Look for this symbol to find the "new" sections of the
FAQ.Version 0.1 alpha
Last Update: July 21, 1997
Look for this symbol to find the "new" sections of the
FAQ.
1.0. What is RONIN?
RONIN is a real time strategy game on the open Internet. It is filled with bloodthirsty combat and sly political maneuvering. RONIN is a multiplayer game, and is designed to handle as many as 50-100 players on a single server. Players will be able to buy cards that enable them to summon more elite warriors and enhance their troops/castles in various ways.
1.1. How do I play RONIN?
You can play RONIN by just going to the address http://www.bigfun.net/ronin/RoninChooser.html. If your browser is Java-capable, RONIN will automatically start to load itself. Of course, if your browser isn’t Java-capable you'll only see a small, "You don't have Java" notification. You’re welcome to look at the download page as much as you want, but without Java the game will be much less exciting (as in, completely nonexistent).
1.2. How do I download RONIN?
You don’t need to download any files to play RONIN. Your browser will handle all the details of setting up and running RONIN.
1.3. How much will RONIN cost to play when it is released?
RONIN itself will be free to play, but we are going to be offering cards for sale that contain elite troops, heroes, weapons, and items. These cards will be sold much in the same manner as collectible card games. This FAQ scribe thinks that this solution is far superior to charging for the RONIN software or playing time.
1.4. When will RONIN be finished?
Ahh!, what a perfect time to extol the virtues of Java. You see, the wonderful thing about using Java to run RONIN's engine is that we can make updates seamless and automatic. Of course this means that, in a manner of speaking, RONIN will never be finished. Okay, I'll stop being clever before you start sending me threatening letters. Our current plan (this scribe may post some more specific information later) is that the release version of RONIN will be ready in October. By that time, our first set of RONIN cards will be in the stores. I don't think I even have to bother saying that all sorts of things could happen to change this already vague date, but I'm pretty confident that we will have something for the gaming public to play with by then.
2.0. The version on you web page doesn't have many of the features you mention elsewhere. Why?
The version of Ronin on our web page currently should be considered a playable demo. You start at the troop selection screen, buy your troops, go to the map screen and attack a castle. This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as RONIN goes. RONIN is about 25% of the way through development, and some of Ronin's most exciting features are still being tested in-house. As soon as we are reasonably satisfied with the implementation of a certain feature, a version of Ronin containing that feature will be released.
2.1. When are you going to have the Playtest?
Ha ha, I see that you too have been tricked. We’re playtesting right now. Of course, as Ronin becomes a more complex game, the playtest becomes more and more important. We plan on letting the gaming public do a lot more than just play the game in a nearly finished pre-release version. As the Mighty Gods O’ Creation ™ release feature and tweak code, we'll seek the playtester's input on the changes.
2.2. What do I need to do to join the Playtest?
You know, I hate to go off on a tangent, but the FAQ department has really just started up, and considering this, the members of the new questions committee don’t really have a whole lot to work with. Well, you see, they made up all of these questions. If one was going to get entirely technical about it, this isn’t a FAQ yet, but more of a WTWBFAQ. This scribe, being only a lowly scribe, isn’t really sure why the FAQ department thinks that someone could wander through the entire RONIN site and not see the prominently displayed "Join the Playtest" buttons. However, on this somewhat unlikely occurrence, you can become a playtester by sending email to Eric@bigfun.net and writing something like "Playtest" in the subject and "I wanna be a playtester" in your message body.
2.3. What kind of system and software do I need to have to playtest RONIN?
As far as systems go, you're going to need a computer that is capable of running Netscape Communicator version 4.0. We really hate to have to do this to all of those folks who run Netscape 3.0, but we really need the advanced security functions of Netscape 4.0. You see, without 4.0's ability to certify Java applications, we can't implement many of RONIN's most important features. These include such utilitarian things as, write to the user's hard drive (for those of you who have sat through RONIN's load up sequence a few times, our gratitude), or open up communication to another system. RONIN is going to be optimized for a 28.8 modem, but as with most things on the Internet, the faster the connection the better. We'd like to get as many different types of systems to playtest RONIN, but we don't plan on turning anyone away just because they have an extremely ubiquitous system (like a Dell P120 or something).
2.4. When can I play multiplayer RONIN?
Initial multiplayer support for RONIN is in its final stages of development. It shouldn't be too long, but we still have a few Java security-related issues to resolve. I'll send everyone on the playtesters list an email when a multiplayer version is on the web, and there will also be a big announcement on the RONIN homepage. Remember, this multiplayer version is going to require Netscape 4.0 initially, with support for Internet Explorer and HotJava planned.
3.0. How do I start playing RONIN?
Well, here’s the condensed version. When the game starts you’ll see a pit filled with troops, and then a window will pop up. This window will ask you whether or not you want to "play alone" or "connect to server". If you want to see if a server is running, go ahead and click on "connect to server". If a server isn’t currently working the connection process will time out in 30 seconds and you can just go ahead and play on your own. We'll let you know when a permanent server is established.
3.1. How does the troop selection screen work?
Well, there are some troops standing in the troop pit. These troops are very unhappy, and if you look close enough you’ll see that each has a little frown on his face. They really don’t like being in the pit very much, because it’s pretty hot and the pit has hardly any shade. One click on a unit will bring up that units characteristics such as speed, attack strength and defense strength. Clicking on the unit again will purchase the unit and subtract the cost from your starting koku.
3.2. 20 koku? That isn’t very much, how can I get more?
What? Do we look like we’re made of money. If you want more koku, why don’t you just go out and get some. Of course, as of the last time I checked, you can’t. You’re just going to have to be happy with the 20 koku you start the game with at the moment.
3.3. What can I do on the main map screen?
The main map screen is where you get information about the various castles, and the make-up of your armies. If you click on one of the yellow flags (your armies) the status bar on the left will show you what kinds of troops make up this unit. Clicking again on this flag will scatter your army. To move your armies around, click on an army, then right-click on the destination point. They will begin to slowly march to the chosen location. If they stop near a castle you have the option of attacking the castle. If they stop near another one of your armies, they have the option of merging with the other army. Clicking on a castle will give you some basic information about the selected castle.
3.4. How do I order my troops around the battlefield?
There are a few different way to order your troops around. You can click on the unit itself, which will highlight the unit. Then you can click on one of the available actions. If this action is target oriented (like attacking or moving), you then click on the target location or character. You can also select units from the list of names on the status bar.
4.0. Why isn’t there anything in this section?
Hmm, that's because the FAQ committee has not yet determined what sort of questions will be answered in this section.
4.1. If there was going to be anything in this section, what would it be?
All sorts of silly questions that the RONIN community wants to ask.