🚀 go-pugleaf

Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4
Archive-name: PC-games-faq/part1
Posting-frequency: two times per month
Editor: Jurgen Appelo

I am looking for a new maintainer of this Internet PC Games FAQ. Anyone who
can spare a few hours in the month, and who's willing to become the new
Internet guru for PC games, can mail me right now, to discuss a possible
take-over.

Jurgen.
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Last-modified: 1993/12/22             / \ 
Version: 1.14                       /     \ 
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:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+ INTERNET PC GAMES FAQ :+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
==============================================================================
                           Guide To The Gaming World
                                  \         / 
# 0: THIS FAQ                       \     / 
                                      \ / 
0.1: Introduction

This faq holds questions that appear frequently in the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.*
newsgroups. They are presented together with their answers. New readers of the 
*.pc.games.* newsgroups are encouraged to read this document before posting to 
any of the groups. This faq does not only answer frequently asked questions, 
but holds general information about Internet and PC games as well. Reading 
this document can save people from embarrassing moments and annoying 
discussions.

The questions presented in this document are not always frequently asked
questions. Some may be questions that people don't dare to ask, to avoid
looking stupid or to avoid flames. Other questions are just here to introduce
some useful information. The word "guide" could be a better term to describe 
this document, but things aren't always what you want them to be on Internet.

For answering some of the questions I used information written by other
persons. The names are mentioned just above the texts that they wrote. I hope
I got them all right. Some of the submitted texts have been altered slightly.
I had to, I'm an editor.

This FAQ is posted twice per month to the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.announce,
rec.games.misc and news.answers newsgroups. It can be retrieved by FTP from
rtfm.mit.edu in the /pub/usenet/comp.answers/PC-games-FAQ/ directory.

0.2: Support

If you think there is some information missing in this document, or if you
think something should be changed or deleted, just send me a message. You can
mail me at jojo@hacktic.nl. But please don't ask me to help you solve your 
problems. Post your questions to the newsgroups. If it appears you had a very 
frequently asked question, that should be included in this FAQ, I will 
probably notice or else be notified by others. The answer will then be
included in the next version of the FAQ, for future readers. Enjoy!

******************************************************************************
*  PLEASE LET ME KNOW THAT YOU ARE READING THIS FAQ. ONLY WHEN I RECEIVE     *
*  FEEDBACK I AM ENCOURAGED TO KEEP PRODUCING NEW VERSIONS. IF THE READERS   *
*  DON'T MAIL ME, I MIGHT THINK THAT NO ONE READS THIS. SO JUST LET ME KNOW  *
*  THAT YOU READ IT, AND TELL ME IF YOU FOUND IT USEFUL OR NOT. THANKSALOT!  *
******************************************************************************

0.3: Contents & Updates

# 1: USENET NEWSGROUPS
1.1: How did the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games groups come to exist?
1.2: What are the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games groups for?
1.3: What are the common discussions?
1.4: Which groups are in the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games hierarchy?
1.5: What is the difference between the subgroups?
1.6: Are there other newsgroups related to PC games?
1.7: What do I have to do when posting to the newsgroups?
1.8: What do I have to avoid when posting to the newsgroups?
1.9: How do I post a spoiler?
1.10: How do I post to csipg.announce?

# 2: GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1: What does the term ... mean?
2.2: What does the acronym ... mean?
2.3: Which other FAQs about games exist?
     added: Frontier guide
2.4: Which mailing lists for game players exist?
     added: Air Warrior mailing list
     added: IHHD mailing list
2.5: Where can I find email addresses of game publishers?
2.6: Where can I find Game Bytes?
2.7: Where can I find the Top 100?

# 3: FTP GUIDE
3.1: How do I FTP?
3.2: What are the most important FTP sites?
3.3: How can I find a game or file?
3.4: Where can I find shareware, freeware and public domain games?
3.5: Where can I find demos?
3.6: Where can I find solutions, hint files and cheats?
3.7: Where can I find cracks, editors and updates?
3.8: Where can I find archivers?
3.9: How do I use Archie?

# 4: COMPUTER ISSUES
4.1: What special hardware is made for games?
4.2: What are the most important alternatives?

# 5: SOFTWARE ISSUES
5.1: Who is that company?
5.2: Who is that person?
5.3: What general problems do game players experience?
     added: DR-DOS 6 problem
5.4: What does the acronym ... mean?
     added: HOF,GK
5.5: Which games have different names?
5.6: Which games have multi-player abilities?
5.7: Which games have additional files available for free?
     added: Wolf3d site
5.8: What are the known bugs?
     added: EOB2 bug
5.9: Which games are we all waiting for?
     removed: AITD2, Blake Stone, Doom, QFG4, PQ4, Star Trek 2, StarWars Chess

# 1: USENET NEWSGROUPS

1.1: How did the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games groups come to exist?

(From: Christina Warren)
The group comp.sys.ibm.pc.games (csipg for short) arose out of rec.games.misc.
For some time, that group had been dominated by discussions of MSDOS games.
This has proved confusing to new people, and tended to starve out non MSDOS
and non computer oriented traffic. Therefore a new group for PC games was
created. This group became so very popular that it was split into 7 subgroups.
This happened in May 1993.

1.2: What are the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games groups for?

(From: Christina Warren)
The purpose of these groups is to provide a forum for the discussion of games
for the IBM PC and compatible machines. This is not just limited to MSDOS, but 
extends to OS/2, Windows and anything else that can run on an IBM PC 
compatible machine.
 
1.3: What are the common discussions?

Most of the discussions on the csipg groups are about current, past and
upcoming games, problems, bugs, hints, companies, reviews, previews, demos,
strategies, patches, solutions, ftp-sites, shareware and vaporware. This list 
is just an indication of the variety of subjects and is by no means
comprehensive. If you don't know what some of these words are, you're reading
just the right document. Keep reading.

1.4: Which groups are in the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games hierarchy?

Currently there are 7 groups available:

   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action      (csipg.action for short)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure   (csipg.adventure for short)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.announce    (csipg.announce for short)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim  (csipg.flight-sim for short)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc        (csipg.misc for short)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.rpg         (csipg.rpg for short)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic   (csipg.strategic for short)
    
Officially, the main group (comp.sys.ibm.pc.games) doesn't exist anymore. It
has been replaced by its seven children. Some people may still be able to
post to it, but that's not how it should be.

1.5: What is the difference between the subgroups?

(From: Ron Dippold and Joseph Cochran)
- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action
This unmoderated group is for the discussion of action/arcade games. Action
and arcade games are generally fast paced games which have a simple goal, and
usually require good hand-eye coordination.

examples: X-Wing - LucasArts/US Gold
          Wolfenstein 3D - Id/Apogee
          Prince of Persia 2 - Broderbund/Electronic Arts

- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure
This unmoderated group is for the discussion of adventure games. Adventure
games are generally games in which an unchanging character is presented with
puzzles, problems and obstacles which must be solved to attain the game's
goal. Generally, combat is not a major feature of the game, and all players
are confronted with the same puzzles in the path to the solution. These games
usually transport the character from place to place in discrete steps, using
stylized art to enhance the backdrop and setting of the game, and present the
player with unique puzzles that have unique solutions.

examples: Alone in the Dark - Infogrames/I-Motion
          Monkey Island 2 - LucasArts/US Gold
          Space Quest 5 - Dynamix/Sierra

- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.announce (moderated)
This moderated group is for announcements that are useful to the entire PC
computer gaming population, including but not limited to new release
announcements, software publisher news, bug information, reviews, Top 100 and
Game Bytes information. Followups will be directed to csipg.misc or another
appropriate subgroup at the moderator's discretion. The moderator is Joseph
Cochran, jsciv@polaris.async.vt.edu.  

- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim
This unmoderated group is for the discussion of flight simulation games.
Simulation games are games which simulate a real or theoretically plausible
air vehicle (using today's current technology as its basis), and allow players 
to manipulate it as if it were real. 

examples: Falcon 3.0 - Spectrum Holobyte/MicroProse
          Aces of the Pacific - Dynamix/Sierra
          Comanche: Maximum Overkill - NovaLogic/US Gold

- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc
This unmoderated group is for the discussion of all topics that do not fall 
under another games subgroup. This group has taken the place of the old csipg 
and carries all discussions that should not be carried out in other games 
subgroups, including those about sports and puzzle games.

examples: World Circuit/Formula 1 Grand Prix - MicroProse
          The Incredible Machine - Dynamix/Sierra
          Links 386 Pro - Access/US Gold

- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.rpg
This unmoderated group is for the discussion of role-playing games. Computer
role-playing games are generally games in which a character is presented with
puzzles, problems and obstacles which must be solved. Player, object, and
monster characteristics are usually given in some numerical or other discrete
form. The most common example is "Hit points" to indicate remaining health.
Role-playing games are typically characterized by continuous maps instead of
discrete painted backdrops and standardized options for attack, defense, and
other forms of dealing with obstacles. The intent of a RPG is to set the
player's adventure in a larger framework of an internally consistent world, as 
opposed to having the player only relate to the game world through the
particular puzzles that are posed to him or her.  

examples: Ultima Underworld 2 - Origin/Electronic Arts
          Darklands - MicroProse
          Crusaders of the Dark Savant - Sir-Tech/US Gold

- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic
This unmoderated group is for the discussion of strategy games. Strategy games
usually involve complex manipulation of game resources in many different ways, 
which directly affects the progress and outcome of the game. Also included 
within this description are wargames, which often involve similar strategic 
planning operations.

examples: Civilization - MicroProse
          Dune 2 - Westwood/Virgin
          V for Victory - Three-Sixty

1.6: Are there other newsgroups related to PC games?

There are many newsgroups for games, but only some of them have some relation
with PC games:

   alt.cd-rom                (For all who have a cd-rom drive.)
   alt.games.vga-planets     (VGA Planets is a PC game.)
   comp.sys.amiga.games      (Many PC games are ported to/from the Amiga.)
   comp.sys.mac.games        (Many PC games are ported to the Mac.)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware  (You can discuss here what's inside your PC.)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc      (The group for anything that concerns the PC.)
   comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard (This one may be interesting for game players.)
   misc.legal.computing      (If you insist talking about piracy)
   rec.arts.int-fiction      (This group is for designing adventure games.)
   rec.aviation.simulators   (Some PC games are discussed here.)
   rec.games.corewar         (Corewar can be played on the PC.)
   rec.games.design          (There's much talk about the PC.)
   rec.games.empire          (Empire can be played on the PC.)
   rec.games.hack            (Hack can be played on the PC.)
   rec.games.int-fiction     (This group concerns text-based adventure games.)
   rec.games.moria           (There are some Moria variants for the PC.)
   rec.games.programmer      (Here's a look behind the screen.)

There are more groups in rec.games.*, which you can check out for yourself.

1.7: What do I have to do when posting to the newsgroups?
  
If you follow this advice and the advice given in 1.8, you will probably not
be flamed by anyone. You will be considered a good Usenet citizen.

Use a good subject header that explains what your message is about. Mention
the game that you're going to talk about and/or the kind of information that
the readers can expect, like this:

   U7: problem with installing      /* you have a big problem with Ultima 7 */
   4SALE: 6 strategy games         /* you want to get rid of 6 stupid games */

But don't use meaningless subject headers, like:

   Read THIS!      /* some people will be curious, most people will skip it */
   Help me pleazzze     /* ditto */

Having words like HELP:, SPOILER:, BUG:, 4SALE:, REVIEW: or any other at the 
front of the subject line (like the name of the game), is some sort of
convention that is used by some people in the newsgroups. It can make life a
bit easier for the readers. For most games people use acronyms to make the 
lines shorter. This has been done for Ultima 7 in the example above. You can 
find most common acronyms somewhere down in this FAQ, in 5.4.

An additional question mark or exclamation mark can make quite a difference.
Consider these:

   UW2: walkthru
   UW2: walkthru? 
   UW2: walkthru!

The first subject header leaves people to wonder if you are looking for a
walkthru of if you are providing one. The other two subject headers are much
clearer in that respect.

Always post your message to the correct newsgroup. It's very obvious but there
are people violating this principle every day. If your message is about an
action game, then it should be posted to csipg.action; if your message is
about a sports game and a strategic game, then it should be posted to
csipg.misc and csipg.strategic. In the latter case you crosspost the message
to these two groups. This means you post one message to several groups at the
same moment. Your message will then be stored only once, but can be read in
both groups. Please don't post a message to all the groups, unless you think
of yourself as a Very Important Person with Big News.

Finally, don't quote too much texts. Some people find it necessary to quote
entire messages and then add a single line. This is a waste of bandwidth and
a waste of the reader's time. Don't do it.

1.8: What do I have to avoid when posting to the newsgroups?

Don't ask for codes that are in the manual of the game. You will be flamed so
intense, your hair will be on fire. People on the net don't like to discuss
with others who get their games in a not so legal way. It's the biggest taboo
you can think of. So don't get yourself involved in piracy, and if you do,
don't let it show. In fact, try to avoid mentioning piracy at all. It has 
already been discussed much too often in the newsgroups. People get very tired
of it.

Don't spoil other people's fun in playing a game. Don't give away a clue
without giving a warning in advance. You can read below, in 1.9, about how to 
use spoilers.

Don't use the net for commercial activities. If you're from a company that
wants to announce the release of a new game, that's ok. But don't fall into
the temptation of inviting people to order it. There are flame throwers on
the net with an unlimited amount of ammunition.

1.9: How do I post a spoiler?

It may be necessary sometimes to give away part of a solution to a game to
have a useful discussion. Be aware that some people may not have found this
solution yet and don't want to read about it. They paid for the fun to find
the solution themselves, so don't spoil it.

(From: Christina Warren)
At minimum you should include the word SPOILER in your subject line and a line
in your message that indicates that a spoiler follows. One way to do this is 
as follows:

   [SPOILER ALERT]
   ^L   /* control-L */
   24 carriage returns

   <text of spoiler>

   [END SPOILER ALERT]

Spoilers should definitely include a form-feed character (control-L) to avoid 
'giving away' the secrets. Use of multiple CR's to support readers in window 
oriented environments, like the Mac, is recommended in addition to the 
control-L. Some people argue with justification that newsreaders that don't 
support control-L as a pause are broken, and some people argue that control-L 
doesn't make sense in a window environment. In any way, spoilers should
definitely have a ^L included to follow Usenet conventions and support
workstation readers who may have large screens.
    
1.10: How do I post to csipg.announce?

The csipg.announce newsgroup is a moderated group. This means that all 
messages have to be approved by the moderator. The main goal for this group is
to provide information about games and their publishers, like reviews, release
dates, addresses and other info to be announced to the public.

(From: Joseph Cochran)
The csipg.announce group exists to provide a low-noise environment where
information of interest to the general PC gaming population can be read
without a lot of searching through threads. Here are some brief guides to help 
you submit. Check csipg.announce for more detailed guidelines, posted every
other Thursday.

Send submissions to csipga@polaris.async.vt.edu or post directly to the group 
(most news software will then automatically forward the message to the 
moderator).

Any announcements of game releases should be either from the publisher 
directly or first hand.

Game reviews are gladly accepted. Please make sure that your primary intent in 
a review is to inform the prospective buyer rather than to start a discussion.  
The moderator will work with you on getting a review posted.

The following types of articles cannot be accepted: articles which ask a
question, voice an opinion (game reviews have limited freedom with respect
to this particular point), ask to be subscribed, or list for-sale items. These 
types of articles are better served in the other csipg groups, where
followups can be made and arguments can ensue.

The moderator is Joseph Cochran, jsciv@polaris.async.vt.edu, and if you have 
any questions about the group, he will be glad to answer them if he can.

# 2: GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1: What does the term ... mean?

- Spoiler
Any information that gives away (part of) a solution to a puzzle in a game or
events that can be expected. You should avoid spoilers in your posts, unless 
they have been asked for or when they are unavoidable. If you have spoilers 
in a message you should warn the readers in advance. Read 1.9.

- Bug
Any behaviour by a program that is not intended by the developers, due to a
design or coding error or omission. Some bugs effect gameplay, mostly in a 
negative way. Serious bugs can often be fixed by getting the appropriate patch 
by FTP or from the company itself or its BBS's.

- Shareware
(From: Dups)
Shareware are programs produced by companies that do not have the size of
commercial companies such as Origin, Electronic Arts or Microsoft. They
release their programs to the public via BBS's and FTP sites on a trial basis. 
Typically you can try these programs for 30 days, and if you still like them
afterwards and continue to use them then you must register them for a fee.
The registration makes you receive documents and (sometimes) newer or
additional software. Shareware can be distributed free of charge but you must 
include all the files that originally came with it.

- Freeware
(From: S.M.Sabri S.M.Ismail)
Freeware programs are free copyrighted software. Sometimes the copyright on 
freeware allows the programs to be copied and modified as long as the new
program has the same or less stringent copyright restrictions. Other times
you're not allowed to change anything at all and you can just use the program
for free.

- Public domain (acronym: PD)
(From: S.M.Sabri S.M.Ismail)
Public domain programs are free non-copyrighted software. Anyone is free to 
copy the programs and modify them. People can also copyright the modified
programs and even resell them as commercial programs. This is the reason many
free programs are now copyrighted (freeware).

Many people don't know the difference between the terms freeware and public 
domain. Even I thought they were the same. So, when you read other people's
posts, these definitions may not apply.

- Vaporware
Vaporware is any software product that is highly anticipated, that has already 
missed several deadlines and that is still not released.

- Shovelware
(From: Mitch Aigner)
CD-ROMs have over 600 Megabytes of space available for code. As a result, one 
would naturally expect that the CD-ROM version of a game would have 
spectacular graphics, sound, etc. This is typically not the case. Software 
vendors simply take the same exact code provided on the normal floppy-disk 
based version of the game and "shovel" it onto the CD. They then jack the 
price up. Also, this term is used for CD's that consist of a huge amount of 
small useless programs. Most of the stuff is shareware, so you have to pay 
registration fees on top of the CD price.

- Nagware
This term is used for shareware that has a message pop up much too often, 
which says that you should register the program.

- Patch
A patch is a piece of code that changes the behaviour of a game. The patch may
be a program itself that literally modifies the code of the game you have 
installed on your harddisk. It may consist of one or more files that replace
some of the files of your game or they may just be added to it. A patch can
also be a TSR that you should run before playing the game. It will then
monitor the behaviour of the game and react to it where necessary. Patches
usually fall in two categories: cracks and updates.

- Crack
(From: Neil Ensor)
A crack is a method for evading copy-protection on games, ranging from copied
documentation to actual patches that change the program to skip or nullify 
the copy protection.

- Update
An update is a patch released by a game publisher to change the behaviour of a 
game they have already released. Updates usually fall in two categories:
bugfixes and upgrades. They may also be a combination of the two.

- Bugfix
A bugfix is an update that fixes problems encountered in a game that has
already been released.

- Upgrade
An upgrade is a newer version of a game that has already been released. It 
offers new functionality and usually enhances gameplay.

There are differences in the definitions of patches, cracks, updates, 
bugfixes and upgrades, but many people in the newsgroups use them more or less
as synonyms. So, when reading other people's posts, don't hold onto these 
definitions too much.

- Demo
(From: Neil Ensor)
There are two meanings for this one:  
(1) The demo of a game is anything from a playable demonstration program to a 
simple slide-show of pictures. It exists with the intent of getting people to 
buy the real game.
(2) A demo of the capabilities of the computer is usually a non-interactive 
show of graphics and music that highlights very impressive capabilities of the 
computer, usually pushing the boundaries of the hardware.

To distinguish between the two kinds of demos, the first are sometimes called 
gamedemos.

- Editor
An editor is a program that allows you to change something in a game in any
way you like. Some editors change the statistics of the characters in a game
to make them stronger of weaker. Other editors may change the maps or twist 
the plot in another way.

- Review
A review is an elaborate description of a game. It is written by someone who
has no relation with the publisher of the game. It contains hardware and
software specifications, a description of its functionality, the pro's and
con's, possibly some bugs, usually the opinion of the author and sometimes a
kind of rating for graphics, sound, gameplay and other characteristics.

- Preview
A preview is a short review, for a game that is not yet released.

- Solution (also Solve or Walkthru)
The solution to a game consists of a complete set of instructions on how to 
finish the game. Solutions usually exist for adventure games and RPG's. They 
are The Biggest Spoilers You Can Imagine.

- Hint
Hints are descriptions that send you in the right direction to solve a game or 
a part of a game. Some people consider them as spoilers, others don't. A hint
should make your effort of finding the solution to something a bit easier, 
without giving away too much.

On all FTP sites hints and solutions are stored in one directory. They are not
handled differently. It's one of the reasons why people may use these terms as
synonyms.

- Cheat
A cheat is a description of how to change the gameplay of a game, so that
playing it becomes easier or offers new possibilities. Some cheats are built
in the code by the developers, usually for debugging purposes, and kept 
secret until some player discovers them. They are referred to as the 
"debugmode". Other cheats require that you have a binary file editor that can 
change the datafiles or code of the game.

- Dox
This term is short for "documents". It refers to any printed material that 
came along with the purchase of a game, including the manual and possibly a
reference card. It can also refer to electronic versions of this material that
are distributed illegally. They are used heavily by people who "have lost
their manual".

- Dungeons & Dragons/Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (acronyms: D&D, AD&D)
(From: Dups)
These terms refer to games invented by Gary Gygax and others in 1973 which
involve real people playing the role of fantasy characters through a set of 
rules based on dice rolls with one person controlling the flow of the game 
(called the Dungeon Master). It was and still is the basis of many RPG games 
for computers and otherwise. Some are based upon D&D, others upon AD&D. Yes,
these two are different.

- Role-Playing Game (acronym: RPG)
(From: Neil Ensor)
A role-playing game is a game where the player controls one or more characters 
he/she generated and named. These characters progress in skill and gain new 
abilities over the progress of the game, usually by battle with enemies. This 
distinguishes role-playing games from adventure games, which only allow you to 
play a pre-generated character. 

- Fantasy Role-Playing Game (acronym: FRPG)
This is a role-playing game that involves fantasy, specifically the "Swords 
and Sorcery" genre, with ghosts, strange creatures, wizards, spells, etc. 

- Player Character (acronym: PC)
This is a character that the player is supposed to control in a game. In
adventure games there is usually only one Player Character. In role-playing
games there may be up to 6 (or more) player characters.

- Non-Player Character (acronym: NPC)
(From: Neil Ensor)
This is a character usually found in an RPG, which is a computer controlled 
character that your player character may interact with. They are sometimes 
called "actors". Usually the player has little or no control over these 
characters and they may come and go as the game progresses.

- Simulation (abbreviation: SIM)
(From: Blair Prescott)
A computer program that attempts to mimic the essential features of some 
system in the real world, usually placing the player in a situation that is 
not normally available. Some simulations have a concrete goal, like military 
victory, while others just allow the player to explore the dynamics of the 
system. Various simulation games deal with vehicles like aircraft, cars, 
tanks and submarines, strategy of military forces, corporate business 
dealings and environmental systems.

- Face-to-Face (acronym: FTF)
This refers to playing a game with someone else at the same physical location.

- Head-to-Head (acronym: H2H)
This refers to playing a game with someone else, usually by modem.

- Play-by-Email (acronym: PBEM)
(From: Sir Launcelot du Lac)
This is the term used to describe the process where players play their turn, 
save the game and then send the save game to the next person in turn through 
email.

- Play-by-Mail (acronym: PBM)
(From: Sir Launcelot du Lac)
This is like Play-by-Email, only the save game is sent by regular postal mail 
instead.

- Save Game 
This term refers to a file which is used by a game to store details of the 
progress of the game player at the time it was saved. Save games are loaded
to restore gameplay and continue at the point where the player had stopped.

- Add-on
A new release of software that should be installed with another game you
already have, like new planes for a flight simulator or new missions for a
strategy game.

- Rendering
The process of creating images from models is called rendering.

- Texture Mapping
(From: Ken Fishkin)
As detail becomes finer and more intricate, explicit modelling with polygons 
or other geometric primitives becomes less practical. An alternative is to 
map an image, either digitized or synthesized, onto a surface, a technique 
pioneered by Catmull and refined by Blinn and Newell. This approach is known 
as texture mapping or pattern mapping. The image is called a texture map, and 
its individual elements are often called texels.

- Gouraud Shading
(From: Ken Fishkin)
Gouraud shading, also called intensity interpolation shading or color
interpolation shading, elminates intensity discontinuities. Gouraud shading 
extends the concept of interpolated shading applied to invididual polygons by 
interpolating polygon vertex illumination values that take into account the 
surface being approximated.

- Rotoscoping
This is the act of capturing performances by actors on video, and convert them
to animation on the computer screen.

2.2: What does the acronym ... mean?

You can find acronyms of game titles in 5.4. Here's a list of acronyms for
all other kinds of terms:

- AD&D     Advanced Dungeons & Dragons                        (game type)
- AI       Artificial Intelligence                            (game design)
- FS       FlightStick                                        (hardware)
- FSPro    FlightStick Pro                                    (hardware)
- CRPG     Computer Role-Playing Game                         (game type)
- CGW      Computer Gaming World                              (magazine)
- D&D      Dungeons & Dragons                                 (game type)
- EMS      Expanded Memory Specification                      (MSDOS)
- FCS      Flight Control System                              (hardware)
- FMV      Full Motion Video                                  (game design)
- FTF      Face To Face                                       (game design)
- FRP      Fantasy Role-Playing                               (game type)
- GB       GameBytes                                          (magazine)
- GUS      Gravis UltraSound                                  (hardware)
- H2H      Head To Head                                       (game design)
- HMA      High Memory Area                                   (MSDOS)
- IF       Interactive Fiction                                (game type)
- IHHD     Internet Head-to-Head Daemon                       (game design)
- MB       MIDI Blaster                                       (hardware)
- MUD      Multi-User Dungeon                                 (game type)
- NPC      Non-Player Character                               (game design)
- PAS      Pro Audio Spectrum                                 (hardware)
- PBEM     Play By E-Mail                                     (game design)
- PBM      Play By Mail                                       (game design)
- PC       Player Character                                   (game design)
- PD       Public Domain                                      (copyright type)
- RCS      Rudder Control System                              (hardware)
- RPG      Role-Playing Game                                  (game type)
- SB       SoundBlaster                                       (hardware)
- SB16     SoundBlaster 16 without advanced signal processor  (hardware)
- SB16 ASP SoundBlaster 16 with Advanced Signal Processor     (hardware)
- SBPro    SoundBlaster Pro                                   (hardware)
- Sim      Simulation                                         (game type)
- T&T      Tunnels & Trolls                                   (game type)
- TSR      Terminate and Stay Resident                        (MSDOS)
- UMA      Upper Memory Area                                  (MSDOS)
- UMB      Upper Memory Blocks                                (MSDOS)
- WB       Wave Blaster                                       (hardware)
- WCS      Weapon Control System                              (hardware)
- XMS      Extended Memory Specification                      (MSDOS)

There are also many words and acronyms that are not specific to the PC game 
groups. Some of these are:

- Flame    Anything that is meant not so nicely, directed at another person.
- Newbie   Someone who is new to Internet or to a newsgroup in particular.
- BTW      By The Way
- FAQ      Frequently Asked Questions
- FTP      File Transfer Protocol
- IMHO     In My Humble (Honest) Opinion
- RTFM     Read The Fucking Manual
- RTM      Read The Manual

You can find a lot more information about Internet jargon on: 

   mc.lcs.mit.edu  /pub/jargon/*
   nic.funet.fi    /pub/gnu/*
   ftp.denet.dk    /pub/doc/jargon/*

2.3: Which other FAQs about games exist?

Apart from this main FAQ for PC games, some other FAQs exist. Some are for one
game specifically, some are for other newsgroups that are in some way related 
to PC games. Check out the FTP site first. If the FAQ is not there, or no FTP 
site is mentioned, try mailing the author or have a look in the newsgroup.

Title:      Air Warrior FAQ 
Maintainer: Gary Cooper <GRCooper@aol.com>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim

Title:      Australian Air Warrior FAQ
Maintainer: Adam Eberbach <adam@arcadia.cs.rmit.EDU.AU>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim

Title:      Civilization FAQ 
FTP:        ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/msdos/romulus/hints/civ.faq
Maintainer: Dave Stanworth <djh@wcl.bham.ac.uk>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic
Subject:    when requesting by mail, the subject must contain "Civ FAQ please"

Title:      Civilization 2 proposals
Maintainer: <buckel_j@oldham.gpsemi.com>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic

Title:      Commander Keen FAQ
FTP:        ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/msdos/games/romulus/hints/keenfaq.zip
Maintainer: Brian Milner <Brian.Milner@brunel.ac.uk>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Title:      Doom FAQ
Maintainer: Hank Leukart <ap641@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Title:      Dune 2 FAQ & Strategy Guide
FTP:        ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/msdos/games/romulus/hints/dune2_??.lzh
Maintainer: Simon <sepollit@cs.adelaide.edu.au>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic

Title:      Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures FAQ
Maintainer: John Kochmar <kochmar@sei.cmu.edu> 
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.rpg

Title:      Frontier (Elite 2) Guide
Maintainer: M.J. Welford <c2mjw@dmu.ac.uk>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Title:      Lemmings FAQ
FTP:        ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/msdos/games/romulus/hints/lemfaq.zip
Maintainer: Brian Milner <Brian.Milner@brunel.ac.uk>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.misc

Title:      Master of Orion FAQ and Strategy Guide
Maintainer: Dave Chaloux <chaloux@mandolin.mitre.org> (Dave Chaloux)
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic

Title:      Multi-player Civilization FAQ
Maintainer: Bilbo Baggins <ws523669@longs.lance.colostate.edu>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic

Title:      VGA Planets FAQ
Maintainer: Gary Grothman <grothmag@vax.cs.hscsyr.edu>
Newsgroup:  alt.games.vga-planets

Title:      Wizardry 7 FAQ     
Maintainer: <jim@thinkage.on.ca>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.rpg

Title:      Wolfenstein-3D / Spear of Destiny FAQ
FTP:        ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/msdos/games/id/home-brew/wolf3d/w3d_???.faq.Z
Maintainer: Stanley Stasiak <stasiak@tartarus.uwa.edu.au>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Title:      Internet Guide to X-Wing Strategy
FTP:        wpi.wpi.edu  /starwars/X-Wing/X-WingGuide?
Maintainer: Nick Vargish <vargish@sura.net>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim

Title:      rec.games.corewar FAQ (Core Wars)
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/news.answers/games/corewar-faq
Maintainer: Stefan Strack <stst@vuse.vanderbilt.edu> 
Newsgroup:  rec.games.corewar 

Title:      rec.arts.int-fiction FAQ
FTP:        ftp.gmd.de  /if-archive/rec.arts.int-fiction/FAQ
Maintainer: David A. Graves <dag@cup.hp.com>
Newsgroup:  rec.arts.int-fiction

Title:      Adventure Game Authoring Systems
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/rec.answers/games/adventure-systems
Maintainer: Nathan Torkington <Nathan.Torkington@vuw.ac.nz>
Newsgroup:  rec.arts.int-fiction

Title:      rec.games.int-fiction FAQ
FTP:        ftp.gmd.de  /if-archive/rec.games.int-fiction/FAQ
Maintainer: Scott Forbes <forbes@ihlpf.att.com>
Newsgroup:  rec.games.int-fiction

Title:      Adventure Game History
FTP:        ftp.gmd.de  /if-archive/rec.games.int-fiction/adventure-game-hist.
Maintainer: Hans Persson <unicorn@lysator.liu.se>
Newsgroup:  rec.games.int-fiction

Title:      rec.aviation.simulators FAQ
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/rec.answers/aviation/flight-simulators
Maintainer: John Mechalas <mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu>
Newsgroup:  rec.aviation.simulators

Title:      comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard FAQ
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/comp.answers/PCsoundcards/generic-faq
Maintainer: Joel Plutchak <plutchak@porter.geo.brown.edu>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard

Title:      Pro Audio Spectrum FAQ
FTP:        ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/msdos/proaudio

Title:      Gravis Ultrasound FAQ
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/comp.answers/PCsoundcards/generic-faq
Maintainer: Matthew E. Bernold <meb117@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroup:  comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard

Title:      rec.games.design FAQ
Maintainer: Travis S. Casey <casey@cs.fsu.edu>
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/rec.answers/games/design-FAQ
Newsgroup:  rec.games.design

Title:      alt.cd-rom FAQ
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/alt.answers/cdrom-faq
Maintainer: rab@cdrom.com
Newsgroup:  alt.cd-rom

Title:      rec.games.hack FAQ (Nethack)
FTP:        rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/rec.answers/nethack-faq
Maintainer: Yu Cao <yucao@cco.caltech.edu>
Newsgroup:  rec.games.hack

2.4: Which mailing lists for game players exist?

If you want to subscribe to a mailing list, you have to send a message to a
certain address, with a certain subject header and a certain line in the 
message body.

Name:       Air Warrior 666th-etal@cactus.org
Subscribe:  listserv@cactus.org

Name:       Bitnet Games-l
Subscribe:  listserv@utarlvm1.uta.edu
Body:       SUBSCRIBE GAMES-L <your full name>

Name:       Falcon 3.0
Subscribe:  major-domo@onion.rain.com
Body:       subscribe falcon3
Info:       <jeff@onion.rain.com>

Name:       Hi-Tech Simulators
Subscribe:  major-domo@onion.rain.com
Body:       subscribe hitech-sim
Info:       jeff@onion.rain.com.

Title:      Internet Head-To-Head ihhd@cactus.org
Subscribe:  listserv@cactus.org

Name:       MUDs
Subscribe:  jwisdom@gnu.ai.mit.edu
Subject:    mud list

Name:       Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures
Subscribe:  frua-dev-request@andrew.cmu.edu
  
Name:       World Circuit/Formula 1 Grand Prix
Subscribe:  wcf1gp-request@divsun.unige.ch
Subject:    subscribe <your address>
Body:       <your name>
This list is now inactive. Afzal <afzal@divsun.unige.ch> is looking for a new
home for this list. People interested can mail him.

2.5: Where can I find email addresses of game publishers?

Here are some addresses from game publishers and developers, or people working
for them. The list is not comprehensive and not all the addresses have been 
checked:

   Access                   Linkspro_1@aol.com
   Accolade                 76004.2132@compuserve.com
   Apogee                   apogee@delphi.com
                            joe.siegler@crs.com
   DC Software              72557.336@compuserve.com
   Digital Integration      digint@cix.compulink.co.uk
   Dragon's Eye Productions cat@wixer.bga.com
   Electronic Arts          76004.237@compuserve.com
                            ea@cix.compulink.co.uk
   Epic MegaGames           70451.633@compuserve.com
                            EpicGames@aol.com
                            GlenEpic@delphi.com
   Id                       romero@idsoftware.com
                            jay@idsoftware.com
                            help@idsoftware.com
   Impressions              71333.463@Compuserve.com
   Intergalactic            76356.2172@compuserve.com
   Interplay                76702.1342@compuserve.com
                            interpla@orion.oac.uci.edu
   LucasArts                75300.454@compuserve.com
                            LucasArts@aol.com
   Maxis                    71435.276@compuserve.com
                            71333.1470@compuserve.com
                            Maxis@aol.com
                            zoinks@netcom.com
   Merit                    76711.2470@Compuserve.com
   Microprose               76004.2223@compuserve.com
                            MicroProse@aol.com
   New World                shannon@inter.com
                            order@inter.com
   Omnitrend                70300.245@compuserve.com
   Origin                   76004.2612@compuserve.com
                            OSI@aol.com
                            Origin_CS@aol.com
                            origin@world.std.com
   Ozark                    76326.403@compuserve.com
   Papyrus                  papyrus@world.std.com
   QQP                      75300.3233@compuserve.com
   Sierra                   76004.2143@compuserve.com
                            Sierras@aol.com
                            SierDan@aol.com
   ShadowSoft               76056.1537@compuserve.com
   Sir-Tech                 76711.33@compuserve.com
   SSG                      72040.340@compuserve.com
   Spectrum Holobyte        S_Holobyte@aol.com
   SSI                      76711.250@compuserve.com
                            StratSim@aol.com
   Three-Sixty              76711.240@compuserve.com
                            threesixty@aol.com
   Wizard                   71764.3137@compuserve.com
                            WizardScot@aol.com
                            Fitzgerald@delphi.com

Sir Launcelot du Lac (swkgohw@leonis.nus.sg) is the keeper of the address 
lists for software and hardware companies. These lists hold email addresses,
ftp sites, BBS's, telephone numbers etc. You can find the most up-to-date 
lists in csipg.announce. You can also contact Gary Cooper (cooper@grebyn.com). 
He has an up-to-date list of email addresses only.

2.6: Where can I find Game Bytes?

Game Bytes is a free electronic magazine. It has reviews, interviews, reports
and actual screen shots from games. You can find it at the following sites:

   ftp.uml.edu             /msdos/Games/Game_Bytes/*
   wuarchive.wustl.edu     /pub/msdos_uploads/game_byte/*
   nic.funet.fi            /pub/msdos/games/gamebyte/*

The editors are Ross Erickson (rwericks@ingr.com) and Daniel Starr 
(starr-daniel@yale.edu).

2.7: Where can I find the Top 100?

The Net PC Games Top 100 is published weekly in csipg.announce. It is compiled
using votes from many game players on Internet. If you want to join, you can
simply send a message to Jurgen Appelo (jojo@hacktic.nl). You will receive a 
document that explains how to vote and how the system works.

The editions of the Top 100 sometimes include a small list for each of the 
different game categories.

# 3: FTP GUIDE

3.1: How do I FTP?

This is the Very Very Very Short FTP Walkthru:

From your system prompt type "ftp <host-name>", where <host-name> is the name 
of the host machine that you are trying to get to. When you connect to the 
host, you will have to enter a login and probably a password. Type "anonymous"
as the login name and your full email address as the password. After you have 
successfully logged on, you can use "cd <directory>" to get where you want in 
the directory tree. Use "ls" to see the files. Once you are in the correct
directory and know what files you want, you can use "get <filename>" to
download single files to your own system. You can use "mget <filenames>" to 
copy multiple files. If the files you are copying are not plain-text files, 
you have to set the transfer mode to binary first. You can do this by entering 
"type binary". Stop the FTP session by typing "quit".
    
Try this as an example:

    > ftp nic.funet.fi      /* connect to the site; a message follows */
    > anonymous             /* type this when it asks for your name */
    > <your email address>  /* type your address as the password */
    > cd pub/msdos/Info     /* go to the directory you want to be */
    > get ftp.man           /* get the file */
    > quit                  /* stop this mysterious thing */

You now have downloaded the Beginner's Guide To FTP written by Brian O'Neill.
Read it.

You can also get the How To FTP Guide. Use the example above, only with this
ftp site, directory and filename:

   typhoon.berkeley.edu  /pub/Library/Network/how.to.ftp.guide

3.2: What are the most important FTP sites?

For game players, these are the most important sites. They are mentioned
throughout this FAQ. If your system doen't recognize the name of the site, try
its IP number mentioned here.

   ftp.denet.dk           (129.142.6.74)
   ftp.gmd.de             (129.26.8.90)
   ftp.uml.edu            (129.63.17.1)
   ftp.uwp.edu            (131.210.1.4)
   garbo.uwasa.fi         (128.214.87.1)
   mc.lcs.mit.edu         (18.111.0.179)
   msdos.archive.umich.de (141.211.164.153)
   nic.funet.fi           (128.214.6.100)
   oak.oakland.edu        (141.210.10.117)  Simtel Software Repository mirror
   risc.ua.edu            (130.160.4.7)
   rtfm.mit.edu           (18.70.0.209)
   wpi.wpi.edu            (130.215.24.1)
   wuarchive.wustl.edu    (128.252.135.4)

The numbers behind the names are IP numbers. If "ftp <site-name>" doesn't seem
to work, try "ftp <IP number>" instead. You can find a list of many ftp sites 
(not only for games) at        

   ftp.uwp.edu  /pub/ftp.list/ftp.list/sites

3.3: How can I find a game or file?

There is a description of how to find sources on FTP sites around the world.
It includes a description of how to contact Archie, the worldwide database for 
file locations. It is posted regularly to news.answers and you can find it at:

   rtfm.mit.edu  in  /pub/usenet/news.answers/finding-sources

3.4: Where can I find shareware, freeware and public domain games?

You can try the following ftp sites. There may be more directories and other
sites available, but this should at least get you in the right direction.

   ftp.uml.edu              /msdos/Games/Misc/*
                            /msdos/Games/Apogee/*
                            /msdos/Games/Epic/*
                            /msdos/Games/TextAd/*
                            /msdos/Games/Cards/*
                            /msdos/Games/Sports/*
                            /msdos/Games/Windows/*
   ftp.gmd.de               /if-archive/*
   ftp.uwp.edu              /pub/msdos/games/id/*
   msdos.archive.umich.edu  /msdos/games/*
   nic.funet.fi             /pub/msdos/games/adventure/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/apogee/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/arcade/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/board/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/card/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/epic/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/puzzle/*
                            /pub/msdos/games/strategy/*
   wuarchive.wustl.edu      /pub/msdos_uploads/games/*
                            /pub/msdos_uploads/windows/*

3.5: Where can I find demos?

These sites carry gamedemos. You can check them when you're planning to buy a
new game:

   ftp.uml.edu             /msdos/Games/Demos/*
   ftp.uwp.edu             /pub/msdos/demos/demos/*
   wuarchive.wustl.edu     /pub/msdos_uploads/game_demos/*
   nic.funet.fi            /pub/msdos/games/gamedemos/*

3.6: Where can I find solutions, hint files and cheats?

Everyone has been stuck in a game once. These sites can get you out of it:

   ftp.gmd.de              /if-archive/solutions/*
   ftp.uwp.edu             /pub/msdos/asa/*
                           /pub/msdos/romulus/cheats/*
                           /pub/msdos/romulus/hints/*
   wuarchive.wustl.edu     /pub/msdos_uploads/game_solutions/*
   nic.funet.fi            /pub/msdos/games/solutions/*
   risc.ua.edu             /pub/games/solutions/*
                           /pub/games/solutions/cheat.several/*

3.7: Where can I find cracks, editors and updates?

You can find all sorts of small additional programs for big commercial games
on these sites:

   ftp.uml.edu             /msdos/Games/Editors/*
                           /msdos/Games/Patches/*
   ftp.uwp.edu             /pub/msdos/asa/*
                           /pub/msdos/romulus/cracks/*
                           /pub/msdos/romulus/misc/*
   wuarchive.wustl.edu     /pub/msdos_uploads/games/*
                           /pub/msdos_uploads/upgrades/games/*
   nic.funet.fi            /pub/msdos/games/editors/*
   nic.funet.fi            /pub/msdos/games/patches/*

Remember that cracks uploaded to these FTP sites only exist for people who
have legal copies of their games. Do not use these cracks for piracy.

3.8: Where can I find archivers?

Most files on FTP sites are packed (archived). You have to have the correct
archiver to be able to unpack a them. Here's where to find them:

   ftp.uml.edu              /msdos/Archivers/*
   ftp.uwp.edu              /pub/msdos/arcers/*
   nic.funet.fi             /pub/msdos/packing/*
   msdos.archive.umich.edu  /msdos/compression/*

3.9: How do I use Archie?

Archie is a database of anonymous FTP sites and their contents. It can help
you find games, solutions, patches and other files available somewhere in the
world. Below are some machines that are currently running the archie service:

   archie.ans.net          (147.225.1.2)
   archie.au               (139.130.4.6)
   archie.doc.ic.ac.uk     (146.169.11.3)
   archie.funet.fi         (128.214.109.110)
   archie.mcgill.ca        (132.206.2.3)
   archie.ncu.edu.tw       (140.115.19.24)
   archie.rutgers.edu      (128.6.18.15)
   archie.sura.net         (128.167.254.194)
   archie.unl.edu          (129.93.1.14)
   archie.wide.ad.jp       (133.4.3.6)
   cs.huji.ac.il           (132.65.6.5)

You can access archie at most of these machines in different ways. You can 
telnet or rlogin to the machine with username "archie" and no password. Or you
can send mail to archie@<machine>. Send a message with "help" in the body to 
find out more about the machine and its service. More information about this
can be found in:

   rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/news.answers/finding-sources

==============================================================================
End of part 1. If you do not own part 2 of this FAQ, you can download it by 
FTP at rtfm.mit.edu from the /pub/usenet/comp.answers/PC-games-faq/ directory.