From: kdj@sw.stratus.com (Ken Jordan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
Subject: Re: Wolf3d: Episode 4 Level 10
Date: 21 Aug 92 18:55:34 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc.

In article <1992Aug20.205054.9766@engage.pko.dec.com>, marshall@tfh.enet.dec.com (Hunting the Snark) writes:
> 
> Has anyone managed to complete this level? Not only is there a truckload of
> "white guys" and almost no really defensible position, it also exhibits some
> really "spooky" behavior.
> <possible spoiler>
> 
> There is one secret room filled with ammo that would provide a reletively
> safe place to mow down the guards as they stream into the room, *but* after
> a while guards start to magically appear in the center of the room, behind 
> you, all over. From some angles they will disappear and reappear. 
> 
> I tried playing in GOD mode and even after fianlly killing all the guards,
> the corpses also would appear and disappear depending on your orientation.
> 
> The net result of all this is that it is essentially impossible to survive
> this level. Which leads me to the conclusion that either ID is playing very
> unfair, or there is a serious bug with this level. Not wanting to believe the
> former, there must be a bug.
> 
> Sm

I also ran into this bug (and I do believe it is a bug).  I was being
shot from behind (while in the secret room) and could find no one behind
me!  I believe the problem is with too many guards being activated at the
same time and (perhaps) the walls leading into the secret room are not
2 deep.  I have found that I (or the guards) can walk thru walls at times 
IF they were 1 block thick.  This is especially true for "curved" walls where
you're more apt to have 1 block thick walls if you try to maximize space usage.

Another possible reason is multiple floor values within the same room
(other then using 6A).  I've seen some strange walls appear if you use
2 valid floor spaces within the same contiguous floor plan (i.e. no
door separating the floors).  Perhaps, there are multiple floor values within
the room (i haven't checked yet).

The disappearing/reappearing guards is confusing (as to why).  I also found
that seeing them was dependent on your position (which way you turned) - which
made terminating them w/ extreme prejudice rather difficult.  

I called the Apogee number to report a bug on one level (i forget where,
but you face 2 doors (separated by a wall) and can walk THROUGH the right
door WITHOUT opening it.  On the other side is a moving guard who is "stuck"
walking into the door.  

Another more serious bug caused Wolf3d to crash when attempting to do to 
many quick saves (F8) during a game.  The Apogee fellow that answered at 
seemed very naive. He kept on asking "Is this stopping you from playing?".
He was bothered by the fact that I called the 1-800 order line to report 
the bug.  I told him that the flashing message on my screen asked
me to inform Apogee of the bug by calling THAT NUMBER. He told me that he
didn't like the idea of using the "order line" to report bugs!!

He honestly didn't care that I called or was a paying customer.  I also 
asked about obtaining the bug fix for level 1 (secret elevator goes to 2nd
level).  Again, same response, "can't help you".  I'll think twice before
reporting bugs to Apogee again.

-- 
Ken Jordan    kdj@sw.stratus.com|"Daddy, daddy, look, a spagito bit me", 
Stratus Computer        	|"Da-da, wa-wa" - partial conversations
Marlboro, MA, USA      		| with my kids...
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