http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~allang/DoomEd.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)NEW INFORMATION
DoomEd is a game editor for the popular games:
,
,
.Using DoomEd, you can create your own maps for these games, modify the maps which came with the game, or even modify maps made with other Doom editors.
When DoomEd was first being designed, I wanted it to be:
DoomEd is distributed under the Shareware concept. This means that if you like the program, you can send some money to the author (who, after all, has to eat). In return, you will receive a complete package, including software support and a printed manual. However, the versions which are available on the Internet are not "crippled" in any way. There are also no "nag" screens, only a fairly inobtrusive mention of the shareware registration address in a help box.
Doom and Heretic are also distributed as Shareware. The Shareware versions of Doom and Heretic can not be edited by third party editors, as requested by Id Software.
Many people have registered their copies of DoomEd over the past year. These people are all still waiting for their registered versions to be mailed to them. This page will contain detailed updates on what is happening, as I find out.
Since you're wondering, though, here is a brief synopsis: In July, 1994, I was contacted by an agent of a software distributor. They were interested in marketing a commercial version of a Doom editor. After upgrading the product to a decent level of functionality, I signed a contract and plans were made for on-shelf delivery by October 10, 1994 (the release date of Doom 2). Obviously, this did not occur.
On the (BAD) advice from a shyster (er--- lawyer), a friend of mine decided to sue for a piece of the action. His reasoning was that, since he had provided some input at the beginning, he was owed something. Unfortunately, as soon as the lawyer contacted the distributor, the distributor immediately backed out. After some time and considerable wrangling, I was able to convince the distributor that there is NO question of ownership. (I have obtained signed documents)
If you need more information than I've covered here, send e-mail to allang@cuug.ab.ca
Please do not send DoomEd related e-mail to pringler@cuug.ab.ca
If you are reading this, then you already have decent enough InterNet access to get DoomEd. The following versions are available online:
Programming for Windows is very... well, difficult to learn. There are an incredible number of API calls, and the documentation is oriented more towards reminding you of what you already know, not learning. As a result, almost every Windows program will have some problems.
Unfortunately, DoomEd is no exception.
Here is a list of known bugs, how severe they are, how to get around them, and what I plan to do about them:
DoomEd was written in C, using Microsoft Visual C++ 1.5
I am currently working on DoomEd version 4.32, which is mostly a 32-bit port of DoomEd 4.2. I am, of course, taking this opportunity to fix the known bugs... The test version I am using now allows up to 2000 sectors without a glitch. This version will be available here as soon as possible... probably a week at most.
4.32 will require Windows 95 or NT, although it will likely work with Win32s. Since I no longer have Windows 3.11 with Win32s, I'm unable to test it. Microsoft sent me Win95 a few months ago, and I must say, it is somewhat awesome. Hundreds of lines of code were removed from DoomEd, simply because Win95 (or rather, Win32 ;) is so much more powerful.
The DoomEd project has been allowed to languish for the past few months. This has been due to a number of reasons. First, on the personal side, I have been suffering from clinical depression, which makes it essential that I take an anti-depressant. This alters my sleep patterns, making each day considerably shorter than before. Second, I have no income, and have been forced to spend a lot of time trying to find an income. Third, I just haven't felt like it.
DoomEd started as a labor of love. I loved Doom, and desparately wanted to be able to create my own maps. I also wanted everyone else to have access to an easy-to-use tool. When DoomEd was released, my life became hell. I received several pieces of e-mail per day calling me down for "stealing" from DEU. Extremely abusive e-mail. I don't respond well to that.
After cutting a deal to distribute the thing, I was then fucked over by a friend. I have been unable to resolve this for almost a year now. Today's information says that the manufacturer has gone bankrupt (Value software somewhere in Florida) and a new company has taken over. They, supposedly, have 100,000 copies, of which 25,000 were sold and 75,000 are coming to me.
People, imagine if you will watching a dream crumble away. All of your plans and wants for your pet project ripped away when all seems certain. Then, imagine irate phone calls, DEMANDS, letters, etc., and you can't afford to do anything about it. That's the situation I'm in.
Watch this page for additional info, more frequently now.