                 Land Of Devastation News
                    Volume 1 Number 2

                  Editor: Scott M. Baker

Contents
 1) Welcome to Issue Number Two!......Scott Baker
 2) Version 3.30: Team Support........Scott Baker
 3) Some Tips for Advanced Players....Art Rainy
 4) Special Questing..................Gurlock The Almighty
 5) Crippleware/Bonusware/Delayware...Scott Baker
 6) The Death of Nuke Man.............Pit Bull (James Cox)
 7) Salvation of the Puritron I.......Pit Bull (James Cox)
 8) People I wish to thank............Scott Baker
 9) Letters to the Editor.............n/a

Welcome to Issue Number Two!
By Scott M. Baker

    Welcome to the second issue of LODNEWS. If everything 
goes as planned, then this issue will be released on the 
same date as Land of Devastation version 3.30 which has 
some nice new features. (See the section about version 
3.30 below)

    We're still running a bit low on user submissions. I 
know there are many of you out there playing Land Of 
Devastation, so how about sharing your knowledge and 
strategies with the rest of us? Or why not personalize 
your character by sending in a short story describing his 
history?

    We'd really like to hear from you!

------------

Version 3.30: Team Support!
By Scott M. Baker

    I'm very excited about version 3.30 and I hope some of 
you are too. This is the first version of LOD that has 
team support built in! You can now band together with your 
comrades! For you lower players out there, teaming up will 
allow you to make some progress against those higher above 
you.

    So what can a team of lower players do to fight 
someone immensely larger than them? How about laying siege 
to your enemy's fortresses? Although a fortress's defenses 
may be great and powerful, a band of determined players 
can exhaust the fortress's energy supply, effectively 
neutralizing it's defenses. Then you just walk in and take 
inventory of your new home! Or perhaps you sell out it's 
defenses and self destruct the fortress! That ought to get 
your adversary more than just slightly upset.

    A prime advantage for team play is a pooling of 
resources. Sharing fortresses can be a great advantage. 
For example, you may have more Warper/5's then you know 
what to do with, but your friends may be in desperate need 
for a warper. So, leave it in your fortress and your 
teammate [assuming he has your fortress's password] can 
pick it up when he needs it.

    Those are all things that you could previously do on 
your own. So, what does the new built in team support 
grant you?

    First of all, if you buy a smart mine and set it 
somewhere, it is smart enough not only to spare your life 
if you re-enter the area, but your teammates as well. The 
nice thing about mines is that an adventurer never knows 
how many are there. This element of uncertainty can allow 
you to build up a decent defense around an important area 
(such as your favorite fortress!)

    Secondly, your teammates can view the location of your 
fortresses (with the fortlist ROM and with the fortress 
teleporter command) and teleport to/from them for free. 
This allows you to set up a "transportation network". One 
of you could build and maintain a fortress by Sacre Base, 
another by Freedom City, and another by the Death Warrior 
camp. Instantly, you have the capability to travel between 
three of the main cities!

------------

Some Tips for Advanced LOD Players
By Art Rainy

Warpers--The EM-Warp program always uses the highest 
numbered warper in your inventory.  Free up inventory 
slots by always placing your lowest numbered warper 
highest in your inventory.  That should eliminate the 
problem of two or three warpers with only one warp left on 
them.

[Editors note: Making the EM-Warp program a bit smarter 
about which Warper is used is on my list of things to do, 
so the above may or may not be valid at the time you read 
this]

Stealth fields and Inviroblurs--These units operate 
cumulatively.  The use of multiple units can double your 
chances of increasing those valuable experience points or 
of surviving as you sneak away from dangerous territory.

Kill Objects--Most players quickly learn the advantage of 
leaving items where they fall if they need neither its 
cash value or its advantage in conflict. Thus they 
exchange items of value and bypass Sacre Base.  However, 
when most players have advanced into levels two and 
higher, no player is interested in picking up daggers and 
cloth armor.  It is to your advantage to kill those 
useless objects and benefit from the janitorial fee.  
Sysops might consider raising that fee to more than $5 per 
unit to further temp players to clean up the board.

Map the Board--LOD's intrepid designer has included 
editing capabilities that allow sysop's to modify the 
design of the map.  Just because the Clone Center was at a 
certain location in the last game does not imply that it 
will remain there after a reset.  To avoid confusion about 
locations prepare a 125 by 125 grid and map the locations 
of obstructions as well as those of cities and camps.  You 
can eliminate trips into cul-de-sacs and excessive danger 
zones

--------------

Special Questing
By Gurlock The Almighty

[Editors note: The following gives information on solving 
2 of LOD's special quests. Players who don't want the 
secret "given away" may wish to skip this secion]

    Ok now, the best way that a starting player can get 
going quickly is to use the quests.  Land Of Devastation 
has many special quests.  There's hard ones and there's 
easy ones.  I'll describe an easy one or two for you new 
guys out there!

    The first thing that you should do is perform the 
steaks special quest.  Do this when you are like level 2 
or 3 (other wise you might get wasted).  Ok - here's what 
you do: Follow the road that leaves sacre base and keep 
going east.  If you come to any "T" intersections, then 
choose the upper path.  At some point you'll enter zone 
#2, so start running from all of monsters (otherwise 
they'll waste you).  Eventually, you'll come to another 
city. This city is freedom camp.  Now, follow the 
mountains south of Freedom Camp.  You'll first see a pylon 
(ignore it) and the as you continue, you'll run into the 
horticulture center (HS).  Enter the HS, talk to the 
manager, and pick up Troy's Steaks.  Then go back the way 
you came - back to sacre base.  When you will return, you 
will have won the first special quest!!!!!!!!

    The next quest is also pretty easy.  First you'll need 
to buy a pylonkey.  Do this at either Sacre Base or 
Freedom City. Remember that pylon you passed in the above 
quest? Well, go back there.  Now, try all the code 
combinations at the pylon.  Write down where you end up 
with one. Important-- if you run into Xeboc, RUN FROM HIM! 
or he'll waste you!!! Eventually, you'll find the 
T.A.D.S.U.  When you find it, you've won another special 
quest!!!!  (Now, you just gots to remember the right pylon 
code [You wrote them down, right?] to get back to where 
you cam from!]

    If I remember, you got like 5,000 experience for each 
of those quests!  Wow!  For a beginner, that's a level or 
two!!!  Plus you also get to talk to the tadsu and learn a 
bunch of information!  And theres more! Once you buy a 
laptop, you can go to the computer store and pickup Troy's 
Rom and get a whole lot of info!!!

------------

Crippleware/Bonusware/Delayware
By Scott M. Baker

    As most of you notice, LOD is distributed in a manner 
similar to shareware. The fully functional working version 
is distributed to everyone. Those who like the program, 
use it a lot, etc are supposed to send in a registration 
fee (aka donation) to support it. Once a donation is 
received, I enter their information into the Reglook door 
on my bbs where they can call and pick up a code. The code 
then enables the message "This copy is registered to xxxx. 
Please thank your sysop for registering."

    I have had several sysops who have told me that this 
is not enough incentive for them to register. They say 
they would only register if they receive something above 
the current version. They want their registered copy to be 
something better than John Doe's unregistered copy across 
town. They want users to appreciate the fact that they 
have registered. Before I continue, let me explain a few 
terms:

    Crippleware: In this method, the game is distributed 
to the public with many of it's features disabled. Limits 
on the number of players are imposed, etc. When the sysop 
sends in the donation, he receives a "key" which enables 
the full features.

    Bonusware: Very similar to crippleware, but the 
philosophy is slightly different. The full version is 
distributed, but sending in a donation will get the sysop 
some sort of "bonus". Something like an external player 
editor. The problem is, there is a fine line between 
bonusware and crippleware. Is removing the editor 
considered "crippling" a program or is the editor a 
"bonus" for registered users?

    Delayware: This is where you put a delay in the 
unregistered version. Something similar to "This copy is 
unregistered. Please wait 10 seconds."

    Annoyware: Here we find other ways to annoy the sysop 
into registering. We could throw up a long message on the 
screen every time a user enters the door. We could put in 
a message attacking the sysop for not registering, etc.

    As I said before, I don't currently use any of the 
above methods. You get the full version whether you 
register or not. Sysops who send in registrations simply 
have the piece of mind of knowing they have paid for the 
software, and of course, a message saying "Please thank 
your sysop for registering."

    As more and more people keep telling me they think I 
should do something more, I am starting to consider it. 
After all, LOD is no small project - it does require a lot 
of my time and I wouldn't mind an increase in donations.

    So what I would like is comments, what would people 
think? Here is what I would do under each of the above 
ideas:

    Crippleware: (Out of the question - I hate crippled 
programs)

    Bonusware:   Only give registered sysops the editor 
package (LODxxxE.ARJ)

    Delayware:   Add in a 5 or 10 second delay after the 
"encourage your sysop to register" message.

    Annoyware:   Make the user read a screen at the end of 
the game (i.e. when the user quits or camps out) about how 
his sysop should register, how important registering 
shareware is, etc.

    My question is, if I was to instate one of the above 
policies, which one would people prefer? Right now, I like 
the delay idea. 5 seconds isn't too long to turn people 
off and it is long enough to make the "please register" 
message stick in peoples' minds. If you have a response, 
you can send it to me at the bbs number listed at the end 
of this document.

------------

The Death of Nuke Man
By Pit Bull

    I woke up to an alarming situation. I was no longer 
within the safe confines of my fortress - I was laying on 
the bare wasteland. It is pure luck that I am alive. A 
single Biomutant could have done me in while I slept 
unprotected.
    But what had happened to my fortress? My protection 
against this hellish land? I could just see it's 
smoldering ruins a few meters to the east. The cause was 
clear: Another warrior, one who should have been my 
companion in this struggle for freedom, had ruthlessly 
desecrated my base. He must pay.
    I bootup up my laptop which had luckily been spared 
from the attack. I typed in the commands to retrieve the 
previous few days log. And I waited.... waited... for the 
name of the one who had done this. The name of the person 
who would suffer my vengeance.
    And then it appeared: Nuke Man. Why had he done this 
to me? Perhaps I shall never know. I had never met Nuke 
Man personally. From the rankings posted in the troop 
quarters, I could tell that he was nearly as good as 
myself. Perhaps he was in need of some quick cash and my 
glorious fortress caught his eye. Or perhaps he wanted the 
glory of capturing the puritron parts himself.
    Something else caught my eye in the log. Those two 
words would burn in my mind for the next two days: 
"Fortress Constructed". After Nuke Man had destroyed my 
own home, he had constructed himself a fortress. This 
would be my vengeance. I will find his fortress and show 
him that what goes around comes around.
    For two days I searched. Across the plains surrounding 
Sacre Base, within the mountains around Freedom City. Even 
as far as the EEEE center and then I found it. Hidden 
around the bend amongst some impassable mountains.
    I leveled my phaser-3 at the base's defense field and 
fired. Electric fire shot up when the two energy fields 
met. By now, Nuke Man would be panicking with the sounds 
of sirens and alarms. I entered the moat surrounding his 
fortress and I saw it - the alligator ... It was 
approaching fast. I tried to swim faster, but it was no 
use - MY right leg was nearly town apart by it's jaws.
    Luckily I managed to reach the bank of the moat with 
my life still intact. I slashed several times with my 
electrolance, burning into Nuke Man's defense fields. I 
took a few slugs from his robopistol. But I was more 
powerful then his measly defense. The fortress's defense 
field fell. Then it was just me and Nuke Man.
    He had an electroblade. He must have thought that he 
would be able to handle me in my weakened condition - but 
he was wrong for my dexterity and agility were much 
greater than his. He lunged forward, hoping to stab me 
with his electroblade. One quick swing with my 
electrolance and the electroblade, along with the majority 
of Nuke Man's hand and lower arm was now lying across the 
room.
    He cried in pain and begged for his life. I was not 
without mercy. I let him live. After all, I had gained a 
new fortress - and I would not self destruct this one as 
the foolish Nuke Man did when he conquered mine. I figured 
that would be the last of Nuke Man - that he had learned 
his lesson. But sadly, it was not so.
    The very next day the log showed an attempted attack 
on my new fortress - by none other than Nuke Man. The log 
simply said that he had perished. But I knew what had 
happened. That alligator in the moat - the one that Nuke 
Man had bought - had a very full belly that day.
    I hope this sad tale will convince those out there 
that I, Pit Bull, am not to be toyed with. I have shown 
mercy and let one evil one live, only to have him attack 
my fortress the very next day. The next time someone 
attacks one of my fortresses I may not show any mercy. 
After all, the alligators do need to eat.

------------

Salvation of The Puritron Part I
by Pit Bull

    It was a lonely day in the wastelands. When I awoke, I 
had no special feeling of greatness - no idea of the glory 
that would come later in the afternoon. No idea that I 
would earn my place in the great plaque of the puritron 
room.
    I set out to do my usual exploring. First on my list 
was the pylons. I had already mapped out two of the 
locations and I was going to find the rest. These pylons 
are of a powerful nature. Able to teleport matter all 
around the wasteland. I wondered where the codes I would 
try today would lead me.
    The first one took me out into Zone four somewhere. 
Not a very pleasant place. I was nearly killed by a Black 
Widow before I was able to escape back into the pylon and 
get back to Zone two.
    The next one took me into some computer. The feeling 
of disorientation was incredible. I think that I was 
actually inside of the computer itself. The information 
and insight I gained was incredible. Knowledge that would 
help the fight for peace and the salvation of the 
wasteland was in my grasp. I had also completed one of the 
special quests. This day was shaping up tp be pretty good.
    Then I tried another pylon code. This one brought me 
to a strange room. The walls were made of a metal that I 
had never seen before - something from beyond this world. 
I walked ahead. A lone humanoid stood before me. I yelled 
"I am Pit Bull ... Of Sacre Base ... I come in search of 
the lost Puritron Parts". The response I received was not 
very pleasant.
    "I am Xeboc the almighty... Xeboc the all powerful... 
I will destroy you!". I raised my weapons in preparation 
for a fight. I sighted him in with my Comp Blaster. A 
stream of electric death shot forward from my weapon... 
and right into the wall next to Xeboc. Damn! I had missed.
    We clashed into hand to hand combat. I hit and he hit. 
Then I missed. He missed. I hit and I hit again. Finally 
he fell. I had succeeded! Or at least I thought. I was 
tricked.
    The image before me vanished. I was fighting a 
hologram. Xebocs voice came across the speaker, mocking 
me. I would have to search elsewhere for this villain.
    I prepared to leave. But something caught my eye - it 
was one of the puritron parts. I reached for it. I ran all 
the way back to Sacre Base with my treasure.
    Defs Sacre and Troy Hadley were waiting for me. They 
eagerly installed the part into the puritron room. "Well, 
Pit Bull, you only have four more left to find" Defs Sacre 
grinned.
    And then I rested, knowing that I had accomplished 
something great that day.... and preparing for what would 
lie ahead. I was sure I would have to face Xeboc again. 
And it would not be a pleasant experience.

------------

People I Wish to Thank
Scott M. Baker

    In this section, I'm going to start listing a little 
about the people who help me support LOD, who submit 
information that isn't presented here.

    Anthony Malone: Anthony wrote up the nice history text 
file that is used in the HISTORY ROM / special quest in 
LOD. His story fit nicely into the game and is much 
appreciated.

    Joseph Johnson: Joseph submitted me a very extensive 
listing of combat strings for use in LOD. His board [place 
bbs name here] at 212-893-2318 [Note: This is a correction 
from the original LODNEWS2 where the incorrect area code 
was specified], is running a highly customized copy of 
LOD. I haven't seen it myself, but I hear it's quite a 
thing to see.

    Jonas Saunders: The infamous Xenon in my LOD game here 
on the bbs. He's as skilled a bug-finder and playtested as 
he is a LOD warrior! Jonas also happens to be the very 
first winner of a LOD game!

------------

Letters to the Editor

    Well, every newsletter/magazine has a letters to the 
editor section, right? So here is ours! I've posted a few 
messages out of my comments area on the bbs and a few of 
the national echos to get things started, but in the 
future, anyone who wants to, just mark that you would like 
your letter to appear here and I'll post it up!


Scott,
    Let me start off by saying that I don't usually post 
messages, or write letters.  Today I Installed LOD321 
(from Wildcats(MSI) BBS). I have never been a fan of Role 
playing games at all. But, somehow your is different, you 
dont get sucked into it (although i played for 12 hours, 
thats besides the point), anyway I am thoroughly 
impressed, I have never seen such graphics/details (Pixels 
and or ansi) in a door game, not to mention the plot of 
the game. At any rate keep you the EXCELLENT work. You can 
rest-assured that come pay day you will get whatever it 
takes (I believe $20 or so) to get the game registered.

Craig Salmond
SYSOP of Craig's DATA Exchange (904) 483-2498 14.4k FREE!

PS, You need to hold a conference on how you got you modem 
to answer flawlessly at 14.4k with a non-usr modem. Most 
people I connect to I get a measly 9600, but not on your 
BBS. keep on BBSing

-=-

    Thanks for the kind words, Craig. I try my best to 
keep LOD at the leading edge of technology and from the 
comments I get, I see that I am being successful! As for 
the modem, I don't know of anything particular that I've 
done, but I'm glad it works!

    Scott Baker

-=====-

  Hey Scott, I really like LOD, and am grateful that you 
got my registration up so quickly... I run a bbs here, and 
want to get Galactic Warzone for it as well. Also I want 
to be a Registered user on your BBS, so if ya could 
validate me, I would Appreciate it. And thanks for the 
great game... Wish I was able to Write games myself...

                             Thanks....
                                  Wayne Gay

-=-

    I'm glad to hear you like LOD, Wayne. With my current 
registration system, I usually get registrations up on the 
bbs either the same day they arrive or shortly later. As 
for Galwars, I have sold the rights to Jim Kiersey who 
will be continuing support for it. Expect a new release 
from him very soon!

    Scott Baker

-=====-

[From Joel Boutros to Jeff Hanson in Area Ooii. Subject: 
L.O.D.]

JH -=>writing a door yourself.

Ah, but is it the next best thing to copying a door?  Or 
Copying 5 or 6 doors?

Let's see...OOII, TW1000, Never got SZModem working and 
when I mailed the wanna-be he never replied, MechWars 
never worked right...  Gee, Jeff, you seem to be a 
brown-noser to this guy...What else did he make that 
wasn't worth 30 seconds to download?

Oh, tell the little bag of toejam that I _still_ can't get 
SZ working after 1 year and a half. --- GEcho/beta *

Origin: Cosmix Station (913) 422-7345  (1:280/2)

-=-

    Joel, I'm sad to see that you feel this way about me 
and my software. Such negative comments are the mark of an 
immature mind and an eyesore to the entire bbs community.
    Let's start at the top. LOD is not a copy of OOII. 
Galactic Warzone was written with Al Davenport's (author 
of TW1000) support and encouragement. I'm sorry you 
couldn't get SZModem to work - you might wish to try the 
latest version which has new Async routines. I don't 
recall ever receiving a letter from you. MechWars is 
written by Shane Chambers, not myself, and it seems to 
work fine on my system and many more across the country.
    In addition to LOD, GW, and SZMODEM, I have written 
NEWGAL (GWII), Door Driver, CMENU, CDRDoor, Locread, and 
the initial Echodor mail reader. (All of which have an 
established registered user base)
    Jeff Hanson is a friend that I had mind the system for 
a week while I was gone. And I must admit, he did a good 
job here, possibly even better than when I'm operating the 
bbs myself.
    You seem to be quite full of criticism. Tell me, where 
is some of the software that YOU have written that I may 
download and evaluate? I'll be sure to send my comments 
your way.
    Scott Baker

------------

You can download copies of this newsletter, upload 
submissions, or whatever from the following bulletin board 
system:

The Not-Yet-Named bbs
Node #1: (602) 544-4655  (v.32)         FIDO: 1:300/9
Node #2: (602) xxx-xxxx  (USR Dual)     FIDO: 1:300/29 (Temp. Down)
