This disk/ZIP file contains a complete, working, fully-functional "sampler" of what is available in the Windows-based Shareware version of the "Classic" Edition of Adventure Game Toolkit (AGT). In addition to the Classic Edition, Softworks has just released a follow-on product, the "Master's" Edition of AGT. If you order these products from Softworks, you will get a number of additional "goodies" which are described in the file README.TOO. See the file ORDERFRM.AGT for details on how to order. For a more comprehensive overview of AGT, see the Windows HELP file AGTBLURB.HLP. THE "CLASSIC" EDITION OF THE ADVENTURE GAME TOOLKIT The "Classic Edition" (i.e., the version we have been perfecting for the last seven years) of AGT is very simple to use and can be used by programming novices or even by non-programmer's to create very professional text adventures similar to those from firms like Infocom. Versions of the Classic Edition are available for IBM (both Windows and DOS versions available -- separately), Macintosh, Atari ST and Amiga computers and games created on any of these computers can be re-compiled and played on any of the other computers. The Classic Edition is still supported and available from Softworks as Shareware for only $20 (or $40 including a 223 page printed manual with lots and lots of detailed examples). People who are already registered users of AGT may upgrade to the WINDOWS version for only $ 12.00. Anyone who orders the Classic Edition will get two disks filled with a number of "goodies" that are NOT included with the "unregistered" versions of AGT -- specifically, you will get a number of great games (in AGT source code format): QUEST Recover your magic spells and amulets from Blackwing's Pit. SQUYNCH Challenge the evils and mysteries of the Land of Squynch. Very clever! As good as Infocom! PARANOIA An adaptation of a classic fantasy role-playing game from "SpaceGamer/FantasyGamer" magazine. ELF Help Santa make it a merry, merry Christmas by discovering how to make Rudolph's nose shine bright enough to fly the sleigh through the fog covering the North Pole. UNDERGND A game of survival after World War III. Uses all of the tricks of the original GAGS (Standard Level) adventures. DEENA A woman warrior's struggle to escape from the lecherous Gendi tribe. (R-rated) DRAGONS An adventure in the Sultan's palace with side trips to his dungeon, the torture chamber and the harem. (R-rated) BIGDATE Get ready for your big date. An adventure told from a woman's point of view. CTA "Cristian Text Adventure" is an allegorical adventure where you battle figures like "Unbelief", "Greed" and "Lust" using such weapons as the "Sword of the Spirit" and the "Staff of Righteousness". FABLE An allegorical quest for meaning and understanding in life. LOTTERY An adventure in San Francisco with emphasize on the "red light" district. (R-rated) NMR "Adventures in NMR" is an example of how one might use an AGT game format to explain/describe something like a complex product or how to diagnois a problem with equipment, etc. Specifically, in NMR, the object is to purchase an NMR spectrometer and measure a spectrum without killing yourself in the process. EASTER A game aimed at and suitable for children from 7-12. Hunt for Easter Eggs around the house. Truly charming! VANPELT An orientation to the Van Pelt library at the University of Pennsylvania. Used to teach new students how to find their way around the library and how to undertake basic library research. Plus, anyone who orders the Classic Edition will get several great game creation utilities: AA "Adventure Author" -- a utility to create Standard Level games by "filling-in-the-blanks" using a form. The form is then turned into the basic data file that AGT needs. AGTMACRO A TSR that creates "templates" for ROOMs, NOUNs, etc. from within your text editor or word processor -- saving you both time, errors and typing. AGTNUM A utility than enables you to use meaningful "labels" rather than numbers, e.g., NOUN 233 can be expressed as NOUN [Big Ax], and MESSAGE 41 can become MESSAGE [Don't go near the dragon!]. Plus, anyone who orders the WINDOWS version of Classic Edition will get these added bonus programs: WIN-BIG The "Big" Windows version of AGT that allows you to create and play games that are approximately twice as large as the regular "Classic" version of AGT. HUMONGOUS CAVE (believed to be the largest text adventure game available on any microcomputer). Based on the "Colassal Cave" adventure, but expanded to 1000 points, 300 locations, hundreds of objects, elves and other creatures, treasures and puzzles. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CLASSIC EDITION AND THE MASTER'S EDITION OF AGT The "Master's Edition" is the long-awaited and long-promised version 2.0 of AGT and represents the response to over seven years of AGT user's requests for improvements and additional capabilities and features. The MASTER'S EDITION of ADVENTURE GAME TOOLKIT is designed to allow a game designer/writer to create and play his/her own high-quality text adventure games with optional graphic illustrations, sound effects and music. Once created, these adventure games can be shared with and enjoyed by others -- even if they do not have a copy of the Adventure Game Toolkit themselves. FEATURES OF MASTER'S EDITION OF THE ADVENTURE GAME TOOLKIT In addition to ALL the features and capabilities of the Classic Edition, the Master's Edition of AGT has a number of additional features, including: * Bigger games; approximately twice as large as "Classic" games, e.g., up to 300 rooms, 200 nouns, 900 messages, etc., and a typical game can have a vocabulary of 1000 words or more. * An OOPS feature that allows you to edit/correct your input commands. * Optional graphic illustrations using PCX formatted pictures for display on CGA, EGA or VGA screens. The PCX format is the most widely available of any picture format and is supported by most PAINT and/or DRAW programs. Plus -- a great deal of PCX "clip-art" is available. * Optional animation using FLI files (produced by Autodesk Animator, Animator Pro, 3D-Studio, PC-Animate, StrataVision 3D and other animation packages) that can be displayed on VGA screens (only). The FLI format is the most widely used animation format. Plus -- a great deal of FLI animation "clip-art" is available. * Optional music and sound effects that can be played in the "background" during the game. These sound effects can either use the PC's internal speaker or use an AdLib or SoundBlaster (or compatible) "sound card" (if one is available). * Optional user-definable "look-and-feel" interface including a menu-driven player input option that displays feasible commands for the player to pick from. * Optional "pop-up" hints available when the and keys are pressed at the same time. * Optional fonts (EGA and VGA monitors only) that can be changed to suit the needs of the game. The Master's Edition comes with over 30 sample fonts including Old English, Scrawl, Computereze. Plus, a Font Editor is provided that allows you to create your own unique fonts. The Master's Edition is totally compatible with the Classic Edition and games originally developed for the Classic Edition can be easily converted to (using a provided conversion utility) and used with the Master's Edition. The Master's Edition is available only for IBM computers (DOS only). However, be warned: The Master's Edition is aimed at the more sophisticated and experienced programmer/game designer! The Master's Edition is available from Softworks for only $50. This price includes the cost of seven ZIPped disks with over 5 megabytes of goodies including complete documentation on disk, a bunch of game creation utilities, several brand new sample games including the complete AGT source code to: * HUMONGOUS CAVE (believed to be the largest text adventure game available on any microcomputer). Based on the "Colassal Cave" adventure, but expanded to 1000 points, 300 locations, hundreds of objects, elves and other creatures, treasures and puzzles. * HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! -- an illustrated, musical text adventure about a mystery in a traveling circus with all of the game's related font, music, sound effects and pictures files. * SHERLOCK HOLMES -- a very unusual, menu-driven adventure where you play the famous detective and try to solve a total of 18 separate cases. This adventure illustrates the Master's Edition's vastly improved capability to handle questions and answers. * BRAINSCAPE -- an adventure that takes place inside the brain similar to the novels (and movie) by Isaac Asimov "Fantastic Voyage" and "Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain". * SQUYNCH -- a classic adventure in-the-style-of-Infocom in which you challenge the evils and mysteries of the Land of Squynch. Very clever! * PORK -- a parody of the Infocom ZORK series of adventures. If you were frustrated by ZORK, play PORK and enjoy the sweet fruits of revenge. * ADVENTURELAND and PIRATE'S ADVENTURE -- two true classic games by Scott Adams converted to AGT. See how a real master of the genre does his magic! WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT FOR YOU? If you are a "power" gamer/programmer and know that you can use (or need) the full power of the Master's Edition, then by all means -- get the Master's Edition. If you have less experience with programming or game design, then you should probably start with the Classic Edition. If you select the Classic Edition, you can always upgrade later when you need the full power of the Master's Edition -- for a special "registered AGT user" upgrade price of only $35. REMEMBER: Softworks is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals -- your guarantee of quality in shareware software. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄ¿ ³ (tm) ÄÄij ³O ³ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ³ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÁÐÄÄ¿ ³ Association of ³ ³ ÃÄÙ Shareware ÀÄÄÄ´ O ³ Professionals ÄÄÄÄÄÄij º ³ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÀÄÄÄÄÐÄÄÄÄÙ MEMBER