RULE THE BBS WORLD
Version 0.11.16 Alpha - DOS (16-bit)
Packaged: 10/24/2026
Written by maskreet
========================================================================

WELCOME TO RULE THE BBS WORLD!

Remember when BBSes ruled the online world and every sysop wanted
the most callers? Well, here's your chance to settle the score!

In Rule the BBS World, you'll compete against one to three computer-
controlled sysops to build the biggest BBS empire around. Buy BBSes,
network hubs, and service providers, build up their popularity, and
collect users from your unfortunate competitors.

Trade properties, battle it out at auctions, survive unexpected
events, and try to stay out of Cyber Jail. Just remember that your
users are also your currency. Run out of them, and you might find
yourself shutting down for good!

The last sysop still in business wins!

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

* A colorful, 40-space ANSI game board.
* Animated dice and player tokens.
* One to three computer-controlled opponents.
* Individual saved games for every caller.
* Configurable house rules to suit your BBS.
* Built-in help for players.
* Individual-game Top 10 scores: All, or against 1, 2 or 3 players.
* ANSI and plain-text score bulletins.

Each caller plays their own game against the computer sysops, so
this isn't a real-time multiplayer door. You can have several
callers playing their own games without interfering with each other.

And don't worry! The users you win and lose are strictly in-game
currency. No actual BBS user accounts are modified.

ABOUT THIS RELEASE

This is the 16-bit DOS edition of Rule the BBS World.

Native Windows (Win32) and Linux editions are planned, but are not
included in this release.


========================================================================
1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN
========================================================================

Rule the BBS World is a traditional DOS door game, so you'll need
an environment capable of running 16-bit DOS programs.

For remote callers, you'll also need a working FOSSIL driver.

The game uses standard INT 14h FOSSIL communications, such as X00, BNU,
or NetFOSS. It isn't tied to any particular FOSSIL driver, so you can
use whichever compatible driver works with your BBS setup.

If you're just testing the game locally, you won't need a FOSSIL
driver at all. The configuration utility and offline score exporter
also work without one.

DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS

For the full graphical experience, your terminal should support:

* ANSI display.
* IBM Code Page 437 (CP437) characters.
* At least 80 columns by 24 rows.

A plain-text display mode is also available if ANSI isn't suitable
for your setup.

A FEW DOS DETAILS

The game expects DOS-compatible drive paths and traditional 8.3
filenames and directory names.

Since this is a 16-bit DOS program, it cannot run directly from a
64-bit Windows command prompt. You'll need a suitable DOS environment
or door host to run it.

If your BBS already runs DOS doors successfully, you're well on
your way!


========================================================================
2. INSTALLING THE GAME
========================================================================

Installation is fairly straightforward. There's no complicated
installer, no database server, and no compiler to worry about.

Simply extract the package into a directory of your choice, making
sure to preserve the included subdirectories.

For example:

  C:\BBS\DOORS\BBSWORLD\

Your directory should look something like this:

  BBSWORLD
    BBSWORLD.EXE       The game itself
    CONFIG.EXE         Sysop configuration utility
    UPGRADE.EXE        Database upgrade utility
    START.BAT          Door launch script
    LOCAL.BAT          DOS batch file for local play
    INSTALL.TXT        This installation guide
    FILE_ID.DIZ        BBS file-area description

FILES CREATED BY THE GAME

As people begin playing, the game creates a few additional files
in its installation directory:

  BBSWORLD.DAT       Game settings, property names and high scores
  USERS.DAT          Saved games for all callers
  BBSWORLD.BAK       Previous settings/score database, if present
  BWSCRnnn.OLD       Original database archived by UPGRADE, if present
  *.LCK              Database and caller locking files

Make sure your BBS or door process can read, create, and update
files in this directory.

UPGRADING AN EXISTING INSTALLATION

When upgrading from 0.11.12 alpha or earlier to 0.11.16 alpha,
you MUST run UPGRADE.EXE before starting the game or CONFIG.
A fresh installation does not need this step.
Version 0.11.13 already uses the current database format and needs
no conversion.

1. Close the door on ALL nodes and back up its directory.
2. Replace the programs with the matching files from this release.
   Keep your existing BBSWORLD.DAT and USERS.DAT; do not overwrite them.
3. From the game directory, run:

     UPGRADE.EXE

4. When the upgrade finishes, the door is ready to use again.

The upgrade preserves settings, property names and saved games.
It archives the original BBSWORLD.DAT as BWSCR001.OLD (or the next
unused number) before converting it. Keep that archive as a backup.

The four new score lists start empty. Previous versions kept
cumulative totals, which cannot be split into individual game
results or assigned an accurate opponent count. The old totals
remain in the archived database. New wins are recorded separately.
Running the upgrade again on a current database changes nothing.

MULTINODE SYSTEMS

If your BBS has multiple nodes, they should all use the same game
installation. This lets callers access their saved games and keeps
the high scores together.

Each node must have its own drop file, and your DOS environment must
provide working file-sharing enforcement so the game can safely
manage simultaneous sessions.

Before making backups or replacing game files, make sure the door
has been closed on ALL nodes.

For recovery purposes, keep your DAT files together with the
matching version of BBSWORLD.EXE.


========================================================================
3. FIRST-TIME CONFIGURATION
========================================================================

Now that the files are in place, it's time to set things up.

From the game directory, run:

  CONFIG.EXE

This opens the sysop configuration utility.

Here you can choose the game's rules, configure high score bulletin
output, and customize the experience for your callers.

Take a look through the available options and choose whatever
settings you prefer.

When you're finished, press Q to leave the configuration utility,
then answer Y when asked whether to save your changes.

COMPUTER PERSONALITIES

C - Computer concessions lets the last computer opponent give up
after several rounds of a severe disadvantage. Default: No.

E - Computer banter enables occasional sysop chat pop-ups. Default:
Yes. F - Computer banter cool down sets the minimum gap from 2 to 10
complete rounds, including you and each active computer. Default: 4.
The cooldown field is disabled while banter is off. Extra rolls do
not count as additional rounds. Press any key to dismiss a message.

These computer settings also apply to games already in progress.
In trade windows, use O for Owned and F to toggle AI trade offers.

HIGH SCORE BULLETINS

The game can automatically generate both ANSI and plain-text
versions of its Top 10 high scores.

By default, the files are named:

  TOP10.ANS          ANSI high score bulletin
  TOP10.ASC          Plain-text high score bulletin

These are written to the game directory unless you specify another
location in CONFIG.

If you choose a different output directory, make sure it already
exists and that the game has permission to write there.

A trailing backslash on the directory path is optional.

You can change the output filenames, but remember to use valid DOS
8.3 filenames.

If you don't want one of the bulletin formats, simply leave its
filename blank in CONFIG.

CUSTOMIZING BOARD NAMES

Want to give the board a little local flavor?

Run CONFIG and choose B - Property names.

Names are grouped as utilities, networks, and BBSes. Use N/P to
change pages. Enter a selection number and press Enter to edit.

Use 1 to 24 printable ASCII characters per name. Press Enter to
accept an edit, or Esc to cancel it. Press Esc again to return
to the main configuration screen. Save your changes when quitting.

Names and their original defaults are stored in BBSWORLD.DAT.
Restore defaults also restores the original names in that DAT file.

When upgrading, leave BOARD.TXT in place for the first successful
run. Existing names are imported automatically; after conversion,
editing BOARD.TXT no longer changes the game.

Install the game and CONFIG together. Older versions cannot read
the updated BBSWORLD.DAT.

That's all there is to it!

TESTING YOUR INSTALLATION

Before adding the game to your BBS menu, it's a good idea to make
sure everything works locally.

From the game directory, enter:

  BBSWORLD /L

The game will ask for a user name and start in local mode.

Try moving around the board, using the menus, and saving your game
to make sure everything is working.

Once local play works, test the game from an actual remote BBS call
through your FOSSIL door environment.

A NOTE ABOUT CHANGING RULES

The current rules are copied into each new game when it starts.

Changing settings in CONFIG won't change the rules for games already
in progress. Those games continue using their original settings.

Restoring the default configuration also preserves saved games
and high scores.

Be careful with CONFIG's Reset Game option!

That option resets ALL saved games AND high scores after
confirmation. It isn't needed for a normal installation or update.


========================================================================
4. ADDING THE GAME TO YOUR BBS
========================================================================

Now for the important part: letting your callers play!

The game includes START.BAT to make launching the door easier.

HOW START.BAT WORKS

The supplied START.BAT has a generic setup:

  @ECHO OFF
  C:
  CD \BBS\DOORS\BBSWORLD
  BBSWORLD.EXE %1 %2

Naturally, change C: and the directory path to match your actual
installation.

PASSING CALLER INFORMATION

Your BBS needs to tell the game two things:

1. The full DOS path and filename of the caller's drop file.
2. The node number the caller is using.

For example, your BBS might launch the door like this:

  START.BAT C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS 1

In this example:

  %1 = C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS
  %2 = 1

The game also accepts these values directly, without START.BAT.

All of the following are valid:

  BBSWORLD.EXE C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS 1

  BBSWORLD.EXE 1 C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS

  BBSWORLD.EXE /DROP:C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS /NODE:1

You can put the node number first or use the named switches.

SETTING UP YOUR BBS DOOR ENTRY

When creating the door entry in your BBS software, use its own
substitution codes for the drop-file path and node number.

These codes differ between BBS packages, so check your BBS
documentation if you're unsure what to use.

Don't simply copy the example above with node 1 hardcoded for
everyone! Each caller needs the correct node number and drop file.

Your BBS must create the drop file BEFORE launching BBSWORLD.EXE.

FOSSIL AND REMOTE CONNECTIONS

For remote play, use the DOS/FOSSIL launcher or broker supplied
by your existing BBS setup, if one is required.

START.BAT only launches the game. It doesn't install a FOSSIL
driver, open a Telnet server, or connect to a socket by itself.

Remote communications are handled by the FOSSIL driver.

The COM port used by the game comes from the caller's drop file.

The /NODE switch identifies the BBS node; it does NOT change the
COM port.

Also, avoid UNC network paths for the game or drop file. Use
DOS-compatible drive paths instead.


========================================================================
5. SUPPORTED DROP FILES
========================================================================

Rule the BBS World supports several common BBS door drop-file
formats.

DOOR.SYS
  Supports the short 31-field core format, extended 52-field
  format, and padded versions.

DORINFO*.DEF
  Supports DORINFO1.DEF and other node-number or hexadecimal
  suffixes and extensions.

CHAIN.TXT
  Supports the WWIV 30-field core format and optional extensions.

Be sure to pass the FULL filename to the game, not just the
directory containing it.

Each node must create its own current drop file. The game won't
search a shared temporary directory to figure out which caller
is supposed to be playing.

One more DOS limitation to remember: the complete command tail
must fit within 126 bytes.


========================================================================
6. COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS
========================================================================

The game includes several command-line switches for local play,
remote operation, testing, and maintenance.

Switches are not case-sensitive.

In the examples below, anything shown inside angle brackets is
a value you supply yourself. Don't type the brackets.

BASIC CONNECTION OPTIONS

/DROP:<path>
  Specifies the full DOS path to the caller's drop file.

  Example:
    /DROP:C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS

/NODE:<n>
  Specifies the BBS node number, from 1 through 65535.

  This overrides the node value found in the drop file.

  You can also pass the node and full drop-file path as ordinary
  arguments, without using the switches.

/L or /LOCAL
  Starts the game in local mode, without a drop file or FOSSIL.

  You'll be asked to enter a user name. That name identifies
  your local saved game.

/ANSI
  Forces ANSI display, even if the drop file says otherwise.

/ASCII
  Forces the plain-text interface.

  Don't use /ANSI and /ASCII together.

/TIME:<n>
  Optionally sets a shorter door visit limit, in whole minutes.

  By default, the game uses the caller's time remaining from the
  drop file. Omit this switch, or use /TIME:0, to follow the BBS
  allowance.

  This switch can shorten a visit but cannot extend the time left
  on the BBS. Local /L play has no session cap unless /TIME is set.

  This limits the current visit, NOT the number of turns in the
  overall game. Callers can save and continue on another visit.

SCORES or /SCORES
  Exports the enabled ANSI and plain-text high score bulletins.

  This works offline, without a caller, drop file, or FOSSIL.

  Don't combine it with /L, /DROP, /DIAG, or /CHECK.

DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING OPTIONS

/CHECK
  Reads and reports information from a supplied drop file without
  connecting to a caller or opening a saved game.

  You must supply a drop-file path.

/DIAG
  Runs FOSSIL compatibility tests instead of starting the game.

  Includes Echo, Block, and Status tests.

  Use this during a test call if you're having communications
  problems.

/SEED:<n>
  Uses a fixed random seed when starting a new game.

  Valid values are 1 through 2147483646.

  This is intended for testing. Existing saved games keep their
  original seed.

  Leave this option out during normal play.

/HELP or /?
  Displays the command-line help screen.

  Running the game with no arguments also displays usage help.

EXAMPLE COMMANDS

Start a local game:

  BBSWORLD /L

Start a local game in plain-text mode:

  BBSWORLD /L /ASCII

Launch a remote caller on node 1, with a 45-minute visit limit:

  BBSWORLD /DROP:C:\BBS\TEMP1\DOOR.SYS /NODE:1 /TIME:45

Check a DORINFO drop file without launching the game:

  BBSWORLD /DROP:C:\BBS\TEMP1\DORINFO1.DEF /CHECK

Manually regenerate the score bulletins:

  BBSWORLD SCORES

Check current settings in plain text:

  CONFIG /SHOW

A FEW NOTES ABOUT SCORE EXPORTS

Whenever someone wins a game, the enabled high score bulletins
are automatically regenerated. Both files show Top 10 All; the
three opponent-specific lists are available inside the game only.

You can also run BBSWORLD SCORES manually, as part of a BBS
maintenance event, or after the door exits.

The output directory and filenames are controlled by CONFIG.

The SCORES command doesn't accept an output filename directly.


========================================================================
7. TROUBLESHOOTING
========================================================================

Having trouble getting the game running?

Don't worry. DOS doors can be a little particular about their
environment, especially when FOSSIL drivers and multiple nodes
are involved.

Here are some common problems and what to check.


PROBLEM: BBSWORLD.EXE WON'T START

First, make sure you're launching the game in an environment
that supports 16-bit DOS programs.

BBSWORLD.EXE is a real-mode DOS executable, not a native Windows
or Linux application.

A normal 64-bit Windows command prompt won't run it directly.

Also check that your game path uses DOS-compatible drive and
directory names.


PROBLEM: FOSSIL DRIVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNSUPPORTED
Exit Code: 2

If you see a message about the FOSSIL driver being unavailable
or nonblocking transmit not being supported, the game cannot
communicate with your remote caller.

Check the following:

* Is the FOSSIL driver installed and running?
* Is it available inside the same DOS environment as the game?
* Does it support INT 14h function 0Bh?
* Is your BBS launching the correct DOS/FOSSIL host or broker?
* Does the drop file specify the correct COM port?

You can inspect the drop file using /CHECK.

Remember that /NODE doesn't override the COM port!


PROBLEM: INVALID DROP FILE OR WRONG CALLER/NODE
Exit Code: 1

If the game reports an invalid drop file or identifies the
wrong caller or node, check your BBS door configuration.

Make sure you're passing the complete DOS path and filename,
not just the directory.

Double-check the substitution codes used by your BBS for
the caller's drop file and node number.

Each node should create its own fresh drop file in one of the
supported formats.

You can use /CHECK to inspect the information the game reads
from the drop file without starting a remote session.


PROBLEM: GAME APPEARS LOCALLY, BUT CALLER SEES NOTHING

If the game runs on the local console but nothing appears at
the caller's terminal, the remote connection probably isn't
being passed to the game correctly.

First, make sure /L or /LOCAL hasn't accidentally been included
in your remote launch command.

Also confirm that your BBS isn't generating a drop file that
specifies local mode.

Next, check the FOSSIL driver, COM port, and door host connection.

Try running /DIAG during a test call to check communications.

The game needs a working remote FOSSIL connection. Redirecting
console input and output isn't a substitute for one.


PROBLEM: BOARD CHARACTERS OR COLORS LOOK WRONG

If the board looks scrambled, has strange characters, or isn't
displaying the way it should, check your terminal settings.

The full board is designed for ANSI with IBM CP437 characters
and a display of at least 80 columns by 24 rows.

Make sure your terminal is using a compatible character set
and font.

If the drop file incorrectly reports the caller's ANSI support,
try forcing ANSI mode with /ANSI.

For a plain-text display, use /ASCII.

You can also refresh the screen during play by pressing L
or Ctrl-L.


PROBLEM: GAME WON'T SAVE OR DATABASE IS BUSY
Exit Code: 8 (session/locking errors)

First, check that the installation directory has enough free
disk space and that your BBS can create and update files there.

For multinode systems, make sure your DOS environment provides
proper file sharing and locking.

The same caller cannot play two sessions at the same time.

Also make sure caller names are consistent and unique. If your
BBS uses distinguishing tags for network callers, those tags
need to be passed along as usual.

ABOUT THOSE .LCK FILES

You may notice .LCK files left in the game directory.

That's normal!

The game uses open file handles to enforce its locks, not
simply the existence of the .LCK files themselves.

Don't start deleting files just because you see them there.

And NEVER delete the DAT files to try clearing a lock. Those
files contain your saved games, settings, and high scores!


PROBLEM: HIGH SCORE BULLETINS AREN'T BEING CREATED

Open CONFIG and check the bulletin output settings.

Make sure:

* The output directory actually exists.
* The directory is writable.
* The desired bulletin formats are enabled.
* The filenames use valid DOS 8.3 format.
* ANSI and plain-text bulletins have different filenames.

Leaving a filename blank disables that bulletin format.

The game also protects unrelated files from being overwritten.
If a filename is already used by another file, choose a
different name rather than replacing existing BBS artwork.

After correcting the settings, run:

  BBSWORLD SCORES

This manually regenerates the enabled bulletins.

Don't worry if an export fails. Any recorded win remains in
the high score database.

Also remember that only winning games appear in the scores!


PROBLEM: CALLER IS DISCONNECTED BEFORE FINISHING

The game has several safeguards for lost connections, expired
time limits, and stalled communications.

The following exit codes can help identify the problem:

  3   Carrier lost
  4   Session time expired
  5   Five-minute idle timeout
  6   Output stalled

Check your BBS time limits, remote connection, and door host
if calls are ending unexpectedly.

A local sysop can also abort a remote call by pressing F10
or Esc at the local console. This produces exit code 7.

The good news is that completed game actions are saved.

If a caller loses the connection, they can return later
and continue their saved game.

One exception: if a brand-new game hasn't had any actions
completed, quitting normally discards that untouched game.

This is intentional.


========================================================================
8. BACKUPS AND UPDATES
========================================================================

Before updating or replacing your game installation, make sure
no callers are currently playing on any node.

Back up your game data, especially:

  BBSWORLD.DAT
  USERS.DAT

Keep your backup data together with the matching version of
BBSWORLD.EXE so you have a consistent set for recovery.

The game also creates BBSWORLD.BAK when a previous settings/score
database is available.

Always check the instructions for the particular release before
updating, since future versions may introduce changes to the
game's files or configuration.

And remember: resetting games and scores through CONFIG is NOT
part of a normal update!


========================================================================
9. DOWNLOADS AND CONTACT
========================================================================

DOWNLOAD LOCATION

  flisterz.throwbackbbs.com

AUTHOR / SYSOP

  maskreet / sysop@throwbackbbs.com

REPORTING PROBLEMS

If you run into a problem that you can't resolve, a little
information about your setup will make troubleshooting much easier.

When reporting an issue, please include:

* The game version and edition you're running.
* Your BBS software and version.
* The DOS door environment you're using.
* Your FOSSIL driver and version.
* The command used to launch the game.
* The type of drop file being passed.
* A description of what went wrong.
* The steps needed to reproduce the problem.

Please remove passwords, private caller information, or other
sensitive details before sharing logs or drop-file contents.


========================================================================
10. FINAL WORDS
========================================================================

That's about all there is to it!

Once the game is installed, configured, and working from a remote
call, you're ready to let your users loose on the BBS world.

Whether your callers become ruthless property tycoons or end up
mortgaging everything they own just to stay online, hopefully
they'll have a good time doing it.

Thanks for giving Rule the BBS World a place on your board!

See you online,

maskreet

========================================================================
              RULE THE BBS WORLD - KEEP THOSE MODEMS BUSY!
========================================================================