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1. Introduction
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The DUNE Emulator is an implementation of the Avalon Hill classic boardgame 'Dune' for the PC. This is a labour of love undertaken primarily as a means of learning the Allegro game programming library.
See http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/ for details of this superb *free* package.
The Emulator is Freeware - you may copy and distribute it freely provided you do not make any profit. However, it is requested that you actually own a copy of the Boardgame to use the Dune Emulator to avoid copyright infringement.

There are currently several different features to the Emulator:
1. It supports reading in of PBEM game files in a special format. See "PBEM File Format" section for more details.

2. It is possible to play a game on a single PC.
The player has to take control of all factions in play.

3. It is possible to play a game with some or all players playing remotely across a TCP/IP network. 

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1. Installation
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Simply extract the zip file into any directory and run Dune.exe

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2. Whats Working
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BASIC GAME (DONE)
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Initial Fremen troop placement.
Bene Gesserit prediction.
Selection of Traitors.
Storm movement and destruction of tokens and spice.
Spice Blow including worms and their effects.
Bidding with all its complexities.
Revival of troops and leaders.
Shipping and movement of troops.
Combat between troops in the same location.
Spice Collection from spice blows.
Treachery cards basic rules.
Factions basic powers.
Bribes.
Alliances.

OPTIONAL RULES (DONE)
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Advanced Weather.
Spice collection for strongholds.
Double Spice Blows
Advanced Combat.

ADVANCED CHARACTER POWERS (DONE)
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All implemented.

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3. PBEM File Format
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The executable also has the ability to read a text file in a specific format and display a representation of the game status described in the file. The command is :
    dune <source> <dest>

source is a text file describing the current game status.
dest is the destination path of the resulting bitmap.

The file format comes from the Play by EMail games being run on the Yahoo Dune Club. See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DuneBoardGame Not a lot of validation is done on your game status file and character position is very important. Stick to the format of the sample given. It is taken from one of the Play By EMail games run on the Yahoo Dune Club.

The following items are parsed from the file and used for the final display.
1. The turn
2. The Storm position
3. Whether the Family Atomics have been played.
4. The spice blows
5. The troop positions
6. Player Dot positions

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4. Starting the Game
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Once you have run Dune.exe you are presented with the title screen showing a picture of the (Old Style) Dune Boardgame front cover. In Shai Hulud's mouth is the text "Game Type" and "Run Network Game". The latter is surrounded by a flashing rectangle. The flashing rectangle indicates that this box can be clicked with the mouse. You may notice there are two other flashing rectangles - one  enclosing a down arrow, the other enclosing the text "OKAY".

Click on "Run Network Game" - it changes to "Connect To Game".
If you click again it changes to "Normal Game".
Clicking once more changes it back to "Run Network Game".

To start a server for network play, select "Run Network Game".
To connect to a remote server for network play, select "Connect To Game" and enter the hostname or IP address of the server in the flashing rectangle below the "Server" text.
To run a game locally select "Normal Game".

Click "OKAY" when you are happy with your choice.

Refer to the appropriate section below for details of setting up the 'local', 'server' or 'connect to' games.

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5. Local Game
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Choose "Normal Game" and clicking OKAY from the title screen brings you to the setup screen for a local game. 

You will have to play all the chosen factions from this PC. Select which factions you wish to play using the flashing faction pictures on the left. All factions are initially set up as playing. As you press the faction buttons, the status changes from "HUMAN", "NETWORK" or "NOT PLAYING". Only "HUMAN" factions will take part in the game.

Once you are happy with your chosen faction, click "OKAY" and the game starts.

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6. Running a Network Game
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To set up a network game, proceed as follows:

Before you start you will need to negotiate in advance with your fellow players who is going to act as the game server and who is going to play which faction. The other players will need to be supplied with the hostname or IP address of the server PC.

You can find the ip address of your PC like this:
Select START->Run
Type 'cmd' in the window that appears and click OK.
This brings up an MSDOS shell window.
In this window type 'ipconfig' and press return.
The IP Address will be listed in the form xx.xx.xx.xx

The 'server' player should follow these instruction to start the game.

Choose "Run Network Game" and click OKAY from the title screen brings you to the setup screen.

You are now in the 'Network Lobby' waiting for other players to join the game.

There are several options here: 

1. Change your handle at the top from 'Usul' to whatever you choose
2. Send a message to other players by clicking the text area at the very bottom
3. Choose which factions you wish to play by clicking on the leader pictures on the left hand side. You can choose up to 3 factions.
4. The OKAY button will start flashing when it is possible to start a game.
Thats when at least 2 players have chosen a faction. Clicking OKAY indicates you agree to start the game as currently defined. This brings up a tick mark next to your name in the list of players. If you change your mind, you can click okay again to remove the tick.

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6. Connecting to a Network Game
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To connect to somebody else's game, proceed as follows:

Before you start you will need to find out the ip address or hostname of the game server. The person running the game will need to tell you this. Then follow these instruction to connect to the game.

Choose "Connect To Game" and click OKAY from the title screen. This brings you to the setup screen. You are now in the 'Network Lobby'. The game at this point will try to connect to the server and will show an appropriate message at the bottom of the screen.

There are several options here: 

1. Change your handle at the top from 'Usul' to whatever you choose
2. Send a message to other players by clicking the text area at the very bottom
3. Choose which factions you wish to play by clicking on the leader pictures on the left hand side. You can choose up to 3 factions.
4. The OKAY button will start flashing when it is possible to start a game.
Thats when at least 2 players have chosen a faction. Clicking OKAY indicates you agree to start the game as currently defined. This brings up a tick mark next to your name in the list of players. If you change your mind, you can click okay again to remove the tick.

When all players have tick marks next to their name, the game starts.

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7. To Do
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Additional Chrome Features which may be added at any point

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8. Contact
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Please send your comments, general feedback and bug reports to:
Send Distrans