Hi, my name is Jeff Fink and I'm the author of Silvern Castle, the new fantasy role-playing game for the Apple II that was first demo'ed by Max Jones of Juiced.GS at KansasFest '99. My purpose in posting this is threefold: first, to let everyone in csa2 know about Silvern Castle and generate some feedback and sales; second, how to get it and start playing; and lastly, to thank everyone in the A2 community that helped Silvern Castle come to life. (1) So what is Silvern Castle? Silvern Castle is a fantasy RPG that looks and feels very much like the original Wizardry. In fact, I wrote it as a challenge to the authors of Wizardry who said a that a game like it could never be programmed in BASIC. As such, it does appear to be a Wizardry clone, albeit with much more depth, including a fresh new scenario. The first scenario, "The Lost Crystal Orb" pits your party against hundreds of monsters, fiendish traps, and a large 27x27 maze. To help fulfill your quest and defeat your nemesis, the evil wizard Drachma, your party will have to gain experience and skills, find magical devices, and acquire spells. Later versions of Silvern Castle include additional scenarios, including "Shades of the Past" and "Time Master". But only registered users can unlock these additional scenarios and discover their secrets. (2) I can't wait to play! Where can I get it, and what do I need to start playing today? First of all, Silvern Castle is up to v5.0 currently. As it runs under Applesoft, ANY Apple II running at least ProDOS v1.8 with Basic.System v1.5 or GS/OS system 6 can play it. A 3.5" or hard drive is also required. However, versions before v4.0 can also be played on 5.25" disks. An accelerator helps too. Second, only v1.0 is a stand alone program. All later versions are upgrade packages that require v1.0 to have been installed previously. However, once you install v1.0 you can always upgrade to the latest Silvern Castle version directly without having to install any intermediate versions (i.e. you can install v5.0 directly on top of v1.0 without having to install versions 2-4). The install procedure is very simple and is documented fully in each upgrade package. Third, the manual is included on-disk for viewing from within Silvern Castle or can be printed. If you have played Wizardry or similar RPG's you can probably jump right in without even reading the instructions. BTW, for those you send in their $15 shareware fee, you will be given a password to allow you to get an important talisman (you cannot win without it). In addition, registered users can access the underwater cavern in the moat, and will also be able to access the 2 additional scenarios, including future ones without charge. One more thing, you can avoid the annoying ambushes and the deadly shareware patrols past level 6 with payment-just my way to "encourage" people to pay the shareware fee! A copy of the installation instructions can be found online at: http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/gs.worldview/v2000/feb/articles/jef ffinksgames.htm That said, you can download Silvern Castle v1.0 and the latest v5.0 upgrade from the following URL's: Trenco: http://www.gno.org/pub/apple2/prodos/games/role-playing ftp://www.gno.org/pub/apple2/prodos/games/role-playing Delphi A2 Forums Database Library Ground: ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2 Asimov: ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II The following sites contain reviews, hints, and user comments: Delphi A2 entertainment forum: http://www.delphi.com/apple2 Juiced.GS Oct 1999 issue contains a review by Ken Gagne Jan 2000 issue contains a review reply by me http://www.wbwip.com/juiced.gs comp.sys.apple2 (csa2) For those who prefer disks, you can get them from Juiced.GS: Friends for Life CD: contains SCv1.0, v2.1, v3.0, v4.0, v4.1 Shareware '99/Summer collection: v1.0, v2.1 Shareware '99/Fall collection: v3.0 Shareware 2000/Winter collection: v4.0 Shareware 2000/Spring collection: v4.1, v5.0 http://www.wbwip.com/juiced.gs (3) Lastly, I wish to thank the following people for spreading the news about Silvern Castle. My apologies for anybody I missed. Max Jones, publisher of Juiced.GS http://www.wbwip.com/juiced.gs Jeff Blakeney, dean of A2 university on Delphi: http://www.delphi.com/a2pro Charles Turley, publisher of GS WorldView http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/gs.worldview Eric Shepherd, publisher of A2central: http://www.a2central.com Lyle Syverson, editor of The Lamp! Back issues at: http://lamp.sheppyware.net And all those who took the time to send in their shareware fees-thank you, the A2 torch would not burn so brightly without you. Sincerely, Jeff Fink email: finkjsc@yahoo.com Note: You can probably also find my other shareware release-a collection of 4 games including Demon Ball, Asteroid Miner, Apple Poker, and Rice Farmer from the aforementioned sites. II Infinitum! Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy. In article <8ojgic$ru5$1@nnrp1.deja.com>, finksterj@my-deja.com wrote: > Hi, my name is Jeff Fink and I'm the author of Silvern Castle, the new > fantasy role-playing game for the Apple II... Here's some additional info from the manual about Silvern Castle: What is it? Silvern Castle is a fantasy role-playing game. You will be able to create up to 36 characters and take 6 of them on an adventure into the unknown depts of a multi-level 3-D maze. It won't be easy. Traps of all kinds abound, as well as hundreds of monsters. Will you be able to fulfill your quest and retrieve the lost Crystal Orb from the evil wizard Drachma? A history: Silvern Castle was developed after the authors of Wizardry bragged that it was "...a game that simply could not have been written it BASIC."-From Wizardy: Proving Grounds Manual, pg 1. Wizardry is written in Pascal. SC was purchased by Softdisk in 1988, but was never published. After the demise of Softdisk, I requested and obtained written acknowledgement that the rights to Silvern Castle shall revert back to me, and to distribute it as I see fit. Intro to SC: Welcome to a new computer role-playing experience. At first glance, SC may appear to be a Wizardry clone. However, other than its outward appearance, it outperforms Wizardry in scope and complexity. For instance, you get 200+ monsters, 400+ items, special goodies, a multi-level 27x27 maze, traps, magic fountains, and more... > > That said, you can download Silvern Castle v1.0 and the latest v5.0 > upgrade from the following URL's: > > Trenco: > http://www.gno.org/pub/apple2/prodos/games/role-playing > ftp://www.gno.org/pub/apple2/prodos/games/role-playing > > Delphi A2 Forums Database Library > > Ground: > ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2 > The correct URL for Trenco is: http://www.gno.org/pub/apple2/prodos/games/role.playing ftp://www.gno.org/pub/apple2/prodos/games/role.playing II Infinitum! Jeff Fink email: finkjsc@yahoo.com Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.