Chapter One - Where / How Can I Play A Dukematch Game?
Before you can start a Dukematch game, you obviously need some
way to play one. There are many ways and places where you can play a Dukematch
game. Some cost money, some don't.
1. Modem Game:
What Is It? A modem game is when your computer's modem dials
up your buddy's modem, and you play over the phone line. To start a modem
game, type 'setup' from your Duke3d directory, then choose MODEM GAME.
Pros: Moderately fast transfer speeds, no LAG. All you need is
a phone line, somebody to play with, and Duke3d.
Cons: Maximum players is two, sometimes it is hard to find the
right init. strings for your modem.
2. Null Modem / Serial Game:
What Is It? To play a serial game, you need a serial / null
modem cable that you will physically connect to another computers' serial
port. You can get a null modem cable at your local Radio Shack or Best
Buy. To start a serial game, run 'setup' and choose SERIAL GAME.
Pros: Gameplay is smooth. You can communicate with the other
person simply by talking to them, since they are in the same room as you.
Cons: Maximum players is two. Two computers need to be right
next to each other.
3. Network Game:
What Is It? You play a game with up to four people over a Local
Area Network (LAN) that you may have set up at work or school. To play
a network game, your computer must be physically hooked up to a network
of other computers. To start a network game, choose NETWORK GAME from 'setup'.
Pros: Up to for people can play at a time. It's fast and fun.
Cons: It's not every day that you find four computers networked
together in somebody's house, so you must play someplace where there is
one (school, work, library). Most schools (mine, at least) won't let you
install Duke3d on their computers to play a Dukematch game.
4. TEN:
What Is It? TEN (Total Entertainment Network) is an Internet
Gaming Company who will let you use their service for free to play Duke
Nukem 3D Shareware, Blood Shareware, WizWar, Total Annihilation, and Magic:
The Gathering. All other games it has cost money, either by hourly or monthly
billing plans. TEN is MY personal choice for Duke3d matches. For both TEN
and HEAT you will need Internet access and a browser (Internet
Explorer 3.0 or higher or Netscape
3.0 or higher should do it). It is preferable to have a 56K modem or
a ISDN / T1 line for maximum gameplay, but 33.6 and 28.8 (MAYBE 28.8. It
might work, but it would be terribly slow) will work too. It also helps
to have a GOOD ISP (Internet Service Provider). AOL is a no-no**.
To play a TEN game, you will need to go to TEN's
Web Page to register and choose a screen name. Then download their
software. It's pretty easy to use.
Pros: Practically the only way to get a 4-way game for free (LAN's
take money to set up). You play with a wide range of people, each having
his/her own style. It's fun. It's free.
Cons: There's always LAAAGGGG!! (Unless you have a T1 or higher
connection) (See CHAPTER THREE - ACK! LAG! for an
explanation) Dukematch games are very challenging (not that this is a bad
thing, however new players might get discouraged).
5. HEAT
What Is It? Like TEN, HEAT is an Internet Gaming Service where
you can play Duke3D shareware for free. Here's the catch: HEAT does not
directly support Duke3D Shareware (HEAT directly supports many games [A
company directly supports a game when their server has been fine-tuned
to work especially well with that game], and it also indirectly supports
any game that can be played over an IPX network, which means there may
be glitches in a game that's indirectly supported while playing it over
the Internet), which means you'll have to go to the "Play A Game Not Listed"
room, and spend a looong while finding somebody who has Duke3D shareware
AND who wants to play it. (I'm not even sure if Duke3D will work with HEAT.
I tried it once, but it just froze once the game started) My advice: stick
to TEN. If you would like to try HEAT anyways or try some other game HEAT
supports, go to www.heat.net
Pros: Other than TEN's Pros, none.
Cons: Might not even work with Duke3D Shareware.
**As far as my experiences with AOL goes. If anybody has achieved smooth
gameplay with AOL, tell me.