Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)

[Daniel3D]

@Daniel3D

Would you be able to share files for me to try installing your racing game on my INTEL i7 computer (bare metal mode via booting from usb stick and booting from 3.5" floppy)(DOSbox various builds via windows desktop icon)?

I would like to try

Bare metal on a modern system is tricky because they often don't have legacy support. Usually sound support is most difficult. So I hope it works, and I know some tricks that might help. Let me know.

[TempodiBasic]

Just to understand:

The sound and music are of a custom format.
I can't share that. I can share a sample of the music.

the game is abandoneware, so no copyright is hanging on it, is it?
Is there no kind of informations about the custom format?

About installer I believe in my solution: write a Qbasic version of Installer to get a 16bit version usind Qbasic/QUickBasic and a 32/64 bit version using QB64.

Freebasic... it supports 16bit compiling... but for what? Are how many machines with 16bit OSes in the world?
Thanks for talking

[Daniel3D]

Just to understand:
the game is abandoneware, so no copyright is hanging on it, is it?

no copyright. We have had contact with the EA, but they don't seem to remember having it.
Also the original developers are quite supportive.

Is there no kind of informations about the custom format?

there is a lot of information about it. Even some adaptation for the engine sounds.
It is basally a stripped down version of midi with a file for the music (*.KMS) and a file for the instruments (*.VCE)
KMS stands for Kris Music System and VCE is a abbreviation of Voice.

Below links to technical information.
https://moddingwiki.shikadi.net/wiki/Kris%27_Music_System_Format
https://moddingwiki.shikadi.net/wiki/Kris%27_Music_System_Voice_Format
Kris himself doesn't have the tools for this format any more, and they are considered to be lost.

About installer I believe in my solution: write a Qbasic version of Installer to get a 16bit version usind Qbasic/QUickBasic and a 32/64 bit version using QB64.

That sounds good. I'm only asking for the 16bit installer, but the modern ones are welcome.

Freebasic... it supports 16bit compiling... but for what? Are how many machines with 16bit OSes in the world?

There are still DOS (and other old OS) users (8bit and 16bit systems).
One member of our community ran the game successfully on an emulated Amstrad PC1512 (8086, 8MHz, CGA graphics)
Not quick, but that is as low as it can go. So all software we make to compliment the game should have this in mind.

[TempodiBasic]

Wow

One member of our community ran the game successfully on an emulated Amstrad PC1512 (8086, 8MHz, CGA graphics)

to  reach this kind of user I think that the installer must be written in C64 Basic! In a way GWBASICA/QBASIC compatible... so the code gets the good/versatle position that I have stressed!

[Daniel3D]

Wowto  reach this kind of user I think that the installer must be written in C64 Basic! In a way GWBASICA/QBASIC compatible... so the code gets the good/versatle position that I have stressed!

I think you are right.

Can you do it?

[TempodiBasic]

@Daniel3D
Hi
I never have had used a C64 or another Commodore machine. Some decades ago I have had a C64 emulator, (CCS64) and so I have tried some games of that machine. I was never been able to do other that drop on CCS64 icon the game file to play.

However this seems to be interesting
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/BASIC

http://www.mypccollection.altervista.org/downloads/manuali/Dos/Dos_GWbasic%20manual%20(eng).pdf

I started coding with QBasic, but for the task request it seems the same that GW BASIC.
I'll try to have time to spend on this idea with code.

[Daniel3D]

@Daniel3D
Hi
I never have had used a C64 or another Commodore machine. Some decades ago I have had a C64 emulator, (CCS64) and so I have tried some games of that machine. I was never been able to do other that drop on CCS64 icon the game file to play.

However this seems to be interesting
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/BASIC

http://www.mypccollection.altervista.org/downloads/manuali/Dos/Dos_GWbasic%20manual%20(eng).pdf

I started coding with QBasic, but for the task request it seems the same that GW BASIC.
I'll try to have time to spend on this idea with code.

O shoot.
noob...
I meant in sight of processing power, not operating system. We can only modify the DOS version...
So only the DOS usable programs are needed.

It didn't register in my head that the Amstrad was not DOS based. even though i did know that.

[TempodiBasic]

Hi Daniel3D

about your goal to have an installer DOS compatible for STUNTS and its MODS stored in a subfolder GARAGE
The OS is DOS both on old machines, both on WMWare emulation and both DOSBOX enviroment.
So here is the QBasic installer for STUNTS developed at 90%.

From game downloaded from abandonware website posted at reply 16 of this thread
I see it has a flat one folder structure (the game and its files are in the same folder with no subfolder or extra folder) with about 210 files.
And now reading the following replies in the thread I see screenshots about the idea of your installer and the pseudocode

------------------------------------------
on run install
- ask source of the game #(can be the same as the current dir or different, does not matter | does not need to be checked)
  # Enter drive to install form:
  # EXAMPLE: A:\ 
 
- check if the source contains SKID*.exe files (there should be four of them, but check for any)
 
ask for destination,
  # Enter GAME directory
  # EXAMPLE c:\stunts\
 
Check if the destination exists.  Create or Ask to overwrite or change destination.
Don't check for enough space.
 
then copy files [source directory + subdirectories + all files]
(ESC to terminate, don't revert, just stop)
show, install complete box Return to menu on enter.
-----------------------------------------------

Well I can say I got in different way the results.

Moreover you have posted  TREESTUNT.TXT in which you show that all Mods are in a subfolder called GARAGE. Good it makes easier to localize Mods.

I have tried to run in DOSBOX the sgar.exe posted into .ZIP as compiled of installer freebasic version, but I got error that you can see in screenshot after.
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

Looking at code I see that it manages the Mods and let choose to the user what Mod to install and what not.
If you think to have a similar option, it is better to have an unique way to distinguish and to store Mods.

Anyway here the code for installer and Setup

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. DECLARE SUB UpdateRunFile ()
2. DECLARE SUB SaveConfig ()
3. DECLARE SUB LoadConfig ()
4. DECLARE SUB UpdateOp (oplist$, num%, opval$, length%)
5. DECLARE FUNCTION Menu% (m AS ANY, mm$, ini%)
6. declare function path$
7. declare sub header
8.  
9.  
10. Type MenuType
11.     x As Integer
12.     y As Integer
13.     c1 As Integer
14.     c2 As Integer
15.     w As Integer
16. End Type
17.  
18. Dim Shared men(1 To 5) As MenuType, ment$(1 To 5), ErrMsg$(1 To 3), CurErr%
19. Dim Shared videoid$(1 To 5), soundid$(1 To 6), curvideo%, cursound%
20. Dim Shared runfile$, SourcePath$, DestPath$, DummyCurpath%, DefaultSourcePath$, DefaultDestinationpath$
21.  
22. runfile$ = "STUNTS.BAT"
23. Defaultsourcepat$ = ".\"
24. DefaultDestinationpath$ = "c:\cs11"
25. SourcePath$ = ".\"
26. DestPath$ = "c:\cs11"
27. DummyCurpath% = 1
28.  
29. videoid$(1) = "MCGA"
30. videoid$(2) = "EGA"
31. videoid$(3) = "Tandy"
32. videoid$(4) = "Hercules"
33. videoid$(5) = "CGA"
34. curvideo% = 1
35.  
36. soundid$(1) = "No sound"
37. soundid$(2) = "PC Speaker"
38. soundid$(3) = "Tandy"
39. soundid$(4) = "Ad Lib"
40. soundid$(5) = "Sound Blaster"
41. soundid$(6) = "MT-32"
42. cursound% = 1
43.  
44. Screen 0
45.  
46. header
47.  
48. men(1).x = 4
49. men(1).y = 7
50. men(1).w = 40
51. men(1).c1 = 7
52. men(1).c2 = 4
53. ment$(1) = "Video display`Sound option`Install game to ...`Exit"
54.  
55. men(2).x = 13
56. men(2).y = 12
57. men(2).w = 27
58. men(2).c1 = 0
59. men(2).c2 = 2
60. ment$(2) = "MGCA/VGA graphics`EGA graphics`Tandy graphics`Hercules graphics`CGA graphics"
61.  
62. men(3).x = 11
63. men(3).y = 12
64. men(3).w = 34
65. men(3).c1 = 0
66. men(3).c2 = 2
67. ment$(3) = "No music or sound effects`Internal PC speaker`Tandy sound`Ad Lib card`Sound Blaster card`Roland MT-32"
68.  
69.  
70. men(4).x = 11
71. men(4).y = 12
72. men(4).w = 40
73. men(4).c1 = 0
74. men(4).c2 = 1
75. ment$(4) = "Source path`Destination path`Install game`Install mods`Exit"
76.  
77.  
78. men(5).x = 67
79. men(5).y = 15
80. men(5).w = 10
81. men(5).c1 = 0
82. men(5).c2 = 4
83. ment$(5) = "Yes`No`Cancel"
84.  
85. ErrMsg$(1) = "Error: file of configuration not found"
86. ErrMsg$(2) = "Error: file of original installation not found"
87. ErrMsg$(3) = "Error: file of Mods installation not found"
88. CurErr% = 0
89.  
90. GoSub Fileok
91. LoadConfig
92. On Error GoTo 0
93.  
94. UpdateOp ment$(1), 1, videoid$(curvideo%), men(1).w - 2
95. UpdateOp ment$(1), 2, soundid$(cursound%), men(1).w - 2
96.  
97. curmain% = 1
98. Do
99.     a% = Menu%(men(1), ment$(1), curmain%)
100.     If a% <> -1 Then curmain% = a%
101.     Select Case a%
102.         Case -1 ' exiting by EScape key from menu
103.             Color 7, 0
104.             Cls
105.             Print
106.             Exit Do
107.         Case 4
108.             SaveConfig
109.             UpdateRunFile
110.             Color 7, 0
111.             Cls
112.             Print
113.             Print "Configuration saved."
114.             Exit Do
115.         Case 1 'video display settings
116.             PCopy 0, 1
117.             a% = Menu%(men(2), ment$(2), curvideo%)
118.             If a% <> -1 Then curvideo% = a%
119.             UpdateOp ment$(1), 1, videoid$(curvideo%), men(1).w - 2
120.             PCopy 1, 0
121.         Case 2 ' sound options
122.             PCopy 0, 1
123.             a% = Menu%(men(3), ment$(3), cursound%)
124.             If a% <> -1 Then cursound% = a%
125.             UpdateOp ment$(1), 2, soundid$(cursound%), men(1).w - 2
126.             PCopy 1, 0
127.         Case 3 'install options....
128.             ' here user can choose destination folder, source folder
129.             ' installation of original game
130.             ' adding mods
131.             PCopy 0, 1
132.             Do
133.                 PCopy 0, 2
134.                 b% = Menu%(men(4), ment$(4), DummyCurpath%)
135.                 Select Case b%
136.                     Case 1 ' source path
137.                         ShowMessage 14, 0, 16, 19, 15, 56, 0, 3, "Caution you are changing default source path!"
138.                         Locate 19, 20: Color 14, 0: Print "Actual path: "; SourcePath$
139.                         Locate 20, 20: Input "Type here Source path: ", a$
140.                         If a$ = "" Or a$ = SourcePath$ Then
141.                             Locate 21, 20: Print " No new path": Sleep 1
142.                         Else
143.                             Locate 21, 20: Print "This is the new source path: "; UCase$(a$); " , do you confirm?"
144.                             c% = Menu%(men(5), ment$(5), DummyCurpath%)
145.                             If c% = 1 Then
146.                                 SourcePath$ = a$
147.                             ElseIf c% = 2 Then
148.                                 ' nothing is changed
149.                             End If
150.                         End If
151.  
152.                     Case 2 ' destination path
153.                         ShowMessage 14, 0, 16, 19, 10, 59, 0, 3, "Caution you are changing default destination path!"
154.                         Locate 19, 20: Color 14, 0: Print "Actual path: "; DestPath$
155.                         Locate 20, 20: Input "Type here Destination path: ", a$
156.                         If a$ = "" Or a$ = DestPath$ Then
157.                             Locate 21, 20: Print " No new path": Sleep 1
158.                         Else
159.                             Locate 21, 20: Print "This is the new destination path: "; UCase$(a$); " , do you confirm?"
160.                             c% = Menu%(men(5), ment$(5), DummyCurpath%)
161.                             If c% = 1 Then
162.                                 DestPath$ = a$
163.                             ElseIf c% = 2 Then
164.                                 ' nothing is changed
165.                             End If
166.                         End If
167.                     Case 3 ' game standard installation
168.                         GoSub Fileok
169.                         CurErr% = 2
170.                         Open "filen" For Input As #1
171.  
172.                         CurErr% = 0
173.                         On Error GoTo 0
174.                     Case 4 ' mods installation
175.  
176.                         GoSub Fileok
177.                         CurErr% = 3
178.                         Open "filen" For Input As #1
179.  
180.  
181.                         CurErr% = 0
182.                         On Error GoTo 0
183.  
184.                     Case 5 ' return to option menu
185.                         PCopy 2, 0
186.                         Exit Do
187.                 End Select
188.                 PCopy 2, 0
189.             Loop
190.  
191.     End Select
192. Loop
193.  
194. Print "Use " + UCase$(runfile$) + " to play Stunts"
195. Print
196. End
197.  
198. Fileok:
199. On Error GoTo nofile
200. If CurErr% = 0 Then CurErr% = 1
201. Return
202.  
203. nofile:
204. If CurErr% = 2 Then k = 4 Else k = 0
205. ShowMessage 14, 0, 16, 19, 20, 50 + k, 0, 3, ErrMsg$(CurErr%)
206. On Error GoTo 0
207. End
208. Resume
209.  
210.  
211. Sub ShowMessage (Fcol, Bcol, Urow, Brow, FstCo, WidthMsg, sFcol, sBcol, Msg$)
212.     'Subroutine to show a message on the ASCII screen and restore
213.     ' the previous screen after message has been shown
214.     ' Usage: SHOWMESSAGE Forwardcolor, Backgroundcolor, UpRow, BottomRow,FirstColumn, WidthMessagge,shadowForwardColor,shadowBackgroundColor, Message$
215.     Dim z As Integer
216.  
217.     PCopy 0, 1
218.     Color Fcol, Bcol
219.     For z = Urow To Brow
220.         Locate z, FstCo: Print Space$(WidthMsg);
221.     Next z
222.     Color sFcol, sBcol
223.     For z = Urow + 1 To Brow
224.         Locate z, FstCo + WidthMsg: Print "  ";
225.     Next z
226.  
227.     Locate Brow + 1, FstCo + 2: Print Space$(WidthMsg);
228.     Color Fcol, Bcol
229.     Locate Urow + 1, FstCo + 5: Print Msg$
230.     a$ = Input$(1)
231.     PCopy 1, 0
232.  
233. End Sub
234.  
235. Sub LoadConfig
236.     'Make sure the file exists
237.     '  Open "setup.cfg" For Binary As 1: Close 1
238.  
239.     Open "setup.cfg" For Input As 1
240.     Do Until EOF(1)
241.         Line Input #1, a$
242.         n% = InStr(a$, "=")
243.         If n% Then
244.             p$ = LCase$(LTrim$(RTrim$(Left$(a$, n% - 1))))
245.             v$ = LTrim$(RTrim$(Mid$(a$, n% + 1)))
246.  
247.             Select Case p$
248.                 Case "video"
249.                     For i% = 1 To 5
250.                         If LCase$(v$) = LCase$(videoid$(i%)) Then
251.                             curvideo% = i%
252.                             Exit For
253.                         End If
254.                     Next i%
255.                 Case "sound"
256.                     For i% = 1 To 6
257.                         If LCase$(v$) = LCase$(soundid$(i%)) Then
258.                             cursound% = i%
259.                             Exit For
260.                         End If
261.                     Next i%
262.                 Case "runfile"
263.                     runfile$ = Left$(v$, 12)
264.             End Select
265.         End If
266.     Loop
267.     Close 1
268. End Sub
269.  
270. Function Menu% (m As MenuType, mm$, ini%)
271.     Dim mop$(1 To 20), mops As Integer
272.  
273.     mt$ = mm$
274.     Do Until Len(mt$) = 0
275.         mops = mops + 1
276.         n% = InStr(mt$, "`")
277.         If n% Then
278.             mop$(mops) = Left$(mt$, n% - 1)
279.             mt$ = Mid$(mt$, n% + 1)
280.         Else
281.             mop$(mops) = mt$
282.             mt$ = ""
283.         End If
284.     Loop
285.  
286.     Color m.c1, m.c2
287.     Locate m.y, m.x
288.     Print "Ú" + String$(m.w, 196) + "¿";
289.     For i% = m.y + 1 To m.y + mops
290.         Locate i%, m.x
291.         Print "³ " + mop$(i% - m.y) + Space$(m.w - Len(mop$(i% - m.y)) - 1) + "³";
292.     Next i%
293.     Locate m.y + mops + 1, m.x
294.     Print "À" + String$(m.w, 196) + "Ù";
295.     Color 8, 0
296.     For i% = m.y + 1 To m.y + mops + 1
297.         Locate i%, m.x + m.w + 2
298.         Print "  ";
299.     Next i%
300.     Locate i%, m.x + 2
301.     Print Space$(m.w + 2);
302.  
303.     cur% = ini%
304.     ex% = 1
305.     Update% = -1
306.     Do
307.         If Update% Then
308.             Color m.c1, m.c2
309.             Locate m.y + ex%, m.x + 1
310.             Print " " + mop$(ex%) + Space$(m.w - Len(mop$(ex%)) - 1);
311.             Color 0, 7
312.             Locate m.y + cur%, m.x + 1
313.             Print " " + mop$(cur%) + Space$(m.w - Len(mop$(cur%)) - 1);
314.             ex% = cur%
315.             Update% = 0
316.         End If
317.  
318.         akey$ = InKey$
319.         Select Case akey$
320.             Case Chr$(0) + Chr$(72)
321.                 If cur% > 1 Then
322.                     cur% = cur% - 1
323.                 Else
324.                     cur% = mops
325.                 End If
326.                 Update% = -1
327.             Case Chr$(0) + Chr$(80)
328.                 If cur% < mops Then
329.                     cur% = cur% + 1
330.                 Else
331.                     cur% = 1
332.                 End If
333.                 Update% = -1
334.             Case Chr$(13)
335.                 Exit Do
336.             Case Chr$(27)
337.                 cur% = -1
338.                 Exit Do
339.         End Select
340.     Loop
341.  
342.     Menu% = cur%
343. End Function
344.  
345. Sub SaveConfig
346.     Open "setup.cfg" For Output As 1
347.     Print #1, "video=" + videoid$(curvideo%)
348.     Print #1, "sound=" + soundid$(cursound%)
349.     Print #1, "runfile=" + runfile$
350.     Close 1
351. End Sub
352.  
353. Sub UpdateOp (oplist$, num%, opval$, length%)
354.     Dim op$(1 To 20)
355.  
356.     o$ = oplist$ ' oplist$ is a string of name of items of menu separated by ' except the last one
357.     Do While Len(o$)
358.         ops% = ops% + 1
359.         n% = InStr(o$, "`")
360.         If n% Then
361.             op$(ops%) = Left$(o$, n% - 1)
362.             o$ = Mid$(o$, n% + 1)
363.         Else
364.             op$(ops%) = o$
365.             o$ = ""
366.         End If
367.     Loop
368.  
369.     For i% = Len(op$(num%)) To 1 Step -1
370.         If Mid$(op$(num%), i%, 1) = "(" Then Exit For
371.     Next i%
372.  
373.     If i% Then op$(num%) = RTrim$(Left$(op$(num%), i% - 1))
374.  
375.     op$(num%) = op$(num%) + Space$(length% - Len(op$(num%)) - Len(opval$) - 2)
376.     op$(num%) = op$(num%) + "(" + opval$ + ")"
377.  
378.     o$ = ""
379.     For i% = 1 To ops%
380.         o$ = o$ + op$(i%)
381.         If i% <> ops% Then o$ = o$ + "`"
382.     Next i%
383.  
384.     oplist$ = o$
385. End Sub
386.  
387. Sub UpdateRunFile
388.     Open runfile$ For Output As 1
389.     If videoid$(curvideo%) = "Tandy" Then
390.         v$ = "TDY"
391.     ElseIf videoid$(curvideo%) = "Hercules" Then
392.         v$ = "HERC"
393.     Else
394.         v$ = videoid$(curvideo%)
395.     End If
396.  
397.     Print #1, "@SKID" + v$ + ".EXE";
398.  
399.     Select Case cursound%
400.         Case 1: Print #1, " /spc /ns"
401.         Case 2: Print #1, " /spc"
402.         Case 3: Print #1, " /std"
403.         Case 4: Print #1, " /sad"
404.         Case 5: Print #1, " /ssb"
405.         Case 6: Print #1, " /smt"
406.         Case Else: Print #1,
407.     End Select
408.     Close 1
409. End Sub
410.  
411. Sub header
412.     'Color 15, 7
413.     Cls , 7
414.     Color 0, 3
415.     Locate 25, 1
416.     Print Space$(4) + Chr$(24) + " " + Chr$(25) + " to move highlight, ENTER to select option, ESC to exit, F1 for help" + Space$(5);
417.     Color 15, 1
418.     Locate 2, 3: Print Space$(74);
419.     Locate 3, 3: Print Space$(74);
420.     Locate 4, 3: Print Space$(74);
421.     Color 8, 0: Locate 5, 5: Print Space$(74)
422.     Locate 3, 77: Print "  ";: Locate 4, 77: Print "  ";
423.     Color 15, 1
424.     Locate 2, 28: Print Chr$(34) + "Stunts" + Chr$(34) + " Setup Program";
425.     Locate 3, 34: Print "Version 1.1";
426.     Locate 4, 18: Print "Copyright (c) 2021 Stunts Online Community";
427. End Sub

waiting your feedback I hope it would be useful.

[Daniel3D]

Hi,
sorry for the late reply. Life happens sometimes.
It looks very good. Good menu structure. very close to what i have in mind.

About the mods. In principle all mods are installed in the game directory. The only exception is cars. They van be in the game dir or in the garage. The game has a 32 car limit, so the option to park them in the garage is needed.

A small alteration to the menu (but a maybe a lot of work, so optional. The way it is, is good enough)
Now you have

• source
• destination
• install game
• install mod.

Can you make it sequential?

• instal game > enter source > enter destination
• install mod > enter source > enter destination.

if you run it them after each other or the same one again, the earlier selected source and destination should be opted for that session.

[TempodiBasic]

Hi Daniel3D
fine to see your feedback.

1. about

Can you make it sequential?
instal game > enter source > enter destination
install mod > enter source > enter destination.

Q1: Moving voices of menu isn't so hard... but let's talk about source and destination paths:
I think that it must be a value of default for the path and the destination, moreover the user can change one or both the paths manually. If you like to memorize the last used paths it is possible to do. Or do you prefer to memorize only the last paths used?

Q2: you prefer a sequential method, user chooses what to install, user chooses from where, user chooses to where...
if no new path is entered user uses a previous path... so the question is
"Do you like to use the last previous path or the Default path?"

about
"Original STUNTS and MODs"

Q1:  is good for installation the version that I have got from abandonware site? (about 210 files) I have downloaded both the game both the manual for security answer.

Q2: on the website that you have linked before http://stunts.kalpen.de/stunts.htm there is also the last version 1.1, is there some substantial difference? And if yes, what is the final version of game that will be installed?

Q3: Are MOD's files grouped following a standard structure or no?
It is clear to me that cars are max 32 in the main directory, the rest are in the garage (folder garage) and a separate module to install only MODs is useful to change the set of 32 cars loaded into game.

waiting your Answers...

[Daniel3D]

Hi Daniel3D
fine to see your feedback.

1. about Q1: Moving voices of menu isn't so hard... but let's talk about source and destination paths:
I think that it must be a value of default for the path and the destination, moreover the user can change one or both the paths manually. If you like to memorize the last used paths it is possible to do. Or do you prefer to memorize only the last paths used?

als default source i would take "A:\"
as default destination i would take "c:\"
For game installation it should add the game folder (STUNTS), i forgot to specify that.
It is a good idea to store that path as the current game folder. (in this scenario it would default to "C:\STUNTS\) in a file for later sessions

Q2: you prefer a sequential method, user chooses what to install, user chooses from where, user chooses to where...
if no new path is entered user uses a previous path... so the question is
"Do you like to use the last previous path or the Default path?"

The source should be default "a:\" but if this is changed within the session it should show the latest used first. But not stored after the session closes.
For install game again show the folder without \STUNTS\, if it is a know game directory, ask for overwrite.
For install mod show the folder with \STUNTS\

about
"Original STUNTS and MODs"

Q1:  is good for installation the version that I have got from abandonware site? (about 210 files) I have downloaded both the game both the manual for security answer.

Install game: installs the game as it is, including all mods that are there. Deinstallation of mods is something for later. Cars can be deinstalled, but placing them in the garage is sufficient. Deinstallation of cars will be implemented in the garage program.

Q2: on the website that you have linked before http://stunts.kalpen.de/stunts.htm there is also the last version 1.1, is there some substantial difference? And if yes, what is the final version of game that will be installed?

Honest answer, there might never be a final version. The tree.txt that I made contains the version that will be for now (except sgar that is a mod, and the garage dir contains modded cars that are not part of the official release). Included a cleaned up version of the game tree.

Q3: Are MOD's files grouped following a standard structure or no?
It is clear to me that cars are max 32 in the main directory, the rest are in the garage (folder garage) and a separate module to install only MODs is useful to change the set of 32 cars loaded into game.

Mod programs and files should be installed in the game dir.. Cars should go in the garage if present. The game doesn't break if more than 32 cars are in the game folder. It will only list the first 32.

waiting your Answers...

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Daniel3D]

Afther thought.
cars are grouped in 4 files. It would be noob friendly if it could detect cars and show the car name, or just the res filename as car name, and treat the 4 files as one.

I don't know the way to extract the car name from the res file. It is code in sgar.bas.
I kind of fear that if I'm too demanding in my wishes you might not want to do it any more..

EDIT:
I forgot that basic is easier to read than assembly. So I looked it up,

Code: [Select]

Sub ExtractCarName (c As Car, path As String)
If Len(c.file(1)) = 0 Then
c.carname = "Unknown"
Exit Sub
End If

Dim f As Integer, s As String, n As Short, l As Long

f = FreeFile
Open path & SLASH & c.file(1) For Binary Access Read As f
s = Space(100)
Get #f, , s
n = InStr(s, "gnam")
Get #f, n + 16, l
l += 39
s = Space(255)
Get #f, l, s
n = InStr(s, Chr(0))
If n Then s = Left(s, n - 1) Else s = Left(s, 40)
Close f

c.carname = s
End Sub
It starts from line 180 if you would like to see the context.

[Daniel3D]

I have tried to run in DOSBOX the sgar.exe posted into .ZIP as compiled of installer freebasic version, but I got error that you can see in screenshot after.
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

Sorry i missed this part
Dosbox removed support for this in a version for some reason. Easy to fix.
https://dosgames.com/utilities.php#extenders

Ever try to run a game and get an error like:
Load error: no DPMI - Get csdpmi*b.zip
You need a DPMI server, and the most popular is CWSDPMI. Unzip the CWSDMPI.EXE file into the game's directory and try running it again, it should work.

[TempodiBasic]

Hi Daniel5D
here another step of development of STUNTS under DOS.

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. ' 2021 11 13, Modifications to Installation menu
2. ' 3 choices: install game, install mods, exit from installation
3. DECLARE SUB UpdateRunFile ()
4. DECLARE SUB SaveConfig ()
5. DECLARE SUB LoadConfig ()
6. DECLARE SUB UpdateOp (oplist$, num%, opval$, length%)
7. DECLARE FUNCTION Menu% (m AS ANY, mm$, ini%)
8. declare function path$
9. declare sub header
10. declare sub changepath (kind as integer)
11.  
12. Type MenuType
13.     x As Integer
14.     y As Integer
15.     c1 As Integer
16.     c2 As Integer
17.     w As Integer
18. End Type
19.  
20. Const Spath = "A:\", Dpath = "C:\STUNTS", Source = 1, Destination = 2
21. Const MainWin = 1, InstallWin = 2, MsgWin = 7
22. Dim Shared men(1 To 5) As MenuType, ment$(1 To 5), ErrMsg$(1 To 3), CurErr%
23. Dim Shared videoid$(1 To 5), soundid$(1 To 6), curvideo%, cursound%, Mpath$(1 To 5, 1 To 2)
24. Dim Shared runfile$, SourcePath$, DestPath$, DummyCurpath%, DefaultSourcePath$, DefaultDestinationpath$
25.  
26. runfile$ = "STUNTS.BAT"
27. Defaultsourcepat$ = Spath
28. DefaultDestinationpath$ = Dpath
29. SourcePath$ = ".\"
30. DestPath$ = "c:\cs11"
31. DummyCurpath% = 1
32.  
33. videoid$(1) = "MCGA"
34. videoid$(2) = "EGA"
35. videoid$(3) = "Tandy"
36. videoid$(4) = "Hercules"
37. videoid$(5) = "CGA"
38. curvideo% = 1
39.  
40. soundid$(1) = "No sound"
41. soundid$(2) = "PC Speaker"
42. soundid$(3) = "Tandy"
43. soundid$(4) = "Ad Lib"
44. soundid$(5) = "Sound Blaster"
45. soundid$(6) = "MT-32"
46. cursound% = 1
47.  
48. Screen 0
49.  
50. header
51.  
52. men(1).x = 4
53. men(1).y = 7
54. men(1).w = 40
55. men(1).c1 = 7
56. men(1).c2 = 4
57. ment$(1) = "Video display`Sound option`Install game to ...`Exit"
58.  
59. men(2).x = 13
60. men(2).y = 12
61. men(2).w = 27
62. men(2).c1 = 0
63. men(2).c2 = 2
64. ment$(2) = "MGCA/VGA graphics`EGA graphics`Tandy graphics`Hercules graphics`CGA graphics"
65.  
66. men(3).x = 11
67. men(3).y = 12
68. men(3).w = 34
69. men(3).c1 = 0
70. men(3).c2 = 2
71. ment$(3) = "No music or sound effects`Internal PC speaker`Tandy sound`Ad Lib card`Sound Blaster card`Roland MT-32"
72.  
73.  
74. men(4).x = 11
75. men(4).y = 12
76. men(4).w = 40
77. men(4).c1 = 0
78. men(4).c2 = 1
79. ment$(4) = "Install game`Install mods`Exit"
80.  
81.  
82. men(5).x = 67
83. men(5).y = 15
84. men(5).w = 10
85. men(5).c1 = 0
86. men(5).c2 = 4
87. ment$(5) = "Yes`No`Cancel"
88.  
89. ErrMsg$(1) = "Error: file of configuration not found"
90. ErrMsg$(2) = "Error: file of original installation not found"
91. ErrMsg$(3) = "Error: file of Mods installation not found"
92. CurErr% = 0
93.  
94. Mpath$(1, Source) = "Caution you are changing default source path!"
95. Mpath$(2, Source) = "Type here source path: "
96. Mpath$(3, Source) = "This is the new source path: "
97.  
98. Mpath$(1, Destination) = "Caution you are changing default destination path!"
99. Mpath$(2, Destination) = "Type here destination path: "
100. Mpath$(3, Destination) = "This is the new destination path: "
101.  
102.  
103. GoSub Fileok
104. LoadConfig
105. On Error GoTo 0
106.  
107. UpdateOp ment$(1), 1, videoid$(curvideo%), men(1).w - 2
108. UpdateOp ment$(1), 2, soundid$(cursound%), men(1).w - 2
109.  
110. curmain% = 1
111. Do
112.     a% = Menu%(men(1), ment$(1), curmain%)
113.     If a% <> -1 Then curmain% = a%
114.     Select Case a%
115.         Case -1 ' exiting by EScape key from menu
116.             Color 7, 0
117.             Cls
118.             Print
119.             Exit Do
120.         Case 4 'saving configuration
121.             SaveConfig
122.             UpdateRunFile
123.             Color 7, 0
124.             Cls
125.             Print
126.             Print "Configuration saved."
127.             Exit Do
128.         Case 1 'video display settings
129.             PCopy 0, MainWin
130.             a% = Menu%(men(2), ment$(2), curvideo%)
131.             If a% <> -1 Then curvideo% = a%
132.             UpdateOp ment$(1), 1, videoid$(curvideo%), men(1).w - 2
133.             PCopy MainWin, 0
134.         Case 2 ' sound options
135.             PCopy 0, MainWin
136.             a% = Menu%(men(3), ment$(3), cursound%)
137.             If a% <> -1 Then cursound% = a%
138.             UpdateOp ment$(1), 2, soundid$(cursound%), men(1).w - 2
139.             PCopy MainWin, 0
140.         Case 3 'install options....
141.             ' here user can choose  installation of original game
142.             ' adding mods
143.             ' after doing this he can choose destination folder, source folder
144.             PCopy 0, MainWin
145.             Do
146.  
147.                 b% = Menu%(men(4), ment$(4), DummyCurpath%)
148.                 PCopy 0, InstallWin
149.                 Select Case b%
150.                     Case 1 ' game standard installation
151.                         ChangePath Source
152.                         PCopy InstallWin, 0
153.                         ChangePath Destination
154.                         GoSub Fileok
155.                         CurErr% = 2
156.                         '       Open "filen" For Input As #1
157.  
158.                         CurErr% = 0
159.                         On Error GoTo 0
160.                         PCopy InstallWin, 0
161.  
162.  
163.                     Case 2 ' mods installation
164.                         ChangePath Source
165.                         PCopy InstallWin, 0
166.                         ChangePath Destination
167.  
168.                         GoSub Fileok
169.                         CurErr% = 3
170.                         '  Open "filen" For Input As #1
171.  
172.  
173.                         CurErr% = 0
174.                         On Error GoTo 0
175.                         PCopy InstallWin, 0
176.  
177.                     Case 3 ' return to option menu
178.                         PCopy MainWin, 0
179.                         Exit Do
180.  
181.                 End Select
182.  
183.             Loop
184.  
185.     End Select
186. Loop
187.  
188. Print "Use " + UCase$(runfile$) + " to play Stunts"
189. Print
190. End
191.  
192. Fileok:
193. On Error GoTo nofile
194. If CurErr% = 0 Then CurErr% = 1
195. Return
196.  
197. nofile:
198. If CurErr% = 2 Then k = 4 Else k = 0
199. ShowMessage 14, 0, 16, 19, 20, 50 + k, 0, 3, ErrMsg$(CurErr%)
200. On Error GoTo 0
201. End
202. Resume
203.  
204. Sub ChangePath (Mtype As Integer)
205.     If Mtype = Source Then Apath$ = SourcePath$ Else Apath$ = DestPath$
206.     ShowMessage 14, 0, 16, 19, 15, 56, 0, 3, Mpath$(1, Mtype)
207.     Locate 19, 20: Color 14, 0: Print "Actual path: "; Apath$
208.     Locate 20, 20:
209.     If Mtype = Source Then
210.         Input "Type here source path: ", a$
211.     ElseIf Mtype = Destination Then
212.         Input "Type here destination path: ", a$
213.     End If
214.  
215.     If a$ = "" Or a$ = Apath$ Then
216.         Locate 21, 20: Print " No new path": Sleep 1
217.     Else
218.         Locate 21, 20: Print Mpath$(3, Mtype); UCase$(a$); " , do you confirm?"
219.         c% = Menu%(men(5), ment$(5), DummyCurpath%)
220.         If c% = 1 Then
221.             Apath$ = a$
222.             If Mtype = Source Then SourcePath$ = Apath$ Else DestPath$ = Apath$
223.         ElseIf c% = 2 Then
224.             ' nothing is changed
225.         End If
226.     End If
227.  
228. End Sub
229.  
230.  
231. Sub ShowMessage (Fcol, Bcol, Urow, Brow, FstCo, WidthMsg, sFcol, sBcol, Msg$)
232.     'Subroutine to show a message on the ASCII screen and restore
233.     ' the previous screen after message has been shown
234.     ' Usage: SHOWMESSAGE Forwardcolor, Backgroundcolor, UpRow, BottomRow,FirstColumn, WidthMessagge,shadowForwardColor,shadowBackgroundColor, Message$
235.     Dim z As Integer
236.  
237.     PCopy 0, MsgWin
238.     Color Fcol, Bcol
239.     For z = Urow To Brow
240.         Locate z, FstCo: Print Space$(WidthMsg);
241.     Next z
242.     Color sFcol, sBcol
243.     For z = Urow + 1 To Brow
244.         Locate z, FstCo + WidthMsg: Print "  ";
245.     Next z
246.  
247.     Locate Brow + 1, FstCo + 2: Print Space$(WidthMsg);
248.     Color Fcol, Bcol
249.     Locate Urow + 1, FstCo + 5: Print Msg$
250.     Sleep 2
251.     PCopy MsgWin, 0
252. End Sub
253.  
254. Sub LoadConfig
255.     'Make sure the file exists
256.     '  Open "setup.cfg" For Binary As 1: Close 1
257.  
258.     Open "setup.cfg" For Input As 1
259.     Do Until EOF(1)
260.         Line Input #1, a$
261.         n% = InStr(a$, "=")
262.         If n% Then
263.             p$ = LCase$(LTrim$(RTrim$(Left$(a$, n% - 1))))
264.             v$ = LTrim$(RTrim$(Mid$(a$, n% + 1)))
265.  
266.             Select Case p$
267.                 Case "video"
268.                     For i% = 1 To 5
269.                         If LCase$(v$) = LCase$(videoid$(i%)) Then
270.                             curvideo% = i%
271.                             Exit For
272.                         End If
273.                     Next i%
274.                 Case "sound"
275.                     For i% = 1 To 6
276.                         If LCase$(v$) = LCase$(soundid$(i%)) Then
277.                             cursound% = i%
278.                             Exit For
279.                         End If
280.                     Next i%
281.                 Case "runfile"
282.                     runfile$ = Left$(v$, 12)
283.             End Select
284.         End If
285.     Loop
286.     Close 1
287. End Sub
288.  
289. Function Menu% (m As MenuType, mm$, ini%)
290.     Dim mop$(1 To 20), mops As Integer
291.  
292.     mt$ = mm$
293.     Do Until Len(mt$) = 0
294.         mops = mops + 1
295.         n% = InStr(mt$, "`")
296.         If n% Then
297.             mop$(mops) = Left$(mt$, n% - 1)
298.             mt$ = Mid$(mt$, n% + 1)
299.         Else
300.             mop$(mops) = mt$
301.             mt$ = ""
302.         End If
303.     Loop
304.  
305.     Color m.c1, m.c2
306.     Locate m.y, m.x
307.     Print "Ú" + String$(m.w, 196) + "¿";
308.     For i% = m.y + 1 To m.y + mops
309.         Locate i%, m.x
310.         Print "³ " + mop$(i% - m.y) + Space$(m.w - Len(mop$(i% - m.y)) - 1) + "³";
311.     Next i%
312.     Locate m.y + mops + 1, m.x
313.     Print "À" + String$(m.w, 196) + "Ù";
314.     Color 8, 0
315.     For i% = m.y + 1 To m.y + mops + 1
316.         Locate i%, m.x + m.w + 2
317.         Print "  ";
318.     Next i%
319.     Locate i%, m.x + 2
320.     Print Space$(m.w + 2);
321.  
322.     cur% = ini%
323.     ex% = 1
324.     Update% = -1
325.     Do
326.         If Update% Then
327.             Color m.c1, m.c2
328.             Locate m.y + ex%, m.x + 1
329.             Print " " + mop$(ex%) + Space$(m.w - Len(mop$(ex%)) - 1);
330.             Color 0, 7
331.             Locate m.y + cur%, m.x + 1
332.             Print " " + mop$(cur%) + Space$(m.w - Len(mop$(cur%)) - 1);
333.             ex% = cur%
334.             Update% = 0
335.         End If
336.  
337.         akey$ = InKey$
338.         Select Case akey$
339.             Case Chr$(0) + Chr$(72)
340.                 If cur% > 1 Then
341.                     cur% = cur% - 1
342.                 Else
343.                     cur% = mops
344.                 End If
345.                 Update% = -1
346.             Case Chr$(0) + Chr$(80)
347.                 If cur% < mops Then
348.                     cur% = cur% + 1
349.                 Else
350.                     cur% = 1
351.                 End If
352.                 Update% = -1
353.             Case Chr$(13)
354.                 Exit Do
355.             Case Chr$(27)
356.                 cur% = -1
357.                 Exit Do
358.         End Select
359.     Loop
360.  
361.     Menu% = cur%
362. End Function
363.  
364. Sub SaveConfig
365.     Open "setup.cfg" For Output As 1
366.     Print #1, "video=" + videoid$(curvideo%)
367.     Print #1, "sound=" + soundid$(cursound%)
368.     Print #1, "runfile=" + runfile$
369.     Close 1
370. End Sub
371.  
372. Sub UpdateOp (oplist$, num%, opval$, length%)
373.     Dim op$(1 To 20)
374.  
375.     o$ = oplist$ ' oplist$ is a string of name of items of menu separated by ' except the last one
376.     Do While Len(o$)
377.         ops% = ops% + 1
378.         n% = InStr(o$, "`")
379.         If n% Then
380.             op$(ops%) = Left$(o$, n% - 1)
381.             o$ = Mid$(o$, n% + 1)
382.         Else
383.             op$(ops%) = o$
384.             o$ = ""
385.         End If
386.     Loop
387.  
388.     For i% = Len(op$(num%)) To 1 Step -1
389.         If Mid$(op$(num%), i%, 1) = "(" Then Exit For
390.     Next i%
391.  
392.     If i% Then op$(num%) = RTrim$(Left$(op$(num%), i% - 1))
393.  
394.     op$(num%) = op$(num%) + Space$(length% - Len(op$(num%)) - Len(opval$) - 2)
395.     op$(num%) = op$(num%) + "(" + opval$ + ")"
396.  
397.     o$ = ""
398.     For i% = 1 To ops%
399.         o$ = o$ + op$(i%)
400.         If i% <> ops% Then o$ = o$ + "`"
401.     Next i%
402.  
403.     oplist$ = o$
404. End Sub
405.  
406. Sub UpdateRunFile
407.     Open runfile$ For Output As 1
408.     If videoid$(curvideo%) = "Tandy" Then
409.         v$ = "TDY"
410.     ElseIf videoid$(curvideo%) = "Hercules" Then
411.         v$ = "HERC"
412.     Else
413.         v$ = videoid$(curvideo%)
414.     End If
415.  
416.     Print #1, "@SKID" + v$ + ".EXE";
417.  
418.     Select Case cursound%
419.         Case 1: Print #1, " /spc /ns"
420.         Case 2: Print #1, " /spc"
421.         Case 3: Print #1, " /std"
422.         Case 4: Print #1, " /sad"
423.         Case 5: Print #1, " /ssb"
424.         Case 6: Print #1, " /smt"
425.         Case Else: Print #1,
426.     End Select
427.     Close 1
428. End Sub
429.  
430. Sub header
431.     'Color 15, 7
432.     Cls , 7
433.     Color 0, 3
434.     Locate 25, 1
435.     Print Space$(4) + Chr$(24) + " " + Chr$(25) + " to move highlight, ENTER to select option, ESC to exit, F1 for help" + Space$(5);
436.     Color 15, 1
437.     Locate 2, 3: Print Space$(74);
438.     Locate 3, 3: Print Space$(74);
439.     Locate 4, 3: Print Space$(74);
440.     Color 8, 0: Locate 5, 5: Print Space$(74)
441.     Locate 3, 77: Print "  ";: Locate 4, 77: Print "  ";
442.     Color 15, 1
443.     Locate 2, 28: Print Chr$(34) + "Stunts" + Chr$(34) + " Setup Program";
444.     Locate 3, 34: Print "Version 1.1";
445.     Locate 4, 18: Print "Copyright (c) 2021 Stunts Online Community";
446. End Sub
447.  

Just to go on:
you must post here a definitive list of original (NO MODS)  files of the game Stunts.
as you can see from screenshot below there are some differences between you list TREESTU1.TXT and my list
LIST.TXT made on a folder of stunts got from abandonware.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

To solve DOSBOX issue to run sgar, for now it doesn't matter.
Waiting your answer....

[Daniel3D]

The point of the whole new setup and installer is just what you see.
We compiled the executables again to be more original then the original release. (It was originally released with a space saving modification that hurts performance)
So there is a difference between your original and the new original.
TREESTU1 is the correct file list.

Additionally, your copy from abandon ware is not original either. Many trk files are player generated content.

The HDR and COD files are integrated into the executables now. Stunts.com and load.exe have been replaced.