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NinjaKat

2025 Oct 06 07:41:11
Ditris lands in Gothem for October! Have fun!
 

NinjaKat

2025 Sep 06 07:51:47
Sorry for the late release - September GOTHAM is live - and it's a great one!  Get into it!!  :D
 

NinjaKat

2025 Jul 31 20:36:05
GOTHEM August is almost live.  I have pre-posted and hope to enable in the morning.  Have fun!!!!!!!
 

NinjaKat

2025 Jul 06 08:29:46
July GOTHEM is live!  Looks like another great game.  Check it out!
 

amigalisa

2025 Jun 09 14:10:40
Stay tuned for a major SMD2000 announcement later this week!

Recent Posts

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81
ARBBS - Amiga Retro BBS / Spotlight on individual Door Games!
« Last post by intangybles on December 26, 2024, 10:32:21 pm »
Spotlight on individual Door Games!


In the "BBS Door Games" sub-board you will find a selection of "Highlighted" Games to give you an idea of what you can play in the BBS world!


Comments and discussion are of course welcome and encouraged!


First Game is Galactic Warzone - a firm favourite of our "sysop"


More to follow...


#ARBBS #DOORGAMES
82
BBS Door Games / Galactic Warzone: A Classic BBS Door Game
« Last post by intangybles on December 26, 2024, 10:24:13 pm »
Galactic Warzone: A Classic BBS Door Game


Galactic Warzone is a competitive, text-based multiplayer strategy game that was a staple on many BBSes during the golden age of door games. Players assume the role of galactic commanders vying for control of star systems through resource management, military expansion, and diplomacy.


Gameplay Overview


The objective in Galactic Warzone is to build and expand your empire by colonizing planets, developing fleets, and engaging in battles with rival players. The game progresses in turns, with each player receiving a set number of turns per day, encouraging consistent logins and strategic planning over time.


How to Play


Resource Gathering – Start by purchasing / trading resources from ports and your planets to fund your empire's growth. Resources are essential for building ships, developing infrastructure, and expanding your fleet.


Fleet Building – Construct various types of mines, spacecraft and other devices to defend your territory and launch offensive campaigns. Balancing fleet size with available resources is crucial.


Exploration and Expansion – Explore new sectors to colonize unclaimed planets or conquer planets from other players.


Combat and Diplomacy – Engage in battles to weaken opponents and secure new territories. Forming alliances (Teams) can provide protection and shared benefits.


Winning the Game


Victory often comes through a combination of military dominance, economic strength, and diplomatic savvy. Players must carefully manage resources, form alliances, and engage in calculated warfare to emerge as the most powerful commander in the galaxy.


Galactic Warzone remains a cherished memory for retro gaming enthusiasts and can still be experienced on ours and other modern BBSes. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, the game's blend of strategy and competition offers endless entertainment.


#ARBBS #DOORGAMES

83
How to Connect to a BBS and Enhance Your Experience with ANSI Terminals

In the modern age of broadband and fibre networks, the thought of connecting to an old-school Bulletin Board System (BBS) might seem arcane. However, the process is simpler than it sounds, and with the right tools, you can experience the vibrant text-based communities of the past with vivid ANSI graphics.

Connecting to a BBS Using Telnet

Most active BBSes today are accessible via Telnet, a protocol that allows users to remotely connect to a server. To connect, all you need is a Telnet client and the address of a BBS. Here's a simple guide to get started:

Open a terminal or command prompt on your computer.
  • Type the following command, replacing the URL with the BBS you wish to visit:
Code: [Select]
telnet bbs.example.com 23
Press Enter, and the BBS login screen should appear.

Note: Telnet connects over port 23 by default, but some BBSes use alternate ports, so check the specific board's instructions.

Enhancing the Experience with ANSI Support

Many BBSes utilise ANSI graphics to create colourful and engaging interfaces. To fully appreciate this, you need a Telnet client that supports ANSI art. While standard terminal applications can handle basic Telnet functions, they often fall short in displaying ANSI graphics correctly.

Recommended / Example ANSI BBS Terminals

Windows & macOS: SyncTERM

SyncTERM is a cross-platform terminal emulator that excels at BBS connections. It supports various emulations, including ANSI, and provides a seamless BBS experience.
  • Download and install SyncTERM from https://syncterm.bbsdev.net/.
  • Launch SyncTERM and select "Add" to create a new connection.
  • Enter the BBS address and choose the appropriate connection type (Telnet).
Amiga: DCTelnet

For Amiga users, DCTelnet is a go-to Telnet client that supports ANSI and is widely used in the Amiga retro computing community.
  • Download DCTelnet from Aminet or Amiga software repositories.
  • Configure the software by entering the target BBS address and enjoy the authentic ANSI experience.
Note: An "Internet" connected Amiga is required.

Testing Your Connection

Once connected, navigate through the BBS menus using keyboard commands. Many boards feature welcome screens with ANSI art, message boards, file downloads, and door games. SyncTERM and DCTelnet ensure that all elements appear as they were originally designed.

Conclusion

Connecting to a BBS today is like stepping into a digital time capsule, complete with vibrant communities, interactive games, and file exchanges. By using Telnet alongside ANSI-capable terminals like SyncTERM or DCTelnet, you can enjoy the authentic experience as intended. Whether on a modern PC, Mac, or our beloved Amiga, the past is just a few keystrokes away.


#ARBBS
85
ARBBS - Amiga Retro BBS / BBS and Door Game Articles / Posts Index
« Last post by intangybles on December 26, 2024, 01:01:08 pm »
BBS and Door Game Articles / Posts Index


The following is an "Index" that will be updated as new Articles of note are added.


1. The Nostalgic World of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)
2. The World of BBS Door Games
3. How to Connect to a BBS and Enhance Your Experience with ANSI Terminals
4. Spotlight on individual Door Games!


#ARBBS
86
Sub-Board now online for all your "Door Game" discussions!

https://www.amigaretro.com/index.php/board,98.0.html

87
ARBBS - Amiga Retro BBS / The World of BBS Door Games
« Last post by intangybles on December 26, 2024, 12:38:26 pm »

The World of BBS Door Games


One of the most exciting and enduring aspects of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) was the advent of "door games." These text-based and often multiplayer games were a staple of BBS world, offering users the chance to engage in competitive and cooperative gameplay long before the era of modern online gaming.


What Are Door Games?


Door games were external programs that "opened the door" to new experiences from within a BBS. When a user selected a door game from the BBS menu, the system temporarily transferred control to the game software. After the player finished, the BBS would regain control. This seamless integration made it possible for even the simplest BBS to host a variety of fun and  engaging games.


Popular Door Games of the Era


Many door games became legendary, fostering competitive play and long-term engagement among users. Some notable examples include:


TradeWars & The later TradeWars 2002 – A space trading and combat game where players built empires, traded goods, and fought battles in a persistent universe.


Legend of the Red Dragon (LORD) – A fantasy role-playing game that allowed users to explore dungeons, fight monsters, and interact with other players.


Barren Realms Elite (BRE) – A strategic resource management game set in a post-apocalyptic world where players controlled realms and engaged in diplomacy or warfare.


BBS Crash - A game of BBS Hacking allowing players to call imaginary BBSes and attempt to "Trash" them! 


A favourite of your "host"  ;) was Galactic Warzone - A derivative of the above mentioned TradeWars (and much more advanced - at the time), more on this game in a later article.


The Appeal of Door Games


Door games were more than just a diversion—they created communities and fostered rivalry and camaraderie among users. Since players often competed for high scores or limited in-game resources, these games drove repeat logins and deep engagement with the BBS. Many door games also featured leaderboards and daily turn limits, encouraging players to return frequently to continue their progress.


Technical Aspects


Door games were typically written in languages like Pascal, C, or BASIC, and relied on batch files or external scripts to manage the transition between the BBS and the game. Early games supported single-player modes, but as technology evolved, multi-node support allowed multiple users to interact with the same game simultaneously.


Door Games in the Modern Era


Even today, door games have a loyal following. Modern BBS systems like our own, accessible via Telnet continue to host these classics, preserving the unique gameplay experiences of the past. Additionally, hobbyist developers create new door games, ensuring this facet of BBS culture remains vibrant.


If you're eager to relive the golden age of BBS door games, look no further than our very own BBS!


#ARBBS
88
This can also be found on our "reddit"
89
ARBBS - Amiga Retro BBS / The Nostalgic World of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)
« Last post by intangybles on December 26, 2024, 11:17:37 am »

The Nostalgic World of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)


Before the internet became a household staple, there was a thriving digital underground that connected hobbyists, gamers, and curious minds—this was the world of Bulletin Board Systems, or BBS for short. A BBS was an early form of online community, typically run by enthusiasts from their own or club personal computers, allowing users to dial in through a modem to exchange messages, download files, and play text-based games (often refereed to as "Door Games" - more on this later.


How BBS Worked


BBSes operated over phone lines, and users accessed them by connecting their computers to a modem and dialling a specific number. Once connected, users could navigate text menus, post messages in public forums, engage in private messaging, and browse file libraries. Some BBSes supported multi-user capabilities, allowing real-time chat or even collaborative games.


The Culture and Community


Each BBS had its unique atmosphere, often reflecting the personality of its "System Operator" (SysOp). Some catered to specific interests such as programming, science fiction, or gaming, while others were general-purpose boards. Users formed tight-knit communities, engaging in lively discussions, sharing software, and participating in "door games", which were often multiplayer text-based games unique to BBS culture.


BBS vs. The Modern Internet


Though BBS systems may seem primitive compared to today's internet, they were pioneers in fostering online social interaction and digital entertainment. They introduced many concepts that persist today, such as forums, file-sharing, and online multiplayer games. However, BBSes were limited by phone line speeds, meaning connections were slow, and long-distance dialling could be expensive.


Why BBS Matters Today


Despite their decline in the late 1990s with the rise of the internet, BBSes remain a cherished part of computing history. Enthusiasts (such as ARB  ;) ) still maintain active BBSes, accessible over Telnet rather than dial-up, preserving this unique era for future generations. BBSes serve as a reminder of the grassroots ingenuity that laid the groundwork for the vibrant online communities we enjoy today.


If you're curious, you can still experience BBS culture by exploring our "Home Grown" ARB BBS.


To connect via Telnet, simply type the URL into a Telnet client or terminal as follows: telnet://www.amigagretro.com


#ARBBS
90
ARBBS - Amiga Retro BBS / Welcome to the new BBS Information and discussion area!
« Last post by intangybles on December 26, 2024, 11:12:42 am »
Welcome to our new BBS related "Discussion Area"!

Here you will now find all our BBS related information and a great place to ask questions and have a chat on everything BBS related!

#ARBBS
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