|Dͻ
|D |5Fun 'n Games |D
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^C^1Frigate
^Cby
^CMatt Kaufman

   Frigate is a strategic game which pits you and your ship against a Russian 
fleet of ships.  The object of the game is to destroy as many of the Russian 
ships as possible while avoiding destruction.  Points are awarded for destroying 
your enemy while avoiding their missiles.  Your ship, a nuclear powered guided 
missile frigate, has many advantages over its Russian counterparts, but you are 
outnumbered by a large margin.  You will be operating on an area of 1,000,000 
square miles (nautical miles).  At your disposal you have radar, sonar, jamming 
equipment, anti-missile capabilities and three types of ordinance. 

   Your ship's information and position are updated constantly while you give 
commands.  This, however, is not the case with the updating of your enemy and 
weapon systems.  This is because of the amount of time it takes to compute these 
items.  For this reason, Frigate is operated using a "Turn" system.  This means 
that you can enter in as many commands as the time in your "Turn", referred to 
as the "Turn Time," permits.  After this time expires, your enemy and all weapon 
systems will be updated. 

   Now that I have explained the basic idea of how Frigate operates, we can 
begin to discuss how to play the game.  The means for which you will be 
executing commands is through a simple Lotus 1-2-3 type menu.  It is located at 
the bottom of your screen in the Menu Window.  You can move the cursor, or the 
highlight, using the arrow keys.  A short description of each command is 
displayed on the second line of the Menu Window. The information displayed here 
changes to match the highlighted selection.  When you have placed the cursor on 
the item which you would like to select, press the return key and that item will 
be selected.  Instead of using the cursor keys and the return key, you can 
simply press the first letter of the item which you want to select.  To cancel a 
selection and go back to the main menu you can press the ESCape key. 

   At times you will need to enter a value, i.e. the speed at which you would 
like your ship to travel at.  When this situation arises the Menu Window will 
change its appearance and you will be prompted to enter a value.  While entering 
a value you can press ESCape at anytime to go back to the main menu.  If you 
press ENTER with no values, the last entered value will be retained.

   There are many variables which will need to be taken into account for you to 
make decisions during play.  For this reason there are two windows on your 
screen in which you will find information about the Frigate's status.  The first 
of the large windows from the top, is called the Main Window.  The Main Window's 
format never changes.  Its purpose is to give you an overview of the ship's 
status.  The contents, like all of the screens in Frigate, are self-explanatory.  
Below the Main window you will find the Options Window.  This window changes in 
accordance with the commands you select (i.e. if you select a navigation command 
it will show you all of the information relevant to navigation.)  There are more 
than ten completely different windows which will appear in the Options Window. 

   On the very first line of the screen you can find four things.  The first is 
the number of points you have accumulated. The next piece of information is the 
time that has elapsed during play. (Note: this time and all other times given in 
Frigate are decimal times - i.e. 1.5min is equal to 1 minute and 30 seconds). 

   After this you will find the amount of time you have left in your turn.  
Finally there will be a short message telling you about the program's status. 

   The following is a list of all the commands, which can be selected in 
Frigate, and a complete description of each.  The commands will be in uppercase 
and nested commands will be preceded by the first command you select. 

   Example:  WEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS _ RELEASE-NOISE-MAKER

   To select this command you would first select WEAPONS from the main menu.  
Then you would select DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS in the WEAPONS menu.  From the 
DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS menu you would select RELEASE-NOISE-MAKER. 

^C^1END
When selected, it will automatically update the enemy and all weapons systems 
for the entire Turn Time.  It is possible to change the Turn Time using the 
OPTION _ CHANGE-TURN-TIME command, this will be explained later on.  END, 
regardless of the Turn Time, will be selected for you when a missile is within 5 
seconds of your ship. 

^C^1INTELLIGENCE
When selected it will display a list of coordinates where ships have been 
spotted.  These are rough values, but can give you a general idea of where your 
enemy is. This screen also gives the location of an emergency re-supply point 
where you can replenish your supply of weapons.  You can only get supplies once 
every 30 minutes.  To go to one of these points use the NAVIGATION _ GOTO-POINT 
command. 

^C^1NAVIGATION
This is the most important command that you will be using.  Once you select 
navigation from the main menu another menu will appear with various commands 
dealing with the ship's navigation.  The following is a list of the commands. 

^CNAVIGATION _ EVADE-TARGET
This command will automatically set your course, and continually update it, so 
that you will be on a heading directly away from the target you choose.  Radar 
MUST have the target in site for the command to work and if the target is lost 
the navigation systems will be set to manual. 

^CNAVIGATION _ GOTO-POINT
When selected you can designate a point, on the 1,000 x 1,000 map, for the 
navigation systems to head to.  This is useful when you are relying solely on 
intelligence information, described previously, and you don't actually have a 
target on radar.  Once you are within two nautical miles of your destination, 
your speed will be set to 1 knot. 

^CNAVIGATION _ MANUAL
This simply lets you set your course and speed manually. 

^CNAVIGATION _ PURSUE-TARGET
This is the same as Evade-Target in every way except that it sets your course so 
you are heading directly towards a target.  Once you are within two nautical 
miles of your target, your speed will be set to 1 knot. 

^C^1OTHER
When selected, this will allow you to issue commands that do not directly affect 
the operation of the ship. 

^COTHER_ ABOUT
This will display the version of Frigate and other information in the Options 
Window. 

^COTHER_ CHANGE-TURN-TIME
This command allows you to change the Turn Time.  The Turn Time is the amount of 
time you are allowed to enter commands and the time for which the enemy and all 
weapon systems are updated when you select END or you run out of time.  You 
cannot change the turn time to less time than has already passed. 

^COTHER_ QUIT
QUIT simply quits the game after giving you the final statistics. 

^COTHER_ RETRIEVE
This will retrieve a previously saved game from a file called FRIGATE.SAV.

^COTHER_ SAVE
This saves the game you are currently playing in a file called FRIGATE.SAV.

^C^1PAUSE
This command will pause the game until you press any key. 

^C^1RADAR/SONAR
When selected, this will display another menu which will allow you to manipulate 
the Jamming, Radar and Sonar systems.  The following is a list of the commands 
available under RADAR/SONAR. 

^CRADAR/SONAR _ EVALUATE
This command will fill the Options Window with detailed information about any 
ship that is currently being tracked by radar. 

^CRADAR/SONAR _ JAMMING
This command allows you to set the power at which to jam the enemy's radar.  If 
the ship is damaged you may not be able to set it to 100%.  You can see its 
effect by watching the enemy's radar range which will be displayed in the 
Options Window. 

^CRADAR/SONAR _ OVERALL-STATUS
This will display the overall status of the Jamming, Radar and Sonar systems. 

^CRADAR/SONAR _ RADAR
This allows you to set the power of your radar systems.  If the ship is damaged 
you may not be able to set the power to 100%.  To see the effect that your 
change made, look at your ship's radar range which will be displayed in the 
Options Window.  If an enemy ship or missile is not within your radar range you 
will be unable to see it. 

^CRADAR/SONAR _ SONAR
This allows you to set the power of your sonar systems.  If the ship is damaged 
you may not be able to set the power to 100%.  To see the effect that your 
change made, look at your ship's sonar range which will be displayed in the 
Options Window.  If an enemy torpedo is not within your sonar range you will be 
unable to see it. 

^CRADAR/SONAR _ TARGETS
This gives you a quick summary of all the ships you are currently tracking on 
radar. 

^C^1SHIP
When selected you will be able to receive damage reports or statistics about the 
game.  The following are the two commands which can be selected. 

^CSHIP _ DAMAGE-REPORT
This gives you a quick summary of the capacities for each function of your ship 
and the amount of supplies remaining.  The status of the Hull and Engine 
directly affect your ship's maximum speed.  If the capacity of Jamming, Radar or 
Sonar is below 100% the value displayed is the maximum percentage at which it 
can operate.  If any of the offensive or defensive weapon systems fall below 80% 
the system will be rendered unusable.  When your cumulative capacity drops below 
20%, your ship will sink. 

^CSHIP _ STATISTICS
This will fill the Options Window with general statistics about the game. 

^C^1WEAPONS
This command will allow you to fire at your enemy and operate defensive systems 
to destroy and confuse in-bound missiles.  The following is a list of the 
commands available under WEAPONS. 

^CWEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS
This command allows you to operate your ship's defensive weapon systems. You 
will find a list of the commands available under DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS and their 
descriptions later in the documentation. 

^CWEAPONS _ FIRE
This command lets your fire either a missile or a torpedo at the enemy.  Note: 
You must have already selected a target with the WEAPONS _ SELECT-TARGET 
command.  You have two different types of missiles.  The most powerful and the 
fastest is the short range missile, but it has a relatively short range compared 
to that of the long range missile.  You have one type of rocket-propelled 
torpedo.  They are the most destructive of your weapons, but they are very slow 
and have a minimal range. To view more detailed information about these weapons 
use the WEAPONS _ OVERALL-STATUS command. 

^CWEAPONS _ SELECT-TARGET
This command allows you to select a target to fire a missile or a torpedo at.  A 
window with each weapon's status and the target's status will be displayed in 
the Options Window. 

^CWEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS
This command allows you to operate your ship's defensive weapon systems.  The 
following is the list of commands available under WEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS. 

^CWEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS _ FIRE-CHAF
This command allows you to fire a chaf rocket. Chaf is thousands of pieces of 
tin foil which obscure your ship on enemy radar.  This can make a missile lose 
its target and miss.  The chaf will remain airborne for approximately 2 minutes. 

^CWEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS _ RELEASE-NOISE-MAKER
This command will release an electronic noise maker into the water.  It will 
mimic the noises made by your ship.  The noise maker then can draw the attention 
of the torpedo away from your ship and towards itself.  This is your only 
defense against a torpedo.  It will last approximately 4 minutes. 

^CWEAPONS _ DEFENSIVE-SYSTEMS _ TOGGLE-STATUS
This command will toggle the Gatling Gun and the Anti-Missile Missiles on and 
off.  They, when toggled to automatic, will automatically fire at in-bound 
missiles when they come within range.  It is a good idea to keep them on 
automatic all the time during a combat situation.  Remember to look at their 
status occasionally to make sure you don't run out of missiles or Gatling Gun 
rounds. 


   There are still a few more things to explain before you begin to play.  The 
first is the concept of your ship making "noise".  Your radar range is directly 
affected by the amount of noise the enemy ships make.  This is why you may be 
able to see one ship, but not another, when they are the same distance from your 
ship.  The "noise" or emissions produced by your ship and the enemy ships 
increase and decrease with almost every action.  Emissions will increase with an 
increase in speed, radar power, and damage.  Toggling the Gatling Gun and the 
anti-missile missiles on will also cause an increase in emissions. 

   Your radar is not completely accurate.  The closer an enemy ship is to your 
radar's maximum range the more "fuzzy" the image will be and his position will 
be less accurate.  This discrepancy causes missiles to miss their target.  By 
raising your radar power you can get a less "fuzzy" image of the enemy and 
better the chances of your missiles reaching it. 

   To resupply your ship, go to the manual navigation section and enter the 
direction shown in the main window for the supplies.  Keep updating the 
direction periodically, and when you are less than 10 miles from the supplies, 
cut your speed to 18 knots.  You will be resupplied when you get closer than 2 
miles.

   When END is selected the computer will update the enemy and all weapons 
systems for the Turn Time specified using OTHER _ CHANGE-TURN-TIME.  While the 
computer updates the enemy, you will be informed if your radar detects a missile 
launch.  It is possible that even if you do detect a missile launch, you may 
never see it on radar because it aborted so soon after it launched.  If there 
are any missiles in the air, the Options Window will change it's appearance and 
give you a listing of all in and out bound missiles with their status.  After 
you have been briefed on all missiles, the Options Window will change back to 
its original format and you can continue the game. 

   The Options Window, unlike the Main Window, will be constantly changing to 
suit your current needs.  The information in it will only change when you select 
a command in which you will need more information than is available in the Main 
Window.  To change the Options Window, you can select any command which will 
display the information you want to see and then press ESCape to return to the 
main menu. 

   When fully equipped, your enemy is able to perform every function that you 
are able to do.  You will encounter seven different types of enemy ships, each 
with different weapons and performance characteristics.  Compared to your enemy, 
you are quieter, faster, and you have, at your disposal, better weaponry. 


^C^1Your ship's characteristics

Maximum Speed:           36 knots
Best Maneuvering Speed:  18 knots
Maximum Turn Rate:       1.895 degrees per second at 18 knots
Maximum Acceleration:    0.40 knots per second

Weapon Systems
                                   Maximum    Maximum    Maximum 
                           Number   Speed    Burn Time    Range   Reliability
Short Range Missiles         25    2800 kts     54 s      42 nm      95%
Long Range Missiles          35    1200 kts    138 s      46 nm      90% 
Rocket Propelled Torpedoes   20     500 kts    274 s      38 nm      99% 


Radar/Sonar
Radar Maximum Range:     115 nautical miles
Sonar Maximum Range:     12 nautical miles


^C^1Enemy Characteristics

Ship Types and Characteristics
                               Best
                 Maximum    Maneuvering    Maximum       Maximum      Number
                  Speed        Speed      Turn Rate    Acceleration  Missiles
Aircraft Carrier   23 kts      14 kts      1.65 deg/s    .21 kts/s      40 * 
Battle Ship        26 kts      14 kts      1.60 deg/s    .23 kts/s      30 * 
Cargo Ship         21 kts      17 kts       .96 deg/s    .21 kts/s       5 * 
Command Ship       36 kts      13 kts      2.12 deg/s    .48 kts/s      12 ** 
Cruiser            31 kts      13 kts      1.50 deg/s    .28 kts/s      25 ** 
Destroyer          26 kts      14 kts      1.60 deg/s    .23 kts/s      30 ** 
Frigate            36 kts      10 kts      1.49 deg/s    .35 kts/s      20 ** 

    kts-means knots
    deg/sec-means degrees per second
    kts/s-knots per second
    * - this is the normal number of missiles
    **- this is the maximum number of missiles


Enemy Weapon Systems
                             Maximum    Maximum   Maximum 
                              Speed    Burn Time   Range   Reliability
Short Range Missiles         2600 kts     54 s     42 nm      90%
Long Range Missiles          1150 kts    138 s     44 nm      85%
Rocket Propelled Torpedoes    480 kts    263 s     35 nm      95%


Radar/Sonar
Radar Maximum Range:     110 nautical miles
Sonar Maximum Range:     11 nautical miles


Point System
Points will be awarded if you destroy one of these objects.

Military Ship                      Points:  50
Cargo Ship                         Points:  30
In-Bound Missile                   Points:  10

Abbreviations used in Frigate:
     Av    Average                   Max    Maximum
     Dest  Destination               Min    Minimum
     Dist  Distance                  Pos    Position
     ETIR  Estimated time in route   S-R    Short Range Missile
     Hd    Heading                   Spd    Speed
     HdTo  Head to                   Stats  Statistics
     L-R   Long Range Missile        Torp   Torpedo

Values given in Frigate:
     Speed:              Knots or kts (nautical miles per hour)
     Distance:           Nautical Miles or nm (1.15x Statue Mile)
     Course/Heading:     Degrees  (0-359   0 being North)
     Time:               Decimal Time (1.5min = 1min 30sec)

   The following is a sample set of windows which will appear as you play the 
game.  The highlighted items represent the most important information, so pay
close attention to these during the game.

                          Title Window and About Window
Ŀ
                        ۲  Ŀ                           
                        ۲                                         
      Softdisk, Inc     ۲    Frigate          Matt Kaufman       
              ۲                     19987 Moran Ln.     
     Big  Blue  Disk    ۲  Ŀ Ver 1.1      Saratoga, Ca  95070   
                        ۲                                   
                        ۲                                              
                        ۲  (c) January  1988                           

                                   Main Window 
Ŀ 
 Navigation                                Weaponry                            
    Dest Hd:   0  Dest Spd:  0.0kts          30 S-R Missile  Status: StandBy  
    Mode: ^1Manual   0 at 0.0kts^0               40 L-R Missile  Status: StandBy  
    Pos: 500.00, 500.00  Dist:  0.00nm        25 Torpedoes    Status: StandBy  
 Radar/Sonar                                  Anti-Missile: StandBy            
    Sonar:   100%  Targets:    3    Ship-Status         ^1Supplies^0               
    Radar:    75%  Missiles:   0       Alert:    Yellow    ^1Distance: 21.26nm^0   
    Jamming: 100%  Torpedoes:  0       Capacity: 100%      ^1Head-To:  221^0      
 

                               Intelligence Window
Ŀ
                    Intelligence Report Received at    0min                   
                                                                              
 Ship Reported at Position: 555, 525  Distance: 60.41nm   Head-To:   66      
 Ship Reported at Position: 465, 525  Distance: 43.01nm   Head-To:  306      
 Ship Reported at Position: 435, 465  Distance: 73.82nm   Head-To:  242      
 Ship Reported at Position: 465, 540  Distance: 53.15nm   Head-To:  319      
                                                                              
 Supply Point: 486, 484  Distance: 21.26nm   Head-To: 221                    


                                Navigation Window
Ŀ
 Current Heading:     350  Current Speed:     7.0kts    Pos: 499.99, 500.03  
 Destination Heading: 313  Destination Speed: 36.0kts   Dst: 464.58, 533.74  
 Maximum Speed: 36.0kts     Maximum Turn Rate: 1.8950/sec at 18.0kts         
 ^1Mode: Pursuing Target #1       Distance:  48.87nm^0                            
                                                                              
 Target #1  Name: Karin          Type: Destryr  Damage:   0% Detection: Yes   
    Distance: ^148.87nm^0  Heading:  54  Speed:  31kts     Direction to: 313    
    Radar: 100%  Jamming: 100%  Total Emissions: 76  Position: 464.58, 533.74 


                         Radar / Sonar / Jamming Window
Ŀ
 Normal Radar               Jamming              TotalEmissions:      64      
    Power:     ^175%^0             Power:    ^1100%^0    Target Radar Range:  68nm    
    Capacity: 100%             Capacity: 100%    Target Sonar Range:  11nm    
    Range:     63nm                                                           
 Sonar                     Targets                                            
    Power:    ^1100%^0             Ships:      3    MinDist: 48.78nm              
    Capacity: 100%             Missiles:   0    MinDist:   0sec               
    Range:     12nm            Torpedoes:  0    MinDist:   0sec               


                             Evaluate Target Window
Ŀ
 Target #1  Name: Karin          Type: Destryr  Damage:   0% Detection: Yes   
    Distance: 48.72nm  Heading:  57  Speed:  31kts     Direction to: 313    
    Radar: 100%  Jamming: 100%  Total Emissions: 76  Position: 464.81, 533.88 
                                                                              
 S-R Missile                L-R Missile                Torpedoes              
     Target Equipped            Target Equipped            Target Equipped    
     ETIR:      ^1Too Far^0         ETIR:      ^1Too Far^0         ETIR:      ^1Too Far^0 
     %Accuracy:                 %Accuracy:                 %Accuracy:         


                                 Targets Window
Ŀ
 Tgt: 1. Karin         Tp: Destryr  ^1Dst: 48.66^0  Hd:  57  Spd: 31.0  HdTo: 313 
 Tgt: 3. Sevastapol    Tp: Destryr  ^1Dst: 48.76^0  Hd:  57  Spd: 31.0  HdTo: 322 
 Tgt: 5. Amurski       Tp: Destryr  ^1Dst: 51.94^0  Hd:  57  Spd: 31.0  HdTo: 334 
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              


                        Damage Control / Supplies Window
Ŀ
 Supplies                            Damage Control        S-R Missiles: 100% 
     Supply Point: 486, 484                                L-R Missiles: 100% 
        Distance:  21.31nm               Engine: 100%      Torpedoes:    100% 
        Head-To:   219                  Hull:   100%                         
     S-R: 30  L-R: 40  Torpedoes: 25                       Gatling Gun:  100% 
     Chaf: ^120^0  Noise Makers: 15          Radar:   100%     Anti-Missile: 100% 
     Anti-Missile-Missiles:  ^125^0          Sonar:   100%     Chaf:         100% 
     Gatling Gun Rounds:   7500          Jamming: 100%     Noise-Makers: 100% 


                                Statistics Window
Ŀ
 Enemy Missiles             Our Missiles                Enemy Ships Sunk      
     S-R Fired:          0      S-R Fired:          0       Military:    0    
     L-R Fired:          0      L-R Fired:          0       Cargo:       0    
     Torpedoes Fired:    0      Torpedoes Fired:    0                         
                                                        Navigation Stats      
     Number of Hits:      0     Number of Hits:      0      Av. Speed:  0kts  
     Number Destroyed:    0     Number Destroyed:    0      Distance:   0nm   
     %Accuracy:           0%    %Accuracy:           0%                       


                          Weapons Overall Status Window
Ŀ
 S-R Missiles              L-R Missiles              Torpedoes                
     ^1Number:    30             Number:    40             Number:    25^0        
     Range:     42.0nm         Range:     46.0nm         Range:     38.0nm    
     Max Speed: 2800kts        Max Speed: 1200kts        Max Speed: 500kts    
                                                                              
     Status:    StandBy        Status:    StandBy        Status:    StandBy   
     Capacity:  100%           Capacity:  100%           Capacity:  100%      
                                                                              


                              Weapons Target Window
Ŀ
 Target #1  Name: Karin          Type: Destryr  Damage:   0% Detection: Yes   
    Distance: 48.25nm  Heading:  63  Speed:  31kts     Direction to: 315    
    Radar: 100%  Jamming: 100%  Total Emissions: 76  Position: 465.28, 534.14 
 S-R Missile               L-R Missile               Torpedoes                
     Number:    30             Number:    40             Number:    25        
     ETIR:      ^1Too Far^0        ETIR:      ^1Too Far^0        ETIR:      ^1Too Far^0   
     %Accuracy:                %Accuracy:                %Accuracy:           
     Status:    StandBy        Status:    StandBy        Status:    StandBy   


                         Defensive Systems Status Window
Ŀ
 Gatling Gun               Anti-Missile Missiles       Chaf                   
     Rounds: 7500             Number: 25                   Number: 20         
     Range:  1.5nm            Range:  5nm                  Status: StandBy    
     Status: StandBy          Status: StandBy              ^1Last:^0              
                                                      Noise-Makers            
 In-Bound Targets                                          Number: 15         
     Missiles:      0         Torpedoes:    0              Status: StandBy    
     MinDistance:   0sec      MinDistance:  0sec           ^1Last:^0              


   Technical Notes:
Frigate was written in Turbo Pascal ver 4.00.  It uses standard Turbo Pascal 
functions and procedures.

Frigate automatically checks to see if you have a color graphics card.  When it 
is detected it will switch to color mode in order to make the screen more 
readable. 

   To run this program from outside the BIG BLUE DISK menu, type: ^1FRIGATE^0.
You may follow it with the following command line parameters:
        /m        Force monochrome display mode
        /c        Force color display mode
        /s        Force snow checking

DISK FILES THIS PROGRAM USES:
^FFRIGATE.EXE
^FFRIGATE.SAV
