.

• Free demo version allows training up through level 7, allowing users to get a good feel for the game. The demo never "expires", either. Registration for the basic version costs only $20.

IV. Setup

Create a new directory just for DoorMUD, and copy all of the DoorMUD files from the zip to this directory.  Then, follow instructions depending on which DoorMUD platform you are using:

• Synchronet instructions -- click here.

• Door32 instructions -- click here.

• DOS instructions -- click here.

Platform instructions will open in a new window, so you won't lose your place in the rest of the documentation.

V. Configuration Options

DoorMUD's sysop-configurable options can be modified via a special config menu inside the door. In the Synchronet release of DoorMUD, this config menu is available if you enter the door with a Sysop account (security 90+). In the Door32 and DOS versions, the config menu is available if you run the door in local mode ("dmud32d.exe -l" or "dmud.exe -l", respectively).  Please note that some older releases use a separate configuration program called CONFIG.EXE instead, which has the same function.

Select option [C] to enter the Sysop Configuration menu:

At the top of the Configuration screen, you will see your Pre-registration Code. This is used for registration purposes if you wish to purchase the full version of the game.

From the configuration screen, you can change the following game settings:

• Monster Fights per Day: Controls how many monster fights a player gets per day. Every time a player kills a monster, one monster fight is used up. Once a player runs out of monster fights, they can still continue to kill more monsters if desired, but they won't gain any experience or gold for it. The default is 35 monster fights per day, which will entertain an experienced player for about 15 to 25 minutes per day.

• Maximum Accumulated Fights: Unlike in most other doorgames, unspent monster fights in DoorMUD add up from day to day. This way, your users do not have to play every single day in order to maintain a high ranking. This setting controls how many unused fights a player can accumulate; the default is 100. It is recommended that you set it to about 3 times as high as the daily fights setting. But if you wish to just turn off fight accumulation entirely, set it to the same number as the daily fights setting.

• Reset the game: Totally resets the entire game, deleting all players and returning all items to their original location. This option may not be available the first time you enter the configuration menu; there is no need to select it when you first install the door.

• Undo previous reset: Restores the game files prior to the previous reset. This option is only available if the game has been reset before.

If you have purchased the DoorMUD Professional add-on, additional config options are also available. Please see the DoorMUD Professional documentation for information on these settings.

VI. Registration

DoorMUD is shareware. In the unregistered version, players may not advance past level 7, and can only explore about 700 of the 2100+ rooms in the game world. If you register the game, your users can advance to any level and can access the entire game world. 

Registration for the basic (4 line) version costs $20 US. DoorMUD add-on products are now also available at an additional charge. Please see the DoorMUD add-ons page for more information. 

HOW TO REGISTER ON-LINE:

• Registering on-line is the fastest and most convenient method to purchase DoorMUD. Please see http://dmud.thebbs.org/register.htm for more information.

HOW TO REGISTER VIA POSTAL MAIL:

1. Print and fill out the registration form (REGISTER.TXT). If you do not have a printer, you may handwrite the information. Be sure to include your "preregistration code". This can be found by running the game's configuration program (see previous section). Copy the pre-reg code EXACTLY as it appears.

2. Include a check or money order for $20 US. If using a check, make it payable to "Evan Elias". (Note -- checks will take slightly longer to process than money orders)

3. E-mail me at RhythmNp@aol.com and request my current personal address.

4. Put the payment and registration form in an envelope and mail it to to the address provided.

VII. Misc

Sysop Display Window:

• DOS: DoorMUD has a sysop local display window that functions like other DOS doors. You can chat with the remote user, modify their time left online, disconnect them, etc in addition to monitoring their gameplay.

• Door32: Similar to the DOS version's display, but is a standard Windows GUI program, so it looks much cleaner. Unless you are running in local mode, this window automatically starts minimized for your convenience. If desired, you can eliminate this window entirely using the -silent command line option (ie, dmud32d.exe -n # -d XXX -silent). This can be useful in order to prevent taskbar clutter.

• Synchronet: By default, there is no local display window, in order to prevent taskbar clutter. However, a "-window" command line option is available if you wish to have the program create a DOS-style local display. This may be useful if you wish to monitor your users while they play DoorMUD.

User License:

• This version of DoorMUD allows up to 4 simultaneous users/nodes to play the game at once. This should be sufficient for most hobbyist boards. But if you run a larger MUD-oriented BBS, you may be interested in the DoorMUD Professional add-on, which allows for up to 16 simultaneous users. Please see the DoorMUD add-ons page  for more information.

Monster Fights:

• There is intentionally no setting to allow for unlimited monster fights. However, you can set the Daily Monster Fights setting as high as 1000 if desired, which would allow for many hours of gameplay per day. Setting it anywhere near this high is definitely NOT recommended though, unless you are using the DoorMUD Professional add-on to increase the experience point tables. Otherwise, high Monster Fight settings will allow players to gain levels much too quickly. In the basic version of DoorMUD, it is HIGHLY recommended that you leave the Monster Fights at the default setting of 35 per day.

Automatic Backups:

• DoorMUD automatically makes backups of its vital data files on a regular basis, usually once per day. If your data files ever become corrupted, copy the three *.bak files (CREATURE.BAK, ITEM.BAK, CONFIG.BAK) over the *.dat files of the same name, to revert to the backups. These backups are made just as a precaution; data file corruption is very rare.

USERINFO.TXT:

• This text file lists the real name of each user in the game, and shows how many days it has been since the user last played. It is updated daily, when the game runs maintenance. This is not a score file; it is intended to provide the Sysop with information as to which users are playing the game.

Available command line options:

• -D or -DROPFILE - Door information file directory and/or filename. [DOS and Door32]

• -N or -NODE - Sets the node number to use. [DOS and Door32]

• -L or -LOCAL - Causes door to operate in local mode, without requiring a door information (drop) file. [DOS and Door32]

• -WINDOW - Generates a local display window when dmud32.exe is run. [Synchronet]

• -SILENT - Operate in silent mode, with no local display. [DOS and Door32]

• -NOINTRO - Skips the game's ANSI intro screen. [All versions]

• -GRAPHICS - Unless followed by 0 or N, turns on ANSI display mode. Useful if, for whatever reason, the game is not detecting users' ANSI settings properly. [DOS and Door32]

• -MAXTIME x - Sets the maximum number of minutes that any user will be permitted to access the door, regardless of time left. [DOS and Door32]

• -NOFOSSIL - Disables use of FOSSIL driver, even if available. [DOS]

• -HELP - Lists several other available command lines options for use when the dropfile isn't working properly or isn't present. [DOS]

Support:
Please consult one of the following sources if you are having difficulty setting up the game or if you have any questions, comments, ideas, etc.

• Visit the official DoorMUD webpage: http://dmud.thebbs.org. 

• View the DoorMUD sysop FAQ: http://dmud.thebbs.org/sysopfaq.htm.

• E-mail the game's programmer: rhythmnp@aol.com.