The Ultimate Book

Ultimate Universe Documentation

by

Darque

HTML conversion by Caliban Tiresias Darklock: Last updated March 17, 2007

The Year was 2317. For 284 years the Earth had known a golden age of peace and prosperity. Much of space had been explored and colonized, and many amazing technological breakthroughs had been made.

Alien Cultures had been met, and except for a few noteable exceptions, they were all peaceful.

Then They were discovered. They showed no interest in communication, which has made it difficult to know their motivations. Their actions, though, speak for themselves. Once aware of our presence, They began a systematic extermination of every living thing They could find.

We called them the Cabal then. It was not their name for themselves; to date, we have never learned that. It is our name for them.

Earth, for its part, had let the art of war slip into the past. Historians will note it took nearly two years to recreate weapons capable of destroying the Enemy. Defenses took just as long. Much of the technology was taken from the Enemy itself.

Finally the first Warship has been completed. This vessel is capable of stopping our implacable foe. However, They have become very entrenched in our section of the Universe, and it will take many Warships to end this threat.

With the discovery of other planes of reality, the scope of this conflict has grown. We now simply call them the 'Enemy', in whatever form they take. The one test is this 'Do they destroy, or do they communicate'. If communication is not possible, and co-existence does not happen, then you must defend yourself or die.

Since technology has grown to the point where we can produce even a huge space vessel at a quick pace, the problem is finding people to command them.

Thus any able-minded citizen capable of commanding one of these Warships will be granted Captain Status and sent on his way.

[Editor's Note: You will see, throughout the document, several comments in this color. These comments are added in order to update information. You may also see sections headed with the word "OBSOLETE" in this same color, which indicates that a given section no longer applies. In any case, all of the contact and status information provided here is long outdated. All files available from the download page have been hyperlinked for ease of retrieval.]

Ultimate Universe is a Space Trading Door Game set in a MultiDimensional Reality. It has a huge array of devices you can purchase, and a Universe that is filled with unknowns to discover.

This manual attempts to cover all aspects of the game, from player help to BBS Sysop suggestions. It is my hope that it will make the game more accessible to everyone.

As always, suggestions for improvements are welcome. See the listing of Network Conferences for ways to reach me.

Christopher Darque
TSE Director

The Ultimate Universe 2.04 archive should contain these files:

UUgame.exe contains:

-=3=-   Registration Benefits

Contents

[OBSOLETE]

While we wish for everyone to be able to properly test UU as a game, we have locked certain features out of the unregistered Version. The main omission is all aspects of Multi-Dimensionality. None of the Dimensional Devices will be available, and you will not be able to make any other Universes.

The Second major restriction is on the Exporting of ships. Players will not be able to take ships from an unregistered game and transfer them to another Ultimate Universe somewhere else.

See the Regist.FRM for ordering a Ultimate Universe Registration Key. [Addendum: The universal key is now freely available from the archives at no cost.]

New Registration Policy

There are however a number of utilities that are offered as a separate package that are not covered by the basic registration.

TSE licenses the key to you, but it can not be transfered to another board or sysop other than the one who originally registered it.

IMPORTANT: if your registration check bounces, the key will be terminated unless restitution of the bank charges is made.

Multiple uses of a single key on a multinode single computer is fine, but use on multiple computers requires multiple registrations.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in termination of the key without refund.

Ultimate Universe Installation is a little more complex than your average door game. We have included help for every step of the process here, and in Config.Doc. A quick read of that text will make things much easier.

In a simple form, here is what you do:

Make a Directory, unarchive the file. Run Config.exe and make any changes to the settings you wish, and then a run of Daily.exe with the command line 'Daily All Total' will complete the install.

However due to the massive number of BBS packages, and computer types that run UU, we have begun to create specific help packages for each set-up we can find. Since UU 2.0 is a massive upgrade, all of those helps are no longer correct. If you have a BBS that requires unique config set-up, please contact us and we will assist you.

Do not be surprised if we then ask you to write up your batch files and menu choices so others may benefit.

1) Create a directory.

2) Unarj UU200.ARJ into that Directory. [Addendum: UU is now distributed in ZIP format, as not many people have ARJ available these days.]

3) Type 'UUgame' to extract the game files

4) Run DDOC.EXE to generate Device.Doc and Device.Ref

5) Zip DEVICE.DOC and DEVICE.REF into DEVICE.ZIP

6) Zip UUHELP.EXE, UUHELP.HTD and UUHELP.HTI into UUHELP.ZIP
NOTE: Steps 3 thru 5 are to have the files available to be downloaded from the Library.

7) Run CONFIG.EXE
Pay close attention to the HardWare and BBS Sections. Other Sections can be modified after you are more familiar with the game. See CONFIG.DOC for more info on CONFIG.

8) Run DAILY ALL TOTAL

9) Modify your BBS to run ULTIMATE.EXE

9A) If running with Multiple Nodes set Environmental Variable UUNODE to the correct Node Number. Node Information is in CONFIG.Doc

10) Read ULTIMATE.DOC for information on how to play and for more info on UU.

11) Enjoy.

Ultimate Universe has been made more multi-node aware for those BBSs who have more than a single line. If this applies to you then you will need a few pieces of information to make the game work properly.

When setting up for Multi_node operation you need to tell UU each time what Node is accessing the game. The following lines in each Batch file will handle that:

SET UUNODE=x
ULTIMATE

Where 'x' is the Node number (0 and up)

Config.Doc details the Config.exe program. Please refer to it for specifics on that step in the Installation Process.

Also note that Config.Ref is a Template that can be printed to use in designing unique Dimensional Configs.

Config.exe

While the number of options may seem a bit bewildering at first, most are quite simple in operation. See Config.Doc and Config.Ref for more specific information.

Config.Exe only accepts a single command-line parameter, and that is to disable it's animated picture. This is of specific use to those people who maintain their systems remotely. With the picture turned off, Config.Exe has been found to work properly through 'Doorway'.

Daily.exe

The format for Daily is as follows:

Daily (Dimension Letter or All) (Reset or Total)

Normal Version:	Daily All	Will run maint on all Dims
Start-up a new Game:	Daily All TOTAL	Complete game reset
Reset a Specific Dimension:	Daily G Reset	Resets 'G' Dimension Only
Single Dimension Maint:	Daily G	Maintenance

Version #1 is what you would run most of the time, reagardless of how many Dimension you have. It will do them all. Version #2 is only used when you first set up UU, or if you want everything to start over.

Version #3 would be used if you wanted to alter a specific Dimension (as opposed to the whole game) and start it over.

Version #4 is usually used to make a Dimension run at a higher than normal pace. Usually maintenance is only needed once a day, but speeding up a Dimension can have some interesting effects, and is sometimes useful. Most often this will be a Dimension where the conflict between good and evil is raging, and the Sysop want to move it along faster than normal.

DDoc.exe

DDoc.exe accepts the command-line parameter 'LOW' which will remove all high ansi fromt the text (to make it printable by almost any printer.) Printers with IBM mode should not need this version.

Ultimate.exe

UUhelp.exe

In the original UU versions the Good Guys were always the Federation. Starting with 2.0 a Sysop/Owner can give them any name they wish.

In fact, the Dimensional Name, Good, Bad, Rebel, and monetary unit are all definable for each separate Dimension. Again, see Config.Doc for more details on how you do this.

But since the history of UU was primarily based on the Federation vs. the Cabal, you will find we often refer back to them. In a way they are the 'default' in Ultimate Universe.

Who are they? They are the ones who give you a ship, pay you to fight, and keep you in supplies as long as you can pay for them. Attacking Good Ports or forces will result in fines. Extreme cases can get you branded an enemy, and require hefty restitution to be made.

The beginning of the conflict was with the Cabal, it has since spread over a huge expanse of OmniDimensional Space. The Cabal are the anti- life forces, they destroy, and never communicate. Wether this is because they are so alien we simply cannot talk, or because they do not feel we are worth talking to, makes no difference.

The Federation Class Warship is a single person, modular SpaceCraft. Designed to fight in a specific type of combat, it has proven to be versatile beyond the expectations of it's designers.

Commanding one means that you have to make numerous choices as to which devices to purchase, and how to configure them for maximum effectiveness.

See the Topics on Menu Commands, Macros, and Devices for the basics of the details of the ship.

This is probably the most complex part of Ultimate Universe. When two ships are in conflict the outcome is always uncertain. But there are a few rules which will help you to achive victory.

1) Never attack unless you have completely scanned a target.

2) Make sure you have defenses/counters to all the defenses they have BEFORE you try to attack.

3) Attacking someone with a Debt will transfer that debt to you, so make sure to check your Computer first.

4) Long Range attacks usually work better than charging in with your ship. Set Hunter Drones to chase them, lead them into traps, attack their Planets. Do whatever you can to weaken them first, then go in for the kill.

5) Study the Device.Doc for the weapons and defenses, there are so many choices that you can make attacks in a number of ways.

Building a secure base is a very useful activity. First it provides a safe haven for you and your Planets, and second it is a perfect place to build traps for those who wish to hunt you.

As with other parts of the game there are quite a few items you can place into a Sector to defend your territory. Things like Dimensional Catapults will keep out all but the most determined attacker.

There are also ways to counter every form of travel. Keeping someone from easily entering your area via OverSpace is one example. The OverSpace Negator device will stop OverSpace entry or exits. Similar devices can make your personal Space a difficult nut to crack.

Plasma Warps can build the Warp links you desire, and remove those you do not need. Since many people use basic AutoPilots to move around cutting excess links will reduce the chance someone will just fly through by accident.

Toll Stations are a good way to defend the outer borders, they offer a choice 'Pay or leave'. Setting them to a high fee will stop all but the richest of attackers. And if they are foolish enough to refuse, the Stations are well equiped to defend themselves. But since you can bypass them with enough money, they should only be the first line of defense.

One of the most basic of the Fortress building Devices are the Isolators. These devices cut all warp links into a Sector, and leave you with one- way outs only. Using a few of these, and then linking the Sectors with a few Plasma Warps can easily create a small, safe cluster to build in.

You can also move Ports around to different Sectors, and even change what they buy/sell.

There are quite a few additional programs that can work with UU to make the game more interesting. Here are a few of them.

UUansi2: Enables extended ANSI in UU for Sectors, Ports, Planets and Scans.

AI: A complete robotic player. Helps to give a game some activity at the start [Addendum: Also retrieve the registration codes for the AI program, courtesy of Troy Jones.]

UUterm: A remote EGA terminal by Will Boyette. Great graphics along with some very useful functions.

UUscan: Capture File scanner by Marv Conn. This program takes a cap file of your UU session and distills quite a bit of info out of it.

Ultirank: A Ranking program that looks at all Dimensions, and then produces a combined report.

Zpacks: collections of ANSI, useful programs, and help texts, direct from (-) Zone Central [Addendum: To my knowledge, only one of these was ever released.]

There are a number of ways you can make your Ultimate Universe game special. Config.Doc covers the parameters for the game itself, and should be studied carefully. The various Aux programs can add spice to any game, and more are always coming out.

Editable Files

FirstDay.Msg : This will be shown to a player only once, on the First day they play. Putting basic information about your Dimensions, or some helpful hints is a good idea for this file.

StartDay.Msg : This file will be seen once a day when a player logs into the game. Useful for information that needs to be seen by everyone, such as a Rankings file from a particularly active Dimension, or perhaps the Ultirank output.

Everyday.Msg : This file will be seen everytime anyone logs into the game. Things like a listing of the Dimensions, game rules, or anything of that sort works here. Of course, a nice ANSI picture would not be bad either.

TSE is the new name for TopherSoft Engineering, the group which produces Ultimate Universe. The star of TSE is Garth Bigelow, programmer par excellence. Easily accessible through either the TSE BBS, or any number of Network Conferences, he has a reputation for fixing any problem that is brought to his attention.

Christopher Darque is the other member of TSE. And I am the one writing this manual.

Bug reports are always welcome, and if you are the first to locate a problem, you will be listed in the AAuver.txt along with the fix.

(-) Zone Central is a BBS-based gaming group that operates out of Indianapolis. With emphasis on role-playing using games that are not usually thought of in that fashion, they have created something unique.

They also release packs of ANSI, add-on programs, and lots of helpful text files on UU.

Training Mode was added to allow people to learn the game in a somewhat simpler manner. When you die in this Mode you can reclaim your ship by simply logging back on. You will take damage from the attack that killed you, but it will not be complete.

The major limitation on this is that you cannot export a ship from a Training Mode game into another UU.

The intro to this Doc is the basic storyline behind UU. It is a classic struggle between good and evil. With the addition of multiple Dimensions, it is possible to battle a wide range of foes.

Numerous Doc files have been provided for the Sysop. They cover everything from Setting up the Game, to Creating Custom Dimensions.

HyperSwaps are somewhat tricky when you first use them. In operation they are quite simple. Think of them as double-sided bookcases; on each is a set of device bays. When triggered, they flip over to present the other side to you.

The benefits are obvious, they effectively increase your ship's Device bays. But like HyperCubes, the devices on the backside are not active until they are flipped.

Most full ship designs make use of these handy toys, and they are worth spending a little experimentation time to figure out.

One other thing to note. HyperSwaps (when triggered) will always end up in Device Bay #1. So if you have more than one of them you have to keep track of which is which. One solution to this is to keep the ones you're not using in a small HyperCube.

One of the newest Additions to the Ultimate Universe line of offensive weapons is the awesome Hunter Drones. Wandering the Universe is packs they can seek a specific target, and report on their findings.

The basic components to a successful Hunter Drone launch are:

1) Have some Hunter Drones in your Ship
2) Have a Hunter Drone Leader (Device #387)
3) Some fuel to power them

Hunter Drone Device List

Example of Use (with commentary) [Addendum: HTML is not well suited to the formatting of this example. As a result, it doesn't look as good as it ought to.]

Hunter Pack Leader OnLine, Diagnostics Report 100% Functionality.

Programming Mode Activated: Select Target

Target Options Menu:

A) Select a WarShip Target
B) Select an Alliance Target
C) Target The Mutant Cabal
D) Target The Rebels

Select Targetting Mode: C

((Here is where you choose who the Hunt Pack will be looking for, it includes any drones or mines belonging to the Target in the search))

Programming Mode Continues: Set Modes

If Stealth Mode is Activated Hunter Drones can not be detected without direct and thorough Scanning. Stealth Mode requires a Unit of Fuel.

Activate Stealth Mode? Y

((With this turned on, it requires a unique sensor to even see the Hunt group))

If Report Mode is Activated Hunter Drones avoid conflict and merely report on any Military Buildup. Report Mode requires a Unit of Fuel.

Activate Report Mode? Y

((Setting this to 'Y' will make the group live longer, otherwise they will usually die at the first enemy cluster they find. Of course if you send a lot of them this might not be true))

If Mine Avoidance Mode is Activated Hunter Drones avoid conflict with Sector Mines and only engages combat with Attack Drones.

Activate Mine Avoidance Mode? Y

((Since the basic Hunter Drone is still just a Drone, they have much better odds with other Drones, as opposed to mines. This mode lets the group attack only when they have a reasonable chance to live. If they should encounter twice as much force as they have, they will still die, but they will do some damage along the way. If you are doing a full attack against a target, with lots of Hunt packs, then turn this to 'N'))

If OverSpace Mode is Activated Hunter Drones will use Long Range Scanning techniques to as well to locate Targets.

OverSpace Mode Requires 5 Units of Fuel if used.

Activate OverSpace Mode? N

((This option makes the Hunt group more efficient at scanning, and surviving by giving them access to ORM Links. However it does consume quite a bit a fuel and is best reserved for Dimension where the normal Warp Links are few in number))

If Merge Mode is Activated Hunter Drones will Merge with other Merge Mode Hunter Drone Packs of yours they encounter.

Activate Merge Mode? N --- N

((If this mode is activated it will override the others and make the group look for another Hunt Pack to merge with. Think of this as a 're-supply' mode where you place more Drones into the existing groups.))

Programming Mode Complete.

Refuelling Mode Activated:

Ship's Inventory Reports 321 Fuel Units.
Load Hunter Drone Leader with how many Fuel Units? 75
Fueling Complete.

((Without fuel the group will not move. More than 100 units will usually overfill their tanks, causing some fuel to be lost))

Ship's Inventory Reports 100000 Hunter Drones.
How Many Hunter Drones will the Hunter Drone Leader be Controlling? 5000

Beginning Deployment
Hunter Drone Leader reports successful Deployment.

The Wild Hunt Pack contains most of the Devices you need to run Hunt Packs. They are probably one of the most powerful weapons in the Warship's arsenal if properly employed.

The aux program ANSI2 will allow you to add ANSI pictures to the game at a number of different points. See the documentation on getting things set up for pictures.

ANSI Types

UU runs just fine without a BBS. This has led to a number of groups playing the game on a local computer. The best thing about this is that you can be more generous with the amount of time a player can have each day.

While we understand that no computer-based opponent can be terribly challenging for any length of time, at least not if you are serious about the game, we have tried to instill a sense of 'togetherness' in UU. When set high the enemy in the game can take quite a bit of effort to destroy.

It is suggested that you always have at least a few Dimensions where the 'evil' side is in control. That way the players will not turn on each other, at least not right away.

But UU does have such a wide variety of anti-ship devices it is just like any other Door, the players are going to go for each other no matter what you do.

Templates are forms you can use to work with different elements of UU. The Config.Ref text is made for the creation of new Dimensions. Each of the different config options is listed, along with a blank line for your settings.

We hope to provide more Templates as time passes.