                                   "They're Off"
                                    Version 1.1

                     (A 32-bit WINServer BBS Shareware Utility)

                             Written and distributed by
                                     PC Pursuits 

                      Support site: The Pursuit of Happiness at
                       http://www.pcpursuits.com/products.htm
                              telnet://pcpursuits.com
                            Dial-up BBS: (301) 695-5260
                                     ICQ 1891163

Product Summary:
----------------
"They're Off" is a high action Horse Racing game, jam packed with 
features for use on your WINServer/Wildcat! 5 BBS. This unique Horse
Racing game has over 100 different horses, 6 furlongs of racing
action, 10 horses per race, randomly generated horses, smooth action,
highly configurable add-ons, Off Track Betting, a lounge with more 
games, a full sysop control center, and much more!

"They're Off" is written in WINServer's 32-bit wcCode with many features and 
capabilities as follows:
-Over 100 Randomly generated horses
-6 Furlongs of Racing Action
-10 Horses per race with unique, and configurable racing characteristics
-Wager to Win, Place, or Show
-Detailed odds generated for each horse to Win, Place, or Show
-Race Track Lounge loaded with additional games and features
-Off Track Betting from the Lounge with ~live~ monitor of results
-Online chat that allows you to hook in a 3rd party chat, e.g., wcTele
-Who is online feature that allows you to hook in a 3rd party who, e.g., SeekingU
-Detailed Statisitical Reporting on previous races for handicapping purposes
-Full Sysop control center with both User and Horse Editors
-Ability to re-generate Horses data base with random characteristics
-Dynamic statistics Players with Most Wins, Highest Winning Percentage, etc.
-Provide your own names for the horses or let the system assign them
-Supports User aliases or can default to user's BBS name
-Allows default betting with a maximum bet of $10,000
-New allotment of money awarded every day, $100
-Ability to assign multiple Security levels to access the SYSOP features
-User and Sysop help screens
-Monthly bulletins generated for Top Players in a variety of categories
-A bank that actually pays 2% interest compounded daily!
-Several "unadvertised" features <G>
-Easy to install 

Setup:
------
1.    Unzip the program file into any folder under your WC5 folder. 
      Important: Use an unzip program that supports long file names.
      Note: use a directory name that does not contain any spaces or special
      characters (this is for compatibility with Windows NT). 
2.    Copy the They're Off.wcx file into your Wildcat folder. 
3.    Add a WcMenu menu option for "They're Off". Important,
      Please make sure to specify the folder from step 1 in the parameter.
      NOTE: If you use JAG5MENU or some other menuing add on, make sure to
      include the folder name in the appropriate parameter field as well.

Optional Setup:
---------------
The They're Off.wcx can be renamed to any name you would prefer as long as you 
keep the .wcx extension and make sure to point WcMenu to it, e.g., Horses.wcx.

One file is automatically generated and two can be manually generated to 
provide control over features of the game. Several other files are generated
to control aspects of the game and/or to provide logging:
 Todays.log, provides limited logging of the comings and goings in the game. 
 Yesterday.log contains the Todays.log from the previous day
 Maint.dat contains the date maintenance was last run (do NOT modify)!
 Month.dat is used for Monthly statisitical tracking (do NOT modify)!
 Monthly.BBS is a bulletin generated monthly which displays the top winners 
             for the previous month and for ALL TIME! 
 PrevMonth.BBS contains the Monthly.BBS from the month prior.

All files are stored in the game folder where you installed "They're Off". 

The following files can be modified to override certain defaults (please note, 
do NOT change the names or locations of the files, only the contents):

1.    The first is called SYSOP.DAT. This file as generated contains the single 
word "SYSOP". This file is used to designate what security levels have access to the 
Sysop commands of this program (some people like to allow their Co-Sysops to have 
access to these powerful and useful commands). You can manually add names or security 
levels to this file with any text editor. It is NOT case sensitive, but make sure to 
leave in the entry for SYSOP so that you still have access these features>

2.	The second, CHAT.DAT, is NOT generated but can be created with ANY text editor. 
The first line should contain the name of a third party wccode chat program like wcTele.
The second line contains the parameter for the third party chat program (if needed).
This file is optional, and if not provided then the game uses the default chat.

3.     The third file, WHOS.DAT, is NOT generated but can be created with ANY text editor. 
The first line should contain the name of a third party wccode WHO program like SeekingU.
The second line contains the parameter for the third party WHO program (if needed).
This file is optional, and if not provided then the game uses the default WHO.

Other file used or generated by the program:
HORSES.REC - As initially installed this file is empty. It is used to track horses statistics
             and can NOT and must NOT be editted.
HORSES.HS  - Contains the names of the horses. As intially installed this file contains over 
	     150 horses names (25 character length max). This file is used during the HORSE.DAT
             data base re-generation to dynamically build the data base with random racing and 
             track preference characteristics. This CAN be editted using any standard text 
	     editor but it will only take effect when you regenerate the HORSE.DAT file which 
             is a REGISTERED VERSION feature ONLY. 
HORSES.DAT - As initially installed this file contains a Horse data base that correlates to the
	     HORSES.HS file. This file can NOT and must NOT be editted. If can be re-generated
             from the Sysop Menu (a REGISTERED VERSION feature ONLY), to cause new random horse, 
             race, and track characteristics to be generated. This is a VERY powerful feature.
REG.#      - This contains the registration number that is provided once you purchase the product.
             The code can be entered manually or through the program on the Sysop Menu. All 
             registration keys are unique to a given system and must correlate to a specific Sysop 
             name, BBS name, and Wildcat! 5/WINServer registration number.

How to register and the benefits of registration:
-------------------------------------------------
There 5 second delay upon entering the game which will be removed, your BBS name will be displayed 
indicating that it is registered, and you will help support the shareware concept and the future 
development of feature rich products by PC Pursuits! In addition, certain powerful Sysop commands 
and features are disabled in the unregistered version. Also, users are limited to 5 races per 
session which once registered will allow them to play to their heart's content!

The cost is $25 by check or money order. You can register online using credit, online check, or 
even via voice for the same price! Just go to http://pcpursuits.com/products.htm and click 
on the REG SOFT icon. You can contact me, Bruce Preudhomme, via email at support@pursuit.kis.net 
for package deals or if you would like me to contact you by phone.

All future upgrades are FREE! We also offer a support message base, and a support mailing list 
which you will be notified of once you have purchased the product.

Future Plans and Projects already in the works:
-----------------------------------------------
I have three 32-bit games in the works (listed in the order of their upcoming availability): 
1.	MazeDnD (an awesome multi-level DnD game with lots of configurability)
2.	LoTN4U (Ladies of The Nights is an adult adventure game)
3.	ShellGame (a classic game of guessing which shell is hiding the ball)

Other projects due out over the Spring/Summer of 1999:
A Story writing feature with both an ANSI and HTML side. Some statistical type events to produce 
detailed outputs on dozens of categories which produce ANSI and HTML output. A FORSALE program 
that works in ANSI and HTML that allows YOU and your users to sell products and services. I am 
also looking into a User Configurable Outbound Telnet Menu program and 5 or 6 other programs. 
Also, I will be developing some web based games by the next millenium <G>...


Detailed Description of How the Program Works:
----------------------------------------------
The game is menu driven. Upon initialization it displays an ANSI graphic and then takes you to the 
Main They're Off Menu. The following shows the menu: 
                                They're Off Main Menu
                            'More Than a Day at the track...'


R) Off to the Races!
C) Enter the Chat Room
D) Do your Handicapping Research (View Previous Racing History)
G) Get Help (with the game that is...)
L) Go to the track Lounge
S) Show me how well I am doing
T) User Top 20 Statistics
U) User Listing
V) Visit the Automated Teller at the bank (You even earn interest)
W) Who else is on the system

Q) Quit

They're Off! is an ACTION packed Horse Racing Game with LOTS
of extra features not usually found in a typical horse race game.
Even if you have never been to the track you can get the knack of this game
fairly easily. Basically you should first take a look at the Handicapping
Main Menu option to see what horses are winning. Some basic things about a
horse race that you need to know is, that to WIN is to come in first,
to PLACE is to come in second, and to SHOW is to come in third.
The only tricky part is if you bet for a horse to WIN then
your horse MUST come in first! If you bet for a horse to PLACE
then the horse you bet on must come in FIRST or SECOND for you to win!
And if you bet for a horse to SHOW then you win the bet if the horse
comes in FIRST, SECOND or THIRD! See how easy it is?

The next thing you need to know are the ODDS. Basically this is used to rate
the likelihood of the horse coming in for any of the three winning categories.
It is also used to determine the pay out if the horse that you wager on wins.
So if you bet $100 for a horse with 10:1 odds to Show and that horse
comes in FIRST, SECOND or THIRD, then you get $1,000. 
Betting to SHOW is usually a safe bet as long as you check the odds.
In general,the for a horse to show are better. BTW, the lower the odds,
the more likely that horse is going to win (but don't always count on that).
Many factors go into determining whether a horse is going to win or not;
the track condition,the jockey, their current winning history, etc.
One final note, you start off with over $1,000 (randomly generated)
and you get $100 each new day that you sign on to play.

The following is a summary of the commands available for your use:
  
R) Off to the Races!  Entering R takes you to the race track
where you are shown the 10 horses scheduled for the next race and
their odds to WIN, PLACE or SHOW. You select a horse
by their gate number (1 to 9 and 0 for gate 10). Next you pick 
whether the horse will WIN, PLACE or SHOW. Finally, you
make your wager. You can't wager more than what you have in your pocket
and the maximum wager is $10,000. 
Note: Hitting the ENTER key on the wager entry will bet the maximum that
you can bet; either $10,000 if you have more than that or all that
you have in your pocket if you have less than $10,000. Of course you
can enter a lesser amount simply by entering the amount WITHOUT any $ , or .
for a $1000 bet you would just enter 1000 after that 
                            They're Off!
You see 6 furlongs of racing action with a dynamically displayed leader
board at the bottom! At the end of the 6th furlong a FINISH LINE appears
and the top 3 horses stop just beyond the finish line. After the top 3 have 
crossed the finish line then the race summary is displayed and your winnings
or losings are automatically credited or deducted to/from your pocket money!

C) Enter the Chat Room. This will take you to the chat room to chat with other
users. Exiting the chat room will take you right back here. Since you
see this part of the help file, you have access to the chat room.

D) Do your Handicapping Research. This allows to display the top 20
horses in a variety of categories (Wins, Places, Shows). This gives you
an indication of which horses are HOT right now but it is not
a guarantee but it can help you in selecting your horse!

G) Get Help (with the game that is...). This is a detailed and colorful online
help screen for both users and Sysops.

L) Go to the track Lounge. This option displays the Lounge Menu which offers
a variety of options including Black Jack, a number guessing game and Off track
betting! Many fun things to do in the lounge so make sure to check it out!
S) Show me how well I am doing. This shows your personal statistics 
at any given moment in time!

T) User Top 20 Statistics. This lets you see how well the others are doing!
Many interesting categories are reported on dynamically, including Most Wins,     
Highest Winning Percentage, Greatest Number of Races, and TOP Money Maker! 
It provides many sorted listings in these for the TOP 20 users in each 
category for both the current month as well as for ALL TIME!

U) User Listing. This provides a simple listing of your fellow patrons with
the number of races bet on, the last time played and their total winnings!

W) Who else is on the system. This shows you who is on the BBS at that 
time and then allows you to return to the track without leaving the game!

The Track Lounge has many features as shown below:

                         Welcome to the Lounge Menu
                   'Sit back, relax, and have a little fun...'



B) Black Jack Anyone?
L) List Your Fellow Patrons
M) My Personal Statistics
O) Offtrack Betting
P) Play a little Number Guessing Game
R) Research Horses Stats to Increase your odds (handicapping)
W) Who else is Hangin' Around

X) Exit

Most of the features are self-explanatory but the most interesting is the Offtrack Betting. 
This feature allows similar betting as under the normal racing option using the same 
algorithyms, track conditions, and horses characteristics as the normal racing without the 
graphical display, Instead, a simple ~live~ monitor of the racing activity is provided 
followed by the race results.

This is the SYSOP Menu:

                         Welcome to the POWERFUL SYSOP Menu
          'Be careful what key you hit because it might be your last <G>'



A) Alter User Records (don't adjust an online user)
B) Begin New Horses Statistics (this WIPES out the Horse's Stats
C) Change Horses Asses (I mean, update their records<G>)
D) Destroy and Re-generate Your Horses Data Base (Back up first!)
E) Enter Your Registration Number (Don't use if you are already reg'ed)
L) List Users (If you are not sure who you got <G>)

X) Exit

If you are a sysop, or have been assigned special SYSOP access then
you have these additional and powerful commands at your disposal. 
Only people with the SYSOP security and the other security 
levels that have been defined in the WHO.SYSOP file 
can see this menu. All others do NOT have access to these commands.
  
The following commands are provided for your use:
 
A) Alter User Records. This is a user editor. Almost every
field in the User record can be changed. Don't modify an online user!
This is a REGISTERED VERSION feature ONLY! 

B) Begin New Horses Statistics. This removes the horses statisitcs 
used by users to determine which horses are winning or not.
Every month this data is wiped clean automatically.
This is a REGISTERED VERSION feature ONLY! 

C) Change Horses Asses (I mean, update their records<G>). This allows
you to change the horses record with the MOST important being the Furlong
Rating which is used by the racing algorithm to determine how well 
the horse will perform in a given race. These numbers are used in the
racing algorythm. Valid values range from 8 to 32. 
The higher the number the better the performance in the various Furlongs. 
Generally you should not change ANY of these values unless a horse is
winning too much! The other values for color, dirt, consistency and turf 
are used by the racing algorythm but will not greatly impact the horse's 
performance. Future versions may take greater advantage of these fields 
and advertise the various track conditions,and other factors that these 
control. Note, rebuilding the horse data base generates NEW values. 
This all depends on how successful this game is and whether people support 
further development
This is a REGISTERED VERSION feature ONLY! 

D) Destroy and Re-generate Your Horses Data Base (Back up first!). This is
VERY powerful and should be used infrequently. This data base will get 
automatically re-generated in the Monthly maintenance cycle. You can also
use this to correct the data base if you hosed it using the 
command: C) Change Horses Asses as described above <G>!
This is a REGISTERED VERSION feature ONLY! 

E) Enter Your Registration Number Please use this to register
this fine game! Hopefully you will use this at least once <G>!

L) List Users This provides a list of your users.

X) Exit. This is used to exit the SYSOP menu.

Disclaimer:
-----------

They're Off is distributed "as is" without warranty. The only thing that I will guarantee is that 
the program will take up space on your hard drive and that it works on my system and the systems
on all my beta testers. In no event shall PC Pursuits or Bruce Preudhomme be liable to you for 
damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential 
damages arising out of your use of or inability to use this program, even if Bruce Preudhomme or 
PC Pursuits has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Bruce Preudhomme will not be 
liable for any such claim by any other party.

Distribution:
-------------

This is a full release version and can to be distributed freely as long as it is not modified in 
any way.  


Beta Team:
----------
Special Thanks to my beta team: Thomas Kloos, Wayne Timbs and 
Jim Ktulu. They helped beta test the program and offered suggestions 
to make it be the best and most feature rich product of its kind!
Any individual who has purchased one or more products can request to
be on the Beta team by sending an email to sysop@pursuit.kis.net
